Chapter 35: A learning experience

Goetia opened up the Library door and raised an eyebrow at what he found "You're early."

"I felt it best that new students set a proper example." Lysithea spoke with a smug look on her face as she gestured to the others in the room, namely towards Linhardt and Dorothea – the latter giving him a smile and a wave while the former looked as though he was once again asleep on his feet – while the students already accustomed to her behaviour all seemed non-pulsed by the reaction. "So I assembled everyone early to ensure they do not miss anything off…" she trailed off as her eyes fell on Linhardt "I-is he asleep?"

Dorothea looked over at his face "Yes. Yes he is." her face split into a patient smile as Lysithea's eyebrow began to twitch "You get used to it."

"Oh dear." Mercedes cupped her hand over her mouth, now staring at the boy with some small degree of concern "He isn't ill, is he? Not getting enough rest can be very hazardous to your health."

"Oh, I'd say he gets more than enough rest." Dorothea absently remarked with a coy smile "But I can wake him up if it's not a probl-"

"Svegliare." The girl was cut off when a pulse of white light stuck Linhardt in the forehead, the boy's eyes snapped open and looked around wildly "What happened?" he asked, any sense of drowsiness gone before a frown came upon him "Wait...what...huh?" he pat himself down, frowning heavily before he rubbed his eyes "Why aren't I-"

"I've cursed you." Goetia spoke up in a tone of voice which was completely disinterested when compared to its contents "You'll be unable to sleep for the next eight hours." he paused "...Your welcome."

"U-unable to-" Linhardt's face morphed into one of genuine shock "But that's-"

"Huh." Dorothea blinked as she looked at Linhardt and then back to Goetia before looking towards Lysithea "I had thought you were exaggerating, but he really is quite impressive. A few seconds into his first lesson and he's already cured Lin of his sleeping habit."

"I would hardly call cursing me a cure." Linhardt's voice came out strained before the boy released a sigh "However, I suppose I should be partly grateful. Even if it was an order from the House Leader to come here, I did have some motivation to learn something new. At least I do not need to concern myself with missing it now."

"I wonder if he could cure you of your sleepiness?" Byleth idly wondered as she stared at the boy.

"I am not letting him do anything to my precious sleep!" Sothis hissed back in her mind, choosing not to manifest this time "And I very much doubt he can do anything to me anyway." the girl remained silent for a few more seconds before seemingly realising something else "Do not ask him about curing me."

Byleth's lips thinned, she wasn't going to anyway. It wouldn't have made much sense for her to do so. If Sothis were awake more often, then she'd have less time to herself.

"I heard that!"

"Pointless discussions of narcolepsy aside-" Goetia marched past the assembled gathering and towards his own desk towards the front of the Library "-I trust you were given the basic notes from your peers?" he directed the question towards the two new students.

Dorothea nodded along while Linhardt blinked and furrowed his brow "That was the small paper on magecraft being different to magic, yes?"

"It was."

"In that case, yes." He nodded his head "I did read over the basic notes that Lysithea provided me...in part."

The white haired girl's eyes snapped to him and narrowed "What do you mean 'in part'?"

"If you'll recall, I have only recently been liberated from the Demon of Drowsiness-"

"You-!?" Lysithea sputtered in indignation "After all the effort I went through in preparing those notes for you and you fell asleep while reading them?"

"I understand the basic principles." Linhardt argued back "It's really quite interesting-"

"So how did you fall asleep!?"

"Because-"

"Can we start now?" Leonie cut the pair off with an annoyed look on her face "Some of us want to learn."

"As blunt as she states it, Pinelli is correct." Goetia pointed out with a mild frown "I have no intention of entertaining irrelevancy if it is my own time being wasted. Keep conversations related to the lesson at hand and discuss other topics elsewhere." Lysithea flinched and held a guilty look on her face while Linhardt nodded his head "Be seated or stand, I care not which." he waved his single hand dismissively at the class, all of whom elected to be seated.

"For the interests of the newer members I have been tasked with evaluating from the Black Eagle House-" Goetia briefly glanced over to Dorothea and Linhardt "-We will be examining one of the basic principles of Magecraft which is commonly practised amongst youngest students." he paused "It will likely be more useful to some than others." red eyes very pointedly focused on Linhardt.

