Zero's Dog
Chapter 11
Author's Notes
Hello, slugboy here to bring you chapter 11. As a change from my previous AN s, I'll be replying to my reviewers at the beginning instead of an info-dump at the end. This is my plan for all future chapters so I hope it works.
pyromania101- I'm glad you liked that I spared Wales. Wales as a character himself isn't too important but I wanted to change the story from the classic 'Reconquista takes over Albion and starts a war' scenario. That path, while good, is predictable especially since most of the fanfic readers for FoZ have either seen the anime or read the novels. Wales' survival forces this story down another path. As for the future, you can expect at least one other person to make an appearence, but I doubt they'll be member's of Negi's harem. As for Mott, he appears but not sure (yet) if I'll make him relevent or just a character mentioned once and soon forgotten. Thanks for voicing your like of Nero, so he WILL return at some point. I too look forward to the Valliere estate, one reason being mentioned back in chapter 8 by Derflinger. I'm not sure how it'll all work out but Kotaro will be scared witless for a moment at least once, (by whom you'll need to guess).
panda-kun77- don't worry I never planned on making Negi the main protagonist. I do intend to make him "The Lancer" to Kotaro's "Hero" but this is still a story about Kotaro.
zer0light- I'll try to work on my infodumps but I'm still relatively new to the world of writing. I don't think I know how to 'Nerf' the characters but I can give them reasons for not going full power. I agree they are over powered but they're not just going to go around curb-stomping every annoyance they meet. There will be at least a few opponents who will provide difficulty.
chronodekar- Okay, I understand your concern over the story especially the god-like power levels. I plan to at least keep them out of too many fights. As for Negi's appearance, this chapter will explain. I'm sorry that I disappointed you with a 'glossover' of Kotaro's ascension but I wasn't thinking much of it at the time as I kind of sped through chapter 10. The changes I made within the chapters were minor (a few grammer errors and changing 'Mundus Magica' to its proper 'Mundus Magicus'. The changes have been noted on my profile page. Sorry for the letdown, and I'll go into detail about Kotaro's ascension to nobility in the future.
Wrathkal- I'll admit that I originally thought of having Jack Rakan summoned but I felt that would be like one long 'Chuck Norris joke'. He's too powerful even for his own series (I still love the character), and he'd have little to relate to, compared to Kotaro who is still a young adult. I'm glad you compared Kotaro to GB's Shirou, as I too enjoyed that story.
That night, Kotaro drempt of his adventures in Albion, namely his time spent after Cromwell's death.
(Dream start)
After three hours, several dozen clones, and a brief discussion, Kotaro returned to the square in Saxe-Gotha with Wales Tudor. He was wearing the mantle that was his artifact and his presence was unnaturally soothing. When Wales reached the balcony that had been Cromwell's stage he began to speak, passion filling his voice, silencing the crowd.
Kotaro ignored what was being said, philosophy had never been a strong point of his and sometimes caused unpleasant memories to surface. He set out to find the second person on his list of priorities. He found her, still at the cavern, waiting.
"Still here Fouquet?" he asked from the shadows, causing her to jump in shock.
"How do you do that?" the former master thief asked, awed by his stealth, "And it's not 'Fouquet' anymore, it's Mathilda de Saxe-Gotha."
"Trade secret," Kotaro answered, "Now you're probably wondering what I've planned for you, Mathilda." He put extra emphasis on the unfamiliar name.
"I'll admit it intrigues me, and I'm not one for guessing games so tell me."
Kotaro was silent for a few moments, pondering. The uncomfortable silence in the empty cave seemed to stretch into minutes. "I want you to be the engineer of castle fortifications and head of security for the Albion royal family."
"Huh," Mathilda grunted. She'd been expecting some high price like eternal servitude to the hanyo.
"From what I've heard about Fouquet, the thief was an expert at infiltration. Always practical, always looking for simple effective solutions to pierce fortifications. So it would make sense then that the same expertise could be used to keep out would-be thieves and assassins."
Mathilda flushed at the flattery, "I'm not that good you know. I've been caught twice now."
"Both times by me," Kotaro added to her statement, "Which is hardly something to take shame in. Have some faith in your skills, Mathilda, because they're exceptional."
Mathilda's face was bright red, a humorous contrast to her green tresses Kotaro noted. Then she asked, "Are you trying to deceive me? This seems too good a proposal."
