"Young Goetia?" The tanned man heard Tomas call out his name, he walked over to the railings from the upstairs section of the library. He quickly caught sight of the Green hair of Seteth standing with Tomas staring up at him. "Seteth requires your presence."
Goetia nodded, despite being here for nearly a week. He had yet to speak to or even encounter the phantasmal outside of their first encounter several days ago when he arrived at the Monastery. He suspected that the green haired man wished to confront him about his origins.
A logical deduction. His role as advisor to the Archbishop likely meant that he was also in charge of discovering potential risks, which Goetia himself would admit he was, and disposing of them.
Seteth wasn't the only one who was likely observing him for such a reason. Goetia had been aware of a dark haired, rather tall and somewhat desiccated looking student observing him from afar. He had yet to learn his name, but the boy seemed closely affiliated with Edelgard.
A vassal, he deduced from what little information he had. He didn't particularly care, should the students wish to obverse him, that was their prerogative. It only truly affected him if they desired to approach him.
"I shall be down momentarily." Goetia replied, then proceeded to levitated himself over the railings and down to ground level a few feet from Seteth, which left him unimpressed.
"I would ask that you limit the use of magic when it is unnecessary." Seteth replied "I fear it may encourage the students to be less than active when in the library."
"You fear that my use of levitation would encourage them to attempt similar feats?" Goetia asked, slightly puzzled.
"Among other things, yes." Seteth replied, a raised eyebrow. He then sighed "Regardless, it has come to my attention that we have not yet had a moment to talk since your arrival here."
"We have not." He agreed "I assume you wish to correct this oversight?"
"Indeed." Seteth nodded "I was hoping you would walk with me, while we discuss your rather...sudden arrival here."
Goetia looked to the old man, he received a small smile and a nod in affirmation before looking back at Seteth "Then we shall depart."
"Excellent." Seteth turned to Tomas "I shall see to it he returns within the hour."
"Of course Seteth." The old man replied and returned to the desk of the library. The green haired man nodded for Goetia to follow him, the two walking side by side as they exited the library.
"I understand that you are not from Fodlan." Seteth queried as they walked.
"Indeed." Goetia replied "I shall assume you are asking for confirmation rather than curiosity."
"Quite so." Seteth admitted "Despite your sudden employment, the Monastery is required to note down details of all staff, from origins to age, relatives and name."
"I see."
"In which case, I suggest we travel to my office so that we may get the formalities completed." Seteth abruptly turned, signalling for the tanned man to follow him.
_____
"Name?" Seteth asked, quill in his hand while Goetia sat opposite him, staring at a parchment.
"Goetia."
"No family name?"
"I was not granted a name of my own, therefore I named myself." Goetia replied. Seteth frowned but said nothing.
"Place of origin?"
"United Monarchy, the Kingdom of Judah, the city of Jerusalem."
"How far West of Fodlan would you say this kingdom is?" Seteth asked as he scribbled down the answer.
"At the time of my travel I made no effort to discern distance." He replied "It was rather abrupt."
"Fleeing from persecution?" Seteth's head snapped up and he narrowed his eyes at the man opposite him. Goetia remained straight-faced in the wake of Seteth's accusatory tone.
"I did not travel to Fodlan to flee persecution, no." The phantasmal stared at him for a few seconds before steeling his face and writing down an answer.
"Age?"
"We used a different Calendar." Geotia replied "However, for the ease of documentation. In Fodlan years I would have been born on the Seventeenth day of the Month of Lone Moon. Year 1155 of the imperial calender."
"I see." Seteth wrote down, then looked Goetia more closely "You seem to have a habit of calling students 'young one' despite being barely older than them."
"I do." Goetia admitted. Seteth grunted and turned back to his parchment.
"Relatives?" He looked up when he didn't hear an answer, he raised an eyebrow when his usually stoic looking man had scrunched up his face in disgust. 'A problem with family, perhaps?' he mused as Goetia's features began to settle, although his lips were stil curled into a frown.
"My...progenitor." He seemed to have great discomfort speaking that word "Was Solomon."
"And your mother?"
"He had nearly several hundred concubines and over twice as many wives." Goetia replied, much to Seteth's surprise "If any of them had participated in my creation, I was not made aware of it."
