After breakfast at the Academy of Magic, there was a thirty minute break before classes began. During that break, among the first year class, a golden haired fairy was leaning on her elbows, giving off a listless sigh. It was Tiffania. While she thought it would be good to see the outside world, it was somewhat exhausting. Those words were silently muttered. Today was not the only day that she was this worn out. With the guidance and assistance of Zero and everyone else, she had arrived in Tristain. The many tasks that needed to be done started off small, but the sheer number of them consumed days. Since the first day of this, Tiffania had been deadly tired. Arriving in Tristain, she was greeted by Cardinal Mazarin and former queen Marianne. After this, she had dinner with her cousin, Queen Henrietta. During this, she had been thanked numerous times for her assistance and care of her dear Knight Commander. The toughest thing to cope with was parting with the orphans that she had taken care of. She was thankful that Zero, with the help of the Headmaster of the school, had set up a sort of orphanage for them that would give them the ability to learn skills and put aside money for when they moved on in life. She couldn't help but smile at the new and bright future that the children of the orphanage had a chance at. Even with that knowledge though, there had been many tears on both sides when it had been time for them to part. Thinking back to when Tiffania asked if they should all return to the village, the children shook their heads.
"We'll be fine. Don't worry about us."Said Jim, the oldest of them, as he rubbed his eyes and smiled.
However, there was little time to feel sad at the parting, since Tiffania had to arrive in the city of Tristain that day. With Agnes, the Commander of the Musketeer Corps, escorting her, Tiffania had to go to the Academy of Magic. The situation was explained to Old Osmand in detail, who arranged a room for Tiffania. After a day of rest, Tiffania was introduced to her classmates. That was ten days ago. Since then everything Tiffania saw and heard were new to her, each day was like a year's worth of experiences. The environment of Tristain's Academy of Magic was completely different than the forest and subdued village that she had lived in with the children for most of her live. Whereas she had originally had only the children and small animals as company she now had to deal with hundreds of nobles around her own age. This was enough on most days to make her head spin, sometimes making her panic. Her troubles didn't stop there unfortunately. Due to her passive nature, she was hoping for a peaceful school life, however, her appearance wouldn't allow for such a thing. Wherever she went, her uncanny good looks garnered the attention of both the young men and women. She had no clue at all how her appearance effected those around her. The unintentional attention she received from all the young men of her class caused a great deal of jealousy from the other girls that were being ignored in favor of her.
While Tiffania was happily daydreaming about how nice it would be when she could finally go to bed, she failed to notice the approach of three young men. These three young men had hovered over her since she had been admitted to the school. Of the three, a tall, freckled guy bowed in front of Tiffania. He spoke quite boldly,"Miss Westwood." When she didn't respond he spoke again, "Lady from the White Country. Your skin is as white as the name of that country, while your eyes dazzle like a burning sun! Well then, would my lady care for a drink? If you need anything, this Charlot will be at your service."
Immediately, the boy named Charlot was pushed away by someone,"No no no! Please allow me this duty!" Although the duty was simply fetching a drink, something of little importance, these Tristain nobles fought over it like it was some great honor. Tiffania waved her hands in front of her gently, and replied in a shy voice,"Thank you, but I am not thirsty."
With pleading faces, the three momentarily shook their heads. Charlot and the rest knit their eyebrows and continued trying to get her to open up.
"Well, would you like to accompany me horse-riding this afternoon?"
As one of them said this, another group of five appeared.
"If it's a ride, I shall invite you too."
"I as well."
"No no. I was here first…"
"My horses come from Albion!"
"Please pick which kind of horse you like. If you like speed, there is the Mecklenburger breed. Albionian horses have high stamina. I, of course, own horses of both breeds."
These eight guys worshiping Tiffania were arguing rather loudly, and drawing even more unwanted attention to the young girl.
The troubled Tiffania covered her face with the brim of her hat.
"Umm. I can't be in the sun much… So I can't really go on a ride."
Using the excuse that hid her secret, Tiffania refused the offers, but somehow it didn't seem to deter the young men at all. In fact it seemed to only make matters worse.
As if waiting for that reply, Charlot smiled widely."I thought so, but I have prepared just the hat for that problem. This white, feathered hat has a wide brim and is very fashionable in Tristania."
