Edit: I wanted to thank MrBirthday for beta reading this.
Chapter 1
It was already night when a sixteen-year-old Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière managed to glimpse the Tristain Academy of Magic for the first time. This far out, Louise couldn't easily describe the Academy; but then, she didn't need to. Her family had her memorize the layout of the Academy before sending her here.
She knew she would find a building with the form of a pentagon, a tower in each vertex of the polygon. One for each element; fire, earth, water, wind, and finally, void. Four of those towers would then be connected to the final tower, which rested in the middle of the pentagon; void being the only tower left out, because there weren't any void users alive.
Well, except for me.
Sometimes, Louise couldn't believe she was a void mage. Since the night she had summoned her familiar, her family had tried to find out more about whatever was wrong with her magic; after all, who could manage to summon a familiar at age ten? Especially taking into account all the disasters that her magic had brought until that time?
It was only a few weeks after the ritual that the void element possibility was brought up. The first clue was her familiar's runes, which were found to be the runes of the legendary Gandalfr. The second clue was her explosions; explosions that were capable of ripping through even square-level protective magic, something that should be almost impossible except for another square-class mage. Something Louise definitively wasn't.
Even with those clues, the possibility of Louise being a void mage wasn't discussed very seriously. Only after a few years, and her family's persistent search for answers about her magic, did something happen that convinced the Vallière family that Louise might be a void user.
One of her father's contacts had found a sapient sword in one of the capital's blacksmiths and had bought it. At the time, the Vallière family had shown itself interested in all manner of magical books or artifacts; as such, the contact swiftly sent the sword to her father. Initially, her father hadn't appeared very interested in the sword. Sure, it was an incredible sword, but it wasn't something that could help solve the riddle of Louise's magic; at least, that was what he had thought.
That had all changed when the sword first saw Louise's familiar and had managed to recognize what he was, Gandalfr. That, together with what they eventually had found out from the sword, Derflinger, had been enough to convince Louise's family about which element she used.
Not that it had helped me any. Indeed, despite finding out which element she used, Louise hadn't managed to improve her practical spell work; after all, the only void user ever mentioned had been Founder Brimir, and he hadn't left any known record of his spells. She had made progress in one other area, though.
The use of magical runes had declined during the centuries; nowadays, they were only used in certain rituals like the summoning ceremony, in the creation of some of the most powerful wards and defense mechanisms, or sometimes in the preparation of certain potions. Yet that was one area where Louise found some success.
Louise rarely managed to create working runes, most of which had been in use for thousands of years, and their effects weren't very impressive. Louise and her family believed these runes might have been designed by the Founder himself, and that was the reason why they worked, but most of those didn't seem like they were made to be used alone; it was like they belonged in a set of runes, hence the lack of impressive effects.
There was a very special rune set that Louise knew was complete and fully functional by itself; the Gandalfr runes. Louise and Eléonore had spent the last few months studying those runes, trying to understand how they work, and hoping they could improve their knowledge enough to develop their own runes. Sadly, that was a slow process.
Sighing, Louise looked away from the carriages window and looked towards her familiar, who was seated on the opposite side of her.
James Alistair Williams was her familiar's name, and he was the closest thing Louise ever had to an uncle; he was almost like Louise's second father. She still remembered the first time she saw him, after she finished fighting with Eléonore in the moments following the summoning ritual. He had been lying on the ground, in the middle of her magic circle, unconscious. For a moment, Louise had thought her explosion had killed him, but then he moved and rose up. After that, her sister saw him as well and swiftly called the servants, who took him to the infirmary.
The first months after his summoning were difficult. He hadn't known the language they spoke, or any other language that the Vallière family had ever heard before, but eventually he learned to speak their language. Nowadays, he spoke it as if he had all his life. He told her he was something of an expert in languages, and that theirs, despite being completely unknown to him, wasn't very hard to learn.
"Something on your mind, Louise?" James asked, looking up from the book he had been reading during the last leg of their trip.
The years had not been kind to her familiar. Louise knew he was more or less the same age her parents were, but he looked older. His hair had turned completely grey, and was thinning; he was completely bald in some spots. His face, almost always devoid of facial hair, couldn't conceal its age and some pronounced wrinkles could be seen on it. Despite it all, Louise couldn't help but like her familiar's face; one dear to her, as was that of any of her family members.
Well, except for Eléonore.
