Well Ceograch that is indeed troublesome. I'll just assume they get magicka somehow anyway; maybe they're in the same solar system and share the same sun and stars? It'll be one of those questions that troubles you but you just don't ask like 'Where do Pokemon trainers get their meat?' As you said, it's a crossover and stuff happens. :P
And here's the traditional duel with Guiche, with him losing as usual.
Also Louise did indeed summon the entire hold not just the Winterhold city. Since most people back then lived in rural areas, farming, fishing, hunting,etc, the city would have a fairly low population. Also most of the soldiers of Winterhold wouldn't actually be stationed within the city but in castles and forts throughout the Hold.
How many people there are exactly in Winterhold I'm not sure but I have estimates that number well into the tens of thousands as benefiting a prospering Hold that I made Winterhold be.
I forgot to put this in last chapter but the same applies anyway.
Disclaimer: Zero no Tsukaima belongs to Noboru Yamaguchi (May he RIP) and Skyrim belongs to Bethseda.
Louise awoke to the chirps of the morning birds. Rubbing her eyes she sat up on her bed. Glancing to her left she saw a spectral wolf stoically standing guard near her bed. She smiled at the sight.
It was nearing midnight before she finally got the spell. Arlerus had kindly stayed with her and offered advice. He said he was used to long nights and Louise was grateful for his help.
Siesta's familiar had disappeared within an hour; while hers had remained throughout the entire night. According to Arlerus; familiars are not permanently bound to the physical plane and should fade away within minutes of summoning; unless you bound it to something.
Her familiar had remained despite having nothing bounding her and Arlerus was stumped.
While the wolf was completely docile and harmless, unless she bid otherwise, it was still a predator. She could already imagine the looks of her classmates when she proudly strode into the Alviss Hall, her new familiar trailing behind her.
Giddy with excitement and anticipation she quickly dressed herself. Louise rushed down to the Alviss Hall where everyone was gathering for breakfast. Already more than a few servants and students she passed by; exclaimed in shock at the ghostly wolf that escorted her.
The door to the hall was open and the warm aroma of food could be smelt from outside. Louise proudly entered the room, her new familiar trailing behind her.
The ones seated closest to the door saw her and became silent as they stared. The silence then spread throughout the hall as everyone saw her.
Louise sat on her chair, happy to have proven she did have a familiar. Her day was made; there was nothing that could ruin it.
This was challenged when Kirche entered the room and made a beeline straight for her. The quiet Tabitha followed her, her eyes never leaving her book.
Kirche faltered slightly when she laid eyes on her familiar and Louise smiled. This smile disappeared when a similar smile formed on Kirche's lips.
"Louise my dear, you finally managed it! Well done." Kirche cheered.
Despite the praise Louise had a sneaking suspicion that that wasn't all Kirche wanted to say.
"Though you can't have your wolf in here remember."
Louise cursed. She forgot that familiars were meant to be left outside.
"So why don't you let your temporary familiar go. The poor things probably suffering just being near you." Kirche finished.
"S… Shut up Zerbst!" Now losing all her earlier confidence, Louise sulkily commanded her familiar to leave the hall. The wolf looked almost like it nodded before it left the hall.
With its exit noise returned back to the hall, as people started talking again. Louise glared at Kirche who was smiling triumphantly.
"Good morning Miss Louise" turning her attention away from Kirche she saw Arlerus had managed to get behind her without her noticing. One of the soldiers from yesterday accompanied him as he took a seat next to them.
"So did your familiar really last till morning?" Asked Arlerus.
Reminded of her extraordinary achievement, or it was according to the Imperial, Louise nodded confidently.
"And there haven't been any side effects? Drowsiness? Fatigue? Anything?"
"Nope I feel fine" replied Louise.
Beside him the battlemage had a surprised look which Arlerus shared. "Well I'm impressed. I didn't think it was possible to maintain a familiar for that long without bounding it to something. You must have large magicka; excuse me I mean willpower reserves."
Kirche joined into their conversation. "So it's not normal for this to happen."
Arlerus looked at her. "No I'm afraid; so I don't know if there is any repercussions which is why I'm asking about Miss Louise's health, Miss…."
Kirche straightened herself, flaunting her large assets, much to the chagrin of Louise.
