Dreaming was not something Byleth often did, which was totally in contrast with his life which had always been plagued by the nightmares from a tormented past- something he knew very well for she confessed everything to him. However, recently, ever since the encounter with the three students, Byleth began to be subjected to countless visions.

Visions of war erupted like a storm before him, a chaotic tapestry of clashing armies locked in a ferocious ballet of violence. Each side fought with fervor, their intentions as deadly as the sharpened steel they wielded. The barbarian horde surged forward, led by a towering man adorned with a wild white beard, his presence commanding and fearsome. Opposite him, the knights rallied under the banner of a fierce woman cloaked in flowing white robes, her demeanor resolute and unyielding.

In the heart of the battlefield, the two leaders engaged in a heated duel, their swords singing through the air as they exchanged blows with lightning speed. The clang of metal echoed like thunder amidst the chaos as a green-haired warrior screamed with rage, her eyes ablaze with an intense hatred that seemed to ignite the very air around her. In stark contrast, the bearded man wore a malicious grin, enjoying the dance of death unfolding before them.

As always in these visions, the scene crescendoed toward his inevitable defeat; the warrior woman struck with relentless precision, stabbing him mercilessly until he fell beneath her fury. Just as the blood-soaked reality began to fade away, it transformed into a haunting image: a sleeping young girl resting gracefully upon an ornate throne—a deliberate illusion shrouded in mystery and enchantment.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I am not an illusion?"

"…"

"Hey! I'm talking to you. Don't you have anything to say?"

"…" He regarded her with an impassive expression before slowly moving closer, leaving her bewildered.

"Are you a ghost or a malakim?"

"A what?"

"Velvet said only those who made pacts with malakim could see and hear them. But since I don't remember making a pact with you, you must be a ghost." He said this confidently.

"Hey! I'm telling you, I'm not a malakim or whatever it is. And I am definitely not a ghost!"

"But you live in my head. And you often complain- just like Seraph."

"Do you really think I'm some whiny child?" Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized him.

"Yes!" He replied without hesitation.

"How dare you! I am Sothis- the Beginning of everything, a little respect will not hurt. Or am I?"

"A whiny child and a slumbering ghost." His lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile as Sothis pouted. Byleth shrugged it off until his fingers began absentmindedly to comb through her hair.

"Your hair… It looks like a mess. You should take better care of yourself."

"What are you doing… Hey, stop touching my hair." Sothis squirmed, trying to break free from his grip but to no avail. The stoic man continued for a bit before reaching into his pocket.

"Ah, it's not here then. Sothis, do you have a comb?"

"What are you talking about…"

"Your hair looks like Velvet's. And she always enjoys smoothing her hair with the comb I bought for her. Seraph does too."

"I will take care of my hair whenever I feel like it. Do you always do this with everyone you meet?"

"Yes. And let me ask you again, do you have a comb?" He repeated bluntly, his expression turning serious.

"You tell me. Does it look like there is one around here?" She replied mockingly as Byleth's eyes narrowed until he began to clench his right hand.

"What are you doing?"

'Summoning a comb."

"And why do you think it will work then?"

"This is a dream. And according to one of Seraph's books, I can manifest anything since this is my domain."

"Show me then," Sothis asked challengingly as Byleth tried to summon a comb but to no avail. "See, what did I tell you?"

"But you'll still be able to appear when I wake up, right?"

"Yes. And your point is?"

"I will grab a comb later and my wife may help you with it."

"That's it." She exclaimed irritably, breaking free from his hold. "I want you to leave my hair alone and keep me away from that wife of yours. Begone, you brute, insufferable oaf."

With that, Byleth found himself awakening as his eyes began to open.

"What a strange dream."

The peaceful silence of the room was broken by the soft snoring of his son, his face relaxed and content in sleep. Velvet lay beside him, her posture unchanged despite the cramped space they shared on the small bed. It wasn't a comfortable arrangement, but it was what he had requested - to share a room with both Velvet and Seraph. The archbishop had been surprised by the unusual request, and Rhea had hesitated at first, but after hours of discussion about his worries for Seraph and Velvet's unwavering determination not to be separated from her son, she had finally agreed. With some modifications made to the bed in their new room, they were able to settle in just in time for their first day at the academy. This marked the beginning of their new life together as a family.

"By, did you just wake up?" Velvet whispered, her concern evident as she caught his eye.

