It had been a few days since Jia and Magoichi had been informed of their class's monthly responsibilities, alongside the information that this would usually occur at the end of a month. With no immediate responsibilities the pair found themselves sat by the edge of Garreg Mach's pond fishing with one another. Flayn watched the pair from slightly off to the side, intent on not disturbing them. A quick pull of Magoichi's rod indicated he had gotten yet another bite and he quickly reeled in a small fish, adding it to his bucket. "That makes six Jia." Magoichi lightly teased, looking at the lone fish in his friend's bucket. "Succulent fish are my goal Mago." Jia responded merrily, keeping his eyes locked on his float.
A few minutes of easy silence passed between the two, before Jia's brow furrowed. "Mago, I've been meaning to ask." Jia started, averting his gaze from the fishing to look at his friend. "What do you intend to do with Manuela?" Jia asked bluntly. Magoichi appeared to not react, but Jia knew that meant this topic was likely not one he wished to discuss. Jia sighed. "I guess it worse than I theorised." Jia thought aloud. "You need to either bed her or leave her Mago, continuing whatever this dance is benefits no one." Jia scolded, returning his focus back to fishing. "Why is it such a concern to you all of a sudden?" Magoichi asked more than a little embarrassed. "We're not going to be here forever Mago, I'd rather what ifs were avoided." Jia responded softly.
The sound of Flayn clearing her throat interrupted the pair. "Why are you so sure of that? Lady Rhea would more than welcome you both to stay." Flayn queried. "Its rather rude to eavesdrop." Jia responded with a chuckle, inwardly admonishing himself for allowing Flayn to hear their conversations. The girl could be quite quiet when she wished it. "Rhea's hospitality is not in question, we merely know we will be summoned back home eventually and that summons must be answered." Jia explained, glad that he did not have to comment on Magoichi and Manuela's relationship.
All of a sudden Magoichi got to his feet and handed his rod to Flayn. "Right, don't visit out quarters until after dinner." Magoichi warned and left without further explanation. Jia was about to retort but Flayn spoke up. "It has been some time since I fished." She said simply, taking a seat next to Jia. Picking up from where Magoichi left off. "I use it mainly to relax, treat it the same and how good you are stops mattering." Jia offered sagely, easily blotting the thought of Magoichi from his mind. A sharp movement from Flayn indicated that she just got a bite and easily reeled in a fish. "Seems you had no reason to worry." Jia praised, the two of them continuing to fish the afternoon away.
Evening had arrived and Jia parted ways with Flayn. He made his way to his quarters. He almost walked straight in, but recalling their last conversation cautiously knocked on the door. No response. Taking it as a sign everything was clear, Jia opened the door slowly. A quick inspection revealed no one to be in the room. Even more odd to Jia was the fact Magoichi's bed seemed untouched. 'May have left the poor girl instead' Jia mused, feeling a tinge of pity for Manuela. With naught else to be done, Jia settled for another early night and fell peacefully to sleep.
There were no tasks for Jia to perform the next day, so it was with some shock that he was awoken by a loud knocking on his door. A just woken Jia opened the door to be greeted with an Irritated looking Seteth. "Yes?" Jia questioned with a yawn. "Saika and Manuela are in no position to teach the Golden Deer this morning. The knights are too busy tracking down a certain band of bandits, as such I request you take over this role for the day." Seteth stated. "Mago's unwell? No never mind, I'll be there as soon as I look less worn out." Jia accepted, closing the door when Seteth seemed to accept that.
Not ten minutes later and Jia managed to make himself look as prim and proper as he normally did. One would be hard pressed to know he had not long been awake. When Jia got to the Golden Deer class he was surprised that apart from Hilda and Claude, the class was all seated and seemed eager to learn. "I'll be teaching you for today." Jia announced as he made his way to the front of the class, earning curious glances from all. "Where's Professor Manuela and Magoichi?" Hilda asked with a hint of concern. "Indisposed, what is it you were hoping to learn today?" Jia asked, scanning the class to make sure everyone was paying attention. "We have no formal plan, why not teach us something you're skilled in?" Claude offered in response.
