Chapter Twenty

1.

Leonie hesitates when she realizes there's more than one letter being handed over, and she's completely frowning when she reads the sending addresses. Shaking away the urge to stab something, her smile only looks real as she thanks the person handing out mail. The jog back to her room is quick, she'll still have plenty of time to do a morning run, and everyone is still asleep as she quietly shuts the door. Leonie huddles up on her bed, taking her favourite knife out and carefully slicing open the string holding the bundle.

Several letters fall into her lap. Each one is written in a different messy, looping, but readable font. Each one starts of with a variation of, I miss you.

Her hand flutters to her chest. Her eyes are dry, body feels cold, but Leonie still knows she is deeply touched by the words of the children from her village. The fact they wrote at all, spent time and money to send words of encouragement and well wishes, means more than she can give words to. They remember her, and they want her to succeed.

A part of Leonie hates herself for not missing them.

Not a single letter from an adult, but maybe some of what she left behind is worth a second thought. The run today can be held off, it's not like she won't be exercising later. That decided, Leonie moves to the floor. Spare paper and a pen out, she writes a personalized response for each of the kids, even the ones too young to write and got others to add them in.

One of the highlights of the Officer's Academy, outgoing mail is free.

2.

"Ack, hey! Shamir!"

"Better," the ravenette says, still pinching Leonie's skin. "Not up to standard yet. I expect you not to lose this during selection weeks."

Leonie rubs the spot when she's released, faking a pout as Cyril chuckles, "I'm doing my best. I've even started eating more for breakfast!" On Claude's insistence.

"Do better," is her uncaring retort. "Line up, both of you. This is the last time we're practicing with Leonie until the class selection is over. Cyril, here's a tome, start casting and yell if you feel like you're pulling. Leonie, did you practice what I said to?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good," Shamir dumps an empty book covering in her hands. It's poor quality, nothing special about it. "When you're ready, try to pull energy from the target dummy without destroying it. There shouldn't been anything more than a page's worth so, for the dummy's sake, start small."

"Yes, sir," Leonie mutters, quieter and abash. It was bad enough the first time the training dummy disintegrated; made worse by the fact she couldn't hold the energy.

Cyril has disadvantages in Faith and Reason, meaning the reason he struggles is because of a natural disinclination towards magic. He must use a tome for any kind of spell. The finesse needed for wards and glyphs is beyond him unless he spends his life honing the skills, and even then more complicated designs are impossible unless he has a mage constantly supplying him magic. Nosferatu is an easier magic to catch on humans that inanimate objects, but without the strength to pull energy to the caster it isn't worth it. Best case scenario: the caster will run their magic dry and pass out. Worst case: Nosferatu reverses the flow and sends life energy into the catch, eventually killing the caster if the magic isn't severed.

Leonie's issue is not the tomes, nor the pull, nor the magic. As demonstrated to Shamir in her first attempt, she can make a straw target turn to dust. All without too much effort, not that the others know. Her issue comes from absorbing the energy. Her body will refuse it, only using what lingers in the air around her if it must. Her Faith shield won't take it, and so she can't store it on her person to be used for another spell.

Shamir's solution: turn the leftover energy into a physical object that can be used at a later date. Instead of a tome to absorb magic, the pages of the tome are magic and will dissipate into the air for use once ripped out. Because making potential energy stay potential without a constant force for a long period of time couldn't possibly go wrong.

Leonie pretends to be focusing on reigning in her magic, while in reality is quickly drawing a metaphysical, magical glyph circuit that will make the illusion of paper when it reaches a certain threshold. The illusion of the paper feedbacks into the circuit with only minimal energy loss and allowance for the 'paper' to be ripped out without destroying the whole circuit. No need to accidentally create a blackhole, not that Leonie has plans to go around disintegrating people. She, unfortunately, gets more enjoyment from physically dealing with it herself than the elemental applications of a magic fight.

Also, Nosferatu feels like a dusty, stalker-ish, animalistic spell. None of the finesse the other Reason magics have. Leonie isn't going to use it unless she has to.

"Good," Shamir praises when the straw brittles but doesn't crumble. "Now heal yourself with it."

Leonie rips the 'paper' out, the energy turning from white light into fizzles of sparks. With the little bit of extra magic in the air, Heal doesn't require so much of her fat stores to ease the muscle strain. She tells the woman so.

"See about filling that book with things no one is going to miss. Leaves that are dying, weeds, broken pieces of a well-used sword. Only use it on people when you are fighting against them on Church sanctioned missions."