"Let's talk outside, Vel." The couple nodded, carefully sliding out of bed to avoid waking their son. Once they closed the door behind them, they moved to a nearby bench. Velvet helped her husband sit down, and he responded with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

"Did you have that dream again?"

"Yes. It was the same vision again. The full-scale war. The duel between a barbarian and a woman in a white robe. And a young girl who was sleeping on the throne."

"You've never actually been part of such a war, right?" He nodded.

"And Jeralt confirmed that there hasn't been any conflict for the last 300 years. But that young girl with emerald hair… there's something about her that feels off."

"And all of this started on that day at Remire?" Byleth nodded again, prompting a heavy sigh from Velvet. "I wish there was something I could do. You have done so much for me and I could not help you even once."

"We've been over this, Vel. You've given me more than I could ever ask. Our family. Our son. And I've never regretted my decisions ever since that day. To meet and fall in love with you is the best thing that ever happened in my life"

"And so do I, my love." She smiled warmly as their heads were leaning on each other comfortably. "You've accepted this selfish girl who deserves nothing but eternal damnation for all the suffering she unleashed in the name of vengeance. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve any of this. Not you. Not even Seraph."

"But you do, Velvet." Byleth looked at her with deep understanding. "I've told you before and I'll say it again: I forgive you. Even if the world sees you as nothing but the selfish Lord of Calamity, to me, you're still Velvet—the mother of my son and my beloved wife."

"When did you become such a smooth talker?" Velvet chuckled as Byleth merely shrugged. "But thank you, Byleth. For everything."

"The honor is mine. By the way, what are your plans for today?"

"Yes. That's why I'll be talking to some students to get to know them better. As for Seraph, we're not letting him explore the Monastery alone, are we?"

"Yes. That's why I'm going to have a few conversations with the students to get to know them better. Regarding Seraph, we are not letting him explore the Monastery on his own then?"

"Exactly. Or have you forgotten what happened at that port in the Alliance?" The couple frowned as Byleth nodded firmly.

"Of course not. It's still a mystery to me how he ended up on that pirate ship, and you nearly burned down that city when the merchant refused to let you borrow his ship to chase after them."

"It was a good distraction," Velvet shrugged nonchalantly. "I did try to minimize the damage and returned the ship once everything was over. Anyway, we can ask Jeralt to keep an eye on him later."

"Agreed." He nodded and began to look at her hair which was not tied in her usual style.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Your hair… it's beautiful." Byleth replied bluntly as his wife chuckled before giving him a comb.

"Would you mind helping me comb my hair, By? It'll be a while before the sun rises."

"Of course, Vel."

The sun rose over the Officer Academy, casting a warm golden hue on the grounds as it began another day. Students meandered through the halls, their laughter and chatter echoing off the stone walls as they prepared for their daily activities. Some were lost in books within the timeworn library, while others, like Dimitri and his classmates, headed eagerly toward the training yard. The air buzzed with anticipation as they gathered for their usual morning training session when an unexpected sight drew their gaze.

In the distance, beneath the glowing sun, they spotted Jeralt- the Legendary Captain of the Knights. He was engaged in a fierce sparring match that showcased his unparalleled skill and discipline. Yet what truly astonished them was his opponent: a small child, no more than five years old, clad in dark armor that appeared to swallow him whole. The boy's tattered black cloak fluttered about him like a raven's wings caught in a gust of wind, contrasting sharply with his youthful innocence.

Dimitri's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the child move with an alarming speed and ferocity, far beyond his tender age. The young prince could scarcely believe what he was witnessing, his mind reeling as he massaged his temple in confusion. But the scene before him was undeniable, and even his friends' eyes were widening at the unusual sight - even Felix who paid his full attention to the duel before them.

Jeralt, the seasoned veteran, met each of the child's attacks with a calm and measured response, his years of experience shining through. Yet even the legendary Blade Breaker seemed to be pushed to the limits, his brow furrowed in concentration as he parried the relentless onslaught as the boy continued his backflips to search for an opening. The Blue Lions watched in stunned silence; their own training forgotten as they became captivated by the extraordinary display of skill. The prince's mind raced with questions; his curiosity piqued by the displays of skill of the child of the mercenaries that saved his life. Just as the duel reached its climax, Jeralt managed to knock the child's blade from his hand, disarming him with a swift and decisive maneuver.

"Nice form, but keep your head down," Jeralt said firmly as the boy hurriedly stood up. "And stop shouting before a fight."