He was dressed very much like her father used to dress, looking very much like a noble himself. On his waist there was the only thing that would look out of place on most nobles; a sword in a scabbard, Derflinger.
"Perhaps the little missy misses her family already?" Derflinger spoke, raising itself a few inches out of his sheath, quillions moving as he spoke. "Especially that blonde harpy sister of hers, you know how both of them are."
"Why you little…" Louise started, before Derflinger seemed to emit a sound like a chuckle and hid himself once again in his scabbard.
James looked at Louise, amused. "You know, it's completely normal for you to miss your family, Louise; after all, you've never been far away from them before." Seeing Louise settling herself once again on her seat, he continued. "And it's alright if you miss Eléonore too, Louise; after all, we all know how much you love each other."
"I don't miss her at all." Louise snapped, as both her familiar and his sword laughed at her. "I just don't see what we can possibly gain by coming here." She said, thrusting her hand at the Academy that loomed ahead.
"We talked about this before. You know why."
"I know why you think so, I just don't agree. I doubt they will manage to teach me magic any better than the legion of tutors my parents tried over the years. At least at home I would have much more free time to study runes."
James sighed. "You know that's not the only reason why we came here. Yes, your parents and I hope that maybe someone at the Academy will find a way to help you, or at least, find some more clues about your magic in the library, but that's not the main reason we have come here. Also, your runes, while better than nothing, don't have any great practical use and you know it."
"My runes work just fine, thank you." Louise snapped back.
Ignoring her, James continued; "You need to socialize with people and interact with others your age. Make a few friends."
"I doubt there's much chance of that." Louise scoffed. "After they find out about my magic, they'll say I only managed to enter the academy because of my family; especially seeing as I will start as a second year."
"Louise …" James interrupted.
"And they are going to, aren't they?" Louise mumbled. "After all, I am going to be seen as a failure, not as a regular student."
Both familiar and master remained silent for a few moments; then James spoke up.
"Louise …" He started out slowly, not wanting to hurt the girl, but at the same time needing her to understand. "You're never going to be normal."
Louise looked surprised at her familiar.
"You're a void mage, it doesn't matter if people out there discover it or not," He said, pointing at the ever-nearing Academy. "If people don't discover you're a void mage, they will think you're a failure, a useless mage that can't control her magic."
Louise looked dejected.
"If you do manage to learn how to harness your powers, they will look at you as if seeing the Founder reborn. The common people will hail you as their savior, even if don't actually go out of your way to help them. Enemies of your family and kingdom will fear you and conspire against you, but never ever will anyone look at you and see a regular person. You must rid yourself of that idea or I fear you're going to be unhappily surprised in the future."
James cast a serious look at Louise; she nodded, and in a moment seemed to compose herself. If anyone looked now, they wouldn't realize just how close to tears she had been a minute ago.
James hated himself for having to dash Louise's hopes, but it was the only way he had to protect her. Otherwise, Louise could have suffered a much bigger disappointment in the future.
A few minutes later, the carriage stopped at the Academy's gates and both of them got off. Waiting for them was a bald, middle-aged man, with spectacles on his face.
"Miss Vallière?"
"I'm here!" Louise answered.
"I'm Professor Colbert, one of the teachers here. Welcome."
Louise and James nodded at that.
"Please follow me, the headmaster is waiting." The professor continued, gesturing for them to follow.
They followed Colbert towards the main tower and after a few minutes, they arrived at the entrance to the headmaster's office. Moving forwards, Professor Colbert knocked twice at the door, before opening it and gesturing for both Louise and James to follow.
Inside the room two desks could be seen; an empty one near the door, while behind the other one sat the person that could only be headmaster Osmond.
Old Osmond, as he was usually known, was an elderly man, with long white hair and a far-reaching white beard. To Louise he looked like an inoffensive old man; at least until he turned his face towards her and she could see the look in his eyes. He managed to have the same look on his face that her mother sometimes had; a look that said he was studying very seriously what was in front of him, studying every detail he could of the person he used it on.
Then suddenly, the look disappeared as if it had never existed, and Osmond spoke.
"Come in, come in." He said, animatedly gesturing them inside. "Who are there fellows, Cameron?"
Professor Colbert coughed. "It's Colbert, headmaster."
"As you say, Collins, as you say; wait for a moment while I find a sweet for the young child." Osmond said, gesturing at Louise, while searching for something in his desk's drawers.
