The Dawn of Silver Snow.
Story Summary: Byleth, a girl with no heartbeat and Daughter of Jeralt, a mercenary, finds that Sothis has Awakened inside of her; soon, changes begin to occur to Byleth while Sothis, the Spirit who guides Byleth, remembers everything of her Past life. Will the World be Ready for the Goddess to walk with the living once again? Who are the mysterious Argathians? This is a Rewritten Silver Snow route with a couple of significant twists.
Chapter Summary: Byleth's First Day as a professor. A mock battle occurs, Byleth decides to spend some time bonding with Flayn during Lunch.
Chapter 3: First Day of Class
21 of the Great Tree Moon, the Imperial year 1180
Audience Chamber
Jeralt was in the audience chamber alone, walking back and forth while his daughter was talking with the class leaders. Jeralt was wondering if it was a good idea for him to leave the monastery with Byleth when she was a baby. He could tell that the archbishop and her advisor were being honest with them when they told them their deepest secrets, but if anyone asked Jeralt about the news he received, he would answer he was worried about Byleth.
It was now that Byleth walked into the audience chamber she noticed her father pacing and carefully walked behind her father and tapped his shoulder, startling him.
"Oh, it's you, Byleth." Sputtered Jeralt. "I take it you are done with the class leaders."
"Yes, Yes I am," replied Byleth while grinning. "I actually know which class I will lead this year if they let me pick."
"That is a big if, Byleth; after all, they may have picked your class already," replied Jeralt.
Just then, an older man in his mid-sixties with short grey hair was wearing a dark suit with an overcoat that was not buttoned. Inside the overcoat was a grey vest with a green tie tucked in the vest. Next to the man was a woman in her early thirties with short dirty blond hair that went down halfway to her neck—wearing a revealing blue dress and black heels. Covering her dress was a white top.
"So! You must be the new Professor. My, how stern and handsome you are!" effused the woman.
"Er, no. I'm not the one you're looking for. You can handle things from here. Good luck" Jeralt is taking his leave to go to the training grounds since he is the new combat instructor.
"Oh my. It's you, then? But you are so young..." gasped Manuela
"Competence and age are not necessarily correlated, as you well know. I am Hanneman, a Crest scholar and Professor at the Officers Academy. I wonder if you bear a Crest of your own. When next you have a moment to spare, I insist that you pay me a visit so we can delve into the subject further." Answered Hanneman
"Absolutely not," answered Byleth but was ignored
"I'm Manuela. I'm a professor, a physician, a songstress, and available. It's nice to meet you." Addressed Manuela
"You're a physician?" blurted out Byleth.
"I look too pretty for that line of work, do I? But yes, when I'm not teaching, I can be found in the infirmary. If you're ever lonely, please do come and pay me a visit. I would love to– "Manuela.
"Spare our colleague the needless chatter, Manuela. Now then, it seems you'll be taking charge of one of the academy's three houses. I expect you haven't yet been briefed on the nature of each, have you?" interrupted Hanneman.
"Do you really not know? Fine, I'll do you a favour and explain. The Officer's Academy is comprised of three houses of students, each of which is closely affiliated with its region of origin. The Black Eagle House is for students from the Adrestian Empire. This year, their house leader is Edelgard, the Imperial princess, who is in line to be the next emperor." began Manuela.
"The Blue Lion House is for students from the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. Their house leader this year is Prince Dimitri. He is to be the next king of Faerghus." added Hanneman
"Lastly, there is the Golden Deer House, which is for students of the Leicester Alliance. Their house leader is Claude, grandson to Duke Riegan, the leader of the Alliance." Finished Manuela
'Sothis, if these two would actually let me talk, they would know I already know all of this's like, why I would need to go over this again? This is boring me.' Grumbled Byleth
'Relax, my little dragon, let them have their piece, then talk to them and remember that you are to let that Hanneman guy check your blood under no circumstances. I feel like he has malicious intent.' Echoed Sothis
To think that the next emperor, king and sovereign duke are all here. It certainly is a promising year for the academy," stated Hanneman
"I'll say. I just hope none of those little treasures cause any trouble," said Manuela
"For now, I suggest taking a stroll around the academy to get your bearings. And when you have got a moment, please stop by my research laboratory," said Hanneman
"The old man has a point. I suggest you try spending time with the students. Some odd ducks in that bunch, but they're good kids. I'm sure Lady Rhe- "replied Manuela.
