Jeralt was quite shocked to have heard Byleth's story about the discrimination Petra had encountered.
"It sounds like your students learned some valuable lessons from that experience", Jeralt said.
"Yes", Byleth said, "Petra learned that she should reach out to a friend or a teacher if she's feeling attacked, and Hilda and Leonie both learned that it's never okay to make assumptions on certain groups of people based on what they've heard about them."
"With such an amazing professor, how could they not learn anything", Jeralt asked.
Byleth smiled at her father's compliment.
"Now, how about that last one", Jeralt said.
"What last one", Byleth asked.
"You said there was one more student who joined your house", Jeralt said, "Mercedes, was it?"
"Yes, that's right", Byleth said, "she was the last student recruited into our house."
"What problem did she face after she joined your class", Jeralt asked.
"Actually, she ran into trouble before she officially joined the Golden Deer", Byleth said, "she faced something that everyone has trouble dealing with: saying goodbye."
One morning during a free day at Garreg Mach, the students of the Blue Lions house had gathered together in their classroom because Mercedes had something she wanted to announce.
"Thank you all for coming here", Mercedes said, "I hope I'm not keeping you from anything."
"Oh, nothing important", Sylvain said, "just breakfast with a cute girl I asked to join me yesterday."
Ingrid hit Sylvain in the arm for his sarcastic response, and he held it in pain.
"You were saying, Mercedes", Dimitri said.
"Oh, yes", Mercedes said, "well, I'm sure you've all heard how good a job Professor Byleth has been doing teaching her class."
"I've heard the Professor is very skilled", Felix said, "she's almost intriguing."
"Oh, yes", Ashe said, "I don't think I've ever seen another fighter or instructor like her before."
"Yes, yes, the Professor is wonderful", Mercedes said, "and she's also the cause behind what I have to tell you about."
"What is it", Ingrid asked.
"Well", Mercedes said, "I requested that the Professor adds me to the class so that I can learn from her, and she invited me to join her house."
Needless to say, the other Blue Lions were surprised to hear this.
"You mean you're leaving the Blue Lions", Sylvain asked.
"Yes", Mercedes said, "I begin class with the Golden Deer tomorrow."
"This is quite the surprise", Dimitri said, "we never expected something like this to happen."
"I heard the Professor already picked up Bernadetta and Petra from the Black Eagle house", Felix said, "she was bound to recruit someone from our house sooner or later."
"I thought the same thing", Ashe said, "though, I thought either Ingrid or Sylvain were more likely to be recruited."
"I asked the Professor if I could join her house", Sylvain said, "but she turned me down."
"That's because you only wanted to join because you thought she was attractive", Ingrid said.
Sylvain crossed his arms and turned away from his childhood friend.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Mercie", Annette asked.
"It was a very hard decision to make", Mercedes said, "but I want to learn new skills, and I believe that being taught by Professor Byleth is the best way to achieve that goal."
"I understand", Annette said, "it's for the sake of your education."
"But I'm still going to miss being in class with all of you", Mercedes said, "it was really fun getting to know you all."
"We can share the sentiment, Mercedes", Dimitri said.
"And we hope you get the most out of being part of the Golden Deer", Dedue said.
"Thank you all", Mercedes said, "now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to my room and get some things together for the move to the Golden Deer."
"Of course", Dimitri said.
Mercedes left the classroom, and the rest of the Blue Lions were left alone to reflect on what was happening.
"I can't believe Mercedes is leaving us", Ingrid said.
"I know", Sylvain said, "and after everything that's happened with us while she was here."
"Maybe we should tell her to think more carefully about this before she goes through with it", Felix said.
"No, Felix", Dimitri said, "this is what Mercedes wants."
"Dimitri's right", Annette said, "though, the Blue Lions won't be the same without her around."
"Well, if this is her last day as a member of our house, then the only right thing to do is to send her off properly", Dimitri said.
"What is it that you're suggesting, Your Highness", Dedue asked.
"I have an idea", Dimitri said, "allow me to explain."
In her room, Mercedes was looking through some papers she was going to show Byleth when she officially joined the Golden Deer, and as she did so, she thought about the exciting opportunity that awaited her in her new class.
"It really is wonderful", Mercedes said, "I'm looking forward to learning from Byleth's teaching and making new friends."
Then, something occurred to her.
"But I'll be leaving all my old friends behind in the process", Mercedes said.
Mercedes sat down on her bed to think about it.
"It's hard saying goodbye", Mercedes said, "but this is for my education."
As Mercedes continued to think about her move to the Golden Deer house, someone knocked on her door, and she answered it and found Dimitri standing in front of it.
