A Call Beyond
Chapter Six: Fear Your Blindness
Louise awoke to find that she was blind. It was not a particularly pleasant feeling. She sat up in the bed she had apparently been sleeping in. She had no memories of falling sleep here, so someone must have carried her here. Looking around, Louise could see white walls made from smooth stone. The color matched that of the linen bed in which she lay. The wooden floor had a smooth texture similar to that of the walls but individual gnarls were still visible. The room was lit by sunlight streaming in from a large window made of paned glass located on the wall opposite her bed. This was the infirmary room, just as she remembered it. Everything looked completely normal. And exactly therein lay the problem.
Louise had not lost her memories, nor were they hazy or difficult to recall. She remembered everything that happened since she made the reckless decision of trying to take on an enemy mage by herself. But what stood out to her most vividly was what she had seen. She had witnessed a sea beyond the sky. What she had barely gotten a glimpse of during the Summoning Ritual, had been revealed to her in full. It was the sea in her dreams, she was sure, yet she had not been dreaming. It had been real. Every as bit as real as what she was seeing now. Was it any wonder that she had stopped to gaze at it as if spellbound?
But more that, it had reacted to her. She had stupidly stuck her hand out, grasping for something she could never hold, something that was beyond her reach. But the sea had answered her call, releasing itself from obscurity, descending upon this world for her and for her alone. In front of such a tremendous show of good will, how should she react? Should she fall to her knees and pray? Was that even enough? Louise did not know and feared that would never find out.
Because the sea was gone. She could no longer see it. She was blind. What was most maddening was that Louise could feel the sea, stronger than she ever could before. No longer was it a sensation only lurking in the back of her mind, able to be brought to the forefront of her consciousness only through immense focus. It was all around her now, the gentleness of flowing water easing her body and mind. The sound of waves a constant backdrop. If she closed her eyes, Louise could almost reach out and feel it. Yet she could not see it. The presence of the sea was so clear to all other senses yet it eluded her sight. And without sight, she could not control it. She could request it, cajole it to manifest before her. But with her enhanced perception, she knew. What little water would eventually emerge was only a droplet in an ocean. She had previously thought that the waters were eager to obey her, eager to cater to her whims. How foolish she had been. The awesome power to command a raging sea was no longer hers. Perhaps, it never had been.
Yet Louise did not succumb to defeatism. She wanted to behold the sea again, outside of her dreams. Even now, just the memory was enough to awe her. She was not worthy? Then she would become worthy. Louise had perceived a Great One. She knew that between them was an endless climb. But Louise vowed to take the first step. She vowed that she would once more gaze upon the World Sea in all of its glory. And what she needed, were more eyes.
(***)
Her immediate and primary concern at least handled for now, Louise began to consider more worldly matters. She remembered everything that had happened up until she had summoned the sea. After that, she was not entirely sure what happened. It's not that she didn't remember, but that she hadn't really paid attention to anything other than the sea. She had called it forth with only a simple desire: Destroy. She hoped that no one had gotten hurt by it. Except the enemy, of course, she hoped he had gotten really hurt. The fact that someone must have carried her back here and that there were no others lying in sick beds in the spacious room gave her some reassurance, but she really needed to find out what had happened. She was pretty sure she had heard the princess even, although that was probably just due to her delirium at the time. Finally throwing the covers off, Louise made her way out of bed and towards the door. She opened it and was immediately knocked down by someone running head first into her.
The waters were quick to shield her fall allowing Louise to gracefully bounce back from the floor. It didn't even hurt. I may yet be blind, but it seems I am not powerless. Quite the opposite in fact, Louise hadn't even expended a conscious effort to bring forth the waters, nor did she have to concentrate to dull the pain. Certainly her connection, and thus her powers, had grown stronger even if the sea continued to elude her sight. It brought her no small degree of satisfaction. So it was a rather pleased Louise that finally looked up to see who had ran into her.
It was a maid who had been carrying what looked like a bunch of towels along with some clothes and what appeared to be bandages. After the collision, she had apparently dropped all of her things and were now picking them up frantically. As she got up, she noticed Louise looking at her with a strange smile. She let out a small "Eep" and began fidgeting uncomfortably. Louise could recognize that panicked expression anywhere, it was the unusually timid maid who woke her every morning.