"Can you both let me talk!" yelled Byleth interrupting Manuela mid-sentence "like seriously, I've been trying to talk, but you guys will not let me. So now that I have your attention, I have already spoken to the class leader of each class and know the names of the main students. Now I do know the roster is not complete. My grandmother told me that when I returned to her quarters earlier before I came down here to talk to dad."
"As I said earlier, competence and age are not necessarily correlated," replied Hanneman
".Wait, who is your grandmother?" asked Manuela.
"It doesn't concern you now, does it? See you tomorrow," replied Byleth as she turned around and walked out of the audience chamber.
22 of the Great Tree Moon, The Imperial year 1180
Byleth's room, early morning
Byleth was still in the process of waking up in her room on the third floor. Since she was the archbishop's granddaughter, she was given ample space on the third floor. She had a large bed with a bed frame carved from wood in her room. Across from the bed was an L-shaped desk with a chair that had wheels on its bottom. Diagonally from the desk, she had a bookcase which, for once, Byleth was glad that she had a place to store her books. The walls were painted in ivory, while the baseboards, doorframes, and windowsills were painted in green.
'My little dragon, are you sure your up to the task of teaching kids how to fight if it were not for me intervening, you would have met your end,' Asked Sothis
"Sothis, why do you keep on calling me Little Dragon! I am tired of living in my father's shadow. I am twenty years old. I need to cut a path that is my own!" sobbed Bylethwho at this point covered her eyes and wept.
Sothis seeing this floated towards Byleth and wrapped her arms around the weeping girl. 'Byleth, I call you the little part because even though you are a part of me, you are still your own person, but you never had a mother figure in your life. For now, I will be that figure to guide you. For the dragon part, you will understand soon what it means. Now come on, let it all out, cry if you must. You have been through a lot.' Answered Sothis
Byleth hugging Sothis back with tears flowing from her eyes, answered, "Thank you, Sothis this means a lot, but you are very cryptic, you know that"
'There is a reason for that; there is some stuff I feel like your either not ready to know or your better off learning from your grandmother, uncle, or cousin,' responded Sothis.
Audience Chamber, later in the morning.
Byleth was standing there facing Rhea and Seteth. Next to Byleth were Manuela and Hanneman. Sothis was, of course, floating above Byleth, but nobody but Byleth could see her. And Sothis' eyes were ever fixated on watching Byleth, making sure she guides Byleth in the correct matter.
"How are you enjoying your time at the academy thus far? I hope you have found our halls brimming with the vitality of well-intentioned souls," asked Rhea
"Hm. I suppose it is time for you to take charge of one of our three houses of students. However, since this is your first-time teaching and since you are the archbishop's granddaughter and my niece, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask if you need advice or tips to help teach; just come to anyone of our offices. Your grandmother and I won't hesitate to help you," affirmed Seteth
"The Black Eagles, the Blue Lions, and the Golden Deer… All so different. I hope you've made it a point to get to know each of them." coaxed Manuela.
"Since you are new here, we have decided to allow you first pick. Manuela and I will take charge of the remaining two houses," said Hanneman
"I already know which class I am going to pick; I pick the Black Eagles," answered Byleth.
"Are you sure you want to lead this class, Byleth? if you want to change your mind, now is the time," asked Rhea
"Yes, I am sure," replied Byleth
"Your heart has made its choice, then. All I ask is that you guide these open minds with virtue, care, and sincerity. Remember that Instruction resumes tomorrow, giving you time to go over what you want to have planned for the rest of this moon," declared Rhea.
Byleth's Bedroom That evening
Byleth walked into her room with her eyes dilated, holding her chest, her breathing becoming shallow and restricted. Byleth's breathing pace is rapidly picking up. No matter how hard she tries, she can't slow it down. She is feeling as if she is choking or being suffocated.
'Oh no,' blurted out Sothis narrowing her eyes and putting both of her arms onByleth's shoulder. 'Byleth, listen carefully. You need to breathe. You are having a panic attack.'
'Okay,' wailed Byleth.