Jia took a moment to think before speaking. "Very well, let us start simply." Jia began, writing to simple words on top of the blackboard. Strategy. Tactics. "Who knows the difference?" Jia asked, anticipating a quick response. "Aren't they the same?" Raphael asked back, earning a shake from Jia's head. "Strategy is one's long-term plan and steps to achieve it, while tactics are more immediate and short-sighted. It is not impossible for people to be skilled in both and thus nothing to be ashamed about not immediately knowing the difference." Jia explained. Lysithea and Claude appeared to understand immediately but the rest of the class wore blank expressions. "A tactician fights the battle, while a strategist fights the war. That is how my teacher liked to simplify it." Jia said fondness, though it seemed to do little to help the more martial oriented students.
While Jia did not like to give up on passing on information, he saw little point in driving it into those who were not inclined. "I suppose as long as you listen to your tactician there's no need for all of you to be a master of the art." Jia concluded, turning his gaze from the group to rummage for a map in the drawers. He knew the Black Eagles had access to one and assumed the other classes would too. He was in luck as he pulled out a map of Fódlan. He took his time to mount it temporarily on the blackboard. "A hypothetical for you. Claude, you're to lead the Alliance in the future if I recall. War has broken out between the three nations. What is your first move?" Jia challenged, Claude being caught off guard. "Why has it happened?" He quickly asked. "War can break out for many reasons, not always logical. Let us say in this example that the Empire wishes to reclaim its old territories." Jia explained, taking a pencil and drawing a new border between the Empire and the Kingdom. "The Empire has already invaded Kingdom lands." Jia announced, attempting to put pressure on the young lord.
It took Claude only a beat before offering his first move. "With the Empire engaged with the Kingdom, I would muster a force to secure the Great Bridge of Myrddin." Claude announced. "The bridge is secured, what next?" Jia encouraged the young lord to continue. "From there we will launch raids and scouting parties to find out the strength of the local Empire garrisons, if conditions are favourable, we'll take the ones we can." Claude explained. A few scribbles and the border between the Alliance and Empire shifted in the Alliance's favour. "If that's how much ground we could take, we march on the capital in full force." Claude announced, striking a pose. "Weeks of hard fighting ensue locking you in place, taking a capital city is never an easy feat. In that time you receive a message. The Kingdom capital has fallen." Jia explained, erasing the previous shift in border between the Kingdom and Empire. Claude looked down, in defeat or though Jia couldn't quite tell. "I'd order a retreat back the Great Bridge." Claude said in defeat. "I'm going to stop this here." Jia said with some finality. "Of course I stacked the deck against you heavily, throwing the worst possible case at you, so do not take it to heart." Jia consoled the young lord and rolled away the map.
A quick glance over the class showed that everyone was enthralled by Claude's attempts at beating a purposefully unbeatable scenario. "Now, I would like everyone to lay out your plans if the scenario I just played out was to occur just as Claude did." Jia commanded, earning a few groans noticeably from both Raphael and Leonie.
An hour passed and Jia inspected the class's work. The plans ranged from political manoeuvring to straight up surrender and suicidal charges. "While I'm unlikely to teach you again soon, I'll be sure to pass on remarks to Manuela and Magoichi." Jia said kindly, not sharing any of his thoughts on the more foolish plans. "You may leave." Jia dismissed the class organised the papers for Manuela and Magoichi to look at when they were less occupied.
Later that day, Jia was once more given the reigns to teach freely. This time however he was in charge of the Black Eagles, Byleth taking a leaf out of his book and sitting off to the side observing. His lesson was the same as that he delivered to the Golden Deer. It had gone well thus far, the majority of the class seeming to absorb his key points. When Jia offered ups his hypothetical scenario, Edelgard too asked for the purpose of war between the three nations. "The Empire would do no such thing." Edelgard challenged in her usual calm manner. "That is why it is a hypothetical." Jia explained. "I would demand my father reconsider." Edelgard countered immediately. "Noble, though people have been condemned to live out their days in cells for less." Jia mused, wondering briefly how to get Edelgard to play out his scenario.
