KS: To make a long story short after a year long absence, the former rebels give Avan what the developers have deprived him of: a brain.

Avan sighed for what appeared to be the eleventh time in a row. For reasons he didn't understand, Baldren and Audrey had dragged him off to the library without any indication of a warning. The siblings' rationale for the sudden action was quite simple.

They suggested, or rather, demanded that Avan get his grades in check.

"Come on, guys, this… this is really unnecessary."

"On the contrary, Avan, this is all kinds of necessary," Baldren argued. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but all of your classmates look up to. Putting aside the fact that you have virtually no military experience prior to enrolling-"

"I've practiced with rifles before," Avan protested.

Baldren sighed. "As I was saying, it's one thing to get every answer on test wrong, but it's another matter entirely to have additional points deducted because what you have written is basically illegible."

"I still don't know how this involves the two of you," Avan defended lamely.

Audrey smacked the back of his head, causing him to yelp.

"You could at least appear grateful that we went out of our way to assist you," she said sharply. "Our schedules were completely open given the limited social contact we had with our classmates."

Avan turned away from her gaze. "Maybe, but…"

"Avan."

He looked up at Baldren, who had a gentle look on his normally stern face.

"Avan, when we first enrolled in Lanseal, everyone here wished death on us or gave us the cold shoulder. Even when we were in your class, everyone was divided on whether we should be here or not. Out of everyone, you were the one who spoke up in our defense, and others followed your example. It might not be much, but we appreciate what you did for us."

"Which is why we want to repay you by tutoring you," Audrey concluded. "It's the least we can do to repay you for the kindness you've given us so far."

Avan couldn't help but feel bashful from their comment. "Well, when you put it like that, it would be rude to refuse any help… but dang it, this stuff is a total bore."

"Think of it this way, Avan," Baldren said. "All of Gallia's legends had obtain knowledge in order to overcome any kind of obstacle, which included those who would do her harm. Now, I'm aware that I'm the last person to say this considering we were with the rebels, but with the knowledge we had obtained from our deceased mother, we saw an opportunity to right our injustices."

Avan blinked. "Okay, I see what you're saying, but I think you went off track."

Audrey placed a book in front of him. "Pages five through 10, chop-chop."

Sighing once more, Avan got to reading the pages Audrey assigned to him. Peering from behind the bookshelves was Zeri and Cosette, not believing what they were seeing.

"I think I'm going blind," Zeri whispered. "Are those two actually helping Avan study?"

"I almost can't believe it either," Cosette whispered back. "I was going to ask Audrey to help me out with some embroidery, but it seems she's focused on Avan."

Zeri stared with intrigue as Avan pointed to a section of the book he had trouble figuring out, and Audrey graciously explained it to him.

"This could be the most monumental event to happen in this country ever since the militia's seventh squad took down that land dreadnought."

Cosette turned to her friend quizzically. "Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

"Perhaps I am," Zeri replied. "But regardless, this is a sight. Maybe this will give that knucklehead an opportunity to offer some real battle strategy instead of letting us scatter about like headless chickens."

Cosette couldn't help but giggle. "You really care for Avan, don't you?"

Zeri turned away and adjusted his glasses. "I do not. Like I said, this is an opporunity to learn how to lead his squad into battle. It's nothing more than that."

"Whatever you say, Zeri."

After the reading was done, the Gassenarl siblings decided to instruct Avan in combat situations. This time, Avan was interested in what he was going to learn.

"Here we have a model of the Kloden Wildwood," Baldren explained, pointing to the top part of the model. "This where a handful of Empire soldiers are gathered." He moved his finger to the bottom of the model. "And here is where the Gallian military placed. What orders would you give?"

Avan looked at the model closely, wondering what order he would give. One part of his instincts told him to give the order to rush in and gun them all down, but the other part advised him to find another approach to the task at hand.

"He's really thinking about this carefully," Audrey whispered.

"Why wouldn't he?" Baldren whispered in response. "This is a simulation of a battle, but he is expected to treat like it was really happening. In the field, every second counts. He has to consider what his options are and what the best course of action is."

Avan continued to think about a strategy he would use against the enemy soldiers. He needed to make sure that it was not only adequate in theory, but would also benefit himself and his team an actual battle.

"What should I do?" he said to himself. "Now that I'm seeing this thing from different angles, I gotta find the best possible strategy. But what the hell am I supposed to here?"

Avan continued to look at the model closely. He was about to throw in the towel… until a solution popped in his head.

"What if… what if I send some scouts to spy on the soldiers from the bushes and have them ambush them when the time is right?"

Baldren and Audrey stared at each other, then turned to Avan.

"That is adequate plan, Avan," Baldren started. "However…"

Avan did not like where the former rebel was getting at. "What?"

"You overlooked the fact that the enemy would have the same idea and use it against you."

Hearing that made Avan slump. "Oh yeah… never really of that."

Audrey patted him on the back. "Now, now, keep your chin up. It's good progress from the last strategies you came up with earlier. Although, I wouldn't call them as such, considering you just had the soldiers charged towards their doom."

"And you hit me over the head with a ruler every time I did that," Avan replied in a dry tone.

Audrey grinned darkly. "At least it didn't come to that this time around. Now, shall we continue?"

Avan shuddered from the aura she gave off. "Like I have any choice…"

KS: I'd say good night, but it's past 12 AM the moment I uploaded this chapter. Oh well.