I march on.
The words I'll say once I reach my destination, the actions I will take, it is all clear in my mind.
I march on.
The ensuing outcome, however, is something I cannot foresee. Whether I'll succeed, whether I'll fail, it will all be decided in this moment.
I march on.
Ancelina follows from behind me, her elegant but short steps struggling to match my long strides.
Some part inside tells me I should be more mindful of my own decency as a noble, but it is all drowned out by a part that tells me to keep on marching.
Like a rough presence in my mind, the corner of my mind tells me what I should do, and fills me with the power of an uncaring determination.
I don't know why, or when I began thinking like this, but there's one thing I know, and it's that I must not perform tomorrow's summoning ritual.
Regardless of all the preparation until now, regardless of my anxieties and the need to prove myself, I mustn't summon.
The sun shines from the windows beside me, coloring the rug below with its morning light.
My stomach rumbles in hunger, my throat is parched in thirstiness.
I have yet to have breakfast, but such frivolities can wait. Right now, before anything else, I must ascertain this.
I march on.
Any nobles that pass by me, any presences that exist around me, they all become blurs. Forms with no worth, things undeserving of attention.
Focus only on that path ahead of you.
The headmaster's office is close.
Without stopping or speaking up even once, I climb the final steps, and am presented with the short corridor leading to his door.
"…"
When I realize, I've already crossed its length and the great wooden doors lay in front of me.
I school my features and straighten my posture.
I am well aware that this might be a little forceful, but it is only natural for a noble to be firm when dealing with serious subjects.
I rasp my knuckles against the door and wait.
Soon after—
"Enter." Comes the answer.
I open the door at once, completely unveiling the scene waiting behind it.
Professor Colbert and headmaster Osmond are the only ones in the room. Based on their positions, it is a safe bet to say they were discussing something.
"Apologies for the intrusion, headmaster." I say without a hint of bashfulness and walk inside.
"Ah, miss Vallière, don't worry about that." He kindly says, his posture softening. "What is it that I can help you with? Has there been any problems with your maid?" He asks, noticing her presence behind me.
"None of that. I came here to discuss the familiar summoning." There's no meaning in beating around the bush, so I dive straight in.
Apparently interested, professor Colbert speaks up. "We were just talking about that!" His tone is cheerful, that of a man who loves talking about his job. "If this serves to calm you, everything is proceeding smoothly, and I can certainly say that tomorrow's ritual can be realized safely and without worries."
"While it gladdens me that the academy's expertise maintains itself, that's not what I wish to discuss." What I say isn't a lie.
It does gladden me the academy's organization and infrastructure manage to pull through, for it is a great show of the capabilities of Tristain's nobility. However…
Seeing Osmond's face perk up with expectation, I move to answer.
"I wish to solicit a postponement for my own performance of the summoning ritual." I say my piece.
"Eh? Miss Vallière, that's…" Professor Colbert is stunned.
It is only normal I suppose. In the first place, this isn't a common request, and then, I am someone who is always doing her best in trying to show magical prowess.
This is, most definitely, an abnormality.
"Miss Vallière." Headmaster Osmond begins. "I hope you are aware such a request is inviable for many reasons. The ritual being performed in spring not only has religious importance, but it is also a bare minimum requirement for study at the academy, a proof of being adept. Without any base or strong justification, it is unreasonable to do so."
"I am well aware." I nod along. "Which is why I am merely asking for postponement. I do intend to perform the ritual, I only request that it be something taken into consideration later."
This is a lie. Me summoning something… Must absolutely not happen.
"Still, even if we do apply it as a requirement later, it would not only be breaking academy rules and tradition, but also religious protocol." He sighs. "Do understand, without a strong justification, it cannot be allowed."
My heart beats loudly in my ears.
It's not that I wasn't prepared for this, rather, it is that this is the tensest moment, the one where everything could go wrong.
"I do have a justification, it is what prompted me to come here in the first place."
Headmaster Ozpin prompts me ahead with his eyes.
"I find myself unable to properly perform the ritual, due to incompetent teaching from part of the Academy."
For an instant after that, there was silence.
I do understand. As someone who often praises the Academy's capabilities, me saying this is weird on many levels.
But this is the reality I need to achieve my objectives.
