I think I'm not doing too well in isolation as this chapter was a lot more emotionally heavy than I was planning for it to be. Oh well, I hope you all enjoy it.
Harpstring Moon 1180:
Eleventh of the Harpstring Moon:
It didn't take very long for word to get out that the new professor knew techniques that could combat crest. At first, she was happy to answer a few questions but in two days she was being overrun by questions or challenges to duels. It was starting to become incredibly annoying that she had gone into hiding that day.
When she had made her claim to counter crest, she had only thought about physical strength enhancing crest, she had never taken into account the different crest that boosted magical attacks or those that could temporarily freeze a person. Since she had never fought anyone with those crests, she had no experience in dealing with them, let alone having a counter strategy for them. She now felt foolish for making such a claim and she couldn't go back on it.
Thanks to her necklace, she didn't have to worry about crests that boosted magical attacks as she was sure even with the boost those attacks still wouldn't be able to hurt her. The tricky crests she needed to worry about were those that could temporarily halt her movements. That effect would be deadly to suffer in battle so she should learn how to counter them and yet that was supposedly what her crest did. It was weird to try and think up a counter that could be used against her.
For her students, she was considering on learning how to deal with those other crests, even if she knew she would never be able to pass on the technique to them. One year of training was not enough to reach the required skill level; after all it took years of her father beating a major Crest of Serios into her that finally allowed her to develop the technique. But in order to develop such a technique she would have to train against someone with the major crest, of the desired crest, which meant her options were extremely limited to the point that it was impossible.
From her hiding spot in the gardens Byleth watched as the blue haired boy from the Black Eagles class ran past her and she was sure he was looking for her. When she had first learned about the news of her skills spreading, she was sure she it would mostly be non-crest bearers that would be seeking her out, but that boy had been really the only. It was mostly crest bearers that sought her out, mainly Felix and Ferdinand Von Aegir, the only student outside her class and the class leaders that she knew by name because of how readily he was with sharing it.
She had expected for her own non-crest bearing students to be interested but they did not seem to care. Dedue, she thought would be the most interested, since he was determined to be Dimitri's shield and such a technique would help in that regard, but he never mentioned it and she wondered if he really had no interest or if he just knew that with his current skill level it would be impossible for him to utilize it. Her other predominate non-crest bearer student, Ashe, also showed no interest despite such a skill could possibly help him gain some acclaim and help him be a little bit like the knights in the books he loved. Though she realized it was for the best that he had no interest as she was sure her technique wouldn't work with a bow.
Her desire to eat outweighed her desire for peace and quiet and so she left her little hiding spot in the gardens. She rounded a corner and froze when she felt an intense bloodlust. Immediately her hand went to her sword and a quiet curse slipped from her lips when it wasn't there thanks to the monastery's policy. As she spun around her hand, rested on her dagger, the only monastery approved weapon. Behind her was Edelgard and a tall man with pitch black hair and murderous, golden eyes.
Byleth struggled to keep her expression neutral and not make it so obvious that her hand was reaching for her daggers. She gave them both a smile and kept her focus on the man, even when Edelgard spoke. Not since the man that had attacked her in 1174 did, she ever feel such an intense bloodlust directed at her.
"Is it true that you countered the Crest of Blaiddyd?" Edelgard asked and Byleth briefly shifted her attention onto her friend.
"Yes," the professor said before directing her attention back to the man. She found it weird that Edelgard had specifically asked about the Crest of Blaiddyd. Anyone that asked her about her counter just focused on crest in general. She pushed that suspicion aside as she realized countering that specific crest was probably more impressive; even she felt that way.
"Will you teach me that technique?" Byleth's attention was mostly on that man but it sounded to her that Edelgard had hated asking her that. Did Edelgard not want to learn the technique or did she not want Byleth to be the one teaching her? The professor didn't know which was the correct answer. Once again Edelgard commanded more of Byleth's attention and though the princess' expression was neutral there was a look in her eyes that Byleth couldn't describe.
"No."
"How dare-" the man started and stepped forward. Byleth quickly grabbed her dagger but she never unsheathed it. He had only stopped because Edelgard had raised a hand.
"May I ask why not?" asked Edelgard, completely ignoring the man's clear desire to kill Byleth.
The professor never took her eyes off the man and her grip tighten on her dagger. "Because it's a technique that requires great skill and you are not there yet." She didn't know it was possible, but that man's glare had somehow managed to intensify. "Beside I don't recommend using my technique against that crest."
"And why not?"
"Because the Crest of Blaiddyd is a truly terrifying beast." Edelgard was silent but Byleth could feel her stare, even though she did not dare to look away from the man. "My technique is about redirecting the power of the strike and using my opponent's strength against them but that is nearly impossible to do against the Crest of Blaiddyd." She still the felt the stare so she continued. "Even though I managed to pull off the counter, I was exhausted afterwards. If I had done that during a battle, I would have just gotten myself killed. Besides, I suspect that I was only able to do it because Dimitri was holding back."
