AN: I don't own anything of Fire Emblem
Once her father had left the room, Byleth felt the eyes of the two people he'd left her with upon her. She calmed her nerves. They were just normal citizens, but his warning about Rhea kept a tight whisper in her ear and her mind as she talked to them.
"Competence and age are not necessarily correlated, as you well know." The man in the brown coat said to the woman beside him. She made a snooty face for a moment as he looked at Byleth and she stared back.
"I am Hanneman von Esser, a Crest scholar and professor here at the Officers Academy."
"Pleased to meet you, Professor von Esser," Byleth gave him a short bow as he returned it. "I'm Byleth Eisner, officer of Jeralt's mercenaries."
"A pleasure my dear," Hanneman smiled and looked at her curiously, "I wonder if you bear a Crest of your own. When next you have a moment to spare, I insist that you pay me a visit so we can delve into the subject further."
Byleth gave a polite nod and then the woman with the black dress spoke. She reminded Byleth of some stars she'd seen on posters in inns and taverns for operas and plays in the Empire and other countries. Whereas Hanneman was slightly stiff and pleasant, the woman was charming and elegant as she spoke.
"I'm Manuela Casagrande. I'm a professor here as well, a physician, a songstress, and available. Nice to meet you."
"Uh, nice to meet you too?" Byleth wasn't sure what to make of the last part. She had been hit on by women before, but not in this sort of setting. And why are they telling me all this information? I guess this is how professors become friends? But it is rather odd.
"I could have guessed the songstress. You look like someone who would be on the stage." Byleth told her and Manuela brimmed with pride. "But are you really a physician?"
The older woman chortled. "I look too pretty for that line of work, do I?" Manuela grinned when Byleth politely nodded. "Oh, aren't you sweet? But yes, when I'm not teaching, I can be found in the infirmary." She winked at the younger woman. "If you're ever lonely, please do come and pay me a visit. I would love to…"
Hanneman cut in directly, and Byleth felt grateful. This was a bit much for a first meeting, even if the doctor was nice. "Spare our colleague the needless chatter, Manuela."
Byleth caught a bit of a wrinkled brow from the self-proclaimed songstress to the self-proclaimed Crest scholar as he went on.
"Now then, it seems you'll be taking charge of one of the academy's three houses. I expect you haven't been briefed on the nature of each, have you?" He inquired, and Byleth shook her head.
"Not really, to be honest. No, I haven't."
Manuela looked at her with some surprise. "Do you really not know?" Again, she shook her head. She was following the same rules she used with Sothis and kept her guard up. The young mercenary didn't know what to think of the two instructors. Manuela seemed excited by this, as if this was her moment to shine. "Fine, I'll do you a favor and explain."
"The Officers Academy is comprised of three houses of students, each of which is closely affiliated with its region of origin." She started, and Byleth gave a short nod. She could recall the three students and their proposition.
So were they inviting us to join their houses? That was a really strange way of asking, though. She thought as Manuela went on. First, she explained about the Black Eagles being the house for students from the Adrestian Empire. That Edelgard, the girl she'd met, was the Imperial princess and the next in line to become Emperor, was their house leader. Byleth nodded, and she considered it, explained the way Edelgard had spoken to her, pushing forward, much like the nobles from the Empire that they had worked for in the past. She was an interesting girl, but given the politics they had witnessed recently, Byleth felt like she had to pass. She would leave that to someone who knew the Empire better.
Hannemen cut in again explaining the Blue Lion house, which he was at the moment in charge of–implying that Manuela was taking care of the Black Eagles–and that it was for students from the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. That the young man that had offered her a tour of the monastery, she was surprised she had remembered that, was the house leader and crown prince, Dimitri, who was set to become the next King of Faergus.
"Thank you Hannemen, but I thought I was doing the explaining." Manuela curtly commented to her fellow staff. She ignored the slight look of irritation from the man and talked about the Golden Deer house and how it was for students from the Leicester Alliance. The house leader, Claude, was the grandson to Duke Riegan, the leader of the Alliance.
