Saito beats up Guiche.

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Please note that I do not own Familiar of Zero or Fate
Also please note I do not know much about the Fate Universe. I will try and search everything I can, But I will make mistakes. And I'll make a lot of them. Please tell me so I can fix them. I'm doing this to try and cure my writer's block, so please don't bash me too hard in the comments.

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Mister Colbert, a teacher who had dedicated twenty years to Tristain Magic Academy, was now a mainstay figure.

His Runic Name was "Colbert the Flame Snake," and, naturally, he was an expert in fire magic. Though these days, he rarely used it for combat.

Having spent most of his time in the military, then shifting to work as a church member, and finally settling on a teacher, he could confidently say he had some experience under his mage's sash. He could also note that he's had enough battle and bloodshed for this lifetime.

Despite his less-than-ideal background, he was offered a job as an instructor at the Tristaiin Magic Academy. He dedicated his life and soul to educating the budding mages, and the students all appreciated his work. At least...that's what he hoped.

Well, even if they didn't, he liked this job many times more than his previous ones. To see mediocre dot mages transform into Triangle or even Square mages was like seeing a flower bud bloom. And knowing he played a part in doing so helped him sleep at night. Because of this, he paid extra close attention to students' progress. And, in turn, developed a relatively accurate potential sensor.

Since the Springtime Familiar Summoning a few days ago, his attention had been attracted to the commoner boy Louise had summoned. Or, more precisely, the Runes that appeared on his hand. Never before in his long years of teaching has he seen such unique Runes. So, for the last few nights, He'd confined himself to the library and had been researching various texts.

Tristain Magic Academy's library was in the same tower as the dining hall. The bookshelves were unbelievably tall, about thirty mails in height, and the way they were lined along the walls was a sight to behold. And rightly so, since this place was crammed with the history of everything following the creation of the new world in Halkeginia by the Founder Brimir.

Colbert was now in a section called "Fenrir's Library" that only teachers were allowed in.

The ordinary bookshelves, to which students had free reign, didn't hold the answers he was searching for.

He levitated up to an out-of-reach shelf and scanned intently for a particular book. His efforts were rewarded as his gaze fell upon a title. It was an ancient text, though the papers and cover were still intact, thanks to magic. Within it held the descriptions of the familiars summoned by the Founder Brimir.

His attention was focused on one particular paragraph within it, and as he read on in fascination, his eyes grew wide. He compared the book with a sketch of the runes on the boy's left hand.

"Ah!" He gasped in surprise. His concentration for levitation wavered, and he almost fell to the ground.

Holding the book in his arms, he hurriedly descended to the floor and ran out of the library.

His destination was the Headmaster's Office.

...

The Headmaster's Office was located on the topmost floor of the tower. Sir Osmond, the current Headmaster of Tristain Magic Academy, was sitting with his elbow propped on his elegantly built sequoia desk, looking unbearably bored as he shook his white beard and hair. Idly plucking out nose hairs, he slowly murmured and pulled open a desk drawer. From inside, he procured a smoking pipe. Miss Longueville, the secretary writing something at the other desk to the side of the room, waved her feather quill.

The pipe floated into the air and landed in Miss Longueville's palm.

Sir Osmond seemed saddened indeed. "Are you going to take away one of the few pleasures this old man has, Miss... Um..."

"Managing your health is also part of my job, Old Osmond."

Sir Osmond stood up from his chair and walked up to Miss Longueville. He was cool as a cucumber and serious as cancer. "If the days pass so peacefully, figuring out how to spend time will become a rather big concern."

His stern expression highlighted the wrinkles etched deeply on his face. No one knew this old mage's age, and he himself might have also forgotten.

"Old Osmond," Miss Longueville spoke up without taking her eyes off the parchment she was scribbling on.

"What is it? Miss..."

"Please stop saying you have nothing to do as an excuse to touch my bottom."

Sir Osmond opened his mouth lightly and began walking around in tottering steps.

"Please also refrain from pretending to be senile whenever a situation worsens." Miss Longueville added calmly.

Sir Osmond sighed deeply. "Where do you think the ultimate truth could be? Have you ever wondered about that? Miss..."

"Wherever it is, I assure you, it's not under a woman's skirt. So please stop sneaking your mouse under my desk."