"Is there a reason he had so many...spouses?" Seteth asked, writing down 'Unknown' for mother figure. He would admit, he was not naïve in that he knew some to take mistresses despite being married, but to be polygamous to that extent.
"Polygamy was not uncommon." Goetia replied "He was also the King of Jerusalem, therefore it was expected that he would have many suitors."
Seteth's quill froze, his head slowly travelled upwards towards his blank faced companion "Did you say he was a King?"
"I did." Goetia acknowledged.
"Would that not make you a Prince?"
"No, the inheritance of Kingdoms is to a Kings firstborn heir. I was his first creation, not his son." Goetia replied, from his perspective the claim made sense. He had been created by Solomon and lived in his shadow. It seemed relatively simple, he was never expected to govern humans.
From Seteth's perspective, a twenty five year old man just admitted to being the neglected child of a foreign kingdom. Combined with the claim of his abrupt exodus from his apparent kingdom, it was quickly falling into place that it was perhaps a similar situation to House Gautier. Miklan, despite being older, was no longer being considered the heir to the house considering that his younger brother bore a crest.
Was Goetia abandoned for a similar reason?
"I see." Seteth nodded his head "I...believe that is everything in regards to information we need."
"I assume there is more you wish to discuss?"
"Perhaps." Seteth nodded "Although for now, I believe this will suffice. You may return to Tomas, I suspect he will soon require your aid."
Goetia nodded and stood up to leave "Just one thing before you go." he turned back to Seteth staring at him with a frown "I am personally against your placement here, however...the Archbishop has confidence in your character. I do not believe I need to remind you of what will occur should you break the trust she has placed in you and prove a risk to this Monastery."
"I will ensure that my impact on life at the Monastery is risk free." Goetia replied to him, Seteth narrowed his eyes then gave a sharp nod.
"See that you do...We will have the opportunity to speak again in the future." With that, Goetia departed.
Seteth watched the tanned man depart before sinking into his chair and letting out a sigh. A disowned Noble, one who could have been heir to a whole kingdom, had shown up at their Monastery.
The man didn't seem malicious in any way, from what he had seen and heard about from the other Scholars in the Library, he mainly kept to himself unless approached.
He hummed, the Golden Dears house leader had seemed to take an interest in him and there was rumour that Lysithea Von Ordelia had been seen speaking to him on several occasions. Whether or not his interaction with the students would be detrimental would have to be carefully observed within the coming weeks.
He just prayed to the Goddess that Rhea had not made a mistake accepting both Goetia and Ms Eisner into their Monastery. He looked at the sundial he kept near the window. If all was going well with the classes, then they would be back from their mock battle soon.
He withheld a small grimace. While he did enjoy teaching young students...those like the young Gautier and Gloucester were certainly trying on his good will. Especially with Flayn now at the Monastery.
Well...he'd always be there.
No one would lay a hand on his daughter while he was around!
______
Goetia wandered around the Marketplace, simply browsing the wares that were available.
With a majority of the students away on training, Tomas had decided to allow Goetia to end early today, thus he felt it best to see what the local peddlers were trading. If they had anything of value he would have to remember it for when he got paid.
He was disappointed. There was plenty which would appeal to the common human, especially for their location such as weapons, teas and baits for fishing, yet he failed to discover anything of note.
His disappointed gaze travelled the different stalls until his eyes fell upon a red haired woman at the corner, near the main gate of the Monastery.
His brows furrowed. How strange...she appeared to be coated in a type of magic he had not yet encountered.
Another traveller perhaps? He shook his head, perhaps he would keep a closer eye on her. If anything, she presented a bizarre curiosity. He furrowed his brows, perhaps that is how he was viewed around the Monastery…
"Hello there!" Goetia turned to his right, a young man in church armour stood near him. A wide smile visible just underneath his pointed helm "You're new here, right? We all heard about a new Assistant librarian being hired."
"And you assumed it to be me?" Goetia asked, slightly intrigued by how the man came to this conclusion.
"Well…" The guard seemed to fidget "Sorry if I am being presumptuous...but you kind of give off an intellectual aura...sorry if I'm mistaken though."
"Your deduction was correct." He nodded "I am Goetia, the new assistant at the Library. You are?"
