Hello everyone, and, though I'm rather late, happy new year!
It's been some time since I published a chapter, so I do it now with the hope that the quality matches up to that.
he three houses will be participating in the mock battle, which raises the question as to how our wayward protagonist will fare after the training he went through with the rest of the Deer.
I'll let you know it right now: I'm not very experienced writing fighting sequences. I've done my best, and hope to improve as the story goes on.
As always, the story will be told from James' perspective, so there will be gaps here and there that can be filled with the imagination.
As always, I extend my thanks to those who have left me their impressions of the last chapter, as well as those who have made the decision to follow or/and favor the story and myself. They're simple actions that give me a good dose of dopamine-so keep 'em coming please!
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Today's replies, well, reply since there was only one review, goes to:
Grimmsoul1:
Thanks for the honesty in that review. Despite having said the same things when I proofread it, it still stung to read those same thoughts from a reader.
While it likely won't be the only chapter that's a slow burner, I would at least like to explore more of the character interactions if I do that again, at the very least. Hopefully by that manner, it will feel more intertwined with the flow of things than if James is just wandering.
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My dopamine administrators going into this chapter were:
MidnightMoonGuardian
cjtwlf56
Just a Bad Writer for Fun
DaredOrchid
Staffthebest
Chrom Fate
Yanny-37
Resripo
Liens
HantaShiromoto
Maxobb
Simon Digger
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Speech in Adrestian
Thoughts (or speech in foreign languages)
Non-human speech
Non-human thoughts
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29th Day of the Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180
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The atmosphere during today's march was rather tense. I'm not sure whether it was nerves or excitement-probably some mix of the two-but everyone seemed a little jittery.
We've just finished dinner, and Claude's calling a meeting for the Golden Deer.
Personally, I'd rather not go right now, but there really isn't that much to do while we're camping out here. I wanted to get a feel for what the other Houses are like, but no one was really in the mood to strike up a conversation. Because of that, the most I've been able to do is try to figure out what the dynamics in them are like.
Still, I suppose I'm a little curious about what Claude has in mind, so I might as well find out what he wants to get us all together for.
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Arriving at the fire pit my class made, I find everyone else is already sitting or standing around Claude, who for his part, is sitting on the ground. Additionally, he seems to have some papers laid out in front of him.
Maps and notes actually, now that I'm close enough to see what's on the papers.
"Now that we're all here," he says, "I want to discuss our tactics for tomorrow."
"Our starting position will be here, passed that rather large spread of trees. The Blue Lions will be some three-quarters of a kilometer east of us, and the Black Eagles a little over a kilometer south-east." He says, pointing to the positions of each class with a finger.
"In addition to the trees, we also have a small set of fences, and an arrangement of rocks. With all that in mind, we have the perfect conditions to defend ourselves there. As such, it's my hope that the other houses will notice this as well, and confront each other before setting their sights on us."
So we're just going to hang out in the trees and let the other Houses take each other out? It sounds like a pretty good idea if you ask me.
"Claude, you can't honestly be suggesting that we merely loiter about and watch the other Houses do battle now?" Lorenz bursts out with incredulity.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Of course, we could always do some damage from farther away, then retreat; and ambushes are an option if the Eagles or Lions come near us-not to mention the possibility of baiting them into unfavorable circumstances. I'd like to execute whatever tactic can allow us to conserve our energy for later in the battle, while also tiring out the others."
"I'm rather fascinated by these tactics, Claude. I've read through more books than I can count, on a variety of subjects, but I've never encountered anything quite like what you're telling us." Lysithea speaks up.
"How cute, she isn't even being the least bit snarky-she's just genuinely curious." I chuckle at the thought.
Hilda also cuts in. "Tell me if I'm wrong, Claude, but aren't these Almyran tactics?" There's a gasp from everyone else. I roll my eyes at that.
"My brother has told me about the way that the Almyrans use unorthodox methods,-in the letters he sends me-and this sounds just like them."
"You're right, Hilda. And the reason you aren't familiar with these tactics, Lysithea, is because our records wouldn't contain them. But that's why I want to make use them. What better weapon do we have than a series of tactics that aren't well known in Fódlan?"
"If you put it like that, then I don't see the problem with it." Raphael replies.