"Then, what do you suggest one should do against the Crest of Blaiddyd?" Byleth's gaze finally left the man to narrow on Edelgard. She knew that there were class rivalries but to her it sounded like Edelgard was seeking more than a helpful tip to be used against her classmate. The professor bit her lip as she didn't like suspecting her friends.
"Don't get hit by it."
"You-" The man shouted again and Byleth was instantly on guard. Once again, the man was silenced by a hand raise. Edelgard's stare was close to a glare now.
"I don't think you have a proper grasp at just how devastating the Crest of Blaiddyd can be. Avoiding it, is the best counter."
"Thank you for your insight Professor," Edelgard said but she didn't sound the least bit appreciative. Both she and the man turned to leave before Byleth stopped them.
"Edelgard-"
"LADY Edelgard," the man growled out.
"LADY Edelgard," Byleth said as she finally glared at the man. "May I speak to you in private, please?"
If looks could kill, then Byleth was sure she would have been dead ten times over. Though her hand rested on her dagger and she remained on guard, she refused to give the man any more of her attention. She watched as Edelgard whispered to the man and he nodded. He shot the professor one final glare before Edelgard stepped forward.
The women didn't separate themselves very far from the man, much to Byleth's disappointment. Ignoring the man was difficult but the princess' clear desire to leave was even more difficult to ignore. Biting her bottom lip, Byleth swallowed down a sigh at just how frustrating that whole situation was.
"Lilac are you alright?" Byleth asked, when she worked up the courage to do so. Edelgard arched an eyebrow at her but said nothing. "That man," the former mercenary glanced at him for a moment, "he is not threatening you, is he? If he is, I will protect you!" The younger woman's eyes widen.
"No," Edelgard said after a few seconds of silence. Her gaze drifted to the floor. "Hubert is my retainer. He cares about me." Byleth pressed her lips together. "I know he can be intense, but I assure you, he is only doing that to protect me."
Having nothing else to say the women parted. Byleth watched as the two walked away with so many thoughts swirling in her mind. She wanted to believe Edelgard about that man as he didn't seem hostile towards her, but Byleth was sure that man would gladly slit the mercenary's throat at any time. What did she do to deserve such open hostility?
Thirteenth of the Harpstring Moon:
The questions and demands for duels were starting to become too much. Byleth was starting to wish she never demonstrated the technique. The little desire she once had to learn how to combat other crest were gone and now, she just wanted to be free of such nonsense.
She had decided to spend the remainder of her day in the library as it was the perfect excuse to keep students quiet as well as keep the crowds to a minimum. She still had no interest in reading but since she was a professor now, she realized she should probably expand her knowledge, though she highly suspected that Claude was hording all the interesting books in his room. Absentmindedly, she scanned the bookshelves with no real interest in mind.
"Oh. Are you the new professor?" an elderly voice asked from behind her.
The light smile she had been wearing instantly fell from her face as soon as she laid eyes on the old man in grey robes. He wore a kind smile and looked like no real threat and yet the fear she had of that man was so intense. Unconsciously she took a step back and if that man noticed he said nothing.
"I am Tomas," he said, completely unaware of her inner turmoil, "I am the librarian here."
She could barely muster up a small nod. It had been a long time since she felt such an intense fear. When she was younger, she didn't understand the fear but now she had an inkling of why. Tomas seemed normal enough and yet there was something off about him, but she couldn't explain why. It felt like he wasn't human, or at least not in the same sense that she or Dimitri were.
"Are you looking for a book? I will be happy to help." He was smiling and yet the look in his eyes did not match.
"No, I was just about to leave," she said as calmly as she could. She needed to get out of there. Even Sothis was urging her to leave. "Thank you though." She stepped past him to leave but he stopped her by grabbing her wrist and a shiver ran down her spine. His grip was far stronger than what she suspected a feeble, old man was capable of.
"Leaving already? But you just got here." She didn't look at him and continued to stare ahead.
"I must speak with my father." Her voice was much weaker than what she would have liked.
There was a bit of a silence between them. She struggled to keep her breathing steady and her expression blank. After a few more seconds he released her wrist and it took everything in her to not run out of the room then.
"Well then, I do hope you will pay the library another visit." She barely gave him a small nod before she swiftly walked out of there.
She raced down the hallway towards her father's office. She did not acknowledge either Professor Manuela or Professor Hannenman as she passed by their offices, as her focus was solely on getting to her father's. Knocking roughly, she did not wait for his response before she pushed his door open and discovered that he was not there. Dread filled her as she stared at the empty room.
