Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Zero no Tsukaima. Yu-Gi-Oh! Belongs to Konami Entertainment and Zero no Tsukaima belongs to Noboru Yamaguchi. Please support them both.
"You, just what do you think you're doing!? Do you have any idea what you've caused!?" Louise shouted, her loud voice booming throughout the school halls making her displeasure known to all within earshot.
"If I didn't I certainly wouldn't ask you about it. Besides, I don't see how it's your problem. I'm the one Dueling, remember?" Ryoga said with a roll of his eyes, not that Louise noticed as he kept his back to the noble and didn't bother to even face her.
Louise's teeth grit tightly at the response. How could this fool joke at a time like this? Was he just trying to mock her or something? Noting that he was walking away Louise quickly made to follow after him, with Siesta doing the same beside her.
Both girls were still trying to wrap their heads around the insanity of what happened. After having finished her lunch and regaining her strength, Louise continued searching for her commoner servant. Yet it still seemed like luck wasn't on her side today as there was still no sign of the boy anywhere. To say she had gotten furious was beyond an understatement, as those in the courtyard were witness to her quiet and angry mutterings, as well as a few times where she just lashed out and yelled to herself in frustration.
That was how Siesta found her. Usually when a student acted in such a way it was either out of anxiety or anger, so the servants always made sure to keep their distance whenever possible to avoid getting themselves caught in the crossfire. It went doubly so for Louise's case due to her hot-headed temper and ability to make anything explode, which based on her reactions today was a very likely scenario to happen. Even so, the raven-haired maiden couldn't bring herself to ignore the "Zero" of the school when she looked so distressed, especially given the noble's connection to Shark-san. So ignoring her own fears Siesta went over to help the poor girl.
Louise of course was too frustrated to care or accept the help and had been about to wave the maid away until she was struck by a revelation. The servants were always around the school, their eyes and ears constantly watching out and listening to everything going on. So wouldn't it make sense if one of them had seen her familiar? Louise had nearly smacked herself for not realizing such a simple idea sooner, but it knocked enough sense into her to try and ask if Siesta had seen her familiar.
This discovery on Louise's part didn't have the same effect for Siesta. She knew full well about Shark-san's feelings towards the noble and how he refused to accept the contract, so when Miss Valliere asked about his location the maid was rather hesitant to answer. Logically the correct thing to do would be to tell Miss Valliere the truth, but there was no telling what the noble had in mind for Siesta's new friend, though even she could tell it wouldn't be good. At the same time she couldn't just lie about it either less she be found out and punished for it later, putting the raven-haired beauty in the middle of a crossroad on what to do.
It was at that moment of hesitation that both girls became aware of a large commotion happening around them, as they noticed students and servants alike racing off to another part of the courtyard and gathering into a large crowd. Curious themselves the two went to investigate and see what was going on. This led to them finding Ryoga and witnessing his agreement to a duel with Guiche.
A fact that made the youngest of the Valliere family absolutely livid.
A duel!?
A duel for Brimir's sake!?
And with Guiche of all people too! While the blonde-haired moron may be a womanizing idiot, he was still a dot-class mage with decent control and skill in earth magic, something even Louise would bitterly admit. For any other noble it may not seem like much of a threat as he was still a student and thus didn't have much in terms of experience or power. But for a commoner like her familiar, it was the equivalent of an ant facing a dog.
There was no comparison in that!
"That's the point!" Louise continued to argue with Ryoga. "What do you think you're doing accepting a duel with a noble!? Don't you realize the situation you've gotten yourself into!?"
"She's right, Shark-san," Siesta spoke up, her own concerns and fears expressed openly on her face. "You promised me you wouldn't cause any trouble. But this...this is beyond that. If you truly challenge a noble like this, you'll be-"
"I'll be what?" Ryoga stopped walking and looked back at the maid. "Beaten, hurt, killed? I've been through all three before and it's nothing new to me," he said sternly. Siesta flinched at the tone, the sight making Ryoga's gaze soften a little. "Look, I'm sorry I broke the promise, Siesta, I really am. But I have no intention of backing down from a Duel or losing to that playboy."
"Stop acting like an idiot already!" Louise screamed. "This is serious! A commoner can't beat a noble in battle!"
Ryoga's eyes honed in on the pink-eyed girl. "And who made up that rule, huh? Commoner this, noble that. All I've seen and heard since coming to this land is that you nobles have all the power and act like you're on top while those less fortunate have to serve you without question." He waved his hand to the side in anger. "Who is to decide such a thing? Just because you have some magic shit in you and Siesta doesn't that suddenly makes you better than her? That suddenly means she isn't to be treated like a regular person? Don't fucking screw with me!"
"S-Shark-san?" Siesta uttered in surprise. Never in her life had she heard someone, noble or commoner alike, speak so open and defiantly about the ruling classes and how they worked.
She of course knew the injustice that all commoners faced, as well as personally experienced it many times herself, and wished to stand against it just as much as anyone else. Yet never had she been defended by someone so fiercely before. And for it to come from someone who she had only met the previous night, not only left her completely stunned, but for some reason made her heart skip a beat.
She wasn't the only one surprised though, as Louise looked to be in disbelief by what she was hearing. Magic was a gift of the founder, and only those who were blessed were born with it. That was the rule of the world. It wasn't her fault that those less fortunate were of the lower class. It was just how things had always been, and there wasn't any way to change it.
Sure, she would admit that at times it was unjust at how the commoners were treated, and that there were some nobles who weren't exactly pleasant people who abused their power, but they weren't all like that! Her own family treated them with a neutral stance, and all their servants were taken well care of. It wasn't fair to judge every noble just because of the actions of a few, even if deep down she knew she partially caused some of that judgment.
Shaking her head Louise tried to center back on the real problem. "J-Just what are you saying? This has nothing to do with that! Whatever you may think of nobles and commoners, it doesn't have anything to do with what's going on now!"
"I'd argue it actually has a decent involvement with this," Ryoga huffed.
"That doesn't matter! We have to stop this whole thing! If you just go to Guiche and apologize for-"
"I refuse."
The blunt statement took Louise aback. "W-What?"
Ryoga's brow narrowed. "Why should I apologize to some playboy brat who can't learn to keep it in his pants? Frankly I'll be doing this world a service by teaching him a lesson."
"Shark-san!" Siesta gasped.
"Y-You idiot! You just don't get it do you!?" Louise shouted, her frustration reaching its peak. "You can't win against Guiche! You'll lose! You'll lose and be hurt really badly if you go out there! You'll be lucky to even come back with just injuries alone!"
"Why do you care?"
Louise blinked. "Eh?"
Ryoga's gaze hardened and snapped directly onto Louise, making her flinch from the sight. "Why do you care, huh? Just what does it matter to someone like you what happens to me?"
A strange flicker of emotion emitted in Louise's chest but she ignored it. "W-What do you mean why do I care? Of course I care! I can't just let you go out there and get yourself killed, after all you're-"
"I'm just your familiar, right?" Ryoga cut her off, his eyes becoming icy cold. "That's really all I am in your mind aren't I? You don't even consider me human do you? To you I'm just some object or animal you want in your possession."
Another flicker, this time stronger.