"But Mom does it all the time,"

"I believe your father also told you this, but Velvet is … different. And boy, I don't remember hidden blades in shoes are allowed." The Blade Breaker frowned while Seraph avoided his gaze and tried to feign innocence.

"You didn't say they weren't allowed."

"And who taught you that all dirty tricks were fair game during a spar?" Jeralt rolled his eyes, causing some of the students to giggle in amusement.

"Mom and Dad, of course. Or that was how I saw them training whenever they went somewhere on their own and forbid anyone interrupting."

"How did you see them if they didn't want you around?"

I hid in the bushes," Seraph replied matter-of-factly. "And Mom always won once she pinned Dad down." The Blade Breaker's frown deepened as he asked carefully,

"What happened after that?"

"I don't know. She was riding him, and Dad seemed to be in pain as he made some strange sounds. Even mom did too. I was trying to rush to their aid until she said something about how he had the best sword in Fodlan. I got bored of watching it so I left before they could notice me." Jeralt's face quickly turned pale while most of the Blue Lions were still confused until the realization hit them, leaving most of them flustered in embarrassment.

"It is quite a story, right?" Annette began shyly, her face still flustered.

"You are not helping, Annette." Dimitri sighed. "And for the sake of that boy, please do not explain what he witnessed."

"Why not? His parents were just spending time together, right?" Sylvain chimed in playfully before getting smacked by Ingrid who looked annoyed.

"Ah, big bro Dimitri!" Seraph exclaimed excitedly and Jeralt turned toward them.

"It's nice to see you again, Seraph, sir Jeralt!" Dimitri bowed politely. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine, Your Highness," Jeralt replied neutrally. "Just babysitting while his parents are away on duty"

"I see. And where's Professor Eisner?"

"You'll see him soon. He's finishing up interviews with students from another class... And we are done here so you kids can begin your exercises now."

"Don't worry, sir Jeralt! In fact, I'm honored to see such a display from the legendary Blade Breaker and Captain of the Knights of Seiros."

"And let's not forget about our little friend here. Those backflips were amazing for someone his age." Sylvain added politely. "Seraph, was it? When did you start learning combat?"

"When I was four," Seraph replied with a small smile. "But Mom and Dad only let me learn disarming moves, so it's getting boring. Are you students here?"

"Yes. We are from the Blue Lions of the Officers Academy. And here are my classmates." Dimitri directed toward his friends. "Dedue. Felix. Sylvain. Ingrid. Mercedes. Annette. Ashe. This is Seraph- son of the mercenaries that saved my life."

"Hi, my name is Seraph Eisner. But everyone calls me Seph. It's a pleasure to see you." The boy bowed politely as everyone smiled warmly.

"And it is our pleasure to meet you too, Seph. I hope we will have a good time together in this upcoming academic year." Jeralt scratched his head and let out a relief smile, happy that his grandson was quickly getting used to this new life despite his uncertainty about going back here.

Nothing crazy would happen, wouldn't it?

Byleth nodded to the leader of the Golden Deer before swiftly heading off to his next destination—the final class for his interview. As anticipated, news of his presence spread like wildfire among the students, and he soon found himself at the center of attention and speculation. Although he typically dismissed such matters as irrelevant, he couldn't help but feel irked by the way the students were eyeing his wife. Strangely enough, whenever their eyes met, they would flee in fear. However, the following day, none of the male students dared to gaze at her again, which Byleth considered a victory in his opinion.

As Byleth made his way toward the Training Field, he found a small crowd of students gathering around the ring alongside his father who was scratching his head. As he approached, a peculiar scene unfolded before his eyes, causing him to stop in his tracks.

At the heart of the field, his young son Seraph stood tall and commanding. His voice rang out, directing the assembled Blue Lions who were still catching their breath. Except for the female students and anshen-haired boy, the remaining were covered in bruises including Dimitri who leaned on his lance for support as he caught his breath.

"That's cheating, Seraph!" A red-haired boy complained as he was checking his face. "I thought we already agreed hidden blades were not allowed in this exercise. What would happen if they touched my handsome face?"

"For once, I must agree with him." growled a pony-tailed boy. "Hiding daggers behind your cloak? Have you no shame?"

"There is no room for shame in battle," Seraph replied nonchalantly. "My mom always told me to use every advantage I had. Only a fool would think of chivalry in a life-or-death situation."