"Whoa, don't say 'proposal' it makes me think we're getting married or something. But no, I'm not trying to trick you. I still need to ask Wales for his opinion but I hope he accepts. If he doesn't I'll be left with a few 'less pleasant' options."
(Dream end)
The following morning Kotaro altered his morning routine by waking an hour earlier. As he crept out of the room he noticed Chamo had snuck in during the night and had attempted to make off with a pair of Louise's panties. It was only an attempt because he'd managed to get tangled in them, "I can't wait to see how Louise will react to this."
He walked down a flight of stairs and a few halls before arriving at his intended door. He tried the knob. Locked. Cautiously he initiated shadow travel to move past the door. Luckily there was enough light inside the room to cast a shadow to exit from. He made a beeline towards the figure on the bed.
"Guiche," he said quietly, lightly nudging the form, "Guiche, wake up."
Guiche rolled over, slightly opening his eyes to look at the hanyo, "Kotaro," he groaned sleepily, "what're you doin' in my room?"
"I'm here to ask you to join me for an early-morning run," Kotaro answered quietly, "Your fitness also affects your ability to fight but unlike sparring, running with me won't kill ya'."
"It's an hour before dawn," Guiche mumbled, turning over, "I just wanna sleep."
"Sorry," Kotaro said, his voice still low but changed in tone. Instead of exiting the way he entered, the hanyo leapt through the window. As he reached the ground, he rolled forward and almost seamlessly shifted from rolling to standing to walking. He walked out until he was in the middle of the courtyard. Negi was there too, practicing some martial arts forms. "He had the same idea, too."
Kotaro turned and faced the dorms, "Let's see how willing Guiche is when I TELL him instead of asking." He took a deep breath before, suffusing his voice with Ki, he shouted, "GUICHE DE GRAMONT, GET YER ASS OUTTA BED!" His voice rolled over the academy like thunder, "FIRST I ASKED NICELY, NOW I'M TELLIN' YOU, WE'RE GOIN' FOR A RUN! WHAT'S WRONG? I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA BE 'MISTER COMMITMENT'."
"WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP?" a shrill voice cut him off, not as loud as his but still audible, from an upper window, followed by an explosion between Kotaro and Negi, knocking them back. "AND SPRINGFIELD, KEEP YOUR FAMILIAR OUT OF MY ROOM." There was a faint squeal of pain following Louise's shout.
Kotaro looked over at Negi, who seemed surprised at the power of the spell. "Louise," Kotaro said, his voice no longer augmented, "People here have runic names that reflect their abilities, if ya didn't already know. Guiche's is 'Guiche the Bronze' and he uses earth magic with a preference for bronze golems. Kirche, the girl like a red-haired Tatsumiya, you may have met her already, is 'Kirche the Ardent' and she likes fire, and passion." Ignoring Negi's look of confusion the hanyo continued, "Louise doesn't have a runic name but had the nickname 'Louise the Zero' when I got here. I don't know if people still call her it but it was because every attempt at magic became an explosion. Instead of something simple like glass, she managed to turn two pebbles this big," he pointed at a fingernail, "into explosives that wrecked the entire classroom. Apparently she has no magical affinity. Out of pity, that night I told her about pactios and entered one with her to see what kind of inner power she possesses, ya know like how Asuna's artifacts completely cancel magic and Ki? I never thought she'd get Code of the Lifemaker. I've since forbidden her from using it except in certain circumstances."
"Can she…" Negi started.
"Rewrite?" Kotaro finished Negi's question, "No, I only know about a few of its functions from what Nodoka told us and I only tutored Louise in the teleportation function. I hadn't seen her for about a month when I showed up at the ball so she may have learned a few new functions but I don't know."
Negi bore a look of intense concentration. He sighed, "Why are we here Kotaro?"
"You mean nobody summoned you?"
"Summoned?"
"Yeah summoned," Kotaro answered, showing his friend the Gandalfr runes. "I was out training in the forest by Mahora when a glowing green oval appeared before me. I touched it and it pulled me through. The next thing I remember is meeting Louise and she contracted me as a familiar, apparently she summoned me. Here, as you've heard already, each mage summons one familiar that reflects their affinity for magic and magical power. Guiche has a giant mole, Kirche has a salamander, the magical size-of-an-alligator kind, Montmorency has a frog, and Tabitha has a dragon. Louise got me and though I've been hoping to go back home, I'll admit this place is growing on me. So you're saying that you didn't get summoned as a familiar?"