Old Osmond's face fell, and he murmured sadly. "Motsognir."

From under Miss Longueville's desk, out came a little mouse. It dashed up to Osmond's leg and perched on his shoulder, twitching its tiny head. He fished some nuts from a pocket and held one out to the mouse.

"Chuchu." The mouse chittered, apparently pleased.

"You're my only truly trustworthy friend, Motsognir."

The mouse began nibbling on the nut. It disappeared quickly, and the mouse chittered "chuchu" once more.

"Ah, yes, yes. Do you want more? Very well, I shall give you more. But first, I would ask that you report back, Motsognir."

"Chuchu!"

I see. White, and plain white, too. Hrm... But Miss Longueville should really stick to black. Wouldn't you agree, my cute Motsognir?"

Miss Longueville's eyebrows twitched. "Old Osmond."

"What is it?"

"The next time you do that, I'm reporting it to the palace."

"Kah! Do you really think I could be Headmaster of this Acadamy if I was scared of the palace?!" Sir Osmond flashed his eyes wide and yelled angrily. It was an impressive display, the valor unfit for a man his age. "Don't get all prissy because I peeked at your precious panties! At this rate, you'll never get married! Ha... To be young again...!"

Old Osmond began stroking Miss Longueville's bottom without hesitation.

Miss Longueville stood up and wordlessly kicked her boss around.

"Ouch! Sorry! Stop! I won't do it anymore! Really."

Old Osmond covered his head and cowered.

"Ack! How can you! Treat a senior! In this way! Hey! Ouch!"

This "peaceful" moment was interrupted by a sudden intrusion.

The door was thrown open with a slam, and Colbert rushed inside.

"Old Osmond!"

"What is it?"

Mis Longueville was back at her desk as if nothing had happened. Sir Osmond had his arms around him and turned to face the visitor with a poker expression.

That was a quick recovery.

"I-I-I have some big news!"

"There is no such thing as big news. Everything is but a collection of small events."

"P-P-Please look at this!"

Colbert handed Osmond the book.

"This is 'The Familiars of the Founder Brimir,' is it not? Are you still going around digging up old literature like this? If you have time to do that, why don't you think of better ways of collecting school fees from those slack nobles? Mister... What was it again?"

"Old Osmond socked his head.

"It's Colbert! You forgot?!"

"Right, right. Now I remember. It's just that you talked so fast that I never really caught it. So, Colby, what is it about this book?"

"Please take a look at this!"

Colbert handed him the sketch of the Runes n Saito's left hand.

The moment he saw that Osmond's expression changed. His eyes took on a solemn light.

"Miss Longueville, would you please excuse us?"

Miss Longueville stood up and left the room. Osmond spoke after he confirmed she was outside.

"Explain this to me with every detail, Mister Colbert."

...

It was just before lunchtime when they finally finished tidying up the classroom that Louise had made a mess of. As punishment, they couldn't use magic. But, now that Saito knew why Louise didn't use magic to "discipline" him, it didn't make much of a difference. Mrs. Chevreuse regained consciousness two hours after the explosion. While she did return to class, she didn't give any more lectures on Transmutation for that entire day. It would seem she'd been traumatized.

Saito grinned cheekily, thinking of all the items he "fixed" using Glamour. He used some glue he found to stick things together and then used his Faerie Glamour to make the items look good as new. Emphasis on "look." They'd fall apart with but a mere brush. Glamour was but an illusion, after all. His metaphorical internal demon laughed as he thought of all the reactions he'd get to see throughout the next couple of weeks. You might call what he did childish and immature, but hey, he was a Faerie...or at least the descendent of one. Faeries were all about childishness. He couldn't use magecraft to cause mischief, so Glamour would have to do...

Hah... How much he missed his circuits. Of course, he had other methods of using the arcane arts, but doing so would expose his nature as a Fae. So he'd have to stick to regular, magecraft-less tricks. For example: verbally torturing his contractor.

"'Louise the Zero.' Now I get it~. That's perfect~. Rate of success: zero! But still a noble despite that! Wonderful! I feel so happy for you, dearest master!"

Louise didn't say a word which only roused Saito's Faerie side further.

"Transmutation! Ah! Kaboom! Oh, I screwed up! Only 'the Zero' screws this up!"