"Oh, hello, Dimitri", Mercedes said, "what can I do for you?"
"I just stopped by to ask if you would like to join me and the other Blue Lions in the dining hall for lunch", Dimitri said, "we've got something special waiting for you."
"Something special", Mercedes asked, I'd love to."
"Wonderful", Dimitri said, "I'll inform the others."
Dimitri walked away, and Mercedes went back into her room.
"I hope the leader of the Golden Deer will be as kind as Dimitri", Mercedes said.
Later that day, Mercedes went to the dining hall like Dimitri requested, and found the rest of the Blue Lions sitting together at a table.
"Hey, she's here", Sylvain said.
"Hello, everyone", Mercedes said, "I hope I'm not too late."
"Not at all", Dimitri said, "you're right on time."
Mercedes looked and saw all kinds of food set down on the table, including a Nirvana Cake in the center of the table.
"Did you prepare all this for me", Mercedes asked.
"We sure did", Annette said.
"Dedue and I worked together to bake the cake", Ashe said.
"I managed to grow some boa fruit in the greenhouse that we used to make it", Dedue said.
"We thought since you were leaving our house to join the Golden Deer, we should put something together as a way of saying goodbye", Dimitri said, "so we decided that a magnificent lunch would be the most appropriate course of action."
Mercedes was touched by the Blue Lions' gesture.
"I can't believe you all went out of your way to do this for me", Mercedes said.
"You're leaving our class to join a new one", Ingrid said, "doing something like this only seemed right."
"Thank you", Mercedes said, "thank you all for everything."
"You're welcome", Dimitri said, "and good luck in your new house."
After eating lunch with her Blue Lion classmates, Mercedes went to the cathedral to take part in her usual religious activities such as practicing her singing with the choir and praying to the goddess, and as she left the chapel, she bumped into Seteth.
"Oh, hello, Mercedes", Seteth said.
"Hello, Seteth", Mercedes said, "are you having a good day today?"
"Yes I am", Seteth said, "I was just on my way to pay my respects to the statues of the Four Saints."
"Okay", Mercedes said, "I'm off to the greenhouse to do some gardening."
Mercedes began walking away, but Seteth recalled something and stopped her.
"Just a moment", Seteth said, "I heard that you recently joined the Golden Deer house, yes?"
"Oh, yes", Mercedes said, "I asked the Professor if I could join her class so I can learn from her, and she allowed me to join."
"So I see", Seteth said, "tell me, are you looking forward to this move?"
"Yes, I am", Mercedes said.
"That's good", Seteth said, "an action such as this can be hard for most people to undertake."
"Oh", Mercedes asked, "how so?"
"Well, it's been a few months since the school year started", Seteth said, "I suspect that you've grown attached to your classmates in the Blue Lion house."
"Why, yes, I have", Mercedes said.
"And you've formed strong bonds with these classmates, have you not", Seteth asked.
"Yes", Mercedes said, "I suppose so."
"It takes a lot of bravery to do what you're planning on doing", Seteth said.
"What do you mean", Mercedes asked.
"Well, you're leaving behind all the friends that you've made in your previous house to join a house full of completely different students", Seteth said.
Seteth's words began to raise some unease in Mercedes.
"You're going to be in a completely new environment with students you may be unfamiliar with", Seteth said.
"Yes", Mercedes said, "I guess there will be some new surroundings for me to adjust to."
"But I'm sure such a change isn't too much of a challenge for a student like you", Seteth said, "I'm confident that you'll adjust to your new class quite nicely."
"Um, yes", Mercedes said, "yes I will."
"Wonderful to hear", Seteth said, "I wish you luck in your new class."
"Thank you", Mercedes said.
Seteth walked up the steps into the chapel, and Mercedes was left to consider that there was more to think about concerning her changing houses.
"Perhaps this change is more drastic than I initially perceived it to be", Mercedes said.
A little later, Mercedes was in her room reminiscing the times she spent with her classmates in the Blue Lions.
"Being in a class with all the Blue Lions truly has been an enjoyable experience", Mercedes said, "each member of the class is interesting in their own unique way."
The first Blue Lion student who came to Mercedes' mind was Ashe.
"Ashe is an enthusiastic student who always tries his hardest and strives to achieve his goals", Mercedes said, "and he's also a good cook, too."
The next Blue Lion to come to her mind was Felix.
"Felix may seem like a loner on the surface, but he's actually very caring and compassionate once you get to know him", Mercedes said.
Next, she thought of Ingrid.
"Ingrid is very chivalrous, and the way she devotes herself to her training ensures that she will be the most knightly knight Fodlan has ever known", Mercedes said.
She then thought about Sylvain.