"First of all, this is only a spar." Dimitri corrected. " And secondly, chivalry isn't about practicality in battle. It's our honor and code that sets us apart as knights."

"What good is honor if you're dead?" rebutted the boy bluntly, sending chills down the spines of the Blue Lions despite his innocent appearance.

"Seraph!" Byleth called out, catching everyone's attention as the boy was running excitedly toward his father.

"Dad! Did you see it?"

"Yes, I did. Now what exactly happened here, Seph?"

"We were about to leave when the students started their exercises. Seraph insisted on staying and joining them, and before we knew it they had agreed to spar with him despite my objections." Jeralt let out a heavy sigh.

"And why do you think it was a good idea to let a 5-year-old kid spar with them?" Byleth rolled his eyes as Dimitri explained apologetically.

"It's our fault, Byleth. We know we should not have done it but Seraph was giving us a few pointers and we could not help but ask for a demonstration."

"And who suggested that you should have had a spar with him then?" Byleth questioned, his tone still calm despite his dead eyes.

"I did." The dark-blue-haired boy added immediately. "Since I've already beaten most of the students, can I join your class now?"

"…."

"…."

"No! We already talked about this, and I won't change my mind." Seraph pouted as Byleth turned to face the students with a stoic expression. "Your Highness, I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule for my son, but please refrain from doing so in the future. Prodigy or not, he is still a kid."

"And that child almost killed the boar with his hidden blade!" Felix interjected mockingly, earning a disapproving glare from the Blue Lions.

"Seph!" Byleth turned to his son and asked calmly. "Do you have anything to say?"

"I might have gone a little bit too far?" He attempted to play innocent as Byleth's expression remained impassive, eyeing him skeptically.

"I'm taking away your sword and daggers."

"Dad!"

"You can have them back at the beginning of next month. This is the least I can do. Or we can tell your mother what happened if you don't agree with my decision."

"Yes, Dad!" Seraph nodded immediately, making Jeralt chuckle fondly.

"Your mother certainly raised you well, boy. Though, I think she might have gone a little overboard with the 'use every advantage' lesson."

"But Dad said the same thing." The boy pointed to his father who remained indifferent. "Honor means nothing if you're dead, so use every advantage available. Striking with daggers when your opponent least expects it or summoning a meteor in a fistfight if you can spare the resources."

Jeralt slapped his forehead and sighed. "What did Rhea see in you anyway? Regardless, I believe you need to speak with those students now, right?" Byleth nodded. "I'll take Seph with me for the time being. You can meet us later at my office, with your wife of course." The Blade Breaker emphasized firmly, causing Byleth to furrow his brow.

"Is it something important?"

"Yes, and we have a lot to discuss." The Blue Lions began to giggle in amusement, further adding to Byleth's confusion as he shrugged and bid farewell to Seph and Jeralt before turning back to the Blue Lions.

"Alright! Tell me something about yourselves."

Garreg Mach, Dining Hall

As Lysithea entered the bustling Dining Hall, her keen eyes surveyed the room. The students were buzzing with excitement, their voices filling the air as they chatted about something of great interest. And it didn't take long for her to figure out what it was - one of the mercenaries who saved their House Leader's life had been offered a teaching position at the academy. If there was one word, she had to describe the newly appointed Professor, it would be strange for he was nothing like his son. Contrary to his son Seraph's lively and cheerful demeanor, this man seemed to have a perpetually blank expression on his face. Was it an act or was he truly disinterested in their conversation? Pushing those thoughts aside, Lysithea turned her attention to the menu. A few new items caught her eye, but one in particular stood out - Crowe's Quiche.

The savory scent of the quiche wafted towards Lysithea, drawing her in with its golden allure. The delicate, flaky crust glistened under the warm lights of the dining hall, beckoning to her. With a tray in hand, she made her way to a quiet corner table and eagerly took her first bite. The crisp crust gave way effortlessly, revealing a luscious filling that melted on her tongue. Each ingredient - spinach, mushrooms, an array of cheeses - burst with flavor, yet blended together harmoniously like a perfect symphony of taste.

As she savored every mouthful, Lysithea's thoughts were consumed by the delectable experience. The buttery base of the pastry provided a rich foundation for the velvety filling to rest upon. The earthiness of the mushrooms added depth to the dish, while the fresh crunch of spinach brought a bright contrast. And amidst it all, the cheeses - perfectly melted and expertly combined - tied everything together in a melody of deliciousness.

