Chapter 6 ~ The Academy
(A/N): Finally showing this story some love 💕 Hope you will continue to love it as well!
Unfortunately Sylvain's hope that a good night's rest would improve Dimitri's mood was dashed. The redhead found the blonde dressed in ivory robes and white bunny slippers, moping in the kitchen, while stirring his spoon absentmindedly into his cereal bowl of honey nut Naga-O's. Then with each heavy sigh, Dimitri would glance out of the window overlooking the courtyard.
Finally Sylvain had enough. "Sheesh," The redhead grumbled as he observed his love-lorn friend. "You're acting just like you did back at the Academy…" Then Sylvain paused as a thought occurred, and a smile spread across his face rivaling the Cheshire Cat. "Say, why don't you take a trip to the Academy?"
Dimitri snapped out of his reverie to stare at his friend. Then blue eyes fell back down at his soggy cereal. "I…I don't know," the young man stumbled as mulled the thought over. He handed been back there since graduation.
"Oh come on!" Sylvain gave his old friend a nudge. "Take a trip down memory lane, see what's changed, and get out of this house."
Dimitri could see that there would be no way out of this plan once his friend was set on it. Inhaling deeply, the blonde nodded in acquiescence and made his way back to the bedroom to change. With some effort, the young man changed into a crisp navy blue blazer over a black t-shirt. He wore black dockers and business shoes. Dimitri was finishing up styling his hair, when he remembered Sylvain drove a convertible. Sighing, he gathered his blonde hair into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck.
Soon Sylvain's sleek red convertible parked at the foot of Garreg Mach Monastery. To preserve the historic grounds, only travel by foot, bike, or horse were permitted beyond the parking lot.
"It's like being transported to an age before, huh," Sylvain smiled as he closed the car door and deeply inhaled the chilled fall seasoned air. The redhead opted to wear a black leather coat over a white shirt and dark blue denim with sleek toed obsidian boots. He removed his dark aviator glasses and nestled it upon his tousled hair.
"Yeah," Dimitri agreed with a wistful sigh as he took in the architectural marvel nestled upon the mountain before them. Beyond a series of high stone curtain walls was a giant fortress. It was made up of several turrets and towers that seemed to pierce through the passing clouds, while massive keeps were enclosed by another huge stone huned curtain walls topped with battlements. A large cathedral was at the center, while a bustling tourist filled village flourished at its base.
It was quite a walk since they were no longer rooming up at the school dorms. Yet Dimitri felt exhilarated. The church bells tolled a musical tune, summoning students to class. The smell of freshly baked fluffy-doughed goods tempted them in the village's busy market. Once inside the grounds of the Academy, Dimitri felt like he was once again a student at the school.
"Hey!" Sylvain began as he walked alongside Dimitri. "I'm going to go check out the sights," the redhead excused himself with a sly wink. Dimitri rolled his eyes as he knew that his friend was going to go ogle at the women. Some things never change…
The great hall, greenhouse, the mess hall…every corner held a memory of his time at the Academy. Though the sauna was new, he could have used that while he was in school! Dimitri walked about the courtyard, noting the dormet roses while the fall colored leaves decorated the many trees. There was the stone gazebo that Byleth would have the tea parties. However, no longer was there a small outside patio set with several white wrought iron chairs and a table draped with ivory lace cloth.
Dimitri paused as precious memories of tea parties flooded his mind. How Byleth would hold celebratory events for their whole class when they passed the Certification examinations. At individual tea times he came to learn that Byleth enjoyed Earl gray tea with hints of lavender, just like her father. He wondered if Byleth was teaching today, and curiosity led his feet towards the Blue Lions's classroom. However Dimitri saw that the door was closed, no doubt due to the cooler weather, versus how they kept it open in the warmer season. Soooo, should he peek through the window? Yes…No…Yes! Dimitri peered into the classroom, observing the studious pupils who wore the warmer customary house evening wear of black and gold.
Movement at the front of the classroom brought his attention to Byleth. Her back was turned towards him, as she wrote on the board. She wore a conservative yet cozy black turtleneck that was tucked into dusty pink culottes with and paired black sleek court heels. Her soft seafoam green hair hung over her shoulders, secured by a pink headband.
Suddenly Byleth turned around to address the class, and Dimitri ducked down below the window. From the sidewalk, he tried to crawl away, and once safely away, the young man quickly put distance between him and the classroom. Did she see him? Dimitri groaned, and hoped she hadn't.
Not paying attention to where his feet were taking him, Dimitri didn't realize he was heading down the familiar route towards the training grounds. He came to a stop behind a group of students who were watching a presentation by an energetic armored man with short tousled brown hair and mustache. It was Professor Alois, dressed in the full ancient ivory armor gleamed in the sunlight, with its golden and maroon accents. He held up a gleaming steel axe as he continued to recount to the students, "And armor, such as my great great great great great greaaaaaat grandfather's were worn by the Knights of Seiros, protectors of the Church of Seiros!"
Dimitri remembered seeing the demonstration of Knights of Seiros's living relatives at the annual Goddess's Rite of Rebirth celebration. Professors Jeralt, Alois, Gilbert, Catherine, and Shamir would dress up and have exhibitions of their talents befitting their well known lineages. Those who had inherited the Hero's Relic like Catherine's magnificent sword 'Thunderbird' and Gilbert's enormous axe 'Crusher', would bring out the weapons for exhibition of great skill. Dimitri recalled his own heirloom armor and lance, Areadbhar.
Indeed the young man was just as enrapt the students until he was spotted by the professor. "Oh ho HO!" He cheered with brightened eyes at the sight of Dimitri. "What have we here?!" Alois waved to the young man, causing the students to all turn around and stare back at him. Dimitri gulped in trepidation at the sudden intense attention. "Come now Dimitri, will you do us the honor of showing these students some of your classic moves?"
"Uh, oh, alright," Dimitri acquiesced Alois directed him over to the practice weapons rack. The class began to murmur and chatter with great interest as they watched him.
"Capital! Excellent! Oh class, you all are in for a treat from former student Dimitri Blaiddyd!" Alois exclaimed with feverish glee while Dimitri smiled shyly as he was encircled by four straw dummies. The young man took his stance and inhaled deeply. Then, like muscle memory, Dimitri unleashed a powerful whirlwind of well aimed hits, knocking each straw dummy off its stand to a series of 'ohs' and 'ahs' from the students. The young man returned to his stance and bowed to appreciative claps.
Dimitri looked back up and spotted Byleth behind the group of students, clapping along. He felt his cheeks flush with heat and before he knew it, the young man had snapped his lance in two.
"Still impressive as always!" Alois proclaimed with boisterous laughter as he clapped the embarrassed young man's on the shoulder. Luckily, Dimitri was saved by the bell, which called the students away to lunch, leaving him and Byleth alone.
"Care for a spar?" Byleth inquired with a tilt of her head before she strode past the young man. From the practice weapons rack, she selected a new lance and tossed it towards Dimitri.
The young man deftly caught it, and asked, "Like old times?" As he watched Byleth select a wooden practice sword. The young woman didn't answer, as she turned to face him, but there was a small smile upon her lips.
…Things are different now…
(A/N) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. 💕 Going to spice things up in the next part! 😉
