Transferring to a new school is never easy, Byleth had spent her semester alone and sequestered, before the incident occurred. It had been a long night when Byleth rounded a corner, hearing a sudden shriek as a woman was grabbed by a gang of men

"Kidnappings.. why are we even doing this trivial bullshit?" A man in a dark hoodie sighed, lifting a cigarette to his lips

"Stop!" Byleth's voice was stronger than she felt as it filled the dark street, a handful of eyes turning to stare her down

"Listen toots, I'd hit the bricks on this. I'm not usually a nonviolence kind of guy but I have pretty specific instructions. So fuck off before you make a scene." The brunette leader sneered, flicking his cigarette in her direction, expecting a meek flinch

Hot ash spewed across his face as the bud was kicked back at him with startling force, and he swatted at his body in a panic

"I'm new around here so I'll cut you a break. People like to call me the Ashen Demon, but right now I'm pretty pissed. Put her down." Byleth's fists pulsed with electricity as she drew her foot back, staring the young men down

"You really think you can take on all of us? No way, there's money to be made tonight."

She gave a curt shrug before lunging at their leader, elbowing his face and driving her knee into his stomach. She wrest the lighter from his grasp and twisted his arm behind his back, bringing the lighter toward his eye

"Put her the fuck down, asshat."

They eyed her for a moment before another body moved into the light

"You heard the lady, asshat." A pigtailed girl moved forward, a thick metal bar swung over her shoulder

The men mumbled between themselves before dropping the woman on the pavement and slipping into the shadows. Byleth released the man's wrist and shoved him forward, after them, but he stood for a moment instead, staring into her eyes, eyes flitting over her hair and face as if to memorize it

The woman slammed her bat against the pavement, urging him on and he obliged, slipping around a corner. The two rushed to the dazed woman's side, checking her over

"Are you okay? Did they do anything to you?" Byleth's voice was soft and soothing, washing over the night air

"I'm… I'm okay. I think. Maybe? I guess I could have died and I'd never know…" The violet haired girl was curled around herself in shock and Byleth rubbed her hand gently against the woman's tense back

"You're alive. Are you okay though?"

She hesitated for a moment and nodded

"Th-thank you. I'm Bernadetta, you guys really saved me back there."

Byleth smiled, moving to her full height and offering Bernadetta a hand up

"Byleth."

"I'm Hilda. Wow, you were a real hero back there, By." She grinned, offering her hand to shake

"Wh-why do you have a bat?" Bernadetta squeaked, hiding herself behind Byleth

"Protection." She pumped her fist triumphantly into the night

That was the last she had seen of the girls, but the hoodied creep seemed to be stationed outside her classes, glaring her down in a pathetic attempt at intimidation. She would always brush past him, paying him no mind, but his hand would twitch, urging to grab her but he knew better

But this was a new year and she was greeted in her new classroom by two familiar faces

"Byleth!" Bernadetta jumped to her feet and ran to her, hugging her fast

"Oh, hi Bernie, it's been a while." Bernie looked like she was ready to burst into tears

"I'm so happy you're here, class is so scary with people you don't know."

"Speaking of, hi Hilda. No bat today?"

The pink haired girl giggled, attracting a few glances

"Not during school hours I'm afraid."

The merry band took their seats and class commenced. Finally for the first time in her life Byleth felt normal, but this would all change at lunch

"You Jeralt's kid?"

Byleth jumped as a voice rang out across the lawn, clearly directed at her and turned slowly to face her accuser. She had fiery hair cut short and tidy

"Yes." She finally answered and the girl looked her up and down

"You're so scrawny."

Byleth sighed and took a bite out of her bread, tuning out of whatever she was saying

"We got a problem here?"

She groaned into her bread, recognizing the voice right away. She kept her silence, chewing her bread until her mouth was empty but she waited to take another bite

"And who are you?" She raised her eyebrow at him, apathetic to his threatening smile

"Oh, we'll see me and By, we're kind of a pair." His eyes flashed dangerously as he took a step closer to her

"Get out of here Metodey before you get suspended again." Byleth rose to her feet, stepping between the fiery ginger and the dangerous malcontent. His eyes fluttered slightly as he looked at her, his crazed grin growing sloppy

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are when you're mad."

With no warning she slammed her heel straight up into his jaw, knocking him back against the grass

"I.. I can…" he giggled to himself before hacking out a mixture of spit and blood "I can see your panties."

And her heel was driven back down into his stomach. He lurched to his side, spilling his lunch across the lawn. Byleth gathered up the remains of her lunch and hurried away as a crowd began to gather, her accomplice not far behind

"Wow, I guess you really are Jeralt's kid. I'm Leonie, I really wasn't trying to fight, I can tell you get a lot of that."

"A lot more than I want." Byleth admitted, slinking around the corner to join a long cafeteria line. "But thanks, I appreciate it."

"Anytime! Anytime you need help with that creep too."

"Thanks Leonie, I appreciate it."

It had been several hours that Byleth had busied herself about the school, trying to remain hissed from her unwanted escort until he lost interest. It was getting dark and dad would be home in a little while, surely he wouldn't still be here?

She exchanged her shoes in the hallway when she heard a voice and ducked down instinctively. There was shouting, it sounded like a fight was starting and Byleth was eager to avoid it. She krept past the lockers and was nearly to the door when she stopped

"I told your idiot boss I'm not interest in your stupid gang so get lost."

"Wrong answer Felix." She heard another struggle and the gut wrenching sound of a hit. She spun on her heel and charged around the corner to reveal four boys, one assaulting a dark haired boy who was locked at each shoulder by another male. She didn't hesitate, her fist landing solid against the side of his head

The goons stilled for a moment as the processed the attack and that's all it took for Felix to tear his right arm free and punch the boy confining his left. They fought the boys back easily and as Felix stood gloating his victory a small hand grabbed his and tugged him toward the front door. He tugged his hand in annoyance but her grip was strong

"There's always more of them." He thought for a moment on her words and hurried to match her pace until her warm hand released him

"Trouble with Metodey? I hope I haven't made things harder for you."

"Why would you make things harder?" It was the first time he'd spoken to his rescuer and he felt very awkward at being saved

"He's crazy." She shrugged and he couldn't help but laugh

"I'm Byleth."

"Felix. But don't start thinking I'll need your help."

"I saw you in there, Felix, you don't need my help. Isn't it nice to have it though?"

He stopped at an intersection and thought for a moment

"Fight me." She punched his arm hard on command and he stagged back slightly, rubbing the tingling flesh

"S-sorry my dad is really weird about trading and I just-" he raised his hand to still her

"You're much better than those amateurs. Another time maybe." She gave him a nod and a bright smile

"Oh no, I need to start dinner. Thanks for walking me back, Felix!" She ran off in the other direction as he clicked his tongue in annoyance

"We just happened to be going the same way."