Lysithea sat in the classroom lost in her own thoughts, only briefly acknowledging her Professor once he entered the classroom. The events of the mock battle still preoccupied her mind as she tried to think of everything that she could've done differently. Everything that she should've done differently.

This wasn't Gensokyo. People could just ambush you whenever. They weren't going to announce that they were going to fight you and or call out their moves with a Spell Card. Lysithea had known that, or at least she thought she did. Fighting in that Mock Battle though had shown that she was much more dependent on Gensokyo's system than she had previously thought.

A mistake. One that she couldn't afford to make on an actual battlefield, else it would lead to her death.

"Good job at the Mock Battle," the Professor addressed the class. "There is still much room for improvement though."

Leonie raised her hand. "How so Professor?"

"Lysithea, Hanneman's at the door for you."

"What!?" Lysithea quickly turned her head only to find nothing but thin air. She had barely processed the sheer nothingness in front of her when something hard collided and exploded against her skull. "Ouch! What the- did you throw a piece of chalk at me Professor!?"

"You can read and dodge a projectile, but it matters little when you don't see it coming," The Professor lectured. "An arrow or spell can come at you from any direction at any moment, especially if you choose to run out of cover and stay from your allies."

"Oh…" Lysithea quickly began to realize his point. In a Spell Card duel you always knew that a bullet or projectile was coming for you. It might have a strange path or come from an unpredictable angle, but you knew beforehand that they would come, and you would be given time to read them. Fodlan wasn't like that. An arrow could come from anywhere at any time to kill you.

"We can't keep track or control everything that happens on the battlefield," the Professor continued. "The unexpected happens. That is why we do our best to decrease the number of opportunities of that happening. You should've regrouped with us and not fought on your own. You are not a one-man army. Your allies are there for a reason, use them."

"I think I understand," Lysithea replied.

"Also, we'll have to make up for your deficiencies in melee combat."

"But Professor. I'm a mage"

"Everyone knows to fight a mage up close. Felix offered to spar with you, accept the offer. Learn to deal with fighters that try to approach you."

The Professor turned to Claude. "Flair and style can have its place, however you took it too far two times. Don't play around at the cost of missing a sure shot."

"Yeeesh, got it Professor. I'll tone it down a little till I get better."

"Hilda. Train more."

"What?"

"I didn't have you participate because you simply would overpower anyone that wasn't Dedue, Dimitri, or Edelgard."

"Wait, are you saying that you didn't pick Hilda to give us a harder time?" Leonie asked.

"It was an opportunity to test and develop your skills, and to highlight any weaknesses that you might have," Byleth replied. "Leonie, you're well-rounded with a wide range of skills, however you need to understand when and where it would be best to apply each one. When we were fighting with Dimitri and Dedue it was clear that I had the front line under control. You should've stayed back and used your bow to try and eliminate Hanneman while you had the flank. By joining the melee, you made dispatching them take longer than it should have."

"I guess I was trying so hard to impress Jeralt that I didn't think of that… I'll try to pay attention and make up for it next time."

"Marianne."

"Y-yes?"

"You did good back there once you started being more proactive and doing things of your own accord rather than just waiting for my orders. Do that more often."

"O-okay…"

"Ignatz."

"Yes, Professor?"

"I've watched you at the archery range."

"You have?"

The Professor nodded. "Be more confident. There were many shots that you would've made, but you second guess yourself. Also, it's difficult to notice you due to your lack of presence, so make use of that."

"I'll… keep that in mind?"

"Lorenz. You're worse than Claude. Drawing to yourself and away from your allies is fine, don't announce your moves or tell them what you're planning to do. Don't show off. Don't worry about getting blood or dirt on you. Just fight. Fight dirty if you have to. You can do it well when you try."

"But Professor. My honor dictates that-"

"Honor does nothing for the dead. Ferdinand had honor, Lysithea took him out with a spell to the chest, Finally, Raphael, eat your vegetables. And stay after class for extra lessons." The Professor pulled out a giant stack of textbooks from underneath his take. "You need a thorough review of all your lectures."

For the first time ever, the giant had let out a pathetic whimper.

"In the end this was just a Mock Battle." The Professor turned to address the class. "Without fear of death you take risks on the battlefield you wouldn't or shouldn't take. You need to remember that when we are given our assignment at the end of the month. Anyone, even a bandit, can kill you if you're not careful."

"I can attest to that," Claude commented.

"For some of you it will also be the first time you kill."

Ignatz raised his hand. "Is there any advice you have, Professor?"

"Everyone reacts and handles it differently."

"How… do you do it then Professor?" Marianne asked.