"I'm the gatekeeper here at the monastery!" The man smiled "I normally just stand watch here, sometimes give my reports to any of the professors or higherups that happen by."
"I asked for your name, not occupation."
"Huh?" The man recoiled in surprise, then pointed a finger at his chest "Y-you want to hear my name?"
"It is customary to introduce oneself, is it not?" Goetia asked, a raised eyebrow "I assumed it was a common human ritual?"
"N-no!" He waved his arms "Its just no one ever really asked me for my name before. They usually just call me 'Gatekeeper'." he smiled "I'm Harold. I guard the gate at Garreg Mach Monastery."
Goetia nodded in affirmation, then turned back and pointed at the red haired girl "That woman...she is one of the Merchants, is she not?"
"Anna?" He asked, at Goetia's nod he affirmed "Yep. Bit of a recent addition, although she's been hanging around in the town at the base of the Monastery for a few months now. Although…" he looked around before leaning in "Between you and me, and I don't like to speak ill of people, she's a little...cut throat when it comes to the price of her wares."
"She is miserly?" Goetia asked, the knight nodded at him.
"Its not that her wares are bad or anything." He quickly added on "Its just that I think she charges more than what they are worth." he shrugged "Although I haven't really heard of some of the stuff she sells, so I might not be a good authority on it."
"I see." Goetia nodded his head "Your information is appreciated."
"My pleasure." Harold smiled "Always happy to help newcomers at the Monastery." he turned and looked back towards the gate "Huh, looks like the new professor and the classes are back."
Goetia turned to see Byleth with rather pleased looking Blue Lions in tow behind her as she walked through the gate and towards the main entrance. The two of them made eye contact.
Goetia, for once, decided to approach the woman himself.
"I shall assume that the mock battle went well." He said as he walked near her, the Blue lions themselves stopped behind her when she did to speak to Goetia.
"Yes." She nodded "Not great, but certainly a lot of potential."
"You are too humble professor." Dimitri spoke up, a joyful expression on his face "I fear that without your leadership, the result would not have been as predictable."
"Most likely." Byleth nodded "However, I am a trained mercenary, Professor Hanneman is a Scholar and Professor Manuela is a physician. I am more suited to the role of Mock battle." she turned back to Goetia "You seem competent, though."
"I am no stranger to violence." Goetia admitted "However, the front line is not where I would choose to spend my time."
"You should always be prepared for violence." Byleth frowned then looked over to Dimitri "You may go on ahead, I will join you shortly."
"Of course, Professor." Dimitri smiled, then turned to the other students "Come, Blue Lions, we have a victory to celebrate."
The class marched past the pair, Goetia noticed that as the Golden Deer went past, Lysithea broke off and approached him.
"Sir Goetia-"
"Goetia. I am not a Sir, or the holder of any accredited title."
"Right, sorry…" Lysithea winced "I...would like to apologise for being unable to assist my class in winning the mock battle."
"Don't beat yourself up Lysithea." Claude stated as he walked up behind her and patted her on the head, the white haired girl scowled and batted his arm away "Sure, we didn't win...but you were the one who helped a fair amount. You really did get quite well with that Miasma spell."
"You succeeded then?" Goetia asked, Lysithea remained scowling at Claude for a few moments before turning back to Goeita.
"Yes." She replied, looking slightly smug "I was able to perform the spells correctly and succeeded in using a Miasma."
"Yep!" Claude grinned "Although I kind of feel bad for Ashe...he does look a little pale."
"He'll be fine!" Lysithea crossed her arms "It was only a single blast, if he can't handle it then he should avoid dark mages, besides Professor Manuela said she would have a look at him."
"If she struck him with a Miasma, and failed to liquefy him, then the spell was a success." Goetia stated, as if that was his only criteria for success. He looked away from Claude and back to Lysithea "I am granted a single day each week where I am given free time. Meet me at the library. We will cover the basics of Rune craft that you should be capable of using."
"Yes Sir!" She smiled "I won't let you down, Master!"
"Master?" Goetia furrowed his brows.
"Well...you've basically taken me as your apprentice in Magic, right? That makes you my Master...or do you prefer teacher? Or tutor?"
"You may call me what you wish." Goetia replied "It is of no concern to me."