Saito danced circles around Louise, raising his arms every time he said "kaboom," mimicking an explosion. Thanks to sheer talent, it was a detailed performance.

"Mistress Louise. This humble familiar had made a song just for you."

Louise's eyebrow was twitching furiously. She was on the verge of blowing her top, but Saito was too absorbed in his excitement to notice.

"Why don't you go ahead and sing it?"

"Lou-Lou-Louise is such a hopeless case~. A mage that can't even use magic! But that's all right! Because she's a girl..."

Saito held his stomach and burst into laughter.

"Bwahahahaha!"

At that moment, he cast shame on the images of Faeries.

...

When they arrived at the dining hall, Saito pulled a chair for Louise.

"Remember, my lady. Don't cast any spells on that heavenly fruit. Fruit murder is a grave crime against Her Majesty the Queen."

Louise took the seat wordlessly. Saito felt thoroughly satisfied. Swiping another basket of fruit, he made sure to be as loud as possible when chewing.

"Right then. Founder what's-his-face. Your Highness the Queen. Thanks a bunch for this necessity I can't live without. Itadakimasu."

Louise suddenly snatched his basket away while he banged a coconut on a random piece of silverware he stole.

"Hey! Give me back my food!"

"Th-th..."

"Th-th-th?"

Louise's shoulders shook angrily, as did her voice. Somehow, she'd managed to reign in her overflowing fury until they'd arrived at the dining table. Probably so she could bestow an appropriate punishment.

"Th-th-th-this familiar, how dare it say s-s-such things to its m-m-master?"

Saito realized he'd gone too far.

"I'm sorry! I won't say it anymore, so give me back my food!"

Louise screamed, twisting her cute face in rage.

"One meal cut for everything time you've said 'Zero!' And no exceptions!"

...

In the end, Saito left the dining hall with a screaming stomach.

Vesta pecked angrily at his master's head. "Why'd you have to go and ruin my food?" He seemed to be asking. Saito's shoulders hunched pathetically at his familiar's chastizing.

"Haa... I'm starving... Damn..."

Clutching his stomach, he leaned one hand on a wall. Vesta was better off, snuggled safely in his master's hair.

"Is something the matter?"

He turned to see a normal-looking girl in a maid's outfit carrying a large silver tray, looking concernedly at him. Her black hair was neatly adorned with a headband, and her black eyes were like obsidian. There was something familiar about her, but Saito couldn't place what.

"It's nothing..." Saito waved his left hand.

"Are you by chance the one who became Miss Vallière's familiar...?"

She noticed the Runes as he waved his hand.

"You've heard of me?"

"A little. It's become quite a rumor, you know? That a commoner was called by the summoning magic."

The girl smiled sweetly. It was the first carefree smile Saito had seen since he came here.

"Are you a mage, too?" Saito asked.

"Oh, not me. I'm a commoner, just like you. I serve the nobility here by doing domestic duties."

'And I'm a Faerie from another world.'

"I see. Well, I'm Saito Hiraga Kirizaka. Nice to meet you."

"That's quite a strange name... I'm Siesta."

At that point, Saito's stomach grumbled.

"You must be hungry."

"Yeah..."

"Please follow me this way."

"Siesta walked off.

...

Saito was led to the kitchen at the rear of the dining hall. Lots of large pots and ovens were lined up inside. Cooks and other maids like Siesta were busily preparing food.

"Please wait one moment, okay?"

Siesta had Saito sit on a chair in the corner of the kitchen and went into the back. She soon returned with a bowl full of warm stew in her hands.

"This is some stew made from the leftovers of the nobles' meals. If you don't mind, please eat this."

"Can I?"

"Yes. It's only the staff meal, though..."

Her kindness was touching. This was completely different from the radioactive waste Louise gave him. He scooped up a spoonful and brought it to his mouth.

'Delicious. I'm going to cry.'

"Please. Do you have any fruit?"

"Fruit? Yes, in fact. We do have some leftovers from making the fruit baskets."

Siesta retreated into the back again. When she came out again, she held a small platter of fruit.

"Oh, thank you. So much."

Saito chomped the food away as if in a dream. Siesta stood watching him, smiling sweetly all the time.

"You really like fruit, don't you, Mr. Saito."

"Well, it's something I inherited from my mother."

