Zeroes of Two Worlds
Chapter 1
"Uuuugh..."
He groaned upon waking up with a splitting headache. He could feel the grass on his face, but he didn't remember sleeping.
"What just happened? Did someone hit me in the head?"
Suspecting danger to himself, he pushed himself off the grassy ground and placed one knee on the ground to support his body. He saw a pair of shoes near him and looked up to see who it is.
His sight was still blurry but he could a petite young girl with a long pink hair. He slowly stood up as he got a better look at her face that reminded her of someone.
"Rouge? What's going on?"
The girl is startled when he spoke. Was she not expecting him to speak?
His vision soon returned to normal and he was able to get a better look at her. Her face is more rounded when compared to his sisters, then there's the color of her eyes that matched her hair.
"Uuuuhhh... Who are you?" He pointed at her.
She had a look of confusion and then disgust, which both confused him and angered him.
What is she being disgusted about?
She turned to an older bald man in long blue coat and spoke to in a completely different language. That caught him off-guard as he couldn't understand what they are saying, even with his very limited foreign vocabulary. The man replied back in a similar sounding language, seemingly scolding the girl who tried to protest.
"Uhhhh... Sir!" He called out to what he assumed to be a teacher. "Can you tell me wha- What the hell! Monsters!"
He drew out his sword, and assumed a defensive stance to face the monsters that surrounded him. This alarmed both the teacher and the girl as the teacher stepped forward while hiding the girl behind him.
"But Professor, he's just a commoner. He can't be my familiar. Please let me try the ritual again." She protested to Professor Colbert. That plebian boy couldn't be her familiar, she asked for a divine, beautiful and powerful creature, and not a human.
"I can't allow that, Miss Valliere." The professor scolded her, and felt her hope fading away. "The summoning ritual had chosen your familiar, you must proceed with familiar contract. If you won't accept this boy as your familiar, then I would have to fail you in this class."
She sulked at his words, understanding what the professor meant. This was her last chance to continue her education into magic and if she failed, she would be expelled from the academy. She would forever be known as a Zero, the worthless mage.
She couldn't fail here, not now when she had just made a successful summoning that proved that she isn't a total failure. She still held on to hope that she could use magic if she could just learn more.
She is brought out of her thoughts by an alarmed shout and followed by a sword being drawn from behind her. She didn't have time to react when Professor Colbert suddenly pulled her behind him before setting his staff forward, ready to cast a spell.
She peeked from behind the professor and saw the plebian holding his sword. She didn't remember him having a sword. Come to think of it, she didn't notice earlier that those white patches on his clothes are actually armor pieces.
She had been too focused on him being a commoner that she didn't noticed the rest of his attire. He seemed to be trained in the way of the sword, and he looked alarmed by something.
She looked towards wherever he is looking at and only saw her classmates and their familiars. That confused her since even the most backward plebian would have known many of these creatures in their lives. Not to mention this whole situation is giving her further embarrassment.
Professor Colbert then called out to the young swordsman with a commanding voice that she didn't expect from him.
"Stop!"
The swordsman looked at the professor with uncertainty before speaking in gibberish which neither of them could understand. The professor spoke once again, but this time in a more calming manner.
"Please lower your sword, sir. You're in no danger." He kept hold of his staff but motioned with his free hand to lower his weapon.
The swordsman clearly didn't understand but he seemed to understand the professor's intention. He relaxed a little bit as he lowered his sword, but kept hold of it and ready to move.
"As expected of Zero, your familiar has just been summoned and he's already out of control." One of her classmates chided at her, causing some grumbling from the rest of the class.
"How can you expect me to control my familiar when I haven't even done the contract?" She angrily responded back.
"Just admit it, Zero. You're a failure, why don't you just go home and cause no further trouble for the rest of us." Another student remarked at her.
She gritted her teeth in frustration and had half the mind to cast a spell at him. But she is interrupted from her thoughts of retaliation when the professor shouted.
"Silence!" The rest of the class quieted down as the professor looked at all of them. "This is not the proper way for nobles to act. So please keep quiet while I resolve this situation."