"Kirche Augusta Frederica Von-Anhalt-Zerbst." She finished for him.
Arlerus nodded, unaffected by her seduction. "A pleasure, I am Arlerus Jurulonus. Thane of Winterhold."
Turning his eyes to Tabitha he asked. "And you milady?"
Tabitha took her eyes off her book and spared a glance at Arlerus before uttering her name. "Tabitha"
Arlerus waited for the rest of the long name that nobles seemed to favour here. When it was not forthcoming he awkwardly turned away.
"Well, Miss Kirche, I-"
He was interrupted by a large outburst from another table. Turning around he saw Siesta standing timidly as a blonde youngster was yelling at her. Two other girls were seen angrily stomping out of the hall.
"Thanks to you thoughtlessly picking up some bottle of perfume, the reputation of two ladies has been damaged. How will you take responsibility?" The blonde accused as he tried to salvage his reputation after two timing.
Siesta, scared and unable to defend herself, just stood there as she weathered his anger.
Arlerus seeing this, got off his seat and walked up to back up Siesta, his housecarl followed him.
"I…I'm s…sorry my lord. Please forgive me." Siesta managed to get out.
"Listen, maid. When you put the bottle of perfume on the table, I pretended not to know anything, didn't I? Would it have hurt to be a little bit tactful and just go along with it?" shouted Guiche.
The blonde looked ready to yell again before Arlerus stood behind Siesta and placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her. His housecarl stood behind him, his hand on the hilt of his blade.
"You made your point boy. Besides you should be ashamed for tricking two ladies into courting with you. If anything the blame lies with you not Miss Siesta." Arlerus said.
"Exactly Guiche, it's your fault." Guiche's friends shouted behind him.
Guiche, while slightly cowed by the foreigner, would not back down. His honour was at stake here.
"You are that commoner came with the Zero yesterday. You obviously don't know how to properly address a noble." Guiche snorted.
"I see no noble here. Only an idiot boy who doesn't want to admit he's wrong." Replied Arlerus calmly.
Guiche narrowed his eyes. "Very well then I will teach you a lesson about respect. If you have the courage to meet me in combat then come to the Vestri Court and we'll settle it there, commoner."
Arlerus hesitated. He was soon to be representing Winterhold and while he was certain he could annihilate the blonde in front of him; he didn't want to hinder the meeting by beating a noble here."
Guiche saw this and smirked. "What are you now understanding your position commoner?"
His housecarl seeing and understanding his dilemma stepped forward. "My Thane, I am your sword and shield, so I shall fight in your place."
Shaking his head Arlerus denied him his request to fight for him. "No, he challenged me to this and I will accept."
"So you do have courage at least. We'll see how long that lasts." Said Guiche. With that he left the Alviss Hall, his friends following him.
Siesta looked up to Arlerus; a mixture of thanks and concern in her eyes. Seeing her worry Arlerus waved her off. "I'll be fine. I'm more worried about the boy."
Nodding slightly she seemed to regain some of her composure. By then Louise, Kirche and Tabitha had made their way to join them.
"Are you really going to duel Guiche?" asked Louise, not in the least worried about his safety.
"Well I've never been one to turn down a challenge so yes. Now Miss Siesta could you please show me this Vestri Court."
"Ah, yes please follow me." She said as she led him outside. The others following close behind.
"Old Osmond! Old Osmond!" Colbert yelled as he entered the headmasters office. He arrived at an inconvenient time as Miss Loungueville was in the process of stomping on his body.
"And take that… you old… perverted… man" grunted Miss Loungueville between kicks.
"Um… Am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all. I'm just reminding the Headmaster that there are some things you do not do." Reassured Loungueville as she drove her foot deep into Osmond's back. The Headmaster gave a dying scream as he fell limp.
Loungueville removed her foot and returned to her desk. Osmond lay there for a moment before picking himself off the floor; rubbing his sore back as he did so.
"Now, Colbert was it? What is it?" he asked once he seated himself back on his desk.
Remembering what he was here for he startled. "Ah, yes. There's a duel starting soon and me and the other staff are requesting to use the 'Bell of Sleep' to stop it.