"Sylvain may seem like what Dimitri refers to as a 'skirt chaser', but once you learn about his troubled past, you find out that there's so much more to him", Mercedes said.
The next student she thought about was Annette.
"Annette, my dearest friend", Mercedes said, "we went to school together at the Royal School of Sorcery, and we've also gotten into our fair share of arguments, but in the end, she really was a true friend.
Then, Dedue came to her mind.
"Dedue's loyalty to Dimitri is very admirable", Mercedes said, "and I enjoyed learning all about Duscur from him."
Finally, Mercedes thought about her soon-to-be former house leader, Dimitri.
"Dimitri has the makings of a true prince", Mercedes said, "and there's also a side to him that enjoys taking part in certain activities and learning to do new things like sewing."
As Mercedes thought about the members of the Blue Lions, she couldn't help but give some deeper thought about her move to the Golden Deer.
"Maybe moving to a new class will be harder than I thought", Mercedes said.
That evening, Mercedes was taking a stroll in the monastery, feeling a little down about her move.
"I always held my friends close to my heart", Mercedes said, "but I didn't expect leaving them to be this hard."
Then, she noticed Byleth walking by, and got an idea.
"Maybe there's still time to back out of this", Mercedes said, "I'll tell the Professor that I've changed my mind and I'd like to stay in the Blue Lions."
Mercedes hurried over to Byleth to talk to her.
"Good evening, Professor", Mercedes said.
"Hello, Mercedes", Byleth said, "it's wonderful to see you."
"You too", Mercedes said.
"Are you looking forward to your first day with me and the Golden Deer tomorrow", Byleth asked.
"Actually, I wanted to talk about that", Mercedes said.
"Oh", Byleth asked, "what is it?"
"Well, you see", Mercedes said, "I've been thinking about my decision to move to your class, and I've decided that maybe I'd rather stay with the Blue Lions."
"I see", Byleth said.
"I hope you're not too disappointed about this", Mercedes said.
"Not at all", Byleth said, "however, I'm afraid something like that isn't possible."
"What do you mean", Mercedes asked.
"The rules of the academy state that when you leave your old house to join a new house, you can't switch back to your old house", Byleth said, "all class transfers are final."
Mercedes was very upset to hear that.
"Oh", Mercedes said, "I see."
"I can see that you're pretty upset about this", Byleth said, "how about you join me for some dinner in the dining hall?"
"No thanks", Mercedes said, "I don't think I'm hungry."
Byleth watched as Mercedes sadly walked away to her room.
"Mercedes must be upset about having to leave the Blue Lions", Byleth said, "I was hoping my special dinner plan for her would help make her feel good about joining my house."
The following morning, the monastery bell chimed, and the Golden Deer walked into their classroom to begin their lecture for the day, and as Byleth took a head count of her students, she noticed that Mercedes wasn't among them.
"Strange", Byleth said, "Mercedes isn't here."
"Isn't she that girl from the Blue Lions who requested to join our class", Ignatz asked.
"Yes", Byleth said, "but it doesn't look like she showed up."
"Where do you think she is if she's not here", Hilda asked.
"Last night, she came to me and told her that she'd changed her mind about joining our class", Byleth said, "but I told her about all class transfers being final, and she seemed pretty upset."
"Perhaps she went to class with the Blue Lions anyways", Lorenz said.
"I'll go over there and see if she did", Byleth said, "everyone review your notes until I get back."
Byleth left the Golden Deer classroom and made her way over to the Blue Lions' classroom, where their professor, Hanneman, was in the process of teaching them.
"Excuse me, Hanneman", Byleth said, "do you have a moment?"
"I suppose so", Hanneman said, "what seems to be the situation?"
"Mercedes joined my house recently, but she didn't show up to class today", Byleth said, "I wanted to know if she was here."
"Let me see", Hanneman said.
Hanneman looked around the classroom, and he didn't see Mercedes anywhere.
"She doesn't seem to be here", Hanneman said.
"And none of us have seen her all morning", Dimitri said.
"Oh, I see", Byleth said, "well, thanks anyways."
Byleth left the classroom and pondered to herself about Mercedes' whereabouts.
"She's not with her old class", Byleth thought, "where else could she be?"
Over at the dormitories, Mercedes was in her room lying in her bed and feeling very depressed.
"I can't believe I just left all my friends behind", Mercedes said, "I should've thought more about them before I asked the Professor to add me to her class."
Then, she heard someone knock on her door.
"Mercedes, are you in there", Byleth's voice asked.
"Who is it", Mercedes asked.
Byleth opened the door and walked into the room.
"It's me, Professor Byleth", Byleth said.
