"Alright no more trouble," Lysithea smacked her own cheeks lightly as she looked at her own image in the mirror. Uniform was neat, hair brushed, perfume that Hilda gave her applied, ring on her finger to prevent Crest related incidents, and her ribbon which had been double knot tied neatly in her hair so that she could tug and adjust it when needed. "This is not Gensokyo. I can't just pick a fight with people that annoy me. I have to act like a proper student and noble."
Lysithea opened the newly repaired door of the room and stepped outside ready to conquer the day. She had barely taken a few steps before she ran into something soft and ended tumbling into a heap on the floor.
Ouch. Great way to start the day.
"Eep," the girl that Lysithea had apparently run into quickly separated from her and scrambled away. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd come out! Please don't hurt me!"
"What were you doing in front of my room?" Lysithea asked, annoyed.
"Not hiding. Definitely not hiding."
"Bernadetta where are you! You can't keep running away, we all need to show up the training grounds today!"
"Bernie's not here!" Bernadetta cried before running away.
Lysithea simply watched as the girl ran out of sight up the nearest flight of stairs. "Well that just happened," she sighed before she flicked her hand and summoned a quick gust of wind to blow out the dust and smooth out her uniform. Wind wasn't part of the Wu Xing as it was an element of skies and heavens, not the earth, but Sensei had always encouraged her to branch out a little. Even if all the spells she learned weren't practical in combat there could always be a use for them, such as now.
"Hey." A tall student, with a nice figure, and a pretty cool hat approached her. "You wouldn't happen to have seen-"
"Ran up those stairs there."
"Thank you. I'm Dorothea. By the way nice ribbon, it's cute."
"Thank you," Lysithea replied. Though she'd prefer to be called mature or ladylike, she could accept the compliment. "I'm Lysithea and I like your hat."
"I thought it'd look rather dashing on me. Well time to go get Bernadetta. Have a nice day."
"You too." Lysithea replied and watched as Dorothea gave chase after Bernie.
Well, tripping into a runaway girl aside, it was actually a pretty decent way to start that morning. While in that mood, Lysithea quickly made her way outside of the Monastery and toward the nearby field where they would be assessed.
Though the students had already been individually tested and assigned their classes, it was still neccesary for them to be out on this day to show their combat skills. It would help the faculty and eventually Professors assign the proper lessons for students while helping classmate familiarize with each other's skillsets.
Lysithea arrived at the grounds early and found a good number of the students already there. She quickly sat with her group, the Golden Deer and examined the other houses. Her fellow students at the Monastery, but most importantly her competition for the year to come.
The Black Eagles, she was more than familiar with unfortunately due to recent events. Apparently they were a class with many gifted in magic. Not as skilled as herself most likely, but they were a class that she would have to keep in mind. Most notable among them were the class that consisted of Edelgard who was there with Hubert by her side, a tanned woman who also had a great figure, an excitable looking blue haired boy, a stuffy looking noble man, and someone who was just sleeping while standing.
She had a feeling that last student could give Suika a run for her money in terms of finding weird places to sleep.
The Blue Lions, she was probably the least familiar with, but apparently many among them were highly skilled and suited for melee combat. Like the Black Eagles the vast majority of them were nobles, though they didn't really act like it judging by how that blonde girl was suddenly shoving her shoulder into Sylvain's stomach.
Eventually the rest of the students arrived, including Dorothea and Bernadetta who was now huddled in a corner close to the Black Eagles with the other girl comforting her. Dorothea turned around briefly, noticed Lysithea, and gave her a wink.
Lysithea replied with her own little wave.
"It seems that we've all arrived," a man with a commanding presence and green hair stepped up to address all the students.
"I am Seteth. Second-In-Command to the Archbishop. As students of the Officer's Academy I expect that you will do your utmost to act in a matter befitting you role and act in accordance to the Goddess's teachings. Whether you are noble or a commoner we expect the same of all students and we will stand idly while troublemakers cause issues at this Academy." The man gave a pointed look at Claude, then Lysithea, and then outright glared at Sylvain. "In exchange we will do our utmost to grow and mentor the next generation of Fodlan's leadership. Whether you are an heir to a noble household or a person of no notable rank but great ambition, you shall be given the opportunities to succeed. May the Goddess watch over us all."