"And if it means that we have a higher chance of coming out of this on the winning side, then you can count me in." Leonie gives her approval as well.
"Though I can't help but be nervous about tomorrow, I feel like we might have a chance now." Ignatz beams.
I turn my gaze away from the others to look at the ground. I don't want to see how they'll react to my question.
"Claude, I need to ask you something."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Are there any particularly fatal flaws in your plan? I'm just as onboard with it as the others, but are there any circumstances that can turn it into a mess?"
"I'm glad you asked, but there aren't very many ways for this plan to fall under. The only counter that we really have to worry about is an overwhelming attack, and the only way for that to happen would be if one of the houses applied an all-out charge on us. But they aren't foolish. Given our positions, we could do a significant amount of damage before they reach us."
"I see." Yeah, I don't have anything else to say there.
"Still though," Claude continues, "I'd rather not leave anything to chance, which is why I made these." He finishes, reaching into his vest and pulling out several vials.
"Um, what are they?" Marianne asks.
"These..." he paused-this guy actually paused for dramatic effect. "...are a concoction of my own. A little bit of them mixed in their meals tomorrow, and the Eagles and Lions won't know just what is irritating their stomachs."
Holy shit, I wanna applaud this man for his tenacity! He seriously just made laxatives for something this small!
I imagine the looks the clergymen would have if Claude slipped them some of that stuff. And dear lord, the archbishop's right-hand-man with some of that would be a riot.
My eyes widen to epic proportions.
"Hold that thought a second!"
"Doesn't that seem like a bit much?" Raphael asks.
"I agree with him." I add in. "At least for tomorrow, this feels like too much. This is only the practice run for when we do it again later on this year, right?" I ask Claude.
"That you are." He tells me.
"And I don't suppose the staff would allow you to pull such an underhanded move twice. The first time, it might slide. After all, it's only right to use everything we can-that's what we were told to do. But, I can't see this kind of thing working after that. That's why, I think it's better to hold on to those-make them better if you can, in fact. So that way, when we have the true battle, we can still consider them an option."
"Ah sorry! I didn't mean to go on a tangent like that!" I say, feeling my cheeks heat up.
"Relax. In any case though, it pains me to have to say it, but I think you have a point. I don't see Seteth letting us do that again if we did it now."
"Ohhh, that was his name!"
"Any other concerns or suggestions?" He asks us all.
When none of us have anything to add, Claude calls an end to our strategy meeting and recommends we hit the hay. For my part, I guess I'll take it-since there isn't much else to do.
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Lifting the tent flap after I finished all of my prep-stuff, I find myself to be the only person inside. Sweet, that means I don't have to worry about anyone's snoring.
Settling into one of the corners, I cocoon myself in the blankets, and close my eyes. With any luck, I'll be able to go the night without any nightmares. Last thing I want is for one of them to pop up while I'm with the rest of the guys.
It might kind of hard to sleep though. The ground is uncomfortable, and my ears feel a little cold. Wait, my ears. And with that thought, my eyes snap back open. How the hell am I going to keep my ears hidden?! Sure, I've wrapped myself up in my blankets; but I toss and turn. I don't have a hat, and I'm not about to risk tearing my scarf.
"So what am I supposed to do?"
I think about it for a while, before sighing as only one option actually seems doable.
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Yep, this sucks. I've stayed up until who-knows-what-hour, and now that everyone is asleep, I still can't rest. I was right to worry about snorers, as there seems to be one among the guys of my class. What's more, he's right next to me.
The Officer's Academy might cater to the heirs of rich and noble families, but this tent does not reflect that in the slightest.
"Screw this."
Getting up, I put on my Academy jacket and head outside.
I'm met with the cold, and a light haze that I recognize is fog. The clearing is empty now, save for whatever knight is on watch duty for the time being. The fires that, previously, were lit, have been doused out, not even leaving the cinders aglow. Nevertheless, that's the best spot I can choose to be right now, given that there isn't any grass near it.
I move to sit down, and shiver a bit as the cold seeps down to my bones. I move my hands over the remains of the fire, foolishly hoping that there might still be some heat at all, but it's in vain.
Turning my gaze up towards the sky, I lose my breath. No matter how many times I see it, I don't think I'll ever stop being mesmerized by Fódlan's night sky. In stark contrast to the sky I once knew back home, it feels like every speck of the sky above me is shimmering with the light of a star.
