Chapter 31: Piercing the veil

Indigo eyes locked onto Red eyes for a few seconds following Sothis declaration, Goetia pursed his lips before giving a curt nod. Turning away from Byleth and making his way to the door, the pair quickly exited the room all the while ignorant to the looks they were receiving from the other members of staff in the room.

From their perspective, Byleth had pat Goetia on the shoulder, looked into his eyes and then the pair had quickly left without saying a single word.

"Well~" Manuela chuckled lightly "Perhaps Claude was onto something."

"Onto what?" Jeralt raised an eyebrow at her in suspicion, the woman hummed to herself and looked away from him, all the while maintaining a knowing smirk on her face.

"Manuela please." Hanneman rolled his eyes "Whatever Professor Eisner and Goetia get up to in their free time is no concern of ours. They are perfectly free to pursue a relationship without you spreading gossip."

Catherine snorted "Looked less like a relationship and more like a secret conversation."

"Yes." Shamir drawled "So secret that even they themselves could not say it." the woman made her way to the door "Whatever, its not my problem anyway." with that said, she quickly departed as well.

"Its not all that surprising." Alois nodded sagely "My wife and I can hold non-verbal conversations as well." he paused for a few seconds before his eyebrows rose up his forehead "Still, it took us quite a few years to get to that stage, to think that they could reach that point so quickly." a boisterous laugh quickly escaped his throat "As expected of the Captain's daughter! She managed to skip so many steps."

Jeralt's head slowly turned in the direction of Knight before the man spoke in a low tone "Alois...stop talking."

"Hm?" The man paused before he snapped his fingers in realisation "Ah yes, how silly of me. Goetia hasn't even asked your permission to court her yet has he?"

Manuela coughed into her hand to hide away her laugh, doing a very poor job as she was swiftly glared at by Jeralt before the man's eyes fell back on Alois "Alright, first thing. They aren't courting I doubt either of them realise what love is-"

"I can help-"

"No." Jeralt swiftly cut Manuela off, earning a pout from the woman "And secondly none of this 'permission' nonsense. I'm not some stuffy noble who demands purity of blood or whatever." he grunted making his way to the door "...Although I would appreciate a heads up."

The door slammed shut behind him.

"...Well." Alois clapped his hands together "Same time next week?"

Seteth's head fell into his palms.

"Telling you, something must be happening." Claude affirmed to Dimitri with a knowing expression as he leaned against the wall "All of the Professors got called out, heck even Sparkles was summoned."

"Claude, it is just as likely it is a staff meeting." Dimitri tiredly replied, rubbing his eyes before fixing his Golden Deer counterpart with a pointed look "Not everything relates to a secret meeting."

"Do you actually believe it is a staff meeting so soon after the business with Lonato?" Claude asked with a raised eyebrow before he pursed his lips "How's Ashe doing by the way? I got a glimpse of his...fight with Lonato before Lysithea rushed in."

Dimitri cringed before he let out a sigh "Ashe is...still in the infirmary. He's putting on a brave face but I can tell the ordeal has shaken him severely. The loss of a parent is difficult to endure." he looked back at Claude "How is Lysithea? I heard she suffered a rather grievous injury."

"She did." Claude sucked air through his teeth "Then Sparkles showed up and healed her before he went...you know." Dimitri nodded his head in recollection. He very much doubted he would be forgetting that display of anger any time soon.

"But to answer your question." The Prince returned to their original point "I confess that perhaps there may be more going on than we are aware of-" he held up his hand when he saw Claude's expression light up "-however, that does not mean that we should instantly be suspicious."

"I'm not being suspicious." Claude replied innocently "I'm just saying that perhaps its best to be aware of some of the big things going on I mean." giving a quick shrug, he gestured to himself and Dimitri "You and me are going to be quite important to Fodlan pretty soon, not to toot my own horn-"

"Perish the thought."

"Very funny." Claude rolled his eyes "But regardless, we are going to be a little important so it might be best if we took a more active roll. I mean fighting isn't everything that a leader should do...politics is there as well."

