Tristain Academy of Magic, 2230 hours
"Not so tough now, are you, you wanker?!"
"Somebody hold him down!"
"You damned peasants! Her Highness will hear of this! She'll make an example of all of you!"
This was the scene that greeted the rest of the Lancastrians, the Hussars, and the rest of the academy as four kingsmen from B Company practically manhandled Count Mott into the academy, his mangled hand bandaged. The units that did not participate in the raid glared at the count with undisguised hatred. They had been briefed on the count's profile, and it came as no surprise when they voiced out their revulsion upon hearing of his infamous reputation for taking female commoners from their homes to satisfy the count's carnal desires.
Everyone watched as the raiding force dragged the fallen noble before Julius, who was calmly smoking a cigarette. The major then walked up to Mott, sizing him up. The students, teaching staff, and the servants took in the whole scene with dread.
Julius gave Mott an icy glare. "Count Mott, your reputation as a sexual offender precedes you," the major declared sarcastically, eliciting a few chuckles from the men gathered around them.
Mott glared back at Julius with cold rage. "Watch your tongue, commoner, you're talking to a noble," he spat out.
The major merely raised an eyebrow at this as he took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling the smoke into the count's face. He turned to Travis, who stood silently, his rifle slung.
"Lt. Knight, please tell this man what it means to be a real noble," he said.
Travis strode to the count and lashed out with a jab to the count's abdomen, causing him to double over in pain. "A noble should be kind, responsible, willing to help the people under his rule."
He lashed out again with a kick to Mott's stomach, causing him to regurgitate his dinner and to drop on his knees. "A noble should treat his equals, his superiors, and his subordinates with respect. He must be willing to put the needs of others above his own and must be patient, humble, and considerate to others at all times."
Mott just stared at Travis as he was brought to his feet. He was met with a punch to his jaw. "And most of all, a noble must never overstep his boundaries. He must never abuse any person below him in any way, shape, or form."
Travis grabbed the count by the throat. "But the way I see it, you piece of shit, is that you don't match any of those descriptions I just laid out." He roughly pushed Mott away.
The nobles watched the entire event with fear, knowing that it could have been any of them in Mott's position right now, and the students suddenly found the thought of being on good terms with Louise more appealing. The lieutenant then turned to the assembled nobles, his expression livid.
"Anyone that even thinks of insulting Ms. Vallière will meet the same fate as this so-called noble. Consider this your only warning," he growled.
The nobles could only nod as they looked on in horror.
Travis then turned his attention back to Mott. "Did you sexually harass Siesta during her stay in your manor?" he growled.
The bruised, battered, and bleeding count spluttered in disbelief. "I would never do such a thing! I wouldn't even think of touching a commoner!"
He was immediately met with a kick to his genitals, causing him to cry out in pain.
Julius merely watched the interrogation like it was nothing out of the ordinary. "Siesta, is he telling the truth?" he asked the horrified maid.
Siesta frantically shook her head. "H-he came into my quarters just as I was getting dressed into the uniform he gave me, and he ordered me to sleep with him for the night. He also groped me whenever he had the opportunity!" she sobbed.
Travis unslung his rifle and smashed its stock on Mott's temple. "On your feet, you little shit," he hissed.
The Lancastrians hauled the count on his feet as Travis loaded a magazine in his rifle. "How many more women have you harassed, you motherfucking son of a bitch?!" the lieutenant bellowed, aiming his rifle at the count's torso.
The count just laughed in the enraged lieutenant's face. "What does it even matter to you?" he slurred.
Travis chambered a round. "I won't ask again. How. Many. More. Have you. HARASSED?!" he roared.
Mott spat in the young officer's face, who wiped the blood off with his sleeve.
Travis shoved his rifle into one of the Lancastrians' arms and grabbed the count's right arm, stretching it as far as he could. Screaming furiously, he brought his left elbow down on the count's upper arm, dislocating it. Mott cried out in pain, but Travis wasn't done yet. As the count slumped down to the ground, the lieutenant, blinded by rage, brought his right foot down and stomped on the count's injured hand as hard as he could, eliciting a shriek of pain.