I lean back all the way to lay down, and keep gazing at the stars.
I wonder what constellations there are here. I was only ever able to recognize the Big and Little Dipper, as well as Orion, but now, I want to learn even more. Whether it's out of necessity or interest, I'm not entirely sure, but still. I'll think about it another time, because, right now, I think I'm gonna go to sleep. Hopefully I'll wake up before anyone else does.
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I feel a prodding on my shoulder.
And another.
I give a groggy groan to whoever is nudging me.
The person bothering me responds with yet another nudge.
"Alright!"
I start to move the blanket off my face a little, then pause. Wait, blanket? When did that get here? Who put it over me?
I poke my face out, then cringe and duck back in. It's bright as a hospital out here. I open my eyes, and let them become accustomed to the brightness inside the blanket, before coming back out again.
"Ah. Good morning, Leonie."
"There are better places to doze off than on the ground, you know." She says with amusement.
Those words sound strangely familiar, but I'm not sure why.
"I don't know about that, it feels about the same as the sleeping bag did." I cheekily reply.
She 'lightly' hits my shoulder.
"Hey! What was that for?!" I dramatically rub my shoulder.
"For being an idiot."
"Congrats then, you were somehow able to improve an idiot's archery."
"Are you trying to tempt me to hit you again?"
"Not really." I give a goofy grin. "It's just fun to mess with you."
She hits me again, and this time it sends a sharp sting down my arm. "Worth it."
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A booming, deep note carries across the field.
That's the horn, it's time.
Claude turns to address us one more time. "Alright, everyone, just like we planned it." And with that, we all move accordingly.
For my part, I make my way through the trees, and stop a few paces away from the edge that faces the Black Eagles. With me, are: Lorenz, Ignatz, Claude, and Hilda; Everyone else is on the Blue Lions-facing-side of this stretch of trees.
I turn my gaze towards the Black Eagles.
They're all approaching our location, but it looks like they intend to engage with the Blue Lions first, so we should be fine.
Suddenly, two of them split off and begin making their way to us. I spoke too soon, apparently.
I nock an arrow into place and pull back on the string as one of the Eagles speaks up.
"I am Ferdinand Von Aegir! In the name of my forefathers, I challenge you to an honorable, one-on-one duel!"
"Let's not." I mutter, as I take aim at him. By one way or another, we're all supposed to be safe from dire harm, so I'm sure he'll be fine. On top of that, each of my arrows have some sort of a rubbery substance covering their rounded tips.
Just as I'm about to let the arrow loose, one of my housemates moves in front of me to prevent that.
"My name is Lorenz Hellman Gloucester, and I accept your challenge!"
A sound comes from behind me, and, turning my head in its direction, I find Claude with his hand against his forehead.
"What the hell are you doing! I could have just taken him out!" I yell to my rose-bearing classmate.
"He issued that challenge most splendidly. It's only proper that I should respond in kind." He explains in a voice that makes me want to hit him.
"Ignatz, come with me!" He calls out to him, then passes through one of the gaps in the fence to approach his opponent.
The spectacled boy nervously looks between Lorenz and the rest of us a few times, before ultimately making his way to Lorenz. I can't say I blame him though, since Ignatz seems like a bit of a pushover.
When Lorenz and the Black Eagle, whose name was Ferdinand if I recall correctly, come face to face, they exchange a few words between themselves before raising their spears.
All the meanwhile, Ignatz and the blue-haired Eagle who joined Ferdinand are hanging out behind their respective fools-peers I mean. Well now, I may not be able to take out Ferdinand, since Lorenz would throw a fit, but there's nothing protecting this other guy.
I nock my arrow again, aim it towards the blue-head's stomach, and release. So long as it hits a critical organ, he'll be considered out of commission and warped away. The arrow flies for a moment, before hitting him in the chest. The arrow falls to the ground, Blue looks at me with astonishment, and a brief moment later he disappears in a warp.
Ignatz, Lorenz, and Ferdinand all look up towards those of us over here, before Ferdinand lunges at Lorenz's midsection with a jab. Lorenz bats it away with the shaft of his spear, then attempts a swing for Ferdinand's side.
Ignatz yelps. An arrow falls at his feet before he gets warped away.
