3 Playground Politics

Louise de La Valliere, third and youngest daughter of the Duke Centurion de La Valliere, and the legendary Karin, Heavy Wind, Duchesse de La Valliere. Was currently making her way back to her room in the Tristan Magic Acadamy after her most recent spell mishap. Her clothes were almost entirely torn to shreds, with burn marks and large portions of it missing, barely managing to hide her dignity.

Surprisingly, she was more comfortable than one would expect from a sixteen-year-old, but since this situation wasn't exactly an uncommon occurrence, she'd developed a sort of resistance against it.

Her wand was clutched tightly in her hand as she did her best to not reply to the jeering insults sent her way via her classmates. It wasn't like they didn't have cause to be angry though, considering her spell had left them in a similar state to herself.

It wasn't her fault though... She was completely unable to cast any spell whatsoever, eventually leading to her classmates giving her the title of 'Zero', a humiliation she wouldn't soon forget, but was currently unable to do anything about.

After climbing the stairs of the tower, she marches down the hallway and gently opens her door... Before slamming it back in place and throwing herself at her bed, moisture in her eyes beginning to gather.

It seemed that every day would be the same, their new teacher, Mrs Chevreuse, had not heeded the other students warning and allowed Louise to attempt the transfiguration spell. Which subsequently blew up in their faces... Literally. Every spell Louise cast would result in an explosion, which, while powerful enough to knock down even the stone walls of the classroom and shatter most furniture, was not what Louise intended to happen.

Honestly, she was quite fortunate that she was the daughter of Karin the 'Heavy Wind', as otherwise she might be stuck with the bill of all the damage she'd caused... She'd recently graduated to the second year of the academy, but her tenure likely wouldn't last much longer if she was unable to complete the ritual set for tomorrow.

Stupidly though, she'd been goaded by one of her biggest bullies, Kirche von Anhalt Zerbst into making the claim that the familiar she'd summon would be incredibly powerful, even a dragon perhaps...

Louise had been satisfied by their momentary shocked silence but was soon humiliated further as they began laughing historically as she left the hallway...

She pulls her pillow tighter around her face as she groans in annoyance, "Nu-nu-nu! That fake-boob Germanian floozy! How can she even call herself a 'Noble' when she's having relationships with most of the boys in the academy! She's everything I thought she'd be, as someone from the family that stole a Valliere's lover!" she shouts into a pillow, all too aware that Kirche's room was only two doors away from hers.

She rolls onto her back after her tantrum, staring at the roof of her incredibly expensive and luxurious bed. "What would you do here mother? Cattleya?..." she sighs, knowing that they'd never have the same problems as her, they actually had magic...

Louise shakes her head, glancing over at the corner of her room where a pile of hay was gathered. It might not be big enough depending on what familiar she summons, but it's the meaning that counts more than anything.

She didn't care if she summoned a flee, a frog, or a fire breathing dragon, she just wanted to know that she had magic. That she wasn't a plebian in disguise that would disgrace her family. She lowers her had begins to pray, "Lord Brimir, I promise, no matter what I summon, I'll be gracious towards it, and grateful for your gift."

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The next day :

One of the fields of Tristan Acadamy was full with all the second-year students as they gathered around their teacher, Jean Colbert. Everyone was quite excited, as today would mark everyone's successful transition into an actual mage... Well, almost everyone was excited.

Louise stands at the back of the group, trying to make herself seem as small and unnoticeable as possible, despite how difficult her bright pink hair makes that.

Professor Coblert suddenly speaks up after gathering his thoughts and making the required preparations, "Alright everyone! Gather around! Today is your first exam of your second year, as well as the sacred day of your first encounter with your familiar spirit, which will accompany you for the rest of your life as your faithful partner!

He goes on to give a brief explanation of the ritual and everything they'd be required to do, not going into too much detail as all the students should have studied this by now.

Once his explanation is done, he stands at the side and has the first willing student summon their familiar... The first is a rather fat, anxious-looking boy who belongs to the Lavinia Baron family, Henri Lavinia.

He steps forwards and immediately begins the ritual chant, hoping to get out of the limelight as soon as possible... Someone like him with such a low stature had to ensure he wasn't a target for the others, his weight made it easy to pick on him so he stays quiet to make things easier for his family.

He finishes the chant and a bright light flashes within the ritual circle, blinding everyone momentarily as they try to see what Henri summoned...

Then, it clears, and the jeers begin.

"Haha! It kind of looks like you Henri!" shouts the first person, as the group looks with contempt at the fat boar that'd just been summoned.

It wasn't special in any way, simply being a rather large pig with no special defining features... Henri looks at Colbert with teary eyes, but the Professor just nods at him encouragingly.

Henri continues with the ritual, kissing the boar on its hairy forehead, causing a rune to appear on it and binding the two together as partners.