Chapter 13: The Certification Exam
Author's notes: So I pushed back the bandit battle to focus on bonding and support chats. I hope you will enjoy it!
Also, there's a part in this chapter that retells a rather traumatic point in Byleth's life (and Jeralt's) that readers may find upsetting. It is along the lines of 'child in harm' and though I don't go into explicit details it may still be triggering. I completely understand if you wish to skip it and I have put up x-x-x-x- markers to denote the start and end of the event should you wish to do so.
Plus I updated chapter 10 to include a bit about Dimtir's ageusia (the condition where one cannot taste food) during his cooking time with Mercedes. I had completely forgotten about it while writing.
RAX: Thank you for your review. Indeed I will do the father-daughter pair justice in this story! And I also love the idea of Jeralt and Seteth becoming friends as they have so much in common. I just need to figure out how and when it will happen.
NyanCat:You're welcome! I am so happy you liked it! I was a fun piece to write. And I am definitely planning on bringing the two fathers together, just need to figure out the right moment, hmmmm. And yes, Gilbert and Alois must join the 'I have a precious daughter club'. Oh ho oh! Edelgard is definitely figuring out her emotions. Woot! Thank you for the Platinum star cookies! xD
CielCial: I'm so happy to hear that you are enjoying Jeralt's method of swatting off potential suitors; poor papa Jeralt, never had he had to worry about boys until now! While the bandit battle does occur in Zanado, I did push back the battle to focus on some in between moments. Though I do have a slight twist on what will go down in the Red Canyons!
Krystal: Thank you so much! I haven't done the other routes yet, but the Blue Lions route is the best. I really need to get these dad's together...they would be a force to be reckoned with, possibly greater that The Knights of Serios... Maybe they will start the F.A.R.T club - Fathers Against Rapscallions Troop!
Osheana259: I am happy to hear that you liked the flower and feast ideas. Also it was fun to write about how Jeralt got the title Blade Breaker, and that's not all he is willing to break - take note Seteth! xD
Rean-Belle: Oh, that is a wonderful idea. I will try to incorporate it into the story. Maybe a pressed flower in Jeralt's diary? Maybe they will start the F.A.R.T club - Fathers Against Rapscallions Troop! And Alois will join later. I feel like he tried to become an older brother for Byleth. And there was this adorable fanart I was where Alois walks Byleth down the aisle T_T
Rahzel and Ryu: Oh wow! Thank you for your awesome reviews! I'm blown away! As for when Byleth's default outfit will show up...I'm not 100% sure when it will show up, and Dimitri's going to suffer if it does that's for sure! We can't have the poor prince distracted during battle. Oh man, I do need to put in a cat stuck up a tree bit at some point huh! I didn't even think about Pokemon until I read the reviews! Oh I loved that scene and now that I think of it Brock has just been reborn as Slyvain! xD He's got to catch 'em all!
The father-daughter duo were mirror images of each other for they had their forks and knives at the ready as they contemplated their meals with predatory gazes. The steaming Queen fish fillet had been sautéed in liberal amounts of caramelized butter and garnished with fragrant herbs. The pair exchanged silent nods before attacking their meals with gusto.
"So," Jeralt began before he stuffed his mouth with another heap of food. "What's Rhea's next plan with your kiddos?"
Byleth swallowed a piece of buttery fish before she replied, "We have a mission to fight the bandits nearby."
At this news, Jeralt nearly choked on his piece of fish. "So soon?" He gasped as he thumped his chest a couple of times.
"You don't think they are ready?" Byleth asked as she paused with a forkful of fish dangling in front of her mouth.
Jeralt looked contemplative as set down his fork. "A couple of your students are ready; you can tell they have seen either battle or the destruction of it. As for the rest," the captain rubbed his beard thoughtfully as he recounted the youthful and innocent faces of Byleth's students. "The rest have yet to look death in the face."
Byleth set down her fork of fish and reflected on her father's words. She hadn't thought of how her students would react once they had truly killed another human being. How would some of them fare?
As if he could hear her thoughts, Jeralt added, "Taking out bandits is an everyday thing for you, but this will be a true test for your students. You'll not only need to be ready for the worst, but be ready to help them come to terms with what they have done. I'm sure you remember how your first strike affected you, and me..." Jeralt nearly whispered the last part as he held his daughter's gaze.
