Violet: Good day, class. Today, It's time for the Black Eagles' introduction and the mission itself! So sit back and let the class begin!
Fire Emblem: Heirs of Scarlet Flowers
White Clouds: Prelude to the First Mission
"I must say, I am excited to see how both do in your first mission," Sothis stated as Manuela led Byleth and Shez to the Black Eagles' classroom. "Are you feeling nervous about your first official outing as a teacher?"
Nervous?
Why would she be nervous?
This can't be any more different than leading her group of men during a mission.
"You sweet Garland Moon child," Sothis sighed. "This is far more different than that. You're not leading a bunch of sweaty, ugly, brutes that already know how to fight and kill! These are the future of an empire, not mercenaries!"
Byleth tilted her head in thought.
This place is an officer's academy and Seteth did explain that there was a mock battle at the start of the next week. These people came here to learn how to battle. This felt no different than one of her father's missions.
Besides, their lives were in her hands and she wanted them to not only follow her commands but to keep themselves alive as well. Jeralt trained her, Shez, and the rest of the Hungry Wolves this way. Why shouldn't she train them like that?
"While that much is true," Sothis reluctantly admitted. "There are still things you'll have to teach, Byleth. It can't all be about combat."
Byleth nodded in agreement.
That much was certainly true.
"Of course it's true. But, I guess we can go over that with Shez and the house leader, Edelgard," Sothis shrugged. "In the meantime, I've been meaning to ask, you looked over the files for Hubert, Bernadetta, and Linhardt before we left your room to give your House decision. Why did you do that?"
Byleth cocked her head.
She wanted to perform a test on those three.
Well most of the students would potentially follow her command, those three concerned her. One shadowed Edelgard whenever she saw them, the second seemed to be a lazy genius, and the other was fearful of her shadow and could potentially freeze up or refuse to leave her room for assignments.
If they were to be in battle, she couldn't have one napping away and the other awaiting his commands from Edelgard.
She had to see if they would follow her words or not.
"Ah, a little test for those two. I see….Shez is looking your way," Sothis noted.
"So, Sis, you ready for our first official step into this mess?" Shez asked.
"I doubt it will be much different than our mercenary work," Byleth said. "If not, we will adapt."
"That's what we do best," Shez said.
"And here we are," Manuela announced with a theatrical air as she stopped and performed a twirl to face the sisters in front of two closed doors. "The Black Eagles' Classroom. And waiting within it are the hopes and future of the Adrestian Empire."
"Byleth. You're staring at her chest. Look up but don't make it too obvious that you were staring at it," Sothis instructed.
Byleth lifted her head to see a twinkle of amusement in Manuela's eyes.
She didn't even realize she had been staring.
Sothis snorted in amusement and said, "Well you were. Your eyes seem to gravi—"
"Shez, any more staring like that and I'll have to ask you to take me to dinner," Manuela teased, which caused Shez to jolt in surprise.
"I don't know what I'm going to do with you two," Sothis sighed. "Well, maybe we got lucky and she didn't catch you staring at her sizeable bust."
Shez let out a sheepish laugh, her hand scratching at the back of her neck. "Whoops?" Shez remarked.
"Nice save," Manuela snorted. "Anyway, now that I have escorted the two of you here, good luck and be safe."
"Thank you for leading us here, Lady Casagranda," Byleth thanked.
"Seriously. If you hadn't shown us the way, I would have had to remember where it was, and trust me, that's not a good idea," Shez tacked on with a grin. "Alright, I'm going in! Meet you in there, Sis!"
And without any further fanfare, Shez walked into the classroom with her familiar confidence and shouted, "Alright! Line up for your new teaching assistant, Shez Eisner!"
"She certainly doesn't waste any time endearing herself," Manuela smiled.
"Her confidence is quite grand," Byleth said. "It is one of the things I admire about her."
"It is certainly a breath of fresh air compared to Hanneman, Seteth, and Rhea," Manuela said with amusement. "I could also say the same about you. You're quite reserved but not to the extent of being stuffy like the three mentioned. Especially Seteth. That man can make paint drying interesting."
