The Blue Lions followed the company of Knights as they marched through the clearing on the outskirts of Magdred Woods. At the front, Kratos, Mimir, Catherine, Dimitri, and Ashe led the way across the muddy terrain, their boots sinking into the ground with each step. A cold morning mist hung in the air, slightly obscuring their surroundings as they ventured along the perimeter of Gaspard Territory.

Meanwhile, Marianne had taken the opportunity to hang as far back from the group as she could without anyone taking notice. However, that hope was eventually crushed when Mercedes looked back over her shoulder to ensure that nobody was falling behind and saw her fellow healer maintaining a sizable distance between her and everyone else. With her bow slung over her shoulder, the oldest student of the Blue Lions subtly slowed her pace while continuing to march casually along with everyone else until she was now walking side-by-side with the blue-haired priestess.

Mercedes glanced at Marianne with a warm smile. "How are you holding up, Marianne?"

Marianne looked a bit surprised by the attention and stammered, "Oh, um, I'm doing okay, Mercedes. Thank you."

Mercedes tilted her head. "Is something on your mind, dear? You seem a little distant."

"N-no, everything is fine. I just… wanted some time to myself, is all."

Mercedes maintained her warm smile and nodded. "I see. It's important to have some time to yourself, but we also need to stick together. We are in a warzone, after all, and in a situation like this, we need to be ready for anything." She emphasizes this point by gesturing to the bow she carried with her.

Marianne simply nodded in response, hoping that her agreement would signal the end of the conversation. However, Mercedes remained persistent. "So, Marianne, how has the training been with the Blue Lions so far? Hopefully Sir Kratos and Professor Mimir haven't been too harsh for your liking."

Marianne hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the question. "Well, it's been... intense," she admitted, "More intense than I anticipated, but I've learned a lot. It's helped take my mind off of some things."

Mercedes raised an eyebrow curiously. "Oh? What kind of things?"

Marianne's eyes widened, realizing that she had given away more than she intended. She stuttered for a moment but couldn't find the words to explain. "I- I, um…"

Seeing Marianne's sudden distress, Mercedes quickly changed the subject. "Oh, I didn't mean to pry. I'm just glad that you're getting the benefit that you were looking for."

Marianne let out a relieved sigh, grateful for the change of topic. "Yes, I am. Thank you, Mercedes."

"Of course, dear. Even though your stay may or may not be permanent, I still try to look out for my friends just the same."

The blue-haired priestess raised her brows slightly at the older woman. "You… consider me a friend?"

Mercedes looked genuinely surprised by the question. "Of course, Marianne. Why wouldn't we be friends? We're in the same class, share similar beliefs in the Goddess, and we watch out for one another."

Marianne's cheeks reddened with a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude. She mumbled, "I just... We've only known each other for a short time, and I..."

Mercedes giggled and gave a reassuring pat on Marianne's shoulder. "Friendship doesn't always need a long time to grow, dear. Sometimes, you just connect with someone, and that's all that matters." She winked playfully at her. "Besides, the rest of the Lions already consider you to be part of the family as well, even if they do get a little uncouth from time to time. Trust me, I think you'll fit right in."

Just ahead of them, Sylvain spoke up. "Why do I get the feeling that that was directed towards me?"

"I didn't say anything," The eldest student told him playfully while giving her fellow healer a pleasant look as if to say, "See what I mean?"

"I don't think she was referring to you, Sylvain." Annette said as she tapped her elbow at Felix's side, who gave off a "hmph" in response.

"Oh yeah?" The redhead smirked with a side glance towards the swordsman. "In that case, I'm not sure whether I should be relieved or worried."

Felix simply huffed, clearly unamused by the banter.

Ingrid chimed in, "Well, at least you're self-aware enough to admit it, Sylvain."

"Only because it is what every dashing gentleman like myself should do." Sylvain turned around and, while marching backwards with his lance propped up on his shoulder, gave an elegant bow towards Marianne and Mercedes.

"Careful, Mercy," Annette warned them teasingly, "Otherwise, Sylvain here might court our new classmate before the end of the mission." The jest was obvious, yet Marianne couldn't help but blush at the implication of her words.

"Oh, I'm not worried, Annie." The mage's best friend replied. "He'd still have some competition between you and I, right, Mary?" She smiled at the younger priestess before quickly adding, "It… is alright if I called you Mary, yes? Or would you prefer I just call you Marianne?"

Despite the sheer awkwardness that came with mingling in her new classmates' squabbles, which all seemed to be a lot more personal compared to her experiences with the other students in the Golden Deer, Marianne couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest at the camaraderie displayed by the Blue Lions.

"N-no, Mary is fine," she stammered, her cheeks still tinted pink. "I... I have no problem with that."

At the head of the formation, Catherine led the company through the wetlands, with both professors and both of their students following closely behind. Kratos stayed near Ashe, keeping his gaze forward and alert, while Ashe remained fixated on the ground ahead. Periodically, Mimir checked on the young archer, noticing his unchanging emotionless demeanor since their arrival. Ashe had not spoken a word since they'd left the Monastery, and the smartest man alive had decided it was finally time for that to change as he broke the silence.

"So, lad, you're familiar with these lands, aye? Did Lord Lonato ever take you out hunting in these?"