"I remember," Leonie assures her. Not going to happen, she thinks, already saving it in her mind as a last-ditch effort spell. While she may be a killer, Leonie does not enjoy plucking the life from things bit by bit. She also doesn't think the magic of the spell would appreciate being used to turn leaves to dust; it's got a more bloodthirsty feel to it.

After Cyril struggles a bit more, Shamir calls it and has the two work on archery instead. This is how Alois and Catherine find them, in the training yard devoid of others. Shamir huffs at their arrival, "Aren't you two supposed to be recruiting."

"Nah," Catherine walks up and stares, "we've already filled the quota and the kids are too busy packing and crying. All their marks came out an hour ago."

"We'll have plenty of new knights in the coming year!" Alois is practically vibrating with excitement. "Ah, Cyril, Leonie, how are you two?"

"Good," is Cyril's clipped reply.

Leonie waves and smiles before setting up for another shot, "Excited to start classes."

There's laughter in response, Catherine joking, "I think you might be the only student excited so far. Most are far more nervous around this time."

"I'm definitely nervous, but there's only fourteen Golden Deer this year so I'm excited to really spend time with them all."

"That's right!" Catherine exclaims. "You moved in with the Eagle hopefuls, didn't you? There's only ever been a few mix and matches. You thinking of joining them?"

"I'm a Deer and proud of it," Leonie winks when Cyril looks over. Her next shot is a little off, she'll need to work some more on corner-of-eye targeting. "Hey, any news on the new professor?"

"You'll find out on Sunday with the rest," Shamir deadpans.

"Worth a try. What was it like when you started classes, Catherine? What House were you in?"

3.

For the year ahead of Leonie, it's Graduation Day. She stands around on the fringes with a bunch of the other future students and the few parents who bothered to show up for their kids. Seteth stands on a quickly constructed podium in the class courtyard, reading off graduating students names one at a time and telling the audience their licences and certifications. It is interesting to see the Blue Lions main class has an extra four students this year. Must have been big for transfer.

Everyone claps politely. In the Golden Deer House, everyone cheers for their class's accomplishments. Leonie joins in with Raphael in hollering for them.

I should be sad, Leonie thinks through the bland indifference and wanting the ceremony to be over. Her classmates will never get to experience this for themselves. All their accomplishments will go unnoticed in the face of a war; they won't even make it to exams if she remembers correctly. She feels nothing at the thought of missing out on this; Lysithea will never become the youngest graduate and those without connections will have to claw their way up into a place in history. Petra will truly be a hostage to keep her country in line, Dimitri will end up feral in his or in the Monastery. Dorothea will have to side with the Empire or be on the run for years, Claude will take over the roundtable sooner than expected.

Hubert will play a dangerous game of weeding out the ones who tortured Edelgard. The next Emperor will do whatever it takes to make sure her country doesn't burn under javelins or Crests.

Leonie isn't sad. In a way, this is the beginning of the end. She is going to save Jeralt or die trying; there is still a chance for them to get this experience no matter how small.

Maybe, if she finds herself actually caring about them all when war knocks on their door, she'll set up a graduation podium for whoever's left. Leonie doesn't think she can come up with a great a speech as Seteth is giving for his closing goodbyes and congratulations, but when in doubt there's plagiarism from another world to get her though.

She congratulates each and every person, even if it takes all afternoon. Dorothea appears before she heads off, directing her to a spot by the wall, "Linhardt fell asleep a while ago. Would you mind carrying him to the mess hall?"

"Not a problem." He's passed right out. Doesn't even twitch when she gets him in a princess hold. "Did you enjoy the ceremony?"

"It was nice," Dorothea replies neutrally. "Everyone looked great in their uniform."

"I guess I'll have to button up my jacket for tomorrow," Leonie sighs. "It fits nicely, but I hate having my arms confined. Years of archery and tree jumping."

"Tree jumping!" Petra appears, Bernadetta hiding behind her and likely pointed them out. "Do you practice the habit of moving up trees as well, Leonie?"

"I enjoy the higher vantage," she admits. "There is a big forest around my village, I used to climb up them a lot. And jump between them. Do you enjoy tree climbing, Petra?"

"Oh yes," she nods, excited. "I am very good at cl-imb-ing and jumping trees. We played many games on them back in my home. Bernadetta? Dorothea? Do you enjoy trees?"

Bernadetta hesitantly nods, "They're good hiding places."

"I enjoy their shade," Dorothea chuckles. "I'll leave the climbing to you three. I do believe Linhardt would agree with me, if he were awake. Tree climbing is not something nobles in the E- erm, excuse me, the nobles in Fódlan let their children… experience."

