Long chapter ahead. What can I say? I'm really enjoying writing this for you guys.

Michael places Guiche in an immensely uncomfortable position with Montmorency and the frustrated young noble challenges him to a duel.


Duel

I'm woken from my already light sleep by what feels like a dainty hand shaking my shoulder.

"Urrgh, not yet," I mumble. "Just a few more minutes, please...?"

"Not going to happen, I'm afraid," Louise decrees indignantly. "Get up."

"Oh, for the love of—fine!"

I snap my eyes open and roll off the rug I've been sleeping on, grumbling irritably to myself. Louise has already changed into her school clothes and holds a laundry basket in her hands.

I rub the sleep from my eyes and shake my head clear.

"...What's so important?" I grumble.

Louise shoves the basket into my arms and folds her own.

"I'd like my laundry done and returned by this evening," she says. "If you haven't washed it by then I'll have to put you out into the hall tonight."

I blink at the basket of nightgowns and school uniforms several times over.

"You're kidding me, right?" I crack a small frown. "The days of servants doing laundry are long gone where I'm from."

"Oh, don't give me that," Louise sneers. "You're my familiar. I've got no time for that sort of nonsense."

I narrow my eyes, standing firm. "Look, I don't know the deal here in Tristain, but if you think I'm scrubbing your panties then you have another thing coming."

Louise's eyes widen in disbelief and shock. "You dare talk back to me like that?"

"Well, someone needs to put you in your place, Louise. If it's that important, why don't you do the damn laundry?"

The pinkette's eye twitches. "The nobility don't wash their clothes, you idiot."

"Yeah, well, it's not the seventeenth century anymore," I scowl, pointing a finger in her face. "Get with the times."

She slaps my finger away and turns her nose up.

"If you refuse to wash the clothes, then fine," Louise hisses. "I'll take my leave, now. But you aren't coming with me to breakfast."

With a huff, the pinkette turns on her heel and stomps out the door.

I roll my eyes as she shuts the door behind her.

"Damn princess..."

I set the basket of laundry aside and follow after Louise once the door's closed.

"All right, fine," I relent with a deep exhale. "I'll wash them. But don't think I'll make it a pastime or anything."

Louise's lips curl into a satisfied smirk.

"Good," she says, pleased.

"Now, come on. Let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

"Gotcha."

As we descend the steps down to the dining hall, the smell of fresh bread and pastry wafts through the air and makes my stomach rumble.

...

Louise and I step inside the school's central dining hall. It's vast and filled with rows of tables. Plate after plate of fancy food covers each of them. We're talking about the sort of stuff my dad sent me pictures of when he worked on the cruise ships. There are cakes, tarts, croissants, and jams in huge amounts.

"No way I'd afford this kinda stuff on a YouTuber's budget," I mutter under my breath.

"Stop chattering to yourself and follow me, Michael," Louise says sternly.

The mage guides me through the maze-like mess of students and tables towards an area with an empty table. There are many vacant seats.

"These tables are all for the nobility," Louise informs me. "I prefer to sit on my own, however."

I pull out a chair for her and she sits down.

"You'll sit outside on the steps and eat there," the mage instructs. "I'll have one of the servants fetch you something after the first course is served."

I'm stunned. "Wait, seriously? Are you sure you don't want to just sit together and share a meal like normal people?"

"I'd sooner starve," Louise says coldly. "And besides, you aren't noble. So, you can't sit with me."

"You're such a spoiled brat," I scowl. "I can't believe I enjoyed our chat last night."

Louise's eyes go wide.

"What was that?!"

I hold up my hands defensively and take a backward step. "Nothing, nothing..."

A few chuckles sound up from the table behind us.

"Louise is bickering with her new familiar," says one student to another. "She really can't do anything right."

Louise growls forebodingly at the seemingly deliberately loud comment.

I take her reaction as a warning and decide to back off.

"I'll just... see myself out."

I turn around and walk briskly away, ignoring the laughter trailing behind me.