She was frozen in the doorway. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to try and fail to calm herself. Sothis calm words filled her mind and yet they were muffled by the pounding of her pulse in her ears. She was so ashamed of herself. She was no longer the weak, little fourteen-year-old she was now a battle harden warrior and yet…
"Miss Eisner?" a voice called out to her and she spun so fast on her heels to face the owner of that voice. With wide eyes she stared at Seteth as her adrenaline faded. He narrowed his eyes and pushed open his office door wider. "Miss Eisner care to join me for a moment?"
She looked at him and then into his office as his offer slowing pierced the haze that her mind was currently lost in. Glancing down the hallway, towards the direction that the library was in, she decided that she didn't want to be alone. When the door closed behind her she felt safe, even though she didn't know if she could trust Seteth or not.
He gestured for her to sit in the chair in front of his desk. He went about fiddling with something at one of the sides in his room, but she didn't see as her eyes were glued to his desk. Even though she felt safe her nerves were still frayed. She desperately tried to remind herself that she wasn't the same that she was much stronger that she could defend herself, even if she couldn't do anything against Lord Arundel…
A cup of tea was placed before her and she looked up at Seteth, who was looking at her with concern. She took a small sip of the tea, ginger tea, as Seteth went to sit on the other side of his desk. She wasn't really a fan of ginger tea, but the warmth was soothing and helped to ground her.
"Miss Eisner, is everything alright?" Seteth finally asked in a tone much softer than what she was used to. She gripped her teacup as she stared at it.
"Do you know where my father might be?" she asked as she wasn't ready to open up about a long dormant fear being reignited to a man she barely knew.
He did not respond right away and so she dared to spare him a glance and he looked upset. But then again, he always seemed that way around her. "I believe he went into town with Alois." She went back to starting at her cup. Knowing that her father wasn't in the monastery, destroyed the little comfort that Seteth had given her.
"Miss Eisner, are you alright?" She pressed her lips together as she continued to stare at her cup.
"I was just looking for my father." She knew that wasn't enough information, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything else.
"Miss Eisner," his tone was a bit more commanding, it reminded her of her father's and that comforted her a little. She looked up at him and his stern expression was gone, replaced with a more neutral expression, almost soft in a way. "Forgive me for intruding into your personal affairs but something is troubling you." She said nothing. "I wish to help, if you will allow me."
"I…," she allowed her voice to trail off as she didn't know what to say. Even though he was being comforting, she didn't think he would take to kindly to her accusing the librarian of something she wasn't even sure of what. She could feel his gaze and despite her feelings she wanted to admit something to him.
"When I was fourteen, I was attacked by a man," she said as she looked up at him and he stiffened greatly. She spent years trying to move past that fear of that event and for the most part she had but sometimes it still haunted her, and she would become stricken with fear when she would saw a tall, muscular man. She decided to not describe any of that night's events as she didn't want to bring up those painful memories while she was already struggling with a different fear.
"While I was in the marketplace, I saw a man that looked like my attacker…" The lie spilled easily form her lips and she felt bad, but it was still a truth that she never admitted to anyone, not even her father. Seteth was silent and she stared at her tea in shame. She felt him place a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him and that normal stern expression of his was gone and replaced with something much softer. She hated looks of pity or sympathy and yet his did not bother her and she felt almost better.
"I am sorry to hear that you went through such a horrible thing. I assure you; you are safe in Garreg Mach but if you ever feel in danger or are in need of comfort you are more than welcome to come and seek me out."
"I…I do not wish to be a bother."
"You will not." She gave him a small nod. He gave her a shoulder a small squeeze in return. "You make take all the time you need to relax."
She silently sat in his office drinking the rest of the tea. She watched him work on some documents and if her gaze bothered him, he never said. She may not trust the archbishop, but she believed that she could trust Seteth.
Once she was settled, Byleth left Seteth's office. Her father had yet to return and that was still bothering her, but at least she wasn't gripped by fear. Though she still wasn't ready to be alone.
It was late into the evening, which meant she shouldn't visit Dimitri and yet…She stood in front of his doors, hand hovering over it ready to knock at any moment. She might not have shared the current fear that was gripping her with the advisor, but she at least wanted to share it with someone she trusted.
Her father was the one she wanted to share that fear with but since he was still gone, Dimitri was the person she next trusted the most and yet…Something was already troubling him, it wasn't right to add her troubles to his. Her hand slowly returned to her side; she couldn't trouble any of her friends.
"By?" She heard Claude call for her. She turned to face him, and she smiled a little when she saw him with arms full of books. "If you are looking for his Kingliness, I saw him in the training ground."
"Ah no, I wasn't looking for him," she said a bit more somberly than she meant too.
He stared at her for a moment and then motioned towards his door with his head. "Hey, do you mind helping me out." Chuckling softly, she took ahold of his stack of books so that he could open his door. "You can set the books next to my bed."
