A/N: I rewrote this chapter a couple of times, and I hope it is an interesting concept. This is not based off of any video game or otherwise as I tried to get my details directly from real history sources and wanted to depict people with different motivations on the German side of WWII. I used "Panzer Warfare on the Eastern Front" by Hans Schaufler for a lot of inspiration, and hope I interest a lot of people. Now, my one and only disclaimer: I do not own any of the franchises depicted or referenced here, all rights belong to their respected owners.

Though admittedly I do play "World of Tanks", and enjoyed "Girls und Panzer", I tried to make this more realistic than either one.

Italics-"Speaking in a language that is not the listener's native tongue, or a language they may have trouble understanding."

Chapter 1: Panzer Vor!

Point of View-Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere

Louise finished her chant for the second time, ignoring the pointed looks given to her by her peers. She was of the Valliere line and would not allow herself to be humiliated.

At least, that was what she told herself. In truth she knew no mage could possibly fail the summoning ritual, or ever had in recorded history. The founder's spells were the most tried and true and while nobody could doubt Louise had magical ability her ability to produce anything other than explosions was doubtful. The sound of another smoky explosion was produced immediately following the incantation and she hoped against hope that she would be successful despite the odds.

A crash was heard and she hopefully looked forward, only to see the smoke clear around some sort of monstrosity. What looked like a steel-plated carriage had slammed into the grass heavily, and it's massive frame was even taller than the lanky Professor Colbert. It's size wasn't the only thing that surprised her as instead of four wheels and a horse or two, were strange metal bars connected in a belt-like fashion over multiple wheels, which must have been to support the transport's heavy weight.

Still, the most surprising thing was the thin cannon that protruded out through the front of the top portion. It seemed much too thin in comparison to the cannon's she'd seen on visits to port cities and the palace, as well as various forts during travels. It also had a black cross which cultural studies and tutors had taught her had a Germanian origin and while most looked down on Germania as uncultured in comparison to Tristania, Gallia, Romalia, and Albion it was still one of the languages her mother had considered essential.

Students were recovering from smoke-induced coughing fits while Professor Colbert approached her and Louise quickly realized her place. She couldn't bind some Germanian contraption to herself! She'd failed, just as she had last time.
A sound interrupted her teacher's gait and she looked to see a circular hatch being popped open, with a man propping himself up with his arms to look out and fan away black clouds from inside.

"Status," he shouted down into the vehicle, in sharp Germanian which she did understand, if not exceptionally well. In her peripheral vision Louise saw Kirche perk up at that, probably surprised to hear her native tongue despite many of the noble students being capable of speaking it. "Kohler, status! What's going on?" Louise wondered who he was talking to before hearing a gruff voice reply back.

"Sir, no fire but Dolan's unconscious and-" the voice started but was interrupted by another quickly.

"We're good, the brat's out like a light though!"

"Good, Adler get him back. Kohler you are to-" the man stopped as he observed his surroundings, the relatively clear air showing the dumbstruck mages observing the unfolding spectacle. "Belay that, armed! Out now, move!" He barked rapidly, jumping out and drawing a strange black pistol from a holster. With disciplined speed two others emerged, a young blond man and an older, more physically imposing one. The blond readied the same pistol the first man had while the burly one carried a gray, short musket with a long box sticking pointedly out of the bottom.

"Ah, excuse me! Sirs, there's no need for violence," Professor Colbert interrupted in better Germanian than she possibly could have managed. She was pleasantly surprised by his ability to recover and judging from the black uniforms and the cross on the...carriage these commoners were men of the Germanian Military. Though the founder had judged it…

Oh by the founder, would she have to have a human familiar? Not only would she not get a majestic animal, but this could turn into some sort of diplomatic incident too? One could not deny the founder's ritual...doing so would be heresy. Still, if they were testing some cannon contraption could she be forced to only have a familiar controlled by a foreign power?!

Louise only noticed herself hyperventilating slightly when her teacher placed a calming hand on her shoulder. Unfortunately the weapons were immediately turned to him, and Louise knew some students already had hands on their wands. Surprisingly Colbert didn't raise his staff at all.