'Take a deep breath, hold it…one…two… three now exhale,' coached Sothis while making sure she was looking at Byleth at eye level, so when Byleth did exactly what Sothis told her, she knew that Byleth was listing to her.
'Byleth, look for five things you can see and tell me them. Just know I am here to help you' emphasized Sothis.
'Sothis, I can see you; I can see the tree out the window, I can see the bookshelf, I can see the desk, and I can see the bed,' cried Byleth.
'Now, Byleth, can you tell me four things that you can touch' addressed Sothis.
'Sothis … I can touch you, I can touch my desk, my chest, and the wall,' sobbed Byleth.
'Now, Byleth, can you tell me three things you can hear' continued Sothis
'Well, I can hear you, I can hear the wind outside, and I can hear footsteps outside,' cried Byleth, who is now crying less
'Very good, Byleth; I can see that this is working, so let's continue. Can you name me two things you can smell?' added Sothis
'Well, I can smell…um my body order and a what smells like meat from a red wolf,' answered Byleth.
'Perfect, now tell me something you can taste,' continued Sothis
'I can still taste the food I ate earlier,' responded Byleth
'Byleth, let me ask you this do you feel better now?' asked Sothis
'I am much better, Sothis, thank you very much. How did you know how to pull me out of it? Usually, only dad can pull me out of it, but what you were directing me to do helped, and it helped a lot, thank you, Sothis' cheered Byleth.
'Well, Byleth, I had kids that had panic attacks in the past. I taught them that technique, which helped them get out of it. I am more concerned about what has you so worried that it caused you to have a panic attack. Byleth talks to me; what is wrong?' asked Sothis.
'I am scared that I will be a terrible teacher, that the kids' students will not respect me, that when they do battle, I will lead them to their death,' replied Byleth
Sothis then sighed and, in consoling, declared, 'I am here with you; you don't only have me, but you have your uncle Seteth as he is calling himself now Cichol his real name. Your Grandmother Serios, or Rhea as she calls herself now, have the other professors and your father. And you have Cethlean, or Flayn has she is calling herself we will help you teach those children together if we must or alone if I must. My little dragon, you said it yourself you wanted to cut your path well. This is the start. Tomorrow, during your lunch break, I suggest you have a heart-to-heart with Cethlean. She is really good at helping others out.'
'Okay, Sothis, ' replied Byleth, 'I will talk to her and thank you very much.'
'Just go in there tomorrow and take it easy; you already have your plan; now all you have to do is take it a day at a time,' suggested Sothis
'Okay, will do and again, thank you,' replied Byleth
23 of the Great Tree Moon, The Imperial year 1180
Outside Black Eagle Classroom
Byleth was in the outdoor hallway a few meters from the door of the black eagle's classroom; she again was breathing in and out, trying to calm herself down and calm her anxiety while still remembering the conversation she had with Sothis last night.
'My Little Dragon, relax. You're stressing yourself out of nothing. Go in and introduce yourself; you will be fine; remember what I told you last night,' whispered Sothis. 'This is your first chance to cut a path that is your own.'
Byleth, at this point, stood firm and walked towards the door, grabbing the doorknob in hand, opening it and entering the door. Upon entering the class, what she saw was total anarchy. A small girl about 151cm with short lime green hair covering her ears and lime green eyes was hiding with a book over her head; looking at her nameplate on her uniform, it said, Bernadetta von Varley. Another girl, about 170cm with brown hair, green eyes, and a hat on her head, was glaring at the class guys looking at her nameplate. It said Dorothea Arnault. The next one was another female, about 161cm, with purple hair tied in an extravagant ponytail, purple eyes, and a purple mark underneath her right eye. Her name, according to her nameplate, is Petra Macneary.
On the other side of the room, there was a male about 188cm with jet black hair that left his right ear exposed and his left eye and ear wholly covered. His name is Hubert von Vestra. He was glaring at everyone in the glass while standing next to Edelgard. A male about 175cm with orange hair and orange eyes was just laughing loudly; his name was Ferdinand von Aegir. Another male, about 177cm just with crocodile green hair and dark blue eyes, was just standing and repeatedly yawning; his name was Linhardt von Herving. Finally, the last male was about 159cm with sky blue hair and eyes. He was just punching the air over and over again; his name was Caspar von Bergliez.
