The ride back to Legram gave the group on two boats plenty of time to catch up which naturally they did. Although they had already heard the abbreviated version from Klaus, hearing Laura' story of their flight from Trista was still worth hearing. And they in turn regaled the two girls with their own history of the past month.

But one thing Rean noticed throughout the story was just how quiet Emma had been. Sure she listened attentively the entire time and occasionally chimed in to assist Laura, but for the most part she just seemed... down. A far cry from the initial happiness she had exuded back at the castle.

Wracking his brain Rean came to one conclusion, one that he was entirely to blame for. "I'm so sorry, Emma. I got so caught up in everything that I don't think I ever greeted you properly... I'm really happy to see you too, of course."

His words caused the witch to giggle. "It's perfectly understandable why you would be more excited to see Laura, Rean. It didn't bother me at all." She paused and once again her mood appeared to fall. "In fact, it might be a good thing..."

"Emma?" Even Celine gazed upon her companion with worry.

"I'm so sorry, Rean! I feel like I should've told you so many things a long time ago. About me and Celine... and about Divine Knights and Awakeners."

Rean bit his lip, unsure of what to say to that. The others too seemed very curious in this turn of events. Before he could make an answer he wanted to hear what she had to say. "Does that mean you're ready to tell us now?"

"Yes, I am. I imagine you've heard some of this from Celine already, but still. Enrolling at Thors was originally part of my duty as one of the Hexen Clan. It's a clan of witches that traces its origins far back into the past."

He nodded along. As Emma deduced he had already heard most of that. "What kind of duty would have you enroll at a military academy?"

It was Celine who answered this time. "It's one that's been passed down through our clan for a long, long time. We must watch over the fragments of the Great Power sealed deep underground and observe whatever comes to pass regarding them. Just as it did for many others before her, that duty fell to Emma as well."

"When you say the 'Great Power', you mean Valimar, right?" That voice in the final trial referenced it too, after all. "Did both of you know about the Divine Knights this whole time?"

"We knew of their existence, yes. As well as the fact that they choose an Awakener..." Emma looked down at her hands sadly. "...and that their chosen Awakener will be drawn into an unavoidable battle."

Seemingly having reached the crux of the problem Emma looked to nearly be in tears. "Just because you had the potential to become one, you were drawn into a great conflict against your will. And not just you, Rean. The rest of us have become secondary contractors... and yet I couldn't say or do anything for you. I couldn't even give you a simple word of warning." She paused and let out a shuddering breath. "What right do I have to call myself your classmate after failing all of you like that?"

"Emma, you're not going to say what I think you're going to say, are you?" Celine asked warily.

"I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear after coming all of this way to find me... but this is where we should part wa-"

"Emma." He cut her off before she could finish those destructive thoughts. Pausing, he considered his next words carefully. On one hand it did bother him a bit that he had been kept in the dark and thrust into such a situation, but he could understand why. And ultimately, the final decision to accept Valimar had been his and his alone.

Despite that, he couldn't just simply brush off her words. It was clear that this had been plaguing her mind since those days back at Thors, so she deserved a true answer. One from the heart. "You said it yourself back in the Old Schoolhouse. You said 'Class VII is the finest Erebonia has to offer, right?" Her gasp let him know that she remembered. "We all come from different backgrounds, and we all had things we were maybe scared to – or couldn't – tell anyone. Crow has his past, you have yours... I have this strange power of mine that I've carried with me for as long as I can remember."

He blinked as a stray thought interrupted his speech. "That doesn't directly relate to the Divine Knights in any way, does it?"

"No, though there's always the possibility it may be one of the reasons why you were chosen." Celine answered. "I know plenty about witches and their history, but none of that gives me a clue as to what your powers could be."