"That reminds me. Why are you so hungry in the first place? Did your master not give you any food?"

"Right. That girl went and took away my fruit basket when I called her 'the Zero.'"

"Oh no! You shouldn't say things like that to nobles."

"Bah! Who cares. They're just a bunch of stuck-up brats who've never experienced true pain."

Siesta looked at Saito with an expression of amazement.

Saito handed back the empty bowls. He pocketed a few grapes for Vesta.

"That was great. Thanks so much."

"I'm glad you liked it. Feel free to visit whenever you're hungry. If you don't mind having whatever we're having. I'd be happy to share."

Such a kind offer! Saito was even more touched.

Saio suddenly burst into tears, surprising Siesta.

"W-what's the matter?"

"No... It's just that it's the first time anyone's been so nice to me since I came here... I got a bit emotional..."

"Th-that's an exaggeration."

"No. Such kindness must be repaid. If there's anything I can do for you, tell me."

Faeries in legend were always like this, yeah?

"In that case, please help me serve the desserts."

"Leave it to me!"

...

Lots of dessert cakes were arranged on a big silver tray. Saito carried the tray, while Siesta picked up the cake with tongs and served them one by one to the nobles.

The second-year students were all in a courtyard whose name Saito didn't bother remembering. Louise said something about communicating with the newly summoned familiars, but if they "communicated," all that would happen was Saito annoying Louise until her top burst.

"So, Guiche! Who're you going out with now?"

"Who's your lover, Guiche?"

There was a small gathering of boys around a self-centered-looking mage. He had curly blonde hair, wore a frill-trimmed shirt, and had a rose sticking out his front pocket.

"Go out? I hold no one woman in such a special regard. A rose blooms for the pleasure of many, after all."

'What a cringe quote!'

That comment ticked Saito off for some unknown reason. The faint image of a white-haired philanderer with purple eyes and flowers in his hair overlapped with the stuck-up noble. It vanished before Saito could make out the philanderer's face.

'Why do I know he's a philanderer?'

Saito traced a finger over his crest.

'Could my crest have stored the memories of my ancestor?'

At that moment, something fell from Guiche's pocket. It was a small glass bottle with purple liquid swirling inside.

'This guy ticks me off, but I should still tell him.'

"Hey, you dropped this bottle from your pocket."

Guiche didn't turn around.

'Are you ignoring me?'

Saito passed the tray to Siesta and bent down to pick up the bottle.

"Here, you dropped this, Mer-ahem-I mean, playboy."

He placed it on the table. Guiche shot Saito a dirty look and pushed the bottle away.

"This is not mine. What are you talking about?"

Guiche's friend then realized where the bottle came from and raised a loud commotion.

"Ooh? That perfume, isn't that Montmorency's?"

"Yeah! That vivid purple is the shade of the perfume Montmorency only mixed for herself!"

"So to have something like that fall out of your pocket, Guiche, means that you're going out with Montmorency now, right?"

"No, wait, listen to me. I'm saying this for the sake of reputation, but..."

As Guiche was about to say more, a girl, who wore a brown cloak and had been sitting at the table behind them, stood up and walked over to Guiche's seat.

She was a cute girl sporting chestnut-colored hair. According to the color of her cloak, she was a first year.

"Guiche..."

With that, she started crying uncontrollably.

"I knew it, you and Miss Montmorency are..."

"They're misunderstanding. Katie, listen. The only person I hold in my heart is you..."

But the girl called Katie slapped Guiche's face as hard as possible.

"That perfume you dropped from your pocket is more than enough proof! Goodbye!"

Guiche rubbed his reddened cheek.

At this point, a girl with tightly rolled hair stood up from a seat further down the table. Saito recognized her as the girl who had the argument with Louise when he was first summoned to this world. Wearing a severe expression, she approached Guiche with quick, clipped steps.

"Montmorency. This is a misunderstanding. All I did was accompany her on a long trip to the forests of La Rochelle..." Guiche said, shaking his head. While he pretended to remain composed, a drop of cold sweat ran down his forehead.

"Just as I thought! You've been making moves on that first year, haven't you?!"

"Please, Montmorency the Fragrance. Don't twist your rose-like face in anger like that. It saddens me to see it!"