"Identify yourself, who are you! Where is this!" The man raised his voice, not quite raising his weapon to her teacher but his companions did so anyway. The man seemed to try to be polite, but conveyed an overwhelming sense of urgency, as if lives were at stake.

"I am Professor Jean Colbert of the Tristain Academy of Magic. You have arrived in the Tristain Academy of Magic, three hours by horseback to Tristania. Now you may be confused as it seems Ms. Valliere's summoning attempt brought you here-"

"I don't need your crazy stories," the lead man interrupted. "How far are we from Mzensk? What are german-speaking citizens and children doing in Russia?!" The man looked as if he was comprehending his words as they came out and looked to be taking this more seriously by the second.

"Mzensk? I'm afraid I haven't heard of such a place. Nor Russia. Perhaps it would be better to discuss this in private," it didn't take a genius to know Colbert was trying to get the children out of harm's way because even though she stayed firm in her belief that magic was far superior, Louise doubted that many of the students could defend themselves from bullets quickly enough.

"That is-," the man looked around and considered carefully. -"agreeable. Kohler, I entrust Dolan's safety and the IV's security to you," he gestured with his pistol to Professor Colbert and he nodded as if unworried about this strange occurrence and only curious.

Colbert quickly issued out directions to return to the dormitory rooms post haste, and they were followed without much resistance. However, Louise didn't miss the look the three men gave one another before the burly man went back to seemingly guard the vehicle.

"I want this sorted out immediately, time mustn't be wasted," he said sternly to Colbert who despite being at least twice his age seemed to take this completely seriously, while Louise followed. After all, it was her fault.

"Don't worry, I'm bringing you to the headmaster and despite his...eccentricities he's more well equipped to figure this out then I. Follow me," he gestured and nodded to Louise to follow, while the two men in black uniform followed closely, holstering their weapons but maintaining careful diligence.

When they arrived, Louise was honestly surprised to see Headmaster Osmond diligently poring over various papers. Looking up he looked curiously to Colbert.

"Oh ho-hoh! What's this, Jean?" Louise noted with annoyance that he stroked his beard with fake contemplation, while Colbert nodded accordingly.

"These men, along with their...carriage were seemingly summoned during Ms. Valliere's second summoning attempt," Louise flinched. "They also seem to speak Germanian, so if you would?" Osmond laughed heartily and eyed the two intruders.

"I am Headmaster Osmond of the Tristain Academy of Magic, it's a pleasure to meet you. Might I be privileged to know to whom I am speaking?" his Germanian wasn't smooth like Colbert's, but he was fluent enough to convey patience and formality.

Louise realized that as a noble Osmond would know how to be eloquent when the time called for it, but was still surprised that the notoriously lecherous old man had been capable of being polite without insidious intentions. Shame for causing this mess was only going to turn into scandal if it got any worse, but the way she saw it there was no reason to make it worse by speaking her thoughts aloud.

"Greetings, I am Feldwebel Arthur Schmidt of the 4th Panzer Division and this is Unteroffizier Erich von Adler, who is under my command," A noble? Louise considered it, but the name didn't sound traditional. The other countries had all looked down on the 'ennobling' the occasionally took place in Germania and considering a commoner was commanding him this seemed more likely.

To think some commoners had the gall to proclaim themselves nobility descended from those gifted by Brimir. louise didn't want to believe she'd summoned the likes of such heresy. Perhaps he was a bastard, who proved himself worthy of a new title based on merit? Germania did place great value on honor and achievement so that wasn't impossible but it still left questions unanswered.

"Herr Schmidt, a pleasure. Just how is it I can help you?" Louise tuned out what she already know and drew herself into analyzing the two men in front of her.

Arthur Schmidt looked pretty average, but held himself with the confidence necessary in good leaders, something Louise's own mother had tried to instill in her. His brown hair and dark eyes left some to be desired but wasn't the kind of barbaric look the filled Germanian stereotypes. Erich von Adler however...could be considered to have charming looks, not unlike Guiche de Gramont if he were to grow into a mature man, and develop a sense of duty. Guiche lacked the poise and build this uniformed soldier seemed to carry naturally. He had smooth blond hair and sharp blue eyes, and held himself seriously, but with a playful smirk that danced on his lips as if he found the situation exciting, if strange.

