[hr][hr][center][h2]Eleventh Bell, 22nd Day of the Great tree Moon[/h2][/center][hr][indent]
The day of classes began without any event, much to the relief of the students and staff at Garreg Mach. Many were happy to put the terrible rumors of disappearances behind them and instead focused on themselves, the desire to return to normalcy exceeding most other emotions. At the very least, the mood was lifted among the majority. Lysander was all too happy to watch the students go about their day, even if his morning was filled with more paperwork than he would have liked. The letters from concerned parents had been addressed and replied in haste as per Ioannis' instruction. The clergy was informed, the guards were more aware, and Lysander himself approached the day with cautious optimism.

So of course when he was approached by a guard, he wasn't entirely surprised.

He frowned as he was approached, though it turned to actual surprise when Sirius intercepted the guard. He watched Sirius dismiss the guard and braced himself. [color=plum]"I don't suppose you're approaching me for a chat,"[/color] He said.

[color=olivedrab]"I'll have to make time for such a thing; I suppose you're beginning to resent my presence,"[/color] Sirius seemed to agree with Lysander's initial assumption, unraveling the scroll to read the letter. [color=olivedrab]"It would seem that the town of Magdred has reports of several groups traveling through Magdred Way only to never return."[/color]

If he recalled correctly, Magdred Way was a densely forested area whose fog made the trek through rather dangerous. [color=plum]"Near the Oghma Mountains, correct?"[/color] He asked, thinking to himself. [color=plum]"I don't suppose any scouts have gone to look?"[/color]

[color=olivedrab]"Our scouts have found nothing, which is precisely the problem,"[/color] Sirius replied. [color=olivedrab]"No people, no corpses...it is as if they have vanished."[/color]

Just like the missing student. Lysander remained quiet for a moment. [color=plum]"We should send Michail and his squad over,"[/color] He suggested.

[color=olivedrab]"I thought the same. However, the letter is accompanied by a plea for help from Magdred,"[/color] Sirius added. [color=olivedrab]"Because no one's gotten through, the town has found themselves low on supplies. They also petition us for aid at that point."[/color]

[color=plum]"I see,"[/color] He said nothing more, looking back to where the guard had walked off. [color=plum]"...I don't suppose others have read this message, have they?"[/color]

[color=olivedrab]"We would be the first and only to know. Why?"[/color]

Lysander turned back to face Sirius fully. [color=plum]"Because I believe it is time we confronted this problem head on. Michail has prepared them for battle and I plan to address their abilities today,"[/color] He stated.

Sirius stared at him for a moment, albeit surprised. [color=olivedrab]"I wasn't expecting this sort of recklessness from you,"[/color] He admitted, dropping his voice considerably. [color=olivedrab]"I know you and the Archbishop have confidence in this group, but this could backfire in more ways than one."[/color]

[color=plum]"I know. But despite the desire to shield them...this is also a prime opportunity to see what they're capable of,"[/color] He sighed. [color=plum]"Of course, if you do truly protest, I will go by your suggestion instead."[/color]

A silence fell between the two men as they fell deaf to the world around them. Despite Lysander putting the decision in Sirius' hands, the two would only move forward if they both agreed. Sirius seemed to run every scenario through his head, weighing the pros and cons. Should anything happen, the Monastery would never again open its doors. And yet, he agreed that further shielding the students could undo the hard work Michail had put in to get them ready to fight.

[color=olivedrab]"I will call a conference once the dismissal bell rings,"[/color] Sirius finally spoke, breaking the silence. [color=olivedrab]"The message asked for haste, but the supplies will take around a week to get ready."[/color]

A week wasn't nearly enough time, but Lysander nodded. [color=plum]"Very well, then. We move forward together."[/color]

[/indent][hr][center][h2]Fourteenth Bell, 22nd Day of the Great tree Moon[/h2][/center][hr][indent]
The students were instructed to all gather at the Black Eagles' classroom once their regular classes were done. As there was no physical activity involved, it may have left them weary of yet another additional class for them. Once they all took their seats, however, Lysander would make sure that there would be no more mystery behind it. The doors closed behind them with Michail and Euphemia both standing at the entrance. The former was a little more pensive than usual, though attentive. Lysander stood next to the professor's desk on one side, with Tomai seated and grading papers.

[color=plum]"I thank you all for your time and patience,"[/color] Lysander began, his voice warm and kind as always. [color=plum]"The Archbishop would have liked to be here for this, but alas, his duties find him elsewhere. I have also asked that Professor Simeon not attend this class, as her ability will likely hinder the progress made here. Should there be any injuries, however, one of the nurses is on standby in the Golden Deer Classroom."[/color]

He realized that may have caused some alarm, so he hastily continued. [color=plum]"As you are all aware, the use of the Units this year has separated the students into different groups. This one is no exception. However, this group was brought together specifically on the reason that each one of you possesses a Crest,"[/color] He stated, walking over to the chalkboard. Carefully flipping it over, it revealed a design of the twenty crests--all but one were there. [color=plum]"It is time we spoke of them. Professor Malathice, if you would?"[/color]

Tomai finished writing something down before finally looking over at Lysander. [color=red]"Oh. This, right,"[/color] He said, revealing that he was likely not listening to anything Lysander had said, much to the other man's dismay. 