Mercedes got up out of her bed, revealing that her hair was a mess and she was still in her pajamas.
"What are you still in bed for", Byleth asked, "don't you remember that today is your first day of class with the Golden Deer?"
"I'm sorry, Professor", Mercedes said, "I didn't have the strength to come to class today."
"Is this because of last night when you told me about you having second thoughts about joining my class", Byleth asked.
"Yes", Mercedes said.
Then, she went into more detail about it, explaining that she was upset about leaving behind all the friends she had made in the Blue Lions' house.
"I see", Byleth said.
"I've gotten to know them all so well", Mercedes said, "and when I made the decision to join your class, I didn't think about how I would be leaving them."
Tears began forming in Mercedes' eyes.
"After how we've all bonded with one another, I feel awful about leaving them behind", Mercedes said.
Mercedes began crying into Byleth's chest, and the latter wrapped her arms around Mercedes in a comforting hug.
"Shh", Byleth said, "it's okay, let it all out."
Mercedes let out a sniffle and looked up at Byleth.
"I don't know any clue what I should do", Mercedes said.
"Mercedes, you're not leaving your friends behind by joining another class", Byleth said, "they're still going to be here, and you can visit with them any time you want."
"Really", Mercedes asked.
"Yes", Byleth said, "just because you're going to be in a different class doesn't mean it's the end of you spending time with your friends in your old one."
"I suppose so", Mercedes said.
"Besides, you might enjoy the members of the Golden Deer", Byleth said, "a lot of them were really looking forward to getting to know you last night."
"Last night", Mercedes asked.
"Remember when I invited you to join me for dinner", Byleth asked, "it was a dinner with me and the members of the Golden Deer so you could all get to know one another better."
"Oh dear", Mercedes said, "I hope I didn't disappoint any of them by not showing up."
"Don't worry about it, Mercedes", Byleth said, "I'm sure they'd still be happy to meet you."
"Really", Mercedes asked.
"Of course", Byleth said, "you're very kind, compassionate, and you always devote yourself to helping others, and those qualities and more easily make you the greatest person I've ever known."
Byleth and Mercedes looked into each other's eyes, but the former quickly turned away and cleared her throat.
"So, what do you say", Byleth asked, "will you come to class with the Golden Deer?"
"Of course I will", Mercedes said.
Mercedes began walking out of her room, but Byleth quickly stopped her.
"Hold it", Byleth said, "you might want to put on your uniform and fix your hair before you go anywhere."
"Oh, yes, of course", Mercedes said, "silly me."
Mercedes closed her door to get ready, and Byleth began making her way back to the Golden Deer classroom.
"I sure hope things haven't spiraled out of control while I was gone", Byleth said.
In the classroom, Lysithea had Claude cornered in front of Byleth's desk and the other students were chanting "Dark Spikes T", when Byleth returned.
"What's going on here", Byleth asked.
Everybody stopped and turned to face Byleth.
"Teach, you gotta help me", Claude said, "Lysithea's gone crazy!"
"Only because you called me a child", Lysithea said.
"I didn't call you a child, I said you were acting like one", Claude said, "there's a difference!"
Lysithea began getting ready to cast a spell, but Byleth intervened and stopped her.
"Okay, that's enough", Byleth said, "we'll discuss this after class."
"Yes, Professor", Lysithea said.
"Sorry, Teach", Claude said.
Claude and Lysithea went to their seats, and Byleth addressed the class.
"Anyways, with that out of the way, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Mercedes von Martritz to our class", Byleth said.
Mercedes walked into the classroom, and everyone turned and looked at her.
"Hello, everyone", Mercedes said.
"Mercedes, do you have any words you'd like to say to the class", Byleth asked.
"Yes", Mercedes said, "I want to thank you all for letting me join your class, and I hope we can become very good friends."
"You're a part of one of the best groups in Garreg Mach Monastery", Claude said, "you wanna know why it's the best?"
"Why", Mercedes asked.
"We Golden Deer treat each other more than friends", Claude said, "we're a family."
"And we're happy to have you in it", Hilda said.
The other students began voicing their excitement for having Mercedes in their class, and the former Blue Lion student felt her heart warm.
"Perhaps I might enjoy being in this class after all", Mercedes thought.
"Okay, class", Byleth said, "now that we've all gotten acquainted with Mercedes, let's try and make the most of what class time we have left."
The students returned to their seats so Byleth could begin her lecture, and Mercedes sat down as well, knowing that even though she wasn't in the same class as all her friends from the Blue Lions, they were still close by, and because of the Golden Deer making her feel welcome in their house, she felt confident that she would make plenty of new friends in her new class.