Byleth knew she shouldn't be surprised, she did after all, see his room back in the Riegan Manor but he somehow still managed to do it. His bed was covered in books to the point that she wasn't even sure if there was a bed in that pile. She glanced at him and he was seemingly unaware of her gaze as he went about lighting some candles.
"Meadow, where do you sleep?" she asked as she put the books down on the nearest open space on the floor.
"On the bed, of course," he said looking over his shoulder.
She stared at the bed. She was sure there was some kind of order to the chaos that was his books stacks that he wouldn't dare mess up with taking the books off before going to sleep. When she couldn't figure out how he slept without removing the books she turned to face him.
"How?"
He stopped whatever he was doing to demonstrate it. His legs were tucked close to him while his torso was perfectly straight between two book towers and one arm was stretched forward that his head rested upon. Her body was sore just looking at him.
"That is not comfortable." He shrugged. "Don't sleep like that. You are just going to hurt yourself." He shrugged again. "Meadow!"
"I need a bigger bed. Think you can get me one?" He sat up and winked at her.
She shook her head. "My bed is the same size as yours." He overdramatically tsked and that made her laugh a little.
She sat against the ledge under his window as Claude went about finishing checking on some things. Night was soon settling in and she finally felt truly at peace. The linger fear vanished as she watched him.
With a huff he collapsed next to her. They were silent for a bit as he looked at her. She smiled at him and he continued to watch her.
"So, what is wrong?"
"Nothing."
He gave her a look to which she tried to ignore. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way?" She arched an eyebrow. "You can either tell me what is wrong, or I can annoy you until you tell me. And we both know that I can be very annoying?"
She stared to laugh. "Why am I your friend again?"
"Because of my rugged, good looks, of course!" The two broke out into a laughing fit. When they finally stopped, Claude took on a more serious air as he looked at her. "But seriously, what is wrong?"
She was silent for a bit before she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. Claude patiently waited for her to speak. "What do you think about Tomas?" she stared at the door while she asked.
"Tomas? The Librarian?" She nodded. "He is a good guy, I guess. He is willing to share information that Seteth is not. Why do you ask?"
She pulled her legs closer. "Because he scares me."
"He scares you? I am sure you could break him with just a fierce glare alone." She said nothing and continued to stare at the door. He placed a hand on her back and rubbed it. "Did he do something to you?" His tone was dark, and she didn't like it.
She shook her head, but she did finally look at him. "I don't know how to describe it. Something about him doesn't feel right and it scares me. I feel such an intense fear." Claude said nothing as he watched her.
"I have only felt this way twice before. One was for a woman, who I used to trust and as far as I know hasn't done anything wrong. And the other time was for a man that I am hundred percent positive is the one responsible for all those strange, mask people that attack me."
Claude said nothing as he looked at her. His hand, on her back, had paused momentarily but he resumed once he started looking towards his door. Seeking comfort, she leaned on him and he wrapped that arm around her.
"I will keep an eye on Tomas. If he does turn out to be a bad guy, I will not let him do anything to you." She smiled at that.
"Thank you. And I'm sorry for trouble you with my problems."
"Hey, we are friends, right?" She nodded. "Well that is what friends are for. I will listen to your problems any time."
"Thank you." She smiled and he returned it with one of his own.
They fell into a comfortable silence, though the peace didn't last too long for her. She sat up and he looked at her. "Meadow, please don't tell anyone about my fear."
"What about Dimitri?"
"Especially not Aster." He frowned.
"I think you should tell your friends. I think Dimitri will be more than happy to help you."
She stared at the closest pile of books. "He and the rest of my friends have their own burdens. I don't wish to add to theirs with my own."
He frowned as he stood in front of her. "By, they are your friends, right?" She looked up at him and nodded. "I am sure that they would like to help you." Maybe in the pass, when things were much simpler, and their greatest fear was the Crest of Blaiddyd activating during sparring sessions. But now, their burdens were too great, and she didn't dare to add another onto their shoulders. She simply shook her head as she looked down again and he sighed.
"Your secret will be safe with me." She said nothing and looked at him. "I am the king of secrets, and this humble monarchy shall accept your secret as a token of your generosity."
She got onto her feet. "Your Majesty!" she proudly proclaimed with an over dramatic bow and he was slightly taken aback. "This poor peasant is in awe of you!"
"Your king is pleased to hear such news." He started speaking in a haughty tone and she couldn't help but laugh. "Now," he started to maneuver towards the door, "it is late, and your king needs to rest."
She walked towards his door, laughing. "But your majesty how will you sleep?"
"My poor, forgetful peasant, did your king not show you how he sleeps?" He opened the door.
"Ah, how could I so foolishly forget." She walked out of the room. "This lowly peasant wishes you a good night."
