"You can wield the Sword of the Creator...You shouldn't be able to do that. What other mysteries do you hold, Teach?"
Byleth winced at the words. She had finally started getting comfortable to Claude's presence, and he had done the same. The two had paired up to search for Flayn, and Byleth had felt a warm feeling in her chest as he grabbed her hand, leading her around. Now, things were back to how they were when they first met. He seemed more distant, as if the knowledge that she could use the sword changed how he felt about her.
"I don't know."
"That was a sword used by Nemesis," Claude pondered, a glint in his emerald eyes. "You have the Crest of Flames...It explains why you're so absurdly powerful. I'm glad you're on our side, Teach."
"Right," Byleth said absentmindedly. She hadn't seen him fake a smile near her in awhile, but now his superficiality was back.
Byleth didn't like being treated like this.
Are your feelings hurt by a boy? Sothis mocked inside of her head.
Yeah, a little bit, Byleth bitterly admitted. Her response must have surprised Sothis as the Goddess went quiet.
This is my chance to accomplish my goal, Claude told himself. Still, he felt uneasy transferring back to his old ways. He'd started getting closer to the Professor, but now that she wielded such power, he couldn't afford such emotions. Fòdlan must be unified, and she has the power to help solve my goals. She's just another tool that I can use.
Tool.
Claude didn't like using that term for her, but he knew he needed to steel his resolve. Lifted from his scrambling thoughts, Claude sighed and glanced over to his Professor.
"I'll see you around, Teach. See if you can find a way for me to use that sword," Claude joked, but it fell flat between the two of them. If I could have used that sword, this would have been six times easier. Instead, I have to do this...
"You'll hurt yourself if you try. Bye, Claude."
"Bye, Teach."
———
Things hadn't been the same ever since Claude had seen her wield her Sword of the Creator.
In fact, things kind of sucked. When the time came to head to Remire Village, Byleth glumly nodded and turned to head towards her father's room.
Maybe he could help soothe her feelings. Of course she wouldn't tell him anything, but she was sure he could at least cheer her up.
She knocked on his door, and he told her to come in. Stepping in the room, Jeralt's eyes widened at the sight of her.
"Kid, I haven't seen you look so glum before. What happened?"
"How did you know?" Byleth asked, confused that he had known something was wrong without her even saying it.
"You're pale as a ghost, and your eyes are downcast," Jeralt told her. "Come on, kid, I'm your father. Of course I know. Now what's going on? Is it about Remire?"
Well, now that she was here, Byleth felt incredibly stupid. What could he say that could make it better?
Why did it even bother her so much that Claude had backed away? Was it because he was just the house leader, or was it because he'd been the only one to really treat her like a person?
"...This sword," Byleth sighed, not wanting to explain the circumstances completely. "Has made my students wary of me. None of them trust me again."
Well, that wasn't particularly true. Raphael just told her it was cool, Sylvain could care less, Leonie cheered her on, and Ignatz was too kind to be scared of his professor. The others were (rightfully) suspicious.
But that didn't mean Byleth's feelings weren't hurt.
"They'll get over it," He said gruffly, ruffling Byleth's hair. "If they don't, I'll find them and destroy those brats who made you upset."
"Please don't. They're still my students."
"Yeah, they are, so they shouldn't be treating you so awfully."
Byleth felt the sudden urge to defend her little Golden Deer. No one was allowed to speak badly about them, not even her own father.
"They are still kind to me," Byleth interrupted. "I doubt they realize."
"If they're kind to you, then they'll eventually forget about your superpowers. I wouldn't worry about it too much."
They all will, you're right, Byleth thought miserably. Except for Claude. Claude will never forget.
———
Even Edelgard was wary of her.
The Black Eagles house leader had been frequently approaching her, almost as much as Claude did. Byleth usually didn't mind, except now Edelgard's apprehension stung even more. She had started to like Edelgard about as much as she liked Claude, so both of them being cautious around her really hurt.
However, Edelgard took a slightly different approach. While Claude had backed off and picked up his superficiality again, Edelgard had only become more curious.
"Professor. I know we have discussed this many times, but that sword...that is the one the so called 'Hero King' used. It seems fitting that someone as impressive as you can wield it."
"It's only given me more trouble than it's worth," Byleth said blankly. She had started to revert back to her usual short and curt responses ever since Claude had distanced himself. She didn't notice Edelgard's blatant attempts to compliment her.
"Oh? How so?" Edelgard's brow furrowed in confusion, and Byleth didn't want to unload on the house leader. However, something inside of Byleth compelled her to spill; to let someone besides her father know the affect Claude's suspicion had on her.
"Everyone has treated me differently because of this. Rhea. Seteth. Claude."
Edelgard grimaced guilty as she knew Byleth had wanted to cite her own name. Clearing her throat, Edelgard thought she saw the problem.
"Perhaps they don't see your value-"
"No," Byleth interrupted. "All they see is my value."
"Ah...I see."
A silence passed between them again, and Edelgard proposed a new solution.
"Professor, it is because you are extremely powerful. To be wanted by so many people is a blessing."
"It's no blessing when Clau-uh...everyone treats me like a stranger," Byleth disagreed. Edelgard's eyes widened as Byleth specifically mentioned Claude again, and the Black Eagles house leader had an understanding look on her face.
"What?" Byleth snapped, sighing. "Sorry, I didn't mean to lash out-"
"I think I understand," Edelgard said, a look of wistfulness on her face. "You care for him deeply, and it hurts to be shunned. Am I correct?"
"...Yes," Byleth mumbled. "It's not just him, though. It's everyone."
"...Professor, I don't wish to rub it in," Edelgard shook her head. "But if you had chosen the Black Eagles, we wouldn't have shunned you whatsoever. I would have appreciated you better than Claude could ever."
"...The Golden Deer is where I belong," Byleth replied, still adamant on at least one thing. "I'm sorry, Edelgard. But even though I may feel frustrated right now, I'm aware that I belong here."
Edelgard forced a smile on her face.
"Perhaps. Now that you know you belong there, don't be afraid to tell any of them off. You deserve to be treated better than that."
I know that, Byleth thought. I could be treated right by the whole world, but it means nothing if he doesn't. Damn, why does he affect me like this?
You should just ignore him, Sothis sighed, and Byleth found her heart hardening.
I will. No one is ever going to hurt me like this again.