"Heya! Um… Hmmm…."
Byleth stared at Claude's pondering expression. His own of course blank and indifferent.
"Claude! What are you doing over here? Skulking about causing mischief?"
"No, your royal highness. I'm just deciding what to call our friend here. Can't call him teach, since he's not a teacher."
"Why not simply his name," the purple-haired boy suggested. "What would that be again?"
"Byleth Eisner."
Claude continued pondering, while Lorenz looked at him with what looked like pity.
"Hmm. I dunno. By? Leth? Doesn't roll off the tongue like Teach."
"Such a monotone declaration! Are you so filled with self-loathing that you would sully your own name?"
Claude stared Lorenz's way with raised eyebrows.
"What nonsense are you spouting this time?"
"I'm instilling a sense of pride amongst the commoners! Just because you were born lower than us does not mean you haven't your own role to play in the betterment of society! A different role and perhaps less influential to be sure! But still- "
'Lorenz, are you trying (and failing I might add) to be nice to a non-noble? I am genuinely shocked."
"Then you clearly do not know me! I recognize my duties as a noble, but do not diminish the role of other less fortunate souls!"
"Wow. Could have fooled me with the way you constantly stalk."
"Stalk? I observe! You are an unknown variable inheriting a lot of power and authority- "
"Can this wait, L? I want to talk with our friend here, who I doubt is fascinated by your lectures. So, with that being said…" He refocused his attention on Byleth.
"As I was saying friend, who I've yet to find a nickname for. You seem out of place eating out here all by your lonesome. Would you like to move this to the cafeteria?"
Byleth pointed to the pond before them.
"Fish."
"Fish? What about them?"
"Not alone. Fish."
Claude chuckled.
"Oh, come on! That doesn't count as company! I mean real company! Human beings! Come on! The golden deer would love to have a proper chat with you!"
"Claude. You are not head of the alliance yet. So, if you're hoping to flex your muscles…"
"Oh, stuff it! This has nothing to do with politics! I'm just trying to make friends with an intriguing individual."
"A highly skilled individual," Lorenz muttered. "Tell me that doesn't benefit you."
"Whaddaya say…. Guy whose nickname I have yet to decide. Wanna sit with us?"
Byleth rose and stood at attention.
"Well, how about that? A simple request followed by agreement! No questions about motivation or nothing!"
"Request? I thought it was an order."
And so, Byleth found himself at a table in the dining hall surrounded by noisy prying students. The mercenaries in his outfit knew not to pressure him with questions. These children did not.
"Apologies for last week professor. It's just been years since I got to speak to your father. I'm sure he's already told you all about me, so no need to- "
"No."
Leonie blinked.
"No what?"
"He never mentioned you."
Leonie sat there slack jawed while a pink-haired girl spoke up.
"So, like. Yeah!"
Everyone at the table stared at her with confusion. Except Leonie who was still in shock and a blue-haired girl.
Claude snickered behind his drink.
"Epic wording, Hilda."
"Yeah! Word is you were supposed to be a teacher, right? Why aren't you?"
"Didn't want it."
"Well good for you! No one should have to work if they don't want to! Let others fight and get their hands dirty if they want to!"
"That's what I like to hear," a large burly boy with two plates full of food shouted with his mouth full. "Here. Take a shish kebab, Hilda. A gift for speaking truth to power!"
"Don't mind if I do! Eating is one kind of work I don't mind!"
As the big man passed the shish kebab, Byleth found himself eyeing the boy next to said big man. The boy with glasses.
The boy quickly turned away. His eyes met those of the blue-haired girl sitting next to him. She turned away from only to find herself staring at Byleth, from whom she turned with a red face.
"Hey!" Hilda broke his focus with a question. "How come, you ain't a teacher? You could be teaching us instead of collaborating with bloody knights. Would be a lot safer. Lot nicer. No dirty work."
"Didn't want it."
They waited for him to elaborate. He did not. Lorenz rubbed his chin.
"Perhaps it's a good thing, you didn't teach," he muttered as he reached for a platter of sweet rolls. A white-haired girl swat his hand away.
"Mine," she growled.
"Come now, Lysithea. Show a little maturity."
He reached again. No luck. She pulled them away.
"Lysithea. Don't be a child.