I snap my head in what I believe is the correct direction, and, looking around a bit, see the one responsible for taking Ignatz out. It's a violet-haired girl, whose braid has me quite envious.
"Focus, this isn't the time for that. You can ask for hair growth advice later."
It seems I wasn't the only one who had that problem, as Lorenz, who was also looking at the girl, just got hit a fifth time by a swing from Ferdinand's spear.
He shakes his head a bit, then gets warped back to wherever it is we get taken.
Ferdinand follows him there a moment later-courtesy of Claude's marksmanship.
I suddenly feel a sharp tug from my collar and get pulled back. An arrow settles itself in my previous place.
"Thanks, Hilda."
"Aw, don't mention it. But if you really want to thank me, then you could tidy up the library for me." She says with a wink.
How amusing. Does she really expect that to work on me?
"Not a chance." I shoot back. "But thanks all the same."
Claude snaps his fingers in our faces with an amused look on his face.
"If you two are done here, we really need to make our way to the others. It looks like we should be fine now, since the rest of the Black Eagles went in the direction of the Blue Lions. Watch your backs though, in case that archer comes over here."
With that said, we quickly go the short distance to reach the others, who are all still fine behind the rocks.
Claude explains what happened on our end, then Leonie gives a rundown about things on her group's end. In short, they were completely ignored by the Blue Lions, who are moving in a formation towards the Black Eagles.
The two opposing sides meet in an open part of the field, centered around four clusters of trees-including our own. I scan over the fighting as best I can-hoping to make sense of it all.
From what I can see, the Lions and Eagles have their short-range units in the front, while their archers and mages are at the rear.
"Golden Deer." Claude calls out to us once the other classes have lost the majority of their numbers. "We're going to make our first move now."
We all respond to him in one way or another. This wasn't anything new to us. We all know what we're going to do now.
While Lysithea, Leonie, and I climb onto the rocks, the others crouch down at their bases and wait for the next phase.
With a better view from above, I pay more attention to the other houses. The Blue Lions currently have the disadvantage, as the Black Eagles push them back with shots of magic. Though neither side is currently losing any people, the Lions appear to have lost two of their own at some point.
As I move my gaze across the field, I see two figures moving slowly around the patch of trees closest to the Eagles. Those sly dogs, I wasn't expecting that from the Lions.
I point what I see out to Leonie and Lysithea; and after exchanging glances, we come to a silent agreement.
We begin to prepare ourselves to strike. Nocking an arrow back, I take aim at Professor Hanneman, who seems a little too comfortable at the rear of the Lion's formation.
Coming into place behind the Eagles, the two Lions from before suddenly fire spells and arrows at the unprotected rear of the Eagles.
Leonie, Lysithea, and I take that as our cue, and let loose our own volley upon our targets.
My arrow hits Professor Hanneman in the head and he's sent out.
Lysithea's spell hit a small cluster of people. While it took out a healer and whoever she was tending to, it wasn't enough to take out the third person who got caught. They, however, were retired by a spell from the Eagles rear.
Leonie's arrow, which had been aimed at Byleth, was evaded as she dodged a swipe from a spear.
Snap!
"Leonie?" I address her with a trembling voice. "Why in the world did you go for Byleth? We were all supposed to target the Lions."
"It was my chance to test Captain Jeralts' own flesh and blood-I couldn't pass that up."
"Honestly! Deviating from the plan just for your own self-gratification-that's rather childish." Lysithea tore into her.
Edelgard and Dimitri, who had been focusing on each other since they met on the field, begin to exchange words as they clash-looking in our direction as they do.
They abruptly back away from each other. This could mean trouble.
"Black Eagles, halt! We shall temporarily ally ourselves with the Blue Lions and show the Golden Deer what happens when they try to take us both on at once!" Edelgard declares.
Ah snap, that's not good.
"My friends!" Dimitri also calls out. "Let us join forces with the Black Eagles and rout the Golden Deer!"
"Not good, not good, not good!"
We were only supposed to get a few of the Lions to come over here so that we could whittle them out over time. But thanks to Leonie's stunt, we have that all out attack-that could send the entire strategy out the door-on our hands.
I don't even bother warning the others on the ground. I'm sure they heard that entire commotion.
