The story's rating will increase to M soon. You readers spoke, and I listened.
In line with romance, I plan on adding one more romantic sub-plot. This is the last one. That said, I want to hear your thoughts.
There are two options:
The first will see Michael become romantically involved with Jessica, Siesta's cousin. This happening will, naturally, swerve the story's romantic elements off course from the canon in a few very interesting ways. For those of you that want a spicier romantic option, this one is for you. Honestly, I'm in favour of Jessica. I already have an entire storyboard planned out for her, in fact.
The second option will see Tabitha and Michael get far closer. This option is for those of you that want to play things safe and keep the story's romantic flow closer to the established canon shown in Familiar of Zero's first season. Well, minus Montmorency. Consider this a vanilla ice cream option.
Anyway, feel welcome to leave some feedback in the form of a review or PM. I'm also opening a character poll on my profile, too.
...
Louise and Michael - alongside Kirche and Tabitha - agree to help Professor Colbert reclaim the Staff of Destruction.
Agreement
I awaken with a groggy groan and my eyes slowly open.
My vision is a hazy pink blur.
Dammit, I hate getting up some mornings.
I wake up feeling like garbage sometimes, no matter how much sleep I had the night before.
I blink to clear my vision. Once. Twice. A third time.
The pink mess splashed across vision forms into a solid shape, that of Louise snuggled close to me.
Chest rising and falling gently with every soft breath, she's fast asleep.
I can't help but smile at her. Her being so petite and fragile makes me do it most mornings, now I think about it.
Drawing away, I reach for the pocket watch that Louise left open on the bedside table last night.
My eyes widen a touch. It's already well past eight!
Princess will be unbearable if she misses breakfast before we head to Osmond's office.
Carefully, without disturbing the girl, I get off the bed and begin getting dressed for the day.
By the time I get to sit at the desk to lace my shoes, Louise lets out a sleepy whine behind me. I glance to her.
Still groggy, the girl stretches her limbs over the bed before sitting up, the blanket slipping down off her shoulders. Her eyes are half lidded and heavy with sleep, while her cheeks are tinged a pale pink.
''Morning,'' she mutters.
Chuckling, I stand up from the chair and walk toward the bed. Leaning over, I pick up the pocket watch from the bedside table and place it into her hands.
"Same to you, Louise. Although... I'd hurry if you don't want to miss breakfast," I tell her.
With a groan, Louise rubs one eye with her knuckles.
"I hate mornings..." she mutters.
I laugh gently at her saying so.
"You and I are totally alike there." I shake my head in amusement, "Trust me, my dad used to shout like crazy when I wouldn't get up for school."
Louise nods as she opens her eyes fully to look at me. There's still a bit of sleep in her eyes, though.
"Is that so?" she asks, and I nod in reply.
Without any additional words Louise pulls the blankets away and looks down.
"I would prefer you dress me this morning, Michael. But... given there is less than an hour until breakfast ends, dressing on my own will be far faster," Louise decides with a small frown, adding "and I don't want to keep Professor Colbert waiting, either."
That, has me laughing.
"Oh, you humble me with your immense generosity this morning, Mistress," I bow and flourish one hand dramatically, continuing as I do with a feigned, gloomy sigh, "it seems this lowly servant isn't good enough to button your blouses anymore."
Louise rolls her eyes with an annoyed little pout. Despite that, I notice the slightest hint of an amused smile at the corners of her mouth.
In that moment, the pinkette's expression lightens, and grin forms.
"You should be honoured... I'm gifting you the chance to catch a glimpse of the feminine grace and beauty I possess with each article of clothing," she attempts to be proud and assertive in that moment, flashing me a strangely playful little smirk. It fails a little, voice slightly wavering as her cheeks turn pink with embarrassment.
Still, given the context, the sass and confidence radiating off her, I really don't know how I should react. The last thing I want to do is make things weird between us, after all.
Well, weirder than being bound to Louise as a familiar... and sharing her bed. If things can, in fact, get any weirder.
So, I say nothing and give a respectful bow.
"Anyhow, Louise, you get dressed and I'll wait out in the hall for you, alright?" I pose, changing the topic.
