He trudged through the monastery with his head down.

He passed the audience chamber without looking up. He passed knights, monks and students. He trudged past gardens filled with flowers separated into colours of the rainbow. He moved through marble-floored halls with statues of white angels carved to a meticulous detail and he walked past more golden-bricked buildings. Above, the cloudy morning had been replaced with clear, afternoon skies and eventually, the church bells rang again.

But he didn't see or hear any of those things. In his mind he saw Lorenz and the Blue Lions staring at him and he heard Hubert laughing. He saw Jeralt, who told him he didn't have a choice and he saw Lady Rhea's green eyes bear into him.

He eventually reached a cobbled bridge that hung over an epic drop. He stopped and slumped against one side, gazing downward, his head pulsing. Sometime later, someone called his name.

'Ah, there you are Byleth!'

He raised his head and looked at the knight with the flowing cape and moustache.

'How's our new professor doing?' Alois asked. 'Have you met the students yet?'

Byleth nodded and the knight grinned.

'Bet you're glad you got such a prestigious role eh? Did you know that your position had already been filled by another man? Shockingly, he deserted us when the bandits attacked near Remire, but it worked out as I was able to recommend you to replace him as professor! I figured it was the least you deserved considering everything you did to rescue the future Fódlan leaders!'

Byleth gazed at Alois and felt his jaw clench. The knight continued to smile.

'Anyway, your father is down at the marketplace and he asked me to come and find you. Allow me to lead you down to him.'

Byleth followed the man, his head continuing to thump.

The knight led him out of the monastery into the marketplace. It consisted of five rows of wooden stalls that continued on into the distance and out of sight down the decline. Each row was crammed with people shuffling, jumping and shouting. Clanks of metal and steel echoed out, as did shouts of "Get yer finest weapons in all Fódlan here!" from a nearby stall.

'Your father's just over there' Alois said, pointing.

Byleth spotted the large hulking man at one of the stalls. He was hard to miss in his bright orange gear, let alone the way in which he seemed to tower over everyone.

'See you round!' Alois said, turning and heading back inside. Byleth glared at him and then waded through the crowd towards his father. As he approached, he recognized Pascal and the other mercenaries. They were fully kitted up with bags hanging from their shoulders. Jeralt spotted him.

'Hey kid, how's things?'

'Fine,' he muttered. The other mercenaries nodded in his direction. Jeralt put a hand on his shoulder.

'Pascal and the others are going to head on without us. They'll be back to make sure we're settling in, but they're going to keep themselves busy with a few jobs around the area for the time being. (He patted Pascal's back.) And this jackass is finally going to get his shot at leading the team.'

'May the goddess have mercy on us,' one of the mercenaries cried. Laughing erupted amongst them.

But Byleth didn't laugh. He just stared at them.

'And you're going to be a professor, Byleth?' Pascal asked.

Byleth nearly shook his head before the archbishop entered his mind. He nodded, not meeting Pascal's eye.

'Well good luck. There's no doubt those spoilt brats are learning from one of Fódlan's best warriors. It's been a pleasure kid.'

The man extended his hand and Byleth shook it. The other mercenaries came up and he shook theirs as well. And then they left.

He watched them go, his head still pulsing.

'I'm sorry, kid, I didn't realise that they intended to go so soon,' Jeralt said. 'I think the magic healing gave them all a shot of adrenaline. Are you feeling any better?'

Byleth shook his head.

'Make sure to go to one of the nurses when you get a chance. They're just in the room on the left down the corridor from the audience chamber where we met Lady Rhea. There's a sign beside the entrance.'

They waded past the crowds in silence for a moment and then Jeralt spoke again.

'How was it today? Did you meet the students?'

Byleth nodded.

'How are they?'

Byleth said nothing. They reached the top of the marketplace and passed through the gates back into the monastery. Jeralt put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

'Kid… listen, I'm sorry. There's been a lot thrown at you'-

'Why?'

Jeralt blinked for a moment, as if lost for words, and then spoke again. 'Because of me and… well… because somehow, you've caught the attention of a lot of powerful people. The future king, empress and duke for one but also… the archbishop herself.'

He looked around. Knights continued to march back and forth in clanking footsteps. It was then the sound of church bells rang out in the distance. He moved his face closer to Byleth's.

'She was insistent you be a professor, even after I tried to dissuade her. She's a powerful woman and for now you're safer giving this thing a chance.'

'Hey Jeralt!'

The man jumped. A small girl in student uniform skipped over to them. She had the rosy cheeks and wide smile of an adorable young girl.

And yet she made Byleth's skin crawl. She had long hair that draped down her shoulders in ringlets. It was the same colour as her eyes.

Bright green.

'Oh apologies, I did not mean to startle you,' she chimed to Jeralt. 'I found the lily seeds that I mentioned earlier and wished to inform you that I shall plant them in the greenhouse tomorrow!'

'Oh, hey Flayn,' Jeralt said, scratching his head. 'That means a lot, thank you. (He moved to one side.) You haven't met Byleth, have you? Byleth, this is Flayn, Seteth's younger sister.'

Byleth blinked. Seteth looked past his forties. Flayn looked about fifteen.

The girl turned to him. Most people he'd met earlier had kept a distance from him and yet she jumped right in front of him. 'It is an honour to meet you! I have heard so much about you from your father. I heard you like fishing and flowers, I do as well!'

Byleth's eyes flickered right. Jeralt's eyes bore into him. He looked back at Flayn and bowed.

'Y-Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you as well.'

Flayn clapped her hands together and her smile widened. 'I must insist that we become friends, we have so much in common!'

The girl stared at Byleth. His stomach squirmed but he forced himself to nod.

'Great!' she said, jumping up and down. 'Anyway, I must be going, my brother wishes to see me. (She bowed) I shall see you both later!'

