Annabella sighed as she set the young man's things aside, wincing as she picked up the terrible mask he was wearing. When Professor Colbert and a few students had come rushing into the nurse's office a few days ago with the bloodsoaked boy they did their best to take off his clothes, but for whatever reason he had so many straps and buckles they were forced to heal what wounds they could see and spend a few minutes stripping him down carefully to get the rest. Even then, they nearly had to rip the mask off of his face. It was connected to some sort of horrible metal frame that almost seemed bolted into his face. Between the scars, the wounds, and the horrible, monstrous looking mask, she could only imagine what situation brought him here. It didn't help that Colbert seemed to keep everyone tightlipped about what exactly happened.

Another sigh and she set the mask with the rest of his torn clothes. With any luck he'd at least pull through and she could ask what happened to him. She stretched, looking towards him, and she decided he was stable enough she could go out for a quick bite to eat...


The door closed and Volkner's eyes cracked open, confirming the woman was gone before he sat up. He made a noise, putting a hand to his bandaged chest before he got up, collecting his clothes. His weapon was gone but that wasn't much of a surprise. If he'd seen someone torn and bloody fall through a portal, he'd be wary as well. Still, he'd need to recover it and leave as soon as possible. He opened the door, glancing down both halls before walking down the left one.

He got far, but that didn't mean he got closer to an exit. He avoided most people, but those he tried to talk to made it clear they didn't share a language. He'd made it a courtyard before he sighed, taking a moment to think. Well, at the very least the people here weren't hostile, though he'd keep his guard up as always. He was stood in the courtyard for some time until he heard rapid footsteps, then a sigh of relief behind him. He turned around to see a bald older man, one he recognized as carrying him when he first came here.

The man smiled, saying something to him, but when Volkner responded the man seemed to realize the issue. The man held their chin, muttering to himself before he raised the long staff in his hand, chanting something. There was a sharp, brief pain in Volkner's head, and suddenly he could understand the man, "There we are. Can you understand me now?"

"I can."

"Excellent! I'm sure you have many questions, as do we. If you'll please follow me?" Volkner nodded, the man leading him back through the halls of the building, all the way up to an office that held an old man and a gree-haired woman. The elderly man's bushy brows arced up.

"Ah, Colbert, is this the young man who caused such a stir?"

The bald man, evidently Colbert, nodded, "Yes, Headmaster. It appears he'd finally woken up, and given how far he was from the nurse's office, it's a full recovery."

The elder chuckled, "Ah, the joys of youth. To recover so swiftly after such terrible injuries." The Headmaster looked to Volkner, "If you'll wait a moment, there's one other we require before we can discuss your situation." He wasn't happy to be kept waiting but again, Volkner nodded. However, he spoke up as soon as Colbert was gone.

"I would also like my weapon back. It can be after the conversation, but I must retrieve my weapon."

The Headmaster's eyebrow raised slightly as Volkner took a seat, "I see... Tell me, Mr...?"

"Volkner."

"Mr. Volkner, are you perhaps a soldier or squire of some sort?"

"...No. I was part of a free group of Revenants." Where was he that they'd use the word 'squire?'

The man frowned, confused, "I am afraid I am unsure what a 'Revenant' is."

"Not surprising. Our home was cut off from most of the world until recently, and even then few of us wander from its safety."

What followed next was something of a learning session for the two. Volkner kept away from speaking of things like Horrors or the war on the Queen, and he learned of Tristain and the Academy. The headmaster seemed to choose his words carefully, not going too deep into how Volkner ended up here, though when Volkner learned of the 'magic' the people here practiced it was more of a focus. It seemed similar to Gifts, but the fact they were locked into four 'elements' and didn't seem to rely on ichor made a large line between the two. He was saved from answering just what he meant by 'ichor' by Colbert returning with a small, pink-haired girl at his side. She bowed as the Headmaster waved the two in, "Ah, Ms. Valliere. Come sit, both of you."

The two did so, the young girl staring at Volkner before the Headmaster spoke up, "Now, Mr. Volkner, I believe we can get into your presence here at the Academy."


Volkner's usual frown grew deeper in the silence after the Headmaster had explained the Familiar Summoning Ritual. They seemed to be waiting for his reaction, so he gave it, "No."

They blinked in confusion, Colbert speaking up first, "No?"

"I cannot remain here. I must return to Vein."

"I... Apologize, Mr. Volkner, but the Summoning Ritual is one way. It cannot send you back." Colbert flinched as Volkner turned to look at him.