"Child? Child!?"
"Yes. Both due to your youth and your lack of proper manners. Such behavior is not becoming of the heir to the Ordelia line. So quit your childish antics and- "
A dark orb emerged from her hand and hit the purple haired boy in the face, knocking him off his chair.
"Can a child do that?"
And that was how Byleth properly met the Golden Deer House.
….
"You're good."
Byleth turned from the dummy to face the tall man observing him. Someone else might have raised their eyebrows at the face mask covering his features. Not the son of Jeralt.
"Very good. The way you swing your sword. The way you grip it. I see now why they asked you to teach."
The man took another step closer. Byleth calculated how quickly he could draw his sword.
"Yet you stand here alone. Content to keep your wisdom to yourself. I admire that."
Byleth tilted his head, unsure how to respond. Should he?
"You know, I teach the black eagles. The house you rejected. If you had accepted, it might have been me there. Swinging a blade. Waiting for the moment I might dip it in crimson again."
"Are you threatening me?"
The man pauses.
"No. Not threatening. Merely expressing my envy. You have a greater freedom. No lives rest on you. You need only hone your skills. Not impart them to anyone."
Byleth and he stared at each other. Their faces blank. Yet, they read each other perfectly. The desire for conflict brewed up within them both. Their hands reached for-
"Excuse me? Uh… Sir? Professor?"
Byleth's would be opponent in that moment bowed and turned to exit the training grounds.
"Apologies. I have…. Teacherly duties. We will fight someday. Someday soon.
The man quickly walked past the two girls and out the door.
"What was that about," the orange-haired girl questioned. "He not like us or something?"
Her companion frowned.
"He certainly didn't want to talk to us. Strange."
Her frown turned around as she turned to face Byleth.
"Apologies, professor. We were looking for- "
"Mercie! He's not a professor!"
"Oh! Apologies again, pro- No, that won't do it. I'm not sure what to call you!"
"That's a good point! What should we call you if you don't mind us asking?"
He tilted his head. A good question. One with a difficult answer.
Most in his mercenary camp usually called him kid since all were older. None really addressed him by his title.
"Maybe we should call him sir! He is a knight after all, right? How does that sound sir… What's your first name?"
"Byleth."
"That's a lovely name! Well, Sir Byleth! I'm Annette! And this is Mercedes! No need to call us any titles yet! We're still students! But in time!" She wagged her finger. "Just you wait!"
"Wait for what?"
"There, there Annie! Let's not get off track! As I was saying professor- I mean Sir Byleth…. Oh, dear! What was I saying? I'm so scattered brained sometimes!"
"Don't let it wear you down. I think it just compliments your loveliness."
The student who walked in immediately caught Byleth's attention in a way the two girls couldn't.
"What are you doing here?"
The man's grin faded upon seeing Byleth's determined expression and his hand on his sword hilt.
"Woah! Easy there guy! What gives? Oh! I apologize! I get it! I'm interrupting your game! Deeply sorry! Every man deserves a chance to put on the moves!"
"What happened to you?"
The three students stared, trying to make sense of the strange behavior.
"Uh…. A lot happened to me. I tried to put the moves on this beautiful maid, and she walked out on me! Then I tried to set Felix up with someone and he hit me! Then- "
"Stop. You're not him."
"Uh… Yeah, apparently not. Who did you think I was? Just out of curiosity?"
Byleth could see an obvious resemblance with Miklan. But he remembered the promise not to spoil the identities of anyone in abyss. And he'd almost blown it. Rookie mistake.
"Someone I met once. A fellow mercenary. Apologies for the offense."
"What? No! No offense taken. Although, I gotta say. Your voice doesn't sound very apologetic when it's all flat like that."
"Sylvain! What are you up to in here? Flirting with our fellow classmates? Have you not learned your lesson?"
"Actually Ingrid. I was not flirting. I was establishing dialogue with our new profess- "
"He's not a professor, silly," Annette interrupted. "Mercie and I were just discussing that. His proper title should be Sir Byleth. Also, you totally were trying to hit on us a moment ago!"
"Annette, shh!"
"Ha! I knew it! No matter how many times I pound it into you, it never settles in!"
"Come on! It's none of your business how I conduct myself! Don't you have something else to focus your endless rage on?"
