Chapter 14: Break time

Goetia sat behind the desk in the library, reading through the parchment detailing Tomas' instructions. The man had disappeared again, although this time it had been made apparent what his intentions were.

Travelling into Empire territory to collect a recently released set of research notes to be added to the Monastery Libraries collection, although Goetia himself wasn't quite sure why the Library needed another extended book detailing the History of Fodlan from a revisionist perspective. He very much doubted it would offer anything insightful.

Regardless, it was currently himself and several other clerics in the Library. They, however, gave him a wide berth. His status as a foreigner was already cause for suspicion, add onto that his rather vague stance on the Church of Seiros religion made for hushed whispers of Heresy. It didn't matter too greatly to him, it at least kept them at arms length.

He always did dislike religious Zealots, human belief that they needed some higher power to make their lives more bearable, as if the Gods were so inclined to actually listen to the whims of humans as a whole. He pitied humanity for many reasons, their devotion towards Gods, real and imagined, was one such reason. Not that he would confess to the clerics that he found them pathetic. That would just create unnecessary conflict.

He had recognised the need for Religion as a form of control, understanding the logic behind it. That didn't mean he liked it.

The door to the Library opened, red eyes briefly flickered up to the entrance where he saw the form of Von Riegan walk in. Trademark smirk on his face. He could already tell this was going to be a tiresome encounter. If Byleth was the picture of childish curiosity, then Von Riegan was the picture of childish mischief.

"Shall I assume you are, in fact, not here to study Von Riegan?" Goetia called out to him as the boy approached, Claude gave a mock look of hurt before shaking his head.

"Such cold words, you really think I would come to a library, a place of learning, and not use the facilities appropriately?" He asked in a faux tone of sadness.

"I have little doubt you came to the Library to learn." Goetia remarked, floating the parchment away and giving Claude a half-lidded stare "However you have made it abundantly clear that the information you seek relates to me."

"Can't blame a guy for being curious." Claude shrugged, dropping the act and returning his usual carefree expression "Besides, isn't it normal for a House leader to check up on his classmates?"

"I am not a member of the Golden Deer House, nor did I originate in the Leicester Alliance."

"True." Claude nodded, smile widening as he pulled a chair over, flipping it around and sitting down with his arms resting atop the back "But you've recently begun teaching Magic to people from the Golden Deer, add onto that you sat in on one of our lessons and that you are going to be accompanying us on our first mission." Claude paused "And this is within the first month of you being here."

Goetia released a sigh "My tutoring of Magecraft to Lysithea and young Pinelli are not related to their status as Golden Deer and my joining your lesson was at your insistence. The mission to engage with Demonic Beasts was also one of coincidence, had the Blue Lions or Black Eagles attempted a similar mission, I would have approached their House professors to ask for a similar opportunity to join them."

Claude shrugged "That's also true, but you can't deny your a little more involved in our House than others."

"That is only because your House appears to be far more invested in occupying my time."

"Not true." Claude grinned "I've heard a little rumour that you've been the subject of a, how shall we say, small investigation from a resident retainer. Not to mention a little discussion with her highness."

Goetia straightened himself narrowing his eyes "How...Ah." he nodded his head "The Cleric who collected me from the library was lacking in confidentiality."

Claude smirked "Can't blame them, you know how some people get. Especially when the princess of the Adrestian Empire is seen conversing with a Foreigner, that stuff tends to spark rumours." he shrugged "And Hubert, as talented as he is, isn't quite as good as me. In my humble opinion."

"Humble indeed." Goetia muttered, reclining into his chair "You are, however, not the only one interested in me. I suspect Professor Hanneman will be approaching me soon to inquire as to a possible Crest."

"He hasn't done that already?" Claude blinked, looking genuinely surprised before he snapped his fingers "Ah, he's probably looking at Teach's Crest results. He seemed to be in quite the excited mood."

Goetia furrowed his brows "Was that information as result of your espionage or is Professor Hanneman less inclined to keep his findings hidden?"

"Little bit of both." Claude admitted "Apparently the guy was still awake late at night in his laboratory muttering about Crests, all the servants could hear him. All I had to do was ask one of them about it."

