Now that Byleth and Shez were settled into Garreg Mach, Hanneman wished to speak with them briefly. "Thank you both for coming here. I promise this won't take long. I simply wanted to use this device I designed to determine whether or not the power of a Crest resides within you two. It won't hurt a bit. You have my word."
"No need." Shez shook her head. "I don't have one."
"But you have those strange powers." Byleth said. "…Isn't that the same thing?"
Shez just stared at Byleth, dumbfounded. This was supposed to be her new teacher? Maybe it wasn't too late to switch classes. "Uh, no. It's…different." She…didn't really know how to explain it, and she absolutely wasn't going to mention Arval either.
"I see…" Hanneman nodded. While he was intrigued at Shez's power, he was certain he might see something in the coming Mock Battle in the coming days. "It sounds like you don't know what Crests are, Professor Byleth. Is your schedule open? I can explain." Hanneman was nearly bursting at the seams wanting to explain. Truthfully, it was a little odd that Byleth didn't know about Crests, but he'd explain anyway.
"Sure. It sounds important…and I might have one and not know it." Byleth says with a shrug.
"How in the world is she so unaware and nonchalant about this…?" Arval said. The more he learned about Byleth, the more of an enigma she became. On the battlefield, she was unstoppable as the Ashen Demon. But in everyday life, she was…well…an idiot?
Hanneman then began an explanation of Crests. How they were a gift from the goddess, passed down through bloodlines, and the numerous boons they could provide to a single person. Byleth nodded slowly in understanding, soaking in this information. "And you believe I may have one? It's not impossible…"
"I suspect as much, yes. But we won't know for sure unless I look into the matter." Hanneman said. "As I said, Crests are passed down through the blood, but that doesn't necessarily mean someone will inherit it. Perhaps one of your ancestors bore a crest, and you just happened to inherit it."
"Okay. Let's find out." Byleth said.
"Yes, of course!" Hanneman said with glee. "I'll get to the bottom of this right away! Now, please hold your hand out over this device." Byleth did so, and the response was one that shocked him. "What's this!? A pattern I've never seen before…is it possible a-yet discovered undiscovered Crest has been detected."
"What!?" Shez's eyes widened. "You have a Crest?!"
"An unknown what at that. What are the odds…!?" Even Arval was shaken by this. Their greatest foe was already strong, but she had a Crest now too!?
"Huh." Byleth didn't act surprised.
"To think there are still Crests out there that even I am unaware of! How thrilling!" Hanneman was getting excited now, but he caught himself and cleared his throat. "Ahem…you two may take your leave now. I have much to consider concerning this…" He turned his back to the two woman and began to mumble under his breath, going on and on about the symbols of Byleth's Crest.
"A gift from the Goddess?" Sothis mused. "Hm….come to think of it, I don't think we've yet asked the name of this so called Goddess. You should do that sometime, I'm curious."
"Alright. I'm sure someone can tell us…" Byleth said to Sothis while beginning to walk off, Shez trailing behind slowly.
.
.
The day of the mock battle arrived. The three houses were participating in the training grounds just outside of the monastery. On the Black Eagles side, those who were taking part were: Byleth, Shez, Edelgard, Bernadetta, Hubert, and Caspar; on the Blue Lions side: Dimitri, Dedue, Luke, Mercedes, Ashe, and Hanneman; and on the Golden Deer's side: Claude, Hilda, Lorenz, Leonie, Ignatz, and Manuela. The goal of this Mock Battle? To be the last House standing. It was minor preparation for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion in the coming months.
"Is everyone ready?" Byleth asked.
"No!" Bernadetta said while holding onto her bow. "Professor, I mean no disrespect when I ask this…but why me!?"
"…I can't claim to understand feeling nervous or skittish on the battlefield, but I think this will be good for you." Byleth told Bernadetta. "Being on the battlefield comes with pressure. If I can't at least get you used to this, I'd worry for your safety otherwise."
"Aaaagh…." Bernadetta whimpered. She really didn't want to do this, but…she couldn't say no if her Professor asked her to take part. She'd have to manage, somehow. "I'm going straight to my room when this is over…!"
"…I'm amazed you were able to get her out of her room in the first place." Edelgard said. "But regardless, we will take victory on this day. Even if this is a mere mock battle, I will not spare any ounce of effort. I expect the same of you all as well."
"Of course, Lady Edelgard." Hubert said.
"You bet!" Caspar pumped a fist into the air.
"This'll be cake." Shez said confidently. She was eager to show off in front of the other students as well.
"Uggggggh…" Bernadetta whined. It was a noise of some kind. But to show she would try, she did pull her bowstring back slightly. If it were up to her, she'd never leave her room. Unfortunately, it was not up to her.
"I'll do my best to lead, but I think it's better if I stay hands off for this battle at least." Byleth says. "I'd like to see how you all handle yourselves. If you're in any danger, though, I'll cover you." Plus…she did think it a little unfair if she went all out against these students. She had to see how they carried themselves.
"Then sit back and watch us work!" Caspar said. The battle was about to begin and the three houses all prepared to fight.