"What a poor, pitiful guy," a young dark-haired mage says to the guy sitting next to him.

"He's wasted on somebody like Louise the Zero, isn't he?" his friend replies.

A dull, remorseful twinge grips my chest.

Bicker as we have this morning, I don't like how everyone picks on Louise like this. It's pretty shitty.

...

I stand outside the academy's main entrance and lean against a statue of the Founder, some old guy with thick robes and a long beard. The air is crisp and cold, but the morning sun shining above keeps me warm.

A servant walks down the steps with a small plate of food in her hands. She smiles at me and bows her head deeply.

"You're Mister Michael, aren't you? Miss Vallière's familiar...?"

I look the girl over. She's slim with freckle-dusted cheeks and long orange hair.

Smiling, I nod for her.

"That's me, all right."

The servant holds out the plate. "Here you go. It isn't much, but do enjoy."

"Thank you," I say politely. "I'm sure it's wonderful."

The girl beams.

I take the plate from her and watch as she goes back up the steps.

The girl quickly hurries out of sight and her heels clack down the hall.

"Gawwd, this servant shit doesn't sit right with me," I say in a low voice.

Sighing, I turn my eyes downward to the food. There are a couple of slices of thinly sliced buttered bread and a small hunk of yellowy cheese.

"This is pretty light..." I mutter to myself. "No wonder Louise is so slim."

I pop a slice of the bread into my mouth and chew.

"Not bad."

I swallow the rest of the piece down and look back up to the stairs.

"I'm guessing she'll be a while." I shrug. "Might as well listen to some music while I'm here."

I sit down on the steps with my plate. Taking my iPod out from my trouser pocket, I unwind the headphones and slip one into my ear.

The screen lights up and the menu pops up after a few taps of the screen. I scroll through the artists' list and pick out a playlist of the best tracks from the mid-2000s.

"Man, this takes me back," I whisper to myself. "Gotta love childhood."

"I ain't got no money,
I ain't got no car to take you on a date,
I can't even buy you flowers.
But together we'd be the perfect soulmates."

I smile brightly and snap my finger in time to the song's R&B beat.

My forefinger and thumb spark up an ember on the third snap.

Flinching, I blow out the flame and close my palm.

"Almost forgot I can do that..."

...

An hour and a half passes on my iPod clock before Louise finally walks out onto the front steps of the academy.

"Battery's at forty, better conserve it," I decide.

I switch off my device and slip it back into my pocket.

"What's with the face?" I ask, noting Louise's frown as she stands over me.

"Nothing, idiot..." she mumbles coldly.

I think back to all the times I've heard people whispering at Louise's expense.

Smiling thinly, I offer her a hand. A peace offering, I figure.

"Look, if you're mad about the way everyone talks about you then I get it, it's not cool."

Louise's frown only deepens.

"And why should I care about what they think?" the mage mumbles.

"Because I imagine anyone would if they dealt with that sort of thing day in, day out."

Louise's eyes flit to the ground, but she doesn't reply.

I sigh and lower my hand.

"Anyway, are we going to class now or what?"

"No, it's a day off today. I told you last night, remember?"

I snap my fingers in recollection, thankfully not sparking up an ember this time.

"Yeah, yeah, I do now."

Louise points toward a large collection of tables and chairs neatly arranged out by one of the castle walls. A great many students sit with their various bizarre otherworldly familiars whilst servants bring out plates of food and the like.

"Today's a day where all the students and their familiars bond," the girl says.

"Bonding, huh?" I mutter to myself.

"That's right," Louise declares. "So, let's get started. The sooner you learn, the sooner we can get you behaving like a proper familiar."

I get up from the steps and stretch, working out the kinks in my back and shoulders.

"Fine by me, Louise. Let's go grab a seat."

Louise nods, then she snatches my hand and hauls me along with her.

"Well, well, if it isn't Louise and her new familiar," comments a young lady in an alluring tone.

Louise and I turn.