"Teacher then!" She grinned and ran off, muttering something about excelling beyond her peers.
"See…" Claude remarked, an amused smile on his face "She says she doesn't want to be treated like a child...then does something like that…" he shook his head and turned back to the two staff members "I'll see you two lovebirds around." he gave them a wave as he wandered off.
"I am not a species of African Aves." Goetia remarked, then turned back to Byleth. He raised an eyebrow when she was giving him a curious look.
"Is there an issue?"
"You are aiding a rival of my class."
"I am discovering whether or not a student could learn simpler forms of my own w-countries magic."
"You do not strike me as a teacher." She remarked, Goetia lowered his eyebrow.
"Neither did you." He countered "I am not teaching an entire class, merely a promising mage."
"Why?"
He frowned, he himself wasn't quite sure...He justified it to himself that he was simply aiding her to see if it was possible for a Fodlan native to learn...but that felt more like an excuse than a reason.
Perhaps he would understand when he actually instructed her.
"Simple curiosity." Goetia replied to Byleth "She asked, I accepted."
"Hmmm…" She nodded her head "I see. I suppose that isn't too different from what the Monastery asked of me."
"Have you had an opportunity to speak with Seteth?" Goetia decided to change the topic, the more he spent on the topic of teaching...the more troubled he became.
"Yes." She nodded "He spoke with me yesterday."
"I see."
"Why were you here? I was under the impression you worked in the Library?" She titled her head to the side in puzzlement.
"Tomas dismissed me for the day. Your excursion meant that the Library was virtually unpopulated outside of the Monastery scholars and myself." He replied back, she grunted and nodded her head.
"I am going to return to my students." She said after a moment "Have a good day."
"To you as well." Byleth nodded and walked past him. Goetia thought to his conversation with Hanneman yesterday. The old man had returned with his class and were most likely given the rest of the day as a free study period. He suspected he could at least visit the man to ask about Crests.
______
"-ember, I am in no way shape or form disappointed in your performance today." Goetia heard Hannerman speak to his class as he approached their House room "This mock battle was designed to highlight any strengths and weaknesses you have, in that regard I would consider this a success."
Goetia stopped at the entrance of the room. The Black Eagle students staring at Hanneman as he continued to advise them.
"In the coming weeks, we shall address whatever areas I feel need improvement." He looked up from his desk and noticed Goetia, his expression quickly changed into one of mild surprise before settling itself again "In any case, you may use the rest of the day to think back on the mock battle and how you could improve the Result for the real thing. If you will excuse me, I have a visitor to attend to."
The heads of the class turned to where Hanneman was looking and instantly noticed the one armed tanned man in a dark robe standing at the entrance to their classroom. The students whispered amongst themselves as they began to pack up.
"Is there anything I can help you with, young Goetia?" Hanneman asked as he approached him.
"I was planning my own research into Crests." Goetia admitted, the man's features seem to brighten as a result "Considering your occupation, I was curious as to what you would recommend as being a starting point."
Hanneman's face became thoughtful as he nodded "That would depend, the official beginning of Crests would be the linked with the founding of the Church of Seiros along with Nemesis and the ten elites. However, if you were to look at some of the earliest works regarding the studies of Crests, then I myself would recommend Cordell Von Reede, it's not quite as detailed as later works, however it does set the stage, so to say, on the research of Crests as a whole." he hummed "I believe they have a copy of his early works in the Library."
"I see." Goetia nodded "I was more curious as to the effects of one on the body, the impacts on the young Prince Dimitri speak for themselves, however I am more interested in the passive benefits they provide."
"Ah yes." Hanneman smiled "That is the more in-depth field of study." he crossed his arms "The more passive skills have often been sidelined by the effects of the more notable crests. For works such as those, I believe that works of Linn Beitelg would be a good place for you to start."
"I will look into your recommendations." Goetia replied, then turned to leave before Hanneman called out to him.
"Before you go-" Goetia turned back to him "I would like to remind you to pay a visit to my Laboratory as some point in the future if you have the time."
"I will remember, good day Professor Hanneman." Goetia nodded and continued on his way.
"Good day to you as well, young Goetia." Hanneman bid him a farewell.