Leonie appreciates the former singer's tact in not singling out Bernadetta's terrible Empire upbringing. They get Linhardt positioned at a table and get in the growing line for food. Leonie's struggling not to drool at the smell. With the big ceremony and parents here, the Church is going all out to appear competent. Last of the group, she loads up her plate and turns to go, only for her arm to get snagged.

On instinct, Leonie increases her weight so she isn't moved. Claude grunts as their turn stops, but he doesn't seem to think twice as he smirks to the future Eagles, "Sorry, ladies, but I need to steal Leonie for the night. Deer business."

Leonie lightens so he can drag her off easier, struggling to wave with her arms full of food tray, "I'll see you at the dorm."

Before she can ask, Claude has her on the seat next to Lysithea. He jumps over the table, getting a scolding from Lorenz about bad manners. The next House Leader waves it off, spreading out his hands and seemingly trying to exude excitement, "A bunch of students moved out today, so you know what that means!"

Lysithea gives a long-suffering sigh, "What, Claude?"

"You get to move in tonight!"

The whitette doubletakes while Leonie blinks slowly. Claude's expression falters for a second, and then he's forcing the smile even more. Before he can press the issue, Leonie makes sure to raise her hands in a 'what can you do' motion, "Sure. I might have to see about Dorothea moving into my old spot, but if there's room then we can go."

"Leonie," Lysithea hisses. Meanwhile, Claude's smile is starting to reach his eyes. "We can't just move over now."

"Why not? I can carry everything, and it's not like we aren't going to see Bernadetta again. We all practice outside anyways, and if you two want to be reading buddies then she can just come to our room. Easy."

Lysithea gives a small scream at the logic and turns resolutely to her food, making sure to stink eye Claude and stab her fork like she wishes it were him, "And this couldn't wait until tomorrow because?"

He takes a seat just as Hilda appears, "Opening ceremonies is bound to be busy. Better to wake up with us than risk missing stamina training because you're in another building. Aww, come on, Lysithea. Don't give me that look."

Leonie gets a light kick from him at rolling her eyes. Lysithea snipes back about never being late, while Marianne sits next to Leonie. The orangette only barely hears the muttered, "I'm glad you'll be in our dorms again."

Her heart skips a beat at the honest emotion from the girl terrified of getting too close to others, and Leonie smiles a small and real thing, "Thanks, Marianne. I'm glad we'll be with all of you as well."

4.

"Take me with you!" Bernadetta cries, absolutely not okay with this room change.

While Leonie sits on the sobbing girl's bed, petting her hair as the younger unknowingly attempts to squeeze the life out of Leonie' middle, she can hear Lysithea outside the door trying to convince Hubert to get Edelgard and not go barging in himself. In a fist fight she'd put money on broad imposing Hubert, but magic-wise Lysithea is in perfect glass cannon position. Hubert may have the glare, but Lysithea eat toxicity for breakfast. There's a very real chance the standoff isn't going to end for a while.

Leonie threads boney fingers through purple strands, projecting calm, "You knew Lysithea and I were going to have to leave eventually. We wouldn't have been able to stay much longer. I am sorry we didn't give you more warning."

"I don't need warning!" Bernadetta shrieks into Leonie's stomach. "I need everything to stay! I can't- I can't do this! You're going to leave and then I won't be able to go outside and then everyone in my class will hate me and then I'll be kicked out and left on the streets to die and-"

"No," Leonie moves the teen gently until the back of Bernadetta's head is fully on her lap. The purplette does not shy away from meeting her eyes, which is a great sign, "stop that. It's not just me you go outside with. You'll have Dorothea and Ferdinand and Petra, and there will be plenty of your other classmates who will like you and gladly be your shield. You get any one of use if anyone hurts you, and there is no way any of us will stand by if you're threatened with expulsion. Why, I'll tear down the whole Church if it means you can stay here and stay safe. How does that sound?"

Bernadetta sniffles pathetically, hiccupping like she isn't sure she should sob or smile, "Why can't I come with you?"

"Because you were raised in the Empire," Leonie mockingly puts a hand to the back of her own forehead, pretending to swoon. "And I was dragged in from the Alliance wilds. If you really want to join my class, applications for transfers usually start a few months in, if you're in the main class. I do think you'll do great with the Eagles, so I won't feel too bad if you decide to stay with them."

Leonie is extremely proud when Bernadetta works up the nerve to ask, "Will you consider coming to my class?"