"That's a compliment, dear," Sothis explained.
"Thank you," Byleth replied.
"Now, best get your students, they are ripe and ready for your knowledge," Manuela told her as she turned away but then, she paused and glanced at Byleth from out of the corner of her eye. "And Professor Eisner? Don't think I didn't catch you staring longer than your sister. You owe me dinner."
"Welp!" Sothis commented.
"Forgive me. I was truly thinking about how to lead my class," Byleth replied, feeling strange for a moment. "I suppose I shall when I return from our mission?"
"That sounds perfect. Farewell and good luck," Manuela said and then walked away.
Well, at least she'll get to know more about her fellow professor….
"And maybe get to stare at her breast some more," Sothis teased. "But don't forget, you must meet with Professor Hanneman as well for whatever he wants to talk about it."
She had forgotten about that.
"Hence why I reminded you, Byleth," Sothis huffed. "Now get in there. You have a class to teach."
After a nod, Byleth swiftly turned and walked through the doors that led into her new classroom with her sister and her new students.
"And this is your professor, Byleth Eisner," Shez introduced as Byleth joined her side. "We've chosen your class as of today."
"Well, I, Edelgard formally welcome you both to the Black Eagle House," Edelgard greeted. "And I thank you both for selecting our house. The choice must not have been easy, compared to those in the Golden Deer and Blue Lion houses."
"Thank you," Byleth answered. "And while both houses are skilled, my sister and I felt this one was more appropriate for us."
"Wait, the Violet Whirlwind is our teaching assistant and the Ashen Demon is our professor?!" Caspar gasped. "I really didn't see that coming."
"Even here, you two are well-known," Sothis murmured. "I wonder how spread out your reputations truly are."
"Caspar," Dorothea chastised. "Don't be rude."
"You know it's a waste of time to expect politeness from him," Linhardt drawled with half-lidded eyes.
"I didn't say that to be rude," Caspar defended. "It's just….These two are well-known members of the Hungry Wolves. Their fierceness in battle is near legendary! I'm stoked to learn from both of them!"
"He is loud but there is a charm to him," Sothis said.
"Regardless," Linhardt continued. "It will be a pleasure to learn from you both of you."
"Wait, S-Stop!" Bernadetta frantically exclaimed. "I don't know these people! Too many new faces!" Bernadetta then turned to Byleth and Shez and stammered, "D-Don't look at me like that! And p-please don't talk to me too much, either."
Bernadetta then turned around, leaving her back open to Byleth and Shez.
"W-Wait. Then how are we supposed to teach her?" Sothis dryly questioned while Byleth and Shez blinked in unison.
"And that's what happens when you skip this year's first field excursion, Bern," Dorothea sighed. "A lot happened—there was even a bandit attack. Did you really not hear about any of that?"
"Bandits?" Bernadetta whimpered as she crouched down, her back still to Byleth and Shez. "Now I'm extra glad I skipped out."
Byleth watched as Dorothea rubbed Bernadetta's hair with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for the chaos you both walked into," Dorothea apologized while Byleth could feel Sothis leaning from her throne at the green-eyed girl's words. "We're normally not like this."
"She sounds like an exhausted mother," Sothis said. "But wow, that picture does not do her justice."
It certainly didn't.
"I must say," Ferdinand spoke up with a hand to his chest. "The church took a bold step in having the Violet Whirlwind and the Ashen Demon lead our class-a decision which I, of course, fully support. You helped Edelgard, and we stand to learn quite a bit from ones so skilled.."
Ferdinand grinned with closed eyes as he added, "I also notice with my keen eyes that we are all rather close in age. I hope you both do not mind if we treat you like one of us."
"Oh?" Shez questioned while Byleth raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, Assistant Eisner," Ferdinand confidently answered. "In our class, we try to treat each other as equals, despite any differences in age or status. Personally, I would love to include both of you in that inner circle."
"Doesn't seem like a bad idea," Sothis muttered. "But, that could get dicey on the battlefield. You better set up some conditions."