"All right, then..." Unfortunate that he reached another dead end, but it wasn't unexpected. "The point is that even after learning I have this monstrous power within me, you all accepted me without a second thought. I feel that I'm a part of Class VII as much as anyone else – and I'm proud to say I am, too. Class VII is only the best there is because it has every one of us in it. Me, Laura, Fie, Millium, Alisa, Elliot, Machias, Jusis, Gaius, Crow... and you, Emma. You're not an exception. Without you, our class wouldn't be what it is, just like it wouldn't be if any one of us weren't a part of it."

"...Oh, Rean... I..." Emma was starting to tear up. Just a little more...

Unsurprisingly, Fie and the others chimed in their support. "What he said."

"Besides, I'm pretty sure I've got waaay more secrets than you."

Toval snorted at Millium's statement. "Oh, I don't doubt that."

Rean held out his hand to her. "So I don't want to hear you say anything like that ever again. We want you right where you are, guiding me – guiding all of us. And not just as a witch... but as the kind class president and caring friend you always have been."

"G-Goodness." She was forced to take off her glasses to wipe the tears away. "How can I possibly refuse when you put it like that?" The young witch grasped his hand. "All right, then. I can't deny the ancient knowledge that I possess, or my position as a witch... but I always want to remain the same Emma Millstein of Class VII that I have been since the day I joined Thors. So please, let me stay by your side."

Laura, who had remained silent throughout, let out a small laugh. "That goes without saying."

"Class VII really isn't Class VII without you in it."

"Woohoo! Our class president is back on board!"

"Well, I think that wraps things up nicely. Perfect timing, too. I can see Legram coming into view. You guys ready to-"

Toval's declaration was interrupted by the ominous sound of a loud engine above them. Although they couldn't see it clearly thanks to the mist, all knew it to be that of an airship. And any airship coming from Sutherland to the west could only be a Noble Alliance craft. The rest of the boat ride back to Legram was done in anxious silence.

Although the airship beat them to Legram, they were fortunate enough that its passengers had yet to disembark by the time Class VII docked. This gave Laura and the others ample opportunity to make their way to her family house where she awaited the arrival of Klaus and their uninvited guests.

Given her status as the acting head of Legram it was her duty to handle this meeting and ensure that Legram did not end up a battlefield. Since her friends were still wanted fugitives to the nobles, she had them hide away in a side room. Gone, but their presence was still enough to give her strength for what might end up being a dangerous diplomatic battle, one which she was ill-suited for.

A strength that faded once the door opened and she got a glimpse at just who the guests were.

The first person was a man known to most warriors in Erebonia: The commander of the Sutherland Provincial Army Brigadier General Wallace Bardias. A man rumored to have Nord blood running through his veins and was said to be one of the most skilled spear users in Erebonia. His skills on the battlefield had earned him the moniker of Black Whirlwind.

But if Wallace was famed throughout Erebonia, the woman accompanying him was known through all of Zemuria. General Aurelia Le Guin, commander of the Lamare Provincial Army and a master of both the Arseid and Vander schools. A woman whom her father had said was destined to one day surpass him.

In other words, if a battle occurred here Class VII and allies would lose. Perhaps their combined might could hold one of them off, but against both at the same time no amount of teamwork or tactics would be enough to grant them victory in the face of their overwhelming power. It was up to her to ensure that did not happen.

Although internally she was struggling under the weight of the situation and their dominant auras, on the surface she was able to heed her father's training and adopt a pleasant smile. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Your Ladyship. And a pleasure to meet you as well, Brigadier General."

Aurelia let out a short laugh. "We were simply in the area, so we thought we might drop by and pay you a visit. It's been quite some time since we last met. I was hoping to take the opportunity to apologize to my master for not staying in Legram, but I see that won't be possible."

"Unfortunately so..."

Wallace too seemed amused. "I wouldn't have minded setting eyes on the famous Radiant Blademaster. But I suppose I'll have to be content with meeting his daughter."

Although she wasn't an expert at reading people like others she knew, Laura couldn't detect a hint of dishonesty from the two. Even if they were currently enemies, most stories she had heard of the two presented them as honorable warriors. "...I'm honored, General. Allow me to show you to my father's office. Klaus, would you prepare some tea?"