"You seem to have a fascination with discovering secrets."

"Well, secrets are interesting." Claude replied with a grin "They add a little bit of spice to life, and the only thing better than a secret is a mystery." he fixed Goetia with an inquisitive look "And who in this monastery is more mysterious than you right now….Aside from Teach."

"There are a reasons Mysteries exist." Goetia answered "And it would be better that an answer was not discovered in some cases."

"See, saying stuff like that is just going to make people all the more curious."

"You are free to waste your time how you wish, I have made my point. Everything else that occurs is up to you." He returned his gaze to another parchment.

"Why do I get the feeling that when it comes to mysteries and secrets you're actually just as interested as I am?" Claude tilted his head, smiling conspiratorially.

Goetia frowned, raising his head and furrowing his brows at Claude "To what do you refer?"

"You said you were an observer." Claude replied "Someone who watches things is naturally going to want to know about every little thing. But I could be wrong." Claude raised his hands "Maybe you aren't curious about everything, but I don't think I am."

"Hmph." Goetia grunted "You seem confident in this assessment of a personality trait of mine."

"Takes one to know one." Claude replied "But I will remind you that the offer to officially join the Golden Deer is open. For now I'll just consider you an honorary member."

"Would such things not fall under Manuela's jurisdiction?"

"Well, I am the leader of the Golden Deer and-….wait a moment." Claude raised an eyebrow "How come you call him Professor Hanneman but you call her Manuela?" he gave a sly smile "Sounds a little personable."

"...Her first impression was lacking." Goetia dryly put "As was her second."

Claude snorted, covering his mouth with his hand to hide his smile "Oh, I see. You don't actually see her in the same way as Hanneman."

"She was on the verge of inebriation when she entered the classroom to teach you." His mouth curled into a small frown "And her attempts at...courtship, were desperate and pitiable."

"Pfft." Claude covered his mouth, looking away and stifling the laugh he had building up. Goetia watched him attempt to control himself for a few minutes before his laugh tapered off into an amused cough. "R-right." he nodded "I suppose she isn't a traditional Professor, but she was a songstress."

"And yet she is a qualified Professor for the Monastery. I would have expected a certain degree of professionalism from her."

"Don't let her hear you say that." Claude chuckled "She and Hanneman apparently have a long feud running about how she behaves. Haven't witnessed it myself, but the older Clerics say the same thing."

"Unsurprising." Goetia nodded his head "Their personalities seem to be opposites."

"Well, there is that." Claude agreed, the two fell into a silence before Claude spoke up again "Speaking of which, there's been something on my mind for a few days."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, it's about that King you talked about, Solomon." The moment he said the name, he noted how Goetia's eyebrows twitched and his hand formed a fist.

"What about him?" Goetia looked up, eyes slightly narrowed.

"You said he was gifted wisdom by God." He asked, looking more curious now "What kind of wisdom did you mean, you sounded pretty angry about it."

"...Solomon's gift came in the form of Ten Rings." Goetia replied with a tired sigh "Their power was unrivalled. A level of Magecraft that cannot be reached by any other than him."

"Not even you?"

Goetia snorted, Claude blinked in surprise at cynical smile on Goetia's face "Even at the height of my power, I would prove no match for the living Solomon." he shook his head "But no, Solomon possessed more than his Rings. His eyes held the gift of Clairvoyance."

Claude choked on air, widening his own eyes "Clairvoy- he could see the future?"

"And the past." Goetia finished "His sight was almost unparalleled, although competing with Sha Naqbu Imuru is an achievement in itself." he waved his hand "Beyond that, my reasoning for disliking Solomon stemmed from this."

"He could see the future." Claude whispered in an ushered tone, then furrowed his brows "You're sure? He wasn't just saying that as like a boast?"

"Solomon was many things, boastful was not one of them." Goetia shook his head "His personality is closer to my own, or rather, I based my personality off of his."

"Oh, I see the problem." Claude nodded his head "You're a little, no offence, not all there."