"I'll consider it," Leonie tells her, "but only if the Golden Deer prove to be a terrible group. I know Lysithea wants to try for a more magically focused House, so that's a reason for me to move as well. If we all get in the main classes."

Bernadetta wipes away her tears and rolls over, gazing sadly at the soon-to-be empty bunks, "I- I won't be too sad if… you decide to stay a Deer because of your friends."

"Thank you, Bernadetta," Leonie pets the girl's head one last time, feeling empty inside and knowing it shouldn't be so. "It means a lot to hear that. Promise me you'll remember that you're my friend too? Your opinions matter a lot to me as well, I will always take into account whatever you say."

"I promise."

There's a commotion at the entrance, Dorothea appearing with Edelgard in tow. Bernadetta yelps and scrambles to peer over Leonie's shoulder, the orange haired woman waving as the newcomers hear Lysithea's side of the story.

"I think that is fine as long as Aurora and Dorothea are alright with it," comes the final decision from the future House Leader. "Lysithea, Leonie. It was a pleasure to have you in our dorms. Please feel free to visit in the future, or to talk with any of us when you have a moment. It is always insightful chatting with you both."

"Thanks, Edelgard," Leonie smiles brightly, wondering if the princess truly feels that way or is just being cordial. Hubert makes a tsking noise and steps away, so perhaps the soon-to-be House Leader does like them a bit. "I've felt really welcomed here, and I'm always up for a chat! Dorothea, Hubert," a tap at the knee pressed against her back, "Bernadetta, all of you don't be strangers, you hear? If any of you wake up early enough, you know how to find me."

"Indeed," is the soft mutter from Edelgard that Dorothea begins teasing her for. Hubert snaps at Claude's cousin, but Dorothea shoots poison back in the undertones of honeyed words.

Lysithea urges Bernadetta up, and then glomps a hug on her with the threat, "If you run away from training with us, I'll throw an experimental Swarm Z at you."

"Yes Lysithea!" is the yelped answer.

Leonie grabs the only boxes they couldn't get in her storage, "See you all at opening ceremonies tomorrow!"

The last real break for a while.

5.

Seteth is back for another great speech.

There are one hundred and twelve new students gathered on the lawn just outside of the classrooms, the fourteen golden deer stuck at the back because that's where their classroom is. Raphael has Lauza on a shoulder, Claude convinced Lysithea to sit on his, and Leonie has Hilda on hers. None of the Knights have stopped them, and it's not like they're blocking anyone.

Something that stands out to Leonie, niggling in her head until she has to acknowledge it, is how Rhea has yet to appear. One would think that people having a ceremony on her place of business, worship, and rest would be a cause to come out and say a few words. Nothing from the Archbishop to the graduates and nothing to the fresh faces. The more she thinks on it, the more Leonie realizes just how weird it is that she hasn't seen the woman more than a handful of times, all at a very far distance. Leonie has been so thankful not to run into her – not to be targeted by a Crest she wouldn't have had to worry about if she had bonded with Jeralt – that she can't help but worry after recognizing how little Rhea interacts with the outside world. No one talks about seeing the Archbishop outside of her chambers, never for tea or in the village, and not even during celebrations at the chapel. In fact, the only times Leonie's seen her is when Rhea wanders to the graveyard or to a Church-official-only room

The only rumors of Rhea leaving the Monastery are when she executes Church officials who have strayed.

Leonie shuffles as Seteth finishes his welcome and brings up the teachers. Hanneman and Manuela, each returning to be a main teacher for one of the Houses. He continues, "I am pleased to welcome Dr. Preston Pettigrew as the newest House teacher."

Leonie doesn't catch whatever pleasantries follow, too busy turning her laughs into coughs as Hilda keeps her hair in a death grip. The young woman straightens soon enough, watching and listening as the partial teachers walk on the stage, their specialties called out. Her eyes are drawn back to the new teacher, resisting the urge to use magic and zoom in. From here he looks skinny, fidgeting and narrowed face. If Leonie had to guess, his specialty would be subterfuge and his animal spirit a diseased ridden rat.

A memory worms its way into Leonie's head, slippery and hard to focus on. No one is ever the same person twice.

"Remember you are not two people," Leonie finishes with a mutter, unaware it isn't in a known language of this world. Just as fast as it comes, the memory is buried by the reminder of a story and the reason she laughed at the new teacher's name. He might actually be a good person, might not have been threatened by the bad guys, and might be at risk of dying because he's a Church supporter. Leonie doesn't care. If she remembers correctly – and it will need some more thought because she isn't too sure and is a little busy at the moment – this new professor will put her housemates, specifically Claude, at risk.