Byleth remembered...she could vividly recall that day as if it happened last night. She was only a child and wasn't supposed to be on the battlefield, even if Jeralt was training her. But curiosity compelled her to sneak after her father's mercenary band as they prepared an ambush upon a camp of bandits. These weren't your usual bandits...they were monsters who did terrible deeds and kept a nearby village in a state of constant fear as they raided, raped, and kidnapped. The village was poor and couldn't afford mercenaries for protection. It just happened that Jeralt co. was stopping by for supplies when they learned of the village's plight and of the terrors they experienced. Jeralt made a special exception to rid the bandits free of charge. 'Just keep an eye on my daughter,' Jeralt remarked to the innkeeper that night as he gave Byleth a knowing look.
However, Byleth had other plans and she was a very quiet child. She donned her cloak and attached the sheath of her small dagger to her belt. The dagger was only supposed to be used for self protection and Byleth didn't intend to enter the fray, she just wanted to watch her father fight. Quietly like a mouse, the little girl slipped out of the sleeping inn and into the growing storm that engulfed the stars above. Byleth caught sight of her father's mercenary team entering the forest ahead. She quickly fell in pursuit, keeping back just far enough not to be spotted, but not losing sight of them in return...that is until the rain began to pour and the clouds above roared with thunder.
At first she could see Jeralt's battalion flit behind the tree trunks as lightning illuminated the night sky; but then they were gone. Byleth halted in her pursuit as she ascertained her baring of the land. Jeralt had taught her well about tracking and keeping tabs on your location. Byleth knew she could turn around and find her way back with ease even in this tumultuous weather; they had traveled through worse before. As the little girl mulled over the situation, a low dangerous voice growled, "Why hello there little lamb."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
A hulking figure drew closer before he paused, allowing the lightning to reveal his brutish visage of long wet matted hair that was greying, and a wanting glint in his eyes that instantly set off Byleth's internal alarm. "Now what is a little kid like you doing out here all alone in the rain?" He asked during the lull between thunderclaps. "Your clothes are too fine to belong to the villagers. But it doesn't matter." He took another step forward and Byleth slid her booted feet along the mud until she was in her fighting stance.
He let out a deep cruel laugh at her response. "You don't look scared kid...but I like 'em scared. To get your little heart racing until it might burst." he chuckled and it was low, heartless, and cruel.
Lightning lit up Byleth's face, revealing how impassive it remained to even the rain pelting her head. The girl replied calmly, "I'm never scared." And it was the was the truth; Byleth had never experienced 'fear'.
"Oh," The man licked his scarred lips, "I'll make you know fear real well kid," he then lunged at her with the strength of a silverback gorilla. Byleth deftly leapt to the side, but didn't account for the length of his long arms as he swiped at her. His right hand grabbed Byleth by the front of her tunic and he slammed her little body against a nearby tree trunk. His cold calloused hand pressed painfully against her chest and he was readying to tear her tunic off when something made him pause. 'What the...this kid doesn't even have a heartbeat'...then he looked at her through fresh eyes, "what the hell are you?" But in that moment, Byleth struck with her dagger in hand. Slicing it along his hand causing him to drop her in both surprise and shearing pain as bright blood trickled down his fingers.
Byleth was ready for him now. She had evaluated his speed, pinpointed the weakness in his armor, and knew the length of the brute's arms as he tried fruitlessly to swipe at her as if she were a pestering housefly. Her jabs were speedy, efficient, and well placed just as Jeralt had taught her. But the more she needled, the more rage he mounted "Just die already!" The bandit screamed and just as the thunder roared, the man lunged, and that was his mistake. He lowered his neck down to a level Byleth could now reach.
She pierced her dagger into the side of the man's neck, feeling the tautness of skin, gooiness of fat, and the thunk of bone as her dagger embedded itself in his cervical spine. Byleth came to a halt as she dug her boots into the slippery mud.
The bandit stumbled then fell onto all fours upon the mud. He looked like a fish as he opened and closed his mouth with ragged breaths that became shallower with each breath. Byleth cautiously approached him, but he kept his face down. Byleth reached out her hand...not to comfort him, but to retrieve her dagger from his neck. With one tug, the dagger slipped out of its deep wound, letting bright crimson blood to flow out, pulsing in tandem with his beating heart. The man crumpled onto the muddy ground. The blood now flowing freely as his body laid still.
"Byleth?" Came the perplexed voice of her father. Jeralt couldn't believe what he was seeing as another flash of lightning imbued the sky. His daughter's little figure standing still over the crumpled body of the bandits' leader, a small dagger clutched in her hand, the front of her tunic torn.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Byleth!" Jeralt shouted in worry as he rushed to her, for once his worry showed as he soaked in the scene before him. Heart pounding frantically in his chest, Jeralt knelt down to be at level with his daughter. He didn't chide her for obviously sneaking out and following him, his main concern was, "Are you hurt and did he touch you?"
