-Tristain Castle-
-Saito and Louise's Room-
"...what?" Siesta mumbles as a few tears roll down her cheeks.
"You heard me." Faye states, crossing her arms.
"What do you mean I…don't deserve to be Saito's maid?"
"There is problem number one right there. Did you listen to anything I've told you over the past few days?"
"You…you've told me to protect Saito. To listen to his worries and concerns. To assist him throughout his day to day life. To provide moral support as necessary. And…to be loyal to him. Always." She lists off the numerous things Faye has told her to do to be a proper maid.
"So it appears you have heard what I said." She sighs lightly. "Then, why have you failed to apply any of this? Especially as you are now Saito's personal maid, according to Her…Her Highness." She asks. She has a little difficulty calling Henrietta by her title as she does not respect her like that. Despite that, Anthony did tell her to call her that. So she shall.
"T-That's not true!" Siesta protests, albeit somewhat weakly. "I listen to what Saito has to say. I love him and I truly want the best for him. I want to support him as much as I'm able."
Faye sighs again, "I'm not well-versed in this whole romantic love thing, but even I'm aware that your words do not line up with your actions. As far as I'm aware, this 'love' of yours for Saito is nothing more than a fraud."
Ouch. That hurt. Faye's brutal words as well as her doubting Siesta's love for Saito hit a chord within her fragile heart. While she didn't often show it publicly, Siesta is a vulnerable maiden who can easily get caught up in her feelings.
Before she even knew what she was doing, she began to lash out at the senior maid. Although while she does so, she continues to cry.
"Where do you get off saying my love for Saito is not real?! I'll have you know I've known him for a year now and he is by far the sweetest boy I've ever met! Not many have treated me as wonderfully as him. He has done so much for me and I can't help but love him for that! I'd do whatever I could to help him in return. So don't you dare say my love is fake. It's as real as your devotion to Anthony."
"Suppose that is all true." Faye starts, "What was that stunt you pulled just now?"
Sniffling and rubbing her tears away, she softly asks, "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb maid. You saw Saito getting abused by that brat. And what did you do? Answer me."
Siesta looks at Faye with a guilty look, "L-Listen…I couldn't do anything even if I tried. Unlike Miss Louise and Saito, I can't use magic. B-But he sometimes comes to me to be comforted!"
Faye is not very pleased with this answer and scoffs, "And? I can't use magic either. Yet I'm able to protect master just fine with my martial arts. Even if you couldn't protect him physically, you could at the very least make your voice known and speak out against the brat. Didn't I tell you all of this?"
"W-Well…I…"
"You didn't help him when he was being harmed. Which is by far the greatest offense you've incurred. Additionally, you incited that brat to act like that. You have no one to blame but yourself for him getting harmed. I've heard that this isn't the only time you've incited that brat to act like that. You let others intimidate you. Finally, you don't even call Saito your master. As a maid, that is one of the greatest insults you can do."
"..." Siesta continued to cry on the bed, not even looking up at the one who is throwing all of these harsh truths at her face.
"And that is why you don't deserve to be Saito's maid. Or quite honestly, a maid period. If you cannot stand up for him in times like these, what will you do when crap really starts to hit the fan?" She crosses her arms. "I don't even know why I'm telling you all this. This doesn't really help master in the slightest."
Sighing, she finishes with, "Obviously I can't do anything about your relationship with Saito. And frankly, I don't care. However, do know that aside from your ability to do housework, you have none of the capabilities or behavior a maid should have."
"What…what should I do? What should I do if you're so smart and superior huh?!" Siesta clenches her fists and looks at Faye head on. Her eyes have started to become red and puffy from all the crying.
As Faye makes her way to the door, she looks one last time at Siesta. "If you want to make a different, positive experience in Saito's life, listen to the advice I have given to you up until now. If not, then keep doing what you're doing. Either way, I will protect Saito from that brat even if you don't, as master has ordered me too."
With that, Faye leaves the heartbroken maid alone as she exits the room.
-Hallway-
"Geeze, you often bring nothing but trouble, don't you?" Louise looks accusingly at Saito.
"I keep telling you, I don't mean to do these things! I can't help what I do when I'm unconscious." He replies in a slightly desperate tone, really hoping he can get through to her.