An unexpected pause led Jia to give Edelgard a pointed look. She was sat rigidly, looking at him but not seeming to see. Jia's expression fell to a frown, he seemed to have poked a wound he ought not have. "Let us look at this differently." Jia announced, retreating to Byleth's desk and obtaining some paper. He quickly wrote on them. "Each of you would likely be generals in this scenario, not all working in the same location. I've assigned you all different garrisons and varying goals. I want details of how you will achieve them." Jia explained, handing the first piece of paper to Caspar. The final handout was given to Edelgard, an extra note on the bottom reading 'Speak to me after'.
The lesson was uneventful from then on, the majority of students focusing on their task. Petra alone needed some extra help and even then it was not for lack of tactical thought. Soon the lesson ended and papers were turned in, Jia piled them to one side to take back to his quarters and examine later.
Left in the room with him were now only Byleth, Edelgard and Hubert. Jia was beginning to suspect that Hubert's menacing stare was a permanent state for the boy. "You wanted to speak to me?" Edelgard asked formally. "I merely wish to offer an apology for earlier." Jia said softly, bowing his head lightly. "I did not wish to draw attention to it, but it seems as if I brushed a subject a little too close to you." Jia elaborated, raising his head to look Edelgard in the eye. For a brief moment, Edelgard appeared to be debating something internally.
Edelgard blinked. "Your discretion is appreciated professor." Edelgard said, bowing her own head for a moment. "If that is all?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, she got a nod for Jia in return. The pair of students left, leaving only Byleth and Jia. "May I examine these?" Byleth asked, flicking through the students assignments. "By all means, as long as I can have them back when you are done." Jia allowed. Byleth nodded her head and took a seat behind the desk.
Jia took this as his cue to leave and exited the classroom. His focus had shifted to making sure Magoichi was actually okay, despite knowing what likely awaited him Jia felt it best to make sure his friend was alright.
Jia found himself in front of the door to Manuela's quarters. He took a breath before knocking twice. In no time at all the door opened a crack in response. "Jia?" The clear voice of Magoichi asked in confusion. "Mago, mind opening the door or are the pair of you indecent?" Jia asked teasingly. The door was opened in response and Jia entered. Magoichi closed the door with surprising haste behind him.
A quick glance around the room revealed that the mess that cluttered it before had been banished. A clearing of her throat brought his attention to Manuela, who was sitting on her bed wearing her usual attire, sans cloak. "Ah yes how rude of me. Good to see you Manuela." Jia said with a bow in greeting. "May I ask, seeing as you're not as exhausted as I was led to believe why did you not teach today?" Jia asked as he stood back straight, locking eyes with Manuela who turned away slightly. "We had to clean this up." Magoichi offered, gesturing around the room. "We could dance around if you wish Mago, but would you not rather just get this over with?" Jia asked with a chuckle. Magoichi ruffled his own hair. "All right, I explained to Manuela our situation." Magoichi confessed.
Jia stiffened in surprise at the revelation. "Is that right?" He asked pensively, his gaze returning to Manuela. She nodded in response. "Bed her or leave her?" She asked almost out of the blue, causing Jia to wince slightly. "Ah, I apologise for the crude way of putting it but it seemed the best way to offer the ultimatum at the time." Jia explained with a nervous chuckle, Manuela pouted sadly in response. "Seems mean spirited to me Jia." She admonished. "If Magoichi has told you everything then you must know we won't be here forever. The intent was for Magoichi to decide where your relationship stood was all." He explained further. "I apologise none the less if my words hurt you." Jia hung his head in apology. "Alright, I forgive you dear" She forgave easily, prompting Jia to raise his head.
Jia returned his focus to Magoichi. "So how much has been shared?" He asked. "What was needed, merging of worlds, mystics, realm travel, Orochi." Magoichi began to list. Jia raised his hand, silencing Magoichi. "That's more than necessary Mago." He said with a sigh. "It all seemed quite fantastical, but more importantly it has helped me understand the hesitance you showed in connecting with us." Manuela explained, prompting a curious look from Jia. "I mean you've been very friendly dear but it has seemed like you keep everyone at arm's length." She lamented.
