Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter1

2007-07-24T16:43:33Z

142.213.254.2:

'''Chapter One - A Secret Boat'''

Louise was lying on her bed. She was dreaming that she was back in her homeland, a three day ride away from the Tristain Academy, where she was born.

The young Louise in her dream was running around near the house, eventually hiding in some maze-like vegetation to hide from her pursuers.

“Louise, where are you? Come out now!” shouted her mother. In her dream, Louise was being reprimanded due to her poor results in magical studies. She was constantly being compared with her sisters, who had much better results than her.

Louise saw a pair of shoes below the bushes.

“Miss Louise is really bad at magic!”

“I totally agree. Why can’t she be like her two older sisters who are so good with magic?”

Louise, upon hearing that, felt sad and dejected as she bit her lips. The servants have started looking for her in the vegetation. Louise tried her best to escape. She retreated to the place she called the “Secret Garden” – the central lake.

The Secret Garden was the only place where Louise felt at ease. It was tranquil, with no one else around. Flowers bloomed everywhere and birds gathered on the benches near the lake. And in the middle of the lake there was a small island on which a small house made of white marble rested.

Next to the island was a small boat originally used for leisure, but now derelict and forgotten. Her older sisters had grown up, and were busy studying magic. Her father, who had retired from his military duties, now spends his time mingling with the nobles nearby. Her father's only pastime was hunting wild game. Her mother's only interest was to teach her daughters and could not care less about anything else.

Therefore, besides Louise, no one ever came to the forgotten lake anymore, much less remembered that small boat. That is why whenever Louise was reprimanded; she would come to this place.

In Louise’s dream, the younger version of her jumped on to the boat and snuggled into a blanket that was prepared earlier.

As she hid inside her blanket, a noble clad in a cloak appeared from the mist-covered island.

The noble was about sixteen years old. In Louise’s dream, she was only six years old, a ten year difference lay between them.

“Have you been crying, Louise?” His face could not be seen as it was covered by a large hat.

But Louise knew exactly who he was: he was the Viscount, the noble who had just inherited the lands around her homeland. Louise felt warm and fuzzy inside, the Viscount was the man of her dreams. They had often frequented banquets together and, furthermore, their fathers had already made an engagement.

“Is that you, Viscount?”

Louise haphazardly covered her face; she did not want the man of her dreams to see her crying. It would be embarrassing.

“I was invited by your father today regarding the engagement.”

Hearing this, Louise was even more embarrassed to the point that she did not even dare lift her head up.

“Really? But that would not be possible, Viscount.”

“Louise, my small and dainty Louise, do you dislike me?” the Viscount said in jest.

Louise gently shook her head and said abashedly, ”No, it’s not that. It's just that I’m still young and unready ...”

The face hidden underneath the hat revealed a smile and extended a hand out to Louise.

“Viscount.”

“Lady, please take hold of my hand. Quickly, the banquet is about to start.”

“But…”

“Have you been scolded again? Don’t worry I’ll talk to your father.” the Viscount said.

Louise nodded, stood up and reached for the Viscount’s hand. What big hands, aren't those the hands that I have always dreamt of holding?

Just as she was about to grasp the Viscount’s hand, a sudden gust of wind blew the hat from the Viscount’s head.

“Eh?!” Louise looked at his face, perplexed. Because it was a dream, Louise had returned to her sixteen year old self.

“What ... What are you doing?”

The person underneath the hat was not the Viscount, but her familiar, Saito.

“Louise, come quickly.”

“It doesn’t matter whether I come or not, why are you here?”

“Don’t be so narrow minded, haven’t you fallen for me already?” replied Saito, who was impudently dressed in the Viscount’s clothes.

One has to wonder where he got that much confidence from.

“Don’t be stupid, I was just muddle-headed that time, you better stop dreaming!”

“Stop making up excuses, my Louise.”

“Who is 'your Louise'?!”

Saito pretended not to hear her at all, and instead came closer to Louise.

