Like most self-proclaimed writers, I became embarrassed by everything I wrote before this. So of course I overreacted and deleted my other account. I have always been ambitious, so I created the "Four Reflections" series, which will semi-simulate different routes on Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Each installment of the series will focus on a new story as well as a new MByleth/Love Interest. I am keeping the titles and subjects of each installment close to my heart for now. They will be a mixture of original content (I.E. drastically changing what actually happens in the game) and mild re-tellings. I also consider this particular installment a love-letter to one of my favorite fics: Love in the Dark by GirthJohnson - check it out!
"As you can see…" Byleth trailed off, hesitantly pointing at the crudely drawn diagram on the chalkboard, "cavalry is considered to be the most effective at breaking into enemy lines."
"H-However," he felt a great deal of perspiration seeping through his clothes, "once broken through enemy lines, there won't be much hope of retrieving them. That is why cavalry charges are at their peak efficiency in threes: one to break enemy lines, and the second and third to continue the disruption and reap chaos and panic."
Byleth was never one to succumb to fear, but somehow what he faced daily on the battlefield was in pale comparison to the pupils that stared at him expectantly.
DING… DONG
Byleth exhaled with relief, suddenly hoping none of the students had heard even the faintest hint that his torment was over.
"We'll continue tomorrow with prime archery positions," he did not lift his gaze toward his students, afraid to see their disappointed gazes.
"Why did he have to pick OUR house?"
"An axe to the head would surely be more interesting than that lecture!"
His chest tightened at the possibilities running through his mind of the gossip that would surely spread around campus.
STOP
Byleth closed his eyes and focused on long breaths to calm his nerves.
A wandering mind is your first step into the grave.
Though the saying was more than a little morbid, he always found his father's sayings to be comforting. Instead, he kept his eyes glued to his desk and pretended to shuffle random papers as he listened to the last students leave their homeroom.
"Why did I ever agree to teach a class?" Byleth muttered under his breath, resisting the urge to kick himself as punishment. A battlefield he could handle with the grace and confidence of the most poised ballerina on opening night. Teaching? It was becoming painfully clear that he was not qualified.
"Because you felt something new."
Byleth earned a reputation amongst the other mercenaries as a brave man, sometimes even a cold killer, but the voice in his head still caused a physical jerk within his body. Sothis' voice was not something he had become accustomed to.
After he had collected himself, he craned his head to ensure no students had returned to witness him talking to himself.
"Felt something new?" He queried, "I don't… feel much."
"Oh, but you did! Not even three moons past, do you not remember? I swear, you would forget your own head were it not sturdily attached to your neck!" Sothis chastised him.
"You mean when the house leaders came to us for aid?"
"Precisely! Oh, the multiplicity of emotions!" Sothis esteemed, "Of course you would not let your face betray your stoic nature, such a child you are!"
"I'm not sure what you mean…" Byleth lowered his voice to a whisper, afraid of any passing students or faculty.
"You cannot fool me, young one! I feel what you feel, for we are one. The excitement at seeing faces with ages to match your own. It has been awhile since you fraternized with someone of your own maturity."
"It won't be long before they realize what all the others did…" Byleth trailed off, staving off a sting in his chest, "that I'm an emotionless monster. An 'Ashen Demon.'"
"But you are not emotionless. Did you not hear me?" Her voice rose, and Byleth braced for the lecture. "Open your ears! You cannot hide anything from me! What about the feeling of seeing her face for the first time?"
"I don't know who you're talking about," Byleth snapped.
"Touchy, are we? You know whom! The same one that caused an axe to be buried deep in your back. I felt that fear, too, just as I felt the stutter in your breath when you saw her face."
"I'm not talking about this." Byleth became more irritated than he had been in a long while.
"Forgive me, professor, shall I come back another time?" A delicate voice called to him.
Byleth snapped his head toward the entrance and saw none other than his class leader, Edelgard.
"If you are not available to speak, I can gladly schedule a time that would be convenient for both of us."
"N-no," This was unlike him. He never tripped over his words, albeit, he seldom said more than one or two at a time. "What can I do for you?"
"Ooh! There's that feeling again!" Sothis squealed.
Byleth furrowed his brow, silently wishing for Sothis' silence.
Edelgard took several steps into their homeroom, biting her lower lip, "I couldn't help but notice that you seemed more than a little flustered today. Of course, I have nothing to compare as before today, I don't believe we've said more than a few words to one another."