"W-What? N-No! That's not even the point okay! I just-"
"Oh bullshit!" Ryoga shouted, his vocal tone soaring to such levels it caught both girls off guard, even striking a bit of fear in them. "Don't try to fucking talk your way out of this! Truth is you could care less what happens to me! From what I've seen of your kind your pride is the most important thing to you! You wield power others don't and because of that you think it gives you some kind of special privilege! That you can just command and control people all while putting them down whenever you please! But when someone actually takes a stand, when that pride of yours is damaged, you suddenly become defensive and try to pin blame on others rather than take responsibility! You're even willing to hurt those who you think can't defend themselves!"
"T-That's not true!" Louise defended back, the feeling growing even worse. "We're not like that! I'm not like that!"
"Oh really? So you're saying yesterday never happened, or did you forget your own fucking actions?" Ryoga growled.
"What are you-?"
"'Though if you apologize now maybe I'll still grab you something small to eat before the day is through.' Sound familiar? How about 'It's your duty to serve and obey me, so why should I consider you anything else?'"
Louise flinched. She did recall such words. When her familiar insulted the sacred ritual by comparing it to slavery, it was like a slap to the face. Her pride as a noble felt slighted, and in her anger she lashed out and said those things in order to gain control of the argument and make the boy realize the situation he was in. Never did she expect her own words to be turned against her in such a manner, or that they would serve as proof of her familiar's accusation on noble pride. It brought an uneasy feeling of guilt in her chest.
Especially when hearing how she sounded.
"I wasn't actually that cruel...was I?"
"That's what I thought," Ryoga said coldly after getting nothing from the pinkette. "You know, I was told I was brought here in pretty rough shape. A lot of people were afraid I was going to die because of how bad I was."
"That wasn't my fault!" Louise hastily shouted. "I didn't do that to you! I never wanted to hurt anybody!"
"Maybe, maybe not. But a normal person who summoned me and saw that would have shown actual concern and worry for me just out of human decency. But all you cared about was knowing if I was fit enough to be bound to you. Nothing else mattered."
"I...I just wanted a familiar! I didn't-"
"I'M NOT YOUR DAMN FAMILIAR!"
Louise froze, a sharp jolt of pain striking right between her breast. Her eyes filled with hurt and confusion as her body took a step back from Ryoga, who looked at her with murderous rage, as well as new emotion she had never seen directed at her before.
Disgust.
Pure and utter disgust.
"I was never yours dammit! You brought me here against my will to make me a servant! A slave! A fucking pet to you!" The Duelist continued ranting, his anger and animosity taking full control by this point. "You may not have intentionally known that you'd summon another living person to serve you, but you sure as hell didn't act like you were sorry about it either! All you cared about was trying to bind me right away like a damn animal so I could start obeying you as soon as possible! You keep claiming I'm you're familiar, but I never fucking agreed to it on my end!"
"I…" Louise looked down, unable to hold her gaze against the storm-brewed orbs. "I-I was just trying to-"
Ryoga didn't let up, all thoughts of mercy being wiped away from his mind. "You didn't even think about what it meant for me at all! My thoughts weren't even at the top of your list of concerns! Hell, you probably didn't even consider where you pulled me from, did you!? Did you ever stop to think if I was with someone!? If I had friends, family, loved ones I was with!? Did you even bother to take one Kami damned second to consider if you stole me from them, huh!? Did you stop to think how'd they'd feel!? How about if you were the one taken from your home!? You think that's alright!?"
"That's not-!" The pain in Louise's chest became far worse, to the point she was shaking. "I wasn't-!"
"Shut it! You call yourself a noble, but to me I don't see a noble! All I see is some whiny stubborn brat trying to be bigger than she is! A brat who thinks she can do whatever the fuck she wants by yelling and screaming about it! A brat who is trying to prevent her reputation from being tarnished because your so-called 'familiar' is being disobedient, right!? Because if I do something that you don't like, it'll just reflect badly off you, right!?"
Louise's head lowered. "T-That's not…I was-"
"You're just selfish! You're nothing but a selfish ignorant little kid who thinks she's better than everybody else because she has magic! That the world has to revolve around you because if it doesn't, then suddenly you lose all the power you had and become nothing! And because of that you're afraid that when word gets out that your 'familiar' has gone rouge, it'll ruin what stupid little pride you have and make you less of a person! RIGHT!?"
"I…I…"
"Well I can tell you this much, you don't need to ever worry about that ever again." Ryoga turned away and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Because I'm not your familiar. And you are not my master. I don't hold any ties to you or anything you do, nor will I ever. And you will never have to worry about me insulting or hurting your stupid noble ass." He tilted his head back to send one final glare at Louise. "So get off your hind horse, get off my damn back, AND LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!"
The former Barian stormed down the halls of the school, having nothing more to say to noble girl, never once bothering to look back at her.
Siesta, who had been stunned silent since Shark-san's yelling, broke from her stupor and looked back and forth between him and Miss Valliere, uncertain of what to do. After a moment of hesitation she gave a quiet apology to the pink-haired girl before racing off in the same direction as the boy.
"S-Shark-san, wait!"
Leaving Louise to stand in the hallway in solitude.
As Siesta chased the non-familiar Louise stood in utter silence and stillness. But while her body was frozen, her mind was racing.
"How…how can he say such a thing?" Louise thought, her mind in complete shock at his words and her chest in inexplicable pain.
They hurt. She didn't understand why, but his words hurt. Dear Brimir they hurt so much, like a dagger shoved right between her breast.
But they also infuriated her.
Who was he to judge her? He didn't know her! He didn't know what her life was like or what sort of burden was on her shoulders! She was a Valliere, a daughter of one of the highest and most powerful royal families in the kingdom! He had no idea the pressure and responsibility that was placed upon her!
It was her duty to ensure that the honor and reputation of her family name was kept intact. She had to make sure she succeeded. To make sure that both her parents and sisters were proud of her actions. She had to prove to everyone that she was a strong and powerful noble, worthy of carrying the family name upon her shoulders.
It was all that she had. All that she had ever really known. Her whole life she had grown up under the knowledge of what it meant to be a true noble and a powerful mage, and when given the chance to further her studies and grow as a person she always sought to push herself to the very best no matter the circumstance. It was why when she learned she had gotten accepted into the Tristain Academy of Magic, that she felt more excited and proud of herself than any other time before. This would be her big chance! This would be where she could finally prove herself and show the world what she was capable of. To show that Louise de la Valliere would be a name to remember for all times.
And yet when it came down to the wire, it didn't matter whether she was at the academy or at home, or how hard she tried or how much determination she had in her. Because it always ended the same.
Failure.
From the first time she could hold a wand she could never wield her magic right. She could never find an affinity with any of the elements. She couldn't even cast the most basic of spells correctly. All she could do was create large explosions and destroy things. It was why she had been made fun of so much by the students and given that infamous nickname of hers.
Louise the Zero.
And it wasn't just the school either. Even her own family, the very ones she loved and wanted to make proud, looked down on her. Eleonore would constantly belittle her magic and took to calling her by the same nickname as the students. Her mother and father were always saddened and disappointed with her, unsure of what to even do or if she would ever get any better. And Cattleya, the only one who never lost hope and encouraged her, was so sick and weak that she had to be confined to her bedroom and could barely be there for her younger sibling anymore.
In the end, whether it was at home or at school, Louise always felt alone and felt the need to prove herself to everyone around her.
