On the return journey to Garreg Mach Jia found himself riding by Byleth's side, the students not in a jovial mood. "You were trapped." Byleth noted out of the blue, prompting Jia to turn his head to look at her. "What was that?" He asked and Byleth repeated herself. "Ah that, Hubert was over-eager to rout the enemy. I could not allow him to attack alone." Jia blamed the student, something they had agreed upon if someone was to pry. Silence returned.
"That's not like him either." Byleth pointed out, earning a chuckle from the strategist. "I thought so too, some things we aren't to know." Jia explained and the two returned their attention to the journey home. Once back at Garreg Mach the students gave Jia a wide-berth. Jia decided to retire to his quarters and give any issues a chance to rest.
Early morning and Jia was woken by a faint knock on his door, how it managed to rouse him was anyone's guess. "It should be open." He mumbled groggily, consciousness only just returning to him. The door opened, and standing there was the small figure of Flayn. Jia quickly wrapped a sheet around his upper body, not wanting to show too much of himself to the sheltered girl.
"Good morning." She all but sang, full of her usual cheer. "Morning Flayn. Is there a reason for this surprise visit?" He asked calmly. "I hope you will forgive me but, some unsettling rumours have been floating around the monastery since you're return." She explained. "I see, in that case could you give me some time to dress. If we're to talk at length I would rather be decent." He requested and Flayn nodded. "In that case, may I fetch some tea? No reason for us to not enjoy the time." She offered and Jia could not stop himself from sharing a smile. "Of course." He affirmed and the girl left his quarters.
Fifteen minutes passed and Jia was dressed in his original blue attire and looked every part the Wei strategist. Another faint knocking on the door and Jia gave Flayn permission to enter. She carried a tray with all the things necessary to brew and enjoy tea.
Like what Dorothea had done before, Jia had placed a small table in the centre of the room. Flayn placed her tray atop of it and waited for the teapot to cool. "So, about the rumours?" She queried. "It would help if I knew the gist of them." Jia stated and a look of realisation sprouted across her face. "Of course, well the harshest would be that you mercilessly burned a group of bandits to cinders." She recited the information. "I would not say it was merciless, but yes that is more or less the truth of it." He verified and Flayn frowned. "How disappointing." She lamented, staring at the teapot.
Jia sighed, not really wanting his friendship with the girl to sour. "I am sorry, in warfare one's hands are sometimes tied. My choice was Hubert's life or the tactic I ended up executing." He attempted to explain. "It still seems overly cruel." She rejected his explanation. Jia thought for a moment.
"If I described my reasoning in full, you may feel differently. Are you willing?" Jia asked, not having any other immediate options. A long silence sat between the two. "Very well." She finally agreed. "First let's pour this tea." Jia said and reached for the teapot. He poured two cups full with the expertise befitting one who spent many evenings back home sharing tea with those who avoided wine. Flayn applauded lightly, impressed.
Jia brought his cup to his nose and gave it a light sniff. The aroma was different to any of the tea he had sampled in Fódlan, having an overpowering nutty scent. A quick revealed its taste was identical to the smell, the taste of almond's the most prominent flavour. Jia would have preferred something sweeter but voiced no complaints. Flayn on the other hand seemed in a state of bliss as she savoured her first taste of the blend.
For a moment Jia suspected Flayn lost to the room, that was until she snapped out of her almost-trance like state and cleared her throat. "Well then, if you would begin?" She asked sweetly, taking further gentle sips of her tea as she waits for Jia to speak. "It was quite some time ago..." Jia trailed off as he formulated his words.
Jia stared at the castle in flames from atop his steed, a look of concern plastered on his features. His lord was trapped inside the castle, his only defence his blade and Dian Wei. Jia did not doubt the tenacity of either man but those were not good odds. "Cousin!" Dun bellowed from his side, a look of determination pointed towards the castle. "We must prepare to assist an escape." Jia stated calmly, not wishing to panic those around him.
