Monday 21st Great Tree Moon, 1180

'You must have left quite the impression on the Black Eagle House, young Byleth,' Hanneman said, raising an eyebrow. 'If I'm honest, they strike me as the group who would be... eh... well... let's just say the biggest handful out of the three.'

Byleth didn't hear him. All he heard was the thumping in his head and the sound of Hubert's voice.

"So far we've learnt you doubt your combat abilities, that you've never led a group into battle and that you've never taught before."

"It seems like you signed up for this position for the money without considering what would be involved."

"What do you have to offer Lady Edelgard? What could a simple mercenary like you offer the future rulers of the Adrestian Empire?"

'I'll say,' Manuela said. 'That house has the bulk of the future leaders of the Empire in it, the future empress and the prime minister included. You must be more suave than I thought.'

Byleth didn't hear her either. He didn't hear anyone until Rhea spoke again.

'It is wonderful you have already won the hearts of many of our students,' she said, smiling like a proud mother. 'Will you accept the wishes of the Black Eagle House, will you become their professor?'

Byleth didn't meet her gaze immediately because he knew the moment he did the word "yes" would be ripped out of him. He hadn't wanted to lead any of the houses, but especially the Black Eagles. In his mind he tried to scramble a response, one that would keep him away from Hubert and the rest of them.

But his mind was blank. He met Rhea's gaze and said yes.

It is settled then,' Seteth said. 'Manuela will be the professor of the Golden Deer House, Hanneman, the Blue Lion House, and Byleth, the Black Eagle House.'

Rhea continued to smile at Byleth. 'You have built a bond with the students already, and it shall deepen throughout the year. Their lives will be tied to yours and yours to theirs. They will expect high things of you, but all I ask is that you lead with care, virtue, and sincerity.'

'They are all promising youths who bear the weight of Fódlan's future upon their shoulders,' Seteth said, glaring at him. 'I hope you appreciate what an honour it is to lead them.'

'When will the mock battle be commencing?' Hanneman asked.

'Ah, good question, which brings me to my next point, Byleth,' Seteth said. 'On the 30th of this month, just over a week from now, there will be a mock battle between the three houses, intended to gauge the current progress of the students. The professors of each house are expected to partake in the battle and lead their classes.'

The man's eyes narrowed.

'We will be using the battle to ascertain your abilities as well. Please do not disappoint the archbishop. Now, your first assignment as professor is to prepare your house for the battle over the coming week. How you do this is up to you.'

He raised a hand as if dismissing a slave.

'That is all.'

Two of the professors walked out of the audience chamber together. The third trudged behind.

'Church bells ring to signal the start of lessons every morning,' Hanneman said. 'They also go off to signal when the dining hall is ready for lunch and dinner.'

'How long you teach for each day is down to you and your students,' Manuela said. 'Normally Hanneman and I will work with the students through the morning and then for a few hours in the afternoon at least.'

'Though today it is acceptable to only teach in the morning as it's the first official day back,' Hanneman added. 'Also, do remember to visit me regarding your crest when you get the chance, I look forward to discussing the subject with you further.'

'And if you need any assistance with your students let us know, although, I have no intention of losing the mock battle,' Manuela said. 'I won it last year and fully intend to win it this year as well, so you better be careful about what advice you seek from me.'

'Why that is quite overly competitive don't you think Manuela?' Hanneman asked.

'Just because you won't win'.

'Now that is just childish!'

The two professors squabbled as they walked along the corridor. They didn't notice Byleth disappear down a set of spiralling steps on one side.

He walked with his head hanging. He stopped mid-way down and slumped against the wall, rubbing his eyes.

'One week,' he muttered. 'One week and then ask to leave.'

But would Rhea let him leave? If Jeralt had to stay then why would she let him go?

'One week and then ask to leave,' he repeated.

He continued walking down the stairs again… and that's when his knee buckled.

He tumbled forward. He gripped the banister, stopping himself from falling but unable to stop himself from landing awkwardly on his right ankle. Pain shot up his leg and he winced.

And then the tingling sensations came on.

Searing heat flared from his leg and prickled up his leg through his torso and up to his head. The sensations rippled across his skin and the room around him spun. He squeezed the banister for what felt like an eternity, waiting for the sensations to pass. As he waited, a thought crossed his mind.

What if it doesn't pass?

If it didn't, he would die, he was sure. Mercifully, the sensations did fade after another few moments. He brought a trembling arm to his forehead and wiped a bead of sweat away.

'W-What was that?'

His mind raced. He stared at his trembling arms and then forced himself to take a deep breath in. Although his injuries from Remire had improved, he still felt an unusual number of aches across his body for someone who'd been healed with magic. It was also strange that his self-healing ability hadn't worked either. Still, he'd heard of cases, though rare, where healing magic did take multiple days to come into effect. He reminded himself of this and then started down the steps again.