"By?" Both Byleth and Claude turned to face the person that called her, Dimitri with his hair dripping wet and a towel wrapped around his neck. He quickly rushed towards the two friends. "What are you doing here?"
"I was talking to Meadow," she answered and that didn't seem to satisfy him.
"About what?"
"Stuff," Claude answered with a smirk. Dimitri pouted as he looked at Byleth, who's attention was on Claude.
"Thank you, Meadow." The Alliance heir smiled at her and Dimitri's silent, pout of protest went ignored.
"Anytime. Now this king bids you both a goodnight." With a final, overdramatic bow he closed the door.
Byelth turned to Dimitri smiling but his pout remained. "What were you two talking about?" he asked again.
"Stuff." His pout grew.
"Is it stuff that I am not allowed to know about?"
"Yes." He gave her a pained look and she did not like it, so she reached out to him and gave his arm a light squeeze. "It really wasn't anything important."
"Then why will you not tell me?"
"Because." She began to walk away. "Goodnight Aster."
"Why?" he asked as he ran up to her. "Why will you not tell me?" She smiled at the discovery that he still retained his brat like qualities around her.
"Because I'm allowed to keep my secrets." And because I don't want you worrying about my problems, her unspoken words whispered in her heart. His pout grew but he relented with a small nod. She couldn't help but think he was adorable with that pout.
"At least allow me to walk you to your room, please."
"No." His pout turned into a full-blown scowl. "It's almost curfew, isn't it? You should be in your room."
"Can I at least walk you to the bottom of the stairs?"
"I would like that." He finally smiled.
A comfortable silence fell over them as they walked. She felt light touches on her hand and when she looked down, she saw his fingers skittering across her hand. Glancing up at his face she noticed that he was blushing and was trying very hard to focus on looking forward. Smiling softly, she wrapped her hand around his and enjoyed how his blush deepened but his smile grew.
They reached the bottom of the stairs without either of them sharing a word. He looked at their interlocked hands and she gave his hand a squeeze. She felt the same, she wasn't ready to leave but she had too and so she pulled her hand free and he pouted.
She stared at him for a moment, unable to bring herself to leave just yet. She grabbed the towel from around his neck and pulled it over his head. He yelped as she began to rub the towel all over his head. She laughed and ignored his protest as she continued.
"You need to dry your hair properly."
He grabbed her wrists and she stopped. One eye peeked out from beneath the towel and her breath was caught in her throat as she stared into that lone blue eye. She felt trapped in his gaze and she didn't necessarily dislike it.
The towel slid off of him as he stood straight, his gaze never leaving hers. Unconsciously she licked her lips and craned her neck towards him while he leaned towards her. There was an annoying little barrier that separated them but neither one dared to close it.
"Just kiss already!" Sothis yelled and Byleth nearly jumped out of her skin. "I cannot stand this!"
Byleth pulled her hands free and took a step back and her face was flushed. Sothis groaned and the professor ignored her. Byleth looked at the dorms, they stood next to because she didn't dare to look at Dimitri.
"Goodnight!" she squeaked out.
"Y-you too." She was glad that his voice was just as awkward as hers.
No other words were said as the two quickly parted. Byleth's face felt like it was on faire as she walked towards her room and the cold air would have felt nice, if it wasn't for Sothis' constant complaining. When she reached the area where her room was, she was still flustered.
"Byelth!" She heard her father shout and she instantly tensed up at being called her name.
Jeralt rushed towards her and she braced for an impact that never came. He had on a complicated expression that she didn't know what to make of, but she was at least able to tell that he wasn't angry at her. She reached out to him and he pulled her into a tight embrace.
She called for him softly and he just squeezed her tighter. When he seemingly had his fill, he pulled back and looked at her. He still had on that complicated expression.
"Kid," he said so quietly. "Why did you never tell me?" She titled her head. "That you still have a trauma from that attack."
She pressed her lips into a thin line. She felt betrayed that Seteth had told her father, but she realized that she had never asked him to keep such information a secret. Her gaze dropped to the ground, between them.
"I…I am ashamed of my fear. It still holds me back. And," she paused to look up at him, "I was afraid that you would think I am weak…"
He pulled her in for another tight hug. "I would never think that!" She returned the hug. "Kid, I am sorry if I made you believe that I valued strength above all else. It was the only way I could think to protect you, I am so sorry."
She pulled back and shook her head. "I understand. Thank you for doing everything you can to protect me." He sighed a little and shook his head.
"Kid, you are not weak. Far from it." He placed a hand on her head and messed up her hair. "You are the strongest person I know, and I'm sure Muharib would agree with me if he was still here." Her eyes widen.
"It is only natural to have a trauma after such an event." She pressed her lips together. "But you didn't let that define you or hold you back. You stood up to it! That makes you incredibly strong." She smiled.
"I…Promise me that you will come to me if something like today happens again, please." She nodded and he released a shaky breath.
"Actually, I have something." He arched an eyebrow. "Do you know Tomas the librarian?" He rested his head on his knuckles and closed eyes.
"I have a vague memory of him, why?"
"I…He gives me the same weird feelings that Lord Arundel gave me."
She saw how he clenched his fists and jaw. She might have been helpless to convince anyone in power that Lord Arundel was responsible for the assassins, but she could at least take comfort in knowing that her father believed her. She lightly placed her hand on his arm in an attempt to relax him and he unclenched his jaw at least.
"Did he do anything to you?"
She shook her head. "It's just a feeling right now."
"Okay, but if he does anything strange you let me know right away, alright?" She nodded. He gave her a long look before a sigh escaped him. "You should head off to bed. You will have along day ahead of you teaching those brats." She nodded, feeling a lot more relieved at sharing two fears with her father.
Goodnights were exchanged, and she watched her father walk away. She had yet to tell her father about Cornelia and wondered if she should. Cornelia never did anything and Byleth was reluctant to distrust such a kind woman and yet that feeling still bothered her several years later. She looked up at the night sky and decided that she would one day ask Dimitri about Cornelia.
Just when she was about to enter her room Dedue peaked out of his. "Is everything alright?" he asked as he stepped out. With a smile she assured him that everything was alright before wishing him a good night.
Despite the fear that had gripped her that day, Byleth slept easy that night.
Fourteenth of the Harpstring Moon:
Annette, the orange haired student in Byleth's class, had a talent for magic and yet she had insisted on learning how to use an axe. She had not talent for it, nor the strength but she didn't give up and so Byleth had taken it upon herself to teach the girl with a private lesson, and it was going about as well as the professor had expected.
Annette had started getting the hand of training axes but Byleth had serious doubts if she would have the strength to wielding the heavier axes. As a professor it was her job to steer her students away from such pointless endeavors and yet the girl's determination and cheerfulness had Byleth rooting for her. That being said, Byelth had still encouraged Annette to continue pursuing her magical studies to which she happily agreed too.
Annette released a cute little yell that did not match the weapon she was using as she slammed her training axe down on the training dummy. Byleth pressed her lips into a thin line as the young woman's blow would have no damage against a fighter clad in armor. Unaware of the professor's doubts Annette smiled.
Biting back a sigh, Byleth walked over to the closest open training dummy next to Annette. "That strike was better than your last, but your arc is too wide," Byleth explained as she got in position to demonstrate. She waited to make sure her student was watching properly before she demonstrated a small arc that would benefit Annette's smaller frame.
Annette once again tried the strike. She had done better but was still a bit too wide, though Byleth decided to not comment on it for now. The young woman's smile made it difficult for Byleth to have doubts.
"Annette," the girl perked at the sound of her name, "why are you so determined to learn how to use axes?"
"My father," she said but her tone had been somber, "he uses axes."
"So, you wish to learn them because of your father?"
Annette dropped her gaze towards the axe, in her hand, her smile was gone. Alright, that wasn't why and Byleth didn't know how to fix it. She wished she was like a ray of sunshine like Claude or at least knew what to say. She was sure if he was there, he would have no problem fixing the mess she had gotten herself into.
"Professor," Byleth nearly released a sigh of relief when Annette started speaking again, "do you know about the Hero Relic tied to the Crest of Dominic?" The professor closed her eyes as she tried to recall what little knowledge she knew about the relics. She once used to know a lot about them because of her studies with Dimitri but after being banished she no longer cared to retain such knowledge, after all, she couldn't wield one, so it wasn't important to remember.
Chuckling from Annette, broke Byleth out of her train of thoughts. "It is called Crusher, and it is a massive axe. Since I possess the crest to wield it, I should learn how to use axes." That made sense but Byleth was sure that, that wasn't the girl's reason, but she decided to not say anything. Byleth still would have to train her on how to use axes anyway as she was sure Annette's family was pressuring her on learning how to wield it, like with Sylvain and the Lance of Ruin.
Their little lessons came to an end when Mercedes had come to fetch Annette. Byleth was unable to ask any more questions about the relic, though she wasn't sure what to ask or if she even should. She no longer knew what were safe questions to ask about Hero Relics.
"Seems like you have another troubled student," Sothis said. "Add her to the list of all the other students you need to help. On top of helping yourself. I am not going to allow you to neglect yourself for the sake of others, do you hear me?"
Byleth sighed. As a professor and friend, she needed to help her students, but she had no idea where to start. She wasn't sure if she could even help when she had her own issues that she had barely been addressed. Could she even help them?
"Of course, you can! Do not sell yourself short!" Byleth frowned as she returned her training axe to its place on the weapons' rack. "These things take time. I am sure your presence has already greatly helped your friends. I am sure the little prince would agree." Byleth could sense Sothis' smirk and she refused to blush.
