Authors note: I likely should have said this in the first chapter, but as it was said in the previous chapter, twenty years have passed, and as such, Original characters will be making appearances. This does not mean however they will take over, but they will be there as many are important, as you'll now see. Enjoy!

Prologue 2 - Halkeginia

Eleonore de la Vallière stood in the half circle stone room and eyed the class before her, making sure to make eye contact with each and every single student, making them sure of their place. When the class finally became dead silent she stretched her arms and smiled toward them. "It's time for a history quiz!"

The entire class erupted in comments and sighs of how unfair it was and why quiz's sucked, little did they know quizzes helped you remember things better than just reading from a book. Unfortunately for them this quiz was not going to be information in the book though.

"Considering we have been going over Halkeginian ancient history, including the rise of the Brimiric faith, the quiz is going to be on something different, to give you a bit of a rest!"

The class grumbled loudly, an act that only caused Eleonore to be surer of her choice of topic for the quiz.

"The topic will be an event that shook Halkeginia and all the countries around it. The Heretics war!" Eleonore proclaimed loudly, causing the entire classroom to vibrate with muffled conversation as she continued. "The class will pass or fail this quiz together, so make sure you know the answer before putting up your hand, a mistake could lead the entire class to extra classes, or kitchen work with the plebeians!"

Hearing this, the entire class became silent, making sure they could hear the questions as Eleonore spoke them.

"First question then. . . . Explain in simple terms how the Heretics war began."

A moment passed before a short, brown haired girl raised her hand and stood up, the class's attention directing toward her instantly. "Um, the heretics war is said to have begun when the heretic in question, known only as the Prophetess, began spreading false prophecy about the lord Brimir and the way the cultures and countries of Halkeginia were run and organized."

Eleonore nodded her head approvingly. "Not bad. Next question then. What were the major points of the Heretics war?"

No one raised their hands.

"Alright fine then, I'll pick who will answer." Eleonore said as she gazed around the classroom, her gaze falling on a girl with long purple hair done into twin tails. "Mimi De La Tristian, you're up."

Mimi froze for a moment before swallowing hard and standing up. Clearing her throat she began, her quiet voice having trouble reaching the entire room. "Um, the Heretics war was considered to have two parts. The first part was when the heretic prophetess and her forces stormed into Gallia, killing the King of Gallia, Joseph, and destroying the entirety of the Gallian castle. The second part of the war was when the heretic forced all countries to ally with her forces against the strange monsters that came from space that they called Scrin. It is believed that she summoned them to achieve some kind of purpose but it is unknown what that purpose was."

Eleonore nodded once again. "Good but it should also be noted that her forces attacked the elven capitol, forcing them to act as well. It should also be noted they used strange weaponry that is still not understood. Now then, how did the Heretic's War end and what were its effects upon Halkeginia. Marcus answers this one!"

A boy in the back corner with short blond hair suddenly shivered and stood up at attention. "Yes! Um the Heretics War ended with the destruction of the invading monsters as well as the deaths of the Prophetess and her two generals, a woman named Blue Lotus and the infamous thief, Fouquet. The aftermath of the war was that in addition to new leadership for Gallia, all of the countries of Halkeginia have better political standing with one another and some countries are now friendly with the elves."

"You forgot that Albion was destroyed and the remnants of its land off the coast is now covered in death crystal. Minus ten points." Eleonore said causing Marcus to shiver in terror before taking his seat once more. "Now then, we'll continue this quiz tomorrow; I believe you all now have Miss Zerbst's class in the courtyard next. Good luck summoning your familiars!"

Hearing her dismiss them the class of students began packing their bags and heading out of the classroom, except for a blond haired, slightly muscular boy who walked up the back of the classroom and stopped between Mimi and Marcus. "Wow man, your mum really does run you ragged, huh?"

Marcus looked at the boy and sighed. "I just wish she wouldn't pick on us so much, not that you seem to have to worry, Devon."

"Yeah, she ignored you." Mimi added as she finished packing her quill and ink into her bag. "Shall we get down to the courtyard? Miss Zerbst will kill us if were late for summoning our familiars."

"Hahaha, yes she would, and we don't want that!" Devon said loudly as he patted Marcus on the back and threw his bag over his shoulder.

Following him, out the three friends took only a short while before they sat on the cool grass of the courtyard, waiting for their teacher Miss Zerbst to arrive and begin their class. Before anyone could speak up or start a conversation, the impossible to ignore, dark skin and luscious curves of their teacher, Miss Zerbst, could be seen walking calmly across the courtyard toward them, stopping only when in front of them all. "Alright everyone! "Miss Zerbst called gathering what little attention was not already upon her (or her body). "We will now begin the summoning of everyone's familiars. Please remember that this is considered a sacred ritual and do not speak while others are summoning. You wouldn't want to lose focus so don't make other lose focus. Following tradition we will be starting with the lowest born students, so let's begin!"

Devon, Marcus and Mimi joined the class in a short applause as the summoning began. Turtle, Dove, Snake, Parrot, Bear, the list went on as students summoned their familiars, and soon only Marcus, Devon and Mimi remained.

