'In time's flow….'

The high-pitched voice muttered those lines in a slow, drowsy voice from the somewhere beyond the stop of the glowing green stone steps. Byleth counted them, and felt his chest tighten.

Three stone steps to go.

'In time's flow… see the glow of-

He dug his fingernails into his skin.

Tuesday 22nd Great Tree Moon

Caspar charged. The others tried to stop him, but he was too quick. He kicked Byleth, who lay sprawled on the ground, as hard as he could.

'Pathetic!' he shouted.

Earlier that day

Byleth didn't see anyone he recognised on his way to the infirmary. He wasn't surprised, he'd went just as the sun was rising in the cold, pinkish sky. He didn't think he had it in him to deal with Hubert, Seteth, Rhea or anyone else. Not until he saw a nurse.

He'd trudged through the monastery that morning, stiff and aching, recovering from yet another painful outburst that'd happened upon waking, worse than the previous times. The moment it'd finished, he'd gotten dressed and went outside. The morning bells hadn't rung yet, and he intended to get healed before they sounded.

He trudged to the door along the hall, opposite the audience chamber, and with a trembling arm, he knocked on the door on the left marked "Infirmary".

A frail-looking, hunched over woman in a long white robe opened the door a few moments later. Her eyes were dazed as if she were still half asleep, but that didn't last long. She met Byleth's gaze and her eyes widened. She jumped back, nearly falling over.

'W-Who are you?' she asked, her hand clutching her chest.

'Byleth. I'm not well. I was told to come here to get healing.'

The woman eyed him up and down, her brow furrowed. She leaned back, as if he were contagious with some horrible disease. Her face, which was a snarling pit of wrinkles and crows' feet, seemed to crinkle even further as she eyed him. 'C-Come in.'

The old woman, who introduced herself as Moira, asked him (from a distance) to explain what was troubling him, and so he did. He explained how, despite being healed after the battle in Remire, he was still feeling an unusual amount of pain from his injuries. He then explained the tingling sensations and dizziness, and how they normally came appeared every morning when he awoke since the battle.

Moira was silent for a long moment when he finished. She then asked him where his injuries were, and he pointed to his ankle, chest, shoulders and side of head.

'So you say you still feel your injuries from your battle in Remire a few days ago, correct?' she asked.

Byleth nodded.

'But your father said you were healed in your sleep following the battle by a mage belonging to the Knights of Seiros?'

Byleth nodded again and Moira's frown deepened.

'White magic normally does not take so long to take effect. Either the person healing you did something wrong, which is quite hard to accomplish, or you weren't healed at all. Your father reckoned a mage from the Knights of Seiros healed you, but someone of their skill would not make a mistake. I suspect, for whatever reason, you weren't actually healed. I presume there must have been a lot of stress and confusion after the battle, and perhaps that led to a mix up where your father believed you to be healed when you actually weren't.'

After the night Byleth had had he didn't have the energy to ponder, debate or argue, he just wanted the woman to heal him. He shrugged.

'As for your other symptoms… are you sleeping well?'

Byleth shook his head and the nurse nodded.

'You look exhausted, that won't help. And are you eating and drinking enough?'

Byleth knew immediately he hadn't. Everything going on had gotten in the way. He shook his head again.

'A lack of those things, alongside a lack of slumber, can lead to muscle pain, cramps and dizziness. Along with your injuries from Remire, it may have created the cocktail of pain and dizziness that you are facing now. I shall use healing magic on you, but you must make sure that you eat and drink enough, get plenty of rest, and don't exert yourself until your symptoms have cleared, do you understand?'

Byleth nodded and the nurse steadily rose to her feet.

'Well, let's get started with your healing.'

His walk back to his room was much easier than it'd been going to the infirmary. There was still a niggle in his ankle as he walked, his chest and shoulders felt stiff and he still felt a tenderness on the side of his head, but they were better, and according to Moira, her magic would also help clear his strange tingling pain.

And all of that, along with getting enough sleep and having a good diet, she reckoned, his problems would be gone.

He walked back through the monastery, which was still relatively quiet, and eventually turned onto the cobbled road that led to his room. There, he saw Jeralt knocking on his door. The man was fully kitted out in his armour, with his shield and lance hanging from his back and waist. A large sack hung from one shoulder. He turned as Byleth approached and smiled.

'Hey kid, I was just coming to talk to you. How you feeling?'

'Just got healed by a nurse,' Byleth said.

'Did it help?'

'Injuries should be gone by the end of the day.'

Jeralt nodded, studying him. 'You look exhausted still. Are you sleeping okay? I knocked on your door last night but didn't get a response.'

'I slept but not great. The nurse said the healing would help with that as well though.'

His father nodded again. 'Good. Just make sure to take it easy over the next few days and don't push yourself. You've been through a lot… and you still are.'

His face brightened.

'I heard you've been made professor of the Black Eagle House and that they chose you specifically. That's great, they must like you.'

'Y-Yeah.'

'And you have the mock battle next week as well,' his father continued. 'The other houses won't stand a chance against you.'

Byleth had forgotten about the mock battle and the thought of it made him pause. Jeralt put a hand on his shoulder.

'I know, so much has changed in just a few days for you and it's a lot, but you're doing well. Remember, try your best this week and if you still want to leave then we'll speak to Lady Rhea together next week.'

Byleth nodded again and Jeralt squeezed his shoulder, smiling.

'But y'know what? I think this professor thing is actually good for you.'

Byleth blinked.

'I know. You'll think I'm crazy for saying that, but in just these few days I've noticed a change in you. You're just…'-

He paused, trying to find the right word. His eyes were bright.

'You're just more… awake than I've seen you in so long. It's stressful, I know, but I think it's bringing out something good in you. And you should be proud, you need to remember that your students are some of the most important people in the Adrestian Empire, and they've chosen you as their leader. That wasn't by accident, it's a testament to you. So just remember, you can do this, and know that I'm proud of you.'

Byleth nodded, wondering how proud his father would be if he knew the reasons why the Black Eagles had chosen him.

'Anyway,' the man continued. 'It's today I'm escorting Lady Rhea to Fhirdiad alongside Alois and a few of the other knights. I should be back to see the mock battle next week though. Alois said you met the other knights yesterday, some of them are staying behind so don't be afraid to approach them if you need anything.'

The man pulled Byleth into a hug.

'Stay safe and have an amazing week, kid.'