Louise nods, and I return the gesture.
I walk across to the door. However, as I grab the brass handle and begin to turn it, an abrupt announcement stops me in my tracks.
"Michael, wait."
I pause and stop what I'm doing, looking towards Louise.
She sits on the edge of the bed. Her back's to me, and her head's turned, looking at me from over her right shoulder.
"Something... the matter?" I ask.
Louise nods.
"Last night, when you and Siesta went to dinner with Marteau..." she states, and trails off.
After a moment, she continues.
"I will... admit that it made me jealous, at least a little."
My heart begins thumping against my chest, as I stutter and attempt to fill the sudden tension with a small bout of nervous laughter.
"... that so?" I reply quietly.
Louise nods.
There's silence between us for a beat.
The only sound in my ears is the rapid thrumming of my heart within my chest.
"...I much prefer it when you and I share dinner together in my room, in truth," Louise admits, her cheeks flushing a deep, dark red.
She looks away shyly.
"Ah."
Now... this is awkward.
How do I deal with... honestly, this kind of situation?
I'm not armed for this kinda stuff.
I mean, sure, Anna was possessive. She wasn't jealous, though.
That, and... other girls just didn't come into the picture when she and I were dating. I cared about her too much.
But Louise is... kinda different. Our whole dynamic is really, really different.
I feel like I need to consider carefully how I answer the petite pinkette. Playful teasing aside, the last thing I want to do is genuinely hurt her feelings.
I mean, damn, the poor girl was clearly picked on enough before I arrived in Tristain!
After a moment, I slowly close the door and awkwardly return to Louise's side.
I've no clue how best to bridge this particular gap between us.
Louise glances up to me, fingers fidgeting.
"I-I also know that... there's a part of me that's a little afraid that... something will happen to you when we aren't close by one another. T-That you might open your heart and get hurt again," she admits nervously. Head hung low; she ties her fingers into a tight clasp.
"It's silly, I know... b-but, after having you beside me these couple of weeks... I get anxious."
I'm at a loss for words.
Whatever I would've said stays a jumbled mess in my brain.
To think, Louise cares about my feelings this much. Me! This isn't just the green-eyed monster coming out because her familiar's spending time with people that aren't her.
My heart skips a beat, and my cheeks heat up.
"Huh..." I chuckle nervously. "Colour me surprised. That's... actually really nice of you, Louise."
Louise sighs, staring down at the floor.
"No, no, it isn't nice at all. Rather... rather, I don't know how to..."
"Deal with it?" I supply with a weak smile.
Louise blinks, surprise written clear in her soft pink eyes.
"Y-Yes, that's exactly it," she breathes. "My whole time here at the academy, people been picked on and made fun of me. Now, though, you are here with me, Michael. I haven't had someone to depend upon in so long. I-I suppose what I really want to say is..."
Her voice trembles as she speaks, and tears begin to form in the corners of her eyes.
She takes a breath, calming herself.
"Thank you, Michael. For being here with me."
Again, I find myself at a loss for words.
Wasn't expecting such a shift in conversation this morning.
Despite that, a small and genuine smile spreads across my lips, and I rest my left hand on the top of Louise's head, cupping her hair softly.
"Not a problem, Princess. And, as far as Siesta goes, you needn't worry. If anything, spending time with her last night helped shift a weight I carried for waaaay too long," I say, looking Louise straight in the eyes. "If anything, I seriously owe her one."
She tilts her head to one side and pouts slightly, confused.
"I'll explain later, okay?"
Reluctantly, Louise nods.
"W-We can't keep Professor Colbert waiting. We really should make haste to the Dining Hall," I'm told by my mistress.
I nod, but not before leaning in and hugging Louise gently. A hug she graciously accepts.
Eventually, we pull apart.
I get up off the edge of the bed and begin my way back towards the door. On the way, I grab Grimoire Toby. I then step out with the magical book under my arm, and close the door behind me.
"Miss Louise certainly holds you in high regard, young man," Toby states in his smooth and suave tone. "Hers is a trust I would seek to foster and grow, were I in your shoes," he advises.