"Solomon could see the future, witness all of mankind's acts...and he did nothing." He scowled "In the face of humanity, their endless struggles and desperate attempts to leave their mark on the world he said he accepted them for what they were and left it at that. Making no attempt to better their lives or ease their suffering."

"Well, he could apparently see the future." Claude pointed out "He was probably confident it would all work out in the end."

"The ability to see the future was not…" Goetia cut himself off, looking to the side with narrowed eyes. He exhaled, resting his forehead into his palm "Solomon made it painfully aware that human nature would never change. That he could watch it all and accept it was something that I found...disappointing."

"Hmph." Claude shrugged "Well...I can't really understand the mind of a guy who can literally see the future and was apparently the chosen one of some God." he leaned in "Although you probably shouldn't let the other Clerics hear that, they might call that blasphemy."

"They may call it what they wish, it changes nothing." Goetia sighed "Go, Von Riegan." he turned back to the desk "This conversation has grown...tiresome."

"Hmm…" Claude nodded his head, standing up and pushing his chair back "I can see that, well I'll leave you to it. Maybe we'll talk later."

Goetia remained silent as Claude left the room, his thoughts now going back to Solomon.

He accepted human suffering because he didn't have the freedom to get angry. That was his final confession to Goetia before he erased himself. It made him curious. If Solomon had that freedom, if he hadn't been raised as a King and still possessed his Clairvoyance, would he have made the same choice as him? Or if their roles had been reversed, would he have been victim to the same form of acceptance as Solomon.

His eyebrows furrowed, propping his elbow on the desk and resting his head on his palm, his mind ran through multiple scenarios.

It all came down to a simple question.

If Solomon had the freedom to feel anger, would he have enacted the incineration of humanity? Goetia based his entire personality off the man, he was Solomon if he was never a King. Therefore, the answer should have been obvious.

And yet...he couldn't say with certainty that it was true. He and Solomon shared a personality, and yet there was one crucial difference between the two. Solomon, even if he had the freedom to get angry, was still mortal, while Goetia had been immortal.

Was that where the difference lay?

It was vexing, he thought, that for this one moment he wished Solomon was here. If only to answer the uncertainty in his mind.

The Clerics continued their work around the library, completely ignorant to the turmoil of the Librarian.

"There you are, Claude." Said individual blinked in surprise, turning around and raising an eyebrow as Lysithea approached him "Tch, why is it you only seem to be easy to discover when no one wishes for your presence."

"And a good evening to you too, Lysithea." Claude greeted evenly, the amused smile still present on his face "What can your illustrious House leader do for you this fine-"

"I have a few questions for you." She stopped in front of him, crossing her arms and staring up at him, she then frowned and looked behind him towards the direction he came from "Were you speaking with Teacher?"

"I was." Claude nodded "We had a very enlightening conversation." he chuckled "Raised a lot of interesting questions." he shook his head "Anyway, I don't suppose this relates to him does it?"

"Refrain from harassing Teacher." Lysithea huffed "I know you lack personal boundaries, but that does not mean other people do."

"He didn't make too much of an effort to stop me." Claude countered "He was actually quite revealing too. But you had questions?"

"Yes." She nodded again, then looked around "But not here, its too open." she turned around "We'll speak in the House classroom."

"Alright." Claude shrugged, grinning "You've got me a little intrigued now." he commented as he followed the white haired girl "Not every day I'm dragged off for an interrogation. Usually its the other way around."

"Please, I'm merely following Teachers instructions to quiz you on a certain subject."

"So why don't you ask him about it?"

"Wha-!" Lysithea ground to a halt, whirling around to face Claude "Are you suggesting that I exploit my position as his student to try and interrogate his personal history! That would be over stepping my bounds!"

"...Oh, so its unacceptable for you to drill someone for information, but its alright for me to do it?" Claude asked, tilting his head to the side with an amused expression. Lysithea in response burned bright red with indignation at the insinuation.

"No! Absolutely not!" She stabbed a finger at him "Your penchant for ignoring peoples privacy is still unacceptable behaviour for a student, especially a House leader!"