'Stress and magic hasn't settled in yet,' he muttered.

He eventually reached the bottom and reached the grand reception hall. The room had been quiet when he'd gone up but it'd since filled with some seventy-odd students moving in different directions, their voices echoing.

He realised where they were headed just as the church bells chimed outside. The ringing made his stomach churn. It was the signal for them to go to their classes.

It was also a signal for him.

One week and then leave, he thought again.

'Byleth.'

He turned and saw the heiress to the Adrestian Empire stride towards Claude and Dimitri, Edelgard's marks and bruises were all but gone. Her purple eyes were alight. Her long, white hair hung down the front and back of her black uniform which included a military-styled jacket and a long skirt with red leggings. She walked with a fist on her hip and with her shoulders rolled back. Her red cloak flowed behind her, giving off an air of authority that was slicker than any knight or noble he'd ever seen. She carried an expression that one had to look at twice to tell if she were smiling. Byleth saw that she was, slightly.

'You're developing quite the story,' she said. 'Mysterious mercenary who saves the lives of the future empress, king and sovereign duke and becomes their professor all in the space of a few days. You've done well Byleth, or should I say, Professor?'

The word "professor" made his stomach churn. He bowed. 'Thank you, you are looking better.'

She chuckled. 'Thank you. And please, there is no need to act formal around me, even if you are now a professor. It's funny how it all worked out. Our last teacher fled when the bandits attacked our camp near Remire. You then saved us and replaced him as professor. It was meant to be it seems.'

Byleth's head started to pulse.

'I heard Lady Rhea appointed you,' Edelgard continued. 'Did you know her before?'

Byleth shook his head, an image of a certain moustached asshole appearing in his mind as he did so.

'Alois recommended me to her.'

At first glance Edelgard's expression remained unchanged, but then Byleth saw her smile fade. Her brow furrowed slightly. It was easy to miss, but he noticed it.

'So you don't know Lady Rhea?' she asked. 'You haven't met her before? You were hired because of your actions in Remire, is that correct?'

Byleth nodded. He looked into her eyes. She was calculating.

'Or perhaps because of your father,' she murmured. She shook her head and her smile returned. 'I apologise, I do not mean to doubt your credibility, I already know you're a capable warrior. What you and the mercenaries did in Remire was incredible, and I'm sure that you'll do well as a professor. In fact'-

A spark appeared in her eyes.

'I'm aware that you and the other professors were deciding on who would be leading each house. May I ask which house you shall be teaching?'

Byleth remembered her warning back in Remire, about how he'd have to eventually pick a side. As it'd happened, she'd made the choice for him. He told her the Black Eagles and her smile widened.

'I'm glad. I put in a specific request to have you as our teacher.'

'Why?' the question escaped him before he could stop himself.

Edelgard motioned for him to walk with her. 'Come, we'll be late for class if we don't hurry.'

And so, she, the Adrestian heiress and he, the new professor, walked out into the sunshine.

'You fascinate me.'

For most of the walk to the classroom, that was all Byleth had to go on. Whatever Edelgard had planned on saying was interrupted by shouts, coughs, laughs and shuffling footsteps of people walking around them. They waded through the crowds of students, knights and monks. At one point, Byleth recognized Sylvain who winked at him and Annette who jumped up and down waving.

They eventually turned into the open area that marked the Officers Academy. The sight of it, especially the classroom with the red banners, made Byleth tense.

'When our last professor fled, I thought Jeritza, the battle instructor here would've replaced him,' Edelgard said. 'He's strong and well experienced in battle.'

Byleth wished the man had been chosen as professor.

'But then I heard that you had been selected. I was intrigued. You're the son of one of the most renowned mercenaries in all Fódlan. You yourself have been a mercenary your whole life, one with no allegiance to any part of Fódlan. And of course, your combat skills are incredible. I'd never seen someone with such'-

'Hey teach!'

Byleth looked around. Claude stood on the far side leaning off one of the trees. He was with a group of students he didn't recognise. He was grinning.

'If you're walking with Edelgard that can only mean one thing. You're the Black Eagles Professor now, right? Good luck with her. If you're ever bored, try and make her laugh. It's harder than it looks.'

Edelgard didn't turn her head nor did her expression change. 'You're an incredible warrior with battle experience that none of the other teachers possess. There's much we can learn from you. That said, know that I have high expectations of you, and high hopes, but I'm certain you can lead us to greatness.'

That was another thing Byleth hadn't considered. He'd thought about how Rhea would react if he did poorly, but how would Edelgard react? How would her father, the emperor of the Adrestia, react?

They reached the classroom with red banners on either side and she turned to him and smiled. 'And besides, this way it'll be easier to convince you to lend your hand to the Empire one day.'

She entered the classroom. Byleth followed, goosebumps rippling across his skin as he did so.