A busty young woman with long red hair and tanned skin stands a short way from us with a smirk. She wears a long-sleeved blouse with plenty of cleavage on show and a very small skirt.

I can't quite say why, but I find her brownish-golden eyes seriously captivating.

"Von Zerbst," Louise utters coldly under her breath.

My eyes snap from the attractive mage to the four-legged creature at her side.

It has shiny red skin and a burning ember fizzling at its tail. It looks at me with its beady yellow eyes and lets out something of a soft cry.

I take a cautious step back from the thing, whatever it is, and fold my arms.

"Don't think you should have that thing walking around without a leash, Miss," I tell her cautiously.

The girl simply raises a hand to her mouth and chuckles.

"Goodness, is this the first time you've seen a salamander before?"

My eyes widen and I nod shortly.

Grumbling irritably, Louise asks the redhead, "Why are you bothering me, Kirche?"

The girl named Kirche closes the gap with a wiggle in her step and smiles teasingly at Louise.

"Why, I'm simply here to see your new familiar for myself. After all, I did hear he isn't too bad-looking."

Kirche places a hand on my shoulder and leans her body close to mine. Her ample breasts push up against my chest. Her lavender perfume makes me feel the smallest bit light-headed, too.

My heartbeat quickens the slightest bit on account of the girl's closeness.

"And it seems the rumors were true in this regard, too, even if he is a little older."

Kirche takes a lock of my hair and twirls it around her finger.

"Tell me, handsome, just how old are you?"

I swallow to try and maintain my composure, hard.

"Twenty-five... Just graduated from university a few months back."

Kirche purrs softly, sweetly. "Hmmm... And a scholar, too." She chuckles. "It seems you did something right for a change, Louise. Congratulations."

Louise loudly growls. "...Stop touching my familiar."

"Oh, jealous, are we?" Kirche asks with a playful smile. "Is it because he's more my type than yours? Perhaps you're afraid you're not good enough to keep a man like this interested in you."

My heart hammers quickly and strongly.

Something about Kirche girl is genuinely intoxicating, even though I imagine she's no older than her late teens. I can't quite place what it is, though. She just... has a hold on me.

"And your name, Sir?" Kirche asks, ignoring Louise's command.

I gulp and try to keep my cool.

"Uhh, Michael. My name's Michael."

"Michael," Kirche echoes, savoring the taste of my name on her tongue. "Such a charming name."

My cheeks flush. "Ah, thanks, I guess."

Louise slaps Kirche's hand off my shoulder and grabs my wrist.

"Stop bothering us," the mage demands, yanking me away from Khirche.

Kirche chuckles and flashes a victorious look Louise's way. "Oh, I will, don't worry. There's just one thing I'd like to see first, though. Then I'll be on my way."

"And what is that, von Zerbst...?" Louise probes, her hold on my hand tightening.

"Your familiar's magic, of course. We all saw the flames burst from his fingertips when you summoned him, after all. And as one of this institute's most skilled fire practitioners, I simply must see what he is capable of for myself."

"No," Louise snarls. "I'm not showing you, so go away."

"I insist," Kirche says firmly. "After all, you can't possibly keep a familiar like him a secret."

Louise releases my hands, still glaring daggers. "Fine, but only once. Show her, Michael."

I breathe in and out to get my feelings under control. "Got it."

Then, I reach my hand outwards and briskly snap my fingers.

A tiny orange ember comes to life in my palm and crackles gently.

Kirche's eyes light up and her smile broadens.

"How cute." She giggles. "He's adorable, Louise. Truly. You're lucky."

"Don't call him that," Louise snaps.

"Oh, but he is, and I shall keep a very watchful eye on him."

Kirche winks at me and blows a kiss. She then turns around to walk away.

"Do take care, handsome. Flame, we're going, sweetie."

Kirche salamander lets out an enthusiastic cry and trots after its mistress.

Louise watches the redhead go with her fists tightly clenched.

"Damnit, Kirche..." the mage grumbles under her breath.

Louise takes hold of my arm again and drags me away toward the arrangement of tables and chairs.