The Golden Rakshasa shook her head. "Oh, there's no need to concern yourself with that." The smile on her face grew sharper. "Seeing that the viscount isn't here gave us all the information that we needed."

Her words caused Laura to stiffen. "...What might you be suggesting?" Was their intent to confirm that Legram was practically defenseless before making a move...?

"Be at ease." Bardias must have noticed how tense she had gotten. "We didn't come to criticize anyone for the Crimson Wings' appearance near Trista. Still, it's always good to know who you're fighting against. The way I see it, you're continuing to remain neutral now... but if it came to it, you wouldn't be afraid to take up arms for your personal sense of justice." His warning was quite clear.

"There's no need to be hasty." Aurelia gently chastised her fellow general. "We have more than enough opponents to be going on with. We can't allow Rufus to be the only one making any major achievements." Her words got an amused laugh out of her partner. Turning back her way, she addressed Laura once more. "It would please me so if you were to fight under me one day, too. I believe you have the potential to surpass even me given sufficient practice."

Despite the tense situation those words were encouraging to hear. "I am honored that you would say so. However, my swordsmanship is inexperienced at best. It may be quite some time before I can live up to those lofty expectations."

"Very well, then. I shall wait. But do not sell yourself short, as I have recently heard stories of your strength. It seems that your time at Thors has been good to you... Although as I hear it there are two people in particular to thank for that." She tilted her head to the side and the Arseid student realized she was looking right at the room where her friends were hiding. "A shame I could not get the chance to meet them today. Oh well. Perhaps one day I will get the chance to cross blades with the three of you."

Laura couldn't help but shake her head. Of course she wouldn't be able to hide her friends from monsters like these two. Still, it didn't seem as if they had any hostile intentions now, at least. "I too am looking forward to that day. Klaus, please escort them."

"As you wish, my lady."

She barely noticed her friends coming to see her after her butler escorted the two out, so deep in thought as she was. Aurelia Le Guin and Bardias Wallace... As they were now they stood no chance against the two. Despite that, she couldn't help but see the two powerful enemies in a positive light. Fighting them in this current war would be akin to suicide, but despite that she found herself thinking back to Aurelia's final words. She was looking forward to the day when she could cross blades with her father's prized student.

With the two generals having left, the operation to drag Jusis's stupid butt back to Class VII was now underway. But after all the time spent traveling, fighting, and having emotional reunions Rean decided that they should wait until tomorrow before leaving Legram. Thus, the members of the class plus Toval all split up and went their separate ways for the rest of the day.

For the most part, that was. Fie found herself walking alongside her best friend after she had offered a tour of Legram. Considering how curious Fie had been about Laura's home town, not to mention the chance to just simply hang out after so long, she had accepted without hesitation. Luckily the fog had already begun clearing quite a bit, or else it would have been the lamest tour ever.

The town itself was nothing special, at least in her eyes, but the way Laura beamed with pride as she pointed out the shops and greeted the residents was a different story. It was identical to the way Rean acted when they walked around Ymir. She couldn't help but wonder what it was about hometowns that inspired such joy in-

"Fie? Are you alright?" She was broken from her thoughts as Laura looked at her in concern.

She shook her head, not wanting to make a scene. "It's nothing. Just thinking about this place. Neat town." It was clear that Laura was unconvinced and Fie grimaced. Her friend was too kind for her own good.

"Lady Laura!" Hurray for distractions. Curiously she watched as three girls approached the duo. They seemed distressed.

"Cindy. Chloe. Seria." She had a feeling that Laura was naming them for her sake. "What seems to be the matter?"

"I-Is it true? Are you leaving us again?" They seemed truly devastated by that news. Given the way they were looking up at her best friend...

Fie's eyes widened in realization and delight. Laura had a fan club! "Yup. We're heading out tomorrow."