She sighs and frowns, "We just keep going around and around like this all the time. Why does it feel like nothing ever changes between us?" Unlike before, her tone sounds like one of genuine sadness.
Maybe because you're a brat and super stubborn? Saito thought for but a moment. Why did I just think that?! I love Louise! I need to man up and reassure her that she's the only one for me!
"Don't worry. Every relationship goes at it's own pace and I don't think we need to proceed at a quick pace."
Louise blushes cherry red, "W-What do you mean by that?"
Her blush causes him to form a smaller one of his own, "Just that I'll man up even more than ever before. I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of being your familiar and you'll have nothing to complain about."
"Heh, you sure about that? Because you tend to act like a dog even after all this time." In a smaller, much quieter and softer tone she admits, "Still, you kinda act cool once in a while…"
"What was that?" He leans in closer to try to hear her better.
"N-Nothing!" She puffs her cheeks out and crosses her arms.
As they have been talking just a small distance away from the door to their room, it only takes but a moment for them to notice Faye exiting the room. She looks around and spots the two.
Not saying a word, Faye comes up to Louise and steps on her foot with a lot of force. Due to her 10 long years of martial arts training back in her previous world, she is able to direct a lot of the force onto her foot than any normal human ever could.
Louise instantly screams in pain, but Faye isn't quite done yet. Raising her right arm, she slaps Louise's left cheek with almost just as much force as her stomp.
Saito instantly reacts by shoving Faye away from Louise, "What the heck?! Why do you keep attacking her?! If it's a fight you want I'll give you one!" Suddenly noticing that Derflinger is not on his back, he sheepishly adds, "Um, once I get my sword that is."
"Don't bother." She sternly states, "Master has ordered me to retaliate against this brat if she ever tried to attack you, or anyone else for that matter."
Glaring at Louise, she threatens, "So don't think you can get away with this any longer brat. And if I ever see you attack master, I promise you that the pain will be much worse than what I delivered tonight. Now, I'm going to bed."
With that, she walks off towards her and Anthony's bedroom.
"What the heck…" Louise wonders aloud, angrily rubbing her cheek. "She's really testing my patience…" She then yawns.
Unknown to all of them, Louise's screams managed to wake up a certain half-elf a few doors down the hallway. By the time she got to the doorway and looked down the hallway, she didn't see anybody there, so she just went back to sleep.
-Saito's and Louise's Room-
Once the pair returns to the room, they are very surprised to see Siesta somewhat curled up into a ball on the bed, softly crying.
"Siesta! What happened? Why are you crying? Did Faye do something to you?" If she did, I can't let this go on. She's already hurt Louise twice and has possibly made Siesta cry. Either she gets her act together, or she leaves.
Louise looks at her with a similar level of concern.
Wiping the latest tears away from her face, she looks at her two bedmates. Slowly getting up, she mumbles, "I'm alright. She didn't do anything to me. I'm going to go sleep in my room tonight. Sorry for the trouble Saito."
With that, she quietly leaves the room. Saito and Louise can only look on in shock and wonder, hoping that she is alright.
"She's obviously lying. Saito, you better make her feel better in the morning. If you don't…" She glances over towards her wand, which Saito spots as well.
He gulps, "Yes ma'am."
Louise feels too tired to resume her punishment on Saito, which she had earlier said she would do. She yawns again indicating how tired she is.
As he lays down in the bed with Louise, he wonders, Why would Anthony order her to do that? He remembers what he said to him about his and Louise's relationship being toxic. Is it because of that? Why is he so concerned about our relationship like that? I mean it's nice that someone is concerned for me like that but at the same time he's overstepping his boundaries. Still, that stomp from Faye was kinda satisfying to watch…wait! Why am I thinking such things again?! Shaking his head to clear his negative thoughts towards Louise out of his head, he wonders one final thing, I hope Siesta is alright.
Meanwhile, Louise has her own set of thoughts regarding what has happened, So her master, what was his name? …That's right, Anthony, that's his name. Anthony ordered that maid to attack me when I hurt Saito, right? Well, in that case, it seems like I'll need to have a little chat with him as soon as possible. She buries herself in the blanket, unconsciously trying to hide the huge frown she has on her face.
Next Day
-Out Front Tristain Castle-
"Does everyone have what they need?" Henrietta asks the group of seven.
They all nod.