Montmorency grabbed a bottle of wine on the table and poured its contents out audibly on Guiche's head.

And then...

"You liar!"

She stormed off.

Silence fell upon the yard.

'Geesh. Even that unknown philanderer would have handled this situation better.'

Guiche pulled out a handkerchief and slowly wiped his face. Shaking his head, he spoke dramatically.

"It would seem those ladies do not understand the meaning of a rose's existence."

'Seriously? Even if I don't understand why, I know that philanderer could have handled both ladies.'

Saito began walking off, tray in hand.

Guiche called him to a stop.

"Stop right there."

"What now?"

Guiche spun his body around on the chair and crossed his legs with a flourish. It gave Saito a headache as the vision of a white-haired mage appeared, giving him a sense of anger and betrayal.

"Thanks to you thoughtlessly picking up some perfume, the reputation of the two ladies has been damaged. How will you take responsibility."

'Oh, my! I didn't realize the weight of my sin! I shall offer up my Faerie soul as compensation!'

"Hey, it's your fault for two-timing."

Guiche's friends burst out laughing.

"Exactly, Guiche! It's your fault!"

Guiche's face flushed crimson.

"Listen, server. When you put the perfume on the table, I pretended not to know anything. Didn't I? Would it have hurt to be a little tactful and go along with it?"

"That's your problem, not mine. Your two-timing would have been busted eventually, so I only saved you some time. Also, I'm not a server."

"Hmph... Ah, you are..."

Guiche snorted as if looking down on Saito.

"You must be the commoner summoned by that 'Louise the Zero.' To have expected a noble's wits from a commoner was my mistake. You may leave."

Saito snapped.

"Shut up, you over-pretentious bastard. Why don't you suck on roses for the rest of your life?"

Guiche's eyes narrowed.

"It would seem you don't know the proper etiquette for addressing a noble."

"Unfortunately, you don't deserve that kind of special treatment."

Saito raised his right hand and impersonated Guiche's actions, even using the tongs as a makeshift wand.

"Very well. Then I shall teach you a lesson about respect. A perfect way to relieve some stress." Guiche stood up. "How amusing."

Saito forced a smile onto his face.

'Now you've done it. I'll make sure you're humiliated in the worst way possible.'

"You wish to duel here?"

Guiche turned in the other direction.

"Are you running away?"

"Don't be stupid. I can't taint the courtyard with the blood of a commoner. I'll be waiting at Vestri Court. Come once you're finished delivering those cakes."

Looking excited, Guiche's friends stood up and followed him off.

One person remained as if trying to make sure Saito didn't run away himself.

Siesta gazed at Saito, her entire body quivering. Saito spoke with a grin.

"Some noble, huh?"

"You...you're going to get killed."

"Huh?"

'I'm sure he's not strong enough to hurt me.'

"If you truly anger a noble..."

Siesta dashed off in a hurry.

'What was that about?'

Saito pocketed the knife he used to cut the cakes with.

Louise ran up to him from behind.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?! I saw all that!"

"Hey, Louise."

"This is no time for "hey-ing!" How can you go around promising duels like it's no big deal?!"

"Because it is no big deal."

"Louise sighed and shrugged disappointedly.

"Apologize to him."

"Why should I?"

"If you don't want to get hurt, go and apologize. If you do it now, Guiche might forgive you."

"Are you kidding? Why do I have to apologize when it's his fault?"

"Just do it."

Louise fixed Saito with a firm look.

"No."

"So stubborn... But you know what? You can't win. You'll be badly injured. Actually, you'll be lucky to come back alive!"

'Really? Are nobles so strong here, or are commoners just that weak?'

"I won't know unless I try."

"Listen! A commoner can never beat a mage!"

"So where's this Vestri Court?"

Saito casually strolled off. The friend of Guiche's that had been watching Louise and Saito's exchange pointed with his chin.

"This way, commoner."

"Ah, jeez! Really! Why does this familiar keep doing off and doing stuff on its own?!"

With that, Louise chased after Saito.

...

Vestri Court was the central garden between the Wind and Fire elemental towers. Being located to the west, the Court didn't receive much sunlight. But it was the perfect place for a duel.

Right now, the place was packed with people who heard the rumors.

"Gentlemen! It's a duel!"