It was all the encouragement that Dun required and he spurred his horse into action, followed closely by Yuan. Jia lagged slightly but was likewise fuelled with the desire to see his lord safe.
It was fruitless, the gates were sealed and any attempt to get close and batter them down was thwarted by archers on the wall. "Damn them!" Dun yelled in frustration and Yuan fired a shot, effortlessly removing an archer from the wall. An excellent shot but unless he could do so 100 more times it would accomplish little. "We have no choice but to wait outside of their range and await our lord." Jia explained and while neither of the Xiahou clan looked pleased with the plan they obliged.
It felt like an eternity, then the gates opened. From them emerged Cao Cao, who looked little worse for wear. A mad dash later and he was amongst the generals that had gathered for him. "Dian Wei..." Jia muttered, looking away from his lord. "He stayed behind to ensure my escape, I am certain he will join up with us shortly." Cao Cao stated confidently and Jia wanted to believe him.
A quick breath and Jia resumed his role. "Very well, let us make sure Zhang Xiu is dealt with before we are reunited." He announced. "Our first task should be to secure those bases to the West, there we will set up an ambush for Zhang Xiu's inevitable reinforcements." He ordered and in no time at all the four generals rode forth, taking on a base each.
Jia's plan went off without a hitch, the warlord Liu Biao had sent reinforcements to aid Zhang Xiu. They were dispatched in no time, standing little chance of overcoming such an ambush. Without being able to rely on his ally, Zhang Xiu was forced to open his gates and engage Cao Cao himself. Xiahou Dun was the first through the gates and Jia knew he only had to count the minutes until victory was assured.
He was right, not five minutes later and enemy troops dropped their weapons in mass. As was the norm, Cao Cao ignored the common troops and marched straight to where Zhang Xiu was holed up. Jia followed behind and the pair arrived at what passed for a throne room. On the floor was the lifeless body of Zhang Xiu, the telltale marks from Xiahou Dun's Podao the clear cause. "Cousin, that one surrendered." Dun revealed, pointing at a turbaned man with his hands held up.
"Ah, Jia Xu the strategist." Cao Cao revealed and Jia stiffened. So this was the man responsible for all of this. "You've bested me, do as you please." Xu admitted, dropping to his knees and lowering his head as if expecting a swift end. "I am not going to kill you." Cao revealed. "...Did I hear you right?" The enemy strategist inquired cautiously. Jia nodded his head. "The damage you caused with this bold move is indication of your worth." Jia explained with a sigh. "It will take some time to get over the losses." He lamented, looking to the floor. They should look for Dian Wei soon. "Jia speaks the truth. If you put your talents to use in aiding me unite the land, then I shall let you live." Cao offered, motioning for the strategist to rise. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting that." Xu said with a chuckle. "In any case, I'll do my best to make myself useful to you." Xu pledged, getting to his feet.
"We had to wait for the fires to die down before we could search the castle properly." Jia confessed, taking a sip from his tea. "We found Dian Wei in the afternoon, surrounded by the dead of the enemy. A valiant end but of little consolation." He revealed. Flayn for her part looked quite upset. "That is quite tragic, though I fail to see how this explains your actions." She admitted. "There is no worse feeling in the world then knowing if you acted a little sooner or a little harsher you could have saved a friend." Jia explained, looking up to the ceiling. His eyes were beginning to moisten. "There was always the possibility Zhang Xiu would attempt to eliminate my lord. I chose to believe honour would keep him in check." He wiped his eyes before looking back at Flayn. "A mistake I would not make twice." He stated and Flayn nodded in acknowledgement.
"I can see how that may influence the way you act, though burning a room full of bandits alive still seems overly cruel." She repeated herself. "And if I allowed Hubert to die, would that have been preferable?" Jia asked, keeping his tone even. "Of course not!" Flayn shouted, before looking downwards. "Apologies." She mumbled. "I do not use such tactics lightly Flayn, I know how devastating it can be. Please trust me when I tell you that I take no joy from it." He pleaded and Flayn sighed like a mother would to a child trying to avoid a telling off. "Alright, promise me if I am ever in such peril you will not use such tactics." She instructed and he raised a brow. "You would rather I not do my utmost to see you safe?" He asked and she nodded. "What a harsh thing to wish of a friend." He all but mumbled.