"Ahem! I am Professor Eisner. I will be your new Professor!" shouted Byleth trying to get the class's attention. This was confirmed that she got the entire class's attention when everyone, including the most surprising Bernadetta, surrounded Byleth.
"Wait. So, our new Professor is...you?! I didn't see that one coming," blurted out Caspar in a loud and unbearable tone clenching his fist and putting it up in the air.
"Easy, Caspar. Aren't you a bit rude?" scolded Dorothea while shaking her head.
"You know it's a waste of time to expect politeness from him," sighed Linhardt before walking over to the table and taking a seat. "It will be a pleasure learning from you, Professor. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to take a nap."
"Ah! Don't look at me like that! Oh, and please don't talk to me too much either," shrieked Bernadetta hyperventilating and turning around while crouching.
Dorothea then sighed. "I'm sorry for the chaos you've walked into."
"I hear we are rather close in age, Professor. I hope you do not mind if we treat you like one of us. We try to treat each other as equals in our class despite differences in age or status. I would love to include you in that inner circle." asked Ferdinand.
"I do absolutely mind; I am your professor, not your friend; you will do well to remember that!" yelled Byleth
"You have a gut, Professor. I will take great joy from your teachings," continued Petra
"Petra, I believe you mean to say that our Professor has guts. That's a bit different from having a gut. You can't go around saying someone so slim and attractive has a gut!" replied Dorothea
"Oh! Please accept my apologies. I have not yet mastered this language." apologized Petra.
"Ah, so you have a language barrier, don't worry, we all did not know Fódlandish in a day. May I ask what language your native language is?" asked Byleth
"Brigish," replied Petra
"si necessiteu ajuda meva i no enteneu l'idioma, digueu-me en la vostra llengua materna d'acord" declared Byleth in Brigish
"Sí, moltes gràcies, professor," answered Petra.
The class now was utterly silent, and everyone could not believe was just taken place. Some, but then it was Edelgard who broke the silence and said, "Professor, I want you to know that it's perfectly acceptable for you to treat me as you do the others. I may be the Imperial Princess, but I'm just another student here at the academy. That said, know that I have high expectations of you. And high hopes. But I'm certain you can lead the Black Eagle House to greatness."
"Sure, sure. Now, let's break the ice with a training session! I want to see our new teacher in action." Interrupted Caspar
"Why will the ice be broken? Is this a custom I have missed in my studies?" asked Petra.
"Not real ice, just the ice of...um- Well, it just means let's get to know each other." Replied Caspar
" I don't wanna train! So, let's stay in the classroom and... learn from a book," cried Bernadetta with tears flowing down her eyes.
" Let's all calm down and have a nice cup of tea; how about? Doesn't that sound lovely, Professor?" suggested Dorothea.
While Linhardt was snoring very loudly in the background, Sothis appeared floating in next to Byleth shaking her head in disgust, turned her head to Byleth and stated, 'Looks like you have your work cut out for you; you need to put your foot down, or they will walk all over you, and that is the last thing you want to do.'
'Honestly, I am about to Sothis.' Replied Byleth. 'This classroom is on the verge of anarchy.'
"I know we all agreed to treat each other as equals, but there is a limit to what I can tolerate. The esteemed Black Eagle House requires order," yelled Ferdinand
Hubert, with a chuckled, grinned. "Looks like your first job will be to quiet down this racket. I don't envy you for the slightest."
At this moment, except for Linhardt, who was still sleeping, Edelgard, who was standing with her arms folded, Hubert who had a smirk on his face, and Bernadetta who was on the verge of crying. Ferdinand was arguing with Dorothea. Caspar looked like he was ready to punch everyone while yelling at everyone. Byleth had enough; she needed order, and she was going to get it.
"EVERYONE SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTHS AND GET YOUR ASSES TO THE WALL, MALES TO THE RIGHT WALL, FEMALES TO THE LEFT WALL! ARE TODDLERS OR YOUNG ADULTS!" yelled Byleth so loud that everyone in the Blue Lions Classroom heard her
When everyone but Linhardt, who was still snoring loudly, went to their designated wall. Byleth grabbed a wooden meter stick from the chalkboard and walked over to Linhardt's desk. she proceeded to smash the stick next to his ear hard until the stick broke and yelled right into the other one, "WAKEUP LINDHARDT AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS LAST TIME I CHECKED, YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL."