However, once he stood up and took a hold of a pointer stick, Tomai decided to get right to it. [color=red]"Blaiddyd. Charon. Daphnel. Dominic. Fraldarius. Gautier. Gloucester. Goneril. Lamine.  Riegan. Maurice. Aubin. Chevalier. Noa. Timotheos. Cethleann. Cichol. Indech. Macuil. Seiros. And..."[/color] He pointed each one out as he said their name, albiet he walked over to the chalkboard and picked up a piece of chalk. His hand moved rapidly as he filled in the center with one large symbol. 

[color=red]"The Crest of Flames. With the exception of the last one, each Crest is a magical sigil passed down through lineages that our society has been built around. They're believed to be blessings bestowed by the Goddess, with the Crest of Flames itself being the symbol of the Goddess herself,"[/color] He explained. [color=red]"Aside from status, however, Crests also bestow special powers to those who hold them that vary from individual to individual. While history has told us that Crests have always bestowed minor abilities--such as increased strength or magic--it was not until approximately three hundred years ago that these powers manifested themselves."[/color]

Tomai spun the chalkboard back on the blank side, scribbling down three names. [color=red]"1104, the year of Almyra's invasion of the Leicester Alliance. With the invasion came a sickness that doomed most that had it. Johanna Lyse Riegan single-handedly healed over a thousand people, including everyone in the capital. She not only saved most of the Riegan family but had a one hundred percent survival rate in everyone she healed. She bore the Major Crest of Riegan, its symbol flashing repeatedly as she used her abilities."[/color]

He tapped the second name on the list. [color=red]"1217, the year of the Sreng invasion on Faerghus. King Aaron Blaiddyd lost his arm on the frontlines due to a surprise attack. And yet he persevered, his fighting abilities never faltering. His arm was examined and many nurses and doctors said he should have died on that battlefield, The amount of blood he lost should have doomed him, and yet not only did he prove victorious against death itself, but he also went on to father Henry Joseph Blaiddyd in Faerghus' Century of Peace. He bore the Minor Crest of Blaiddyd."[/color]

Tapping the last name, he turned back to the class. [color=red]"1322, the year of the attempted Adrestian coup. Emperor Stefan Hresveig IV held off the three hundred traitors single-handedly while his queen and heir fled. He had the strength and speed of ten men, and together with his wyvern, lasted long enough for the insurgents to be put down. While he died, eye witness reports all stated that the Minor Crest of Seiros could be seen as he fought."[/color]

[color=red]"These three are the earliest recordings of Crests giving their users abilities, both Minor and Major. Scholars have attempted to tie circumstances to these abilities awakening, but in 1399, Archbishop Apollo regularly displayed an unusually powerful ability to heal from a young age during a time of peace. There is no connection to stress or duress being the key to unlocking these abilities despite the earlier circumstances all occurring during times of war,"[/color] He stated as he drew a line separating the names from the rest of the board. [color=red]"While the origin of exactly when it began is unclear, these days Crests can reliably give their users abilities. With some practice, you can learn to control them."[/color]

After a few more scribbles, Tomai tapped the first one again. [color=red]"As of present findings, there are three different 'types' that have been studied,"[/color] He said. [color=red]"The first is autonomous, or passive abilities. These occur regardless of the user's intent and have to be willed to stop. Even then, it is easier said than done. My own Minor Crest of Lamine is autonomous; I can detect the number of living creatures around me in a specific radius at all times. With some testing, I can expand that range, and further use it to track specific individuals."[/color]

Tapping the second, he continued, [color=red]"The second is independent, or active abilities. As the name suggests, they must be activated in order to be used. They're opposite of the autonomous type, of course, but are no less impressive in their abilities. Professor Michail's Minor Crest is one, is it not?"[/color] He addressed the blond in the back of the class.

Michail straightened up a touch at being addressed, throwing on a grin. [color=00aeef]"Aww, you remembered!"[/color] He said, pretending to be touched. [color=00aeef]"He is right, though. I've got a Crest of Charon that lets me regenerate my wounds if I concentrate on it. It's great for stopping the bleeding, though I much prefer to get taken care of by a beautiful nurse--oompf!"[/color] His point was punctuated by Euphemia promptly whacking him upside the head.

[color=red]"Thank you for that,"[/color] Tomai replied dryly, tapping the third line. [color=red]"The last type is ungoverned. This is rare even among the already-rare Crest users, but they have popped up once in a while. The Crest ability activates on its own without regard for the user. The few that have been recorded vary: sudden bursts of magic, dreams that tell the future, and one case where the user would go invisible."[/color]

[color=red]"I'll take any questions anyone may have before I continue,"[/color] He said.

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