"Then I will walk or find transportation."

"No, Mr. Volkner, I'm afraid that once the Ritual has been completed-" Volkner's stare intensified, and Colbert shrunk back, "-er, what I mean to say is that it is fate. The creature that comes through the summoning portal is fated to be the summoner's familiar."

"No." The reply was immediate, and Colbert was taken aback.

"I-"

"No."

Colbery awkwardly shifted until the Headmaster spoke up, "Mr. Volkner, I understand this is a peculiar situation. I think for now it would be best if you remained at the Academy while we try to find a route back to your home, and to see why the Summoning Ritual brought you to us."

Volkner turned his head to the Headmaster, "This... is acceptable."

"Very well." He looked ot the green-haired woman in the room, "Arrange for a room to be prepared for Mr. Volkner." She nodded with a quick 'Yes Headmaster,' and the man looked back to him. "For now, please feel free to make yourself comfortable. If there is nothing else?" He looked at the three in front of him, and when no one spoke up he nodded. "You are all dismissed then."

Volkner stood, quickly heading out of the room back towards the courtyard he first found himself in.

Today was an odd day.


Today was the WORST day.

Louise did everything she could to not stomp through the halls. To review: she had summoned a person, something that had never happened before, and a heavily injured person at that! Then she spent Brimir knows how much coin on medicine for him to get better, and it turns out he's already walking around. Lastly, not only had he refused his proper place as a familiar, but he acted beyond disrespectful to the Headmaster and Professor Colbert! She almost shouted at him but... but... she wouldn't admit it, but those eyes of his scared her. They were like her mother's but so much... colder. It reminded her of all the times she truly disappointed her mother but worse somehow.

She shook her head, fighting off creeping goosebumps. She shook her head and started towards the courtyard. It would be an early tea time, but no doubt she could find a maid to fetch her food. She'd been called away during her breakfast for that meeting, so she wanted to actually fill her stomach this time. She eventually made her way out, sighing as she took a seat at one of the tables. A few other students were playing with their familiars, and she bit back a jealous huff as she saw an eagle soar into the air.

It soared majestically... and kept soaring, its master starting to panic as he called for it to come back. She blinked as she saw other familiars quickly darting away to the far part of the courtyard. She was about to question it but she saw Volk- her familiar, walking into the area, taking a seat a short distance from her. The distance seemed to soothe some of the animals, eventually being coaxed out of their fear by their owners, even the eagle returning. Was the redhead following her? She watched him for a moment before a maid come up to her, wheeling a cart of treats and tea.

Louise took a small pastry and cup for herself, watching the maid wheel the cart over to Volkner who just took some tea, staring at one of the desserts for an awkward amount of time before taking it as well. He said something Louise couldn't make out, and the maid shook her head before heading towards the other students. It was more than a little chaotic, a familiar sometimes rushing up to the cart to try and grab a snack for itself. The maid was briefly overwhelmed until Volkner stepped up behind the maid, and the familiars very quickly behaved themselves as Volkner started to help the maid in her duties. Louise snorted, 'Oh good, he disrespects everyone but the maid.'

She heard a commotion behind her followed by a yelp, and she turned around to see another red haired pain in her neck clutching her slightly torn blouse, a large red lizard hiding behind a distant pillar, "Flame! What was that for!?"

The lizard just whimpered and ducked further behind the pillar, and Louise felt a smile crack her face, "Having trouble with your familiar Zerbst?"

The Germanian turned around, crossing her arms and giving a smug smile, "At least I have a familiar, Valliere." Louise's smile immediately dropped, Kirche moving to stand beside her and stare out towards the other redhead, "Oh my, walking around already? I suppose he must've recovered from your summoning them." Louise grit her teeth. "Mm, a tall one, isn't he?"

"Keep your hands off of my familiar, Zerbst!"

"Oh yes, I'm sure after what you did to him, he's simply dying to be your familiar."

"Th-Those wounds weren't caused by me!"

Kirche hummed, still eyeing Volkner, "Oh look at the poor dear, you scarred his lovely face!"

"Those were there before!"

"Oh? Let's see if that's true." Kirche raised her wand, reciting a messaging spell Louise could recognize, and sent it towards Volkner. The boy stiffened for a moment before looking towards them, Kirche waving a hand. He said something to the maid before approaching the two.

"Yes?"

"Tell me dearie, how did you get those scars?" Louise wanted to gag at the fake-sweet tone she took, especially when she traced a finger along the scars crisscrossing the side of Volkner's face.

