Chapter 1: The Son of the Sun
Foreword:
Damn you Abigail Williams. Rip 200+ Quartz. I hope everyone else out there got better luck and managed to roll the Lovecraftian forehead girl.
In the meantime I'll be satisfied with my Carmilla, I guess...(cries in salt)
Slightly shorter than I expected, but I wanted to cut it at a cliffhanger(?). I'll make sure to hit the 10k word count at least per chapter from next time. (I'm pretty sure I'll fall flat on my face and not keep this promise, but still. You gotta set high goals, right?)
The first chapter is out early since I've been working on it 3 days before I uploaded the prologue. I expect the next chapter will won't be out for at least 3 days. Who knows? if I get Ereshikigal on FGO I may become just hyped enough to write faster. Mixing working and writing is pretty hard.
Edit: Changed tidbits and such. Vasusena was from the storyboard, where I thought Karna would be hiding his true name, but he doesn't do that even in Apo so... ty for pointing that error. Brahman-Brahma as well. That was actually quite a grave mistake.
Enough chit-chat, let's move on. I've posted my replies to the questions from the reviews in the bottom section.
Karna opens his eyes to see a courtyard full of… students, what seems like. They are muttering in a stranger dialect of French, as he understood. Strangely, he had access to all the knowledge a grail would generally grant heroic spirits when they are summoned as a Servant. Really strange, considering that his existence here is something the WORLD would generally not allow.
Something he notes is that the air seem to be saturated with Mana, almost as much as they did back in the Age of the Gods. Mages would find themselves massively easier to control their element within such a powerful air.
The scenery is bright and beautiful. The sky is clear blue, sun is shining, and he could even hear the birds sing. Perhaps on days like these he could simply lay back and enjoy the flowers. However, going by the look on the rather petite pink-haired girl in front of him, it probably isn't the best way to act right now.
His master was waiting for him after all.
He bends one knee, and slowly descends to her eye level. He isn't particularly tall, but what seems to be his new master is minuscule. He looks into her eyes to find that she is shaken. Unsteady, nervous, and slightly expectant. It is fragile, yet something about it gives off a determined expression.
He asks her in her own language via the world-given knowledge; "I ask, are you my master?"
She seems slightly taken aback, but she manages to answer "Y-yes! I am your m-master!"
Glad to affirm, Karna stood up. He was about to speak some more, yet the girl seemed slightly taken aback.
He is taken aback as well when she grabs his neck and pulls him over. Unknowing but still seeing no harm, he complies.
That was when his lips met with hers.
The kiss surprises him as much as the pain does. A stinging pain courses through his entire body, making him draw back slightly from his master. Even for Karna, who has overcome many painful injuries during his lifetime, it's enough to make him shudder slightly. When the pain fades completely, he realizes that his Kavacha and Kundala did not prevent the damage at all. He didn't feel any residual damage, but it was worth pondering about. He noticed that in his left hand, a strange set of runes unknown to him was now etched.
He noted the middle-aged 'professor' was also staring at his newfound runes with interested eyes as much as he was, if not more.
At the end of the summoning ritual, everyone has been dismissed to prepare themselves for tomorrow's lessons. The atmosphere was full of cheer. Many students began to fly into the air, cradling their newfound familiars in their arms. He notes that the notion is rather fascinating. Back when he was alive, many mages could easily float. However, the Age of Gods has long ended in his world now, and mages in the current era would never cast their spells out in the open, lest they decrease the mystery and fantasy regarding their craft. Truly, this is a different world.
Karna half-expected his new master to do the same, but she doesn't seem to show any sign of casting a spell. Instead, she simply walked, holding her head slightly low.
Hm.
His new master seem intent on walking as fast as possible, going by her strides. Of course, to Karna it was not a problem, seeing as her strides were short thanks to her small stature. However, she didn't utter a single word at all, which Karna found slightly awkward.
But then, when did he not feel awkward around people?
Instead of focusing on the ever-increasing awkwardness(in Karna's opinion), he decided to take note of the surroundings. The place was very large and extravagant, with medieval Europe based architecture. Pillars of marble held up giant ceilings decorated with statues. Luxurious red carpets lay on the ground as far as the eye could see, and maids and butlers could be seen carrying various household tools everywhere.
Honestly, it was far too extravagant for Karna's liking. There is beauty in simplicity. With such material decorations, he had seen too many great men fall to their own greed, too engaged in luxuries to see what truly mattered.
His pondering came to an end when they reached a certain room, and his new master decided to enter. He hesitated for a second, and decided to enter as well. His master quickly brought a chair and seated herself. Perhaps they might finally have some talk after all.
The master finally spoke, in a rather strangely irritated voice. "Familiar! Introduce yourself! Are you a trader from the unknown lands? A mercenary? For what reason did you heed my summons?"
