Chapter Text
Byleth finally felt that she had become used to life in the monastery. While it differed considerably from her past the new environment was overwhelmingly pleasant, with comfortable accommodations and bountiful food. She had even begun to warm to her students. Although surprising, she really did enjoy taking them under her wing. She had never experienced life with people her own age, but it was nice. It was… joyful.
At least she assumed the students were her age; despite her own questions and Seteth’s nagging Jeralt had still not provided a clear answer as to exactly how old she was. Oh well, it really didn’t matter when she had never felt this peace before.
Peace that lasted up until she spoke to Edelgard, when the girl mentioned that it was common for students of other classes to ask and to be asked to transfer houses. Byleth was not sure if the house leader had said that to try to get her to recruit someone in particular or just anyone. Of course, it was also possible that the girl was trying to hint to her to try to encourage a student in her own house to transfer. She never did seem to get along with Ferdinand…
But Byleth was fond of all her Eagles, so they would just have to learn to live with each other.
Still Byleth was troubled by the thought that Edelgard was trying to get her to do something, when she was not quite sure what that might be. She had never really cared much about what people other than her father had wanted from her and Jeralt had always been a blunt man, so she was unused to navigating these complicated social expectations.
“You really don’t know how to act a human at all do you?” a melodic voice behind her rang out giggling. Laughing at her.
Byleth jumped at the voice of the green-haired gremlin that had recently transitioned from haunting her dreams into haunting her waking hours. Said Gremlin narrowed her eyes.
“Stop thinking of me as some sort of monster! Was it not you who introduced herself to me as a demon when we first met!”
That was the other thing disturbing her newfound peace at Garreg Mach.
“You keep complaining, but without me you would be dead, never having found this peace you keep thinking of! And besides, I am trying to help you decipher the meaning behind that message the girl gave you.”
Why would you help me?
Sothis harrumphed, “It is quite boring to watch as life around use moves on, unable to interact in anyway except to advise a fool.”
Byleth decided not to argue and paused to let her go ahead.
“Don’t you remember what Seteth and Rhea told you about interclass competitions? She obviously wants you to recruit some of the stronger students in the other classes. By recruiting them you increase your own house’s power while making the others more vulnerable."
I see now. I can appreciate her strategy.
Byleth resolved to recruit the students she had deemed potential threats during the mock battle. But first she would need to return to her room to check her roster, because she had not actually cared to memorize the names of any of the students outside of her class other than the house leaders. But they were off limits… weren't they?
“Obviously! I can’t believe they made you a teacher. They lead the other houses. How would they do that from in your house!”
Byleth went back to ignoring the gremlin.
Byleth had put together a list of students that she thought would be assets to the class, covering weak points or just being strong units. Now it all was left was to approach them.
"Join me for some training sometime. I'm interested in your sword technique. I might like to become your student someday. But not today."
"Hi, Professor. Did you need something? I've actually got plans, so let's talk some other time."
"Yes? I'm actually very busy right now. If you're here to ask a favor, please ask someone else."
"Hey. I hope we get a chance to practice together, when you find the time. I know I'm in a different class, but you're the only other person here who's learned from Captain Jeralt."
It had not gone well. It seemed as if most the students she had asked had not even realized she was inviting them to her class. This interaction thing could actually be quite frustrating. She just needed to regroup and restrategize. That interhouse thing was months away, plenty of time to win over some more students. She simply had to understand what they wanted- what drove them. And perhaps also increase her charm.
For several days now Byleth had been sensing some sort of presence following her. And not the one that was stuck in her head. She wondered what it could be. Surely, there could be no malevolent force that would seek to attack her in the monastery. Not that attacking her was the smartest move one could make outside it either.
Since she sensed no true malevolence, she tried to ignore it for a while. It was likely just Hubert trying to intimidate her somehow or spying to find out her true loyalties, but she dismissed that fairly quickly after keeping her eye on him for the day. She still felt it even when she knew she had sent him to guard duty as revenge for threatening her the first time.