“What are you trying to do, you idiot?!”

Ignoring her complaints, Saito proceeded and lifted Louise, who was in the boat, into his arms.

“Why is it you?” Louise said in frustration while punching Saito. But Saito did not get angry at all, instead his grin became wider. This made Louise slowly turn red from embarrassment. She did not know the exact reason, but she felt good in Saito’s arms. This made Louise even more anxious.

Saito, lying in his bed, slowly opened his eyes. The twin moons in full circle shone onto the room, lighting it up brightly. Louise, sleeping in her bed, moaned as though she was having a nightmare.

Saito prayed that she would continue to sleep. He quietly got up and slowly approached the sleeping Louise.

“Shhhh...” Saito turned around and put his index finger onto his lips.

“Don't want me to speak? Why not?”

“Shhhh...” Saito shook his head, once again drew his middle finger across his lips and stared at his partner, Derflinger, with annoyance.

“I won’t forgive you for giving me the cold shoulder. My partner wakes up in the middle of the night without tell me the reason. This makes me angry and depressed!”

After saying this, Derflinger moved and shook his body, like he was really angry. What a difficult sword.

Awakened by the rattling of the sword, Louise turned around and opened her eyes.

Saito’s heart skipped a beat.

Sitting up, Louise started to scold Saito.

“Don’t be so full of yourself! You better do some cleaning up, don't you see the dust gathered everywhere? Don’t tell me that you have done it already, you slow witted fellow, you’re such a dimwit!”

Saito’s body was frozen solid, as though the “Harden” spell had been casted on him.

But after Louise finished scolding Saito, she lay down once more and slept. Apparently, she was just talking in her sleep. Even in her sleep Louise was ordering Saito about. Saito felt simultaneously relieved and saddened.

Derflinger, who was watching Saito all this time, gave a hapless sigh.

“She’s talking in her dreams, huh? But it doesn’t seem to be music to your ears, Saito.”

Saito stared angrily at Derflinger who had almost spoiled his plan and quickly walked towards him and said, “You better keep quiet, you idiot!”

“You’re really too much, I shall not forgive you! If my partner wants me to be silent, I will definitely be silent! But for suddenly waking up in the middle of the night and being so sneaky about it, you’ll definitely suffer retribution even if you tell me your reason now.”

Derflinger’s sense of curiosity is the same as his partner's. It seems he wants to know Saito’s reason for waking up in the middle of the night no matter what it takes.

Saito sighed, and then pointed to the sleeping Louise.

“What about the Noble’s daughter?”

“What do you think partner?”

Saito used his hands and made a gesture resembling a heart.

“What’s that mean?”

“It represents love.”

“That girl likes you, partner?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know?”

Saito stood up, and danced while not making any noise.

“Ah ... you are referring to the ball?”

“You saw Louise’s expression while we were dancing right?”

“Yeah, I saw it.”

“Her face was so red ...” Saito said while in a daze.

“Yeah, it was very red.”

“She seemed to want to hold my hands and not let them go.”

“Are you sure!?”

“Derf, you’re just a piece of metal, so you’ll never understand a girl’s heart. If a girl looks at a boy like that, it means she’s indirectly telling him that she likes him.” Saito said, while knocking on the sword.

“True, I’m but a sword and I don’t understand interpersonal relationships at all. But since you say so partner, it must probably be true.”

Saito nodded happily and said, “You’re really sensible, Derflinger!”

“Then, my good partner, since you’re sure that she likes you, are you going to make her your girlfriend?”

“Yes! I’m sure that she likes me and I’d like her to be my girlfriend!”

“That’s impossible. I’ve been around for a long time and this is the first time I’ve heard of a familiar having an affair with its master. You’re incredible!”

“Ah ... that feels good. Come, praise me again.”

“My partner, you’re fantastic!”

Saito stood up and buoyantly asked, “Derf, who's the most handsome man in the world?”

“Of course it’s you, partner.”