'Byleth, you did well to calm the racket; now, just calm yourself and lay down the rules, ' instructed Sothis.
Byleth, nodding, took a deep breath to calm herself while Linhardt went to stand with everyone. At his designated wall.
"Okay, let us go over rules since everyone doesn't understand what rules are." said Byleth "rule one, you will sit in the seat that I assign you regardless of the reason. Rule two: You do not talk in class unless I call on you to answer questions. Rule number three is no Sleeping in class. If I catch you sleeping in class, you will Stand in class for the rest of the day after running ten labs around the classrooms. Rule four is that everyone is equal in class. I will not give special treatment for anyone because there a noble! Rule Five no passing notes in this class." yelled Byleth. "Now, when I call you, you will sit in the seat. I tell you too. This will be your assigned seat. I will not change it, so don't bother asking you the person who sits next to you is your partner; you will work with this person failure to do so will result in me failing the both of you. does everyone understand "
"Yes, Professor," they stated in unison. Well, everyone except Bernadetta, who was about to cry.
"Good, Edelgard and Ferdinand, the first row left two desks. Petra and Bernadetta, first row Right, two desks. Hubert and Caspar, second-row Right, two desks. Finally, Linhardt and Dorothea's second row left two desks, understand that you must get to know your partners because there will be a lot of times we're you will work with them outside of class and in class." declared Byleth. Who paused and began writing the class seat assignments on the Blackboard on the back wall.
"Now that that's done let's move on to today's first assignment. Everyone is going to introduce themselves to the class. You will say your full name, why you came to the officers' academy and a summary of yourself. You are going to write everything you are going to say first. Then, I will call on you when it's your turn to go up. I will go first." instructed Byleth.
Everyone began to write down what they would say to the class while Byleth walked around in the classroom; many of the students wanted to change seats, but they were terrified to ask after Byleth's outburst earlier. Finally, after a half-hour, she stopped walking around the classroom. Then the lunch bell rang "everyone enjoys your lunch, and you will present this to the class when you get back in a half-hour." stated Byleth.
Cafeteria
Byleth walked into the cafeteria and waited in line to get her lunch; while in line, Flayn approached her, and with a smile on her face, she asked, "hey, Byleth do you mind if I join you? for lunch."
"Not at all, Flayn; it would be nice to get to know you better; after all, we are family," replied Byleth seeing as this is a great moment to have the heart to heart.
The cafeteria staff served the two white trout with a side of salad, and they went on their way to find an empty table.
"So, Byleth, how is your first day of teaching," said Flayn.
"It is going well so far. I had to put my foot down and give them rules, but they seemed to be okay. I already know about two people who may give me problems, but I expected that." replied Byleth. "I expected most of the kids to give me issues because of my age mostly."
"That is good, Byleth; well, it looks that that redhead from the Blue-Lions is approaching us; lets us see what he wants," added Flayn.
"Why hello, pretty ladies; what can I do for you today?" said Sylvan as he approached them.
"Grrrrr, Sylvain, stop. You know what Seteth and dad will to you if they find out you are flirting with either Flayn or me," ridiculed Byleth.
"Byleth, you are way too late for that," smirked Seteth, which caused Sylvan to turn around, and he saw Jeralt and Seteth staring directly at him.
"Well...Umm...Instructor Jeralt, Advisor Seteth. Um... h... h... how are you feeling today." Shuddered Sylvan with his eyes pinpoint.
"I feel like breaking a certain philandering boy arm off," raged Jeralt
"Leave my daughter and niece alone. I do not want them to be at the receiving end of your heartbreaks," ordered Seteth.
"Hi, dad," said Byleth, "I'm Just chatting with Flayn."
"Byleth, Lady Rhea wants to talk with you on the third floor after class," said Jeralt
"Okay, as soon as I dismiss class for the rest of the day, I will join," replied Byleth. To which Jeralt nodded in approval before he left with Seteth to the fishing pond.
