AN: Hello! Glad to finally get this out. Hope to have more consistent uploads later. Enjoy!

-Chapter 4: Adversity-

-Part One: White Clouds-

[Day Thirty-One, Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 12:00 PM]

In… Out… In… Out. Byleth's breath came rhythmically and never missed a beat. This was going to be his first battle and show off his skills in combat. Marching was something that Byleth wasn't used to, keeping pace with his sibling was a challenge. They had just left the gates to the place he called home. The field wasn't too far, the knights of Serios trained there regularly, meaning the path there was well-trodden and worn from the countless sets of feet that had trampled any hope of forestry growing there.

Of course, everyone was coming. Rhea included. This battle was a tradition that was repeated every year. Mostly as a show of who was the best leader and bragging rights. It was also preparation for the other mock battle which happened several months later, at Gronder Field, a show of how everyone had grown since the last one. Not only that, it had historical significance. Gronder marked the end of the war of the Eagle and Lion and the founding of Faerghus.

Bells glanced over, quickly realizing that she was vastly outpacing her brother. With a sheepish glance at her father, who was keeping pace with her, she slowed down to meet her sibling, who was conversing casually with Dimitri about combat and lance techniques after the prince had struck up a conversation. Byleth perked up at her sibling coming over.

"Ah. Bells. Are you going to be commanding the Black Eagles for this?" Dimitri's voice came quick and earnestly. Bells just shook her head in response. Byleth was going to be leading this, proving himself as a leader. That was the hope anyway. There was no real threat anyway, this was a mock battle after all.

The field itself was a flat grassland, making it easy to traverse by everyone. People walked in a triple file line, Mostly organized by class, though some people tended to stray. Rhea ended the line, watching with an expressionless gaze, though being surrounded by the knights of Serios. Being the church leader required this level of protection.

Before long, the houses reached the field. Some confusion ensued as the houses and leaders got into place. The corners of the battlefield were marked by wooden posts, making it a fairly large place. Tradition dictated the placement of houses. Being only three major houses, it had to be a little awkward. To make the fairest distance possible, the houses were placed in a sideways "T" shape. Stone platforms lay where the professors were required to stay and issue orders.

Rhea came out to the left side of the field, just outside the arena boundaries. Clearing her throat loudly, everyone went silent and turned to face her. Rhea's voice boomed, just so everyone could hear her.

"Today, we gather here for a mock battle. As a demonstration of leadership and strategy by our teachers. All students here have put their faith in each respective professor. I trust they will do the best they can. I look forward to seeing the result of this battle." Brief, to the point, and nothing more. Rhea wasn't one for long speeches. She found them rather tiring. Everything she would or wouldn't say would be analyzed to hell and back. The less, the better.

Alois approached the left of Rhea, announcing the rules. Being Alois, he was rather excited to do so. He pulled out a small piece of paper and began reading from it. Jeralt watched from the small crowd that had formed to watch. It consisted of Knights, students of the smaller houses, Merchants, and miscellaneous others affiliated with the church. After Alois's preamble about tradition and such, which Bells tenaciously tuned out. Finally. He got to the points that mattered.

"The rules are simple. If two students would corner the teacher, the whole house is 'out.' If all the students are knocked flat, that house loses. A student is considered 'out' when they are knocked down. The last house standing wins. I wish everyone the best. Begin!"

With the grand cry of auspicious horns, the long-awaited bout would, at last, commence, ornamented by the cry of a lone hawk soaring above the land.

With that signal, house students glanced over to each other, both within their house and the other students. Everyone drew their various, respective weapons, made of wood of course. Casters such as Hubert and Lysithea pulled out a red and white, leather-bound tome. Physical Illusory fire magic. It held the same force and look of any other fire magic but, at most could knock the wind out of you. Bows were given blunted rubber arrows, Imbued with magic to fly like the real things. All in the name of safety.

"Blue Lions, Charge!" Hanneman's voice came, throwing his hand out, With a roar of the students, they ran at the Golden Deer and Black Eagles. Students from the Black Eagles house looked to Byleth as to what to do, some more confident than others.