Suddenly drawn out of his stupor, professor Colbert once again begins speaking.
"M-miss Vallière, what is it that you mean by that? I assure you, me and my colleagues do our best to meet the students' needs and provide proper education!" If my ears don't trick me, I can even feel a drop of indignation in his voice.
I can't judge him, but still, I chose this justification exactly because it carries truth within it.
"Well, Miss Vallière?" Headmaster Osmond asks me.
"I would like to defend that the academy's instructors have failed, on multiple occasions, to properly instruct me on the correct performing of spells." In the end, although this might be something born out of my own inability, this isn't something anyone can deny. "Failures that have yet to be rectified. This is a clear showing of the Academy's incompetency when it comes to having me correctly prepared."
I gaze at professor Colbert from the edges of my eye. There is a complicated expression on his face.
He knows what I say is true, and it isn't a truth that's pleasant to be reminded of.
Headmaster Osmond, on the other hand—
"Miss Vallière, would you not say, knowing of our instructors' capabilities and your own history, that maybe the fault lies within your own capabilities?"
In the end of it all, this isn't just a case of a troublesome student asking for something unreasonable, not anymore. This is now a direct accusation leveled against the academy's, and therefore Osmond's, reputation and capabilities.
It is only logical that he would act like this. After all, this is now a political battleground.
"No, quite on the contrary, I have proof I am perfectly capable. In fact," Reaching out to the inside of my uniform, I pull a thin wooden object.
Immediately, the two men become weary.
But I don't do anything myself, rather, I turn to my maid and hand her the wand.
"Ancelina, try to cast a spell." Realizing she probably doesn't know how to do it, I quickly add. "It doesn't need to be done correctly, just wave the wand around and chant a spell name while focusing on it."
By the look on their faces, I suppose they already know my argument.
Still, I let it all play out.
"Fireball." She chants in her usual monotone voice, her hand waving the wand in front of her.
But, as expected, there was nothing. Not a spark, not a wave of the air, all that happened was my maid acting like a fool.
"Very good." I say before taking a hold of the wand once again, and turning to the two professors. "That is what happens when someone incapable of magic tries to cast. Should I show you what happens when I try to cast a spell?"
"Miss Vallière, there's no need to worry, I assure you, as long as you have magic, it is impossible to fail the ritual." Professor Colbert, on the other hand, seems to still be worried about me.
But, his worry is misplaced.
I read Éléonore's journals, I know the summoning cannot fail. But it is exactly because of that that I cannot allow myself to perform it.
"Unfortunately, professor, many were the spells considered by many as 'impossible to fail' that I was unable to perform, despite doing everything perfectly. Is there a need to remind us of all those occasions?"
Of course, those spells all worked differently from the summoning ritual. Since it is mostly performed by the circle.
I know that headmaster Osmond has some knowledge into the workings of the circle. All I can hope, is that he either doesn't know about how infallible it truly is, or at least, believes something could go wrong, since it's me.
Headmaster Osmond gazes straight into my eyes, and gives his answer—
"There is no need."
I suppress both a sigh of relief and a smile. It seems my plan worked.
Of course, it wasn't just because I presented a plausible explanation. If any normal noble had come here and leveled such accusations, they probably wouldn't have gotten very far. But I am a Vallière.
If they denied letting me break the rules based on the reasons and requests I just presented, they would risk my own word being spread. A very powerful house, with connections to the crown, it is a terrible idea to not have the advantage when going against us.
Neither of them seems very comfortable with how the situation turned out, but it is what it is.
"Based on the reasoning you just presented, your request will be granted." He spoke. "However, the presenting of a summon remains as a condition for the second year."
"Then I just have to present a summoning until the end of the year, and I'll have completed that requirement for being fully accounted as a second-year student, and allowed to continue to the next grade."
"… indeed." He nods, sealing the final condition.
This means that until the end of the year, I must find a way to escape from this summoning.
The day of the familiar summoning has arrived.
As agreed with headmaster Osmond, I will not be performing it, today.
I look to the sky above, where the sun shines. The temperature slowly warms, and now, the faint traces of the gone winter can barely be felt.
It is already afternoon, and before long, the sun will set.
I walk through the courtyard. Although I am exempt from performing the ritual, I must still be present at the official ceremony.
