Chapter Text
The Sunday weather was wonderfully warm and sunny. Not a single cloud in the sky, not a sign of Verdant Rain Moon storms in the distance. A perfect day to spend fishing, or reading outside. Or just lying in the grass soaking in the sun.
But of course such ideas failed to occur to the Professor, as Linhardt would already know by now. His tireless demeanor craved action. Training. Work.
So even on such a wonderful day they would gather after an early breakfast, check their weapons, and set out, convoy and all, to their current destination.
Professor, collected and serious as ever, was giving the briefing for today's goals. This intensity of his was actually quite charming in its own way, but right now Linhardt just felt mildly exhausted.
- First there have been sightings of rebel groups moving towards the bridge to the next town. Next, we have poachers in the woods to the east from there. And then if we can make it, we need to check if Seiros knights clearing the village from the bandits need help with that. Also...
The young mage stifled a yawn and looked longingly at the sky.
Apparently, half of those things could be taken care of by the monastery troops. All of them, possibly. But the Professor never missed an opportunity for field training, so all this hustle was just that. Training. Training to fight and kill.
How depressing.
- Any questions? Feel free to come and ask. No, Hilda, you cannot cheer on everyone from the sidelines, you need to practice too. Ah, that's a good idea, Claude, we should see if it will be possible to scout the area first. Do you think you and Ignatz could do that? Thank you, Leonie, this is a good opportunity to test those new bowstrings. Rafael, there should be enough bread and meat in the convoy for lunch AND dinner, but we will have to eat on the go…
And so on.
- Professor?
The young mercenary fell in step with him.
- Yes, Linhardt?
- Can I read instead of helping on the battlefield?
- No, - an instant answer came. Then the mercenary gave him a more attentive look. - Or are you not feeling well?
- No, I'm quite alright, I think. Just, - he yawned again - sleepy.
- Then maybe some active training will help with that? - Byleth's voice was soft, perhaps with a hint of a smile that rarely, if ever, showed on his always neutral face. But still, the mage could see that the decision was final.
- Accepted, Professor, - he responded.
He found that attractive in fact, this quiet authority of their young teacher. He just made up his mind and followed through with what decision he made. And not just with his students - he held with composure when speaking to teachers and Knights, and, as Linhardt heard from students back in his old class, even with Rhea herself... Fascinating. Part of why Linhardt in the end felt tempted to join Professor's class. He was... Not like the other people. That certainly piqued his interest.
But sometimes that meant putting in extra effort, when the Professor decided that field training was in order...
- May I speak with you, Professor? - Asked a voice from behind, and Linhardt caught sight of Lorenz riding up to them. He went on ahead, not particularly interested in the conversation.
- If I may suggest, Professor, that I change the focus of my practice for the day, because I, Lorenz Hellman Gloucester, future leader of the Alliance, want to exceed in everything! As I judge, my jousting skills are quite adequate and mere bandits cannot provide a sufficient challenge. Thus I request that you let me focus on my Reason skills instead. Would that be acceptable?
Oh, someone is eager… The mage always rolled his eyes a little each time the flamboyant young noble opened his mouth. Not even magic skills made him more tolerable.
Professor seemed glad though.
- That's a good idea, Lorenz. Let's see how much you can improve your magic during today's missions.
And so they did. And went alright at first. Linhardt was moving around in the rearguard, diligently, if not happily applying healing magic to the wounded and sending an occasional Cutting Gale when the enemies closed in on the flank. He preferred the swift wind spells - if he had to kill, it better be done clean and fast and while keeping a safe distance, he always thought.
Byleth always praised his magic skills too...
The first of the missions was over in a flash. After the last of the rebels were surrounded and taken care of, the class gathered for a quick rest before moving on to the next location.
The young mage was sitting a bit away from the main group, melancholically chewing on a piece of bread with jam and looking at the trees rustling in the wind. When the Professor spoke to him, he looked up and saw the young mercenary and Marianne approaching. Marianne looked mildly troubled - as she pretty much always did.
- Linhardt, Marianne. Lorenz has suggested a good idea earlier, and for the next mission I want you two to practice new skills as well. Namely, the lance.
The lance.
The lance?!
- Professor, I... Why would I do such a thing? - he asked, taken aback by the whole idea.
- Because expanding your abilities can be useful on the battlefield. Besides, the master-class certifications may require additional skills...
Battlefield...
The mage looked at Marianne for support. Marianne looked at her boots.
- I don't think that's a good idea, Professor, - He said sincerely. - I am not sure I will be any good in close combat...
- I know, Linhardt, and that's exactly why I want you to train today. These missions set against mostly poorly armed and poorly organized groups of rogues are a good opportunity to learn. To be ready to survive a real battle.
He swallowed and said nothing.
- Marianne? - Asked Professor, turning to the girl.
- Oh? Me..? - she murmured, looking at the teacher worriedly, as if startled by the fact he was speaking to her at all. That’s what she was, a worrier.
- How are you with a spear?
- I have only ever trained with a sword. Just a little...
- Can you practice with the spear today?
- I don't want to get in the way of everyone with my clumsy skills...
Linhardt perked for a second.
- ...but if I must.
So much for his hopes.
- Great, - their teacher noded. - Would you ask Leonie if she can find you two a couple of spare spears?
The girl went off. Linhardt put away the half-finished jam sandwich. The whole idea made him queasy.
- It will be fine, Lin, - Professor said. The mage didn't look at him.
- If you don't want to go to the front lines, you can come as my adjutant. Practice your thrusts as I cover for you. What do you think? Will that be better?
He took a breath.
- I suppose.... - he said finally. - I suppose I can.
- Good, - nodded Byleth. Not quite a smile, but he looked pleased. Linhardt nodded a little in response. Took the offered hand to get to his feet.
While they were preparing for the next battle - surrounding the area of the forest where there was supposed to be the poachers' camp - Leonie came to him with two spears.
- Linhardt? I couldn't find Marianne. Professor said to give these to you two, so here you go, - the redhead pushed the spears into his hands.
- Thanks, - he said in a numb voice. He almost dropped them at first, as she let go, but she caught them up and propped them firmly against the ground. They felt longer and more unwieldy from up close.
- Watch how you hold it, okay? - she sighed. - It's not a staff, you use two hands and hold here and here, so that it's balanced, see? - she waved her own, tilting it back and forth. He didn't feel like he would be able to repeat that.
- I will show them, thank you, Leonie, - that was the Professor's voice. He and Marianne were coming up.
The mercenary took the weapons and picked the iron-reinforced one to give it to the priestess, then turned to offer the second to Linhardt. The mage reluctantly closed his hand on the worn wooden shaft. Just follow Byleth's lead, that should be doable.
The battle against the band of poachers took a while - mostly because they had to get through the thicket. Linhardt did his best to keep up with Byleth, and, true to his word, the mercenary kept them both safe. He'd let the mage make a thrust from a distance, but sliced down those bandits who came too close. He also took time to explain some of the spear-wielding tips and correct his grip on it, so by the end of the mission Linhardt could say that he had definitely improved somewhat. Not a total waste. Learning under Byleth was somehow easier, even with this.
Yet, just as he thought this was not as bad, for the next mission the Professor requested that he try going on his own.
He really shouldn't have agreed to that...