A/N: For those of you who are wondering, YES, there will be stuff from Cray making their way onto Halkeginia. It's just that the first several chapters didn't have much reason to have stuff from Cray. Not going to say what things are coming over from Cray, or that would ruin the fun.
Also I'm going to change some stuff from the anime plot since that means things will be boring and predictable if do. Where I can and deem fit of course. Chapters may take more time to come out since I have to think about things I am changing.
Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 9
It's been a day since Fouquet's attack and it was all the students could talk about. I was currently standing by Louise who was seated at her spot with Kirche and Tabitha next to us. It was study hall and the class had the time to themselves as long as they stayed in the classroom.
The incident with Fouquet had stirred an uproar in the school and with the palace. Apparently the so called Staff of Destruction that Fouquet stole was powerful enough to kill a dragon in one shot. I am no expert in the weapons nor the types of magic in this world, but I'm familiar enough with dragons to know that weapons to kill them so easily are not easy to come by.
My thoughts turned back to Fouquet. To command such a large golem meant that she had to have been a strong earth mage. But even then, it was not powerful enough to break into the vault. She appeared to have her golem attack the vault so that she could make a quick getaway. However, the golem's fist stopped in midair, like a barrier was protecting the vault.
Then Louise's spell… It made a large crack in the vault wall despite the barrier. This proved my thoughts on Louise. Although she cannot cast spells properly, she is able to use magic on some level in the form of explosions. But from what I was informed the vault was protected by magic cast by square class mages. Louise is considered a dot mage since she can only cause explosions. Technically, this meant she should have been a very weak mage, yet her 'failed' spell broke through the barrier. Explosions are by no means weak but a simple one being able to destroy a powerful barrier didn't make sense to me.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I failed to notice Louise calling my name.
"Amos?" Louised called. "Amos!"
My eyes widened in realization before I looked to her.
"What's wrong?" asked Louise, her eyes filled with worry.
"Nothing." I replied. "Just thinking about Fouquet."
"That's no surprise." Kirche said. "Speaking of which, I also heard that Princess Henrietta may have to take responsibility for the robbery."
"What?! Why?!" Louise panicked.
"It was because of her presence that the guards of the vault had to move to the courtyard to guard Her Highness. They believe that was why the Staff was so easy to steal." I explained.
"Not only that, Princess Henrietta ignored her advisors to attend the event." Said Kirche.
"No way…" Louise said in disbelief. "It's my fault…"
Kirche raised an eyebrow at this.
"What do you mean?"
"Louise is the Princess's best friend." I told Kirche.
"You're lying!" she exclaimed. "The Zero is good friends with the Princess?"
"That's right!" Louise huffed arrogantly. "Someone like you isn't worthy to be graced with her presence!"
This ticked Kirche off.
"What did you say?!" she yelled angrily. At that moment, Colbert entered the room with a look of urgency.
"Miss Valliere! Miss Tabitha!" he called. "Please come to the Headmaster's office immediately!"
Osmond's Office
When Louise, Tabitha and I made it to the Headmaster's Office, all the teachers were there as well. An elderly man with a long white beard sat at his desk expecting us. This must be the Headmaster, Osmond.
For some reason, Kirche came along as well.
"Why are you here?!" Louise whispered harshly at Kirche.
"Why not? I'm interested in what's going to happen." Kirche replied.
"Ahem, if I may have your attention…" The woman with green hair in a ponytail with glasses said. "After questioning the townsfolk, we learned that there were sightings of a suspicious person in a cloak entering and leaving the woods on multiple occasions. We sent people to take a look and there's an abandoned cabin deep in the woods."
"Good work, Miss Longueville." Osmond said.
"Should we not report this to the palace, then?" Colbert asked. "The Royal Guard should be able to handle it."
"By the time troops from the Palace come, Fouquet will have escaped by then." I reasoned. Osmond nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Therefore, we must retrieve the Staff of Destruction ourselves." Osmond then turned to us. "This is also why I have called you children here. I ask that you lend us your strength."
They want us to deal with a criminal? They're adults and putting the responsibility on the shoulders of kids barely sixteen years old! What kind of example are they setting for the students?!
"I'll do it!" Louise said, raising her wand.
"I'll go as well." Kirche followed. "I can't let a Valliere take all the credit."
