Chapter 3. I still am working on what I'm going to be doing with this story. I think, overall, I'm going to stick with Familiar's setting and all at least through what would be the war with Reconquista, though we'll see where that takes us.
Some reading later and a lot of getting glared at by a very upset pinkette, Nolza rubbed his forehead as he put the book he had been looking at back on the shelf. Everything was an annoyance and headache. Willpower is what they called their Aether reserves, or so he assumed. Their magic was, overly simplified and did not seem to account for anything outside of four elements. This left him with many questions and lots of experiments he'd have to go over to learn more.
Now he might be a Dark Knight, more prone to using brute force and all over other such things, but he was still a very skilled Mage of various types. Though, he admitted, his Arcanery could still use work. Skilled enough in it to teach the basics and go from there. He might touch upon Thaumaturgy and Conjury, maybe some other works, but unless he figured out how to make a new Stone, he wasn't going to teach anything more powerful than the basics.
Leaving the library, he braced himself as the girl who kept insisting she was his 'Master' started in again. More about this 'Brimir' fellow that he really wasn't paying attention about. About how some commoner, he almost laughed at that, though he had no actual title, should be thanking her for allowing him to even set foot in a place like this.
This continued even when they arrived at her room. Ah, he was going to have to ask for additional quarters. Not to mention look into what passed for currency here. Hopefully he'd be able to negotiate work or items, or perhaps trade gil for it or something. If he could find the materials, he could make some weapons, armor, or the like. Actually, what materials would they have here? So far, he saw stone, some comparable wood and iron. Definitely silver and gold. But what types of iron, or mithril or anything?
He finally looked over the room. It was smaller than his apartment, reminding him a lot of the various inn rooms in size. A large bed on one wall, a dresser and wardrobe on the other. Some side tables, a desk. Even a small table with a couple chairs for entertaining a guest. All in all, not bad. Also had a small stove, for heating tea or to keep warm. Useful.
"Are you even listening to me!?" The girl finally screamed close enough to his ear that he flinched away, sending her a glare. "Not particularly, no. You continue to be rude and make unreasonable demands. If not for my promise to your Headmaster and wanting to stay close to where you Called to me from, I would have left hours ago."
She seemed taken aback by his words, before her face reddened. "You... you ungrateful dog..."
"I am not a canine either." Moving to the table, he takes a seat and places a small satchel onto it, reaching in to pull out a small fancy plate and cup, only to feel something smack him in the back of the head. Turning, he saw the girl pulling her arm back from a swing with a riding crop in hand, looking a little confused by his lack of reaction. Lifting a hand, dark purple swirls around it before he flicks a tiny white and purple ball from his hand. It zips out and collides with the crop, Unmending it into fragmented pieces. The girl's eyes widen as she stares at her hand.
"Last warning, child. I do not know who taught you that it was okay to strike others like that, but they were sorely mistaken. Keep up such actions and demeanor, I will take it upon myself as your would-be teacher to correct those mistakes." A small leaking of red power comes from him as he speaks. "And I will make sure you understand the futility of your current actions." Packing back away the tea cup, he stands, walking past her. "We will speak on the morrow. Pray think about your actions and how you truly wish others to remember you, child."
Closing the door behind him, he sets off. It was getting late, so he did as usual for him and explored. At least til he found a way to jump up to the roof of the castle, then he found a place to perch there, looking out over the lands around the place. A lot of woods nearby, a road leading somewhere, and the darkening skies. Taking out a grilled fish, he munched on it quietly before flopping back onto the roof, laying there and looking at the unknown stars. That and the two moons. Seeing the red one made him shiver. it was a pale red, and didn't hold the dark, shining malevolence of Dalamud, but still reminded him of it.
Closing his eyes, he yawned and felt him self drift off. His dreams were weird that night.
The next morning he was up at sunrise, stretching and looking about. With a hop, he dropped down next to a fountain, only taking a moment to reorient himself when he heard a small scream. Nearby a black haired maid dropped a basket with various clothes inside, freezing as her mind caught up with the fact that the person who had just landed wasn't a splattered corpse on the ground. Tilting his head, he just walked over, amused as she took a couple steps back, before he picked up the basket and clothes, handing it towards her. "I believe you dropped these, miss."
She looked between him and the basket for a minute before tentatively stepping forward and taking it. "T-thank you, Ser." Her eyes were darting from his face to his ears and tail, before speaking more. "Are... what are you?"