The Professor began to look thoughtful as he contemplated the question. "I kill for my father. My allies and soon my students. I kill for their sake. It might help to focus on something important to you."

"What if… someone doesn't have something important to fight for?" Marianne asked.

"Find it," Byleth replied quickly. "And if you lose it, find another. That's life. You could also try to enjoy the fighting itself."

That only brought another question to Lysithea. She had spent so long studying, fighting, and pushing herself just so that she could have a life to live, but what did she want with it?

What would give her life meaning once she finally had her hands on it?


"Is everything fine Lysithea?"

Lysithea shook her head. "No I'm fine Tomas."

"Is the new shipment of books not to your liking?"

"No. It's just that… I have a lot on my mind," she admitted. So much to do and not enough time. And she still hadn't found an answer to so many of her questions.

"Ah." Tomas finished drawing the runes she had requested him to draw and slipped them into one of the books. He had more or less approved of her organizational system and had even asked for several copies of her runes, something she had been more than happy to supply. "I find that having someone to talk with is a good way to help gain clarity and organize the mind."

Well… he was harmless enough. And it wouldn't hurt to confide in someone that wasn't from Gensokyo. "Do you ever feel like that… everything you do isn't enough? Like there's always something you missed in one way or another?"

Tomas had a thoughtful look on his face before he answered. "In that case it is important to set a goal and focus on that. A few setbacks or surprises are inevitable, but it's important to move on with that lesson. Also sometimes something you've overlooked in the past might be the key to something you're missing now."

Hopeful thinking, but Lysithea could see his point. It was best to take her mistakes as a lesson.

She had been fighting like she was on her own, rather than relying on her allies near her. She was just so unused to asking people for help in the first place. She never had to ask with Marisa, that girl always knew when she was needed for some reason, and Sensei had raised her so it was always easy to request something from her.

Working with other people though and not just commanding them like she would a group of fairies… that would take time for her to get used to.

"You seem to be keeping yourself busy."

Lysithea turned and practically growled at the man who had greeted her. The only reason that she didn't was that Tomas was right there. "Hubert."

"Ordelia."

"Are you here to gloat? Don't forget that the Golden Deer still won the Mock Battle."

Hubert gave a sardonic smirk. "True, but who was it that won in our last encounter?"

Lysithea crossed her arms, turned away, and bristled. "Next time I'll defeat you and any other tricks you'll have prepared. I can assure you that Bernadetta won't be there to save your hide again."

"You can try, but I'm not here for that. I'm simply here to ensure that Lady Edelgard has safe passage to the library."

"Why wouldn't she?"

"Because you have quite the reputation in this Academy, Miss Library."

Lysithea groaned. "Never going to lose that nickname," she muttered to herself before glaring at Hubert. "This is a public library, anyone can come here and do as they wish so long as they follow the rules and respect the books. And if Edelgard needs help looking for something I'm happy to lend my aid. I'm grateful for the help she gave me and I wish to repay that favor."

"You mean that incident in which you chased the Reigan heir across the campus while in your frilly sleepwear, embarrassing yourself and causing significant property damage in the process?"

Lysithea's face was crimson as she hid her face behind a book. "Yes… that."

"I'd expect you not to repeat that incident. You've caused enough trouble for my Lady already," Hubert replied before walking away.

"I can assure that the only person that I aim to cause trouble is you," Lysithea grumbled now that she was left alone. "I've got more than a few spells just for you."

"I hope that you would pick a more discrete location before you tried to set Hubert on fire."

Lysithea yelped and looked up to find that Edelgard had just walked into the room. "When did you get here? And how much did you hear?"

"I arrived just as Hubert was reminding you of the… incident," Edelgard admitted before giving Tomas a strange look.

The man simply stared at her in turn before putting away the runes he had been working on. "I have some other business to attend to. Have a pleasant evening you two," the Librarian said before leaving the room.

Lysithea hid her face behind a book once more. "I'm never going to live that down. Am I?"

"We all make mistakes. It is simply a matter of learning from them and moving forward without letting our past chain us down."

"Like I haven't heard that before," Lysithea rolled her eyes. She lowered her book so she could peek over the cover. "Is there anything you need?"

"I wish to do some light reading and it would seem that you are the most suitable to pick something out for me."

Well if there was one thing that Lysithea knew, it was books. "Leisure or education?"

"Leisure."

"Preferred Genre and Setting?"

"Someplace different and thrilling."