He pulled out a large, white hat, composed of superb material. The brim was twice as wide as the brim on Tiffania's hat.
"Please, try it on."
Charlot reached for Tiffania's hat. Tiffania quickly held onto her hat, shaking her head. "It's alright. Thank you." Holding onto her hat, she dashed towards the classroom.
Charlot, being left behind, stood there dazed. "Does she dislike my hat that much?"
The other young men began poking fun at Charlot. "Hey Charlot! Because of you, the mood with our "Golden Fairy" has been wrecked!"
Among the girls nearby that overheard this clamor, one clicked her tongue in disgust.
She had long, golden hair in twin tails. While she was short, she wore an air of arrogance that bore down on those around her. Her strong-willed, blue eyes lit up with anger.
The girl turned towards the corridor where Tiffania had disappeared into and spat out venomously.
"That girl does not know how to attend to gentlemen. Well, since she seems to be from the countryside, it can't be helped I guess."
The girls around the golden haired, twin-tailed girl nodded in agreement.
"I agree! And on top of that, that girl still has not greeted her Highness Beatrice! That will not do even if she is a country bumpkin!"
The girl called Beatrice smiled with pride. It seems that the surrounding girls were her followers.
Beatrice had noble, cute features that drew others' attention. Before Tiffania's arrival, she was the most popular girl of the first years. However, Tiffania had easily ended her reign. Just the other day, the guys that were chasing after Tiffania now had worshiped Beatrice like a god.
"While she may be raised in the country, calling her a 'bumpkin' seems rather rude." Beatrice said this with a belittling sneer.
"I apologize, your Highness!" A brown-haired girl bowed repeatedly.
"It's just that being born from the house of Duke Guldenhorf, I am strongly connected to the present queen of Tristania, Henrietta."
"That is so, your Highness! The royal blood originated from the aunt of King Phillip the third that ruled two generations ago, who married the brother of the previous head of the Guldenhorf family."
"Blood of the Tristania royal family!"
One of the girls shouted, which prompted the rest to join in.
"Blood of the Tristania royal family!"
"On top of that, while the lands of the Guldenhorf family are small, they are respected as an independent country!"
In regard to Beatrice's homeland at the time of this decision, the king announced the Guldenhorf lands as an independent country. Well, it was a so-called independent country, but in actuality, it still followed the military and foreign affairs of Tristania, just like every other region.
However, if you got past this fact, it was like any other independent country. Beatrice included, it was proper etiquette to use "your Highness" to refer to a member of her family. "Basically, making light of me is the same as making light of the Tristania royal family. That girl was brought up in Albion, so it is understandable that she knows nothing of Halkeginia, but not showing proper manners is inexcusable."
"It's as you say, your Highness!"
"Well, we just have to teach that 'islander' proper manners." Beatrice smiled deviously.
Coming out of the classroom, Tiffania held her hat tightly with both hands as she scurried down the hallway. Leaving the main hall, she arrived at the courtyard.
Finding a remote area of Vestri Square, Tiffania let out a deep sigh and sat down on the edge of a fountain near the Flame Hall.
The outside world that she had wanted to see was a lot more noisy, rowdy, and fast-paced than she had ever imagined.
She looked up at the sky.
Only the blue sky was the same here as in Westwood village, thought Tiffania. While the village may have been a bit boring, the days were fun and peaceful…
Thinking back to those days suddenly brought tears to her eyes. Tiffania hid her face under the brim of her hat Were the children doing well? Were they feeling anxious and uneasy like her? Worry about her uncertain future, tears spilled from Tiffania's eyes. She was crying softly, with her head down hiding her tears when a voice suddenly called out to her. "Miss Westwood?"
Tiffania lifted her head up, blinking away her tears, thankful that the hat would hide any signs of them. As she looked in the direction the voice had come she recognized five girls from her class standing near her, all wearing haughty expressions. Tiffania stood up in a panic. "He-Hello."
The brown-haired girl stretched out a hand to the golden, twin-tailed girl as if introducing her. She questioned Tiffania, "Are you aware of who this person is?"
"I-I'm sorry. I do not believe that I've learned your name."