Jia had hoped it was not noticeable, and perhaps it was not to most people. Manuela seemed able to read more into people than he gave credit for. "I have been doing that, bravo for noticing." Jia praised lightly. "I suppose the most important thing now is to ask you to keep our origins a secret for now?" He requested. "I already promised Mago." She answered honestly. Jia was content with that. "So, our secrets have been shared, do we get any in return?" Jia asked in a teasing manner. "Nothing you can use." Magoichi said, pointing to the door in a none too subtle suggestion for Jia to leave.
Another bow out of instinctual courtesy was given by Jia. "Alright, Don't wear each other out now." Jia could not help but taunt and left the room. A pillow narrowly missed him as he shut the door.
Jia had no doubt the pair would soon take advantage of their solitude. Jia headed back to his quarters, wanting to rest after the surprisingly full day of teaching.
The fortunes that be would not allow it however. Outside his quarters stood a knight of Seiros, the uniform she donned was light in the fashion of messengers or scouts. The scout stood to attention once he had approached. "Jia sir, a group of our knights have cornered the Black Eagles target for this month. Your class is mobilising now." She passed on her message. Jia merely pinched the bridge of his nose in mild annoyance. "I see." He spoke softly. "Byleth is more than capable of looking after the students alone, they do not truly need me for this." Jia explained, getting a frown from the scout. "Apologies Jia sir, it is mandatory for all members of a class to attend their mission." She objected, sounding more than a little nervous. If Jia had to guess, he was certain the scout had been on the receiving end of one too many tongue lashings. "Alright, allow me to gather my things. Where am I to meet my class?" He asked and the scout obliged. He would meet the Black Eagles just outside the gate.
What Jia needed was simple, his weapon and a little advantage. His weapon was in an obvious location for all to see, once he grabbed it he then got to his knees and retrieved a small box from under Magoichi's bed. The box contained an assortment of trinkets, though Jia only needed one. A small bag which contained what the mystics back home all agreed was a fragment of a dragon's spleen. It was unclear why but being close to the organ would boost a warrior's mystical potential. Jia tied the bag to his waist and returned the box. He left the room prepared to help the students succeed in their first battle.
It came as a bit of a surprise that he was not the last one to assemble, Bernadetta and Dorothea were yet to assemble. The assembled class were currently preoccupying themselves as they waited. Linhardt was attempting to nap and would likely have done so if Caspar was not performing his warm-up routine of shadow boxing so close to the boy. Ferdinand was diligent as ever, making sure his spear was in good repair. 'No doubt Dmitri's feat of shattering it has made the boy nervous' Jia assessed silently.
Edelgard and Hubert were deep in conversation and though Jia was curious he chose to the not indulge it. Petra was a short distance from the group, bow and arrow in hand. The look of focus on her face gave away she was hunting small game, though Jia was amazed there would be much so close to the keep, he would have to ask more about it later. Byleth was saddling up her horse, preparing it to ride. Surprising as everyone else seemed to have a horse ready to go, even his own. Choosing to observe no further, Jia approached the young teacher. "Need a hand?" He offered.
Byleth gave the creature a soft pat on the neck. "All good." She affirmed. It seemed there was not as much left to do as Jia had thought. "Then may I ask what you know of our target? I've been given little to go on except they have been cornered." Jia inquired. "They are the bandits who attacked the house leaders a little while back. Their leader wields and axe and seems none-too bright." Byleth explained, wincing slightly when she mentioned the leader's weapon. "I can see why eradication would be the goal then, still a pity bandits can often be swayed with a guarantee of income." Jia lamented. "You would recruit them?" Byleth asked, surprise evident on her face. "Why not? Bandits are often forced into their way of life, offer and alternative and you gain soldiers as well as eliminating a scourge on the people. Two birds one stone." Jia explained. "Not all people change." Byleth stated simply in response. "No but not all people show you there true selves either." Jia countered.
The conversation could have gone on longer but the pair of Dorothea and Bernadetta arrived, one more sullen than the other.
Wordlessly, the Black Eagles began to mount their horses. Jia elected to mount his own, it had the same look as the one Catherine had him ride on his initial arrival to Garreg Mach. Edelgard and Byleth took command and led the Black Eagles to their quarry, Jia was content to ride at the back of the pack.