Leonie doesn't feel anything really towards the newbie, if anything is more inclined to talk to the guy because fate is lining up a bad hand for him, but if he does anything to jeopardize the Deer then she'll make sure his death isn't nice.

Actually, Leonie thinks as her eyes count the people ahead of her, if he looks at any of the main class wrong, he can be my test subject for a countdown glyph.

The speeches end on the warning of upcoming, intensive training. Leonie pauses before helping Hilda down, discreetly wiping away the blood that had unknowingly formed on her fingertips at a thought she can't remember. The fourteen Deer can easily fit within their classroom, plenty checking out the desks or bookshelves.

Leonie glances up at the beams and wonders how sturdy they are.

"So," Claude comes from a blind spot, leaning against the pillar, "what do you think?"

"What do I think?" there's a bit of real shock dripping into the words. She takes it seriously and looks around, a small bit of maybe-happiness creeping into her chest at him asking for her thoughts. "I think it's going to be a great year. Main or part-time," her lips pull into a teasing grin, "we've got each other, and I know I can count on you."

"Just me?"

"To have my back? Absolutely."

That throws him for a moment, "What about Lysithea?"

"She's a bit too short for a good shield."

The smile reaches his eyes for a moment, laughter spilling out before Gregory and Tristan and try to steer him away. Claude captures Leonie's hand, pulling her just lightly enough to break easily. When she doesn't, his grip becomes like a cuff making sure she stays at his side. Tristan suggests she go off and chat with the other girls. Leonie smiles with all teeth and tells him she'll talk with them later.

Claude lets go, but always makes sure to nudge her into pace with him as they move around the classroom. Leonie doesn't get why and goes with it; thinks it would be much better if he used someone else as a shield. Hilda and Lorenz have more political power and reputation, so unless he's using Leonie as a distraction for his second-in-command pick then he's wasting the opportunity to flaunt his noble allies.

When Hilda finally slides to Claude's other side, Leonie uses it to take her leave.

Time to see what other rats are scurrying about today.

6.

This time, Leonie really and truly explores down.

Traps are easily avoided when the intent of stop the intruder can be sensed, the patrols are easy to avoid when a person can hide themselves with Invisibility. It is easy for Leonie to enter the heart of the Abyss unnoticed.

What's difficult is facing the suffering inside.

There are orphans being read to by a man covered in burn scars. Amputees work menial jobs, cleaning and fixing what they can. There is very little sunlight hitting a struggling garden, the rays coming from a dangerous crack in the dirt ceiling far above. Criminals are either rehabilitated and added to the network or killed if their crime is deplorable enough to some "Ashen Wolf" leader. There are several merchants selling information or items, some black-market and all overpriced. The few people with Crests sewn into their outfits range in emotions, but all with a noble bearing. Very few look happy down here.

Leonie resists their molding library full of contraband. She walks up to the only bartender, slowly coming into view to the people around. Her clean-ish appearance gets a few looks, but it's the Officer's Academy uniform that draws stares. The young woman didn't think she would reveal herself, but this place could use a makeover and is a great start for connections. Easy and ripe for the picking, all for a few good deeds.

Better yet, a great place to hide if she does get kicked from the Officer's Academy.

No matter how non-threatening and sheepish Leonie makes herself look, the bartender is rightfully suspicious, "Who are you?"

"Leonie," because it's better to start with honesty, and not boasting a notable last name gets the people around to drop their guard a bit. "What is this place?"

"The Abyss. How did you get here?"

"Well, I was taking a walk around the Monastery when the ground gave out. I think I've been wandering around a couple of hours now."

"How did you-" the bartender cuts off with a head shake, "never mind. Sit tight, I'll get someone to show you out."

"Thanks! And, uh," Leonie does a purposeful look around, voice falling, "what do you need down here?"

The bartender stiffens, eyes narrowing, "Excuse me?"

"What do you need? Medicine, torches… booze?"

"…Why?"

"This place seems like it's had some hard times," she words it as carefully as possible, keeping a firm hold of how small she makes her smile. "If there's anything I can do or bring down here to help, it's just right, isn't it? Especially since I would have been wandering around forever without you guys to help me."

It might be laying it on a bit thick, and there's no expectation that anyone will give an opening so soon, but the bartender's expression breaks into something hurting and hopeless, "The only alcohol down here is the cheapest piss sold topside. Can't do worse than that."

Leonie nods. Hesitates before pulling out an empty page and a pen, "Is there anything I should look for?"