"No," Negi replied, "I heard from Konoemon that you were skipping classes, again, so I came to find you and beat a desire to learn back into you, if necessary. At first I checked the memorials in Ostia, thinking you'd be there but you weren't so I started checking your favorite training grounds. After a couple days something similar happened, but I touched the oval because I felt a slight presence of your Ki emanating from it. It grabbed me and pulled me through and I found myself outside the main gates of this academy. It's strange, the people here have a different language and the translation spell takes hours to come into full effect. I heard your name in passing from another student so I waited, expecting you to return eventually. So here we are."
"Well, it's nice to have a familiar face. Haven't seen ya in forever. Not since… the funeral."
After several awkward moments of silence, Negi tried to restart the conversation, "So, he said with exaggerated enthusiasm, "You're a familiar. Anything special about that?"
"Actually, there is," the hanyo replied, "Whenever I hold a weapon while thinking about battle, my runes glow and I know everything about the weapon, no matter how complex it is, and can use it like I've been practicing for years. I've inherited the title of Gandalfr, which apparently means 'Left Hand of God, God's Shield'. I'd try reading about it but the translation spell doesn't affect writing and I don't care to ask for help from people I barely know."
"So you can't read even the simplest of sentences here?"
"And you can?"
"Well," Negi said nervously, glancing to the side, "I've been here a week and there was nothing else to do so, yeah, I can read. It's only an old dialect of French."
"Pfft. Over-achiever," Kotaro muttered.
"Truant," the red-head chided back.
Kotaro sighed, "I miss the good old days, ya'know. Back when fights were challenging. Ever since we beat Kosmo Entelechaea every fight I've been in, except for a few, it felt like I was bullying a toddler with how weak my opponents are."
"There's more to life than 'kicking ass and taking names', Negi responded.
"Maybe for you, Atlas, but me, fightin's all I know."
The sun just crept up over the horizon.
"I have an idea but we'll need a chalkboard."
"Knock yerself out, it's a school there's plenty a' chalkboards," Kotaro quipped, "But I gotta go wake Louise, probably fix her pest problem while I'm there."
"Just send a clone to do that, I want it to be ready when class starts."
"Just what do you have in mind?"
(Scene break)
As she walked to class, Louise was stewing in her irritation, "Stupid Kotaro, waking the entire school just for a stupid run." She turned a corner to see her classmates all outside the classroom, looking in through the doorway as if observing an oddity. Guiche, who appeared to be attempting to edge away from the doorway, was held in place by the vice-like grip Montmorency was exerting on his ear. "What's going on?" Louise asked.
"They're in there already, doing who knows what," Guiche whined.
"Who?" Louise asked.
"No that can't be right, Kotaro," Negi's voice reached her ears from the doorway, "Rakan said that Kagetarou's power was at 700."
"Well, I was the one who fought 'im, remember? That was most definitely more than 700," the dog-boy could be heard retorting.
"I fought him too. He cut my arm off, or have you forgotten?"
"Back when you were pushing 500, of course he kicked yer ass!"
Louise pushed her way through the crowd to the doorway to see what her familiar and his friend were arguing over. Inside she saw the classroom was empty of people except for Kotaro and Negi, who were scribbling on the chalkboard. But it wasn't on the wall. Instead of hanging across the wall as it always had, the chalkboard was leaning against it and it nearly reached the ceiling. "What are you idiots doing?" Louise almost shouted.
The two boys jumped in shock and turned toward the door. "Oh," Negi exclaimed, "Is it class time already? Come on in there's something we're hoping to show you all."