It came as a surprise that their target was so close to the monastery. The group came upon and enclosed canyon and stopped to dismount as the students had little training in mounted combat. "So this is the Red Canyon..." Edelgard began, though Jia tuned out her words as he examined the lay of the land before him. The enemy bandits were certainly entrenched with no obvious means of escape. "...The cornered mice might bite us." Edelgard finished and the Black Eagles began to take up a loose formation. Jia for his part stood near Linhardt and Bernadetta as they seemed like they would need more support than the rest.
Edelgard explained the lay of the land to Byleth and how they could flank the enemy before ultimately leaving command to the young professor. "I'd advise against flanking, if we give the illusion of escape they may fight with less ferocity." Jia stated, though Byleth gave no indication as to whether she would heed his advice.
The first encounter involved a pair of axe wielding bandits controlling the choke-point of a bridge. Ferdinand and Edelgard took the initiative and charged these foes. It seemed the bandits had little skill as Ferdinand skewered his target in one blow, ending his life. "These ruffians are nothing for a noble like me!" He declared. Edelgard was similarly swift, though ended her foe with a slash across the chest. "Regrettable... But there was no other way." She lamented, which Jia did not expect.
The bridge gave entry to a wider field with which to manoeuvrer and already more bandits were advancing on the group. Mercifully only one seemed armed with a ranged weapon. Once more Ferdinand and Edelgard took on the melee assailants, locking them in combat. The bandits seemed more capable than the last, as Ferdinand and Edelgard struggled to land finishing blows. "Allow me to clean this up for you, Lady Edelgard." Hubert's voice suddenly sounded as he fired a sphere of dark magic at the swordsman fighting Edelgard. He fell dead at her feet. A brief nod of acknowledgement was all Edelgard gave as she moved on to assist Ferdinand with his foe. The pair easily felled the bandit.
An arrow shot passed Edelgard's head, cutting a few strands of hair. The bandit that fired looked furious at how narrowly he missed his target. A roar pierced the air as Caspar appeared seemingly from thin air and cleaved the archer's neck, leaving him dead in one blow. He was about to comment but stopped short, as duo of swordsmen were approaching the group.
Meanwhile at the rear of the Eagles, a lone Axeman was charging from the West. Linhardt was the intended target and the boy froze for a fraction too long. Linhardt raised his arm and closed his eyes bracing for an attack, knowing it would do little to help him. Then nothing. Linhardt opened his eyes to see the bandit on the floor seemingly unconscious, an orb the size of his head a short distance from the fallen foe. A quick examination of those around him revealed that Bernadetta had her bow drawn and aimed at where the bandit previously stood, as well a spell beginning to manifest at Dorothea's fingertips. Jia returned to a neutral position, his attack hitting home and disabling the bandit. "T-thank you" Linhardt said clearly, which Jia shook off. "Unnecessary on the battlefield." Jia replied simply.
It was then that Byleth began to give some orders. "Jia, you and Linhardt seal off the West." She commanded. Jia was not usually one to argue whilst in battle however felt the need to object. "Linhardt is the closest to an expert in healing we have no? He should go with the rest, Bernadetta would be better suited to assisting me." Jia offered as an alternative. "Take Linhardt." She responded in a tone that implied finality. "Very well." Jia agreed, beginning to walk to the Western point, that seemed guarded by a lone bandit. "Linhardt with me." He said with some authority, the boy obliging and following the strategist.
Back with the main group, Petra had joined the battle, fighting in tandem with Caspar's savage attacks as the pair took on a duo of swordsmen. The bandits own fighting was sloppy and uncoordinated, demonstrated best when the first missed a stab at Petra and found his face connect with Caspar's axe. Ending in his demise. The second Swordsman did not fancy his chances alone and began to retreat away from the pair. He did not get far as he was crippled by an orb of pure lightning courtesy of Dorothea. The bandit had no chance at putting up any further defence as Petra's blade struck home, ending one more bandit. "So, is making us experience a real battle part of the church's teachings?" Dorothea asked no-one in particular with the lull in battle. No answer seemed forthcoming from Byleth or Edelgard, the two most authoritative members of the house present. "We should be focusing." Petra answered, pointing out the enemies grouped up ahead.