Ashe perked up a little as he looked down at his golden-eyed professor and eventually nodded. "Yes, of course. When Lord Lonato took me and my siblings in, one of the first things he taught me was how to use a bow. It was my adoptive brother, Christophe, who taught me how to hunt. We spent a lot of time in these woods."

Kratos took a moment to gaze down at his ashen-haired pupil. "Your siblings… where are they? Are they not residing in Gaspard Castle?"

Ashe shook his head. "No. They are currently visiting some distant relatives of his in Fhirdiad. I had just received a letter from them a few days ago ensuring their safety."

Mimir made a gesture with his eyes as if to indicate a nod. "Well, that's very good to hear. Despite Lord Lonato's personal vendetta against the Church, at least he's willing to ensure that no innocents are caught in the crossfire." He pauses for a moment. "And, it's no wonder why he chose to take you and your wee brother and sister under his wing. I can't imagine the amount of hardships you've been through leading up to that point."

Ashe nodded, his gaze distant as memories flooded back. "Yes, it was... tough. After my parents passed, the debt collectors were quick to claim everything. We were left with nothing, and I had no choice but to..." His voice trailed off.

"It's alright, lad," Mimir reassured him. "No one here will judge you for doing what was necessary to survive. And it seems that fate had a brighter path in store for you, with Lord Lonato stepping in."

Ashe's eyes softened. "He did more than just take us in. He gave us a home. Christophe was especially kind to me. After he taught me how to hunt, live off the land... He made those dark times feel like a distant nightmare."

Kratos, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "And Lonato, how did he treat you all?"

"As family," Ashe said without hesitation. "He never once made us feel like we were any different from his own flesh and blood. He was stern, but also fair and he had a warmth about him that I... I've never known before."

Silence filled the air, and Kratos took the opportunity to glance at Catherine just ahead of them. While Ashe had spoken, he noticed her turning her head ever so slightly to hear what the young archer had to say. But upon seeing the Spartan's gaze fixated on her, she quickly turned back and focused back on the open field in front of them.

Kratos turned his attention back on Ashe. "Family does not end with blood. The bonds we choose to forge can be just as strong, if not stronger. Always remember that."

Ashe met Kratos's gaze, finding an unexpected comfort in his words. "I will, Sir Kratos. Thank you."

Mimir chimed in, lightening the mood, "And remember, lad, we're here for you too. The Blue Lions are quite the family in their own right, wouldn't you say?"

A small, grateful smile tugged at Ashe's lips. "Yes, Professor Mimir. I believe you're right."

Dimitri, who hadn't said a word throughout the entire exchange, chuckled. "I think so as well. We wouldn't expect anything less from the smartest man alive."

"Aye, and you lads don't ever forget that." Mimir's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he looked over at Catherine, her gaze still fixed on the path ahead. "You know, Lady Catherine," he began, his voice carrying a playful undertone, "that Relic of yours, Thunderbrand, it doesn't quite fit the bill of what one might expect from a holy weapon."

Catherine glanced at Mimir, then to the weapon at her side. "Oh? And what exactly would one 'expect' from a holy weapon, Professor Mimir?"

Mimir chuckled softly. "Well, one might imagine something a bit more... ornate, perhaps? But there's an undeniable rawness to Thunderbrand, a sort of rugged beauty. It speaks more of battlefields than altars."

Catherine smirked slightly. "The holiness of a weapon doesn't come from its appearance, but from the deeds it performs and the purpose it serves. Thunderbrand has protected the faithful and struck down the wicked. Isn't that holy enough?"

"Aye, point taken," Mimir conceded. "But speaking of which, it's quite the heirloom of the House of Charon, isn't it? A noble house with quite the tumultuous history. It's intriguing that you carry it, especially considering the mysterious disappearance of the Lord's daughter, Cassandra, about say… three years ago?" Catherine's eyes narrowed slightly, but her composure remained intact. "How did such a sacred relic come into your possession, if I may ask?"

"I was a distant relative, previously unknown." She answered simply. "My connection to the House of Charon was discovered long before Cassandra's disappearance. When she was presumed dead, Lady Rhea recognized my loyalty and service, and saw it fit to entrust Thunderbrand to me."

Mimir's gaze lingered on Catherine for a moment, his expression unreadable. Both Dimitri and Ashe looked at one another with confused expressions, unsure of what their Professor was getting at with his line of questioning. But Before Mimir could probe any further, a scout hurried over.

"Captain!" the scout told the knight, breathless. "Lord Lonato's forces have been spotted. They're heading in our direction, and fast."

Catherine's attention snapped to the scout, her expression hardened. "Understood. Prepare the troops. We move to intercept."

"Wait, Captain! There's more. Look." The scout pointed over the treeline, and a geyser of mist could be seen sprouting from half a mile into the woods.

Kratos looked on at the phenomenon as he grabbed Mimir from his waste so that both professors could see what the scout was pointing out. "What is this?"

"It's a concealment spell." The Captain of the Knights answered hurriedly. "It seems that Lord Lonato was able to enlist some powerful mages within his ranks. We need to move. Now."

"Aye," Mimir concurred. "If we get caught in this clearing by the time that fog reaches us, then we'll be easy pickings like a piper on a silent glen. Facing them in the forest is the only chance we have."

By this point, the Ghost of Sparta had heard enough as he swiftly returned Mimir to his hip and called out to his class, "Blue Lions! Prepare for battle!"