Chapter #3Dedicated to the Job by: Ponymon   (Post Chapter 4, very minor spoilers.)
“I knew that coming back here was a bad idea! I should never have agreed to this!” Jeralt threw his hands in the air, the strong reaction surprising everyone present.. “I thought something strange was going to happen while we were here, but I did not guess that it would involve my son being reduced to a size smaller than a doll.”
“Oh my.” Byleth heard Sothis’ voice in the back of his mind. “I have never seen your father so upset. I assumed he was the type to not let anything get to him. Though I suppose I cannot blame him, this is certainly a strange predicament you’ve found yourself in.”
Byleth simply nodded, just as surprised as Sothis was about both his father and new size. He hadn’t expected this to happen to him after his latest mission. He and his class were able to see through a mysterious group’s threat of assassinating the archbishop and find them raiding the Holy Mausoleum. They managed to rout the thieves, yet the last one managed to open one of the tombs and steal the artifact inside.
Fortunately Byleth was able to reclaim the artifact and use it to defeat the thief, though that was what apparently caused his new predicament. Last he remembered, he was having a conversation with his class’ leader before suddenly collapsing. When he woke, he was in Professor’s Manuela’s office stripped of his armor and the artifact. Now he was currently in the Archbishop’s office, standing on a table that had been brought in for him. The only people present were his father, Flayn, Seteth, Lady Rhea, and himself.
It was here that he learned the artifact he wielded was called the “Sword of the Creator”. It was apparently the weapon of Nemesis, a significant figure in Fodlan's history and leader of the original ten lords of Fodlan. It was apparently a very powerful artifact and, for now, it was determined that it had something to do with Byleth’s shrinking.
“Please calm yourself Sir Jeralt!” Flayn spoke before Rhea or Seteth. “We had no way of knowing something like this would happen, we do not want the professor to come to any harm.” She wanted to speak further, but a motion from Seteth caused her to go quiet.
Jeralt calmly shook his head at the girl. “I believe you. I don’t suspect anyone in the church having foul intent for my son, I am merely frustrated that this somehow happened under the church’s watch.” He didn't entirely believe the words himself, but Jeralt figured that no one currently in the room wanted to harm his son directly.
“I understand your frustration, Jeralt. If anything happened to Flayn I would be furious beyond reconciliation,” Seteth began, hoping his feelings for Flayn would resonate with Jeralt’s own, “But you must understand that the knights had to attend to Lady Rhea. If the assassination threat had been true, then not having every knight available present would’ve been too much of a risk.”
Jeralt let an exhausted sigh escape him as he rolled his neck, trying to relax. He knew that was the kind of answer he would get, but he was hoping the church would own up in some way or offer a solution. His attention was drawn to Rhea as she began speaking.
“Jeralt, what happened in the tombs that night is an unprecedented occurrence. It was thought that no one would be able to wield the Sword of the Creator again, yet your child was able to wield it.” She spoke with a sense of awe in her voice.
“And, apparently, because of that sword he’s smaller than the average doll. Two very strange things happened to my son happened last night.”
“Indeed. It is true that those without the proper crest are not supposed to be able to wield that crest’s weapon, but there have never been reports of side effects such as this.”
Byleth, figuring now would be a good time to interject, spoke, “So was I not compatible with the sword? I know for certain that I used it to strike down one of the thieves.”
“We have confirmed that you did wield the sword, though even those without crests can use artifacts for a time. Your students confirmed that for us. As for your reduced stature, professor Manuela was the one who saw that come to pass while you were in the infirmary."
“And where have you put the relic? Back inside of its tomb?”
“No, we deemed that unwise.” Rhea jumped into the conversation. “For now it is being kept in close proximity to me. We must have it on hand if we are to figure out what it has done to you. Professor Hanamen and Seteth have begun looking into it.”