The green haired boy raised his hand in questioning, Goetia gave a single nod of ascent "It is not related to what you have done to me, is it?"

"Hardly, although the effect on you can be mimicked with it." He admitted easily "For the purpose of today's lesson, we will be examining the basics of Self-suggestion and hypnosis."

"Do you mean with coins?" Dorothea asked innocently with a slightly amused look about her face "Because I think there was someone in the town that could do the same thing...or so they said anyway."

"Hypnosis has no need of coins for the more skilled users." Goetia scoffed "Nor coins at all, the coin is more for the magus than the target. Regardless, hypnosis has a great deal more value than being a street art for peddlers."

"You mentioned Self-suggestion." Linhardt picked up on the first word, cupping his chin and holding a thoughtful look "Do you mean to suggest people hypnotise themselves?"

"They do." Goetia nodded "Usually with the desired effect being to learn skills or to induce a state of focus upon the mind, it is why certain spells in Magecraft have Aria's – better known as Incantations – to them. It is a form of self-hypnosis to focus the mind entirely on the spell at work. As such, Magi who have long incantations for specific spells will be able to focus their minds and achieve a greater result." he paused as he looked around the room "The power of the spell does not change, however. It remains at a fixed point but the purpose of the incantation is to allow it to reach is pinnacle existence."

Linhardt tapped his desk repeatedly as he mulled it over in his head before he eventually realised something "The Self-suggestion provides the caster with a greater understanding of the spell?"

"It is a clearer image of the end result than an understanding." Goetia corrected "Incantations can aid in a spell being categorised into different classes. Most of which will determine the type of Magecraft that is being employed at the extent to which it will affect the others around the caster." he waved his hand, the a writing board floating up behind him with a piece white chalk "Those of single action spells are used by a simple activation of mana. Typically simple spells which do not require great understanding to cast." he paused "However, Mystic eyes would also fall into that category although I have yet to see anything of that type here."

"Mystic eyes?" Lysithea titled her head in questioning "What are those?"

"They are as described. A type of ocular orb which can exhibit a set mystery, some are more common than others however they are all defined by their ability to interfere with the outside world through their sight alone." He paused before a frown came to him "They are also categorised within their own boundaries due to effect and purity to them. Suffice to say that they are irrelevant for now."

"Will you discuss them later?" Linhardt asked, leaning forwards in his chair and now looking mildly intrigued.

"...If there is a desire for it." Goetia answered "However the likelihood of you encountering a set of Mystic eyes is slim."

The chalk wrote out 'Single Action Spells' upon the board before it moved downwards.

"Below these would be single verse spells. Typically made up of a sentence or a single word at the very least and are among some of the most common thaumaturgy utilised because it can be realised with ease by the caster."

"Is that why we sometimes chant 'Fireball' when casting a flame spell?" Mercedes tilted her head in questioning "Because we know what it will do?"

"In part, although I doubt that it was because you realised the significance." Goetia answered "The spells utilised by Fodlan would still fall under single action spells but the more advanced ones such as…" his expression tightened "Excalibur-" the class stared at him with curious looks at the way in which he spoke the word with such a complete lack of respect for the spell "-would require a one verse incantation for you at your current level to use." he paused "It is closer to the 'Invisible Air' skill used by another individual although it is – admittedly – much more potent."

"So we cannot use the spell quickly because we do not understand it." Linhardt surmised, cupping his chin "I imagined that was why the more skilled mages can cast spells of that magnitude with ease but I had assumed it was because they had much more experience but it also relates to clarity of mind?"

"That is – in part – why the incantation exists to focus your mind." Goetia paused "However, despite their power the spells of Fodlan are not complicated Mysteries to understand. As such their uses are limited towards single focus effects which gradually increase in intensity but nothing else."

"That seems an awfully fancy way of saying Fodlan magic is simple." Dorothea noted, Goetia grunted in response.