Despite the oncoming charge from the two houses, the gals and I keep pelting them as they're approaching our doorstep. Thankfully, our efforts are rewarded with another person gets put out of commission.
But now that the Eagles and Lions are basically here, I'm starting to get cold feet.
I hear the sharp whistling of an arrow right before it hits Lysithea, who gasps and is warped away in quick succession.
I turn to Leonie.
"I don't know about you, but I'm outta here!"
Having said my piece, I scramble down the rocks as quickly as I can, and sling my bow over my back.
I hear the ruckus as the Purple Alliance-as I will now call it-is ambushed by the Deer behind the rocks.
I pull out my dagger. I need to stay calm. "It's alright. I'm safe." While they might not have rubber on their edges, we all know the rules involved with handheld blades. No killing blows. No deep cuts. Five unhealed injuries and you're warped out. And because accidents happen, we all have a vulnerary on us just in case."
All in all, this is rather nerve-wrecking.
"Relax."
I find myself losing my wits again as a redhead lunges at me with a spear.
I duck down, let it sail over my head, and move in to retaliate in kind. I try to close the distance to swipe at his wrist, but he whacks my right leg with the shaft of his spear. Pain spreads through it, but I can't do anything about it as Red pulls back his spear and cuts that same leg.
I stumble and fall to the ground.
"No hard feelings, but this entire battle just doesn't compare to the real thing." He tells me with a sad expression. "Do you yield?" His spear is pressed against my neck. Well fuck, this is a veteran, to some extent.
Damn it, I guess this is as far as I go, isn't it. And what could I expect? Here I am, with only a weeks worth of training, against people, who, for the most part, have likely been doing this for years. Oh well, at least I could take a couple of them out.
Before I can affirm my defeat, Raphael comes yelling out of nowhere, and charges at Red with a fist cocked back. Red somehow gets into a defensive stance before Raphael's blow connects, but it snaps his spear in two and sends him skidding back a few feet. I wince as I witness it-Raphael has some of the biggest hands I've ever seen, so that had to hurt.
"Oh, you poor dear, let me take care of that leg for you." Professor Casagranda says from behind me.
Having turned my back to the fight between Raphael and Red, Professor Casagranda crouches down, places her hands above my leg, and heals it up.
"Come now, you don't need to laugh, you know."
"I can't help it, Professor, it feels like I'm moving it around after it falls asleep." I giggle out as my leg tingles.
"Yes, well-" An arrow hits the back of her head. "Dear me, it seems I'm out." She says, sounding slightly embarrassed, then gets warped.
The culprit, now revealed, is the same girl who took Ignatz out of the fight.
I spring to my feet, all sensations of pain gone and forgotten.
"First Ignatz, now my professor. I've got a real bone to pick with you, you know." I state, lunging at Violet.
She swats my hand to the side, then grabs it tightly.
"Three." Violet informs with an accent that, though slightly different from the one I'm accustomed to, wrenches my heart with homesickness. "Also, I have confusion of why you wish to be picking a bone with me. Is it another of Fódlan's customs?"She asks, her accent persisting and head slightly tilted.
I look around, and confirm that everyone else is too focused on their own fights. I know that I'm being dangerously stupid, but, I'd like to drop the act, even if only for a moment.
"No." I reply to her, in Spanish.
"How are you knowing of Brigid's tongue? And why do you speak it with such accuracy?" Violet inquires suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. "We will have an exchanging of words later."
"I'd like that, but please, don't tell anyone about this."
"You have my agreement, now we will be doing battle." Ending our short discussion, she lets go of my hand and snatches my dagger in the same moment.
My mouth goes dry as I realize I'm just about unarmed. I'm so boned. Oh well, I'm not on the ground yet, and I don't intend to go out without a fight at least.
I pull one of my arrows out from their quiver and hold it as if it were my dagger. I know that I don't have a chance of defending with this-my dagger would easily snap the thin piece of wood- so I'll have to go on the offensive.
I lunge for Vioet, and swing my arrow at her midsection. She takes a step back, allows my arm to complete the swing, then rushes forward.
I move to the left, barely avoiding her attack.
She swings for my right side, so I take another step to the left.
She goes in for a stab, and I take a step back.
I find myself pressed against the very same rocks I was perched on just a few minutes ago. How ironic.
