The first thing Louise saw after regaining consciousness, was something very bright. In fact, it was too bright, and she promptly closed her eyes again. 'Why is it so bright? My tower window is on the north side,' was her first thought.
The events of yesterday evening came back to her. 'Tabitha's room must be on the east side.'
The sun was just rising up, which meant that it was still was too early for breakfast. And with that thought, she snuggled to her pillow again.
This time it was pillow-sized and made out of fabric, so she concluded that it was not her familiar.
"Good morning, Master." And there she was.
"Good morning, Ikaros." So much for sleeping a bit more. "Where is Tabitha?"
"She is in the bed, Master." That got Louise to turn her head. No Tabitha there, and now to the other side, also no sight of the blue head she was looking for either. "What are you talking about Ikaros? She's not here."
"You are holding her in your arms, Master." Wait, what? Louise looked down to her pillow and sure enough the fabric was simply Tabitha's night garb. The girl herself was pressed against Louise's chest and for the first time in her live Louise knew how it felt when someone had to look up to see you, and she would be enjoying it if not for the fact that Tabitha was awake.
For a few precious seconds there was silence.
"Good morning, Tabitha." Louise said while the words deja vu played out in her mind. She was about to snap back the same way she did the first time, but a slight sting on her head reminded her about the result of that particular action, and so she continued to hold to the bluenette.
"Morning." Came the short reply, and there was silence again while they stared at each other.
"You are huggy when you sleep."
"I noticed." Answered Louise, and silence returned.
"Should we get up?"
"That would be a good idea."
After another awkward second they untangled themselves and got ready for classes. Louise got a bit worried when she remembered that her clothes were still in her demolished room, but calmed down after she saw that Ikaros had prepared everything for both of them.
And so they left the room and went for breakfast.
The journey was cut short by something Louise only ever dreamt of, maybe not in the literal sense but it was something that she desired Oh-So-Much since she started the academy.
And here it was, right in front of her, how great was her desire to just do it, but it was her lust against her honor as a noble and she wanted to do it so badly.
A snap decision was made.
Kirche von Zerbst made a mistake that you should never do in any form of warfare.
She had her back turned to her enemy as she waited for her to come out of her usual door.
"GOOD MORNING ZERBST!" She screamed it out as loud as she could, startling Kirche so badly that she jumped in fright and fell over her own familiar. "Why Zerbst!" She walked past her. "A noble should never lose her balance like that. You shame the other nobles like myself, you should correct that." She lectured while walking to the stair and holding her finger up, Ikaros right behind her.
"Wa.. what just happened?" Kirche finally stammered out while still being grounded. She looked at Tabitha, questions in her eyes.
The blunette, in return, was with her head in her book covering her whole face. But it was not enough, for just a slight second she shook just a tiny bit trying to prevent herself from laughing at her unfortunate friend.
Dinner went off without anything interesting, and so the second year students were on their way to their first class, was earth magic, with a new professor.
She introduced herself as Professor Chevreuse, and started the lecture fairly normally with some boring theory that Louise already knew by heart. She had always had to be the best in that to make up for her failure in the practical assignments, that had led to her to being about three months ahead of her class. Not that it helped her reputation. It only added 'Nerd' to the Zero.
Because of that, she let her mind wander to last day evening. 'What did she mean with 'The fallen one''. In front of her was the Founder's book, all student had to have one with them all the time. She lazily flicked through the pages, looking for anything that might give her a hint what was coming.
The book was divided into three parts: Rise of magic, The pilgrimage and The Holy war.
Right now she was in the middle of The pilgrimage, where he meet Gandálfr -the master of arms- and made him his Familiar. It was an interesting read, Louise knew that most of it was inaccurate in some way or form but, it was interesting nonetheless. She didn't know if the Founder had truly had four familiars, but she suspected that 'familiars' was used as synonym for companions or friends that the founder had made along his journey, and that only this Gandálfr was his real familiar.
