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The Stray Girl and the Incompetent Mage
Chapter 6: A Sword for the Legendary Familiar
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"So crowded; why is the street so narrow?" Sachiko complains as she strokes her butt. Louis wasn't joking, not that she ever expected him to make a joke. It literally was two hours on horseback. For Sachiko, who has never mount a horse before, those two hours felt like complete torture. Her crotch certainly didn't appreciate the ride either. She has to walk with her legs slightly apart, earning curious and some censuring gazes from other people.
Louis snorts, looking at her from over his shoulder with an irritated look. "Can you stop complaining? You've been doing nothing else since we left the academy."
He doesn't look tired or worn out at all. It baffles Sachiko. She wonders if he's used to riding horses. "Well, it is crowded, and the street is narrow. Why do people put their stands here if you can't even walk in a straight line?"
Tristania, Tristain's capital, looks very much like one of those lovely towns from fairytales. There aren't very tall buildings around, much of the constructions are houses painted in white and with steep roofs covered with a variety of multicolor tiles. Flowers and other cute plants frame the windows and doors, and the street is covered with white cobblestone. If Sachiko didn't know it was real, she would have thought she had wounded up in Disney World.
She can even see a palace, which gleams under the sunlight with a majestic air, directly in front of her leaning over the city on top of a hill.
There are a lot of people too. Louis explained it was like this because of the day of void. Compared to the academy, there are more people wearing common garb. Sachiko can't see any nobles. At least she thinks she doesn't. Everyone around them look humble and cheerful, contrary to the air of arrogance and haughtiness Sachiko is used to see in the academy's students.
"Bourdonné Street is the widest avenue on Tristain. I don't know why you're complaining so much. And stop walking like that; you're giving people the wrong idea!"
"This is the widest avenue?!" he must be joking. The street can't be more than five meters wide.
"It is. Look, the palace is just ahead" he points at the hill and Sachiko looks up even though she already saw it.
"To the palace, then!"
"What business do we have visiting her majesty the queen?"
"What business? I want to ask her to increase my portion of food" she answers seriously. To her surprise, Louis laughs. She had kind of intended for it to be a joke, but knowing Louis personality; she didn't think it would work. He has a nice smile. It illuminates the whole street and his laugh carries in the wind like a bell, strong but kind, and joyous. Sachiko can't help but burst out; "you're laughing! So you can actually laugh!"
This, however, ends Louis' laugh in a flat second. "What do you mean by that? Of course I can laugh" he crosses his arms and frowns. Sachiko is more disappointed that she can't see his smile anymore to hear him complain, and so says:
"Oh, you're frowning again. I guess it was too good to last…"
"You want me to hit you?"
But no matter what Louis says or does after that, Sachiko finds that thanks to his smile, her mood has improved a lot. With it, her natural curiosity rises, and she looks at the shops and stands with the enthusiasm of a little girl. People come and go, talking or shouting and selling things. Close by she passes a greengrocery. Vegetables are the same than in her world. She momentarily wonders if besides the moons and magic there's something else that's completely different from Earth in here. Humans look the same, animals, not including magical beasts, too, as well as the plants and flowers and even the constructions. There are some weird names she has never heard before, but others like Louis and Shiro belong to her world.
She's staring at a frog floating inside a jar on a trader's mat when Louis loses his patience and drags her from the ear. "Stop getting distracted! You're taking care of the wallet, aren't you?"
"Ouch, yes, I am!" he releases her. "Anyway, I don't know how anyone could steal this thing from me with how heavy it is. I would notice it right away" Louis' 'wallet' is just a leather bag full of coins. She's hiding it inside her parka.
"Using magic, something like that can be easily accomplished."
"Magic? Why would a noble want to steal?" she looks around; "isn't everyone here commoners?"
"Of course they are; nobles make up only ten percent of the population, and there's no way they will walk around slums like these."
"Then why are you so worried?"