Three pairs of eyes turned upon the girl who answered for their idol, suspicion clear on their faces. "...And who are you?"

"Ah! I have yet to introduce you, my apologies. This is my best friend, Fie Claussell."

"...Best friend?" The former jaeger couldn't help but feel like prey under the intense gaze of the civilian girls.

"Sup?" So she decided to make it worse by giving such a lame greeting.

Yep. They were all looking at her dubiously. After a minute the tallest of the three shook her head. "I-It's not important." She muttered, seemingly more interested in convincing herself of that. "Any friend of Laura's is a friend of ours!" She stated proudly.

Ooh boy. Fie saw an opening to create some real chaos. Her thought process must have been plain as the object of these girl's affections was silently pleading at her with her eyes. Should she be merciful and stay quiet? "Any friend of Laura's huh? Does that include her boyfriend as well?" Nah. Chaos beats mercy any day.

She could only grin happily as the three stunned girls completely froze up. In fact, the only sound she heard was Laura's composure failing as she buried her head in her hands with a pitiful groan. It was moments like these that made her recent life decisions all the more worthwhile.

"B-B-Boyfriend!?" One shrieked in dismay. "She's lying, right!?"

"We heard the rumors that you had a boyfriend, but we just assumed they were slander by fools jealous of you..."

"T-There's no way it's true..."

After recomposing herself the Arseid sent a withering glare her way, but Fie merely shrugged and grinned. Seeing the futility of her gesture, Laura coughed awkwardly. "It... is true. I am currently in a relationship with a classmate."

"Noooooo!"

The despair of these civilian girls was palpable and she found it hilarious. Time to pour even more fuel onto the fire. "I hear he's a real piece of work, too. Not only is he dating Laura, but there's another girl on the side."

"I knew it! He's some two-timing piece of filth!"

"All men are garbage!"

"We have to do something!"

"She said it was a classmate, right? Think it's that slimy looking black-haired guy that arrived in town earlier?"

"I just saw him! He was fishing behind the inn!"

"W-We have to stop him! For Lady Laura!"

"For Lady Laura!"

Before either member of Class VII could get in a word edgewise the three ran off at speeds that were kinda impressive. The killing intent they were radiating reminded Fie of some of the most dangerous berserkers in the Red Constellation. She paused that train of thought as she noticed that Laura was glaring at her. "...What?" She asked as innocently as possible.

Not that that fooled her at all. "You did that on purpose." She accused.

"It was funny."

Her answer caused Laura to shake her head and sigh, although Fie was positive there was a hint of a smile on her face. "You do know that they are going to try and murder Rean, right?"

"Eh. I'm sure he can handle a group of untrained girls." Fie reconsidered as she recalled just how obsessed and angry they had been. "...Probably."

"You are a terrible human being." The two girls laughed together as if the last month had never happened.

The two continued to talk through Legram until Laura seemed to spot something that gave her pause. "Hmm... Hey, Fie? Would you be willing to do me a favor?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Let us head to the church." Fie blinked in confusion. The church? Did she want to pray together or something? Laura gave a look that made it clear she knew something she didn't. "You'll see when we get there." She teased, causing Fie to huff in annoyance.

But Laura had been right. As soon as they entered the church together Fie saw it. A most obnoxious shade of pink that she knew very well. There was the possibility this belonged to the twin, but given that Laura asked for her help specifically she knew it had to be Vivi.

Either that or Laura had fallen victim to the longest con ever. That would be pretty funny.

"Vivi?" She asked as she approached the girl who hadn't yet noticed her with her head down as she sat at a church pew.

"Huh? Fie!? Is that really you?" The prankster seemed genuinely happy to see her, which was a contrast from her seemingly depressed earlier posture.

"Nah. I'm just a ghost sent by Aidios to haunt you for your many misdeeds." Fie teased in complete deadpan.

