Dreaming was not an uncommon occurrence for Bylass, as she often found herself lost in vivid visions and images. However, ever since receiving the doll from Byleth on her birthday, the dreams had ceased temporarily, granting her some much-needed restful nights. That is, until tonight. The darkness within her mind had returned once again, but this time it took on a different form. Instead of the violent scenes of warfare that haunted her, Bylass now found herself standing in a desolate field stripped of all life. The air was thick with an eerie stillness and the only sound was the soft rustling of dried grass underfoot. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant dreams she had become accustomed to, leaving her feeling unsettled and uneasy

The desolate land stretched out in a mournful, endless expanse; its lifeless terrain shrouded in a persistent, dreary rain. The sky was a blanket of unbroken gray, heavy and oppressive, weeping continuously onto the barren earth below. The rain fell in a steady, unrelenting downpour, forming rivulets that traced the contours of the cracked ground, pooling in the deeper crevices and forming small, murky ponds. There was not a single existence of any form of life, even nature itself; except for three tombstones that stood lonely in the heavy rain.

Out of the gray, desolate landscape emerged a solitary figure, trudging through the sodden wasteland. His hunched form was shrouded in a tattered black cloak, the hood pulled up to obscure most of his features. Water streamed off the edges of the fabric, creating a steady rhythm that echoed the unrelenting rain. With each step, he left muddies footprints behind, marking his path towards the looming graveyards. Finally reaching his destination, he stood there for a moment, his gaze scanning over each tombstone with the same expression that was devoid of any emotion. With a slow movement, he lifted his hands to pull back the hood of his cloak, revealing the same silver hair that she had always known. A gasp escaped her lips as she recognized him. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small bouquet, placing them gently on top of the grave before him.

Bylas watched in fascination as the man carefully placed flowers at each of the graves before him. His movements were slow and deliberate, almost reverent, as he paid his respects to the fallen. As he laid the last of his flowers before the crypts, the lone warrior knelt and bowed his head in a gesture of mourning. The rain poured down in sheets, coating the stone steps of the crypt in a slick sheen, yet he remained unmoving, almost statuesque in his grief. The sound of the rain echoed through the somber atmosphere, adding to the weight of the moment. It seemed as though time had stood still as he stayed there, lost in silent contemplation with only the tombstones as his company.

A deep, gut-wrenching feeling of loss and confusion washed over her as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes. The figure's movements were quick and fluid as he stood up from his crouched position and left, throwing one last incredulous glance at the crypts behind him. As he pulled his hood over his head, the rain continued to pour down, masking his footsteps and erasing any trace of his presence in the muddy ground. The rain continued to pour, washing away the tracks of his passage as if he had never been there.

Unbeknownst to him, the delicate flowers he had left behind withered and decayed, fading into dust. Just like the desolate land around them.

20th of Great Tree Moon, 1180

Bylass slowly opened her eyes and massaged her temples, trying to make sense of what she saw until she noticed the unfamiliar surroundings.

Right… she was made a professor and now a resident of the Academy.

And today she was supposed to interview the students and make the final decision, which she was still hesitant about.

Bylass slowly sat up in her bed, stretching her arms above her head before getting out from under the warm covers. She shuffled to her small tea station and carefully selected her favorite blend of loose-leaf tea. As the water boiled, a comforting aroma filled her cozy bedroom, soothing her mind and body. She took a sip and savored the sweet taste as she gazed out the window at the rising sun, eagerly anticipating the new day ahead.

"Dozing off about another man after your date yesterday, I wonder what he would say if he knew?" Sothis teased.

"Sothis? You are awake?"

"Yes, and I'm surprised you had such a vivid dream about someone else. What will your friend think when he finds out?"

"What does Byleth have to do with this?" Bylass sipped her tea nonchalantly as Sothis looked puzzled before shrugging it off with a sigh. Bylass was still confused by the conversation.

"You know what, let's put it on hold for now. However, I must say that was quite an intense dream you had, Bylass. And there were also others as well, the ones that filled with visions of war and bloodshed."

"You saw them too?"

"Of course. It seems we not only share our birth but our dreams as well. That old brute and the woman in the white armor... Why do they feel familiar in some way? And yet, none of them gave me the same intense connection as that silver-haired man."

"Sothis, did you perhaps meet him before?" Bylass inquired curiously.

"I'm not sure. But something inside me tells me we must have crossed paths before. Yet at the same time, it doesn't feel right."

"What do you mean?"

"It's like these memories and feelings don't belong to me. But if that's true, then who do they belong to and why are we witnessing them? Ugh, my head is starting to hurt!"