"You do not believe magic brought you here? I have to say it seems unlikely even from my perspective, though I don't know about what you describe as a land with no magic. Not to mention this Germany, do you not mean Germania?" Louise shot her eyes forward upon realizing she'd probably missed something important.

"No, I do not. Unless your 'magic' can figure out a way to bring us back to where we were...which is to say the constantly pushing front where we are needed," he stressed that to Osmond unnecessarily and Louise realized that his claims of not being from Germania made some sense if they were at war. After all, Germania was just starting to recover from a famine that had drained their resources due to extremely poor harvests. They were definitely not interested in war despite their strength. "So I will need maps of the area immediately." Osmond placed his elbows on his wooden desk and assumed a position of thought.

"Colbert, fetch Ms. Longueville and tell her to bring local and continental maps. Afterwards I want both of you to search the archives about any unusual familiar summonings," his transition to Francais was smooth, and Louise got the impression that he was happy to be able to go back to speaking his native language. Colbert left immediately and Osmond turned back to Arthur.

"The truth is however that I might know way to get you back magically. If we were to let Ms. Valliere complete the ritual the runes may show which region you've been summoned from but even so it might not. After all a human summoning is unprecedented."

"I don't think your 'magic' could get us home anyway," Arthur said, and Louise got the impression that he was mocking them as if he thought they were crazy or something. "Nonetheless, your lack of knowledge on things that are commonplace where I am from doesn't leave me filled with hope. As you said earlier, you can provide sleeping arrangements and assure that the Panzerkampfwagen remains protected?"

"Yes, the Panzer-kampf-wagen..." Osmond audibly separated it, showing that he probably hadn't practiced his Germanian in years. "Well, there are some storage portions of the building behind the complex. I don't know if they'll be big enough but if not we can have one of the earth-mages craft a temporary shelter for it." Arthur and Erich shared a look, though she couldn't quite decipher its meaning.

The wooden door flew open as Colbert returned with Osmond's secretary, her long dark hair seemingly making up for Colbert's baldness.

"Ah yes, bring those here!" Osmond exclaimed, picking up his staff and muttering a quick incantation to levitate the stacks of paper on his desk onto a shelf to make room. Arthur choked and Erich tensed, as if surprised. Louise was certain they'd be more used to seeing practiced magic if they were in the military but they'd claimed to not be of Germanian origin.

What then? Some sort of Germanian country that had long ago split off? Discontented nobles who decided to leave and travel with others far away, to create this 'Germany' place? Colbert set down a map of Tristain on the desk and smoothed it out for observation.

"What is...?" Arthur came up to inspect it, while Erich did so after sending Ms. Longueville a grateful smile, as if she'd done something personally for him. Louise realized her comparison to Guiche might not have been that far off, unfortunately. "You said we're near Tristainia? Your country is not very large from the looks of it. Is there a bigger map?" Upon seeing the look Osmond was giving him he clarified, "In scope, not in literal map size," he turned to his companion who had holstered his pistol to gaze over the map, "Unteroffizier, I don't recognize anything here. You?"

"No sir, nothing remotely recognizable," he seemed concerned as well, and Osmond gestured to his employees. "Get a continental map!" Longueville unfurled another map and set it down right atop the other one. Louise noticed that in the end, Osmond nor Colbert and Longueville really cared about the maps, looking more with curiosity towards the mens' reactions. After all, even she knew they would find no place called 'Germany' aside from Germania not to mention 'Russia' or 'Mzensk'.

"Scheiße...and this map is...accurate?" Osmond nodded with an 'Of Course'. Arthur turned to Erich, who Louise saw was also staring sullenly. "You know what I'm thinking, right?" Erich nodded and pointed at Germania.