"Look, you shouldn't be coming back to a place like this. Just forget about the Abyss and go live your life."

"I am not," a pointed look at everyone watching, "going to pretend the world is a perfect place and forget about the hurts and injustice I see. I am going to be a mercenary one day. I am going to facilitate the cruelty in the world all because I want to be sure I'm fed from one town to the next. All I want right now is a place to come to when topside is more than it's worth, and I'm willing to exchange my passage for goods. So, I'll ask one more time, what do you need down here so I can trade it in order to come back?"

A few people stood up during the speech, one or two drawing weapons. The bartender thinks about it before waving them down. Another second, and then Leonie begins writing down the list being told. Before her escort arrives, she is asked, "Why didn't you say you were going to be a Knight?"

Leonie withholds the snort, that would have been too easy with their 'help the helpless' dogma that most twist, "Have the Knights of Seiros ever aided you all?"

Behind her a patron scoffs, "They're more likely to put of out of our misery."

I rest my case.

"Some do care," the bartender defends, low and weary. "Enough to get the others to leave us alone."

That's not caring, Leonie thinks. That's sweeping it under the rug and hoping no one steps on it. "Thanks for the list. I'll see what I can do, though I don't know when I'll next be back. Today's inauguration day."

There's a snort. Someone tells her, "Good luck getting into a full-time class."

"What House are you in?" asks another.

"Golden Deer."

"Balthus will like you, then."

With that, then tension breaks. People start to come up to her as Leonie waits to be released. They tell her of the Abyss' recently disbanded House, the Ashen Wolves. Now it's a name for the protectors of the Abyss, old solders, mercenaries, thieves, and a few other types of criminals lead by the old House Leader, Yuri.

Leonie is escorted away from the eager-to-chat people before said leader or former house members can arrive to interrogate her. She wonders if she'll see him again, or if he and the other old Ashen Wolves will join in partway through the year.

At least it would save someone if not every main class student makes it through the trials this time. Leonie isn't holding much stock in that kind of change, though. She may not know when the next fixed point comes up but making sure the people in a main class are the same as those in the game feels important.

To Leonie, it is starting to feel like she has to make it into the main class or else.

7.

"There you are!" Dorothea fastens onto Leonie and pulls. Mercedes smiles apologetically. "I almost thought you weren't going to make it to dinner!"

Leonie grins, hiding the forcedness, "Where's the fire?"

"We need to plan," Dorothea explains seriously. "There are several people in my class I am concerned will get far in the rankings. Mercedes was saying she can easily knock a few of the best down because of how racist they're being. What are the odds like in your class?"

"Lysithea and Ignatz are the only ones I'm concerned with for the physical tests, but I know they've been exercising since we've got here. Marianne has a lot of stamina from working with animals, and her magic is more than enough to make up from any physical weaknesses. I can handle the ones we don't want if they prove formidable, but from what little I've seen they've been spoiled with luxury rather than training."

Mercedes giggles, "That is a kind way of saying it. May we have some names on who to be on the look out for with your class, Dorothy?"

After she's done, Mercedes gives a list of her own. Leonie smiles, her own class is so small they don't need a list. When the Eagle of the three tries to get them to sit together, Leonie takes over so Mercedes doesn't have to burn anyone, "We can plan after dinner, or even tomorrow when we have more information. We've all been sitting with our classes for dinner for ages, no need to make it suspicious by breaking it up now."

"Fair point," Dorothea sighs, looking a bit unhappy to go where her House friends are. Swarms of nobles are vying for Edelgard's attention, and the crowd around Ferdinand and Linhardt is not thin either.

"How is Bernadetta?"

"Well," the brunette relaxes, idea coming at the prompt like Leonie hoped. "If you wouldn't mind charming the servers, I shall take dinner to her tonight."

"Sounds good to me," Leonie beams a smile and gets to work. The three fist bump before parting with their meals. By the time Dorothea's strutting out of the room, several gazes from her House table are watching longingly. Leonie counts that as a good sign, turning at the soft sound of thanks from Mercedes for the extra, free serving. "It's no problem. And hey, if you or anyone needs a free meal, I know how to hunt and smoke meet. That's about it though."

Mercedes covers her mouth to politely not laugh, "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. I've got my wanderlust sated for now."

"Wanderlust," Mercedes hums the word. "That isn't something I've heard before. It fits."

They split at their tables, Leonie sitting between Ignatz and Marianne while Mercedes gets Ashe and Annette. Claude gives a little wave from where he's surrounded by the other Deer, Lorenz nods from across the table without breaking his trade of barbs with Hilda.