Reacting to Tiffania's timid answer, the brown-haired girl opened her eyes wide in surprise. "How can you possibly have not learned of the name of this person? Naturally, you should have already made your greetings upon arriving at the Academy."
"I'm really sorry, but I'm still not used to being here…Please forgive me..."Tiffania fumbled with her words, trying not to look at the two angry girls who were glaring at her.
"It's fine." The twin-tailed girl ran her hand through the right lock. Her gesture gave off an air of satisfaction at cornering her prey.
The brown-haired girl continued the introduction.
"This esteemed person, is the great Beatrice Yvonne von Guldenhorf." The brown-haired girl replied arrogantly as if inquiring her if she knew of Beatrice's prestige. She gave off an air as if she herself was also the daughter of a Duke.
Having spent all her life in the forest, Tiffania was ignorant to worldly affairs. The name of the Guldenhorf family that carried across the nation wouldn't be known to her.
Although she was angry, Beatrice forced a smile.
"Well, well. Nice to meet you, Miss Guldenholf."
There was a short pause. Beatrice's temple twitched.
The brown-haired girl frantically shouted."Miss Westwood! You don't know of the Guldenhorfs? The esteemed person standing here is none other than the daughter of Duke Guldenhorf, her Highness Beatrice!"
"O-Ok…"Tiffania looked away, embarrassed. She knew her understanding of the world's rules was nearly non existent. In other words, the concept of royalty and the class system was foreign to her, similar to the outlook that Zero had upon arriving here.
Well, she understood the words "Duke" and "your Highness" and about how these positions related to the world. She also was aware that special treatment were given to them.
However, this understanding was skin deep since she had no actual experience. She simply had no clue the correct way to speak or use titles in these types of situations. She had been told by Zero that this was a place of learning, where everyone sat as equals simply trying to learn. She didn't understand why such titles were needed. Even with her downs, Tiffania obediently bowed her head in order to not further anger the girl.
"I'm really sorry. I grew up in the forests of Albion at a small holding, so I am ignorant of the happenings of Halkeginia. If I offended you or it appears that I disrespected you, I'm quite sorry. I truly do apologize, your Highness. I truly meant no disrespect"
"Is that how you offer your apologies to your Highness? Ugh, you really grew up without proper manners!"
"I can't believe they allowed such a girl into a prestigious Tristanian academy! What would others think!"
"…I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." Tiffania bowed her head many times.
However, the girls in her class would not settle for such a country bumpkin robbing all the hearts of the guys. "Miss Westwood. How can we take your apology seriously when you leave your hat on?"
The brown-haired girl exclaimed with a chuckle. "That's right! It's as Lisette says!"
Tiffania held onto her hat. She couldn't let them take it away because it would show her long ears. That would reveal the elfin blood that Tiffania had, which would cause a lot of trouble. She would probably be chased out of this place. No, it would not stop there. Tiffania was fully aware of how much the people of Halkeginia hated elves. Tiffania's face paled. If her ears were seen… Would her Void spell "Oblivion" be enough to erase their memory? Was five people at once too many? While the task was not impossible, this place wasn't isolated like in the forest. It was at the Academy in broad daylight. Anyone could possibly see the spell. If a classmate were to see such a suspicious spell, she would definitely be chased out. Tiffania was in quite a pinch. Her elfin blood needed to be kept a secret. Yet, her Void magic could not be used for it too needed to be kept a secret. If that was the case, there was no way she would take off the hat.
"That hat, take it off." Lisette demanded.
Tiffania shook her head. "I'm sorry. I can't take off this hat because…"
"Because you'll get sun burnt, right?"
"Y-Yes. That's right, so…" Tiffania nodded a few times.
"We are not talking about being outside for the day. It's just for a few seconds."
Still, Tiffania continued to hold onto her hat, not moving an inch. Growing angry, Lisette, followed by Beatrice's companions, reached out for Tiffania's hat. "Hey! Take it off now."
"Pl-Please… Let me go." Tiffania said, struggling to hold on to her hat while the other girl seemed determined to rip it from her head. All attention was focused on the small scuffle as the girls fought.
"Hey, what are you doing?"A guy's voice called out, which caused the girls to turn around.
"Zero!" Tiffania ran up to Zero as if he were rescuing her from Hell. Latching onto his arm, her face hung down in embarrassment.