Which was why when she had first summoned the purple-haired boy, as frustrated and disappointed as she was with the situation, deep inside Louise couldn't help but be filled with absolute joy.
She finally succeeded! Where she had failed countless other times, after so long she had finally managed to pull off a spell correctly and summoned a familiar like everyone else! It may not have been what she wanted or expected, but it finally proved that she could use magic. It showed that she wasn't a failure after all, and that she could finally display that fact to herself and everyone else. That she could still bring honor and respect to her name and her family, and would no longer be called a "Zero" ever again.
At least, that was what she hoped.
Her familiar didn't understand though! Here he was saying all these things and making accusations when he knew nothing! He didn't know what she went through with the other students or how she was treated! He didn't know how she was an absolute failure at magic, unable to cast a single spell correctly! He didn't know how she was labeled Zero! Because no matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she struggled or pushed or hoped, she always failed!
So how!? How could he possibly say such things to her when he didn't know anything at all!?
"But why would he?" A small part of Louise betrayed deep inside her. "After the way I've treated him…after all I've said and done to him…why would he bother to know?"
Louise hung her head, her hair falling over her eyes.
"Why…why would he care?"
The truth…the deep truth she had tried to bury…was that she had long since realized how horrible she had been in her actions since the summoning, but had tried to push it aside out of pride, just like her familiar accused the nobles of doing. When she first considered getting a familiar she hadn't even fathomed the idea that she could summon another person. It was something that never happened before. Yet even when she saw it happen she immediately dismissed any notion of consequences because of her desire to have finally succeeded.
All of which her familiar had been dead right about.
But then everything went wrong again. Her familiar was somehow dying and taken from her, making it so the contract couldn't be completed. Then when he awoke he rejected the very idea to her face and enraged her so much that she lost control of herself again, which ended up separating them the whole day and made her feel worse. And now…now he was going into a fight he couldn't possibly win, and would be lucky if he managed to even come out alive.
All while completely and utterly despising her and other nobles because of everything she did.
Yes, he didn't exactly help to make things easy, but she had been just as responsible for the events that occurred. She should have been calmer about the situation and controlled herself better. She should have just waited like Professor Colbert had told her too, and then approached the boy in a manner befitting of a Valliere and true noble, just like Cattleya and mother. Maybe if she had things wouldn't be as they were now. Maybe she would have a familiar at her side right now. Maybe there wouldn't be a duel about to take place that could take his life. Maybe she wouldn't be standing there in the hallway, confused, angry, hurt, and...and alone.
Maybe things would have been different.
But it was too late now. Her famil-
"No…" Louise shook as her hand clutched over the pain in her chest. The pain in her heart. "He…isn't my familiar."
He was just someone who she had forcibly brought to serve her, stolen from whatever life he may have had without any consideration towards his side of things or what he would be feeling. And because of that he completely hated her for it. He despised her. He wanted nothing to do with her in any way, shape, or form and would possibly rather die than ever have any connection to her.
And strangely enough, as Louise fought back the wet feeling in her eyes, she was absolutely terrified by that fact.
After leaving Louise behind Ryoga and Siesta headed to the Water Tower's medical wing. Because of the sudden call from Osmond this morning Ryoga left his Dueling equipment in the room he was occupying, since he wasn't sure if he would need it on him or not. Now that this Duel was taking place, he would need to grab his gear and check to make sure it was functioning properly. Last thing anybody wanted before heading out to face an opponent was their equipment suddenly breaking down when it was needed most.
While Ryoga sat on the clinic bed and worked on his Duel Disk, Siesta stood just a little away watching. While part of her was curious about the strangely shaped armor she didn't have much care to ask about it right now. Instead her mind was preoccupied on what happened just a few minutes prior with Miss Valliere.
Neither of them had said a word since they left the pinkette alone in the halls. Siesta was growing more worried than before because of it. She could feel the tense atmosphere permeating from the younger boy in front of her, but was hesitant to say anything out of fear he'd snap at her too. Yet she knew she couldn't not say anything either, and her duty as a maid refused to allow her to not try and assist in some way. She just hoped she didn't cause things to become worse.
"S-Shark-san, are you...alright?" Siesta finally broke the silence, giving off a very worried and scared expression.
Ryoga paused in his work for a second before resuming. "I'm fine. No need to worry about me, Siesta. I don't plan on losing to that two-timer," he responded back while keeping his focus on the Duel Disk.
"That's…not entirely what I meant, Shark-san," Siesta said quietly lowering her gaze.
A tick of annoyance escaped the Duelist's mouth. He knew what she meant. He just didn't want to talk about it. Yet it seemed Siesta did as she continued.
"I...I can understand why you were so angry. I might have been just as upset had I been put into a similar circumstance against my will. But what happened back there with Miss Valliere…"
"What about it?"
"Don't...don't you think that might have been a little much? That you might have been a little too harsh on her?"
"Not harsh enough," Ryoga muttered. The statement saddened Siesta and made her hang her head.
Unknown to her, despite the coldness in his words the hidden eyes of the former Barian told an entirely different story. Truth was Ryoga knew he had been over the top. He hadn't meant to come off so vicious and cruel, but with everything that had happened to him; being brought here, the nobles and their actions, the Duel, along with the memory of his first meeting with the girl still fresh in his mind, he wasn't exactly in the best of moods. Especially when it came to the pink chibi.
Guiche had been the starting outlet for what he was feeling. He was fully intending to take all his stress out on the idiot, and nobody could complain about it since he was the one who was being challenged and not the other way around. But once Louise stepped in and started yelling at him, saying he would lose and should apologize of all things, he couldn't contain it anymore.
She pushed every button. Every single issue he was having. Just her being there was enough of a reason. He'd made sure to keep watch for her while he was working during the bonding event because he didn't want to have to confront her again after what nearly happened before. Had Osmond not cut them off last night, there was a chance their shouting would have escalated into something much worse.
In a way though, it still did.
As Siesta said, he went too far. The last time he acted with such fury was because of Vector's actions and betrayal of the Barian Emperors. Watching as each of his friends were manipulated and died because of the power-obsessed traitor. However, back then Ryoga had used his powers to help unleash his rage upon the traitor and eventually defeat him. He was able to make things right and avenge those who had suffered because of the madman, granting their very souls peace. Vector was someone deserving of such hate.
Here though, he lashed out vocally in such a way that was surprising even for him. He had just been so caught up in his anger and grief, and Louise unfortunately became the perfect outlet for him to take his rage out on. She was far from innocent, trying to force him into slavery and seeing him as nothing more than a damn tool, but logically Ryoga knew it was because of her being raised as a noble. She wasn't taught any other way so in her mind what she believed what she was doing was correct.
It still didn't make it right, but it didn't make him feel any better either.
"Why are you defending her though, Siesta?" Ryoga suddenly inquired as he looked over to the maid. "And don't give me that 'she's a noble' bullshit. I can already guess how these so-called 'nobles' have treated you from how they've treated me all damn day. You serve these prideful idiots day and night and are barley given thanks for it. Hell, to most of them you're nothing more than a damn ornament or toy to be tossed around and do with as they please. So how can you possibly stand up for someone like that with everything you've been through?"
Siesta's eyes widened before filling with sorrow, the sight of which made Ryoga flinch and curse himself. He was still high on his emotions from his argument with the pinkette. He didn't mean to sound so blunt and harsh. The last thing he wanted was to upset one of the only people he actually liked in this place by being a dick and bringing up bad memories.