"Because it is simple. It's primitive and lacking in any kind of grasp." Goetia paused before he furrowed his brows and looked away "Although some of the warding I saw around the Goddess Tower looked to be of mild promise when compared to the rest of the magecraft you have available to you."

"What about the Luna spell?" Lysithea asked suddenly "You never commented on that one."

"The creation of an imploding area of curse magecraft in the form of a Lunar body." Goetia remained silent for a few moments "...Admittedly it is quite powerful and something closer to what I was more accustomed with."

"I'm sensing a 'but' coming." Leonie whispered to Mercedes causing the fluffy haired girl to giggle slightly.

"But it is still lacking in power and the forces it employs are still based entirely within curse arts." He paused "However the lack of widely practised use due to Dark Magic being considered a 'lesser craft' means that the Mystery surrounding the spell is greater than others. It enhances the spells purpose of bypassing defensive spells and armour."

"So...A spell is more powerful because fewer people know of it?" Linhardt asked.

"The results are more potent, yes." Goetia nodded "However I have noticed the effect has minimal effect on the spells utilised here. Partially because they do not originate from the same school of thaumaturgy I am more familiar with. It does relate to the concept of Mystery. The greater the lack of understanding, the greater hold upon the world it has."

"That just makes it sound as though it is better to be ignorant."

"It is usually why specific Magi families will keep their spells a closely guarded secret to ensure that the mystery they study does not lose its potency." Goetia admitted "As for ignorance, there are benefits and downsides to having a greater understanding of the world at large. Although the effects of such things are not the topic of today's lesson."

"You were discussing hypnotising people?" Dorothea offered.

"I was." Goetia nodded his head "Hypnosis would fall into the category of a single verse spell, unless you had form of Mystic Eyes available to you, then it would be a single action spell and would require little more than channelling magical energy into the organ."

The chalk board began to scribble down notes which the students began to copy "Considering the previously mentioned lack of Mystic eyes, there is no reason to document such things. Self-Hypnosis is one of the most basic skills a Magus will learn to focus their mind and it is what today's lesson will be about."

His eyes flickered over to Dorothea and Linhardt "If you are incapable of using even the most basic of spells to perform self-suggestion then there will be no further effort on my part to teach you." red orbs swept over the other students "For others, this will be the opportunity for you to demonstrate an ability to better focus your own spells either those of Fodlan's magecraft or my own."

As for why he was covering something basic at this stage rather than earlier, it was because he had already been confident that Lysithea, Mercedes and Byleth would have been capable of casting spells without the need for self-hypnosis.

He'd had no expectations in Pinelli so her ability to cast spells was something of a marginal surprise although that likely related to the capacity that all those in Fodlan had towards magecraft. Although it appeared that without a Crest, the young girl was still a step behind her peers.

For Linhardt and Dorothea his expectations were bare minimum. The boy likely had some small talent if only he could solve his narcoleptic habits. For the girl…

She'd probably be more suited to hypnosis magecraft designed to be used on others in any capacity. Regardless of the fact it was a basic craft that most Magi possessed. If she couldn't hypnotise herself she'd never succeed in hypnotising someone else.

"For now you will focus your mind upon the creation of a personal aria which you will relate entirely towards the activation of your own magical energy." He explained further "It cannot a phrase that you will utter frequently and must come from deep within yourself. Most magi will also focus upon a mental image designed to elicit a reaction from themselves. As such these mental images are usually quite visceral in nature."

Leonie raised an eyebrow "Visceral?"

"The stronger the reaction of the mental image, the more focused the mind becomes." Goetia explained "As such this will become a mental image that you will forever envisage as a part of the activation of your own magical energy. One of the simplest forms of focus is an awareness of pain."

"You want us to hurt ourselves?"

"No, I want you to imagine someone has hurt you or is about to." He replied without missing a beat.

"Do you do that?" Linhardt curiously asked, Goetia released a scoff in response.

"I have no need of such basic mental trickery." He waved his hand and caused the board he had been writing notes on to slowly lower itself back onto the desk "Do not put me on the same pedestal as more common magi."

Dorothea raised an eyebrow at the boast which was – for lack of a better word – unimaginably arrogant of him. He wasn't even making an effort to hide it which reminded her very much of some of...Who was she kidding? It reminded her of nearly every Noble she had met without only some being the noticeable exception to this.