Lysithea snapped her finger and a book would fly out of a nearby bookshelf. It would then hover over and land on Edelgard's outstretched palm. "A murder mystery taking place in Morfis. The desert city makes an interesting setting, and the plot is enhanced due to creative use of magic from both the protagonist and the perpetrator. It doesn't assume its readers are dumb, while still explaining enough that even those without much knowledge of magic or the city can follow the story."

"Thank you," Edelgard replied. "Do you mind if I read here?"

"Not at all, in fact I'd enjoy your company," Lysithea replied honestly.

Instead of going to a nearby table and dragging out a chair though, Edelgard suddenly turned around and sat on the floor right next to where Lysithea had set up her book fort.

"Uh." Lysithea blinked as she tried to process what the Princess had done. She couldn't see much past the wall of books that was blocking their way. "Are you sure you want to sit there?"

"Yes. It's comfortable and you seem to find this position suitable for reading."

"It's a habit of mine," Lysithea admitted. "I know it's not exactly suitable for anyone of my status to sit like this, much less yours."

"Does it matter what nobles think as long as we do what is necessary or what makes us comfortable?" Edelgard asked.

"… No. It doesn't." After a brief pause Lysithea waved her hand and moved the books aside so that there was no longer a wall separating them.

"Don't let what other people think bother you," Edelgard continued as she opened her book. "What matters the most is that you stay true to yourself and the path that you've chosen."

"You know a friend of mine told me that too," Lysithea replied. "It's good advice, but I don't think she follows it that well."

"A person shouldn't lecture unless they're willing to stand by their own words as an example."

"She does try her best though. I know because she's just hopelessly honest. Terrible liar and her face is an open book."

"An honest person by heart then."

"Too honest sometimes. At least it gives you warning anytime she does something crazy again."

"Like what?"

Lysithea sighed. "Making a love potion for a client, in her living room without proper ventilation. She was fine with her mask on, but didn't think about others who might be exposed to the fumes once they opened the front door." She hugged herself and shuddered. What was left unsaid was the additional aphrodisiac effect of that potion. Needless to say she had been and was still very grateful to Alice for knocking her out before she could do anything perverse.

At least in front of her friends. She was a young adult, emphasis on adult, going through puberty. Sometimes she needed some privacy to deal with hormonal urges and the rapid changes in her own body.

Lysithea was also eternally grateful to Alice for giving her the talk. The only thing Sensei had done when inquired was to toss a few books in her face about the topic and fly away at speeds she didn't think was possible for the elder Witch. Books… that Marisa had borrowed at one point.

Yea, best not to ask about that.

"Your friend sounds… interesting to be around," Edelgard replied. "Even compared to those we have to associate with here."

"She is. Even when she isn't dragging me into something that's going to get me chased around, blown up, or forced into another fight."

"She seems like a terrible influence."

"Oh, she definitely is. But I learned a lot from her and I do owe her a lot. She looked out for me in her own crazy way."

"Is she from Fodlan, or the place where you learned your magic?"

"The latter."

"So, you really did leave this continent to learn in a foreign land. Where did you go?"

Lysithea paused and considered her next words. "A far away land, past the great fog in the East. It's called Gensokyo."

"I'm surprised you made such a journey."

"It wasn't on purpose. Strange magic and circumstances were involved. Eventually I was able to find my way back with my Sensei's blessing."

"Your Sensei, the one who taught you your magic?"

"Yes. She's a great woman. She practically raised me while I was there."

"You must miss her," Edelgard observed.

Lysithea had a wistful smile on her face. "I do, though once I graduate from the Academy I'll be able to visit her again."

"It seems like a long journey though. What about your responsibilities as the heir to House Ordelia?"

"I have certain plans made in regards to House Ordelia. I am aware of my responsibilities as heir to my parents and the people of our territory and will do my best to fulfill them."

"Good luck with that then."

"Thank you."

With their conversation finished for the time being the two of them… just read. They read books next to each other, made small talk, and enjoyed the company.

It was actually really nice.


Lysithea opened her eyes and the first thing she noticed was red. A red cloak that had been draped over her body as a blanket.

She looked around and realized that she was still in the library. Had she… fallen asleep there?

That was embarrassing. It was one thing to do it at her Sensei's library out of habit, but here?

"Did you have a good nap Lysithea?"

Lysithea shrieked, jumped away, and barely caught the cloak covering her before it fell onto the floor. She finally noticed the Imperial Princess sitting at the table with her book now closed. "H-how long was I sleeping?"

"Just an hour. You seemed tired. I kept an eye and made sure no one bothered you."

"Oh… uh thank you," Lysithea replied, a light blush to her cheeks as she held onto the cloak. It was still embarrassing to have fallen asleep there, but at least it was just Edelgard. And the Princess had been an incredibly thoughtful and considerate person, to her at the very least. "I'm sorry for using your cloak like this."