Tabitha raised her staff as well. Even Tabitha is willing to go through with this?
"Excellent." Osmond said. "We'll leave it to you three."
I stepped forward.
"And why is it the teachers cannot accompany us?" I asked. The other teachers including Colbert fidgeted where they stood.
"Well…. Uh…" one teacher said.
"I saw what that thief was capable of and…."
I gritted my teeth.
"In other words, you are all cowards." I said angrily. "You people are teachers, the examples being set for these students. Yet, when there's trouble, you give the responsibility to the kids. I'm disgusted."
My words pierced them deeply, causing Louise to gasp at me.
"Amos! Watch your tongue!" she exclaimed. I looked down at her before turning my back to them with my arms folded. Louise frowned.
"Amos…" she whispered.
"Sir Knight." Osmond said. "While what you are saying might be true," He glared at the teachers, making them back up before he continued to speak. "Understand that the kids are not as helpless as you think. Miss Tabitha is a Chevalier Knight at such a young age, for example."
Louise and Kirche's eyes widened greatly at this. I was taken back as well.
"A knight?!" Louise said in surprise.
"Is it true, Tabitha?" Kirche asked. All she got was a nod from Tabitha's head. A titled knight at her age was unheard of, even back on Cray! There may have been young soldiers at that age but even they were not properly titled until they reached past their twenties. I was titled at eighteen due to my skills, but sixteen? Just what was this young girl capable of?
"On top of that, Miss Zerbst's family is well known for their military history and might." Osmond continued. "Her fire magic is exceptionally strong as well."
Kirche raised her head high in pride at Osmond's words.
"And Miss Valliere is… well…" Osmond trailed off. Louise looked at him angrily, realizing why he had trouble coming up with something to say.
"Ah, yes! Her family has many esteemed mages and her familiar is a mage knight with strength greater than that of Triangle-class mages!" he said quickly.
"That's right! He's the legendary Gand-" Colbert said before stopping himself mid-sentence. My eyes narrowed at his behavior. He called me legendary… A legendary what? What was the reason for this? I'll have to have a talk with him. My stare did not by him unnoticed, as he panicked at my gaze. It went by unnoticed by those in the room, however.
Longueville stepped forward.
"I'll guide them, Headmaster." She said.
"You would do so, Miss Longueville?" Osmond asked.
"I had intended to from the start." Longueville replied. I noticed the slight change in her tone of voice. It sounded almost like it was part of a plan. Her green hair was bothering me greatly as well. If I was not mistaken, Fouquet also had green hair. She could be… No, I can't jump to that conclusion yet. The answer will present itself in time. But I knew one thing for sure.
Longueville couldn't be trusted.
In the woods…
We rode on a carriage with Longueville at the reins. The woods weren't very thick but it did stretch for quite a few miles, easy to get lost in if you went out too far.
During the hour spent riding to the destination, Kirche had been complaining non-stop. The girl needed to learn patience, seriously.
"Ahhh…. I'm bored…" Kirche moaned.
"We're almost there. Patience." I told her.
"Yeah, Zerbst! Quit annoying everyone with your whining!" Louise said. "If you have complaints then why are you even here?!"
Kirche laughed a little before forcing herself to a seat next to me. Very closely.
"Isn't it obvious? I get to spend time with my Darling!" she giggled as she pressed her chest onto me. I sighed at her approach but didn't make any attempts to move her away. I've given up trying to get her give up on me but she is much too stubborn. She can flirt all she wants but she won't get anything from me.
Louise on the other hand…
"What do you think you're doing to Amos?! Get off him you wench!" she demanded.
Kirche didn't take being called a "wench" very lightly.
"What did you call me?!" she replied angrily. Both of them were now glaring at each other with their foreheads touching, sparks seeming to crackle in the space between both their eyes.
"Enough." I said, pushing the two away. "We did not come here to fight."
Louise huffed angrily and turned her back to me while Kirche pouted and resumed her position next to me. Honestly, these girls were more trouble than the hotheaded recruits in the Sanctuary.
My thoughts turned back to Fouquet. If she was capable of magic then that meant she was a noble. Did this mean that not only are nobles corrupt, but they also abused their powers in this manner?
"Louise. If Fouquet is able to use earth magic of that level, she must be a noble right? Is it normal for nobles to abuse their powers to even thievery?"
Louise looked back at me before pondering for a bit.
