Disclaimer: I do not own Familiar of Zero or Fairy Tail

…

Kirche was nothing if not am observant young woman. As the other students sated their hunger she was always searching for someone in particular to help sate her other urges. She was a passionate woman after all and despite having attempted to create multiple connections with the men of the school she had yet to find one that could fill the void inside of her. It wouldn't stop her from trying by any means but it was not men who were the target of her observation this morning.

Instead her eyes were locked on one of the maids, dutifully going about her duty and cleaning up the dishes that the students had left behind, all while doing so with a smile on her face. It was the first time she had seen this maid at the academy, perhaps this was their first shift at the school in general. Yet at the same time she looked far too familiar to be a coincidence. She thought of inquiring about this situation with Tabitha but the blue haired mage in training beside her had her nose buried in her book, a situation Kirche had found the girl in more often than not.

The connection between the two of them was odd to say the least. They had both been outcasts of sorts with her being from Germania and Tabitha seemingly reluctant to open up to anyone about her personal life. Somehow despite their differences they had drifted together and an odd form of friendship was formed between the two of them. Sure their conversations were mostly one sided with Tabitha only chipping in, at most, three words to steer their chatter in a certain direction. Regardless of that, Kirche was happy to have Tabitha as a friend, and that was what mattered most.

"So what did you think of Louise's familiar, a human of all things?" asked Kirche of Tabitha.

Not surprisingly, the blue haired mage didn't even lift her head from her book as she responded. "Strong."

"Oh, how so?" asked Kirche of her friend once more, to try and get something more closely resembling a sentence.

"Steel armour, heavy," was all Tabitha had to say on the topic. Kirche allowed a satisfied 'hmm' to escape her lips but knew that there was no more point in trying to get any more detail from Tabitha, too many attempts had taught her that there was no real point. She did find herself agreeing with the point her friend had made however. The strength necessary to walk around in armour would require a great deal of physical ability, one which any normal woman wouldn't be capable of achieving. There had to be some sort of enchantment on the steel in order to make it lighter...but what kind of commoner could afford enchanted armour?

Her musings however were shattered as ear ringing shouts from Montmoroncy aimed towards her crush. Huiche meanwhile looked like he was doing his best to backpeddle but with his back to the table he had nowhere to run and was forced to take the full brunt of Montmorocy's fury, one which ended with a swift slap across the cheek which echoed through the dining room.

Kirche couldn't help but chuckle; she had seen Guiche flirting with a first year student a little while back and she had been hoping to use that information for blackmail material down the track. She supposed this was what the entire situation was about and if that was the case then Guiche deserved everything that was coming his way.

Unfortunately it seemed that in order to save some manner of face, he was now directing outrage towards the maid who had seemingly caused this scene. The maid probably didn't even know that what they had done would have this kind of effect and now she would be punished out of spite.

Kirche felt herself get sick as the maid dropped to her knees, begging for forgiveness. Guiche lifted a hand, seeming to be preparing himself to strike the maid at his feet. Whether he had actually intended to strike the innocent party or simply make a bluff of it all was never answered as Kirche watched a vice like grip cement itself around Guiche's wrist.

It was, of course, at this moment where most of the hall went completely silent as they chose to turn their attention to the spectacle at play. Or more importantly, the fact that the new maid, in an act of bravery to same her companion, had latched her hand onto Guiche to prevent any harm from befalling her friend. Brave, but foolish.

"Unhand me peasant!" Guiche's voice echoed through the hall before he went into a typical tyrade of who he was, why his father was so important and how filth like her didn't have the right to even think of touching him. That however was not the end of it and with nothing more than what looked like a gentle nudge, Guiche was pushed to the floor, unceremoniously landing on his ass.

Kirche couldn't help but rub at her eyes; this could not end well.

…

"You didn't have to do that," said Siesta for what seemed the upteenth time in an incredibly short period of time.

"It's just what my guild does," said Erza with a smile. "I recall a time where I was on trial, a proxy one of sorts to simply show that the council was doing something in regards to our recent actions. My guildmate had attempted to rescue me and in doing so burst down the council chamber door with no fear of the consequences."

"My goodness!" exclaimed Siesta as she quickly pondered the ramifications such actions would have before returning her train of thought to the situation at hand. "Despite that, you should just apologize to Master Guiche."