Vivi giggled. "Sorry, but if Aidios really wanted to scare me you would be Edel instead." Both girls laughed as they recalled just how terrifying their club leader could be when she was angry. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to get her." She pointed towards Laura. "Wasn't expecting to find you here, though."

"That makes sense. Wait... 'we'? Does that mean more of Class VII are here." She gasped in delight. "Is my favorite threesome-in-waiting finally together again!?"

Laura blushed bright red at the insinuation, but Fie merely smirked. "Sure, let's go with that. Rean's around somewhere. I think her fan club is murdering him right now."

"Hehe, yeah. I've seen those girls so I can believe it." Her grin faded with a pleading look taking her place."Hey, Fie? You and the rest of Class VII have been around the country, right? You didn't happen to see Linde, have you?"

Ah. So that's what was responsible for her negative atmosphere. "Sorry." She admitted, causing the pink-haired twin to lower her head sadly. "...But we've met plenty of escaped Thors students already. I'm sure we'll find her soon enough. I mean, if you somehow managed to escape than I'm sure she did too." She teased.

"Hey! I'll have you know that I'm twice as capable as my sister. Three times, even! Still... thanks, Fie."

"Mmm. No problem. When we find her I'll make sure you're the first person to know." A shame they were headed to Bareahard first so they couldn't risk bringing Vivi with them back to Ymir.

After a few minutes of idle conversation Fie left her fellow club member. While she was unable to help her at all, at the very least Vivi seemed to be in a better mood. As they exited the church she noticed Laura was staring at her with a teasing grin on her face. "...What is it?"

"It's nothing. I was just impressed at how well you handled that situation. Behind that gruff stoic exterior you really are a kind and caring person."

Oh yes. She was definitely teasing her. "...Shut up, Laura." She did her best to will away the red creeping onto her face. "I'm surrounded by bad influences." She lamented sadly.

"Of course." Her best friend agreed, teasing grin never leaving her face. "The absolute worst."

The fierce Sylphid couldn't help but grumble like a petulant child. "Since when did you become such a tease?"

Laura tilted her head thoughtfully. "I suppose I am surrounded by bad influences too?" The innocent but oh-so-pointed look sent her way made it quite clear who she considered to be the bad influence.

Had she spent this entire month at Legram working on her wit? Never in a million years did she think her rival could defeat her in a conversation like that. "Um..." Fortunately, Aidios had given her an out in the form of a most unusual sight.

"Rean!?" Laura exclaimed as she too laid eyes on the distracting passerby. "What happened to you!?" The cause for their concern: The fact he was soaking wet and miserable.

"Uh... I'm not entirely sure?" The dejected boy answered in confusion. "One minute I was fishing on the docks and the next I was shoved into the water. I think I heard a girl yelling something about 'Protecting Lady Laura's innocence?'"

The silver-haired girl couldn't help but giggle at his misfortune, prompting both nobles to stare at her. "In case you have yet to piece it together." Laura deadpanned. "This was entirely Fie's fault. Are you all right?"

"He's fine." Fie insisted.

"...One of them tried holding me under the water."

"See? Completely fine."

The Legram native shook her head in a vain attempt at making her own amusement less noticeable. "The water must have been quite cold. You should head back and change your clothes."

"That's where I'm headed." Their beloved leader muttered before continuing the trek back to the Arseid mansion, making squelching sounds each step he took.

So of course Fie cheerfully waved as he departed. "See you at dinner~!"

They silently watched as the soaked swordsman walked up the steps to Laura's home. It was only after he was safely out of hearing range that Fie started laughing. Laura did her valiant best to keep up a stern facade, but laughter was infectious and soon enough she too succumbed to it. "F-Fie! You're terrible!"

"That would hold more weight if you weren't laughing too." She pointed out between her own giggles.

The two remained like that, basking in the misfortune of their shared boyfriend. It took a good minute before they calmed down and continued on their journey, heading in the same direction Rean had previously gone. "...Fie? I have a question for you." Laura asked tentatively.

