He killed him. Aselith killed Mott. Sure, Saito was likely the one to do it, as Aselith said, but Tabitha had no doubt Aselith was the one who pushed for it. The boy looked shaken up. It made perfect sense if last night was the first time he killed anyone; he was no hardened killer.

As for Aselith, there wasn't much to do. He already cleaned up the evidence of their fight and set fire to the mansion. News of that would reach the academy in a day or two, and rumors and gossip would spread, but nothing linking the event to Aselith.

Except, of course, the servant, Siesta.

"What were you thinking?" Tabitha had spent all day wondering that, and continued even in the evening.

He laid out his reasoning earlier. He told her briefly before classes started, and fleshed it out more at lunch. It was all to help Saito, to be someone his fellow familiar could rely on, since Louise was intent on making Saito's life miserable. Aselith's words, but Tabitha could draw a similar conclusion based on how Louise had been treating him.

Tabitha let out a sigh.

"Something wrong, Tabitha?" Kirche asked, holding her from behind in bed.

It was Kirche. Kirche was comforting her. Tabitha realized the absurdity of thinking that, and how disconnected from reality she would have to be to truly accept it.

"Last night. Thinking." Still, she responded how she normally would to Kirche. And, she wanted to see how Kirche would respond.

"Oh my~. Well, you don't have to worry about any of that right now. Just lay back and relax~." Kirche purred in her ear, holding her closer.

At least Kirche didn't try to act like he wasn't…she wasn't…

Tabitha breathed out, trying to relax. "Right." There wasn't any reason to worry about it. Aselith had said he'd done this sort of thing before, when serving another summoner on another world. He had to be more thorough there, seeing how they had spells that were more suited to investigation. Detect Magic could find lingering effects of spells, but not likely pick up anything by the time anyone noticed and with the manor burned to the ground.

She just let herself be soothed by Kirche's soft breathing behind her…as artificial as it was.

The next morning, once the first class had ended, the professor reminded everyone that the Familiar Exhibit was coming up on the next Void Day. Princess Henrietta would be in attendance, so it was important for everyone to put forth their best effort.

For that reason, Aselith was sparring with Saito during lunch.

While not her element, Tabitha was more than proficient enough to create a sword for Aselith to use. Despite using a longsword, he was posed like a fencer, one hand behind his back. Well, his top half was poised like a fencer. He kept his feet nearly straight, not in any position to dodge. Seeing how Saito fought, it wasn't needed.

Not that Saito wasn't fast or skilled. Aselith's theory was that Saito's runes granted him these powers, and Tabitha was able to confirm this. It was in a book that was in the restricted part of the library, only professors being allowed to view them. Tabitha was able to sneak in.

Apparently, Brimir's familiar was called 'Gandalf'. He or she was able to wield any weapon, and was strong enough to hold back an army for Brimir to cast his spells. Powerful Void spells took a long time to cast, according to the book.

Unfortunately, that was all the book mentioned about him. It didn't give any information about the type of spells Brimir used, how he researched them, or any other abilities. Just the same information that was in other books about the Founder.

For now, Aselith trained with Saito to enhance his skills, and to see what he was capable of. That was why Tabitha spent her lunch outside to watch as well.

Siesta came and went, too, having dropped off a pitcher of water for Saito. Being rescued from Mott seemed to have developed a crush in her on Saito. The girl didn't have all the details of the night, and Tabitha was fine with that. Having Siesta perform that ritual for Aselith was another matter.

It wasn't anything difficult or ornate, simply burning some bones in a fire. Aselith provided Siesta with a metal charm of some sort to put in the fire while the bones burned. No chants or other actions were necessary. She could even offer a vocal prayer to Brimir in case anyone was listening. While archaic, it wasn't heretical, so it wouldn't raise too much suspicion. It could just be passed off as a strange commoner custom.