"Not even remotely! As your childhood friend, it is my duty to keep you to the correct path! And as my childhood friend, I would hope that you could try to lessen the burden somewhat by listening and learning!"
Seeing that the students had lost interest in him to devolve into pointless bickering, Byleth turned back to resume his dummy practice. Until someone else interrupted him.
"Pardon? Sorry to interrupt, but did they call you a knight?"
A boy with freckles and silver hair walked meekly in. The students seemed to calm down at his presence and quit their argument.
"I… That's quite a young age for knighthood. I imagine you had a lot of experience to earn that honor."
"Honor?" Byleth thought that over. "Never thought of mercenary work that way."
"No, not mercenary work! You're a knight now!"
"Aka, someone who kills who their employer tells them to and gets paid for it. Doesn't seem that much different from a mercenary."
"I… Nonsense! You've been given a great gift! A huge responsibility! I envy you! It's what we all strive for!"
"Not me," Sylvain interjected. "I could do without a life of bloodshed."
"Then why are you here, lummox," Ingrid asked.
"Not by choice! Although I do like the eye candy."
"Oh, Sylvain," Mercedes smiled fondly. Ingrid did not have the same reaction.
"Well, you are here and so you should take advantage of the opportunity to- "
"Oh, please stop. You sound like my mother. Or is it my father. Hard to tell sometimes."
He couldn't possibly be related to Miklan. Could he? They were so different in personality.
"I'll sound like them as much as I need for you to get it into your thick head that you need to take this seriously! You should be more like the knight here!"
Sylvain looked him up and down.
"He does have that collectiveness about him. Bet the ladies dig that don't they?"
"Sylvain- "
"Those fancy sword skills don't hurt either. Everyone's talking about them. Especially… That raises an interesting question. Tell me good… knight guy. Friend. Has a guy named Felix come around asking you for a match?"
Byleth shook his head.
"Huh. That's strange. Well, knowing him, it's only a matter of time before- "
"You. Fight me."
"And just on time! Felix baby! We were just discussing you!"
"Lovely. You. I hear you're good. Show me."
Byleth's focus immediately was drawn to the boy's noticeable limp. The amount of effort it took to move.
"You're injured."
"No. I'm moving. You and me."
"No. I'm fairly sure that's a limp."
"I've had this for years. I'll manage."
"Felix." Mercedes stepped towards him concerned. "I don't think this is the best idea for someone with your…." She trailed off as he looked at her with glaring eyes.
"My what?"
"Frailty," Sylvain said with a smirk. A smirk that only grew wider as the blue haired limped turned to him.
"You're a huge pain in the ass, you know that? Maybe I should hit you with a sword instead."
"Oh, come on, man! After all we've been through together?"
"Why not. It is partially your fault my leg's like this. Maybe I can reward you with your own scar."
Ingrid looked to Byleth with pleading eyes. Wait was he supposed to intervene? Why? He wasn't a teacher. Fortunately, he didn't have to.
"What are you all up to in here? Is this how the future of Fodlan conducts themselves?"
All the students immediately backed up from each other and bowed slightly. All save Felix who merely crossed his arms and curled his lips in displeasure.
"This does not concern you boar. Mind your own business."
"Actually, as house leader, it does concern me. Behavior like this does not give a good impression."
The leader of the blue lions, flanked by his dark-skinned retainer, seemed a simple sort. Certainly, compared to the kind of quirky students he'd engaged with up to this point. But despite his poor social skills, Byleth could detect a hidden darkness under the boy's skin. A subtle rage threatening to burst forth. He didn't know under what conditions that rage could come out. Nor did he care to know.
"Apologies profe- Actually, apologies again. I forget. You turned that down. I hope my fellow students haven't been bothering you?"
Byleth shrugged, causing Dimitri to tilt his head.
"Is that a yes, or no? You are difficult to understand. Anyway, I must confess. I am somewhat saddened you choose not to lead this house. The skills displayed as you saved my life were spectacular."
"I don't blame him," Sylvain said. "Bet he's seeing us all right now and thinking, "whew. Dodged a bullet."
Byleth almost cracked a smile at that. Almost.
"Well, anyway," Dimitri continued. "I do hope we'll get the chance to work together. It's a noble path you've chosen. A knight of Seiros! You certainly deserve it."
