Lysithea had expected the Golden Deer to have a new transfer in their class. Cyril had worked incredibly hard to learn to read under the tutors that Seteth had provided him and had even gone to her a few more times for some additional tutoring. He deserved to be here in a student uniform, and she had a feeling it would be a good experience for him to learn under the Professor.

What she didn't expect though was for Sylvain to be sitting right next to him when she had entered the classroom that morning.

"Hey Lysithea," Cyril greeted her. "I like your hair"

"Hey Cyril and thanks," she quickly greeted the boy before turning to Sylvain. "Sylvain what are you doing here?"

"I transferred to your class. I love your hair too by the way."

"Thanks, but what about your friends?"

"They understood after I explained it to them. Ingrid was the hardest one to convince that I wasn't coming here to hit on a new set of girls. Though," he gave an appreciative nod to Hilda, "the girls here are pretty nice."

Lysithea rolled her eyes. "Do as you will, but I would like to inform you that I've recently learned Warp and I am more than willing to test it by throwing you into the nearest bonfire," she said as she sat in a seat next to the still sleeping Lindhart.

"I know, don't want to be a pile of ash. Pretty sure Bernadetta is already thinking of throwing me into a fire as it is."

She had just been about to ask Sylvain of what he could've possibly done to have Bernadetta of all people considering burning him alive when Claude began speaking. "It'll be fine she's actually much sweeter than she lets on. Must be all the cake she eats."

"I can assure that such sweetness has not nor will it be directed toward you for the foreseeable future," Lysithea replied. She had no idea how was going to get through classes from now on. Sylvain and Claude were going to be absolutely insufferable together.

"What if I give you some Almyran sweets I picked up from a merchant?"

Normally Lysithea wouldn't entertain such thoughts, but she had never actually tried Almyran sweets before…

"I will consider it."

"Anyway, have you guys been hearing about the rumors of a Reaper kidnapping students across campus?"

"I have actually." It honestly sounded like something Claude would say to her to scare but the rumors had spread quite far across the campus. It would certainly be a lot of trouble he was going through if it was another of his pranks.

"I've heard about that," Hilda commented. "Apparently this guy in really creepy armor comes out in the middle of the night to kidnap people. He also has a scythe!"

Wait a second… Creepy armor and a scythe for a weapon. "Doesn't that all seem rather familiar?"

Leonie perked up and shifted in her seat. "Yea that guy that the Professor took down two months ago."

"Who are we talking about here?" Sylvain asked for himself and Cyril next to him who looked just as confused.

"He was someone we fought in the Holy Mausoleum where Teach got the Sword of the Creator," Claude informed them. "Called himself the Death Knight."

"Not exactly the most original name."

"I agree, but he's still plenty dangerous. He gave Teach a run for his own money and even tried to kill Lysithea."

"He never even got close." Though it was certainly scary to imagine what might've happened to her at the time. "But if he is out there kidnapping students… then we could all be in some serious danger."

"Perhaps we should start traveling in groups from now on," Ignatz suggested.

"I hardly think that's necessary. I can handle myself."

"I do not argue with that Lysithea," Lorenz commented, "but perhaps it would be best to travel in numbers, especially at night."

"He's right," Claude agreed with Lorenz for once. "The Monastery's a big place and there's a lot of places a person can go missing."

It was at that moment the Professor entered the classroom.

"Hey Teach! Good timing there. We were just talking about the rumors going around."

"The one about the Death Knight?"

"Exactly. If that guy really is going around kidnapping people, then maybe we should have the class and the rest of the students travel around in groups."

The Professor nodded. "I've already informed Seteth and he seems quite agreeable to the idea. However, he also wishes to avoid the rumors causing a panic across the Monastery."

A bit too late for that.

"How would we organize the groups then?" Leonie asked.

The Professor looked at Lysithea. "I believe that Seteth has you and Edelgard keeping an eye on Flayn?"

She nodded. "Yes Professor."

"Then I'll suggest something similar with Hanneman and Manuela. We'll have students from all the classes from group with one another. This will help to build some comradery among you all."

"Great idea Professor," Raphael cheered. "So how exactly are you going to pair us up?"

"I have a few ideas."

"Why exactly do I have to travel with you two?" Felix asked.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Lysithea replied.

"I think that this is a wonderful idea," Flayn said.

