I don't own Familiar of Zero or any of the capcom characters.

Chapter Two: Louise the Zero

When Zero woke up, the first sight to greet his eyes was the underwear that Louise had stripped off.

It had somehow ended up in his line of sight, having been carelessly tossed away.

Louise was still asleep in bed, snoring gently. Her sleeping face was simply cherubic. Now she seemed a lot more childish. She was a loud and annoying girl when she spoke — "noble" this, "magician" that — but, while she slept, she was cute. Zero almost wished that she would stay that way forever.

Still, it was a refreshing morning. Dazzling light shone down into the room.

First things first, he pulled the blanket off Louise.

"Wh-What? What's going on!"

"It's morning. Traditionally, a time to get up. So get up before I just pick up your bed and carry it to your class." Zero replied calmly, inwardly grinning at what she would say if he actually did it.

"Huh? Do... What? O-Oh... Wait, who are you..." Louise yelled in a slurred voice. Her expression was vacant as she trailed off, looking half asleep.

With a smirk and a shake of his head that caused his long blond hair to flow from either side he replied "Zero."

At hearing that hated word, her vacant eyes were no longer vacant. She looked positively livid. "Oh, the familiar. That's right, I summoned you yesterday, didn't I?" Louise got up and yawned. Then, she ordered Zero "Clothes."

He tossed her the uniform that had been draped over a chair. Louise began to sluggishly undress. Zero quickly turned the other way.

"Underwear." the young girl demanded imperiously

"Nope."

"They're in the lowest drawer... Of that closet... Over there."

It seemed she thoroughly planned to make the most out of Zero. Then he rememebered that she had thrown her clothing at him last night meaning... HIs face turned red as he rushed to get her a pair of panties.

Holding his tongue, he went and opened the indicated drawer. Lo and behold, it was packed full of underwear. Grabbing a pair at random, he threw it over his shoulder without looking back.

Once Louise had put them on, she mumbled again.

"Clothes."

"I just gave them to you."

"Dress me."

Don't push it. Zero turned to object angrily, only to find Louise sitting sleepily on the bed wearing nothing but the underwear he had thrown at her. He suddenly didn't know where to look.

Louise pouted in displeasure.

"You must not know because you're a commoner, but nobles will not dress themselves if a servant is available."

"You can at least dress yourself."

"Right then. As punishment for being a disrespectful familiar: No breakfast," Louise declared, raising a finger triumphantly.

"Got it" Zero said, walking out the door, much to the displeasure of his master

He saw three identical wooden doors along the wall. One of them opened a few minutes later, and from inside appeared a girl with flaming red hair. She was taller than Louise, roughly the same height as Zero. She gave off a strongly flirtatious aura. Her face was attractive, and she sported a captivating bust line. Her breasts were like melons.

The top two buttons of her blouse were undone, highlighting an impressive cleavage which impulsively drew the eyes in. Her skin was tanned, giving her the look of healthy and natural beauty. Her height, skin color, bearing, and breast size... It all made for a strong contrast with Louise, who lacked in those charm points.

When she saw Louise leaving her room, she grinned broadly.

"Good morning, Louise."

Louise returned the greeting with a frown.

"Good morning... Kirche."

"That... is your familiar?" Kirche asked somewhat mockingly, pointing at Zero.

"That's right."

"Ahaha! So it really is a human! That's amazing! He is dressed rather unusually though."

"Wrong" Zero responded bored, but was ignored by both present

"It's just like you to summon a commoner with 'Summon Servant.' What else to expect from Louise the Zero?"

Louise's white cheeks flushed scarlet.

"Shut up."

"I summoned a familiar yesterday, too. Unlike a certain somebody, I was successful on my first try."

"Really."

"And, if you're going to have a familiar, it should be a good one, like this. Flame!"

Kirche called her familiar triumphantly. From her room, a large, dark-red lizard slithered out. A wave of heat hit Zero.

"Hmm, is that all?" Zero asked, looking unimpressed.

Kirche Frowned.

"Ohoho! Don't tell me this is your first time seeing a fire lizard?"

"Not really. I've fought bigger" Zero responded nonchalantly, but left it unsaid that what he'd fought had been mechanical.

"Funny commoner, but don't worry. As long as I order it not to, it won't attack."

Kirche put a hand to her chin and tilted her head teasingly.

The creature was at least as big as a tiger. Its tail was tipped with flame, and its mouth emitted sparks and embers.

"Is that a salamander?" Louise asked jealously.

"That's right! A fire lizard! See, look at the tail. A flame this vivid and large means it's without a doubt a salamander from the Fire Dragon Mountains! It's like a brand! Collectors can't even put a price on these!"

"That's nice," Louise said, her voice bitter.