"For heaven's sake, There's nothing worse than children with too much time on their hands. So who's involved?"
"That's the problem sir. Guiche de Gramont challenged Arlerus Jurulonos to a duel. We can't just stop them because Gramont managed to insult him and it's now a matter of honour."
"Arlerus Juro- what? Who's he?" asked Osmond in confusion.
Colbert resisted the urge to shout at the headmaster. "The foreigner you met yesterday."
Realization dawned on Osmond's face. "Ah yes. Now I remember him. Quite a polite young man."
Picking up his staff Colbert walked towards the large mirror in his room. Colbert followed him while Loungueville watched closely. "Now there's no reason to interrupt. I believe that young Arlerus can understand that killing a noble, even a forth son, will cause problems."
Waving his staff; the mirror began to show the Vestri Court in its glass. Guiche could be seen standing inside a ring of onlookers. Arlerus was also spotted entering the ring, Siesta walking by him.
"I saw him teaching Miss Valleire some magic too. I believe this might be a good chance to get an even better look at these mages of Winterhold."
Guiche was waiting for him at the court. A ring of spectators were gathering and already placing bets. Unfortunately for Guiche the bets favoured Arlerus as the winner.
Many had seen him trying to teach Louise some magic and were aware that he was a mage. While his magic was unlike any they have seen before; they had no illusions about his skill. Sadly Guiche was not one of these, spending most of yesterday night flirting with Katie. So he was unaware of the skills that the older man could bring to the duel.
Arlerus now stood opposite him, having just arrived. Guiche smirked. This would be a quick fight. His Valkyries would show the faker the price of insolence.
"Well I commend you for coming instead of running away" Guiche remarked as he lifted his rose wand.
"It's rather hard to be afraid of you using a rose as a weapon." Replied Arlerus earning him a few laughs.
Guiche glared in anger."Right then let us begin!"
"Wait… Wait" said Arlerus waving his hands.
"What? Backing out now are you commoner?" asked Guiche.
"No, I just want to know the conditions of the duel? First blood or until one us is unable to continue?" asked Arlerus.
"The latter." Answered Guiche.
"Right then, lets start." Holding out his right hand, a shimmering blade materialized in his hand.
His use of magic did not come as a surprise to most but Guiche faltered for a bit before he remembered to cast his own magic.
He flicked his rose and 4 petals fell towards the ground. Only to become metal 4 Valkyries standing stoically in front of him. They were unarmed and appeared to be made of bronze. So, he's underestimating me. Thought Arlerus.
Arlerus whistled. "A neat trick to impress women. But do you really need to them to fight for you? I though a man fought his own in front of his woman not the other way around." he taunted.
Indignant Guiche commanded his Valkyries to charge. They responded immediately; rushing towards the Imperial at a speed that would have caught an untrained or inexperienced man off guard.
Arlerus was neither as he generated an icy spear into his left hand. Releasing it at the lead Valkyrie he rushed to meet their charge, unleashing a battle cry as he did so.
The spear of ice went straight through the Valkyrie's chest, its bronze body unable to stand against the magically sharpened ice spear, allowing it to hit the one following it; knocking both out of the fight as they fell apart.
The two remaining Valkyrie continued. The one now in front lifted its fist to punch him which he dodged effortlessly, his bound blade cutting through it like cheese. The last Valkyrie retreated back to Guiche where he had summoned another Valkyrie using his last petal.
Arlerus let the Valkyrie fall apart beside him. His bounded blade disappeared as he began to leisurely walk towards Guiche.
Frightened by how his Valkyries were taken out so easily he shaped blades into his last remaining Valkyries. "Stop him!" he shouted.
The pair of Valkyries approached him, cautiously this time, brandishing sharpened blades. Arlerus smirked, purple energy swelled in his hand again as he prepared to summon. Seeing this the two Valkyries struck before he could finish.
Now the Imperial was smiling as he dodged backwards, avoiding the swift swings that would have otherwise cut through his chest. The two had moved predictably where he wanted them, with them this close they couldn't dodge.
His hand got a lot hotter as flames appeared within his clenched hands. Thrusting them towards the two Valkyries he unleashed a torrent of flames so hot that it melted the two metal automatons.