Seteth stepped aside and an older man with a shapely mustache and beard took his place. "I am Hanneman. Crest Scholar and one of the Professors that will assigned to one of the Houses this year."
Crest Scholar. Lysithea quickly rubbed the ring that her Sensei had given her. She'd have to be careful around him. She also noticed that the sleeping boy from the Black Eagles was now awake and looking at Hanneman with interest.
"I understand that many of you have Crests and have reported as such," Hanneman continued. "However even with a Crest or the absence of one, we at the Academy still demand the same of all out students, as Seteth just said. However, I would greatly appreciate the aid of any of those among you with a Crest. There is much to be learned about Crests and the advancements we could make-"
"Ahem," Seteth interrupted the Crest Scholar.
"My apologies. That will be for another time. For now though I shall oversee magical assessments for all students here. Jeritza is our combat instructor," the old man gestured toward another masked man who stood to the side. "He along with a few of the Knights of Seiros will assess your martial prowess. Though not all of you might know or be particularly gifted at magic or martial skills I would implore you to try your best. It will be the best way for us to properly assess the skills and shortcomings of each student and create a proper curriculum that suits each of you."
After a few other speeches the students were quickly split into the groups with several faculty observing the results of each student as they showed off their skills.
Seeing this as a chance to familiarize herself with her own classmates, Lysithea watched carefully as each of them was assessed.
Claude had quickly picked up a bow and began to show off. Pulling off shots in the air, shots after twirling an arrow, and even one while upside down on a pull bar for some reason. He was certainly insufferable but there was no denying his skill with a bow.
"He's so cool," a student that sat near Lysithea whispered.
"And dreamy."
If only they knew the truth of how insufferable he could despite his charm.
Then there was Hilda. Hilda who was always asking other for help since she was just a weak little lady. HIlda who cleaved a dummy in half with a single swing of her axe. Her Wooden Axe. After that the pink haired girl had been practically dragged away to spar with one of the instructors and get a proper assessment on her skills.
"Damn, she's strong."
"Edelgard and Dimitri did that too."
The fact that Hilda of all people could be compared to those two though on brute strength alone… Needless to say Lysithea was not planning to pick up a weapon and spar with her anytime soon. In fact she didn't plan to pick up any weapons.
Marianne, despite her demeanor, was actually a fairly skilled healer. Which was good, because it meant that Lysithea would be able to focus on the more offensive purposes on her magic while she played support. Assuming the blue haired girl would be able to perform in an actual combat situation. As she was now, it was very doubtful.
Leonie was fairly well rounded with a wide array of skills. Spears, bows, even a few tricks with a sword. Lorenz was much the same though he favored magic instead of the bow and his spear work was a bit stiff.
After those two the only ones left in Lysithea's class would be herself and-
"Yo Lysithea I think you're up," Raphael's large, but surprisingly gentle hand, tapped her on the back and nudged her forward.
"Yes, thank you Raphael," Lysithea replied, a bit annoyed at the sudden touch but also somewhat appreciative of the notice. She stood up and ignore the whispers as she took her place in front of the dummy.
She was a bit irritated but not nervous. Fights in Gensokyo tended to flashy and drew an audience, so she was used to the attention.
"She's tiny."
"I think she's the youngest student this year?"
"No bow or anything, so probably a mage?"
"Didn't she try to set Claude on fire?"
And apparently word of that event spread around. Not surprising… but not great. This would probably be her best chance to make a good impression and improve her reputation within the Academy.
"What will you be showing us today?" Lysithea's proctor asked.
"Magic," Lysithea replied as she stepped forward. Unlike the other students who kept their arms lifted, legs bent, and form stiff, the Witch's apprentice let her body loose with her hands by her side. She didn't take a formal stance like the other students did, instead she would let her magic guide her actions.