Byleth nodded to both questions causing her father's heart to skip a beat in terror over what had transpired. "I killed him. I, killed him," Byleth echoed as her face remained placid, like a calm soothing lake, but she dropped her dagger in realization of what she had done. Byleth's steel blue eyes flitted towards the crumpled bloodied body and widened as she added, "Father, his heart is still...still like mine. Why is that?"
Jeralt was momentarily at a loss for words before he wrapped his arms around Byleth and brought her close to him in a tight protective hug. "I don't know," the captain replied honestly. "But I swear to you, you are not dead; you are full of life." Jeralt had no idea why his daughter's heart was still, why she didn't bat an eye at death, nor laughed at being tickled. But she was alive, by the goddess, Byleth was as alive and even more spirited than most. No matter what Rhea had done to her.
"Your heartbeat is comforting father," Byleth whispered softly. Jeralt squeezed his daughter's small drenched body and stroked her head as she gave a weary sigh. The captain gently scooped her up and she shivered in his arms as he brought her back to the inn.
Byleth blinked as she returned back the bustling dining hall of Garreg Mach Monastery. She focused on her father and saw his knowing look. "They will be fine," the young woman stated confidently.
"Of course they will be," Jeralt remarked with a small smile, "they have you to watch over them."
They finished the rest of their meal in comfortable silence. Until Jeralt, with an empty dish in front of him, stated "Alright, I still have some things to finish up before I head out on my own mission." He then paused as he appraised his silent daughter. "I would like to do this more often. You should even invite a few of your students to join us next time."
Byleth nodded. She quite liked that idea. Now with time to spare Byleth decided to explore the monastery. It was becoming an enjoyable pastime of hers, better if she didn't get lost, but at least their was a dog or cat to pet along the way.
Back outside, Byleth paused to check the weather, the month of the Harp String Moon was a notable for its spring time planting season, and the clouds above looked like innocent white fluffy marshmallows as they drifted along the crisp cool breeze. At least there would be no storm obstructing their mission. As the young woman made her way back to her room the musical voice of Dorothea called out to her, "Oh! Professor? Professor!" Yoo-hooed the Black Eagle's student as she waved from the steps leading to the first floor student dorms.
Byleth heeded the brunette's call and came to her side. She noticed Dorothea wrung her clasped hands together in a slightly anxious manner. "Professor, by any chance did you see a pale blue undershirt about?"
Byleth tilted her head questioningly at the young woman causing her cheeks to turn rosy pink. "Okay," Dorothea sighed as she unclasped her hands. "The truth is I was doing laundry and my undershirt got blown away by the wind; now I can't find it anywhere."
The professor mulled this story over before replying. "Let's search for it together" Dorothea relaxed with relief and watched as Byleth raised her hand up in the air, 'hmmm a northerly wind…' "Follow me," the young woman signaled to the Black Eagle's student and soon they were briskly walking down the path towards the training grounds.
"What does it look like?" Byleth asked as they pair walked past the first row of dorms.
"Oh, well it's light blue and made of silk...it was a gift," the brunette responded as she adjusted her hat so it too didn't get whisked off by the wind.
Then Byleth asked another question, "You do your own laundry?"
Dorothea sighed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes, as a commoner I don't have the luxury of some of the amenities the noble student's receive. Actually, I'm the only commoner in the Black Eagle House. Nobles can be so exhausting," Dorothea chuckled, more to herself as they pushed open the large double doors leading into the training grounds. Within they spotted Caspar and Raphael, whom appeared at have just finished sparring. Chatting, they had set their weapons down, and Caspar produced a small light blue cloth from his pocket. Byleth could feel Dorothea go rigid besides her as the brunette watched Caspar wipe his sweaty face with the delicate cloth.
The young lad turned around and brightened at the sight of the two ladies. "Oh! Hey there Professor, Dorothea!" He greeted with a wide grin. "You two here to check in on my training? Oh that reminds me, look what I found stuck up in a tree!" Caspar hurried over to the two, eager to show off his find. "This piece of fabric. It's kinda weird. Not really sure what it is, but it works great for wiping up sweat!" Caspar mopped his face again before pausing to give the cloth a sniff, "huh, it kinda smells like roses too."