No one responded but they're content to stay silent and watch the drama unfolding. The young swordsman looked between them and her with a frown on his face, likely sensing the quarrel that had just occured.
Professor Colbert calmly approached the swordsman while Louise stayed back and watch. He spoke with the swordsman and introduced himself, and the swordsman did the same but he spoke in a very different tongue.
The professor tried to recognize the tongue that the young swordsman spoke in, but nothing matched with the languages he knew. He looked back at the boy, who is looking at him expectantly, and spoke again as he did some gestures to show his intentions.
"I'll be casting a translation spell so don't be alarmed."
He looked at the teacher as he spoke once again in that unrecognizable language. The teacher also gestured with his staff before pointing to his ears and tongue. He didn't get what he meant entirely but he understood the gist of it. The teacher would be doing something so that they could speak with each other.
He gave him a nod, and the teacher had a look of relief on his face. He watched as the professor started chanting and began waving his staff. Some threads of light started appearing around the tip of the staff. He quickly understood what he will be doing, and waited.
The thread of light surrounded him for a few moments before it dissipated. He didn't feel anything different nor did he feel any new information coming into his mind.
"Can you understand me now, swordsman?" The teacher spoke to him, and he could understand his words now.
He nodded. "I do now. Was that a semblance?"
"A semblance?" The teacher looked confused at the term. "Do you mean magic?"
"Is that what you call semblances in this place?" He asked and blinked his eyes in confusion. He shook his head, he didn't care what the locals call their semblances and he have other more important matters to ask. "Never mind. Can you tell me what's going on and where I am?"
"Well, first and foremost. You're currently in the Tristain Academy of Magic, and I'm one of the professors who teach in this institute." The professor answered and introduced himself. "My name is Professor Jean Colbert. May I know your name, young man?"
He stood up straighter and sheathed his sword before placed a fist over his chest. "My name is Jaune Arc. Huntsman Aspirant."
"Good to meet you, Mister Arc." Colbert greeted him and smiled at the young man's action, especially when he finally sheathed his sword without prompt.
He seemed to be taught in the decorum of the knights of old, with the way he presented himself. The boy's armor looked well made but incomplete, which reinforced the image. He didn't know what he introduced himself as a hunter, but he won't ask about it for now.
"As for your presence here." Colbert began. "Today is the day for the Second Years to summon their familiars through the Springtime Ceremony as a sign of their status of mages."
Jaune looked back at the creatures beside the other students, and they all seemed to be tame. He looked back at the professor and pointed a thumb at the creatures. "I guess those creatures are familiars as well?"
"That they are. Is it your first time to see such creatures?"
He nodded. "I haven't seen such monsters like those, they even have different colors too. But I have never heard of anyone taming any monsters back home."
Some students seemed to have take offense at his comment and started murmuring. Colbert stopped the murmurs by tapping his staff to the ground, creating a loud knocking sound. Jaune looked down and didn't found stone that he could have used to make it. He chalked it up to his strange semblance.
"So no one tried to tame those creatures back at your home?" Colbert asked him, looking curious.
He shrugged his shoulders and merely said. "If it could be done, it would make things much easier. So we are stuck with killing the monsters back home before their numbers grow too large."
"I see." Colbert replied. He could now understand why he introduced himself as a hunter, and he seemed to be training to become a beast hunter. "Well in your case, you have been summoned by my student as her familiar."
Jaune blinked and blinked again. He looked at the other familiars and then back at the professor, looking baffled. He pointed at himself with dumb look on his face, and said. "Are you sure? I'm a human, I don't even looked like any of those things."
"Your presence is something that hasn't happened in our history." The professor admitted with a apologetic look. "But nonetheless, the summoning ceremony have chosen you for a reason."
"I... I think you got the wrong guy. Can you send me back home?"
Professor Colbert shook his head and sadly informed him. "I'm afraid that can't be done. The nature of the summoning ceremony doesn't allow for any reversal despite previous attempts."
"Oh." Jaune felt the weight of the situation he is in. But he swallowed his emotions and calmed himself with a heavy sigh. Not now. He will have to deal with it once he's out of sight.