This Vindálfr, for example, sounded like a very strong Water mage. There were strict laws and harsh punishments for taking control of a fellow Human being, but it said nothing about animals.
Clever Vindálfr, to bend the rules like that.
Louise's thoughts were interrupted when an irritated Professor Chevreuse asked her a question, believing that Louise was not listening. Foolish professor, you are trying to mess with THE Louise Vallière about something that is theoretical, HA!
She stood up, and perfectly answered the question about transmutation. That calmed the professor down as she realized that Louise was listening.
The only problem was that, after that, the professor asked for a demonstration, and Louise, despite her successful summoning, had no confidence at all to not blow up the spell.
"Professor, you can't be seriously asking Louise the Zero to cast a spell."
"And why should this be the case, Miss Zerbst?"
"Have you not heard what happens when the Zero casts a spell?"
"All I have heard is that she is a dedicated Mage that always gives her best."
"I will do it!" While our little Louise was very smart and well read for her age, her temper was another story, and there wasn't much that triggered her more than the busty redhead.
"Come on Zero, please, think about the safety of your classmates!" A random student shouted.
Her lips curved down a bit and her eyes narrowed. 'HARD NOT TO THINK OF A WAY TO ENDANGER IT WHEN YOU TORMENT ME EVERY DAY' Her mother did teach her to keep her emotion in check, so that sentence did not leave her lips.
Before she knew it, her wand was in her hand pointing at the three little pebbles that were meant to become brass.
She knew that she would fail. Summoning Ikaros had been an exception, a gift, a proof that sometimes a wish can come true and against all odds even the Zero can succeed at something. But it wouldn't happen twice.
Louise knew that, no matter the chant or how much more or less willpower she would use, it would always blow up, never harming her but those around her. She had experimented a lot trying to find out what was wrong with her magic.
How easy it would be to just change her aim just a tiny bit, because of her small body she was pointing her wand nearly completely horizontally, all it would take was a small tilt of her fingers and a few of her problems would be gone. Afterwards, just a few fake tears and all would be good.
But, like always, she resisted. A Vallière should never act on her emotions no matter what.
"Rel Im Yon," The words left her mouth, and energy started to gather around the stones as the unavoidable came in form of a ground-shattering explosion that the whole school felt.
Many coughs were heard before the class came back to its senses. "Brimir Damn it, Zero! Are you trying to kill us?"
"And Zero is back in business, today explosion ala earth magic"
"And once again, back to Zero!"
The irritated shouts were heard all over the room. The professor was unconscious on her back, but alive, as she saw the falling and rising of her chest.
"Let's go Ikaros." Louise could already predict the taunts and had no interest in hearing them again, so she quickly left as there was no doubt that class was cancelled. Besides, it wasn't like anyone had the guts to blame her thanks to her family name.
On her way out, she walked past Tabitha who was reading her book and looking completely unharmed. That meant that she had been waiting outside. How she left the room without anyone noticing, Louise would never know.
"Was I really so predictable?" Tabitha didn't give her an answer.
Louise didn't need to receive one.
They walked to the teachers' room to inform them what had happened last night.
They both imagined the discussion to go a lot different.
"But Professor!"
"Now miss Vallière, a noble never should lie like this."
"I am not lying!"
"So you want me to believe that that hole was caused not by you but miss Tabitha's familiar?" Colbert asked.
Tabitha and Louise nodded furiously at that.
"Well, I am sorry to say so, but I don't believe a word," he turned to Tabitha "I do applaud you for standing up for your friend Miss Tabitha but it is her burden to bear."
"But..." Tabitha never finished her sentence. as Louis started to drag her out of the room.
"Its ok, lets just leave."
Despite the initial chaos that happened after the ritual, the next few days were relatively calm, and Professor Chevreuse learned her lesson about asking Louise to do any kind of spells.