"But you have no issues with it as long as I know something you also want to know?" Claude grinned, Lysithea made a growling sound and advanced on him, he chuckled and held up his hands in mock surrender "I kid, I kid. I have no problem with telling you something if you really want to know." he grinned, then ruffled her hair "Its kinda funny when you try to act all secretive."

"Don't mock me." She hissed in reply, swatting his hand away from her head "And don't treat me like a child either. I am your magical superior five times over."

"I know." Claude nodded "But I'm not all that interested in Magic to begin with, so its kind of a mute point." he walked past her "But I think we've dawdled long enough, lets hurry along. I'm curious as to what secret you want to have explained."

"Its not a secret!" Lysithea called out, jogging up behind him "Its simply that I don't wish to waste Teachers time by having him explain it to me."

"You just want to waste my time?"

"Please, you aren't doing anything important."

"How do you know? I could have been doing some very important alliance business." Claude grinned at her "It could even have profound impacts on all of Fodlan itself."

"Ha!" Lysithea let out a laugh "I think that's the first joke you've told that's actually amusing. You were more likely to be on your way to eavesdrop on another private conversation for your own amusement."

"When you put it like that, you make me sound like some kind of scoundrel." Claude lamented "Is that really how you view my, Lysithea? As some kind of childish buffoon?"

"Yes." She answered instantly, prompting a snort from the buffoon in question "What's worse is that you are aware of how others perceive you." she huffed, shaking her head "However, that isn't important right now."

Claude shrugged "Well, I can't comment on that, considering you haven't actually told me what this conversation is about."

"I was…" Lysithea bit her lip, coming to a stop just inside the classroom "Curious about an individual that Teacher mentioned."

"Oh?" Claude raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms, a smile forming on his face as he could already see where this was going "Who?"

"He was called Solomon." Lysithea explained "He said you would have more information about the man if I was curious."

"And why didn't you ask him?"

"Teacher seems to…" She cringed "Have his reservations about this person. I did not wish to bring up unpleasant memories."

"But your curiosity won out." Claude surmised "So you sought me out, the only other person who probably knows about this guy."

"...Yes." Lysithea nodded in a quiet voice, Claude chuckled, gesturing over to one of the desks.

"Then you are in luck, my young friend!" He joked as they walked over to the closest desk, sitting down on the benches "Because that is the man I just finished talking to Goetia about, and let me tell you...he said some pretty interesting things about him."

"Like what?" Lysithea asked, not missing a beat, and then blushing at how desperate her voice sounded. Something Claude picked up on if the glint in his eye was any indication.

"Well, let me tell you what our resident mystery man told me about Solomon…"

Edelgard had been troubled since her meeting with Goetia. What had started out as simply a curiosity had quickly bloomed into something which rivalled her interest in the newest Professor.

Everything about Goetia was unusual, his appearance, his mannerisms, even his magic was a mystery to her. Foreigners were rare enough in Fodlan, although most came from Dagda and their culture was already known to the people of Fodlan who were so inclined to show a sliver of interest in it.

Then there were the Almyrans, whose culture was simplistic at best. Although such could be expected from a country of Warriors and supposed barbarians. Cyril was Almyran, although he had virtually been raised in Fodlan culture, so many of the Clerics around the monastery would write him off as being 'civilised' now.

Thus foreign culture that was genuinely unknown was exceedingly rare, even so from someone like Goetia, who had apparently seen more than one foreign culture.

So he was, naturally, something of an interest. He was new, and she was curious how he would compare Fodlan to the others places he had been.

The results of this talk had been, enlightening. In all the ways she had hoped it wouldn't be.

The way he described the Church of Seiros, that had been something she had mixed feelings about.

He had described it as wholly unoriginal and common to other countries he had visited, there was a small part of her that found it incredibly amusing that the love of the Goddess and all the effort the Church had put into spreading their influence across Fodlan was an idea that hadn't even originated from them and, if Goetia was to be believed, similar religions had done something similar long before the Church existed.

The larger part of her, felt that hollow pit in her stomach. Learning that other institutions like the Church existed in other corners of the world meant one thing.