Louise twitched.
Colbert swiftly interrupted. "Ah headmaster, this is Miss Vallière, the new student? You remember …"
Osmond looked stunned for a moment before replying. "This young lady? But she's so small, certainly no older than twelve."
Louise twitched again, gritting her teeth at the same time.
James stepped forward and put a hand on Louise's shoulder. "I can assure you this is indeed Louise de la Vallière, headmaster Osmond. You shouldn't let her appearance fool you, headmaster; she is a sixteen-year-old girl."
"Quite alright, old man, I believe you." Osmond said to James.
James twitched.
"Please sit." Osmond continued, gesturing towards the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk.
After a moment of hesitation, Louise and her familiar sat, while Colbert moved forward and stood tall at the headmaster's side.
"Might I offer you anything to eat or drink?" The headmaster questioned. "Tea? Biscuits?"
"That would be lovely, thank you." James replied.
Colbert, Louise and James remained silent while Osmond looked several times between his guests and the empty desk by the door, seemingly looking for something. After a moment, he looked forwards once again.
"Um, my secretary isn't present at the moment; it seems we will have to do without any treats."
James twitched again.
Colbert took a small step forward. "I will go to the kitchens and have tea and biscuits brought to our guests, headmaster."
"Very well." The headmaster replied.
Colbert swiftly left the room.
"Good man, a very good man, that Cadwell is." Osmond said.
No one replied to him.
"How was your trip?" Osmond questioned his guest. "Comfortable, I hope."
"It was without incident; thank you for your concern, headmaster." James answered.
"Good, good, roads these days tend to be rather unsafe, especially for some older folk." Osmond replied, vaguely gesturing in James direction.
James gritted his teeth, before Louise decided to interrupt the conversation.
"Thank you for your concern, headmaster, but no mere ruffian would dare attack a noble; especially a Vallière, like I." She spoke sweetly to Osmond, as if explaining something to a young child.
Osmond's face took a more serious tone. "Ah, yes, of course your family is very well known; most wouldn't dare attack you, but these days, we never know." Osmond paused for a second before continuing. "Miss Vallière, I must ask you; what exactly prompted you to come here, to our Academy?"
"My parents thought I should socialize more with people my age."
Osmond seemed to ponder Louise's answer for a few moments. "Really? I have to say that I find myself a little confused, Miss Vallière; after all, if your parents really believe so, why didn't they send you here last year, as most nobles your age were?"
Here, Louise assumed a preoccupied face before replying. "Headmaster, I don't know; exactly what did the teacher that was sent to test me tell you about my problems with magic?"
"Professor Chevreuse explained you have some difficulty in actually casting spells. Your perfect score on the written test was enough for her to believe you could be placed together with the second years, especially since you have already summoned a familiar, but she did mention some difficulties with practical spell casting that you would eventually have to overcome."
"I will have to do my best to thank her then."
"Oh, no need," The headmaster replied. "She already spoke wonders of the hospitality of the great Vallière family. I'm sure your parents already thanked her enough."
Louise was about to retort to the headmaster, when there was a knock at the door. Two seconds later, Colbert once again entered the room, followed by a young black-haired maid who brought beverages and food on a platter. The young maid swiftly placed the treats on Osmond's desk, then excused herself. By the time Colbert placed himself at Osmond side, Louise had managed to regain her composure; putting aside her irritation at the old mage's veiled accusations.
"So Miss Vallière, what exactly is the problem you have with casting spells?" The headmaster questioned.
"I … I can't cast a spell without the end result being an explosion."
Both teachers opened their mouths at that, surprised, before closing them.
"Every time?" Professor Colbert asked.
"Yes." James replied. "The only successful spell Louise managed to cast was the familiar summoning when she was ten; even then there was an explosion, but the spell worked."
"Age ten?" Colbert and Osmond blurted out, surprised.
"Yes."
"That's an incredible accomplishment, Miss Vallière; why wasn't Professor Chevreuse informed of it?" The headmaster questioned.
Louise hesitated for a moment. "There are… some irregularities with my familiar."
"What irregularities?" Colbert asked.
James slowly reached out and took off the glove he had on his left hand. Turning it around, he showed it to the Academy members. "From what we discovered, summoning a human as a familiar isn't exactly common."