The young girl skipped away and Jeralt shook his head. 'She's a bundle of energy.'

Byleth gazed at his father, his head still throbbing. Jeralt turned to him.

'I'm sorry you're in this position. I shouldn't have let Alois lead us here. Stick with the professor thing for now. I'm escorting Lady Rhea to Fhirdiad in a few days for a week or so. The Kingdom's new year festivities are coming to an end soon and she's due to make a speech at it. When we're back, and if you're still not feeling up for it, we'll talk to her together. At least then we'll be able to say that you sincerely gave it your best shot. Maybe she'll let you join the Knights of Seiros or perhaps even leave the monastery altogether. So one week, sound like a deal?'

Byleth lowered his head. Jeralt squeezed his shoulder.

'I'm sorry. You didn't ask for this.'

He smiled.

'But y'know, really give it your best shot this week. You're actually more qualified for this role than you realise.'

Byleth looked up and met his father's eyes.

'You've travelled all over Fódlan and have survived its different dangers,' the man continued. 'You've fought alongside some of the land's best warriors against all kinds of enemies and you've played your part in carrying out all kinds of different battle strategies in different terrains and conditions, all the while saving many lives. You can do well with these brats, you just don't know it yet.'

He studied his son again.

And you're coming out of your shell again, he thought.

'A shame about losing Jeralt,' Simon said. 'You think he'll be back?'

Pascal shook his head. 'I think the archbishop will make sure he never leaves again.'

Jeralt's mercenaries, now led by Pascal, walked through the bustling crowds towards the town's exit.

'Terrible losing his son as well,' Simon continued. 'It's crazy to think he's been forced to be a professor.'

'There's no way he'll manage,' Conrad said. 'I can count the amount of times he's spoken over the past few years with two hands.'

Some of the other mercenaries grumbled in agreement.

'He's never lead before, no one will want to follow him.'

'He scares people, me included!'

He can't talk let alone teach!'

'He's a freak.'

'Cut it out,' Pascal said. 'He's saved us many times, show him respect.'

'But how do you think he'll do as a professor?' Simon asked. 'You've been in the mercenary group longer than any of us here.'

Pascal sighed as they exited through the final gates and out into the grassy hillside.

'I don't think he'll last.'

Lilia's Journal Entry: 25th Harpstring Moon, 1167

I nearly slipped up today.

I was preparing a short lesson for Byleth about some of the historical pieces of Fódlan's history. I was so excited that I told Jeralt about it, but when I did, he reminded me not to mention the Church of Seiros. I forgot he does not wish for Byleth to know about it, not until he is older at least. Why the church makes him so uncomfortable, I do not know.

The church means everything to me. It was my light in the darkness. Near the end of my time as a songstress, I was getting verbally and physically harassed every day. Words cannot describe how horrifying and crushing each day was to me, but the church was my light in the darkness. Each evening I prayed to the goddess, pleading with her to guide me and to protect me. In my heart, I know that she's the one who led me to Jeralt, and to Byleth.

Hopefully one day Byleth will be able to learn about the goddess as well. In the meantime, I shall pray for her to be his invisible guiding hand.

I forgot to add, even Jeralt has noticed: Byleth recovers unusually quickly from his injuries. He often returns from Alain's training with horrible limp and yet he is always as good as new the very next day. I asked Jeralt if Byleth has a crest and he said that he was certain he did not. I found that odd, but I suppose on the other hand, it does makes sense as I have never heard of a crest with such an ability. Still, it begs the question as to how Byleth recovers so quickly.

Just another part of his mystery, I suppose.

The sky paled as Byleth limped back through the monastery.

He saw the dining hall in the distance. It dawned on him that he hadn't eaten since the morning and his stomach growled. He neared the building but then heard voices from inside, lots of them. Many of which, he was certain, belonged to students he'd met that day, including Lorenz, Felix and Hubert.

He trudged the building back in the direction Dudley had led him in that morning. As he walked, he rubbed his eyes and yawned.

It was only when he turned onto the cobbled road outside his door that he stopped.

Beyond his door was his room. His bed lay there, ready to take him into slumber. He was tired and yet the thought of going to bed made him shiver.

'Greetings, Byleth!'

He spun. Dudley the gatekeeper strolled to him holding a bowl of soup. 'How's your day been? I couldn't find you in the dining hall so thought I'd check up on you.'

Byleth nodded. 'Just walking… tired.'

Dudley chuckled. 'I guessed as much, so I brought you some food so you can get some grub down you in peace.'

He handed the warm bowl to Byleth. A chilli scent rose to his nostrils and his stomach growled again. Dudley laughed. 'I think I definitely made the right call!'

'Thank you,' Byleth said, his mouth watering.

'Don't mention it, it's my responsibility to keep an eye out for you. Anyway, I heard you're staying here at the monastery as a professor? That's great news!'

'Yeah,' Byleth muttered, not lifting his eyes to meet the knight's face.

'Anyway, you look exhausted. I'll leave you to it. You eat and then get some shuteye. I believe you're just to head to the audience chamber tomorrow morning once you wake up. Enjoy your evening and I'll see you later!'

The gatekeeper strolled away humming to himself. Byleth watched him go and then looked back at his door.

He shivered again.

Stupid Bernie! Why did you go and do that! That was so rude and horrible of you!

"Bernie" sniffled and trembled under her blanket. 'H-he-he scared me,' she murmured into the pitch black of her room.

Well, you were stupid to be scared!

'Useless, worthless, unmarriageable…,' she mewled. As she tried to sleep, those three words echoed in head again and again. They'd played on a near endless loop for most of her life and yet they still managed to make her wince every time they played.

"Bernie" wept until slumber finally took her away.