"Ah yes…" Dimitri cringed "The most tiresome battle, if I am led to believe. Not one I am looking forwards too. As I understand it a sharp mind is required to participate in that particular field."

"Oh? In that case I'm overqualified." Dimitri gave him a deadpan expression, earning an amused smile from the boy "Still...I trust you see my point."

"As much as I might dislike being kept in the dark." Dimitri allowed him that small victory "I trust that the Church will see fit to inform us of anything which they believe is vital and if this meeting is as important as you claim, then I suspect we will be made aware soon enough."

Claude pursed his lip and hummed to himself before he slowly nodded his head "Yeah, you're probably right still...I like to be aware of things as they happen rather than be told later on."

"I'm sure you do."

The pair fell into a comfortable silence before Claude's face slowly stretched into an amused grin "So...that Black Eagle girl looked pretty worried about Ashe."

Dimitri let out a heavy sigh "Claude…"

"Just saying." The boy raised his hands in surrender "What was her name again? Petra...she's from Brigid I hear as well…"

"Claude." The blonde Prince pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head, although there was a faint smile on his own lips "Not everything is as you see."

"Very exotic."

"Claude!" Dimitri snapped, although the now visible smile on his face rather ruined his attempt at cutting off the conversation "She was only concerned for his health."

"Of course." Claude gave a sage nod "Its important to facilitate cross house relationships."

"And just because she also visited him in the infirmary-"

"Oooooh~" Claude's grin became catlike "Willing to make a bet?"

"No." He received an instant denial and a flat look in response "I am not going to make bets on the romantic relations of our classmates and faculty. Ashe is in need of company and if Petra is willing to provide it I see no issue, besides I still am not entirely convinced that the Professor and Goetia-"

"Is that them walking together now?" Claude cut him off, looking over Dimitri's shoulder and towards the apartment complex behind them.

"Hm?" Dimitri looked over his shoulder and spied the pair walking together as they made their way towards the rooms. "The meeting must be over then."

"Come on." Claude nudged his shoulder "Lets ask them what it was about."

"Claude." Dimitri sighed and walked after the boy to try and stop him. He needn't have bothered, both Goetia and Byleth froze in front of the latters room door. Byleth opened the door for him and ushered the man inside before closing the door behind her.

Dimitri stood rooted on the spot while Claude was comically frozen with one leg raised in preparation for taking another step. The Golden Deer leader slowly lowered his leg and turned his head towards Dimitri, biting his lip and forcibly holding back a laugh. Dimitri sighed at his expression, slowly shaking his head.

"So...what were you saying about Teach and Sparkles?"

Dimitri suddenly found himself very tired.

And more than a little amused.

Byleth gently closed the door behind her, turning to see Goetia stood at the opposite end of the room facing her. His expression remained blank even as Sothis manifested herself to the right of her.

"So...you helped." Were the first words out of the girls mouth. She watched Goetia purse his lips slightly before he composed his features.

"...I did." He eventually answered.

"All that talk of not helping?" Sothis hummed to herself as she floated around "What was that all about?"

"I hadn't planned on acting at all." Goetia responded "It was not until certain conditions became apparent that I-"

"Your little student got injured and you got mad."

"...Crude." Goetia scoffed "But...not entirely inaccurate." he paused and then narrowed his eyes at Sothis "Of course my aid would not have been necessary if you did not exhaust yourself so quickly."

Sothis frowned at him "Are you...saying its my fault you had to get off your backside and help?"

"In part." He replied instantly "If you hadn't tired your host out then I wouldn't have been forced to act and break my own word."

"Ah, so you regret helping do you?"

Goetia's eyes burned, glowing bright red for a few moments. Byleth tensed, awaiting him to explode in another display of anger like before. However, just as swiftly as his eyes burned with light did they dull themselves.

"I…" He muttered to himself, looking away from the pair and pulling out the chair in front of Byleth's desk and sitting himself down in it. "I...do not know." he admitted, his voice sounding far more quiet.

Sothis squinted at him, he almost sounded like a child with his admission.

"You don't know." She parroted, floating in front of him and causing his eyes to look up from the ground and focus back on her "Are you happy that your student is still alive?"