“Who is the greatest person in this world without magic?”

“Of course it’s you, partner.”

The praises went straight to Saito's head. He felt as if the whole world was cheering for him. One has to wonder if he has a problem with his IQ.
“Louise is really fortunate that I have taken a liking to her. The great and handsome me.”

“If that haughty girl really likes you, then why did she have to scold you even in her dreams?”

Derflinger wanted to continue voicing his opinions, but was stopped by Saito. “Louise is in reality extremely stubborn. She would not bare her heart that easily.”

“Is that so?”

“If I went over and asked her, she would definitely reply: 'What are you saying? You stupid familiar!' “

“Like you said, do you really know her inside out, partner?”

“Of course! Although she’s always denying it, in reality she desperately wants me to ‘conquer’ her. She’s already deeply in love with me, but Louise is a very headstrong girl, she won’t tell me that she likes me directly due to her pride.”

“Partner, you must be a genius to have deduced this.”

“So now, I’m to represent planet Earth and make this Bishōjo (1) from Halkeginia mine. You understand don’t you, Derf? So could you do me a favor and keep your mouth shut?”

Derflinger shook his body, signifying agreement.

“If that’s the case, I will remain silent then.”

Saito thanked Derflinger and once again approached Louise.

Louise was still in deep sleep. No matter from what angle you look at the sleeping Louise, she still looks as beautiful as ever. Saito took a deep breath; the room was filled with a nice fragrance.

Saito, trembling slowly, lifted Louise’s blanket.

Moonlight shone onto Louise who was wearing a nightgown. Even though Louise was wearing her nightie, one could still feel her smooth and supple skin through it. Although just slightly, her breasts had developed. Also, Louise did not like to wear undergarments when sleeping. Saito knew this extremely well - he was the one who prepared her undergarments every morning.

Saito was so touched that tears nearly came out of his eyes. From now onwards the petite and cute girl will finally be mine, he thought to himself. He has been waiting for this moment for a week, ever since the ball.

Rubbing his hands together, Saito approached the sleeping Louise and said, “Itadakimasu… ” (2) saying that, he snuggled under Louise’s blanket.

“Ah, Louise, Louise your skin is really so smooth and supple. Haha… Saito you idiot…”

Saito did not know why he called himself an idiot but nonetheless he was becoming more and more aroused.

He hugged Louise without thinking twice and kissed her cheek. Louise did not look like she would wake up anytime soon; she was quite a sound sleeper.

“Louise, my dear Louise, your face; you have the cutest face in the world...” Following that, just as Saito was about to lift up Louise’s nightgown, she suddenly awoke. Saito was initially shocked, but he recovered quickly and hugged Louise tightly.

“What ... What are you doing?!”

Louise immediately realized what was going on and struggled to break free from Saito’s arms.

“Can’t you just stay still?”

“Why...why... are you hugging me?

“What are you saying? I thought that you liked me!?” Saito stared at Louise in frustration; Louise felt the anger and stopped struggling.

“What?”

Saito placed his hands on Louise’s shoulder and asked, “Aren’t you in love with me?”

“What...what... nonsense are you blabbering?”

“It’s all right Louise, I understand how you feel. I’m the one that understands you the most. Don’t be nervous, just relax.”

Saito slowly moved his lips towards Louise’s; Louise’s face became paler and paler.

Me, in love with you??

Louise’s dream just now flashed before her eyes again. Saito was exactly the same as in her dream, speaking to her in that audacious manner. Thanks to that, the more Louise looked at Saito, the angrier she became. Both the Saito in her dream and the Saito in reality made her mad, really mad. You could say it was pure rage.

Louise was now trembling in anger, but Saito mistook it for shyness, as Louise had had no prior experience.

“Are you still nervous, this is my first time too. Relax while I take off my pants...”

Louise felt Saito holding up her waist...

As swift as a flame salamander catches its prey, Louise shot her right leg upward and struck Saito between the legs.

"Arhhh!"

