Saito prepared to counterattack. Before the automaton struck, the boy cut him like butter with a single slash. All of us present were surprised. Yes, including me. "I have never attacked an enemy with such decisiveness... Well, in my defense I will say that I have not had too many opportunities to do so." Gandálfr's runes glow in the familiar's hand. "It's as if Storm Ruler was forged for him." My companions began to cheer for Saito. Louise and I remained in shock.
–W-What does this mean?
–H-He looks like he knows how to fight.
I gulped. Even having read about Gandálfr's skills, I can only applaud. Seeing it live is amazing. Saito stood on guard again. Guiche stepped back a little and waved his wand. Four more petals turned into valkyries. "He's giving it his all."
–F-Finish him off!
Without wasting a second, the familiar charged forward at breakneck speed despite his injuries. He defeated Guiche's golems one after another. He stood in front of Guiche and raised his sword. The blond began to tremble and fell to the ground in fear. There was silence.
–I-I surrender!
Said a cowering Guiche as he lowered his head. The crowd of students went crazy. Saito lowered my sword and a look of surprise formed on his face. He looked around. Louise and I walked up to him.
–What did just...?
–Are you okay?
Asked a worried Louise. The boy nodded in confusion.
–Well done.
I smiled as I placed a hand on his shoulder. Saito turned to me and returned the gesture. He pinned Storm Ruler to the ground. The runes lost their glow little by little.
–Thank… You.
Suddenly, the boy vanished. He staggered until he lost his balance. Louise and I managed to hold him up.
–H-Hey! Get off me!
The noble raised her voice. It didn't take us long to realize the reality: Saito had fainted.
–I think he gave it his all.
I chuckled. I leaned the young man's body on top of mine to take the burden off Louise. She picked up Storm Ruler for a moment and observed it. The huddle of students began to disperse, including the defeated Guiche. I could see him grit his teeth. "This must have been a hard blow to your pride. Serves you right for playing brave with an unarmed commoner." I took a quick glance at the familiar's body.
–We're going to have to treat those wounds.
I commented. Louise approached Saito's face and nodded.
–Damn idiot...
She caressed one of his cheeks gently. Her tone is relieved. "Thank goodness. I thought she was going to verbally restrain him in his sleep." I smiled.
–Do you want us to take him to your room?
She looked into my eyes and seemed ready to ask something, but held back for some reason. Instead she nodded again. I propped Saito on the floor carefully and picked up my catalyst from the tristanian's hands. Without another word, she started walking to the second-year dormitory tower.
–Here we go again.
I uttered the Wind spell and his body rose three feet above ground level. "I wonder if I'll have to carry him again for the rest of the week." I chuckled to myself. As I followed Louise a doubt popped into my head. "Where the hell is my familiar?"
We reached her room and I laid Saito's body on the bed without asking my fellow student first. She didn't complain. What's more, she hasn't said a single word since we left the courtyard. "She must be really worried." I could see her close her eyes with each blow her familiar received from the Valkyrie. "At least I got something out of the duel: Gandálfr is powerful, a lot. The way he wielded Storm Ruler as if he were a skilled swordsman has been impressive. Did he already know how to fight and have the runes increased his physical capabilities? It didn't seem so while he was fighting unarmed. I'll have to ask him that too as soon as he wakes up, plus fifteen other questions." I put my thoughts aside and focused on reality.
–Should we alert a teacher and…?
–No.
Her answer caused me to look at her puzzled.
–No?
She lowered her head. I could see her bite her lower lip.
–I don't want anyone else to know about this altercation. I have enough with my familiar in coma.
I looked away from Saito. I thought for a while about my chances in this situation. Louise remained motionless. "Anyway, the teachers must have found out by now. In that case..." I sighed and ran a hand over my face. "Alessandro, you can never sit still, can you?"
–Okay.
–Huh?
I heard her behind me. I pushed Storm Ruler aside and took off my cloak.
–Hey, what are you doing?
–Helping.
I rolled up the sleeves of my uniform shirt. "I'm going to heal him. The question is why. What the hell is wrong with me? I don't owe them anything and neither do they owe me. So what am I doing checking their wounds? In Romalia, I would never have done this for any of my teammates, except for Donatello and Francesca, but with them I developed a huge bond. Louise and I met literally two days ago. With Saito I haven't even had a direct conversation. Could it be that my desire to reconcile with Vittorio is driving me to this? To cure strangers to regain his trust?" Underneath the strange upper garment was a white short-sleeved shirt. Now I do see the bruises in the stomach area. "The bruises on the face will go away with a simple Water healing spell, but this..."