Byleth nodded, though he doubted anyone could see it. “Fair enough. Just be careful, I would hate for this to happen to anyone else.” He paused for a moment before talking to Jeralt. “Father, just so you know, I do not regret my decision. The results were not perfectly ideal, but who knows what could have happened if I didn’t act.”
“My my, I do believe that’s the first I’ve heard you call Jeralt ‘father’. Feeling emotional?” Quipped Sothis.
“Ugh, I know you don’t.” Jeralt replied, fully expecting that from his son. “So what are we supposed to do now? Just wait for the church to find a cure?”
“No, I can’t just wait around.” Byleth spoke before anyone answered his father’s questions. “I will continue to teach my students. I can’t do anything physical, but I can always impart knowledge.”
Everyone present looked at Byleth with a shocked expression, except for Jeralt whose face was buried into his hand. “I knew you’d say that.” Jeralt had noticed since Byleth first became a professor that he’d changed. For some reason the kids really resonated with him, they were very special to Byleth. Not even his current ridiculous predicament would keep him away from them.
“Are you daft!? Do you understand how fragile you are now!? These students of yours cannot be worth the dangers teaching them would entail!” Sothis shouted, the sound of her voice very forward in Byleth's head now.
“I am well aware of my fragility, but I cannot abandon my students! If you were listening, you would’ve heard I have no plans to engage in anything physical. I will simply give the lectures. My students are fully capable of handling the other tasks.”
Unaware of the conversation Byleth was having, Seteth and Rhea discussed his request between themselves. Flayn silently pouted beside them, well aware that she had no say in the matter. Hearing Byleth’s eager request only made her desire for a life among the students grow stronger.
The two took quite a bit of time to debate. Though everyone present knew that Rhea would get some version of whatever she wanted. The two eventually stopped discussing and separated. Clearing his throat, Seteth spoke. “Very well. We will allow you to continue to lecture your students. As you said, you must avoid any physical training with your students; even magic or archery. You will be required to have an escort with you at all times as well. We will provide you with one, assuming you do not find one for yourself.”
“And will I be considered for the position?” Jeralt asked.
A shake of the head was Seteth’s reply. “You will not. You are the acting captain of the knights of Seiros. You would not be able to watch Byleth at all times.”
Jeralt shrugged his shoulders. “I figured that would be the case. I can’t complain I suppose, I barely had time to look out for the boy when he was normal size since I got here.”
Understanding that his request had been granted, Byleth bowed slightly. “Thank you for allowing me to keep up my lectures. I haven’t been here very long, but I feel a connection with my students that I couldn’t leave unattended.”
Rhea nodded, a caring smile on her face. “I understand. You have grown quite close with your students in a short time. Just be careful, you are an important member of the faculty and we cannot lose you.”
“Of course, I will choose my escort well. Now… I will need help to get to my classroom. Class should be beginning soon unless I misjudged the time of day.”
Flayn was going to volunteer for the task, but was interrupted by Jeralt. “I’ll drop him off. I’m sure the other professors are setting up for their classes, I wanted to speak to them about him.” Flayn sadly put her hands behind her back, trying not to look too disappointed.
Wordlessly, Jeralt placed a hand near his shrunken son, knowing he would know what to do. Byleth quickly thanked Rhea, Seteth, and Flayn for their time and climbed onto his father’s hand. He was quickly moved to Jeralt’s shoulder and he took a moment to get his footings. Once he was sure they were ready, Jeralt left the room, sparing no words for Rhea or Seteth. “You know, I did miss the days when you rode on my shoulders.” Jeralt’s voice could be heard outside of the office, “But I never figured it would happen again, especially like this.”
Thankfully the trip to Byleth’s classroom was uneventful, not a soul stopped to bother Jeralt about anything. And apparently no one noticed the shrunken professor. Before either knew it, Jeralt and Byleth arrived in his classroom. For now, all Byleth had to focus on was teaching his class.
Which class did Byleth have to teach?  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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