"Why, hello. Funny running into you here." Louise giggled just a little bit.
(***)
Siesta had never been less sure of what to say in her life. Was that a joke? Was she supposed to laugh and say yes? But then what if Miss Vallière then accused her of thinking that running into nobles was a laughing matter? But is she said no, would Miss Vallière then accuse her of not being sufficiently happy to see her? Siesta needed a way out. She needed a distraction.
"Y-you're awake!" She eventually stammered out.
(***)
This again, Louise thought. She decided not to play along, just this once.
"No," she answered instead. "I'm actually just sleepwalking."
For some reason, the maid became stiff as board. The fear in her eyes turned to abject terror as she stumbled backwards. Louise, naturally, took a step forward. The terrified maid started muttering to herself as if in disbelief.
"No. Not like this…Not like this!"
Siesta dropped everything and ran for her life.
Louise looked in surprise at the spot where the maid departed from before falling into a fit of laughter. To mess with the help like this was beneath a noble like herself, but she couldn't help it. The maid's reactions had simply been too entertaining. Louise idly wondered what she could possibly have done to inspire such fear in the maid, but she supposed that some commoners might just be naturally scared of their betters.
After changing into the fresh pair of clothes, Louise was about to open the door again, when another person entered. It would seem that the maid had regained her senses halfway through her frantic escape and had called the head nurse.
The head nurse was a short but plump woman of some age and with a stern look about her. She inspected Louise with a small frown on the face.
"You should be in bed."
"I am perfectly healthy, though."
"I will be the judge of that. Until I declare that you are healthy enough to be moving around, you will stay in bed. Is that understood, young lady?"
She spoke with an air of finality about her. The voice of someone who was used to having her instructions be followed. Louise decided that compliance would for the best. She gave a meek nod and returned to her bed once more. Upon seeing her safely returned to the bed, the head nurse's expression softened into that of a mother watching over her sick child.
"Really, you should not be moving about yet. That you say you feel fine is nothing short of a miracle. Considering the condition you were in before you were brought here, you shouldn't even be able to move yet."
"And what condition was that, exactly?" Louise inquired, curious. "I remember I had some broken bones and was bleeding a lot…"
"You were damn near falling apart at the seams!" The head nurse answered before sighing. "Suffice to say, you were very hurt when you were brought here. If another water mage had not already provided first aid, you would be dead. Even now, I find it hard to believe that you survived."
Louise grimaced slightly and decided that in the future, she would do her best to avoid being crushed by anything.
"How long has it been since I was brought here?" Louise was starting to become annoyed with losing track of time constantly.
"You have been in my care only since yesterday," came the response.
That surprised Louise. No wonder the head nurse insisted that she stayed in bed. Even Louse could only consider such a fast recovery as miraculous. But she was starting to develop a theory.
"I am a water mage. Is it possible that I may just naturally heal faster?"
She got a huff in response. "I have worked as a nurse for more than thirty years now and have never heard of anything like that. And I should know, since I am triangle class water mage myself. And allow me to state clearly that even if you think yourself a water mage, for the duration of your stay here, you will not cast a single spell. Is that understood?"
Too late, Louise thought, but nodded anyway. She didn't really think that water mages healed any faster than other people, but hoped that it could provide an adequate excuse for what she was increasingly certain actually happened. Back when sea was merely a presence in the back of her mind, Louise had envisioned all her negative emotions disappearing into the bottomless depths. As her connection strengthened, she learnt that with sufficient focus, she could throw away any sensation she felt. The sea would accept them all. But she knew now: The sea was real. Why should it be limited to just feelings that could be discarded. Surely, if the sea was willing to accept something abstract as her feelings, it would also accept her injuries? Louise was certain that it would, and that it was exactly that, which had caused her 'miraculous' recovery. In fact, she wanted test her theory right now, but she doubted the head nurse would let her deliberately hurt herself.
"Say, Miss, would you mind examining again. I really do feel perfectly healthy."