The rapidly fired questions caught him off-guard.
"Master. Are you telling me that you had no idea who you were summoning, and decided to summon a heroic spirit from the Throne of Heroes?"
Either his master was incredibly brave, or had no problems risking her life.
"Eh... h-heroic spirit? Throne of? What?" Louise stuttered in confusion while grabbing a strand of hair from her pink hair.
Karna had to admit, as endearing as her reactions were, she probably needed a catch-up. As did him.
"I am Karna, son of the blessed god of the sun Surya. I am a heroic spirit, stored within the Throne of Heroes to come to humanity's aid in times of need." Karna explained.
"I am Louise Francois le Blanc La Valliere! The greatest among nobility in Tristain! And watch your mouth! To declare yourself related to God was blasphemous enough, but to even hint that there are other gods besides the great Founder is outright heresy!" Louise shouted in exasperation.
"If you command, master." said Karna. People believed in different gods. He wasn't going to criticize her on it.
"First I thought I failed my familiar summoning ritual, then an explosion occurs and you step out of it, then you tell me you're some... son of god AND A hero that comes to people in need! Aren't you basically a normal human? Argh! I swear, why couldn't I get something more magnificent. Like a dragon, or a griffin!" Louise vented while pouting.
Karna was taken aback for the third time this day. It looked like she had no idea what he was talking about, and the vice versa also happened to be true. Maybe his explanation wasn't concise enough. He was always told that he lacked more than a few words after all. His communication skills were honestly horrible at best. However, this was getting nowhere.
"Master, I would like you to explain what you meant by your statement." Offered Karna.
"What's there to it! It's simple! We, the great nobility of Tristain, summon a familiar to help us throughout our life once in our lives! But others get magical beasts, dragons, salamanders, while I get a blasphemous commoner who's deluded enough to call himself related to divinity! You can't use magic, right?" She asked with an accusing tone.
"Yes, I cannot utilize any magic at all." Confirmed Karna. Maybe he should have said some more? He honestly has no idea what he should say, though. Maybe his master desired a Caster class? Sadly, he only had aptitude for Lancer, Rider, and Archer positions.
"I knew it! I summoned a commoner for my familiar!" his master sighed, as if defeated.
Commoner. A term Karna was used to hearing. It's something he grew up with, after all. Nobility always attempted to put down their lowers by subjugating them in a specific class. It was the nature of humans to feel better about themselves over others. It wasn't his master's fault.
"I had enough for the day, familiar. Now I desire sleep. Leave me be. You may sleep in the haystack by the corner. It should be enough for a commoner like you." Louise said full of exasperation.
"Very well, master. I hope you have a good night." Said Karna. Ah, haystacks! Brings back memories of working in the horse sheds alongside his chariot caretaker stepfather. He dully notes he didn't get any chance to explain his side of the story to her master, but that can come later.
Jean Colbert was currently hyped up to the maximum as he almost broke through the headmaster room's door.
"Headmaster! Headmaster! I believe-" stopped Colbert when he saw the spectacle taking place.
Miss Longueville, the headmaster's secretary, was currently in the middle of striking the old headmaster with her foot. Strangely, the headmaster, Old Osmond, looked like he was in bliss.
Colbert might have been slightly unaware, but even he could figure out what was going on.
"Apologies, headmaster. I'll visit some other time." Colbert stated in a monotone.
"Wait, Professor Colbert. It's not what you're obviously implying." said Miss Longueville.
"Ah, was it not? I definitely thought it was!" said Old Osmond, still looking more happy than most people should be.
"The old perverted geez-I mean the headmaster attempted to sexually harass me. I'm simply using countermeasures." said Miss Longueville with an uninterested tone.
"Miss Longueville, is it truly hard to allow this old man some small blessings in life?" the headmaster whined in mock hurt.
"Not when that small blessing is attempting to find out your secretary's underwear color." she countered.
"Ah, figures. Headmaster, honestly. There are more important things at hand here." said Colbert. He had great respect for Old Osmond, him being a hero of the old wars and all, but he really does need to learn his age.
"Hmm?" the headmaster drawled.
"Headmaster, I believe I've found something interesting." said Colbert, holding up a specific book.
The headmaster's expression changed. He might have been old, but his intellect hasn't dulled.
"Miss Longueville, would you grant us some alone time, please?" asked the old mage.
The book was titled 'Familiars of the Void' after all.
In the midst of the night, Karna silently watched his master's sleeping form on her bed. For someone with so much resentment, she sure looked serene asleep. He has seen many like her during his lifetime. Some people are granted better status and wealth from the moment they are born. Some are granted enough blessings to fill a hundred men's lifetimes in a year. It is the nature of things. He cannot change that. However, he notes that she said her family was among the nation's greatest nobles. It's human nature to never be satisfied, but her degree of resentment was rare among nobility. To look down upon, to dominate, to boast themselves further. Those were nobility nature, based on greed. Resentment was more of a commonfolk thing.