Byleth agreed with this. In The Hungry Wolves, she did not care about how she was viewed or interacted with outside of assignments and battles. Within them, especially if she had a small squadron beneath her, she was the commander and her orders were to be followed.
"I do not wish to speak for my sister, but we would like that," Byleth said. "Outside of class and missions, you may treat us however you like."
"That I wholeheartedly agree with," Shez spoke up as she put her hands behind her head. "I may be the teaching assistant, but please don't hesitate in treating me like an equal. And just call me Shez. None of that "Assistant Eisner" nonsense."
"However," Byleth continued. "Inside the classroom and on the field, I am your leader. What I say, goes. And if I am not present, then my Sister and The House Leader, Edelgard, will step in and lead in my stead."
"Judging from your sister looking as if she swallowed a whole egg, I don't think she expected you to say her name," Sothis said.
Byleth knew this.
However, while she knew her sister did not like the leadership role, she was in that position as her Teaching Assistant. And much like Byleth's role as her father's second-in-command, she would have to be taught how to be a leader.
And there was no time like the present.
"You have a gut, Professor," Petra chirped. "I will take great joy in your teachings."
"W-What did she say?" Sothis stammered.
"Petra, I believe you mean to say that our professor has guts. That's a bit different from having a gut," Dorothea corrected. "You can't go around saying someone so slim and attractive has a gut."
"Oh my," Sothis giggled. "You may want to watch out for this one, Byleth. She may charm you out of your skirt."
Byleth felt the collar beneath her neck heat up as Dorothea's green eyes twinkled with delight.
"Are you blushing? Well, well….Isn't this a fun little thing to see," Sothis teased.
"Oh? Please take my apologies, Professor," Petra apologized. "I have not yet mastered this language."
"That is quite alright," Byleth said with a supportive look. "I knew what you meant."
"I am glad," Petra said. She then turned to Shez and said, "And I have the eagerness to examine the fighting of mercenaries! We should be sparring, one versus one."
Shez looked alarmed at this but grinned, a streak of red going across her face. "I look forward to it, Petra," Shez replied. "How about after this mission?"
"I will be forward looking to it," Petra replied.
"Petra, I believe you mean that you'll be looking forward to it," Dorothea gently corrected.
Petra blinked and then smiled. "Yes, what Dorothea has stated," Petra added.
"Professor, Teaching Assistant," Edelgard interjected as she stepped forward. "Now that you have met our house, I assume you both know what you are getting into, correct?"
Byleth nodded while Shez said, "A lot of chaos and growing pains for everyone."
"Yes," Edelgard chuckled. "We may not be perfect, but we support each other as best as we can. Please try your utmost to get along with everyone."
"She seems rather protective of them. If Dorothea is the mother hen, she is the mother eagle," Sothis stated with amusement.
"And with that said, I want you both to know I may be the imperial princess, but here at the academy, I'm just another student. It's perfectly acceptable for you two to treat me as you do the others," Edelgard said. "However, I do have high expectations of you both. And high hopes. But I am certain you both can lead the Black Eagle House to greatness."
"Noted," Byleth said as Shez smirked.
"Alright, now that introductions are complete," Linhardt cut in. "If anyone needs me, I'll be asleep in— Wait. Scratch that. Does either of you have a Crest? Did Professor Hanneman even check?"
"No but we plan to have that checked after we return," Byleth said.
"Good because I don't know why, I feel that you two must have Cre—"
"Return from where?" Dorothea asked.
"The field," Byleth explained. "We are to eliminate the remaining members of the Iron King's Thieves that attacked your camp and chased off Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri."
"Yeah. Rhea figures the time is right to strike 'em down since Kostas bit the dust," Shez explained. "Leaving the remains of his brigands behind."
"Whoa! That's way better to break the ice than a sparring session!" Caspar exclaimed.
"Why will the ice be broken?" Petra asked with an inquisitive glance at Caspar. "Is this a custom I have missed in my studies?"
"No, it's a saying we have," Shez answered, seeing Caspar's frazzled look. "It typically means to get a conversation going at the start of a party or when people meet for the first time. In Caspar's case, it means getting to see what we can do."