Silence remained in the room, while James simply covered his hand once again.
"That… that is quite surprising." Osmond spoke absently, looking at Louise.
Colbert nodded, stunned.
"We hope this can be kept quiet, you understand." James said.
Osmond nodded.
"Of course," Colbert said. "I am sure we can do something about it; if necessary we might even say that Miss Vallière already summoned a familiar, but for some reason had to leave it behind with her family. Maybe because of some disease."
"We will appreciate it."
After a silent moment Louise spoke. "My parents hope that maybe someone here will be able to help me control my magic. That is the reason we have come here, headmaster."
"Yes, I can see that." The headmaster replied. "Also, at the same time you will be able to craft alliances with nobles your age, or at least try to. I am not blind, Miss Vallière; everyone with eyes can see how your family has expanded its power over the last few years. Some would even dare say that your family has some most unsavory objectives in mind."
Louise simply exploded; she got up, accidently shoving her chair to the ground. "My family is loyal to the crown and I will not let some witless old fool say otherwise." She said, breathing hard.
The tension seemed to build up for a few moments between the occupants of the room, before Osmond put his hands up in a sign of peace, and spoke.
"I apologize if I offended you, Miss Vallière, it was not my intention." Osmond lied through his teeth. "Although, it warms my heart to see someone so easily demonstrate their loyalty to the crown."
Louise remained quiet for a few seconds, looking at the headmaster. "Don't let it happen again." She finally said, in a chilling tone of voice.
Slowly she reached down to her chair and, after putting it in place, sat down slowly. Not an ounce of emotion could be seen on her face.
"Well then, I believe this concludes our business here." Osmond spoke after a moment. "If there isn't anything else to be discussed…" He half-questioned his guests.
James shook his head at the headmaster.
"Then Professor Colbert will see you to your rooms in the guest quarters. Tomorrow we will see about moving young Miss Vallière to one of our student rooms. Classes begin in three days."
James nodded at the headmaster. Louise remained motionless.
"If you could follow me…" Colbert half-questioned, nervously coughing to get his guests' attention.
Both guests got up and moved to follow the balding professor. James, seeing his nervousness, smiled at the man, trying to be as non-confrontational as he could. Louise, at his side, remained stone-faced.
They found the maid that had served them waiting outside the door. Colbert motioned her to follow them.
The walk towards the guest rooms was silent, filled with some nervous tension from the Academy staff. Soon enough, they arrived at their designated rooms, where Louise's and James's suitcases could be seen outside the doors.
Professor Colbert coughed. "Uh, well, here we are. You just have to choose which room each of you will have. Miss Vallière, if you would like to take a bath, or need anything else just speak to Miss…" Colbert looked at the maid, wondering.
"Siesta, sir." The maid spoke timidly.
"Well, just speak to Miss Siesta and she will be able to help you; she will remain at the servant's quarters at the end of the corridor for this night."
Louise nodded seriously.
Colbert smiled nervously before speaking. "I will be going, then. Good night and… I a-apologize for any…" Colbert seemed to hesitate. "Well, good night."
"Good night." James spoke, while Louise and Siesta nodded at the balding professor.
Colbert swiftly left.
Louise simply chose one of the rooms and entered, not paying attention to either person she left behind.
"Um." Siesta said, wondering, looking at James.
"Don't mind Louise; she didn't exactly have a relaxing night. Why don't you go ahead and ask her if she needs anything; while I take care of our luggage?" James asked Siesta with a smile.
Siesta nodded at him and entered Louise's chosen room. Hesitantly, she walked forward, and seeing Louise seated on the bed called out.
"Miss?"
Louise took a moment to focus her sight on the maid before replying. "Yes?"
"Do you need anything?"
Louise thought about it for a minute before replaying. "I would like a bath."
Siesta nodded and swiftly moved towards the guest's room bathroom and started preparing the bath.
A few minutes later, the bath was ready and Siesta once again joined Louise. After a brief conversation Siesta helped disrobe Louise and both girls moved towards the bathroom where Siesta helped Louise bathe.
Afterwards, the maid brought out some small clothes for Louise to dress in, then helped her dress in one of the noble's fluffy robes. When they returned to the room, they found James already present; reading some book while seated on Louise's bed. Derflinger was poised at his side.
"Feel better?" He asked Louise.
"A little." She replied coldly.