He hoped he could help her get over such emotions. Though, knowing himself, she would end up hating him as well.
He silently covered her small body with the very blanket she kicked in her sleep earlier, and left the room to scout.
Once outside, the night air felt cool to his skin. Karna felt something he didn't note before. He had a body. A material one. It wasn't a hastily created class container the grain generally grants its summons. It was an actual, living body. It was as if they managed to bring back his long-dead body back. It was a strange feeling. Third Magic perhaps? Possibly, a perfected Third Magic can materialize a working body for a servant. It might be a copy, but it was plausible. It was theoretical, of course since no mage had reached that epitome for quite some time.
Karna stood over the roof of the Academy and viewed the surroundings. Something he noted as interesting besides the over saturated Mana in the air was the twin moons gleaming in the night sky. Certainly a sight many in his world would have wanted to see. It was breathtakingly beautiful, after all.
He vaguely notes a flying figure far, far away. It would generally be impossible for normal humans to seek out such a figure in the darkness, but Karna was no normal human. For someone whose archery techniques remained as a legend for many generations, such a figure may have been standing under a microscope. Karna notes the possibility of an enemy. His master may be naive, but that doesn't mean she isn't facing dangers. In fact, it would be strange for someone who can hack into Alaya to not be facing any dangers.
Karna jumps into action. Better to be sure than be sorry.
Three leaps are all it takes for Karna to reach the flying dragon and its rider. Under the silent moonlight, Karna sheaths his golden spear as his armor and earring - Kavacha and Kundala - come into existence.
"KYUI!" Shrieks the startled dragon. Strange for a battle cry, Karna notes.
Karna levels the spear at the dragon. Its tip bursts into raging flames. He sees that the dragon looks absolutely petrified.
"State your business." Karna demands coldly.
The rider, a petite girl with short, blue hair simply gaze at Karna impassively, completely contrary to her familiar. However, Tabitha is surprised that someone could close such distance in less than a second. Her wand is up as if to guard herself.
"..."
"...nighttime stroll?" says Tabitha in a small voice.
"..."
"Apologies." States Karna. He identifies the girl as someone he saw at the springtime summoning ritual. Perhaps she too, was enjoying the night air. He admits he may have been on edge. This was a different world - and different worlds have different customs. A flying dragon in his time would be a threat. In here it might have been simply everyday life to go on nighttime strolls with a familiar dragon. He accepts. He does not criticize.
The girl is definitely not suspicious. She shows no killing intent after all.
The flames flicker from the divine spear, as the armor disappears.
Both sides simply stare at each other. Only the dragon's nervous 'kyui's resound the air.
"..."
Karna realizes they have no more words to say, and decides to leave.
"...wait." He hears a small voice behind his back.
The girl is pointing at herself.
"...Tabitha." She says, still in small voice.
Karna realizes that it was an introduction.
"..."
The girl is now pointing her wand at Karna, while tilting her head slightly sideways.
Karna realizes that she is waiting for him to introduce himself. Should he introduce himself though? If this was a regular holy grail war, then introducing himself would be something most masters would stay away from. However, his master had no idea who he was. And this seemed like an entirely different world. In this world, he would face his enemies without hiding his identity.
"Karna." He states.
"...Karna." Tabitha murmurs. Tabitha, as if she lost all interest, goes back to her book, which she was reading before Karna's intrusion.
"Again, I give you my apologies." Karna says, and decides it's as good as any time to go back to his master's side.
"...goodbye." murmurs Tabitha, not looking up from her book.
As Karna leaves her side, he ponders to himself.
'Awkwardness follows me everywhere. Can humankind truly communicate with language alone?'
Tabitha and Iruruku returned back to their rooms after their encounter. As soon as the lock sounded on the door, the rhyme dragon began to speak.
"Kyui! That man was so scary~" Iruruku, the Rhyme Dragon, cuddles against Tabitha as she shivers.
"...strong." Tabitha simply stated while petting Iruruku slowly. She did not take her eyes off her book though.
"I wasn't worried at all! Big sister is the strongest after all!" says Iruruku, looking a bit weird to an outside viewer since such a large dragon is cuddled up against a girl of Tabitha's stature.
'I wonder...' Tabitha thought. The aura she felt from Karna's form was unlike any she's seen before. She notes that if a fight did break out, she probably would have lost. Not only did the man locate her through such a distance in the night, he had enough physical strength to decrease the distance in 3 steps.
That Louise might not be a failure after all.
Karna woke up early in the morning. Parashurama, his ex-teacher, always taught him that early birds get the Brahmastra techniques after all.
"Unyaa..." A strange voice sounds from his master's bed.