"It's Peltier. Céline de Peltier. And I was just about to do that, give me a moment."
Soon, Peltier got out her wand along with a few tools from the bag she had brought with her. Louise didn't recognize any of them. She was tempted to ask, but didn't want to distract the head nurse just in case the usage of the tools required careful concentration.
(***)
The examination had taken a surprisingly long time. Louise thought that it would have been over with a few diagnostic spells and a few measurements from the strange instruments, but that was not the case at all. Peltier had had her carefully, very carefully, looked over from head to toe. She would cast spell after spell at her every limb, sometimes multiple spells just at one particular joint. This was followed by repeated use of her instruments. Louise wasn't sure what they did, but it had to be something since Peltier's frown was growing more and more severe. Eventually she could not hold back her curiosity.
"Well, Miss Peltier, how does it look?"
Peltier gave continued her work for a while before she answered.
"As far as I can see, you are in perfect health, Miss Vallière."
"Excellent! I told you I felt fine. Then, can I leave now?" Louise asked hopefully.
"Absolutely not." came the swift reply.
"Why not?"
"Because, Miss Vallière, your recovery is too unusual. When you were brought here, you suffered from numerous fractures, internal bleeding and a collapsed lung to boot. Even my magic cannot heal any of those so quickly, especially bones need time to grow back. Until I can fully ascertain that you are indeed as healthy as you seem, you will stay here and you will stay in bed. Understood?"
"Yes, Miss Peltier." Louise eventually answered. She didn't want to stay here with nothing to do, but arguing with the head nurse probably wasn't going to get her anywhere. Hopefully she could at least get someone to bring her some books so she had something to do other than just lying around. Further thought were interrupted as there was a loud, persistent knocking on the door.
"How about visitors?" She asked the head nurse whose expression seemed locked in a perpetual frown.
"Yes, yes, I will allow it. I doubt I could keep that girl out for much longer, anyway." That last part was muttered under her breath, but Louise heard it anyway. "But only for a maximum of two hours. You need rest. I will arrive personally to ensure that you get it." she stressed.
Louise nodded again, paying only half attention. She was curious as to who this persistent visitor was. Surely, it could not be Kirche? Realizing that her patient's attention was no longer focused on her, Peltier muttered something under her breath again, before making her way out of the room.
Now entering the room, to Louise's surprise, was none other than Princess Henrietta. She seemed to have had a short word with Peltier as she entered the room with a steely expression. Her composure lasted all of two seconds after the head nurse left, as she threw herself towards Louise's bed with surprising speed.
"Louise, you're alive! Oh praise the Founder and all his saints, you're alive!"
Henrietta had approached the bedside but had not dared to reach out and hold Louise, afraid that the young girl might break. Louise felt a little uncomfortable, not used to being exposed to such overwhelming concern. From where Louise lay, she was actually starting to become worried on the princess' behalf. Henrietta had dark circles under her eyes as if she had not slept, her purple hair was slightly frazzled and she looked like she had been crying. Louise reached out and took the princess' hand in her own.
"Princess, I mean Henrietta, it's fine. I am fine, really." Louise gave her best reassuring smile.
Henrietta gave a small sniffle before she leaned over the bed, enveloping Louise in a careful embrace.
"You don't know…you don't know how scared I was" she began. "You were so hurt. The head nurse said she wasn't sure you would make it."
At this point, Henrietta quietly began sobbing. But it was tears of relief. Stress that had been building up finally being allowed a release. Louise could do nothing but be quietly smothered. Sometimes, being small had its disadvantages. Henrietta must have realized this as well as she eventually ended the embrace and looked over Louise again. Louise gave a small chuckle at the newfound worry in the princess' eyes.
"I'm not a porcelain doll. I won't just suddenly break. Really, the only reason that I'm still confined to this bed is because Miss Peltier is a stubborn woman who refuses to recognize that I'm in perfect health."
"But how?" Henrietta asked. "It has only been a day since you were brought here."
"Presumably, Miss Peltier is very good at her job." Louise answered with good humor. "But I think that it may also have something to do with my magic." she continued, more vaguely.
