MangamanZX, I plan to make that 4. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

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Tristain Magical Academy

Half a year until summoning

Beatrice groaned. She had the mother of all headaches.

'What…' Beatrice couldn't remember what she was doing. She remembered finishing her homework and having some wine. Now, she was walking up to pain.

Groaning again, she took stock of her surroundings. She wasn't in her room for one, instead lying on the ground outside. How did she get here?

Beatrice got up slowly, and proceeded to find out what happened last night.

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For the next few months Louise, Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche, Dorin and Siesta became close friends. They met in there night void meetings and experimented with Louise's magic.

They discovered that everything the black mist absorbed Louise could use, but only the aspect which the absorbed item was used for. For example, the fire from the torch could only be used as a light and no matter how much magic Louise put into the spell, the amount of light released would never increase.

After every void meeting, Louise dreamed of the strange place where she had the power over the elements, and the strange black cat. Consulting her new friends, Dorin and Siesta became the researchers of the group, looking up and cross referencing important information.

After several weeks of looking, Siesta found a small article about the founder saying he had two familiars, one physical and one mental. The article later states that the founder was metaphorical about having a sound mind for magic but what if it was true? If so then the black cat, which Dorin discovered was an extinct species known as a Panther, was Louise's mind familiar. The Founder said the mind familiar watched over the mage while the mage was occupied with something else.

The mind familiar could also communicate with the physical one, relaying information from the mage or updating the physical one certain priorities. The only weakness was the lack of physical contact with the rest of the world. The mind familiar could not attack a person or lift an object unless the mage has absorbed an element with the black mist and the mage allowed the familiar the use of the element.

After several meetings, Guiche, Tabitha, Kirche and Louise needed more space for the different experiments, so they dug. Guiche started with a simple room several meters below the surface. After two nights, a room for research was added for Dorin and Siesta. When Kirche complained about the color and the lack of seats, Louise absorbed and added several cushion chairs. Louise added beds when everybody was too tired to go back to the surface. Tabitha added running water when Louise got mud on everybody.

After everything was added, it was a very cozy living space, complete with running water, heat and food. A stair case was hidden in the back of the classroom spiraling down to the main room.

Everybody had their own roles in the Void group. Tabitha, Kirche, Guiche and Louise would experiment and practice with magic while Dorin and Siesta would research any important information of the Founder and sort through rumors heard around the country.

Over the months, Guiche had become a little cynical. After a week, Guiche and Dorin started exercising; wanting to be as strong as they could, for when, not if, they were discovered. Guiche and Dorin became rigidly handsome. Guiche's hair became a dirty blond color while his body became lean and fast. Dorin was similar except his hair was brown and he was a little bulkier.

Louise's parents replied to the letter sent by the headmaster. Louise's father was in the capital for war meetings about the civil war in Albion. Louise would not perform the Affinity spell until after he returned.

Montmorency actively avoided Guiche. Most did not know what she did with her time anymore, but Montmorency would practically run away if Guiche was in the same courtyard.

Beatrice's memory of Louise's candle was erased and most of the students were talking about Guiche's/Tabitha's words so Beatrice dedicated herself to crushing Guiche. She followed him around, making notes of his activities. When Guiche went to the classroom with the others Beatrice would try to listen in at the door, but all she would hear was a faint buzzing noise.

It frustrated her to the point of banging on the door, demanding to know what was going on. Although every time she did, Beatrice would wake up in her bed with no memory of ever losing her composure.

Siesta and Dorin talked about the kindness of the Void group. The other servants listened and started to help the four nobles any way they could: better food, better service, but most importantly, information of rumors around the school. The servants would write home to their families and shortly afterward, commoners around the country learned about the four kind nobles.

Tristain Magical Academy

Night before summoning

Dorin put down the book he was carrying. "Everyone, since you're going to be summoning your familiars tomorrow, Siesta and I decided to look up void familiars."Kirche and Louise stopped practicing their fire spells. Guiche stopped improving the pillars of the underground room.