"Edelgard, Ferdinand, Caspar, take point!" Byleth yells, throwing his hand forward just as Hanneman did. The three just nodded, running up front to take the lead. Byleth pointed at Hubert, Dorothea, and Bernadetta.

"You three, back them up. Lindhart and Petra, check the sides, make sure they don't get flanked!" Byleth's orders came as fast as they were concise. Now. All he could do was wait and hope they finished in first place.

The battle began with the clashes of swords, lances, axes, and more. As per Byleth's commands, Edelgard, Caspar, and Ferdinand were engulfed in battle first, Clashing with Leonie, Dimitri, and Felix. Edelgard's axe met with Leonie's own. Dimitri's lance met with Caspar's sword, Ferdinand's lance met with Felix's sword. All deadlocked for a moment before pulling away.

Edelgard went for an uppercut with the axe. Leonie, trying to show off for her mentor, tried something fancy. Impractical in almost every way, she just hoped Jeralt and Byleth saw this. Pushing herself, she shifted her feet in the grass and forced her legs to jump in the air as high as she could. The goal here was to catch Edelgard by surprise with such a move and shove her to the ground. That, however. Didn't happen.

Mid-jump a fireball came hurling towards Leonie and struck her in the chest, knocking her on the ground flat. Edelgard looked back to see a sneering Hubert before turning back to the battle at hand. Leonie quickly recovered, about to continue, only to be called off the field, much to her mild protesting.

The other two duos locked in combat were, surprisingly matched, Felix being the most aggressive. Weapons meant almost nothing in combat if the fighters were evenly matched. All that mattered was training.

Felix's erratic, and unrelenting strikes left Ferdinand on the defensive and left no chance for reprisal. No pattern could be discerned from his strikes. It was just, hit after hit, relentlessness As if venting his anger. Ferdinand was forced to move backward, Felix quickly advancing on him before putting all his might into an upwards slash, knocking the training lance out of his hand and roughly kicking the noble to the grass below.

Felix only let a disdainful look cover his visage for mere moments before getting back to the battle at hand. "Nobles… Ugh."

Dimitri and Caspar ended up in a less intense battle. Lots of movement between them. Back and forth. Each drawing blows from each other, neither one yielding to the opposite at hand. Caspar was one to punch first, think later, making him one of the more experienced people in the fight.

Dimitri let out a grin, he enjoyed friendly competitions, always striving to be better than the foe at hand. He was not about to be bested by a fellow house. The prince's style was more refined than his friend, Felix. Strike when weaknesses showed, and only enough needed. Don't need to waste energy fighting one enemy if you can take them down easily and quickly with a few strikes. That and there are rules, some places to hit were off-limits. Like the head.

Caspar was shorter in stature than Dimitri. Making it harder for Caspar to strike the chest and offset the prince's balance. Felix quickly joined in the fight. He had less of a 'code' to follow. He didn't care that the future prince would object to joining his fight, he just wanted to end this quickly. Using his sword, Felix rammed into Caspar, taking him to the ground but also inadvertently falling himself.

"H-hey! Get off me!" Caspar grunts, flailing a bit as he tries to shove the Blue Lion's student off. Felix didn't really like contact, he had planned to hit him with the long side of the sword, but ended up hitting the other boy with the end of it, taking them both to the ground. Felix got a face full of Caspar's shoe before he got off him, the referees motioning them off the field.

"You little-!" Felix swiftly grabbed his sword, about to shove it into Caspar's face only to be met with Dimitri's lance. Felix glared daggers at his classmate. "Peace Felix. He's already out. There are rules here. We aren't here to hurt anyone."

"What the hell would you know about rules, Boar Prince!?" Felix barks before gripping his sword tightly and moving off the battlefield, looking for Caspar who had since left to sit by Ferdinand. With this quick commotion, Edelgard had used it to set up an ambush. Hubert, who had sat in the back, sent a fireball his way, hitting him in the back swiftly before being kicked over by the Adrestian heir herself.

Dimitri quickly got back up to see Edelgard wiping her brow of sweat. "Have you no honor? Such a dirty trick is-" Edelgard cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"Dimitri. I'm just here to win. Now go to the sidelines." Edelgard dismissably motions to him before the prince got up and moved off the battlefield. Scanning around now, it quickly came to the attention that Hanneman was rather unguarded, perfect for the opportunity to take down the entire class.