"Thanks for everything Your Highness. I look forward to coming and visiting again soon." Tiffania smiles brightly at her.
"As am I." She smiles in return.
"Yes, thank you for allowing us to stay for a few days. I'll make sure to return this debt someday." Louise lightly bows to her.
Henrietta chuckles, "There's no debt. I'm just happy to help, that's all. I'll let you know if anything serious happens though. I'm sure I can count on you and Saito as always."
"I don't have my rune though." Saito counters.
"With or without it, I'm sure you'll be as reliable as always." She encourages with her usual smile.
Anthony speaks up next, "Thank you for arranging everything at the academy for us." He bows.
Faye also bows, "Yes, thank you." While her bow is not genuine, her gratitude is.
Agnes finishes with, "I'll return as soon as they arrive safely Your Highness." She bows too.
"Sounds good. I will look forward to your return then."
Agnes, Tiffania, and Louise board the carriage first. Agnes sits down in the driver seat and picks up the leash.
Anthony and Faye board next. "After you, master." The latter says. She assists him up the carriage steps first before following herself. Very similar to what knights or butlers do for princesses or queens when entering or exiting a carriage.
Siesta watches her and nods for seemingly no reason. When she and Saito reach the carriage, she repeats Faye's actions, words, and behavior. This elicits a strange look from Saito, but he doesn't say anything as he boards the carriage. Siesta boards and they all begin their journey for the academy.
-On Route to Tristain Academy-
With Saito, Louise, and Siesta on one side and Anthony, Faye, and Tiffania on the other side, they all sit in carriage silently as they make their way along the dusty road. Anthony quickly realizes that the roads in this world are not nearly as fancy as the roads back in his home world. Though he is actually glad, the roads in his old world are made up of asphalt and are prone to getting pretty toasty on hot summer days. The horse likely appreciates not having to walk on such a surface.
After being on the road for a few minutes, something that has been grinding in Saito's mind for the past few hours cannot be held within anymore. He suddenly asks, "Siesta, can I ask why you're being so formal with me today? You've been calling me master all morning. You haven't been quite as…um…clingy. And…you keep asking if there's anything you can do for me."
She twiddles her fingers nervously, "Well…um…"
Flashback Start
-Tristain Castle-
-Siesta's Room-
As soon as Siesta wakes up from a night of semi-restless sleep, she instantly recalls everything that Faye said to her the night before. She begins to really think about what she told her.
"She…she's right. It was harshly said, but she's right. Why have I been lightly disregarding Miss Louise's treatment of him? I've been involved in the crossfire of her attacks and I know just how much they hurt! Seriously, I'm such a moron…and a despicable maid." She cries again only a few minutes after waking up.
"Even though I love him…even though I love him. I didn't do anything! I may not know how romance works very well, but I know it doesn't involve letting your loved one get hurt and doing nothing about it! Why…"
You incited that brat to act like that. You have no one to blame but yourself for him getting harmed. Faye's words pierced their way to the forefront of her mind.
"I…I know that! I know I'm the one to blame! Why…why did I even want to get her angry in the first place? It's brought nothing but trouble for Saito."
Despite asking that to herself, she already knows the answer. Siesta may be carefree and a bit naive, but she is by no means stupid.
"Stupid jealousy. I got frustrated with Miss Louise for hogging Saito all to herself as well as his feelings! I just…I just wanted a part of his heart too. Even if it would only be a tiny fraction of it."
A few moments of silence pass.
"Thinking about it. Back before I fell for him, I got him into far fewer troubling situations. It's only since I've become clingy and jealous that I…that I…" She sobs anew at the sudden revelation.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"I hate myself." She throws herself forward into the bed, feeling fully defeated. "Why did it take until now to realize it? I'm so despicable. So, so despicable."
If you want to make a different, positive experience in Saito's life, listen to the advice I have given to you up until now. If not, then keep doing what you're doing. Either way, I will protect Saito from that brat even if you don't, as master has ordered me too.
Nodding to herself in determination, she sits up with renewed vigor. "I'll listen to your advice Faye. I will become strong enough to protect him without needing your help. But, I will need your help for at least a little while longer."
Suddenly, there is a knock on her door.
"Yes? Who is it?"
Opening the door slowly, Saito steps into the room, "Hey Siesta, I thought I'd come check on you after…um…what happened last night. How are you feeling?"