"So..." He choked out before stopping himself. He cleared his throat before speaking again, drawing inspiration from one of those Mistrali shows that he had watched. "So who is my summoner?"
The professor looked delighted at his response and waved over the pink-haired girl from earlier. The girl walked up to him as the professor introduced her. "This is Miss Valliere, and she is the one who has summoned you." He turned to the girl and said. "Please proceed with the contract."
"Hi. I'm Jaune Arc." Jaune introduced himself as he presented his hand to her for a shake.
The girl stared at his hand and snubbed at him with a huff. She then pointed what seemed to be a wand at his face before she spoke to him in a domineering manner.
"My name is Louse Francoise Valliere. You best remember my name, you plebian."
Great. She's one of those girls. And really? Plebian? He thought to himself and he raised his hands at her as a sign of surrender. "I understand, Miss Valliere."
Louise huffed at his response before commanding him. "See that you do."
He internally sighed and contemplated whether he should take his chance to run. But he doubted he could survive here since he didn't know where he would be going.
"How are we going to perform this contract thingy?" He asked her as he placed his hands on his waist. He also kept watch of the wand aimed at his head. His comment earned a teasing reaction from someone in the crowd.
"Go for it, Louise."
The girl blushed at the comment but composed herself.
"Be grateful that I am doing this for someone like you. Normally a noble would never do this with a plebian like you." She told him in a strained voice. She then raised her wand and began chanting.
"My name is Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere. By the Pentagon that rules the five elements..." He could feel the energy simmering from her. She then gently placed her wand over his forehead as she continued with the spell. "Bless this humble being and make him my familiar."
She surprised him when she held him by back of his neck. She then closed her eyes and began to move her face towards him for a kiss. His brain short circuited and is unable to process what is happening.
He felt her lips on his own.
He stared at her with wide eyes, not believing that this is happening right now. He always dreamed of kissing a beautiful girl but he never imagined it would happen like this. They held the kiss for a few moments before Louise slowly pulled back from her.
Jaune didn't need a mirror to know that he had a mighty red flush all over his face, and it seemed that Louise looked the same.
"Umm... Is it over?" He asked, just making sure. He would need to prepare himself if there is some other ritual that needed to be performed.
"The mark of the familiar should start being imprinted on you."
He blinked his eyes again, and asked. "What mark?"
Jaune got his answer when some kind of steam started appearing around him. He could see that the steam seems to come from his entire body. He then saw rippling of what could be his aura appearing as well.
That's a first.
Both Colbert and Louise looked confused by the light that seemed to surround Jaune's body as the familiar marking began its work. The light seemed to delaying the imprinting process, and should have been done by now. Jaune was about to speak to them when he suddenly hunched over before collapsing to the ground.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
Jaune screamed when he felt something burning on his chest, alarming the others, as he tried to tug at his own breastplate. He tried to unbuckle his breastplate in panic but failed.
"It burns! Something is burning on my chest!" He shouted, desperate for someone to help him.
"Get the nurse! Hurry!" Colbert shouted to the class, alarmed by the reaction, and quickly ran beside the young boy and held him down by his shoulders. "Miss Valliere! Remove his armor! Quickly!"
"R-right!" Louise shouted nervously as she knelt beside Jaune and started undoing the straps. She looked at Jaune and the strange crackling light that surround his body. "What's going on, professor?"
"I don't know! This never happened before." The professor replied as he kept the boy from trashing around. The boy's desperate pleas made him feel ill and brought back painful memories.
He could also feel a strong power coming from the boy which is a surprise to him. Mages are taught to feel their surroundings and are adept at sensing energies around them. He didn't feel any of that from the boy before the familiar contract. But now, he seemed to be a wellspring of power that is trying to get out.
Louise undid the last strap and removed the breastplate off him, revealing the brown thick tunic underneath. She pushed up the clothing, exposing his chest, and revealing the shining mark that is causing him pain. The familiar mark seemed to cover the his entire chest and glowed brightly, much more than the other familiars from earlier.