Karna notes that his master is finally getting up. The morning alarm ran 30 minutes ago, however.
"Familiar... what time is it?" Asks Louise in a slumbering voice.
"I believe the morning bell rang around half an hour ago, master." Karna states.
"WHAT! Why didn't you wake me up!" Shouted Louise.
"Should I have? Understood. Then I shall wake you up at the right time from tomorrow." states Karna.
"Ugh! You're such an inconsiderate commoner. Help me get dressed already! The dresses are in the corner of the cabinet!"
Karna is taken aback. He seems to be doing that a lot nowadays. But is it the norm for people to show their skin so easily to the opposite gender like this?
"Are you fine with it, though?" Karna asks.
"What? Of course I'm fine with it! Servants are meant to help their masters dress after all!" Louise retorts.
"...very well. I will assist you on that matter." Karna states. He simply accepts. He does not judge.
...
It was almost the end of breakfast by the time Louise and Karna stepped out of their room's door.
"Ugh, you stupid familiar! I'm late! Hurry!" shouts Louise.
Karna was about to offer to carry her and take her to the main hall since he has memorized the location from yesterday, but he is interrupted before he can say anything.
"My my! Where are you two going in such a hurry?" A redhead is standing near a door, her body slightly in forward position showing a sizable portion of her impressive cleavage.
"Get out of the way, Zerbst! I won't have you bothering me today!" shouts Louise with indignation.
"Ah ah, who says I had any interest in you, Valliere? Don't flatter yourself too much. I'm more looking forward to meeting this gentleman by your side after all!" The girl happily states.
"Wha-" Louise stutturs, annoyed.
"Well hello there! Now that's one sleek look you're having! I'm Kirche Von Zerbst. Runic name of Ardent! My specialty is the burning passion that always stay on flames in my heart! What's your name, if I may inquire?"
"Karna." Karna simply states.
"Don't just go answering her!" Shouts Louise. "Also, keep your dirty hands off my familiar, Zerbst!"
"Clingy girls are not popular, Louise. I'm pretty sure Karna would want to have some more 'quality time' with me than wasting his time on a flatboard like you." She eyes Karna with seductive eyes. Karna notes that she's managed to unbutton one more of her already bulging bosom line's buttons, leaving almost nothing to the imagination.
"Wouldn't you, Mr. Karna?" Kirche asks coyly.
"Apologies, Kirche. I'm afraid my master is beckoning. We must be getting to the main hall quickly. I am sure, however that there are other men that can satisfy your time." said Karna.
...
...
Silence beckons the hall.
"Well, master? I believe you are late." Did he say something wrong? Karna wonders. All he did was to identify Kirche's intentions, and gave her the best advice from his point of view. Eh, he was used to awkward silences anyways.
To Karna's surprise, his master doubles over in laughter as Kirche goes flaming red.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! He got you there, Kirche! I... I can't! Bwahahahahaha! Louise gasps for breath as Kirche gets redder and redder.
"My my... I certainly didn't expect that! That's not a gentlemanly thing to say, Karna. What's so bad about spending my passion with others?" Asks Kirche while pouting. The sight of her pout would melt most men to her wiles.
Karna was not most men.
"Nothing, I believe. If a woman decides to have sexual intercourse with multiple men, I believe it is her choice. It is not my place to interfere."
"Ahahahahaha! Cough! Gasp! Stop, stop familiar! You'll make me suffocate!" Louise is completely out of breath.
"Damn you, Louise! I'll get you back for this!" Shouts Kirche as she runs back to her room.
"Familiar, that wasn't so bad!" says Louise, still wheezing the last breaths of laughter from her lungs.
"I have no idea what you mean, but I believe we should be getting to the main hall soon." Says Karna. What did he say to incite such a large laughter? Duryodhana always told him that he was never had a talent for comedy, much to his chagrin. But he's been wrong plenty of times. Maybe he was a natural.
"Ah, right! Breakfast! Let's go familiar!" says Louise, now in much chipper condition.
The main hall of Tristain Academy was as spacious as it was flamboyant. Banners from famous nobility hung from the windows, and every chair had exquisite decorations. The smell of potato soup, grilled bacon, boiled eggs, and sausages hit Karna hard.
It was that moment when Karna realized it has been quite some time since he actually ate. He assumed that now with the material body, he actually needed sustenance to continue. Quite a large drawback in Karna's opinion.
However, it also meant that he can push his martial prowess to further heights. After all, a servant's body cannot change, but a fully materialized body can. That line of thought brought a small smile to his face.
The smile disappeared when he heard Louise's words.
"Your place is there, familiar!" Said Louise while pointing at the ground besides her.
He's had plenty of experience eating on the ground, growing up as a Shudra caste class. He did not consider his days with his stepparents any more disgraceful than the time he reigned as a king.