"I know, but please." She implored him. "I Guo Jia, swear to not decimate the enemy in order to aid you." He swore, bowing his head and holding his hands together as if in prayer. "Thank you." She said, smiling truly for the first time that morning. "Now, would you like discuss more pleasant things?" She asked and the two exchanged friendly tales with one another.
The afternoon rolled around and Jia found himself in front of the Black Eagles. He was scheduled to teach them a lesson, one he had planned to be about the importance of supply lines. Unfortunately the atmosphere was thick and it was easy for anyone to tell that anything taught in such an environment would not sink in.
Jia cleared his throat. "Alright, let us get this out-of-the-way then." He announced and erased his brief pre-written notes from the blackboard. "If there are any grievances, please share them now so we may move on." He inquired of the class. He received silence in response. "Would speaking individually be preferred then?" He questioned. "It's just gonna take time to get over, talking won't help." Caspar answered, and notably Ferdinand and Petra nodded their agreements.
"Time heals all wounds, not everyone has the time to spare." Jia countered, looking wistful. He shook his head. "Very well, consider this as extra free time. Go and relax but know I will be here until the end of what would have been your lesson." He offered and the aforementioned trio took their leave. Edelgard and Hubert also left shortly after, though not without a proper farewell to their teacher.
That left Linhardt, Dorothea and Bernadetta. Linhardt was currently hunched over his desk, a dark green pillow nestled under his head. The boy had elected to use his time to sleep, which came as a surprise to no one. What did surprise Jia was that Bernadetta approached him. "I-I don't think anyone blames you for what happened p-professor." She began, nerves starting to take grip of her. "J-just no one was ready to see people dust" She finished, looking anywhere but at Jia.
Jia placed a hand on his temple, rubbing it gently. "It is easy for me to forget you're all so young." He confessed. "More disturbing sights are possible to witness if you're determined to serve on the battlefield though, perhaps you should look at other ways to live your life." He offered an alternative. Somehow, Bernadetta's shoulder sagged even further. "I didn't really have a choice." She laments.
Jia raises a questioning brow. "How so?" He asked. "Forget I said Anything." She squeaked out, words meshing together. "I can do that, or you can tell me more and I'll reveal something in return." He suggested, not truly thinking it would work but trying none the less. "Deal." She accepted to Jia's surprise. "I was basically kidnapped. My mother ordered an attendant to stuff me in a bag while I was sleeping." She took a deep breath to calm herself. "By the time I figured out what was going on, I was already here." She gestured around the room with her arms open wide. "For a while, I was sure I was going to die. But here I am. Look at me...still breathing." She said with a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Oh Bernie..." Dorothea sympathised, causing the archer to flinch.
She turned to the older girl and looked like a rabbit that had been gripped by a hawk. "T-that was private!" She challenged and Dorothea held her hands up in surrender. "I'll keep it private Bernie." She assured and Bernadetta began to calm down.
Jia could barely contain a smirk, the sight of the two girls getting on reminding him of some of the younger warriors back home. "So, what would you like to know Bernie?" He asked, using the songstress' nickname for her. "How long are you going to stay with us?" She requested, surprising him with her bluntness. He also noticed Dorothea perked up too at the question. "As long as Rhea allows it I suppose." He answers carefully with an element of truth. "That's pretty vague professor." Dorothea challenged, earning a chuckle from the strategist. "Our current situation is most definitely vague." He agreed with a chuckle. "Want to ask something else instead?" He asked and Bernadetta nodded.
The archer took her time to think how she would word her question for the strategist. "How long have you actually fought for?" She questioned. "Well that's a tricky one." Jia stated bluntly, rubbing his chin in thought. He could not exactly be honest with his answer. "It was non-stop once I began to serve my lord, eleven years in all." He explained. He decided to count his experiences from before his natural end in life but not include his time spent fighting the forces of Orochi, not that it could be accurately measured after Kaguya's manipulations.