Red eyes flickered away from her for a few seconds as Goetia's expression became strained before it went lax "Lysithea's continued survival is...it would be unfortunate if I were to lose an investment so early."

Sothis rolled her eyes and looked at Byleth, waving a hand at Goetia "He's almost, if not more, difficult than you."

Byleth herself frowned, moving over to her bed and sitting down in it, crossing her legs she looked at the side of Goetia's face. He was still looking towards Sothis however his eyes briefly flicked over to her before moving back to the ground.

"Thanks." She spoke, that elicited a response from Goetia, he looked up and towards her with a raised eyebrow "For helping. Would have been in trouble without you."

"Yes...most likely." Goetia replied.

"This is where you're supposed to say 'you're welcome'." Sothis muttered to herself before throwing Goetia a knowing look "But that would be far too much to ask of you right now, considering even getting you to admit you feel good you helped is like pulling teeth."

"How did you know we were in danger?" Byleth asked, tilting her head.

Goetia remained silent for a few moments "Lysithea...I attached a mystic code to her wrist. It would monitor her health and inform me of any sudden changes. I ignored all previous loops as her health remained consistent until-"

"Until she got hurt." Sothis surmised with a look of enlightenment "I didn't have the power to rewind time. She gets hurt but you don't seen time reversing anymore and then you come running?"

The glare he levelled at her was worth it for that remark, she felt anyway. It was a little rewarding for her as this was the most emotion she had seen him display aside from anger. There was a confusion about him now as if he were uncertain about things. Oh, he was still as emotive as a rock. It wasn't as if he worse his emotions on his sleeve but after spending enough time with Byleth and being privy to one impassive mask she believed she was getting the hang of reading subtle expressions.

"Again, I wouldn't have been forced to step in if you were more powerful." Goetia sniped back at her "You would do well to practice your ability to ensure I need not put myself in a position again."

"Are you really that upset about helping?" Sothis asked.

"...I don't want to." Goetia replied "I don't want to have to step in every time humans do something to themselves." he looked away "In moving to save you I forced myself out of the role of observer and while it did prevent you all from dying the first act upon my arrival was to simply massacre everyone who wasn't affiliated with the Church."

Sothis paused, her expression changing into one that looked almost pitiful "None will lament the passing of human life more than I." parroting his words back to him earned a scoff but nothing else. "I see. You didn't want to go because you knew you'd have had to kill if you did."

"And I'd gain nothing from it." Goetia continued "I am not adverse to taking life when necessary but what did I truly gain from killing those men?"

"Everyone's safety."

"For how long?" Goetia sneered "The students will continuously face danger considering their upbringing as Nobles or officers of the academy and the responsibilities expected of them will likely lead to more clashes." when he got no answer he went on "If I am to act as a protector to them then I would be forced to continually appear just to cut down their enemies."

"Do you regret helping?" Byleth asked.

"In this particular instance?" Goetia sighed "The benefits outweighed the problems. I had greater attachment to you and Lysithea than I had to Lonato and his people." he paused for a few moments "In truth...I am concerned that my behaviour might mirror someone elses."

"Who?"

An ugly sneer came onto Goetia's face "Solomon." he spat the name "A man who would have seen the danger of the rebellion months – if not years – before it happened and done nothing. Who would have watched you all march off to battle and done nothing and who would have simply let you all die while he held but a cruel look on his face because that is who he was. An observer so distant that even I could not match his independence from the world."

He looked to Byleth "Could you imagine it? Having the understanding of the world at your fingertips and with the power to prevent tragedies you do nothing?" slumping back into his chair he looked at Sothis "So...yes. I helped you...if only because Solomon would never have lifted a finger."

Sothis tilted her head "You don't need to kill everyone who tries to hurt them...you can just teach them to defend themselves better."

"So instead of myself killing humans I allow my teachings to do the work for me?" Goetia countered.

"The why are you teaching anyone your spells?" Byleth cocked her head in confusion, the man looked to her briefly before he sighed.