"Y...You…" Dorothea was practically shaking with rage. "You imbecile!" She yelled as she snatched the blue cloth right out of Caspar's hand. The brunette turned upon her heels and stormed off, leaving the trio to watch with stunned looks.
"I just don't get girls at all!" Casapr sighed as he rubbed the back of his head in feeling utterly baffled at what had just transpired. He then looked questioningly up at Raphael who just shrugged his broad shoulders, causing the buttons of his shirt to hold on for dear life.
"Apparently," the hulking blonde piped up, "per my lil'sis, I know next to nothin' about ladies." Raphael shrugged again, this time causing one of the distressed buttons to pop off. "Awww, not again!" The young man groaned as he lumbered after the rolling button.
"Raphael, you just need a new shirt!" Caspar guffawed.
"I grow right out of them!" Raphael sighed as he retrieved the button.
Shaking her head, Byleth bade the two boys farewell and resumed her leisurely walk around the monastery. Maybe she should do a little shopping? At the thought, the young woman reached into the small pouch had slipped into her pocket. But instead her fingers brushed up against the seeds she had found on her first tour of the greenhouse. Inspired, the Byleth headed over to the glass house.
Inside the warm windowed garden she found Dedue kneeling over a bed of dark freshly turned soil before he became privy to the young woman's presence. The student paused to look over his shoulder. "Professor," he greeted simply in his deep calm voice.
"Dedue," she replied simply. Byleth was now besides him, surveying his work.
"Do you need something?" The young Duscar man asked without pausing in his work of tilling the soil.
"I wanted to plant these seeds," Byleth held out her hand, upon which a collection of white, blue, and black seeds rested.
Dedue briefly glanced at her hand before returning to his task, "What's stopping you?"
"I've never planted anything before," Byleth confessed as she rolled the seeds about in her palm.
Dedue paused in his work to look up at the professor. Then something happened that Byleth had not seen before, his expression softened as he remarked, "You've lived quite a nomadic life?"
The young woman nodded. Since she was a babe her life was mainly nomadic. Her stay at the monastery was now the longest point in time she had remained in one location. If Byleth hadn't been so busy with being a teacher, she probably would have become antsy by now.
"Here, I will show you," Dedue remarked as he took the white seed. Byleth watched as he made a little hole in the enriched soil with his finger, dropped the seed into it, then covered the hole back before he gently patted the dirt.
Nodding, Byleth knelt beside him and repeated the process under his watchful gaze. Once done Dedue resumed his own work. But Byleth lingered.
"Professor," Dedue began carefully. "It is better if you do not spend too much time around a man of Duscar, there will be rumors."
"Let them talk," Byleth remarked boldly.
At this, Dedue halted in his work to stare back at the young woman at his side. Her expression was smooth and placid...unreadable, as if she was a master of her emotions.
"You are my student," Byleth added. "And you helped me learn how to plant a seed. Now how can I help you?"
"Hmmm," he murmured, "Very well, you can help me by watering the plants." He pointed to a fairly large yellow watering can.
With a nod, Byleth began to water the nearest seedling...she watered and watered and…
"Professor you're drowning the seedling," Dedue warned once he realized what she was doing. Byleth quickly halted her action. "A little less water next time, you just need enough to soak into the soil," the young man instructed.
Nodding her understanding, Byleth went about dutifully watering the plants with just the right amount of water. She was about to water the plants in the corner when something halted her.
"No!" the Duscar student blurted out in an uncharacteristic burst of emotion that made Byleth freeze. "Pardon, but those plants are from Duscar. They require a dry environment. The roots are gentle and close to the surface. They will rot with too frequent of watering."
Byleth looked back to survey the seedlings. It looked like they still had much growing to do. But now knowing that they were from Duscar, a place in Fódlan she had never visited, Byleth was curious as to how they would look once matured.
Once they were both done, the pair met at the middle of the garden and surveyed their work in comfortable silence. Dedue then turned to gaze down at the petite professor. So much had happened in the span of four days. It all began when Dedue feared he had lost his highness on the night of the bandits ambush. Later he was informed that Byleth and her father had rescued the three house leaders, and that the young mercenary had been signed on as the Blue Lion's professor. Ever wary, he watched their professor intently for any sign of betrayal that would expose her true nature. Yet time and time again Byleth proved capable, caring, and earnest for her students; students that were not that much younger than herself. The young woman was shouldering a heavy burden, but if the weight was bothering her, then Byleth showed no hint of it. "I owe you a debt of gratitude," he stated into the silence, causing the young woman to look at him with a curious gaze. "Your presence has been instrumental in the defense of his Highness. You have my sincerest thanks," Dedue confessed with a cordial nod.