Saito immediately felt his spine carry the excruciating pain from his groin all the way to his brain. Saito, not able to take the pain, began foaming at the mouth and rolled off of Louise’s bed. Louise slowly got up and grabbed the horse whip which was placed next to her bed.

Saito, seeing the whip, tried to escape, but the whip-bearing Louise already had her foot on Saito’s head.

“What did you want to do to me just now?!”

Saito, slowly recovering from his pain, managed to speak, ”Aren’t we just like lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other just now?”

Louise using her foot to apply more pressure on Saito’s head replied, “That’s only wishful thinking on your part.”

“Does it mean that I’m mistaken…? Aren’t you fond of me?”

“Who is fond of whom?”

“Well, don’t you like me, Miss Louise?”

“Haha… Please tell me the reason for you believing that, but you’d better make it simple to understand, otherwise I will not be able to tell what will happen to you…”

“Well, during the ball, you looked at me, your familiar with those lovelorn eyes.”

Louise with her face turning red replied, “So that’s why you thought that I’m fond of you and climbed onto my bed?”

“That’s correct, Miss Louise. Is your humble familiar really mistaken?”

“You’re definitely mistaken, I have never heard of a familiar climbing onto its owner’s bed.”

“I will take note of it the next time.”

Louise gave a sigh and said in a tone that seems to pity Saito, “There won’t be a next time.”

“Master, Look! Look! The twin moons are shining so beautifully tonight!” Saito said in desperation.

“Anyway, it’s too late…” Louise said in a voice trembling in anger. Under the twin moon’s moonlight, Saito’s cries of pain could be heard many miles away…

The same time that Saito was being badly beaten up, Fouquet was staring idly at the ceiling somewhere far way from the academy in the City of Tristan’s Genoa (3) prison. She was the triangle earth mage being apprehended by Saito and Co. two days ago for the theft of the “Staff of Destruction”. As she was infamous for stealing valuable treasure from various nobles, she was placed in Genoa prison, the maximum security prison located in the City of Tristain.

She would be charged in court the following week. As she has caused a great deal of shame to nobles all over the country, she would most probably either be exiled or be given the death sentence. Either way, she wouldn't be allowed in Tristain anymore. At first, she thought of escaping, but she later gave up that thought.

Inside her cell, there was nothing except for shoddy looking bed and a table that was made of wood. Even the chopsticks she used were made of wood. Things would be quite different if there was just something made of metal… Like a spoon.

Even though she wanted to turn the prison walls and iron bars in to soil using alchemy, but without her wand which was confiscated, that would not be possible. Magicians are really helpless without their wands. Furthermore, the prison walls and iron bars are specially enchanted to resist magic, so even with the use of alchemy she would not be able to escape.

“It’s really mean of them to lock up a feeble female like myself here.” Fouquet grumbled to herself. Then she thought about the youth that had apprehended her, “That boy is quite strong, can’t believe that he’s an ordinary human. Who is exactly that boy? But then again, it doesn’t concern me anymore.” She thought.

“Time to sleep...” Fouquet closed her eyes and lied down. Just as she had closed her eyes, she quickly opened them up again.

Fouquet heard someone walking down to the dungeon where she was held. She heard some peculiar noises that sounded like a spur. She deduced that would not come from a warden as wardens do not wear spurs on their boots. Fouquet quickly sat up.

A person wearing a cloak appeared next to her cell, his face could not be seen as it was covered by a white mask. But a long wand could be seen beneath his cloak, he was a mage.

Fouquet said in a rather scornful manner, “I’m surprised to see a visitor in a middle of a night!”

The man in the white mask did not reply, instead he gave Fouquet a cold stare.

Fouquet instinctively knew that the person was hired to kill her. Some of the nobles that she had stolen from must have though that sentencing her in court was too much of a hassle and have decided to hire an assassin to kill her. Some of the items she had stolen from the imperial family were most probably stolen goods too and in order not to let the truth surface, the imperials have decided to silence her.