"Germany," his finger slid to Albion, "Britain," to Romalia, "Italy," to Gallia, "France," then finally to Tristain, "Belgium, most likely. but I don't see many of the other countries like Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland and the rest," What kind of strange countries were those, why would there be other countries? "I don't see Russia to the east either." Arthur nodded thoughtfully.

"Headmaster Osmond, you say you've been to Tristainia? Might you say you've been to some of the other places here too?" He nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course, I was a knight back in my glory days! Why, I once was given a reward by the King of Gallia back then for slaying a dragon! Such a shame his grandson is such a...well anyway, yes I am quite a traveled old man!" Osmond seemed to get so caught up in reminiscing that he wasn't even bothered by having to speak Germanian. Arthur seemed hesitant, but Erich had gone pale.

"K-king?...Dragon?" Osmond nodded, unable or choosing not to read the mood. "Yeah, the skull is right over there! I was quite sentimental back then. I also used to sleep with the most beautiful women-" Colbert coughed to interrupt him. The two uniformed men stared openly at the Bleached skull, long horns protruding outwards, menacing teeth preserved via magic to slow deterioration. Louise had always thought he'd bought the thing whenever she visited his office, but it seemed this was not the case.

"You said..." Arthur seemed to take on a very sullen tone, "-you said there was another way to possibly find a return?" Osmond nodded and Erich turned sharply.

"Sir, are you certain you should participate in this 'magic', it is what got us stuck in the crazy-" Arthur interrupted him by putting a placating hand on his shoulder.

"I take responsibility for my crew. Our comrades are dying out there to those new T-34s and KV-1s. I don't care if the chance is slim, it's better than nothing," he turned to the map, "I'm going to get you, Frederic, and Maximilian out of this crazy land," Erich's eyes widened at the informal addressing which was counter to Arthur's normal style of leading when on duty or business. "You trust me Erich?" Louise saw him nod without hesitation and noticed she wasn't the only one uncomfortable from the exchange. The others all shifted awkwardly at this seemingly personal moment.

"Let's finish this damn ritual. You said that there's a chance you could track the way back from here if it was finished?" Osmond nodded, recovering from the atmosphere that had developed. Louise felt herself flush at the thought, remembering the while it was normal to seal the summoning ritual with a kiss, she'd have to do it with this man!

No, she had to be strong! This would prove that not only did she have the power to summon a familiar, but a sentient one too! At least, that's what she hoped. Osmond gestured her forward and Colbert smiled encouragingly while Arthur and Erich stared at her.

"Herr Schmidt, are you...ready?" Louise tried to keep the nervousness out of her voice and sound as serious as she could. He nodded, and she pulled out her wand, raising it to point at him. She decided to use the original spell's incantation instead of a modified version, knowing it had to go perfectly. She switched back from Germanian as well, and spoke the incantation in the Elder Tongue.

"By the pentagon of the five elemental powers, bless this creature so that we may be bound to serve in one another's interests faithfully and shall dutifully guide each other to the path of enlightenment!" Louise channeled her mana through the foci and pushed, pleading to assure its success. Once she felt herself drain appropriately Louise reached upwards, cursing her small stature as she pulled Arthur down as hard as she could, and kissed him all the while trying to ignore the implications of kissing such a stranger, and a commoner at that.

Breaking the kiss she composed herself, seeing the cool gazes of Osmond, Colbert, and Longueville, the last of whom seemed amused. Erich was staring wide-eyed while Arthur looked flustered, and Louise remembered that he hadn't known what was needed to complete the ritual.

Louise's musings were interrupted by the sound of burning, and Arthur's sharp intake of air, followed by a long painful hiss that escaped his lips as he gripped his left hand with his right, where on the back of his left hand intricate runes started to carve themselves into the skin, thin and precise but still quite deep. Erich shouted something in alarm and dove to catch his superior as Arthur started to lose consciousness. It all happened in a blur to Louise Francois le Blanc de la Valliere, for when she lay her eyes on the completed runes, which glowed a dark, fading red on Arthur's hand...she felt as if she was touched by fate itself.