"Sorry," Ryoga apologized. "I didn't mean to-"
"I-It's alright, Shark-san," Siesta said, her voice sad and quiet. "I mean…it's not like you're entirely wrong."
Ryoga's hands clenched a little. Siesta noticed the action but didn't say anything as she continued to speak.
"It's true that there are many nobles who aren't kind to us commoners. Some are even downright cruel and punish us for simple mistakes or actions. It's not so bad here as compared to other places, but it doesn't make it easy when we're pushed around and belittled for our status and weakness. And compared to other places and nobles I've heard of, I count my blessing to have ended up here as I did," Siesta briefly paused in thought before sighing. "But…but despite everything I've been through, it's nothing compared to Miss Valliere. She may not be one of those kinds of nobles, but if I am to be honest, I feel more sorry for her than I do any of the staff who work here, myself included."
That statement definitely caught Ryoga by surprise. "What do you mean?"
Siesta hesitated, unsure if she should say anything further. This was a personal matter for Miss Valliere after all, and telling it to someone who came from outside the academy could be seen as an invasion of privacy, even if that person was Shark-san. However, it wasn't like it was a big secret or anything. He would probably find out for himself once he saw the explosions. But if she informed him now on why the young noble acted the way she did, then maybe he would become a lot less antagonistic towards her. Maybe it could help to make things better.
At least that was what she hoped.
"Miss Valliere is… She is not treated as well here as you may believe," Siesta said softly. Noting Shark-san's raised brow she knew she had his attention, and after a moment went on to explain. "As you already learned, commoners cannot use magic because we are not born with it. It is what separates us from the noble class and why they are treated with such higher respect and worth, as well as the reason why we are treated as second-class. In that way we are separated by a thin line of society that is impossible to cross. Yet as I understand it, despite being born with magic like any other noble, Miss Valliere is unable to use it at all."
Ryoga's eyes widened. "What?"
Siesta nodded. "It's true. I've heard the whispers and even seen the explosions around the academy. From what I know they are caused by Miss Valliere because she is unable to cast a single spell correctly. No matter how simple or complicated it is, they always seem to result in large explosions that destroy everything around them. In fact it was a surprise to everyone that she managed to succeeded in summoning you here at all, Shark-san, especially since I heard the ritual ended in an explosion anyways." Siesta paused and looked down again, her eyes filled with what Ryoga could only assume was sympathy. "And yet, it doesn't change the fact that Miss Valliere is constantly mistreated and mocked by her classmates. I always see them laughing at or ridiculing her whenever given a chance, and as far as I know she doesn't have a single friend throughout the entire school. It is also because of her failures that the students have given her the rather cruel nicknames like 'Louise the Zero' or 'Zero Louise.' Because according to them, no matter how hard she tries she will always fail at everything she does and never become a true mage."
She turned her gaze back to Shark-san to judge his reaction, only to see his eyes hidden by the shadows of his hair, though his expression retained the same neutral look as always. After a minute of no reaction or response, he turned his back to the maid once more and continued working on his Duel Disk. Siesta was saddened by the action and looked away.
"I…I'm sorry, Shark-san. I didn't mean to push these thoughts onto you or question your feelings on the matter, especially with your own worries to deal with." Siesta held her hands over her heart. "This duel… I know I can't stop you from backing out of it. Even if I begged I have a feeling you'd say no, and as terrified as I am for your life, I will be there to support you and stand by your side even if no one else will. I just thought you should know that despite everything that has happened, Miss Valliere is not as cruel as she seems, and has suffered just as much as any of us commoners, myself included. If you ask me, I believe the only reason she acts as she does is out of fear and loneliness. Because all she has ever had to rely on or trust in is herself. And because…" Siesta's hands tightened. "Because I know I would have done the same were I in her shoes…"
Silence filled the room once more, with neither Duelist nor maid looking at each other. It was then swiftly broken by a loud clicking sound.
"Siesta."
The maid nearly jumped at the boy's voice and looked up to him again. "Y-Yes?"
"Which way is the Vestri Court?"
"You found nothing then?" Osmond asked Professor Colbert, the bald man standing before him with several large tomes in hand.
"Sadly not," Colbert confirmed as he placed the books down. "I spent most of the night searching for human familiars, but I couldn't find anything helpful. I'm sure if I knew what runes would appear on Mister Ryoga I could figure something out, but well..." The professor trailed off.
"But the boy refuses to become a full familiar," Osmond finished with a heavy sigh.
"If it's not too troubling to ask, what exactly do we plan to do?" Colbert asked while he adjusted his glasses. "We've never had a human familiar in this school before, let alone one who has refused to enter the contract. If he continues this way and keeps rejecting the idea of becoming Miss Valliere's familiar, will it become a problem for her time here?"
Osmond hummed in thought as he sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. "That boy, he has a strong conviction. He isn't someone who can be chained down or forced to do something against his will. You saw it too, right? What kind of person laid behind those eyes of his."
Colbert's expression became stern. "Yes. For someone so young to carry such weight like that…"
"Yes, it's very troubling. Even if we tried forcing the familiar contract on him, it would only cause him to resent Miss Valliere and this school even more, and he would more than likely consider us his enemies."
Colbert frowned, not liking the idea of putting the young boy into such a situation. "But then what do we do?"
Before either could think of an answer there was a knock on the doors to the office.
"Who is it?" Osmond called out.
"It's me, Old Osmond," Miss Longueville's voice came from behind the doors.
"Come in."
The doors opened and the green-haired secretary walked into the room. She gave a light bow before speaking. "Sorry to interrupt your meeting, but there appears to be trouble in the courtyard."
Osmond sighed. "If it's not one thing it's another. What is it?"
"It seems there are some students dueling at Vestri Court. It's causing quite a commotion. A few teachers have gone there to try and stop it, but their attempts are being impeded by the sheer number of students and servants alike."
"The servants as well?" Colbert said surprised.
Osmond rubbed the bridge of his nose. "For heaven's sake, there's nothing worse than nobles with too much free time in their hands," he grumbled. "So, who's involved?"
"One of them is Guiche de Gramont, sir," Longueville informed.
"Ah, that idiot son of Gramont. Skirt-chasing must run in the family, considering his father's even more of a womanizer. I wouldn't be surprised if the boy knows every girl in school."
Longueville gave a silent glare to the headmaster at the "skirt-chasing" part. She restrained from pointing out his own actions of using his familiar to peek up her skirt.
"And his opponent is?" Osmond asked.
"...Well, it's not a mage. I've been told it's Miss Valliere's familiar."
Osmond and Colbert's eyes both widened.
"What!?"
The united shout from both men surprised Longueville but she continued. "The teachers are requesting to use the Bell of Sleep to stop the duel."
Colbert turned to the headmaster in alarm. "Old Osmond, this is...!"
The headmaster seemed to think. After a minute his eyes glinted like a hawk's. "Ridiculous. There's no need to use such an important artifact just to stop a children's fight. Leave them be."
"Understood," Longueville said before leaving the room, her footsteps disappearing down the hallway.
Colbert swallowed audibly "Old Osmond..."
The older mage nodded. He grabbed his staff and waved it towards a big mirror set in the wall, the Mirror of Far-Seeing. The artifact glowed and reflected a scene of the Vestri Court, allowing the two men to watch the situation unfold.