–Why are you helping us?
Louise said in a distrustful tone. "Think fast." I continued to ogle the familiar's body.
–At this point, why not do it?
I heard footsteps and a hand rested on my right wrist. I stopped.
–I'm serious.
I pulled my body away from the bed and we looked into each other's eyes. I sighed again.
–I honestly don't know.
I paused.
–I'm not the most social person in the world. I guess I don't want to be alone for the years I'll be studying here. The strange circumstances that made us started talking don't matter to me if it means I can count on people that I can trust in the future.
Another pause. She was visibly surprised by my words. I looked at Saito again.
–In Romalia, I had only two friends. My time at the Academy in the capital was not a bed of roses...
My face darkened. I decided to leave it at that. "I didn't tell any lies. During the long journey to Tristain, I thought several times about my life up to this moment. As a little boy, mother kept me at home practically all the time. At that time I did not understand the reason, as I thought my illness was something unreal as I did not suffer from it directly. Vincenzo, being four years older than me, lived differently. I wasn't alone, far from it, but Rosa and the servants were strange company. As I grew older, I met other sons of the nobility. However, my shyness and unorthodox ways of being interested in things caused them to stay away. Everything changed with the arrival at Vittorio's residence. There I became a little more open, thanks mainly to Julio's haughty way of being. However, I never lost my inquisitive essence. When I entered the academy, I set myself the goal of making friends. It was in vain. It is true that the victory in the duel against Andrea earned me the admiration of Donatello and some other students temporarily, but I remained the same. With Francesca I went a step further. I never thought I would fall in love so soon, much less that it would be reciprocated. With each passing day I am more aware that I will never forget her." Louise's room remained silent after the sparing explanation I gave her. She looked at Saito and then at me. Her expression changed to one of concern.
–Can you really help him?
She asked sincerely. I looked at my catalyst and at the boy.
–Yes. Professor Jean Paul is probably better at healing magic than I am, but a simple spell will fix those bruises.
I pointed to Saito's face, the area most visibly affected. I lowered my finger to his belly.
–As for these ones... They will need an ointment. And I don't have the necessary ingredients at hand.
I put a finger to my mouth. "I'll have to go to the capital soon. Think." After a few seconds, I raised my hand.
–Of course! Louise, where are the laboratories?
She was startled.
–The-the laboratories? In the main tower. Second floor.
I smiled.
–Good. I'll perform the incantation right away. As for the ointment, I must get the headmaster's permission first.
–Th-The headmaster? Are you crazy? He can't know about this!
She raised her voice as usual. I pulled Storm Ruler out of the pod and looked for some nearby water source.
–He must have done it by now. We lose nothing by trying to convince him to help us.
She hesitated, "Director Osmond is aware of my situation. Vittorio informed him in the letter of recommendation in case anything happened regarding my illness. I don't know to what extent a Square magician of the highest level would entrust a seventeen-year-old with his treatment, but I must try. After all, I am more aware than anyone else of the attacks I get. I will use that to my advantage to help Saito." I paused for a moment. "What am I getting myself into by saying those words?" Louise finally spoke.
–Wait a moment.
She commented. I looked at her after finishing the healing spell, returning the water to its original place: a vase by the window. The boy's face had returned to normal.
–The teacher in charge of alchemy class is Mr. Colbert. How about talking to him? I prefer it to the headmaster's suspicions.
I rambled over his proposition. "Professor Colbert has treated me very well since I arrived, looking for me to integrate quickly. All the teachers should have heard about the duel, especially since it was out in the open and surrounded by a huddle of students from all three grades. Louise is right. The principal will be suspicious if I suddenly talk to him and try to mislead him about my status in such a specific situation. I will look for Professor Colbert." I returned the sleeves to normal and put on my cloak. I sheathed Storm Ruler.
–Good idea. I'll go meet him right away.
I walked to the door.
–If Saito's situation gets worse, come find me, okay? Take good care of him.
I looked at her seriously. I opened the lock.
–Yes.
She said before I left. I smiled and closed the door behind me.
As soon as I stepped out into the hallway, my eyes met those of an animal I recognized instantly.
–So here you are.
–"This time you've outdone yourself, dear."
I sighed and nodded, "Actually, helping Louise in this way could be counterproductive in terms of getting noticed, especially because of the way she is and what the students think of her, but I don't care at this point. She's not a bad girl, even if she sometimes deafens me, kicked me in the shin when I was looking to help, and made me suspicious. Saito seems like a nice guy too. Like I told Von Zerbst, I choose who I hang out with, for better or worse."