"All nobles are mages, but not all mages are nobles. Some abandon their families, or are disowned. There are those who are born out of wedlock. They usually don't have much choice but to resort to stealing or becoming mercenaries… hey, are you listening?!"
She's not. Sachiko is too busy staring at a performer playing the flute to listen to him. Louis grabs her ear again and this time doesn't let go, no matter how much she protests.
The women's clothes shop is in a small lateral street. A sign in the shape of a dress is hanging over the door. Every single shop they pass has signs, but not a single word.
"Hey, tell me Louis, why is there only signs? There's nothing written on them."
"I told you to call me master, and there's nothing written on them because most commoners cannot read, so it makes things easier. Now, go and buy yourself something nice. Nothing too expensive, alright? I'll be back in half an hour" Louis tells her as he turns around to leave. Sachiko grabs his arm, stopping him.
"Wait, are you going to leave me on my own?"
"Yes" he answers as if it's obvious, taking his arm away from her grip with a frown. "It's not proper for a man to enter this kind of store."
"Why not? It's only clothes…"
"This is the lingerie store" he says blankly, pointing at the sign. Sachiko looks up. It still looks very much like a dress to her. "There are no windows so men won't pry."
"That's a bit excessive."
"Now then, go and buy yourself something. After that we'll buy you clothes and then we'll go get you a sword."
"Why don't you just accompany me?"
"Do you want me to choose what underwear you wear?" he asks, folding his arms. Sachiko blushes.
"N-No! I just don't know how to treat with shopkeepers here!"
"Haven't you treated with them in your world?"
"Yes, but…"
"Then you should know what to do. I'll come get you in half an hour" and before she can get another word out, he turns around and leaves. Sachiko lets out a sigh, looking at the shop apprehensively. She shakes her head and goes in.
"Are you crazy?! How could you have spent so much money in underwear?!"
"This is the reason I told you to accompany me. The shopkeeper surely tricked me!"
"What trick?" he grabs the paper bag from her hands and takes out a pair of pink, frilly panties. "You went well out of your way to buy panties, so you clearly got what you paid for!" he waves the panties around. Sachiko chokes.
"Stop doing that! Do you want to look like a pervert?!"
Louis stops, and blushes when he realizes what he's doing. He quickly puts the panties back in the bag. "Why panties? Couldn't you have bought something less expensive?"
"But everything else was ugly…" when given options, Sachiko was shown numerous types of underwear she didn't even know exist. Petticoats, camisoles, corsets and pantalets, made for those she was more or less familiar with, but she wasn't about to buy them when there were other more modern options for her. It was also her opportunity to finally buy something she liked. Usually when she goes out with her mother she's stuck with simple white or childish underwear. She couldn't resist the cute designs of some panties, and so bought six, so with the one she's wearing she has one for every day. Bras were nowhere in sight, so she guesses they don't exist in this world, and so had to be satisfied with a bustier, the only thing that would hold her breasts and wasn't as elaborate as a corset.
"Why should I care if they're ugly? It's my money you spent in this!" Sachiko puffs her cheeks. She crosses her arms and looks away.
"It's still your fault! How do you expect me to know what's supposed to be expensive and what cheap? I just bought what I was more comfortable with!"
"Still…!" he can't say anything against that, but he feels the pain in his wallet and it's not a good feeling.
"Do you want me to return them?" Sachiko finally asks with a sigh. She guesses since he's the one buying her clothes, she might as well abide by his wishes just this time. Louis thinks for a second, looking at the bag in his hands, before shaking his head.
"We'll just lose more time, besides, you already bought it and I hope you won't need more for a long time. Next time however you better pay more attention!"
"Alright" she's happy she doesn't have to be stuck with petticoats and corsets, though she still doesn't understand why panties are supposedly more expensive. Louis sighs, hands her the bag and guides her to the next store. He goes in this time, and chooses a few common-looking dresses he urges her to try on. They're simple, made of cotton and of a single color. The most elaborate one has short puffed sleeves and a ribbon tied under the line of her breasts. The simplest is long-sleeved and reaches her knees. "I don't like dresses" she confesses, pulling at the hem of the dress with pursed lips.