"It's not impossible, but Fouquet could also be a disgraced noble. She may have lost her status and is now using her power to commit crimes."
A disgraced noble… That would certainly make sense as to why she robs other nobles, to regain some of her riches. Still, if that were the case, how did she gain knowledge of the Staff of Destruction inside the school vault? Until now, the cases involving her were all robberies against nobles. So why turn to the school? The only possible way is if she was able to get information inside the school through someone with knowledge of the vault.
I froze and my eyes widened in realization before I glanced over at Longueville, her back turned to us. If she really was her, then…
"We're here." Longueville said as the carriage stopped. Several meters away was an old looking cabin that looked ready to collapse. We got off the carriage and made our way behind some bushes closer to the cabin.
"So that's it? Not a very good place to be hiding in." Kirche said.
"A concealing spell cold have been cast on it to make it look like that." Louise suggested. "Let's go check it out."
"I'll go have a look around in case Fouquet comes by should she not be in the cabin." Longueville said.
My eyes narrowed at her suspiciously.
"I'll stay with the carriage." I volunteered. "You three go take a look."
The girls nodded before scurrying over to the cabin. As they did so, Longueville turned to leave toward the other side of the woods.
"Where are you going, Miss Longueville?" I asked suddenly. She turned around, looking at me in surprise before letting out a small nervous laugh.
"What do you mean, Sir Knight? Did I not inform that I would scout the area?"
"Don't test me, Fouquet."
Longueville's eyes widened in shock.
"W-What?"
"You are Fouquet." I stated.
Longueville nervously laughed again.
"What are you talking about, Sir Knight? There's no way I could possibly be-"
"Then why personally guide us?" I interrupted. "Why would you volunteer to be the one to stay behind away from our sight to scout the area?"
"What… What are you getting at?" Longueville asked.
"Fouquet has always targeted nobility for her robberies. So why would she suddenly switch her target to something within the school vault? Where did she get that information? The answer is that she got it from within the school, which meant she is someone working there. And the only way she would be able to get that information on the Staff of Destruction's location is if she was able to get it out of someone who had that information."
I drew Derflinger and pointed him at her.
"And from what I gathered after investigating the Staff of Destruction, Osmond was the only one who knew about it until now which meant that the only person closest to Osmond at all times is his secretary."
Longueville grew silent, standing where she was like a statue. No doubt she was in shock at how I easily deduced her identity.
A wide grin appeared on her face before she began to laugh; only it wasn't out of nervousness this time.
"I should have known you would cause me this much trouble, as expected of a Gandalfr." She said. Longueville removed her glasses and let down her hair, her locks identical to that of Fouquet. Her statement was plaguing my thoughts. Gandalfr? That sounded like what Colbert was trying to say.
"Gandalfr?" I repeated.
"It's nothing you should be concerned with." She ignored my question. "But you should be when I crush those brats!"
She raised her wand and the rocks and dirt swirled into the air near the cabin, forming her fifteen meter tall golem. Its fist was already raised, aimed at the cabin.
"Stop!" I yelled, my armor already forming. I raised Derflinger and swung at the golem from afar, shooting a crescent-shaped energy wave that exploded upon making contact with its fist. The force from the impact blew away the roof of the cabin, revealing the girls inside who were looking at the golem in surprise. In Tabitha's arms was a long purple case. Inside must be the Staff of Destruction.
"What's going on?!" Kirche panicked.
"That's Fouquet's golem!" Louise remarked.
Tabitha stared at the golem, appearing to analyze it.
"You brats are dead!" Fouquet claimed before commanding her golem to attack again. Tabitha stepped forward and raised her wand at it.
"Nied, Iss, Har…" she chanted. Large amounts of air currents swirled around her staff before firing off as a small tornado at the golem. Although it was certainly a strong wind spell, it had little effectiveness against a golem of that size.
Kirche took her turn next, her wand already raised.
"In, Ex, Bet, Flame…" Kirche chanted. "Fire!" When the word left her mouth, a stream of fire burst from the tip of her wand, enveloping the upper body of the golem. It staggered a few times from the sheer amount of flames covering it, but with a swipe of its arm the flames were extinguished.
"Ha! Is that all you kids got?" Fouquet mocked.