"Byleth, I know we just met, and we found out that we are family very recently, but please give me a chance. I know it may be difficult for someone who you just met recently, but please give me a chance," said Flayn. "I can see you have been through some stuff, but I want you to trust me I can help."
"Flayn, I...just...don't know," cried Byleth now with tears flowing down her eyes " I am not trying to offend anyone; since I was a little girl, I was an outcast. I couldn't communicate with kids my age in the various villages and towns we stopped by; I was known as the ashen demon because when I killed people acting as a Mercenary, I showed no emotion. Other kids bullied me because I was different. I had pointed ears instead of curved; I was not too fond of anything that was a vegetable. So, every time a family or my dad gave me fruit or vegetables, I vomited them. Mothers of other kids thought I was doing it on purpose. Some tried to beat me when it happened physically. You and your family are the first people other than my father who has shown me kindness, and I don't know what to do; like last night, I had a full panic attack because I was scared that this was all fake. I am also tired of living in my dad's shadow. I want to be my own person.'
Understanding what Byleth had just said, Flayn walked to the other side of the table and hugged Byleth. When Byleth returned the hug and brought her head down to her shoulder, she said softly in her ear, "it's okay. We're family, and I am not like the other kids your age. We are very similar as well."
When Byleth and Flayn let go of each other, Byleth, with still tears coming down from her eyes, looked at Flayn and wept, "Thank you, Flayn, and you do not understand how much I needed that."
"Byleth, you are a very beautiful and amazing lady; if you ever need to talk or just look for me, we can hang out," added Flayn.
Black Eagles classroom
After that talk with Flayn and after the duo finished their lunch, Byleth went to the classroom to prepare for when the students re-enter the classroom. When the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch, every student was in the class sitting in their assigned seats. "Alright, everyone is here. I will start first, then when I am finished, I will call on someone, and they will follow," Byleth said before walking to the front of the classroom.
"My Name is Byleth Eisner, and I was appointed as a professor of the officers' academy to teach kids how to fight and lead armies in battle. I am the daughter of Jeralt Rues Eisner and the Granddaughter of Archbishop Rhea. I like Fishing, Hunting and reading. Any questions?"
Nobody but Petra had a question, so Byleth pointed to her signalling her to Speak, "how do you speak Brigish... how you learned... it." Pete's struggled to say
"Petra, I learned to speak Brigish in an expedition I did when a noble from Brigid hired us to deal with a bandit problem." Byleth then looked around and called on Bernadetta to speak.
Bernadetta stood up quickly and, hyperventilating in full panic mode, was doing her best to try not to be scared. "Hi...m...my na...na...name...is...is Bernadetta Von Varley. I came to the officer's academy because I woke up here after being kidnapped in my sleep. I like carnivorous plants." Bernadetta said before hurrying to sit down and covering her face with a book.
Next, the Professor called on Dorothea, "Hello everyone, my name is Dorothea Arnault. I came to the Officers academy to look for a man. I like singing, and I was once a songstress for the Mittelfrank Opera Company." said Dorothea. The latter sat down when she finished speaking.
Now Byleth called on Petra to speak, " Petra Macneary, Princess of Brigid I am, I am here because I am an exchange student for the empire, Hunting I like. " She said
Next, Byleth called on Ferdinand "I am Ferdinand von Aegir I am the future Prime Minister of the empire. I came to the officers' academy to be a better fighter to defend my lands." said Ferdinand
Next, she called on Edelgard, "I am Edelgard Von Hresvelg, Princess and Heir to the Imperial Throne, and I came here to lead the empire to greatness."
Now Byleth called on Hubert, " I am Hubert Von Vestra, Vassal to lady Edelguard. I am here on Lady Edelgard's request."
Next, Byleth called on Caspar. "I am Caspar Von Bergiliez, second son to house Bergiliez. I came here to become a knight."
Finally, it was Lienhardt's turn. "I am Linhardt Von Hevring. I just want to sleep and Study crest."
A/N: Chapter 3 rewrite is done. It went from my shortest chapter to my longest chapter so far.
A/N #2: The language I used for Petra was Catalan
A/N #3 this is the discord if you want to chat, have writing resources, talk to other fic authors, discuss fics you are free to join discord . gg/ 9XG3U7a
A/N #4 I will work on chapter 10 once all chapters are rewritten