"I was selective in who I taught." He explained "And only those who approached me. You are unlikely to kill anyone who in some part did not deserve some manner of retribution, Leonie is eager to follow in the footsteps of your father and again is unlikely to become a distant murderer if she uses my spells at all. Mercedes is only being taught to heal and Lysithea-" 'Won't be alive long enough to use my teachings.' he cut himself off before he let that slip "...She wanted to learn and has little interest in combat."

"So…"

"How do you suppose the Church would utilise my knowledge?" Goetia asked "Punishing 'heathens' of which I myself am and perpetrating their current Caste system. Although perhaps their prejudice is small mercy that they would not consider the teachings of a foreign heretic like myself useful." he paused for a few moments before he went on "The moment I begin intervening I have taken control of human development. Their society no longer adapts in a natural way and I have begun brute forcing change. It ceases being natural. It is no longer the result of human ingenuity but rather the 'guiding hand' of another." he pointedly ignored mentioning that Rhea was doing something similar however the religion of there was a clear difference between himself and her. Rhea, despite everything, originated from this world. Everything she did was in accordance with the natural progression of Fodlan's history.

Goetia himself was foreign in every sense of the word.

Dictating the lives of humans was something he had no interest in. Sure, he would have granted them immortality in a world where Death did not exist but that would have been where his interference ended. Everything that came after would have been in their hands.

"Do you want to be an observer?" Sothis asked, Goetia stilled.

Did he what?

"I beg your pardon?" He asked, furrowing his brows at her.

"You keep speaking of observing people, but then you point towards this Solomon as an individual you hate." Sothis argued "It seems as though you do no agree with Solomon's way of life and yet you attempted to emulate it, why?"

Because…

Because it was all he was.

He was a ritual for the observation of the Human Order.

That was all he had ever been. There was nothing else he could have ever been. He had changed his directives to incinerate humanity so that he could travel back in time to aid them.

However, no one wanted the help he offered. No one wished for it. They struggled, they fought and they clawed their way through seven singularities and into his temple just so they could reclaim their history.

That was when he had stepped out of his role of observer. A plan three thousand years in the making from the moment he had nestled himself in Solomon's corpse.

If he was not Ars Goetia the Ritual for the preservation of the human order and he was not Goetia, the Ritual for the incineration of humanity…

Then…

What was he?

Sothis watched the moment that something broke in Goetia's eyes, the man's arm went lax and he was staring past her. As if she didn't exist. A frown came to her face as she looked towards Byleth and then back to the man.

"Goetia?"

"Hm?" He grunted in response, refocusing himself and paying attention to her "What?"

"Are you...alright?"

Goetia didn't answer, instead rising to his feet without saying a word and making his way to the door.

"You aren't human." Byleth called out to him, causing him to halt and look over his shoulder towards her "Are you?"

"...I made no effort to hide it." Goetia replied, then looked to Sothis "When did you suspect?"

"Your little display a couple days ago." Sothis replied "At first I though there was something off about you. You felt out of place, like a single cloud in a clear sky. Then when you began throwing your spells around something slipped through." she paused for a few seconds before she sighed and gestured to his physical appearance "Also you have red eyes and glowing golden hair."

"Hm…" Goetia hummed in response, a distant sound "No...I am...not entirely human. Although neither are you."

Sothis opened her mouth to respond before she snapped it shut, blinking at Goetia with wide eyes before a smile slowly came to her face "Fair enough." she admitted "...I don't suppose you know what I am?"

"...You aren't like me." He replied with after a few moments "And what I said was true. I am not from Fodlan."

"Is everyone across the ocean like you?" Byleth asked, Goetia turned to fully face her.

"Does it matter?" Goetia asked "My possible difference in species aside, there is no real way in which this should affect you." he blinked "Unless you feel as though this had brought about a new perspective."

Byleth blinked then frowned "No...you're still Goetia. Thought you might have been like Sothis." she nodded over to the floating girl "But...you aren't."

"You will quickly discover the world is a large place." Goetia explained "And it could just as easily be argued that you are not entirely human as well."

Byleth stared at him, frozen as she tilted her head to the side "Eh?"