"My, my, such a large crowd we have here. That familiar sure knows how to make things entertaining," Kirche commented. She was leaning against the large outer wall of the school and watching the crowd gathered around. Of all the things she could have anticipated happening, this would be at the bottom of her list. "I wonder what'll happen. Any opinions, Tabitha?"
Beside Kirche stood another girl. She had short blue hair that seemed to reach just past her face and matching colored eyes that were focused on the book in her hands. She wore a pair of reading glasses, and behind her was a large wooden curved stave that leaned against the wall. Outside of that she wore a school uniform and black cape just like Kirche, signifying her as a second-year.
The girl, Tabitha as she was addressed, didn't respond to Kirche's question however as she merely turned a page in her book.
"Well, you always did like to play the odds," Kirche joked. The sound of cheers and excitement quickly caught her attention causing her to look at the crowd and smile at the sight. "Ah, and there is the man of the hour now."
The Vestri Court was the central garden situated between the Wind and Fire elemental towers. Being located to the west, the court didn't receive much sunshine even during the middle of the day. But because of its spacious environment it was the perfect place for nobles to settle petty arguments through private duels.
Right now the court was filled to the brim with students and servants, all of whom had gathered together to watch the event and formed a large circle in the middle of the court. The circle of nobles opened up a path at one end of the ring, allowing Ryoga to walk forward with hands in pocket and eyes aimed front. The circle quickly closed behind him, blocking off Siesta and forcing her to take a spot behind several of the students as she watched worriedly with her hands held together in prayer.
"Shark-san..."
From another side of the ring a certain first-year also watched the event unfold. Katie had been crying her eyes out from the betrayal that was revealed until she caught wind that Sir Gu-…that Guiche, had challenged the Ryoga boy to a duel. She couldn't believe it herself and came to see if the rumors were true. Yet now that she was seeing Ryoga step forward, the brunette started wishing the rumors hadn't been true.
As much as she wanted to blame the boy for his involvement in her broken heart, she knew he was only exposing the truth to her about Si- Guiche's actions. There was no way of knowing how long she would have been toyed with had he not brought it to light. Plus, he helped her out earlier by escorting her to the table and had been very kind and enjoyable in conversing with, proving that he wasn't a bad person. So she was terrified of the fact he was now going to get hurt in this fight that she had helped caused.
"Mister Ryoga..."
Ryoga finally stopped near the center of the man-made ring, his eyes gluing themselves to the form of Guiche, who stood at the other end with his arms crossed, a rose in one hand and an arrogant smirk etched on his face.
"You showed up after all. I at least compliment you for not running away when you had the chance," Guiche spoke, having now regained his confidence and pride.
He admittedly had been caught off guard earlier by the commoner's reaction and response to his challenge, but had quickly gotten over it and prepared himself. He wasn't going to let this fool get off easy for insulting him, oh no. After all he had an audience watching, so he needed to put on a show.
A show they would never forget.
Ryoga's brow furrowed but he remained calm. "I never back down from a Duel. And I would never run away from someone like you."
Guiche chuckled. "So I see." He raised his rose up to the sky. "Gentlemen! Ladies! It's a duel!"
A roaring cheer was elicited from the crowd. Ryoga ignored the cheers while Guiche waved his arms to acknowledge the crowd. The noble then spun and pointed his rose wand at his opponent.
"Guiche is going to duel! His opponent is Louise's commoner!" The blonde said as if being a announcer. Another cheer broke out.
"I do have a name you know," Ryoga said through the noise. "Not that it'd probably matter to you. Now are we going to do this or what?"
"Straight to the point, huh? I can understand that." Guiche smirked. "In that case let's not waste any time and-"
"WAIT!"
The two boys broke their stare-down as everyone's gazes were drawn towards the sudden shout. From a corner of the crowd all eyes watched as a figure moved through the pack of nobles, pushing and shoving aside everyone as it did. After a few seconds the figure finally entered the open ring, turning Ryoga's expression from confused to surprised.
"You?"
The figure was Louise, who ignored Ryoga and focused her attention on Guiche. "Guiche, you have to stop this now! You know duels are prohibited in this school!"
Guiche snapped out of his own surprise and shrugged. "What is forbidden are duels between nobles. He is merely a commoner so there is no problem here."
"T-That's only because we've never had anything like this happen before though," Louise shook her head and replied. She glanced over at Ryoga, who simply stood in silence watching her, his face unreadable.
"Hmm, could it be?" Guiche spoke with a curious tone. "Louise, have you actually had your heart moved by this commoner?"
Louise gaped at the question. Her cheeks burned beat red before she snapped angrily. "W-WHO WOULD HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN!? Don't be ridiculous! I just don't want to see my familiar spirit get beaten up is all!"
A slight twitch of Ryoga's brow was the only visible reaction seen from him.
"Whether you say to stop or not that commoner has already accepted my challenge. There is no stopping this fight," Guiche declared with a shake of his head. He then paused as a thought entered his mind. "Unless…"
Louise frowned. "Unless what?"
Guiche grinned and pointed his rose towards Ryoga. "How about this. If you and that commoner both bow down and apologize to me, I may just be willing to forget this little incident."
Ryoga scoffed while Louise looked taken aback. "Wha- why should I do that!? I could understand him as he may have started this, but why should I have to bow to you as well!?"
"Is it not the fault of the master as well if the familiar does something wrong?" Guiche said mockingly as he brushed aside his hair. "You are just as responsible for this mess for having such a disobedient familiar. As such, it is only right that you both apologize to me and admit your mistakes, is it not?"
Louise's jaw tightened. It was true, the actions of a familiar reflected off the master. Because of this Guiche had a point in saying that she was at as much fault for this event, except what he was asking was too much. She would be throwing away her pride and honor as a noble if she gave into his demand. But hadn't her pride caused enough damage already? If she didn't let it go, her fami-
...he...would be hurt badly.
"So what shall it be, Zero Louise?" Guiche asked with a smirk. "It is rather simple after all. All you both have to do is get on your knees, bow your heads, and say 'I'm sorry Sir Guiche'. Do this, and I shall forget this whole thing ever happened."
Louise bit her lip. She wasn't sure what to do. To accept and throw away her pride as a noble, or refuse and watch the person she summoned be crushed? She could feel the stares and whispers of the crowd, and felt herself shaking with uncertainty and fear.
Strangely enough, this caused the pinkette to move her attention towards the one person she feared the reaction of most. Perhaps in some small hope that she would somehow know the answer then.
However, when Louise's pink eyes met Ryoga's ocean blue, the young noble found herself frozen once more.
But this time it felt different.
As she stared into the sea of the purple-clad boy's gaze, Louise didn't feel the anger or hatred from earlier. She didn't experience the level of disgust or loathing that had struck at her heart. She didn't feel the cold chilling gaze that froze her solid and made her feel fearful and weak.
No, there was none of that. This time something different was swimming in those eyes of the boy she summoned. Something she didn't recognize or understand, but for some reason seemed to calm her heart and lessen her fear.
"Why?" Louise thought confused as the two of them continued to look at nothing else save each other. "He was so angry with me earlier. He hated me, despised me even, and wanted nothing to do with me. So why? Why are his eyes so different now? Why isn't he glaring at me like before? Why don't I feel afraid anymore? Why do I…"
Louise's heart seemed to pulse again, though not from pain this time as she rested a hand above it.