______
Goetia, despite no longer needing to remain there for the day, returned to the Library. The recommendations of Hanneman would serve to aid him in his understanding of Crests. They provided significant boons to their owner, however he needed to understand what else they were capable of.
Their status in society was irrelevant to him, what was more curious was their nature.
He studied the shelves until he came across what he was after 'The Origins of Crests: A definitive guide to their nature and their meanings by Cordell Von Reede' Goetia looked back to the shelves, it appeared the man had written several books however this would at least provide a start for him.
Several hours later, he had completed the rather hefty tome and made several notes regarding Crests he found of importance.
The Crest of Blaiddyd increased the owners physical strength by a considerable margin. It seemed to be a passive skill rather than one which could be activated on command. Goetia noted that Prince Dimitri would likely have learned at an early age to control his strength.
Goetia would also need to observe the boy to determine how greatly it increased his physical abilities and whether or not it could be bolstered by adrenaline.
Crest of Dominic conserved magical power, allowing for spells to be cast at a lower cost to their user. Something of interest to him. He was unaware of any possessors of said Crest, however it likely would not take long to discover.
Crest of Gloucester increased the power of magical spells and such. It seemed Lysithea was noted to have such a Crest, it would explain her prowess in magical talents and how she had come to overcharge the most basic of spells.
Potential for an extremely talented mage...Goetia placed his hand on his chin and hummed. The combination of a Crest of Dominic and a Crest of Gloucester would create a powerful mage. However, it appeared that combining two crests within a human would place a great amount of strain on their body, hence the obvious signs on Lysithea and Edelgard.
Crest of Indech, those granted seemed to have a higher degree of intelligence. Certainly a useful trait.
Crest of Cethleann. Spells geared towards healing are far more potent than otherwise.
Fodlan society was right to view these as boons...although they were misguided to place those with Crests on a pedestal. However there were cases when such a thing would be logical.
A bearer of the Crest of Indech would likely make an efficient tutor and a bearer of a Crest of Gloucester would be a powerful mage.
Crest of Flames. Unfortunately lost to time it seems although there were several instances where it was documented that Nemesis, the ancient King of Men, would use this Crest to heal himself from otherwise fatal wounds. It seemed it worked in a similar manner to Avalon. Highspeed regeneration, although he had no idea how it would compare to the Fae Construct considering that holders of it were thought to be non-existent since the death of Nemesis.
However, he failed to see how bearing a Crest of Cethleann would make an individual worthy of a Noble position and considered to be above the common man. It was illogical.
He could understand it in part though, isolating certain Crests and raising them above others would breed contempt for Crest wielders and their peers. In that regard it was necessary to raise all those who wielded Crests above the common man, regardless of whether or not they provided any meaningful benefit.
It was human nature, he supposed, vexing as it was he understood that whenever a human was superior in some way to another, they would flaunt this. In this case, their superiority came in the shape of Crests.
Perhaps they would outgrow this troublesome quirk, or they wouldn't.
He looked back to the books on the shelves. There was still more to read. He understood the origins of Crests.
Gifts from the Goddess to the ten elites, Nemesis, Seiros and the Four Saints. The explanation seemed far too easy, however. The Goddess grants Nemesis and the Ten elites Crests, they become corrupted by power and then are put down by Seiros and the four Saints which lead to the Church of Seiros being the largest faction in the continent and the ones who propagate the faith in Crests.
While he had no doubt that crests came from the Goddess, he very much doubted they were 'gifted' to the equivalent of a warlord from the northern states to unify the country.
Regardless, whether or not History was correct on that front was irrelevant to the subject at hand. He need only understand how a Crest is passed along from family to family and whether or not new Crests could be created.
More than this, the Divine Core of Byleth. Did it provide the benefits of all the Crests? Or simply the benefit of a singular one, exemplified to its ultimate degree? In which case, did that mean there was a crest which allowed for time manipulation?
It would not have been out of place, there were several magi families who were focused on developing time based craft, however they only succeeded in altering their perception of it, or briefly altering the worlds perception of them.
Either way, this would require more focus…
There was an opportunity here to view the effects of Crests. Lysithea herself...could she boost the output of magecraft related spells?
It would at least be worth the effort, success or failure.
Goetia would admit to himself, despite reservations about their function in society, Crests were at the very least worth documenting.