Guiche lifted his artificial rose high, eliciting a loud cheer from the crowd.

"Guiche is going to duel! His opponent is Louise's commoner!"

'Excuse me? I have a name.'

Waving his arms about, Guiche acknowledged the cheering.

And then, as if finally noticing Saito's presence, he turned to face him.

Saito and Guiche stood in the middle of the Court, glaring intently at each other.

"First of all, I commend you for coming here instead of running away," Guiche remarked in a sing-song voice as he twirled his rose.

"Why would I run from someone like you?"

"Alright then, let us begin."

'It's roughly ten paces to where Guiche is. I should be able to make it there in five seconds.'

Guiche watched Saito with a leisurely smile and flicked his rose.

A petal floated down as if dancing in the air. It became the armor-clad shape of a female warrior. Its height was about the same as a person's, but it was constructed from hard metal. Its armor turned the sun's warm glimmer into a cold gleam.

'As I thought. Using magic.'

"I am a mage. Therefore I fight using magic. Surely you have no complaints?"

Saito rapidly waved his arms. It was as if he was slashing an invisible foe.

"I guess I forgot to mention earlier. My Runic name is 'the Bronze.' Guiche the Bronze. Accordingly, my 'Valkyrie' shall be your opponent."

"Well, your name means you're third-rate, right? Gold, silver, and bronze and all that."

Saito grinned and slashed the air once more.

The Valkyrie charged at Saito, its right fist aiming for Saito's stomach.

Saito stepped back just enough to avoid the punch but pretended to be hit anyway, using Glamour to make it look like the blow landed.

"What, over already?" Guiche sounded dissatisfied. From the mass of people, Louise burst out.

"Guiche!"

"Oh, Louise! My bad. I'm just borrowing your familiar for a bit."

Louise shook her long hair and yelled angrily.

"That's quite enough! And besides, dueling is strictly forbidden!"

"Only dueling between nobles is forbidden. That is a commoner."

Louise was at a momentary loss for words.

"Th-that's because nothing like this has ever happened before..."

"Louise, do you like this commoner?"

Louise's face burned an angry scarlet.

"No! Don't be ridiculous! It's just that I won't put up with having my familiar beaten up before my eyes."

'I'm sorry. Who's being beaten up?"

"Saito!"

Seeing Saito up again, Louise practically screamed his name.

"...You finally called me by my name."

Louise was trembling.

"You understand now, right? A commoner can never beat a mage!"

"That was but a scratch."

'It wasn't even that.'

"I'm fine, so step aside,"

Saito pushed Luise back.

"What's this? I didn't think you could stand up again... Maybe I went too easy on you?"

Saito walked towards Guiche, slashing at air all the while. Louise grabbed his shoulder.

"You need to stop! Idiot! Why are you still standing?"

He gently picked her hand away.

"Just because."

"You don't even have a reason?! Look, there's no embarrassment in losing to a mage!"

'Hah! This is like playing house with little girls.'

"Silence."

"Eh?" Saito's commanding tone was unfit for him. Louise staggered because of this.

"You're starting to get on my nerves, too. I don't care about empty titles gained at birth. What I recognize are ones gained through hard work and effort. You're all just a bunch of ego-inflated brats. Magic isn't everything."

Guiche watched Saito with a faint smile painted on his face.

"The more you try, the more pointless this becomes."

"That was nothing. Your little statue was weak. You might as well change your name to 'Guiche the Cotton.'"

Guiche's smile fell away. The golem's right hand lashed out to strike Saito's face. He purposely fell backward, avoiding the fist and pretending to be defeated.

Glamour worked wonders as blood seemed to drip from his nose.

'Thank you, my ancestor.'

He got up again, slashed the air a few times, and fell.

Over and over, the process was repeated.

'You know, this is beginning to get boring.'

He opened his right eye and was met by Louise's face framed by a blue sky.

"Please stop. Just stop now."

Louise's hazel eyes were wet with tears.

"...Are you... crying?"

"I'm not! Who would cry here? Anyway, this is enough. You did well. I've never seen a commoner like you before."

"You even praised me..."

Tears ran down Louise's face and fell on Saito's cheek.

"You're my familiar, understand? I'm not going to forgive you for any more stupid acts."

Guiche called to the pair.

"Are we quite done yet?"