Louise marched in and to her seat irritably while the rest of the class followed suit, albeit hesitantly. She looked the chalkboard that Negi and Kotaro stood on either side of, and scowled. The board was covered with scribbles from the bottom to the top. Some of them looked like they had a shape but the rest were randomly sketched lines. The only readable things were the numbers that ascended: '0, 0.5 (cat), 1(Chisame/peasant), 2(mage/Mundus Magicus native), 3-50(Old World Masters- Non-Ki users), 100(magic school graduates), 200(tank), 225(Louise Valliere), 300(Mahora magic teachers, Magic Knights, high level mages), 425(Kotaro Inugami, age 10, pre-Mundus Magicus), 500(Negi Springfield, age 10, pre-Mundus Magicus), 650(Dragon species, non-magical), 700(Kagetaro, Rakan's estimate)'. After '700' a squiggled line divided the board, '1300(Kotaro Inugami-age 10, post-Mundus Magicus), 1500(Aegis Battleship), 2000(Takamichi T Takahata, may not be full power), 2800(Demon God Soldier, wartime), 3000(Dynamis), 5000(Kotaro Inugami, present day), 8000(Ryoumen Sukuna no Kami), 8500(Negi Springfield, post Mundus Magicus to present day), 11000(Vrixo Nagasha), 12000(Nagi Springfield, Jack Rakan, 'Kitty')' and the letters that rose vertically beside the numbers: 'D, C, B, A (all between 3-50 and 500 vertically), AA (where the squiggled line divided the board), AAA (just above 3000), SA (just below 8000), and SS (same height as 12000).
"So what is it, beside some poor attempt at art," someone chided.
Negi glanced at it for a moment then quickly apologized, "Sorry, I forgot that you guys can't read Japanese, I'll translate it for you." And he quickly started writing familiar letters and words under the original writing.
Meanwhile Kotaro started to explain, "This is a 'Power Level Chart'. We got bored and Negi suggested that we draw up a strength chart for what some things are like at home to show you guys. I'm getting tired of being written off as a liar when I talk about my power now, or five years ago when Negi and I were 10 years old. Now this chart only deals with base powers and has nothing to do with battle conditions, so is kinda useless practically but gives a general idea of maximum power output. Any questions?"
"Yeah, why's Zero got a power of 225?"
"What?" the class shouted as one. Five students rose from their seats and approached the board, Louise, Kirche, Malicorne, and Montmorency, who was still dragging Guiche around by the ear. They all stared at where, indeed there was, Louise's name next to the number 225.
"It was Kotaro's idea," Negi said as he was finishing the last lines at the top.
The class' gaze shifted from awestruck at the board to accusing at Kotaro. "Trying to get in Zero's good graces with flattery? That's pathetic. Everyone here KNOWS she can't do magic," someone jeered, "Remember when she tried transmutation?"
"Yeah, she casts explosions, big ones, very powerful," Kotaro dismissed.
Negi returned to the floor, clapping chalk dust of his hands, "Now that Kotaro's explained that, any other… Ah." He flinched and turned to his right, facing the group who'd stepped forward to scrutinize the blackboard.
"Oh, no. Here it comes," Kotaro thought as he moved. "OUT OF THE WAY," he bellowed as he shoved the five students as one, sending them sprawling ten feet to the side.
*ACHOO* Negi sneezed, creating an instantaneous gale that made Kaita's gust of wind seem a gentle breeze by comparison. There was the sound of something smacking into the wall. The classroom of students all looked up to the front as they uncovered their faces, which they'd done to protect themselves from the wind. There were several gasps and a lot of blushes.
"IDIOT!" Louise shouted as she was getting off the floor, "WHAT WAS THAT…" her sentence died before she could fully word it, as she beheld the scene in front of her.
Kotaro held the same position that he was in when he pushed Louise, Montmorency, Guiche, Kirche, and Malicorne aside, pink flower petals dropping gently around him. The other change about him was that he was almost completely stripped bare, his underwear the only thing protecting what little modesty he had left. The fur on his tail and the hair on his head stood erect. His Chevalier mantle and pants lay against the far wall in a pile. He looked back at the pile then stomped over to Negi, who had also changed.
Negi's red forest of hair had transformed into a mane of pure white that gently flowed out behind him on a non-existent breeze. Everything else about him had changed to various shades of off-white as well, including his skin, and he literally was glowing. A constant crackling sound emanated from where he stood and a sharp smell filled the room.
"Negi," Kotaro's voice rose threateningly, "You DUMBASS!" he shouted as he swung his arm at Negi. The classroom watched in silent horror as the expected to see the young boy's jaw knocked completely off his face. And then in confusion when the attack connected yet didn't connect and passed through Negi's surprised face. Kotaro winced slightly and drew his arm back. "Damnit, Springfield, turn physical again so I can beat the snot out of you!" He held up a fist full of petals, "This was my only shirt. I thought you'd long since fixed that sneezing problem."