"None of your shallow tactics, Claude." Lorenz said with a scoff. "Ignatz and I can handle this."
"W-Wait, me?" Ignatz pointed to himself. It sounded like Lorenz was going to drag him into this whether he was ready or not. "But I'm not ready!"
Claude could only sigh. "Underestimating our new Professor, Lorenz? You're only going to end up getting hurt if you do…"
"Nonsense!" Lorenz waved the notion aside. "Now watch as I, Lorenz Hellman Gloucster, lead our house to victory on this day!" Lorenz was already rushing ahead, dragging Ignatz behind him metaphorically.
"This won't end well." Hilda said.
"I'm with Lorenz, though. I want a crack at the Captain's kid!" So Leonie was rushing ahead as well, leaving Claude, Hilda, and Manuela in the back lines.
"I thought we talked about a strategy?" Maneula groaned as those damned kids ran ahead. The day just started and she needed a drink already.
As for the Blue Lions, they were watching as the fighting as about to pick up immediately. "Okay, Prince." Luke said while holding a sword in his right hand. "What's the plan? Stay out of it and let the other two take themselves out? Effective, but boring."
"That's simply out of the question." Dimitri replied. "Ashe, can you draw the enemy this way when you get the chance. Mercedes and Dedue, follow suit if you please."
"Oh my…we'll do our best!" Mercedes said.
"Understood, Your Highness." Dedue nodded.
"Some of them are coming this way…" Byleth said. "Okay, so…"
"I got this!" Shez was already sprinting ahead.
"Don't…do that." Byleth didn't even get to finish. Rushing blindly ahead was not what she was going to say, but it was already too late. "Bernadetta, Hubert, can you two cover her from a distance? Caspar and Edelgard, close the gap and make sure she doesn't get overwhelmed. She's not a bad fighter, but numbers are always a factor."
"Of course." Hubert nodded.
Shez's first target was Lorenz since he was the closest. "Heh, you're mine!"
"I shall not lose to the likes of you!" Lorenz said while thrusting his lance forward the moment Shez was within range. Shez slid to a halt and pivoted on her right leg, spinning around the tip of the lance while closing the gap. She slashed at Lorenz, making sure to temper her power a bit since this was only a mock battle after all. "Ugh!?" Lorenz was still surprised from the power Shez was packing and he staggered back from the hit.
"I'll make this quick!" Shez was moving in for the finishing blow already, but she noticed an arrow coming at her and quickly ducked to the side to avoid it. "Whoa…!" It was Ignatz, providing cover fire in a timely manner.
"Wondrous timing, Ignatz!" Lorenz was able to recover and now he was in prime position to counter attack Shez. However, he could see Bernadetta behind Shez, taking a little too long to nock an arrow. Her reaction time was a little slow, which allowed Lorenz to back away as needed and avoid her incoming arrow. But as he did this, there was a sphere of dark magic coming his way. He had no choice but to use the handle of his lance to block it, but it still exploded against him, causing him to slide back.
"Got you!" Shez used this chance to spring forward and break through Lorenz's defenses with one sword, using the other to deliver the finishing blow against him. Lorenz fell to the ground and just looked up at the sky.
"I lost…!? Unbelievable!" Lorenz groaned. For his safety, once he was defeated, a white mage from the church used a Warp spell on him to remove him from the battlefield.
"Thanks for the support you two." Shez smiled at Bernadetta and Hubert.
"That was stressful…too slow, Bernie…!" Bernadetta was chastising herself for not being fast enough.
"Good work." Byleth said. "But it's not over yet."
"Uh oh…" Ignatz realized the situation and decided to retreat and regroup. But he wasn't allowed to get too far as Hubert fired a sphere of dark magic in front of him. It exploded in front of Ignatz, kicking up a large cloud of dust. "Ah…!"
"You don't get the luxury of escaping today." Hubert said with a sinister smile.
Ignatz could try and force his way through the smoke, but it wasn't going to do him much good. Especially since he took too long to consider his options: outnumbered, surrounded, and outmatched. He had none…and this allowed Edelgard time to jump from the smoke and strike Ignatz with her axe, knocking him out instantly. He was warped out the moment it was confirmed he could no longer fight.
"That was cool!" Caspar said.
"Looks like we're going to have to take this seriously after all." Claude said with a dry laugh. Lorenz cost them pretty hard right off the bat! So catch up was needed.
"Looks like I have to go out there now, huh?" Something Hilda wasn't looking forward to…
"Professor!" Leonie lunged at Byleth with her lance, but it was easily evaded with a sidestep. "It's time we see who's really the better student of the Captain! And it's going to be me!"
Byleth was aware of Leonie's long way approach, but since knew she was the target, it didn't impede on their plans. "The rest of you can advance. I can handle her."
"Oh yeah!?" Leonie continued to attack Byleth with her lance, but none of her attacks were connecting. Byleth didn't even have to move much to evade them, much to Leonie's annoyance. "Is the only thing you can do dodge?"
"Interesting…I guess Jeralt really did teach her. She swings her lance like he does, but it's not…quite at his level…" Byleth thought to herself. She figured she couldn't dodge forever, so as another thrust came in, she used her iron brace along her arm to block the tip of the lance, effectively deflecting it much to Leonie's surprise.