Byleth now shifted her stance so that she was fully looking up at the young Duscar man. "On the morning of the ambush, I promised Dimitri that as long as he has my strength no harm will befall him." What she didn't reveal was that she almost died for the prince that day had it not been for Sothis.
Dedue's teal eyes widened as he gazed down at the professor. He had never been close enough to her before to see the fierce eternal flame within her dark steel blue eyes. Upon seeing it, any thought of Byleth's potential betrayal melted away from the young man's mind. Those were the eyes of a protector...no...a champion, like those in the tales of Duscar's greatest warrior. Eyes that he wished he had.
Byleth broke their gaze as she stated, "Rest well Dedue," and bade him farewell. As the young woman exited the greenhouse the chipper voice of Claude called out to her. "Hey Teach!" The young woman looked about until she spotted the Golden Deer leader relaxing at the pier of the fishing pond. He waved merrily over to her as his legs dangled over the pier's edge.
"I hear you've been tasked with hunting down bandits, right?" The young man asked as Byleth settled herself down next to him.
"How did you know," Byleth questioned as she stared at him, her legs now dangling over the pond's calm surface.
"I have my sources," the Golden Deer leader smiled mysteriously before he directed his gaze back upon the calm waters and the waterfall. "My class is stuck with a downright peaceful mission," Claude sighed with slight annoyance.
"Camping?" Byleth asked innocently.
"No, not cam...wait did you just make a joke?!" Claude guffawed. "Teach, you're full of surprises." They then fell into a comfortable silence as a watched the growing sunset warm the horizon. "This little area reminds me of my hometown Derdriu," Claude confessed with a small smile. "Ever been Teach?"
"Yes," Byleth replied as she recalled a fairly recent trip to the Aquatic Capital of the Leicester Alliance. The young woman remembered the crisp salty air of the ocean, bustling marina, and shrill squawking gulls. Garreg Mach Monastery was almost too quiet when compared to the likes of Derdriu. Byleth felt her spirit renew at the peaceful moment. As night set in she bade Claude farewell and retreated back to her room, leaving the Golden Deer leader to ponder new schemes.
Byleth arrived early to the classroom the next day in order to set up for her first lecture session. The professor was met by a small pile of papers stacked neatly upon her desk. Eight pages, one for each student, detailing their current strengths and weaknesses upon the entrance examination. There were empty slots next to sections labeled: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master. Per the entrance exam, everyone was at the Beginner level, exactly what Byleth had gathered from their first training session.
Next to the pile of paper was a new grey leather bound book that had not been there previously. "Certified classes and requirements," the silver embossed title read. Rifling through it nearly made Byleth's head spin. There were numerous classes each with advancements based on the student's strengths, weaknesses, and weapon proficiencies. Then there was the certification exam to attain various class status; from being a simple mercenary like herself to a seasoned Falcon Knight. All one had to do was earn the appropriate experience and skills to be able to sit for a rigorous written exam. Indeed the Officers Academy had more layers to it than Byleth had been aware. The young woman then realized she had no idea what her students' goals were.
The bell chimed a 10 minute warning before 9 to prompt students to class. Soon the Blue Lions made their appearances as they took their seats. At the end of the morning bell toll, Byleth stood in front of her desk and began to speak. "Our next mission is to defeat a nearby group of bandits," she informed her students in a tone that was serious as she recalled her father's warning. "A couple of you have faced foes in real battle, you've experienced striking another person down. But many of you here have not," Byleth's steel blue eyes swept the classroom ensuring that she held each of her students' attention. "In this battle we will be against those who will not hesitate to harm us. And while we will have the support of the knights, we must stay vigilant." The class was silent at this news and Byleth allowed her voice slightly softened as she continued, "Now in preparation for that day I want review each of your goals, what class do you dream to ultimately attain? Who would like to share first?"
Ingrid's hand rose into the air. "Well, it has always been my dream to become a knight. As I explored Garreg Mach, I watched the Pegasus team fly in formation overhead and I think that's what I want. Professor, I want to be a Falcon Knight."
Byleth nodded and made a little note with her snowy white owl feathered quill. "Next?"
Now Felix's hand rose up, "I want to learn magic," the young swordsman stated again.
"Well, I want to learn magic too," Sylvain suddenly added causing his neighbor to frown at him.
"You just want to learn magic because of Dorothea," Felix remarked curtly.