"I thought I had too," Negi said, his hair shortening as his body regaining color. "It hasn't happened in over a year." A hand knifed its way over his left cheek. "Sorry," he said softly, the cut on his cheek knitting itself back together.
"Sorry I'm late, class," Colbert said entering the room with a strange mechanical contraption levitating behind him, "I was making some last minute adjustments—Kotaro, have you no shame?" His sudden lapse in concentration nearly dropped the device to the floor.
"Sorry Colbert," Kotaro conceded, still making no move to cover himself, "Negi sneezed and I pushed them," pointing to the group he'd pushed aside, "Out of the way and got hit instead. It was going to be them or me. I can handle being like this just fine, not that I enjoy it, but I don't think they would appreciate having their clothes completely destroyed. Knowing Louise, there would be no witnesses leaving this room alive if that happened."
Kotaro retrieved his cape and pants, thankful that the disarmament spell hadn't harmed either, and used his artifact to conjure a simple breastplate to replace his erased shirt. Several minutes later the classroom quieted down enough for Colbert to show off his machine. It looked like a large metal box with various tubes connected to it.
"Now, class," Colbert started, "We all know of fire magic as it's used for destruction, but it has great potential for other things as well." He operated a set of billows connected to the metal box and chanted a short spell with his wand inserted into a slot in the machine. A moment later, a little painted bar of metal poked out of a hole in the top. After it extended a few inches from the box, it retreated back into the contraption. The process was repeated a few more times before the teacher stopped, his presentation met with resounding silence.
"Wow," Kotaro mused, "That's pretty advanced for what I've come to expect from this world tech-wise."
The classroom stared at the familiar. "You know what this is?" Colbert asked from the front.
"Well, I'm just guessing, but it has a similar design to an internal combustion engine."
"En-jin?" the bald teacher asked quizzically.
Kotaro explained some of the uses of engines.
The class boggled at Kotaro's knowledge, including Negi. "I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about the mechanics of an engine."
"I don't know that much. I just happened to pay attention in class for that one hour the teacher talked about combustion."
Colbert's face was radiant with unbridled joy. "So my machine has great potential?"
"Of course," Kotaro answered, "But I can't tell ya how to get to that potential, 'cause I don't really know myself."
"You're serious?" Louise questioned.
"No, no. I just made all of that up on the spot and Negi played along with it, just to mess with ya," the hanyo replied sarcastically, "Of course I'm serious. Do you have any idea how hard it is to bullshit an answer completely on the spot and make it sound even semi-believable?"
(Scene break)
"Great," Kotaro thought as he and Negi walked to Osmond's office, "We're probably going to be told off for disrupting the class." Shortly after lunch they had been sent for by the headmaster.
As they approached, a flamboyantly dressed man with a pencil mustache strolled out and cast the two boys an arrogant glare as he passed. Without a word, Negi opened the door and was followed by Kotaro into the office.
"Ah there you two are," the headmaster stated with enthusiasm, "I heard about your little stunt today, Kotaro, both of them. Don't worry I'm not punishing you for waking everyone up but I'll ask that you refrain from anything like that in the future. I'm old and need my sleep. Now onto the matter I called you two here for," he held up an envelope.
"Another delivery quest?" Kotaro moaned.
"No, this message is for both of you. It's from the palace." He handed the letter to Kotaro, who handed it to Negi.
The boy opened the envelope meticulously and read aloud:
To Kotaro Chevalier de Inugami and Negi Springfield,
After confirming your story with Wales Tudor de Albion and hearing the great esteem you hold Mr. Springfield in, Kotaro Inugami, it is my request that the two of you form and lead a group of knights. Fear not about the possibilities of being ordered by military officials because this group will answer only to myself. You will have free reign over who you recruit and how you train them. Please send back with your answer or come to the palace directly. Show this letter to the guards and they will grant you passage.
Henrietta de Tristain
Negi looked up from the letter to saw the shocked face of Osmond and the elated face of Kotaro. "I don't know," the red-head said nervously, "It seems risky to put ourselves under the direct control of a monarch. I think it might be foolish to mindlessly accept."
"Come on Negi, you always, always, always overthink things," Kotaro argued, "She basically just told us to start and train another Ala Alba that will be under her protection politically. It's the best thing I've been asked to do since getting here! She's completely trustworthy."
