The battle of the Eagle and Lion was rapidly approaching. All Houses were doing their best to prepare any way they could. Manuela asked to meet with Byleth and Hanneman in the infirmary, away from the other students while they were focused on training. She didn't look very happy, which was a cause of concern for her two coworkers. "Is something wrong, Manuela?" Byleth was the first one to ask. Even if her expression didn't show much concern, her tone did.

Manuela didn't answer at first. There was a bottle of wine sitting at her desk and she was tempted to take a drink of it. Everything about her expression didn't show happiness. "...I may have to step out of the Battle of the Eagle and Lion." And she didn't deliver this news lightly, either.

"Why is that?" Hanneman asked. All of the teachers were set to join the battle alongside their respective House and lead them to victory.

"It's my injury." Manuela sighed and gestured to her side, where she was stabbed.

"It's been a few weeks since then." Byleth said. "Hasn't it healed by now?"

"Well, yes..." Manuela paused. "But it was an uncomfortably deep wound. Even though it has closed and healed, I know full well I shouldn't be doing anything intensive just yet. Especially a large scale battle like the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. If I fought there, the damage would be permanent. So I have to pull back."

"Ah..." Byleth nodded in understanding. They were lucky to catch the wound when they did if it was that bad. "I'm sorry. Maneula."

"As am I." Hanneman let out a sigh. It was unfair that Manuela was simply caught in the crossfire. They were all looking forward to facing each other in such a competition, but the cards didn't fall in their favor.

"I'm sorry to the both of you. I wanted to join my class on the field of battle and best you both. But it's better that I do not." Manuela had a sad smile. As a physician, she knew the risks and simply could not afford it.

"We understand." Hanneman replied. It was not her fault. There was unfortunately nothing they could do about it.

"..." Byleth was silent for a moment. It was unfair if she and Hanneman were to join their Houses on the field, but the Golden Deer wouldn't have that same advantage. "Hanneman. I'm going to make a suggestion. Feel free to agree with me or not, but..."

"What is it, Byleth?" Hanneman glanced over at his fellow teacher.

"Well, before anything, I think this is something we should take to Lady Rhea and Seteth as well. I don't want to make a decision they may not approve of first." Whatever Byleth was planning, it did intrigue Hanneman and Manuela to a degree.

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In the training yard, Shez was making an effort to spar with Catherine. Caspar, Sylvain, and Lysithea were watching. Shamir was just in the corner, silently looking on. Even though Catherine wasn't using Thunderbrand, Shez could feel that Catherine had far more experience than her with the training sword. After sliding back a few few, Shez took a few breaths. "Wow...you're really something else."

"Of course I am. I am a Knight of Seiros after all." Catherine said proudly. "Your skill isn't so bad either. You don't see anyone wield swords like yours at all. You have an inherit advantage in close combat, but if your opponent has more skill than you, you're at a standstill."

"No kidding..." Shez knew that pretty well. She glanced at the scar on her arm from the Death Knight. He was stronger than her, and that scar was going to live as a reminder of her weakness. That wasn't a feeling she couldn't allow to happen ever again. "I was kind of hoping you'd use Thunderbrand..."

"No way. It's not a toy." Catherine shook her head. "I have no issues sparring with you, but I'm not bringing Thunderbrand into that kind of fight."

"Aw, man..." Caspar frowned.

"Even though I have a Crest, it drains me a little bit too. I honestly try to avoid using it as much as I can." Catherine explained.

"..." Lysithea was silent, but she was listening.

"Even without Crest, your unique sword is something to behold. Fitting for someone as cute as yourself." Sylvain shifted closer towards Shez, who just lifted a brow at his approach. "The way you swing it so elegantly, it's a breathtaking sight."

"Gag." Lysithea said loudly. This was supposed to be a training session and Sylvain was just trying to flirt! "Take it somewhere else. Preferably out of my sight." Also, seeing him flirt with Shez just irritated her in a way she wasn't exactly sure how to explain.