For some reason the Professor had decided to add Felix to their group. Granted with the Black Eagles gone for the week on their own mission there was only the Blue Lions to mix up with their house, but why did it have to be Felix? She would've much preferred Annette or Ashe. Definitely not Mercedes though, Lysithea was still recovering from the nightmares.

"What exactly are the two of you doing anyway?" Felix asked.

"I have training with Catherine and Flayn decided to watch."

"Sparring with Thunderbrand Catherine." Felix immediately perked up. Of course, he'd be excited by that.

"You can join in if you like… as long as you keep what you saw the other day a secret."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about! The time you saw me," she glanced at Flayn before moving closer to Felix. "Indulging myself on cake," she whispered.

"Why would I care about that?"

"Did you at least enjoy the cake I gave you?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"I'm curious, from a research perspective. What was the experience like?"

"I don't know. I didn't eat it. I gave it to some kid."

"You… gave it… to some undeserving child!?" Lysithea couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had he seriously just tossed away the divine essence like it was nothing. Did the man have no sanctity?

"We've been over this. I don't like sweets."

"He does like fruit though!" Flayn commented.

"Fruits are fine," Felix confirmed. "Anything with added sugar not so much."

"Cake is not a "sweet." Cake is the divine essence of the heavens!"

"Everything has their own tastes." Felix glanced at Flayn. "Especially her."

"That's true, but life without cake is no life at all."

"I have to agree with her," Flayn said.

"I never saw you eating much cake," Felix replied.

"No. But I couldn't imagine living in a world without fish."

"I like fish, just not as much as you do"

"Then your dismissiveness regarding cake is inexcusable!" Lysithea said.

"Why are you two so fixated on this?"

"I simply can't resist the spongy magnificence of cakes."

"And I can't resist the naturally salty yet sweet flavor of fish and the way it breaks apart in flakes in your mouth!"

"I don't understand how you can be so dispassionate about it. You must come with me later to try some more cake!"

"And you must come with me to fully enjoy the wonders of fish!"

"No! I don't want either of them."

"Even one that I made with care, attention, and love even? What if I went light on sugar, just for you!"

"It wouldn't be light enough."

"Lysithea he is simply being too stubborn!"

"I agree Flayn."

"We must combine our efforts then and show him the wonders of both fish and cake! We shall cook him a dish made of both foods!"

"Uh, maybe we should make separate dishes."

"Alright just stop!" Felix shouted at the both of them. "If I promise to eat your separate dishes, will you two stop bothering me?"

"More or less. Just don't give it to some silly child this time," Lysithea replied

"I agree," Flayn agreed.

"Alright we can get this over with next week."

The three of them arrived at the training grounds where Catherine was already waiting for her.

"Hey there Lysithea," Catherine greeted. "I see you've brought friends."

"I am simply here to watch. Go at it as you wish," Flayn bowed before taking her seat at the sidelines.

"And I'm here to spar," Felix walked up with his hand already around the hilt of his sword.

"I like the enthusiasm, but I need to check on something with Lysithea first."

Felix nodded and stepped aside.

"What is it Catherine?" she asked.

"Your Professor told me that you've discovered a new move with a sword. Can you show it to me?"

"I'll try but I'm not sure how I used it that one time though." Lysithea took out her sword and held it in both her hands. She tried to remember what she had done before and forcefully injected her magic into the blade, but nothing would happen. "I can't seem to get it."

"Visualize the circumstances that made you use the technique. Remember the way your body felt as you used it."

Lysithea closed her eyes and did as Catherine instructed. She recalled the fear and the desperation she felt as that Demonic Beast had pounced onto her. She recalled the way her body moved, the way her Crest of Charon manifested, and she recalled the way it caused her magic to flow into her blade. It wasn't a steady flow like she initially done. It was fierce, like a tidal wave, with the magic threatening to explode out of the very blade itself.

She opened her magical reserves and pumped everything she had into the blade. She then opened her eyes to find that it had taken the same orange light as before.

Catherine and even Felix looked impressed upon seeing it.

"Soulblade," Catherine said.

"Soulblade?"

"A combat art uses a person's magical might rather than strength to strengthen their blows." Catherine took out a steel blade. "Take a swing at me."