(scene break)
Less than an hour after the meeting, the two stepped into the royal palace in Tristania. As they approached the royal chambers, their path was impeded by a group of woman, each carrying a sword and a bandoleer of flintlock pistols. The leader, a blond woman of medium stature and serious demeanor, stepped forward.
"Who are you and what is your purpose? There are a dozen muskets pointed at you so don't try anything 'funny'."
Kotaro glanced at Negi, who cast back an irritated glare, "Okay, so I didn't know we were going to have guns pointed at us, don't worry." He re-focused his attention on the woman, "I'm Kotaro Chevalier de Inugami, and this is Negi Springfield. We received this letter an hour ago at the Academy of Magic and decided to reply in person." He handed her the letter.
The woman read the letter, announced their presence, and waved them through with a scowl
"Kotaro Inugami, Negi Springfield, welcome," Henrietta declared from a throne at the far end of the room, "I wasn't expecting a reply so soon, I just sent Lord Mott to the Academy this morning."
"Well, we got it an hour ago, Princess, and decided to answer quickly and probably ask a few of our own." Kotaro grimaced as Negi had insisted on learning all of the facts.
"Ask your questions."
"First, what would we be doing as your knights," Negi asked.
"You would be on standby at the Academy of Magic until I deploy you. Your missions will have you doing tasks that I could entrust to no one else with. When I'm travelling, your knight corps will be a part of my guard. Other than that, you will be free to do as you please so long as it isn't criminal."
"Would we be bound permanently to Tristain?"
"In case you find a way to return? No, you will be allowed to return home whenever you desire provided you have appointed a successor beforehand."
"Are there any restrictions on who joins?"
"Well, I'd prefer that your members are of Tristain, but since there are students from other countries at the academy, I'll accept any of your recruits save wanted criminals."
"And last…"
"Do we get to name it?" Kotaro cut him off.
"What?" Henrietta asked.
"The knight corps, can we name it or does it already have a name?" he elaborated.
"Well officially you'd be 'Knight Corps of the Water Spirit' or 'Knight Corps of Undine' but I see no problem with giving it another name. Why do you ask?"
"The idea of starting another group of warriors brings back memories of early Ala Alba, 'The White Wing', and in honor of that group I hoped to name the new group something similar. Maybe 'The Blue Wing' because Tristain's the country of water. Hey Negi what's 'The Blue Wing' in Latin?"
"Ala Caerula."
(scene break)
Two hours later.
"This has been a great day hasn't it, Negi?" Kotaro said gleefully, "We 'wow'ed the class with the power chart, the princess is giving us free reign and a job of training the weaklings around here, and I got a replacement for the shirt you destroyed."
"Well actually, Kotaro, the class wasn't 'wow'ed by the power chart they were confused. Nor was the princess giving us free reign, there are rules," Negi responded, "We're still leashed."
"Shut up, Negi," Kotaro shot out, only half serious, "Just savor the moment, 'cause it's soon to be gone."
"Why?"
"'Cause now comes the hard part, trackin' the little snots down, draggin' 'em to the diorama, and beatin' the 'weak' out of their sheltered little bodies."
"We're training them, Kotaro, not putting them through Hell," Negi argued.
"You're one to talk about 'Training from Hell'. Besides, Ala Alba survived their training no worse for wear, and they were all middle school girls, most of them commoners by the standards of this place."
"But Kotaro, we all took on the training willingly or had no choice. And we weren't all fighters."
"You know what? You're right, sometimes we weren't given a choice. I hadn't thought of that. These 'nobles' need to learn that life is unfair. Now they will go through Hellish training," Kotaro stated firmly.
"But…" Negi started to counter.
"Wait a moment, Negi," Kotaro warned, his ears swiveling, "Something is setting my instincts off. We're going to be attacked by some—"
"!"
Both boys looked up to the source of the vocalization, a blue dragon hurtling towards their position, less than thirty feet away.
"Sylphid?" Kotaro said just before the enormous reptile plowed into him. In his last moments of consciousness he noticed something, "Why is Chamo on Sylphid's back?"
(Scene break)
Kotaro woke in the academy's infirmary. Positioned around him were Louise, Guiche, Kirche, Tabitha, Negi, and Chamo. He groaned as a dull pain throbbed in his head.
"You're awake," Chamo spoke first, "Finally, you've been unconscious for almost a week."