All my classmates are already here. Some look excited, some look sure of themselves. Others, like Tabitha, look like they would prefer to be anywhere else.
On the edge of my vision, I catch sight of that annoying germanian, she gives me what I believe to be a smug smile.
I wonder, just what it is that she thinks will happen here? That I will succeed, that I will fail? Whatever it is, she won't have it.
Reaching a point close to the rest of the students, I stop, just a few paces away from the rest, and remain in my lonesome.
There is no meaning in attending to me here, so I had Ancelina run a few tasks by herself.
Some students realize I'm here and either give me mocking smiles or mutter some complaints.
I give them no mind, I feel tired just thinking about putting up with all this.
It seems it will still take a while longer for professor Colbert to initiate the ritual.
I won't complain much. The climate is pleasant and peaceful, calming, in a certain way.
Eventually, however, everyone makes themselves present, and the professor walks up to the front.
"We'll be giving a start to the springtime summoning ritual. Please, if the first student were to step forward…"
His voice slowly trailed off as the first student walked up the altar and began chanting.
On the corner of my mind, I remember some of the things I read in Éléonore's journal.
The chant itself is meaningless, all that's important is giving the circle an opportunity to reach your willpower.
But, if that's the case, why was the chant implemented in the first place?
It surely is a pretty thing, talking about being connected to a fated beast, but… is there any reason to put it there, other than to create the illusion of that reality?
— — — —What is it that you were thinking when you created this, ?
"…!" For a brief instant, my vision blurs and my mind is filled with a ringing noise.
I steady myself, preventing a fall with full force to the ground.
What… was I thinking about?
I… can't remember.
I shake my head, if it was something that I would forget after a mere headache, probably just something caused by a fall in blood pressure, it surely wasn't important.
I put my focus back at the ongoing rituals.
If the power of their familiars is determined by their own capacity, then a good way to study future threats and powers would be to observe them now.
After all, all of these were possible allies and vassals to the Vallière.
"…"
Only… most of the familiars being summoned are not worth anything.
Hardly any different from normal animals, they could perform many tasks and aid the mage, but they are hardly any better than a well-trained animal.
Not only that, but it also meant the mages themselves were unnoteworthy.
It is then, someone interesting steps up to the altar.
Tabitha, the silent blue haired girl.
She is the best student in class, even I, despite all my studies, can't compare.
Wielding a great wooden staff, she walks up to the altar and begins her incantation.
"That's…" Only, I cannot hear it.
Surely, I can see the corner of her face moving ever so slightly, she is certainly talking, but it is so low I can't hear it.
I suppose she really dislikes talking.
But at the end, the tone in which you chant doesn't matter for a majority of spells.
She finishes her chant, and the circle begins the ritual in full—
"Wh—at?"
The circle explodes with light, a concentration of willpower so strong I can feel it in my bones.
This… this is… the circle drew that much willpower… naturally?!
There is no doubt about this, the thing that's about to come out of there will be strong!
"…"
Some students around me begin breathing heavier. It is only understandable, for nobles, who have an extra sense, able to feel magic, this is enough to drown their minds in the feedback.
The light reaches a crescendo, and a form covered in light appears over the circle.
The being she summoned is being formed—!
With a powerful concentration of it all, all the power coalesces in that being!
The light dies down, and slowly that being is revealed.
"…" The class is stunned in silence, no one dares to say anything.
A magnificent beast, a great, winged lizard.
It seems the first great familiar of this ritual was summoned.
A dragon.
While everyone remains in silence, the girl walks forward, with complete certainty in her actions, she mutters the final chant and kisses the stunned beast.
A red rune forms itself, and the pact is completely sealed.
Without any fanfare, the girl nods and turns around, leading her dragon back to where the other students were located.
Of course, the only person that remained completely unabashed by this series of events was professor Colbert, perhaps because he has seen similar situations many times before.
With unwavering certainty, he commands the next student to come and perform their own summoning.
And so, the rituals continued.
Student after student.
There were some uncommon beasts, but nothing especially noteworthy, nothing as great as a dragon.
Finally, there is only one mage left.
A foul mouthed germanian whom I can't stand.
She walked to the summoning circle with her usual gait, and stood there with a smile.
"Please begin the ritual." Professor Colbert requested.
