๐๐ป๐ธ๐ถ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฝ ๐ช๐ท๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ ๐ธ๐พ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐๐ผ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ท ๐ซ๐ฎ ๐ธ๐พ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ช๐น๐ธ๐ท๐ผ
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For mercenaries travelling across the land is just as much a part of Nacht's life as spilling blood. Venturing to whatever part of the continent is having the most bandit problems at the time, or on the edge of the territory of two squabbling lords. He hated the Kingdom for their ideals and foolish chivalry, he hated the Empire for it's power hungry fools, and the Alliance for it's putting every decision in a vote, he hated the Church for it's false teachings.
So, Nacht felt a bit awkward when he was literally travelling with the three heirs of the three continents and the Knight of Serios. The three students were hounding him and Byleth.
''So Jeralt the 'Blade Breaker' huh? I hear he was a real famous back when he was with the Knights" mused Claude, ''What's it like living in his shadow?''
''I never knew he was captain'' said Byleth emotionlessly.
''Well you never knew the Knights of Serios existed in the first place.'' Nacht said smiling.
"Truly? His strength at arms was a thing of legend, to hear the Knights tell it," volunteered Dimitri, a hand pressed to his chin as if in thought. "I'm surprised. I've never known a warrior who did not have a story or two to share."
''Well the Kingdom may favor 'knightly' stories of people dying but, Jeralt nor Byleth is interested in that.'' Nacht said ruffling Fani's feathers.
Nobody said anything about that, the mercenary and the students kept walking, an awkward silence in the air.
Edelgard stepped forward to try and stoke conversation. She walked up closer to Byleth. "So are you an swordsman and your brother a mage, Byleth?"
''No, I'm trained in numerous skills and Nacht is somewhat a mage.'' was the blunt response of the blank-stared mercenary.
''Somewhat?'' the three questioned in unison.
Nacht shrugged and Fani flew out of his shoulder and flew into Byleth's shoulder.
''My magic is different from around here, and I can use a sword and other weapons and I'm a capable at healing magic.'' Nacht said with his usual close-eyed smile .
''Oh, are you not from Fodlan?'' Dimitri questioned causing a few knights to glance suspicously at Nacht.
''No, I am Fodlanese, my magic is different that is all.'' said Nacht.
''Come now! Surely there's more about that'' Claude persisted his curiosity was apparent in his eyes.
Nacht was about to say something but Alois excitedly told them was Garreg Mach is near. Byleth shifted beside him.
As they approached, Nacht had to admit: the monastery was a grand thing. Heavy stone and strong gates, it felt less a monastery so much as a fortress, at least from where he stood.
From up ahead Alois gave a deafening shout to have them open the gates, and within moments a groan echoed out to them as the way opened.Nacht sensed that Jeralt seemed to be tense what exactly is his history with the Church?
They stepped into the monastery proper,Nacht saw Byleth taking in thes ight. Though it was a big monastery, and there was no telling what was waiting for them in the walls, what dark secrets lay hidden.
Once they'd passed the markets and climbed the steps, Nacht saw someone that almost made him groan.
A woman with light green hair stood at a balcony, watching them. Byleth looked up at her suspicously.
After a few moments, the woman turned away, disappearing behind the curtained glass doors which kept the balcony separate from within. Nacht felt a feeling of nostolagia? He felt like he met her before but at the same time he doesn't. Best to keep quiet and observe. Whatever Garreg Mach was, it was clearly a seat of serious power. Best to be cautious.
As they stood before the building with the balcony, Jeralt gave a blustery sigh, interrupting Alois as he prattled noisily.
"Alright, kiddos, run along. You've got stuff to do, and Alois here wants to drag me and the kids upstairs to meet the archibishop." The nobles nodded, understanding the way of such things.
Edelgard turned to Nacht and Byleth, offering them a firm nod and an outstretched hand. "It was good to meet you, Nacht. May we meet again." she said with a primly sketched half-bow.
Nacht took and shook her hand knowing Byleth was busy talking with Reigan and Blaiddyd saying something about working with them.
With the nobles dispersed, it was now just Nacht, Byleth, Jeralt, and Alois.
"Shall we, captain?" offered Alois with a wide smile, opening the door and gesturing them to in.
The mercenarys collectively sighed in preparation. They crossed the threshold, and come what would, they'd just have to endure.
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The building was old wood. The smell of aged timber and varnish inundated the halls as Alois led them along, up a flight of stairs past students lugging scrolls and books, and people in priest robes.
It was a hive of activity, and Alois seemed to be bringing them to its heart. To the green-haired woman Nacht had unreasonable certainty was the one in charge.
Byleth was walking beside him her face emotionless, stance straight, and her footsteps landing softly at the ground. 'She's herself as always' Nacht mused.
Jeralt looked like he was walking into battle. Back straight, shoulders back and jaw clenched. He was nervous. Nacht was beggining to think this was a bad idea.
A drop of cold worry sat on his spine, just above her hips. She needed to be ready. Byleth was no good at socializing he has to stay here to watch over her.
Alois opened another set of doors, bowing deeply as the small group stepped into what looked too much like a throne room for a monastery.
The woman was there, her eyes were as green as her hair, face a pristine mask of demure serenity.
Beside her was another man with green hair, of stern countenance with hands clasped behind his back and a frown on his face.
Alois stepped forward, falling to a knee. "Lady Rhea," he said respectfully. Nacht was suprised at the volume of his voice.