However, this was wrong. The reason the poor eat on the ground is because they have nowhere else to eat. They do not have carpets to feel the warmth of fur. They do not have tables to place the plates on. They do not have carved furnitures to sit on. The fact that there were more than enough seats on the table, yet she was offering him a place on the floor goes against everything Karna stood for.
"I believe I will search somewhere else, if that is all right with you, Master."
Better to be a beggar than a unwanted guest.
"Hmph. I can at least grant you that much. Don't you dare disobey me next time, though. I'm letting this one slip since you were so helpful against that Zerbst woman." Louise states, pouting.
Permission granted, Karna slowly heads towards the courtyard. It is quite large, and many familiars are playing on the gardens. Some have their masters with them, and some not. People mingle and socialize. Most of them have exquisite tea and snack trays in front of them, and they talk about their everyday life.
Peaceful.
He spotted a single maid trying to carry too many clothing at once.
After seeing her almost topple twice, he decided that he can't simply stand by anymore.
Siesta was having trouble.
It was fine to the point where she said she'd take care of the extra laundry caused by some weird noble playing with water magic, but she didn't think there would be this much at hand.
Besides, if one could use water magic, couldn't you just get rid of the water via magic? But then, magic is lost to a commoner like her, so it was rather pointless pondering these stuff.
'Though, the fact that they are pointless are what make daydreaming fun.' She thought.
'Who knows? Maybe even someone like me will meet one of those unrealistic princes that show up so much in the novels I enjoy so much.' She has recently gotten her hands on some novels from the capital, and boy were they her taste.
Daydreaming may be fun, but they generally don't help out with work process too much. Siesta realized this just a bit too late when she tripped over a rock and fell headfirst onto the ground with the laundry.
Or would have, since a man wearing black and gold clothing caught her before she fell.
"Are you all right?" her mysterious savior asks.
"Ah... ah." Siesta murmurs. 'What am I saying?' she thought.
Looking closely at the man, he definitely fits the 'prince' part. Standing before her is easily one of the best looking men she has seen in her life. His silver hair reflects the sun naturally, and his facial features look like they've been sculpted by a god. His body's a bit more skinny than she expected, but even she could see that the man had more than enough strength from the way he was holding her with a single arm while holding the entire laundry basket with the other.
"Thank... thank you, kind sir!" There was no way this man was a commoner.
"I believe the 'sir' part is unnecessary. I am no noble." At least in here, Karna thought. If magic meant nobility, he was no noble. He never liked the caste system anyways.
He's not a noble. Oh no. He's meeting all her standards!
"Ah... I'm Siesta, Mr...?" Siesta asked.
"Karna." Karna spoke.
"You do not mind me helping, do you?" That amount of laundry should never go to someone so small.
"I couldn't! That would be too much trouble for you!" Siesta spoke out. 'Again, what am I doing?' she thought.
Karna does not say anything else, but simply grabs the laundry box and asks.
"Where to?"
Siesta was honestly surprised at this man's expertise in household chores. He's definitely better than her when it comes to laundry. For someone who looks like he'd be a crown prince of a foreign magical kingdom, he sure washes clothes very well.
She was simply glad they had more chances at conversation.
"So, you're Miss Valliere's familiar?"
"Yes. I have been summoned by her."
"Why aren't you with her, though?"
"Master is currently eating breakfast. I decided to look around."
"So you've finished eating? How was the food in our academy? It's all made by us commoners in the kitchen, you know!"
Siesta has more than a bit of pride in the academy's cooking.
"Actually, I haven't eaten."
"What? How come? There was more than enough food at the main hall."
"..."
He doesn't say anything. Perhaps his mistress is abusing him by not giving him any food...? That's horrible! That's just like in 'The Forbidden room of the Demon Duchess'.
"Well then, would you like something to eat?" Siesta asks. The chef would never turn down any commoner going hungry in this castle. Not while his kitchen stands!
"I cannot bother you with such trivialities." replies Karna.
How can a man attempt to help others so much but care so little for himself?
"Don't call it a triviality! Eating healthy food is important regardless of whether you're a noble or a commoner! Besides, you've helped me so much, Mr. Karna. I would have been doing this work all day if you haven't showed up! At least let me repay the gratitude!" She was honestly having more gusto than she realized she had, but as long as this man got to eat, it would be fine.
While walking on the corridors back to the courtyard, Karna was enveloped in thought.
'When was the last time I was repayed for what I did to others?' Karna wondered.
The maid, Siesta took him to the back of the main hall, and he was served some rather delicious food from the chef, a rather bulky man who took a liking to him instantly. Though most of his reasoning for his newfound trust is because of Seista over exemplifying his deeds. In a way he reminded him of Duryodhana, in that he easily places trusts on people he took a liking to.