"Isn't it? It matches my affinity perfectly!"

"Your affinity is Fire, isn't it?"

"Of course. After all, I'm Kirche the Ardent. The ardent of gently smoldering passion. Everywhere I go, I have boys falling for me. Unlike you, right?"

Kirche puffed her chest out proudly. Not wanting to lose, Louise did the same, unfortunately the battle was a lost cause.

"I don't have the time to go around flirting with everything I see, unlike you." she responded, her wounded pride demanding at least that.

Kirche only smiled calmly. Then, she turned to Zero.

"And what's your name?"

"Zero."

"Ha, what a wonderful name for your familiar, Louise the zero!."

"Hey!"

"Well then, I'll be off now."

She stroked her flaming red hair back and dashed off. The salamander followed her.

As she disappeared, Louise shook a fist in her direction.

"Oh, that girl gets on my nerves! Just because she summoned a salamander from the Fire Dragon Mountains!"

"Calm down, it's just a summoning."

"No, it's not! You can determine a mage's true power just by looking at his/her familiar! Why did that idiot get a salamander, while I got you?"

Zero just looked at her and laughed. Back home, he doubted anyone would have complained at his lack of power. He was even beginning to miss the guardians. At least they would have let him work his frustrations off if they were still around.

"...Okay, okay. By the way, she just called you 'Louise the Zero', but, what's the 'Zero' stand for? Is it your surname?"

"No way! My name is Louise de La Vallière! 'Zero' is just a nickname."

"A nickname, huh? I can understand why she's called 'Ardent,' but why are you 'Zero?'"

"You don't need to know," Louise answered uncomfortably.

"Is it your breasts?" Zero asked, glancing at Louise. Yup. Flat as a board.

Louise's hand flew out. He dodged it.

"Come back here!"

At least this is somewhat amusing Zero thought, if futile, as he danced around the violent little ball of anger chasing him. Something about this girl seemed to irk him, even as it piqued his curiosity. At least he wouldn't be the only one irked.

If she really wanted to chastise me, wouldn't it be better to use magic instead of hitting or kicking me? That would be more effective, and more mage-like. Why is that? Zero wondered.

*** Break ***

The Academy of Magic's dining hall was the tallest and center most building on the premises. Inside, three extremely long tables were arranged parallel to each other. Each one looked like it could easily seat a hundred people. The table at which Louise and all the second years sat was the middle table.

It appeared that students could be identified by the color of their cloaks. Viewed from the entrance, everyone sitting on the left-hand table looked a little older and wore purple cloaks — third years.

The students sitting on the right-hand table wore brown cloaks — first years. the colors told you the year. Interesting.

Every single mage on the school grounds, students and teachers alike, gathered here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

On an upper level, he could see teachers enjoying pleasant chatter.

All the tables were magnificently decorated.

Numerous candles, bunches of flowers, baskets full of fruit...

Zero's mouth was agape with amazement at the sheer grandeur of the dining hall. Even Neo Arcadia wasn't like this. How many centuries had it been since Earth was like this. Damn war. Damn it and everything that it destroyed. he supposed that damned him as well. Louise raised her head imperiously and began to explain. Her hazel eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Tristain's Academy of Magic doesn't teach just magic, you know."

"Right..."

"Almost all mages are nobles. The saying 'nobles achieve nobility through the use of magic' is a foundation for the education we receive as nobles. Thus, our dining halls must also be fitting of a noble's status."

"Okay..."

"Understand? Normally, a commoner like you would never set foot inside the Alvíss Dining Hall. Be grateful."

"Pull out my chair, will you? You're not a very competent familiar," Louise remarked, crossing her arms and tilting her head. Oh well, ladies first. Zero pulled Louise's chair out for her.

Louise didn't even thank him as she sat down. Zero also brought over a chair to sit on.

"This is amazing! I haven't seen food this plentiful in over a hundred years" Zero stated. A huge roasted chicken sat in the middle of the table. Other than that, there was also wine and a pie baked in the shape of a trout. So much food, and nobody made a big deal about it.

Louise pointed to the floor, where a bowl had been placed. "As your master, I do have to take care of you, so i'll forgive this morning, just this once."

"It's a bowl."

"Yes. It is."

"There's something suspicious in it."

Louise propped her chin on her hands and spoke.

"You know, familiars are supposed to stay outside. You're only in here because I especially requested it."

Zero looked dumbly at the floor, staring at the bowl sitting in front of him. In it were some sorry-looking scraps of meat floating around in a thin soup. On the edge was half a loaf of hard-looking bread. Zero was glad he didn't need to eat.