Point of View-Feldwebel Arthur Schmidt

With a gasp, Arthur shot upwards, sweating heavily beneath a silk blanket and breathing with difficulty. He suffered no loss of judgement and immediately brought the back of his left hand to his face, where he saw perfectly carved block-like runes sprawled across the skin. His eyes widened and he sucked in a breath, only to have a hand place itself on his shoulder.

Arthur's eyes shot to the right and met the face of his loader and radio operator, Gefreiter Frederic Kohler. His subordinate's cool gaze met his until Arthur was able to calm down and Frederic lowered his hands. "That was reckless, Arthur," he said seriously. Arthur realized that the serious man was probably only using his first name because he was in the hospital. Kohler had always been strict and all-business when the time came.

"I realize that now, but it's a bit too late to regret it," he ran his fingers over the grooves in his other hand's skin felt it. "So, can you give me a report on the situation?" Frederic nodded, and ran a few fingers over his beard in thought.

"You've been out for a little less than two days, and Erich's been squeaking as much information out of the german-speaking nobles as he can. Since Maximilian speaks french he's been all over this 'Academy' and is gathering information as best he can," informative and brief, all the better for Arthur who still felt a bit disoriented.

"The IV?" he questioned. Frederic nodded and explained that it had been driven to a storage building only a short distance away from the school's grounds. "Alright, since Erich probably told you all the details about what happened, tell me are these people keeping their word and using this," Arthur tapped the runes audibly with a finger, "to find a way back home?"

"The bald teacher, Jean Colbert seems motivated and has looked at those during your rest multiple times while one of us stood watch over you. The secretary, Longueville traced it with charcoal and seems to be searching through archives with him to find information. Also, the girl who apparently 'summoned' us has visited you four times."

"And?"

"The search has been fruitless so far, but we've been given sleeping and eating arrangements and have busied ourselves with maintenance of the Panzer IV, guarding you against these irredeemable students, and digging for information," the report was surprisingly long, but thorough with the professional attitude he expected of his loader...if not from his enthusiastic gunner and cynical driver.

Arthur sat up and looked around, seeing he was in some sort of infirmary or resting place with multiple beds, a table, and some reading material. Definitely a place for sick students. Reaching towards the table he almost fell, had Kohler not caught his sore body and he reached what looked like his uniform.

"It's been cleaned?" he asked questioningly. Frederic nodded in affirmation.

"It's a school for noble children, there are many servants employed and they have been ordered to help the Germanians-which is what they call us-if asked, as well as provide food. Our sleeping arrangements are also in the spare staff quarters." Arthur nodded and started to don, his uniform. However, as Frederic was leaving to give him privacy Arthur realized something.

"Where's my sidearm?" That was worrisome, especially if some child got ahold of it.

"Erich has it, don't worry so much. We're not completely incompetent," Frederic told him jokingly, causing him to laugh as well. Frederic was much more mature than Erich or Maximilian, but he knew with certainty he could depend on as well Erich considering they'd been together since the campaign in France under command of Generalleutnant Rommel.

Once war broke out in Russia and Germany started it's invasion; Arthur's crew, Erich included, and many other experienced Panzertruppe soldiers were moved to the eastern front. Frederic and Maximilian had shifted to his crew after his last tank was caught with an anti-tank shell in the ammunition rack. Of his five-man crew only Erich and himself had made it out before it had gone up in flames completely. Frederic and Maximilian were replacements, with Kohler playing both loader and radio operator out of necessity.

Arthur finished dressing in his black uniform, and quickly entered into the bland hallway and rejoined his loader, who was leaning his heavy build against the white walls, boots weighing heavily on the wood floors.

Frederic explained that Headmaster Osmond had wanted to speak to him and that he'd bring him there, and by the time they reached the office he felt much more alive than before. Beyond the door however, was a sight he wasn't quite ready for. even though they didn't understand the language the context was quite clear.

Longueville was digging through papers on a lower shelf while Osmond was being as discreet as he could...and quite clearly looking up her skirt. she turned, and he quickly tilted to look as if he was gazing out the windows. Longueville straightened and waved her arms furiously, pulling her skirt farther down and glaring at him furiously.

