Chapter Text
Garreg Mach
Great Tree Moon 1180
The students of the Officer’s Academy rush indoors, seeking shelter against the strong tempest winds brewing outside. In many ways, the rainy storms remind Petra of the oceans near her island- beautiful from a distance, but dangerous and powerful if unprepared.
Sadly, it gives her little opportunity to train. She taps her quill restlessly against her journal. Waiting around in the reception hall with the other students is not productive.
Perhaps time is better spend in the library, building her knowledge on Fódlan. Professor Manuela did encourage her to study up on offensive magic as a means of better increasing her resistance against powerful spells. She rises from her seat and heads towards the stairs.
As she walks down the monastery hallways, the architecture catches her attention. She is still a new student at the monastery and it fascinates her how buildings can vary so wildly. The monastery is massive, utilizing rigid stone and brick to create a grand impression of power- a way of showing off the Goddess’ presence on the land. Truthfully, Petra has limited knowledge of the Fódlan Goddess; her people have always given the nature spirits their blessings.
Yet there is a warmth in this beloved place, one she cannot explain. Strangely comforting and empowering, more so than House Gareth; it gives her a greater sense of space and freedom.
In Brigid, homes are built more for warmth and flexibility, with the focus on a comfortable space for a family meal and an inviting fire. To sleep on a comfortable mat next to the warm sand and to hear the ocean. To speak her language and know that she is understood.
Smiling faces and proud eyes… how many years have passed since she last had the chance to visit a home in Brigid? Her heart aches for those days.
As she passes through the hall, she spots a few classmates from the Black Eagle House. They greet her politely enough, but she catches the hint of dread in their eyes. As she walks away, her sharp eyes catch her classmates whispering behind her. Such chatter is common among the Adrestian students- seeing a princess from Brigid must put them at ill-ease.
With the exception of a few close classmates and Lady Edelgard, most of the Black Eagles dislike her. They lack the courage to tell her directly, but she knows that they dislike her. Petra cannot blame them- the history of the Empire and Brigid hold bad blood, yet such behavior is odd. In this country, the people greet you with a warm smile and pleasantries but underneath, they hide much deception and cruelty. They claim to want peace, yet dedicate their resources in warfare. They express gratitude, but then they steal from those beneath them. It is most strange.
She enters the library, full of diligent students, and much to her surprise, she finds a familiar classmate inside, studying away at his pile of books. The dark figure hunches over his text, like a large bat, glaringly reading the material and deep in thought. Petra approaches her gloomy classmate.
“Greetings Hubert.”
Her classmate’s glare softens as he looks up at her, “Ah, good afternoon Petra. Did you come here to study? How diligent.”
A quick glance at his textbook and Petra realizes the book holds information on poisons. She spies a familiar plant- the deadly nightshade that grows on the western shores of Brigid, but Hubert shuts his book before she can ask about his studies.
Hubert has much interest in spying and sabotage; an interest in poisons is not surprising. It is one of the few topics he shows open interest in, aside from Lady Edelgard. Petra muses that he would have much skill as an assassin, even if his strength is rather low.
He turns his attention to another book and Petra goes to search for a magic text. Withered, dusty textbooks line the shelves, filled with enlightening knowledge dating back centuries. Brigid carries some historical texts, but much of their history is stored orally. Perhaps when she returns, she’ll find help with expanding her people’s archives. She finds her book and takes a seat.
She opens the textbook and she discovers, to her dismay, the mathematical formulas written within. Magical powers within Fódlan are said to come from the Goddess, yet it baffles Petra to see so much mathematics incorporated. She carries basic math notes within her school bag and she forages for her small, brown notebook. As she looks over her notes, she catches a shadow looming over her.
“Petra, are you struggling with the mathematics portion?” Hubert replies, puzzling Petra. Hubert’s voice is menacing, but his tone is gentle. A rarity.
“How did you know I was having trouble?”
He gives a dark chuckle. “Your expression. You glare at complex problems, much like how a hunter stalks down troublesome prey. It was not difficult to discern.”
“Ah, so you were spying on me,” she states plainly. Is she odd to him, as well? “I did not know I was of much interest to you, Hubert.”