The major spat on the ground. "Tie him up. Get some of the academy's guards to bring him to the royal palace, along with Siesta's statement. Lt. Knight, take your platoon and provide escort detail for the guards. And see about getting those suits of armor for marksmanship training."
Travis glared at the count, retrieving his rifle. "Burn in hell, you son of a bitch."
Tristain Academy of Magic, 0902 hours
The events from last night were still fresh in everyone's minds. The level of violence that the Lancastrians had displayed were unlike anything they had ever witnessed. A raid at the ruins of Mott's estate had yielded some surprisingly intact documents which stated that the former count had ties with a group of arms smugglers, leading to Mott's official arrest.
Julius stood in Louise's room as the mage paced around, stress evident on her face. "So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" the major asked.
"I've been so focused on learning how your army functions that I completely forgot about the familiar exhibition that's taking place two days from now," the mage fretted.
Julius hummed in thought. "What's this exhibition about?"
Louise slumped down on her bed, practically distraught. "Every year the campus holds an exhibition in order to showcase the talents of the familiars that all second-year mages summon."
"I assume that this exhibition is mandatory?" Julius took out his canteen and took a swig of water. "If it is, then you should have asked. I happen to be a good musician back in my day."
Louise's eyes widened at the major's words. "You can sing?" she asked excitedly.
Julius simply grinned. "I can sing and play the guitar," he confidently said. "I already have a song in mind, but that'll have to wait until the exhibition. It's one of my favorites."
"I'm looking forward to your performance, Julius," Louise declared.
Tristain Academy of Magic, 2231 hours
"Professor Colbert, I heard that you're reassigning the guards from the vault to the gate," Longueville said.
The bespectacled professor scratched the back of his head. "We didn't have time to arrange proper security measures, we're undermanned as it is," he replied.
Longueville paced back in forth. "I heard rumors that Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth is after the contents of this vault," she adjusted her glasses.
"I don't think that any thief, including Fouquet, would be brazen enough to attempt a heist when the royal guards are around. Even a triangle-class mage would be hard-pressed to break into the vault. This is the perfect chance for the academy's guards to show that they're competent in performing their duties," Colbert dismissed Longueville's concerns.
"Hopefully you're right about this, Professor Colbert," the green-haired secretary mumbled.
Tristain Academy of Magic, 1000 hours
Two ornate carriages, followed by a squadron of horsemen, slowed to a stop before the doors of the academy's main building, with the students looking on. Two platoons of Lancastrians were having a surprisingly easy task of keeping the crowd in check, in part due to their weapons but mostly due to the events from the previous night. As it stands, none of the students dared to risk the wrath of the soldiers.
Two of the academy's servants rushed to the carriage in the rear, opening the door and helping the nation's monarch, Henrietta de Tristain, dismount. The princess had been briefed on the presence of the Lancastrians and Hussars, and as such she only spared them a momentary glance as she approached Osmond and the teaching staff, followed by her royal bodyguard.
Osmond and the others immediately knelt before the princess as the latter spoke. "Headmaster Osmond, my apologies for such a selfish request, and on short notice, too."
Osmond merely waved off her apology. "Please, Your Highness, the entire academy has been eagerly awaiting your arrival," the elderly mage assured the princess.
Henrietta's face broke into a smile. "This is the only year where I would like to observe the familiar exhibition in person," she sighed.
The headmaster glanced at the princess in confusion. "May I know why, Your Highness?"
The princess merely giggled. "It's a personal reason, headmaster. Very personal."
Tristain Academy of Magic, 2241 hours
"How many wasted lives? How many dreams did fade away? Broken promises, they won't be coming home.
"Oh mothers, wipe your tears, your sons will rest a million years.
"Found their peace at last as foe turned to friend and forgave.
"And they knew they would die.
"Gallipoli.
"Left their letters in the sand.
"Such waste of life.
"Gallipoli.
"Dreams of freedom turned to dust."
As Julius played the last few chords of the song, "Cliffs of Gallipoli" by Sabaton, on the guitar he had borrowed from Nathan for the exhibition, Louise couldn't help but shed a few tears, for she had never heard of this kind of music from the major's world. As the last chord died down, a knock sounded on the door.
