Title: the more things change (the more they stay the same)

A/N: For the Tales Big Bang! My artist partner and I decided to do a magic-school au, partially to have an au and partially because I want Kratos to stay with everyone, damnit.

Summary: There were things Lloyd could be certain of:

1) it was a miracle he got into university, let alone the same one as Genis and Colette

2) the price of that miracle was having Raine as a teacher

3) the new weapons teacher was following him around

…

…

…

…

"Lloyd."

"Lloyd, wake up."

"Oh fuck it."

Lloyd jolted awake as something hard hit his head. No, to be exact, as the square edge of something hard hit his head. Immediately, he rubbed his head, his fingers pressing against his scalp. Was there a bump? He could feel something growing there. Sitting up, he groaned, "Ow. What was that?"

"I never know if I should be amazed or appalled by you." Lloyd blinked as a wall of orange appeared in front of him. Looming in front of him, Raine had a tight smile as she crossed her arms and glared. "You're asleep for every. Single. Class. Why are you here?"

Right. He was in class. Dimly, Lloyd was aware of his classmates staring at him. Next to him, Colette was worriedly looking from him to Raine, while Genis was shaking his head furiously, his arms in an 'x' position. Why were they worried? It was such a simple question. Still a little groggy, Lloyd answered honestly, "Because it's a bird course."

A hush fell over the class. Even Raine froze in front of him. Genis groaned and slapped his forehead. Blinking away his sleep, Lloyd processed what he'd said.

Aloud.

To Raine.

Dirk had warned him that his mouth would get him killed one day. Well, that day was looking like today. Swallowing, Lloyd gave a shaky smile as he slowly got up from his chair. There was time. He could save himself. Probably. "Professor Raine, I—"

The sound of knuckles cracking sent a cold chill down his spine. "Oh I see." Raine's voice was low, barely more than a whisper. A golden circle emerged from her hands, growing bigger and bigger with each word. "If that's how you feel…"

"N-no!" Lloyd scrambled backwards but it was too late. A burst of light hit him, sending him flying through the air. He hit the back of the classroom with a hard thud and slid to the ground, moaning.

Raine dusted her hands. "I'll see you for detention, Lloyd."

-x-

Kratos flinched as a loud thudding sound echoed through the school's halls. Instinctively, he crouched, his hand on his sword and eyes scanning the area. "Are we under attack?" he asked, looking behind him when he couldn't find the source of the noise.

"Ah, no…that was…" Yuan crossed his arms, glaring at a door further down the hallway. "Professor Raine's been known to take a more…hardline approach to her students. Or maybe I should just say student—the only one who ever gets punished like this is Lloyd."

"Lloyd?" Kratos asked, slipping out of his stance. Sliding his sword back into its sheath, he followed Yuan as he continued to walk down the hall.

"Lloyd's a first year." Yuan's frown grew more pronounced. "I have no idea how he ended up here—he's an idiot with little talent for magic."

"This isn't just a magic school," Kratos pointed out. "You just hired me for traditional combat."

"No, I suppose not," Yuan admitted, not looking very pleased about it. He glanced back at his old friend, raising a brow. "Though I am surprised you agreed to teach. I thought I'd have to convince you more."

"It wouldn't be my first choice," Kratos agreed, his hand resting on his sword's hilt. "But…I owe you and Mythos."

"Kratos…" Yuan lowered his eyes, a melancholic expression crossing his face. His nails dug into his palm. "That wasn't your fault. Martel…no one could have saved her."

"Wasn't it, though?" Kratos closed his eyes. Even now, he could still picture Martel healing a soldier on the battlefield, an enemy plunging his sword from behind. She'd been just out of reach, just barely, his magic useless to do anything but secure revenge.

"I know what Mythos said back then, but he was a kid. He was angry and hurt." Yuan reached out, squeezing Kratos's shoulders. "What I said too…we were both wrong. We've moved past it, it's time you did too."

Kratos reached up and covered Yuan's hand with his own. It was easier said than done, but he didn't want to worry his friend anymore than he had to. "I'll think about it."

"Good." Yuan let go and walked over to one of the classroom doors. Peeking in, he sighed. "I was right. It was Lloyd after all."

Kratos followed him and looked inside. Inside a huge, lecture-style classroom, the imprint of a person was imbedded into the back wall. Two students flanked a brunette young man, helping him down the stairs. "That's him?"

"Yes. Be careful. Lloyd Irving is in your class too," Yuan added, already heading down the hall again.

"I see—" Kratos froze, whipping his head back to stare at the man.

Lloyd Irving.

Irving.

It couldn't be, could it?