"I have the understanding. I give you my thankings…I mean, I thank you, Assistant Shez," Petra said with a thankful smile, which caused Shez to glance down at the floor. "When shall we experience the breaking of ice?"
"Right away, so we need to prepare ourselves," Byleth said.
"Perfect," Hubert finally spoke. "We'd better get all of our waterfowl in a row."
"W-Wait!" Bernadetta exclaimed as she stood upright and turned around. "Is it too late t-to say that I can't participate?"
"Far too late," Shez replied.
"Oh," Bernadetta moaned. "Good work, Bernie. Why didn't you speak up sooner? I don't want to go out and face bandits. Why can't we just stay in the classroom and learn from a book?"
"Bernadetta," Byleth spoke. "I expect all Black Eagles to participate in this mission, which means you as well."
"You can do this," Shez encouraged. "We will protect each other and make it out of this unscathed. I promise you that."
Bernadetta looked unsure but Dorothea placed a hand on Bernadetta's shoulder. "Let's just calm down and have a nice cup of tea before the mission. Will that help you?" Dorothea asked.
Finally, Bernadetta nodded and stuttered, "O-Okay…."
Edelgard looked pleased with this interaction. She then turned her attention back to Byleth and Shez and said, "I look forward to seeing what you two can do out there."
"We won't let you down," Shez promised. Byleth then watched her sister blink as Linhardt's snoring reached both of their ears.
"Oh, for the Goddess' sake," Ferdinand groaned. "I know we all agreed to treat each other as equals, but there is a limit to what I can tolerate." Ferdinand walked up to Linhardt, who slept away at a desk, and shook him awake. "Wake up, Linhardt. We must have some decorum!"
Hubert chuckled and shook his head. "Looks like your first job will be to quiet down this racket. I certainly don't envy you," Hubert taunted.
"Does he have to sound like a creep?" Sothis noted.
"Ah, Professor Eisner," Seteth announced himself as he stepped into the room. "I see you have met with your students."
"I have," Byleth stated.
"What's up, Sete?" Shez asked.
Seteth glowered.
Sothis sighed.
"I have word from our knights," Seteth stated. "The bandits have fled north into the canyon bordering Count Rowe's land in the Kingdom. They successfully cut off their escape, and now stand ready to provide whatever support your students may require."
"They work fast," Shez said after a whistle.
"We just arrived yesterday," Sothis noted. "And they already have them pinned."
Byleth nodded.
Byleth did recall that Alois told their father that he sent a group of knights to chase after the escaping bandits. They must have spent the whole week getting the bandits into this position while the main group traveled to Garreg Mach.
"That's what I'm thinking as well," Sothis agreed. "This canyon….How far is it, I wonder."
"How far is the canyon?" Byleth asked.
"It's a four-hour journey from here," Seteth answered.
"That's not too bad," Sothis said.
"I needn't remind you this is the first real battle for some of our charges. I trust you both will keep them safe," Seteth said with a critical gaze at Byleth and Shez.
"What do you take us for?" Shez asked. "A bunch of wet-behind-the-ears kids? We got this, Sete."
Byleth shook her head at Shez and calmly replied to Seteth, "We will keep them safe."
"I hope you do," Seteth frowned as he walked away.
"So….what crawled up his butt and died?" Caspar asked.
Shez, and to Byleth's surprise, Edelgard, smirked at this.
"How incorrigible," Sothis chuckled.
"Another clear blue sky," Dorothea announced as she rode beside Edelgard, with Hubert trailing close behind them, on the way to their mission. "It feels so good to be out of the stifling, oppressive air of the monastery."
"On that, we agree," Edelgard chuckled as the breeze flowed against her. "I always cherish moments like this, where we aren't under the eyes of everyone."
Dorothea nodded and then eyed their new professor and teaching assistant. "So, that's the Ashen Demon and the Violet Whirlwind….They're much more attractive than you led me to believe."
"I wasn't necessarily looking at their looks, Dorothea," Edelgard chuckled.
"True, but that would have been a nice thing to tell me," Dorothea grinned. "What do you think of them?"