"And I will," I reply quickly. "I mean, damn, she's been a real friend to me since I got here."
The spiral-shaped brass keyhole for the handle glints at me.
"Of course. I just wonder, however, how things will pan out should the two of you face genuine hardships. Hardships like, oh, if Miss Louise were... say, placed in danger at some stage," Toby states ominously.
My stomach twists a little.
Toby's implication is clear.
"Honestly, as a Guardian, it is your duty to protect her," he informs me, his voice carrying with it a very serious tone. "I would have you recall the vision bestowed upon you when first opening my pages."
How could I forget it?! Visions of immense flames surged through my thoughts. Afterwards, I saw two mages confessing their undying devotion to each other.
What were their names again, though...? Simon and Cecilia, that was it!
I felt that pair's bonds to one another quite viscerally.
Love like that... it only comes once in a lifetime. You'd be an idiot to turn your back on something like that, let alone treat it with apathy.
"Ah, yes... you do recall it, Michael," Toby notes.
"You can tell...?" I ask, raising a surprised brow.
"Yes, I can indeed. Your magic flows through me; it grants me life. In such a sense, you and I are linked as though one," Toby explains.
I blink. Well, that's news to me.
"Hey, there. Hold on a second," I ask, grabbing the chance to question, "You said we'd have a chat together sometime. And... you said I have the 'Guardian rune', or something like that."
"That I did indeed," Toby confirms. "The question now is whether or not you wish to have that talk. Now that you are no longer busy with rescuing maids from the clutches of noblemen, of course," he adds, a touch of amusement to his tone.
"I..."
He... has a point. I've been so tangled up with various bits of chaos that I totally forgot this talk we were supposed to have!
Damn, and I was so good at staying out of everything back home in England, too.
I took morning jogs and sometimes visited the gym on weekends. Then there were my YouTube streams - regular as clockwork most nights after job applications.
Oh, and the semi-regular trips to the pub. Can't forget those!
Now, though? I'm entangled in affairs all across campus, to the point where it feels like most students know who I am. Especially Louise's second-year classmates.
"...Suppose I dropped the ball there, huh, Toby?" I mutter.
"Indeed, but what a ball it was," Toby remarks.
We wait outside Louise's dorm room in silence until the door slowly opens. Out comes Louise in her usual school uniform. She is carrying a small leather bag slung over her shoulder.
"I'm ready, Michael. Let's go," my mistress instructs, snatching my free hand into hers. Together, we begin to make our way to the dining hall.
...
Breakfast finished, Louise and I make our way up the large spiral staircase leading to Headmaster Osmond's office.
At what looks about the halfway point, I notice Kirche and Tabitha are further ahead of us.
Hearing mine and Louise's footsteps, Kirche glances back. The former cracks a playful little grin at the sight of me.
"Oh, if it isn't my darling Michael," the Germanian greets me warmly.
Tabitha, as quiet as the last time I saw her, simply returns to her book without a word.
My eyes instantly lock onto Kirche's figure, and her smile. Her expression's so charming that it's heart-melting. And those big doe-like eyes of hers don't help much, either.
That is, until Louise lets out an exceptionally loud huff.
"What are you doing here, Kirche?" the pinkette demands to know.
The fiery young woman looks Louise up and down, then smirks.
"Why, is it not obvious, Louise? Tabitha and I have been summoned to Headmaster Osmond's office for some reason," Kirche explains. "I only hope he wishes to speak with us about something important."
Louise frowns and turns her head away with a second, louder huff.
"The two of you too, hmm?" she asks with surprising suspicion.
Kirche's eyebrows go up.
"What?"
Louise rolls her eyes.
"Nothing. I merely remarked on the coincidence of all four of us arriving at Headmaster's office within moments of each other," she tells us with a subtle frown.
"The headmaster likely wishes to speak with all of us," Tabitha presumes, her eyes not so much as leaving her book for a moment.
"If so, I'm left wondering why Old Osmond has need of somebody without a shred of magical, like our dear Louise," Kirche notes, grinning deviously.