"You're not to go anywhere near her without my saying so, understood?" the pinkette commands.

"Wait, what? Why can't I go near her?"

"Because the Zerbst's are some of my family's closest rivals, that's why!"

I roll my eyes and relent. "Fine, if you say so."

Louise releases my arm and sits down at the nearest empty table. A pot of tea and several plates of cakes and scones are laid out across it. Most of the plates have fancy markings and patterning like the sort of stuff you'd only see in a museum back where I come from.

"Going to be mad at me all day, Princess?" I ask cautiously.

Louise flashes me a death glare and pours herself a cup of tea.

"That's a 'yes', then."

...

I can't even begin to guess how long Louise has given me the silent treatment.

Feels like an hour, but it could honestly be more.

"I want a different kind of cake, Michael," Louise decrees sternly. "I don't like the kind they have laid out here."

I sigh shortly. "And I'll assume you aren't going to go get it yourself, are you?"

"No. Because you're my familiar and that's your job, now bring me a strawberry shortcake."

I look down at the various types of cake laid out across the table. Several are topped with lemon and filled with generous amounts of cream.

"There has to be one you like here, surely."

Louise frowns. "If there was, don't you think I would've already eaten it by now? Now stop being difficult and do what I tell you, you idiot!"

I groan. "...You're acting just like Anna used to when her dad wouldn't wire over money..."

Louise doesn't say anything. Her frown just hardens.

"Fine, fine, I'm going."

I stand up and walk toward the center of the academy grounds.

I can hear Louise's eyes rolling.

"I can't believe it..."

...

I'm halfway to the table where servants are collecting food when a girl steps out in front of me. She's too near to sidestep, so I end up bumping into her.

"Ah, crap. Sorry."

"Ah!" The girl yelps, dropping the plate with a cake slice she carries.

I quickly catch her hand before she falls as well, and help her upright.

Time seems to stall whilst I hold her in my protective embrace.

The girl has soft features with deep blue eyes and black hair reaching down to her neck. Honestly, she looks the slightest bit Japanese, the longer I look at her. She wears a maid's uniform just like those I've seen many academies' other servants wear, also.

Does this world have a version of Japan tucked away somewhere? I do wonder, given how this girl looks.

Eh, whatever. Now isn't the time for that.

"Are you okay?" I ask the blue-eyed servant, whose cheeks are now a shade of cherry red.

The girl bows her head deeply and apologizes profusely.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry about it." I release the girl from my grasp.

Off behind us, somebody snaps their fingers abruptly.

I glance back to find Guiche sitting at one of the tables beside a blonde lady with ringlet-styled hair. He has a large mole-like creature laid lovingly across his lap.

The thing looks kinda cute if I'm being honest. Whatever the heck it is.

"Goodness, do hurry up with my cake," Guiche announces rudely. "The nobility should not be made to wait."

Ignoring him, I turn my attention back to the servant instead.

"What's your name, Miss?" I ask the girl, who bends down to pick up the dropped cake.

"Siesta, my name's Siesta," she answers.

"Michael."

"Michael," Siesta repeats, testing my name whilst rising to her feet. "It's nice to meet you."

"Same here."

Guiche snaps his fingers again, drawing our attention.

"I-I should probably get him a fresh one," decides Siesta, frowning at the grubby cake on the plate.

Fed up with seeing folks being bossed around, I gently take the plate from her hands.

"Na, this is good enough for somebody as stuck-up as him," I say with a smug smirk.

Subtle fear glints in Siesta's eyes. "But we can't give him that..."

"You might not want to, Miss. But I certainly do."

Smiling, I walk over to Guiche's table.

"And this is for you," I say, placing the cake down in front of him.

Guiche snatches the cake away. He then promptly throws it across the table.

"How dare you serve me that!" The blonde cries. "It's dirty!"

"Good enough for you, I'm sure."

Guiche's face reddens ragefully. "Why you-"

"Say, isn't that Louise's new familiar?" the ringlet-haired girl beside him asks, tapping a finger against her chin.