"Shut up. You don't have the right to choose anymore" and with that he buys them and they leave the shop, Sachiko holding the bags with a pout.
"Say, Lo-master, how do you know so much about dresses and underwear?" she asks after he tells her they're going to buy her sword. Louis frowns.
"What do you mean?"
"You know where the shops are, and that panties are expensive…"
"I know they're expensive because you half-emptied my wallet" he says snappishly; "and the shop we passed by is one I used to accompany my sister to when I was a child."
"Do you have a sister?"
"I have two older sisters."
"What are their names?" she asks with curiosity.
"Eleonore and Cattleya."
"Do you have any brothers?"
"No, I'm the only man apart from my father."
"What about cousins?"
"Sachiko" he says with a sigh; "can we just go to the armory, buy a sword and get this over with? I want to go back to the academy before lunch."
"O-Ok, sorry…" she just wanted to know more about him. It just strikes her now that she knows nothing about Louis, even though they live together, and even though he's her master. And she's naturally curious. She wishes to know him better.
After crossing many streets, each narrower and darker than the last, they arrive at a small alleyway. A revolting stench, coming from the garbage accumulated on one side, makes Sachiko pinch her nose.
"This place is disgusting."
"Yes, but we're almost there… here it is!" he points at a simple door. Over the door there's a sign in the shape of a sword. They climb the few steps to the entrance and Louis opens the door. A small bell rings over their heads. Even though it's sunny and warm outside, inside it's a bit dark and damp. A man in his fifties sits at the counter. He watches them enter with a bored look and a lighted pipe, but his expression changes immediately when he sees the pentagram of nobility on Louis' uniform.
He removes his pipe and stands up. "M' lord, there is nothing criminal here! All of my wares are real and reasonably priced…"
"Relax, today I come as a customer" the shop is filled with swords from top to bottom. There's a detailed suit of armor in a corner. Sachiko stares with awe, touching and examining everything while letting out cries of amazement. Louis ignores her. "I want to buy a sword for my familiar" he gestures towards Sachiko. The shopkeeper looks at her with curiosity, but if he finds anything weird with a girl being a familiar, he wisely doesn't mention it.
"A woman carrying a sword, that's a bit unexpected" Louis glares, and the man shrinks. "I-If you allow me to make a suggestion, I think something like this will suit her perfectly" he searches on the shelves and comes up with a rapier. He hands it to Sachiko. It is exquisitely made. The handle is embedded with jewels and it's easy to hold, however…
"It's a little thin" she comments. Louis nods.
"Actually, I had something in mind already. A simple longsword, about one mail long… nothing too heavy" Sachiko used a sword similar to the one he just described at her duel with Guiche.
The shopkeeper looks at Sachiko again. "M' lord, sorry for the bluntness, but for a woman to…"
"I said" Louis repeats more slowly. He's using his commanding tone; the same that gives Sachiko nightmares. The shopkeeper gulps, doing his best not to break in a cold sweat; "a simple longsword, one mail long."
"Y-Yes, at once, m' lord" the man runs to the back of his shop. Louis looks very pleased with himself, but Sachiko only glares at him.
"You don't need to scare him like that."
"If I don't show my authority, he's going to take advantage of us. This is the way you have to treat this kind of people, if you want them to do what you say."
"Even like that…"
The shopkeeper comes back. He has another sword in his hands, which he is polishing with an oiled rag. "I think this one will fit m' lord's expectations" it's a longsword of a meter long just like Louis asked. The handle is short and has a hand guard. It is exquisitely decorated, and when Sachiko takes it in hand, she finds it's very light too.
She swings it a few times. "So, how does it feel?" Louis asks.
"Is fine I guess" she examines it with furrowed brows. "But I think it looks a bit fragile, don't you think?"
"Well, now that you mention it…"
"Would m' lord like to see other options?" the shopkeeper asks while nervously playing with his hands. Louis ponders for a second. He looks at Sachiko.