“Well, as you can see, this doesn’t look like a place to entertain someone. But I think you’re not here just for a cup of tea too right?” Fouquet said.

She thought to herself, “Even though I’m without my wand, I will not give up easily without a good fight. I’m not only well versed in magic; I’m pretty good in close combat too. However, I’m powerless to stop him should he decides to use magic. Therefore, I must somehow lure him inside to my cell.”

Just then, the man in the cloak spoke, “Are you Fouquet of the crumbing earth?”

His voice sounded strong and youthful.

“I’m not sure who gave me this nickname, but yes, I am Fouquet of the crumbling earth.”

The man in the cloak raised both of his hands, showing that he is not hostile towards her.

“I have something that I would like to tell you.”

“What is that?” Fouquet replied in a rather surprised tone. “Don’t tell me that you’re going to speak on my defense. What a weirdo.”

“I’d be happy to speak in defense for you, my dear Margret. Au. Sennett (4)”

Fouquet’s turned pale. “That’s the name I had forgotten, or rather forced to forget. There should not no one in this world that knows that name anymore…”

“Who exactly are you?”

The cloaked man did not answer her question and instead asked,” Margret, do you wish to serve Albion again?”

Fouquet whom had lost her cool replied, “That’s impossible! I will never serve those who had murdered my father and annexed my home!”

“Don’t be mistaken, no one is asking you to serve the Albion royal family. They’re going to be overthrown soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“A revolution is taking place. We’re going to overthrow the weak and powerless Imperial family, and taking over them would be those capable nobles like ourselves.”

“But aren’t you part of Tristan’s nobility? What has Albion’s revolution got anything to do with you?”

“We are a consortium of nobles without borders that is worried about Halkeginia’s future. We wish to unify Halkeginia and regain the holy land that founder Brimir had once set foot on. “

Fouquet said with a smirk, “Please stop talking nonsense. If that’s the case, why does your consortium of nobles without borders need me for? I’m just a prisoner.”

“We need more skilled magicians than ever; would you lend us your help, Fouquet of the crumbing Earth?”

Fouquet waved her hands and replied,” Please stop dreaming already…”

“You wish to unify Halkeginia? The Kingdom of Tristain, Germania, Albion and Gallia plus a number of smaller kingdoms which are constantly at war with each other, unifying then would be like a midnight summer’s dream.”(5)

“Hmm! Getting holy land back, how would you fight with the all powerful elves?”

The holy land has been in possession by the elves that live north of Halkeginia for hundreds of years. Since then, humans have started countless crusades to get back the holy land, but they failed miserably each time.

The elves, distinguished by their distinct pointy ears and unique culture, have long life spans and are highly proficient in magics. With that makes the elves highly effective warriors, for man to defeat the elves would be an uphill battle.

“I have no love for the nobles and I have no interest on Halkeginia. Regaining the
Holy land, the elves can stay there for all I care!”

The man in the black cloak took out his wand and replied, “I’ll give you a choice, Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth.”

“Let’s hear it out.”

“Either you become our comrade or…”

Fouquet finished the sentence for him, “Or I would immediately perish here? Am I correct?”

“That is correct. Since you already know our secret, I cannot let you live.”

“You nobles are really a conceited bunch. You’ll never consider other people’s feelings.”

Fouquet said with a chuckle, “To put it nicely, you’re inviting me to join you, but in reality there is no other choice, isn’t it?”

The man in the black cloak too replied with a chuckle, “That’s correct.”

“Let me be a part of your consortium then. I hate people who do not know how to give orders.”

“Let’s go then.”

Fouquet placed both her hands onto her chest and asked, “What the name of your organization?”

“Do you really wish to join us, or you’re just toying with me.”

“I just want to know the name of the organization I will work for from now on.”

The man in the black cloak took out a key from his pocket, opened Fouquet’s cell and answered, “The Reconquistadors.”