Henrietta didn't seem to care about the specifics. "It could be a miracle from the Founder for all I care, I'm just so happy you are all right. When I saw you lying there…"
Louise winced slightly. Lying in a pool of her own blood, begging for the sea to save her, hadn't been her best moment. But Louise focused on something else that said.
"So it really was you I heard. I thought I was hallucinating for sure." Louise said with a smile. "Then, can you tell me what happened? I don't remember a lot of the details."
Henrietta looked uncomfortable for a brief moment before nodding. "It began when we heard a warning of an enemy attack. Osmond came up and said that it came from the academy treasury. I recognized your voice so I ran over there together with my guards."
Upon hearing that, Louise gave the princess a disapproving look which was returned in full force.
"I won't hear a word about not acting recklessly from you. Not a damn word."
Louise was taken aback by the force behind the princess' words, but could understand where the sentiment came from and took the princess' hand in her own once more as a placating gesture. Henrietta did seem to quickly calm down from her minor outburst, but she did clutch Louise's hand more firmly before continuing.
"When we arrived, we saw a massive golem carrying a mage. Well, you know that but you might not know that that mage was the infamous thief called as 'Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth.'"
Louise raised an eyebrow at that. She recognized the name of course, but hadn't realized that it was him she was dealing with. Not that she had any idea of how the thief looked anyway.
"Anyway, when we arrived we also found you. You were…very hurt. Truth be told, I was sure you was dead."
Henrietta seemed about to break into sobs again but held herself back. Years of experience at the court had taught her to hold back her emotions when needed.
"Then, suddenly, you just got back up and then cast some sort of spell. It was like a dam in the sky had been broken, the water just kept coming down. It destroyed everything, I've never seen such powerful water magic!"
That matched most of what Louise knew. Though she was still surprised that the princess had apparently rushed to her rescue. There was also something else she'd been worrying about.
"I didn't accidently hurt anyone, did I?" She asked, letting a little concern seep into her tone.
Thankfully, Henrietta shook her head. "Headmaster Osmond arrived just in the nick of time and shielded us all. The academy itself and some of the surrounding forest weren't as lucky, though."
Louise sincerely hoped they weren't planning on pinning the damages on her. The La Vallière family could afford to pay, of course, but she doubted that her mother would be happy with her.
"What about Fouquet?" Louise asked, partly to distract herself for thinking of how much building new walls would cost but also just due to curiosity.
"When all the water disappeared we found her badly hurt and nearly drowned but still alive. She's been taking into custody. While my guards were taking care of that, I provided first aid to you and then immediately carried you to the infirmary. The head nurse was with you for an entire night before leaving, declaring that there was nothing more she could do. It's only been a few hours since then."
"Such a short time. Last time something like this happened, I was out for a week." Louise gave a short laugh. "I really do feel perfectly fine, though. But Miss Peltier was adamant that I should stay in bed."
"Well, she is certainly not the only one who thinks so! Regardless of how you feel, you are almost definitely in need of more rest. In fact, I probably shouldn't even be here…"
Louise laughed again. "Miss Peltier didn't seem to want you here either, but she said that she wouldn't be able to keep you out much longer."
Henrietta could only smile at that. But soon, her look turned serious again.
"Louise, promise me you won't get hurt like that again".
But Louise gently shook her head.
"That's not a promise I can make in good faith, Henrietta. But I do promise that I will try my very best to avoid anything like this happening in the future".
"I'll take that." Henrietta said in a much more subdued voice. "Now, get some rest." she continued, turning to leave.
"You as well, Princess. You look like you haven't slept at all". She probably hadn't.
In response, Henrietta gave a short nod, looking just a bit tired. Suddenly though, her face lit up a little. "Now, hurry up and get better, we have a surprise waiting for you when you when you are well." she said in an almost teasing tone before closing the door behind her, preventing Louise from asking what the surprise was.
I suppose it wouldn't be a surprise otherwise. She would just have to look forward to it. What she was not looking forward to one the other hand, was playing the part of the bedridden patient until she could successfully convince Peltier that she was as healthy as she claimed. Louise mentally braced herself for some tedious days ahead.