I raise my arrow and lunge for Violet.
It was probably the obvious move to do in my position, because she seems to have been expecting it. I'm disarmed and cornered again sooner than I notice it.
But I refuse to go down. Though it isn't my way of doing things, I'll have to use brute force.
I tackle my opponent to the ground, place my legs down on either side of her waist, and grab her wrists-keeping them firmly on the ground.
"Please, call it quits here. You can't get out of this pin." I tell Violet, practically imploring her to yield with how strained my voice is.
I hate every moment of this. I feel like scum for forcing a girl down like this.
"I decline." I hear, right before the wind is knocked out of me.
Our positions are reversed in an instant, only this time, Violet's full weight is pressed against my waist.
She's also holding my own dagger next to my neck with a triumphant smile.
"This gave me much excitement, but I regret that the hunt is over now."
"Hunt?" Oh, I see. I've just unwittingly played a game of cat and mouse.
"But have no shame, for you had much pride to make it easy for me, and defended most hardly. In fact, I had much surprise when you leapt at me like a wolf. I was most certain I would be the prey in that moment, but then, you hesitated."
"Why the hell did her expression sour?"
"Now, I have victory over you, you must only declare it for the judge." She says, moving my dagger just a little too close for comfort.
My hands slowly go into the air.
"You win. I'll be seeing you later to get my dagger back, but I yield."
And with that, I find myself back at camp.
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Against the combined force of the other two houses, it was no surprise when we Deer were the first house to be fully reunited at camp.
Not too long after the last of us arrived, members from the Purple Alliance began coming in once they resumed fighting each other.
It didn't take too long from there for the Black Eagles to be proclaimed the victors of today's mock battle.
There was some heated blame-throwing among some of my classmates for a while, before Professor Casagranda broke it up. Our mood has, understandably, been gloomy since then.
Dinner was a silent affair, which felt unnerving considering the quirky, rowdy group we are. I ended up leaving the table, and moving myself to where I am now.
Headmaster Seteth and Archbishop Rhea had the best view of the valley from here; and now that the sun is setting, it only looks better.
"Would now be an inconvenient time to have that discussion with you?"
"Well, I'm not in particularly high spirits, but-" I begin to reply, then catch on to the fact that I'm speaking in Spanish.
"Ah fudge!" I turn around and see Violet looking at me with curiosity.
"You really do have knowing. Not just in the hearing of my tongue, but also in the speaking of it."
"I do, um..." I trail off, realizing I don't know Violet's name.
"What's your name? I don't think I ever learned it. Mine is James Andreas Heinig."
"I call myself Petra MacNeary. Now do be explaining yourself: From where do you have learning of Brigidian?"
I think back to the cover story I came up with with Margrave Edmund.
"I am the son of a sailing trader whose crew does business with other nations."
I find my dagger against my throat in an instant. Looking at Petra, her face is set in an angry snarl.
"Do not lie to me. Though Brigid is a vassal of the Empire, we do not participate in international trading. So tell me the truth if you want to keep living."
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And that's a wrap!
Being completely honest with myself here: This chapter was a blast to write. It was a challenge to come up with the action sequences, but I had a great time giving them life.
The Eagles won the mock battle; but was there any surprise there? They had the chosen one, Byleth, on their side. What chance did the other Houses have?
I will say though, that were it not for Byleth, the Lions would probably have taken the win. They have a number of veterans, two graduates from the academy of sorcery, and one sneaky thief.
The Eagles, though skilled, have their weak links and flaws among the class at first, which ultimately would lead to their downfall without Byleth.
And while I'd like to cheer for the Deer, their sense of comradery in the early game is abysmal. On top of that, I'm tempted to say that they are the least combat-ready of the classes right now.
Anyway, moving on from that.
James has allowed himself to let down his mask for a moment, only for it to now bite him.
And while I'm talking about him, what did you all think of his performance in the mock battle, considering his experience. Too good, too cruddy?
On the larger scale of things, how do you all feel about the way I went through the mock battle as a whole? I did my best to be faithful to the characters at their current stages of development, but let me know if I slipped up.
From now, until the time I release the next installment of this story, I give the floor to you. I encourage you to blow my notifications up with your theories, questions, impressions, and thoughts; but until then, take care.
Best of wishes,
-T.I.S.