[center][color=#FFF4B7][h1]Albrecht von Varley[/h1][/color][/center] [right][indent][sub][color=#FFF4B7]Interacting with:[/color] [@Raijinslayer][@Achronum][@Scribe of Thoth] — [color=#FFF4B7]Location:[/color] Garreg Mach Monastery[/sub][/indent][/right][hr] [indent]Albrecht simply nodded along as Ezekial explained his attachment to his swordsmanship, and how it didn't quite fit with the image of his kingdom. He couldn't much relate to that; the Empire played host to all matter of warrior, with no one seeming to define them more than another. Dark Magic was a popular enough choice among some, he supposed, but he never had much talent for the rote memorization required to excel in spellcraft. What magical abilities he did possess were the result of his faith in the Goddess more than arcane formulas. Arcane formulas that Ezekial himself must have had some skill in, if he was bold enough to demonstrate them right in the classroom. Perhaps the standoffish nobleman possessed a not insignificant amount of pride beneath his steely exterior. Of course, the topic wasn't to linger on the redhead for too long. When the question fell to what the Varley spent his time doing, Albrecht could only smile sheepishly. [color=#FFF4B7]"Oh, nothing terribly interesting, I'm afraid. I've spent much of my time here in either practice or prayer. I find both to be quite soothing in these trying times,"[/color] He offered, well aware that while most inhabitants of the officer's academy certainly shared his faith, precious few were quite so dedicated in their devotions, [color=#FFF4B7]"I suppose I have been enjoying the company of some my fellow students, as well as the monastery's personnel. It would be such a shame to arrive in a place with such a diverse set of people and not try getting to know them, wouldn't you agree?"[/color] The fates conspired to see Albrecht make good on that claim, as no sooner than he finished speaking did another join them. The young woman with the fiery mane engaged Ezekial with a flurry of commentary, but he wasn't left out for too long before she turned her attention to him. His lack of greater political interest prevented him from placing her name and title to a particular region, but it was all the same to him; she was a noblewoman regardless of her origin, and he would treat her with all the courtesy that entailed. [color=FFF4B7]"The pleasure is all mine, Clarissa von Edmund. I am——"[/color] Unfortunately, he didn't get to finish his introduction before another arrived. This time a tall, irate looking gentleman with a certain air of familiarity to him. He had yet to meet this one either, although he would be forgiven for thinking otherwise, with how the blond seemed to stare daggers at him. Perhaps he was just a particularly intense individual; the academy [i]did[/i] breed the competitive sort. [color=FFF4B7]"——Albrecht von Varley, Heir to the Duchy of Varley."[/color] He finished his initial sentence once the newcomer had said his peace, though even two years later the word 'heir' seemed to feel strange in his mouth. His hopes to spare Clarissa the labor of introducing somebody she did not know were fulfilled when Professor Lavender suddenly interjected and explained the task at hand. Valiance was no strange concept to the young Varley, and so the urge to volunteer for the advance unit was almost as strong as it was immediate. His personal glory, however, came second to the safety of others, and it did not sit right with him to charge headlong into battle while innocent commoners remained vulnerable to assault. He was certain the others in this unit were as capable as any in protecting them, but the Goddess had gifted him with incredible fortune. What better way to repay that fortune than by protecting her faithful from the depredations of the heretical? He opted not to raise his hand when the time came to step forward, though he did keep an eye on the others to see who would decide on enlisting.[/indent]