Back in the West, Jia and Linhardt had dispatched the lone Axeman guarding the path with ease. "Naught else to do but make sure none attempt to pass." Jia explained, resting his staff in the ground. "I will not lie, I am grateful to not be in the thick of battle." Linhardt responded with a yawn as the boy seemed to be in a permanent state of drowsiness. "Not to overstep, but why join a military academy if you do not wish to fight?" Jia asked, taking into account Linhardt's dislike for most military drills. A frown found its way onto the boy's face. "My father willed it, not something I can argue with if I wish to keep living the way I am accustomed." Linhardt answered with a sigh. Jia was about to offer what little advice he could, when something quite peculiar began to happen.
The world was blurring around him, before beginning to melt away. The sensation was not unlike that which he felt when Magoichi and himself came to this world.
Jia's vision returned, his breathing getting a little heavier. He found himself in a similar position to that of moments ago. "Alright, Take Bernadetta." Byleth said to him with a nod. "Sorry, what?" Jia asked puzzled, the beginnings of a headache beginning to take hold of him. Byleth merely looked at him with a puzzled expression. Before He could further press his question, Bernadetta was by his side. "L-let's go Professor." She said in her usual timid fashion, shaking Jia from his stupor. "Alright." Jia said, taking the lead despite his feeling of nausea.
The pair reached the choke-point to the West, which was once more guarded by an axe-wielding bandit. An arrow hit the bandit square in the neck, causing him to crumple to the ground. "A fine shot." Jia complimented, taking stand where he did before. "T-thanks." She responded in gratitude. A silent moment passed between the two. "Um, professor?" Bernadetta asked, waiting for Jia's acknowledgement. A nod from him was enough for here to continue. "Are you feeling alright? N-not that you look unwell just. Well back there was weird." Bernadetta clarified. "Your concern is appreciated, I was merely a little light-headed for a moment." Jia answered with a reassuring smile. A comfortable silence fell upon the two, as the stood alert in case bandits fled their way.
Around ten minutes later and footsteps could be heard approaching. Bernadetta knocked an arrow, while several floating orbs began to rotate around Jia. They need not have worried, as Dorothea's familiar face was that which greeted them. "We have won the day." She announced with an infectious amount of enthusiasm. "Safe to assume everyone is one piece yes?" Jia asked cautiously, earning a wince from Dorothea. "Caspar's going to have a nasty looking scar, but thanks to Linhardt we're all alive." She explained. Jia nodded, happy in the knowledge no one was lost.
The trio found themselves walking back to the main group. Petra was examining bodies for any salvageable equipment it seemed and most notably Linhardt was knelt off to the side caring for Caspar, who seemed the most afflicted of the bunch. Of note Jia could not spot Byleth anywhere which was off-putting for a few reasons. "So, where is our commander?" Jia asked. "Scouting, as is Lady Edelgard." The familiar voice of Hubert answered. Jia could not resist flinching as the boy succeeded in taking him by surprise. "They suspect more enemies about?" Jia asked further. "No, I believe the professor is taking the opportunity to learn more of the lay of the land. Lady Edelgard however wished to take advantage of the solitude and ask some things of our professor." Hubert explained candidly. Jia raised a brow. "No, I so not know the specifics." Hubert answered the unasked question.
Hubert was in stood in front of Jia now, eyeing Jia's weapon. "If I may ask, how exactly do you wield that?" He asked. Jia handed the pole to Hubert. "A martial manifestation of one's strategic abilities." Jia explained, a smile tugging at his lips. "It was always a little vague but that is how it was explained to me." Jia finished, remembering the words of Fu Xi from some time ago. A sigh escaped Hubert. "So, you can that pass on these abilities?" He asked, frustration lining his tone. "I have never tried but I have my doubts it is possible." Jia answered honestly. He had not heard of any of the other strategists passing on their abilities and even if Jia could he was certain it would be a power he should not be spreading to this foreign world.
Hubert returned Jia's weapon and seemed about to ask another question, when Byleth and Edelgard reappeared. "We head back to Garreg Mach." Byleth announced and the students dutifully prepared to march back. "Jia, by me." Byleth added, prompting the strategist to ride to Byleth's side once he had mounted.
