(Told from Claire Francois's Perspective)

"Hey Claire-sama, are you… ok?'
"Hm?
"You haven't been talking much during this tea session, or class today. Did that commoner do something to you?"

My two friends, Loretta and Pipi, gathered with each other after today's classes. It's a ritual we developed ever since we first became friends, but I couldn't muster much motivation to talk or do much of anything.
After the incident this morning, what the commoner said weighed heavy in my mind. As Lene helped me choose a pair of gloves that would be proper with my attire, all I could think of was what this whole war meant. What was my purpose in all this, am I really going to survive this, could Rei help me through this? I thought long and hard about it for an unnecessary amount of time before I realized just how silly I was being. No noble such as I should be thinking like this. I know my place, I'm Claire Francois of the Francois financial house. Not only am I the heir to such a powerful house but I'm one of the top students in the academy with the highest attunement for fire magic. I can very well defend myself.

Yeah, I was sure I could make it out of this, but even then, there was still doubt. And that doubt refused to leave me like a haunting presence. I couldn't focus much after that; the classes were blurred, and I could only barely answer my professors when I was called on. It seems my feelings were caught on by my best friends, though that's not much of a surprise.

"If that commoner did something unsightly to you, I'll give her what for!"
"yeah, there's no way we would let her get away with this."
"Thanks you two, but it's nothing like that. I'm going to be fine. I just got some problems I need to deal with."
"Oh, well I'm happy the commoner is under control."
"I didn't say that. She's as cheeky as ever."
"We should have known."

The three of us sighed as we looked between one another.

"So… what exactly is troubling you, Claire-sama?"
"yeah, we're more than happy to help out."
"no no no, this is something I need to do. However, I appreciate your offers you two."

With how long I pondered the dangers this war could be I came to understand that while I believe I need to fight in this, under no circumstance should I get anyone here involved in this war. Loretta and Pipi are my friends for sure, but they do have a tendency to get over their heads; something I learned when they suggested maiming the commoner with glass and fire.
They aren't bad people, they're just overzealous. And maybe a bit drunk during that time too.

"Come on Claire-sama, we can help."
"Yeah!"
"Absolutely not you two. We all have our responsibilities, and this is something I must be responsible for. So please think nothing of it for my sake"
""…"'

There was a hush among the two, looking at me with a pondering look. But soon they dawned a big smile as they cheered for me.

"Yeah, you're the best Claire-sama!"
"I hope you do well Claire-sama"
"Claire-sama is so stunning and strong! I love her!"
"Yes, yes I will. Thanks, you three"

They all continue to cheer me on even if they couldn't help me out, they were such amazing friends. If I could rely on these two I would, but a chance to keep these two safe also makes me happy.

Wait, three people were talking.

"When did you get here?!"
"I'm always close to my beloved Claire."

I looked back at them shocked as it appeared the commoner suddenly appeared out of nowhere, this demon is unbelievable.
No, no, no. If I react like this, it's only gonna encourage her. Straighten up and address this head-on.

"That's Claire-sama to you, commoner. And where have you been? Or for that matter where's Lene?"

I didn't realize it for a while now, but I haven't seen her ever since the clinic, and Lene has been missing since the classes let out. I was that deep in my mind to the point I didn't notice the two most important people who were supposed to accompany me were missing. And for that matter why was she so dirty, it looked like she walked through a pigsty.

"Well, me and Lene have been getting ready for the "important meeting" tonight. I did a lot of research for the perfect… "gift" for tonight's guest."
"Um…", wait a second, research? And we were supposed to give them gifts too? "I thought we weren't supposed to be talking about that till later!". She was pretty clear we were supposed to be keeping this a secret, why was she being so brazen?

"Well, it's later, and it wasn't easy for me to map every route we could take let me tell you. Also, Misha has been giving me the evil eye all morning, which gave me an idea that I had to discard for… reasons.", she looked to the side as she appeared to be having some unpleasant thoughts, which is concerning for her of all people.

"Wait, whom is Claire-sama speaking with?", and pipi is asking questions, this isn't good.

"that's not your concern."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Loretta stood up looking to be getting ready to fight with the commoner, and it was steadily getting tenser.

"Claire-sama already clarified that this is a private matter."
"Y-yes, so why are you involved in such things."
"Well, as the illustrious Claire-sama's maid. As such I must get everything prepared"

The air continued to hang heavy for a while, before Loretta looked away annoyed, and sat down. Pipi gave Loretta some comfort as she already gave up on the commoner.

"Well now that I'm done, I'm ready to walk on hand and foot for you Claire-sama! Please use me to your heart's content"
"don't phrase it like that, and I think not like that. No servant of mine is gonna look like that. Clean yourself up this instant."
"But I can't bear being separated thus long."
"Then you can be separated for a bit longer, go take a bath now!"
"O-K- I'll come out smelling of roses and strawberries for you Claire-sama!"

And with that last couple of words of nonsense, the commoner walked off to the bathhouse muddying the very floor she treads. I could only sigh as I looked at Loretta and Pipi who have completely given up.

"I'm sorry you two, I'll have a conversation about this, again."
"you're much stronger than us Claire-sama"
"Good luck with whomever you're meeting."
"I'll try Pipi. and thank you, Loretta."

The three of us continued our tea session for a while until dusk soon fell. After we finished our final thoughts, we discussed our next session before departing.

As I walked down the halls thinking to myself about the talk I'm supposed to have with the commoner. We haven't established a meeting place, not to mention she has been in the bath for too long now. I was getting worried for a moment we might have missed each other as night fell. But as I thought that the devil reared her freshly cleaned face.