(***)
It had taken an additional two days before Louise were admitted from the infirmary. And only then because Peltier had apparently run out of excuses for keeping her. Louise had been complacent for about a day before she had decided that "needing rest" was getting old. She had since incessantly pestered Peltier, almost daring the woman to find something wrong with her. Eventually, the head nurse was forced to conclude that Louise had indeed made an unusually swift recovery.
As for all the resting Louise had been supposed to do during the first day, she had instead tried something different. Lying down and closing her eyes, she had called the sea to her, reveling in the comfort it provided her, but not falling asleep. It had proven nearly as relaxing as being in the dream and almost as refreshing. After opening her eyes, Louise felt no sense of tiredness but more importantly, neither did she feel the sluggishness of mind or body associated with sleep deprivation. Being able to simulate sleep by lying down, closing one's eyes and relaxing, was a rather useless ability since one might as well just actually go to sleep then, but it confirmed Louise's earlier hypothesis. If it was only the feeling of tiredness she could drown out, then the symptoms of sleep deprivation should remain. But her body and mind had actually been affected in a tangible manner. Louise was certain that with a little tuning, this ability could be applied to heal wounds. In fact, she was sure that she had subconsciously done so after the confrontation with Fouquet. Her simulated sleep state also had the added benefit that, since she wasn't actually asleep, she could just get up whenever she wanted but unlike in the dream, she could still keep track of time. So she could conveniently "wake" when Peltier came to examine her or when it was time for her meals. A fact with which a certain maid was immensely pleased.
When Louise finally left the infirmary, it was with some fanfare. A couple of servants had brought her a dress uniform – clothing typically worn at formal academy events such as balls. Even now she was led through the academy hallways by the very same servants. Curious onlookers emerged to see what was happening, some of them joining the impromptu parade. Rumors of what or who had attacked the school during the Familiar Fair had spread like wildfire. Little was known as the Headmaster had done his best to suppress the incident. But what was known was that a large part of the school walls were destroyed and Louise was involved somehow.
This must be the surprise Henrietta mentioned. But where could they be taking me? Louise's unvoiced question was soon answered as the delegation made their way to the Vestri Court, a rather spacious, outdoors area of the academy. And seated in the middle on a small throne, was none other than Princess Henrietta herself. On her left was Osmond and standing on her right was the ever-stern bodyguard Agnès. Even now, the woman was glaring slightly at Louise. Louise couldn't help but flash an amused smile at the display before carefully schooling her expression back into dignified neutrality.
"Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Vallière. Come."
Henrietta spoke in what Louise assumed was her "regal" tone. It was certainly different from how she sounded when it was just the two of them. Louise did as she was asked and approached the princess with all the noble grace she could muster. Silently, she knelt before the throne.
"For showing commendable awareness by noticing the danger. For showing forethought by immediately alerting others. For showing exceptional courage by engaging the foe by yourself,"
Henrietta paused for dramatic effect.
"And, for singlehandedly defeating and apprehending the infamous thief known as Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth, a triangle class mage, I bestow upon you the title of Chevalier. May your future deeds continue to bring honor to the nobility of Tristain."
A murmur rippled through the assembled crowd. Chevalier. It was a minor noble title, yet it was special in that it could not be inherited, it could only be earned. The title carried with it a different kind of prestige when compared to other noble titles. Holders of the title did not gain much clout in political matters but instead gained an almost universal degree of respect. As a mage, there was little better proof of magical prowess. And now this title had been granted to Louise. She could hardly believe it. But Henrietta was not done.
"It has also come to my attention that your runic name is not yet well known. Allow me to rectify that." Henrietta stood up from the throne and retrieved a small scepter. She then took a single step forward and gently tapped Louise's shoulder once, twice, thrice. For the Founder. For the Crown. And for Tristain.
"Rise, Chevalier Louise de La Vallière, The Great Deep Sea."