Ah, right, best introduce himself to the help. Bowing, he flourished his arm. "I am Nolza Arolza, Dark Knight and Adventurer. As you may have guessed, I am not a Hyur... or human as your kind are called here. I am a Miqo'te. We are very similar to Hy-humans, but have our feline features, as you see on myself." He took a step back and posed, ears wiggling with a winning grin. Looking at her basket, then back at her, he smiles. "Do you require any assistance? I could use more perspective on this place I have found myself in and as some folks have instilled in me, the help are generally the most informed."
After gaining her consent, he took the basket back and followed her, learning her named was Siesta. He also learned more about the academy and Tristain as a whole. Honestly, once he got her calmed down and noted that, despite his armor and weapon, he wasn't a noble, he found her company quite pleasant and the conversation nice. He also shared a small chocolate bubble from his stash with her. He might not be the best cook, but he always kept a collection of High Quality chocolate bubbles on hand to give out.
It was later in the day, when he noticed plenty of children out and about with various creatures nearby, sitting at small tables in one of the courts. "What is happening here?"
"Ah, the second years have a day off to bond with their newly summoned familiars today. It's why we got these carts." The maid giggled, waving towards the carts of tea and cakes they had been pushing. He blushed lightly and was about to retort when a certain voice cut through the air. "Familiar!" With a sigh, he turned towards the tiny pinkette marching angrily towards him.
"Where have you been? You failed to wake me this morning and a myriad of other tasks that a servant shou-" He lifts a hand towards her, cutting her off. "We have discussed this, did we not? You will address me by name, or I shall refuse to continue listening to your whining, child. And while I will protect you and when I have the materials ready and finish my own research into your magic, I will teach you, I am not your Servant or Slave. Now, I shall finish what I was doing, then retrieve some of these delicious looking cakes, my thanks to the chef Siesta, as well as some tea and we can have a civil discussion as this time is suppose to be for. So go take a seat with your friends or wherever you wish, and I will speak with you later." Dismissing the girl, he starts pushing the cart onward, oblivious to Siesta's look of panic for how he addressed a noble, and began serving some cakes and tea with an air of professionalism. He did help at his friend's business at times.
As the cart was nearing empty, he walked upon the last table. A foppish boy with a rose was saying empty platitudes and praises towards a drill-haired blonde girl. Without even seeming to notice him, he set out a couple cakes and poured them fresh tea. As he turned to leave, his foot made a small clink as he collided with something. A small glass bottle, ornately made. Picking it up, he looked back at the table and set it down on it. "Apologies, but I believe this is yours?"
He didn't even wait to listen to their response, returning to the cart to push it along. It wasn't even but a few minutes when the loud sound of flesh hitting flesh split the air, followed by another, causing him to quickly turn, one hand raising towards his sword and the other held out. A young brown haired girl in a different cloak was running away from the fop, the blonde girl stomping the other way, and the boy had two red marks from what he guessed were slaps. Lowering his guard, he shook his head and was about to once again go back to what he was doing when the fop called after him. "You! Beast!" Great, another one. "You dare ignore me after making two girls cry?"
"I remember doing nothing that could have caused them distress, nor are they directing any anger my way. Of anyone here, you are the only one whom has received their ire. So do not attempt to deflect your own guilt upon another, boy." He just adjusts his glasses, looking bored as he stares at the boy, who's face gets redder.
"You dare deny your involvement! You set the bottle on the table and ignored everything after. If you had paid attention, then your discretion would have been able to save their tears. Now apologize and I might kindly forget your folly." He flips his hair, holding his rose in a pose.
"... again, do not attempt to assign blame to any but yourself, boy." The annoying child glares at him, as he stares back bored. "And you will receive no 'apology' for your own actions but from yourself."
"How dare you... but what manners can you truly expect from some low beast, or some manner of fake sellsword who wears such a ridiculous outfit to make themselves seem more exotic. I will just have to teach you your place. A duel in Viestri Court! Ten minutes, prepare yourself." He then flourishes his cloak as he turns and walks off. Nolza just shook his head, looking after the boy. "Idiot."
"Familiar!" Again, that screeching voice. He really hoped she would learn. Turning his head slightly, he looked towards Louise. "Apologize to Guiche right now!"
"There is nothing I have done that requires me to apologize for, and nothing he has done has warranted me treating him with any sort of respect."