"Ugh! We're no match for it!" said Kirche. Tabitha, realizing the situation they were in, brought her fingers to her mouth and whistled which caused a loud screech to respond to her call. Overhead was her dragon flying down to the ground for her and the girls.
"Amos!" Louise called. I stood amidst the dust and dirt, coughing at the large quantities in the air.
"I'm fine! Just get to safety!" I told her. She shook her head.
"No! I want to fight with you!" she replied. Louise made her out the cabin and confronted the golem, her wand raised.
"And just what do you hope to do, girl?" Fouquet asked. Louise gave her a glare before swing her wand, a small little explosion barely making a dent on the golem's chest.
"It's no use, Louise! Run!" I commanded. Again, she shook her head in denial.
"I won't run! I'm a noble! And you don't call nobles because they can use magic; you call them nobles because they don't turn their back to an enemy!"
Louise drew the sword on her back.
"I won't be called Louise the Zero forever!"
Stubborn girl, but her courage was great and admire her for that. Still, her magic isn't strong enough to take the golem down and a sword that didn't have capabilities like mine would be useless against it.
"You would throw your life away for a dumb reason like that?" Fouquet said as the golem raised its fist above Louise. "Then die already!"
Louise responded with a shout before running at the golem's foot, swinging her sword down on it only for it to snap in half.
"No way!" Louise exclaimed.
The sword must have been cheaply made if it broke so easily just from attacking stone, and from being swung by a girl of Louise's strength. It never broke during our training sessions since I never swung at Louise with much strength and now Louise is defenseless.
"Ha! How pointless! Crush her, golem!" Fouquet laughed before the golem's fist came crashing down at Louise. I sprung forward at a great speed, grabbing Louise out of the way. The ground shook when the golem's fist crashed down, sending rocks and dirt into the air.
As I picked Louise and myself off the ground, I grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face me with an angry expression on my face.
"Amos…" she muttered. "I-"
She never got to finish as I slapped her face. Holding her cheek, she looked at me with tears threatening to pour out her eyes. I met her gaze with a stern look.
"You could have been killed." I berated her. "Nothing is noble about dying."
Tears were now streaming down Louise's face while she looked at the ground, shaking.
"What do you know?!" she yelled in frustration. "People always make fun of me because of my abilities… And it's frustrating! How can I stand tall if they hear that I ran away?!"
"Louise…" I whispered. A shadow was cast above us, bringing my attention overhead. Fouquet's golem was preparing to crush us again.
I picked up Louise who was unable to move due to her mental state and jumped out of the way. Quickly getting back on my feet, I rushed over to Tabitha and Kirche who were currently riding Tabitha's dragon.
"Louise!" Kirche said upon seeing Louise covered in dirt and in tears. I lifted Louise up to her.
"Take care of her." I told Kirche. She nodded before hoisting Louise up on the dragon.
"Get on." Tabitha said. As she did so, Fouquet's golem poised to strike.
"No, go on ahead." I told her. Wasting no time, Tabitha commanded her dragon to take off. I jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding the golem's fist. I recovered my footing and charged forward to slash at its leg. I made clean cut causing the dismembered limb to crumble to dirt. This made Fouquet laugh.
"It's useless! No matter how much you hack away at it, you'll never defeat my golem!"
No sooner did she say those words, the dirt from the ground rose up and swirled around where the golem's leg used to be, forming a new one. She's right. Unless I can utterly destroy the golem's whole body, it will keep regenerating itself endlessly. I can't use a strong energy wave either since the golem doesn't emit any magical energy. What am I supposed to do?
Meanwhile, on Tabitha's dragon, Louise suddenly grabbed the case containing the Staff of Destruction.
"What are you doing?!" Kirche yelled.
"There must be something I can do! Let me down!" Louise demanded. She then jumped off, leaving Tabitha with no choice but to break her fall with a Levitation spell. Louise opened the case and took out whatever was inside. I looked over to her wondering what she was doing back on the ground. Then I saw what the Staff of Destruction looked like.
I felt my blood run cold.
The "Staff of Destruction" looked like a large rifle composed with white, silver, and black metal. At the very back of the rifle was a large yellow pack that appeared to store something within. A large red jewel was embedded in the center of the rifle. There was no mistake. The "Staff of Destruction" was not just some magical item. It was a weapon from my world. More specifically, a weapon of theirs.