She would have fascinated by the sight if it weren't for Jaune screaming in agony. She berated herself, feeling responsible for his pain, and thought that she must have messed up. She feared that he may die because of her.
She silently prayed to the Founder to save her familiar.
The pupils of Jaune's eyes began to glow brightly and the familiar mark shined with the same intensity. He howled once more, arching his back, before the crackling light around his body flashed. He collapsed and is knocked unconscious by the ordeal while the glow of the familiar's mark began to fade as well.
Professor Colbert sighed in relief that the ordeal is over. He still couldn't understand what had just happened. Never in his long years of teaching in this academy had led to such painful process.
He checked the pulse on the boy's neck and is relieved that the boy is alive. The pulse is weaker than normal but steady, and his breathing returned is normal as well.
"W-will he be alright professor?" The frightened voice of his student asked, tears already building up in her eyes. He felt sorry for the young Valliere, and likely had blamed herself for the boy's suffering.
"He's stable now." He assured her.
"Thank the Founder." Louise gasped in relief. She looked down on the familiar mark imprinted on his chest. She should feel elated that she finally got a familiar, but all she could feel is the guilt for causing him such pain. "What do you think happened, professor? This never happened with my classmates and their familiars. What was that light around him earlier?"
"I don't know what that light exactly is and I can't discern its real purpose. I guess that it must have tried to resist the imprinting or it was triggered by the process. But we won't know until he woke up."
Louise nodded and saw movement behind the professor. She looked up to see head healer rushing towards them. She stepped away from her familiar and made way for the water mage who quickly began questioning the professor.
All the while, she could only anxiously watch the two mages work as they tried to discover what ailed her familiar.
Jaune groggily woke up with a headache. He slowly opened his eyes but everything is blurry. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes before his vision cleared. All he could see is a dimly lit wooden ceiling.
"So you're finally awake."
"Huh?" He uttered as he turned his head to look at the source of the voice. He could see a petite girl with long pink hair sitting on a chair by a table. She seemed vaguely familiar to him.
Ah! He remembered now. She's that snobbish girl from earlier who had somehow summoned him into this place. He's still unsure how that worked and that professor haven't been quite helpful. He could ask her question and learn more about why he is here.
He sat up from his bed which he found to be some kind of hay that is wrapped in a layer of white cloth. He stood up and looked around the room he is in.
Aside from the main circular table and chairs where the girl is at, there's a large canopy bed with curtains around it, a large cabinet, a table by the window, a vanity, and a tall mirror. He also found a basket at the foot of his "bed" where he found pieces of his armor, his sword and his bag, much to his relief.
"So... I can assume that this is your room?" He asked the girl who looked annoyed at his question.
"I am astounded by your deduction." The girl remarked sarcastically. Jaune ignored that jab at him as she continued. "You sure took your time to sleep the entire day. How lazy could you be?"
Jaune stared at her incredulously with that comment. He scowled at her, crossing his arms, and grittingly replied. "Well soo-orry! I'm sorry for passing out after what felt like being washed with molten iron. I'll be sure to keep that in mind if someone kissed me again."
The girl had the decency to look down in shame and turned away. She looked like she's tearing up at his comment. He may have been hard at her but he couldn't just take such remarks after what he'd been put through.
"I'm sorry about that. That shouldn't have happened." She apologized to him, if feeling strained from saying it.
"It's already done." He replied before looking at the standing mirror. "Do you mind if I take a look at your mirror?"
She looked at him and the mirror before nodding, correctly guessing that he wished to see the marks on him. She nodded to him. "Go ahead."
He nodded back and headed straight for the mirror. Standing before it, he lifted up his shirt and saw the long line of what could be letters. He moved one of his hands over them, trying to trace them and see what kind of marks are they.
He didn't feel any lines or any indents on his skin. He tried stretching his skin around the lines and rubbing them off, but they didn't seem to be inked on him or in his skin like a tattoo. It looked like the marks are part of his skin itself.
"So what exactly is this and what are these letters?"
"That's the Mark of a Familiar that binds you to me as your Master. And those are not just letters, those are Runes which is the foundation of our magic." She answered him.