"I don't remember ever being part of such a war or having such destructive abilities. But for some reason, he reminds me of..." Bylass trailed off before shaking her head. "Let's talk about this later. I have tasks to attend to today."

"Agreed. Speaking of which, what are your plans?"

"I will interview each one of them before making a final decision. Therefore, I would require Byleth's assistance later." She replied calmly and pulled out her notebook, preparing to head to the door.

"Wasn't he supposed to have an initiation with his Sword Instructor today?" Sothis asked skeptically.

"Yes. And it's in the early morning so there will be enough time for my tasks once he is done."

"And why do you need his help specifically?"

"Well, he is an assistant after all. And Manuela mentioned that professors can request their assistants' support." Bylass stated matter-of-factly, causing Sothis to facepalm and let out a heavy sigh.

"I know you can't hear me but good luck, Byleth."

If anyone dared to inquire about Jeritza's true feelings towards his role as Sword Instructor, he would simply dismiss it as just another task. Just something to be done, with no real significance attached. However, certain perks came with being a faculty member here. The free access to lunch, complete with his favorite ice cream, was a plus. But what truly brought excitement to Jeritza's day was the thrill of combat, especially when teaching these inexperienced students. And yet, even with all this, there was still something missing - a training partner who could match his skill and proficiency in swordsmanship. Someone who could potentially take over his position should he be "busy". Thankfully, Seteth had informed him that his wish had been granted and they would have an initiation ceremony later today.

Imagine his surprise that his soon-to-be assistant was no one else but the infamous -Angel of Death himself. Quite ironic if he had to admit if anyone found out about his "other persona".

And that same deity of death had been staring at him blankly without a word for a couple of minutes now.

"…"

"…"

"Speak now before I change my mind," Jeritza said with annoyance, met with a curt response from the blue-haired man.

"Seteth told me you wanted to test my abilities. How shall we proceed?"

"And yet I still don't know who you are." The blue-haired man looked in deep thought before replying nonchalantly.

"Byleth. Former mercenary."

"Jeritza. Sword Instructor."

'It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!" Byleth replied politely as Jeritza gave a small hum before the two of them went silent again.

"…"

"…"

"Pick up a weapon from over there and prepare yourself. I will judge whether you are fit for this job or not," Jeritza instructed, pointing to a selection of wooden swords. But one thing continued to puzzle him.

"Before we begin, who is she and what is she doing here?" Byleth looked at the uninvited visitor with a deep frown.

"She is Bylass- the newly appointed professor."

"But that doesn't explain her presence here," Jeritza frowned as the woman gave him a quick nod before returning to her notebook.

"Bylass, what are you doing here?"

"Observing." She replied bluntly. "And I need your help later once you finish the initiation test."

"And what do you need me before?" Byleth asked in his usual stoic manner, as Jeritza found himself amused by the situation.

"I need assistance with interviews and taking notes on potential students. And since you are an assistant, it falls under your duties,"

"Only if I pass this test but I fail to see how this correlates with my aid to your interviews." The former mercenary crossed his arms as the professor replied nonchalantly.

"Professors can require support from assistants if they wish. And I'm a professor. Thus, that makes you my assistant." Byleth fell silent and stared at her for a while before massaging his temples.

"I will get back to you later." Then he returned to Jeritza. "Professor, shall we begin?"

"Agreed. Show me what you got." The instructor nodded and unsheathed his training sword, preparing for the combat ahead.

Without a word, the duel began.

The clash of wooden swords rang out in the quiet morning air as Jeritza and Byleth faced off. In a swift and powerful thrust, Jeritza aimed for Byleth's midsection, but Byleth smoothly parried the blow with expert skill. The sound of their weapons meeting was sharp and echoed through the clearing. Byleth countered with a quick slash toward Jeritza's shoulder, but to his surprise, Jeritza deflected it with ease, his movements almost casual. The two warriors continued to exchange blows in a flurry of strikes and parries, each testing the other's defenses. Their movements were precise and calculated, their eyes locked on their opponent's every move.

As the minutes passed by, both combatants began to sweat and their breathing became more measured. Yet, they showed no signs of slowing down or faltering. The fight remained evenly matched as they continued to anticipate each other's next move. Despite the intensity of the battle, there was a sense of restraint between them. It was as if they were holding back, testing each other's limits rather than going all out. But despite this restraint, there was a growing intrigue within Jeritza towards the former mercenary.