"Hey, what's wrong? Were you being bullied?" Zero wondered if maybe they had figured it out. If it came down to it he could put them down without hurting them... But it was such a pain in the ass. He should have known it it would go like this. As he looked down at the silent Tiffania, he scowled, then turned to look at the five girls that had surrounded Tiffania only moments ago.
Crossing their arms, they returned stern looks. Lisette said imperiously,"This is none of your business, right? Go away."
Zero glared back at them, meeting their own glares with one of his own. "Make me, if you can. I advise that you not, but then again, that's your choice as well. Just like every other fool in the past."
With the tone and the look in the man's eyes, the girls could only think of one word... Terrifying. Tiffania was truly a very beautiful person, which infuriated other girls. Then the fact that she had not only first years protecting her, but someone like this as well? It simply made their blood boil even more.
"Hey you girls, as nobles, isn't it really pathetic to gang up on someone like this? Where is your pride, if you really are nobles? Or is that pride only there to lord over commoners who are just too weak to stand up to you one on one? Does it really take three people to intimidate others in this way as a 'high class' noble? Or is it all just a show?" Zero asked lazily, a smirk on his face as he noticed the faces of the girls getting redder and redder with each word he said.
Flipping her blue cloak back, the brown haired girl gave Zero a cold glare."You girls! You girls, you say! Did you all hear that?"
"We heard! Using such crude words as 'you girls!" The other girl echoed.
The group of first year bullies looked at each other and shouted loudly. Zero's head began to ache."Shut up. "
Lisette completely ignored Zero as she approached him. "You! Do you know of this person?" Lisette's hand pointed towards the shortest girl in the group, a girl with blond twin tails and a look of arrogance.
"Nope. Not at all."
Seeing Zero's blank look, the girls immediately raised their voices in a chorus, "Well! What a country bumpkin! She is her Highness, Beatrice Yvonne von Guldenhorf. She is upper nobility!"
"And? If she was upper nobility wouldn't she know how to act like a decent human being? Considering how Henrietta acts, I know damned well that it's not a mutually exclusive thing."
The golden, twin-tailed girl called Beatrice examined Zero up and down. Then, she talked with a sneer, "I'm not familiar with people around here, but are you a Halkeginian?"
"Nope. Nihon." Zero replied easily.
Beatrice narrowed her gaze at Zero. Then, she nodded in understanding."Hmm. I do not believe I have ever heard of such a place. Surely it must be below my notice."
"Probably. It's a small island that keeps to itself. Not that it isn't superior to this barbaric and simple land. We're mostly isolationist because we don't really like being infected by the stupidity that your nobles carry as a general rule. It's highly contagious and most people where I'm from would rather cleanse those who are infected with it. It is why I can not return to my home."
The first year girls looked back and forth at each other. Beatrice simply smirked as she asked,"What is your name commoner?"
"Zero." was the curt response.
The girl looked as if she was about to say something but stopped. Zero, the newly promoted Knight Commander of the royal guard? The fact that Zero's name as a distinguished knight who had stopped not one army, but two was certainly known on top of that. The girls began looking at each other nervously. "You are the Knight-commander then? To associate with such a low class plebeian is below you."
It appeared that this group of girls whom waved around authority were weak against higher authority. Zero couldn't help but think how pathetic they were. Zero just glared, causing the two lackeys to wither.
However, Beatrice was not intimidated."So, what of it? Imperial Guard or what not, I do not bow down to a mere knight. Don't even think to put on airs around me!"
Zero continued to glare, wishing he could give this brat the beating she so sorely needed. Perhaps she could trip up some stairs... That was allowed right? Repeatedly?
At that moment, Guiche called out to him. "Hey, Zero! What the hell are you doing? Weren't we supposed to get things ready for the 'trainees'?"
"Sorry Guiche, dealing with some stupid kids. They're being a bit cheeky, and trying to bully Tiffania." Zero called out, not taking his glare from the girls.
"What is that? Outrageous!"
Beatrice's face gained a small amount more confidence when she noticed that it was Guiche and Montmorency approaching. Guiche's face paled upon seeing Beatrice.
Beatrice casually lifted her chin up. "It's been a while. Guiche."