"The presence of a crest within you means you have Divine blood." He pointed out "You are technically a Demi-God." which she was. The purity of the blood made it apparent, not to mention the fact she was host to an actual God. It could have been more accurate to call her a Pseudo-Servant given her access to the authority of the Goddess while still retaining her control.

"Oh…" Byleth blinked, then looked down at her own hands and then to Sothis "Does that mean everyone with Crest is like me?"

"In part." Goetia admitted "There are very few pure humans within this monastery, therefore it is not as though my admission is a grand reveal or surprise." he pointed out. Not to mention the fact that the Monastery itself was run by dragons under the guise of humans.

"Well...when he puts it like that." Sothis clicked her tongue and looked away "Although you aren't exactly like them are you?"

"No."

"I suppose that is all I shall get from you for now." The Goddess sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose "Alright fine...I suppose I'm at least content to have figured out one mystery, if only in part."

"Hm." Goetia grunted in response, looking back to the door and opening it up.

"Goetia." He paused at her words "...I hope you find what you want to be."

He offered her no words beside a small hum as he closed the door behind him. Before he could even consider his own place, there was something he needed to do first.

"Thanks again." Ashe bowed his head to Manuela, the woman rolled her eyes as she made her way into the infirmary. After a brief once over of the young man she had cleared him and allowed him to leave.

"If only everyone was as grateful as you when they got injured and came to me." The woman mused with a wry smile before shaking her head "Still, as much as I enjoy having visitors I would rather they not be injured at the time. Make sure you're careful…" she paused for a few moments as her expression turned softer "And not all injuries physical."

Ashe gave her a smile which was so forced that the boy himself gave up on trying to offer one "...Yeah." he replied in a quiet tone of voice as he turned to the door and made his way to it "I know…" the moment he got to within a few feet of it the handle abruptly turned and the door was opened.

The boy froze as Goetia walked through, the man similarly paused as he caught sight of Ashe.

Manuela took note of the silence, looking away from her desk and noticing the standoff between the two. Ashe swallowed before nodding briefly to Goetia and walking around him, the older man stood to the side and allowed him to pass by without incident.

"...I assume he is aware." Goetia spoke out when the boy had disappeared through the hallways. Manuela nodded her head in response as Goetia closed the door.

"So...to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit?" Manuela asked, raising an eyebrow before a flirtatious look came to her face "Are you perhaps in need of more mature company than the Professor?"

The look Goetia gave her was a rather unique one, which gave her the clear message that he was not interested. Not that she minded, it was far more amusing to watch him and the Professor blunder their way through love. Despite her jealously at a younger woman having more success than her, it was still funny to watch.

"I suppose you're here for your own little treasure then." She sighed, spinning around in her chair "She's awake, if you must know."

Goetia turned his head towards the nearest bed, Lysithea lay in it with her eyes forcibly clenched shut so as to not look at him.

"For one who seems to dislike appearing child like, you have a tendency to employ the methods of infants." He remarked.

"I do not!" Lysithea's eyes snapped open as she countered him, then widened her eyes as she realised what she had done and lay back into the bed with a huff "Alright...maybe…"

"Hm." Goetia moved around the foot of her bed and then came to a stop just to her left, looking down at her with a blank expression "Your injuries have recovered well?"

"...Yes." Lysithea gave a curt nod.

"Any further discomfort?"

"...No." She paused, at his continued look she winced "A little sore in my chest."

"You have been in this bed for over a day." Goetia pointed out "You are likely in need of nourishment."

"...Probably." She admitted, then looked away from him "...Get it over with."

She got a blink in response, followed by his brows knitting together "Get what over with?"

"You know…" She huffed, still not looking at him "I...even with your teachings I got injured...you had to save me. I...I would have died."

"You would have." He admitted casually, earning a wince from her and a disapproving glare from Manuela, he pointedly ignored the latter of the two reactions. "What of it?"

"Well...aren't you disappointed in me?" Her eyes turned back to him "All that effort you put into training me and my first actual fight that wasn't random animals and I...I almost died."

Goetia stared down at her for a few moments, pursing his lips and looking away "Do...you want me to be disappointed in you?"

She sniffed "...No."

"Then I am not." He shrugged "That is all there is to it."