Lysithea nodded and swung her blade with all her might. Normally Catherine would have no issue blocking her strongest blow with a single hand. That was why it was to her astonishment that she had forced Catherine to use both her arms to block the strike. Not only that but as Lysithea pushed she realized that Catherine was struggling, she was actually pushing the Knight of Seiros back.

The moment wouldn't last long though and the combat art would soon wear out. Once the sword stopped glowing Catherine was able to easily push her back.

"Impressive," Felix commented.

Catherine nodded. "Its strength is increased by its wielder's magical might and you definitely have a lot of that Lysithea. You're very dangerous with that technique not a lot of people would be able to handle it."

"Really?" Lysithea asked as she stared at her own blade. Though she had learned how to defend herself with a sword she had constantly struggled to land a decisive blow with it and instead had to rely on magic to finish an enemy off. With this technique she would be a threat both from a distance with her spells and up close with her sword.

"However, there's a weakness to it."

"And that is?"

"Use it again and I'll show you."

Lysithea lit up her sword once again and swung. This time Catherine swung with both her hands and their blades would actually meet at a standstill. Lysithea was elated that she could match blows with the Knight until she heard a crack. She looked down and saw the cracks on the blade. With a single push Catherine would then break the sword into two pieces.

"Soulblade uses up a weapon's durability like any combat art and the stronger the magic the more quickly it's going to break. With your magical power you're only going to get one or two swings with an iron sword and that's only using Soulblade. It'll break a lot more quickly if you're also using it for regular combat."

"What if she uses a stronger weapon?" Felix suggested.

"A steel blade would last three maybe four of them. A silver could last up to five. That's just an estimate though. And that's not considering how much stronger your magic will get in the future."

"Wouldn't it get her killed if her blade breaks because of that technique?"

"I have to agree. It seems dangerous for me to use it all," Lysithea commented.

"My best advice for you is to carry around at least two to three swords and save the technique as a trump card. It should be something used in emergencies or if you need to end a fight quickly. You could also pick up the swords of the enemies you killed and start using those."

"It would certainly have less of a cost on our resources if you kept breaking our enemies blades instead of ours," Felix agreed.

That made sense though the additional weight on her body would make it harder to move. "Are there any weapons I could use that could handle the strain of Soulblade?"

"Magic swords might last you the longest, though honestly only a Heroes Relic like Thunderbrand could handle your magical strength without breaking. Even then though you'd have to spend the coin and time to maintain it."

"Looks like I'll have to ask the Professor about providing me some swords."

"Why don't you at least give it a try?" Felix asked. "You have Thunderbrand's user right here."

"It wouldn't hurt to give it a shot," Catherine suggested. "It's probably the one thing that could handle your magic."

In the past Lysithea might've avoided touching Thunderbrand, but since they were so insistent about it… "I'll try it as an experiment," she eventually agreed. "Just this once."

"Wonderful." Catherine walked over to where an inconspicuous satchel had been left to the side. She opened it up, pulled out Thunderbrand, and handed it to Lysithea. "Now let's try it on a training dummy first."

"Agreed," Lysithea walked over to where most of the dummies stood, charged up Soulblade into Thunderbrand and swung. She was surprised to find little to no resistance. It was almost like cutting air. She looked up wondering if she completely missed the dummy when a part of it suddenly began sliding and then fell off. Somehow, she had completely bisected it by the waist. "Wow"

"Impressive. It took me a half a year before I could do that with Thunderbrand," Catherine commented.

Several cut up dummies later, it became apparent that Thunderbrand could handle the strain of the technique without breaking. It still wore the blade down though and it would need to be repaired by a smith after a good number of uses.

"It's fine," Catherine replied when Lysithea had offered to pay for the repair cost. "The Church supplies me with all the gold and materials I need to maintain this thing. Perks of being its wielder."

"That's good," Lysithea replied with some relief. Honestly, House Ordelia didn't have much money to spare on such things as it was.

"Spar with me," Felix suddenly requested. "With the relic."

"Are you sure?" Normally Lysithea wouldn't accept such a challenge from him if she had a choice, but she was pretty confident with her new technique and Thunderbrand in her hands. "I could really hurt you with this."

"Yes." Felix took out his blade. "It'll be a good warmup for a real thing."