It was likely that similar corruption existed there to. The masses being oppressed by those with power. Blood and birthright deciding the lives people would lead. There could even be others who had suffered at the hands of institutions similar to the Church like her.

That...that was something she didn't want to consider.

Goetia, in a general explanation, had also described the suffering she went through as unoriginal and common.

The idea that she wasn't the only one who could have suffered so greatly, or that the people of Fodlan weren't alone in suffering under corruption, was something that was both horrifying to her and yet unsurprising.

He had said that human nature was predictable.

The terrible thing was, Edelgard could genuinely imagine a similar institution to the Church of Seiros existing somewhere else and propagating a social structure which was designed to keep a select few head and shoulders above all else.

These feelings…

She needed to calm down. Clear her mind of irrelevant thoughts, as horrifying as the idea was of peoples from other countries suffering like those in Fodlan, they weren't the people of Fodlan.

They weren't her people.

She needed to prioritise what was in front of her.

However, if Goetia had seen other systems like those in Fodlan. Then perhaps her own idea wasn't original too.

Perhaps he had seen, or at least heard of, previous revolutions. If that were true...she could at least ask him about the history of other countries and work under the guise of curiosity.

If she could learn about these different systems, she may find an exploitable weakness. And if would limit her reliance on the Agarthans.

Her lip curled in disgust when she thought about them.

Especially the newest member she had met. That one...there was something wrong with him on a level which made her shiver. Far more so than Thales.

The sooner she dealt with the Church, the sooner she could deal with those disgusting things.

The rest of the day had passed like a blur to Goetia. Much of his time had been spent on autopilot. His mind was elsewhere, still trying to solve the riddle of Solomon, to very little success. In the end, despite being so similar, Goetia couldn't understand the King's thought process.

Perhaps he never understood Solomon as well as he thought, then again, he never believed that Solomon could have possessed a wish. Yet he had. Perhaps it was in that moment that Goetia realised that the man he saw Solomon as, and the man Solomon saw himself as, were two different people.

"-cuse me." A voice cut him out of his musing, light returned to his eyes as he brought his attention back to the present. He turned to left, furrowing his brows at the individual who had called for his attention.

"Prince Blaiddyd." Goetia nodded his head to the blonde haired young boy "What can I assist you with?"

"Please, call me Dimitri." The young boy smiled at him "I find it more comfortable."

Goetia shrugged "As you wish. What aid can I provide, young Dimitri?"

"The Professor informed me that she intended to assign two students tomorrow to help you with the library. I was hoping Tomas would be here to discuss a rotor, but he is away, is he not?"

"Gone into Empire territory to collect published papers." Goetia explained "Very well, I shall discuss the timetable with you."

"Thank you." Dimitri nodded "I apologise if I disturbed you, it is just that the Professor wished to prepare in advance so as the students were informed as to what they would be doing and how long they would be doing it."

"Her mercenary mindset no doubt." Goetia surmised "Planning specific roles for key individuals."

"I suspected the same thing." The boy chuckled "She has been quite rigorous in planning...and improvisation."

"'No plan survives first contact with the enemy'"

"I...have not heard that quote before." Dimitri frowned, but eventually nodded his head to the side and gave a small smile "But that does make sense."

"Yes, I found that no amount of planning can account for...random variables." Goetia hinted at in a vague tone, Dimitri watched his eyes briefly stare at something in the distance before the man refocused his attention on him "But yes, it is best we prepare now."

"Of course." Dimitri nodded, following the one armed man to his desk and watched as he withdrew a parchment, floating over a quill and ink pot. "I had heard rumours of your skill, but to see it is something else." he huffed in disbelief "You are quite talented at magic, I have not seen a levitation spell so precise."

Goetia looked over his shoulder at Dimitri "In truth, I myself was somewhat surprised to see that levitation of humans was a simpler craft to learn here than where I originated."

Dimitri blinked "Is it perhaps more complicated where you are from?"

"Any talented magus can levitate small objects, provided they have the affinity for it." Goetia explained "However, to levitate a person or even oneself is a far more complicated procedure."

