Chapter 3: Passion Fruit Mousse
Ingredients
Mousse: 1 can condensed milk, 1 can table cream, 1 can frozen passion fruit pulp
Topping: 1 passion fruit, 1/2 can frozen passion fruit pulp, 2 tbsp sugar
Recipe
Blend condensed milk and table cream together, then add passion fruit pulp and continue to mix until slightly slushy. Pour into glasses/cups and refrigerate overnight.
Halve the passion fruit and scrape contents into bowl w/ 1/2 can fruit pulp. Stir in sugar. Heat in pan on medium heat until texture is syrupy, then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate until use.
Lysithea scanned the classroom. It was different from what she was used to in the Golden Eagles classroom.
Very different.
Compared to the cacophony of voices in her old classroom, the Black Eagle classroom was relatively silent. Hubert and Edelgard occupied one corner, their discussion held in hushed whispers. Linhardt was passed out on the floor, with Bernadetta sitting next to him and staring at the wall, shaking. Ferdinand and Casper were sparring, producing the only noise in the classroom, and Petra was seated in the opposite corner, eyes glued to a text. Meanwhile, Dorothea was on her own, finishing her makeup for the day and whistling quietly.
Lysithea quietly sat down in the last row just as Byleth strode into the hall.
"Good morning, everyone. I hope you all had a good weekend."
That damned monotone bugs me way more than it should, Lysithea thought.
"Now, as I'm sure you're all aware, we have a new student. Lysithea has transferred from the Golden Deer to our house, so please assist her in any way she needs." Byleth nodded curtly towards her. "Please line up and I will give you your goals for the week."
"Huh?" Lysithea was confused.
No formal lecture?
She followed suit as everyone lined up to meet with Byleth. A gloved hand tapped her shoulder.
"Lysithea, don't worry. He teaches a little differently, but it's effective. I can vouch for that."
"Oh, hello, Edelgard. What do you mean?" Lysithea was glad there was someone she knew well; though she was acquainted with all the Black Eagle students, she had known Edelgard from their early years due to House Ordelia's involvement with the Empire.
"Well, let me explain. We do have lectures for the general topics; history, maths, and the like. But for combat training, he takes into account our individual strengths and weaknesses and has us focus on studying those. So rather than all of us studying everything about the axe, we study what is relevant to us."
"Oh...so he decides how we fight?"
"Well, in a way. You're free to give him feedback or suggest your own topics of study. He won't force anything on you, so don't worry. And besides, I truly think he understands our skills better than we do."
Lysithea nodded as Edelgard patted her reassuringly.
"Looks like I'm next. Let me know what he has you studying; perhaps we can study together." With a smile, Edelgard stepped forward and Lysithea waited her turn.
"Next."
Lysithea approached the desk.
"Good morning, Lysithea. Now, have you thought about what you would like to study?"
"Uh...I was kind of thinking about focusing on dark magic. I still have a ways to go; I can't even cast the intermediate spells yet."
"Hm. Have you considered applying your magical knowledge to white magic as well?"
"Er…"
"I think it would be wise to spread your wings a bit; on the battlefield, any extra skill is a boon. How about for this week, you try studying both, and see how it goes?"
Lysithea mulled it over. She had no experience with white magic; she had always been so laser focused on moving forward that studying attack over defense had made much more sense. But he did have a point; one could always add new skills.
"I don't see why not. I'll give it a try and see how it goes."
"Good. Then I want you to continue studying your dark magic, with the goal of being able to cast Luna by the end of the week on a dummy. As for white magic, I am assigning reading. While it is still magic, some of the basics can differ slightly from the use of dark magic. Would three chapters of An Introduction to the Theory of Holy Magic be too much?"
"No, Professor. That should be enough work for the week."
"Very well. If you have questions, you are free to find me during the school day between lectures, or after hours in my quarters."
Lysithea nodded and stepped away, thrilled.
