The Devil of Zero
Disclaimer: Neither The Familiar of Zero nor Devil May Cry belong to me.
The Duel
– The Devil –
Tristain Academy of Magic
Night
The darkened castle halls held few, most of the students retired to their quarters and the servants few and far between performing their duties. Vergil's footsteps, despite the boots that any other would clonk about in, were as quiet as any feline's trod. This wasn't out of any need for stealth, just part of Vergil's constant philosophy of readiness for battle, and efficiency in action, him strolling down the hallway in plain sight. Were one of the staff or servants to see him, they would see a man confident and proud in bearing in demeanor, stepping confidently through the pools of light that separated the murky darkness with the moons' light allowed by the windows.
Vergil had already completed his survey of this tower, and now retraced the path he and Louise had taken to return to the courtyard. And his mind drifted as he did, thinking on matters without the slightest drop in vigilance.
This Mortal Realm he found himself in was not Earth. Granted, the moons and all else here could be a cunning sorcerous illusion, but the power required would mean a powerful cabal of warlocks or a Devil had interest in him, and Vergil had long since trained himself to detect such enchantments. The most telling example was these 'mages'. Humans did not have magic. They certainly had ingenuity to match the most cunning Demon, and willpower to forge ahead despite the obstacles.
But they did not have any innate magic.
Even their own legends told them this. So humans took power from Demons and Devils they contracted with, to learn sorcery. These mortals, however…proof of their power was apparent in the weak press of the contract on his soul. And there was no Infernal Energy in it. Or even in the world itself. Millennia of Infernal interference and scheming in the Mortal Realm had left the stench of their souls in the air, a merest hint of miasma even in places the Damned did not frequent.
This air…it was pure. And, quite refreshing, Vergil admitted.
Which meant…a world with no Demons, no Devils but Vergil.
A daunting thought to he who had embraced his Devil heritage in the pursuit of power.
Still, he had to confirm this, and learn more about this strange world besides. He would have to interrogate someone.
Searching the tower, Vergil found the blond boy from yesterday, fooling about with some brunette girl. He would have questioned them, but Vergil doubted his interference would be appreciated. So he simply passed them, unnoticed.
Vergil was about to turn off his path to head back to Louise and question her when he turned the corner and found a maid, blissfully unaware of him and dusting what he assumed was a statue of some past teacher or principal.
Sparda's eldest strode up to her. "Excuse me…"
– The Maid –
Siesta froze at the voice. It was…a courteous, regal, and delightfully masculine tenor. The kind of voice she imagined the male protagonists of her novels would have.
She turned. And her breath escaped between her parted lips at the sight before her.
Before her was a man with features that could have been mistaken for those of a statue…if a statue glowed faintly, a halo of silvery light surrounding him. Then it turned ever so slightly red, startling Siesta until she realized the glow was due to the man being bathed in the moons' light from the window behind him.
"Ah…yes, My Lord?" Siesta asked cautiously, curtsying as she would for any noble. She wasn't sure who this man was, but he seemed to have a noble background judging from his bearing, and it was always better safe than sorry.
"Please, no need to be rigid." The voice didn't seem chastising, but Siesta could feel her cheeks warming in a blush. It was just like one of her novels! "I am…new, here, and I hope you wouldn't mind answering a few questions."
"Not at all!" Siesta squeaked.
"…Very well. To start, could you tell me about…"
Siesta held no knowledge of how much time passed while this stranger, Vergil questioned her. The topics were extensive, from the line of royalty in Tristain to the events in Albion.
Then they came to the nobility.
"So, they define nobility by the ability to do magic, hmm?" Vergil seemed amused by this for some reason, his expression quirking into an amused smirk that made Siesta swoon, shaking at the knees. "Thank you for your time Siesta." He bowed slightly, and swept off down the hall.
As soon as he rounded the corner, Siesta collapsed to her knees, hands on her face.
"Kyaaaaaa!"
– The Zero –
Louise found herself in a strange place. Above, the sky had no moons, no stars, not even clouds. Merely pure, consuming, pitch black. Around her, red liquid covered the floor, a flood of red out from which marble columns and statues rose. The air smelled metallic, and a decaying reek filled her nose. Then the liquid churned, vaguely humanoid shapes shifting underneath.
And then bursting above. They were horrid and disgusting creatures, caricatures of people at their worst, wielding staffs with flaming blades extending from their shaft. Horror swelled within Louise at the sight, and for some reason, a passionless contempt.
"The flinch in your eye, calls your bluff!"
What the! Who's there!
Louise' cry went unanswered as the monsters attacked her, scythes swinging to take her head. But before they connected, Louise found herself transported, somehow, behind one of the beings as they swung at empty space.
"Feel free to die when you've had enough!"