James turned to Siesta. "Thank you for your work, Siesta; we appreciate it, and will call you if we need anything."
Siesta nodded and started to leave. Louise remained quiet, at least until James kicked her leg.
"Hey!" She protested. Siesta turned around and looked at the sound.
James gestured with his head to the still-present Siesta.
"Alright." Louise said. Turning to Siesta she said. "Thank you for your help, maid. Good night."
"Good night, mistress." Siesta answered hesitantly.
Both noble and familiar waited in silence while the maid left. Afterwards, James returned to his book while Louise paced back and forth.
A few minutes later James spoke. "You can explode now, if you want."
"That old witless fool! How dare he accuse my family of not being loyal…"
James turned a page on his book.
"…and did he insinuate that my parents suborned that useless earth teacher …"
Another page was turned.
" …I don't know how he managed to become headmaster, useless as he is …"
Another page.
"…and…are you paying any attention to what I am saying?" Louise asked, glaring at her familiar.
Nope." He answered. "Feeling better?"
"…Somewhat!" Louise said, looking away from her familiar's sight. After a moment, she sat down on the middle of her bed, before letting herself fall backwards, ending with her head on the pillow.
After a few minutes, James spoke again. "Old Osmond has been the headmaster of the Academy for a long time; a position that affords him a good amount of power, and he uses that power to do what he wishes with the fate of the Academy."
Louise turned her head towards James.
"It must have galled him to have to bend to your family's will; to be reminded that there are some out there who have the power to give him orders, even in his own domain. He couldn't refuse your family's petition for you to be tested to enter the second year; he probably couldn't even fail you, not without you making a mess of things. Old men like him don't like to be reminded of their limits."
Louise turned thoughtful at that.
"What partner means," Derflinger said, speaking for the first time since the conversation began. "Is that your parents basically reached down between the old man breeches, grabbed his balls and told to do what they wanted or else…"
James choked. "Christ, Derflinger, could you be any crasser?"
"What?" Derflinger replied. "I explained things in the simplest form I could for Pinky there."
James opened his mouth once or twice, intending to deliver a scorching retort to the sword, before he seemed to deflate. "You know what, forget I said anything; it's not like you care, anyway."
"He shouldn't take it out on me." Louise said quietly. Turning once again towards her familiar, she continued. "I can understand if he truly is upset because he was forced to accept me due to my family's influence, but I am innocent; he shouldn't take it out on me."
James yawned. "Well, yeah, he shouldn't, but he couldn't do it to your parents; you're the only one he can actually "hurt", and even then there are limits to what he can do to you. I doubt you're going to see the headmaster again; except in public, during meals and occasions like that. He won't be bothering you anymore."
"It's not fair." Louise whispered.
"Well, that's the way things are. Not all of those who have power know how to use it, or are fair in using it. In those cases, the ones without power are the ones to suffer."
"Maybe we should change that." Louise replied.
"You shouldn't worry about it for now. Get ready for bed; tomorrow you don't have classes, but the last days of voyage were tiring and we need to rest. Sleep well."
With that, James left.
Louise looked on as he left, and afterwards got underneath the covers and tried to sleep, her thoughts plagued by her familiar's words about power and those that were unfit to use it.
"Maybe I can change that." Louise whispered to herself after a while, and with that thought in mind, Louise finally managed to sleep.
.
.
.
Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency was in a very good mood.
Not only had she got a very nice and relaxing sleep, but now she had found a very interesting piece of gossip; something that would probably help distract that Germanian from flirting with Guiche.
Montmorency had what could be called a gossip network in the Academy, ranging from most of her female friends and colleagues, but also to servants and even one of the professors. That network always managed to keep Montmorency informed about the latest news in the Academy, also helping her keep an eye on Guiche, lest he try to cheat on her.
It was thanks to that network that she had managed to find about one new student in the academy.
Won't Kirche just love this!
A few more moments of walking later, Montmorency arrived at the Alvíss Dining Hall, and after a few seconds, managed to find the people she was looking for. At one of the tables, some of the people who Montmorency socialized with were present, all of them second-years like her.
Blond-haired Guiche, her boyfriend, was seated at the right side of the Germanian redhead, Kirche. At her left, Lukas could be seen seated, and at his left was Malicorne. At the table's opposite side, Marie and Sophie sat down with Jacques between them. Moving forward, Montmorency arrived at their side, complimented them, and seated herself at Guiche's side.