Guiche halts his spoiled tirade and deepens his stare, frowning.

"Ah, I believe it is, Montmorency," he confirms.

Oh! So, this is Montmorency! The girl he's cheating on with Katie.

"As ever, your inquisitiveness is only matched by your beauty, my dear Montmorency. I could never see myself with anyone but you."

Montmorency's cheeks redden a touch. She frowns despite the compliment, though.

"So you say, Guiche. But I hear you've taken a first-year student on a date just recently." The girl narrows her eyes and stares her boyfriend down with heat and intensity.

Guiche blanches a touch. "You know how rumours are, dearest. It is not true."

As petty as it is, I'm going to make this pompous dick squirm.

"Katie, I believe it was. A short girl with innocent eyes and round cheeks," I recall with a smirk. I bow my head for Montmorency, wanting to get on her good side in this little dispute. "Does that match the rumors floating around at all?"

The blonde girl's eyes widen. She turns her attention back to her boyfriend and folds her arms.

"It was the truth?"

"N-no," Guiche stammers.

I nod firmly. "I saw them in the halls last night while running an errand for Louise." I lean near Montmorency's ear and whisper, "He kissed her."

The girl's eyes widen and her mouth forms a small 'O'.

"Guiche!" She shrieks.

"Wait, no, Montmorency," the blond begins, desperately trying to placate her.

Booted feet crunch through the grass behind. I glance back.

In a cruel twist of fate, the very same Katie from last night comes running over to the table. Her big, soft eyes tremble with feeling. "...I've been looking all over for you, Lord Guiche. I was hoping we might go into town together today."

Voices and gossip start sounding up from surrounding tables.

Oh yeah, this is becoming a scene, all right.

Montmorency shoots up to her feet. She glares daggers at her boyfriend. "Is this true, Guiche?! Is it?!"

Guiche swallows thickly. "N-no, no, Montmorency, darling. She and I were just talking about her brother and how I helped him."

"N-No you we weren't, Lord Guiche!" Katie protests, her tone colored by a hint of pain. "You promised we'd watch the stars together!"

Montmorency's scowl intensifies and her eyes burn with pure hatred.

"This is the last time, Guiche. The absolute last time."

Montmorency slaps the blond and walks briskly away from the table. She spins back around a few short feet past me, however.

"You, Familiar, what is your name?" the blonde girl asks me sharply.

I point to myself and bow my head again. "Michael, Miss Montmorency."

"Very well, Michael."

Montmorency walks over and holds out the back of one of her dainty hands to me. "Allow me to thank you, for being honest and showing a woman of nobility the respect she deserves."

I raise an eyebrow and look back to Louise across the sea of tables. She has her hands covering her mouth and is shaking her head at me, clearly mortified.

"Uh, sure." I take her hand and bow my head for Guiche's now ex-girlfriend a second time. "Always happy to help."

Montmorency smiles softly, then turns around and walks away.

Katie watches the blonde leave, then slowly turns her big, hurt eyes onto Guiche.

"L-Lord Guiche, you're cruel!"

The younger student bursts into tears and runs away.

Laughter erupts from many of the surrounding tables.

Guiche sits in his chair and shudders with anger.

"You'll pay for this," he tells me, his voice a low, dangerous hiss.

"Sure, whatever you say, dude," I reply.

I turn away from him and walk off back toward Siesta.

"No, do not turn your back on me, Sir! I challenge you to a duel."

I genuinely snicker at what I'm hearing. That shit sounded like something from an old English movie!

I stop walking, but I don't bother looking back.

"You can't be serious, man. Just drop it. I don't have my white glove and dueling pistols with me," I finish with a laugh.

Guiche stands up from his seat, sending his chair tumbling to the ground.

"No, I will not," the blond states, his tone firm.

I breathe a heavy sigh and fold my arms. "...Okay, I'll play. What're the rules?"

"Meet me by the Duelling Grounds at the hour's turn. And do not keep me waiting."