"I see..." Saito stood up, having made a decision. He was slashing the air as a precaution. Now it seems he'll have to use them.

Guiche smiled and flicked his rose. This time, the petal transformed into a sword. Guiche grabbed it and threw it in Saito's direction. The blade point stabbed into the ground near where Saito stood.

"If you're still willing to continue, then take that sword. If not, all you need to say is a simple 'I'm sorry.' Then I can forgive you and be done with it."

"Don't insult him!"

Louise yelled, standing up. But Guiche gave no indication that he had heard her and kept taking.

"Understand? The sword. In other words, a weapon. It's the least you commoners will need if you want to take revenge against us nobles. So if you're still up for it, take that sword."

Saito reached for the sword.

His hand was stopped by Louise.

"No! There is absolutely no way I'm letting you do this! If you take that sword, Guiche won't show any mercy."

"There's no need to worry. Think of it as repaying a debt."

"Huh?"

"Well, you were finally kind to me. You finally treated me like a human. I suppose I have to do something in return for you. I'll beat that blond bastard to show my loyalty."

"You! Idiot!"

Saito's hand grasped the sword, and he whispered a single word.

"Release."

...

In the headmaster's office, Mister Colbert was fervently explaining everything to Sir Osmond about the commoner boy that was summoned by Louise at the Springtime Familiar Summoning.

"You reached the Founder Brimir's familiar Gandálfr?"

Osmond intently examined Colbert's sketch of the runes on Saito's left hand.

"Yes! The runes on that boy's left hand are exactly the same as the ones inscribed on the legendary familiar Gandálfr!"

"So, your conclusion?"

"That boy is Gandálfr! If this isn't big news, what is, Old Osmond?"

Colbert stood up as he wiped his balding head with a handkerchief.

"Hrm... The runes are the same. But for an ordinary commoner boy to become Gandálfr just by having the runes... I wonder how that could've happened."

"What shall we do?"

"However, it is too early to be making definite claims."

"That's true."

Sir Osmond drummed his fingers on the desk.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

From behind the door came Miss Longueville's voice.

"It's me, Old Osmond."

"What is it?"

"It seems there are some students dueling at Vertri Court. It's causing quite a commotion. A few teachers have gone there to try and stop it, but their attempts are being impeded by the sheer number of students."

"For heaven's sake, there's nothing worse than nobles with too much free time. So, who's involved."

"One of them is Guiche de Gramont."

"Ah, that idiot son of Gramont. Skirt-chasing must run in the family, considering his father's even more of a womanizer. I wouldn't be surprised if the boy knew every girl in school. And his opponent is?"

"Well, it's not a mage. I've been told it's Miss Vallière's familiar."

Osmond and Colbert exchanged a look.

"The teachers are requesting to use the "Bell of Sleep" to stop this duel."

Osmond's eyes glinted like a hawk's.

"Ridiculous. There's no need to use such an important artifact to stop a children's fight. Leave them be."

"Understood."

Miss Longueville's footsteps disappeared down the hallway.

Colbert swallowed audibly and verbally pressed Osmond.

"Old Osmond"

"Hrm."

Sir Osmond waved his staff, and a big mirror set in the wall began scrying the situation at Vestri Court.

...

"Release."

Saito realized the runes on his left hand were glowing.

'Huh. That's odd.'

And then...

'My body feels light. And my circuits! They're working again. Well, whatever. I'm using my Patterns already.'

The blade he held felt so familiar that it seemed like an extension of his body.

'How weird. I haven't trained with a blade.'

Seeing Saito with the weapon in hand, Guiche smiled coldly.

"Firstly, let me congratulate you. I'm impressed that a commoner would come this far against a mage."

With that, he twirled the rose in his hand.

'That won't work anymore.'

Guiche's golem attacked, but its actions were slow in Saito's eyes.

"Release."

Slashes stored in time struck the golem. The air glimmered as the strikes landed before vanishing into nothing as the actions stored were used up.

The golem turned into a pile of rubble.

Saito flicked his wrist, revealing the cake knife he hid in his sleeve. When Saito slashed the air previously, he used Fae magecraft to preserve and conceal the blows. Now, the grounds were his domain: a battleground with countless blades pressed against his opponent's neck, ready to strike at their master's call.