Montmorency started eating and participating in her peers' conversation, simply waiting for the right moment to reveal the news. A few minutes later, almost all themes of conversation were exhausted, and her colleagues were starting to get ready to leave.
Time to act!
"I think you should know, Kirche, there's a new student at school."
The people of the table focused on her at once.
Kirche blinked for a moment before replying. "I think you should have your eyes checked, Montmorency. There's more than one new student at school, Why, indeed I can see a few dozen new students here right now." Kirche gestured towards one of the places where a few brown-cloaked students could be seen in the dining hall.
Montmorency smiled. "I think you'll find yourself more interested in this new student."
"Oh? Why; is it some new, young, beautiful, male around here that I haven't seen before? You shouldn't hoard him yourself, then, I can help."
Guiche interrupted "My Montmorency doesn't have eyes for any…"
"It's a Vallière."
A few moments of silence passed at the table.
"A Vallière, here? Really?" Lukas asked excitedly.
Montmorency nodded, while the remaining nobles started talking all at the same time; save for Kirche, who didn't take her eyes off of Montmorency.
"And how did you find this out?" Kirche asked the blonde girl.
"I have my ways." Montmorency replied.
" …Malicorne, you don't understand; the Vallières are the most powerful family in the realm!" Lukas voice was heard from where he was talking to Malicorne.
"Not as powerful as the crown family." Malicorne riposted.
The remaining students remained silent while paying attention to the two boys' argument.
"Maybe not before, but in the last few years, they have become as powerful as the royal family; some say more."
"No one denies they became richer than they were before; I just don't think they have the political power to be considered the most powerful family of Tristain, that's all."
"Then it's because you don't know anything." Lukas riposted. "Most nobles would be happier with a strong family like the Vallières ruling; rather than to be ruled by a churchman, like we are now."
"Enough." Guiche interrupted the argument. "Be careful what you say, both of you, lest you say treason."
Both young men seemed to realize that the attention of several other tables was on them and nodded, stopping their argument.
They remained silent for a few seconds, while the nearest tables slowly stopped paying attention to them, before Kirche spoke.
"Ah, what should I care that some snooty brat of a Vallière will be entering the Academy; she will only be a first year, I doubt our paths will cross many times." She said smiling, with a shrug.
"Actually," Montmorency started, smirking at the redhead. "I've heard she will be entering directly into our year."
Kirche stopped smiling.
"Not only that," The blonde continued, pure satisfaction oozing out of her voice. "From what I managed to find out, she will be living in the room right across from yours."
Kirche froze.
"It probably is the Vallière's youngest daughter, right?" The brunette, Marie, asked curiously in the silence that followed.
"It's the only Vallière that could possibly come here." Lukas replied.
"Wasn't that the one that the rumors were about?" Malicorne inquired softly.
"What rumors?" Marie questioned.
"Last year, some rumors started being spread around between the nobles that the youngest Vallière was a little simple in the head" Guiche explained. "And that was why she didn't start studying either here at the Academy, or any other magic school."
"Which is an obvious lie," Lukas interrupted. "Seeing as she is here now."
"Obviously." Guiche said, nodding.
The conversation continued for a few minutes, almost all of the mages participating, with the notable exception of Kirche, who remained silent while her colleagues talked back and forth about the new student.
Suddenly, the redhead got up and left the hall, not paying attention to the second years she left behind.
"What is her problem?" Malicorne asked.
"Don't you know anything, Malicorne?" Lukas sighed. "The Vallière's are the owners of the lands that border Germania where Kirche's family, the Von Zerbsts, have their own lands. Whenever there's a war between Germania and Tristain, those two families are the first to engage, resulting in loses to both of them. You could say they are enemies, and in the last few years, the Vallières' power grew while the Zerbsts' power remained unchanged."
"Indeed." Guiche continued. "If there was some war between Tristain and Germania in the near future, the Vallière family would almost certainly crush the Von Zerbsts. I suppose Kirche couldn't be happy to be reminded of that during our conversation."
"We didn't do it on purpose!" Lukas exclaimed.
"I know, I know." Guiche replied.
"There's no reason to worry." Montmorency spoke. "It's been almost thirty years since the last war between Germania and Tristain, and nowadays our relations are peaceful. I doubt conflict of any kind will arise."