Her words must have hit their mark, because Louise almost immediately retaliates.
"How dare you?! I am more than capable of defending myself with my magic, should need arise!"
"Blowing holes in the walls with backfiring spells doesn't count, I'm afraid," Kirche points out with a dismissive shrug.
"Someday, you and I are going to duel, and that day, I'll show you. I'll show you, alright."
Kirche snorts with laughter.
"Oh really? Well, I look forward to seeing the day you actually cast a simple incantation without the usual dramatic explosion." Kirche hums mockingly and points my way. "Or, at a stretch, Michael here could duel me. He can at least manifest flames like a passable mage, unlike yourself."
For some reason, those words leave a strange chill in my spine.
Louise growls loudly and then rolls her eyes.
"At least my powers don't focus on luring men into my bedchamber, von Zerbst..."
Oh god, no. This is about to get catty and bitchy; I feel it!
Kirche looks quite taken aback. I notice she is completely ignoring the second-year student's jab. Not willing to deal with the ensuing battle, Tabitha silently closes her book and trudges the rest of the way up the spiral staircase.
Unthreading my fingers from Louise's, I follow after her whilst the other two girls start slinging petty insults back and forth.
When Tabitha finally reaches the top of the stairs and arrives at the heavy wooden double-door, I can still hear Louise and Kirche arguing all the way down below us.
"Are those two always like that?" I ask, smirking at the silliness of it all.
The silent and reserved girl glances back at them, looking up the spiralling staircase.
"Unfortunately," she sighs and glances my way.
Or, more specifically, toward the meteor-like rune etched into the back of my hand. Her eyes linger on it before she slowly returns her gaze to her book, leaning against the wall as though waiting for Kirche and Louise.
I hesitate in asking, but curiosity wins out.
"Is something about it interesting?" I ask, pointing toward the rune with my other hand and raising a curious brow.
Nodding, the faintest look of eagerness glints in Tabitha's soft blue eyes.
"It is the mark of a Guardian."
"A Guardian...?" I repeat slowly, as though the word itself is one I'm unsure of. "You're the second person to mention that today, now I think about it," I recall, glancing toward Toby, who I still hold under my arm.
My gaze turns back to the strange rune emblazoned into the back of my hand.
"...So, what is a Guardian? Nobody's actually told me yet," I explain.
Tabitha's glance focuses on my hand for a moment. She actually looks rather interested in the mark, a rare expression for the young mage.
"I wonder that myself... this rune is beyond me, honestly."
"You don't know, huh?" I note.
Tabitha shakes her head.
"Unfortunately not. Well, nothing beyond what I have read in here, at least," she says, holding up her book.
"Which is... what, exactly?" I press, doing by best to block out Kirche and Louise's bickering below.
Tabitha flips over several pages with her thumb and stops on a specific entry toward the back
"It is believed that the Guardian rune shares distant connections to Gandálfr marking. In the way its wielder gains control over magic, I mean to say," the girl elaborates before pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
This is honestly the most I've heard her speak at once, and it's a little surprising.
"What the young lady says is true, my friend," Toby confirms from his place tucked beneath my arm.
A short, surprised rasp slips free from Tabitha at the talking tome. Then, seemingly dismissing the happening, her focus shifts back to her book.
"Yes, the Guardian's mark grants somebody without magical talent the ability to conjure the element which best suits their true self. It is this that I intended to share with you some days prior, Michael," Toby informs me with a warm tone.
"Oh, right," I say, scratching the back of my head with my free hand. "Well, thanks, I guess."
This line of conversation sparks another thought to life.
"Well, if the Guardian rune conjures magic, what about the Gandálfr rune? What does it do, exactly?" I ask.
Tabitha points toward a page in her book. I glance over her shoulder.
"'Galdalfr (guardian rune) or Gandálfr (ward rune)—an ancient Germanian rune encompassing concepts of protection, safety and swordsmanship. Its possessor gains knowledge over blades and other physical weapons of warfare.'" I read aloud.
"Fascinating," the blue-haired girl states simply.
"Yeah, sure sounds like it..." I likewise agree.