A flash of silver, and then the monster fell in two, blood splattering onto one of the marble columns.
And Louise realized the liquid all around was blood, as well as the beasts themselves.
The creatures' companions reacted to their comrade's swift demise, when Louise held one of her arms before her. A strange silvery gauntlet covered it, white lines decorating it as she beckoned the creatures to attack. They complied, charging forward again.
"Useless cause, is breaking your back!"
This time, Louise caught sight of a strange blade as she drew it, a hilt wrapped in white leather, with an oval guard, and a curving bright blade that sliced easily through the beasts.
And then she found herself transported again, this time into the air as she sheathed the blade, and then drew it again in a flash.
"Your life will end, when you attack!"
Orbs of darkness covered the clump of monsters, all of them missing limbs from her slash, and then, they fell apart as though sliced by blades. It was as though they were attacked by wind magic…but there was something…unwholesome…about it….
"Louise."
"GAH!" Louise gasped, darting up from her bed.
And saw a man in her room.
"Pervert!" She shrieked, slapping his face – only for him to catch her hand.
"…I would much prefer not being attacked when you awake Louise."
What is he…oh.
"T-the Familiar Summoning Ritual…"
"Yes, that's right. You summoned me, remember?" Vergil said, releasing her hand. "Now. It is dawn, and I assumed you would wish to awake to prepare for class and breakfast. I shall wait outside while you dress." And without anything else, Vergil turned and strode out of the room, closing the door without a sound.
Flushed at Vergil's demeanor, Louise dressed quickly, angrily.
How dare he treat me like this! I am the daughter of Karin the Heavy Wind! I will not allow some un-landed noble or-or-or commoner to treat me like this!
Furiously, Louise stormed out into the hallway, ready to deliver an indignant rant-
That died in her throat the moment she met Vergil's eyes, freezing her in place. Wordlessly, she strode past him, heading for the dining hall.
Alviss Dining Hall
Louise kept an eye on Vergil as they entered the hall. The Alviss Dining Hall was one of the greatest constructs of Earth magic in the school, built as befitted the noble students and teachers that used it.
Of course, everyone else was watching him as well, keeping an eye on 'The Zero's Familiar'. Rumors had spread throughout the school in the aftermath of the Ritual, and Louise wouldn't be surprised if everyone had heard of Vergil.
He merely glanced about, taking in the grand vaulted ceiling and immaculate sculptures that lined the walls and then simply ignored it as he followed Louise. The mage-student was surprised to see Vergil move ahead of her and pull out her seat without being prompted.
Well-mannered.
Of course, then he sat down in the seat next to her. Murmurs and gasps were quick to sound from the other students. Louise herself was torn about what to do. These seats were supposed to be reserved for the noble students, and certainly not for familiars…but her familiar was Vergil, as refined a man as any noble she'd known….and quite a bit more so than many of her so-called peers. But before Louise could decide, the Morning Prayer began.
"Our Great Founder Brimir and Her Highness, we thank you for this small meal-" Louise halted when Vergil completely ignored them, instead proceeding to eat. When he saw her expression, he actually smirked!
"Louise." He began as the prayer ended. "I was wondering if you would answer some questions."
"Yeah? Like what?" Louise grumbled. The confusion her familiar created was starting to annoy her.
"Who is this Brimir?" Everyone in earshot turned and gaped at Vergil.
"W-wwwwwwho's Brimir! How could you not know who Brimir is!" Louse shrieked, and was about to rant when Vergil held a finger to her face.
"Let us assume, Louise," He began, "That I am from somewhere very, very far away, and came here by, oh, a Summoning Ritual, and have no idea as to the traditions and other such matters that exist in your culture." The sarcasm in his voice cut Louise to the bone.
"Brimir was the Founder, he who aided humanity after our race was exiled from the Holy Land." Louise began, grumbling. "He used the Lost Element of Void, and established the current system of magic. It is said that the royal families of Tristain, Albion and Gallia are descended from him. Does that answer your question?"
"Adequately." Vergil replied. "Now about magic…."
– The Devil –
Courtyard
"…I see. So your ranking is how many elements you can combine, for example a line-class mage could either use, say, two iterations of Fire to create a more powerful fireball, or combine Wind and Water to create ice."
"Exactly." Louise said. The two of them were exiting the dining hall, breakfast concluded.
"Interesting." Vergil was learning quite a bit about this new world. The information from the maid gave him some basic knowledge about the culture here, particularly the relationship between these 'nobles' and 'commoners'. Louise was explaining the workings of magic and parts of history. Looking around now, Vergil saw students and their familiars, sitting at tables or on the grass. "What's going on here?"
"Hmm? Oh, second-year students have no classes today, in order to bond with their familiars." Louise replied.