"A-Ah… Well, well, your Highness Guldenhorf…"
"How is your father?"
"W-Well." Guiche spoke nervously.
Zero looked at his second in command, shocked at his actions. Why was he using honorifics with her?
"Well, well, Miss Montmorency is also here? I have started attending this academy this year. Please take care of me." With an attitude unimaginable of underclassmen, Beatrice addressed Guiche and Montmorency while they bowed their heads at her.
"Guiche I swear to god if you bow to her again I will throw you through the walls of the academy. After that I'll make you run a few miles. Don't think I won't." Zero ground out.
Guiche looked at Zero eyes wide as he processed what he had said, then stammered,"Y-Yes sir! Sorry sir!"
"Ah to see someone of your noble family under one such as this. After all this discourteous knight is no different than a mercenary or thief." Beatrice said sweetly, though not able to hide any of the malice behind it.
"What did you just say?" Guiche asked, an edge to his voice as he turned his attention to the girl he had been bowing to a moment before.
"You dare speak to me that way?" She demanded hotly.
"When you talk down to my teacher, commander, and Hero, I most certainly do." Guiche replied.
"Guiche... What the hell did you just call me?" Zero asked as Guiche realized he had let slip the H-word.
"Ah, my teacher and commander sir!" Guiche replied quickly, standing at attention.
"Anything else?"
"N-no!"
"That's right."
"Hah, to see such a proud person being mistreated by someone who doesn't even wish to wear his station is so sad...I shall take my leave. Although I will be talking to my father about this..." Beatrice inaudibly beckoned her followers to leave with her."Miss Westwood."As she was leaving, Beatrice addressed Tiffania, who had been ignored up to this point.
"Y-Yes!"
"Do you understand? At least when you are around me, you will take off that unsightly hat. Wearing that hat in my presence will be a serious insult to the Guldenhorf family."
Laughing loudly, Beatrice left along with her followers.
As Guiche and Montmorency weakly waved goodbye.
"I wonder. Can I declare her maverick? I don't think anyone would care..." Zero wondered aloud.
"Maverick?" Guiche asked curiously.
"Maverick, Irregular. A malfunctioning individual that needs to be put down for the good of all. Why would anyone care if she told her father anyhow." Zero replied as he glared at the girl's back.
"It's just as you say, but the Gramont family has served the royal family for generations. Because of this connection, it is only natural that I set aside my dignity and be humble to the Duke's family."
Montmorency looked away as she added,"That is also the case with the Montmorency family."
"Still, why the hell were you timid? It's not like she's anything special."
"Actually, the reason goes back to a long time ago."
"Huh?"
"The Gramont family has been honored as military leaders of the nobility, but has been poor at managing territory."
Zero had a bad feeling about this. He sighed as he looked at the foolish young man."Don't tell me that your family borrowed money?" When Guiche gazed away from Zero, he knew he had hit the nail on the head.
Montmorency's face also got red in embarrassment."Our family is also in a similar situation."
"Duke Guldenhorf's family has enough money to manage an entire country. You should also be on good terms with them." Guiche said
"Like I care about money. They might have the money of a country, but I've got the military strength to conquer countries if I get bored. If I woke up tomorrow and decided I wanted to conquer Albion, Tristian, whatever I'd probably be done within a day. And in the end, that trumps money." Zero reasoned, his smug smirk somehow washing away any of Tiffania's worries.
"You still need to be careful! She has her own bodyguards that accompany her! If you get her angry, they will whisk her away!" Guiche replied.
Her own bodyguards?"What the hell is with that?" Zero asked,"We're at a school and she brings body guards? We have plenty of experienced mages as well as myself and the few people who are joiniing the Koga."
"What, you didn't know? Don't be so indifferent to these things…" Guiche drew Zero, Tiffania, and Montmorency's attention to the main gate.
"Look over there."
Zero scanned the area.
In front of the main gate of the Academy of Magic, a vast field of grass stretched out. Before anyone realized it, quite a few tents had been set up there! On top of the tents were flags bearing the crest of a yellow dragon. Several armored wind dragons were hanging around the tents. Guiche explained to Zero who simply glared out at them "Those are the bodyguards of the Guldenhorf family, the aerial armored brigade 'Luftpanzer Ritter'."