"Master?" He looked back at her with a confused look. He lowered his shirt and asked again. "What do you mean by that?"
She sighed and grumbled something under her breath before she gestured to the other seat. He complied and walked back to the table before taking his seat. He looked at her and motioned for her to start.
"As the one who summoned you and by the familiar contract, I am the Master who you must serve. As my familiar, you are obliged to follow my commands and my orders." She first explained to him. "A familiar is supposed to gather materials and reagents for their master, complete the tasks given to them and, most importantly, protect their master."
"That sounds more like an indentured servant rather than describing some beast companion." Jaune remarked to her as he frowned at the description.
"A familiar is also supposed to be obedient as well." She quipped at him, glaring at him. She then sighed and lamented. "Why couldn't my familiar have been a manticore or a griffin? I would even settle for a hound or a horse."
"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow at her comments. "I don't think those creatures could do much of what you've described about being a familiar, Louise."
That seemed to be a mistake when she glared at him and quickly corrected him. "You will address me by my family name, you commoner. I'm a noble in this land and you will defer to me as such."
Jaune glared back at her, not liking the attitude of this girl. She really had that hotty-totty attitude of those rich city kids back in Vale, always lording over the others because of their family wealth.
"Very well... Miss Valliere." He replied. Louise clearly didn't appreciate it but didn't correct him. He decided to change the subject and began to probe her for answers. "What's so special about having familiars anyway that you and the others have to summon them earlier in the day?"
"A familiar is more than just a mage's companion but it also shows one's elemental affinity and strength. For example, a mole would show one's affinity to the Earth while a bird would show their affinity to wind. Then there's the type of familiar that a mage can summon that shows their magical power and strength. So summoning a dragon as a familiar would show how powerful they are compared to their peers." Louise explained to him before looking at him. Jaune could already feel the familiar feeling in those eyes. "I was hoping to summon something great and powerful in order to prove myself to my classmates. I even boasted to my classmate that my familiar would rival hers."
"And all you got is me." Jaune finished for her, much to her surprise.
"Y-Yeah! That's correct." Louise replied, pleased with herself at his response. "So I hope you understand your standing here in this academy, and the risks I took by entering a contract with you."
"Crystal." He answered plainly. He then felt the pangs of hunger, reminding him that he had missed a meal. "If that's all, Miss Valliere. I would like to leave this room and familiarize myself with this school. I would also like to find the kitchen to see if I could get something to eat."
"You did skipped two meals today so I'll allow it." Louise agreed before standing up. Jaune did the same and headed for the basket and his bag to check his things.
He checked each armor piece and they all looked like to be in good shape. His sword only needed a quick look before leaving it there. He turned his attention to his bag and opened it, hoping everything is still there.
Inside there are some ration packs, some tools he bought from a survival store, a battery pack, his scrollpad, and finally his scroll. He took out his scroll and checked it for cracks before pocketing it. He then stood up and is about to head for the door when Louise called out to him.
"Also, get my clothes washed while you're out there."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" He turned around only to have his face covered by something. He pulled it off his face and was about to rebuke her when he noticed what he is holding.
He is currently holding her blouse and skirt, and they looked wrinkled which meant that these were what she was wearing earlier. Did she really just threw her clothes at him? She really reminded him of his sisters when it was his time to help with the laundry.
"Look, I'm fine with washing your clothes but- Gah!" His eyes widened when he that Louise is in the nude, her modestly vaguely covered by her hair. Worse than that, she is also bending down to remove her underwear. He quickly looked away and shouted. "Can you please warn me when you're going to strip? Wait! Why are you stripping in the first place!?"
"What's your problem? How am I supposed to prepare for bed without removing my dirty clothes?" She asked her, sounding confused at his reaction.
"Not while I'm here." He pointed out to her. "Didn't your mother taught you not to strip in front of strangers?"
"Of course I am! I'm not some harlot like Zerbst." Louise retorted heatedly. "Besides, you're my familiar. One of your duties will be to attend me."
"I understand that but why are you stripping with a boy in the room. Shouldn't you have a handmaiden instead?" He argued back.