Paying no heed to his handiwork, Arlerus advanced on Guiche again; who was at this stage panicking. He had not been expecting much competition or that the 'commoner' was actually a noble.
He backed away from the man, who had so easily destroyed his precious Valkyries. "No…No Stay way." Guiche pleaded.
Miraculously the man stopped and gave him a malicious smile. He did not like the look of that at all.
The same purple energy generating in his hands marked another summoning. Guiche turned pale as he observed Arlerus send a ball of energy to the ground, only to give way for a monstrosity.
It was feminine in appearance but where skin and blood should be was instead replaced by fire and black metal. A demon from the fiery hells was what he had summoned and by the Founder it was getting closer to him.
Guiche turned to run but tripped on his own legs in his rush. During his fall he saw from the corner of his eye; the Imperial casting another spell on him, but he had no time to think on it when his face met the ground.
Before he could pick himself back up, he felt the scorching heat emitting from the fire demon behind him.
Slowly turning around he saw the face of the creature. Half of its face was nothing but red and orange fire that danced within the black frame that held it together. But it was the other half that got his attention.
He could see the lips of the demon on the black metal that made up its lower face. He could see the cruel smile that promised to bring him into a world of pain and suffering. The entire Vestri Court and its onlookers had disappeared at this point leaving him alone with the flaming monster.
The very sky seemed to have turned dark as it edged closer and closer to him. Distant screams of agony only hinted at what he was going to be put through.
He could also feel moisture in his pants and then he felt nothing at all as it poked him in the head with its talon.
Guiche screamed before fainting and falling over. The Flame Atronach seeing that the fight was finished dematerialized back to Oblivion.
Arlerus was standing over his unconscious body. He wrinkled his nose as the smell of the noble soiling his pants in fear reached him.
"Well, this means I win; Mister Guiche." He stated. He made a mock of a bow towards his downed opponent before retreating back to where his companions were watching him in awe.
Siesta and Louise were looking at him in awe, no doubt impressed by his overwhelming power. Tabitha was no longer reading her book but watching him with a calculating eye, her blank face giving away none of her thoughts.
Kirche was watching him more closely now. Her intense scrutiny disturbing him a little, especially since her gaze was more focussed on the more private parts of the body.
His housecarl was stoically standing behind the ground. His face was unreadable as usual. He nodded in acknowledgement of the battle and gave a short congratulation to Arlerus.
"Well Miss Siesta, I doubt this Guiche will be bothering you again. If he does just tell me and I'll see what I can do."
Siesta blushed as she thanked him. "Thank you, Sir Arlorus. You didn't need to go so far for me though."
"Nonsense. I hope this demonstration had changed your mind about my offer from yesterday."
Siesta shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't accept."
"Well that's a shame but I understand. If you ever change your mind though, don't hesitate to ask. Your talent in conjuration would be a huge asset to the College. Even if I'm not a member there anymore; I can put in a good word for you there."
Being out of context, Louise asked what they were talking about.
"Ah my apologies Miss Valliere. I suggested to Miss Siesta that she should join the College of Winterhold. With talent like hers she would have little trouble attaining a sponsoring for a place in the College."
"Why could a commoner need to go to a college?" asked Kirche as she drew far closer than was necessary to Arlerus.
The Imperial ignored her sudden closeness as he answered. "The magic system from Tamriel is different from yours here."
"Everyone has some magicka within them. It's just that most don't have the ability or the will to actually shape it to their will. So in short terms it means even commoners here can cast magic."
Kirche took it far better than Louise or Siesta had. She didn't seem to care too much about how it goes against the teachings of the Church, though it could be attributed to the less rigid Germania mentality.
Tabitha was likewise unaffected by the revelation. But then the young blue haired girl seemed to be unaffected by anything so far and displayed no emotions aside from the black look she had; or at least not openly.
Louise already knew of his people's strange ways and decided not to question it. He was kind enough to teach her some of their magic after all. So who was she to question it?
However what she didn't understand was why the maid was taking advantage of this offer. For a commoner to learn magic. It was unheard of and should be an honour.
She turned to the maid, who was glaring at Kirche, whose breasts were now pressing against Arlerus's arms, with jealousy in her eyes. Obviously Kirche now had competition.