"How would you feel about wielding something bigger?"
"Bigger? In what sense?" Sachiko leaves the sword on the counter, eyeing Louis curiously.
"Instead of a longsword, what about a broadsword?"
At this, the shopkeeper can't help but intervene. "M' lord, a sword so big for a girl like her might end up hurting her. Even this kind of sword it's a bit of a-" but he cuts himself off when Louis' eyes fall heavily on him.
"If it's too much or not, Sachiko will be the one to decide. After all, she has to use something she feels both comfortable and safe with. Bring us a broadsword."
"A-At once…" he grabs the smaller sword and goes back to the rear of the shop. After a few seconds, he brings another sword. This one is a bit more than a meter in length. It's even more exquisitely decorated than the last. The handle, made for wielding with two hands, is embedded with jewels, and the sharp edge gleams spectacularly under the light of the gas lamp.
Sachiko is in awe. She approaches unconsciously and touches the sword.
"Careful, you have to use both hands" the shopkeeper instructs her. Sachiko nods, and with the excitement of a child opening a birthday present, lifts it. She carefully swings it, trying to get used to the weight, which, surprisingly for a sword this big, is not much.
Louis leans against the counter, watching her. "Is that sword ok with you?" he asks after a while.
"Eh? Ah, yes, I have no problem wielding it…" she says, placing it back on the counter. Louis nods.
"Alright then, we'll take this one."
"F-Fantastic!"
"How much is it?"
"Ah, for this sword… two-thousand écu should be enough."
"Great, then two-thousand… wait!" Louis stamps his hands on the counter, his eyes wide in shock. "Isn't two-thousand a little high for a broadsword?"
"For any broadsword, probably, but not for this one. See this mark here?" the man points at the base of the blade, where some strange letters are engraved, "this sword was made by the famous germanian alchemist Lord Spee. It'll cut through iron like butter thanks to the magic infused in it" he explains proudly. "I think two-thousand is a fairly reasonable price for a sword like this."
"Even so…" he looks at Sachiko. She blinks.
"So it means you can't buy it?"
"Even if I could, I wouldn't spend so much money in a sword for you, no matter who made it."
"Huh, in the end you are as stingy as I thought."
"Let's not forget I'm at red numbers after someone got severely injured and made me buy something very expensive so she would get better. Not to mention that same person goes around buying expensive lingerie without my permission" he retorts acidly. The shopkeeper's eyes widen, but he quickly shakes his head. It's not his business what a mage does with his familiar.
Sachiko pouts after hearing this. "Ok, I get it. You can't buy it…" she sighs, glancing at the sword longingly. In that moment, a somewhat metallic voice is heard.
"Don't be so arrogant kid. I bet you've never even been near a sword before. A stick would suit you better!" the voice sounds offended, and Sachiko promptly feels the same way.
"Hey! Who said that? You don't need to be so mean!" she looks around, trying to find the person who insulted her, but finds no one in the shop except for the three of them. The voice snorts then.
"Not only arrogant but also blind! I'm here kiddo, can't you see?"
"What?" Sachiko stops her eyes on a mountain of swords. Is the voice coming from there?
"Argh, Derf, shut up already! You're disrupting my clients!" the shopkeeper yells. He jumps from the counter and walks towards the lump of swords. With great effort he picks up one from the top: a broadsword the same length as the one Sachiko wants. Louis and Sachiko look shocked.
"A sentient, intelligent sword!" Louis exclaims. Sachiko feels even more surprised after hearing this, and eyes the sword with fascination.
"Exactly, I'm the legendary sword Derflinger! You better don't forget!" it says with a haughty tone. The shopkeeper starts to drag it to the rear of the shop.
"That's enough! You're always talking back to my clients. Today I'm really going to melt you!"
"Let's see you try, old man!"
"Wait!" Sachiko yells; stopping the man and surprising everyone in the shop. "Wouldn't it be a shame, melting a sword that can talk?" she asks, still looking at the sword with wide eyes. It's very rusty, so she can't say if it's well-made or not, and it's just a bit narrower than the other broadsword. Still, seeing how much the shopkeeper is struggling to carry it, it's probably way heavier.