Hopefully he doesn't have the same war craze his longtime friend had.
The idea that the friendly chef Marteau would raise his army to strike down the Pandava gave him a small inner smile. Arjuna would not have seen that coming.
Hey, maybe he can work out this humor thing.
About time he find out his master's whereabouts.
Karna was walking side-to-side with Siesta. Siesta was happily chatting about her work, while he was listening. Listening to someone else was honestly, boring. It wasn't as if he disliked it. He just couldn't connect to them, the same way everyone else could. If a situation does not change regardless, what is the point of talking?
However, Siesta had this happy aura around her that made him feel bright as well simply by watching her go on.
Perhaps, if every person was simply satisfied with his or her life like her, maybe the world wouldn't be such a bad place.
His thoughts and Siesta's words are broken by a rather boisterous voice echoing in the halls.
"Wow, Lord Guiche, you're such a knight!" A girl was talking to a boy Karna vaguely recognized.
"Of course, my dear Katie. I would even scale the heavens for you!" The boy, 'Lord Guiche' replied in a grandiose manner.
Karna was not interested in their conversation. It does not concern him in the slightest, after all.
He is more concerned about the bottle of... some kind of potion that just fell from 'Lord Guiche''s pocket.
No little deed is inconsequential.
"I believe you've dropped this." states Karna as he hands the vial back to its original owner.
"W-what? I don't believe that's mine." Guiche retorts slightly nervous.
Guiche made a gesture with his hand which to normal people meant 'Don't stick your noses where it doesn't belong.'
Of course, Karna didn't comprehend the gesture.
"Are you sure? It did fall from your pocket." Karna impassively continues.
"No you stupid commoner, it didn't fall from my pocket. Now begone!" Guiche shouts in exasperation.
"Hey Guiche! Isn't that Montmorency's perfume?" shouted a voice among the crowd.
"The only person who uses that concoction is herself, If I remember." shouted another.
"Lo..Lord Guiche..." Murmured Katie with what seems to be disappointment.
"Wait, Katie! The only one I have loved was you!" shouts Guiche, in a futile attempt to clean up his mess.
Karna dully notes a blonde girl with freckles walking towards Guiche.
"So that'd make me the mistress, eh?" Said Montmorency.
Guiche felt more than shivers run up his spine.
At this point, Guiche is out of things to say. Both girls decide that this floozy of a male isn't worth their time, and give him a giant slap on both cheeks.
The crowd is laughing. A spectacle like this can't be seen every day after all!
One person isn't laughing, however.
The son of the sun slowly speaks to Guiche.
"I believe I've caused some discomfort. However, if you truly wished to take both ladies into your domain, then you should have come out straight with them. Lies are the very cracks that prevent harmony from happening. Disharmony between wives is the cause of downfall for many great men." This boy will definitely need the words.
The crowd laughs even more, to Karna's confusion.
"Yeah, Guiche! If you plan on two-timing, then at least be honest about it!" jeered a voice.
"The commoner's speaking the truth, Guiche! Try that the next time you two-time! Ahahaha!" mocked another.
Guiche at this point is burning with rage and embarrassment.
When rage builds too high in a body, it tends to explode. Which is exactly what Guiche did in this situation.
"You... you insolent commoner! I'll have you paying for breaking the dreams of two fine ladies!" Guiche shouts, not having any idea what he's saying.
"I see. You're trying to escape reality via attempting to force others to shoulder your blame." Karna, impassive as ever, voices his advice.
"Uh, Mr. Karna, you shouldn't bother a noble like this-" A worried Siesta chips in.
"I've had ENOUGH!" Shouts Guiche at the top of his lungs.
"Insolent commoner, you'll pay for your crimes! I challenge you to a duel!"
That instant, the atmosphere in the corridor changes completely.
The air itself seemed to get colder. Karna's expression hasn't changed, but his mood did.
Karna's slow and steady voice quietly rings through the corridor.
"A duel is holy. It is a ritual of putting ourselves before the gods, using only our sharpened skills to attain victory. In a duel, your status does not matter. Your wealth does not matter. It is simply a pure clash of honed skill to skill. Tell me, Lord Guiche, are you sure you are doing what you should be doing?"
It was a sound warning. Karna did not want to turn away a duel. For it would be wrong of him to refuse a straightforward, honorable clash. Yet, to him it is obvious this boy did not know what he is doing.
To Guiche's enraged state though, the sound warning fell on deaf ears. Instead, he simply stood, looking even more triumphant.
"Ha! Big words for a commoner fool! I'll have you know the true terror of going against a noble! I will await you in the Vestri Court, in 10 minutes! Come... if you dare!" The flamboyant youth makes a rather dramatic pose with his rose, then storms off.
