Fodlan's Whirlpool Chapter 2: White Clouds: A Stage for a battle

Naoto's POV

I arrived at where the mock battle would take place. It was a grassy field on the outskirts of Garreg Mach. Edelgard was talking with our new teacher as she saw me and gestured for me to come.

''Ah, Naoto. Please come here. I was explaining to the professor the history of the battle between the Eagles and the Lions. There is always a mock battle at the start of the year. Then 10 months later the Real battle starts to showcase the student's growth. This battle is a mock battle. I was about to discuss with our teacher the strategy we'd use.'' Edelgard said as Byleth said her piece.

''Such tricks won't be needed. We will win this.'' Byleth said as she spoke in her monotone voice like this was a fact. I looked slightly surprised as Edelgard had a small smile adorning her face as she spoke yet again.

''Such Confidence. This will be easy then.'' Edelgard said as a voice was heard towards us as it spoke.

''So an emergency strategy meeting. No worries, we'll just join in right now.'' The voice reveals it the be Claude, the leader of the Golden Deers with Naruto next to him. Surprisingly, Dimitri was also there with a purple-haired girl with purple eyes. He hair was long and she also had a ponytail with it and was dressed in orange and black. She was next to Dimitri so perhaps she was a new student for the Blue Lions. Edelgard wasted no time rebutting Claude however.

''Simply tell me your weaknesses or leave. We can't waste time as it is.'' Edelgard said as Claude decided to mock her in a faux haughty tone.

''Oh...? So you can't win unless we tell you how to beat us. Poor Princess, you really should have given up from the start.'' Claude said as Dimitri coughed into his fist to bring order before he spoke.

''Cough, cough. Anyway, we came to wish you good luck. Edelgard...if I see you on the field, prepare for a challenge. This is Shez by the way. She recently joined us so I hope you'll get along.'' Dimitri said as he left with Shez who shot a look a Byleth before looking at Naruto and me. Dimitri then left but Naruto stayed and held his hand towards me as he spoke.

''Good Luck bro. May the best win. no hard feelings alright?'' Naruto said as I nodded shook his hand and said my piece to him before he left.

''Same to you Naruto.'' I said as he grinned before he left. I then said something to Edelgard as our Teacher left to prepare the rest needed for the mock battle.

''Hey is it me or did Shez shoot a look of hate at our teacher?'' I asked Edelgard nodded before she spoke up.

''Indeed, there seems to be some animosity on Shez's part at least. Regardless we can't do anything about that unless we get some more intel.'' Edelgard said as we went into the mock battle.

Once we arrived, all three classes were present as they all took their base as a voice was heard. The Blade Breaker was now explaining the rules.

''Alright, welcome to the Battle of the Eagles and Lions. This is a mock battle so I expect no casualties be it wounded or not. I'll be overseeing it to make sure of that. Now the rules are simple. each class where given practice weapons of their choosing. those who use magic, be warned that there is a barrier to prevent any big harm so don't expect to be wounded. The last class to have any remaining member standing wins. Now the House leaders and their Teachers are obligated to participate, Please pick 4 other teammates for this. Then the battle will commence.'' The Blade Breaker said as Byleth asked Edelgard her opinion.

''Who would you recommend?'' Byleth asked as Edelgard said her piece.

''I would pick Naoto as he has both magic and he can dual wield swords which makes him good all around. Then I'd pick Bernadetta as we need an Archer. I'd finally round it up with Caspar and Dorothea.'' Edelgard said as Byleth said her piece.

''You heard her. Get on the field right now.'' Byleth said as I arrived helping Bernie who was complaining about her luck.

''Um...why me?! Can't I just stay away and hide?!'' Bernadetta said panicking as Caspar said his thing as he cracked his knuckles.

''Don't worry, I'll just punt them away.'' He said as Dorothea said her piece as we now saw our opponents.

''My, my, it seems I will have to show that even a Rose has thorns" Dorothea said as I looked at our opponents, and sure enough, this was going to be problematic. The Blue Lions had Dimitri, Dedue, Ingrid, Shez, Ashe, Mercedes, and their teacher, Hanneman. On the other hand, the Golden Deers had Claude, Hilda, Naruto, Lysthea, Lorentz, Ignatz, and their teacher Manuella. The Golden Deers had barricades in the upper left where they were located while the Blue Lions had a small dense forest to hide. We were clearly dealt a shitty fucking hand as I said my thoughts.

''Be careful everyone, We are stuck in a hard place. Look at their vantage point.'' I said as Byleth nodded and spoke with a smile so small it was barely noticeable.

''Watch and Learn. You will see something new. Sometimes acting stupid will destabilize an enemy force and its troops. Follow my lead as this tactic isn't without its drawbacks.'' Byleth said as we followed her into the mock battle.