"Hubert, with me!" She calls before running across the battlefield, intent on taking Hanneman's class in one fell swoop. The mage just nodded and joined up with her quickly. Getting mostly across the field, Annette and Dedue swiftly noticed what was about to happen. Dedue began running towards his teacher, intending to guard the professor while Annette began to throw as many fireballs as she could, ignoring the fighting behind her. (Which included the rest of Byleth's class.)

The magic forced Edelgard and Hubert to stop, if only momentarily. This just barely gives enough time for Dedue to get in the way. Hubert just grits his teeth slightly. This was merely another person in their path to victory. He wouldn't lose. Not now. Not ever. Dedue just stood tall, looking at them with an unreadable expression. "I will not let you pass."

"Then we'll force our way through!" Edelgard declares, charging directly at him as Hubert prepared another magical attack. Dedue just braced himself, shifting his feet to dig in. Edelgard jumped, pressing her heels into his hands. In response, Dedue used his strength to throw Edelgard into the air. Moving swiftly, He rushed Hubert. Being both taller and physically stronger, the idea was to overwhelm the opponent before they could do anything.

As it turns out, sometimes two is better than one. Edelgard landed in the grass rather softly considering how roughly she was thrown into the air. As she landed, Hubert released the magic he had been holding onto, bombarding Dedue with enough force to send him flying. Finally allowing him to slip by. Annette, fumbling with her book, was unable to cast any more magic. By the time Dedue had recovered, (Which was rather quickly.) Edelgard stood not too far from Hubert, weapons drawn.

A horn rang out, a male Seriosian soldier clad in silver armor motioned the Blue Lions students off. "Blue Lions are OUT!" his voice boomed. Hanneman shook his head incredulously. He had been bested. Now it was up to the other classes to duke it out for the win.

With a grin at the announcement, Byleth revolved his eyes to the left. Two figures came running at him full speed. Claude and Lysithea. Those two were almost always at odds with each other but could come together when it was needed. Byleth's grin fell almost immediately. Frantically looking for his students to come to help him out. However, with Edelgard and Hubert being on the other side of the field and everyone else rather far away, it left him defenseless.

"Petra!" Byleth called. Having the girl turn around, not currently locked in battle. But it was too late. Claude and Lysithea stood just at the base of the platform, Claude grinning while Lysithea just let out a sigh of relief. It took a moment to register with Byleth.

"The Black Eagles house is OUT! The winner is the Golden Deer House!" That same voice came with the bellow of a horn. Cheers from the crowd burst out at once. Claude walked up to Byleth and patted him on the back.

"You sure are quite the strategist. You almost had us there." Claude attaches his bow to his back using a few clips. The students were responsible for putting the weapons away after any battle or training session. This was no exception.

Byleth forced a smile. He had to. Of course, he was upset. Not that he lost. But that made him look incompetent in front of the others. What would Rhea think of this? He shook his head slightly. No. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts.

"That's the Golden Deer for ya!" Claude winked at Bells before leaving, who was more focused on her sibling, than anything else. Jeralt looked around, everyone was too focused on the hype of the battle to take notice of him. Out of everyone here. One person was missing.

Rhea. Where was she? No matter how much his eyes scanned over, he couldn't find her. He made a mental note and went towards his children. His hand touched Byleth's shoulder. It almost made him jump. Jeralt never had the softest of touch. Years of battles and weapon handles left them callous and hard. Byleth's head jerked suddenly to face him.

"Oh! Dad. Um. Hi." Byleth fidgeted with his hands. What did he think of that? Probably not very good. Jeralt looked him dead in the eye. Almost uncomfortably so. Yet, when looked back on. There wasn't a hint of anger. No disappointment. Nothing. What was there, left Byleth confused slightly. Why was he… Not upset?

"Byleth. You did your best. Being a leader isn't easy. You have potential. Just keep at it. I know you'll do great." Jeralt was never good at this. Sitri was always better. She always knew what to say. It was stilted, awkward. But felt necessary all the same. He had to connect with his son. Byleth was quickly pulled into a hug by Jeralt with Bells joining in. Edelgard returned, coming back from the other side of the field. Curiously. Hubert was nowhere to be found. At first, Edelgard didn't say anything. Letting them have their moment. Before too long, the hug broke up. The mercenary leader would be the first to notice Edelgard. She cleared her throat, drawing the attention of both twins now.

"My teacher. It's become apparent that we both have much to learn. Failure is but a means of learning." Edelgard smiled softly before quickly motioning to the leaving crowd. Most had left already, just a few knights that had the duty to clean up the training battlefield for next use. Byleth quickly recomposed himself and nodded at her comment. He did have much to learn, not only as a teacher but as a leader.

The walk home was rather uneventful. Jeralt was unusually stiff though. He felt awkward, how do you approach a family situation like this? He just hoped that he was doing well enough for his kids. Bells seemed happy, for the most part. Byleth was just as busy as he always was, studying aggressively on topics. Bells had been tasked with more menial work such as marking papers. It was something she found rather tiresome but it kept her busy and close to her sibling.

The rest of the way home was completely silent. The first order of business for the twins was to meet back with the class and discuss what went wrong. At the iron gate, the twins excused themselves from Jeralt and hurried off to the classroom. Garegg Mach was still as big as ever. Bells had spent her days so far just memorizing the place, even carrying a map with her just to make sure she was getting to the right place. Sometimes she got the placement of the dorm rooms and classrooms mixed up.

Moving past the mess hall would quickly lead the twins to the three classrooms. Large banners displaying each house marked the sides of each classroom. Though the room itself was identical otherwise. Coming from the hall led them to the Golden Deer house who were loudly cheering outside the room on their victory at the mock battle. Next class down was the Blue Lions who were filing into it at Hanneman's behest. Most talked amongst themselves though it was hard to hear with how loud the class before them was. At the far end was the Black Eagle house who had already filed into the classroom silently. Everyone finds the place they sit almost instantly.

Each classroom was lined neatly with chairs and desks with a pillar holding up the structure. At the back of the room was a large ornate window that let natural light in. Just in front of that was the teacher's desk where Byleth and Bells would spend their time with lesson plans and lectures. Byleth and Bells came in, seeing the dejected, disappointed students, they both moved to the front of the room as Byleth cleared his throat. Everyone looked up at him. He was slow to start.

"My students. What happened back there. I apologize. I didn't give enough guidance as to what to do. I promise to do better." Byleth's words were curt and terse. Nobody responded, an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Byleth quickly looked to Bells as to what to do. She always somehow knew what to say.

"Now, everyone. This is merely the beginning. Byleth and I. Will bring out the best in each and every one of you. Chin up." Bells's tone came out a bit stronger than she intended. Nevertheless, that seemed to do the trick. Everyone perked up, agreeing silently.

"As for the rest of today. You are excused. The mock battle was all that we have time for. Homework is getting some rest until tomorrow." Byleth was about to object to her words, only to see the other classes also parading out, given free time for the rest of the day. Bells just smiled at him and went over to the desk. Now was the time to draw out lesson plans for the next month. Drawing two chairs from the desks, they both sat down to start working on something.

[Day Thirty-One, Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 6:00 PM]

It had become late. Both twins were mentally exhausted. The other two teachers, Hanneman and Manuela had come by to help them both out, finalizing the plans for the next few weeks. Bells leaned back in her chair, stretching, Byleth letting out a yawn. It was time for dinner. The students were already there, no doubt. After classes, students were given leisure time. Students did have obligations of course. Many of the Blue Lions members often helped cook meals. They didn't have to, but they did because they wanted to help. Dinner was at a set time. You showed up then or got nothing. People weren't required to show up. Some skipped meals to get in more study time. It all depended on the person.

Byleth stood up from his chair and looked out the window. The warm rays of the evening sun shone on their backs. Bells quickly followed suit. Bells gave her sibling a knowing look. He wanted to get down to the mess hall. They were almost done. Just a few more notes to jot down. Byleth started to clean up the room as Bells finished up everything. They both finished relatively quickly and left the classroom and out for the mess hall.

A brisk walk down the path led to the mess hall. It was a lively place, students from each house intermingled with each other. Claude was the center of attention, being the class leader of the winning class lent itself to popularity. People generally did stay with the groups they had formed, but not today. Miscellaneous students crowded around the tables with Golden Deer students. Questions were fired off like lightning bolts to the point where it was hard to discern who was saying what.

The lines were quick to move along. Dinner tended to have people come in waves. Each wave arrived in about fifteen-minute intervals until it closed up at seven-thirty. This way people were not stuck in long lines waiting for food. Tonight's meal was Gronder Meat Skewers. Various types of meat were lined up and slowly cooked over several hours led to a very chewy, but filling meal. It was common that Bells ate meat. Vegetables were often what supplemented during her travels with her father. Traveling so much means they often had to hunt for food. Bells was taught how to do so. From trapping the animal, to how to cook it. It was a long process but well worth it in the end.

Both Bells and Byleth got their meal and looked around. Near the back of the room was Jeralt, eating alongside both Sylvain, Ferdinand, and Dorothea. Jeralt was quiet as the others talked about various topics. The twins went over and sat down with their father. Jeralt noticed them on approach and waved, motioning them over.

"Come on Dorothea! Cut us some slack. We're trying our best here." Sylvain grumbled, not noticing the twins on approach. Dorothea just sighed at his insistence. Being such a skirt chaser doesn't reflect well on him.

"Flirting with every girl you see doesn't reflect well on you Sylvain. And you." Dorothea gently points at Ferdinand. "Acting all high and mighty, being the 'noblest of them all' just comes off as… pretentious." Dorothea rolls her eyes at the returned comments from both. Quickly noticing the twins, her attitude changed to something more kind.

"Ah. Professors. Nice of you to join us! I was just telling these two off about their approach to the fairer sex." Bells couldn't help but laugh, much to the ire of Sylvain and Ferdinand. Byleth didn't respond, unsure how. The twins sat down and joined in the conversation. Talks carried on without much of note. During that, however, a member of the church quietly approached the small group, dropped a note in front of Byleth, and quickly scurried off. Nobody saw his or her face. All they saw was the pure white robe that the church devout wore all the time.

Picking up the note, all that was written on it was a short, neatly written message. "Lady Rhea requests your presence Byleth." Jeralt developed an uneasy look. Bells just looked at the note with curiosity, as did the others sitting at the table. Byleth just stood up and quietly excused himself. Better not keep her waiting.

Mentally preparing himself, he stood just outside the door to the Audience chamber, sometimes referred to as Rhea's office. 'What could she want to see me for?' Knocking on the door resulted in a moment's wait before a familiar voice played out. "Come in."

Grabbing the knob to the door, it turned with a metallic click and gave way to the room. Inside was just Rhea, staring out at the large window, basking in the dying rays of today's daylight. Turning around, Rhea's smile that she often wore seemed to light up the room. She motioned him over and met him halfway. She pulled him into a brief hug which Byleth returned before pulling away.

"I called you here for a good reason. I'm wondering if you truly can teach these students. Being a teacher is such a large responsibility. I don't want to strain you with the pressure to be the one who has to lead them. That mock battle had me worried about your ability to do so." Rhea avoided his gaze, looking worriedly out to the side.

"Mother. I… No. I can do this. I just need another chance to prove myself. Please! Give me another chance!" Byleth tensed up. He wasn't about to lose the position that he wanted. Not this easily.

Rhea's grip tightened for a moment before releasing entirely.

"...Okay. But if you are ever overwhelmed by this task. I will not hesitate to remove you from that position. You matter to me more than anything in this world." Rhea's voice was slow, calm, and warm. She turned to look back at him and pulled him into another hug.

"I love you Byleth. More than anything else. Please. Don't forget to ask for help sometimes." Byleth just nodded in response. A silence ensued. Rhea turned back to the window, motioning him away.

"You may go."

Byleth turned around and left the room. He shut the door behind him, before heading upstairs to his room. There, Sothis was floating around. She turned to him, then looking away almost dismissively.