Jeritza could feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins, heightened by the thrill of battle. Each calculated move made by the blue-haired man was like a puzzle waiting to be solved, and Jeritza relished the opportunity to test his limits against such a skilled opponent. The precision and control displayed by this "Angel of Death" were remarkable, pushing Jeritza to push himself harder to see just how far he could go.

Their wooden swords clashed with increasing ferocity, the sound of each impact ringing out across the training field. Byleth's movements were fluid and graceful, a true display of his mastery of the blade. Jeritza found himself constantly on the defensive, forced to react quickly and accurately to Byleth's relentless attacks that tested every aspect of his skill.

In a particularly intense exchange, Byleth aimed a powerful strike towards Jeritza's head. With quick reflexes, Jeritza ducked and spun, bringing his sword up in a sweeping arc towards Byleth's side. Byleth barely managed to deflect the blow, yet even with all his training and experience, he still stumbled slightly from the force of impact. Seeing an opening, Jeritza pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes that came faster and harder than before.

But Byleth was equally determined. He regained his footing and launched a counterattack with lightning speed, his sword moving almost too fast for Jeritza to keep up with. Yet they continued their dance of death, each strike and parry a testament to their years of training and experience.

As the duel reached its climax, both combatants pushed themselves to their very limits. Sweat dripped from their brows as they exchanged ragged gasps for breath. Despite the burning strain in his muscles, Jeritza was driven onward by the exhilaration of the fight. And Byleth seemed relentless, his strikes coming with a precision and strength that showed no signs of faltering.

In a final, decisive clash, their swords locked together with such force that tremors ran through their arms. But with one last simultaneous push, they broke apart, both taking a step back to create some distance between them. Breathing heavily yet composed; they assessed each other's state. Perhaps this could be it- the person who would finally slay the demon inside him.

"So, what is your verdict, Professor?" Byleth asked calmly and still held his sword tightly which Jeritza shrugged and sheathed his blade.

"You fight well. Few have challenged me like you have. After this duel, it's clear that your skills would be a valuable asset."

"Then?"

"You passed the test. I'll inform Seteth later and you can start tomorrow."

"Please give him my regards and it was an honor to spar with you, Professor. Is there anything else you need from me?"

"I would ask for another round, but it seems you're busy now." He gestured towards Bylass, who had been leaning against the wall for a while. "I have nothing more to say to you. You may go." Byleth nodded and headed towards Bylass, whose expression remained neutral.

"Told you that you would pass the test." Byleth shrugged and answered calmly.

"The duel was intense, but it turned out well in the end. By the way, can we talk about what you said earlier?"

"Which part?"

"About me being your assistant." Byleth pointed out bluntly, causing Bylass to seem taken aback before answering with the same stoic demeanor.

"Aren't you already an assistant?"

"I am Sword Instructor's Assistant, not Professor's Assistant." For the first time, the woman seemed to be disappointed as her eyes fell. "And I fail to see how my role would aid yours."

"But weren't you good at keeping notes of our operations during our mercenary days?"

"Yes. And?"

"And you also kept records of everyone's combat abilities. It would help me assess my students' capabilities if I were to lead their class."

"I did not come up with that but it can be arranged. But you were not recording Professor's Jeritza combat abilities, right?"

"Why not? He is my coworker, and we may have the same tasks in the future."

"And do you still record everyone's hobby in your note?" Jeritza nearly let out a grasp at the man's words.

"Yes. It's currently blank, but I may add it in the future."

"You know I can hear you, right?" Jeritza replied with a neutral tone, yet his face seemed annoyed.

"I'll talk to her about this, Professor. If that's all, I'll take my leave now." Byleth bowed to Jeritza before Bylass did the same. Then the two disappeared, leaving Jeritza with his thoughts. Although he knew little about the new professor, Jeritza made a mental note to avoid her like everyone else.

No one was going to find out about his "hobby".

To say Edelgard was disappointed was an understatement. Not only had the talented mercenaries who had rescued her chosen not to join forces with the Empire, but they were also working for the Church of Seiros. However, after speaking with them, it appeared that neither of them were devout followers of Seiros's teachings. This gave her hope that she could recruit them to her cause if she played her cards right.

That was why she did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity when she saw the newly appointed Professor who happened to walk toward her class now.

"So, you've accepted a teaching position over here… Pity. I was hoping you would lend your strength to the Empire."

"The decision depends on Jeralt and I cannot leave my father behind," Bylass replied bluntly, a response that still surprised Edelgard.

"I see. And are you also becoming a professor here?" she turned to Byleth, who was taking out a notebook.

"No, I'm just an assistant for the Sword Instructor," Byleth said calmly. "I'm now merely helping Bylass with her duties."