Tabitha and Louise got a bit closer to each other as a result of sharing the same room. It was mainly just smalltalk, but for Tabitha it was different from her friendship with Kirche, who talked nearly all the time while Tabitha just listened. With Louise it was different, because she sometimes actively involved her in certain topics. Be it school work, her current book, or just opinions on certain matters that came up.
It was an unusual experience for Tabitha, because normally no one cares about the 'Shy silent girl's' opinion. It was a welcome change, and she found herself speaking more over the last two days then in the last month.
Naturally, Kirche realized that her blue counterpart was starting to go missing, and so she started to go spy on them and find out what was going on.
Her excitement was immense when she saw both of them, plus Louise's familiar, go to Tabitha's room in the evening.
She held her ear on the door and started listening.
"...I mean, you're easily line with your water-magic, you can't expect me to believe that you have to go through that basic book." She could hear Louise asking.
"Revision is important to improve your skills." Tabitha answered.
"As if that works."
"...Your explosions are strong." She retorted after a short pause.
"And what exactly are they good for?!"
This time Ikaros answered, "There are many uses for the kinetic energy you create. One possible application is battle."
Louise made a pause. "I don't want to fight, that's not what magic was meant for! Magic is supposed to help people. Noble are supposed to help people." Silence followed as Louise gave Ikaros here clothes for washing, who also picked up Tabitha's uniform.
Sadly, Kirche didn't know this as she was busy pressing her ear harder on the door to make out what was being said, and as destiny commanded it, she quickly found herself face first on the floor as Ikaros opened the door.
The first thing that greeted her, was a good view beneath Ikaros' armored skirt when she rolled on the floor holding her nose.
"What. are. you. doing. here. Zerbst?"
"I could ask you the same, Zero." She retorted while holding her nose. "I remember this not being your room."
"THAT IS BECAUSE I SLEEP HERE WHILE THEY FIX MINE!"
"... How did you manage to wreck your room so much that you can't even sleep in it?"
"I DIDN'T WRECK MY ROOM! NOW GET OUT!"
"Now, wait a moment. Why should I not be allowed in here?"
"Privacy maybe? But forgive me, that was too much to expect from a cow!"
The exchange was interrupted by Tabitha who hit both of them on the head, one with her staff, the other one with her book. "Quiet, you'll disturb the other students."
Louise got a devious look on her face while massaging the sore spot where she had been hit.
"You are completely right Tabitha. Ikaros, why don't you help Kirche here preventing herself from disturbing the students, by dragging her away."
"Yes, master."
"Wait, what?" that was all Kirche could say before Ikaros took her by the ankle and started to drag her out of the room.
As she started walking away, Kirche's mind caught up to her. "Hey! Stop that this instant!" The only answer she got was two waving students.
Flame, who was behind Kirche, didn't like the way his master was treated and decided to jump at Ikaros. A 100 kg lizard jumping at her familiar frightened Louise somewhat.
Ikaros didn't even seem to notice the extra weight, and went on her way unhindered with a cursing Kirche in tow.
Louise and Tabitha didn't know what to do at that display, and quietly made their way to bed.
Only after they laid down and faced the ceiling they broke out laughing.
The Capital of Romalia, a place where your faith to the Founder and his teaching go above all else.
There, in the grate chapel, sat the pope Vittorio Serevare, who was talking to his most loyal and faithful priest, Julio Chesaré, who was about to head out to investigate an accusation of heresy in the Tristram academy of magic that came from an anonymous source.
"I honestly doubt that this will take much time, my lord. I will take my companion and three knights. That should be enough to guaranty safe travel and a quick way to deal with the problem if there is one to begin with."
"I trust your judgment on this, Julio. But I'm worried with the unrest that has been going on in Tristram. Take this thief, Fouquet, for example." The pope had a worried look on his face, "What if it's a trap?"
"Don't worry milord. If I remember correctly, the springtime summoning happened just a few days ago. A student just panicked at the summoned black dragon or something like that. You know how children are."