Edelgard narrowed her eyes.
"Personality-wise? Shez leaves her emotions open like a book," Edelgard started. "It's obvious that she dislikes Seteth. She's very confident in her skills and very personable. I also noticed that during our time on the road and in that village, she greatly admires her sister. It's touching in a way…."
Edelgard drifted off and Dorothea noticed a flicker of grief in her eyes. Dorothea always managed to catch Edelgard when these blink-and-you-miss-it emotions appeared. "Although, She seemed surprised that the Professor named her as co-second-in-command alongside me."
"Skill-wise, her moniker is well-earned. I watched her shred through enemies as if they were nothing when she and the Professor saved Claude, Dimitri, and myself. She is a strong tool to have on our side."
"And the professor?" Dorothea asked.
"She is….reserved, almost emotionless at times," Edelgard answered. "She keeps things short and simple. She is also quite blunt, which is a trait her sister shares, but there are brief moments of something within her eyes. The only time I see emotion is when she gazes at her sister. That's where I see the warmth. Skill-wise….It would be foolish for anyone to fight her."
"Is she that strong?" Dorothea asked.
Dorothea watched as Edelgard looked at Byleth's back. "Who would you say is the strongest out of the students? In terms of physicality." Edelgard asked.
Dorothea tilted her head in thought. "Well, I would say you, Petra/Ferdie, and Caspar. In that order," Dorothea answered.
"The way both of them fight makes us all look like mewling children who just picked up our weapons," Edelgard revealed, which took Dorothea aback. "And that's both of them in general. But Professor Eisner's skill eclipses Assistant Eisner's to a shocking degree."
"Really?" Dorothea gasped.
"I watched her, in one draw of her sword, slice through the necks of two bandits near the end of our second battle. These men were bigger than her and were ax-wielders. They were in mid-swing," Edelgard said. "And she did it as easily as we breathe, and with an expression that puts winter to shame at how cold it was. She is every bit of a demon they claim her to be."
Dorothea then grinned when she saw a hint of red on Edelgard's pale cheeks. "So….I take it she was amazing, Edie?" Dorothea asked.
"Very much so," Edelgard answered. "I truly believe that with both of them, we are in safe hands."
"I-I hope so," Bernadetta mumbled from behind Dorothea, her arms tucked around Dorothea's waist.
That was the only thing Bernadetta had said since they left. The poor thing was so scared, Dorothea wished she could do something to help her but asking that question seemed to stop Bernadetta's trembling.
But while Edelgard and Bernadetta seemed relieved, Dorothea frowned.
While she was confident that everything would be alright, she still had her concerns regarding the two unknowns that joined their team. Dorothea was never the type to believe words. She was about action and she would watch these two and gather the truth with her own eyes.
Caspar was visibly vibrating with excitement as he rode in the middle of Ferdinand and Petra.
Their first field assignment, led by the Ashen Demon and the Violet Whirlwind. He was going to learn so much from them. "Can you stop shaking?" Linhardt grumbled from behind him. "I'm trying to get some rest."
Linhardt decided to use the hour their professor granted to nap so Caspar was forced to have Linhardt ride along with him. While Caspar rode the horse, Linhardt leaned on his back with his fingers steepled on his chest and his eyes closed.
"Can't help it, Lin," Caspar said. "We're just a bit away from seeing The Ashen Demon and the Violet Whirlwind in action. We'll be fighting alongside them."
"Or, they will handle the enemies on their own and let us watch them," Linhardt guessed.
Caspar frowned.
He truly hoped that wasn't going to happen.
"Don't look so down at that thought, Caspar," Ferdinand said with a confident smile. "I doubt Lady Rhea would send us on this mission to just watch."
"I agree," Petra added. "And if that occurs, we shall do the learning of them while watching."
"I just hope for a physical lesson," Caspar said. "So, what do you guys think of them?"
"It is strange that they look as lovely as Histriones or Divas and yet are skilled mercenaries. Perhaps the most skilled in Fódlan. It is quite an amusing sight," Ferdinand commented.
"Histriones?" Petra questioned.