"I will not," declared Erza, her voice holding no fear.

"But he is a noble, and we are mere commoners," said Siesta, her voice in comparison quivering and showing her worry.

Erza's eyes sharpened as she looked at the maid. "Siesta, what makes Guiche a noble?"

Siesta couldn't help but blink in confusion. It was common sense regarding what made a Noble noble. She then recalled however the battle that Erza had said her guild had had with Acnologia (the thought of just how big the dragon had been described as had plagued Siesta's dreams and had given her a restless sleep) and because of that decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. A dragon of that size would definitely make you forget the simplest of things.

"It's because he uses magic."

"Magic?" repeated Erza.

"Yes, every student and teacher here is a noble and is capable of using magic," elaborated Siesta. Surely now that she had explained this Erza would see the error of her ways and apologize for her actions.

"Siesta, if you choose not to watch the duel I will not blame you but know this, I will not back down."

Siesta meanwhile found her mouth agape at Erza's words and she couldn't find the strength to follow Erza towards Vestry Court where the duel was to take place. There still was that little hope inside of her, Erza after all had challenged a dragon head on but from what she said of her guildmates, it seemed as if they were rather foolhardy. The compassion in which she had spoken about her friend who had broken into the council to save her made it sound as if she would do the same for them.

She found herself at that moment admiring Erza and her courage. If she had had the strength to challenge a dragon, perhaps she had the power to take on a noble. However every instance in which she had seen a commoner try to rise up against a noble, the resulting attack ensured that any commoner in the vicinity would never uprise again. Maybe...just maybe, Erza could be the first person of common birth to effectively stand up against a noble. Prior experience in any sort of situation however ensured her that such thoughts were hopeless, yet she couldn't help but hope.

It may have been a helpless hope, but she could still pray.

...

Louise had been marching down one of the hallways, her hands clenched into fists when she had first heard the rumours. Guiche had challenged a commoner to a duel. It didn't matter about the happenstance as such, for her first thought centred around a specific peasant who may or may not know the proper code of conduct of around nobles. A commoner who should have at that stage been hospitalized with agonizing pain was running about the academy to the best of her knowledge, one who may have been doing anything to escape.

Why did she have the terrible feeling her familiar was caught up in something terrible?

Straight away she started heading towards Vestry court, every time she passed someone all she could hear were about how a maid had assaulted one of her classmates. Unfortunately she couldn't help but make the connections to what very well may be a loose familiar whom she was seeking for.

As she rushed towards the courtyard, she came to the swift conclusion that if by some chance her familiar had challenged Guiche, it would be up to her to stop this catastrophe. A commoner by any chance had no chance against a noble, let alone a commoner who should still be receiving medical attention. This would be a massacre, one that she had to stop.

Eventually she reached the courtyard in question. It was clear that something was going on due to the number of students in attendance. Despite her small stature though she was still able to see what all the commotion was about.

There she was, her familiar, standing opposite Guiche in a declared duel. She had no clue as to what or how the person she had summoned and subsequently made the contract with to be her familiar was now standing opposite Guiche. She would be punished for this, regardless of how this came about or the outcome. She had been worried sick about her familiar only to now find her standing in the middle of the courtyard opposite her womanising classmate.

First thought that went through her head was that her familiar had no chance in the upcoming duel. It didn't matter what kind of skill she had with a sword, against a mage it was effectively worthless. Yet it didn't even seem unfair enough for Guiche's standards and her familiar didn't even have a sword to defend herself with. A commoner against a mage without anything to protect themselves from harm was paramount to suicide.

She opened her mouth, determined to end this farce before she watched the result of the single spell she had accomplished be splattered across the ground. Yet she couldn't find herself able to speak. There was a look in her familiar's eyes. Not terror or fear of someone clearly better than herself, but confidence. Why? How could a commoner even think they had a chance against a mage?

This farce had to end.

"Guiche!" she called out but her cry was drowned out by the commotion that was caused by Guiche summoning his valkyrie. The bronze golem marched forward with much adoration from the crowd. Duels weren't permissible between students and as a result nobody really got much chance to see someone's true skills in action. The damage done to a commoner was merely an excuse to show off one's magic in this scenario, nothing more, nothing less.