Thoughts swirled in her mind as she listened to the comments and then glanced up at Hannemen, who was speaking.
"To think that the next emperor, king, and sovereign duke are all here. It certainly is a promising year for the academy."
Manuela grinned in a teasing way, "I'll say. I just hope none of those little treasures cause any trouble."
Byleth held in a light laugh. Given what she had seen in the woods, she would gladly take the trouble if it meant seeing them acting as they were. There was an odd sort of companionship to them that the trio didn't seem to see, and she wondered if there was a way to help them grow that. It would be helpful to most of the countries as keeping the peace would be a good thing. And while it would mean less work for them, it would also mean she could spend more time with her father and get to know him and his past.
"Hm, yes." Hannemen agreed with Manuela and then looked up at Byleth, who was musing over her options. "For now, I suggest taking a stroll around the academy to get your bearings. And when you have a moment, please stop by my research laboratory."
Manuela seemed thoughtful as the group stood there talking. Her eyes closed slightly as she rested her cheek on her palm. "The old man has a point."
"Old man?" Hanneman raised a brow, and she waved it off.
"You know what I mean, you're older than the two of us," she gestured lightly to Byleth, who looked between them.
"I beg your pardon?" Hannemen huffed some and Manuela ignored his puffery to go on.
"Oh, and keep in mind that I've only notified the house leaders that you're our new professor." She gave a wicked grin. "It's more fun that way." She put her hand down. "I suggest you try spending time with the students. Some odd ducks in that bunch, but they're good kids."
"They seemed that way to me," Byleth expressed to her, and the woman nodded.
"See already fitting in." She said and continued, "I'm sure Lady Rhea will have more information for you tomorrow, but that should get you going. I would suggest looking around to get a feel for the place so you don't get lost finding things. The monastery is quite imposing, but once you know how to find things, it makes life a lot easier. Oh, and shortcuts are a god's send if you are in a hurry."
"I'll keep that in mind." Byleth told her and smiled slightly.
"Good luck." Manuela told her as the girl turned and headed out of the room. "You'll need it."
Byleth had stared curiously at the woman and hurried from the Audience chamber. She glanced around and wandered down a long hallway across from the room and saw a brown-haired boy, much younger than most students, dressed in a simple tunic, shorts and sandals. He seemed lost in thought as she approached. When she neared him, the boy looked up.
"Yes? Oh, you must be the new teacher. Sorry, I'm really busy," the boy said and then scowled, "Do you need my name?" she nodded and he let out an annoyed sigh, "It's Cyril, can you move along now? Thanks." He ignored her as he went back to going over a list in his head.
Not wanting to be a bother, she turned to go when she ran into her father, who was coming from the other direction. "Whoa, slow up there."
Byleth nodded and glanced at the scroll in his hand. "Orders?"
"Somewhat? How did it go with the two staff members?" Jeralt asked, and she explained. He rubbed his head. "So that's it. They're having you get to know the students, huh? Figures."
"What about you? What are you doing here?"
"I've been asked to assist the Captain of the knights. Apparently, the current captain is getting on in years. I hear they have a hard time keeping up with the responsibilities of the job, so that's where I come in." She laughed as he closed his eyes and made a face. "Keep on your toes and don't let any of those noble brats fool you, okay?"
Again, Byleth nodded and gave a slight smile. "They asked me to stop by the two professor's offices."
"Good luck with that." He shook his head. "Both of them seem like nice people, but a bit on the eccentric side. Know what I mean?"
"Yes." she said and then patted his shoulder as to let him know not to worry. Manuela's infirmary was the first stop. As with before, Byleth could tell there was more to the woman than her flirtatious nature. The two talked for a few, before Hanneman called her over, annoying the older woman who insisted that week they have tea together and she tell her all about her 'ruggedly handsome' father. Hanneman was the exact opposite of Manuela. He was direct, and charming, and to the point. His goal in inviting her in was to discuss with her his work on Crests and, per his request, his device examined her to see what kind she had. Byleth was expecting no results, but to her shock, she had one, and it was something that intrigued Hanneman as it was one he had never seen before and wanted to study it more.