"Looks like I'm next, wish me luck!" Devon said as he stood up and walked over to Miss Zerbst who looked him over before speaking.

"Devon De Gramont, you may summon your familiar, with luck it may surpass your fathers."

Devon nodded and pulled out his wand, pointing it to the magic circle drawn on the grass. "By my family's blood and honour, I summon thee to my side. Serve me in both life and death and let your purpose not falter. Answer my call!" Devon roared, catching Miss Zerbst and all the surrounding students by surprise at how loud his summoning was. Within a second of finishing, the large armoured backside of an armadillo crawled out of the ground in front of him, its shell hard and sleek, and its tail covered in flanged spines. The armadillo shuffled over to him and allowed him to complete the contract.

Sitting back down with Marcus and Mimi the both of them nodded to him as Marcus stood up. "My turn.

"Marcus De la Vallière, you may summon your familiar." Miss Zerbst said quietly without making eye contact. Did she want to say something?

Marcus nodded and looked back at the school, knowing for sure his mother was watching him in one form or another as he turned back to the circle and began chanting quietly. "By my family's name, I call upon you, my fated familiar, to answer my call and appear forth before me. I know no weaknesses and my honour will hold up what my power cannot, so I now call upon you, in the name of the Vallière, come forth!"

As Marcus's words left his lips the air of the courtyard grew gold, and bits of frost began appearing on the blades of grass. Students began getting up to keep themselves warm causing frost to then appear on their hair and shoulders as they did. The grass of the magic circle froze complete solid and out of it, grew a massive spire of pure white ice. The ice then began changing shape and in a few moments had formed a nine foot humanoid shape devoid of any kind of head. The creature stood before him as he completed the contract, noticing that the creature's icy body felt only slightly cool to his lips.

"An Ice Hulk. Not bad, Vallière." Miss Zerbst said approvingly as Mimi stood up and walked to the circle, Marcus having sat back down by the time Miss Zerbst had finishes speaking to him. Seeing Mimi standing before the circle Miss Zerbst smiled. "Little anxious, princess?"

Mimi shook her head rapidly. "No, I'm ready!"

Miss Zerbst smiled at her again; she could easily tell that she was nervous. "Alright Mimi De la Tristian, you may begin when ready!"

Mimi nodded and looked at the magic circle. Her friends had summoned good familiars, and it was her duty as Tristanian royalty to get a good familiar as well. "I am Mimi De la Tristian, princess of Tristania. I call upon you, my fated servant to come forth and bind yourself to me in holy contract. I ask you, no I order you, respond to my contract and appear before me!"

As Mimi finished a small light appeared in the center of the circle and out of it sprouted a small tree made entirely of Opal. Atop it sat a great hawk, its body similarly colored to the opal. Without a second thought the opal hawk hopped off of the tree and landed on Mimi's Shoulder, bending over so she could kiss it on the end of the beak and complete its contract with her.

Miss Zerbst nodded her head and stepped forward as Mimi backed away from the circle and sat down. "Alright everyone, good job summoning your familiars. The rest of today and all of tomorrow are free days for you to get to know your familiars. I hope all goes well for you!"

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"Not a bad summoning at all," Mr. Colbert said as Miss Zerbst came into his office and closed the door behind her.

"They all tried hard, and it would have been embarrassing if any of them had failed." Kirche said as she walked up to Mr. Colbert's desk and hopped up onto it, making sure her legs were visible to him.

Forcing his gaze to not fall on Miss Zerbst's legs Mr. Colbert continued to stare out of the window. "Times like this are when it feels good to be headmaster, though I'm still not sure if I'm cut out for this position."

"Oh, and like I was cut out for taking your old teaching position, Jean?" Kirche said alluringly. "You're doing fine. In these last few years we both have taken to our positions well, you worry too much."

"Maybe, but at least I have reason to, Miss Zerbst." Mr. Colbert said, his tone shifting from happy to nervous.

Kirche scowled and slid off of the desk before walking up beside him, making sure to press up against his side. "I know I've asked you to call me by name when we're in private, Jean. . . . . . Are you worried about the Gilded Cage meeting last week?"

Mr. Colbert nodded shallowly. "Suddenly finding out that Gallian knights caught someone they believe to be a Crystalist after not having seen nor heard of them in almost twenty years is not a good sign."

"It could have just been a straggler holding on to dead ideals. They're gone." Kirche said as she leaned over and planted a kiss on Mr. Colbert's lips, and act he happily returned.

"I hope so. The last thing we need is more of that madness. It would be best if things just stayed how they were." Mr. Colbert managed to say as he and Kirche began exchanging passionate kiss after passionate kiss.

"Indeed, but let's forget about that for a bit, hmmm?" Kirche said as she pushed Mr. Colbert against the window sill, her thighs pressing against his legs, and her breasts against his chest.

Mr. Colbert smiled as his hand ran up Kirche's side. "Yes, lets."