(***)
The Princess had departed soon after the ceremony. Louise had barely managed to exchange a word with her and thus was only really able to say farewells. Though she did receive a standing invitation to come visit the palace in the capitol. Headmaster Osmond expressed an interest in having a word with her later, but insisted that it really should be "later" and that she should just enjoy herself for a while. Louise had felt nothing but pleasantness exuding from his tone, but she couldn't quite shake off an ominous feeling. That is, until she actually tried. Still, she really hoped they weren't going to have a "talk" regarding the damages her spell had caused.
She returned to her room, eager to change out of the formal dress uniform that made her stick out like a sore thumb among the ordinarily dressed students. Her pink hair was already characteristic enough. She would have enough time to take a bath and relax a little before dinner. This was just enough time to mentally prepare herself.
Louise was not fond of crowds. In fact, during her entire life, she had had nothing but bad experiences with them. Worst of all, this was completely new territory for her. Louise was used to negative attention from crowds. People jeering at her, mocking her, whispering loudly when they thought she couldn't hear them. Situations like that. Of course, Louise was no longer bothered by such antics. There was a very simple solution: To just ignore it all. Something which the presence of the sea made extraordinarily easy. But this was different, this was positive attention. A lot of students either witnessed the ceremony themselves or otherwise got wind of it and wanted to congratulate her. As a noble trained in etiquette since birth, Louise knew that she couldn't just ignore them even if she wanted to. So she sat there, barely having time for her food, gratefully receiving congratulations from various students. Even some of her former tormentors were quick to offer a few words. She found it amusing how some of them had apparently decided to retroactively have believed in her from the very start. She knew that they did so only out of obligation, none of their congratulatory remarks were heartfelt but neither were any of her thankful words in return. Pleasantries exchanged purely so as to adhere to etiquette, attempting to smooth over any past grievances. Louise didn't hold it against them. Kirche either didn't know the etiquette or just didn't care to follow it, as she wandered over and loudly congratulated Louise on her transformation "from zero to hero". Louise found it to be the most genuine remark levied at her thus far, subtle barb and all. So she thanked Kirche in earnest and only summoned a little bit of water in the redhead's throat causing her to cough uncontrollably. Really, only a tiny amount.
(***)
The following day, Louise made peace with herself and headed for Osmond's office to have her talk with the Headmaster. She was summarily rejected and told to return at a later time. Now she really had no idea what the old man wanted to talk with her about. She passed the time in the library taking up her studies into runes again. She achieved the same degree of success as in her previous attempt: None. She tried looking for Professor Colbert to ask him for help, but she couldn't find the man.
That particular mystery was solved when a servant found her and informed her that the Headmaster would see her in his office now. Entering, she found not only Osmond but also Professor Colbert, the two men sporting similar, odd expressions. Some mix of elation and trepidation. Louise didn't know what to make of it.
"Thank you for coming, Miss Vallière," Osmond began before pausing. "Or should I say Chevalier Vallière?"
Her new title sounded foreign and somewhat silly to her ears. As if unreal. She supposed she would need some time to let it sink in first.
"Please, 'Miss' is fine. You may call me Louise, even".
"Miss Vallière, then. Before we begin, can I offer you something to drink, or perhaps a snack?"
Osmond spoke good-naturedly but Louise stiffened slightly. Was this the customary last meal? If so, she wanted to take advantage of it.
"In that case, I would very much like a plate of macarons and a cup of tea." Louise had always liked those.
Osmond seemed momentarily taken aback, apparently not expecting her to take him up on his offer. He started rummaging through his drawers before eventually retrieving a handful of bonbons with a slight odor of tobacco about them. He handed them to her with an apologetic smile along with a glass of water. No, actually just an empty glass. Louise had to supply the water herself. Still, close enough. Filled with curiosity, she popped one of the sweets into her mouth before immediately regretting it. What followed was a slight couching fit during which Osmond's apologetic smile started leaning significantly towards the apology. He eventually cleared his throat.
"Ahem. As I said, thank you for coming, Miss Vallière. There are some things of utmost importance we wish to discuss with you." Osmond's tone was unusually serious.
Louise nodded, having regained her bearings. She didn't like where this was going. Osmond must have noticed this, as he was quick to reassure her, his usual friendly tone momentarily making a return.