She paused as she realised something. Despite being a simple traveller and dressing in simple robes, Goetia was not only well spoken but conducted himself in a similar manner to the other nobles about the academy. Casual dismissal of anything that he didn't find remotely interesting to him was just one of the many qualities he seemed to have in common with them.

It did make her wonder if Goetia was a noble of some variety.

"Obviously." Lysithea nodded her head, completely taking in the boast without a hint of doubt "I assume you mastered such trivial skills years ago."

Goetia stared at her for barely half a second before he answered "I never needed to use them to begin with."

"O-oh…" Lysithea pursed her lips "Alright. So we need to create an image in our minds that will focus ourselves on the process of activating a spell?"

"Without the activation of a spell." Goetia clarified "You are merely forcing your mind to focus on the Od within your body-"

"Od?" Byleth spoke for the first time in a rather confused voice, tilting her head to the side "Why is it odd?"

Goetia froze and slowly stared at her, his expression indiscernible "Od. It is the title of magical energy found within living creatures. It is referred to as mana when found within the air."

"Difference?"

"Od is related to lifeforce while Mana is not." Goetia clarified "Mana is typically found in greater abundance as there is more air in the planet than there is in your body."

"Oh…" Byleth slowly nodded her head with a slight look of understanding "Makes sense."

"Returning to my original point." Goetia stared straight ahead once again "You will be spending the rest of the lesson attempting to create a mental image to trigger the activation of your Od used to channel a spell however the casting of the spell is unnecessary. As each mental trigger is unique to each magus you will be unable to request for assistance. It should also be a trigger that you will become accustomed to otherwise it will lose its effect on you."

He remained silent for a few seconds before he spoke again "Begin."

"Now?" Linhardt stared at him in surprise, Goetia offered only a nod in response.

"No sense in complaining about it now, Lin." Dorothea muttered as she closed her eyes and tried to focus inwards, although the shuffling and surprised grumbles she heard from around her signalled that she was not alone in that regard. Although the instructions were terribly vague to her. Create a mental image that would allow her to focus entirely on her magical energy and one that would elicit a strong reaction from her while also not being common?

She had many things that would draw out such a reaction but she couldn't exactly use any of those considering that Gotie had said it would lose its power of focus. Quite the conundrum. Still, he had said that it was something that mages would first learn. If others could do it then she could as well.

"A strong mental image, huh?" Sothis mused in Byleth's head, earning a minor flinch from the teacher at having a voice in her head briefly break her concentration. "Don't pretend as if you can understand what is going on." The girl chided in her ear with a sigh "I'm in your head, what sort of strong mental image can you concoct anyway?"

Byleth had no idea. Goetia had said that they were unique for everyone so clearly she had to think of something. She had been able to cast magic before but she hadn't really thought of anything at the time. Maybe that was why her spells hadn't been as good as some of the other mages?

"Most likely." Sothis hummed "It is sensible to assume that having some manner of focus on your own abilities helps you to better yourself. I assume your sword play was much the same?"

'Sword play?' Byleth mused in her head for a few moments. A mental image which would create a strong reaction from her. Maybe getting stabbed? She thought on that image for a few moments before she frowned internally. Goetia had said it would have to be something that wouldn't be common place. People tried to stab her frequently so it wouldn't work.

"I suppose I should not be concerned that you consider the threat of physical bodily harm to be 'too tame' for a reaction." The girl's amused voice snickered "Perhaps something less bodily damaging and more emotional is necessary?"

That...would be problematic.

It had only just occurred to Goetia that perhaps attempting this lesson at this point would have unintended consequences. He had only done so to determine if Dorothea and Linhardt could actually focus their minds on the task with a mild form of self-hypnosis. Although he had recalled that Byleth also had a Divine Core to consider.

Then again, she had previously been tapping into it to rewind time but those had been mild bursts which few could likely have detected and even if they had they had shifted backwards before the burst of magical energy had even occurred. It would at least be good practice for her to actively use her vast magical potential in a manner which did not relate to touching upon a True Magic.