"Fine." I spark up a flame with a snap of my fingers, then close my palm around it. I have magic somehow; I might as well show it off. "I'll see you there, Guiche."

Loud chatter erupts across all the tables.

"Lord Guiche just challenged Louise's familiar," one student whispers.

"This'll be a sight to see, no doubt," says another.

I roll my eyes and shake my head.

Louise comes running over to me with a look of fury about her.

"Michael, you idiot! You don't realize what you've done, do you?"

"I'm gonna put that rude little shit in his place, that's what," I say flatly.

"Guiche is one of the school's finest students," Louise informs me. "You don't have a chance!"

"Oh, we'll see." I snap my fingers and spark up. "I have my little buddy here, after all."

Louise narrows her eyes, her expression tinged with worry suddenly.

"You don't even know how to control it properly, stupid. You said so yourself!"

"True, true." I nod in agreement. "I guess that makes it a trial by fire then, literally."

"Don't make jokes," Louise pleads, her tone losing some of its edge.

"Look, I'll be fine, all right?" I reassure her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Louise holds her head in her hands and screams. "Stupid familiar! Fine... I'll take you to the Duelling Grounds. So you can apologize to Guiche and forget this whole mistake... before you get hurt."

Louise stomps off ahead. I follow her.

"Not happening, Princess," I whisper. "Not a chance."

I suffered plenty after Anna cheated on me. Montmorency honestly deserves better. Siesta and all of the other servants do, too.

Especially if being spoken to like crap for being a commoner is standard here in Tristan.


I stand across from Guiche in the school's Duelling Grounds. Louise stands beside me and a large ring of students encircle us. Kirche is at the front of the crowd, alongside a petite girl with glasses and blue hair that I've not seen before.

Guiche steps closer and smiles suavely.

"And so it falls upon the nobility to teach manners where they are sorely lacking, it seems."

He takes out a rose from his overcoat's inside pocket. Plucking a petal, he tosses it to the ground.

The petal glows as it floats to the floor. A strange summoning circle of some sort opens out where it landed. From within the circle on the floor rises a small brass warrior brandishing a lance. It steps ahead of its master and artfully twirls its weapon in presentation.

"My codename is Guiche the Brass," I'm told by the snobby noble. "Therefore, I think a brass golem should be fitting to deal with the likes of you."

I unfold my arms and unclasp my cloak, dropping it to the floor.

"Magic on magic, huh?" I pose, working the kinks out of my neck. "Fine by me. Let's see what you've got there, Guiche."

The blond mage frowns and raises an eyebrow.

"You are aware, Michael, that once this battle begins, there is no turning back?"

"Yes, yes. I am, actually," I confirm with a nod.

"Michael, stop it!" Orders Louise from beside me, her arms folded sternly. "Just apologize and ask for Guiche's forgiveness. If not, he's going to hurt you!"

I shake my head. "He's got no power over me, Louise. You can relax."

The girl grumbles and sighs. "Ugh, this is hopeless... Idiot..."

"You should listen to your mistress," Guiche warns. "Should you bow at my feet and beg forgiveness, I shall let your slight pass... on this one occasion."

I shake my head again.

"Sorry, no can do. But I'll tell you what I'll do instead."

Guiche tilts his head. "Oh?"

I snap my fingers and spark up an ember. "Put you in your damned place."

I focus hard and somehow, someway, the ember in my hand expands into a small fireball.

My hand aches simply trying to keep it contained, though. I better lob it, and fast.

"Such rudeness!" growls Guiche. "Very well, then. You have made your choice." The blonde mage narrows his eyes and smiles wickedly. "Get him, Golem."

Guiche's brass golem launches toward me.

Aiming for the golem's head, I sling the fireball in a quick thrust of the hand.

The brass warrior blocks the projectile with its lance, dispersing the flames with ease. It's in front of me before I know it. And it rams a fist into my gut. Hard.

My body buckles and I crumple onto my knees.