"Maid, why don't you take up the offer? What could possibly be more important than learning magic? It's a chance in a lifetime." Louise asked, voicing her question.
Siesta unwilling turned her gaze away to face the pinked haired girl. "Forgive me my lady, but I need the money I get from the Academy for my family back in Tarbes."
Upon hearing this, Arlerus gave a big smile. Shaking off Kirche he addressed Siesta again. "If money is the issue then the College can come to compromise. Archmage Motabe would probably be willing to pay you to get you in the College."
Siesta looked shocked at this as the Imperial continued. "He's always looking for new talent and has a plenty of gold and other trinkets stored away somewhere from his adventuring days. I suspect he's hoping someone new would take his place, he getting quite old now; even for a Bosmer."
Somehow this was sounding familiar to his listeners. A head of a school, who is old and has a chamber to stow away his old things.
"He's quite a serious old man now but I heard he was quite the womanizer too in his youth. Don't underestimate him though he was powerful enough to match the dragons and their priests." Continued Arlerus, unaware that he was now going off topic.
Yes, this did seem strikingly familiar. A powerful elderly magician who was now running a school. That happened to have has a treasure trove of trinkets from his adventuring days and was a womanizer in his youth.
Out of respect for him, they young girls did not mention his name to the Imperial who, finally noticing his error, stopped talking.
"My apologies. I like telling tales and tend to get carried away when I start one. Now what was I… Ah right. I'm sure Archmage Motabe would be willing to sponsor you into the College; he has done so in the past for extremely talented students."
The Imperial frowned as he got caught up in his train of thought. "You don't accept Septims here in Halkengenia do you? No… well I suppose he could just give you gold or something but…"
Colbert sighed as the Headmaster went back to fondling Miss Loungueville, only to receive yet another beating.
The description of the 'Bosmer' he had met in the city seemed nothing like what the real article was. They way he was described resembled the Headmaster greatly but he just couldn't imagine Motabe being like Osmond.
Though, he supposed, Old Osmond could be serious when he wanted to. It was just unfortunately that those were rare moments. Were Headmasters everywhere like this? he asked no one in particular.
The loud cry of pain and the sound of Osmond scrapping back to sit on his chair alerted him to the end of Miss Loungueville's 'treatment' of her employer.
"Well Old Osmond. What did you think of that?" asked Colbert. While he had been concerned for his student, Osmond proved right in that the Imperial would not cause real harm. The only damage dealt was to Gramont's pride which was inconsequential compared to his health.
"That was quite a painful experience. Miss Loungueville will have quite some trouble finding a husband if she keeps being so frigid." Replied Osmond. Obviously talking about his 'treatment' from earlier which now threatened to continue as Miss Loungueville got out of her chair again.
"As for the duel, it was quite interesting." Quickly continued Osmond, trying to escape the imminent attack.
Thankfully she stopped and gave only a sigh before returning to her desk. The Headmaster gave a sigh of relief. A small mouse then chose that moment to break from cover and it made a mad dash to the Headmaster's secretary's desk.
"Young Arlerus was quite the water mage, definitely Line class maybe even Triangle ; since he wasn't actually trying."
Colbert agreed with his assessment. The Imperial had displayed some impressive magic and had showed some skill with blades. However it was the 'thing' he brought forth that both concerned and befuddled him.
"And the creature he brought forth? Do you suppose that it was his familiar?" he asked.
Osmond seemed to give his question some thought before answering. "No, I saw him teaching the Valliere yesterday to summon a ghost wolf. He said that was a basic spell so I suppose that the fire creature was some higher level spell."
Colbert nodded. That made sense. "If there's nothing else Headmaster, then I'll get back to my work."
"Ah, yes. Tell Mister Jurulonus that the Princess has been delayed and is likely to arrive tomorrow instead of today."
Colbert was about to ask how he knew that before he remembered the Headmaster had a scrying glass. "Yessir I'll tell him immedia-"
He was cut off by a cry of shock from Miss Loungueville which then turned more menacing. The secretary advanced on the Headmaster, her hand holding a mouse by its tail.
Already knowing what was coming Colbert left without another word. The cries from the room cut off as he closed the door.
I'm starting to regret giving my OC a last name. It's rather hard to remember.