"You lecherous old man!" Longueville cried out in a flustered tone, her almost viridian hair swept back and glasses hanging off her face in surprise as she glared at her superior. "Having me dig through trash just to peep on your subordinates is despicable!"

"Now now Ms. Longueville, this is the kind of attitude that makes it no surprise that you are wearing those conservative white panties! Why I'm sure if you wore something more provocative men would-" Osmond coughed upon seeing the two dumbstruck soldiers, and Longueville followed suit, quickly composing herself.

"Herr Schmidt, it's wonderful to see you've awoken!"

"A pleasure to see you in good recovery!" Longueville beamed as well, and Arthur couldn't help get the feeling that these nobles didn't know how to not be polite in the face of formality, even if they hated the person across from them. Hopefully they didn't have too much disdain for him and his crew though.

"It's a pleasure to be back in good health," he replied more for the sake of being polite than actual joy. "-though I was informed you had business to discuss with me..." Longueville straightened and started to excuse herself, realizing it wasn't a secretary's place to intrude on private business but Osmond stopped her.

"Actually, before you get back to your duties see if you can't fetch Ms. Valliere," he said in French, causing his secretary to nod before he switched his attention back to the soldiers. Arthur's eyes darted upwards. Had he just understood that? It had sounded French, but it was clear as day...his thoughts were interrupted by Frederic, who leaned over and said,

"I will inform the others of your awakening, sir." before nodding to Osmond and leaving. Arthur was glad to see he was back using formalities now that he was focused on the job, something that had always helped him function when commanding the tank. His crew's discipline meant he could depend on them and they him. Was that some side effect of the magic the Valliere girl had used?

"Ah, well if you must know my employees have been hard at work...though not much progress has been met. We put an inquiry into the palace library for more material on summoning history and theory, so hopefully they'll grant our research request," he finished in german, looking professional in what Arthur thought was a good attempt at hiding the fact that they hadn't made any progress. Still, it had only been two days and his crew was so far being cared for. The real issue was getting back to the war post-haste.

"Is that all? I do need to see the status of my crew since I was asleep," he reminded Osmond, but the old man held out a hand to halt him.

"No, the real issue here is something I hadn't remembered at the time Ms. Valliere and you finished the ritual. You see, there are legal ramifications…" Arthur blinked, but glared at the man for him to continue, not amused that the man had forgotten something that was important. This only served to prove that completing the ritual had been too brash, just as Kohler had said.

"You see, normally a familiar is a master's—the mage who summoned that familiar—responsibility. This means they are legally bound to one another and with most animals the binding makes them docile and there are no problems, however…"

"However, I am a man whose will is his own, so there are differences," he cut in, and Osmond nodded.

"As it is you have the runes, which as a magic binding made by one of the founder's rituals is just as good as any legal binding. You will have to work out a deal with Ms. Valliere, but she's a smart and gifted girl and you can probably just act as a sort of bodyguard for show. As you and your men are from the military of a foreign power she can't control them or order you to do so in her steed, something I'm sure you'd be worried about," He finished. Honestly, it was. Arthur knew that basically he was bound as a legal subordinate to a child and that for his men's sake he would have to act like it.

"I see, so what now?" in truth, he was worried. His fate and those of his men were looking bleak. What would happen should they even return? Would they be considered deserters?

"I told my secretary to fetch Ms. Valliere, so she should be here soon. You'll be sleeping in her quarters in order to fulfill your role as her guard and familiar but I'll warn you now: While Professor Colbert and I realize the importance of keeping this temporary the Valliere family is very long and proud, and while I don't know what she'll expect of you it may very well not be to your liking," Arthur got the impression he was once again understating the severity of the situation in order to keep the conversation civil, but it wouldn't matter now. There was really no choice but to comply and so he appreciated his honesty, even if the Headmaster was a bit eccentric.

"You see, for the more secluded families, familiars aren't too important. However it's a sign of a mage's maturity and it would be humiliating for her family should she have failed…after all, her talent in magical practice is already...lacking, as evidenced by your unique summoning," he understood that. It seemed it was just as important that he play his part for his men as it was for the young girl, though he still saw it as a rotten deal.