"Hmph." Dimitri hummed "I admit, I am do not have a good affinity for magic unlike Mercedes." Dimitri explained, then mulled something over in his head "I have a request for you-"

"You wish for me to also tutor this classmate of yours?" Goetia interrupted him.

Dimitri cringed "Am I truly so obvious?"

"It was not the unexpected outcome, I have recently found myself the tutor of several individuals, your professor included."

"Yes, in truth that is why I wished to ask you about it myself." Dimitri explained "The Professor had explained it to us, and well…" Dimitri looked somewhat sheepish "I thought it would do Mercedes some good to have the opportunity to learn form a talented caster of magic like yourself."

"Mercedes…" Goetia mulled over the name before it came to him "She is the daughter of the Merchant and holder of the Crest of Lamine."

Dimitri blinked in surprise "You...are aware of that?"

"I am currently researching Crests." Goetia explained "I made it a point to identify current holders, as well as familiarise myself with the students of the academy."

"That is rather proactive of you." Dimitri nodded his head "Certainly methodical."

"The Crest of Lamine allows for the conserved casting of recovery magic." Goetia went on, more for himself "She would be more skilled as a healer…" he furrowed his brows in thought before he nodded to himself "I am currently tutoring in Runecraft, Young Mercedes would lack the affinity for such craft."

"Ah…" Dimitri sighed, looking somewhat crestfallen "So it is-"

"Therefore she would need to be tutored in other forms of Magecraft." Goetia cut him off, Dimitri blinked, tilting his head.

"You will tutor her?"

"If she asks me." Goetia shrugged "Should she display and interest, I will teach her. Besides, it is best to introduce the students to other forms of magecraft beyond Runes."

"I thank you." Dimitri nodded his head.

"I have done nothing to be grateful for yet." Goetia replied with a frown "She has yet to approach me and I have yet to teach her. Only when her training bears fruit would gratitude be expected."

Dimitri chuckled and shook his head "I suppose that is true. But nevertheless. I thank you for giving her the opportunity."

"Hmph." Goetia hummed, turning around "Now then, we were to discuss the timetable?"

"Of course, my apologies for getting side tracked."

AN: More Magecraft beyond Runes, Goetia talking about Solomon and getting sad. Edelgard being concerned about their conversation and finally Lysithea learns of Solomon.

But yet, as far as Healing Magecraft goes, I am literally going to pull this part out of my ass.

Why? Because it isn't explored, to my knowledge, to greatly in the Fate Lore.

I know about Kotomine spiritual healing but that is horrifyingly painful for the recipient of his 'treatment'. So I can't really imagine Mercedes doing that.

So...I'll think of something.

But anyway…

Through popular demand, and because I was going to do it anyway, we have the next omake!

Omake: Visitors from Home II

For the briefest of moments, the courtyard appeared to fall silent as the four individuals stared at eachother in varying degrees of shock.

Goetia's eyes flickered from Ritsuka to Mash, the lilac haired girl narrowed her own eyes and fidgeted on the spot as those red orbs focused on her with a burning intensity. She could make out disbelief in them.

Then there was Ritsuka, his own shock gradually gave way to rage.

Completely ignorant to the ticking timebomb in front of her, Flayn maintained her smile as her head looked between the four people.

"Are they friends of yours, Goetia?" She asked, somewhat excited "This is most wonderful, we haven't had anyone else from his home visit us before." she bowed to the three, who blinked in shock at her genuine pleasure to see them "Welcome to the Monastery, I do hope you enjoy your time here."

"Flayn." Goetia spoke up, still looking at the three in front of him "You have collected your gift for your brother?"

"Yes." She grinned, holding up her prize "I got him a letter opener!"

"I'm sure he shall be pleased." He replied, eyes flicking between Ritsuka, Mash and...Was that Da Vinci? When did she get so small? He dismissed that thought "You may return to him, I have something to discuss with my...acquaintances."

"Are you sure?" She slumped her shoulders "I wouldn't mind showing them on a tour."

"...Perhaps at another time." He gave her a sideways glance "For the moment there are topics to discuss."