She replies with a warm smile, "I'm doing fine master. I was just thinking about a lot of things between last night and this morning. But please don't worry! I'm already determined."
"Um…alright. As long as you're feeling alright, that's good enough for me. Actually, breakfast is already ready and I wanted make sure you were a part of it."
He's still worrying about a failure like me despite all the trouble I've caused him. He really is the sweetest boy I've ever met. She chuckles slightly, earning a confused look from the boy of her dreams. I never deserved him from the start. I was being super selfish. That changes now.
"Can you stand outside the door for a minute?" She requests.
He agrees and waits outside the door for a few minutes before she emerges from her room. Changed from her pajamas, she is now wearing the maid outfit that she is always seen to be wearing.
"Let me escort you to the dining room." She links an arm around him and guides him throughout the castle hallways. Her way of clinging to him does not show nearly as much possessiveness as it has in the past.
It's not like I can get rid of my desire to be close to him after all. She justifies in her mind. When they reach the doors to the dining room, she makes sure to let go of him so as to not cause any misunderstandings with a certain pink-haired mage.
After a relatively uneventful breakfast, Siesta continues to treat Saito with more formality and respect than she has ever done before. As she is a guest in the castle, there isn't much for her to do work-wise. However, she keeps a greater eye on Saito whenever he's with Louise.
-Anthony and Faye's Room-
Shortly before they board the carriage, she locates Faye with Anthony in their room and after gaining permission to enter the room, asks Faye a question that she has been planning to ask all morning.
"Will you please let me train under you?"
She responds, "What do you mean exactly?"
"You mentioned that you've done martials arts for the last 10 years and that you're really good at it. Even though I haven't seen it for myself yet, I believe Sai- er I mean master and the others when they said you were able to take out many of the fenrir's on your own back in that forest."
Suddenly, she gasps, "Oh my goodness! I just realized you actually saved my life back there! Thank you so much!" She bows deeply to her in gratitude.
She responds with indifference, "I was simply protecting master at the time. I don't need thanks."
"Nonsense. You saved us all whether you realized it or not." She closes her eyes and smiles for a moment.
"She's right you know." Anthony agrees. "Anyway, it's surprising to see you act so differently today and now you're making this request to train under Faye. I see you really want to help Saito out. Thank you very much for that."
"Oh no! It's no problem at all. I should've done this way sooner, if I just wasn't so full of myself trying to win him over with such shameful and tactless methods." She then blushes, "D-don't tell him I said that!"
Anthony chuckles, "Your secret is safe with me. And Faye too. I'll make sure she doesn't tell anyone, right?" He looks at her with an expectant look.
"Of course. I would never disobey you." She turns to Siesta, "Regarding your training…" she pauses for a moment, "I suppose I could do that. If you are indeed serious about becoming a proper maid."
"You know most maids can't do what you can do." Anthony says to Faye.
"It's alright!" Siesta proclaims loudly, startling Anthony slightly. "I can't use magic at all, so this is the only way I can protect Saito from anyone. I want him to be able to rely on me, even if he can't rely on anyone else. I know I'm selfish but…I want to be his source of strength."
"I don't see anything wrong with that, as long as you don't overstep your boundaries. I've seen that he likes to be relied upon as well. Perhaps you two can be a source of strength for one another. You know, a battle couple!"
"B-battle couple?!" Her face flushes beet red upon fantasizing her and Saito fighting together in a grand battle that would decide the fate of the world.
"Is it safe to presume you approve of me training her master?"
He nods, "Yep. You'll just need to find a proper time and place to do it."
Faye says to Siesta, "Once we reach the academy we will talk more in detail about it. Don't expect me to go easy on you. I assure you there will be many long, grueling hours of hand-to-hand combat training. Breaks will be sparse, and you'll likely beg to quit. If you agree to this training, there will be no backing out of it. Do you wish to proceed?"
Anthony gets a chill sent down his spine. I've never seen her train anyone back in my home world, aside from me. My training overall didn't last very long, but when it did happen she went pretty easy on me. However, for some reason I feel that won't be the case for other people…
"D-Don't do anything too crazy, please Faye?" He asks.
"I won't do anything you deem unreasonable."
Siesta meanwhile nods with confidence while lightly clenching her fists. "Yes. It does admittedly sound quite scary. But…if that's what it takes, then I'll do it."