"Why do I-?"
"Well? Are you going to apologize already or not? What is your answer, Zero Louise?" Guiche's voice called out, having lost some of his patience.
Louise broke from her thoughts and looked over to the blonde noble and his irritated face. Glancing back once more at Ryoga, the pink haired girl's mind came to a resolution. Her fear and uncertainty evaporated, and was replaced by something else entirely. Taking a deep breath she gathered herself and stood firmly before speaking in a firm and clear voice.
"I...refuse."
The entire crowd gasped. Guiche himself flinched back, feeling his pride be struck. "I-I'm sorry? Could you repeat that?"
"Do you have earwax stuck in that brain of yours? I thought I made myself clear," Louise spoke, turning fully to Guiche and declaring herself once again. "I refuse. I will not bow to you. Not now, not ever. Nor shall my familiar for that fact."
Guiche's expression swiftly shifted to anger. "What?"
"Who do you think you are, Guiche de Gramont, to order me around?" Louise asked with a brush of her hair and loud huff. "I am Louise de La Valliere, of the Valliere family! Do you really think I would ever bow to someone like you just because you got caught chasing skirts? Have you no sense in taking responsibility for your own actions? Clearly you have spent too much time putting on makeup and perfume and have poisoned that poor brain of yours. Not that there was much too it already."
Laughter broke through the courtyard as Guiche's grip tightened on his rose.
"You dare!"
Louise didn't stop as she pointed at him. "Listen well, Guiche! My familiar may have spoken out wrongly. He may have been disobedient. And he may be a rude, egotistical, stupid, callous and stubborn commoner."
Louise paused and turned to Ryoga, her expression softening.
"But he...he's still my familiar," she said gently, her eyes showing emotions she couldn't express or say. Instead she rounded back to Guiche with confidence and pride. "And whether he has done something wrong or not, I have complete faith in him! Just as I have complete faith in myself! And as such, just as I will not bow to you, neither shall he! So do your best, Guiche de Gramont, because by the end of this duel it will be my familiar spirit who stands on top, and you who will be apologizing to me!"
A loud roar of cheers erupted from the crowd of nobles and servants. The sheer display alone from Louise had riled up their blood and excited them! This was going to make the fight all the better now that the Zero herself had called Guiche out and said her familiar would win.
Against the wall Kirche chuckled amused. "Well, well, never knew Louise had that much bite to her. I'm actually impressed."
Tabitha simply turned another page in her book.
In the crowds Siesta looked stunned by the declaration, but also happy. Katie meanwhile stared in amazement and awe at Louise's declaration.
And as for Ryoga, although it could barely be seen, the corner of his lips seemed to curve up ever so slightly.
Guiche on the other hand was furious. The Zero dared to mock him further? She dared to make him look bad in front of everyone just like the damn commoner had? He had been insulted twice now, twice in one day! He would not stand for this! He was a Gramont dammit, and he would teach them respect!
As he thought about ways to make them pay, a certain memory hit the blonde's head, causing a wicked smirk to appear on his face. "Your familiar spirit will win you say? What an odd choice of words. Considering what I've heard about you and your 'familiar.'"
Louise seemed confused while Ryoga's eyes narrowed with suspicion. The crowd around the trio just looked at each other confused.
"Hey, what is Guiche talking about?"
"Not sure. Think he's trying to save face or something?"
Louise could hear the muttering sounds but ignored them, as for some reason the tonal shift from Guiche made her heart drop suddenly.
"W-What do you mean?" She asked a bit nervously.
Guiche chuckled. He honestly hadn't planned to use this piece of information so soon. He was planning to find the perfect time to use it against Louise. To bring utter shame and despair to that damn failure and her worthless familiar and enjoy every moment of it to the fullest. But his pride had now been damaged twice. First by the commoner, and now by the Zero herself. He had had enough, and with this revelation he would completely destroy the commoner and be hailed as the one who finally put the Zero in her place.
Two birds, one stone.
Guiche directed his attention to the crowd and opened his arms, his eyes in a dramatic display. "My fellow nobles, hear me now as I have a story to tell you all! About a Zero and her so called 'familiar!'"
The crowd listened curiously while Louise's fear rose.
"As you have all heard, Louise has declared that her familiar will stand triumphant in this fight. That same familiar stands before us today against me, Guiche de Gramont, in a duel he himself accepted despite his master's orders not to," Guiche announced with a smile that seemed far too innocent to be normal. "Is that not strange though? Louise gives full consent now for the duel, but before that her familiar had defied her own orders and come here against her will. A bit odd wouldn't you agree?"
The confused mutters of the crowd filled the air.
"I mean why would the familiar act on his own, hmm? Why would Louise suddenly give her approval now when before her own familiar had defied her orders when she said no?" Guiche questioned. He theatrically shut his eyes and waved the rose in his hand, trying to look intellectual. "Quite simple. As we all know, familiars have the instinctual compulsion to serve their master to their best extent because of the contract they have with us. It is the symbol of our bond and the sign of our trust in one another. When a direct order is given, the familiar is unable to disobey it because it is the role of the contract to ensure the safety and lives of both the noble and their familiar under any circumstance. As such they understand this and acknowledge their roles within the contract, because they are important to us as we are to them."
Guiche's eyes opened and honed in on Louise. His lips split into a dark grin.
"However, what happens if a contract is never made?"
Louise's heart felt as if it stopped.
No. No that wasn't possible.
There was no way Guiche could have found out, right? He was just trying to mess with her was all! There was no way he could have known!
The question meanwhile caused many other reactions from the crowd as well, as everyone whispered and muttered about what Guiche meant. Kirche and Katie both looked very curious while Tabitha remained the same. Siesta however gasped in horrific realization, while Ryoga's eyes hardened.
Seeing the reactions of everyone around Guiche let out a small chuckle before continuing. "Ladies and gentleman, a secret I have for you all. One that will be shared for years to come at this school. For you see, our dear Louise de La Valliere-"
"Shut up," Louise muttered.
"-the failure of the academy. The Zero herself-"
"Shut up!" Louise voice rose as she began shaking.
"-has done the impossible again! And this time better than ever! For you see, ladies and gentlemen, the reason the commoner familiar defied the orders of his master, Louise de La Valliere-"
"SHUT UP! JUST STOP IT!"
"-was because she is not his master! The commoner has no rune signs on him, no signs of the contract, nothing to symbolize himself as Louise's! That's right! The Zero may have summoned a familiar..." Guiche's grin turned wicked. "BUT SHE HAS FAILED TO COMPLETE THE FAMILIAR CONTRACT!"
Colbert stiffened. "Headmaster, we have to-"
Osmond held a hand up to cut the professor off. His face was solemn as he observed the scene playing in his office. Specifically, his interest was on the newcomer to his academy.
"What shall you do now, I wonder?"
Silence.
Utter silence was what echoed over the courtyard. Silence over the sheer disbelief and revelation spoken from Guiche's mouth.
That silence lasted for all of five seconds.
"What? Now freaking way!"
"He's joking right? Even the Zero isn't that bad, right?"
"I don't know man, look at her. She seems really freaked out doesn't she?"
"Oy, Zero, say it ain't so!"