She resolved to get to the bottom of it. Such an unknown could not be allowed to move about the monastery so freely. She decided to track down the Presence one day. It had been a while since she had last needed to utilize the tracking and deception training she had practiced as a mercenary. Still, her skills were far sharper than most.
She walked toward the Black Eagle’s classroom with some papers she had been meaning to grade, a simple enough cover that was rooted in truth. As she walked she could feel the Presence following her, finding her in the crowded dining hall.
Good- they had taken the bait.
She continued her walk toward her classroom, needing to trap them. She began a battle of wills, attempting to tire the Presence out before she confronted it. She might be able to ask the Presence to reveal themselves but it was just as likely to spook them. And it was more fun this way.
After about an hour passed still feeling the Presence, Byleth made her move. She started out at her normal relaxed pace giving them time to move but quickly sped up to catch them. Soon it became a bit of a chase, but she was the master here.
She had cornered the Presence just past the knight’s hall, overlooking some park.
Her trap had led her to a panting Sylvain, leaning up against the monastery walls looking just a bit too casual to be authentic. Feeling her presence he tried to recover.The redhead looked up at her, wiped the sweat off of his brow and attempted to put on a charming smile.
“Hey, Professor. Pretty great timing. I want to ask you something. I'd like to be in your class, if that's possible. I've been thinking maybe I oughta get serious about studying.”
Byleth had been avoiding him. She had specifically neglected to ask Sylvain to join her class, despite his battle prowess. She had not thought that he would get along with many of the students in the Black Eagles. But it seemed that the Garreg Mach rumor mill had informed him and the rest of the monastery that she was recruiting people.
Well trying to anyway. No one had actually said yes.
She was desperate.
“I bet he gets that a lot.”
Not the time, Sothis.
She had yet to find any student who had agreed to transfer into her class. But Sylvain… he looked at so many of the girls with hungry eyes. But Edelgard had entrusted her with this mission. And she had seen that the boy was skilled with a lance. Plus, he did seem integral to the fabric of the Blue Lions- it would work to weaken the other class.
And she knew her Black Eagles were strong. She could see it in them even if they couldn’t.
And maybe a shakeup was what they needed anyway. It had been a few months and her students were still not acting as a cohesive unit. Something had to give.
She gritted her teeth. Not that Sylvain could tell. She had mastered the poker face long ago. It happened when you were raised by gambling, traveling mercs.
She nodded.
“Wow, very decisive. I like it. I'll be there on time and in the front row and everything. You'll never have a better student.”
Byleth highly doubted that.
And Sothis laughed.
“We’ll be working on your stealth. And your stamina while you're off your horse.”
Sylvain grinned, “My stamina, huh-“
Byleth cut him off with a blank stare that somehow managed to convey all the meaning of a fearsome glare.
Sylvain paled and it was Byleth’s turn for a small grin. Well, her lips twitched anyway.
Byleth went to make the announcement to the class. News of Sylvain’s pending arrival did not seem to get much of a positive reception.
Bernadetta seemed terrified, and while it wasn't good it had been entirely expected. Similarly, Linhardt seemed bored, as if he would rather not have heard at all and was already well on his way to forget it.
Dorothea appeared to have tasted something rotten.
Ferdinand looked simply befuddled.
Petra seemed apathetic at best.
Hubert did not look pleased by this information.
"Slightly murderous is more apt." Sothis supplied helpfully.
She had not expected him to warm to any potential rivals coming into contact with his lady this early on, so Byleth was mostly unconcerned. She did note, however, to keep an eye on Sylvain's meals for awhile.
Edelgard herself… she looked stiff holding herself as still as possible as to not reveal her personal opinions on the matter. But Byleth still could tell that she looked defensive, not ready to trust this stranger into her nest.
At least Caspar seemed pleased with the new addition, practically vibrating with excitement.
Byleth noted the concerns of her class, but she and Sothis found solace in the fact that she was the instructor. They would just have to learn to get along, to push each other to be their bests.
She still wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do but she would find out eventually.
It would be an interesting year.