"That's right. Aside from you and the other house leaders, I know nothing about the other members themselves. What can you tell me about the Black Eagles?"

"It would be my pleasure, Professor," Edelgard replied politely. "What do you wish to know?"

"Tell me about yourself." She seemed to be surprised a bit before replying confidently.

"Me? Well…some think I'm a bit distant. Arrogant, even. But there is little to be done. One day, I must rise to become the new Emperor."

"Determined and ambitious, definitely fit for leadership," Byleth jotted down in his notebook as Bylass thought of her next question.

"What are your combat abilities?"

"Is this necessary?" Edelgard asked skeptically.

"Yes, it's important for assessing potential students and strategizing," Bylass explained before Edelgard let out a sigh.

"I am skilled with an axe and have some knowledge of swordsmanship as well," she answered reluctantly.

"Alright. Did you note that down?" Byleth nodded as Bylass returned to Edelgard. "Pastime hobbies?"

"Bylass!" The assistant scolded sternly and gave her a disapproving look. "That's intrusive and irrelevant."

"You never complained about asking these questions when we were mercenaries. Why now?"

"Because you are a professor now." Despite her blank face, Edelgard swore that the swordswoman was pouting as her eyes avoided his gaze. "Anyway, what can you tell me about the other students?"

"We're in front of the Black Eagles' classroom now, so I'd be happy to introduce them to you," Edelgard offered before leading the two into the classroom, catching the attention of the surprised students.

"Lady Edelgard, I'm glad to see you unharmed." A dark-haired man said in relief, making Edelgard chuckle a bit.

"Don't worry, Hubert. Thanks to these two, my life was spared. Allow me to introduce my saviors - Professor Eisner and Instructor Byleth." The duo gave a quick bow, which was reciprocated by the Black Eagles.

"You have my deepest gratitude," Hubert said, bowing deeply.

"No need for thanks. And you are?"

"Hubert von Vestra. A humble servant of Lady Edelgard. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances." Bylass nodded in acknowledgment while Byleth returned to writing in his notebook, sparking curious stares from the other students.

"Combat abilities and aspirations?" The Vestra heir raised an eyebrow at her.

"And why should I tell you then?"

"Hubert. That's rude." Edelgard chimed in immediately. But Bylass raised a hand to silence her.

'If he is not comfortable sharing it then I won't press the matter." Then she glanced at a red-headed student who seemed too eager to introduce himself.

"Pardon Hubert's rudeness earlier but where is my manner? I am Ferdinand von Aegir, legitimate son of…"

"So your name is Ferdinand? Combat abilities and aspirations?" Bylass interrupted him, motioning for Byleth to continue writing.

"I was… Never mind. As for your question, I believe I'm familiar with lance and horse riding. And my dream…" As Ferdinand continued, Bylass nodded in silence despite trying to process half of what the Aegir boy was saying. Once he finished answering the question, she moved toward the remaining members and continued the process.

"It's my turn now. I'm Caspar, nice to meet you," another boy jumped in before she could ask him anything. "My strengths lie in fist fighting and my goal is to make a name for myself."

"If only you were that perceptive when I told you to not interrupt my sleep, Caspar. Oh, I'm Linhardt. Goodbye."

"And?" Bylass stared at him blankly which he replied with a yawn.

"My talent is sleeping. And my dream is sleeping."

"Linhardt. If you may be serious for once." Edelgard added sternly.

"Maybe a dip in the water would wake you up?" Bylass suggested casually, causing Linhardt's eyes to widen.

"You know what. My talent is healing, and my dream is maybe becoming a Crest researcher."

"A potential healer, but low work efficiency," Byleth murmured as he wrote down notes. "Chance of survival: none."

"That's quite low. On a scale from one to ten, I'd give him a one," Bylass added casually as Byleth adjusted his note.

"You better watch your back now, Lin," a brown-haired girl giggled. "I'm Dorothea. And before you ask, I have confidence in my magic abilities, and as for my dream, I might return to singing or perhaps find a nice person to settle down with for the rest of my life."

"Dorothea? As in Dorothea Arnault?" Everyone widened their eyes and looked at Byleth, even Bylass who even looked at him curiously.

"Oh my, I'm flattered that you've heard of me. Have you seen one of my performances at Mittelfrank Opera Company by any chance?"

"No, I've heard your name from some of our clients while we were doing a job in Enbarr. They spoke highly of you," Byleth answered honestly.

"I'm glad to hear it. Come to think of it, you seem familiar...could it be" Dorothea began before Bylass cut her off abruptly.