"Oh, rest assured, Miss Vallière. This is not about the damages sustained by the school during the incident. You see, there was a bounty on the thief's pretty little head. It is yours by right, but if you relinquish it to the academy we shall go through the trouble of actually claiming it. From our standpoint this would be sufficient in terms of reparations for the damages."
Louise was quick to give her consent. With this, she could pay off her debt with her mother being none the wiser. Louise doubted that whatever bounty was on Fouquet's head would be enough to cover the damages entirely, but if the school deemed it "sufficient" who was she to argue. Still, something stood out to her.
"'Pretty' little head? Don't go hitting on thieves, now, pretty or not". She knew Osmond had something of a reputation as flirt (albeit not a particularly suave one) but surely, there were limits to what could be considered appropriate.
"Too late for such a warning, Miss Vallière." Osmond spoke with a slight tone of…regret? Colbert seemed to share in the sentiment as he gave a slight shake of his head. "You see, this Fouquet character turned out to be none other than our beloved Miss Loungeville." Osmond gestured at the table beside his, no longer occupied by the green haired secretary.
"Miss Vallière, for allowing such a dangerous person to enter the academy, for failing in my duty as a Headmaster to keep students safe, please accept my sincerest apologies." He bowed his head towards her.
Louise was momentarily taken aback. This must have been something that had weighted heavily upon him. She was increasingly glad that she had made a complete recovery.
"I accept your apology, Headmaster." She put as much graveness into her tone as possible. Anything less would be an affront.
"I see, that is a relief.". A small sigh followed before he looked her in the eyes again. "Then, perhaps we can move unto the main topic: That spell you cast."
He now had Louise's undivided attention.
"Frankly, I have never before seen a water spell with such raw power. Such is perhaps to expect for the daughter of Karin 'the Heavy Wind'."
Louise's mother was famous as a Tristain folk hero. While few knew the real identity of the Duchess de La Vallière, everyone knew the name of Karin the Heavy Wind, said to have defeated entire armies with her signature wind spell. Louise took great pride in being compared to her mother like that, but she doubted that her spell was anywhere near as powerful as what her mother could cast.
"Yes, powerful indeed," Osmond continued. "A triangle class or perhaps even square class spell. Yet that is not what astounded me. The most remarkable thing is that you cast that spell without a wand."
Louise gulped. The cat was out of the bag now.
"Do you know why we use wands to cast spells, Miss Vallière?"
Louise truthfully shook her head. She had never actually asked herself that question. It was just the way things were done. Osmond went on to answer for her.
"We do so because that is how we are taught." He said simply. "The use of foci are meant to assist spellcasting but they are not a prerequisite. Observe."
As he said that, Osmond held out his hand. Soon, a tiny flame sprang to life in his palm. Louise was surprised to say the least, but Colbert seemed downright amazed.
"Incredible." he commented.
Osmond let the small flame burn for a little while longer before it flickered out.
"As you can see, wandless magic is not impossible, a fact which even few scholars know." He gave a nod towards Colbert. "It is, however, a strenuous task requiring the utmost precision. It is not something a mage can do without spending at least a century getting attuned to his magic. And even then, only simple, weak spells can be cast this way. And yet, you wandlessly cast a water spell of power I have not before seen, nary a week since 'awakening' to you talent for the arts."
Louise did not know what to say and thusly remained quiet. Osmond must have sensed her discomfort as he hurriedly continued.
"Please believe me, Miss Vallière, we do not wish to accuse you of anything. Your accomplishment is remarkable, incredible even! Yet it also carries with it certain implications, ones we believe you should be made aware of." Osmond then gestured to Colbert who nodded and took over.
"Since the Headmaster brought this to my attention, I have looked into historical records of wandless spellcasting. From what I could find, there was only ever one other person said to have performed feats of similar nature to yours, Miss Vallière. The Founder Brimir himself."
Louise almost gasped. They were comparing her to the Founder now? Louise looked up to watch the two men. They seemed entirely serious.
"We have since discussed the details among ourselves and arrived at a conclusion."
Louise held her breath.
"Miss Vallière, we believe you to be a Void mage."