Time for the new month. And for a development in Dorothea's relationship with Felix.
Oh, and another Nintendo reference. I'm sure you'll get this one.
Chapter 51 – Rewards of Success (Red Wolf Moon)
"I can only call your deeds during the Battle of the Eagle and Lion… quite versatile," said Rhea as she stood before Byleth, Edelgard, Dimitri, Claude and, surprisingly, Dorothea. The Archbishop had chosen to invite the singer to this meeting rather than wait for her to eavesdrop, an invitation that had left Dorothea rather sheepish.
Seteth then said, "Comparing against your performance in the mock battle of the Great Tree Moon, you and the other students have grown significantly. It is clear that this is a result of your guidance, Professor Eisner."
"Thank you, Seteth," said Byleth.
"That said, it goes without saying that some of their tactics were… curious, to say the least." Seteth eyed Dorothea as he said this, which made the singer blush. "Please do refrain from using such a lurid approach in the future, Miss Arnault."
Dorothea made a nervous laugh and then said, "I-I just didn't see any other way to win against Hilda."
"You could've taken a dive," Claude said jokingly, which made Dimitri and Edelgard scowl at him. "I jest, I jest."
Getting back on topic, Rhea said, "In appreciation of your efforts, Professor Eisner, and to show our high hopes for your future and the future of your students, I award you with this."
Rhea extended her hand to Byleth, revealing an intricately made hairclip in the shape of a crystalline white flower, known across the world as the Silent Princess. It was not a flower that normally grew in Fódlan, and even in the greenhouse they did not thrive.
"A hairclip?" Edelgard asked inquisitively.
"Not much of a prize, if you ask me," added Claude, earning a glare from Seteth.
"Looks can be deceiving, Claude," said Rhea. "This carries an enchantment that helps protect the wearer when confronting beasts. A useful boon, especially at this time of the year."
"Sounds handy. But why not give stuff like this to everyone?"
After examining the hairclip for a moment, Byleth said, "It's made of Mythril, isn't it?"
"Yes, Professor, it is," said Rhea.
"Ah, I get it. Rare materials and all that," said Claude.
"You may use it as you see fit, Professor Eisner. Please continue to instruct your students as a model teacher."
"Thank you, Lady Rhea," said Byleth.
Seteth then said, "It pains me to assign such a disturbing mission to you during such a blessed moment in time… However, next month your assignment will be to journey to Remire Village to investigate an abnormal occurrence there."
"An abnormal occurrence?" asked Dorothea.
"I have yet to ascertain the details, but it would seem the villagers have been acting strangely. I have already dispatched the knights to verify the authenticity of this information. They should be back shortly. Professor Eisner, I suggest you begin by finding out what they have discovered."
"Of course, Seteth," Byleth said with a nod.
"I pray this is not a bad omen…" said Rhea. "May the goddess protect you all."
…
"So, that little thing was what we all fought so hard to win?" said Claude. "Even with its enchantment, I can't help but feel it's a little underwhelming."
"What do you intend to do with it, Professor Eisner?" asked Dimitri.
Byleth made a short "Hmm…" as she pondered this question. Then, as though out of an impulse, she walked over to Dorothea and reached for her hair.
"P-Professor?"
"Just a second, Dorothea… There."
Byleth stepped back, letting the others see her work. Dorothea now wore the hairclip above her left ear, perfectly placed.
"It suits you well, Dorothea," said Dimitri.
"Not bad," added Claude.
"Thank you," Dorothea said to the boys. Then, turning to Edelgard, she asked, "Well, Edie? What do you think?"
"It… looks splendid," Edelgard said with a short pause.
Turning back to Byleth, Dorothea then asked, "Are you sure you want me to have it?"
Byleth nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, Professor. I–" Dorothea made a short gasp as realization sprung to her face. "Oh, Professor, what time is it?"
Byleth reached for her pocket watch and opened it, revealing the hour hand pointing down and to the right.
Seeing the time, Dorothea said, "Oh, shoot! I have to get in some sword practice! I gotta go, sorry everyone!"
Dorothea took off in a hurry, leaving the others to their own affairs.
…
Dorothea made a loud "HYA!" as she made a quick thrust with Joyeuse, glancing a practice dummy with the blade. She performed several more strikes, each one striking the dummy, but not in the places she wanted. She grimaced after a fourth miss.
As the singer was about to make a comment, she heard a familiar voice say, "There you are, Arnault."
Letting out a sigh of annoyance, Dorothea did not turn to face Felix as she readied another strike.
"I'd like a word with you," Felix added.
"Well, I'm not very inclined to listen right now," said Dorothea.