"Thanks for your cooperation." Bylass cut her off immediately and looked at the girl with a tattoo on her face. "You are?"

"I am called Petra. I am pleased to be meeting with… I am pleased to have met you."

"Combat ability and aspirations?"

"I'm good with my bow and sword, I think. And I enjoy hunting, tree climbing, and swimming. But I'm not allowed to do that here."

"Not what I expected but that would be alright."

As the duo set their eyes on the last member, a girl with lavender hair was still hiding under a table with a book covering her face and trembling in terror.

"Ah! What? I don't talk to strangers."

"Bernadetta! These are no strangers. They already made their introduction earlier, didn't they?" Ferdinand reassured her, attempting to coax her out from her hiding spot. But as he did so, the blue-haired duo's eyes widened in recognition.

"Bernadetta, is that you?" The entire class turned to look at them in shock. Slowly, Bernadetta crawled out from under the table and took a cautious glance at them before realizing who they were.

"Miss Bylass? And sir Byleth? Wait you are a man?"

"Professor? Instructor? Did you three know each other before?" Edelgard inquired curiously.

"Something like that," Bylass confirmed, approaching Bernadetta who was now standing beside the table. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too, Miss Bylass," Bernadetta replied shyly before turning to Byleth with confusion. "But why are you wearing like that?"

"Is there something wrong?" Byleth asked and looked at his armor.

"It's just...you looked so different last time we met. There was makeup. And a dress." Byleth frowned as he made eye contact with Bylass while the rest of the students grew more confused.

"I believe I need some explanation here." Ferdinand chimed in. "How did you and Bernie know each other?"

"Yes, and what's this about our instructor wearing a dress? I would love to hear more about it," Dorothea added playfully.

"And that concludes our interview. Thank you for your cooperation, and perhaps we will see each other again soon. Have a good day." The blue-haired duo bowed politely before quickly making their exit, leaving the Eagles in a state of confusion.

"What an odd pair," Ferdinand commented. "I'm surprised you're able to keep your cool around them, Bernadetta."

"It's just... I know them, okay?" Bernadetta said nervously, hiding behind Dorothea.

"Look at what you've done to poor Bernie, Ferdie." Dorothea gave him a sarcastic glare. "I assumed your noble upbringing had dulled your perception."

"Please stop antagonizing him, Dorothea." Edelgard sighed. "If I recall correctly, we won't know who our professor will be so let's wait for a bit longer."

"And you wish to have the mercenary leading our class," Hubert asked skeptically.

"That's right. She is a skilled fighter and tactician, and it would be an honor to learn from someone with such experience."

"Well, I for one am excited to spar with her," Caspar chimed in enthusiastically. "But does anyone else find him familiar?" The Black Eagles widened their eyes at the question.

"Him? Who do you refer to?"

"The assistant. What was his name again?"

"Byleth." Linhardt chimed in lazily. "It has barely five minutes and you already forgot his name. Sometimes I wonder how your brain functions."

"If we can return to the matter at hand. Caspar, what did you mean?"

"It's weird, but I feel like I met him somewhere before. Like we've known each other for a long time."

"Maybe your father hired him at some point?" Petra suddenly frowned, unbeknownst to the other Black Eagles.

"No, this is my first time seeing him, except for Edelgard and Bernadetta of course. It could just be my imagination though."

"Now that you mention it," Linhardt added, "I also feel like I've seen him before."

"Lin is right. At first, I thought it was just me but there is something about him that rings a bell."

"Interesting. Looks like everyone here is sharing the same feeling. Even myself if I have to be honest." Hubert said thoughtfully as he stroked his chin.

"Hubert, you too?"

"Yes, Lady Edelgard. I know it's unusual for me, but I must agree with them. There is something strange about the new assistant and it's unsettling."

"I see. And none of you ever met him before." The class shook their heads again as Edelgard began to think deeply. "Strange. Why am I starting to feel …." She mused as she felt a sudden twinge of pain in her head.

"Please, put an end to this insanity, Professor!"

"Lady Edelgard, are you alright?" Edelgard halted and massaged her temple.

"I'll be fine. I think the encounter with the bandits has left me a bit drained. Let's move on from this topic for now and use the remaining time however we please." As they began to disperse, she made her way back to her room, trying to push aside the thoughts of the familiar mercenary and the cryptic vision that had plagued her.

It didn't matter anyway because she had more important things to worry about. She would do whatever it took to bring a new dawn to this corrupted world, and no one was going to stop her. Not the Goddess. And especially not those cryptic visions.