She took a deep breath. Magic was a part of who she was, and she was a part of it. That was what it meant to be Magician, along with an obsession bordering on insanity. Magic was what gave her purpose, it was what gave her strength, and would eventually give her a life
Lysithea threw up an arm and fire erupted from the ground. The flames burned bright, quickly covering the magic resistant dummy in a dark red pyre.
The proctor gazed at the dummy, nodding as the fire still burned. "Strange form you have, but the results are good. Fast cast time with decent power. We'll have someone put it out."
"Not done yet," Lysithea replied as she pointed a hand at the dummy. The dummy was made of Wood and Wood fed Fire.
Branches, twigs, and other parts of its insides burst from its protective outer shell and added kindling to the flames. Soon the flames spread to the very inside of the dummy turning the entire thing into a smoldering heap of charred woad, charcoal, and ash.
Wood and Fire. Two of the elements she wielded, none of them her primary element, and simple spells at that. She couldn't show everything that she was capable of after all.
"Normally I'd say to respect school property, but wow," the Proctor commented. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and stared at the results. "Axes are one thing, but we have considerable magical wards to prevent them from burning up like that."
"It's one thing to brute force it with power," Lysithea said taking the silence and wide eyed looks she received in stride. "It's another to discern your target's weakness and use it against them. Though you applied significant wards to the outside of the dummies, there is very little protecting it once something pierces through the inside."
It was something that she had noticed when Hilda's axe had practically went through the rest of the dummy like heated butter after she had cracked through the outer shell.
"Noted. We'll to apply proper wards to the insides of all our dummies to prevent further destruction," the Proctor marked Lysithea's results on his board. "Normally I'd have you cast a few other spells, but I don't that's neccesary for time being. The Professors will know to put you on a curriculum that focuses on your magic."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Lysithea replied smugly.
"Now we need to test out your martial prowess over there. I know you're a mage, but still. Pick up something light that you can use and give it a good swing. Your combat instructor will go easy on you."
Suddenly Lysithea was less enthused. Sensei never really saw much of a need to ever use a weapon and neither did she. There was one that Lysithea wasn't completely inexperienced with… in that she picked up one and swung it like two times as a child.
She walked to the rack of weapons and pulled out a basic wooden sword. As she made her way back to the field she prepared herself for the worst.
Rather than an instructor though, Lysithea found herself in front of a Knight of Seiros. Not just any Knight though. Thunderstrike Catherine, wielder of the Heroes Relic Thunderbrand, a relic meant to be used by those with a Crest of Charon. One that Lysithea happened to have.
"Uh… why are you the one testing me?" Lysithea asked, very conscious of that Relic that currently hung on Catherine's waist. Thankfully it seemed that it wouldn't be used at this moment.
"Jeritza and a few of the other knights had their fun. Figured I'd give it a turn, see what we got this year," Catherine explained as she casually held her wooden sword.
"That doesn't explain why you chose me of all people."
"Jeritza and a couple others think your magic is from somewhere outside of Fodlan. Also… you have a certain presence that I like. Maybe you'll do something that will surprise me."
"Um…"
"What's wrong? You seemed so confident before."
"That was with magic. This," Lysithea lifted up her wooden sword. "Is something else."
"If you just assume you're going to fail then you will. You'll never get far with that sort of defeatist attitude."
Well, she had a point. Didn't mean Lysithea was going to like this.
Lysithea ran forward and swung her blade with all her might.
It was blocked. Easily. With Catherine using only one hand on her sword.
Lysithea swung again and process repeated before she stepped away, completely winded from her exertion. At this point the other students were looking elsewhere, having concluded that she was a magician first and nothing else.
"Yea kinda figured," someone in the background commented.
"She's a good mage, but she's too scrawny to fight with a sword."
That was fine. Lysithea knew that too and she had more than impressed them with her magic. They didn't need to think she was anything else but a hardworking magician... but there was a part that just wasn't satisfied with this.
"Are you really satisfied with this?" Catherine asked, her voice stern. "I know you've got more in you, are you really going to disappointment yourself?"
Lysithea's grip tightened. No, she wouldn't do that to herself.
She lowered her blade to her side and took a hand off of it. To many at first it had looked like she had given up, but that wasn't the case. Anyone that saw her eyes knew otherwise.