Guiche looked dumbly at the pile of rubble, not understanding how his golem was destroyed.

Saito strolled calmly towards Guiche.

"Let me tell you something about proper etiquette."

Panicking, Guiche waved his rose wand wildly. Petals danced, and six new golems appeared.

Altogether, seven golems were Guiche's entire arsenal. He never thought a mere commoner could be a match for one.

The golems surrounded Saito and sprang at him all at once.

"You must be calm in all situations."

Saito held his thumb to his middle finger.

*Snap*

"Never wear your heart and feelings on your sleeve, lest rumors spread."

Five slashes to deal with five golems.

"Nobles aren't different from commoners. You are bound by chains wrought from the purest gold, but they are still chains."

The remaining golem promptly dashed over to guard Guiche.

'Hear me. Spirits of fire.'

Saito pointed the sword at the Valkyrie.

'Vengeful Spirit.'

The sword burst into flame as Saito threw it toward the golem. Because of how fast it was moving, no one saw the fires covering the steel edge.

The bronze golem withered like a dying rose.

"Disappointing. That blade was born of your wish. As yet, you can not will it to vanish."

Saito's eyes glanced in Guiche's rough direction.

Tens of light slashes struck Guiche. They were weak, not even deep enough to draw blood, but they weren't meant to.

Guiche's pants were shredded like paper.

"Ah-ah!"

Another unseen blade knocked him to his knees.

Saito picked up the rapier-like sword and spun it around as if it wasn't a weapon for murder. He walked towards Guiche, who was too busy covering his nether regions. He pointed the sword at the space between his eyes.

"Do you wish to continue?"

Guiche shook his head furiously. He'd totally lost all will to fight.

"I... I yield."

His voice was pathetic.

Saito swung the sword over his shoulder. "By the way, I'm keeping this."

He could hear rowdy cheering from the audience.

'I may or may not have let my other side handle things too much...'

He glanced at his left hand.

'These runes, on the other hand...'

...

Sir Osmond and Colbert finished watching the entire event via the Mirror of Far-Sight. They exchanged another look.

"Old Osmond."

"Hrm."

"That commoner actually ended up winning..."

"Hrm."

"Guiche is only a Dot mage, but even so. An average commoner shouldn't have beaten him. It looked like the commoner was toying with him. What amazing speed! I couldn't even see his strikes! There's no doubt he's Gandálfr!"

"I don't think we can call him a commoner anymore." Old Osmond's expression was grave.

"What do you mean?"

"Take a look."

Sir Osmond waved his staff at the large mirror. The surface blurred until it showed Saito striking at nothing with a hidden knife. The image zoomed in to where the slash was performed, and, for a split moment, the air looked like it was glittering. It was like a cut in space, showing the night sky and stars. The mirror panned out, fast-forwarding to when the first golem was taken down by Saito. The same warp reappeared, and the golem was sliced in two a moment later.

"He did a cut beforehand and managed to slice a golem with it minutes later. It's as if he froze that cut in time, storing it until he needed it."

Colbert's eyes widened as he realized what Sir Osmond was suggesting.

"Th-that can't be. Could it have been wind magic?"

The mirror showed more instances of the cuts Saito performed. All of them were the same: stars on a backdrop of sky.

"No wind spell could form a cut that looks like that. That boy used Void Magic."

"A-ah!"

"And if he's also Gandálfr..."

"That would make him a terrifying force indeed."

Colbert finished.

Mages were most vulnerable when spellcasting, but Gandálfr had mastery over all weapons. In other words, he would have no weaknesses.

"Do not inform anyone of this. The higher-ups have too much time and like fighting too much. War won't be unexpected if they learned of this boy."

"I-I understand."

"I'll take responsibility for this case myself. I said this already, but you will not speak of this to anyone else, Mister Colbert."

"Y-yes! I understand!"

"Continue treating that boy as if nothing happened. No one else can suspect us."

Sir Osmond took hold of his staff and turned to look out the window. He immersed himself in the far reaches of history.

"The legendary familiar Gandálfr and the legendary Void Mage. What could have caused these two legendaries to mix into a single entity?"

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Got the random idea of cuts stored in time from Rail Zepplin Case Files.
So, like, follow, comment, and share if you liked this.

As always, I wish you all good luck in your game of life.