Osmondservation

Headmaster Osmond puffs his pipe as he watches the events with great interest. Chuckling to himself as Miss Valliere drags her familiar out of the room with a livid expression. Though he wouldn't publicize it, the fact one of his students had summoned a human familiar was a massive deal. Enough so that if the other countries were aware of the significance of it, they'd go to war without a second thought.

The reason for this was simple... Human familiars belonged to Void Mages. And judging by the runes on the young man's left hand, he was most likely The Gandalfr. One of the Founder Brimir's most important and loyal companions.

Just the appearance of Gandalfr and their Void Mage sent danger signals through Osmond's mind, as it was most likely the start of something undoubtedly bigger than himself. There weren't many accounts on what abilities Void Mages and their familiars actually had, but if they were anything akin to what Brimir was purportedly able to do, they'd be a serious force in the future.

He was still somewhat apprehensive about actually revealing this fact to Miss Valliere, as she'd most likely flaunt it and reveal it to the public. They'd most likely claim the artifact held in the school so Miss Valliere could learn the secrets of being a Void Mage, becoming a figurehead of Tristain in the near future.

He'd need to contact the palace to see if he'd be given permission to hand over Brimir's prayer book to Miss Valliere... Maybe it was time for it to stop collecting dust in the vaults?...

He stands and makes his way towards his office at the top of the academy, intent on watching the duel between Miss Valliere's familiar and Mr Gramont. It'd be best if he wasn't near enough to be implicated if anything untoward happens... Even if it wasn't 'expressly' forbidden for a commoner and noble to duel, he imagined there'd be hell to pay if Mr Gramont got seriously injured... Still, it was better to confirm that Miss Valliere's familiar was indeed Gandalfr, and he could think of no better opportunity.

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Michael clenches his clammy hands as Louise drags him out of the banquet hall, a deathly silence following them as she pulls him aside in a somewhat isolated spot.

*Smack!*

The back of her hand easily collides with Michael's cheek, whipping his head to the side. He ignores the stinging sensation on his cheek as he'd already prepared himself for such an attack, simply focussing on Louise as she seethed in utter rage.

"Do you know what you have done!? You have insulted the son of an Earl! Someone who can easily have you executed for insulting his fourth son if he wished! Not only that! But you have sullied the pride of your master!" he exclaims, raising her hand to smack him again, only for Michael to catch her by the wrist.

"I get that I've insulted Guiche and his family, but how does that affect yours? It isn't like you're going to marry him or anything." he retorts.

Louise scowls, "No, but now any possibility of such a union seems unlikely! But you don't seem to realise, familiar, that I am responsible for everything you do! Familiars are supposed to be completely loyal to their master's, so every time you insult Guiche, it's as if I am personally spouting those words!" she shouts, visibly shaking now with anger that she is unable to properly express.

...

Ah, that makes a great deal of sense. Michael mentally mutters, now thinking back to all the things Saito had done to earn Louise' ire... That time he attacked Count Mott and demanded Siesta, his property, to be freed? Louise was responsible. That time Saito misconstrued Louise's words and gave a full-on kiss to the princess? Aside from being sexual assault and cause for immediate execution, also Louise's responsibility...

Michael sheepishly scratches the back of his head, "Okay, I may have gone a bit far, but at least it was kind of funny right? Seeing that playboy get what's coming to him..." he trails off, as Louise fiddles with her wand angrily. "Anyway, I've got a duel to go to... So..." he says while walking back towards the banquet hall to get directions to the Vestori Square... It was too late to turn back now, might as well continue with his plan and go on from there.

*BOOOM!*

The ground in front of him explodes, sending dirt everywhere as Michael awkwardly turns back towards Louise...

"You are not going anywhere, dog! You will obey me and immediately apologize to Guiche for insulting him! I won't have my reputation sullied by the likes of you!" she states, pointing her wand directly at him, causing Michael to raise his arms his surrender.

"Look, no matter what you say, I'm going to duel Guiche. If you want to injure me before I can even try fighting him, then so be it... But once I win, I'll have you take back your words, 'Master'!"

The two continue to glare at one another, with Michael being the first to move and turn away, determined to attend the duel and prove himself.

Louse tries to convince him as he walks away, but he just ignores her, causing her to go silent as she follows. Intent on watching him fail, and imagining the various punishments she'd inflict on him for his disloyalty.

Soon enough, Michael arrives at the Vestori Square, many other students surrounding the place due to their curiosity. They'd all skipped their classes of course, but the teachers were more than lenient for the affluent nobles, being unable to even give them detention without earning the ire of their families.

Guiche was already cockily standing in the centre of the circle of people, his ruffled white shirt open enough that Michael was scared of catching glimpse of his nipples... In his hand he twiddles a rose which Michael recognises as the wand he uses in the anime.