"Sure thing!" And she was all too happy to comply.
Extending her wand forward, she began her chant.
"I, Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst, in the name of the great Five Pentagon Powers, following my fate, summon a familiar!" The chant was filled with enough intensity to match her personality and appearance.
And, for the second time that day, the circle shone with blinding light.
It wasn't as much as Tabitha's, not nearly as much, but it was far greater than everything else summoned.
It was a red light filled with heat.
The light shone brighter and brighter, and with it, an intense heat covered the courtyard.
Almost enough to sear everyone to a crisp, the heat consumed the air.
I force myself not to move.
I am a noble, it is only expected of me to stand tall while facing this adversity.
— — — —Besides, this isn't my first time faced with this heat. In fact, this is much colder than the worst of it.
The light reached a crescendo, and even though it was still day, it turned into a red beacon visible from far away.
And with a final wave of fire that sprouted from the circle, the ritual was complete.
The heat began to die down, and the flames dissipated in the air.
And the summoned familiar—
"Ooo, what a cute little fella."
Was a molten red lizard.
As if its body was made out of rock, and its insides of lava.
It was small, almost like a baby.
Still dazed, it looked around, at his summoner, the professor, and even the students.
And it became fearful, because its gaze landed… on me.
— —I want to say I'm sorry.
— — —But I cannot ever be forgiven.
— — — —A sin so deep I'll forever carry it.
— — — — —I, following my own will, almost made sure they were all dead.
— — — — — —The fact that someone other than that lumberjack, a lavalval dragon infant at that, survived is a miracle in and of itself.
A massacre moved by hate and duty.
Tricking them with promises of friendship, trapping them within and without.
They become nothing more than power sources.
And the ones that don't, I—
"Professor, Zero still hasn't had a turn." I hear the germanian's voice.
Immediately, my mind returns to normal… from… what?
I can't remember.
"Let's see if you can summon something better than my Flame, Zero!" She says it with a big grin on her face.
The lizard now has a red rune engraved on it. It looks clearly distressed, but its master's presence seems to calm it, or at least, reassure it.
"Ah, it seems there was a misunderstanding, Miss von Zerbst." Professor Colbert begins speaking. "Miss Vallière won't be performing the summoning ritual."
"What?!" Alongside the germanian, the rest of the class too explode in confusion and chatter.
"Silence!" With a single word, the professor brings the noise down. "It was something already agreed and discussed, she will be allowed not to partake in the summoning, today."
Some are left stunned, some are left annoyed. The only one that doesn't seem to care is Tabitha.
But now that this is all over and done with—
"I'll be taking my leave, then, professor." I say, and receiving a nod from him, I turn around and leave.
"Wait, Zero!" I hear an annoying voice running up to me.
I don't stop. "What is it, germanian?"
We are already far from the courtyard.
"I told you to wait!" Running ahead and in front of me, she puts herself in my way.
Her Flame seems deathly afraid, curling up in her neck and trying to avoid facing me.
I stare ahead at her. "Well?"
"What is the meaning of this? Are you giving up?" For some reason, she is mad. "I didn't take you for a coward!"
I really don't understand this woman.
But at the end of it all, it doesn't matter.
"I am doing what I must." I say and walk past her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to."
That is all I can say, because at the end, I myself don't know why I was so against this summoning.
"Wait, Louise!" She calls out to me, but I don't give her my attention.
I have letters to write, after all, I promised my family to let them know the results of this summoning.
I suppose mother's ultimatum is now meaningless. After all, I never failed the summoning, and so, I have no need to go back.
It is a pleasant afternoon.
Today classes were canceled, the day being reserved for students to bond with their new familiars.
I, however, possess none, so I fully dedicate my time to my studies.
After all, I must find a way to 'summon' a familiar by the end of this year.
The letters I was meant to write home have been sent out this morning. I can only hope my parents won't take any harsh actions in response to my own.
I flip another page on the book I'm reading.
It isn't one of Éléonore's journals, I would never dare to read them outside of my own room, but it is still insightful nonetheless.
I am sitting in a small courtyard area, it is reserved for students who wish to enjoy some elegant time in the open.
The setting sun is blocked by a parasol, standing on the table I'm sitting by.
The climate is pleasant.
Bringing the cup of tea to my mouth, I take a sip.
