Various Concerns

Mister Colbert was fervently explaining everything to Sir Osmond about the mysterious girl that was summoned by Louise at the Springtime Familiar Summoning... About how he was concerned about the runes that had appeared on the two girl's hands as proof of the contract between them... And that when he had gone to find out more...

"You reached the Founder Brimir's familiar Gandálfr?" Osmond intently examined Colbert's sketch of the runes on Zero's left hand.

"Yes! The runes that appeared on that girl's left hand are exactly the same as the runes that were inscribed on the legendary familiar Gandálfr!" Colbert exclaimed excitedly. To him this was a phenomenal discovery and very well could answer questions long thought unsolvable by modern mages.

"So, your conclusion?" Osmond asked nonchalantly while casting an inquisitive eye towards the only silent occupant in the room.

"That girl is Gandálfr! If this isn't big news, then what is, Old Osmond?" Colbert stood up as he wiped his balding head with a handkerchief. He was a little winded after that explanation, having gotten more excited than he had been in years. Even his personal research topics never got him going this much. Granted he hadn't made much progress in recent years…

"Umm... Certainly, the runes are the same. But for an ordinary commoner girl to become the legendary Gandálfr just by having the same runes...that…can't be right…right?" Louise finally spoke up after having a moment to collect herself. She figured she might as well make an effort to keep things a secret for now, even if she didn't truly believe she was capable of doing so.

Sadly for her, she was proven correct not even a second later.

"Oh, don't worry about that! That was another thing I meant to bring up. During the summoning, I had discretely cast the [detect magic] spell on her when she first appeared. The reaction I got back was a bit strange but I was able to at least confirm the girl had the ability to use magic." Colbert easily brushed aside Louise's 'worries', not at all surprised the girl hadn't discovered her familiar's magical capabilities yet.

The [detect magic] spell was one students would be taught during their second year after all, and Louise's poor record with magic aside, she wouldn't have learned that spell just yet. It was a versatile spell typically used on food to determine if they had been magically tampered with or objects to reveal if they were magical in nature. More niche uses included using it to find hidden familiars or assassins and even finding deposits of magical minerals.

"I-Is that so…" Louise's head hung low in defeat. Her spirit took a direct hit at that admission. So much for plan A. She failed to notice the glint that briefly entered Osmond's eye at her actions.

"What shall we do?" Colbert switched his attention back to Osmond who appeared to be contemplating something.

"Hmm, an interesting discovery to be sure, Colby. However, it is probably too early to be making definite claims." Old Osmond said, drumming his fingers on his desk.

"That is also true…" Colbert agreed with a sigh, promptly followed by one from Louise herself.

"Indeed, perhaps I was being too hasty. The legendary Gandálfr was said to be the sword and shield of the founder. Magic or not, Miss Zero doesn't even seem capable of harming a fly, let alone wielding a sword." Colbert rationalized to himself, causing Louise to happily nod along seemingly having found her way out.

Just before she could capitalize on this chance though, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Osmond said seemingly annoyed with all the work being thrown at him today.

"It's me, Old Osmond." From behind the door came Miss Longueville's bored voice.

"What is it?" Osmond instantly perked up slightly hearing her voice. Even if he was the one to send her out earlier, he was already dearly missing her presence when his only company was a balding middle aged man and a pink brat.

"It seems there are some students dueling at Vestri Courts. It's causing quite a commotion. A few teachers have gone there to try and stop it, but their attempts are being impeded by the sheer number of students."

"For heaven's sake, there's nothing worse than nobles with too much free time in their hands. So, who's involved?" Osmond asked, instantly bored of the conversation again. Really, sometimes he wonders why he ever even agreed to become headmaster of this damned school. Too bad the position was appointed by the royal family so he first had to find a replacement they approved of before he could finally get a break.

"One of them is Guiche de Gramont." Miss Longueville listed off seemingly uncaring of those involved, though the others involved had indeed caught her attention. As she was sure they would for those still in the headmaster's office.

"Ah, that idiot son of Gramont. Skirt-chasing must run in the family, considering his father's even more of a womanizer. I wouldn't be surprised if the boy knows every girl in school. And his opponent is?" Osmond asked, already growing disinterested.

"...Well, it's not a mage, and it's more than one person. I've been told it's Miss Vallière's familiar and the servant she just came to acquire."

"WHAT!?" Louise shouted before quickly covering her mouth once she remembered where she was.

Osmond and Colbert exchanged a look, both momentarily ignoring the panicked student awkwardly shifting about.

"The teachers are requesting to use the "Bell of Sleep" to stop the duel." Longueville continued ignoring the completely expected outburst.

Osmond's eyes glinted like a hawk's.

"Ridiculous. There's no need to use such an important artifact just to stop a children's fight. Tell you what, I'll send Mister Cobber here to watch over them to make sure nothing dangerous happens." Osmond said with a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Understood." Miss Longueville's footsteps disappeared down the hallway. She might have been a little interested in the event but like Old Osmond said, it was just a children's fight. She had much more important things to be doing.

Colbert swallowed audibly and hurriedly left the room.

"Headmaster!"

"Hrm."