–Honestly, I never thought I would intervene in such a way.
We set off in search of Professor Colbert. She held up her tail proudly.
–"From my point of view, apart from your lack of discretion, you have done well. You kept a promise and the snooty blond got what he deserved."
–Were you there? It was amazing.
–"I especially liked it when you raised your voice saying 'That's enough!' and everyone looked at you in surprise. You looked like a folk hero."
She commented with some sarcasm. I smiled and preferred to leave that topic aside.
We walked out into the front yard. "I think it's time for her and I to chat alone, with no one who can hear us nearby. If she cooperates, I'll try to act as respectful as possible, no altercations. That alone has brought me an argument, besides the way she addressed me. I remember feeling as if the world was falling down on me. Professor Colbert can wait a few minutes." I cleared my throat and sat down on a bench in the shade. "It's not that it's too hot, but I've been having a rough day and I want to relax for a while."
–Anäis, can we talk?
She stopped next to me, climbed up onto the bench and rested her body on her hind legs. She looked at me with her piercing blue eyes.
–"You have my attention."
She replied politely.
–I apologize for raising my voice earlier. I'm sorry.
I paused. She didn't answer, just cocked her head. "Will you be expecting something else?"
–I don't know how you know so much about me with only a day and a half together. It's something that has surprised me, especially the smell thing.
–"That I know so much about you? But I'm just a cat."
She laughed. I snorted. "Please don't make this harder." I suddenly remembered something.
–The last time we talked, you mentioned that I demand too much for nothing, what does that mean?
She yawned.
–"You're not ready for this conversation yet, Alessandro de Cittadella. I will only tell you that, if you stop fighting your destiny, nothing will have been worth it. When I set my eyes on you, I saw something that caught my attention. I hope you won't disappoint me, kid."
I swallowed hard at her words. While she may have said it in a kind way, that didn't stop me from slowly backing up in my seat. "I'm not ready, what does that mean, Anäis? And then there's the thing about fighting my destiny. Did I...?" An unsettling feeling appeared in my stomach.
–"If I had known you'd be so affected by my honesty, I would have meowed instead of talking."
She sentenced and climbed down from the bench. I muffled, "Damn it. Again I don't know what to answer."
–"There's still more than two hours until lunch. I'll go for a walk. If you need me, just say my name out loud and I'll show up as soon as possible. By the way, I hope you'll give me some of that yummy chicken the servants are cooking."
She gave me a playful look as she wagged her tail. I sighed and sat up.
–Su-Sure. I have to see Professor Colbert with some urgency. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?
–"In his laboratory. He's been holed up there since early morning."
She began to walk forward. "H-How did she...? No, Alessandro. With her it's better not to ask. Just take it for granted." I shook my head. We parted ways.
The labs are located in the central tower, second floor. Apparently, each professor has his or her own to experiment with the element in which, one assumes, they are experts. Louise recommended Professor Colbert's for safety and experience. So far, he seems to me to be the best of all the teachers. Chevreuse and Jean Paul, teachers of Earth and Water, do well, but they lack that love of educating and learning that Colbert has. Of Augustin, teacher of Air, I prefer not to mention anything. He looks down on us whenever he gets the chance, or that's the impression he's given me so far. "What an idiot." I stood in front of a wooden door on which there was a sign that says "Laboratory 2", and has the symbol of the Fire element engraved on the wooden board. I knocked on the door. A few seconds later, I heard someone walking into the room.
–Yes? Who is it?
–I am Alessandro, Professor Colbert.
The door opened and, despite the initial surprise, my favorite teacher smiled.
–Alessandro, good to see you. Do you need anything?
"Think fast." I opened my mouth.
–Eh, y-yes... You see, I wanted to ask you if you have the necessary materials to make a healing ointment to soothe bruises. As I recently arrived from Romalia, I have not been able to go to the city.
He looked me up and down questioningly.
–I don't think you need any of that.
I bit my lip. "At this point I'd rather tell him the truth, even if it's half-truth." I sighed.
–They're for Saito, Louise's relative.
–Was he so badly injured after the duel with Mr. Gramont?
I was a little surprised. "In the end I couldn't protect him as I promised, no matter how much Anäis says otherwise." I nodded in embarrassment.
–Louise is very upset about all this and has asked me to be discreet. But if I intend to ask for your help, I can't lie to you, Professor.