A wandering mind is your first step into the grave.
His father's saying repeated in his thoughts. Byleth took another deep breath and stared at the wall behind Edelgard. An old trick another mercenary taught him to clear his mind, "I'm not sure what you mean. I feel fine."
He felt a swell of pride for avoiding another stutter. Short. Concise.
Edelgard lifted a single brow as if she doubted his words, "I just imagined a professor with your credentials would be more eloquent when going through lessons."
"I was unaccustomed to the silence compared to the battlefield. It will not happen again." He would not betray his cold exterior. It never proved fruitful in the past and he doubted it would now.
"If it is as you say, then I will concern myself no further with the issue," she gave a firm nod.
Her affirmation was false. Byleth could see the sharp motion of her nod. Edelgard was analyzing him, trying to find a weakness to exploit, perhaps?
"She does have accusing eyes," Sothis interjected, "this one will be watching your every move."
"Are we hazing in the new Teach?" A jovial voice boomed. Moments later, Claude's head poked through their doorway, "I'll get the horse manure!"
"Claude, please," Edelgard rested her hand firmly on her hip, "we are not juveniles."
The strapping Golden Deer house leader slumped his shoulders as we moved to join the conversation. "Speak for yourself, princess!"
"I, too, wish to greet our new professor!" A deeper, more formal voice joined in. Dimitri's feet barely touched the floor as he entered, his posture perfect. For a moment, Byleth wanted to wager Sothis on how many stacks of books he could balance on the young man's head.
"This isn't exactly a group event," Edelgard shook her head, "merely a house leader speaking to HER teacher."
"You know," Claude was oblivious to everything she had said, "ever since we met you, I've wondered…"
Byleth raised a single eyebrow, waiting for the young man to finish his sentence, though he should've expected Claude's dramatic tendencies would call for a pause.
"Exactly how old are ya, Teach?" He finally finished, "The way you handled yourself, it was a work of art! Yet you don't appear to be much older than us."
"Being a mercenary is all I know," Byleth replied coolly, purposely avoiding the question. "I should hope I am at least somewhat good at it."
"Well said!" Dimitri exclaimed, almost too loud. "But I must confess some curiosities of my own. Is it possible you might be younger than the students you teach? That would be quite embarrassing, I would admit. None of us are completely daft at the weapons we wield, but I fear we would need another ten years to reach your proficiency."
"Not with him teaching us! Right, Teach?" Claude gave a wide grin as he stared at Byleth.
Byleth was at a loss for words. Not for the first time. It happened often, and it didn't bother him.
"Teaching YOU?" Edelgard's cheeks became flush, "Need I remind you, he is MY teacher. The only thing he might teach you is your path to the exit."
Byleth chest felt as if a weight had been lifted from it, and he secretly thanked her for straying away from his age. Just another thing he would have to explain. He could only imagine their horrified expressions.
"Aren't you the popular one?" Sothis giggled, "All the little ones want your attention."
Not for long, Byleth thought, not once they break my exterior and see the monster beneath.
"You're no fun, princess." Claude frowned. "When will you learn to share?"
"With you two? Never." She snapped.
"I have to agree," Dimitri added, "his wealth of knowledge could be beneficial to the whole academy."
"Ah, come on your princely-ness," Claude waved Dimitri toward the exit, "we know when we're not wanted. He feigned a pouted lip before disappearing into the courtyard.
"Finally," Edelgard exacerbated, "I never thought we'd be rid of those two."
"Not on friendly terms?" Byleth kept his sentences intentionally short, lest he succumb to his nervous stutter.
"Oh." She seemed caught off-guard as she pondered a carefully crafted reply, "We're friendly enough. However, I like to take things in moderation."
The Black Eagle house leader dropped her eyes to the floor, as if she were searching for the words she lost. After a few long seconds, she gave him a gentle nod. "I better be off, there's still much to do before the sun sets."
Byleth returned her nod as he watched her exit their classroom.'
"Oh," she leaned her head through the doorway, "I also wanted to say… thank you."
"Thank you?" Byleth blinked slowly, trying to recall what he might have done.
"A dagger pales in comparison to an axe, wouldn't you say?" Edegard gave a weak smile before disappearing again.
"First she berates your lecture, then she thanks you?" Even Sothis seemed puzzled.
Byleth pursed his lips, if only to prevent the grin that was forming in the corner of his lips.
Sothis was right. We must keep an eye on this one.