“Please. I spy on everyone,” he replies bluntly. “Our classmates and the professors especially. Never know who’s sitting in the shadows plotting against Lady Edelgard. I must evaluate her future allies as well as her future enemies, so it’s best to keep tabs on everyone.”
Petra nods, impressed with his honesty. She knows he is plotting, but he makes no effort to hide his intentions, nor to hide his true nature. His honesty sets him apart from the other Adrestian students.
It is- how does one put it? A breath of fresh air? I believe that’s the expression, but it makes no sense. Air is always fresh.
“I am having understanding. Assassins creep in the shadows, so it is wise to be cautious of all suspicious people,” Petra confirms. Hubert’s loyalty to Lady Edelgard is second to none. Still, she did not realize that all her classmates qualified as “suspicious”.
“I can assist you Petra, if you’d like. I’m quite skilled with these types of magical formulas after all, and the textbook is uncompromising for beginners.”
Petra hesitates. She is not one to ask for help outside of her language skills; vulnerabilities place unwanted debts on one’s honor and they open oneself up for potential attacks. Often times, the lender wants something of value in return. Her time in Fódlan has taught her to build caution such gestures.
Yet, she will be wasting countless hours attempting the material on her own. “Can I be asking why it is you are wishing to help me, Hubert?”
He smirks. “I think it would be obvious, Petra. It’s because you’re the only member of the Black Eagles that I respect here. Honestly, I wish a little of you would influence our classmates. The regular students from noble families are out socializing, currying favors and future political ties, while they let their knowledge and battle skills rot. Their mediocre skills will leave them doomed to fade into the background.
“Meanwhile, the talented students lack focus. Dorothea and Ferdinand are likely among the common students, hoping to boost their popularity. Linhardt and Bernadetta are probably hiding in their rooms, sleeping the day away. As for Caspar, hmm… I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s out training in this rain. He’ll probably end up in the infirmary tomorrow with a cold, assuming he doesn’t fall and grievously injure himself.
“Kidding, of course,” he quickly adds, covering his dark sense of humor. “Regardless, classmates should help one another. I’d like to help you.”
Petra nods, granting him permission to sit alongside her. He pulls out a dusty, old magic primer and uses it as a reference for her. As he breaks down the formulas, she cannot help but notice that he left Lady Edelgard off from his assessment of their classmates.
She knows he has much admiration for her; he’d never criticize her, yet he did not say if Lady Edelgard was training or studying. Perhaps she is attending to important Empire business today? How strange.
Nevertheless, Hubert is a big help. He explains these complex numbers with such ease- it’s astonishing! But most astonishing of all is his patience.
Her initial view of Hubert was that of a man who placed a lot of focus planning the outcome of his interactions, both social and on the battlefield. A man who had no use for frivolities. Yet here he is, indulging her studies and helping her with magic; a side of himself she has never seen.
As the hours pass, Petra develops a better understanding of the spell basics. She will need to take the opportunity to train first, but she should be able to build a better protective barrier around herself with this magical knowledge. She wraps up her notes and Hubert passes his primer to her.
“Here, take this,” he orders with a firm voice. “Use it as a reference.”
She tilts her head. “What? But this is yours, is it not?”
“It is, but the book’s decrepit,” he explains, frustrated with having to provide an explanation. “I have no further use for it. I’ve memorized all the formulas inside already. It should go to someone fresh, someone who’d utilize the knowledge inside.”
Petra shakes her head, her braids jangling against her bag. “No, I cannot be taking this.”
“Take it,” he repeats, his tone softening. His brow rises, loosening his glare. “Like I said, you’re the only classmate in here today that I respect. Magic spells are always a boon to a soldier’s skill base. If a mere book can assist you with that growth, I am more than happy to oblige. Why with a couple lessons, your magic skills could soon rival Lady Edelgard’s.”
For some reason that comparison stings, yet she sees no reason to turn him down. She bows. “I see… Thank you, Hubert. I will be practicing diligently.”
He chuckles. “There’s no need for all those formalities. Get stronger, Petra. That will be reward enough.”
He rises, gathering up his supplies. This whole time, Hubert set aside his personal studies to help her with her magic. Such favors are not given out so freely and yet…
Hubert was pleasant this evening, firm but encouraging. One would not think so, given his grim, sinister aura, yet Petra very much liked the pleasant Hubert. Perhaps she can be seeing more of him in the future.