"Rise, Sir Alois." Her voice was gentle, but betrayed by her gesture which seemed to pick him up like a puppet.
Surely this place wasn't THAT bad right...?
Lady Rhea's eyes darted to them, Nacht saw shock, hunger, and silent glee in those eyes. And the man beside her paled when he looked at him.
...He wished he can jump out of the window and be done with it.
"I see you've brought guests," she said placidly, still as a statue as she took them in. Nacht saw her eyes were aveting between him and Byleth.
"Yes, my Lady. These are the Eisners. I am sure you remember Jeralt, and here are his two children," said Alois, gesturing to them where they stood.
"Oh," she said melodically, flat eyes locking onto their father, smile unchanged but an undercurrent of a threat slithering invisibly between them. "Sir Jeralt. I'm glad to see you well. What brings you here?" She asked. Nacht felt the need to draw his sword.
"Some of your students got ambushed by bandits. We helped fight them off, and Alois insisted we should come and visit," Jeralt provided neutrally, eyes flinty.
"As I heard. Thank the Goddess you were there to help them. Seteth had mentioned who precisely you protected," she said, smile unwavering and unnatural.
Rhea's eyes locked onto Byleth, and for a frozen moment, he felt like she was staring at a snake about to swallow Byleth whole. A prey instinct, pure and simple, like he hadn't felt in years. His hand was ready to sent out a spell if neccesary.
"And you two, accompanying the legendary Blade Breaker. Congratulations Jeralt, you have two beautiful children," She observed, eyes never leaving them, though Nacht felt she was staring at something else.
"Byleth and Nacht. They helped," He supplied with a dismissive wave, stepping forward as if to distract her.
"To assist the Blade Breaker is no small feat," teased Rhea, eyes raking over them with a fascination Nacht felt he should be on guard.
"But I digress. This is a good time for you to reappear. You see, the newest class for the Officer's Academy is starting soon, andโ"
"I'll stop you right there, Lady Rhea. You don't want me teaching these kids. I'm no good as a teacher," he said, a trifle frantically, as if a rabbit caught in a snare. Nacht stood silently his close-eyed smile in his face, Jeralt seemed to be uncomfortable and he wants to find out why.
She turned back to him and Byleth. "And you two... Jeralt's children. Gifted warriors in your own rights, I'm sure. Perhaps you two would enjoy taking up the post of professor at Garreg Mach's Officer's Academy," she said lightly, her smile seeming to make it clear this was not a request to be denied.
Wait.
What?
Nacht bursted out of laughter, suprised stares looked at him. He wiped his eyes gaining his composure.
'' We are merely wandering mercenaries, and yet you want to make us teachers?'' Nacht retorted.
"Well, certainly!" said Rhea, her smile growing into a full blown grin. "If Jeralt is unable to teach, then surely his children, who he taught, will be able to impart what they learned," She continued, punctuating her statement with a cheery little clap.
''And that is the only reason? We may have been taught by him, but that doesn't mean we are him and you want to make us professors just because of that? May I remind you that children are different from their parents. And I'm not even related to them by blood.'' he explained mischief dancing on his eyes, while Fani let out a little chirp.
''I don't mind at all.'' Byleth said, Jeralt and Nacht looked at her with suprise.
''Excellent let us make preparatio-''
"Wh -- Lady Rhea, you can't be serious!" Cried the green-haired man next to Rhea, gesturing to the mercenaries.
"A man gone for twenty years comes back and you offer him re-entry into the Knights? His children teaching at the academy!?" he hissed, looking close to bursting a blood vessel.
"Now, now, Seteth. Have faith," She said placid as ever, his frustrated confusion passing over her like little more than a breeze.
"Have f--" It was clearly only with great self control that he cut himself off, positively fuming next to her.
Rhea looked them over a final time, the picture of resplendent serenity.
''So what says you, Sir Nacht?'' Rhea questioned but Nacht knows she won't take no for an answer.
''I hate this''
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Byleth walked in front of the Golden Deer and Blue Lions classroom.
Earlier at Reception Hall, they met Edelgard and Nacht, after hearing the name 'Dorothea' instantly became interested in the Black Eagles, when Byleth asked him about it he told her that he'll explain later.
So steeling herself she came in first at the Blue Lion classroom.
The moment she opened the door she bumped on to someone.
(YEAH BABY!! GUESS WHO IT IS!!!)
''Hey, sorry about that!'' a blue haired student with amber eyes said helping her up.
Byleth muttered her thanks and looked around the classroom. And found Dimitri walking up to her.
"I see you want to take a look at our class." Dimitri said. "If you teach us, then I hope that we make a good impression from this moment onwards."
In an instant, one of the students had shot their head directly at Bileth. He was that of a tall stature and red, messy hair. In noticing Byleth, he began to talk to her.
"Hey there," He gave a wink at her. "May I just say that you look absolutely divine. How's about we grab a bite to eat?"
Byleth walked out of the classroom.
''Sylvain- Byl- Please wait!'' Dimitri called out to no avail.
Another awkward silence ensued.
After a while, the student who had attempted to flirt with Byleth quickly widened his eyes. "Oh, she's the new teachers... oops." After a moment of silence, he began to crank his head to the direction of Dimitri with a horrified face. "So, what were you saying about good impressions again, Dimitri?"
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''Hey Byleth! Finally decided who to teach?'' Nacht asked after Byleth came out of the Golden Deer classroom.
She nodded.
''I choose the Golden Deer.''