Weight. The weight of the world placed on her shoulders was something she could never quite explain to me, the pressures she'd suffered, expectations, and verbal assaults she'd endured, followed by a ridiculous rule of steel.
In reality however, That weight, the pressure. Never receded, not even as she laid her head for the night's rest. As no one saw any sort of capability within her, and most, if not all, liked to... verbally remind her of that tidbit of information, if not that? then they'd simply discuss it at their leisure as a fun pastime, or a small amount of gossip over "What the Zero blew up this time".
Frankly speaking I'm still mildly surprised none of the staff decided to punish any of the students in some way, shape or form. But after our journey together, seeing how their world functioned, and how much political power was truly being abused, some semblance of understanding reached she and I. But I'm getting rather ahead of myself aren't I? Apologies, Thoughts come to mind and I jot them down without my head realizing what my hand had done.
Moving onward.
From what she'd told me, the day had started out like any other, aside from the nervousness, and excitement she'd felt. The urge to launch herself out of bed, and curl up into a ball were present in equal measure.
With a small sigh befitting her, she slowly stood from her comfortable sheets, and strode to her dresser, carefully dressing herself in her school's regal uniform, plain enough for her, as she simply didn't request any additions (or subtractions, in the case of some) To the attire. Which she may have found to be a sign of her humbleness? I'll never know, but the matter of clothing isn't the focus of this story.
After formally dressing herself, and brushing her hair, which glowed to a certain degree in the rays of sunlight that penetrated the window, she grabbed her wand, and... clenched it a moment, as though solidifying to herself that this would be the day, Zero no longer... Zero no longer..
Inhaling a large breath of wondrously fresh morning air, she exited her room, books and the like in one hand, she did her best to remember which lecture she had first, a mental map of her schedule appearing vivid in her mind.
'Ah! Professor Chevreuse is the first lecture of today!'
' her thoughts gleefully exclaimed, excited to both perform the summoning ritual and hopefully impress her new professor in one day. Today would truly be the day it all turned around. The school would see her for her true self, a hard studied mage with true magical ability.
A sigh escaped her once more..
...It was finally going to happen.
such thoughts preoccupied her as she entered the lecture hall, and politely sat down at her desk, grabbing her writing supplies and preparing to jot down whatever notes would need to be taken.
it wasn't long until the other students arrived as well, some snickering at her sheer presence, others rolling their eyes, wondering why she hadn't simply packed it in, and left the Academy.
Ignoring them, as she had up until this point, she felt herself unknowingly drawn into her book, her eyes drifting aimlessly across its words. Her mind clearing to an unbelievable degree... her vision blurred, the silhouette of a completely different backdrop appearing almost like a fickle mist.
'-zaaa' Spoke an unfamiliar voice to her, it was.. sweet, and playful, but she sensed an underlying tone to it. Having heard it all too much herself.
"new assiignmeeeent~" the figure spoke, not even trying to tone down the nefarious intent in her voice. She could feel the chills of dread that did not belong to her, as thoughts not her own began to invade her mind.'I just want to be-'"Miss Valliere!!" Called the professor who'd just gotten done calling for the fourth time, shaking our pink haired protagonist to the waking world, not even realizing how close her head had gotten with her desk. What felt like seconds was around half an hour.
Not having the time to properly assess the situation, she responded how anyone else would in that situation.
frantically.
"I- uh. uhm.. y-yes professor?" she asked, her eyes fixated on the board next to her teacher, hoping to find some written explanation for the stare she was receiving.
At the very least, "Brimir" was kind enough to allow her a small moment of levity, as she found the instructions for a transmutation spell, and three brass pebbles on the lecture desk.
"Please perform the spell just demonstrated. Again" she reiterated, placing 3 small pebbles down on the desk.
"I- Professor, I understand you're new to the academy..." Spoke the red haired deviant that was Kirche. "But there happens to be a reason we have so many destroyed classroom supplies... and teacher resignations-" she spoke, clearly attempting to poke fun and insult her classmate. While also persuade her teacher to not blow up this classroom as well.
"Oh please, I assure you no student can be quite that bad, now please Louise come down and perform the spell just as I instructed."
A noble, if rather unsuccessful attempt.
Leaving small soot stained footprints, in a trail away from the restroom Louise continued her stride in pride.
Somewhat.
"Professor Colbert's class is next... it's time... it's time..." She told herself, silently preparing herself for the beauty... or horror that was to come.
with her small steps increasing in size, she briskly walked to her next class, the familiar summoning ritual.
Her eyes darted to the ground as she saw her classmates, including Kirche, already summoning their familiars. Including but not limited to.
A dragon.
there were more, but she was more perplexed at that fact alone that even the flamboyant guiche receiving a mole didn't faze her.
However, as eyes and groans both were pointed her way, she pointed hers to the ground, not wanting to look anyone in the eye at the moment.
she waited. she listened, she thought of the familiar she wanted. the companion she would need.
She hoped it was as magnificent as the dragon over there. Something wize... powerful, and big, imposing. something to emphasize her true self. She wanted...
she needed today, to be a true reflection.
"Louise.." her Name resounded in the open air. the wind bristling slightly, once more. her classmates jeered and she drew them out. Focusing solely on the ritual...
"My servant that existed somewhere in this vast universe, my divine, beautiful, wise, powerful servant," This was it... The do or die. This one day would change her life for the better, people would like her. she would make progress... "heed my call, I wish from very bottom of my heart and add to my guidance and appear!" as she finished the incantation, she could feel the magic run through her, powering her spell, enhancing it. more and more... she may get that dragon after all!!
Was what her thought started to look like until the familiar blast of percussive force blew everyone within a 20 ft meter radius back. Dust billowing upaard. obscuring vision.
Louise however, held out hope. she couldn't see the silhouette of ta dragon... but maybe..?
Unfortunately. All hopes were dashed.
The dust settled.
and I came into view, holding my aching head, and nearly toppling over from the pain. Louise and I made contact, and I spoke.
"Ts'ere, Vesht Appsht?"