"I would have but you're here now. And will you stop arguing already. I need to get to bed for tomorrow." She ordered him as she tossed her underwear at him, landing on the floor beside him. Jaune grumbled to himself while hesitantly picking it up with two fingers.
"Wake me up at dawn. So be sure to return to me by then." She told him as Jaune glanced towards her, to see if she's decent. He saw her putting on a sleeping gown before jumping to bed. She then snapped her fingers and the lamp on the table snuffed itself out, plunging the room to darkness with the exception of the moonlight coming through the window.
"Was that dust? But I was sure that's an oil lamp." Jaune thought to himself before shaking his head. This place is too crazy for him to understand entirely. He need some time to relax and process everything.
He searched for a basket that he could use and found a spare one by the door. He placed Louise's clothes into it and carried it off the floor. He gently opened the door and closed it behind him.
He found himself in a hallway, with doors located on both sides of the wall. He must be in a dormitory and those would be the other rooms for the students. He quickly looked for the staircase that would lead down this place and made his way there.
He passed one of the lower floors below and saw someone knocking on one of the doors while calling for someone inside. A girl suggestively replied back through the door which excited the other guy.
He quickened his steps and and walked down the next flight of stairs, not wanting to disturb the couple and get in trouble.
He sighed in relief when he finally reached the ground floor and entered a large hall with a vaulted ceiling. He is also surprised by how bright the room is. He didn't see any dust-powered lights but he could see large chandeliers with candles, burning brightly.
There are benches and tables placed along the walls. There is also a fountain in the middle of the hall where he could see couple standing next to it.
"I am good at baking souffles, I'd love to make some for you." A girl in a brown cape happily offered to a blond boy in black cape.
"I would love to try them." The blond boy responded dramatically whilst holding a rose in hand. He guessed that he planned to give it to the girl.
"Really?" The girl said excitedly.
"Of course, Katie. I wouldn't lie to your eyes. There's nothing hidden behind my feelings for you." The boy sweetly said to her.
"Oh, Lord Guiche."
Jaune shrugged, not wanting to watch any more of the lovey-dovey, and planned to walk around them from the other side. He quietly headed towards the main door at the other side of the fountain. But it seemed that he didn't do a good job since the blond boy took notice of him.
"Well if it isn't the Zero's familiar. You finally deigned to join us among the living. I would have thought that you'd have perished after your ordeal." The blond boy, Guiche, called out to him.
Jaune looked around him, seeing no one else, before turning to him and pointing at himself. "Are you talking to me?"
"Yes. Who else would there be?"
"I don't recall knowing someone called Zero." He replied and looking confused. His facial expression must have attracted Katie's attention and turned to Guiche.
"Be kind to him, Lord Guiche. He did suffered greatly from what I heard." Katie politely interjected for him with her soft and gentle voice. "He must have just recovered, so please be gentle with him."
Guiche turned back to her and charmingly looked into her eyes. "Oh my sweet Katie, you're so kind. But alas you're right. It would be wrong for me to add upon the familiar's suffering."
"Great I'm held up in this drama theater." Jaune mentally said, annoyed at being held up. "Well if it's alright with you two, I would just take my leave."
The two ignored him, too enamored with each other's presence, so Jaune quickly made his exit. He finally reached the outside and took a deep breath of the cool night breeze. He closed his eyes and stood there, taking in the relaxing air and atmosphere.
He looked up to the sky to see the moon, and blinked. He blinked again... and again. He pinched himself on the cheeks. His body started to tremble as he stared up to the heavens, showing him an impossibility.
There are two moons.
And they're whole.
A/N:
Jaune found himself in another world, and essentially a servant to one of the local semblance users of this world. And he had just learned just how far from home he is.
For those who had read the Light Novels or watched the anime, you should be able to know what that familiar mark is based on where it appeared. And for those who don't recognize, it will be revealed in a few chapters later like in canon.
One thing is for sure, Jauney boy won't be having a cheat code like Saito and he would need to train long and hard as he faced the trials of this world.
Leave your reviews for comments and suggestions. They are greatly appreciated.
See you next chapter.