Anthony gives her extra reassurance, "Don't worry Siesta. I'm sure she'll train you well. Her martial arts is among the best I've ever seen! I'll also make sure she isn't too rough with you."
"I appreciate it, thanks."
"Very well." Faye gives a single nod to her. "There is no backing out now. Become a maid I can proudly say was one of my students."
"I won't let you down Sensei!" The new student shakes hands with her new teacher.
Flashback End
"I…kinda had some things happen. I'm sorry, does it bother you that I act like this?" Siesta answers Saito.
"I-It's not like I dislike it. Just kinda…strange. While being called master is kinda cool and all, I feel we are sorta distant if I'm called that by you. Can you keep calling me Saito?"
Siesta looks to Faye for an answer. While she returns her gaze, she provides no sort of answer, auditory or visual.
Thinking back, she recalls something her teacher said to her. Your master's priorities and desires come first and foremost in all that you do.
Oh! Of course. I should've remembered sooner. Smiling sweetly at Saito, she replies, "Yes, of course Saito. I really don't want to be distant from you."
"You're already close to him as it is!" Louise remarks, seeing their legs and arms touch each other's due to how tight the carriage is.
"Um, you are too Louise." Tiffania helpfully points out.
She blushes upon realizing that she is indeed just as close to Saito as Siesta is.
-Entrance to Tristain Academy-
The rest of the trip resumes smoothly and a few hours later, they arrive at the academy. Thankfully they arrive a day before classes are set to resume, so everyone has plenty of time to settle back into their rooms.
As soon as everyone is off, Agnes bids them all farewell as she turns the carriage around and returns to the castle.
Everyone, or rather Saito, is greeted to the presence of basically the entire student body both inside and outside the school walls. They all begin to announce their congratulations at him becoming a knight.
"What the heck is all this?!" He asks loudly. He's never had a group of people praise him like this before. Let alone an entire freaking school!
Guiche approaches him and answers in a tone that implies it should be obvious, "We are celebrating your promotion to chevalier! The headmaster got the call yesterday and we prepared as quickly as possible for your arrival!"
"How did you prepare that fast? Dang. Well, regardless. Thank you! The praise is a little much but I appreciate it."
"Now I'd like to officially welcome you into the Order of Undine Knights!" Guiche announces proudly while gesturing towards a group of six students. They are all wearing white shirts and draped with navy blue cloaks. They also appear to be wearing a yellow brooch with a star pattern etched onto it.
All the knights drag Saito over towards them in a chaotic manner and the other arrivals are left bamboozled by this whole stream of events.
"Does…this always happen?" Tiffania asks nervously.
"No." Louise answers, "They just want to recognize Saito's achievements. Becoming chevalier is a big deal after all. So I suppose just this once, he deserves it."
"Of course he does. He's done a lot for all of us." Siesta fervently says.
The crowd basically ignores everybody else. Louise notes that she doesn't see any super familiar faces nearby. Siesta carries her and Saito's luggage to their respective rooms. Louise, being the only person remaining, is asked by Siesta to guide the three newcomers to Osmond's office. Unfortunately for her, she has no other choice.
-Academy Hallway-
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not bringing you three here because I want to or anything." She states to them as they walk down the academy hallways.
"Yeah, yeah, tell me something I don't know." Anthony rolls his eyes.
"Your attitude towards nobles really sucks you know! I swear if you don't get that attitude of yours under control you'll be suffering big time."
"Like your attitude towards us is any better brat. Don't say such hypocritical words to master." Faye sternly states.
"You really have some nerve." She grits her teeth.
"Can we please get along guys? I don't want there to be trouble." Tiffania asks, hoping that this argument will cease before it blows up out of proportion again.
Louise simply sighs and continues to walk along. Out of the three. Tiffania seems to be the only decent one out of the three. If it wasn't for her massive boobs that attract that dog's eyes like a moth to a light, then we might be able to get along better.
-Osmond's Office-
They soon reach their destination and Louise knocks on the door to Osmond's office.
"Come in." An elderly man's voice responds.
His eyes widen considerably upon seeing three beauties and an average looking guy walking into his office. He quickly mumbles something to his familiar mouse that is sitting on his shoulder. It quickly scurry's down the old man.