"Combat." Kirche blinked but she smiled.

"Oh, you poor thing. Then again, even if your face isn't smooth, the scars make you look so rugged." Louise shouted as Kirche darted in to kiss him, planting a long kiss on him while giving a look to Louise that made it clear she was doing it solely toannoy the pinkette. Suddenlt her eyes widened and she pulled away, "Hm? Your teeth almost feel sharp, darling..."

"That is because they are." He bared his teeth, showing off sharpened canines that almost looked like fangs.

"Oh my... you almost look like a vampire." Kirche giggled, and Louise was about to tell her off before something tickled the back of her mind. Those strange red eyes, the fangs... no, no, she was just frazzled, there was no way he was-


"A knight?"

Osmond shook his head at Colbert's words as he watched the courtyard below, or rather the two shocks of red hair and one pink, "No, it seems more like a mercenary, the way he described it."

Colbert hummed, "That would explain the weapons at least."

Osmond watched as Ms. Zerbst rubbed herself against Volkner, the young man standing there passively as Louise shouted at her, "While he seems rather passive, I will not say I am unconcerned. However, I believe that so long as we do not antagonize him, he will remain agreeable."

"That may be difficult considering the circumstances." Colbert sighed, "I have traveled far and studied many maps, but I have never heard of this 'Vein.'"

"Even so, if we can come up with something to appease the young man, it'll be enough."

"What about Miss Valliere? The Ritual-"

"I'm aware, Colbert. The problem is that there is not much we can actually do. Even if we discover someone in the far corners of the kingdom who has heard of it, it'll take much time to reach them, and likely longer to reach Vein. We'll use that time to come up with a solution for both of them. This is a thin bridge over a wide canyon... but a bridge nonetheless."

Colbert was silent for a time, and Osmond watched Valliere and Zerbst feud for a moment before Volkner lifted up the Germanian student in his arms, carrying her off as Louise chased after them. The old mage actually cracked a smile at the long-suffering look on the boy's face. Perhaps things would not be so bad.


Volkner did not sigh as he entered the courtyard, but it was a close thing. He'd carried... Kirche, was it? For a while, easily losing Louise in the halls once he started truly running. Kirche had tried to entice him to her bedroom, but had a feeling Louise would appear shortly, and quite frankly he didn't want to be caught in-between their argument again. Ergo, he'd come to a sparsely populated courtyard, doing exercises until a passing maid had stopped by to tell him it was close to dinner time. He had gotten her to lead him towards the dining hall, and she revealed his room was also prepared. His thanks to her seemed to actually surprised her, but it was discarded as they arrived to where other students were eating.

He was subject to more than a few stares as he took a seat. Wordlessly he began filling the plate in front of him. He didn't need to, but food was always calming. It's why he kept a small pack of blood bead candies in his pockets. Not like he could actually gain weight, either. It was as he was tearing into a large shank of what he assumed was beef that he was joined by two familiar faces, and one new one.

"Hello, darling~." Kirche purred as she sat on his right, a small blue-haired girl sitting besides her. On his left Louise took her seat, harrumphing.

"Of course two such ill-mannered beasts would go after one another."

"Nonsense, darling is the epitome of a gentleman! Did you see how he carried me earlier?"

"Yes, truly they shall sing sonnets of the rude boy and Germanian harlot." Louise rolled her eyes, "Honestly, they should've kicked you out the moment you were rude to the Headmaster!"

"I will not apologize for refusing to be part of a ritual I had no say in." Volkner stated plainly.

"Well, if you don't wish to be Valliere's familiar," Kirche grabbed his arm and moved his hand so it was on her thigh while her breasts pressed around his arm, "perhaps you can come to my room and we can get 'familiar~'."

"...You are very touch-free with someone you just met." She just giggled, and he decided to cut this off at the head. His hand darted along her inner thigh and between her legs. It was around this point that she made a squeal, and he learned something about Kirche he would keep in mind for when she did this in future. She quickly let go of his hand, face flushing.

"...Certainly a bold one you've gotten a hand on, Valliere." Kirche grinned at him, and he had a distinct feeling his attempt to embarrass her and make her retreat had failed.

In fact from that look she'd probably pursue him further.

Louise looked confused between the two of them, no clue as to what happened, "What are you two-"

"Oh, don't worry your little head about it." Kirche giggled, and Volkner had a feeling it was going to be a long wait to return home...