"Hi, Leonie," Ignatz turns when he's finished debating magic in art with Lysithea. "How was your afternoon?"

"Really nice," she answers after a swallow. "How about you?"

"Ah," Marianne speaks up, hesitant, and raises a napkin from her water glass to hold up at Leonie. "I'm sorry. You've just got some dirt here." A motion to her own cheek.

"Thanks!" Whoops, Leonie feels a nice bit of warm embarrassment at not managing to get all the tunnel off. Marianne evades her gaze until she asks, "Did I get it?"

"Yes," and then comes the squeak when Leonie drops her clean napkin on the girl's lap. "Ah, it's alright!"

"While I'm sure you are, there's no reason to give you a dirty one if a clean one's here." Leonie can feel eyes on her, but doesn't look away from this important moment of growth for the teen. Lowers her voice, "Thank you for letting me know, Marianne. I'm grateful you felt comfortable helping me."

The blue haired teen's face goes red, hands only just stopping from covering her eyes after years of noble training. Marianne forces a smile that would terrify the faint of heart, "Ah, you are welcome then."

Leonie nods and leans back, but the only people watching her are Ignatz and Marianne, "So, what did you all do this afternoon?"

She can still feel eyes on her back.

8.

"Up and at 'em Deerlings! Those not out in five minutes will be left behind!"

Lysithea groans and rolls over. She blinks once, twice, meeting the smiling gaze of her only roommate. Her roommate, Leonie, who is doing the splits in the middle of the floor and has a foot in the air only a few inches away from her ear.

"Leonie, what the f-"

9.

The new Golden Deer class is the first up in the morning – just as the dawn lights the world – for the start of what will be two weeks of basic training before the week-long testing to decide class placement. The fact that the new Golden Deer class is always the first class up in the morning escapes no one. The Church has always favoured the Empire and Kingdom more so than the Alliance, they would never risk the long line of influential and paying nobles pulling out because they sent the students off to train in the dark and shadows of the morning of the first month.

The staff wait eagerly to see the first of the students return from a run around the outer village walls. More than one are excited and have gossiped about a common Deerling who's helped with food and deliveries. Even more are excited to see the blood, sweat, and tears of nobles and children who are bound to whine and cause trouble throughout the year. The first run is always the hardest, scrapes and faintings are expected as everyone is threatened with expulsion if they're so slow the next House passes them.

This year, Seteth's added the clause about not carrying anyone. Probably for the best, the staff agrees, remembering the obstacle course. So they wait, more and more curious as the hours tick by and it gets closer to midday with no sign of the Deer.

The gossip stirs and travels quick as all fourteen Golden Deer trudge for the cafeteria. Six students have been carried since they finished the run, two are walk and don't look any bit winded.

Leonie kicks open the door to the dinning hall. She sets down Lauza and Lorenz before practically skipping over to the servers. Raphael gets Ignatz and Gregory down before following. A wheezing Claude drops Penelope in a seat before collapsing in one himself, while Hilda practically swings Lysithea into her lap in an effort to rest. Tristan, Linden, and Winston collapse more on the table than in a recognisable sitting position.

Tristan mutters into the wood, "I can't feel my legs."

Marianne shuffles into range and casts, "Heal."

"Thanks," he groans.

She nods and hurries to take a seat next to Hilda, pale and shaky but still moving.

"Hope you're ready for some food!" Leonie practically sings, smiling wider at the disappointed moans when they don't see her with any. She and Raphael drop water glasses in front of each of them.

"It's important to drink water!" Raphael laughs and trades knowing grins with Leonie. "You'll get terrible cramps without it. Not even a shield can protect you when you're thirsty!"

"It can protect my dignity," Hilda moans as Marianne works on healing her.

"No need for dignity in a battle of wills!" Leonie calls back as she and Raphael are hailed for gathering the meals.

When they come back, warm and cool smells drifting from plates, Claude finally lifts his head and stretches out a hand, "You are my heroes."

"One day it's going to be you guys delivering us food," Leonie jokes. "Wait, does the Church do some kind of eating contest? I think I remember hearing about a food contest."

"Fish," Hilda hisses and lunges for a plate as soon as they touchdown. "My brother told me all about it. There's a fishing tournament, and then a who can eat the most fish contest."

"Sounds like my jam," Leonie goes back for more, chuckling as she hears someone ask about jam.