"Well hello there! I've been awaiting your arrival." He greets from his rackety old green chair that sits behind his desk. There are a number of papers and a pen currently sitting on the desk.
Louise gives a polite bow, "Hello headmaster Osmond. I've brought with me the three people who will be attending classes starting tomorrow, as the queen's letter has stated."
"Ah I see, I see! We as an academy always welcome new students within our walls. So I'm glad to see such promising students among us!"
"Erm, we only just met you know? Do you really think we look that promising?" Anthony asks with some doubt.
"Of course! I always feel a tingling sensation whenever promising students enter this school. And just now I felt that very sensation."
"That's a creepy way to put it man…" He mumbles.
Meanwhile the mouse begins to climb up Faye's left leg. It is climbing as quickly as it can, but Faye has quicker reflexes compared to most people. The mouse only managed to get up as far as her thigh before she quickly sent a hand down to pluck the little creature from its grasp on her clothes.
She brings the mouse up towards her face, intending to study it briefly. Unfortunately, she underestimates how nimble and flexible the little white mouse is and it manages to free itself from her clutches and lands right on top of her cleavage. Her maid outfit prevents the mouse from touching her bare skin, but it quickly scurries straight up and down her neck in order to get under her clothes.
The mouse succeeds for all but one second before Faye angrily sends her hand in once again, this time towards her cleavage. She successfully catches the mouse again and clutches it much more tightly to prevent it from escaping again.
Bunching up the mouse with her two hands into a little ball, she proceeds to throw the small white creature towards the nearest wall with a ton of force. This doesn't kill the mouse, but it does knock it out cold instantly.
"No! Motsognir!" Osmond quickly gets up and heads towards where his fallen familiar is.
Faye whispers to Anthony with a smile, "Thank you for warning me about that vile creature and its perverted master."
"No problem, I just want to keep you safe."
Her sweet expression grows even more sweeter and beautiful upon hearing this.
"The thought of having a creature like that rummaging through my clothes like that is scary." Tiffania shivers slightly. "Thanks Anthony."
Before entering the room, Anthony gives a warning to the girls that Osmond is a rather perverted mage and that he'd likely try to pull something like this on either Faye or Tiffania.
Louise gives Anthony a look of bewilderment. How'd he know that about Osmond? Even I forgot about that aspect of his personality! Did someone tell him before we came here? Well still, his warning did save us. I guess he's not an utterly useless dog after all.
"Yeah…t-thanks. I guess…" She admits rather quietly, but everyone in the room aside from Osmond pick it up.
Wow. She actually thanked me? Weird. Doesn't really help your case in the long run. But perhaps it's a start towards something…I don't know what though. Maybe a start towards getting her to admit her wrongdoings? Eh, I'm probably being a bit too optimistic.
As Osmond returns to his seat with his familiar fully knocked out, Faye takes this moment to step towards him and gives him a rough punch to his side, right below his ribcage. He howls in pain for a few moments.
Faye looks him dead on in the eye with contempt, "Only master is allowed to touch me in that way. Don't ever include me in your perverted fantasies."
Everyone is utterly shocked at her behavior towards Osmond. While he may be a good-for-nothing pervert at times, he's the headmaster of the school! She could easily get expelled on the spot for this behavior. Although he could also likely be fired for his behavior towards women as well. Despite that, they respect him for the work he does and are content to just hit him when he misbehaves.
Oh boy. She really does not care what position these people are in. I really hope her first day in class isn't too rough. Anthony muses.
Dang. Her punch really hurts. How'd I get found out? Was it really that obvious that Motsognir is my familiar? As much as I want to figure out their bust sizes, this mission is a bust. Better sweep this under the rug as much as possible. Osmond thinks after getting hit. "I'm sorry! It was just a prank, a prank." He nervously waves it off.
Faye gives him one extra glare before returning to her previous position. The other girls glare at him too for good measure.
After that whole thing, proper discussion regarding the three attending the academy finally takes place. Tiffania is given a room. However, she will be required to reveal her elf roots to the school body.
I remember that going fairly poorly at first. But the students seemed to warm up to her pretty quickly. So I imagine it'll be fine in the long run. Anthony thinks.
She's extremely nervous about having to reveal one of her biggest secrets, and to the entire school body no less. However, she decides that she will go about it as calmly and composed as possible. She couldn't let her opportunity to attend the academy, approved by Henrietta and encouraged by Saito, to go to waste like this!