Since Tabitha hadn't provided any souls for him, he wanted sustenance. An accurate description, since he didn't need it. The way he described it, it was like energy he could hold in reserve for later. It was also something close to pleasure, like eating something sweet…or like a highly muted feeling she had when he posed as Kirche. It seemed like he was guessing when he made the comparison, since he didn't feel things the same way mortals did. As for souls—something she still wasn't entirely comfortable with collecting—Tabitha could at least kill some orcs for him and see what happened. Hopefully those would work. If not, well, her uncle was sure to send her on a mission soon enough.

The two of them continued to cross blades, Saito moving around a lot while Aselith remained in place. It wasn't that he wasn't trying, as he did toss a few Fireballs around—his own magic, not any chanted spell—which forced Saito to either block with the talking sword or dodge out of the way. Still, Saito's method of attack was pretty straightforward.

Tabitha heard a sigh nearby.

"Well, he can handle that ridiculous sword well enough." Louise commented as she watched. "I suppose it's better than nothing for the exhibit."

With her arms crossed and a look of disinterest on her face, Louise walked off. She had only been there for a few minutes.

It was clear to Tabitha that Louise didn't care about her familiar beyond him being alive. He was her first and only successful spell. If she cared more, well, any number of things would be different. Maybe Tabitha wasn't the best judge of character, but even she knew Louise was too harsh with someone she abducted from his home.

Not to mention, not recognizing how a boy who hadn't used a weapon before could be so good with one. He beat Guiche, after all. Louise may not have known what Saito's runes meant, but even she should see the merit in someone like that.

"Ugh!" When Tabitha turned back, she saw Saito on his back and Aselith's sword pointed at him.

"You were distracted." Aselith said, taking a step forward and offering his hand.

"Sorry." Saito muttered as he accepted the help up.

"Was it the girl? Is she taking up too much space in your head?" He asked.

Saito looked away. "Louise is just…I don't know."

"Have you changed your mind?"

"About what?" Saito asked without looking at him.

Aselith smirked. "'I'll put up with being a familiar, sleeping on the ground, not having a meal, washing clothes.' Your words. Have you reconsidered things?"

Saito looked up at him, a bit surprised, but that quickly shifted to a grimace. "Yeah…you have a good memory."

"I'm aware." Aselith nodded and placed his hand on Saito's shoulder. "Don't let her consume your thoughts when she clearly doesn't share the same sentiment."

"Easy for you to say." Saito grumbled. "Your master doesn't treat you like an animal."

"That she doesn't." Aselith agreed. Saito scowled further. "You are upset."

"It's not just Louise." Saito said. "It's…you know."

"Son, if Louise fully understood your abilities, she might have you perform similar duties." Aselith said.

"That…might be true." Again, Tabitha didn't know how Louise would react. It was certainly a possibility, so Aselith wasn't lying, even if it was speculation on his part.

Saito glanced at Tabitha. He looked worried, but she just gave him a nod, concluding the three of them knew they each knew about what happened two nights ago. That seemed to ease him.

"In any case, you should learn how to fight properly." Aselith went on. "You never know when someone will attack you. For that reason, we'll switch to wooden swords for now."

"Huh?" Saito looked confused. "But these runes don't work with them."

"Yes." Aselith nodded, walking to where a pair of wooden swords were waiting for him. "That's why we'll be using them. The skills imparted on you are good, but they can be made better when you can apply proper techniques. Plus, if you ever lose your weapon, you'll have your own skill to fall back on."

Tabitha nodded in agreement. While different, it was partly why she used a staff, since it could double as at least a blocking weapon in a pinch.

His reasoning was also why he had Tabitha make a dagger for Saito to have on his person at all times.

"Besides," Aselith walked back to Saito, offering him a wooden sword, "having these skills will help you be more self-sufficient, so you can know your limits and be able to provide for yourself, instead of relying on another for your needs."

He smiled at Saito as he said that. A look of understanding came over Saito's face as he accepted the training sword. Tabitha understood as well. This was a seed of rebellion he was planting in Saito.

Author's Notes:

Nothing really to add here. Thinking the Familiar Exhibit will be next, or soon.