"Michael!" Louise yells fearfully, kneeling beside me.

"Ooohhh shit... That hurt..."

I wheeze and struggle to my feet, the crowd laughing.

"How can you expect to defeat a nobleman with such petty attempts?" Guiche mocks.

"Oh, I'm not done yet..."

"No, Michael!" Louse commands, throwing out an arm in front of me. "Enough is enough."

"Out of the way, Princess."

I push her aside and take a few cautious steps forward.

"You're going down, Guiche. One way or another."

"We shall see. We shall see."

I snap my fingers. The embers barely ignite this time. A second, sharper snap sparks them up. Intense heat courses through my body, though. Feels like a warning.

"That's as far as you go, Familiar," Guiche orders, his eyes narrowed and his tone firm.

"Like hell."

The blond mage snaps his fingers and the golem charges at me.

I hurl my fireball as hard as I can, but the golem smashes the attack away with its lance.

Shit!

"Now, Golem. Show him what happens when he disrespects the nobility!"

"Michael, no!"

I can't tell if it's Louise's scream or somebody else's, because everything just happens so fast.

The brass golem thrusts the handle end of its lance forward, straight at my gut.

My feet leave the ground and I'm tossed into the hair by the strike's weight.

"Ughhh... Fuck..."

"You see, low-born, why you can never hope to best the nobility!" Guiche declares with a haughty laugh.

I hit the ground with a bone-jarring thump. My body screams in pain and the clouds above spin in circles.

"You can't hope to beat a noble when your magic is so feeble," Guiche decrees.

My heartbeat hammers against my chest. I grit my teeth and force myself upright.

"Guess not. B-But I ain't backing down, anyway."

Louise runs between Guiche and me with her arms thrown out.

"Enough! Guiche, stop!"

"What is the meaning of this, Louise?"

Louise glares at Guiche fiercely. "I don't want to see you hurt him anymore."

The blond's eyes widen.

"Why are you defending him, Louise? Magic or not, he isn't truly one of us."

"Because he is my familiar and I won't let you kill him," Louise snarls.

I limp nearer Louise as best I can. Feels as though a damn car's rolled over me.

My legs buckle, and I fall toward the pink-haired mage.

Louise catches me. Her hands tremble as they grasp my shoulders.

"Michael, please stop this..."

"Not happening," I manage, forcing a smile.

"See? Your familiar has been defeated," Guiche points out, folding his arms.

I desperately, painfully snap my fingers. "C'mon... C'mon!"

I snap. And snap. And snap.

Not even a spark emerges from my fingertips.

Louise cups my cheek and turns my head so I'm staring deeply into her eyes.

She's crying.

"I-It's over," the girl whimpers, her tears streaking down her cheeks. "Please, give up."

I close my eyes and breathe a deep sigh. Maybe I should do as she-

No, wait. I gained my powers when Louise first kissed me. Heck, her simply holding me like this is comforting despite the agony I'm in.

Maybe, just maybe, I have a chance.

I cup Louise's cheek, the very act of doing so multiplying my pain several times over.

"You can get mad at me for this later, Princess..."

Louise raises an eyebrow, frowning.

"W-what're you talking about, idiot?"

I pull Louise's face nearer mine and gently press my lips to hers.

The pinkette's eyes widen, but she quickly melts into the kiss.

Power like a raging inferno surges through me, invigorating my senses and dulling the pain.

I pull away from the kiss. Louise stares up at me with a flushed expression.

"Sorry, I had to."

"Y-you..." Louise's cheeks burn and her voice fades to a whisper.

"You can snap at me when this is over," I assure her.

The girl's frown hardens and she nods sternly.

"I'll hold you to that, so win, okay?"

"Got it."

Louise releases me. I step out in front of her, a good dozen or so feet from Guiche and his brass golem.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

Focus, Michael, focus.

The image of the fireball comes to life in my mind's eye.

I reach out for the magic coursing through me and grasp it tightly.

I imagine a fireball coming to life inside the golem's core. It grows larger and larger.

