16 Playing the playboy

Honestly, Michael wasn't sure what to think of Guiche... In the anime, he was presented as a douche-bag playboy, if a redeemable one. Thinking more about it, it was probably Saito's victory against him that began his change into a relatively 'good' person. This only further encouraged Michael's plan however, regardless of how much it'd humiliate the boy.

He was the easiest target to promote himself, so there weren't many alternatives... Michael was unfamiliar with most other people, and so goading him into a duel was far easier than anyone else... Unless he decided to start sneaking around and analysing the students for another suitable target... Add the fact that Guiche would be helpful as the plot progresses, and there was no reason for him to do otherwise.

Now it was just how Michael would go about it... With Siesta gone, that meant that Guiche's infidelity had already been revealed... Unless Guiche somehow managed to sway both women's opinions...

The best course would probably be to just cause more misunderstandings and insult Guiche's pride... As most nobles in this world, they'd be hard-pressed not to react, especially since Michael was considered a peasant. Hopefully, once he revealed his magic he'd be treated far better... As well as maybe start learning this world's magic...

He had mana now, so, it stood to reason he'd be able to learn magic and cast this world's spells... Unless there was more to their magic than simple mana reserves, he was sure it'd be achievable.

He broke from his thoughts as the morning ceremony ended, allowing the students to finally start on their breakfast.

Guiche was actually sitting near where Louise had situated herself, and with his 'main girlfriend' sitting opposite him, it probably wouldn't be hard to goad him... Though, he'd probably receive Louise' wrath as a result...

Michael knew it'd be embarrassing until the duel came, so it took a moment to resolve himself before he started moving... This was noticed by most of the hall, however, as he was the only person in the room actually standing.

Ignoring the various jeers and insults, he approaches Guiche and stand beside him, putting on a curious front as he look back and forth between Guiche and the blonde girl he was 'apparently' dating.

"Do you need something, Zero's Familiar?" Guiche asks after a moment, realising that Michael wasn't going to leave so easily.

Michael nods, again ignoring the murmurs from around the table commenting about everything from his stature, origins, nationality, etc. "I was just wondering, your name is Guiche, right? I've heard a lot about you from various rumours..." he trails off ominously.

Guiche snorts, his eyes roaming the other students who were watching them, "Oh? And what do the rumours say? I can't imagine a commoner such as yourself would be aware of the finer things concerning us nobles."

Michael tilts his head to the side, "Really? I was really hoping those rumours about you dating a first and second year at the same time were real..." he lowers his head slightly, "I'm looking for guidance on how to attract women." he shyly says.

Guiche crooks a brow, his mouth becoming dry at the glare his girlfriend Montmorency was sending him from across the table. "Haha... Quite the rumour indeed, but that issue was cleared up yesterday." he firmly states after weathering Montmorency's ire.

Michael slowly nods, "Ah? So the rumours of you dating three first years, one second year, and one third year were wrong?" he asks, making sure to only exaggerating the other years, as Montmorency would obviously know what's happening among her classmates.

....

The table momentarily goes silent as Montmorency's expression becomes more livid as the people around her begin giggling at her and Guiche's expense... Having experienced this same thing yesterday, she wasn't in the mood to even tolerate rumours of such behaviour.

"M-my Montmorency! Please ignore this commoner! He must be as mentally deficient as Miss Valliere is with her magic!" he quickly says, but receives a cake clean to the face as the blonde girl stands and throws it.

"Hum! Guiche de Gramont! It seems that there are still things that you will lie to me about!" she exclaims, attracting the attention of anyone in the hall that hadn't already been watching.

Guiche scraps the cake from his face and quickly stands to try and prevent her from leaving, but it was already too late as he can only watch her back as she exits the hall, "Montmorency, p-please! A flower must not be bothered by the bluster of a commoner!..."

This results in yet more laughter, causing Guiche to flush in anger and embarrassment as he turns towards Michael, "Y-you!"

He takes out a white glove that'd be stored in his pocket and tosses it at Michael's face. Michael just lets it hit and fall to the ground as the room again goes silent. "I'll teach you to meddle in the affairs of a noble! I challenge you to a duel!" he loudly states with an angry sneer on his face.

Michael nods, "But Lord Guiche, I'm awed by the rumours of your affairs! I wish for you to teach me your ways!" he semi-sarcastically retorts, further angering the noble.

"I won't tolerate you further slandering my character! Meet me at the Vestori Square for your punishment, plebian!" he shouts before marching out.

...

Michael grins to himself at the success of his plan, but stiffens slightly as the surrounding students focus on something behind him... He rigidly turns around to face Louise who looks ready to smite him like some enraged god... "F-f-familiar... Y-y-you!..." she stammers out, barely able to contain her rage...

She'd only had this familiar with her for a day, and he'd already insulted the honour of another noble, along with humiliating her in front of the entire school... The only reason she hadn't 'exploded' him right here and now, was the fact that they were still within the banquet hall, and any damage would weigh on both her, and her family's finances rather heavily.