"She cares about you. Slightly overprotective, but she still cares," she announces loudly to him. Crossing her arms, she waited for a response. Byleth walked to his bed and sat down, rubbing his eyes. Not only from exhaustion but stress. He couldn't lose this. He refused to. Sothis just left the room, going off to find Bells. Leaving him to his thoughts.

[Day Two, Harpstring Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 12:00 PM]

The day had gone just like any other. Classes had started in the morning after a hearty breakfast and things were progressing along smoothly. Today's lesson was about how to properly wield a weapon. Anyone could pick up a sword and swing it around, though there was a proper way to use it. Bells had asked Jeralt to help demonstrate and teach them how to use the three main weapon types. Swords, Axes, and Lances. The training grounds often used to have mini-tournaments had been rented out for the afternoon. Training dummies were set up and students were given the weapon of their choice.

Training dummies were set out in a row neatly, all of the Black Eagles students lined up as well and started to swing at them. The teachers would observe them as they hit the dummy repeatedly, and correct for mistakes as needed. Once again, a member of the church came over to Byleth and handed him a neatly written note before walking away. Looking at the note, it was almost identical to the one Byleth had received the other day.

"Byleth and Bells, Lady Rhea requests your presence. Now."

Byleth brought the note to his sibling, letting her read it briefly before Bells went over to Jeralt. He was given the note to scan over. He nodded at them slowly. Jeralt would take over for the lesson while they visited. Quietly, the twins left and went for Rhea's office. Neither knew what she could have wanted, but it was always important if one was requested.

Quickly moving found the twins at Rhea's office. As customs and courtesy dictated, one was to knock on the door before entering. Byleth did the honors. Some shuffling could be heard before Rhea's voice rang out. "Come in."

Bells grabbed the handle of the door, turned it, and opened up the door quickly. Letting Byleth in before shutting the door behind her. In the room were just two people, minus the twins. Seteth and Rhea stood at the far end, waiting for them to come over.

Seteth began talking Immediately, looking over both of them. His arms crossed as he spoke. "At the unending behest of Alois, and out better judgment, we are giving you this mission." Both twins tilted their heads in confusion. What on Fodlan was he talking about?

"At the end of every month. You are to carry out a mission to assist those in need. This month, we need you and your students to subdue some bandits. The knights will be there to support you as needed, but this is a chance for your students to get a real battle experience. This is no mock battle. You hold the fate of your students by your leadership." Seteth's dire tone was counteracted by Rhea speaking up. Rhea turned towards Seteth. He always was thinking about the worst-case scenario. It probably wasn't healthy, but he did it anyway.

"They will not hesitate to kill you or your students. It would be preferable to take them alive, but if worst comes to worst. You have permission to execute them." Rhea's tone was… unnervingly calm for what she was telling them.

"As much as I would prefer another knight leader to join Byleth, Alois wouldn't budge. Bells shall be leading the students into battle. If only because she has more combat experience." Seteth remarks matter-of-factly. Rhea just nodded in agreement.

"That is all. Just remember that the thirty-first is the day of the mission. Prepare all you can. Everyone Is dismissed." Rhea spoke softly. Everyone else dispersed rather quickly. The twins left to go back and continue teaching students. Seteth walked out of the room, going to tend to some other business.

Rhea walked out of the room herself and climbed the stairs to the third floor. Once there, she calmly walked to her room. Opening the doors quietly, she shut them abruptly behind her. Nobody was to hear her. Waiting for a moment before continuing. Clearing her throat, she spoke boldly and without hesitation.

"Protectores in tenebris, videte mea vocant." At that moment she finished speaking. Three forms materialized seemingly out of thin air. Pitch black robes covered everything, Not even feet were seen. Magic was used to obscure their faces. They immediately kneeled at her, waiting for her to speak.

"All three of you. You are to protect Byleth at any cost. If any harm comes to him… Well. You don't want to know. Dismissed." Rhea was firm in her tone, facial expression turning to something rarely seen. The best way to describe it was… worry. She never let herself show worry to anyone. It was… Unsightly for someone in such a position.

The forms moved to something of a nod and then vanished into thin air.

Rhea then turned around and left the room.

-End of Chapter 4-