"He doesn't appear to think so," Ashe spoke up. "He compared it to a mercenary's line of work."
"Really? Well, I hope you'll give up that cynical mindset in time."
"I must thank you by the way, for saving his highness' life."
Dimitri's dark-skinned retainer suddenly spoke up out of the blue, causing Byleth to give him full attention for the first time. As he properly took in his features, he realized something quite alarming. Something that might have sent his heartbeat into overdrive if he had one.
"You're from Duscur."
The man starred at him. He looked like he wanted to sigh. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Dimitri sigh.
"You're one of those people? I admit. I'm disappointed in you knight. I thought you were above such nonsense."
"Nonsense?"
"Yes nonsense. You believe the nonsense that the Duscur people massacred my family?"
He leaned in closer to Byleth whose cheeks twitched. He didn't like the look in those eyes.
"Well let me assure you. I saw the people who attacked my own. And they were not Duscurian."
"You saw them?" Byleth felt his voice crack a little.
"I did. And when I see them again…." His voice trailed off.
"I…" Byleth struggled to find his words. A rarity.
"Your highness." His retainer put a hand on his shoulder. "Please don't trouble yourself. Please come back to your quarters."
Dimitri seemed to snap back to reality at that moment. He looked over his shoulder at his retainer's soft sympathetic gaze.
"I… Of course, Dedue. Apologies pro- Knight. Just… Think about it all right? Good day."
The students watched him warily as he left. Felix shook his head.
"I'm telling you. He has issues. Someone needs to do something."
Annette stared his way.
"Do you really have issues with the people of Duscur?"
"What? No. I just…."
"Just what? Sounds like you have a lot of issues with them."
"You're perfectly within your right to," Ingrid assured him.
Annette stared at her mouth agape.
"Excuse me? Do you support hate against Duscurians? Didn't you hear his highness?"
"I think his highness saw a lot that day. His mind was forever damaged- "
"Well, I believe it! With all my heart, I believe it!"
Ingrid raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't realize your passion for such issues. What brought this up?"
Annette looked like she wanted to say more, but Mercedes placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her head. Annette sighed and nodded back.
"Apologies for wasting your time Sir Byleth."
They left, leaving Ingrid blinking a few times, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"You. Me. Let's go."
"Oh, come on, Felix!" Sylvain threw his hands up I exasperation. "You heard him. He doesn't want to fight a cripple! Think what the ladies will say about him!"
"I don't care. I want to fight. So, fight me."
And that was how Byleth properly met the Blue Lions House.
….
Byleth was so focused on his strange encounter in the training grounds that he almost didn't notice the body on the ground before him.
And he thought Dimitri's behavior was odd. A body here in the afternoon sun in front of the student dormitories?
He kneeled and touched it. It felt… Warm?
"Linhardt! Whatcha doing friend? Takin a nap at this time of day?"
"Humph. Go away."
"No! It's our day off! We need to train!"
"On our day off? I think you mistake the meaning. We train every other day of the week."
"We sit in a classroom trying to make sense of Professor Jeritza's…. whatever he does. We need to get moving!"
"I am moving. Moving out of the way so you don't step on me."
"Hey listen, buddy! You wanna help me with this chump?"
Byleth did not and instead strode away. He'd wanted to retreat to his room but didn't want this boy to know where he stayed. He looked the type to bang on his door forever.
"Hey! Come on man!"
"See," the tired boy gestured. "Even he doesn't want me to fight." HE yawned. "He knows I'd probably hurt someone."
"That's the point of fighting genius!"
Byleth walked down the row of student dorms. Only stopping when he thought he saw a tuft of purple hair peeking out from a doorway.
His suspicions were confirmed when he heard a girl cry out in fear before the door shut fast.
He found himself near the greenhouse. Wouldn't have any real reason to enter if not for the peculiar conversation emitting from within. Unable to help himself he peeked inside.
"Be sure to come back soon, you hear? Don't let a girl down!"
"Of course not! I'd love to see you again, Dorothea!"
"Well, until we meet again!"
The girl noticed him standing in the corner. She smiled in a way he imagined most would find alluring. He wasn't most though. And she noticed.
"What? No smile for little Dorothea? I'm hurt! Oh, wait. Are you criticizing me flirting with that man?"