Derflinger is silent for a few seconds, before finally whispering:
"I see, so you're a user…"
"Huh?" Sachiko asks, tilting her head to the side with an innocent expression.
"Hmm, you're still not aware of your own power. Well, anyway, buy me partner!" Derflinger says. Sachiko smiles.
"Ok, I'll buy you!"
"W-wait! Sachiko, you really want to take that sword?" Louis asks with astonishment.
"Well, yeah, it's interesting, don't you think?"
"That's not the point. That thing looks really heavy; I don't think you would even be able to lift–" but he instantly shuts up, his eyes going wide as much as the shopkeeper's at seeing Sachiko take Derflinger with just one hand, and lift it above her head as if it weights nothing at all.
Sachiko chuckles. "I'm not that weak, you know. By the way, my name is Hiraga Sachiko" she introduces herself. Louis keeps looking at her with his mouth open, before finally shaking his head and turning to the shopkeeper.
"How much?"
"Eh? Ah, one-hundred should be fine."
"Isn't that a little cheap for a broadsword?" not that he's complaining, but one-hundred sounds almost like he's simply giving them the sword for free. The man clicks his tongue.
"Compared to how many clients this thing has made me lose, I think it's actually good enough" and with that, they buy Derflinger and leave the shop. Because the sword is too long for Sachiko to wear at her side, she straps it to her back, and happily walks alongside Louis.
"I still can't believe we bought it. What's so special about this sword, anyway?" Louis asks, looking astonished at Sachiko just carrying Derflinger without showing any apparent effort.
"Are you kidding? It can talk! Don't you think that's incredible?"
"I guess…" he sighs, "and now it's almost midday, even though I wanted to go back to the academy for lunch…"
"I'm sorry" she says, mostly just to say something. Louis shrugs.
"Guess we can't do much about that. Do you want to eat something since we're here?" Sachiko's face lights up instantly.
"Eat? You mean you're going to invite me?" her voice sounds cheerful. She's even hopping a little.
"Well, I don't think you could invite me" he says, finding her excitement a bit cu-whatever. Sachiko smiles and nods, accepting his invitation. Louis looks away, wondering what that slip of the mind was.
"I don't know how useful this thing can be" Louis says, looking at Sachiko's sword; "considering how rusty and old it is."
"Don't say that. I'm sure I can do something with it" Sachiko responds, balancing her weight as she lunges Derflinger forward.
"You two…" Derflinger says; "you realize I can hear everything you say, don't you?"
"Ah, yes, sorry" Sachiko blushes. Louis huffs and crosses his arms.
"I'm just saying the truth. I mean, look at you! As soon as you hit something you'll break! Really, the only thing you're good for is practicing" like they were doing right in that moment. After coming back from Tristania, Louis urged Sachiko to show him her acquired skills. They are in Vestri Court, and he's observing her as she attempts to swing Derflinger with some degree of skill. She's not very good at it. Although she can hold Derflinger alright with one hand, she still needs to use both if she wants to move with it without losing her balance.
"Talks the one without magic!" Derflinger retorts mockingly. Louis gasps and glares at Sachiko.
"When did you have the time to tell that thing?!"
"Partner didn't need to tell me anything! I can feel it wafting off you!"
"What are you talking about?!"
"Alright, alright" Sachiko says before the fight can escalate. She never thought she'd have to do this someday, stop a fight between a mage and a sword. "We're here to practice, aren't we? Do you have any idea how I should go about this? Because I feel like I'm just swinging Derflinger around without doing anything useful" the runes in her hand aren't glowing. She thought that, after what Louis told her, they would once she held a sword, but that's not the case. It didn't happen even with the other swords back in Tristania.
"Well…" luckily Louis looks calmer. He approaches her. "In the first place, you're not holding it right" he rearranges her hands so she has a tighter grip in the handhold. "Raise it slowly" he helps her, draping her hands with his and accompanying her movements. Sachiko blushes, her pulse quickening. This is so… "And then swing it."
