Hello all! Didn't expect I would write a Three Houses story so soon but I honestly couldn't wait, I'm not even done with my Awakening one but Bernadetta is just too amazing. I needed more of her and with a lack of stories featuring her I thought I would take a crack at my own. Honestly throughout my first playthrough I just felt my brain screaming at me to write something, there is so much to work with! So many possibilities! This game is absolutely fantastic. Her supports with Byleth leave something to be desired. So here is a little teaser/intro to my story focusing on Byleth and Bernadetta, I really wanted to see what people think. I hope you all enjoy!

No more. Please, no more.

The deafening scream of bells roared through the air.

I can't move, I can't think. I just can't…

A relentless force crept onward, threatening the fragile peace.

Why, why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this?

A lone girl cowered, fear gripped her mind as she waited for the inevitable.

I don't want this all to end. I wanted it to stay like this, if at least for just a bit longer...

It was over, her quiet life was done for, everything was beginning to crumble.

I don't… I don't …

Tears sprawled down the girls face. How had it come to this?

I don't want to wake up!

Bernadetta screamed beneath her blankets. The cold morning breeze began to break through her fortress of warmth she had spent so long preserving.

The monastery bells were chiming. A signal that students should begin their preparations for class, but for Bernadetta, it was nothing more than a painful reminder of the dark times that lay ahead.

Moments ago she had been soundly asleep and worry free, but the bells jolting her awake had ruined that for her. It's not that she really enjoyed sleeping, like Lindhardt did, but sleeping meant she could be all alone in her room. Not a single soul to bother her while she basked in the company of fluffy pillows and soft stuffed animals. Waking up on the other hand, meant the opposite.

Waking up meant getting ready, it meant trying to brush her hair that never seemed to sit correctly, it meant having to leave the comforting protection of her room, and worst of all, it meant she had to go to school. She shivered at the very thought. How could she go to school! People were at school! People! That was something she absolutely could not deal with. It was against everything she stood for! Walking around the bustling monastery as she received glares from students in all directions. Sitting in a classroom as others watched and judged her every movement. Being called on in class only to answer incorrectly as everybody laughed at her failure. No… no… no! She could not deal with that!

She had been kidnapped! Forced into a bag and taken from the comforts of her home! Now she was just expected to become a student at the Officers Academy?! She never had friends, rarely interacted with others, and nearly fainted at the idea of being around so many people. Was she supposed to just fit in with all the others who were actually here of their own free will? No, absolutely not!

Then something in her mind clicked. It would be much nicer to stay in her warm bed and never leave. She didn't really need to go to class after all, right?

Great idea Bernie! Why didn't you think of this before!

All she had to do was flutter back to sleep and she wouldn't have to go outside. No outside, no people. It really was that simple! She softly laughed in triumph as she shut her eyes again and waited to return to peace.

But it seemed fate would not be that kind to her.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Eeep!"

A sudden knocking on her door was enough to send her spiraling into a panic and she tumbled onto the floor tangled in her blankets.

"Wha-wha-wha-hah… who's there!" She peeped.

After a brief moment of silence, someone spoke through the door.

"It's Byleth, are you alright?"

Bernadetta's eyes widened in terror. "Professor!?" She squealed.

What was he doing here of all people. She was just a poor, weak little girl. What could he possibly want with her. Unless? Bernadetta was overcome with shock at her sudden realization. He knew what she was trying to do and was furious! The new professor was a mercenary not too long ago. She had just angered a bloodthirsty mercenary! Surely soon he was going to break down the door, take out his sword and…and...

"Eeeek! I'm sorry Professor! I wasn't trying to skip class honest! P-p-please don't kill meeee!" She cried.

Byleth stood silently outside the door in visible surprise. She sounded absolutely terrified. Perhaps he had just caught her off guard.

"I'm not going to kill you Bernadetta…" He finally spoke.

There was silence between the two for a few moments. Bernadetta was still trying to calm herself.

Eventually a barely audible reply came through the door. "Do you really mean it?"

"I mean it Bernadetta, sincerely."

Bernadetta sighed in relief. "Phew… I was really worried for a second there. I thought I was going to be mercenary mince meat!"

Byleth gave a slight frown at the mention of his past profession.