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume1 Story2 Chapter4

2007-07-24T15:28:04Z

142.213.254.2: /* Chapter Seven – Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt */

==[[zeroNT:Chapter07ClaiesOriginal|Raw English translation available here]]==

==Chapter Seven – Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt==

In Tristain, there was a mage thief by the name of "The Crumbling Dirt," who had every noble in the country cower in fear. One’s full name was Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt.

When Fouquet heard that a noble in the North had a jewelled crown, one went all the way there to steal it. When Fouquet heard of a noble in the South who had a staff bestowed by the king as a family treasure, one broke through walls to steal it. In the East, none of the best pearl rings by the artisans of the White Islands remained in any mansion. Fouquet also eagerly took possession of a priceless bottle of well-aged wine from a winery in the West. Fouquet was everywhere.

Fouquet tactics range from stealthy infiltration to outright breaking in. One had attacked the national bank in broad daylight, and silently frequented houses in the depth of night. In any case, Fouquet tactics simply left the royal mage guards in the dust.

Fouquet was identified only by one’s use of alchemy to enter targeted rooms, turning doors and walls to dirt and sand, and walking through the gaping holes. The nobles were not stupid, of course, they had tried to magically “solidify” everything around their treasure in an attempt to stop her alchemy, but Fouquet magic was simply too strong, nullifying everything, fortified or not, into dirt.

If Fouquet decided on breaking one’s way in, one used a 30-meter tall dirt golem. Tossing aside mage guards and shattering castle walls, it let Fouquet boldly take one’s prizes in broad daylight.

No one had ever seen Fouquet’s appearance up close. Nobody even knew for sure whether Fouquet was a man or a woman. All they knew is that one was an earth mage of at least Triangle class, that Fouquet left insulting notes, such as “I got your treasure. –-Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt” at every robbery scene, and that Fouquet preferred treasures and artefacts’ of great magical power.

Two huge moons shine down on the walls outside the fifth floor of the Academy of Magic, which encased a treasure room. The light stretched out a shadow, standing straight against the walls. Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt.

One’s green, long hair moved with the wind, and Fouquet briskly stood, openly showing the figure that strikes fear in all the nobles of the country.

Fouquet felt the wall’s power under one’s feet and could not help but admire it. ''The main tower of the Academy is as strong as it looks…is a physical attack really its only weakness? I can’t break through something this thick without attracting attention.'' It was not hard for an expert in earth magic like Fouquet to check a wall’s thickness with one’s feet, but breaking a wall was completely different. ''It looks like they used only hardening spells on it, but I can’t even break this with a golem. It’s got a very strong hardening spell…my alchemy won't do much.''

“Damn it…and I already got this far.” Fouquet grits one’s teeth in frustration. “I’m not leaving the Staff of Destruction, no matter what.” Fouquet crossed one’s arms and went into deep concentration.

Meanwhile, as Fouquet thought in annoyance about the wall, Louise’s room was in chaos. Louise and Kirche stared in anger at each other, while Saito, on his straw bed, excitedly studied the sword Kirche had just presented to him. Tabitha nonchalantly read on Louise’s bed.

Louise had her arms on her waist. “What is the meaning of this, Zerbst?” She glared at her rival.

Kirche watched Saito’s admiration, “I told you, I got what Saito wanted, so I came here to give it to him.”

“Ah, that’s a shame. I already got my familiar a weapon. Right, Saito?”

On the contrary, Saito couldn’t let go of Kirche’s gift. He unsheathed the sword and stared at it. When he held a sword, the inscriptions in his left hand glowed, while his body became light as a feather. He wanted to swing it around, but he was indoors. He still couldn’t figure out what the deal about his left hand was. All he knew is that it glowed if he held a sword.

But all he cared about at this moment was this beautifully decorated blade.

“This is so awesome…I still like this one more…and it shines!”

Louise kicked him into the air.

“What are you doing?!” Saito yelled.

“Give that back. Don’t you already have that talking sword?”