The crowd is going wild. That's more than they thought they'd see in a day! Who'd have thought that Guiche would challenge someone to a duel! Of course, it's always satisfying to watch a commoner who doesn't know his place put back to where he belongs. Guiche may be a line mage, but not even 30 non-mages can match him in battle after all.
What could a single commoner do?
"WHAT. HAVE. YOU. DONE?" shouted Louise, not unlike what Guiche was doing earlier.
"He challenged me to a duel. It would be rude of me to not accept." Karna stated as if it was the most normal action to take in such a situation.
"You fool! You're going to get killed! Commoners cannot win against nobility! I don't know where you may come from, but whatever you've been doing there won't help you here!" Louise voices her exasperation, hoping to change Karna's decision.
"She's right, Mr. Karna! You may be strong, but there's simply no way you'll win against a mage!" Siesta joins in with a worried face.
Karna however, is impassive.
"To run away from a fair duel is something I would not do. It would mean disrespect to one's self as well as the challenger."
"This isn't the time to ponder about honor! Simply do as I say!" shouts Louise.
Karna looks at her. Then realization floods. 'She's worried for me.' He notes.
"Master, are you perhaps worried for my well-being?" Karna asks. It's just not him to leave something in just his mind.
"W-What are you saying! Of course I am! You're my familiar! It's my duty to look after your well being!"
Karna smiles. Like he thought, his master wasn't a terrible person. This confirms it.
"Master, do not worry. Have more faith in your familiar."
Louise sees his smile. 'That's the first time he made a smile. It's honestly a lot better than his normal blank expression.' She thought.
"You seem to have plenty of confidence in yourself, familiar."
"I do. After all, going against nobility is actually something I excel at." After all, that's what he's been doing most of his life.
"That kind of thinking will get you killed, familiar. But... just go! If you're so confident, then do it! Don't come crying to me afterwards!" said Louise.
"Mr. Karna... you really shouldn't. I've heard of the few commoner uprisings in other lands. The results weren't pretty!" worries Siesta.
Karna simply starts walking to the Vestri Court. He's memorized its whereabouts from yesterday's night scouting after all.
He hears a voice calling out to him.
"Familiar, if you're so confident... at least beat his flamboyant arse!"
Karna doesn't need to turn his head to know his master is smiling.
Atop the tower at the headmaster's room, two professors of the academy were talking. Both spoke in slightly hushed voices, as if to show how important the possibilities were.
"Colbert, I've known you for some time, but this theory seems even more ridiculous than others." And that was saying a lot.
"Headmaster, I've seen it myself. These are the exact runes inscribed on the familiar." said the fire mage, holding up the book's Runes section to show as reference.
"Besides, when was the last time a human has been summoned as a familiar?" asked Colbert.
Old Osmond had to admit. There were no known cases of a human summoning in the recorded history of Halkegenia. He still had doubts, however.
"He is definitely special, despite not looking much. Being a human familiar is unique after all. But that's not proving that he is the legendary familiar. After all, Miss Valliere is... a special case as well." countered the aged headmaster.
"But sir, the runes. They match perfectly!" said Colbert, reinstating his statement from earlier.
"Hmm... for now, make sure to keep an eye on him. The book is old, and old books tend to have more errors than most. However, I'm not dismissing your theory completely. I believe the primary job we should be doing as mages should be observing him for more concrete evidence." spoke Old Osmond. If Colbert was right, this could mean a lot of things.
"For now, would you keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get into trouble? And Miss Valliere too." What a troublesome duo.
Colbert looked overjoyed. He basically just gained the permission to further research the strange familiar after all!
"Of course, headmaster. You can count me on it!" said Colbert happily.
The news of the duel between a commoner and a nobility spread quickly, it seems.
After all, when the son of the sun entered the Vestri Court, he found out that it was now filled with almost half of the school.
In the middle of the manmade ring, Guiche was standing tall and proud.
"So you came! I at least applaud you for your bravery! I, as a merciful noble, will grant you one last chance to tuck your tail and run!"
The crowd cheered loudly.
"In a duel, no words are needed. Seeing as you are the challenger, I will grant you the first move. Come!" Karna shouted.
"Don't get cocky, commoner! How insolent can you get! Now, fall like a rose's petals before the storm! Come, my Valkyries!" Guiche proclaimed his stance as he waved his wand in a dramatic pose.
When he did, a rose petal from his rose-shaped wand fell to the ground. As on que, the ground morphed around the petal, and became a tall, bronze structure with a rapier and a flamboyant shield.
'A golem.' Karna notes. He's seen himself fight some in a distant memory, but it was hazy at best.
"In case you haven't noticed, my runic name is Bronze. Guiche the Bronze! Valkyrie! Teach this insolent fool a lesson!" Guiche declared his attack with yet another seemingly pointless gesture.
"Very well. Then I as well, shall declare my name. It is only right to do so after you've declared yours." Karna said.