Tabitha turned a page in her book.

"There is only one void familiar in recorded history: the Gandalfr," Dorin should the group of nobles a set of runes, "The Gandalfr has the power to control all weapons. However, the weapon has to be originally intended for fighting."

"So, nothing improvised will work." Siesta said, turning a few pages in her book. "Throughout history, mages have tried to recreate the runes, usually for military purposes. The church eventually managed to stop all tries by making void users heretics."

"So, void magic is not actually heretical, just the recreation of Gandalfr." Kirche said.

Guiche scowled, "Are you telling me that Void mages were either killed or disowned all because of some old hags wanted power?"

Siesta nodded, "That is not all. There are rumors going around the country about a group of nobles performing blasphemous acts." The group listened quietly. Had they been discovered?

Tabitha closed her book. (1)

"I asked some people in Tristania, Tarbes, and other cities to start a rumor about the nobles traveling from town to town, looking for artifacts to experiment on. The rumor caught nicely but we still need to be careful." Siesta finished.

"…Beatrice…"

"No, I haven't had to erase her memory for a while." Louise said. It had almost been a month.

"People aren't talking about me anymore, so she could be losing interest." Guiche thought out loud.

Kirche giggled, "With the way you and Dorin look, not likely." Kirche eyed Dorin up and down. She licked her lips. Dorin blushed.

"Kirche!" Louise screamed.

"What?" Kirche asked innocently.

"Now is not the time for that!" Louise yelled, beginning to become an apple.

Guiche sighed, "Whether Beatrice has lost interest or not, we shouldn't meet again until the rumors die down." When Guiche put his mind to it, he was a good strategist.

"…bed…"

Kirche yawned, "It is late. Well, goodnight." Tabitha and Kirche left.

Dorin stretched, "Come on Siesta, we still have dishes to wash before going to bed." Siesta blushed, noticing the muscles in Dorin's arms. It took most of her strength not to scream like a fan girl and push his head into her chest.

"…R-Right." She said getting up. Dorin and Siesta left.

Louise quietly cleaned the space used for experimenting and Guiche continued to work on the pillars.

Louise blushed a little. 'He chose me…' Louise always wondered why but never worked up the courage to ask.

Guiche finished the pillars. "Well, Goodnight, Louise." Guiche said, starting up the stairs.

"Wait!" Louise whispered, half hoping he hadn't heard her.

"Did you say something, Louise?"

"Um…Can we talk?" Louise couldn't take it anymore, she wanted to know.

"About what?" Guiche came back down the stairs and stood in front of Louise.

"…I j-just wanted t-to know…Why did y-you choose me over M-Montmoren-ncy?"

"I…" Guiche paused. Why did he choose Louise?

"Well…" Guiche started, "After the night when you preformed the Affinity spell, I started looking for corruption in the Founder religion. I noticed that the prayer for breakfast was suppose to be humble, but it could be considered a full course meal. Many nobles are saying that they follow the Founder but disregard what were supposed to do, protect people without magic."

"After I realized that, I wanted it to stop. Not for a religious reason," Guiche said quickly, "I just want magic to be used responsibly."

Louise listened quietly, "So you just want to make the world right?"

"I guess."

Louise walked quietly toward the stairs. So, he didn't choose her, just what he thought was right. At the bottom of the stairs she whispered, "Thanks, Guiche." She said before dashing up the stairs and running to her room.

Guiche just stood there. 'What was that about?'

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"You can't keep running from him forever." Beatrice told Montmorency. They were hiding behind a corner, waiting for the void group to leave so Beatrice could investigate. She was frustrated about not finding out anything and decided to get some help.

Montmorency wasn't her first choice. Not even her second, but nobody would help her. Beatrice eventually persuaded Montmorency to help her by telling her that she would help Montmorency in fixing her relationship with Guiche.

"I know, but…" Montmorency started but Beatrice interrupted her.