"Hm, very well, Julio. Go investigate and be on the look out for the other void mages. And be careful, you can never know what you may encounter. May the Founder be with you."
"I will. my lord."
With that they parted ways, Julio leaving and Vittorio retiring to his room.
The room of the pope was a very fancy one, with ornate tables and chairs, and golden decorations with one or two gems here and there.
Personally, Vittorio hated it, but what could you do? Such was etiquette.
He was about to make himself comfortable with a book, when he was interrupted by a sound that he both loved and hated.
He went to his dresser, and with a quick press of a hidden button a drawer opened revealing the object that made the sound. It was a round mirror.
The mirror itself was said to had been given to the first Pope by the founder himself, to warn them from danger, and had been passed down from one Pope to the next.
It would look like an ordinary mirror, if not for the fact that this mirror did not reflect yourself but was a connection to another place, to a being sitting on a marble throne. The angel Minos, who often communicated with him to warn him of coming danger.
In the journal that recorded every meeting between the pope and Minos the Angel, he was always smiling, a picture of elegance, beauty and perfection.
And for the first time in history he was not.
Vittorio already regretted sending Julio.
The next day came, and classes were fairly quiet. Too quiet. Not that it bothered Louise. She was busy continuing to look for signs in her book. Later in the afternoon she was sharing a table with her new blue friend and her familiar, who somehow seemed to fear Ikaros a bit and held its distance.
Her peaceful afternoon was interrupted by her table being sent flying.
Looking up, she saw a furious Kirche. She was a mess, with her clothes were ripped in some places. She had many bruises over her body and the look in her eyes was nearly as bad as the one her mother had when she was angry.
"Hello, Louise! Nice to see that you enjoy your day! Guess how I spend mine?"
Louise's closed hand descended into her palm as realization came upon her face. "That's why it was so quiet! You where missing! Where were you by the way?"
That was the wrong thing to ask as Louis got lifted up by her collar and Kirche started to shake her furiously. "GUESS WHAT! YOUR FAMILIAR DECIDED TO TAKE YOU BY YOUR WORD, AND DRAGGED ME TO THE CAPITAL WITH NOTHING BUT MY CLOTHES!"
"So-oo-or-ry." Louise stammered out while being shaken like a cocktail.
"SORRY WON'T CUT IT ZERO! I HAD TO RUN THE-WHOLE-BRIMIR-DEMAND-WAY!"
Louise finally freed herself from her grip. "How could I have known that she would do that?" She turned to Ikaros, "Why DID you drag her so far away?"
"The order was 'preventing herself from disturbing the students by dragging her away'. I calculated the distance that would prevent her from disturbing any students that were at the academy at that time, and that was approximately 63 km away. To prevent her disturbing herself, I dropped her off at a populated area." She explained in a matter of fact voice. "Master, did I do something wrong?"
'Again with the head tilt! How can I be mad at her when she's so cute!' Louis squeaked inside her head.
In the end, she surrendered to her inner voice. "No Ikaros, it's ok. I should have worded my order better."
Kirche calmed down a bit after seeing the display.
"Be carefull next time. I can see that it was intended as a harmless prank, but... "
That was how far she got before an enraged wind-magic professor stomped over to her, "Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst!""Damn it!"
"Where were you young lady?! You missed my class today and we already had a discussion about your nightly endeavors!" He got a close look of her. "And look at yourself! You didn't even clean yourself up! What do you have to say for yourself?!"
She took a short look at Louise who was in panic at the prospect of this being her fault. She made a snap decision.
"Nothing professor, I am sorry and I won't let this happen again."
"You should be, Young Lady." And with that he started to drag her away. "You will have a lot of time to think about your actions while writing a ten page essay about the topic you missed!"
Louise, Ikaros,Tabitha and Sylphid just stared after her.
"Did Kirche just cover me?"
Tabitha nodded at that.