"He is a noble! You will apologize to him!"
Turning, he ignores the girl and starts walking the way the boy had, stopping only to look at a slightly hefty boy. "Where is this Viestri Court?" The boy provided him directions easily enough. Stalking off, he ignored the continued screeches of his Caller, wondering whether or not he could go fight a Primal instead of having to deal with her going on about 'nobility' and all.
Arriving in the court, he stood around for awhile til the boy showed up, a gaggle of children following him. "Well, it seems you arrived and early. I will congratulate you for not running away." With a flair, he presented his rose forward. "I am Guiche de Gramont. My runic name is The Bronze!" He calls out and a petal flicks from the rose, revealing itself to be a wand. As it lands, there is a thing of light before a form rises. Taking the form of an armored female, it raises his arms into a combat stance. "And this Bronze Valkyrie shall be your opponent."
Nolza looked at the creature, before tilting his head. Shaking it, he just crosses his arms. "If that is the best you have, then there is no point in even introducing myself or remembering your name." Some of the audience laughed while the boy merely got angry, before smiling smugly.
"As if I would even want some beast's name anyways." He waved his hand lazily and the Valkyrie dashed forward. Rearing an arm back, it launched a powerful straight punch right towards the cat-man's face. "See, you couldn't even respond to my stri-" His voice lowers as he just stares, the Valkyrie's arm is shaking and all can see that it has barely even moved his head.
"Disappointing." With a single hand, he draws his greatsword and swings it overhead. The sound of screeching metal as the Valkyrie is cleaved in twain drowns out all other noise in the court. "Please tell me that you can do better."
Everyone was quiet, looking at the duelists, eyes wide. Guiche just stared at the remains of his Valkyrie. He wanted to run, if this person could do that, but he couldn't. He was the one to issue the duel, and the amount of shame and all if he ran now. With a panicked sweep of his wand, he plucked the rose clean. Each petal dropped and became another Valkyrie, this time wielding weapons, all pointed towards the man.
Nolza stood straighter, looking at the array of forces against him. "Pathetic, fight with your own strength, not sending minions at me." Looking at all the people watching, he grips his sword, the earth shattering under it's point as he pushes down on it. "All ye shall listen! I shall say this but once again. I am Nolza Arolza, Dark Knight of the Swirling Abyss! Scion of the Seventh Dawn!" Gemlike light blazed over him, and suddenly he was wearing black armor and helm, spiked and horn. A suit of Chaos Armor. His sword also changed, becoming much thinner. The long red blade, bronze and gold adornment, and dark midnight blue hilt of Balmung was in his hand. His voice came out in a more menancing tone now. "I shall end this farce."
The Dark Knight stalked forward, blade held over his shoulder. Guiche waved his wand a few more times, while calling for his Valkyries to attack. They all launched at the approaching Knight, stabbing forward spears, slicing with swords, and swinging maces. As they all got into range to strike, the Knight merely stopped and slammed the tip of his sword into the ground. Darkness erupted from him before boiling up into sharpened blades as he Unleashed his power. The metal of the golems were all rent and flung away from him before his swung his sword to cut apart a spear of earth shot his way. Slowly, he stalked up to Guiche and flicked his sword as the youth fell onto his backside, snapping the boy's wand.
"Yield, whelp." His blade was lifted, pointing towards the child, who began begging for mercy and yielding. Turning to those assembled, his dark gaze falls upon them before he spins the sword up and returns it to his back. "Apologize to those two and better yourself, lest I need to humble thee again." As he starts walking away, there's again a shimmer of gem-light and he's returned to what he was summoned in, with the Edge of the Goddess on his back. He just passes by the staring children and the amazed Louise and Siesta.
Returning to the carts, he retrieves some cakes and tea, heading to a table and sets it up before taking a seat. "In 3... 2..." Louise slowly returns to the table, taking a seat and just looking at him. "Well, that was a near waste of time. Are you ready to talk now?" The girl just nods her head, looking a little lost.
"As I have stated, I'll require materials to create your starting equipment to learn how to be an Arcanist. I also need to get a better idea of how your magic system works, as that might assist me in explaining myself better."
"But, how did you... do that?" Louise just looks at him, a mix of fear and curiosity on her face.
"All things are made of Aether." He holds up a hand, letting a mix of colors flicker across it before he closes his fist. Picking up his cup, he takes a drink. "And if you three are going to try to spy, grab yourself some tea and take a seat. I don't have time to deal with you trying anything you misunderstood and hurting yourselves or others."