His eyes shifted over to Lysithea, he had high hopes for her. She had been focusing the mana in the air without a trigger thus far. He could assume that once she gained a greater focus on the manipulation of the magical energy within her body she would become closer to her full potential.

For what little time she could exploit it anyway.

The previously impassive expression shifted ever so slightly, eyes crinkling as he looked away from the white haired girl. His mind kept forcing him back to the reality that Lysithea was going to die.

He already knew that. All of them in this class would die one day, he still hadn't brought it up to her. It had been gnawing at the back of his mind since he had found out, she shouldn't even have been here to begin with. She should have known what was going to happen to her and yet she still fulfilled her obligations as dictated to her by simply being a noble. Why didn't she just reject them? She was never going to be around long enough to complete them anyway. She had – at best – another twenty years of life left in her.

Why hadn't he brought it up?

He couldn't find it in himself to care-

Something shot through his chest. That ugly feeling again. He grimaced, they were becoming more and more frequent and even focusing his attention on teaching was doing little to stem the tide of these emotions he felt. There were just…

So many of them.

His eyes flickered to Linhardt. The boy was clearly doing something correct and relatively fast as well. He was already beginning to channel Od through his body, it was trace amounts and only the barest hint that his concentration was paying off but it was at least there.

He frowned as a thought occurred to him, if Byleth did activate her Divine Core then that would attract the attention of every phantasmal in this Monastery. Moving past the chairs assembled in a line, he quickly made his way towards the entrance to the library. Tomas hadn't been as frequent with his visits as of late – either because of his other activities or because of actual duties to the Monastery, he didn't care which – and the other Monks were busying themselves with the Rite of Rebirth preparations.

It had effectively left the Library in his hands and he had appreciated the solitude at times, more importantly it meant he would be able to set up a small bounded field to contain any indication of a Divine Core being accessed if Byleth did trigger it.

With a quick wave of his hands he shut the doors quietly before chanting over them. It was only a simple bounded field to contain her divinity should she tap into her Divine Core, it would never have been able to conceal the Divinity of a full God but Byleth was a Vessel at best. If she had attempted to channel the power of a full deity she would likely burst into flames.

He turned back towards the others and paced over to the front of the room again, it was likely going to be a lengthy process for someone to discover their mental trigger. If that were the case, he could at least find something to read while he waited.

He waved a hand, a book slowly floated down from the shelf at the top of the Library and towards him before setting itself down on the desk at the front of the room. Moving around to his chair, Goetia sat himself down and began to read through the pages. The 'Comprehensive History of Fodlan from the Prophet Seiros to the Present' was still an ongoing work and currently on its fifth volume. It was at least marginally useful in allowing him to understand Fodlan's history.

Even if the authors of the Historical volume were clearly affected by their own personal bias towards the faith. They had written off Brigid 'spirits' as heathen belief's and superstition. It was more than likely that there were nature spirits living in Brigid or close to the region. He paused as a thought occurred to him, there was a girl from Brigid, he believed, currently in the Black Eagle House.

Perhaps she knew of the Spirits of her peoples, it would be prudent to be better aware of the other mystical creatures living in the world. There were also the Duscur Gods although with the destruction of their culture and their people scattered to the wind following the Kingdom of Faerghus annexation of the country then it was likely that those Gods could no longer directly interfere in this plane of existence.

Or if they could it would be very limited interference.

'This is annoying.' Was the single thought that ran through Lysithea's mind. It was easy enough for her to cast magecraft already but somehow finding a mental trigger which resonated with her was quickly becoming something vexing. She had attempted to take her Teacher's advice and think of something visceral that would cause a reaction.

Her experience under a scalpel had already ruined that type of shock value.

There was nothing else she could think of. Something that would draw out a reaction from her but would be rare enough that she would never truly get accustomed to it? There were very few things she could get genuinely angry about and being treated like a child was one of them, but Claude did that regularly so that option was out as well.

Then there was…

An epiphany struck her as she focused on that particular mental image. It would draw out a reaction from her every time and she'd never get used to it!