"Sensible." Vergil commented. It was always good to know the capabilities of your allies, and whether or not you would need to get rid of them later.
"Oh, Hello!" The greeting came from behind, from a red-headed, tan woman with a figure that could have been mistaken for that of a succubus's. She was kneeling, stroking the same reptile with the flaming tail from yesterday.
"Greetings." He replied, studying the lizard now that he found himself closer.
"Haven't you seen a salamander before?" The woman asked, stroking her familiar again and causing it to wriggle its tail in a way similar to a dog, if a dog had a snake for a tail.
"Not quite, although I've seen creatures much like this one…and they were much more vicious."
"Oh? And where did you see them? Near your village?" The woman asked with a sly look on her face.
"Kirche! What are you implying!" Louise shrieked, rounding on the buxom student.
"Oh come on Louise, it's so obvious! You took some plebian off the streets and dressed him up, hiring him to parade around as your familiar!" Kirche replied triumphantly, rising.
"I did not! I performed the ritual, and he appeared!"
This is a lot like when Dante and I were children. Vergil reflected.
"Well, at any rate, he's much too fine for someone like Louise the Zero!" Kirche waved Louise off, drawing closer to Vergil. "Hey, handsome, why don't you come with me? Louise must be so tiresome…"
"Thank you for the offer, Miss…?"
"Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst."
"Miss Zerbst. However, I am engaged in a contract with Miss Vallière here, and I cannot abandon her."
"My, so serious and honorable…."
"Go away Kirche! He said no!" Louse shouted, her face now turning a very bright red.
Oh yes, just like Dante.
"Excuse me." Vergil turned, seeing a familiar brunette girl, in a brown cloak compared to the rest of the students' black ones.
Hmm…different colors for different years?
"Ah, excuse me sir, have you seen Guiche? He's a blond boy, about this tall?"
"Would this be the boy you were with last night?"
"Y-y-yes…H-h-h-how did you-"
"He's over there." Vergil nodded towards a table where the boy, Guiche, was sitting with his mole and what looked like another second-year, a blond girl.
"Ah, thank you…" The girl hurried off, apparently not noticing that Guiche was already occupied.
Vergil followed. Despite himself, he was curious as to this Guiche's explanation for his two-timing. Neither Louise nor Kirche noticed his departure, so embroiled in their fight were they. His pace was slower than the girl's, so by the time he arrived at the table there was already a small fight going on, with a ring of spectators forming around.
"You told me you were bonding with Verdande last night!" The blond girl screeched.
"How mean! You told me I was the only one for you!" Katie cried.
"A-aah why don't the two of you calm-"
"You liar!" Both of the girls cried, Katie running off, whereas the blond slapped Guiche hard enough to leave a sizable handprint on his cheek.
"Pathetic." Vergil muttered, just loud enough for Guiche to hear.
"What was that! You – Wait, you're Louise's familiar! Don't they teach you how to treat nobles where you're from, commoner?"
"I treat people how I see them, fool. And I see that you are a double-dating, pathetic worm that will probably meet an untimely end when you meet with the wrong woman." Vergil replied caustically. Still, he was somewhat impressed. Most of the time when he glared at a human, they quickly evacuated the area and made very sure never to come across him.
"That's it! I challenge you to a duel!" Guiche cried, drawing, of all things, a rose and thrusting it towards Vergil in a very flamboyant manner.
"Duel?" Vergil asked. Perfect.
"You have gravely insulted me! You show no manners towards your betters, and going by your behavior in the dining hall, you are a heathen!" The last drew a gasp from the crowd, them backing away from Vergil like he had a plague.
….Not the worst thing I've been called. "Very well. When and where?"
"Meet me at Vestry Field, commoner, in fifteen minutes. I'll allow you that long to prepare yourself." Guiche declared, before marching off, with his mole familiar crawling along after him. The crowd chattered as they followed Guiche, Vergil would have done so as well, except that a tug on his coat brought him to a halt, and he turned to see Louise grabbing at his sleeve.
"What do you think you're doing?" She shouted, tugging on his sleeve again. "Come with me, we have to apologize to Guiche at once!"
"…I believe you are underestimating me, Miss Vallière."
"You don't understand! Guiche has magic! And you obviously do not, what with all your questions earlier! Commoners can't win against nobles!"
"And when, Louise, did I ever say I was a 'commoner'?" Vergil asked. Then he pulled his sleeve free and strode after the crowd.
– The Maid –
Vestry Field
Noon
Siesta wondered at the commotion. She'd gone to the kitchen to fetch a cake and some tea for a student, and when she got back, everyone was heading to Vestry Field. From what the students who'd brought her along were saying, a student had challenged the familiar of another's to a duel! Something Siesta was still wondering about, when the man from last night walked calmly into the circle the crowd had formed!