The ride home started in silence. Not uncommon when in Byleth's company. That was until the canyon was out of sight. "How do we grade them?" Byleth's question pierced the silence. "You saw more of them than I, you are also in charge." Jia answered in an obvious attempt to deflect the responsibility. "Linhardt and Bernadetta." Byleth shot back immediately. "Linhardt followed orders around me, though you still saw more of him than I." Jia answered. "As for Bernie, well her aim is certainly on point even if her heart is not." Jia concluded honestly. Byleth nodded. "Better than anticipated." She said calculatingly. "Thank you." She finished and Jia took that as his cue to fall back in the formation. Edelgard was quick to take position by her side.
'Puppy love' Jia chuckled to himself. "What has brought you joy?" The questioning voice of Petra probed. "Old memories." Jia quickly lied. "May you be sharing?" She asked further. Jia shook his head softly, he should have seen that question coming. "A little to personal, another time maybe." He answered with a reassuring smile. Surprisingly Petra seemed to let it lie at that.
The rest of the ride back was filled with idle chatter between the students, boasting and acknowledgements mostly.
Garreg Mach was in sight and the pace hastened ever so slightly as the students wished to return to normality. Jia was patient enough to let the students enter the gates first, the guards making sure everyone was who they said they were. Once it was Jia's turn to be checked he was surprised to see Magoichi stood there waiting for him, a look of concern on his face. "Professor Jia, you may enter." The nearest guard spoke, allowing him to enter. Jia chanced his luck and dismounted, handing the reigns of his horse to the guard. "Urgent report to make." Jia spoke, not caring to check in the guard had accepted his word as he headed to his friend. Magoichi had headed in the direction of the fishing pond.
Jia caught up to Magoichi, who had stopped before the water away from any other person. "Something weird happened when you were gone." Magoichi said plainly. "Go on?" Jia pressed. "Its hard to pin down, but it felt like the room melted away for a moment. Ugh, even saying out loud sounds foolish." Magoichi said, his hand rubbing his forehead.
Jia placed a comforting hand on Magoichi's shoulder. "It is something I too experienced." Jia said. "But I was with the Black Eagle class at the time, no one else seemed to suffer from the same effect." Jia pondered the thought aloud. "I assume you were with Manuela at the time, did she seem to notice it?" Jia asked, in need of more information. "She was not, its one of the reasons I rushed to find you." Magoichi said before sighing. "You could have warned me you were heading out." Magoichi admonished lightly, earning a wave of the hand from Jia. "Forgive me, its easy to forget we're the only ones here from our times." Jia apologised. "Which by the way, may be why we're suffering these effects and those around us are not." Jia theorised. "If only Fu Xi or Nu Wa were here, we could just ask them and be done with it." Magoichi noted in frustration.
"Oh, are those your Mystic friends?" The voice of Flayn asked out of the blue, causing both men to stiffen. Jia shook his head before turning to Flayn. "Where did you learn that word Flayn?" He asked softly. "I overheard Hubert speaking about it." She answered, seemingly honestly. Jia raised a brow. "Who was he speaking to?" He probed further. Flayn shook here head. "I'm afraid I do not know, I only heard Hubert's voice." She explained. "Ah no matter. To answer your question, yes they are a couple of our Mystic friends." Jia told her, earning a questioning glance from Magoichi. "Well if it is something of magical nature you need help with, Lady Rhea or my brother might be able to help." Flayn suggested in an attempt to be helpful. "It couldn't hurt, thanks kid." Magoichi said, attempting to ruffle the girl's hair. She took a step back, either not fond of the action or simply not sure what Magoichi intended.
Jia offered a bow in farewell to the pair. "I'm sure a report will be expected of me, I'll broach the issue then. Take care you two." Jia said, beginning to leave. He felt a tug on his arm and noticed it was Flayn. She motioned for him to bring her ear down to his level. He obliged. "Apologies, but you may wish to bathe." She whispered in to his ear, before letting him stand up and leaving his company. Jia watched her leave with a look of shock. "What was that about?" Magoichi asked as he approached his friend. "D-do I smell?" Jia asked his friend with a look of concern. Magoichi simply laughed.