Everyone has more or less recovered and dug into the multiple platters by the time the first of the Blue Lions appear. Leonie, the only one not in a conversation or complaining, stops to lean back and wave at the familiar faces. Sylvain waves back, Ingrid and Felix nodding, while Dimitri and Dedue make their way over.

"How'd it go?" she asks before they can greet.

Dimitri straightens, smile widening, "I believe it went well."

"His Highness kept pace with myself and the others or he would have been here sooner."

"Dedue." Leonie can't help but relax her smile at how red the prince's face goes. "I was not going to leave you. Today is to test us, not to train us."

"You all made great time," she supplies. Now it's Dedue's turn to get red cheeks. "Really! Much better than us! The activates are also all spread out so the Houses aren't supposed to see each other today. It's super awesome you guys made it here so fast."

Claude suddenly appears, still a bit shaky but in much better complexation then he was when he first sat down on the other side of their classmates, "We did run together so they couldn't expel us all. Only as fast as our slowest. Hello Dimitri, Dedue. How was your morning?"

Leonie rolls here eyes and reclines back on the table. Dimitri's smile wobbles as he answers, "Ah, good morning Claude. It was well, thank you. And yours?"

"As well as it could be," whatever he was going to bite out switches his fake smile into a half grin. "You might want to head over to your table, I think your friends think we're stealing you."

The other three Blue Lions are looking rather intently over here. Dimitri stammers out his goodbyes while Dedue bows to Claude and nods with a soft 'until next time' to Leonie. The young woman calls out, "Good luck on your next test!"

Claude waits until they're getting food to sit down on Leonie's free side. He goes to fill his plate again, whistling away and ignoring her stare. Eventually, Leonie snorts and goes back to eating with a tap on his foot, "Something you want to talk about?"

"Who, me?" Claude's smile looks real enough, but it only reaches his eyes for the moment he taps her foot back. "What's there to talk about?"

After a stare down moment, Leonie waning between seeing if Claude has something against the other prince or not, she shrugs and decides today really isn't the day to accidentally drive a wedge into their budding partnership. Not when they're all supposed to be playing the system. Instead, the young woman goes for the lighthearted yet deadpan, "It's his hair isn't it?"

Claude practically freezes with confusion.

Leonie stares him dead in the eye, "It looks like noodles."

He squeaks before coughing laughter into his hand. Leonie rears back in surprise at the reaction, a faint nice warmth in her chest as she shrugs and goes back to eating. When he gets his breathing under control, Claude wonders, "And my hair?"

"I'd say it looks like a bird's nest, but you style it too well for that. The run didn't even mess anything up. Feel like telling me your secret?"

Claude winks, "All natural."

Leonie cusses and he laughs again, messing her hair up when she doesn't duck away.

10.

Three days in and the constant workouts are starting to wear on people. Leonie's more than fine, she's getting a constant supply of free food now that she's a student. The calories more than make up for what she normally lost while practicing away from her village. Her fingerless gloves are starting to fit better, arms and legs starting to fill in her Officer's Academy again. The sudden increase will have to go down once theory classes start, but for now Leonie's enjoying all-you-can-eat meals.

Raphael is the only other person not slimming down, even compared to the other classes. Between the stress, lack of naps, and continuous physical activity, the nobles are taking it hard. All except Claude and Dimitri, both of which are trying to keep spirits up.

There's a rumor that Edelgard fainted from over exhaustion, but Hubert's threatening anyone mentioning such into submission.

"Leonie," Seteth appears for the first time since his speech, "a moment after your next set."

The orange haired woman nods and lines up with her class. Catherine puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles, and everyone swings their swords in a choreographed movement. After they repeat it another hundred times, she lets them off for a water break.

"Hey Seteth, what's up?"

"Bernadetta has been refusing to leave her room again," he deadpans. "Would you be able to finish your run early and get her out."

"No can do, sorry," Leonie is not the least bit apologetic. The Deer have a plan and she hopes the Church is sweating in fear. "Why not split the Eagles into groups and put her in with people she's comfortable working with? I've heard Linhardt's had some trouble, maybe pair them up with Caspar so they can all stay motivated to keep moving? Balance the energy or something?"

Seteth hums but takes the idea with, "I will think about it. If you change your mind, come to my office."

"Have a great day," Leonie waves and hurries back into formation at the whistle. In her mind, she's accepting the joy of imagining stabbing people to get her through the uncomfortable feeling of letting Bernadetta down. Also to take her thoughts away from the sweat smell that's only growing as people's Faith shields work more on keeping them on their feet than keeping them clean.

She can't wait until the sauna is rebuilt.

A/N: Welcome to the Officer's Academy.

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