"Now, who could be visiting at this late of an hour?" Louise wondered as Julius set down the guitar and answered the door. A cloaked figure rushed in and closed the door, surprising both occupants.
"Who are you?!"/"Identify yourself!" both mage and officer shouted at the same time, with Julius pulling out his pistol.
The figure then spoke. "It sure has been a while, hasn't it?" the voice shocked Louise. She knew that voice all too well. And before Julius knew it, the figure then threw off her cloak and was embracing Louise like a someone she had not seen for years. "Louise Françoise, I've missed you so much."
Julius blinked in shock as the figure revealed herself. "W-wait, wait, Your Highness?" the major stammered.
Louise broke out of the embrace and knelt down. "Your Highness, please forgive me, but this humble place isn't worthy of your presence," she said, humbled by the arrival of the princess.
Julius sighed, holstering his pistol as Henrietta smiled and responded. "Please, Louise Françoise, no formalities when it's just the two of us. We've been friends for years, so it's alright."
Louise looked up at the princess with reverence. "I don't deserve such kind words, Your Highness," she gushed.
Julius stared in confusion. "I guess you weren't kidding when you said that you know each other," he mused.
Louise nodded as she turned to Julius. "I had the honor of being her companion ever since we were little," she smiled at the major.
Tears welled up in Henrietta's eyes. "I actually consider the two of us as childhood friends. You have no idea how long I've waited to see you."
Louise shot to her feet in concern. "Your Highness, why are you crying?" she asked in a worried tone.
The princess dabbed at her tears. "My apologies, Louise, it just pains me that I have no one that I can openly talk to, not since my father's demise," she confessed.
Louise gazed at the princess with a melancholic expression. "I was surprised when I heard the news, Your Highness."
Julius checked his watch as Henrietta turned to him. "You must be Louise's familiar," she said.
The major simply nodded. "Maj. Julius Sickles, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. It's an honor, Your Highness," he responded crisply.
The princess gazed curiously at the major, who adjusted his rifle's sling. "Were you the one who stood up to that arrogant Mott?" she asked.
Julius grunted in affirmation. "That's correct, Your Highness. I was the one who came up with Operation Falchion," he stated.
The two nobles blinked in confusion. "Operation Falchion?" Henrietta repeated, puzzled.
"It's the code name for the rescue operation I ordered to be carried out last night," Julius chuckled.
Henrietta's eyes widened as she realized what the major meant. "Ah, yes, that. I wanted to meet you from the time when I learned of your operation. I've been wanting to know all about the person who went up against a nobleman," she said.
Louise gasped at the revelation. "You knew about his attack on the manor?" she asked.
Henrietta smiled. "I have eyes and ears everywhere, and it caused quite the commotion when I got entangled into it. But after receiving the testament of the academy's servant who got taken away from here, along with the discovery of Mott's ties with smugglers, I can tell you that your familiar's actions were legitimate. There will be no punishment for him."
Louise gaped in shock, while Julius was unperturbed. "Your Highness…" she trailed off.
The princess giggled. "Please remember, Louise, that I swore long ago to help you whenever you're in a bind. And as a princess, it is my duty to keep my word," she reminded her.
Louise felt her eyes moisten. "Your Highness, how can I ever repay you?" she asked.
Henrietta took Louise's hands in hers. "Louise, you've managed to summon an intelligent and magnificent familiar," she said.
Louise beamed at those words. "Thank you, Your Highness," she breathed out.
The two friends wrapped up their visit and Louise walked Henrietta to her door.
"I never had this much fun for quite a long time. Thank you for making this happen, Louise Françoise," Henrietta wrapped her arms around Louise.
The mage, for her part, blushed and returned the embrace. "Likewise, Your Highness," she whispered.
Henrietta then turned to Julius, who watched the scene before him. "Sir Julius, please do your best at the exhibition tomorrow," she requested.
The major nodded in assent. "Understood, Your Highness," he responded.
The princess turned to leave. "The best form of freedom, after all, is pleasure. Good night to both of you."
"Goodbye, Your Highness,"/"Likewise, Your Highness," Louise and Julius replied.