He smiled again and opened the door wide. He motioned for me to come in. I didn't hesitate too long and obeyed.
–You're a good man, Alessandro. You hardly know Miss Vallière and you are doing her a huge favor for nothing.
I looked him in the eyes even more surprised than before.
–How do you know it's for nothing?
He laughed and closed the door carefully.
–You just told me. I'm definitely glad you're a student at this academy.
I blushed, "I like to be praised as much as anyone, but I haven't done anything yet." He indicated a seat for me near a huge table on which several prototype inventions sat. "If Donatello saw this he would be fascinated." I smiled at the memory of my friend. I looked at them in detail. Some seemed quite advanced, but I am not able to guess their usefulness. Others, much simpler, let it be seen that they were improvements of relatively modern creations. "I see you like science and engineering. You would get along well with 'The Humanist'."
–Are you interested in my inventions?
His words woke me up.
–I am an admirer of the modern. But my field is medicine and healing magic. My friend Donatello would be delighted to meet you.
–A very romalian name. Is he an inventor?
–Aspirant to. Last summer we worked on different projects. Almost none of them turned out well.
We both laughed.
–Well, Alessandro. I don't know if I'll have the necessary ingredients to make that ointment, but feel free to look around the place. I want to see what you're capable of.
I smiled and glanced at the cupboards full of different useful materials.
–I've barely been making potions and salves for a year. I get negative results of a higher number than I would like to, but I will not surrender.
I felt his penetrating gaze on my back.
–It's something personal, sir.
I replied to the air. When I looked at him, he lowered his head convinced of my answer. The conversation died there.
While Professor Colbert continued with his project, I quietly searched for the materials needed for the ointment that would cure Saito. Well, it wouldn't cure him as such, but it would make his body recover much sooner than it would normally need to. To my good fortune, most of them were together. I gathered enough to amply apply the pottage. I sat down at a table away from where my master was and, after rolling up my shirt sleeves and removing my cloak, I began to work.
–If you need help, don't hesitate to ask for it.
I heard Professor Colbert say kindly.
–Thank you, sir.
And I got on with it. "I always end up getting dirtier than I should. I take relatively little care of my appearance in this area, even though I consider myself a clean person. It is on these occasions that I am most grateful to be noble."
I finished the ointment after almost an hour of work and patience without the help of my teacher. I dragged the chair, which caused him to look in my direction. He was working with alchemical materials.
–Are you finished?
I smiled.
–Yes. I think it's ready. I must apply it as soon as possible if I want it to have the greatest possible effect.
He approached me slowly and took a look at the product. He opened his mouth a little and then nodded.
–It's good, not the best I've seen, but good. I congratulate you, Alessandro.
I thanked him with a bow.
–Thank you, sir. Now, if you'll excuse me.
I washed my hands and face in a bucket. After drying myself, I rolled up my sleeves and put on my cloak. I kept the ointment in a small jar and went to the door.
–I hope all goes well. Come back whenever you want. It's a pleasure to talk to students like you.
–Whenever it's under better circumstances, I'll try to do so.
We both smiled and said goodbye.
I walked quickly through the corridors and the courtyard in the direction of the sophomore dormitory tower. I walked up the stairs trying not to trip. "I'm kind of clumsy and I'm carrying an ointment made from ingredients that don't even belong to me. If I fall now, what a debacle." Just before I reached the door to Louise's room, I saw a familiar figure standing in front of it.
–May I please?
The commoner startled and looked me up and down before backing away. "It's definitely her."
–Sorry.
–Don't worry about it.
I put a hand on the handle. Only then did I realize the young woman was shaking.
–Are you all right?
–Y-Yes. I just wanted to see how Saito was feeling. But Miss Vallière… Scares me a little.
She lowered her gaze. "Who isn't scared by her?" I smiled pleasantly.
–Are you a friend of Saito?
She blushed and looked up.
–A-A friend? I wouldn't go that far. We met before the duel. He treated me very well even though I was a servant.
–He's a strange boy, of course. However, treating people well has nothing to do with social status.
She merely lowered her head again at my comment.
–Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to tend to his wounds.
–Are they serious?
I knocked on the door.
–No, but I'd better treat them as soon as possible.
I smiled at her one last time.
–My name is Alessandro, by the way. And you are?
My question took her by surprise.
–I-I am Siesta.
She curtsied.
–Saito will recover soon, Siesta. Trust me.
And with that I said goodbye to her. At that moment the door slid open and I could see the figure of a certain little girl on the other side. She opened her eyes wide when she realized it was me.