As Faye and Anthony will officially be in a master/familiar relationship, they are naturally given a room together, just like how Louise and Saito share the same room. They are both pleased by the outcome, especially Faye.
Faye is asked to do two things by Osmond. First, to demonstrate her healing magic. Second, to test her magical affinity.
At first she refused, simply because she refuses to take orders from anyone besides her master. However, once Anthony asks for the same things from her, she is quick to comply.
The perfect test subject for her healing magic is, well, the mouse she so brutally beat up earlier. She didn't like the idea of healing this perverted mouse, but it did allow her the best chance to demonstrate just how powerful her magic is.
Placing her hands a few inches above the mouse, a bright white light suddenly shines and a few moments later, the mouse slowly wakes up, good as new.
"Oh Motsognir! I'm happy you're all well again." He affectionately pets its head, causing the mouse to close its eyes in bliss.
Louise and Tiffania both knew in the back of their minds that Faye was capable of magic. After all she is attending this academy as a student, and she isn't a noble. Now that her magic was on full display before them, they couldn't help but be utterly astonished.
"A-Amazing!" Tiffania exclaims in awe. That looks so much like my nature magic! Even the effects are the same! She healed that mouse from its injuries so easily. Could her magic be stronger than mine? I don't know…I've never tried using mine hardly.
"What…what potent magic. And you can HEAL?! I mean I know water magic can do that to an extent, but…this is beyond my wildest expectations." Louise says.
"This girl is indeed a special one. I've never seen magic quite like this all my life. Her Majesty's letter stated that her magic can remove intense poisons and illnesses, heal major wounds, and even heal broken bones." The headmaster says calmly.
The girls put their hands to their mouths.
"My gosh…" Louise whispers to no one in particular, once again completely dumbfounded.
"Incredible. She's simply incredible." Tiffania says with wonder. The only thing that would even come close to rivaling that is the ring my mother gave me. Well, it seems to be more powerful than her magic, but still. Not like it really matters though, since the ring is gone now. She frowns and looks down upon remembering that she no longer has the ring her mother gave her. She used it to revive Saito back in the forest.
"Not to mention, she doesn't have to chant or even use a wand!" Louise adds. "Just who are you exactly?!"
"Master's maid." She responds tersely.
"Finally, we'll test your affinity and see what level magician you are." Osmond announces.
Once the measuring device is brought out and placed onto his desk. He gestures for Faye to come to the front of the device, which she does. The device is actually nothing more than a clear sphere.
Osmond explains, "First, it will test to see what class you are. Classes are basically the number of times you can combine elements. One element is a dot, two a line, three a triangle, and four a square. Understand?"
She nods.
"Then it will test for your element affinity. There are four elements in this world. Well, technically five, but one is pretty much never seen anymore. They are fire, wind, water, earth, and void. The last one is the one never really seen anymore, but Louise here has it."
Tiffania reacts with shock towards this revelation while the other two remain basically indifferent.
Why aren't they surprised? Louise wonders.
"Depending on how many elements you can combine, the orb will flash the respective amount of times. If you can combine two elements, then the orb will flash twice. If you can combine three elements, it will flash three times, and so on."
He coughs for a moment before continuing, "As for determining your affinity, it will flash whatever color your compatible with. Red for fire, green for earth, yellow for wind, and finally blue for water. Understand?"
She nods again.
"Then place your right hand on the orb and begin the test.'
She does so and the orb proceeds to flash a four times, confirming she is a square mage.
Everyone gasps a little upon seeing that. However, in the back of all their minds, they kinda expected this result. How else would she be able to cast such powerful healing magic?
"Now give it a moment and it will reveal what affinities you are compatible with." The old mage explains.
Soon enough, it brings up the color blue for a grand total of 15 seconds before disappearing. This confirms she can use water magic. Osmond and Louise greatly widen their eyes.
"So that means I can use water magic. How interesting." Faye concludes.
"That's great Faye! Does that mean you can use both healing and water magic?!" Anthony asks excitedly.
"...Yes. You're correct." Osmond answers for her, still coming down from the newly induced shock that registered in his brain. He wasn't sure how many more surprises he could take at this point.