"Seriously? They had that much strength? What the hell?" Zero demanded as his mind ran through the possibilities that number of troops and dragon knights could do.
"What are you talking about?" Guiche asked
"They are part of this country, and they had that much of an armed force as mere bodyguards and they didn't send any in the war on Albion?"
"During the last Albion war, Duke Guldenhorf didn't allow them to join the alliance, because it was their prized brigade. With the destruction of the Albion dragon knights, they are now said to be the strongest dragon knights in Halkeginia." Guiche said.
Right now, 24 dragons could be seen. At Tarbes, Zero, having fought in Albion, was fairly familiar with the abilities of dragon knights. Just a small flight of them would be equivalent to a thousand ground units in battle ability not to mention the other capabilities that they'd have involving scouting or quick ravaging strikes on supply trains. The whole need to take Saxe-Gotha would have been totally irrelevant if they had been there with the allied forces! As Zero processed this he didn't realize that he was growling and glowing quite brightly.
"Ah, sir... You're glowing again..."Guiche murmured.
"Little pissed right now..." Zero replied, attempting to calm himself down. He looked towards Tiffania. Tiffania looked back worriedly. "Tiffania, don't worry. Military brigade or whatever, I don't care. I said that I'd protect you if the whole world turned against you. Don't let the hat ordeal shake you up. If she does want to play the card that is her body guards I'll show them just how inferior they are."
Tiffania bit her lip as she nodded."It's alright. It would not be good to trouble you all… I appreciate the feeling, but I should take care of it myself."
"Zero, it may be just as Miss Tiffania says. If we say anything about it, we may end up in a bad position, too."
"Yeah." Montmorency agreed.
"Guiche, don't lose that damned backbone you grew or I swear I'll make sure that you're partnered with me in swordsmanship for the rest of the week. Two weeks if I feel you need it." Zero threatened his current temporary 'second in command'.
Guiche gulped and nodded. He knew that to be no idle threat. He spoke hesitantly,"At this academy, angering royalty of another country will certainly not be overlooked by her Majesty. You are part of her Imperial Guards, right? Angering the Duke's daughter is unspeakable."
"She made me a guard to do things my way. I won't bow to her unless she can make me submit with her power. Hell, I don't even bow to our Queen." Zero replied, no compromise evident in his posture or voice.
"Thank you, Zero. I'm happy for the thought, but you do not need to trouble yourself with this." Tiffania said, a smile on her face as she hugged Zero briefly. "But it is alright, really. Wearing a hat during class is my fault. After all, it's bad to lie about things." Drawing upon some determination, Tiffania nodded. "I'm really sorry for worrying you." Tiffania turned and ran off quickly after saying this. Zero continued to stare at her golden hair as it trailed in the wind. What was it with people and blindly accepting abuse from their 'betters' here? It still pissed him off.
***Break***
Training after classes had been just as brutal. Zero had been rather surprised that he still had half of the noble kids, including Malicorne. He was even more surprised that both Katie and Montmorency had stayed.
"It seems that Tiffania is somehow being bullied by her classmates."
Louise sat on her bed listening to Zero. "Leave it alone." She nodded.
"What? You can't be saying that. She's being bullied, and with your previous reactions to her when you found out she was an elf, she's going to be in a class full of people with the same type of mindset! that's not even to mention that she's a void mage like you."
However, Louise did not budge on the issue. "It's not our problem to be dealt with. It's her class's problem. If third years stick their head into this problem, it would unnecessarily put Tiffania in a worse position. If she has to run to people all the time, the bullying will just get worse when we are not there... Believe me." Louise calmly replied, but Zero couldn't accept it. He pressed on,
"While what you say may be correct… But Tiffania doesn't really have anyone to rely on here. At least, we should be there to help her…"
"That's why I'm saying that it's unnecessary."
"We're the reason she is here. It is our responsibility." Zero replied,"Or is responsibility for a noble just when they want to have their privileges and the ability to look down on those below them?"
Louise turned to glare at Zero as she said,"You know, from now on that girl is a noble. And as a noble, she can't live without being alone at times. Because of that, she needs to be independent. Becoming helpless at just a little bit of teasing, she won't survive living in Halkeginia. She needs to pick up the pieces of herself afterwards. That's what it means to be a noble."