It was so plainly said, clearly not meant to be an insult, but it infuriated her all the same. She struck hard and fast with Soulblade. She wasn't aiming to kill him. Just knock him around with his sword a little as payback for what he did to her in the past and was quite satisfied by the way she sent him reeling back with the skill. His posture broke and he was forced onto a knee some distance away.

"How's the warmup?" Lysithea asked cheekily.

"Hmph." Felix quickly stood up, fixed his stance, and charged at her once more.

Lysithea kept on attacking again and again trying to break through his guard. He would deflect every one of her regular swings though and had actually began to predict the Soulblades she occasionally threw in. Anytime she used the combat art he would do whatever it took to avoid it, even if it meant breaking his own stance or going to an unfavorable position. She couldn't press the advantage though, once it was used it left an opening that Felix started to take advantage of soon enough.

It became quickly apparent that her offense quickly outpaced her defense once she was forced on the back foot. It took everything she had to deflect his rapid swings and that left her with little time to maneuver or initiate her own counter. Eventually she was pushed closer and closer to a wall until she her back was against it. Once she was cornered, he quickly grabbed her sword hand to prevent her next swing and then held his blade to her neck. It was at that point she was forced to yield.

"Sloppy." Felix replied plainly as he reached for Thunderbrand

Lysithea tried not to give him any satisfaction as she handed looked away, stayed silent, and handed him the Relic. The crimson red her face currently was from exertion and the embarrassment from being so soundly beaten didn't help though.

"But much better than you were before."

She immediately looked up at him.

"You improve quickly. I actually had to exert myself to beat you this time."

To a stranger it would sound condescending but from Felix this was actually a compliment. "Keep practicing and you'll make a good sparring partner."

"Who knows," Catherine commented. "She might actually get better than you if she keeps up at this rate."

Felix snorted. "Then I'll work even harder to ensure that doesn't happen." He tossed Thunderbrand to Catherine who caught it. "You're next."

Catherine smiled. "I like your attitude kid. Try to keep it once I put you in your place."

Just as Felix had soundly beaten Lysithea, Catherine had done the same to him. Unlike her though he had seemed to take the loss in stride and even asked to spar with her in the future.

It was sunset by the time he had gotten her approval and they had finally made their way back. Rather than a straight back to the dorms however, they ended up taking a more scenic route on Flayn's insistence.

"After that impressive display of swordsmanship, I believe that you two should take the time to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery this place provides," she explained to the two of them as they walked along the parapets of the Monastery.

They were on top of a cliff face overlooking a vast forest below. With nary a cloud in sight they had a clear view of the setting as it slowly dipped down the horizon. A gentle breeze went by their way carrying the fresh air of the nature around them.

"You could come with us one of our class missions. You'll see some better fighting there," Felix replied.

"I don't think Seteth would ever allow that," Lysithea replied plainly as she leaned against the stone and took in the sights. It was certainly a beautiful and calming. She never really took the chance to slow down and enjoy these sort of things until now.

"My brother is rather overprotective. He was even worried about me traveling the Monastery with the two of you!"

"He has a point. You never know about the beasts they allow to live with you."

"You're talking about Dimitri, aren't you?" Lysithea asked.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Why do you call him that anyway?"

"That Prince you see is all an act. You haven't seen him once the mask comes off like I have."

Lysithea continued to watch the setting sun. Felix wasn't like Sylvain, for all his flaws he was sincere with his words and didn't lie. His blunt honesty might be hurtful to people, but at least she knew that he truly meant everything that he said. That he truly believed that there was some underlying darkness underneath Dimitri.

"Is he dangerous?" she asked. It wasn't too hard to believe really. She had her own darkness that she hid underneath, but it was hard to imagine what could lie inside that seemingly calm and pleasant prince.

"He's a danger to everyone. Avoid being around him, especially you Flayn."

Flayn shook her head, the large curls alongside her head swaying as she did so. "I do not think he is as dangerous as you present him to be."

"Hmph. Not like I expected you to believe me anyway. Just like the rest."

"I do believe you. But I also believe that Dimitri will be able to conquer that which haunts him, just as I believe in a future where you will use your blade to entertain instead to kill. To cut fruit instead of people."

Flayn was a hopeful person that truly believed in peace for the future. It was nice to think that maybe Lysithea could enjoy a few precious years of peace one the Ordelia house been dissolved and the people that had experimented on her be destroyed. That was another reason she was in a rush to at least have some time to enjoy the fruits of her efforts.