I glance back as Kirche and Louise join us at the top of the staircase. Louise wears a scowl of displeasure and Kirche looks smug as all heck.
Think I can guess who won their little spat.
"Ah, you two are done tearing chunks from each other, I see," I comment, motioning toward the heavy wooden double-doors ahead of us, "Well, I'd say we head on in before this headmaster gets the wrong idea. Wouldn't want him thinking we're keeping him waiting."
Sighing, Louise steps past me with a huff and pulls open one of the twin doors.
The slightest bit behind me, Kirche chuckles.
"Your mistress should know better than starting fights she cannot win, Michael," Kirche remarks, resting a hand on my shoulder.
She then plants her lips on my right cheek and strides past me.
Louise scoffs, glaring at the taller Germanian girl.
My hand levitates upward to caress my skin; my fingertips brushing over the lips Kirche left on me.
Then, noting Louise's murderous stare, I decide it best not to and haul my ass through the doors.
...
Headmaster Osmond's office is absolutely huge compared to our bedrooms.
The room itself is dome-shaped, lined with several shelves covered with a number of leather-bound books. Huge pillars are scattered about the room, pillars which support the rather massive, eye-shaped chandelier above.
Behind a wide desk by the room's largest window, there sits an elderly looking man with silvery hair and a long beard. He smokes a pipe and wearing deep blue robes.
Clearly, this must be Headmaster Osmond.
Guy looks like a wizard headmaster if I've ever seen one, anyway.
Sitting in a chair to the left of the desk, is Professor Colbert.
"Greetings, students, and Miss Vallière's familiar," the old man behind the desk welcomes us. "It was kind of you all to honour Professor Colbert's request by joining us here today."
"Why, the pleasure is all mine, Headmaster," replies Kirche with a polite bow of her head.
Yep, called it. This guy runs the school, alright.
Closing her book and placing it beneath her arm, Tabitha lowers her head.
Seeing this, Louise too politely bows.
I find myself doing the same.
"Headmaster, please," my pink-haired mistress says, "what does Tristain Academy of Magic want of us?"
Headmaster Osmond plucks his pipe from between his teeth, holds it suspended in the air. Then, he exhales a wisp of silvery smoke from his lungs with a sigh.
"As you doubtless know, Miss Vallière, the Staff of Destruction, our school's most prized and equally dangerous magical item, was stolen a few days prior," Osmond explains.
Matches up with the rumours and whispers going around the academy these past couple of days. Not to mention why a massive golem ploughed through the outer walls, too.
"Worse yet, it appears that Miss Longuevuille, who we assumed a loyal member of the staff here, is actually the thief responsible for the deed," adds Professor Colbert from his place beside the headmaster.
Colbert's words leave me feeling uncomfortable. He looks hurt by what happened. Betrayed, even.
"But... why would a respected mage do such a detestable thing, and during Princess Henrietta's visit, no less?" wonders Louise with a hand clutched to her chest.
Headmaster Osmond's focus veers from my mistress to each of us in turn.
"That, I am afraid, we do not know. What we do know, however, is that her true identity is a master thief by the name of Fouquet. Worse, she holds the staff to ransom and intends to barter with us for vast sums of coin," the old man reveals.
"A trap, obviously," Kirche posits dryly.
Professor Colbert looks to each of us in turn, and nods his head somewhat solemnly.
I just give him a silent look of 'hey, I know zero about anything other than fire magic, right now.'
"One such as yourself is quick to jump to conclusions, Miss von Zerbst, and you would be correct," is the admission that follows from Osmond. "Which comes neatly to the reason I have summoned the four of you here."
The headmaster looks to the teacher sitting next to him.
"Professor Colbert, if you would?"
Politely, the glasses-wearing professor gets to his feet, and proceeds to explain.
"A trap was most assuredly set by Fouquet. And one that I intend to spring. With the aid of you four, of course. You see, a trap can prove very beneficial at luring prey out of hiding and leaving them with their guard dropped..."
Okay, here comes the 'but', I just know it.
"...However, before I digress, what say you all? Will you aid me with this task?"