Louise blinks in confusion, then growls in frustration as two students approach. The busty redhead and the petite blunette from the previous day. He takes another drink of his tea, before looking at them. "Well? Sit or leave, I don't care which. Normally I'd be more, polite but you'll excuse me if I've been a bit worn down today." Looking over his shoulder, he also waves Siesta closer, the maid looking a mix of pale and embarrassed. "You, however, have been nothing but kind. Please join us, I'll speak with the Headmaster to make up whatever work you're missing for this."
As Louise is about to object, he just shoots her a glare, then waits for the others to sit, though Siesta only does so after some more prodding. Taking another sip, he sets the empty tea-cup down before reaching into his pack and pulling out a frosty bottle. Popping it open, he takes a pull of the spirits. "Right then. Aether is in everything and is what makes up everything. You, me, the lands around us." He waves towards the nearby field. "If a land becomes low on Aether, plants find it harder to grow. If depleted, they become a wasteland of aught but dust." He then points at Louise. "When you breathe. When you eat. When you drink. You intake Aether, replenishing yourself and your reserves."
"Most Aether comes in an Elemental Aspect. These are Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Ice, and Lightning." He reaches into his pack, placing out four small colored gems as he speaks. "These are shards of Aether Crystals, one of each Aspect. They're mostly used in crafting, accelerating the process of creation through one means or another. Fire, for example, might be used to smelt ore swiftly into useable ingots." He sweeps them up and puts them away.
"Aether also comes in Unaspected form, and those crystals exist as well, though much rarer to find. This means there are seven 'Alignments' of Aether. Magic is cast by drawing your Aether into the desired effect, sometimes through use of a catalyst, such as a wand, staff, tome or other focus. Most will align it to one Elemental Aspect or another. But there are those that are Unaspected, such as what you saw me do earlier, or the spell last night." He pointedly looked at Louise, before nodding to himself. "Thus why I want to learn more about your magic system and get examples of casting. I wish to find out if you and yours are naturally aligned towards an Aspect, or exactly what is happening." He looks at them all before focusing on Siesta.
"I'm also curious as to why 'commoners' cannot learn magic." His eyes shift to Louise. "And don't start on 'gifted to nobles only'. Knowing more of the facts can make things easier for when I go to teach you."
He was interrupted then by the redhead. "Teach her? Louise the Zero? Darling, what could you possible teach her?"
Nolza cut off Louise's retort, frowning. "I do not think you and your friend ever introduced yourself. Rude to interrupt someone's chat by spying then insulting one of the people who is part of the discussion without ever doing so."
The redhead blushed, before speaking up. "So direct, Darling. But of course. I am Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst, The Ardent. This is Tabitha, The Blizzard, my cute best friend." She lean over and pets Tabitha, who just gives a small nod of greeting. "And you, Darling, are amazing! You've fanned the flames of my passion."
Nolza just looks at her, then shakes his head. With a smirk, he speaks. "And tell me, Little Flame, what makes you think I care for your heat? I have stood in defiance of deities proclaiming love and those who have wielded Hellfire itself. You will need more than pretty words to sway me at all." He turns to Tabitha, giving her a nod. "A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Miss. You seem much better behaved than your friend, whom I assume drags you into trouble?" He chuckles at a nod.
"Now, I have to speak with the Headmaster. Louise," She perks up, the first time her name has been spoken by the Knight. "The next day off, I request we make for the nearest city. While I could gather all the materials I need if I explored and took enough time, if I can purchase some, it would take less time. Plus I want to see what various items are in stock that I might add to my collection." His eyes flash dangerously as he grins. Standing up, he bows to the ladies, before looking at Siesta. "Please come with me, you're the one who's currently been most affected by my interrupting of your time." And with the maid, he sets off to the Headmaster's office.
AN: And I'll cut there. I'll handle the Day of the Void next chapter, once I figure out Derflinger, and some other small things. Count Mott as well. I could either play it more straight, or have it so that Nolza has already bought Siesta's contract out and conflict arises because of that. Gil is still gold and apparently three thousand new gold coins is enough to buy a Holiday Home with garden and he's got a couple hundred thousand gil... I need to make more money.
Also, going this is the last chapter I kind of prewrote before even posting the story. So, things going forward will be much slower.