Louise didn't hear the crowd. Her voice became vacant, her body shook but was frozen in place, and her eyes filled with dread as her heart sank with horror.
How? How could Guiche have found out? How had he discovered that information? She hadn't told anyone! She hadn't spoken to a soul!
So how!?
"No way," Kirche whispered in disbelief. "Louise never made the contract?"
Tabitha paused in her turning of the page, her eyes glancing up to the pink-haired girl.
"Oh no. Miss Valliere..." Siesta looked at the scene with sorrow and guilt. She wanted to help, to do something. But she was just a maid. There was nothing she could do to for the young noble in a situation like this. It just added more to her reasons of hating the differences between commoners and nobles.
She couldn't help when it mattered most.
Katie also stared at Louise in complete shock. She felt sorry for the girl, but even she was as stunned as everyone else. Never before had she heard of a noble not completing the contract with their familiar before, and the fact the familiar in question was Mister Ryoga of all people made her confused. If he wasn't bound to the second-year then he had the freedom to do as he wished, yes? He held no obligation to this school, or to Louise, or the duel.
Or to helping her.
Yet he had done so. He went out of his way to help her find Sir G- Guiche, when she asked him too, and exposed the cruel truth to her. And while she was still hurt by the knowledge, she knew Guiche would have kept deceiving her until she was led to an even worse heartbreak in the future, all because she would have been too blinded by her feelings for the noble to notice. Yet that didn't happen because Mister Ryoga helped her see what was happening when he had no reason too.
But why?
"A shame, Louise," Guiche spoke again, his voice brimming with joy as his lips possessed a victorious smile. "You know, I had planned to keep this little secret to myself and savor the pleasure personally, but I figure, why not spread the word? After all we always knew you were a failure, but this? This goes beyond being a Zero. Not even completing a contract with your own familiar? That's worse than any Zero, that's as good as being nothing." He blinked and suddenly laughed. "Hahaha! That's a good one actually. Congratulations, Louise, from this day forward you are no longer a Zero. Instead, you've now become nothing! You're not a mage, you're not a noble, you're not even a failure! You're just nothing!"
The crowd's mutters got louder as they began to nod in agreement.
"Hahaha, he's right!"
"Wow, to think the Zero could actually get worse!"
"Nothing Louise? Or would it be Louise the Nothing? Kinda catchy!"
"Oy, Nothing!"
"Hey, Nothing!"
"Louise the Nothing!"
"Nothing Louise!"
Louise fell to her knees, her fingers digging deep into the dirt. The crowd didn't seem to care as they continued to loudly mock and chant at the pinkette, who felt her spirit shatter.
It was over. Her pride, her hope, her time at the academy. It was all over. She had been exposed, revealed to the world that she had done the impossible. That she had gone beyond simple failure and couldn't even complete a contract with her own familiar. Such shame was unsalvageable.
What was she to do? Soon word would spread of this all across the land and reach her own family. She could never face them again. The shame she would bring if she ever went home would be too much for her to take. They would strip her of her name instantly if she stepped foot on the premise, if they didn't already do so when they heard of this. She could never return there.
But she couldn't stay either. The whole academy would know of her failure in a matter of hours. Everything she had gone through as a Zero, it would be nothing compared to what they would do now. The laughter, the insults, it would only get worse from this point on. She wouldn't be able to take it all in like before, not like this. Not to this level of cruelty.
She was trapped. There was no way out. Dying would be a better choice than living with this shame! But she didn't want to die either. She didn't want to die for something just to escape the shame she had. There was no honor in it, just cowardice.
Which meant she had no answer. No solution. No hope.
Nothing…just like they had called her.
Louise's teeth grit tightly as tears began to pour from her eyes. The sounds of laughter and mocks from the nobles continued to pollute her ears and break her soul as she remained frozen to her spot on the ground. And as the laughter continued, Louise felt a dark and familiar feeling roll across her form, causing her to slowly look up.
There they were.
Those glowing eyes. Those terrifying eyes that haunted her dreams. That tormented her every night.
And now they were laughing as well. Laughing at her failure. Laughing at the Zero. At the Nothing.
"NOTHING!"
"Stop it," Louise begged.
"NOTHING!"
"Stop it! Please!"
"NOTHING!"
"Someone, anyone, please!"
"ZERO THE NOTHING!"
Louise's eyes clenched as she grabbed her head and screamed.
"MAKE IT STOP!"
BAM!
The laughter and mocks suddenly ceased as loud gasp filled the air. Louise didn't realize at first, but when she did her eyes slowly opened, confused by the silence. Why had they-?
"Ahhh! My face! My beautiful face! Gahaaaaa!"
Louise looked towards the sound and caught sight of Guiche as he rolled on the ground clutching his face in pain.
What just happened? Why was he-?
"You alright?"
Louise jumped at the sudden voice next to her, her head snapping to the owner only for her watery eyes to widen at who it was.
"Y-You?" Louise hiccuped as Ryoga leaned down in front of her. Cupping her chin with his left hand he reached into his pocket with the other and pulled out what looked to be a handkerchief, as he suddenly began cleaning Louise's face. "W-What are you-?"
"Honestly, you are such a pain in the ass," Ryoga muttered as he wiped away the snot and tears. "You're loud and annoying, prideful and rude, demanding as all hell, and you have the personality of a damn crocodile. It's a wonder you've lasted this long without someone babying you all the damn time."
"W-Why-?" Louise tried to utter only to stop as Ryoga wiped her nose. She tried to speak again but found her voice still choked up from sobs, and so she just sat there as the Duelist cleaned her.
"But…" Ryoga finished the cleaning and pocketed the handkerchief. He then raised his right hand and, much to Louise's surprise, placed it on her head as she felt him rub her scalp gently. "Unlucky for me, you remind me too much of an idiot I knew back home. He was also loud, stubborn, annoying, and a failure of a guy, just like you."
Louise gasped as she witnessed Ryoga's lips suddenly curl and smile. Actually smile. There was no anger, no hate, no disgust, nothing hidden within the expression he gave her.
Just…something else…
"But he also never quit, and kept trying to prove himself to everyone despite the odds always stacked against him. And sadly, I couldn't let him be on his own either."
Completely speechless by the action, Louise didn't respond or make any noise when Ryoga stood up and looked towards the crowd.
"Siesta!"
Siesta jumped at being suddenly called out before making her way through the crowd. "Y-Yes, Shark-san?"
"Take care of her would you? I have a Duel to get to," Ryoga said before turning back towards Guiche. Siesta nodded and knelt beside Louise, both girls watching the purple-clad boy approach the noble.
"Y-You damn commoner!" Guiche shouted as he finally stood from the ground, clutching his face as he did. "How dare you throw a rock at me! Do you have any-!"
"Shut up."
Guiche, as well as every other noble in the crowd, stiffened fearfully at the tone emitting from the commoner's mouth.
"You know, I really hate you nobles," Ryoga spoke coldly, slowly walking forward while his eyes bore into Guiche with a dangerous glare. "Those with magic have power while everyone else is lesser than them? It sickens me. You all treat the world like it's your plaything and think you can step on whomever you want just because of your name and magic. Your pride is the most important thing to you, and when it's hurt even the tiniest bit you do whatever it takes to destroy whatever hurt it, regardless of it it's another person. Like a little brat who's lost their toy."