"Huh-!?" And then Leonie got punched in the stomach, causing her to fold over from the impact. Byleth wasn't pulling her punches, which is what Leonie wanted, but…she didn't have time to think about it as Byleth then knocked her out with the hilt of her sword. Just like that, half of the Golden Deer were out of the mock battle for rushing in ahead.
"Now…" Byleth cracked her wrist and looked ahead to see how the rest of her class was doing. She wanted to keep a good eye on them. While she was certain they could handle themselves, she wondered how her fellow teachers were going to act…
.
Shez continued to lead the charge. With her mercenary experience, and her powers, she figured she could take battle like this on her own. She was just a little more cognizant that numbers were still a factor. "That was half the Golden Deer…we haven't even seen a Lion yet…" As she said this, another arrow flew past her. This one she was able to deflect with her sword. "Seriously, another arrow!?" And then came another, which she deflected.
"She's quite skilled!" Mercedes said with a smile. She and Ashe were responsible for being the ones attacking Shez.
"She really is. This might be tough…" Ashe said. Granted, his job wasn't to fight. It was just to draw the enemy closer.
"Are the Black Eagles seriously trying to take down two houses at once? Hah!" Claude couldn't help but laugh. "We shouldn't keep them waiting, then."
Edelgard and Caspar caught up to Shez. "You really must stop charging ahead like this."
"It's only two. We can take em!" Caspar said, making a beeline for Ashe first. Caspar was so quick, Ashe barely had time to react, let alone get an arrow ready. Caspar wore gauntlets into battle and he aimed a punch at Ashe's chest. Ashe was able to bring an arm up to block, but Caspar's physical strength far exceeded his own, so Ashe was sent stumbling with a noticeable bruise on his arm. "Gh…" It would be hard to nock an arrow like this…
"Ashe, are you okay?" Mercedes asked.
"You should be worried about yourself!" Shez used her speed to slip past Ashe and strike Mercedes with her sword, leaving a noticeable cut as a result. Shez then jumped back and readied herself to strike again.
"We can finish these two off quickly." Edelgard said.
"Owie." Mercedes said before smiling. "I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm afraid it won't be so simple…" She approached Ashe and held her hands out to him, a soft seafoam light emitting from her palms. She used a simple healing spell on him, one that healed his bruised arm easily. And after that? The cut on her on body vanished as well.
"Huh!?" Shez's eyes widened.
"The damage reversed? What is she? Is this another power of Crests!?" Arval was shocked as well.
"Ah, yes. I had forgotten about that." Edelgard placed the blame with herself. "I doubt our Professor knew as well. Taking out the healer is the highest priority on the battlefield. So a single strike would do well." Edelgard took a deep breath and held her axe with both hands, preparing to make use of a Combat Art. She charged and swung at Mercedes, but someone intercepted her attack: Dedue. His stature and power allowed him to clash with Edelgard's axe, nearly causing her to lose her footing in the process. It was like striking a brick wall. "…!"
"Not on my watch." Dedue said calmly.
Edelgard staggered back, but soon found her balance once again. "Dedue…"
"Nice timing, Dedue!" Ashe smiled.
"Looks like the party's really getting started now!" Caspar said with a grin. Dedue was the most defensive person he could think of when it came to students. So having a crack at him? Caspar was more than eager to test his fists again him. Edelgard, Shez, and Caspar were prepared to fight Mercedes, Dedue, and Ashe.
Byleth kept watch, ready to jump in if necessary. She kept her eyes on Maneula and Hanneman, who were also eying the situation curiously. "…."
As for Dimitri and Luke, they were holding the back lines. Dimitri was more inclined to step forward in the event things went wrong up front, and Luke had no choice but to watch the Prince's back. "Don't get in over your head." Luke warned.
"That is why I have you at my back, is it not? One can be a little reckless when they have someone reliable behind them." Dimitri replied.
"Ugh." Luke just groaned.
Claude used the nearby trees to his advantage, perched on a branch while taking aim with his bow. He knew that a direct fight was out of his league. He wasn't the straightforward type anyway. Having a plan would always be more important than brute forcing everything in his eyes. "Alright, Hilda…you're up."
"Yeah, yeah…" Hilda said. How annoying it was she had to do this…but oh well. She needed to at least say that she tried. So she made a rather slow approach to Hubert, who was aware that he was being targeted. "Hi, Hubert. Would you do me a favor and just give up? I'd really not rather have to fight you, you know?" She spoke in a sweet tone too, really attempting to appeal to Hubert.
"Unfortunately for you, I have no intentions of turning my back to any enemy, especially when Lady Edelgard is on the field." Hubert replied, dark wisps swirling around his palms. "But if you seek to end your run here as soon as possible, then allow me to give you an expeditious end to your mock battle run."
Wow. Maybe Hilda expected too much barking up that tree. Hubert was willing to fight…and Hilda couldn't not put up a little fight in turn. So she sighed and hoisted her axe over her shoulder. "Ugh. You're making me work…"