Lydia: You really should update this more often.

KS: Get off my back. I was busy with my other fanfics.

Lydia: Or you were probably just screwing around, as usual.

(Riela and Imca hit her in the back of the head)

Riela: Please do not bother him so much.

Imca: He is under a lot of stress lately.

KS: (sighs in relief) Glad some people understand. Now, on with the show- I mean, chapter.

"You two look as if wolves were chasing after you," Zeri commented.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone that tired before," Cosette added. "And we have training drills every afternoon."

Baldren and Audrey slumped in their respective desks, clearly fatigued from meeting their classmates. Of course, no one could blame them. To formally introduce oneself to a former enemy was no easy feat. There is also the fact that their former enemy may not trust them right away, and that alone was enough to put a damper on one's morale.

"If this doesn't kill me, I don't know what will," Baldren groaned, his face planted on his desk.

"I'm might be getting wrinkles after what I've been through," Audrey sighed, leaning back in her chair. "This may be the most daunting task we have ever been through."

"Hey, no need to think like that," Avan said, sporting a huge grin. "Folks around here might not trust you right away, but they'll eventually warm up to you."

The siblings raised their heads and gazed at him curiously.

"Honestly... I don't get you," Baldren said.

Avan's smile dropped. "Huh?"

"I agree with him," Audrey added. "We went against our country- no, our home- just because we were blinded by some misplaced and needless hatred towards a race that we thought had nearly brought this land to ruin, only to realize that our so-called saviors were the ones responsible. How is it that you can welcome us with open arms with full knowledge of what sins we have committed?"

Avan was taken aback by her response. In fact, he was so touched by her words, that it made him close his eyes and crossed his arms, showing that he was deep in thought. Even Zeri and Cosette were surprised by this.

"Avan...?" Cosette said softly.

"Don't tell me he's trying to get a brain aneurysm just by thinking," Zeri deadpanned.

Avan paid no mind to the snide remark as he continued thinking. He was like this for a good 20 minutes. Then, he spoke.

"Even today's enemy can become tomorrow's ally."

Everyone's eyes widened when he said that.

"That's what Leon said. If an enemy feels enough shame in the things they've done and the people they've hurt, who are we to deny them a second chance?"

He opened his eyes and looked directly at Baldren and Audrey.

"Listen, Baldren, Audrey... I know you two are good people. In fact, I believe that you are more than capable of righting every wrong you've done."

The whole class started to hear Avan, entranced by his words.

"As long as you don't give up or give in to the words of others, you can find redemption. No... you will find redemption. And I'll be there with you, every step of the way."

And once again, he smiled.

"I swear on my life that I will help you in any way I can."

Baldren and Audrey's eyes widened at his generous and selfless declaration.

"Y-Yeah!" Cosette piped up. "I'll be there for you as well!" She turned to Audrey, smiling brightly. "There's no need to do it alone. I will be with you every step of the way."

Audrey blushed and nearly shed tears at her determination.

Zeri adjusted his glasses and sighed. "Under normal circumstances, I would want nothing to do with this, seeing how they were once strongly intent on wiping my people my people off Gallia, but it looks like Avan's enthusiasm." He gave Baldren a hard look. "But don't mistake this as me trusting you yet. I will examine you and your sister's actions with a fine tooth comb and will call the both of you out for the slightest infraction."

Baldren chuckled. "Honestly, I expected nothing less."

To the surprise of the rest of the class, Alexis stood up.

"I am also supporting them. I believe that they are truly good people," he said firmly.

"I agree," Noel chimed in, standing up as well. "I'm sure that if we see them for what they truly are, we can be potential allies!"

"It's almost like a painting," Chloe added. "It takes a lot of effort and time as well, but the end result will be worth it."

"If Avan's willing to give them a second chance, then I'll be willing to do the same," Pete cheered.

"I agree," Rene said. "Maybe they like soccer like I do."

"If Rene says they're good, then I'm with her," Magari said.

Most of the class strongly voiced their approval for having Baldren and Audrey in their classroom. But some brought their disproval and contempt for it.

"Are you all blind or something?"

Franca happened to be one of them.

"Do you honestly believe a word these two are saying?" she said bitterly. "Did it ever occur to you that it might just be an act."

"As much as I hate to agree with the neat freak, she has a point," Erik spoke. "We don't know for certain that they're on our side now."

"We should keep a close eye on them," Melissa added. "You know, in case they might try something... untoward."

Soon enough, the whole class erupted into a full-scale arguement between those who sided with Baldren and Audrey and those who were against them. There were reasons, suspicions, accusations and so much more unpleasentness.

"Well... sure didn't see this coming," Avan groaned.

"I did," Zeri sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Given the situation, it's no surprise that there would be a conflict regarding this topic. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't realize it, Avan."

Avan shot him a dirty look. "That's not what I meant, dude. I was aware that there would be some people against Baldren and Audrey being here." He looked towards his classmates, who were still bickering among themselves. "I just didn't think it would be this bad."

"When do you ever think?"

"This is not the time, you two," Cosette interrupted. "Right now, we need to calm everyone down before-"

"What?! You wanna say that to my face, you damn Imp?!"

The group turned around swiftly to see Erik holding Helmut by his collar, glaring at him with the ferocity of a thousand wolves.

"I only said we should give them a chance," Helmut stated without losing his stoic expression, despite the position he's in. "The least we could do is get to know them better before making wild and baseless assumptions."

That only fueled Erik's anger. "Oh, as if you're in any position to talk! Last I checked, you're from the Empire, so I think it's fair that you're just as suspicious as these two!"

"Please," Helmut scoffed. "As if a single thought could pass through your thick skull."

"Why you..."

"Alright, that's enough," Avan cut in. "Erik, let him go now."

Erik growled, but he let Helmut go.

Avan turned to his classmates. "What's with all of you? Yeah, I'm aware that these two were at the top of the ladder in the Rebel Army, but it's obvious they want nothing to do with that anymore."

"A bit late, don't you think?" Erik snarked. "If they really wanted nothing to do with it, they wouldn't have been involved from the get-go."

"Well, they wised up now. Better late than never as they say."

"That saying doesn't apply to this situation, Avan," Franca retorted.

Avan turned to her. "What do you mean?"

She crossed her arms."It's like Erik said. They had their chance to back out when this revolution started, but they stuck with it anyway. Now, they suddenly feel guilty and alledgedly want to atone?" She turned her head and scoffed. "Sounds too convenient in my opinion."

Avan groaned and scratched the side of his head. He was losing ground on this arguement and had no good way of countering it.

"Maybe most of you are being too quick to judge."

The whole of the class, including Baldren and Audrey, turned to the door, where Brixham stood.

"I understand that most of you are strongly against the idea of those two being in the academy, let alone this classroom. But it would be unwise to begin to isolate them without giving them a fair chance."

"Professor, sure you don't-" Franca started before she was cut off.

"If they want to fight for their country rather than against it, then who are we to deny them that opportunity?" he said. "And besides... with them on our side, this could change the course of this war."

KS: Well, this was bound to happen. And I should know, 'cause I was building it up to this point. Pretty cool, huh?

Lydia: (groans)

KS: Everyone's a critic. Oh well. See you all next time. 'Till then...

Selvaria: (pops up) Don't forget to fave, follow and review.

KS: ...For some reason, I can't bring myself to be surprised.