It tastes great, but that is only expected, it was prepared by my own maid, after all.
I would say it tastes just as good as the one prepared by Cattleya's special leaves, but I have a feeling most nobles would stone me for that.
The taste of that tea… most certainly, it was exquisite on the tongue, more than any other. It didn't matter much for me, but I suppose most would find it vastly superior.
… Of course, that only serves to worry me more.
Why was that tea like that? Who is that merchant? Is Cattleya safe?
The end of this conundrum cannot arrive fast enough.
"…" Thinking of my maid, it seems she arrived.
She walks up to where I am sitting in her usual slow and elegant pace.
Stopping just short of the parasol's shade she stands, awaiting further instructions, like a good maid.
"I take you obtained success."
"Yes, My Lady." With a curtsy, she confirms my expectations.
Under the cover of my book, I smile slightly.
It is my objective to achieve valuable allies and vassals to the Vallière, and while Tabitha, the girl who summoned a dragon, is obviously at the top, it won't hurt to get more nobles under my belt.
With that intent, since even before the ritual of yesterday, I told Ancelina to mingle with the other servants and acquire information on nobles.
Apparently, from what my maid told me, many servants love to gossip about their masters.
Something I am… most familiar with. And, although it is a disgusting practice expected from lowlifes, even gossip and baseless rumors have their origin somewhere. Knowing them might give me leeway into other nobles' weaknesses.
Not only that, but having a direct connection to their information network means I can spread rumors myself.
It is petty, but it is effective, and having that sort of power is something required for nobility of my level.
"A maid named Siesta, the one who entered your room by mistake, became quite talkative after a while. It wasn't hard to obtain information from her."
"Report your findings, then."
With a bow of her head, she began to tell me everything she could gather.
Not much is of notice, mostly just complaints and minor things about low nobles.
A single interesting fact, however.
Apparently, Guiche de Gramont's presence has become sparser in the castle. According to the servants, it is because when he isn't spending time secluded in his room with his fiancée, he goes to a 'hidden place' to enjoy time with his little lover.
It wasn't hidden enough, it seems. Many servants apparently claimed having stumbled upon them, but were smart enough to avoid their gaze.
My mind glances back to an encounter a few days back.
If he began acting more secretive after that, then he must be doing a pretty bad job at hiding. Only a few days and so many servants have found him.
Although, Vallière are honorable. I said I wasn't going to bring his actions to light, and I won't.
Of course, taking advantage of other nobles' weaknesses might not seem like a completely honorable thing to do, in the first place. However, if such weaknesses exist, it is because they failed in their duties of acting like role models, breaking the most fundamental rule that defines good nobility.
The rule of steel.
I am merely punishing them for their transgressions.
It also seems like Ancelina managed no rumors about me or Tabitha.
I suppose that is understandable.
It is only logical they wouldn't tell rumors about me to my servant, and Tabitha is secretive enough not to let such things slip.
A shame, but in the first place, achieving her help wouldn't be easy.
She is, currently, an ally of that germanian, and said barbarian is apparently still angry at me, for whatever reason.
Whatever delusion was broken yesterday, I suppose it will take a while for her to recover.
Until then, I must simply focus on my duties as a Vallière, and search for ways to benefit our house while maintaining the honorable thing and punishing failed nobles.
— — — —But, no matter how many times I say this, deep down I know the truth.
— — — —I was reminded of how deep my sins go, and the weight of it all bore down on me even more than before.
— — — —All the losses, all the sins, it all brings me down, and all I can do is lash out like this.
— — — —'Honorable', 'Worthy', 'Rule of Steel'. Aren't they just petty excuses for my mercilessness?
I blink.
My mind is covered in white noise.
I can't remember what I was just thinking about. But I suppose it wasn't important.
It is night.
The moons hang overhead.
I am alone, Ancelina having retired to her own room long ago.
A candle illuminates Éléonore's journal, and I hungrily devour every bit of information there is to be known about it.
The allegiance between a mage and familiar.
A bond between servant and master.
It isn't something that exists from the get go, but rather something that is created as the relationship between the two grows stronger.
My sister questioned that reality.
In her own words, why would it be so that the familiar doesn't just kill the mage upon their first meeting? There isn't a bond yet, so why would they subject themselves to this connection?