Ryoga's hands clenched into fist.
"And the common-folk? They have to suffer and do your bidding just because they weren't born with your special power. And because of that you think you can do whatever you want to them and get away with it? Such bullshit."
Ryoga stopped walking. He now stood in the center of the ring. His head lifted upwards at the sky, staring out to the clear blue color and clouds that circled around in it.
"I can't stand this world's way of thinking. And I can't stand you fucking nobles. Hell, the whole time I've been here I've only met two people in which I can safely say I enjoyed my time with. One being a maid who defines what being a true noble is more than any of you. And the other a noble herself, but one who was kind and sweet and wasn't anything like the rest. Only to have her heart broken because of a bastard like you. Someone like her doesn't deserve to be labeled in the same category as you!
Katie brought a hand to her chest as she watched Ryoga with warm eyes.
"So yeah, I really don't like you nobles. And I really, really don't like how this world works." Ryoga paused and closed his eyes. "But you know...there's one thing I actually hate more than you idiot nobles."
Guiche growled and clenched his rose tightly. "Oh? And what's that, commoner?"
Ryoga stood in silence. Memories of the past flooded his mind.
"P-Please Shark, don't take my deck!"
"Stop! That's my father's card!"
"No, don't destroy them! Please!"
"What do you think you're doing? Give it back!"
One of the Duelist's hands reached into his pocket while the other slid behind his back
"What I hate most of all…" Ryoga head snapped down, eyes opened to reveal absolute fury. "ARE FUCKING BULLIES LIKE YOU!"
Suddenly, he withdrew a large metal plate from his pocket and hurled it into the air.
"DUEL DISK, SET!"
The plate suddenly clicked and snapped as a segmented joint ejected from one side of it and open outwards, forming a T-shaped wing. As the plate flew Ryoga drew his other hand from behind to reveal a dark blue arm gauntlet with a black glass screen on it. He swiftly slid it onto his left arm and raised it to the sky, causing the T-shaped plate to suddenly fly down and attach itself to the gauntlet like a piece of armor.
"W-What is this?" Guiche stepped back shocked. He wasn't the only one as the entire crowd looked on in amazement.
"D-GAZER, SET!"
Ryoga threw up a small white and purple metal shard with a small yellow spike at one end. The shard clicked and seemed to unfold itself into a long crescent shape, while a purple piece of glass became exposed. Catching it Ryoga placed the strange curved shard over his left ear, allowing the glass to rest securely across his left eye.
"DUEL TARGET, LOCK-ON!"
The glass seemed to light up as rows of strange text and colors floated around it. After a few moments the light stopped as Ryoga held his left arm up in front of him, along with the Duel Disk now attached to it.
Guiche stood completely baffled by the strange new items the boy had equipped. What was all this? Had this commoner somehow come into possession of some armor or weapons? When did he have the time to get such things!?
Shaking out of his stutter the blonde playboy growled and held up his rose. "No more words then. Very well. It's time then for you to be taught a lesson in respect, commoner!"
"The only lesson being taught today, will be what happens when you piss off a shark!" Ryoga declared fiercely.
Near the edge of the ring Louise's eyes widened. She watched as the boy who was to be her familiar and rejected the contract, stood with such confidence and strength. Strength she never considered him to have.
As the crowd of students cheered on in excitement and anticipation, Kamishiro Ryoga shouted the one word he had been waiting to say since this whole thing started, never noticing his Barian pendant flicker in a crimson glow.
"DUEL!"
Hi guy! It's me! Hope you guys had a good and enjoyable week!
...And yes I'm kinda a dick for that ending. Hehe, sorry sorry. But when I was writing the story it just felt perfect to end it hear and declare the next chapter to the entire duel itself, which I hope you guys will love.
That being said...I have some bad news.
You see this month I'm going to be swamped with more work and projects than I had anticipated, which will take up a lot of spare time. Heck just positing this one was hard to squeeze in as it was. As it is I don't know when I'll be able to post the next chapter \/.\/
It sucks because I really want to post it so badly, but I got to take care of my work first. sorry guys.
Still, I will do my best to get it up when I can. Also the future chapter I'm writing is in a similar state so wish me luck with balancing everything.
Now onto reviews and...huh, that's a lot more than usual.
Well okay then, basic answers it will be!
Guest: Haha, sorry man but that will be next chapter...which I don't know when will be up so sorry. Hope you like this one though.
kryuzei: Won't give away too much, but let's not forget duels in Halkeginia are not exactly the same sort of duels in the Yu-Gi-Oh! world.
TFOJ: First, I don't drink but thanks you anyways :P. Second, hope you enjoyed the reveal and what I did this chapter. As for your question, I can't give away too much of my future plans, but considering the route Arc-V is going down, I have a lot of interesting ideas in my head for the future.
duskrider: Thanks bro! V ^.^.
KisaragiKei: Firstly, welcome to the group. Second, I really appreciate the review. It's true not many people have someone reject the contract, most likely because there's no idea where the story would go. However as we both know, Ryoga would never accept something like slavery, especially since he had been forced to do something against his will twice before by others like a slave. And considering how he was a king, I doubt he'd ever approve of something like this. As you said, it's perspective that matters. Who cares about a familiar contract when you've been brought to another world against your will, especially when you were meant to die! It means nothing to convince with a minor piece of proof when the majority is far to different. So yeah, expect Ryoga to look at this world with a LOT of different views and acts because of it.
Hope you enjoy this chapter just as much and enjoy what I got planned. Welcome aboard friend ^.^.
Touhou is Life: I think I misunderstood the first question, but to answer it, the item that will appear in the exhibition/forquet arc will be from Ryoga's world. Whether it will be a "staff of destruction" or "disc of the familiar" (which I don't know what is) is still in air, though I got 2 good ideas.
As for shippings...well here's the thing. I certainly don't disapprove of shippings, especially if done right and feel well. The thing is though Ryoga isn't one for romance and won't be looking for anything like that anytime soon. Now does this mean there won't be romance? No, but at the moment I'm still tossing my head around for what possible pairings I could develop, with who, and if they would even work. But rest assured I do have plans for future of it, just not sure yet.
And Sekishiki: Haha, glad you like Ryoga being his bossily self. To be honest I had considered Kaito for another story idea in another world, buuuuut at the moment I'm struggling enough with 1 story, real life, and what i could even do with that idea. Mizael's actually one I didn't consider, but certainly something to keep in mind for future. But glad you approve and hope you enjoy this one as well.
Well that's all the reviews. Gah a lot more than usual, haha. But I'm happy either way.
So since I have no idea when next post will be, I want some opinions and thoughts from you guys.
1: What kind of pairings/romance would you like to see in this story? Give a good reason for it though as I won't just accept random thoughts without at least an explanation.
2: Since my story will be quite long with a lot of plans and ideas, some of which i haven't fully flushed out yet, I want to hear about your own story ideas or ideas, or even any you may want to see about this one. Feel free to share and let me know either in comments or in a private message if you want.
3: Have you all seen the news about the new Yu-Gi-Oh! movie? If so what's your opinions. If not check it out. It's called "The Darkside of Dimensions".
And 4:...anyone know how to make good Tonkotsu ramen and how? o.O
Anyways, hope you guys have a great day. See you as soon as I can, which will hopefully be before the end of the month.
TrueHeartKnight