It was true. He had been a mercenary all his life. He knew not much else besides his way around the battlefield and skill with the blade. So when he was offered a teaching position from the archbishop it came as a shocking surprise. The deal was indeed enticing though, simply fighting and doing odd jobs everyday for a living left much to be desired. He didn't hate it of course, but a change of pace would be welcome. His father approved as well and so he had accepted. Yet now he found himself severely unprepared, much to his dismay. Not only was he no more than maybe a year or two older than his students, but he felt unable to effectively interact with them. Being a wandering mercenary hadn't left many opportunities to learn how to socialize. His childhood had been filled with lessons on combat rather than etiquette. His prowess in battle as well as his apparent lack of emotion lead even those around him to call him the "Ahsen Demon", a title he was not exactly fond of.

It wasn't that he lacked emotions, he just lacked the ability to properly show them. When he spoke it was concise and to the point, avoiding any kind of idle chatter. So when it came to talking with his students, or anyone rather, his conduct was seen as unnatural. Because of this, he seldom spoke, opting to let others do most of the talking.

However in this situation, he felt the need to voice his concerns. Practice makes perfect after all. A proverb he had overheard Manuela saying. He cleared his throat. As odd as it was, he was now an educator, and he had certain obligations to fill.

"I've noticed that everyone else has already left for breakfast and that your door was the only one left to remain closed."

No response.

Blyeth continued. "I understand that you have a tendency to stay in your room, while I wish to respect your wishes and your space, it is my duty as a teacher to ensure that you will come to class. As this is the first week of instruction, your attendance will be crucial."

Bernadetta began to panic again as his words forced her original thoughts back in her mind. HE WAS ON TO HER! Oh no! He knew she might ditch and now he was going to berate her! This was horrible, horrible! Just what she needed, to catch the attention of the new professor and get on his bad side the first week of school!

Calm down Bernie, you can get out of this. Say something…anything!

"Yes…"

No! Not that!

"Yes?" Questioned Byleth.

"Yes…" Bernadetta repeated.

Aghhh! Stupid Bernie! You can't do anything right! Now he's really gonna be mad.

"Is everything alright in there?" Byleth asked.

"Everything is fine! Fine! Why wouldn't everything be fine?! No problems here Professor! You don't need to barge in here or anything of the sort no sir!" Bernadetta frantically responded.

"..."

"Ha… ha… ha…" A weak laugh escaped The young girl's lips.

"Well I'm glad to hear it. So I can expect to see you in class?"

"Oh of course! Why wouldn't I go to class?! Me, not go to class? No way! Bernie is ready to learn! No need to threaten her or physically drag her into the classroom! None at all!"

"Right… Well please see to it that you get ready, classes start in less than 15 minutes."

Byleth walked off leaving behind a very disheveled Bernadetta still sitting on the floor of her room.

"I did it… I actually did it! I survived!" Bernadetta sighed with relief.

I was so scared! I thought for sure he would kick down my door and strangle me!

Bernadetta continued to sit on the floor in her blankets until she recalled what exactly their conversation entailed.

OH NO! I said I would go to class! Why did I say that?! I can't go to class!

Bernadetta pushed her face into the cloth she sat on and began kicking the ground. Nothing would make her leave the room. She was not about to go be around people after all! She wouldn't go! Even if it would be the death of her!

The death of her?

She swallowed hard as those words entered her thoughts. Images of a black clad professor driving a blade through her small frame flashed into her mind.

NOOOOO! I don't want to die! He's really going to kill me if I don't show up! I have to go!

She jumped off the floor, and quickly began to dress in her school uniform as if her life depended on it, and in her mind, it did. She had to go to class, or the professor was going to kill her.

Bernadetta, age seventeen, had been utterly defeated by an oblivious professor.

"My life is over!" She cried as she burst out the door and sprinted towards the classrooms, barely clinging on to her book bag.

Bernadetta's academy days had just begun.

An apathetic mercenary who never found a calling in life. A timid recluse whose entire world was confined within a few walls. These two individuals should not have held any significance in the worlds vast history. Yet somehow, brief words through a closed door would go on to change the very course of all of Fódlan, and it all began with a simple knock.

Please tell me what you think and if you would like this story to be continued! Nothing makes me happier than seeing a review, so if you could take the time to write even just a few words, I would appreciate that so much! It helps me see if I'm actually doing anything right and where I could improve. I play the game in Japanese so when I simulate the characters voices in my head its their Japanese one. This is why I had her refer to Byleth as "sensei" when she is speaking, because personally I think it sounds better. If that doesn't seem to work well then don't be afraid to tell me, I can always change it back to just professor. Until next time!

-Arcale

Edit: Changed back to professor. People say "sensei" is out of place, which to be honest, it is. Peace!