"Why do you two look so surprised?" Tiffania asks Louise and Osmond.
"Um, no disrespect intended, but Mr. Osmond here sorta forgot to mention that depending on how long the color appears on the orb, the more or less in tune you are with said affinity." Louise explains.
"Is 15 seconds a long time?" He innocently asks.
"A long time?!" She spouts, "Of course it's a long time! Outside of a handful of people, like Mr. Colbert, no one has had an affinity show for longer than 5 seconds!"
"Wow…" He mumbles, amazed at the potential power Faye possesses in this world. It certainly seems like she'll be much more powerful here compared to their old world.
"Is there any reason why that is?" Tiffania asks, not really sure whether to direct the question to Louise or Osmond.
Osmond answers, "I've never had this sort of situation happen before. So this is purely hypothesis. But what I believe happened is since healing is a water attribute in this world, and Faye possessed intense healing magic back in her old world, her magic power and affinity converted to comply with the rules of this world."
"I see, that makes sense! For being a pervert, you sure are knowledgeable in magic." Anthony says.
He frowns, "A man as old as I ought to have an inkling or two of wisdom."
Later that Night
-Academy Front Yard-
"Are you ready for your training maid?" Faye asks Siesta. The former is carrying a clipboard that she asked and was given back in Osmond's office.
"Yes Sensei!" She gives the most serious expression she can muster. "Throw whatever you got at me!"
And that she does, "First off, 100 push-ups. Get to it."
"100 push-ups?!" She exasperates.
"Got a problem with that? I guess you aren't serious then." Her indifferent expression switches to a frown of disapproval.
Siesta fervently shakes her head, "N-No! There's no problem. Sorry for bringing it up."
Siesta is a fairly active maid all things considered. She constantly helps out with various chores at the academy after all. However, a few measly chores is nothing compared to what Faye has gone through throughout her life. As she gets on the ground and begins her extremely long set of push-ups, she can't help but think:
This is going to suck. But this is for Saito's sake! I must do this.
-Author's Corner-
A/N: Next chapter we'll see what happens with Faye and Siesta's training, as well as what occurred with Saito after he got hauled off by Guiche and the others. Finally, Anthony and Faye will begin meeting various students.
I decided to try something a little different with regards to scene changes. Instead of just general areas, I'm including specific areas too. I'm not sure if this really changes anything or not, so let me know what you think. I may change back to just listing general areas depending on the feedback.
One more note. Due to limited knowledge on how magic works fundamentally within the Familiar of Zero world, it was sort of difficult determining what powers Faye would get transporting to the world (if any) besides healing. From what I learned she doesn't qualify to have nature magic, since she'd need spirits to use it. There is no dedicated heal magic either. I initially thought of just granting her a special case of having all affinities minus void, but I then learned that water magic has healing properties. So it made the most sense to grant her that.
The Disquieting One: From what I learned when researching magic for this world genetics play little role in what affinities a person is granted. However, I also haven't seen a case where a person with no magic suddenly gains the ability to use it. At least to the extent mages can. Yeah, Henrietta I believe is at least a little biased towards her. At the same time, she hasn't really witnessed Louise at her worst too many times. So it kinda makes sense why she believes Louise isn't to brutal with her attacks. Especially considering their long past together. Agreed with Siesta. She was fairly decent in season 1 and I was rooting for her (despite knowing she wouldn't win him in the end) but after that season…yeah I started to see her in a worse light. Faye's harsh speech certainly got the gears within her head turning, realizing that what she is doing is wrong.
Frequent Reader: I'd say Mutsumi in that fic was a pretty extreme case. I can sorta give Henrietta a pass since she hasn't witnessed Louise at her worse that much. As for Siesta…yeah there isn't much of an excuse for her. Especially considering that it's at least implied that she willingly lets or encourages Louise to beat Saito up just so he can come to her later and have her comfort him. Pretty slimy way to try to win a man over. Considering what Faye has went through in the past, she's not exactly soft in delivering her speech to Siesta. Thanks for the suggestion regarding what Faye calls Louise. I didn't feel imbecile was quite right and I wasn't sure which word to use. So I've went ahead with your suggestion.
Fernando917: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! Anthony and Faye will be working on separating the two of them. Also that's the first time I've seen an Anthony X Faye shipper, so that's pretty cool! They do work pretty well together (I think at least).