"That's only half of it," Sylvain smiled broadly as he leaned forward. "But, can you imagine how cool I will be riding on top of a horse shooting magic lightning at our enemies!" The red head mimed shooting lighting bolts about the room.
"Why bother with a horse, magic in one hand and a blade in the other are the superior combination," Felix huffed as he crossed her arms over his chest.
"I'd cover the battlefield faster by horse," Sylvain countered.
"And you'd be a big target mark," Felix parried with words.
The two continued to bicker, earning a frown from Ingrid as she turned around to glare at her childhood friends. Byleth cleared her throat. "I will reach out to Professor Hanneman," the young woman stated as she jotted the note down. "I'll see if he can provide us with some seminars on magic proficiency."
Then Ashe's hand rose up shyly. Prompted by Byleth's nod he spoke up, "I concur with Sylvain, about the horse I mean. I would like to be a bow knight." Again Byleth jotted this down, mulling over the fact that they would just need to find a more sweet tempered steed for Ashe.
Meanwhile Dimitri checked his own paperwork. If his calculations were correct, he was just ready to take his first certification exam to become a soldier. No doubt the professor would agree that his skill with the lance has improved dramatically since following Byleth's helpful coaching. And if he followed the path of soldier he could continue on to cavalier, then towards paladin and maybe even a holy knight like Rodrigue. The prince's icy blue eyes glazed over as he imagined himself riding upon snowy white steed clad in shining silver armor that was embellished with the blue crest of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. He was not only an expert in the art of the lance, but healing, and he was rushing towards his wounded companion, just like the scene in the tale of Loog and the Maiden of Wind.
'Dimitri…' Byleth sighed upon seeing him slide off the steed and rush to her side in the midst of the warring battlefield.
"Fear not professor, for I am here now," Dimitri whispered as he tended to her imaginary wounds.
'Dimitri…' the young woman repeated wistfully as she gently closed her eyes.
"Dimitri?" Wait...that was…'eep!' The prince was back in the classroom and all eyes were upon him.
"Dimitri?" The professor repeated from the front of the class as she had noticed the young man had zoned off. "Maybe you would like to share your thoughts?"
'Absolutely not!' the prince squeaked in his mind as his cheeks reddened to match Sylvain's hair.
The aforementioned student had turned around in his seat to peer curiously back at his old friend. Sylvain was absolutely delighted at the sight that met his gaze. Dimitri looked utterly frazzled with a face as red and shiny as a ripe tomato and innocent blue eyes wide in terror at being prompted to share his thoughts. Sylvain's lips curled into such a mischievous smile that it put the Cheshire cat to shame.
Dimitri on the other hand, tried his best to ignore Sylvain's wiggling eyebrows and wide grin. The prince quickly collected himself and cleared his throat. "Ah, well professor, I realized that I am ready to take the certification exam for the soldier class."
Byleth paused, "Excellent, I can arrange for the examinations to occur after lunch. Who else is ready?" The professor asked and was pleased to see that all of the Blue Lions were ready.
After lunch, the class room was as silent as a cemetery, or at least would have been had it not been for the several furious scratchings of owl feather quills upon parchment. Byleth tried not to make any direct eye contact with anyone, but she could see that her students were making all sorts of faces, some of which looked rather painful. Annette had to be shushed for humming, Dimitri broke two quills, and Sylvain was nearly punched in the gut by Felix for excessive chair rocking.
"Alright, time is up." Byleth stated as she rose from her desk. "Everyone take a break outside while I grade these." She shooed her students out before settling back at her desk with a red dye inkwell. The responses varied from logical, calculative, and straight forward to some very creative and over the top ideas. The professor was pleased that some of her students even recalled her training and the tactics used in the mock battle. She felt a swell of pride as she opened the door to the classroom to find all of her students eagerly awaiting their results. Byleth paused, unknowingly causing the suspense to skyrocket before announcing, "You all passed."
"Oh, what a relief!" Ashe sighed.
"Professor, you nearly had us going!" Mercedes gently chided as she had her hand resting upon her heart.
"It's all thanks to hard work!" Annette cheered merrily.
"You are all dismissed for the day," Byleth announced. "Now go rest up." She didn't want to tire her students out as they did not know when they would be summoned to fight the bandits. And speaking of fighting...Byleth needed a new sword.
More rambling notes from the Author:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to focus on the students a bit more before we start another battle. Don't worry, Sylvain is in cattily pursuit to discover what frazzled Dimitri so!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise, Intelligent Systems Co., and Ninetendo's exceptional work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness.