victory_road | Video; UN: CheckTheSyllabus

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Video; UN: CheckTheSyllabus

[ Hey it's the Mint Professor and his dead-eyed companion Espurr. He's sitting outside in the sunshine, a few of his pokemon can be seen frolicking behind him. ]

Hello. Byleth here.

I have just returned from the optimist.

Sorry. The optimus. Opti-

[ Frown. ]

Op. Tom. E. Trist?

[ SIGH. ]

The eye doctor.

Anyways, they suggested that as apparently my eyesight is actually, as they put it "astonishingly bad", that I try the glasses they prescribed for me outside for the first time and document my experience. So here I am. But they did allow me to choose my favorite color.

[ He presents the glasses to the screen, they're rectangular blue frame is very simple, and very boring. Just like him. He gently puts them on and looks around. It takes him a couple moments before he actually startles, a hand going to the frames as he takes them off, and puts them back on again a few times. ]

WHAT THE-

[ Anyone watching will get to see him go and touch some grass, and then run over to look at a few trees, and then his own pokemon before he returns to look at his Espurr. ]

Oh Breakfast. We're really in it now.

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[Well. Dimitri isn't going to argue with that, since that was what he also thought for quite some time. It was something he once thought he would have to deal with when he would be crowned king, struggling to entangle the Kingdom from whatever overbearing demands the church made of it. So there's nothing to really say there, besides perhaps mild surprise that Byleth is so open about it.]

[More important is the information that Byleth gives about Sothis, and Dimitri falls silent as he stares down into his tea.]

I... see. It is a strange thing, to think of a Goddess falling to such human things such as amnesia.

More or less yes.

Sothis, from what I understand, was in essence... dead. For a long time. Since the beginning of the existence of crests and the church.

My existence was the product of Rhea's attempts to bring her back. As was my mother. An empty vessel to contain her. She did not count on Sothis taking a personal liking to me. Instead of taking over this body, as Rhea intended... she gave herself up so that we could both live.

[ He takes a moment to really examine the cup he's been given. The mug that Ashe provided him when he arrived, covered in cute little cat pokemon. Thumbing at the slightly raised printed pictures. ]

It's strange to think about. Dad raised me outside of the church, but now I end up in charge of it. I know he'd probably have hated that, but I think I can do some good this way.

If I had really had my way though, I would have gone back to Fhirdiad with you.

[A Goddess, dead... and a holy figure tossing aside who knows how many people in pursuit of bringing her back.]

[Dimitri cannot bear to look up, as he considers that. He has never entirely trusted Rhea, bristled at the yoke the church wound tight around the Kingdom. Still, he had wanted to think she had some good intentions for people.]

[But this... to waste precious human lives, all for a Goddess that...]

[Dimitri takes another sip of tea, forcing his hands to be gentle. He needs to stop this. He cannot think so ill of someone that Byleth clearly thinks well of. And even if his relationship to the Goddess the church spoke of is complicated, to politely say it, clearly she cared about Byleth.]

[That is enough to think some good of her. They have something in common, then.]

...Is Seteth well? Could he not help you with such things?

[Seteth, at least, seemed more approachable, down to earth, and quite frankly sensible than Rhea. A benefit, perhaps, of approaching the rest of them more frequently.]

I'm sorry you have to learn this. I know that the church is... important to many people. My plan is to gently try to lessen that influence over time.

Edelgard simply wanted to pull the rug out. I understand why, but she did not think of the bigger picture, and how it is not so simple as to yank an entire religious system out from under people who genuinely believe.

Nor is it okay to sacrifice anyone's life for it.

[ He sets his cup down and rubs his hands over his face. It shows that when it comes to this- he feels out of his depth. ]

It could take A couple hundred years to fully hobble it... but I intend to commit myself to that. Oversee it until it is done. [ Boy this went places. He clears his throat, finally picking his cup back up. ]

Seteth is all right. He was helping me a lot back home. He's stressed, and I know he has some mixed feelings towards Rhea now, after learning the depths of what she was doing.

I think he's relieved to be able to pursue something solid and ethical though.

Edited 2022-02-25 21:30 (UTC)

[Ah - ]

[Just like that, just hearing her name, is enough for Dimitri's hand to jerk slightly, spilling some tea over the rim and onto his hand. It's hot, but doesn't burn him. At least, Dimitri hardly notices if it burns him or not.]

[All he can focus on... is the dark twist of feelings inside of his chest, the bitterness in the back of his throat. Something he calls hatred.]

[Dimitri doesn't speak of it, however. All he does is gingerly place the teacup back down, and gently wipe at his hand.]

That is good to hear. But, even to hear that sort of thing... I suppose even Seteth would be opposed to such extreme measures against the church.

Yes... I also prefer that Seteth focus on spending time with Flayn anyways.

[ He notices the flinch, and a pang of guilt sweeps over him. Right. Not the same memories. Damn it. It feels like he keeps screwing things up, oddly. Honesty is usually the best way to go with things but... Dimitri doesn't need burdened with all of this. He reaches across the table to touch his wrist, just briefly.

It's also a reminder that he needs to start perhaps trying to move past his romantic feelings. Dimitri truly does have enough to worry about in his life, another person to look after is likely the last thing he needs. ]

Apologies. We don't really need to worry about all of that right now. Tell me a bit more about those gym challenges?

Then I suppose you would be opposed to having him take up the mantle... [Which is an option, although one that he knows that Byleth wouldn't be completely down for. Still, it is always good to acknowledge that different options on the table.] I will try to...

[Ah, but then Byleth is apologizing, and Dimitri blinks up at him.]

Hm? Ah, I just wanted to help, Professor... But, very well.

It is a national pasttime in both Johto and Kanto, it seems, and many other countries as well. By now, you are more than familiar with battling.... So gym challenges are where you put your Palien's strength and your own experience to the test.

Each gym tends to favor a particular type, showing off both the strengths of that typing, and also occasionally challenging what you thought you knew. For example, while many Bug types are weak to flying, not all of them are, so you may put yourself at a disadvantage if you try to rely solely on that.

[Or sometimes you take your fire-fighting mega-pig in, not realizing the 4x weakness a steel bug will have, it's fine]

And each gym challenge also has two types of teams available for people to challenge. The most commonly known ones are usually compromised of a team of three on the gym leader's side - you can take a full team with you if you like. I have noticed that they tend to keep to a certain level around where they are... Falkner's gym over in Violet City in Johto, the first I encountered, was rather low level in comparison to Clair's over in Blackthorn City, which is traditionally considered the last stop in that particular circuit. I suppose it is meant to be there alongside you as you grow...

Ah, and then there are their elite teams. They are as strong as a Palien can get, and compromise a full team. They are considerably more challenging.

Oh, you help plenty. Trust me. Just having me here- I'm quite happy for it. You don't need to worry about the things back home all that much.

That said, if you ever want to know or ask about anything please feel free.

[ He's content to listen to Dimitri talk about the gym challenges. He's passionate about it clearly, and knowledgeable. It reminds him of how Dimitri took him around and explained things about the monastery when he had first arrived. ~~Thank you for the tutorials, Dimitri.~~ ]

Hmm. I admit I am becoming more and more interested in battling. I may begin to challenge them soon... the strategy that I'm looking into for battles is honestly quite fun to learn about.

It's nice to be able to strategize without people's lives being at stake. Instead it's just... fun.

[Hearing that Byleth will be taking part in the gym challenges has Dimitri perk up, and he smiles a bit.]

I would be excited to see how you approach them, Professor! There are a great deal of factors to consider, and even I sometimes need Claude's help in managing a challenge... I cannot even begin to recall everything otherwise.

[Abilities and moves and everything else... He can recall type advantages, at least, although he doesn't like to lean into them too hard for his challenges. It doesn't seem as fair, exciting, or sporting to take an entire fire type team to a grass gym, after all.]

I will admit that I have been growing fond of it as well, for quite some time... In particular, I like teaching my companions how to work with one another, and what best suits their teamwork. In gym battles, that mostly interacts with setting things up for the Palien that will follow after them in the match, although a few things do interact directly.... Fraldariend knows an ability that, in exchange for his own ability to participate in the match, fully recovers another.

Still... I most often like to have them work as a team during wild battles, where no rules apply. A shame that most battles among trainers or against gym leaders is not often inclined to such things...

[He wants a 6v6 match.... Just go wild.]

[ How lovely it is that he is so passionate about this. It's nice to see him excited about something fun. Byleth leans his chin in his hand and listens, happy to let the man explain. ]

I agree, I like the idea of cooperative battle, like those duo-battles! It is a shame that it's not more focused. But I'd love to do that kind of thing with you, if you'd like. We can either battle together or battle against each other.

[ He pours himself more tea, offering a warm-up to Dimitri as well. ]

I saw a few people open up gyms. Maybe you could have your own with that as the focus. I'm happy to help you with it... I just need to train and get stronger.

Ha... [Dimitri glances down a bit into his tea, smiling still.] Just let me know how strong your team is, Professor, and I will be sure to have my own at the same level go against you.

[It's no fun to steamroll a battle, in his opinion. It's all about the skill, and creativity. In that regard, even though he's been here longer, Dimitri feels certain that the Professor will win.]

And yes... That actually is an option that is available, if people succeed in the gym circuits of both Kanto and Johto, succeeding against the Elite Four. It is called the Aurora League, and somewhat different from the regular gyms. I have actually wanted to challenge them more, but I have tried to stay focused...

Ah, although you might like the gym of a dear friend of ours, Jane Crocker. It is quite the clever route to get to her!

Hmm, most of them are roughly between level 15 and 30, I think. At least according to my gear.

I befriended a few more recently when I was on my trip with Dedue in Sevii.

[ He thinks as he counts on his fingers, he should have about 14, but Clippy can't fight really... ]

How many of the gyms have you defeated? I wonder if I could ever catch up to you...

Jane? I'd love to try. Where do you think I should begin?