He shows her a few moves, though Sachiko is a little more concentrated in the way she can feel his warm breath against her neck. She tries to focus, and after a few minutes of this, he finally releases her and steps back to see how she does it on her own.
"How do you know what to do?" Sachiko asks after he corrects one of her postures.
"I used to practice before coming to the academy."
"Are you a swordsman then?" her eyes widen with curiosity. Louis shrugs.
"I guess you can say that."
"How long have you been practicing?"
"Practically since I can remember" he sighs. "This won't do. Despite what you did in the duel with Guiche right now you look nothing more but a beginner. If you want to know how to wield a sword you'll need practice."
"Oh…" she puts down Derflinger; "will you teach me?" she asks with hope, even though she knows what his answer is going to be.
"I don't have time. When we go to my house this summer…"
"Mr. Vallière" they turn around. A young woman draped in a dark blue robe is standing behind them. She has a pretty face, her long hair fashioned in a high ponytail and a pair of thin glasses over her petite nose. Sachiko doesn't remember seeing her before. "Headmaster Old Osmond wants to see you."
"Me?" he asks with surprise, but his body is already moving. The woman nods.
"Yes, you and your familiar" she looks at Sachiko. Sachiko is even more surprised than Louis at this. They look at each other, before nodding and following the woman inside the main tower. They go up an amazingly long flight of stairs. After being all morning in Tristania and then training, Sachiko feels her sides hurt at the continuous effort, but Louis looks just fine. She wonders if it's thanks to the training he claims to have. "Old Osmond, I brought Mr. Vallière and his familiar" the woman announces after knocking on the door. The voice of a man tells them to enter.
The office is wide. There are many bookshelves placed against the walls, and a sumptuous desk in front of a large window, extending from the floor to the ceiling and showing an impressive sight of the academy below. An old man with a long white beard is sitting behind the desk, his hands joined in front of him resting on its surface. Standing next to him is a teacher, Mr. Colbert.
"Thanks for bringing them. You can retire now Miss Longueville" the woman nods and leaves the office, closing the door behind her. The old man looks at them. "Now then, you'd be wondering the reason I call you here."
"Y-Yes…" Louis looks nervous, almost as if he's expecting something bad to happen.
"Oh, you don't need to be so nervous. I assure you I didn't call you here to expel you Mr. Vallière" the old man says jokingly. By the way Louis swallows and answers with a weak laugh, Sachiko knows that's exactly what he was afraid of. "It has to do with your familiar, actually."
At this, both Louis and Sachiko stiffen. They frown, their eyes travelling from each other to the headmaster. "My… familiar?" Louis asks. Osmond nods.
Mr. Colbert steps forward, a grin on his face. "A week ago your familiar dueled with Mr. Gramont, didn't she?"
"Yes…" he looks at them thoughtfully. Sachiko wishes to know what he's thinking because his fists suddenly close tightly at his sides, the knuckles becoming white; "she did. You know that."
"I've been investigating since the summoning" Mr. Colbert continues, not noticing Louis' eyes narrowing; "although it was mostly confirmed during the duel, I had to take a few more days to analyze my notes. Old Osmond and I have reached a conclusion about your familiar."
There's a silence between them, as if they're waiting for Louis and Sachiko to ask. They don't. Sachiko simply looks at the three men in the room, not sure of what's going on, and Louis waits. Mr. Colbert clears his throat.
"We reached the conclusion that Mr. Vallière's familiar is the legendary Gandálfr."
"What?" Louis' voice cuts through the office like a knife. Sachiko is surprised. What do they mean with legendary?
"The runes, the being able to defeat a noble with just a sword, it all matches!" Mr. Colbert sounds very excited. He quickly approaches Sachiko and grabs her left hand. "Look at them! Although I had my doubts the first time I saw them, I can only say she is Gandálfr now. You see; t-"
"Mr. Colbert" Old Osmond calls, standing up; "you're making the poor girl uncomfortable" he says. Mr. Colbert quickly looks at Sachiko. Her face is red, and her body is leaning away from him, as if she doesn't like him touching her. The man releases her immediately.