She wasn't going to get anywhere trying to imitate a basic form. She wasn't going anywhere trying to fight like a Swordsman. That's why she wasn't going to fight as a Swordsman. She was going to fight like she would in Gensokyo.
Lysithea jumped off her feet and flew. For just a brief moment, close to the ground so that bystanders wouldn't notice her flight, but enough that she shot toward Catherine with a sudden burst of speed. She blocked the stab, but now the knight's eyes looked excited.
"That's what I'm talking about," Catherine smirked as she pushed her off.
Lysithea landed on a single foot, spun, and turned the momentum into another swing. When that missed, she lunged forward again, and Catherine had to step back to avoid her sword and body.
She had finally moved Catherine. Forced the knight to take a step. But that wasn't enough. Lysithea continued her assault.
At first she had kept her small bursts of flight subtle. She couldn't let them know that she was flying, she had to make them assume that she was just fast and light on her feet. That she could pull off those acrobatic jumps, pivots, and turns she was showing them.
At one point she had suddenly sidestepped to strike at an angle away from his sword, only to get shoved by Catherine's body. The knight's weight sent her to the ground, but Lysithea wouldn't let herself fall like that. She turned her body around, pushed herself off the ground with a push of her free hand, and converted that into a swing as she spun there before landing back on her feet.
"Damn. You think she was part of a circus or something?" one of the audience asked.
They were impressed again. Good. But that wasn't enough. She still never landed a hit. Never broke her opponent's composure.
Faster. Faster. Faster.
She wasn't satisfied with herself. She had to be better, had to be stronger, had to destroy all the obstacles in her path with the little time she had left.
She continued until she was gasping. As sweat poured down body. She didn't stop, she refused to let herself stop. Until finally an opening appeared.
Lysithea thrust her free hand forward and called upon the light of the Sun. A light that landed directly in Catherine's eyes.
No one had forbidden the use of magic during this test after all.
As the knight closed her eyes briefly by instinct, Lysithea jumped. High into the air. Within the realm of possibility for someone of her size and stature, but still impressive to all who saw it.
This was it. Her crowning moment. Her blade would finally strike.
Clang.
It never did. The sound of wood against wood had signaled the end. Catherine had predicted her swing even with her eyes closed. Before Lysithea could finish falling, she was grabbed by her wrists.
Lysithea struggled. She really did. She did all that she could to push herself off, short of flying back and driving her legs straight into his chest. But that would be too much.
"Not bad kid. Fast and tricky, but you could seriously use some muscle on your bone," Catherine replied as she gently put Lysithea down and released her hands. "You also really need to work on your defensive form. If I had swung once I'd have knocked you down and ended your offense."
Lysithea simply panted as she tried to catch her breath. She was simply too tired, even to the point that she couldn't say anything about being called a kid.
"You got promise though. And that determination, don't ever lose that. When you're on the battlefield or studying whatever magic you use, being able to keep going and never give up is what's important. Also," Catherine gestured to several of the students that had begun clapping. "People will notice."
"She might not be the greatest swordman, but her magic is incredible. I've never seen anything like that before."
"She's still good enough with a sword to get praised by Catherine."
"She's the youngest one student too and she's still that good."
Lysithea smiled at the praise. Yes, she was the youngest one among them, but still able to stand among those years older than she was. Because of her Sensei and because she had made good use of the time that she did have.
"Are we sure she doesn't have a Crest?"
"No. She wasn't registered to have one."
This was it. She didn't need her Crests. This was because of how hard she had worked. All her effort, all her struggles were finally being acknowledged.
"Then she's a genius."
Lysithea's eyes went wide and she let go of her blade. It had barely hit the ground before the cheers erupted.
Gifted. Genius. Prodigy.
A person of natural talent. A person who was simply born with everything they had, that never had to try, to truly be great. That was what they all called her.
She looked at the ground and began to tug at her ribbon as they continued to shout, cheer, and sing her praises. Tightly, until her own hair began to hurt from the exertion.
Everything that she had worked for, everything that she had done. It wasn't for this.