"It is of no concern. I am more worried about your health. It's clear that you've been pushing yourself."

"I'm fine."

"Really? Because studying and training to the point of exhaustion will do you no good."

"I just… have a hard time sleeping if I'm idle," Lysithea admitted. "The progress I've made… it isn't good enough for me. And if I don't work and try to lay in bed I just… end up thinking about what I could be doing instead." Then she would just get up and do it until she was tired enough to fall asleep at her desk or something like that.

"I can understand that feeling," Edelgard admitted. "But as Hubert told me, if I'm not well rested then I'm more liable to make mistakes. Proper rest and a proper sleep schedule is also essential to maintaining our health."

"To be honest I don't have much of a sleep schedule, I can't really go to sleep at a set time," Lysithea replied. It was difficult trying to adjust to following a set schedule for classes and getting the sleep she needed. Between Sensei who didn't need to sleep, Sakuya who she had never seen sleeping, Meiling who slept all the time, and the two Vampire sisters who slept in the day, there really wasn't much of a set schedule the inhabitants of the SDM followed. Lessons with her Sensei happened anytime Lysithea was awake and active; it also didn't help that Marisa would occasionally break in the middle of the night to drag her off to do something.

"Where do you find yourself most comfortable then? Where you can finally relax?"

Lysithea looked around the library. "With the books. In a library or even my room, surrounded by books, it reminds me of home. But I can't exactly lay some bedding down and sleep here."

"Is there anything else that can comfort you? Maybe something that reminds you of a fond memory?"

Several things came to mind. The smell of Alice's tea over an afternoon snack. The shade of Remy's room as they played their games. Drinking with Sensei after a lesson. Drinking with Marisa after a long day of adventure. Drinking and then staying over at the Hakurei shrine after a party… wait a second.

"Maybe I just need a drink," Lysithea admitted. Now that she thought about it, yea. Just a little bit of alcohol was usually enough to get her to nod off.

"Drinking? You mean alcohol? Aren't you too young for that?"

"In Fodlan yea, but not so much in Gensokyo."

"I can't imagine a place that allows children to drink?"

"I am not a-!"

"I know," Edelgard interrupted her. "But you have to admit we're a bit too young to be drinking in Fodlan."

"Well it's the norm in Gensokyo," Lysithea replied and chuckled a bit. "Most people won't ever have a chance to visit it I imagine. As for what it's like… well it's insane."

"Insane?"

"Something's going on one way or another and people are always picking fights with each other. Non-lethal of course, its all-organized dueling in a way, but yea. It's different, really different from Fodlan," Lysithea replied fondly.

Edelgard smirked. "You're smiling."

"I am?" Lysithea put a hand to her lips.

"It suits you and I think Gensokyo is where you feel comfortable. By comparison Fodlan must be a foreign land to you I imagine."

"Outside of Ordelian territory… yes," Lysithea admitted.

"Could I ask you something then?"

"Go for it."

"Where do your allegiances lie? Not to the Alliance or Fodlan I imagine."

"I'm loyal to my parents. My Sensei. Everyone that helped to raise me. I'm here for their sake and mine."

"That's good, I'm… glad you have a good relationship with your parents," Edelgard put away her book and stood up. "As to the topic of falling asleep, I wouldn't suggest drinking. At least not in a way that any of the faculty might see." She walked up to Lysithea and offered her a hand. "It's getting late. We should call it a night."

Lysithea grabbed Edelgard's hand and let herself be pulled off. She then handed the cloak back to the Princess. "Thank you… and I'd be happy if you could join me in the library again."

"I look forward to it."


There it was.

Marisa banked slowly to the distortion that suddenly appeared in the Forest of Magic. She had felt it before she had seen it, just a few minutes away from her own house, and chances were Alice would sense it too. Which meant that she had to investigate it quickly before the other magician got involved.

Marisa carefully walked toward the distortion. It really was like a clear tarp had been hung in the middle of the air. She could see through it, but everything on the other side came out muddy in appearance.

"Doesn't feel like a break in the barrier, or at least anything Reimu or Yukari would do," Marisa muttered to herself just outside of broom poking range. "Wonder if I should try throwing a rock at it?"

Just as she took another step though, something shifted and it began to move closer to her. Or at least that's what she thought.

A brief look at her surroundings told her that it wasn't moving towards her, it was sucking her in!

Marisa quickly pointed her broom the opposite direction and was prepared to have it carry her away, when suddenly the distortion cracked.

"Shit."

She barely had the time to curse before it dragged her in completely.