"That's fair, but I want the research continued into how to return. There is no understating the importance. My country is at war and I shall not be had abandoning it!" Osmond nodded and smiled.

"That's some fine dedication, and of course while I may eventually have to force Colbert to return to teaching as he's starting to get too caught up and has other duties, I will have Longueville bring any extra research material here for myself as well. After all, I have to do something besides write letters and attend functions every once in awhile, no?" A smirk dotted the old man's face and Arthur nodded, finding the man personable enough to enjoy his company somewhat, though he'd rather not be here at all. Arthur also avoided mentioning that he shouldn't be spending his time peeping on his secretary.

Knocking on the sturdy door interrupted their dwindling conversation, and Osmond called a 'Come in!' in french, which he once again understood. He didn't know any french beyond 'Bonjour', 'oui', and 'non' on a normal basis either...now was not the time to figure out this puzzle.

Ms. Longueville opened the door followed by the young girl who'd accidentally brought them here. Arthur briefly wondered if being capable of magic made one's genetics more malleable, because although he was no scientist he'd never seen the pink-blonde shade of light hair the girl had, not to mention the secretary whose dark hair seemed to consist of a deep green, so nearly to the point of being black, but still rich with color. Perhaps they used magic to alter their hair for beauty purposes?

"Sir, I'm here with Ms. Valliere," she said in Germanian, probably for his benefit. Arthur was glad for this, if this magic made it so he could understand french it didn't change how uncomfortable it made him feeling like he understood something despite not doing so at all.

"Good evening, Headmaster, Herr Schmidt," the young Valliere girl nodded politely, though she seemed stressed especially when greeting him.

"Thank you Ms. Longueville, if you'd please..." his secretary nodded and excused herself from the room.

"Ms. Valliere, as you can see you did not fail the familiar summoning ritual, as you probably already know," she nodded, and he continued, "-as it is Herr Schmidt is in your custody and you will be responsible for him, as he will you."

"Of course, a familiar's duty is to protect and serve their master and a master's to care for their familiar," she said proudly, and Arthur got the impression that she was proud to show off her knowledge.

"Good, tomorrow a bunk will be delivered for him to accompany you and I'm very happy to say you are at no risk of expulsion." She beamed happily, and Arthur didn't miss her standing straighter and flattening out her skirt. Had she actually been at risk of expulsion? You shouldn't be proud of getting over that!

"Of course headmaster, is there anything else?"

"Ah yes, well not too much I suppose. Tomorrow is the Day of the Void, so as usual you have off and we will be encouraging second-years to take the off-day in order to bond with their familiar. I hope you'll take this time to get acquainted with Herr Schmidt and work out any kinks should they show up," He nodded, and Arthur got the impression he was trying to tell her something.

"I'm sure I'll have no problems with my familiar and as master will be able to discipline him properly should anything occur," she nodded self assuredly, apparently not getting the point. Osmond sighed in acceptance.

"Alright then, I suppose you're excused, you can return to your class and Herr Schmidt can find you later. I believe he has to check in on his men," Arthur nodded at that, and watched Louise excuse herself.

"Good luck with that girl, you'll most certainly need it…" Osmond mumbled, and Arthur couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Why?"

"Well, I'd forgotten about this, but you might say she has an explosive personality." Lovely. That sounded just lovely.

A/N: Please give constructive criticism, thoughts, recommendations, or anything else in the comments, and if you'd like a reply or any clarification please feel free to Private Message me. I will try to update as I can, but they may come sporadically. Thanks for taking the time to read. Thanks a lot for reading!

The Crew:

Commander-Arthur Schmidt, Age 26, Feldwebel(Staff Sergeant)

Gunner-Erich von Adler, Age 24, Unteroffizier(Sergeant)

Driver-Maximilian Dolan, Age 23, Oberschutze(Private First Class)

Loader & Radio Operator-Frederic Kohler, Age 30, Gefreiter(Corporal)