The singer then made another thrust, but again her strike was off her mark. She scowled in irritation at missing again.
Felix then said, "You're holding your blade too tightly. And you shouldn't be turned so much toward your foe."
Thinking Felix was deriding her again, Dorothea said, "Yeah, well, nobody asked you."
"I'm not trying to criticize you, Dorothea. I'm trying to offer you some advice."
"H-Huh?"
Surprised, Dorothea turned to Felix as the heir of Fraldarius walked over to her and said, "Here, let me show you."
Felix extended his hand out. Dorothea hesitated for a moment before handing Joyeuse over to him, and then stepped to the side so Felix could take a stance. Felix stood still for a moment so Dorothea could watch his form, and then he made a series of thrusts at the practice dummy, each one landing precisely and quickly upon each targeted spot. It wasn't as quick or precise as Judith had been, but it was far better than Dorothea's own swordplay.
Dorothea could not help but be impressed.
"Control is the single most important thing when using a blade like this," Felix said as he handed Joyeuse back to Dorothea. "You have to be able to wield it as if it were an extension of your arm."
Gingerly, Dorothea took back her blade. After an awkward moment of silence, she then asked, "Why are you helping? I thought you hated me."
"I don't hate you," Felix said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Could've fooled me. You're always mocking me when it comes to wielding a sword."
"I wasn't…" Felix let out a groan of realization as he said, "I apologize if I sounded that way. It's just how I myself was taught as a boy. My instructors were critical of mistakes I would make in my training. I suppose that rubbed off on me."
Dorothea said nothing to this, but her expression softened.
"You asked why I was helping you now? Well, you managed to best me at Gronder. You took advantage of my pride and lured me to fight on your terms. You impressed me that day, even if you did almost kill me."
Now a bit embarrassed, Dorothea said, "I-I said I was sorry! I didn't mean to–"
"Don't worry about it. You taught me a valuable lesson that day – that I should never underestimate an opponent."
"O-Oh, well, umm…" Dorothea was at a loss for words.
"Since you managed to beat me, I figured I could help you learn a thing or two about how to use that blade. And, while we're at it, perhaps you could help me learn something I've taken a recent interest in."
Dorothea, thinking Felix's new interest was in her, made a sultry smile and said, "And what would that be, hmm?"
"Not what you're thinking, Arnault," said Felix, prompting Dorothea to drop her flirtatious expression. "I want to learn how to use Anima."
Surprised, Dorothea had to ask, "You wanna learn magic?"
"I was recently at Anna's shop looking at one of her swords when she told me about a swordsman from Hoshido who could wield both swords and sorcery as easily as breathing. While I suspect part of her story was just to entice me to buy one of her weapons, the idea is intriguing, nonetheless. Professor Eisner also learned how to cast spells, correct?"
"Yeah, she did. But why not ask her?"
"I did. She suggested that I ask you about it."
"What?"
"Perhaps she felt that I could learn sorcery from you while you learned swordplay from me. It makes sense, to be honest."
"I guess, when you put it that way."
"So, how about it?"
"Umm, sure. Yeah, I could show you a thing or two about magic, and you could help me actually use this thing."
"Excellent."
With that, Felix picked up a practice sword and took a stance next to Dorothea. Over the next half-hour, the two practiced together, and though Felix was a bit of a harsh instructor, Dorothea could quickly feel the difference in her performance.
This was afterwards followed by Dorothea trying to show Felix what she knew about using Anima magic. Felix, as it turned out, wasn't very good at understanding magical formulae, something Dorothea was quick to quip on. However, by the end of their time at the training ground, Felix had gotten at least a small understanding of the basics.
Before they realized how much time they had spent, the bell rang to signal dinner time.
Dum… Dum dun dun… Dom…
"Oh, is it dinner already?" said Dorothea.
"Sounds like it," Felix answered. "Come on, we can pick this up another time. Annette's cooking tonight."
As Felix went toward the exit to the training grounds, Dorothea asked playfully, "Oh, you don't wanna miss Annie's cooking, do you?"
"What are you implying, Arnault?"
"Oh, nothing." Felix made a small grunt as he turned around, but stopped again as Dorothea said, "Felix? Thanks for the help today. I appreciate it."
"Likewise."
Felix left the practice grounds as Dorothea gathered her things and then went after him for the dining hall.
This one's a bit shorter than my more recent chapters, but I feel it's a good note to end on. If anything, I've been making my more recent chapters too long.
Felix is definitely someone I've made a bit of a jerk in my story, but not without reason. Hopefully now I'll be able to depict him in a better light.