"Oi, Partner! What's wrong?" Derflinger asked.
"That's…" I trailed off.
That was the beam rifle of the Unrivaled Star-Vader, Radon. What was it doing in this world?!
"W-What is this?!" Louise exclaimed as she examined the beam rifle.
Fouquet turned around to see Louise holding Radon's rifle.
"It's useless girl. Even I cannot use it." She said. Of course you can't use it. It's not just some magical item you people can use.
"The Staff was your only hope of defeating me and it's useless to you! You will die here along with your knight friend!"
Fouquet's golem turned around to walk towards Louise. Instead of running, Louise tried waving the rifle like a wand.
"What's wrong with this thing?!" she yelled in frustration.
"Louise!" I called before running over to her. There was no time to wonder about Radon's rifle. Right now, it was our only hope of stopping Fouquet's golem.
I grabbed the rifle from Louise, causing the runes on the back of my left hand to glow. Suddenly, information poured into my mind. It was knowledge about the weapon, where it was made, how to use it, everything. Aside from how to use it, the rest of the knowledge was nothing new to me.
"This isn't a magic staff." I told Louise. The red jewel in the middle of the rifle glowed as I held my fingers against it. The barrel extended and the grip popped outward, revealing the trigger.
"Stand back!" I commanded Louise. She did as she was told before I aimed and fired.
A large red laser burst from the barrel, the recoil strong enough to knock me off my feet and into Louise. I lost my grip on the rifle and it flew several feet away from me. The laser reached the golem, exploding upon contact. Fouquet screamed as she was blown off her now destroyed golem and into the air. Without panicking, she took out her wand and she was soon floating safely toward the ground.
As the dust settled, I lifted Louise and myself off the ground to see the aftermath. The blast had completed destroyed the upper half of the golem and most of its lower body. There wasn't even dirt leftover from its destroyed body; all vaporized.
"Amazing…" Louise gawked.
Indeed it was. This weapon along with its original owner, Radon, was responsible for the destruction of much Cray and deaths of many. I never thought that I would one day come to wield it and it scared me. Images of the war with the Star-Vaders flashed before my eyes, many soldiers and innocents dying. Among the carnage was the silhouette of a figure whose armor strangely resembled mine. No, it wasn't a look alike. I hadn't remembered it since I came to this world nor did I ever want to, so why now?!
The memory showed me a top a pile of bodies, my eyes red with madness.
I yelled in fear, one hand holding my face. My sudden outburst startled Louise.
"Amos? What's wrong?" she asked out of concern. I couldn't reply, for I was too scared at my own memory brought up at the sight of Radon's rifle. This relic of my past caused memories that I wanted to forget to resurface.
Kirche and Tabitha landed on the ground , both of them running up to me. The two girls were startled at my fear-filled eyes.
"Darling! What is it?" Kirche panicked. Tabitha looked at my intensely, analyzing my condition.
"Fear." Tabitha stated, causing Louise and Kirche to look at her in confusion.
Before anything more could be said, Fouquet emerged from the dust.
"I should have expected nothing less from the Staff of Destruction, or is it Musket? It turned my golem to dust so easily." She said. At her feet was the beam rifle which she picked up. I snapped out of my fear-induced trance to see her aiming it at us.
"So it had to be activated by this crystal huh?" Fouquet said as she rubbed her hand over the crystal. "No wonder it wouldn't work when I tried to use it. I have to thank you for showing me how to use the Staff, Gandalfr."
That name again! What does it mean?
"Gandalfr?" The three girls repeated at the same time.
"Oops, I've said too much. No matter, farewell children." Fouquet said before firing. Time slowed as the red doom laser sailed through the air toward us. I grabbed Derflinger and raised him in time to deflect the laser up at the sky. A large explosion soon followed, coloring the sky and everything below it red.
"I-Impossible!" Fouquet exclaimed. Before she could fire again, I had launched forward and struck her stomach with the hilt of my blade. Fouquet's world went black as all the air in her was knocked out, falling limply to the ground. I was gasping heavily, for the images of my past were getting worse upon seeing the death weapon aimed at the girls. Never again. I refused to let any more lives be lost to the Invaders!
"Darling!" Kirche said in delight at my display, ignoring my audible gasps.
"Amos…" Louise muttered.
We stood in silence for a few seconds, my breathing gradually becoming calmer. Finally, I turned around and walked until I passed by the girls.