"B-but I…"

"Was aware of barely one spell." Goetia replied flatly "To say nothing of your own limited knowledge of Fodlan's magic. Whatever else you claim to be, you are still barely past preadolescence and have rightly pointed out that aside from the encounter with the Monstrous Beasts, you have never been in a true engagement." she said nothing in response "It would be more preferable that you use this as a learning experience so as to better yourself in the case of further encounters."

"So...you aren't...disappointed?" She asked again to confirm, at his shake of the head she felt her shoulders lighten and her head fall back into the pillow. Something quickly occurred to her however "Wait...how did you know I was in danger?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at Goetia.

The man froze and looked away from a few moments before Lysithea widened her eyes "Wait...that bracelet." she surmised "Did...were you spying on me!?"

"...I was only aware of your current condition." He pointed out "And I would have been informed if you were in immediate danger."

"You...did you think I was going to get injured!?" Manuela was now looking rather amused at how uncomfortable Goetia looked, she wasn't wrong. He wasn't exactly sure as to how best he could handle this situation.

"I felt it best to be prepared." He went with "In the event that you were injured-"

"So you thought I was a child in need of babysitting?"

"No...only that I would rather not lose a student-"

"So you didn't think I could take care of myself!"

"That is not what I said."

"It was implied!"

"No it…" Goetia took in a breath "Would you have rather I was ignorant and leave you to die?"

"W-well...no." Lysithea muttered quietly, when he put it like that it sounded much more preferable to be watched rather than left to fend for herself. Regardless of how it looked. She then paused as she realised something "Did the...bracelet tell you anything else?"

"Aside from you being in mortal danger following a stabbing?" Goetia asked, when she nodded her head he remained silent for a few seconds "...No. The information of the Bracelet only provided me with the immediate concerns to your health." it wasn't a lie. "...Why?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

"W-well...girls don't like being spied on." She huffed, looking away from him. It was a feeble excuse and he knew it. He also knew why she was really concerned but he wouldn't force a confession out of her. He already knew of her condition and she was likely very much wanting to keep it a secret if no others knew of it.

"I see." He nodded his head, then turned towards Manuela "Is she fit to leave the room?"

"Well, she isn't bleeding anymore." Manuela pointed out, then raised an eyebrow "Why?"

"Like I stated earlier." He replied "She is in need of nourishment. It would be best if that immediate concern was dealt with." Goetia looked back at Lysithea "Unless you would rather remain here?"

Lysithea stared at him for a few moments before she slowly nodded her head, looking towards Manuela "...Can I have cake?"

The woman rolled her eyes "Yes, you can have cake."

"Well...I wouldn't be opposed to going to the food hall." She nodded to herself "...Would you be joining me, teacher?"

"...I have not eaten today either." Goetia replied "It would be best to deal with both issues at once." It would also take his mind off other issues he was currently having. Lysithea would, at the very least, force him to discuss more academic topics. The more time he spent focusing on something else, the less time he could spend thinking about himself.

And right now, that was the best solution he could think of.

Lysithea gave him a faint smile and nodded her head "...I do need to get dressed, Teacher."

"Indeed." Goetia stood up, moving away from her and back towards the door "I will await outside...It is...fortunate to see you in good health." he spoke before closing the door behind him.

Manuela snorted and shook her head "I think that's the best compliment anyone is ever going to get from him."

Lysithea agreed, but she didn't mind it that much. It was a very 'Teacher' thing for him to say.

AN: Goetia...Best bro. Anyway...he's also facing an identity crisis. He can't be a Beast anymore but he's realised if he continues to be an observer he's going to become Solomon.

Rock and a hard place for him.

Anyway, phycological issues aside...Here's the next omake!

Omake: Spring Clean

"And so you have come to me for help?" Claude nodded to himself as he paced around in front of Goetia. The one armed man held a flat expression before he nodded his head.

"My continued experiments have caused repeated issues about the Monastery...as such I feel as though it would be preferable to lighten the burden on the staff as well as take responsibility for my own actions." He paused for few moments "I had been thinking of simply crafting Golems to replace the cleaners but I fear Cyril would destroy them in the night for stealing his job."