"There's always Albion, I m-mean" Malicorne started, stammering. "My parents believe that those rebels can try to do something if they manage to defeat the Albion royals."
"That will never happen." Lukas said firmly. "It's only some rabble that got too uppity for their own good; you'll see soon enough they will be crushed."
"Let's hope so," Guiche replied. "And let's stop conversing about such dreary scenarios."
"My Guiche is right." Montmorency stated. "Let us speak about some happier subject. So, which familiars do you believe each one of us will manage to summon?"
Just like that, conversation at the young student's table became animated once again, while the different mages discussed which familiars they wanted to get and which they believed the others would acquire.
During that entire time, Montmorency couldn't help but think about some of the things that were spoken off during the previous discussion, and how exactly things would change with the entrance of the Vallière daughter into the Academy. Even as she half-heartedly participated in the conversation, she thought about the future, and what she could and should do about it.
.
.
.
Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst wasn't in a very good mood.
This was a rare thing for the Germanian mage. She usually lived her life as she believed life was meant to be lived; one day at a time and as if each day was the last. A bad mood certainly wasn't the way to live life.
Nonetheless, that was as how she felt.
Most people would say she was extremely arrogant. Kirche believed she was only intensely self-confident.
She knew she had a body to die for; she was tall for a woman, tanned and with incredibly wavy red hair. Her curves were in all the right places, and her bust was one of the biggest of the Academy, something she was extremely proud of. Most of the male population of the academy lusted after her, and she indulged some of them; after all, she was young, and sexual pleasure was one of the few comforts she could find in this Tristanian school, in this prudish country.
Her magical power was undeniable. She was a triangle mage, with an affinity for fire. Kirche the Ardent she called herself, both for the heat of her flames, and for the warmth of her passions.
Yet despite all that, she had felt bored the last few days.
Tabitha, the one true friend she had in the Academy, still hadn't arrived from her country of Gallia; flirting with Guiche had lost most of its fun after Montmorency stopped reacting in such a cute way as she used to, and there were no new cute, unattached boys worth seducing. In a way, she had nothing to do but wait for classes to start.
Or at least she hadn't before Montmorency's words earlier this morning. The blonde had appeared at breakfast with a smug smile that Kirche immediately knew was directed at her. The Germanian believed she could handle whatever the blonde was readying, but in the end, she couldn't possibly have predicted what had happened.
The news Montmorency had brought had completely stunned the redhead for a moment. So a Vallière, one of the members of her family rivals, was going to become a student in her Academy?
She knew very well the history between her family, the Von Zerbsts, and the Vallières; some of it marked by the fighting done by both houses during wars, some of it marked by political ploys of one house against another, some marked by the conquests of the bedroom done by one house or the other, all of those happening for longer than anyone could remember. She knew that she had some Vallière blood, just as the Vallière had some Zerbst blood, which was completely normal, given how many members of one family or the other ended up marrying into the rival family during the centuries.
She didn't hate the Vallières; she actually had a lot of respect for them. For her family to have powerful rivals only meant that her family was in itself powerful.
Yet for some reason, she couldn't help but feel angry about this new student; not because she was a Vallière, no, but because Kirche had worked hard during classes last year, and now some girl arrived and entered directly into her class without having spent a year studying at the Academy.
In a way, Kirche was also angry because her family couldn't wield that power over the Tristanian Academy, after all, most of their power was based in Germania; their influence over a Tristanian institution was severely limited. Kirche reminded herself for a moment that she used to frequent Germanian institutions, before cutting off her own trail of thought. She didn't regret anything she had done.
After a few moments, she decided that stewing in her own thoughts wasn't worth it, and leaving her room, she decided to go find the Vallière girl.
The first thing she did was knocking at the new student's room, but after more than a minute of waiting, she concluded the girl wasn't inside the room. That could be a problem, seeing as how she didn't actually knew what the girl looked like; which would certainly make her search for the girl difficult. Shrugging, she decided to walk around for a while until she thought of something.
After walking around for a few minutes, Kirche saw something that gave her an idea. Walking forward, she reached one of the maids who were working. After some small talk, she managed to find out there was a maid that had personally attended the Vallière girl the night before, and where she could find the maid at this time of the day.
Moving swiftly, Kirche arrived at the maid's location, and after looking around saw her. After a small conversation, she managed to find out the broad description of the Vallière girl and her name; Louise.