"No 'Buts'! You're better than him, more faithful, so either dump him completely or fix this!"

Montmorency knew what she was talking about: the love potion. Montmorency couldn't bring herself to dispose of it. She kept it hidden in her room. As of right now, it was in her pocket.

Beatrice and Montmorency stopped in their conversation when the door opened and Tabitha and Kirche came out. They didn't say anything, just started toward the dorms. Shortly afterward, two servants came out as well. They walked the opposite direction of Beatrice and Montmorency.

A minute later, Louise burst out of the class room and ran toward the dorms.

"What was that?" Montmorency asked.

"Don't know." Or care. "Guiche is the only one left in there, let's go."

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Guiche just closed the panel leading to the staircase when he heard the door open. Guiche froze when he heard a voice, "…Guiche." Turning slowly, he stared at Montmorency.

"…Yes?" Guiche's mind was racing. 'What was she doing?' was the main question in his mind.

'What should I do?' was Montmorency's main question.

"Oh, for the Founder!" a new voice spoke from behind Montmorency.

Guiche's eyes widened when Beatrice came into view. Montmorency blushed slightly and turned around. She seemed to be playing with her hair again.

Beatrice walked over and whispered, "Look, she has been depressed, just kiss her and be done with it." Guiche was suspicious. This was Beatrice he was talking to.

All he had to do was kiss Montmorency? If he was the same person before Louise cast the Affinity spell, then he would be jumping for joy. Now he understood that a simple kiss could not be the answer.

Before Guiche could question Beatrice, Montmorency turned around, closed her eyes, and puckered her lips. Guiche knew something was not right. Montmorency would not just kiss and forgive, she had too much pride.

But, in the past few months, could she have changed, like him? He barely saw her anymore, and he did miss her.

Her hair.

Her laugh.

Her lips.

Guiche couldn't talk it. He stepped forward and kissed Montmorency.

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Happiness filled Montmorency. Guiche was kissing her. But, she also felt a little guilty. When she turned around, she put the love potion in her mouth and held it there. Montmorency was going to make Guiche drink it and have him looking at her.

She didn't have to. She could spit out the potion and apologize. But, Guiche might cheat again, and she wanted him all to herself

Montmorency blew, pushing the potion into Guiche's mouth.

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Guiche's eyes widened when he felt a liquid enter his mouth. He reflexively began to swallow before fighting instinct. He turned his head to the side and spat out some of the liquid.

"Wha…!" was all Guiche said before he remembered a rumor he heard a month ago.

Flashback

Guiche was exercising with Dorin when he heard the girls all start giggling. Turning around, he noticed that they were crowding around something. Kirche turned to look that him.

"You better be careful, there is a rumor about Montmorency." Kirche said with obvious glee. Guiche immediately started paying attention to every word.

"What do you mean?" If Montmorency was involved he wanted to know.

The girls just kept giggling. Dorin got up and took the piece of paper that the girls were looking at. He scanned it for a few seconds before laughing out loud. "She's right, Guiche. You better be careful. It says that Montmorency may have a love potion meant for you."

Siesta calmed down enough to speak. "If you do drink the potion, don't look at anybody. Otherwise, you will fall in love with them instantly." She giggled again. "And gender doesn't matter!" she exclaimed before bursting into giggles again.

Flashback end

Quickly closing his eyes he pushed Montmorency away. Guiche stumbled forward in the general direction of the door.

"Guiche!" Montmorency said voice full of worry. Did she mess up the potion? She rushed over to him.

Guiche felt her try to stop him but he shook her off. He continued stumbling toward the door. Water hit his feet, causes him to slip and fall.

"Beatrice!" Montmorency shouted.

"What!? He's down, go to him!" Guiche heard Beatrice shout. Guiche didn't dare to open his eyes in case he looked at Montmorency or Beatrice. He didn't know what he would do if he fell in love with one of them.

People in love tended to do stupid things.

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(1) If Tabitha closes her book, S*** just got serious.

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