She felt a presence behind her, and she turned around to face Felix. Without saying anything he held out a training sword to her. She bit back a sigh. She knew she should be grateful that he didn't interrupt Annette's private lesson.
"Speaking of troubled students," Sothis mumbled and Byleth ignored her.
"I will spar with you," she started, and he lit up a little, "but you have to answer my question first." He frowned but gestured for her to continue. "What do you know about the Dominic Hero Relic?"
He pulled back the extra training sword to tap it against his shoulder. "It is the Crusher, right?" She nodded. "All I know is that it is a massive hammer." A hammer? She would have to change the training method if that was the case. "Oh, and it is a magical based weapon." And it was magical? That just further complicated things as Byleth had no experience with using a magic based weapon.
She gave him a nod as thanks, and he pointed the end of a training sword towards her. While she wasn't really in the mood to spar with someone, far weaker than her, she needed to reward him for answering her question as well as being civil with her. With no complaints she took the sword and he lit up again, he almost looked like the old Felix she knew.
Felix had amazed her. He took her criticism to heart. He still had a lot to improve on but at least he had some semblance of defense and he limited his punches to more strategic moments. She was honestly impressed and wouldn't even be surprised if he ended up being her top student by the end of the year.
There was a sparkle in his eyes that reminded her of him in his younger days, when he pulled off a difficult technique. It almost seemed like the Felix from a few days ago had been a terrible nightmare but she knew better. She kept those thoughts to herself and instead focus on commenting on the little areas he could improve on.
He adopted well to her critiques. While he was still far from being battle ready, she realized she wouldn't have to worry about him too much longer if he kept up the momentum. For his vast improvements she rewarded him with a hands-on demonstration of her crest counter technique, and he did not complain when it resulted in his defeat.
"You have to teach me that technique!" he cheerfully demanded.
"No," she said, and his scowl quickly returned, and all traces of the innocent Felix was lost. She wished she had turned him down differently. "I'm not against teaching you it." His scowl didn't change." "At your current skill level, you will not be able to pull it off. I only mastered that technique last year." He arched an eyebrow. "And I don't believe it is a technique that suits your style." He said nothing and stared at her, but his scowl was gone.
"Yours and the Fraldarius sword styles are aggressive styles." Which made sense as an aggressive style greatly increased the chance of his crest activating. "My technique requires using my opponent's strength against them. In other words, you need a defensive style to utilize it." He said nothing as he stared at nothingness.
"You always did favor a defensive style."
She nodded. "My father thought it would be best for me to use that style to make up for my lack of strength." Now that she uses magic it is no longer a style she often uses as she instead, favors a unique sword-magic style she created.
"Well, if I work on my sword play and finally reach the required skill level will you teach me?" She nodded and his eyes light up with excitement.
That was the Felix she remembered. Did he just have a bad first two weeks? No, she knew that that was just wishful thinking, he was probably in a good mood and nothing else.
"Canna." He glanced at her and she wondered if she should continue with her question. "Why do you call Aster, a 'boar'?"
His mood instantly soured. "Because he is one." He glared at a spot on the floor as if he was glared at the said man, himself. "A dangerous wild animal."
"What do you mean?" He directed his gaze towards her, and it was the fiercest gaze she had ever received from him.
"Because I saw that bloodthirsty side of his!" She bit her lower lip. "That side of him that loses himself to his anger and goes on vicious killing sprees against weak peasants that have no combat or training experience!" She didn't want to believe him. That sounded way too extreme, even with the glance of darkness that she saw, and yet she didn't get the feeling that he was lying either.
No words came to her, so she dropped her gaze to the floor. "He is a beast! For your own good By, you need to keep your distance. Who knows what that beast will do to you?"
"That…," her voice was weak, "Surely, he…"
"He is a beast! Dimitri died at Duscur and a beast came back!"
"That is too much!" she shouted and matched his glare.
"Do not fool yourself! That beast imprisoned you, even though you foolishly went to help him."
"He was suffering! He just wanted safety and comfort!"
"Stop being a blind fool! And see the beast that he is!"
"You are being too much! He's not a beast!"
"You did not see what I saw!"
"And you didn't see what he saw!"
The two glared at each other for a moment before Felix tsked loudly and threw his training sword at the ground. "I should have known you would take his side." And with that he left.
With a heavy sigh she collapsed onto her bottom and stared up at the roof. That could have gone a lot better, she noted. Another sigh slipped through her lips as she looked around the empty training ground, she should be grateful that no one was around to witness that.
She stood up and paused to sigh again. Everything was so much worse than she realized. She stared at the two training swords she had put away as if they could tell what she should have done. She wondered what Glenn would have done in her place.