I'll be able to study magic at my own pace? Without having to sit through class waiting for everyone to catch up? She could see how this style was effective. Not only was everyone focusing on things they actually liked, but they were also being assigned work at their own pace.
After a short break for Byleth to finish assigning everyone's tasks and goals for the week, they reconvened for the group lectures of the day: maths and general strategy. They were then released for the day to work on their own studying. Lysithea hurried to the library to check out the textbook she had been assigned.
"300 pages," she whispered in shock after looking at the table of contents.
Scratch that thought, Professor Byleth is a monster.
"Hey, Lysithea!" She turned to see Edelgard waving at her. "So what did he assign you?"
"Uhh, I have to be able to cast Luna and also review three chapters of introductory white magic. Should be a challenge, but I think I can do it. How about you?"
"Wow, three chapters? That's...a lot," Edelgard said, glancing at the thick, dusty book. "Are you sure that isn't too much?" Lysithea nodded, and Edelgard shrugged. "He is good at adjusting our workloads, if it turns out that you can't handle it. As for me, I have to finish these two techniques from the axe textbook, and also study a chapter from a text on historical leaders." Edelgard held up a book of her own and smiled. "Would you like to study together? I know since it's your first day as a Black Eagle, you may not be too comfortable studying with the others yet."
Lysithea fought back the urge to bristle at what she perceived as babying; she knew Edelgard well enough to know that the girl was simply trying to be a good house leader.
"Thanks, Edelgard. I usually study alone, but-" Lysithea was interrupted by a redheaded girl in monastery uniform.
"Hey, Edelgard! I had some stuff I wanted to ask you," she said. Her voice was bubbly and cheerful; Lysithea recognized her as the girl that she and Byleth had saved along with Flayn the other night.
"Of course, Monica. Sorry, Lysithea; Monica was about to graduate when she went missing, so I have to help her try to catch up on everything. We're hoping she can graduate with us, instead of having to wait another year." Monica pulled on Edelgard's arm, and with a quick nod, they left.
Lysithea furrowed her brow; though she had only seen Monica for a few seconds, there was something not quite right about the girl.
Who goes missing for a year and then turns up happier than Raphael on buffet day? And she's always draped all over Edelgard. Something's not quite right...
She shrugged and brushed the thought away; she had a lot of studying to do. With a satisfied sigh, she pulled out a chair and settled in, opening to the introduction.
White magic has long been considered the counter to dark magic; the magic of healing versus the magic of attacking. However, to place both these magics in such a limited light is to underestimate the potential of each. Dark magic can be used to support and strengthen one's allies, while white magic can be used as a potent offensive force in the hands of the able magician. In ancient times, one skilled in both schools of magic was referred to as a warlock; however, as studies in both magics have delved further and opened up new possibilities, this has necessitated more specialization. In this text, we will discuss the basic theory of white magic: where it overlaps and where it diverges from dark magic. With a proper understanding of the theory, we will then begin to explore the applications of white magic in the healing arts as well as in combat.
Lysithea dove into the first chapter, her interest piqued.
It was Thursday, and Byleth had mentioned that they would all be quizzed on Friday on their assigned tasks. Lysithea gritted her teeth before carefully sliding the knife across her leg, making a small cut. She focused on the blood flowing down her leg and muttered, "Heal".
She opened her eyes and was disappointed to see that the blood was still flowing.
"Ugh," she sighed, wrapping a paper towel around her leg. She glanced at the textbook on the table, which was open, as if mocking her. "Sure, by far the most basic white magic, right?" She rolled her eyes and stood up.
"Ow!" A sharp pain in her leg forced her to sit down again. Apparently the cut was deeper than she had intended. She cursed again before collecting herself and trying the spell again.
Still no luck. She slammed a fist on the table in anger and pain.
"Ow...", she whined.
"Lysithea?" A voice from the doorway. "Er...are you all right?"