"Oh, Great Founder Brimir, and our lady, the Queen, we thank you for this humble meal that you have graciously provided us this morning," the harmonious prayer sounded through the hall. Louise joined in as well, closing her eyes.

Irritated at this mistreatment, Zero looked resentfully at his master.

"What are you doing?"

"Leaving. I find the company here to be lacking." Zero responded, hoping that what he remembered from the books he'd read would lead to a rather direct barb.

"What?" Louise demanded as the reploid left. She would have to discipline him. He might say he didn't need to eat, but she'd see after a few meals how he felt about that.

Louise herself began digging enthusiastically into the grand feast, sure that her familiar would soon be fully under her sway.

The classrooms in the Academy of Magic were similar to university lecture halls. And like everything else, they were constructed from stone. The lecturing teacher stood at the lowest level, and the seats were arranged upward like stairs. When Zero and Louise entered, every student in the room simultaneously turned their heads towards them.

And then the laughter began. Kirche was there as well, surrounded by a group of boys.

I see, so she really does have them wrapped around her little finger.

The familiars that everyone had brought along were a varied bunch. Kirche's salamander was curled asleep next to her chair. There were students with owls resting on their shoulders. From a window, a gigantic snake peered into the class. One boy whistled, and the snake withdrew its head. Other than those, there were also ravens and cats.

But what drew Zero attention the most were the creatures that would've been considered fantastic monsters back in his world.

He spotted a lizard with six legs. That's gotta be... Zero tried to recall what fantasy lore he knew. A basilisk! There was also a huge eyeball floating gently in midair. What could that be? He decided to ask Louise.

"What's that floating eye?"

"A bugbear."

"Then what about that octopus thing?"

"A Skua," Louise answered him in a sullen voice and sat down. Zero sat down beside her. She glared at him.

"What?"

"That's a mage's seat. Familiars aren't permitted to use it."

I wasn't allowed to eat breakfast at the table either. An animal huh? Below them? I suppose a lesson is in order, Zero thought. He stood and walked up to one of the windows at the back of the class, easily equivalent to a third story. Easing it open, he took his leave.

Louise glanced at him, but didn't realize in time what her familiar had intended to do.

The door opened, and the teacher entered just as Zero jumped out the window.

She was a middle-aged woman dressed in a voluminous purple robe and hat. She had a plump, round face with a friendly expression on it that turned to panic, seeing the young man jump out the window.

Zero landed softly, and looked up at the window with a defiant glare as the class went to the window to see what had happened to the obviously suicidal familiar. All were surprised that he just stood there, looking up at them with contempt. He wondered what his new master would say about this, chuckling to himself.

After a few minutes an explosion rocked the room that he had left. Sudden fear for the safety of his "charge" welled up in him, and scaled the wall to the window that he had previously vacated. He found an unlikely scene, that rendered him speechless. Everyone was behind their seats, and his little master was covered in soot.

"Looks like I messed up a little..." she said, in a weak voice.

Of course, that elicited a vehement response from the other students.

"That wasn't 'a little!', Louise the Zero!"

"Your success rate is always ZERO!"

***Author's notes***

Small chapter, i know. Couldn't think of a way to make this longer without making it seem to contrived. I'll fill in some stuff here as to how I view the characters, and the possible reasoning behind things and how things work.

Sleeping and eating: Both can be done by reploids, but at the same time, they use energy. In my mind, both sleeping and eating are less a requirement, and more of an enjoyment. Eating would give them a form of chemical energy, which i could easily believe if they are close enough to natural life to be selected by a spell that ends on death. Sleep would allow for non essential systems to power down, allowing increased healing and or self diagnostics by using the now freed up power in other ways. So while Zero might not need these things, he can still enjoy them as equally as any human.

While some think Zero would immediately leave or rebel, I do not. He's smart. He has a tactical mind. The academy and his "master" pulled him to this world. They might be the only link to his old world. Not to say he might not hit a breaking point where his tactical mind gets fed up with this whole thing, but for now he's still figuring out the terrain so to speak. For now, you can guess where the line in the sand will be drawn.

X and Zero were friends for years. Well, over a hundred years(not counting sleeping). X to me, seemed like the type of person to put a lot of stock into creation. Be it a good story, or something more concrete like a building, or pretty much any non destructive creation. Creation should be enjoyed. X had to do a lot of destroying. Taking the time to read books normally, could be very therapeutic for someone with his type of personality(in my opinion as always). Zero being his friend, had access to the data that is books. While paper books aren't impossible during their time, I'm sure most literature in their time had electronic releases. Zero and X are good enough friends that Zero would at least download the data to give X someone knowledgeable to talk to about whatever held his interests at the time. I mean, how many times have us normal people read a book, or gone to a movie that you didn't really want to just for the sake of a friend.