The answer she reached, it seems, was that there was no plausible reason for a familiar to obey its master.
Upon further observation, a familiar became much tamer and trusting after the ritual was completed, but not upon summon. In other words, it was the applying of the runes that did it.
She couldn't reach a definite conclusion, whether it was mind control or mere suggestion. But one thing was certain, the runes influenced the behavior of the familiar.
Studying them was no easy feat. They were extremely complex and unorthodox, and, at least at the time she wrote these journals, something completely out of her expertise.
But… there was one thing.
Venturing into a section of the library reserved only for teachers and high officials of the crown, she found record of four special runes—
A loud roar brings me out of my readings.
"…"
I move to the window and look up at the sky.
Its form is uncertain, but far above, a dark form, contrasting to the background of the moon, flew.
That would be—
Most certainly, this can only be the girl that summoned a dragon, Tabitha.
The dragon flew high up in the sky.
A beast flying in the sky, a spell-casting rider looking down from above it.
— —Everyone moves to scurry along and dodge, but it is too late.
— — —Gales of air hit us, the Mist Valley's difficult terrain preventing our fast escape.
— — — —When I look to the side, yet another person I know since my childhood is torn apart by a gale of wind.
"Argh!" My head burns.
I cradle it, my foot unsteady and almost taking me to the ground.
It feels like someone just poured acid down on it.
"Ahhhhh—" My knees buckle, the air is driven out of my lungs.
It hurts, my head is burning.
Quick… I need to—
Sleep, I need to sleep.
My head is being torn from the inside, I want to fall on the ground and die.
I need to sleep, fall unconscious—
With a blow filled with spit, the flame of my candle goes off.
"Ah— Ah—"
I can't move straight.
Every time I take a step, my body tumbles to the sides and I almost go to the ground.
Just a little more, just a little more until I reach my bed.
My body feels so weak, it's like it's already a corpse.
"Ah!" I tumble down to the ground.
My arms tremble, I put all my strength into getting myself up, but it's not enough, I don't— have that sort of strength.
— —Move, I need to… move.
— — —I can't… die yet.
— — — —If I don't move, I'll be killed.
With all my strength, I grasp to the side of my bed.
I pull myself up.
In a pathetic crawling motion, I slowly bring my body up.
"Ah—"
There is no air in my lungs.
I climb the bed, and curl up.
What is— happening?
Everything echoes inside my head, everything is distant, like I'm under the sea.
I want to scream.
My body won't fall asleep.
I'm sealing my eyes shut, but the pain keeps me awake.
I need something— to drain my focus, make me unconscious.
I need to bear the pain and do something!
I grab a boring novel I brought with me— — — — — — — —
.
.
.
"Are you alright?"
… I wish I could say yes.
"Yeah, sorry, that was stupid."
… Sit down, let's talk. Or do you have some task to do?
"No, I'm waiting for more orders, just like you, and I was going to talk to you even if you didn't want to."
Pff, of course you would.
"What is this? Are you implying you think of me as a tyrant? Oh the tragedy!"
Hehe… thanks for that, I needed this laugh.
"Everyone needs."
…
"…"
I hate these woods.
"Huh?"
This valley, these woods, this mist, this gale, I hate it all! It's hard to walk, the noise and the wind speed never let me rest, I can't see anything and I'm tired of having to always be afraid of someone of the Gusto just popping up, hidden somewhere, and killing me!
"…Do you want a hug?"
…Yes…
"Come here… there, there… we can do it, we can get past this."
… Hey, Ariel?
"Hmm?"
I never thought it would be this bad. From the smaller conflicts, back when the Gishki were still growing, it was hard, but it was never this bad.
But, this time… I don't know for how much longer…
"I don't, either. But… we have no choice, do we? We are only adopted daughters, so we don't have the luxury of disobedience. To prove our worth, to prove we should keep on alive… all we can do is obey mother, our duty.
"I know it's tough, but we need to take it on."
… I know…. I need to keep trying my best.
Alright, that's chapter 5 out. Honestly, this came out faster than I thought it would.
In any case, next up we'll be checking in with some other characters and seeing their perspective in this whole situation. Louise isn't the only one that takes action, after all.
Thank you everyone who read and joined up, and I hope you'll enjoy what comes next!