Byleth stood in front of Felix's door, trying to work up the courage to knock on it. Briefly, she looked at Claude's door and wondered if she could talk to him about it but quickly dropped that thought when she determined that it would be best to not involve an outsider into this mess. With a deep breath she finally worked up the courage to knock.
It was a few seconds before the door finally cracked open and Felix peeked through. When he noticed it was her, he glared but did not shut the door right away. She hoped that was a good sign.
"I came to apologize," she said. He watched her for a few seconds before pushing his door open and let her in.
His room was actually what she expected. Neat and orderly, devoid of any personal touches. Nothing more than a temporary housing. It saddened her a bit, even though her room was exactly the same.
He glared at her and she knew she needed to speak. "I am sorry." She mimicked the deep bow that both Dimitri and Dedue had done for her, but she did not maintain it for very long. "I know about the darkness that you spoke of." He dropped his glare to watch her carefully. "I caught a glimpse of it."
He said nothing and looked away. "But I don't believe that he has fallen yet." Folding his arms across his chest, glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "We can still save him before he truly becomes a monster."
He gripped his arms and turned away from her. A silence settled over them. After a few minutes of nothing happening, she sighed and accepted her failure.
"Will you save him?" he asked so quietly that she nearly missed it.
"I swear I will!" He still kept his back to her but nodded.
Twentieth of the Harpstring Moon:
Nothing had really changed but she did at least feel like she had gotten closer to Felix, even if he was still acting like a brat. Teaching had also become easier and she was getting close to believe that she might have a knack for it. She had been expecting another easy day to pass by until she was called to the reception hall for a personal meeting with the archbishop and her advisor.
Byleth struggled to not squirm under the archbishop's gaze. She never liked being the center of attention, but she would gladly accept everyone in Garreg Mach staring at her than being the sole focus of the archbishop's gaze. Under such a stare, Byleth struggled to keep a blank expression.
"I am sure you are wondering why we have called you here today?" the archbishop asked in an overly sweet tone that Byleth just didn't trust. "We have decided on your class' mission for this month."
"Mission?" Byleth asked with her little head tilt.
"We covered this during orientation," Seteth said and his tone was slightly softer than the one she had come to expect, along with his gaze. They might have covered it but so much was happening during that time that she couldn't possibly have retained everything. She was just pleased at how much she did remember. "Every month each class is given an assignment hand selected by the archbishop." That did sound familiar.
"For the Blue Lions' mission for this month I would like for you and your students to round up the last bit of the bandits that had attacked you last moon," the archbishop said again in that annoyingly, sweet tone, as if she just didn't say she was going to send untrained kids into battle against bandits.
'I'm sorry but I don't think my students are ready for such a battle." The smile never left the green haired woman's face, but her eyes did narrow. "If you wish for the bandits to be exterminated than I, alone, will gladly accept the mission."
"There is no need to worry child."
"But-"
"They are going," the archbishop said in a much stricter tone that Byleth found to be a much more fitting tone for that woman. "You must not coddle your students for they will never get the experience they need." The archbishop went back to her overly sweet tone that made the professor's skin crawl.
"Do not worry," Seteth spoke up. "We will be sending a squadron of knights with you. Your students will be the rear guard. They will only have to worry about stragglers." That still didn't sit well with her.
Byleth remained silent for the remainder of the meeting. When all details were shared, she promptly excused herself. She did not spare any other glances with the archbishop or Seteth as she left.
Her fists were balled so tightly, and her jaw was tight as she left the reception hall. She barely acknowledged the nun that greeted her on the way out. She had swiftly made her way to the stairs and only stopped when a voice called out to her.
"Professor are you alright?" Mercedes asked in a sweet and soothing tone that Byleth believed fitted her.
"What has made you so angry?" Annette asked with a handful of books.
Angry? Was she angry? Was that what she was feeling? Dimitri had once told her when she was younger that she was angry, but she did not ever remember feeling so…so tight. She frowned at her lack of understanding.
"Professor" Mercedes called again. "What is wrong?"
The professor looked at her two students for a moment. Mercedes barely knew Nosferatu to defend herself and Annette had yet to develop a strong mana pool to be of real use in battle. She was supposed to send those two into a battle they were clearly not ready for? Byleth gritted her teeth.
"It does seem to be an idiot thing to do," Sothis commented with her own displeased tone, and Byleth was glad she wasn't the only one not happy about the news. "Those knights better be worth their weight in gold." Byleth nodded as she assured her students that she was fine.
I decided to postpone the bandit battle for next chapter as I didn't want a super long chapter and I felt like it would flow better with the next chapter's mood. Forgive me, I know we spent so much time in the Harpstring Moon but we are almost done with it.
I have been writing away too many close kissing moments for Byleth and Dimitri. I have outline for their romance and I kept deviating from it!
Stay healthy everyone!