–I got it.
I replied and raised my hand with the jar. She was quite surprised. Siesta remained several steps away, a little calmer. "I understand why she is afraid of Louise, at least in her situation. That spoiled child character gets on even my nerves, and I've known her for two days."
–Pass.
She just said. I nodded and, once inside, she closed the door. I could see that the boy had a damp cloth on his forehead. That shocked me. I carefully placed the jar on the bedside table.
–Does he have a fever?
She raised an eyebrow.
–No, why do you ask?
–What about that cloth?
The girl blushed a little.
–I… I wanted to keep him cool. That's all...
I smiled in relief. I did the same procedure as last time and opened the jar. She sat dejectedly in a chair that was on the other side of the bed. "I wonder if she's been taking care of him for this hour."
–It'll work, won't it?
–It should. His injuries are minor, but this will make him recover even faster. Saito is young and doesn't seem to be in bad physical shape.
I removed the sheets and blanket from over his body. I pulled up his shirt. Louise watched the process attentively. I took some of the ointment with my hands and carefully spread it on the boy's stomach. A slight warmth appeared in the area as the medicine took effect. This caused Saito to stir a little in his sleep.
–Is he all right?
–Yes. It's a natural reaction. I just applied heat to the affected area.
I was done in no time. We had to wait fifteen minutes for the computation to dry so we could cover it up again after applying a small healing spell. We barely exchanged a word in all that time. "Louise is really worried about Saito. That reminds me, maybe I should call Anäis after this and get her some food." I sighed.
–Louise, I'm going to retire for now. I have some business to attend to with a certain cat and I don't want her to get upset or she might scratch all furniture over my room.
I commented, smiling to ease the tension. She returned the gesture much more relieved than I expected.
–No problem. You have done a lot for us, Alessandro. I am very grateful to you, really.
Her words and that unexpected sincerity provoked a pleasant feeling inside me. I blushed, "I'm definitely glad to be here and meet people like them, even if it's from a few days ago."
–It was nothing. In a way it seems like I did it looking for approval, but that's not the case. As I said, my life so far has been pretty lonely except for a number of people I'm very fond of. Belonging to this place and that in a couple of days I've been involved in a duel in a roundabout way is... Different. And I appreciate it.
I replied from the bottom of my heart. She was a little surprised by my sincerity, but that didn't stop her from smiling again.
–I understand. My life has been complicated that way too.
She paused and looked away.
–I'm sorry I doubted you before. I just didn't understand why someone would seek to help me without asking for anything in return.
I nodded.
–To tell you the truth, even I was surprised at the way I acted. I'm not used to being so decisive. I don't consider myself a coward, but I'm far from being a 'gentleman'.
I clasped my hands together. She looked at me again curiously. "Evidently, I'm not going to tell you anything about my mission here or my relationship with the papacy. It is too soon. If the occasion arises and I have no other choice, I will speak. But hopefully that will be a long time from now."
–Well, I think you are, or at least you have the makings. I have met dozens of nobles and very few would be willing to help strangers for nothing.
I blushed even more at his words.
–Well, every minute that goes by, Anäis gets angrier.
I apologized awkwardly. I gathered my things and headed for the door. She stood up.
–I'll see you later in the dining room?
She asked before I opened the handle.
–Sure.
I answered and looked at her one last time.
–If something happens to our champion, let me know without hesitation.
I pointed at Saito. She sighed after a quick glance.
–Yes, don't worry.
And with that we said goodbye. I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath. "Well, everything went smoothly." I smiled goofily and looked up at the ceiling. "It seems my skill at making potions and salves has improved. Little by little, Alessandro. Accomplishments like this lead me to believe that one day I will find the cure to my curse." I held my heart area with my free hand and closed my eyes.
–Good afternoon, boy who speaks with swords.
I opened my eyes wide and jumped back several steps after hearing a playful voice coming from my right. The jar with the ointment was about to fall but I held it by miracle. When I looked up, I caught sight of a certain germanian woman with whom I have already had two embarrassing moments. She was smiling.
–Von Zerbst...
At my reaction, she tilted her head to one side.
–There's no need to be so formal. Call me Kirche.
I slowly pulled myself together.
–All right, Kirche.
Awkward silence. Her smile formed again. I felt her piercing eyes pierce my being. I gulped. "This girl and her attributes finish me off."
–C-Can I help you with something?
–Now that you mention it, yes. I saw you leave Vallière's room. How is her familiar?