Given the seriousness of her expression she suspected this to be a heavy question and probably something unpleasant. "Yeah?" But since it was Laura she would answer anyways.

"Earlier when you were describing the events you had gone through before arriving here there was something I wished to ask. You said you encountered two members from Zephyr, correct?" A simple nod was her answer. "How are you feeling?"

"Ah..." Were it most anyone else she would simply brush the answer off, but that wouldn't work with Laura. But at the same time Fie couldn't help but see opportunity in this question. "I was a mess at the time, but after talking it through I'm mostly fine now. Still have plenty of questions I need to ask the next time I see them..."

"Understandable. My sword will be yours when that time comes, naturally. I take it the person you talked with was Rean?"

And there it was. Time to go for the critical blow. "Yup. He came to me that night and we talked it over... After that he took advantage of me."

"W-What!?" Her partner jolted in shock.

"Haha. Kidding." Her words calmed Laura down... "I think I was the one who took advantage of his kindness?"

Her innocent comment once again caused great alarm from her friend. "A-Are you serious!? Did the two of you really have-" She struggled to finish her thoughts as her face grew bright red at the insinuation.

It was adorable watching Laura struggle to say the word. "Sex?" So it was up to her as her best friend to help out! "Yup. We did."

"I-I see..." Adorably flustered Laura might actually be her favorite Laura. "A-Are you sure that was the most appropriate thing to do?"

"Probably not." She agreed easily enough. "I've had to hear it constantly from Machias, Alisa, and all the rest. But I don't regret it at all."

"...What do you mean?" Fie couldn't help but smirk seeing Laura curious despite herself.

She shrugged. "It's kinda hard to explain. It's like... there's so much stuff you can't really say with words, you know? There's no way Rean can doubt my feelings after that night, even as dense as we all know he is."

"I see..."

Time to tease a little further. "Not to say the sex itself was bad, even if we both kinda sucked at it. I'm kinda jealous of you, actually."

She could tell that Laura's curiosity was warring with her desire to get away from this conversation as soon as possible. "...What do you mean?" But inevitably curiosity won.

"Even if you end up sucking as much as we did your first time will probably be way better cause he will know what he's doing."

"W-What!?" Never once had Fie seen a person go that red that quickly. "What are you talking about!?"

"You know what I'm talking about. Your first time banging Rean."

The swordmistress proceeded to choke on air. "What!?" She all but shrieked. "I-I can't! That's entirely inappropriate...!"

"Kinda sounds like you're trying to convince yourself and not me. Oh well, that's fine. More for me, then."

By this point the two had long since reached the Arseid estate and were standing outside of the door to maintain their privacy. "But..." She protested weakly.

"Look, I get it. Normal people are raised to be prudes, and it's probably a lot worse for you nobles." She took a step forward, getting inside Laura's personal space. "But I know you. Your head is warring with your heart. And if you're anything like me... I know which one is gonna win."

"...Why do you care so much anyway?" The blue-haired girl asked weakly.

"Hmm..." The jaeger shrugged. "There are a couple reasons, I guess? Kinda feel guilty that I took advantage of the fact that Rean found me first. We got into this together so I want you to have a fair chance. There's also-" She trailed off, unsure of herself. There was something she wanted to say, but it wasn't something that she was comfortable talking about aloud. At least not now. She needed to be sure...

Laura looked like she was about to press her further, but instead conceded with a sigh. "...I see. You have given me much to think about." Although she appeared to have regained her composure, the way she was awkwardly rubbing her arm and her inability to look her in the eyes made it clear she was still struggling to cope. "I... think I am going to head inside for now. I shall see you at dinner."

She watched as Laura shuffled away. She did not need to be a gardener to tell that the seed had been planted. Only time would tell if it bloomed the way she wanted it to.

When writing this chapter I had completely forgotten that this was the introduction of Aurelia and Bardias until I had nearly finished. It was a mad scramble trying to fix that mistake. And hey, I got to slip some foreshadowing in!