"They perform in theatre plays. It is something the nobles have been enjoying alongside hearing the sweet songs of Divas," Ferdinand explained. "There have been plans for the noble houses to combine them into one. Though considering the fierce rivalry the two groups have, it has been going slow."
"We do not have these in Brigid," Petra noted. "But they are normally beautiful as Assistant Eisner?"
"They tend to be," Ferdinand answered. "You find them Shez beautiful?"
Petra frowned and said, "The Professor is quite lovely, but the shade and color of Shez's eyes and hair are reminding me of the Flame Spirit of Brigid."
"The Flame Spirit….Is that your version of the Goddess, Petra?" Linhardt questioned. Caspar could hear his curiosity and snorted in amusement.
"Of course, that would perk you up," Caspar joked.
"I spoke in haste. I do not be wishing to speak any longer." Petra said and then rode ahead, leaving the boys behind.
Linhardt sigh.
Caspar knew that Petra always clammed up when she spoke about her home and that made him feel guilty.
"But, I for one look forward to seeing if their reputations are well founded," Ferdinand swiftly continued.
Caspar hoped so as well.
"Lost sight of them? How in the world do you lose sight of a whole bandit group?" Shez asked in sheer disbelief as the knight in front of her sheepishly looked away.
"I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes, we lost sight of them," The Knight of Seiros admitted. "It's possible someone magicked the bandits away. But why go to that kind of trouble for a handful of highwayman scum?"
Shez turned to her sister, who visibly frowned. "What do we do?" Shez asked.
Byleth crossed her arms in thought, staring past the knight. Shez then saw her eyes narrow. She saw something in the distance. "Follow me," Byleth instructed as she kicked the sides of Starwind, sending her horse galloping ahead.
"Let's go, Black Eagles!" Shez instructed as Heatwave chased after Byleth and Starwind while the galloping horses of the Black Eagles followed close behind her.,
As Heatwave charged forward, Shez couldn't help but be annoyed. Why was Starwind so much faster than Heatwave? It was obscene! In the distance, Shez could see the shapes of running figures and Byleth removing her sword.
Were those the bandits?
As Shez drew closer, Byleth had a bandit on the ground with her blade at his neck and once she was close to Byleth, she said, "Sis, you really have a bad habit of running off."
"I noticed them dart off in this direction," Byleth explained as she stared down at the shaking bandit.
"W-What they say is true. You really are a demon," The bandit stammered out as Byleth raised an eyebrow.
"Well, if you want to live, you'll want to answer our questions," Byleth said.
"And answer truthfully or else," Shez followed up as she got off of Heatwave.
"Professor, Shez, you shouldn't charge ahead like that. It's far too danger— Wait, what is all this?" Edelgard asked as they rode up behind them.
"Whoa," Caspar breathed.
Bernadetta turned her head from Dorothea's back, and squealed, "Eeek! B-bandits!" And then nestled her face back between Dorothea's shoulder blades.
Linhardt turned his head and raised an eyebrow. "Well, they are quite dead," He drawled.
"Yes, they look quite dead indeed," Ferdinand said. "Professor, Shez, are these the miscreants we were meant to deal with?"
"We were just getting the answer to that," Byleth said as she stared at the bandit, her face an emotionless mask. "Were we not?"
"L-Look, I'll give you anything you want. Just don't kill me!" The bandit cried.
"Then talk," Byleth softly commanded.
Shez couldn't help but admire her sister in her element. She didn't have to shout or make threats like Shez did, all she had to do was keep her voice even to command respect.
"You guys see that fortress there? That's our base! We were retreating into it!" The bandit explained. "To hide from the knights and maybe use our prisoner as a bargaining chip to keep our skins."
"Prisoner?" Byleth asked as she pressed the edge of her blade against the man's neck.
Shez could see the fear growing in the man's eyes as he exclaimed, "Yes! S-She's some red-haired girl in some uniform. Our boss kidnapped her on the command of some fire king or whatever but with our boss dead, and that guy not coming, we gots no use for her anymore."
"Where is she?" Shez asked.
