Tuesday 29th Great Tree Moon

The sun was a bright gold as it rose early that morning over the monastery. Dudley the gatekeeper watched it from his usual position at the front gates of the monastery and took a deep breath in.

'Beautiful,' he sighed. It was one of his favourite times of the day. It was peaceful and relaxing. It also gave him time to think clearly about how he'd spend the day. Today, he knew, would be relatively routine, except he wanted to try and the visit the new professor. He hadn't been able to see him since he'd been in the infirmary and he'd been meaning-

'Dudley.'

The gatekeeper turned and his eyes widened. He jumped and his hand shot up in a salute. 'Greetings Byleth! Or should I say, Professor. I was just thinking about you, what brings you here at this time in the morning?'

'I have a favour to ask you,' Byleth said.

The gatekeeper's face brightened. 'Whatever you need!'

Byleth told him his favour.

Blue Lions Classroom

'How should we spend our final day, professor?'

Hanneman looked at the heir to the Kingdom of Faerghus and smiled.

'I believe we can spend the morning going through more historical military strategies. We can then apply these to a theoretical situation in the mock battle and have a discussion on it. Then, we can run through our own strategy again. Though, how much we do is up to all of you and how comfortable you're all feeling about tomorrow.'

'We've trained very hard,' Ingrid said. 'I feel as though we're all prepared.'

'I agree,' Dedue said.

'We have such a good team!' Annette said. We'll work hard and win tomorrow!'

'You're all correct,' Sylvain said with one leg laid out over his bench. 'Maybe because we've worked so hard, perhaps we could spend the day in the town... maybe go and speak t'-

'No Sylvain,' Ingid said. Sylvain gawked at her.

'Don't be a fool Sylvain. I want more combat practice in in the training ground,' Felix said. 'I want to make sure I'm ready to wipe that silly smirk off Lorenz's face.'

'We have worked hard I agree,' Dimitri said. 'But we must not take anything for granted, I'd say it'd be unwise to let this day go to waste. I believe the professor's plan is fine.'

'I agree!' Mercedes said.

'Me too!' Ashe said.

'Good to hear,' Hanneman said. 'Open your books to page'-

Golden Deer Classroom

'What are we going to do today, Professor?' Lysithea asked. Manuela smiled.

'We will go over our strategy again and then do some light training. We'll also discuss our new plan one more time, just to make sure there's no doubt. Does that sound good to everyone?'

The Golden Deer students nodded, and Manuela smiled.

'Perfect, let's begin.'

Black Eagles Classroom

'We are going fishing?!'

Ferdinand's mouth hung open and his eyes bulged out their eye sockets.

'You must be joking,' Hubert breathed.

'Eek! Fishing? No no no no!' Bernadetta squealed. 'Can we please stay in the classroom and read a book instead?'

'Fishing before a big battle? Is this a Fódlan tradition? I am confused,' Petra said, frowning.

'Is that really a good idea before the big day tomorrow?' Dorothea asked. 'Should we not use our time more wisely?'

Byleth had been expecting resistance to his idea, and that made Linhardt's response even more surprising.

'You know what professor? I think you have the right idea. I'm glad I voted you back in.'

'By-Professor... are you sure?' Edelgard asked. Her brow was furrowed and her cold, purple eyes were fixed on his. For the first time, the Adrestian heiress was visibly unhappy with him. The whole class (apart from Linhardt) didn't agree with him, and he knew that what he said in the next few moments would determine whether or not he had a future as their professor.

'You have studied and trained hard. Relaxing before a battle is important for the body and mind. I would have you use this morning to catch your breath.'

The students all looked at him doubtfully, apart from Hubert. Hubert didn't have a look of uncertainty on his face, the man looked ready to kill him.

'Fishing…,' he nearly spat through gritted teeth. 'Whilst all the other classes will be working hard in preparation for the battle tomorrow, you think fishing is our best course of action?'

And that's when Edelgard spoke. Byleth knew what she was going to say immediately, he could read it on her face. 'I really don't think that'-

'Listen to me.'

He didn't shout, but his voice was loud enough to make Edelgard fall silent. She and the rest of the class, Hubert included, stared at him. In that moment, even Bernadetta stopped trembling. He'd planned for this moment the night before, thinking about what his father would say if he were in his situation.

'You're all mentally exhausted, I saw that yesterday in your actions and I can see it in your faces now. More work now will only make you feel worse. You've done all you can for the battle, and the best thing you can all do now is take your mind off it for a time. Doing so will help you all greatly, I promise.'

He could hear a gentle breeze outside and the sounds of tweeting birds. He hadn't heard these things standing inside the classroom before, yet never had his student been as quiet as they were now. He cast his eyes around the room. Each of his students had theirs fixed on him, many brows furrowed, as if trying to figure whether he was being serious.

Or whether they should trust me, he thought.

Then Ferdinand smiled and rose to his feet. 'On second thought, I suppose I can appreciate the challenge that fishing would provide to my dexterity. I highly encourage the future emperor to follow my example and embrace this opportunity!'

'We have been working hard all week,' Dorothea said. 'Tomorrow is just so nerve-wracking! I suppose a small break in the fresh air wouldn't do us any harm.'

'If you are being certain then I will follow your lead,' Petra said.

'You are just my favourite, Professor,' Linhardt said, smiling.

Byleth looked at Edelgard, whose face was a sheet of a snow. She stared at him, as if trying to search his soul.

'You're the professor,' she said.