Kotaro's hand shot forward and snatched the ermine, "That trick's already been done to me once, it won't work a second time. It's been an hour, more or less, right?" His question was directed at his other visitors, who nodded in unison.
"Good. Now," Kotaro turned his attention back to the animal in his grip, "Care to explain why you were riding on Sylphid? Alone, I might add, Vermin."
"Well," the ermine swung his head back and forth as if searching for an escape from his captor, "I was bored alright. You and bro were gone so I looked for something to do and found Irukukuu…Hey that hurts."
Kotaro's grip tightened at the mention of Sylphid's other name. Tabitha directed her gaze at Chamo, then looked out the window, then back at Chamo. Irritation swam behind her eyes but was unnoticed by the group except Kotaro, who had been expecting a reaction from the opaque girl.
"Do not insult my intelligence with your lies," Kotaro barked. He looked back at the other visitors, "Could'ya please leave, I gotta wring the truth outta this guy and I don't want him tryin' t'get sympathy points from observers. That also means you too, Negi, Louise. Tabitha can stay."
"Why her?" Louise whined, "Why not me, your master?"
"Because Louise, it's about Tabitha's familiar so she can stay if she wants and I won't be interrogating Chamo as yer familiar but as Kotaro Inugami. Besides, Negi and I have got big news that he'd be happy to explain after you leave. Right, Negi?"
"Yeah," Negi said slowly, his eyes casting suspicion on the hanyo. "Well come on then," he said as he proceeded to the door. The others looked between Negi, Kotaro and Tabitha awkwardly before following.
A minute of stiff silence followed after the door closed behind the last person. "Okay, spill it, Ermine. You know one of Tabitha's secrets. How? And what else do you know?"
"What secret?"
"Where did you hear the name Irukukuu?" Kotaro demanded
"She told me herself," Chamo stated, trying to escape the hanyo's grip, "Why? Is it supposed to be top secret?" His eyes gleamed mischievously at the question.
"Yes," Tabitha said calmly. An icicle formed in her hand threateningly.
"Now that it's established that you'll only refer to Sylphid as 'Sylphid' , I repeat my first question: 'Why were you on Sylphid?'
"When I got to talking with Iruku—Sylphid," the ermine caught himself, "It was mostly about you. I think she likes you. When she asked about the glowing swords and armor you had in your duel, I told her about pactios. Then we went looking for you so you could make one with 'Big Sister' Tabitha."
Kotaro looked at Tabitha, who had a mild blush forming. "From how hard that dragon hit me, I don't think she'll let it go until one's made, will she?"
"Doubtful," Tabitha replied.
"Okay then, you little weasel," Kotaro said releasing the ermine and getting off the bed, "I'll do it but next time you tell someone about pactios, you'd better not mention me or Negi, or even who has pactios. And if you ever bring up a 'Love-Love Chart' here, I swear I'll turn you into a chew toy. Draw up the circle."
"Already ahead of you."
Kotaro looked at the cicle then back to Tabitha, "Sorry about all this, Tabitha, but it seems there's no way around this. Let's just get it over with," he said as he stepped into the circle.
Tabitha hesitated before also stepping into the circle. Her blush deepened a little as the array exploded with light.
"Wow she's smaller than Louise, I wonder if this is how the girls who kissed Negi felt," Kotaro noted about Tabitha. Without further pause he bent down and his lips met hers.
"PACTIO!" Chamo declared. After a brief flash of light the circle faded and Kotaro held two cards. He handed Tabitha the partner card and explained how it worked. When she summoned her artifact experimentally she was left holding a rectangle that looked like it was made of stained glass. After a few moments wondering what the rectangle was they deduced it was some kind of bookmark and Kotaro let Tabitha leave and suggested she find its powers out for herself.
After the door closed, Kotaro looked back to his copy of Tabitha's pactio. 'CHARLOTTE HELENE ORLEANS' was the name. "Charlotte," Kotaro mused, "A nice name." The picture was of Tabitha facing solemnly forward with an open book in her left hand and her artifact held in her right. 'REGINA REMOTA' was the pactio title. Tonus: Argentum; Virtus: Caritas; Astralitas: Saturnus; Directio: Auster.
"Remember Chamo, not one word."
(Scene break)
Kotaro laughed gutturally as he ran. Sunlight shown off of his silver fur and the blade carried in each hand. "Run faster, pansies," he called out to the fleeing forms, "I don't care if you chose 'wizard' or 'mage knight', everyone runs! Power isn't a free mistress, you gotta work for her just like with any other woman."