Byleth shook his head.
"Oh… well, that's good. I must do what I can to ensure my survival. Surely you understand that. Former mercenary and all."
Byleth still didn't respond. The girl fidgeted.
"Uh… Was there anything you needed profe- Sorry. Guess that doesn't work, does it? What's the term then? Knight? Mercenary?"
"Whatever you decide."
She raised her eyebrow.
"Huh. Most men are all about titles and what to call them. Never met one so casual about such important noble things!"
"Not a noble."
"Oh. Right. Apologies. You lack that stuck up pompous self-important attitude I'm so familiar with. So unlike…. "
She looked past him and cursed.
"Apologies…. Guess we'll work on a name later. Toddles!"
"Dorothea, wait! Damn it all! Why does she do that? Why does she hate me so? Can you fathom?"
Byleth took a minute to realize he was talking to him. He shook his head.
"It bothers me so greatly! I know she is no fan of nobles, but she has a particular distain she reserves solely for me and me alone!"
He paused and stared at him again. Did he expect him to say something?
"I apologize. I guess this is confusing to someone like you. Let me start over again. I am Ferdinand Von Aegir! And you?"
"Byleth Eisner."
"Ah, yes. The son of the famous blade breaker. I sympathize with you. You follow in some hard footsteps. I know the feeling. We share much in common."
Byleth continued staring.
"What? Don't believe me? Well, let me explain. I, Ferdinand Von Aegir am heir to the Von Aegir heritage!"
"Get out."
"Pardon?"
Byleth shrugged.
"Right, well anyway. My father is the prime minister of the Adrestian empire. My family is second only to the Hresvelg family in terms of power and prestige. But I must be her better in everything to better serve- "
Byleth looked at the plants surrounding them. Put together they would make a rather impressive bouquet. More importantly, he hoped the boy would get the message of disinterest. It usually worked. Not this time.
"Now, you could argue that it's House Vestra that is meant to guide the emperor. But that's just foolhardy! Their current heir…"
"Grows tired of your arrogance. Have we not had this discussion before? You are inferior in every way to Lady Edelgard. And to me."
"Hubert! Please do not interfere. I am talking with our distinguished professor."
"He is not a professor, nitwit. He turned that offer down. And I doubt you are making him regret that choice right now."
"Well, I doubt you are either. Look at you! Skulking about like a predator in the dark. You are the most off-putting individual ever!"
I do my duty to lady Edelgard. Unlike you, I recognize that there are more important things than being liked. A basic thing you still fail at with embarrassing results."
"I am in disagreement with you Hubert. I am thinking Ferdinand is displaying all the coracteristics of a descent gentlemen."
All three men turned with raised eyebrows at the tan purple-haired girl.
"Petra," Ferdinand finally spoke up. "I think you've a few spelling errors in there."
The girl flushed red and bowed.
"I m apologizing. I am not meaning to cause offense. I will be striving to do better."
"You needn't apologize princess, "Hubert reassured her. Something Byleth assumed was strange for him. "You are devoting your time to something important. You know your purpose and your goals. Unlike someone."
Ferdinand met his glare with narrowed eyes. Byleth's own curiosity got the better of him before the orange-haired boy could respond to Hubert's obvious bait.
"Princess?"
"Oh yes. I am being the princess of Brigid? Have you been?"
Byleth thought that over. The name sounded familiar.
"I don't know."
They stared.
"You don't know," Ferdinand asked incredulously. "Seems like the kind of thing you don't forget easily."
"Rare it is that he and I agree on anything," Hubert added. "That is not something you forget without some sort of amnesia."
"Are you having this…. Anesthesia," Petra asked genuinely.
"How old are you," Hubert asked.
"Hubert! Can't a man have some privacy?"
"It's a simple question. How old are you?"
Byleth pondered in silence again.
"Twenty something I think."
They stared at him like he'd grown three heads.
"Where were you born," Hubert asked.
"Not sure."
"When did you make your first kill?"
"Five I think."
"Your father is Jeralt the blade Breaker, correct?"
"That's what everyone tells me."
Hubert looked at him with clear distrust and bewilderment.