"The cell in the fortress," The bandit answered. "She's there."
"How many men?" Byleth asked.
"Seven outside guarding the place…A-and six inside," The bandit answered.
"A total of thirteen men," Edelgard noted as she got off of her all-white horse. "But the knight did say that someone magicked most, if not all, the bandits into the fortress. That must mean mages are around."
"Y-Yeah," The bandit said. "Three of 'em. And a thief too!"
"Seventeen men," Shez concluded as she turned to Byleth.
"They will be perfect for me to see how well all of you follow commands," Byleth announced as she pulled her blade back from the bandit's neck. She took her foot off the man's chest and motioned for him to flee.
The man wasted no time in scrambling to his feet and running for this life.
"So, it seems that there is a hostage in there," Dorothea said.
"Yes. Which means that the mission perimeters have changed," Byleth announced. "We are to eliminate the bandits and save the hostage."
"That gives us allowance to be storming their base and crushing them under our feet!" Petra exclaimed.
Dorothea shook her head and said, "Professor, It might be a little dangerous for us to handle on our own."
"Yes! I mean, I agree. We should all, um, go home. Right now!" Bernadetta exclaimed, her voice muffled by Dorothea's shirt.
"But the bandits are inside, and they must answer for their crimes of attacking our camp and kidnapping!" Ferdinand combatted. "It is our noble duty to finish them off before they can bring harm to another soul."
"This isn't about nobles—it's about doing the right thing, period. And striking down evil is the Caspar way!" Caspar exclaimed with a fist pump.
"I mean, Sis…. We'll be heroes if we manage to take out the entire bandit outpost," Shez told Byleth with a grin. "This is the kinda stuff we live for."
Shez watched as her sister narrowed her eyes at the fortress and said, "Dorothea, you and Hubert will go back to the outpost and inform the knights of our location. The rest of us will proceed with entering the fortress to clear it out. Once done, Dorothea and Bernadetta will return….While Hubert remains out here to await further instructions."
"I can do that," Dorothea remarked.
"P-Professor? Do I have to?" Bernadetta stammered.
"Professor. That would be a mistake," Hubert started. "Are you sure that is wise to send me back with them when I will do well here alongside Lady Edelgard?"
Shez watched as Byleth turned to the ghoulish man and asked with a glint in her eyes, "Are you both disobeying an order?"
Bernadetta whimpered as she slid off Dorothea's horse and stood alongside the group.
Hubert glowered at Byleth, which caused Shez to step in front of her with a frown. "Well, aren't you going to go?" Shez asked as she glared back at him.
"It's alright, Hubert," Edelgard said. "Please follow her commands."
Hubert narrowed his eyes at Byleth, turned his attention to Edelgard, and then bowed his head as he said, "I will obey."
"But I can't but agree with him, Professor," Edelgard admitted. "His magic is a boon to the Black Eagles."
"I am quite aware," Byleth answered. "However, from your notes, he has been with you since you were a child and I noticed that the entire time we've been together, save when we first met, he has hovered over you like a ghost. I wanted to test and see if he would listen to my command or if he would combat it and wait until you commanded him. He not only tried to undermine my choice by stating I made a mistake but then looked to you instead of obeying my command."
Byleth looked to the rest of her group and said, "I am willing to listen to advice when needed, as I have done with Dorothea, but I will not have someone like that in my class unless they know to follow commands from their field leader. Retainer or not."
Shez smirked as Byleth concluded, "As I said, this is my class and my rules and command will be followed. If anyone fails to heed that one rule, there will be repercussions. Am I clear?"
The group nodded.
"Good, now, let us proceed," Byleth instructed.
Violet: And Byleth has put her foot down. Truthfully, when I first played Three Houses, I did not like Hubert, Linhardt or Bernie-bear. And while I adore Linhardt and Bernie-bear now, Hubert I still don't. He gets away with far too much in the game in treating people the way he does and in the fandom I feel as well. He needs to be deeply humbled.
With that said, the mission was supposed to be this chapter but since that one will be filled with action, I decided to make that its own chapter. Until then, class dismissed!