"We should head back now, it's getting late," she suggested. Best to get back to her room and focus on that extra batch of tactical assignments that the Professor had given her.

"Wait," Felix stopped the two by holding his hand out. "Do you hear that?"

Lysithea listened closely and finally noticed the nearby sound of a horse running on top of the stone. Who would be riding a horse on top the Monastery's walls?

Her answer emerged out the shadows as heavily armored knight with a skull helmet and scythe along his back trotted into view. The Death Knight.

"Flayn, run!" Lysithea shouted to the girl as she and Felix took out their weapons. Even at their best they would still be hard pressed to fight this thing and she and Felix were still exhausting from their previous training session.

"I can't!"

"We'll be fine. Just get help while we hold him off!" Lysithea shouted. She then turned to find Felix already locking blades with the Death Knight. The Death Knight wasn't swinging as fiercely as it had when fighting the Professor but even then, it wasn't long before Felix received a cut across his forehead. He was practically blinded in one eye as blood began pouring down half of his face. He was still standing, but it was clear he wouldn't last very long.

"There are people blocking the way!"

Lysithea cursed and finally noticed the five people in dark robes holding weapons that were blocking Flayn's escape. They were surrounded, outnumbered, and fighting a monster capable of holding their own against the Professor.

She began to gather her magic. If she could somehow take down the Death Knight, then maybe they could escape that way.

"Felix get down!"

He thankfully dove to the ground just as a large number of Spikes formed in the air and surrounded their enemy. Even the Death Knight had to pause at this display of magical might.

"What in the-" the Death Knight couldn't even finish its words as the spikes all fired at his location. They struck fast and hard, piercing through its armor and straight through the flesh of its mount. The horse let out a loud shriek as both it and its rider collapsed onto the stone.

Flayn helped Felix stand up and the three of them quickly made their way past the body of the Death Knight. They had only run a few meters however when four other men came into view in the distance.

"Damnit," Felix cursed as they were trapped once more.

Lysithea heard the clanking of metal close behind them and turned to find that the Death Knight had stood up. Its mount was dead, and her magic had done some serious damage to it judging by its blood that was pouring down to the stone.

"You are not the one I craved… and yet you shed my blood. Perhaps you shall be the one that will kill me."

She tried not to shudder under its gaze and its voice. It was intimidating and unnerving and yet its blood flowed red. Despite how much like monster it initially seemed to be, it was clearly a person and a person could be killed. Unfortunately, that person had help and was still perfectly capable of standing up to hold its scythe.

"I'm sorry," Flayn's voice shuddered as the men quickly closed the distance between them. It would take less than a minute before they got to them. "I should never have brought you two here."

Felix took up a stance and Lysithea began to cast her next spell. Likely her last one, but it was the only thing that she could do at the moment.

Lysithea then remembered a conversation of Seteth from a short time back. Of how knowledgeable his sister was with Faith magic and how she could actually be her tutor if asked.

"Flayn do you know Rescue?"

"It's been a long time since I last cast it and I don't think that's going to help us here."

"What's your safe range and number of casts?"

"40 meters and I only have one use."

Far enough to get them onto the next section of the wall. She didn't see any other people over there. They might be able to escape from there if they ran.

"Take Felix out of here and get help," she demanded as she put her hands on the girl and used her magic to cast Warp.

"Lysithea what are you-" Flayn disappeared in a flash of light leaving just her and Felix there surrounded by the enemy.

Lysithea took a deep breath as the spell finished casting. It was strange how calm she was now in the face of death. She had been struggling to live for so long and now… she had accepted it.

"I'm not leaving you," Felix shouted as he ran up and grabbed her by the arm. He growled and rejected her attempts to push his hand off. "I don't care what you say, we-"

"Seteth entrusted her safety to me. I need you to protect her and get her to safety"

"I won't let you get yourself killed in some vain attempt to be a hero!" Despite the rage in his voice, there was also a pain in his eyes. Pain from something that he experienced before.

There was a part of her that wish she had the time to ask, to comfort him even, yet all she could do was give him a weary smile as light began to gather up underneath him.

"I'm sorry I won't be able to bake you that cake."

He then disappeared in a flash of light.