With that knowledge in hand, Kirche started looking through the Academy for her target. She visited the dining hall, walked the gardens, and even returned and tried to see if Louise was in her room, but Kirche didn't manage to find her.
She thought a little more about where Louise could be before deciding to try the main tower. It could be that the girl had left to go visit the Tristanian capital, but if that happened, Kirche would only manage to find her later in the day.
Entering the main tower, Kirche decided to visit the library first, and there she found what she looking for. Sitting at one of the tables was the girl the maid had described. Kirche moved towards one of the shelves near the girl in order to see her better.
The girl was short. That was the first thing that came to Kirche's mind. Her hair was long and wavy, in a startling shade of pink that Kirche thought couldn't possibly be natural. Her face was young, and at the moment focused on the book she was reading. Kirche moved forward slowly and called out.
"Hello!" She said, somewhat loudly.
"Uha…" The pink-haired girl mumbled, looking up at Kirche, blinking her eyes several times.
Kirche used the opportunity to better study the girl and could only describe her in one way.
"Cute!" She said before moving her hands forward and stretching the girl's cheeks.
"Ah!" Louise replied, trying to throw Kirche's hands off her face. A few seconds later she succeeded. "What was that for?"
"I'm sorry," Kirche started with a smile. "But you were so cute I just couldn't resist."
Louise gaped for a few seconds at her before slowly replying. "…Ok… Please don't do that again."
They stayed like that for a few seconds, looking at each other, before Louise coughed and extended her hand forward. "I'm Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière."
"I know." Kirche replied. Extending her own hand forward, she grabbed the pinkette's hand. "I'm Kirche Augusta Frederica… von Anhalt Zerbst." She said the last part slowly, seeing Louise's eyes narrowing with each word.
The Vallière tried to take her own hand back, but the redhead didn't release her. Frowning, she spoke. "Release me."
Kirche moved faster than Louise had thought possible, and suddenly the pink-haired girl had her cheeks being grabbed once again.
"Even your frowns are cute." Kirche said smiling while she tortured the pink-haired girl.
"Gah!" Louise screamed, before she managed to get free once again and put the table between her and the Germanian.
"It's a shame about your lack of bust." Kirche said, pointing first at hers and then at Louise's chest, smiling. "If you had one you might rival me for the affection of the male population."
"W-What are y-you talking about you l-lewd girl?" Louise screeched.
"Could it be?" Kirche moved forward a little, reaching the table.
"Could what be?" Louise put out curiously, looking askance at the redhead girl.
"You don't know?" Kirche asked.
"Know what?" Louise questioned back.
"Why, about what boys and girls do behind locked doors of course."
"W-what? Of course I… y-you p-pervert, shut up!" Louise shouted almost at Kirche's face.
The Germanian girl used the shorter girl's distraction and once again grabbed her cheeks, stretching them. "So cute."
Louise freed herself once again and moved some steps backwards, watching the redhead all the time.
"My face." Louise moaned, rubbing her hands on her cheeks.
Kirche simply smiled at the shorter girl.
"What do you want?" Louise asked after the pain stopped a little.
"I'd heard that I had a neighbor at school, and decided to visit." The redhead replied, smirking.
"You visited, now shoo." Louise said, making shooing motions at the redhead.
"You wound me." Kirche replied, putting her hands more or less where her heart was supposed to be.
"I certainly want to." Louise mumbled, too low for the Germanian to hear.
"What was that?" Kirche asked.
"Nothing."
Seeing as how the pink haired girl remained motionless, away from her, Kirche moved forward and looked at the book that Louise had been focusing on.
"Runes…" Kirche mumbled, half-questioning, half-wondering, seeing what the Vallière had been reading. She was going to pick up the book when the shorter girl grabbed it out of her reach.
"Mine, get your own."
"Ah, don't be like that little Louise."
Interesting. Kirche thought, seeing Louise twitch at the nickname.
"Don't call me that."
Seeing she had done what she had set out to do, Kirche decided to get ready to leave.
"Well then, I have things to do; bye, Louise. Until later."
"Just leave already." Louise replied bitterly.
Waving back at the pink-haired girl, Kirche left the library. She couldn't wait to see Louise's face when she discovered her room was right across from Kirche's.
The redhead smiled, anger and boredom forgotten. Maybe the Vallière girl had some use after all. As stress relief.