Flames started erupting from his body. They were small flickers at first, but they quickly grew in intensity until they enveloped Karna completely.
The onlookers were shocked. Wasn't this man a commoner?
When the flames disappeared from the man's body, he was wearing different garbs. Not only did he have a full golden armor with a crimson feather cloak which flowed from his shoulders, he was now holding a large longspear that most men would struggle to hold with two hands in one. Two golden discs seemingly floated by his shoulders, and a shining golden earring was now on his one ear.
The armor, earring, and the spear glowed golden under the sunlight, and the onlookers felt that they were staring straight into a summer sun.
He declared.
"I am Karna! Proud son of the sun god Surya! May he give his blessings to this battlefield!"
Guiche is currently having a mental breakdown.
It all happened in an instant.
He attempted to process all the information he gained in the last 10 seconds.
First, the man he thought was a commoner could seemingly cast at least square-level magic going by how he instantly transmuted his golden armor. Heck, he may even be above, seeing as how he was wrapped up in flames while transmuting gold.
Second, he called himself a son of some foreign heretic god. This was blasphemy! Surely Brimir would grant him the power to defeat him!
Third, it turns out the great founder was perhaps too busy in heaven, seeing as how his first Valkyrie was ripped to shreds with a single swing of the man's longspear. Of course, he didn't panic then. He immediately brought upon 7 more, his limit.
After another split second, that was when he panicked. All 7 of his Valkyries were destroyed literally in the blink of an eye. It was as he stated. He simply blinked once, and all that remained of his 7 proud Valkyries were rubble and dust on the court grounds.
That's where his brain failed to process the information. He set them up in a formation of a wide-attacking circle, and to destroy them all within less than a second means that monster must have swung his spear at least 7 times within that time frame.
That wasn't even remotely human.
He just full-out challenged a demon in a single battle.
He realized his newfound enlightenment was perhaps a little late, seeing as how he's currently on the ground, with a flaming golden spear less than a hair's width from his rather soft throat.
He hears a silent, almost serene voice as the flaming reaper looks from above, his spear aimed at his throat.
"To die in a battle is honor. You've fought bravely befitting of a nobility. Now rest. May the great god Brahma safely guide your way onto your next life."
He could feel the heat. It hurt. It hurt more than anything he's felt in his entire life. His throat was burning.
It hurt.
It hurt. It hurts.
It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.
ITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSIMGOINGTODIEPLEASEIDONTWANNADIENONONONONONONONONO
He hears a unintelligible voice shouting before he faced complete darkness.
Replies to questions and such.
Also great thanks to superpierce for letting me know that it's Alaya, not Araya. Got mixed up with the big bad from Kara no Kyoukai. Hey, in my defense the show itself makes it confusing, even comparing their names at end. But considering KnK makes everything confusing, I guess it's not much of an excuse.
Thanks for the review, Dxhologram. It's good to know that fellow Karna fans are out there. Of course I've watched the scene. I'm so glad they went full TTGL and blew 90% of their budget on that scene. The Vasavi Shakti incarnation will be remembered throughout the fandom just as Enuma Elish's CCC incarnation is.
Aburg76, That's what I actually like about Karna - He's the kindest soul there is, but he's one of the hardest beings when it comes to his actions. He does what needs to be done at the right times without hesitation. I would never leave that out.
To answer that question, Amatsumi, the answer is both yes and no. I had this fic planned out for a long time, but moving my lazy butt and actually writing it was a different matter altogether. Yet, I have to agree that the latest episode of Apo actually made me move my ass. I was a large fan of Karna for quite some time though, if my Lv.100 10/10/10 Karna in my FGO account is any indication. I have his lore down to the roots - both Nasuverse's and reality's. I've actually read the entire Mahabharata just for this fiction(as fun as that was, it took ages).
The Rupture - I agree on the fact that he's definitely more powerful than most beings in ZnT universe. However, while battle scenes are important and fun to write/read, I believe what really makes a good fiction is the interactions between characters.
In a way, Karna is a completed hero - even Nasu states that as an intelligent being, he's reached perfection. However, the characters he's going to interact with are nowhere near perfect. They are growing gems, who have yet to reach character depth at this point of the story.
This is a stark contrast to the original ZnT, since Saito, the main lead, was also a growing-type character, and he grew while others kept up with his growth.
And who knows? They might end up having different character growths than you remember them having in their originals. After all, Karna speaks the reality just as he sees them, without any fabrications. He does not hesitate to disclose the most hidden evils within saints. Nor does he hesitate to show the most vile their good heart, which they tried to run from all their lives.
To Gabriel790, Mrcrazyman94, The Indominator, and etherial-23, I thank you all for supporting this fic. Your single lines of encouragement are what makes me continue. Hope you'll all stay with me on the Karna train!