"If she doesn't survive living in Halkeginia, I doubt Halkeginia would survive me." Zero said coldly.
Louise's eyes shot open. She shook her head quickly and said,"I did not mean it like that! I meant that she has to stand on her own two feet and grow to be strong or else how will she support herself when you aren't around?"
Looking at that worried face, Zero was reminded of what happened a year ago, when he first got here.
Louise was being made fun of by her class. Saying things like 'zero' and 'idiot,' Louise didn't have a single friend. Holding onto her pride as a noble, Louise faced up to the golem, as stupid as it had been… Comparing the situation from then and now... Louise and Tiffania were really in a similar position. Zero nodded and said,"I suppose you're right. I just hate sitting around like that..."
"Also…that girl like me is also a bearer of the "Void." She has to shoulder the destiny of a special noble. Really, if she needs to rely on someone for such a little thing, someday she'll be crushed by her own problems. In a way, to protect her now, you must not shield her from the world."
Zero nodded, maybe it was true. Looking at Louise now, she had at some point, dealt with them alone, but until that time she summoned him... She was alone, and she had all sorts of complexes because of it. As he looked at Louise again he noticed that she was skin was more white than usual. After a few minutes he asked her,"Are you feeling alright?"
"No... I'm not, but I will be fine with a little rest. But do not change the subject. If you were to deal with every case of bullying, there would be no end. Being the bearer of the "Void" regardless of whether she wanted to or not, Tiffania had to be ready for any danger. Hostility, be it mean classmates or strong enemies, could be around any corner." Louise said, although she knew the truth of the matter. That was not her real intention. She was actually jealous of the girl. She hated that he was so stuck on protecting the girl. She wasn't his master, she didn't summon him. Yet here he was, always worrying about her. That kind of thing made her furious. But, of course she wouldn't say a word about it. She couldn't forgive herself for being envious. Being envious, being cold to others, not reaching out to help when she should... Because she was like that, did Zero hate her because of that? Is that why he wouldn't hear her words? As those thoughts began coming up endlessly… Sleep took over. Hidden under the covers, tears spilled down her face.
***Author's notes***
Lord Krun... You rat bastard... You won. Also, if you have NOT seen Armitage the III, Do so. Do so now. It is one of the best Anime that I ever watched, and it was responsible for my love of it over the years, all thanks to Sci-fi's summer of anime crap they did. Why a kid was watching this crap? Ask my mom. Because I'll easily admit I shouldn't have been watching it when I was that young, but meh. I just wish i remembered a movie I saw that involved everyone being linked in a dream, with a world that reset each day, and they had a tank... And there was something about a giant turtle that may or may not have been genbu ,but it was the island they were on, I think. And they wanted to kill someone for taking a candy bar because they wanted to ensure they could ration regardless of if the world "reset" like it always did. But they had NO problem blowing the hell out of buildings with the tank when they were bored...Weird, but can't remember what it was. Damned stupid memory.
I will easily say, that I wanted to have a way to make Zero more human without giving him the shaft. Make him human, and he loses everything that makes him who he is, or it becomes unrealistic. How can a human handle the falls, the blasts etc that Zero has handled on a routine basis for... Well, EVER? And reploids ALWAYS get the shaft. ALWAYS. Humans get extended life and super strength and such, becoming humanoids. Reploids get an artificial death counter because humans get pissy at their Pseudo immortality. Well in this case, Zero, and now Roll can take their steps towards becoming more human... Without having to lose what makes them special. Although I don't think that Zero will look half as good in that angel thing as Naomi did.
Zero: If you try I will kill you.
Pft. You and what army?
Zero: My army of fangirls.
Oh... right. That army. Moving on, I will say that having so many people know one of my beloved animes from when I was but a mildly psychotic child, instead of a mildly psychotic adult warms my black and evil heart.
Zero: If you're so evil, why the hell do you help anyone you can?
Shut up! I am evil!
Zero: Says who?
People...
Zero: Uh huh.
Well anyhow, on another note, is Tiffania going to have a familiar? That's a good question. A good good question. And I'm not telling. Half the fun is waiting and seeing, right?
Next update when I feel like it. Thanks for playing all.