"Please allow me to stop the duel! I don't know what led to it but I'm sure I can get them to stop." Louise begged.

"Nonsense! We still have a couple things to discuss, Miss Vallière~ Worry not, we can watch the duel from right here." Osmond waved his staff and a big mirror set in the wall began scrying the situation at Vestri Courts, the location of the duel.

"Now, you didn't seem all that surprised earlier when Mister Colbert mentioned your familiar's magical inclination. Would you mind telling me why that is?" Old Osmond asked with a kind smile that thinly veiled his interest.

Louise gulped just as loudly as Colbert had moments before her. So much for not attracting attention.

-_-_-_-

Servant Quarters, Tristain Academy

Siesta hurried steps echoed through the empty hallway as she made her way to her room. Today had seriously gone from bad to worse for the poor servant girl.

"Siesta, are you upset?" Siesta heard a meek voice trailing from behind her causing her to let out a much needed sigh.

"No, Miss Zero, I'm not upset. I'm just nervous is all." Siesta responded, not halting her steps. And that was the truth, she wasn't really upset, at least not with Zero. The girl had been nothing but sweet so far and really seemed worried about her. She never expected that kind of treatment to come from a noble, let alone one as important as Zero. No, if there was anyone she was upset with it would be the boy they would have to duel in a few minutes.

He had basically wanted to force himself on Zero and wouldn't take no for an answer. Insisting his superiority to her current master and going to great lengths to defame her when she wasn't present. Unfortunately, it would cause more problems if they carelessly revealed Zero's ability to use magic just to get him to back off, so they had to continue under the pretense that both she and Zero were commoners.

And commoners didn't just get to say no to a noble. Thankfully Siesta pointed out that Zero's owner was Louise so she had final say on her matters. It might have been able to get them away, but upon having that pointed out, Guiche turned his attention to Siesta, knowing that she was only an academy servant.

He could practically do anything he wanted to her and only get off with a verbal warning at most, short of anything but outright murdering her. So he gave her an ultimatum, either comply or defeat him in a duel.

The only way a commoner could oppose a noble was to defeat them in a duel. It was also something no commoner could actually refuse once the challenge had been issued. Either they accepted the duel or they did as they were told. Some say it was the fairness awarded to the commoners but that was a load of hogwash. How could a mere commoner defeat a noble?

That left Siesta caught in the middle of the lustful noble's ambitions, not knowing what to do. Just as she was about to resign herself to her fate, Zero accepted the duel on her behalf, intending to fight for her instead.

Although Siesta was both shocked and touched, she knew that as it was, Zero would not be able to defeat Lord Guiche in the duel for a very simple reason.

She wouldn't be able to use magic.

Not for lack of ability, but rather because she had been ordered to not use any by Louise before she went off somewhere on her own. Siesta had figured out one thing about Zero in their short time together, and that is that she treated Louise's orders as law. The girl would sooner die than cast a single spell unless Louise ordered otherwise.

It was something she would definitely have to bring to the pink haired noble's attention when she had the chance. That kind of inflexibility was incredibly dangerous depending on the order.

Luckily the only orders she had been given were to not use magic and just follow the rules of the school. Though she can't imagine Zero even knew any of those in the first place…

Still, Siesta couldn't allow Zero to get her for her sake, knowing she had no chance of winning so she also accepted the duel and decided to fight for herself for the first time in her life.

Thankfully after having it pointed out that it looked like he was bullying two commoner girls, Guiche 'magnanimously' allowed them to participate together with the stipulation that should they lose they both had to 'serve' him for the evening.

Siesta was sure Louise could get Zero out of that seeing as Guiche has no right to arrange things without her master's consent, but she on the other hand, wouldn't be afforded that luxury. Which was the real reason for her nerves going bad, and also the reason they were currently in her room as she rummaged through her closet.

"Ah, found it!" Siesta exclaimed, finally pulling an object hidden under a pile of unwashed clothes. Could she be blamed, one of her main jobs was to wash clothes all day long. Of course she didn't want to wash her own after all that!

"A bow?" Zero asked with that adorable little head tilt Siesta was beginning to admire.

"Yeah, my papa made me bring it with me when I made my first trip here two years ago. I had almost forgotten I still had the thing." She explained while fondly caressing the weapon. Being the oldest in her family came with the need to learn how to hunt to help provide for the rest, at least until some of the boys were old enough to go out there themselves. The trip to the school was three days so her papa wanted her to at least have some kind of protection should anything happen.

She wasn't particularly skilled with the thing but it was better than going out to duel a noble bare-handed. She still had a few arrows left so hopefully it would be enough to save their butts (literally in her case) for the day.

"Come on, Miss Zero! Let's win this thing!" Siesta's stomach felt like it unloosened a bit once she grabbed the bow and newfound confidence surged through her.

"Mn!" Zero agreed with as much enthusiasm as her monotone voice could imply.

She didn't think it would be easy, but she was determined to at least try fighting for herself for once. Who knows, maybe a miracle would happen? She's certainly experienced more than one in the last 24 hours. One more wouldn't hurt.

-_-_-

[A/N: Shorter chapter this time. Next is the duel and I didn't want to start here and have to end it in the middle.]