"Our mission is complete. Let's go." I said coldly, picking up the beam rifle. "Take Fouquet and put her on the carriage."
My tone of voice startled them before they recovered to follow me with Fouquet slung on the back Tabitha's dragon.
Osmond's Office
The three girls bowed respectly to Osmond, who sat at his desk with Colbert at his side. I stood in the back still clad in my armor, my eyes devoid of any warmth which unnerved the girls and the two men.
"Fouquet has been placed in prison and the Staff of Destruction is secure once again in the vault." Osmond informed. "In honor for your bravery, there will be a banquet held tonight with you three as the guests of honor."
"Naturally." Kirche said proudly.
"The Palace is thankful for your efforts as well. I'm sure you three will be rewarded." Osmond said.
"From the palace? Amazing!" Kirche exclaimed.
"Three?" Louised asked. "But what about Amos?"
"I declined." I said, causing Louise to look at me in shock.
"What?! Getting a reward from the Palace is one of the highest honors a noble could receive! Why would you decline?!" she yelled.
"I don't need it." I said simply. "Now leave, I have something to ask Osmond and Colbert about."
Louise began to fume at my tone of voice.
"How dare you talk to your master that way! I'll have you puni-"
She stopped mid-sentence when she met my cold gaze.
"Now." I commanded her. She looked at me in fear before rushing out the room.
"Ah, wait Louise!" Kirche said as she followed after her. Tabitha did the same thing.
With them out of the room, I said, "I'm not someone from this world. When Louise summoned me, I taken from my own world and brought here."
"What?!" Osmond and Colbert exclaimed.
"And the 'Staff of Destruction' is a weapon from my world as well. Where did you get your hands on it?" I continued in an angry voice. Osmond sighed as he closed his eyes.
"I see, that explains it." He opened his eyes to stare down at his desk, reminiscing.
"The Staff of Destruction is a memento from a certain man."
"Certain man?" I repeated. He nodded.
"You see, it was only recently that the Staff came into my hands. It was around a year ago, I think. I was attacked by a dragon and my wand was out of reach. I thought I was going to die when suddenly a bright red light touched the dragon, killing it in a large explosion. When I looked toward where the light came from, there was a man clad in armor."
"A man… in armor?" I asked nervously.
"Yes. It was the strangest armor I've ever seen."
It can't be…
"It was for the most part white with red and yellow crystals embedded in it. He also had a cape at his waist with strange symbols and shapes."
There's no way…
"And his face was covered by a helmet that had a red horn. Floating behind him was a strange black ring that was deteriorating."
Radon! But what did he mean the ring was deteriorating?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"When the ring disappeared, the man began to disappear in an array of red lights. Only his Staff remained."
How strange… Back on Cray, I had fought with Radon. I was sure that he had died since there was no body but never would I have imagined that he came here before he died. But his actions confused me: Why save Osmond's life?
"I wish that I had the chance to learn who he was. You said the Staff was from your world, correct? Does this mean the man was from your world as well?"
I nodded grimly.
"Yes… And I knew this man."
Osmond's eyes shot up to the size of saucers.
"What?! Are you sure?" he asked eagerly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. This man was evil."
Osmond was taken back by this.
"What do you mean? Surely a man who saved the Headmaster's life cannot be evil!" Colbert reasoned.
"You're wrong!" I shouted back, startling both of them. Realizing what I did, I took a deep breath.
"His name was Radon. And back on my world… he was from an enemy nation." I lied. They didn't need to know that Radon was from the army of a supernatural force bent on taking over Cray. "Radon was a vile man. He killed without remorse and destroyed as he pleased. So many of my fellow comrades and countrymen were killed by him." My fists clenched at these memories of Radon.
"So that's how it is…" Osmond said sadly.
"I don't know why he saved you for certain, but he likely saw the dragon as a threat or challenge and killed it because of that. He didn't do it for you." I said.
"To think such a story was behind the Staff of Destruction…" Colbert said as he wiped sweat off his brow with a handkerchief.
"In any case, please keep what you have heard a secret. It's also imperative that the Radon's beam rifle does not meet the light of day again."
"Beam rifle?" Colbert asked. "Is that the staff's true name?"
I nodded.
"You have my word." Osmond replied resolutely. "It would be disastrous for the beam rifle to fall into the wrong hands after today."