"Claire-sama!"
"Wah!"

Reared was a kind word because the moment I saw her was the same moment she tried to pounce on me like some kind of cat.

"I missed you so much! I can't wait for personal time with you!"
"Get off me you barbarian! Were you raised by wolves?!"

I had to wrestle with her for a while. I was thankful she cleaned off the blood and dirt, but the death grip she held me with was more worrying than any threat of dirt. It took a lot of work to finally get her off me before I glared at her.

"Will you stop that!? Are you some kind of animal?"
"I'll happily be your dog, woof!"
"NO! None of that. You are more like a pig with how dirty you were today."
"Well, I was cleaning a pigsty."
"Why on earth would you be doing such a thing?! Do you know what would happen if someone from the school saw you?"

I can't have one of my maids doing something so damaging to my family's reputation. Yet she looked to be less than concerned about that.

"No need to worry about that, I also had to do a bunch of other quests to do before I could get my gift."
"Also, why were you talking about this with Loretta and Pipi around? We were supposed to keep this a secret."
"… oh! Those cronies, I kinda forgot they existed."

"Something wrong Claire-sama?"

This commoner, I might actually try to hurt her if I don't control myself.

"I'll tell you off later. What's with these gifts you're talking about anyway?"
"Not here Claire-sama, it's gotta be a secret."

I was about to blow up on her again for this hypocritical statement before she yanked my arm, dragging me away into a random classroom. At least, I thought it was random until I saw Lene off to the side, sitting on a chair and waving to me.

"Lene?!"
"Hello, Claire-sama. Sorry, Rei got me drawing the circle."
"I thought so. Commoner, now can you explain?"

I looked over at her as she walked to the center of the classroom, taking out a small box; in the meanwhile, Lene stood up.

"History is vast, over the years several heroes and tales have come and passed-"

What on earth? As the commoner started to, I think present something Lene rolled in a chalkboard with several names on it. Is this what they were preparing for?

"-With all these people that came and passed, it's a lottery for whom you summon. Do you summon a god among men? Or an overgrown shrimp", the commoner picked up a piece of chalk. "it's a spin of the wheel Claire-sama. Random chance more often than not. However, there is something that lessens the chance, two things in fact!", the lights in the room were turned off as a ray of light shined on me from above. "The illustrious master! Her glowing figure, her virtuous goals, and her flaming personality. Truly she could summon any number of fine people attuned to her."

"W-What's going on here?", I didn't understand what she was trying to do.

Before I got an answer, another light showed. The commoner stood before me with the box in hand.

"But to better the chances, a catalyst is needed! An object of great historical value: one with a history of hatred, of pride… of love", she turned to me as she got on one knee, her body turned to one side as she opened the box. And I was shocked. The object- the catalyst-, "and this object I offer you, shall be the catalyst of our great servant. The gift tied to the greatest story of love, the great story of the amour festival! And from my gift to you, I gi- wah!"

I snatch away the box from Rei's hand as I looked at the object in the box, I couldn't believe it was real. A flower bud in the shape of a bell. The petals were brightly colored and the leaves on the stem looked to be in great health. There was no doubt about it.

"Rei, this… do you know what this is?!"

Rei looked a bit disappointed as she stood up, the lights turned back on as she caught Relaire as it fell from the roof. "of course, it's a floss flower. A beautiful flower for the most beautiful flower"
"You went that far for this crude joke!?"
"My love for you is no joke Claire-sama! This flower shall be a marker of my love and with my love, we shall conquer this war together!"

I stared at her for a long moment for this bold declaration. I was more than sure she somehow started to rot my brain, but then I realize she was having that weird smile of admiration. As my thoughts collected, I realized I was getting flustered by this after such a nonsensical display, but I had a good reason at this point. This commoner… how cheeky does she get. I wanted to blow up on her, but that was not gonna solve anything. took a breath and forced myself to move on.

"Enough of this joke, from what I could get from this nonsense is that the servant I summon will be tailored to me, and the item that's used with the summon as well."
"you're so smart Claire-sama. That's exactly it."
"And you couldn't say that?!"
"I could, but I believe my Claire-sama only deserves the best."
"She's been rehearsing it in the bathhouse as well apparently. That was pretty good Rei!"

Lene gave Rei applause as she bowed, and I just stood there waiting for her to stop. And when she did, I tried to get the conversation back on track.

"Enough getting off track, is that all commoner."
"Well, no. There are also classes… but I could probably tell you about that as we go along."
"Can't you just explain now…"
"Maybe but getting into the specifics of all the classes might take a while. Let's just say I promise we'll get a good class."
"Ugh, ok. Then is that all?"
"Absolutely! Lene, what time is it?"
"12:00 on the dot"
"Wow, we made great time. Now, execute operation: third servant!"
"Aye, aye."

I looked confused at the two when they started to run around the room. Lene closed the blinds on the windows and Rei brought in a rug from the storage room, unrolling it to reveal a blood circle like the one she drew in the clinic.
I was amazed by the ease they pulled this off, and before I knew it Lene left the room leaving me with the commoner.

"And that should be the last touches. You ready to start Claire-sama?"
"… Yes, let's start."
"Good, then follow my lead."

This was the moment I had to take full responsibility. There wasn't any turning back or down if I wished to keep everyone safe. Through the blinding light, the pulse of energy, the blistering winds, and the greetings to come I knew this was the time and place. I knew this is where it begins.

"Greeting master, I'm Rider! hope you come to like me! Viva la France!"