Goetia flicked his eyes over to Lysithea when he sensed her magical energy building and flooding through her body, he released a small hum. That was faster than he thought it would take, although Lysithea was quickly becoming something of a prodigy. Her presence quickly expanded outwards – likely the result of two crests working in harmony – and caused some of the other students near her to flinch at the sudden temperature drop. Of course, Lysithea soon began to develop beads of sweat on her forehead.

Still, her ability to develop a mental trigger within ten minutes was more than acceptable. Although Linhardt had been able to achieve it before her. Somehow.

Lysithea's eyes snapped open and she exhaled, panting heavily as her skin flushed and her presence faded away.

"Hmph." She looked up to see Goetia staring at her with barely an emotion on his face, she dared to look around the room and found the other students still with their eyes closed and concentrating. "Adequate." she blinked, eyes snapping back to Goetia before he slowly looked back down to his book.

Adequate.

He said adequate.

Her face threatened to split into a proud smile. He very rarely complimented anything! He'd criticise it often or just never say anything but he rarely complimented someone! That meant she'd done something right.

Her mental trigger still hurt her but she supposed that was the point.

She would never get used to the idea of someone stamping on a cake in front of her.

Linhardt opened his eyes, looking around the room with an odd look. He'd never been awake in a lesson this long – although he personally didn't think cursing someone to remain awake really counted – but he supposed it was worth it. It was quite interesting and he believed he had found his own 'mental trigger' as Goetia had described it.

Falling out of bed.

Because despite how often he would sleep, that had never happened to him.

The two hour lesson had concluded and by its end, Goetia would admit a begrudging sense of surprise that virtually all of his students had been able to discover their own mental triggers – even Dorothea – with the notable exception of Byleth. That had been rather disappointing to say the least although he personally believed that the presence of a second consciousness in her head may have played some small part in it.

Regardless, Linhardt and Dorothea had been able to meet the bare requirements he needed in order to teach them further. The girl managed to take to the self-hypnosis reasonably well along with Lysithea, so he supposed that she might have had an affinity towards suggestion based magecraft.

She was apparently a singer at some point although he wasn't entirely sure about that part. There were multiple forms of Magecraft based upon song so it wasn't as though she had nothing to learn. Although he was curious as to what she would use it for.

He would probably ask later.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're blaming me for something." Sothis narrowed her eyes at Goetia accusingly "You think its my fault that she couldn't find a mental image, don't you?"

"That had been my first hypothesis." He admitted without a hint of shame in his voice, Sothis clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes at his blunt declaration "However it would also seem that she has limited experience to draw upon crafting a mental trigger."

Byleth blinked at him while Sothis let out an amused snort and looked down at the Professor "He means you don't have much of an imagination." she translated, Byleth let out a small noise of understanding and nodded her head.

"You will have time." Goetia waved his hand dismissively "And it was likely for the best you did not immediately learn to channel the magical energy in your body."

"Why?"

"You are host to an entity which can rewind time." He bluntly replied "You cannot even fathom the amount of magical energy that would require and you do so repeatedly in short order." he paused "Admittedly is still limited by your own reserves and I do not believe you can rewind time more than an hour."

"Haven't tried." Byleth frowned "...Should I?"

"That would be best." He nodded his head "Allowing your own body to acclimatise to your borrowed Authority would allow you better control over it. As I was saying, your magical energy is leagues above the other students." he gestured to where Lysithea had been sat before they departed "You were able to feel the amount of magical energy she channelled, no?"

"Is that what that was?" Byleth blinked "Thought it got warmer."

"The girl almost came down with heat stroke." Sothis squinted at Goetia "Did you know that would happen?"

"Yes." He frowned "She wouldn't die."

"I am glad to know you have such a high criteria for student safety." Sothis rolled her eyes "But you're saying that if she had managed to activate her own magical energy-"

"There is a very good chance anyone around her would have passed out." Goetia replied instantly "And Byleth may or may not have suffered from an instant heat stroke."

The girl in questioned blinked slowly "...Oh."

"So what should she do?" Sothis tilted her head "Nothing?"

"A cold bath." Goetia shrugged "That is usually what Magi do when they attempt to activate their magic circuits for the first time."