Claude blinked at him then slowly nodded his head "You're probably right too." he hummed to himself "You could always help the cleaners?"

"It would be a simple feat to use Magecraft-"

"No, no...I mean help them." Claude replied "As in use your own two...I mean your own hand to help." he gestured to the man "Show them how genuine your feelings of repentance are."

"I see…" Goetia nodded "Although I am unsure how useful I would be with only one arm."

"It's the thought that really counts." Claude chuckled "Besides, I doubt Cyril would actually let you do all that much work. He's very possessive of his cleaning job."

"Indeed." He got a nod in response "Then...how would I go about this."

"Well…" Claude smiled, he fought back a laugh as an idea came to mind so as to not tip Goetia off that he had anything planned. His smile was still very innocent as he leaned in and whispered to Goetia.

The man hummed to himself, furrowing his brows and looking to Claude "And this will work?"

"Yes." Claude nodded with a tone of absolution "But you have to say…" his next words came out as a hushed whisper as well. Goetia slowly nodded his head before looking back to Claude and standing up.

"Very well...your advice is appreciated Von Riegan." He made his way towards the door, Claude was biting his lip to quell his laughter so hard that he almost drew blood.

The stage was set, all he needed to do now was wait.

"Which is why I'm telling all, its worth it." Claude spoke to the class with his hands up "Really...it'll look cleaner than you ever thought possible."

"Claude." Seteth spoke dryly "You have just told me that Goetia has commandeered the entire Blue Lions Classroom for 'purposes' and that he should be left alone."

"Yep."

"Need I remind you of the incident with his potions?"

"Manuela got better."

"And the summons?" Dimitri pointed out, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrows.

"Hey, you and that Bael guy got one pretty good though."

"Then there was the pub incident." Byleth replied.

"Who hasn't had a little too much to drink before."

"The Magic girl." Rhea sulked, a slight hint of redness on her cheeks.

"That wasn't even him!" Claude replied "Look...the point is that its going to be find this time, honestly."

"Claude." Seteth pinched the bridge of his nose "You cannot allow Goetia to steal an entire classroom."

"He's not stealing it, he's cleaning it." Claude pointed out "Big difference."

Seteth gave him a flat look "Stand aside." he spoke, as he shouldered past Claude and pushed the door open. The interior of the Blue Lions classroom was revealed to all. And indeed, it was the cleanest they had ever seen it.

Although that was not the issue.

A strangled gasp escaped Lysithea's throat as Seteth's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. The reactions of everyone else varied from downright shock to choked laughs.

"Hm?" Goetia slowly turned around, feather duster still in hand as he finished dusting down the book case "You are early." he spoke to the assembled group in front of him. He slowly descended down the step ladder and moved to the centre of the classroom. "And there are more of you thank I expected."

Byleth tilted her head slightly to the side.

As did Flayn, much to the growing conniptions of Seteth.

"Goetia…" The man struggled to control his tone "What...are you doing?"

"Hmph?" Goetia blinked, looking down at himself for a few moments he then looked back to the group. Realisation came to his eyes as he then nodded his head "Ah, yes. I see the issue."

He placed the feather duster on the nearest table and then walked back to the group.

The snickers grew in intensity as Goetia came to a halt in front of them.

Goetia, clad in a maid outfit – Seteth wasn't even sure where he found it – gripped the hem of his skirt and curtsied to them.

"Welcome back Masters." He spoke with a perfectly straight face "Would you like a meal first. Or perhaps a bath...or maybe...me?"

Seteth closed his eyes, placing his hands on his face and turning around. His muffled scream came out soon after before he lowered his hands. "Excuse me." the man pushed his way through the crowd.

"Von Riegan." Goetia turned to the boy and raised an eyebrow "Did I perform the gesture correctly?"

"Yes." Claude nodded "Yes you did. No problems at all." he turned away "Right Lysithea?" he grinned as the girl's face was bright red. Words continuously failing to manifest themselves, instead coming out as sputtered noises before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed.

"So…" Byleth raised a hand "Do I have to pick one?"