The two girls were stunned by his revelation. "How old are you professor?" Dorothea asked. "Thirty-two." He answered. He had once asked Nu Was why many of the officers who had long since passed on did not return at the age of passing. Her explanation boiled down to Orochi wishing to fight humanity at its best and so many were summoned to his world in their prime. "You seem much younger." Dorothea commented and Jia chose to take it as a compliment.
"You should run along an enjoy your free-time now." Jia said, waving the girls off with a playful gesture. "One more thing professor." Dorothea began. "If you have been involved in fighting for eleven years... Have you lost many people?" She asked, concern evident in her voice. Jia sighed. "A heavy topic that I do not wish to revisit today." He admitted. It was not so much the subject itself so much as it was only recently scratched that morning.
Dorothea offered some apologies and the duo said there goodbyes. "You're worse than Hubert." Jia accused the woman stood by the doorway. "Didn't want to interrupt you." Byleth responded in that usual monotone of hers. "The students?" She asked and Jia explained the reasoning behind letting them loose. "Understandable." She admitted with a nod. "Come to think of it, you might be one of the few people not to comment on my actions." Jia noted. "Brutal but necessary." Was her observation, prompting a chuckle from the strategist.
"How strange that his laughter rings hollow." A new voice stated. "What a harsh thing to say." Jia said in return, looking for a face to match the voice to. He found no one but Byleth and a still sleeping Linhardt. For her part Byleth looked shocked at the response. "You heard that?" She asked. For a moment Jia considered playing off the dialogue as being overly stressed these last few days, however decided against it. "But I do not see who." He informed her.
Byleth stayed silent for a moment. "If you or this voice can enlighten me I'm all ears." Jia offered. "Another time, Byleth and I are still getting used to this arrangement." The voice explained, leaving Jia with no real way to press the issue. "Very well, but know I'll bring it up again." Jia excused himself with a bow, leaving Byleth with her thoughts as well as the voice that accompanied her.
One week later and Jia found himself teaching the Blue Lion class once more. The Black Eagles were beginning to soften their distancing of him but still came off as confrontational at times. Not an ideal environment to be teaching the finer points of strategy in. "Supreme excellence is something every strategist should aim to achieve, would anyone like to guess at what that is?" Jia asked the room. Mercedes was the only one with an arm raised. Jia pointed at the girl. "Is it when you maximise enemy casualties while minimizing your own?" She answered cautiously.
Jia shook his head and Mercedes looked slightly embarrassed. "You are on the right track and for someone who has not read Sun Tzu's texts it is a commendable guess." He encouraged her. "Who is Sun Tzu?" Annette asked from beside the matronly girl. "The man that every strategist since has based their methods on." He answered. "Why?" Felix asked from the front and Jia stroked his chin. "Why does anyone learn from others? Because his techniques work there is no doubt about that." Jia explained patiently. "If anyone is interested on learning more about the man himself please do speak to me in your free time." Jia offered the students, not truly expecting any of them to take him up in the offer. "For now though, Supreme excellence." He began and the class readied to take notes.
"To fight and conquer in our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy resistance without fighting." Jia recited the words from memory. "So as I said, Mercedes was not far from the truth of it." He nodded at the girl. "I daresay you've only ever fought bandits up until now correct?" He asked the class earning a chorus of confirmations. "And have you always been victorious by cutting down each and everyone?" He pressed further, earning a more subdued round of affirmations.
"For bandits it is often the fastest and most efficient way, after all they are usually undisciplined and few in number." Jia admitted. "However say it was an enemy kingdom or an even shorter leap to a skilled band of mercenaries? Do you think they would be so easy to best?" His questioning gaze wondered over the students. "Before getting into specifics I will go over some basic tenants, the basis of the art of war." He announced and readied to write down what he spoke on the board behind him.