"It's alright." Shez shrugged casually. Sylvain was far from the first person to make a pass at her, and he probably wouldn't be the last either. "You want to see my blade in action, do you? You'll have plenty of time for that when I cut you down at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion." Shez said smugly.

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" Caspar grinned at Shez's words. The two high fived each other after the fact. Caspar then turned to Catherine, who watched the students ineract with a smile. "Hey, Catherine! I'm gonna get plenty strong, and I'm gonna be just like you in my later years!"

While Caspar meant this as a show of strength, the mood in the training yard tanked immediately with those words. Catherine's expression soured immensely. "...You don't want to be like me." She thought to Ashe, who hadn't even looked at her since the battle against Lonato a few months ago. Truthfully, that was deserved. It was a reminder of the person that she really was. With those words hanging heavy in the air, Catherine just began to leave.

"...Was it something I said?" Caspar frowned as Catherine walked off. Clearly he said something bad, but he had no idea those words were the wrong thing to say.

"...Yeah." Sylvain just left it at that. He couldn't even muster his usual attitude once Catherine left.

"Take her advice. Don't become like her." Shamir finally spoke. Truthfully, the others kind of forgot she was there, which was intentional on her end. With that, she left as quickly as she made herself known.

"Well, talk about a spoiled mood." Lysithea huffed.

"Something to worry about for later." Shez wasn't going to let it bog her down. "We only have a little over a week until the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. So let's keep it going!" And as the others expected, she was ready to keep training.

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The days were slowly passing by. Tensions in Garreg Mach grew to exciting levels as the fated day was only a week away. Everyone was working as hard as they could to ensure that their class would become victorius. But even more importantly, they were training so they wouldn't do anything less than their best. "Nobody wants to be the guy that fails to do anything." Luke said to himself as he swung his sword. He was in a bit of a secluded area of the monastery. The training yard was a little too crowded for his taste, and he wasn't going to be able to train with his weapon of choice from Anna. He actually just finished swinging the sword around, and when he did, he noticed someone nearby. "Hm?"

It was Mercedes. She was standing with a smile and even brought some water. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"What? Oh, no, you're fine." Luke shook his head. He was surprised to see her around. "I uh...was just surprised to see you here?"

"I saw you come this way." Mercedes replied. She handed the water to Luke, and he took it. "I thought you would be training with Felix in the others. It seems to be more your thing, doesn't it?"

"Thanks." Luke acknowledged the fact Mercedes brought him some water. He kind of needed it too, and had a few drinks. That hit the spot. "I don't need to train with the others. I'm not fighting them. I need to focus on how to fight the others. I've been keeping a few tabs on them here and there, just to know what to expect. The smarter ones like Claude and Edelgard keep whatever tricks they have close to their chests."

"Oh, yes, You've told us before." Mercedes recalled. All of Luke's actions during the course of the last few months were solely to prepare for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. "Don't forget you're not alone out there. You tend to take things by yourself, I've noticed. But you have a whole team behind you."

"I..." Wow, Mercedes really did call him out. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I'll be sure to remember that."

'I know you will." Mercedes said with a sweet smile. But it did feel like she was putting a little pressure on Luke to ensure he didn't bite off more than he could chew. "If you ever need any healing, make sure to seek me or Annie out as fast as possible."

"I'll do that." Luke nodded. Since he was finished training and it was getting a little late, he and Mercedes decided to walk back to the dorms together. Along the way, they spotted Hilda, Marianne, and Leonie together.

"Come on, Hilda. You can't just do nothing to prepare." Leonie placed her hands on her hips. "This is really important."

"Ugh, I know it is." Hilda said with a sigh. It felt like everyone was getting on her case the closer the Mock battle drew nearer. "But you're better off not expecting much from me. I'm not as strong as you think I am. I'm just a delicate flower."

"Um..." Marianne thought about saying something, but she decided against it. But was about Hilda's delicate flower statement.