He watched as one of the student's running stance became more and more ragged before the boy dropped to the ground. The other students ignored the fallen boy as they continued fleeing the pursuing beast-man. Kotaro slowed as he approached the fallen student. The boy was facedown, heaving for oxygen.
"You alright?" Kotaro asked.
"This would be so much easier with magic," the boy said pushing himself up, his limbs trembling from the exertion.
"We didn't forbid magic."
"No, but you took our wands," the young mage whined.
"So? If you're gonna be a part of my corps of warriors, you'll have to be tough. This isn't a club for picking up groupies nor is it exclusive to nobles, so spread the word. Just be thankful that I didn't have you boy pair up a take turns hitting each other as hard as you can with your fists or wooden staves."
The boy mumbled something.
"Here," Kotaro said, removing one of the many waterskins he had slung on his shoulders, "Drink, you'll feel better. And keep moving, you'll be less sore later. Negi'll let you boys rest before he starts teaching you magic after this." The hanyo picked up his swords again, "Now I have to return my duties as instructor." He looked forward down the passage 20 ft wide formed by the academy's outer wall and Negi's bounded field and resumed his pursuit, "You wimps are easy pickin's, you best hope I don't catch you," he cackled maniacally.
(Scene break)
Meanwhile in the diorama, Negi was talking to the girls who had applied to join Ala Caerula. Instead of the harsh physical endurance test that Kotaro was enforcing outside, Negi was explaining some basics of his world's magic, not that everyone was focused on his lecture.
Colbert, the volunteer chaperone, however, was entirely focused. He took notes at a furious pace, all while wearing the foolish grin of a child. Then he realized to ask, "Um, Mr. Springfield?"
Negi paused, "Yes, Mr. Colbert, you have a question?"
"Yes, well," Colbert said nervously, "You mentioned spirits having an active role in your enchantments. Does that mean you use magic of the firstborne?" The question provoked mass whispering among the girls.
"I've never heard that term before, but I don't think so. Explain it to me later."
"Are you an elf?" The question rose from the recruits.
"Why do you ask?" Negi responded, "Miss…"
"Katie," the brunette replied, "Katie the Avalanche. And I asked because you and Sir Kotaro are both powerful beyond reason. Sir Kotaro nearly killed Viscount Wardes after catching the legendary Fouquet, with ease. Elves are said to be beyond square mages in power and immortal. Also, his ears are pointed."
"Well," Negi started, "We're not elves. Kotaro is closer to what you might call a 'demi-human', and I… well I'm a bit different, but I was born pure-human."
"How'd ya get so strong?" another girl piped up.
"The first half was motivation, the other was luck."
"Can you tell us about you and Kotaro's best fight."
"I can do one better, ADEAT," Negi said, retrieving the disk-like object from his storage dimension, "I can SHOW you the most impressive battle we fought in. ADEAT." One of the golems from Oculus Corvinus appeared. Negi slid the disk into a slot on the back. "I do warn you though, there is some graphic violence so don't be afraid to look away if you need to." Immediately the floating machine projected a screen of light, upon which images started to move. Sound also started to be emitted from the machine.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I hope you're all ready to lend us your eyes and ears! In preparation for the upcoming match, we are transforming the stadium into a fitting mock battleground!"
(Scene break)
"Why is this happening to me?" Kotaro mentally complained as he ran from the gaggle of girl recruits. He figured that instead of chasing the girls menacingly like he had with the boys, he'd provoke their maternal instincts with his child form and they'd react similar to Negi's description of Class 2-A on his first day teaching. But the reaction was too strong and upon the switch, Kotaro had to flee as soon as the girls saw him.
"Don't worry Kotaro," a girl called, "I'll heal all your wounds for you."
"Kotaro," another girl cried out, "Please show me your scar."
"Negi," Kotaro mentally shouted, "What the Hell did you tell these girls?"
Brief AN: Tabitha's pactio artifact is the new artifact I referenced in my notes a few chapters back, but have since decided it to be called 'Fabulae Heroibus'.
I hearby challenge you, my readers, to guess what it does, if you guess close enough I'll tell you exactly what it does if you want, or not if you don't want to know yet. Either way I'd love to hear speculation. Thanks for reading and please review.