"You saved lady Edelgard's life. For that, you have my thanks. But after this, I can say quite confidently how glad I am you did not end up leading the black eagles. Such untrustworthiness is not welcome in our ranks."
"Hubert! Neither is such rudeness unwelcome in our ranks!"
"Be quiet Ferdinand. Do you honestly expect me to believe that he cannot remember even the most basic factors of his life?"
He stepped closer to Byleth. Despite his height advantage over him, the mercenary didn't blink.
"Doesn't seem intimidated. You've nerves of steel. I'll give you that. But mark my words. I will discover your secrets. And if you prove any threat to lady Edelgard, I will- "
"Enough Hubert."
"Lady Edelgard. If You'll just give me a minute- "
"No. I said enough. You're making a bad impression. Will all of you leave us for a moment? You've had your turn with my savior and now I'd like mine."
While both Hubert and Petra bowed in recognition and turned to leave the greenhouse, Ferdinand held his ground.
"I wish to stay Edelgard. To observe your failings in conversation and offer council in where you can succeed."
"We are not doing this now, Ferdinand. Please, leave."
"Edelgard, I must insist- "
"No, I must insist. Leave us."
"No, I must insist. You need- "
"Ferdinand. Remember your father?"
Ferdinand froze up.
"Remember your pledge?"
After a minute, he nodded and walked out. Edelgard never dropped her smile nor glanced his way as he strode past her.
"I apologize. They're a good bunch usually, but ideals always lead to clashing. I assume you're used to such things in your mercenary crew?"
Byleth shrugged, causing her to raise her eyebrows but not enough to drop her smile.
"You know, we haven't talked for some time. Not since I left for the mock battle. A pity you weren't there to see it. You know, we won right?"
"With your teacher, I'm not surprised."
She seemed offended at that.
"It wasn't all due to Professor Jeritza! I had a role in it too. As did you, believe it or not."
He didn't change his expression. She wondered if anything could change that.
"I recall a certain swing you used to save me from that bandit. It not only disarmed him but sent him flying! I've thought about that for some time now. Such skill and strength. It… Well, it showed how much I still have to learn."
He still didn't show expression, making her even more determined to get a rise.
"I must say, I'm quite sad that you choose not to teach a class. You certainly displayed the skill and temperament for it. Why did you turn it down?"
"I hadn't fought in a while. I'd spent most of the past four years as a farmer."
Edelgard's smile grew wider.
" You could have fooled me. The way you moved. The way you fought. The way you looked. The way- "
Edelgard stopped herself.
"All I'm saying is, I think it's a huge waste of talent. I meant what I said before. The empire has need for someone with your skills. If you ever change- "
"Hey, there! Oh, sorry! Am I interrupting a romantic moment?"
"Professor Manuela! Please don't demean me so! I am the heir to- "
"Oh, come on kiddo! Just kidding!"
"I see I've overstayed my time. I hope we can talk more over the year…. Knight. Farewell.
Edelgard rubbed her forehead and hurried out of the greenhouse. She was blushing hard for some reason.
"Sorry to interrupt your mojo hun. That old geezer Hanneman was wondering if he could get a look at… Well, you."
Byleth immediately racked his brain for some excuse to not satisfy the old man's obsession with crests.
The woman appeared to read his mind and stepped closer until she was very much in his personal space.
"I understand if you don't want to spend time with old men. Probably had enough of that for one lifetime, eh? Well, if you want some time with a different specimen of adult, I could tell him- "
"Professor Manuela! Ya wanna lay off the flirting and do your job?"
The woman groaned in frustration. Both turned to face the small, brown-skinned boy with his hands on his hips. Byleth couldn't recall the name. Only that he apparently did everything. And couldn't shut it about the archbishop.
"Yes, of course Cyril. As you command, we'll be on our way. Always the dutiful – "
"Don't mock me. I'm just doing my job. Bout time ya do yours."
The woman's face flushed red, but Byleth silence her with a hand on her shoulder. Cyril nodded satisfied.
"Been here a few weeks and he already has a better handle on things than you, professor. Ya should take pointers."
Byleth really had a hard time keeping a straight face at Manuela's expression.
….
"Ah welcome! Thank you for coming! I was wondering if I could borrow a bit of your blood?"
The old man raised an eyebrow at the youth's detached expression. Most balked at that question and questioned his sanity. This boy simply held out his arm without fuss.