"O-Oh! Professor Byleth…," Lysithea looked down sheepishly. "Since you're here, actually...can you help me? I kind of...hurt my leg trying to practice white magic." Byleth took a look at her bleeding leg and had to raise his hand to his mouth to stifle a short laugh.
"Please don't tell me you did that to yourself," he said with a smile. Lysithea folded her arms over her chest angrily.
"Well I needed something to practice on! Do you want to volunteer?" Byleth only chuckled in response, and Lysithea found herself comforted by his rare show of emotion. Byleth pulled out a chair and sat himself down next to her. He reached out a hand over her leg and muttered, "Heal."
Lysithea watched, transfixed, as the skin closed itself over the wound.
"Lysithea, tell me. Why do you dedicate yourself to studying so hard?"
"I…" Lysithea's mind ran.
I can't tell him about my Crests. Not yet...I don't know if he can be trusted.
She decided to tell...part of the truth.
"I'm the only child from House Ordelia; therefore, I must do all I can for the family name. I'm determined to someday be of value to them, and the sooner the better, so the less time I waste the better."
"Then use that to your advantage. White magic, especially the healing arts, differs from dark magic in its motivation. Where for dark magic we must draw power from our own selves and use it to attack, healing magic requires that we use our own power to heal; it is an inherently selfless act. You must channel the desire you have to serve your family, but apply it to whomever you are healing. It may help at first to picture your target as someone dear to you."
Lysithea nodded. She took the knife and pricked herself again and tried the spell again, imagining that it was her father who had been wounded.
"Heal." She felt an odd tingling at the wound, and looked down. The skin had slowly begun to close over the wound. She gasped, and the skin stopped moving, leaving the wound open. Byleth nodded.
"Good, next time just remember to remain focused. But the first cast is always the most difficult; I think you'll be able to master it without much trouble now." Byleth stood to leave.
"Hey, um...thanks, Professor."
"Anytime," he said. "As I said, you are free to come find me after hours."
"I think I'll take you up on that offer. Back when I was in the Golden Deer, Professor Hanneman would explain things but always in some weird, convoluted way that no one understood. Your advice is always so useful; you know how to explain things so that I get it the first time. But...I can tell that you don't just do that for me. You find a way to do that for everyone, don't you? That's why everyone was raving about you to me when I first transferred over. Even Claude said you were by far the best teacher he'd ever had, and you guys only fought a couple battles together."
Byleth shook his head.
"Teaching is only half of learning. The student must be willing too; I can only teach as much as a student wants to learn. As I've already told you, I can see that you are very determined and your work ethic is unmatched; observing you and seeing that you've actually read all the assigned chapters has affirmed that."
Lysithea could feel herself blushing.
"Professor...thank you, truly. You know, you're the only one who's ever praised me like that? Most people say that I have talent and a gift; I mean, I guess, if you consider Crests a gift, then…" she trailed off. "Anyhow, I make it a point to work as hard as I can and not rely on the power of my Crests. So I find it frustrating when others merely praise my power, not my effort. But If you've noticed, Professor, that makes me very happy." She could feel her face burning and was secretly glad it was evening, and the soft candlelight would not betray the hue of scarlet on her face.
What's come over me all of a sudden?
"Anyways, I should be going; it's late, and tomorrow is Friday, so we have our exams. Thank you again for your help!" She quickly packed her things and dashed out, trying to collect her thoughts.
Hm...maybe I'll ask Edelgard about it after class tomorrow. I'm sure she'd have some idea.
Kind of my take on how class would have worked with Byleth as professor, kind of trying to implement the whole goals/instruct system that they put into the game. Hope you guys at least find it interesting.
Passion fruit styled dessert was chosen due to Lysithea's feelings beginning to bubble at the end.
Finally a reviewer!
Yagami Kuzuki: I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and I hope you'll keep enjoying it as it goes along :)
As always, please R&R and enjoy!