"Ah, I'm sorry…"
"Going back to what Mr. Colbert was saying" Old Osmond steps in front of them, his hands behind his back; "we have reasons to believe your familiar is Gandálfr."
"B-But… how? I mean, this was never, and that would mean… What proof do you have?"
"Just like Mr. Colbert said, the runes and the sword-wielding" he gestures at Mr. Colbert, who nods and goes to retrieve something from the desk. It's a book, which he shows to Louis as he explains.
"We don't know much about Gandálfr, except for the fact it was one of the many familiars the Founder had and that it was able to use any weapon with expertise. He was able to hold out armies and like that buy the time necessary for the Founder to cast his long spells."
"Yes, I know that" Louis looks at the book, the image of what scholars could come up with as being the runes of the legendary familiar after years, maybe centuries of investigation. He looks at Sachiko's hand and then back at the book. Sachiko covers her hand protectively.
"Excuse me, but I don't understand what's going on" she says in a small voice. They're acting in a way that's making her really nervous. "What do you mean I'm a legendary familiar?"
They look at her. Louis bites his lips. "Remember when you told me you could use Guiche's sword like an expert, even though you've never held a sword before?"
"Yes, that was yesterday."
"This might be the reason… you won that ability thanks to the runes, and the runes because…"
"You put them on her" Old Osmond finishes for him. Louis nods. "You're aware of the implications of this?"
"We're not sure, are we? There's no proof…" Louis tries to say.
"Exactly, there's no proof except for your familiar. You have never even been able to cast a spell correctly, for what I've been told" Louis' jaw tightens, but he doesn't say anything; "so it's very uncanny, how a mage like you was able to summon Gandálfr, or why from all creatures in Halkeginia, it is a human who is Gandálfr. We decided to tell you this information because it deeply pertains you and your familiar, so you may do of this what you will, but it goes without saying that you shouldn't tell anyone else about this."
"Of course" Louis says firmly. Sachiko feels lost. All she could gather from this conversation is that she's supposedly a legendary familiar, thanks to Louis, but the air in the office is tense, and she thinks this might not be such a good thing if all three of them look so serious and somber.
She opens her mouth again. "I want to say something."
"Oh, of course, Miss…" Old Osmond squints in thought.
"Sachiko, my name is Hiraga Sachiko."
"That's an odd name."
"I want to know what this means for me. I don't know anything about Gandálfr or legendary familiars, but I wish to know if this is going to have a negative effect on me."
"You don't know about Gandálfr?" Mr. Colbert asks with surprise. "That's quite curious. The legend is very well known throughout Halkeginia. One could say it's almost more known than the void."
"Ehm, well…"
"Sachiko is not from this world" Louis says for her. Sachiko snaps her head towards him. To say something like that without her permission, no, to even bring this up is a little…
Old Osmond and Mr. Colbert exchange a glance. They look at Louis trying to find out if he's lying or not. He looks very serious. It seems he did believe her after all. Then they look at Sachiko for confirmation. She bites her lips. If Louis told them, and they're talking about this legendary familiar stuff, she thinks this might be an opportunity to ask them for help to find a way back to her world. So she nods with all the determination she can muster.
Old Osmond scratches his beard, before letting out a sigh. "It seems we have quite a lot to talk about. We should get comfortable then" he gestures to a pair of couches on one side of the office. The two kids nod. Louis stands close to Sachiko, suddenly seeming reluctant to get away from her. For some reason this makes Sachiko feel unsure about the situation.
A/N: Quick note; in this universe the legend of the void and Gandálfr is very well-known, that four users will be born from Brimir's line and thus the void will revive and they'll get back the Holy Lands, but only that. Not the whole implications and nothing about other familiars. And it stays like that: just a legend, not something that could ever be real.