I bowed my head in thanks.
"Thank you. One more thing, what is a Gandalfr?"
Osmond and Colbert tensed up at the mention of this.
"I heard Fouquet call me that. You did so as well before we left, Colbert." I said.
Both men looked at me seriously.
"You must keep this a secret, even to Miss Valliere until the time is right." Osmond said.
"Are you familiar with the Pentagram of magic?" Colbert asked.
"Yes. There are five elements: Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth. The element… Void, has been lost for centuries." I said the word "Void" in disgust. From what I've learned, Void is apparently a powerful type of magic with the details unknown due to them being lost over time. But if it was merely a lost type of magic then it couldn't have been the same Void that sent the Invaders to take over Cray.
"Correct. You see, long ago, there was a Void mage by the name of Brimir. He was the one who had established our continent of Halkeginia and the nations residing in it. As such, he is considered to be like a Saint of sorts to us, as we pray to him before every meal."
So that was why the students prayed every meal.
"What are you getting at?"
"The Founder Brimir had a familiar. It was called the Gandalfr." Osmond continued. "It was said that the Gandalfr could use any weapon in existence and had superhuman abilities."
So that was why I always felt better than usual when holding the Blaster Blade! It was the runes of the Gandalfr enhancing my abilities! But if the Gandalfr was the familiar of the Founder who was a Void mage, then that would mean…
"Are you saying that…"
"Louise is a Void mage." Colbert finished. "She cannot cast regular spells because of her affinity to the Void. It is so potent that attempting to cast a spell through regular means is useless, and it results in explosions."
"You understand why this must be kept a secret, right?" Osmond asked.
"If word were to get out that Void magic had returned, then Louise would be the target of every nation on the continent, eager to use her as a weapon or claim her as a god." I replied.
Osmond nodded grimly.
"I know it will be hard for Miss Valliere to go on not knowing she has great potential as mage but it is for her safety. I ask that you will be there to protect her."
Me… protect her? Memories of my time being Reversed flashed before me, reminding me of who I was.
"I… have no right to." I said sadly.
"What do you mean? You're her familiar and as such it is your duty to-"
"How can I protect someone with these hands?!" I yelled, silencing both men. My eyes widened in realization at my outburst. I gritted my teeth before rushing out the room.
That night at the banquet…
The ballroom was packed with students dressed in formal and expensive attire. Many were eating and drinking while having a good time. Kirche was surrounded by the male students asking her of her ordeal with Fouquet. She seemed to enjoy the attention greatly as she laughed in delight.
Tabitha could be seen at a table by herself with a whole pig served to her. Surprisingly, she was half done with it. Where did a small girl like her keep it all?
I stood outside at the balcony, staring out into the night in melancholy. Since I didn't have any formal attire, I was still in my armor.
"What's wrong, Partner?" Derflinger asked me. I opened my right hand to stare at my palm.
"Derflinger. Did you know about this? About Gandalfr I mean."
"Of course. My partners have always been a Gandalfr. It's no coincidence that I came into your hands. It's fate."
"Fate, huh…" In that case, was I fated to always live like this? Forever to be haunted by the ghosts of my past? Not just from when I slew the friends that looked up to me, but even the memories that I had suppressed for so long…
"Amos?" A voice said. I turned around to find Louise standing there in a pink dress with her hair done in a ponytail which was held by jewelry.
"Louise." I acknowledged.
"Is… everything okay?" she asked.
"Yes."
…
We stood awkwardly in silence, not daring to move nor remove our gazes from each other.
"Um, thank you." Louise thanked. "If you hadn't saved me, I'd be dead right now."
"I was just doing my duty as your familiar, nothing more." I said coldly.
"Amos…" she said teary eyed. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't the Amos I've come to admire like a brother…"
I'm… like a brother to her? Some brother I was. If she knew what I had done, would she still be able to say that?
"It's none of your business." I replied before picking up Derflinger and hurrying out the ballroom.
"Amos!" Louise called after me.
I didn't look back as I kept going. I was the wrong person for her to being admiring. I'm no brother, nor was worthy of any praise. Yes, I promised to protect her but I wasn't the one she deserved. I didn't care if she came to hate me. As long as she was safe from the horrors of my past, and from me, that was all that mattered to me.
I stand resolute.