"Very well." She sighed, walking past them, not before flashing them a grin "I do hope we see eachother again!" and then running off.

"You-" Ritsuka made to speak, however Goetia closed the distance between the two of them in an instant, Mash readied her shield, glaring at him while Da Vinci tightened her grip on her staff, the top glowing.

"Think very carefully about where you are right now." Goetia spoke in a hushed tone, glaring into the Masters eyes "Any violent altercation with me right now will involve the innocent humans of this market."

"Hiding behind people?" Ritsuka gave a cynical smirk "I assume you aren't quite as strong as before?"

"I don't need to have the domain of Solomon or the Demon Pillars to incinerate your head right now." He countered, his own voice dripping with venom "And without you to act as an anchor, neither Mash not Da Vinci behind you will be able to remain in this world."

"So why haven't you?" Da Vinci asked from behind Ritsuka, her eyes narrowed.

Goetia's eyes flickered over Ritsuka's shoulder and towards the small Caster "Because right now that doesn't interest me...and I would have to explain my sudden murder of three individuals to the Church superiors."

Ritsuka blinked, his anger giving way to incredulity "Did...did you just say you can't kill us because you would get in trouble?"

"Trouble? Hardly." Goetia scoffed "An inconvenience as best, but one that I would rather avoid all the same." he backed away from him "We should speak elsewhere, there are too many witnesses."

"And you want me to just follow you?" Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms "Are you serious?"

"Perhaps you wish to discuss our past where others could overhear then?"

"...Fine." Ritsuka huffed, then stabbed a finger towards the Beast "But Mash stays next to you, any sudden moves-"

"I am aware of her capabilities." He cut him off with a dry look, finally turning his attention back to Mash "Your survival was...unexpected, Mash Kyrielight."

The lilac girl narrowed her eyes "I had help from someone special."

"Wh-…" He cut himself off, allowing the tiniest smile to form on his face "Primate Murder no doubt. It would appear the Beast of Murder grew fond of you." he sighed, shaking his head "Another time, perhaps. Follow me."

He walked past them, Ritsuka and Mash held a silent conversation between their eyes before they followed after him, Da Vinci trailing behind as the former Beast led them through the Monastery.

"So, how long have you been here?" Da Vinci asked.

"Some time." Goetia admitted "Longer than you I assume." he frowned "Your presence is confusing to me, this is not a Lostbelt and you had no way of navigating your way here...unless you were a victim of the Second Magic."

"Why?" Ritsuka asked "Looking for a way back?"

"...No." Goetia replied after a few minutes, his answer catching the Master off guard "Not anymore."

Ritsuka frowned "Enacting your plan here?"

Goetia stopped, turning around and fixing Ritsuka with a glare "My plan relied on very precise conditions. None of which are available to me right now. So no. Fujimaru Ritsuka. I have no interest in it." he turned around and resumed walking.

Ritsuka noted on their journey how several people waved at Goetia, their faces showing genuine happiness at seeing the Beast. Perhaps what was more surprising was that Goetia actually nodded back to some of them.

"In here." Goetia ushered them into the room, Ritsuka raised an eyebrow at their new location "The students are away on lessons right now and the Clerics are in sermon. The library will remain empty long enough for our conversation."

"How come you even have a key for this place?" Ritsuka asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is expected of Assistant Librarians to have a key to the Library, how else would I do my job."

"Pfft!" Da Vinci snorted, holding her hand in front of her mouth "I-I'm sorry, Assistant Librarian?"

"Yes."

"...You have a job as a Librarian?"

"I do."

"As in you tend to books, listen to student demands and then get a salary."

"Indeed."

"And after getting paid, you go down to the market and buy vegetables and meat?"

"I live at the Monastery, food is provided to staff, although I still earn a wage."

"So…" Ritsuka bit his lip, looking like he was holding in a laugh of his own "So your diet consists of free school dinners?"

"I really do not see how this is relevant."

Ritsuka and Da Vinci shared a look before they both burst into laughter, the former gripping his stomach and looking like he was going to fall over.