Kirche presses an index to her chin and hums thoughtfully.
"How deliciously titillating, Professor. I for one will gladly accept this task you set for me," she responds with a small, amused smile. "Although... I am left wondering why you deem it essential to ask a certain... individual within this room to likewise support you," she adds with a rather sharp glance Louise's way.
At this point, the vein on the side of my mistress's neck begins twitching erratically.
Tapping the smouldering end of his pipe into the metal tray on his desk, Headmaster Osmond folds his hands together as though in prayer.
"Yes, let us get to that..." he breathes, scratching his cheek.
Everyone's focus shifts back to him.
"While Miss Vallière's progress since her enrolment here has been somewhat... lacking, I deem this a fantastic opportunity for her to show us her hidden potential," he reasons, his words sounding... very carefully chosen.
I swear I picked up a slightly fearful look on Louise's face when the headmaster said what he just did.
"You expect us to work alongside Louise here, Headmaster?" Kirche reiterates, unable to hide the disbelief in her tone.
Osmond nods somewhat sternly.
Next to me, Louise practically shudders with rage.
"I-I can do it, Headmaster!" the petite mage pledges passionately. "Rest assured, I will not fail you," she vows.
"Yes, we shall see, Miss Vallière," Osmond states smoothly.
"Miss Tabitha, I must ask, what is your stance on this matter?"
The blue-haired girl doesn't seem to even bat an eyelid at the question.
"I'll go. The safety of Tristain is at stake," Tabitha quietly pronounces, her cool, soft voice resounding with determination.
A look of defeat written across her face, Kirche hangs her head and exhales deeply.
"Fine, fine. If Tabitha is going then I'll go to," she concedes, clearly sounding displeased. "But only if my lovely Michael is coming along, too," she clarifies, turning her head to pin me with a dazzling grin.
Before I can so much as speak, Louise snatches my wrist into her smaller hand, and growls.
"My familiar goes where I go, von Zerbst," Louise reminds her Germanian classmate fiercely.
Professor Colbert coughs, and speaks from his place beside the headmaster.
"I must stress that this task is likely to involve a degree of danger, the likes of which we would not usually thrust upon students if the circumstances were not so dire."
He pauses for a moment, allowing for his words to sink in.
"Are any of you considering withdrawing your offer of help, before anything is officially agreed?"
Looking off to the side, Tabitha hums and eventually shakes her head.
I open my mouth, and...
"Tristain Academy's reputation is at stake," insists Headmaster Osmond. "Its walls damaged and its pride lost. What's more, involving students in this matter was a suggestion made by our Princess Henrietta," he recalls, taking a puff of his pipe.
Louise doesn't waste a second.
"Do not worry, Headmaster, my heart is firm in its decision."
Nodding, I gently pull my wrist free from Louise's grip.
"Like Louise said, I go where she goes," I say with a smirk. Confirming my commitment, both to the task and Louise, I give another deep Tristain-style bow.
The old wizard folds his hands.
"Very well, then. With each of you aboard for this task, Professor Colbert will explain the details," Osmond decrees, motioning to the professor once more with his right hand.
Nodding his head toward the headmaster, Colbert takes a couple steps forward.
"The plan is to gather a substantial sum of coin, at least for show, and meet with Fouquet in the woodland outside of Lenore at noon tomorrow," the teacher reveals. "There, we will see what she intends and act accordingly."
He waves an arm out to his side in a sweeping, clear to continue motion.
"Should she hand over the staff, then we will hand over the money she desires. I do not expect such a straightforward outcome, however. Therefore, we must be ready for whatever she has planned."
"Worst case scenario, yes?" Kirche quips with a devious grin.
Tabitha nods from her place to the Germanian's left.
"Correct, Miss von Zerbst," Colbert confirms. "In order to maintain the element of surprise, nobody but the four of you are privy to this information. Understood?"
"Absolutely," I confirm with a single, curt nod of my head.
I then turn to look at the rest of the four, each staring at each other with expressions ranging from displeasure on Louise's end, to grim silence on Tabitha's. Kirche's brow perks upward at the look I give her.