I think I should avoid him for a bit; she thought as she hurried from the laboratory room. Only then did she notice a guard waiting for her. She bowed to the new professor.
"Ma'am. Lady Rhea asked me to take you to the library by your father. He mentioned it would be a good idea to read up on the history of this place before you go to see him." The guard gestured to the right. "If you would follow me."
Byleth nodded and hurried off after the woman in armor. She looked around at the second floor as they walked, taking in all the décor that had been collected over the years. The guard was helpful in alerting her to the different antiques in the hallways. As they passed by the staff rooms, she spotted her father in one, and saw him looking over some books. She stopped, much to the guard's surprise, and he glanced up when he felt her looking at him. She smiled lightly and waved, to which he waved back.
The guard tapped her spear sharply, but softly on the stone floor, catching her attention, and Byleth quickly departed from the office. Turning right, then right again, the young guard brought her to a set of large double doors and opened them to her. Inside, she found herself in a brightly lit room with books as far as the eye could see. She'd always loved reading stories with her father when they had the time, and she did it herself when she had time to spare. Byleth glanced at the guard.
"This is the Academy's library. Here you'll find whatever you need for your classes. I hope you find what you're looking for." The woman bowed to her, then departed, leaving Byleth alone with her thoughts. Hesitating for only a moment, she quickly found her way to a book on the history of the Academy and how it was set up and the classes to teach. Pouring over the pages, she quickly gleaned an understanding of how and what she would be teaching.
There go those nerves again, she thought as she looked over the information on the page. Not that she didn't enjoy speaking. She could do that to give orders to the men, but this was something different from that. Once she was satisfied with what she had read, she closed the book and took it with her. She'd go over more at night, but for now, it was better to get a look around the monastery.
As she was on her way out, an elderly man in a white robe with a slightly hunched back and cane was just walking in. Their eyes met, and she felt a slight shudder, but he was smiling, so she wasn't sure why she felt apprehensive about him. He beckoned her over, and she came.
"Ah, you must be the new Professor that everyone on staff is speaking of." The older man said with a gentle smile that put her on guard. She'd learned long ago not to trust anyone just because they were smiling at her. "Welcome to the library. Here you may find literature from the far reaches of Fódlan." He gave her a low nod to subsist for a bow. "I am Tomas, the librarian. If you have need of me, just ask."
"Thank you," Byleth said, and nodded. "And how long have you been here?"
Tomas seemed thoughtful, as if trying to remember, "I have worked here for… hm. I have lost track of the decades, it seems. No matter, let us just say, it has been a long time indeed."
"Well, it was nice to meet you." She said and then turned to go. Something about the man didn't sit right with her, but she didn't know why.
On her way back she was called once more into the Audience chamber, there Rhea waited for her patiently. Byleth wasn't sure why her father distrusted this woman so much, but she could tell that there was something not quite human behind her eyes.
As she approached Rhea smiled at her, "I hope you found the reference material that you needed?" Byleth gave her a silent nod, and the Archbishop smiled, "Very good. Now I have a task that I require of you. As you will be teaching here at the Officers Academy, it is my fervent wish that you acquaint yourself with these buildings and the people that reside here. To that end, I ask that you begin by speaking to the three house leaders. You should also look around and familiarize yourself with your new home."
"You want me to get to know my students, then?"
Rhea smiled at her kindly, "That is correct. This is my first task for you. Please report back to me when you have finished."
"Of course, Archbishop." Byleth bowed to her again, and Rhea stared at her thoughtfully.
"There is no need of Archbishop. Lady Rhea will do just as well."
"As you wish, Lady Rhea," the blue-haired girl said, and then excused herself from the woman's presence.
Her thoughts were a jumble as she quickly made her way down the steps to the main floor of the monastery building's main hall and headed out the door to the outside, nearly running into Dimitri on the way out.