Mash had the decency to look somewhat sheepish, although she had a small smile on her face as well. Goetia gave the laughing duo a flat look before he turned to the shielder.

"I see that his personality remains much the same."

"Senpai is…" Mash searched for the right word "Senpai has a specific brand of humour." she explained "I think he was surprised to find you here...eating Cafeteria food."

"Is there some issue with Tomato soup I was not aware of?" He asked with genuine confusion.

This only seemed to spur Ritsuka and Da Vinci to laugh harder, the latter actually falling over as she struggled to breath.

"Senpai, Da Vinci…" Mash chided them, now looking somewhat annoyed "We have something more important to talk about than Goetia's diet."

"Hahaha...haha...haaa…" Ritsuka panted, wiping a tear from his eye and nodding his head "Right, right…" he shook his head, turning back to Goetia with a serious expression "How are you here?"

"Following my defeat at your hands I found myself in this land, Fodlan." Goetia explained "With no purpose I proceeded along my original function."

"You observed them." Da Vinci surmised "That was what Rom-...Solomon created you for to being with, to observe humanity."

"I had little else to drive me." Goetia shrugged "I proceeded along that task, observing the culture of this land and its inhabitants."

"And?"

"And they were exactly as I expected them to be." He replied "They were disappointing. The same issues present even in this new world."

Da Vinci narrowed her eyes "You sound less angry about that."

"...Perhaps I am." He muttered "I...viewed this as a chance."

"A chance?" Ritsuka asked, furrowing his brows "A chance for what?"

"To live." Goetia simply replied, causing all three of them to widen their eyes, he raised his left hand in front of his face "As the King of Demon Gods, I was immortal. My sight and strength exceeded all others. I had complete faith in my mission and my will to succeed." he clenched his fist "Until you…"

"Don't expect an apology." Ritsuka scoffed.

"I wasn't asking for one." The Beast replied "In truth...I am nothing like what I was in the temple. I am...human...for all intents and purposes."

"What do that have to do with wanting to live?" Ritsuka asked "You are now one of those humans you pity so much."

"I am…" Goetia admitted "And yet...I have never been closer to my answer than right now. As a human...I finally have the opportunity to see what it was that made you all reject what I offered." he locked eyes with Ritsuka "I find myself staring at the world from your perspective. I have a limited, mortal life. That desperate wish you held." he turned to Mash "That you died for. That Solomon wanted...I have the opportunity to see why is was you all valued it so greatly."

Mash stepped forwards, tilting her head to the side "You want to live in the present...To experience something new, even if you will eventually die."

"...Perhaps." Goetia shrugged, staring at her, Mash noticed how his gaze softened when he looked at her "All I want it to understand...I want to know why you rejected me."

The sound of a gasp and something being dropped brought their attention to the far end of the Library.

A white haired girl with purple highlights was staring at them in surprise, books on the floor from having been dropped.

"Uhhh…" Ritsuka dumbly put, however the girl moved before anyone else could.

Stabbing a finger towards Mash, eyes still wide in shock "You rejected the courtship of Teacher!?"

"...Eh?" Mash blinked.

"Lysithea…" Goetia raised his hand to correct the mistake, however the girl had stalked forwards before he could.

"Why!" Lysithea huffed, waving an arm at the orange haired man "Is it because he's got one arm!? Can't you see how talented, caring and intelligent he is!?"

"Umm…" Ritsuka raised his hand "Just out of curiosity, who are you?"

"I am Lysithea Von Ordelia!" The girl huffed, spinning around to face him and planting her hands on her hips "And I am the first and foremost apprentice of my Teacher Goetia. Who are you?" she narrowed her eyes.

Ritsuka stared at her for a few moments before he turned towards Goetia, raising a single eyebrow "Teacher, huh?"

"...I was curious." Goetia shrugged "And she asked."

"Courtship…" Mash parroted the word, her eyes losing their light and slumping her shoulders.

"Yeesh." Da Vinci huffed "The tail end of that conversation made Mash sound like a jilted Ex."

Ritsuka cringed while Mash released a pathetic whimper.