Willing it so, I open my eyes and snap my fingers.

Orange light pulses through gaps in the golem's brass armor.

"Golem! No!" Guiche cries.

The golem bursts into flames, sending shrapnel of armor everywhere.

The creature's lance is thrown into the air.

I snatch it before it can hit the floor and then stab it into the ground.

"That's the end of the fight, Guiche," I declare.

Guiche shakes his head, his eyes wide. "N-no, impossible! Me... Guiche the Brass, bested by a familiar..."

The blond falls to his knees. "How can this be?"

"Because you're arrogant and you don't show people the respect they deserve," I answer.

The students gathered around us erupt in cheers.

"Good fight," says a tall student.

"The familiar was impressive," adds another.

Louise runs over to me, her expression one of concern and worry. No sooner than she lays a hand on me does the pain from my injuries return. Vengefully.

Groaning painfully, I topple toward the floor and my vision fades.


Kirche's heart races and her cheeks burn red hot whilst Louise catches her falling familiar and holds the battered blonde close to her chest.

"My, my, that was certainly something," says the buxom fire mage, fanning herself.

Tabitha glances up from her book briefly. "Don't fall in love again," she warns, her voice monotone.

Kirche's cheeks redden further and she folds her arms.

"I won't."

"You already are," Tabitha retorts.

Kirche frowns. "Shush, Tabitha."

Tabitha returns to her book without another word.

Montmorency rushes across the fields and slides to an abrupt stop at the Dueling Grounds' outermost edge. Kirche raises a curious brow when the girl darts to help Louise instead of her gloomy-faced boyfriend, however.

"I'm so sorry, Louise," the girl says, her expression full of sympathy.

"This is all my fault," she goes on, her voice shaking. "This all happened because your familiar told me of Guiche's recent behavior."

"No, Montmorency," the pinkette says, her tone gentle and reassuring. "Guiche's been cheating on you with other girls for months, now. You deserved to know."

Montmorency bows her head and smiles so very sadly. "I am aware, I assure you... Still, it was kind of Michael here to tell me as much, as a proper gentleman should. So, I'd like to help you."

Kirche whistles, surprised by what she's hearing. "Well, this is certainly a development."

Louise's eyes widen a touch. "Y-You want to help me, Montmorency?"

The ringlet-haired girl bows her head graciously. "I do, yes. Therefore, I hereby retract some of the mean things I've said about you, Louise. And, I shall also help you take Michael safely to your room."

Louise blinks a few times; taken aback by the aid she's being offered. "T-Thank you, Montmorency. This means a lot."

Montmorency waves a dismissive hand. "It is quite all right."

Guiche watches the scene playing out with utter bewilderment written across his face.

"But... How? Why?" he utters softly, his voice hollow. "Why would you help him, my dear Montmorency?"

His girlfriend narrows her eyes at the blond. "Because today's events have truly opened my eyes, Guiche de Gramont." She holds her hands to her hips. "Yes, it is our place as nobles to instruct the commonfolk, that much is true. On the other hand, I believed you at least had respect for me - a lady who truly cared for you. Clearly, I was mistaken."

Guiche's shoulders slump, and his jaw clenches. "You are right, Montmorency. I have wronged you terribly. Will you allow me to make it up to you, somehow?"

Montmorency shakes her head firmly. "No, Guiche. I want you to think intensely about what has happened here today. Rest assured that I will."

The blonde girl looks to Louise. "Shall we go?"

Louise nods slowly, a look of gratitude on her face. "Yes, let's."

The two girls begin carrying Michael across the field. A dark-haired maid soon hurries over to help them.

Kirche claps her hands together spiritedly, her smile one of immense surprise.

"Well, this new familiar is certainly causing quite the stir. Wouldn't you say so, Tabitha?"

The smaller bespectacled girl simply turns the page in her book. "Don't care. Too much hassle."

Kirche simply chuckles.

"As you like. I for one think this school year will be exceptionally interesting."

To be continued...


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