"Oh." Byleth nodded "How come I haven't felt like that before?"

"You weren't attempting to channel your entire life force through your body." Goetia blandly replied "It is like I stated, Fodlan's magecraft would fall into single action or one verse spells. Despite their power it is a fast reaction and barely felt on the body until the caster's magical reserves begin to dwindle."

"So...should I try again?"

"You might, although I would prefer you do so in a location I could place a bounded field around."

"Why?" Sothis gave Goetia a suspicious look, the man didn't so much as blink at her.

"Because everything that has the ability to sense magical energy is going to see feel her release the equivalent of a tidal wave upon them." He replied back "That will undoubtedly attract unwanted attention."

"...That's fair." Sothis shrugged, releasing a yawn "I'm going back to sleep." she faded away from view and left Byleth and Goetia alone.

"...I should go." Blyeth spoke after a few moments of silence.

"...Indeed." Goetia nodded "I assume you have other plans?"

"...Training with Blue Lions."

"For the Rite of Rebirth?"

"Yes."

"Hm." Goetia nodded his head "I won't keep you."

"...Bye."

"...Farewell."

AN: Bit of a proper learning chapter but they can't all be interesting. It's kind of filler because next week is when we properly move onto the Western Church breach of the Monastery.

Fun times all around.

Then after that we go diving around in Abyss and the collection of people we have in there. That'll be funny.

Anyway, I mentioned this on Spacebattles but I'll mention it here as well. Three Hopes is coming up and depending on if it is an alternate timeline I'll do a story on that.

It it turns out to be an alternate timeline then I'll bring Chaldea in and it'll be the Chaldea from the 'Back Home Again' short story. Because I think everyone deserves a bit of closure after that. Although it's still an 'In the Works' idea so we'll just see how it goes.

Anyway, this next Omake while could have taken place in canon does not. But I just wanted to write it anyway because god damn, did the idea just flow through me easily.

Omake: Lunchtime

"It's always nice when you can get loads of different people around a table, right?" Claude chuckled as he sat down "Really shows that we can all get along."

"Provided someone pays for the food, of course." Dorothea wryly pointed out "Although with how that bet turned out I suppose we're all going to have to pay for our own meals, no?"

"I imagine that it how it would work out." Flayn nodded to herself "Considering none of us believed Alois was capable of capturing the largest fish." she paused before sending Goetia a flat look "You aren't ordering Tomato soup."

Goetia's lip curled downwards ever so slightly "Very well. There are other-"

"No soups."

His mouth slowly closed. Claude and Dorothea sent amused looks at eachother before turning their attention back to Goetia and Flayn "Is there some issue with Soup?" Goetia asked in a slightly irritated tone of voice.

"Aside from the fact it is all I have ever seen you eat of your own volition?" Flayn raised an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms "This is a special occasion and I feel as though you should celebrate it with something different."

"And it is special, how?"

"You laughed!" Claude snapped his fingers into a point in Goetia's direction while sporting a wide grin "And you can't deny it. Myself, Thea and Flayn all saw you!"

"We did inde-" Dorothea paused and gave Claude a raised eyebrow "Thea?" she parroted with a bemused look.

"I mean…" Claude shrugged "You aren't the only one to give everyone nicknames."

"...That's fair, I suppose." Dorothea admitted with a small smile "Still though, you should be careful when being so casual. Rumours could start."

"About a nickname?" Claude blinked "Damn, looks like I'll have to watch out for Teach then."

"Why would you be worried about Professor Manuela?" Flayn asked with a slight edge of concern in her voice "You have not committed any acts against the rules of the Monastery have you?"

"I meant Professor Eisner." Claude clarified "I just call her Teach."

"Ah." Flayn nodded her head before furrowing her brows "But why would you be concerned about her?"

"Because if giving someone a nickname can be used as evidence of seduction then Teach might be worried I'm coming after her man." Claude replied without a hint of shame as a slight smirk came to his face, eyes turning over to Goetia "Considering how much time I spent working on your nickname Sparkles."