"Hello there," the woman said softly. "I hope you're enjoying the quiche."

She looked up to see a dark-haired woman standing in front of her, dressed in a crisp white apron. Her golden eyes sparkled with familiarity as if they had met before.

"It's wonderful!" She replied politely. "I haven't tasted anything like this before. Is this a new recipe?"

"Yes. I just added it today and many students here seem to enjoy it. I'm glad you like it then."

"It is my pleasure! I have never seen you around before, are you new here?"

"That's right. I'm Velvet Eisner—the new cook in the Dining Hall."

"Eisner? As in Byleth and Seraph Eisner?" Velvet tilted her head and nodded.

"I see you've met my husband and son then. And you are?"

"Lysithea von Ordelia! It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Eisner."

"Just call me Velvet." She waved dismissively, her curiosity piqued as she glanced at Lysithea. "So, this is the big sister Lysithea that Seph has been talking about. I would have expected you to be taller."

"I am not a kid." Lysithea pouted as she finished the quiche. "And I'm only a few years younger than everyone here. Hardly worth noting."

Velvet's eyes widened slightly at Lysithea's reaction, then she let out a soft, amused giggle. "If you say so. By the way, there's a bit of cream left on your face. Let me help you with that." She pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped it away.

"I can manage on my own," Lysithea replied defensively, though her demeanor softened as she hesitated before adding, "But thank you."

"You're welcome!" Velvet smiled gently until she noticed Lysithea was looking at the empty dish her gaze was directed back to the dark-haired woman again.

"Do you happen to have another one?" Velvet paused for a moment before giggling again and giving her a warm smile.

"Of course! I'll make a fresh one for you. It was lovely chatting with you—come back anytime if you're in the mood for something sweet!"

"Of course, miss Eisner." Just as their conversation wrapped up, another man entered the Dining Hall, scanning the room until his gaze landed on Velvet as he approached slowly.

"Good evening, Vel!" The professor spoke in an unusually gentle voice, making Lysithea widen her eyes in surprise.

"Good evening, By! How is everything going?"

"It was fine. The students were quite cooperative including the Embodiment of Distrust. And I chose to lead the Blue Lions for this year." Then his gaze was directed at Lysithea. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No, we just finished our conversation here. Would you like to join us for dinner as well?"

"I'm afraid not. Jeralt said he had something urgent to tell us both." Velvet frowned and tapped her chin.

"That sounds concerning. I'll come right away." She turned to Lysithea. "I'm sorry, but could we continue this another time?"

"Of course. And please send my regards to Seraph. Have a good evening, Miss Velvet, Professor!" The couple nodded and left quickly. Though Lysithea still didn't fully understand the new professor, she had at least confirmed one thing.

"So, he takes after both of them."

With a hefty stack of papers in hand, Seteth made his way towards Jeralt's office as he needed the captain's signatures on some of these documents. Though he still harbored doubts about the Eisner family, Seteth chose to place his trust in Rhea for the time being and approached the matter with diplomacy. As he reached for the doorknob, he could already hear multiple voices coming from inside the room. Judging by their tones, something told him that interrupting now would be a bad idea.

"Let me get this straight," Jeralt exclaimed incredulously. "You two were... making out in plain sight where anyone could see you?" Seteth's face turned white as his grip loosened on the paper.

"We weren't!" A stern voice replied. "Velvet and I made it clear that we did not want to be disturbed and the area was quite secluded."

"You know fully well how sneaky that boy can be." Jeralt sighed heavily "In case you haven't noticed, he probably thinks the moans he heard were from you two in some kind of distress or maybe even a battle."

"What else were we supposed to do? Stay silent the whole time?" A feminine voice replied though Seteth could sense her embarrassment, even without seeing her expression.

"Look, I understand that raising a child can be overwhelming at times, and there's nothing wrong with finding ways to relieve your stress. But maybe next time, choose a more private location and try to keep your voice down. Especially you, Velvet."

"Agreed. We'll definitely be more discreet and keep things more... private."

"Good. Now that's settled, let's move on to the next topic: the combat styles you've been teaching him."

Feeling like this conversation would go on for quite some time, Seteth quietly excused himself and returned to his room. Despite feeling shocked and confused, the advisor made a mental note to have a discussion with the new professor as soon as possible and possibly with the new cook as well, hoping it would save him from the troubles that would drag him in.

Little did he know, this was merely the beginning.