"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him." He started. "If he is in superior strength, evade him." He continued. "If your opponent is temperamental." Jia could not finish his point as Magoichi called his name. Jia turned to look at his friend. "Manuela's missing." The marksman said seriously, a look of concern across his features. "As is Flayn." Edelgard announced from the entrance to the room. Jia nodded in acknowledgement. "Class is over for today, go find out how you can help with the current situation if you can." Jia ordered the students, who dutifully obeyed. They filed out of the room in pairs.
"What do we know?" Jia asked the pair once Edelgard had closed the distance. "Not a great deal I'm afraid, the rest of the Black Eagles have already split up to search for a lead." She revealed and Jia could not fault the logic. "Similar for Manuela, I've sent the Deer after signs of her." Magoichi admitted. "An ideal response, I shall see what I can find out as well." Jia volunteered and the others agreed to do the same. The three parted ways.
Jia made his way across the bridge to the monastery, thinking it logical to start somewhere she was found frequently. Hubert stopped him halfway across said bridge. "You have been informed about Flayn, correct?" He asked, earning a nod from Jia. "If Flayn has been taken hostage, then we know she is alive. At least for now." The boy surmised. Callous yet accurate. "I'll be on my way." Jia said in parting, leaving Hubert to his own search.
Jia made a beeline for the saint statues, a place she would regularly be found around either simply keeping to herself or tending the statues. There were no signs of her and even the caretaker nearby admitted to not seeing her that day. Jia moved on, searching the rest on the Monastery, conversing with no one until her ran into Rhea herself. "Lady Rhea." Jia began, but was cut off by her raising a hand. "Do you have any news regarding Flayn?" She asked earnestly, yet Jia had to shake his head. "Regrettable, It pains me to think of the girl in fear." Rhea confessed. "Everyone intends to see her returned, that is no exaggeration." Jia assured her, earning a faint smile from the Priestess. "It warms my heart to hear such things." Rhea admits.
A gunshot resonates through the air and Rhea clutches at her hip, reaching for a weapon that was not there. Jia mentally filed that away for another time and dashed in the direction of the noise. Hubert was notably absent from where he had left him, likely he too was responding to the noise.
Jia found himself gathered with a mixture of students from both the Golden Deer and Black Eagle house just outside the knight's quarters. He assumed that the Blue Lions were not as well acquainted with Magoichi's weapon as the currently present houses. The strategist manoeuvred his way through the students and entered through the gate.
Inside the building and Jia hurried to the first room with an open door. Inside Manuela was resting in Magoichi's arms, a small scrap of fabric in her hand. Hubert stood off to the side, examining a passageway of some kind. "Is she injured Mago?" Jia inquired and Magoichi nodded. "We should move her to the infirmary, if you would allow me Professor?" Edelgard offered. "Hey, let me pitch in too." Chimed in Claude as he entered the room. The Alliance leader crouched down by Manuela's feet while Edelgard positioned herself by her shoulders.
The two leaders lifted the wounded Songstress, Edelgard nestling the older woman's head in her bust to support it as they moved. "If I may, we should investigate the passageway as soon as possible." Hubert suggested and Magoichi got to his feet. He ran a hand along the barrel of his gun and seemingly satisfied walked past the boy.
Hubert wanted to protest but Jia silenced him was a shake of his head. "Magoichi can handle himself, we need to gather some support." Jia Noted and left to meet the students by the gate. It turned out every member of the Deer and Eagles wished to assist in finding Flayn and avenging Manuela. They followed the strategist back to Jeritza's room and looked at the passageway with some hesitation.
"Shall we professor?" Hubert asked and Jia took point, heading into the passageway. A good distance in and the sound of steel on steel resonated through the passage walls. A spark lit up the distance. "You will die here." An ominous voice declared and another spark lit up the passage. "You first bastard." Magoichi's voice shot back and Jia quickened his pace. The strategist turned a corner and saw Magoichi trading blows with the Death knight. "More rats..." The Death Knight said, spotting Jia and the students.