"You can beg for your life, if you so wish," declared Guiche, lording over her familiar. Louise didn't blame him for doing so, the commoner she had summoned had no weapons, no armour and was facing a construction made of bronze, one of many she assumed Guiche could summon.

"At the end of this, I will have you apologize to Siesta for what you have done." The coldness in which she had said those words spread across the courtyard and there was silence for but a few moments before the students burst out in laughter.

"Did you hear that?"

"A commoner thinks she can win?"

"You deserve what's coming to you!"

"Show her her place Guiche!"

Louise meanwhile struggled from tearing her hair out then and there. Of all the stupid familiars she could have summoned, she had managed to get one that was not only human but apparently had a death wish. Even if the woman managed to get through this it would be up to her to show the red haired commoner her place!

…

Guiche guided a stray lock of hair back behind his ear as his valkyrie marched forward, closing the distance between itself and it's target. He could hear the cheers coming in his direction and he was determined to give these people a show. Hence his creation was being controlled to only beat up the peasant in as humiliating a way as possible. The first move would be a simple thrust forward and every human feared their own death. The commoner would stumble away, possibly even tripping over their own feet and crashing to the ground where they would quickly come to the realization of just how much trouble they were in.

Guiche would not allow the punishment to end there. The bruises this woman would receive would serve as a reminder to respect her betters.

The construct he had made got within range of the peasant. She did not back down. He watched the bronze valkyrie pull its arms back in a very exaggerated matter. She did not back down. The valkyrie attacked. She did not back down.

The spear thrust forward and Guiche quickly found himself in a conundrum. He had had no intention of killing this woman but she seemed intent on dying. The moments where he could make any semblance of a decision ticked closer and closer as he wondered whether he should stop the attack right here and now. What would be worse for his reputation? The death of a peasant or him being shown as someone who wouldn't back up on their word?

A scream from the sidelines drew his attention and suddenly realization came through that time may have made his decision. He wouldn't dare bring his gaze back to the person he had inadvertently slain. Why? He had intended to scare her, to show her her place but death? He felt sick.

"Look out!"

Had it been one voice, several voices, Guiche couldn't tell. All he knew at that moment was that he had to listen. He turned his head to see what he needed to avoid but was too slow and the warm sensation of blood running down his skin sent shivers down his spine. Shaking fingers reached up and felt the freshly made cut that ran across his cheek, a painful sting jolting all of his senses.

Disbelieving eyes stared forward to find his valkyrie in shambles, the weapon it had wielded now lodged in the wall behind him dripping tiny droplets of blood to stain the grass. And there she was. Standing there with her arm extended from her throw, those cold calculated eyes staring at his very being.

The crowd around him roared and demanded for Guiche to end this charade but he could tell there was no point continuing. Had her aim been the slightest bit more centred, a feat which he was more than confident she was capable of, then he wouldn't be taking this breath at this moment and his life would have ended. There were no 'ifs' or 'buts' about it.

Guiche dropped to his knees and the courtyard went silent. "I...I concede." His words were soft but carried to everyone in the vicinity. He could hear the jeers immediately and knew that it would take some time and effort before he would regain even a fraction of the dignity and respect he had just lost but considering he was still alive he would gladly give those up. Perhaps not gladly but he didn't really have much choice in the matter.

It was his loss.

…

Louise found herself unable to move as she stood there, her mouth agape as she tried to contemplate just what had happened. It lasted eight, maybe seven seconds if even that. Her familiar had stopped the spear which had threatened to impale her with her bare hands, gripping the weapon just beneath the spearhead.

With the immediate threat of danger she had punched (with her bare hand no less!) the metallic construct with enough force to send it toppling over before twirling the spear she had acquired twice in her hands before launching it at Guiche. She was no fool, had her familiar intended to end Guiche's life she would have done so and it was only through her mercy that her classmate still lived.

How the hell was she meant to control someone like that? A familiar was meant to be able to do all of the meinal jobs for the master and be there with them through life until one of the parties passed. That seemed all well and good for a standard familiar but this? THIS! It would be like telling her mother to do the laundry and Brimir forbid telling Karin of the Heavy Wind to do some maid's task. Sure that was on the extreme side of things but the similarities could not be avoided.

Just what was her familiar?

…

Hope you enjoyed. We've all seen/read the duel however many times and I just wanted to try and shake it up a bit, hopefully it turned out alright.