Edited 2022-03-03 20:51 (UTC)

15 and 30... I see. [Dimitri digs around to pull out his own gear to pull up his notes app. He likes to keep track of the progress of his own Paliens, but there are simply too many of them for him to easily remember.]

And... there are eight gyms in each of the countries. Actually, before the years end, Felix, Claude, Chip, and myself all finished the Johto circuit.

We are taking considerably longer with Kanto's line of gyms, but, well, a great deal has happened.

Would you like me to tell you about the different Johto gyms, or... would you prefer to puzzle them out yourself?

Oh wow- so I do have some catching up to do then. Definitely better get a move on.

[ Welp. He's now set his mind to it, it's time to ~~become one of the most annoying people in pokemon showdown~~ get good. ]

Yes you have had a lot on your plate. You know if you need any help with anything I'd be happy to take it on. I still have an abundance of free time.

... Well, I am curious but I kind of like the idea of figuring it out. Seems like more fun that way, right? [ Strategy is the name of his game after all. (Actually it's Fire Emblem Three Houses but shhh.) ]

Ha... You do not need to rush, Professor. Especially since I feel we are not doing the Kanto gyms in the right order... Well, we are doing them through the elite teams now, mostly, but still.

[Still!]

[Dimitri takes a sip of his tea, smiling again, prior fluster or dark thoughts now forgotten in the face of Byleth's eagerness for the challenge.]

I hope you enjoy learning about the different gyms in each city, Professor. They're often quite proud of their local gyms, ha, and so it won't be too hard to learn a lot about them if you are truly looking... For example, here in Vermillion, have you heard anything about the local gym leader here?

I do hope you're right. I like a good challenge though. You know how I am. I haven't heard anything yet- please indulge me.

[ Better to see him smile again, and now he can see it so clearly, it's incredible. Better than he could have imagined. Seeing those he cares for happy is everything, and it fills him with that almost too-much sensation in his new heart. ]

[Well, the Professor had said that he'd wanted to go into things without knowing too much... A part of the surprise, the challenge. So Dimitri muses on how much to give away for the moment, sipping on his tea.]

Well, to start... He is a man named Lieutenant Surge, and actually runs a camp of sorts along with his gym duties. People can learn how to better survive out in the wilderness under his tutelage, taking lessons for only a few days, or even longer. I heard that he even has experience in flying, and is from a land entirely different from Johto.

What do you think, then, Professor?

Hmmm.

[ He ponders this for a moment. A military man from the sounds of it. Surely he will be well-disciplined. Byleth smacks a hand into his palm lightly. ]

I think I will challenge him then! I had best get to preparing soon. Do you think I am strong enough?

[Ha. And there's the Professor, always good to go as always. Dimitri's smile is unbelievably fond.]

If you would like to try it, Professor, I see no reason to... although I understand he is somewhat in the middle of one's average journey.

Still, there is no need to worry if you try to go against him a little early. There is nothing that would be lost, if you did not complete the challenge.

[There is no war here, after all. All battle is merely... for sport.]

Even more reason to make sure I win then. [ ???? ] In that case, I may take a little bit of time to research on my own and prepare a strategy.

Thank you, Dimitri. I am getting rather excited. [ He says in his low, usual totally flat voice. Still, there is a twinkle in his eyes... or maybe that's just the new glasses. ]

[In some ways, Byleth is rather like Dedue in that way - stoic and requiring a discerning eye to recognize when he is getting excited. Of course, Dimitri loves it the most when he can draw actual smiles out of the two of htem, but there's something to be said for getting so skilled at recognizing those little gestures, too.]

I am glad to hear that, Professor. For someone like you, I am sure that it will be quite familiar to you, even with its difference! So you will undoubtedly be fantastic.

Ah, and they record all the battles that anyone ever has on the internet, as well, if you are ever interested in seeing those! I am sure you will enjoy them as well.

Ahh, a good resource. Thank you for the vote of confidence, and for your advice on the matter. I am still getting used to having so much information this readily available. I will be certain to put some thought to it and secure a strategy.

[ And a good strategy to distract himself from the near-crippling crush he has on the man sitting opposite of him. No, no. Only cold showers and pokemon battles now. ]

Why would I feel anything less than confident in you, Professor? You are amazing. Incredible, even. I will be more than excited to watch your first matches, when you go to do your challenges.

[Oblivious to how much harder he can be making this at any give time, Dimitri beams at Byleth.]

I am positive that I will absolutely learn even more, watching you.

T... Thank you, Dimitri.

[ aaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! ]

I will do my best for you. You are welcome to come with or I will be sure to record them for you.

[ With glasses on, looking at that smile is even more like looking directly at the sun. ]

[And look at the way he perks up like a golden retriever... Byleth has this man on the hook.]

If it would not be too much trouble, Professor! Of course, the videos that the league records are all very fascinating and helpful in their own ways, but they often are positioned far away from the actual battle. I imagine to keep the equipment safe.

It is simply not the same as views from the battlegrounds themselves!

Video; UN: CheckTheSyllabus

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