"Only us, hmm?" the Germanian echoes, an excited undertone lacing her question. "That is quite alright by me, sir."
Tabitha sighs, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Only us."
Colbert straightens his spectacles and clears his throat.
"And you, Miss Vallière?"
Louise's nose wrinkles in defiance.
"... As you wish, Professor."
"Excellent," Osmond says, glancing up to look Colbert's way and then back to the four of us. "With this, our course of action is decided. Is there anything else any of you wish to ask before we let you go for the rest of the day?"
Silence falls over the room for several long moments.
I just shake my head.
"No? Then may Henrietta bless you all," is the dismissal that leaves Osmond's mouth.
Kirche and Tabitha quickly exit the room and the former shuts the door behind them. Although, as I make my way after them, the headmaster holds me up for a few moments with a raised hand.
"Mister DeSilvia... Miss Vallière... I would appreciate it if the two of you held on for a few moments longer," expresses Professor Colbert politely, urging Louise to stop.
Confused, the pink-haired second-year glances my way.
Winking at her reassuringly, I give her shoulder a pat.
"What is this about, sir?" my mistress asks anxiously. "...Am I in trouble again?"
"Not at all, Miss Vallière, not at all," Colbert assures the pinkette with a wave of the hand.
Yet, a troubled expression still lingers on Louise's face, telling of her doubts.
"I was only wondering if I might extend a lesson to your familiar here, after classes conclude this evening. You agreed to as much, after all," Colbert reminds Louise.
My mistress' shoulders slump in response, the stiffness in them waning.
"Of course, Professor, that is quite alright by me," Louise replies, exhaling gently.
I likewise nod for the teacher. Then I snap my fingers and spark up a tiny flame in my palm.
"Yeah, a lesson sounds pretty good, actually," I say, closing my palm again and snuffing out the ember.
"I am... curious to see just how much you can do, Mister DeSilvia. That said, please come to my classroom, this evening; a short time after the clock strikes seven should be fine."
I nod for Professor Colbert.
"Yeah, sure thing, I'll be there."
The teacher smiles at my response, clearly pleased.
"Excellent, most excellent. I will see the two of you then.
Louise gives her teacher a slight bow of her head.
"Thank you very much, Professor, it is greatly appreciated."
"It is quite alright, Miss Vallière."
Louise makes for the door and I follow after her. I reach for the handle, glancing over my shoulder as Louise speaks her final parting words for Professor Colbert. The older mage is smiling softly as he silently watches us leave. Then, the door thumps gently closed, obscuring us both from sight.
Meeting out of the way, I breathe a deep sigh.
"Well, that didn't go too badly," I muse aloud, a soft smile touching at the corners of my lips.
We start walking back down the spiral staircase to the lower levels.
Partway down, Louise snags my hand and holds onto it, as she so often does when we go anywhere. Her dainty hand remains in mine right up until the bottom of the stairs.
"I just hope I can meet Professor Colbert's expectations," my pink-haired companion mutters under her breath once we reach the lower floor.
"Hey, whatever happens... I've got your back, Louise," I reassure the girl, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Whatever happens?"
"Whatever. Happens," I repeat firmly, staring into the girl's eyes.
The anxiety on Louise's face ebbs away. She stares at me uncertainly, then nods her head in acceptance of my promise.
"I'm holding you to that, Michael," the young woman informs me, her eyes brimming with... what I think is hope. "Therefore, I ask that you do not let me down."
Something about the note of vulnerability in Louise's voice compels me to laugh gently.
"Louise, me letting you down is the last thing you have to worry about, I promise," Freeing my hand from hers, I open out my palm and conjure a flame with another snap of my fingers. "You gave me these flames, after all. Way I see it, they're to protect you with... and anyone else that needs me."
My mistress's features soften as I confess this to her. Then, something unseen passes between us. Words unspoken. A sensation. Something warm and... compassionate.
"Thank you, Michael."
"...Of course," I reply gently. "My pleasure, Louise."
I put out my flame with a gentle blow.
Then, the two of us continue on through the academy's large, winding corridors.
To be continued...
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