Magoichi swung a final time at his opponent, hitting nothing but air as the knight vanished from sight. "That is an annoying trick." Hubert observed through gritted teeth. "Jia, Flayn's here and someone else too." Magoichi informed the strategist before walking away deeper into the passageway. "He's not thinking things through." Hubert stated. "No he is not but trust me when I tell you he fights better this way." Jia responded as he approached Flayn and the other girl. He breathed a sigh of relief. "They're both still alive." He revealed to the students, a positive response was shared by all. "Great, now let's go take down that rotten knight." Caspar bellowed.
"Hubert, I entrust you to lead the students this time. I will stay and make sure these girls are kept safe." Jia relayed to the dark mage. "You're tactics will likely be crucial without lady Edelgard or Professor Byleth." Hubert confided and Jia couldn't help but grin. "If I did not think you capable I would not rest such a responsibility on your shoulders." Jia reassured the mage. "Very well, we need to catch up to Professor Saika." Hubert commanded and the assembled student followed him in a jog to catch up to the sharpshooter.
While Jia meant what he said in regard to Hubert's capabilities, the promise he made Flayn not too long ago was a larger factor in his decision. "Please, allow me to help as well." Voiced the Golden Deer's healer Marianne, who place a hand on Flayn. She began to glow with a verdant green aura. "Linhardt and Dorothea will be more than enough to help in battle." Marianne insisted and Jia was never going to argue the point.
"You had friends hiding back here then." Magoichi growled as he found his route forward blocked by soldiers. "Professor Saika, we are here to assist." Hubert announced, the large group of students assembling behind him. "Where's Jia?" Magoichi wondered, keeping his rifle trained on the foes ahead. "He elected to stay back and protect the wounded." Hubert explained. "Looks like I have to be responsible for you kids then." Magoichi complained.
Hubert looked at the marksman unimpressed. "If we push forward together we should beat the enemy with numbers alone." Hubert explained. "I've got a better idea. I'll advance alone and draw the enemy back in small groups, then we can take them down with little fuss." Magoichi offered up his plan. "I do recall Jia mentioning your fondness for ambushes. Very well, I will entrust you with drawing in our enemy." Hubert allowed.
Magoichi marched forward alone, finally in direct sight of the first group of enemies. A duo of swordsmen began to charge at the marksman immediately. Two shots brought their lives to a close before they could even get near him. An arrow shot just wide of the marksman and he fired his own weapon back, hitting the mark and ending the archer.
A dark orb of evil magic struck the other archer and Hubert stood by Magoichi's side. "It is quite irritating when you don't execute the plan you suggested." Hubert muttered angrily. A flash of Pink hair and the spear-man lurking in the flanks suffered a messy end. "For real, how would Manuela feel if you got hurt down here?" Hilda whined.
Flayn and the mystery girl were now sat-up, resting with their backs against the wall. Marianne was currently covering the other girl in her healing magic. Jia examined the girl but could discern nothing of note except her uniform, which indicated she was a student at the monastery. He began to wonder how it was possible for the monastery to lose a student and not seem to notice.
Rapidly approaching footsteps resonated from the passageway they came from. Jia clutched his rod and held his arm out in front of Marianne protectively. He need not have worried as Byleth came to a stop in front of them. "The rest of the students?" She asked and Jia relaxed his stance. "Further in, Magoichi is with them." He explained and Byleth nodded, taking off in a run once more. The distinct sound of a sword being unsheathed could be heard as she vanished from sight.
Hubert no longer trusted Magoichi to fulfil his part of the plan and the combined forces of the Golden Deer and Black Eagles moved forward alongside the marksman. Ignatz and Bernadetta teamed up to pin down the enemy mages, allowing Ferdinand and Lorenz to close the distance and run them down. Meanwhile the melee enemies fell for Caspar's taunt as he roared a challenge at the men. While distracted, Raphael ran to the nearest and grappled with him. In an amazing display of strength, he grabbed his foe by the stomach and lifted him up before slamming him to the ground directly on his head. A sickening crunch sounded and the foe lay on the ground lifeless.