"As you command."
Professor Hanneman chuckled and shook his head.
"This isn't an order, dear boy. You're perfectly free to deny it. But thank you all the same."
He then dropped the blood on a small round dais in the center of his office.
"I told you before that this device recognized a unique crest within your body. Well, the device has already used up the bit of your blood I asked for earlier. With your permission, I need a sampled every few weeks to continue further study."
"Sure. Go ahead."
"So nonchalant about it, eh?" He tapped his hand to his chin.
"I must confess. I'm curious as to how you'd fair as a teacher. Part of me is disappointed you turned down the position."
"I doubt I'd fair well."
"There would be a learning curve, no doubt. But I find that helps improve your own abilities in whatever profession you're conveying. It's one of the reasons I talk to students so much about crests. You don't keep these abilities if you don't use them."
"I wouldn't mind losing some of these abilities."
I will have none of that talk! To hear others say it, you are an exceptionally skilled young man and should maintain said skills for the betterment of others if nothing else."
The old man looked at the image forming over the dais. An image of the crest within Byleth's body. Or so he claimed.
"If nothing else, consider this. You are the bearer of a unique one-of-a-kind crest."
"Hence, why you want to keep me alive. As a test subject."
"Oh, come now! You don't mean that! Be reasonable sir!"
"Hey kid! Rhea wants to see us! So, if you'd please stop poking my son with… Whatever you're poking him with!"
"I'm not poking hi with anything! Why does anyone think that? What have I done to deserve the mad scientist archetype!"
"Playing around with mad scientist gizmos, probably."
"Come now, captain Jeralt! Study of your son's crest will assist him in the future! I assure you!"
"Right. Well, in the present, Rhea wants to chat. So, if you don't mind."
"Of course not! Do feel free to come by again! I assure you! Your crest is unique and understanding it can only lead to good!"
Jeralt shook his head as they closed the door behind him.
"So, I understand you've had run ins with other students today?"
Byleth nodded.
"And… What do you think?"
He thought.
"I'm glad I didn't teach."
His old man laughed.
"So am I! It's one thing to be responsible for mercenaries. But noble brats? I'd hate to think of what kind of twisted vengeance their parents might seek out for one of them getting themselves killed. Though I'm not sure I envy them their current teachers. Hanneman should stick to crests. Jeritza shouldn't be anywhere near students. And Manuela keeps hitting on me!"
He sighed and began walking towards Rhea's chamber. Byleth followed along behind, wondering whether he should mention that Professor Manuela also hit on him.
"No brother! I am not seeing anyone! You've made certain no one in this school wants to approach me!"
A little green-haired girl marched out of the chamber and without watching where she went ran into captain Jeralt.
"Oh! I am so sorry! I meant no disrespect! I- I apologize. I don't think we've met before."
"That is captain Jeralt, Flayn. And he is due for an audience with Lady Rhea. So- "
"So, I should leave and hold myself up in a room like a caged bird! Of course! Forgive me, Captain Jeralt! I do not envy you!"
"Flayn…." The green-haired man in the doorway reached out his hand, but the girl was already running down the stairs. HE sighed and stepped aside for the two to enter.
"Good to see you again profess- Ah. I apologize. That's the wrong title for you, isn't it? Good to see you again Sir Byleth. And you as well Jeralt. I hope Garreg Mach has proven kind to you both."
"It has. Thank you, lady Rhea. Now why have you summoned us?"
"I suggest you watch that tone, Jeralt. You are speaking to- "
"Seteth. Don't."
The man nodded but retained his distrustful glare. Lady Rhea on the other hand offered a kind inviting smile. Which frightened Byleth more.
"I am somewhat sad to see you give up the opportunity to teach our students. But I am glad you have found other ways to prove useful. The people of Abyss for instance. They have been much more vocal lately. Especially about you."
She searched his face for any reaction. She couldn't hide her disappointment when he showed none.
"And they've asked for your services. It appears they're having trouble. Our other knights are down to assist them. But they would feel much better to have the blade breaker and… his son aid. Do you accept?"
"Will there be fighting?"
Everyone stared at Byleth confused. The meekness present within that question seemed so out of place.
"Of course. Is that a problem?"
"No. Just wondering."