Dorothea released a very unladylike snort and covered her mouth, Flayn remained silent for a few moments before her eyes darted between Claude and Goetia, the latter remained completely stoned faced.

"C-Claude." Flayn sputtered "I do not think it is wise to joke about such things! A significant other is very important and I do not believe Seteth would be pleased to learn there might be a relationship between yourself and Goetia."

Claude grimaced and shivered "When you put it like that I can already hear the lecture in the back of my mind." he paused "Can't feel the frown directed at me yet though."

"Well…" Flayn murmured "Brother does have a certain air about him."

"A rather overprotective air." Dorothea clarified "I sometimes wonder if he won't swoop down on his Wyvern and carry you away just for walking around the Monastery."

"Even he knows better than to try and stop me from exploring." Flayn huffed "For one I would never forgive him."

"I can already see it now." Claude snickered "The might Seteth brought low by Flayn saying 'I hate you Big Brother'" he spoke in a high pitched voice which earned a slight smile from Dorothea and an amused snort from Flayn.

Goetia remained impassive as ever although none of the three of them expected much of a reaction.

"Seteth aside." Dorothea's chuckles died down "If you won't let Gotie eat Soup what are you going to make him eat?"

"Fish." Flayn answered without missing a beat.

"You really wanna rub it in that he lost the bet, huh?" Claude chuckled to himself "I think we've gotten enough of a reaction from Sparkles."

"There is never anything wrong with fish." Flayn defended herself with a determined look "Besides, it is a fitting meal, no?"

"I suppose." Claude admitted after a few moments of silence, eyes turning to Goetia "You can always just float your knife to cut your fish, can't you Sparkles?"

"Yes." Goetia replied "I can."

"So there is no problem!" Flayn beamed "We can have fish!"

"No." Goetia denied her while looking away, the faces of Claude and Dorothea looked as though they were struggling to contain their laughter.

"Why not?" Flayn pouted "It's helpful, no?"

"Because it is unnecessary." Goetia denied her, moving to retrieve his fork. Flayn moved her hand just out of his reach along with the small bit of fish impaled on the end of it. "Return my utensil."

"I will." Flayn slowly nodded her head "After you let me do this."

"There is nothing to stop me simply removing the fork from your grasp." Goetia pointed out with a flat look, Flayn returned the expression in kind.

"Just do it."

"No."

"I think you should do it Sparkle-"

"Be silent, Von Riegan." Dorothea snorted at the instant reply Goetia delivered without even looking at the Golden Deer boy. Claude's expression froze as he pursed his lips together and shrugged, moving back to his own meal while keeping Flayn and Goetia within the corner of his eye.

Dorothea was less subtle about watching the pair.

"Come on…" Flayn moved the fork towards Goetia's mouth "Just open wide."

"…"

"Just a little bit…"

"…"

"Here comes the Wyvern?" Claude choked on his food while trying to contain his laughter.

Goetia's eyes narrowed "Are you trying to-egh!?" Flayn seized the moment and shoved the fork into his mouth while he was speaking, Goetia's eyes went wide with alarm as she ripped the fork clean and gave a look of victory, completely uncaring to the red eyes that were now glaring at her.

Dorothea's hands covered her mouth in a vain attempt to stem the laughter building in her throat.

"See?" Flayn smirked "That wasn't so-" she was cut off when the small bowl of tartar sauce emptied its contents onto her clothes, having seemingly sprung to life with a mind of its own. Claude and Dorothea froze while Goetia slowly turned his attention away from the still girl.

Flayn's eyes slowly craned down towards the outfit she had worn and then back to Goetia, her eyes betraying nothing. "Well. If you are going to be like that." her tone was cold as he grabbed Claude's own dish of sauce, the boy widened his eyes in alarm.

"Wait not my-"

Flayn dunked the sauce on Goetia's head.

"...sauce." Claude weakly finished as he stared at the liquid slowly dribbling down the side of Goetia's face with a blank expression.

Goetia exhaled heavily before his eyes fell on the tray of food in front of Flayn, then shifted to her.

Flayn followed his attention, her eyes gained a dangerous edge as she noticed his intentions "Don't you dare."

He did – in fact – dare.