The remaining foe locked up with Caspar, the short boy's axe doing a good job of shielding him from the foe's blows. A blade slipped into the assailant's back, ending him quickly and quietly. "I owe you one Petra." Caspar said, wiping his brow. Petra nodded before rushing to the doorway barring the group's passage. She fiddled with the lock for a moment and with her skills it unlocked with no fuss.
Magoichi was the first through the door, sprinting to close the gap between himself and the lone axeman. With the finesse of a man who served a lifetime in war, the marksman turned to the side causing the axeman to miss his initial swing. An upwards slash from his weapon finished his staggered opponent. A door opened from behind Magoichi, who turned to look at the noise. Out stepped a mage, hand already glowing and a spell ready to be launched. A spear thrust itself through the mage, the spell snuffing out. "Another one down!" Leonie called as she pulled her spear free. "One more!" She cried in realisation and moved out of the doorway. Not a moment later and Ignatz fired his bow into the room. "I-I did it! I did!" He declared and Magoichi assumed the room was now clear.
Another click and Magoichi turned to the doorway to his side. Petra was crouched by it, removing a tool from the keyhole. "We can be moving now." She said barely above a whisper. Magoichi waited for her to back up and once she was s distance from the door he opened it and entered with his weapon extended. An arrow embedded itself in the wall, little above where Magoichi's weapon was. The archer must have fired at the first sign of entry.
Marianne breathed a sigh as the flow of magic began to cease. "They will be fine once we get back to the monastery." She revealed, smiling at her handiwork. "Good job Marianne." Jia praised and the blue haired cleric blushed faintly. "S-should we catch up with the others?" She inquired meekly. "I would rather play it safe and make sure no one bypasses our allies and makes for these two again." Jia explained, gesturing to the still unconscious girls. Marianne looked at him with curiosity. "That seems unlikely..." She trailed off, looking at the ground. "True but I do not know our foes goal, best to er' on the side of caution for now." He elaborated on his earlier point. Marianne for her part kept silent.
Magoichi headed the students as they entered another large chamber, though this one was devoid of enemies. "Saika!" A voice called from behind the students. Byleth approached him, students making way for their young professor. "Byleth, we're about to wrap things up." Magoichi responded. Any sense of butting heads faded away and she nodded in understanding. The response of a soldier to be sure.
Petra had already walked to the final door and unlocked it with practised ease. "That's far enough." A grizzled voice decreed. From the shadows stepped a man armoured from head to toe in crimson plate, spikes adorning his armour around both the shoulders and knees. "Professor, this one seems strong." Hubert cautioned. Byleth gripped her sword and readied to lunge at the newcomer. Magoichi placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to loosen her stance. "I'll deal with this one, just take down that 'Death knight' for me and Manuela." Magoichi insisted. Byleth nodded and made for the door forwards instead.
After one step toward the foe, Magoichi had a hefty spear aimed at him. "Just you?" The knight asked dismissively. "Just me." Magoichi responded, levelling his musket at his rival. The knight was deceptively fast as he darted towards the sharpshooter, spear primed to plunge into his heart. Too bad for the knight that Magoichi was faster and he ducked the blow with the flexibility usually attributed to ninjas. In one fluid motion, Magoichi placed the barrel of his musket next to his foe's stomach and fired.
A low guttural laugh emitted from the knight as the shot did no damage. Magoichi rapidly back-stepped away from the knight, narrowly avoiding an armoured fist that came crashing down towards where he just stood. "Tch, what a pain." He muttered to himself as he wondered how to defeat this particular foe. Two distinct elemental orbs struck to either side of the knight, he staggered backwards in response. "Even the most basic tactical manuals dictate that armoured foes are weak to magic professor." Lysithea chimed in, her hand emitting a light glow from the recently cast spell. To her side was Dorothea, who's hand was likewise glowing in the aftermath of a magical assault.