"I compliment you on not fleeing, commoner." The student said archly, taking a stance with arms folded, one hand hanging out with a rose.
"I never deny a request to duel, boy." The white-haired man replied.
"Wait!" Another student, a pink-haired girl, ran up to the boy. "Guiche, you can't do this! Duels are prohibited!"
"Only duels between nobles." Guiche replied. "And this familiar of yours Louise, is no noble."
"Get out of the circle Louise." The man ordered. "This duel is starting."
"Vergil!"
"As you say, commoner!" Guiche chuckled, swinging the rose in his hand, sending a petal to fall. A white light appeared when the petal touched the ground, and from it arose what looked like armor, made of bronze and fitted for a woman, with over-sized pauldrons and a skirt, wielding a spear. "My name is Guiche De Gramont, The Bronze, and this Bronze Valkyrie shall be your opponent!"
The man, Vergil from what the girl Louise called him, was unshaken by the golem's appearance. He brought a hand up over his right shoulder, as though to draw a sword from a sheath on his back. And then he brought the hand out in a quick movement, suddenly holding a large sword! It was about the size of a bastard sword, with a straight blade, guards like half-folded angel wings, and a skull pommel with a spike sticking straight out. And, it was a spectral light blue, dimly glowing and transparent.
"Whoa! Where did that come from!"
"Is it ice? If it is-"
"No, it doesn't feel like it, and wind mages can't make swords!"
Guiche was taken aback by the sword's appearance, but rallied himself and pompously swept his rose at Vergil.
"Valkyrie, Attack!" The golem darted forth quickly, leading with a punch from its gauntlet. Vergil simply stepped back and to the side to avoid, before attacking, slicing his sword up and severing the golem's arm at the shoulder in a single quick attack. Before Guiche could order the golem again, Vergil brought his sword down upon the golem in a blow that split its helm in half, along with the rest of its body. The empty armor fell, scattering to the ground like rubbish scraps. Guiche, as well as the crowd, was stunned, and it took the blond a second to realize that Vergil was steadily striding towards him, sword in hand.
Two swipes of the rose, and six petals fell, summoning six of the Bronze Valkyries. They charged the advancing Vergil, four of them darting to the sides to flank and surround them. And now Guiche was serious, the Valkyries leading with their spears. Vergil didn't stop, and waved his free hand. Out of nowhere, exact duplicates of the blade in his hand appeared, spiraling about his form in two circles rotating in opposite directions, intercepting the spears and shattering them. The sudden force sent the Valkyries tumbling, and then Vergil waved again, the spiraling swords disappearing and then reappearing, with even more now, six swords hanging above each Valkyrie. Vergil made a quick, cutting gesture, and the swords darted down, pinning the golems to the ground.
Guiche, trembling, fell to his knees before Vergil.
"I-I-I-I give up."
The crowd was dead silent.
"There's no way you're a commoner. Just what are you?" Vergil seemed to consider that question, before tossing his sword up into the air, and snapping his fingers.
All of the blades exploded in flashes of light, shattering the golems and flaring in the sky, as Vergil simply strode away.
"A Son of Sparda."
– The Author –
Well, that's done. I think I may have made Vergil a bit OOC in places, but other than that I think I'm satisfied with how this turned out. And remember kiddies, contracting with Devils has consequences.
Now, let us count the ways that Vergil pwned Guiche's ass:
Summoned Swords
High Time
Helm Splitter
Spiral Swords
Sword Storm
And hell, he wasn't even going all out.
By the way, does anyone know just what kind of sword Derflinger is?
Review Replies:
1Batman4U: The whole school seems like a toned-down version of Hogwarts, literally. Anyone could see it.
Maybe.
Kojiro Kun: Nice to see you like it.
Honestly, can you see Vergil taking crap from anyone?
I can only hope this fic does a quarter as well as The Hill of Swords, and I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Pyromania101: Well, I think the 101 is usually attached to classes that are introductory courses to the subject taugh.
Well, not so much funny as a simple cakewalk for Vergil.
The way I plan it, Vergil is going to have a decent arsenal.
I'm glad you think it is.
Infernus87: Thank you.
Takeshi Yamato: No problem.
Nivek Beldo: More tsundere? Wouldn't she be less if she's not a bitch?
Hmm….
Thanks!
I would, but I can't read Spanish.
Sart Von Berchigen: Thank you, and I will.
Orchamus: I hope it turns out to be so.
EVA-Saiyajin: Thanks.
Yes he is.
Well, she's seen some of him now.
HellNyte: Probably for the better.
Lord Sia: I can only hope it still is.
InfiniteFreedom: Nice to read you again!
That will be an interesting meeting…..
Eh, he's Guiche.
It wouldn't be, but I don't think it's going to happen.
Knightmare Gundam of Ni