Leonie rolled her eyes, hard. "I just want to make sure everyone's at their best. I don't even know what your best is."

"Not something worth expecting." Hilda waved a hand casually. "It's too much energy to have to worry about everyone else. I'll do my part and fight, but that's about it."

"I can at least count on you, right, Marianne?" Leonie was done with Hilda and just looked over to the bluenette instead.

"O-Oh, um...yes." Marianne nodded meekly. "I'll do my best to not let everyone down..." Those words came from the heart and soul.

"At least there's someone I can depend on." Leonie said while walking off. "I'm gonna ask the Captain if he'll give me a few pointers before things kick off!" And off she was.

Hilda sighed, then turned and noticed Luke and Mercedes and approached. "Heeeey! You two wouldn't be interested in a last second transfer to the Golden Deer House, would you?"

"H-Hilda, you can't just..." Marianne stopped herself.

"Come on, it's finnnnne." Hilda said with a smile, waving a hand at Marianne's objection. She knew what she was about to say, but didn't see any problems.

"Uh..." Luke blinked. "You're just saying this in the hopes I'd pull more work for you, aren't you?"

Luke found her out rather quickly. "Come oooon. Please?" Hilda fluttered her eyelashes cutely.

"Oh, my." Mercedes said with a soft giggle.

"If there was someone who would ask that, it would be me." Edelgard just so happened to overhear the conversation. "I was curious if Luke had any plans to make some last second changes. If so, I could talk to Professor Byleth and make the arrangements. You would be a great boon."

"Hey, I asked him first." Hilda pouted.

"I think they're fighting..." Marianne mumbled.

"I didn't see this coming." Mercedes looked at Luke. "But you wouldn't leave so soon, would you?"

"Uh." Luke looked at the girls. Something about this felt odd and dangerous. Like any answer he gave would tip the scales, so ultimately he shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm staying in the Lions for now. I want to see this battle through to the end with the class I'm in, so that means I'll be seeing all of you on the battlefield."

"I see." Edelgard thought it was worth asking. Admittedly, she was fully aware that Luke would be a problem and wanted such an asset on her side. But she would simply have to settle with their other agreement for the time being. "Then you should be prepared to be crushed until there is nothing left of you." There was a tense, dead silence after Edelgard said that. She began to sweat. "I...It was just a joke..." Her voice was filled with sincerity. She thought that would go over better.

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.

"Are you ready?" Arval asked Shez. The days were flying by and the Battle of the Eagle and Lion was fast approaching.

"More ready than I've ever been." Shez said slowly. "It's...kinda strange, actually. I've never really had the chance to battle for fun. I know this is serious, but it's so different from what I'm used to."

"And don't forget. If you can do the best here, you'll be one step closer to destroying the Ashen Demon." Arval was not gonig to let Shez forget that mission. Her focus was rightfully on the coming battle, but she would not be allowed to forget that either.

"Y-Yeah..." Shez nodded. Had this been several months ago, the burning desire for revenge would've driven most of her actions. But here, in Garreg Mach? Things were different. Byleth looked so human, she fought hard to protect her students, and she was just...strong. In fact, Byleth was quickly turning into someone that Shez could...rely on. Trust...but she could never voice those thoughts to her partner. She already knew they'd reprimand her for allowing such thoughts to enter her head.

"You've been improving so quickly. I didn't think this school would provide such growth for you.." Arval admitted. "But I have faith in you. I'll also be your eyes and ears during the coming battle. Together, we'll make sure you stand above all the others."

That did sound nice. Shez grinned in response. "I like the sound of that. I wanna make sure we win!" As much as she hated to admit it, she also found herself growing attached to the Black Eagles. She was so used to the easy goodbyes of the merc life, but school life was so different. It spurred her on in a way that she couldn't explain. "We're gonna win this thing!"

Everyone had that same mindset over the course of the week. The days went by and by, until the fated day finally arrived. It was two days before the Battle of the Eagle and Lion.

In two days, the strongest House would be decided, once and for all...