A few floating runes surrounded their foe. "Already? Shit!" The knight cursed and pointed a finger at Magoichi. "Next time we'll fight alone old-timer." He challenged and Magoichi was perplexed to say the least. That was before the knight disappeared from view altogether and he connected all the dots. "So they can all do that huh." He voiced his thoughts and looked to his two saviours. "Let's hope Byleth has cut down the Death Knight before he does the same." He hoped and led the two girls to the door that Byleth had entered.
The room was small and overcrowded with students, none of whom seemed to be wounded. "We need to leave professor." Hilda stated. Magoichi was about to ask why but the rest of the Golden Deer began to leave the room at Hilda's words, fatigue having seemed to set in. He could ask them later about the details, for now he would settle for ushering the students back above ground.
The Deer were the first to return to Jia and Marianne. "Are the others on their way too?" Jia asked with some concern. Magoichi waved away Jia's worries. "They are, Byleth's with them any way." He revealed. Jia was content with that. "In that case, we should focus on getting Flayn and our new face here above ground." Jia instructed. He himself went to Flayn and placed an arm under her legs and his other supporting her back. With little effort he lifted her and made sure her head rested on him.
Magoichi did the same for the unknown student, though with noticeably more effort. Jia chuckled softly. "Sorry Mago, Flayn's light as a feather." He teased his friend who grinned in response. "No woman's too big a burden for me you know." He shot back casually but noticeably walked at a faster pace than normal as he led the group back to Jeritza's room.
Awaiting the Golden Deer in Jeritza's room were the class leaders. "You found Flayn? Where?" Edelgard was the first to ask, noticing the girl in Jia's arms. "Not just Flayn, we're not sure who this one is." Magoichi commented, nodding at the girl in his arms. "Her identity can wait, first we must get these ladies to the infirmary." Dimitri insisted and held out his arms as an offer take over the burden. As gently as he could muster, Magoichi handed of the unknown girl to the waiting arms of the prince. "Can't let him be the only hero right teach." Claude said and offered to do the same for Flayn. Jia trusted the boy to be quicker about getting her the help she needed then himself and so also gently placed the girl in his arms.
The two future leaders of Fódlan jogged away at a pace that would not aggravate the girls in their arms. "Professor, where are my classmates?" Edelgard finally asked, noticing that only the Golden Deer had returned. "Do not be concerned, we only came ahead for the sake of the wounded." Jia assures. "No one was hurt, they just lagged behind a little." Magoichi chimed in. Edelgard nodded in acknowledgement. Magoichi shortly left to check in with Manuela and the rest of the Golden Deer dispersed, leaving Jia alone with Edelgard.
"Did... Anything unusual happen down there?" The future Empress asked, hesitation lacing her voice. "You will have to ask Byleth, I spent my time caring for Flayn and the other girl." Jia answered honestly. "You did not lead our class down there?" She asked further. "Hubert took the reigns, after all there is little point in teaching you if we do not trust in your skills at some point." Jia explained. Edelgard looked pensive at the revelation.
Before Edelgard could voice her opinion on that, Byleth emerged from the passageway and Edelgard rushed up to the young professor. Jia swore she was going to hug Byleth but alas she showed some restraint and stopped in front of her. "I'm glad you're safe professor." She beamed and Byleth cracked a smile. "Is that... A smile?" Edelgard asked and Byleth turned her face for her to get a better look. "Heh, you look... Happy, I don't think I've ever seen you like this before." Edelgard continued. Jia watched the scene unfold, even he could not recall the former mercenary showing such emotion.
Edelgard shook her head, bringing her down from her high. "Anyhow, we should hurry to Seteth. He must be beside himself by now." She proclaimed. Byleth nodded in response and the two women left to find the worried brother. "They are so cute together." Dorothea sang, watching them leave. Hubert simply left after them, acting as Edelgard's shadow as usual.
The rest of the Eagle began to disband and go their own ways. Jia made a silent vow to check up on Flayn later that day but for now left Jeritza's quarters and made to return to his own. He had a few things to mull over, chief of which being the identity of the other girl they rescued.