“Uh…that’s true…it’s interesting that a sword can speak, but still…” ''It’s so rusty and old and so broken. If a swordsman uses anything, it’s got to be shiny and cool, right? Besides, Kirche just gave me this for free…''

“Jealous words are quite unmannerly, Valliere!” Kirche trumpeted triumphantly.

“Jealous? Who’s jealous?”

“Aren't you? I, Kirche, easily got Saito’s most desired sword as a gift. You can’t say you’re not jealous, can you?”

“Jealous, my arse! That aside, I will not accept even a tiny little bit of generosity from a Zerbst! That’s all there is!”

Kirche looked at Saito, who stared reluctantly at the decorated sword in Louise’s hands.

“You see that? Saito loves this sword, got it? This sword is created by Germania’s very own alchemist Lord Shupei!” Kirche threw a seductive glare to Saito. “You listen here…all that is good under the sun, let it be swords or women, can only come from Germania! Tristainian women, like Louise, are all extremely jealous, impatient, miserly, and snobbish, and nothing can change them!”

Louise glared at Kirche.

“What? I’m just telling the truth.”

“Oh…how…amusing. Women like you are all romantic-minded idiots! Did you hook up with too many guys back in Germania, making nobody trust you, and ending up dropping out and running all the way over here to Tristania?” retorted Louise with a cold, uncompromising laugh, interspersed with angry shivers.

“You have guts, Valliere…” Kirche’s face darkened.

“What? I’m just telling the truth.” Added Louise victoriously,

They simultaneously brandished their wands.

Tabitha flicked her staff even faster than the two, blowing their wands away in a gust.

“Indoors.” she simply announced.

''Probably meaning it’s dangerous to fight in here.''

Louise angrily muttered, “And who is this? She has been sitting on my bed since-”

“She’s my friend.” countered Kirche.

“And why is your friend in my room?”

Kirche stared. “Is that a problem?”

“Hmmph.”

Saito tried to talk with Tabitha, but she never replied, only quietly reading her book, as if conversations were really inconvenient.

Meanwhile, Louise and Kirche still glared at each other.

Kirche looked away, “Well…lets have Saito decide.”

“Me? Decide?” Saito immediately felt distressed for being singled out.

“Right. This is about your choice of swords.” Louise also looked at him.

Suddenly Saito felt worse. He liked Kirche’s shiny blade the most, hands down. ''But Louise will never let me pick that, or she might not let me have dinner for a week, although I guess I can get that from Siesta, but still…''

He looked at Louise, who glared at him. ''Louise may be a selfish, self-centered, ungrateful girl, but she did take care of me when I was out for days…and she is the type girl I find attractive…''

''Then again…Kirche bought me this really expensive sword. To top that, a beautiful one like her actually confessed to me. Before this, there was simply no way for me to land someone this striking …''

''Okay, that just made this impossibly hard. Now it just feels like I’m picking between the two of them and not the sword.''

“Well? Which is it?” Kirche and Louise both stared at him.

“Uh, well…can’t I have both?” Saito tilted his head and tried to look cute.

It didn’t work. He was launched into the air by a combine kick, hurling him onto his straw bed.

“Hey.” Kirche turned to Louise.

“What?”

“Guess it’s time to get this over with.”

“Hmm…you’re right.”

“I really hate you, you know?”

“Same to you.”

“We think quite alike.” Kirche smiled and raised a brow.

Louise, too, defiantly stuck her chin up.

“Let’s duel!” They shouted in unison.

“Geez…you don’t have to…” Saito was shocked. The two glared at each other as if they did not hear him.

“But of course, we have to do this with magic!” Kirche triumphantly declared.

Louise bit her lower lip, and nodded. “Fine. Location?”

“Really? Are you sure, Louise the Zero? Are you really sure you want to fight me in a magical duel?” Kirche goaded.

Louise lowered her head. ''Am I sure? Of course…not.'' But it was a challenge from a Zerbst, so she had to take it. “Of course! I will not lose to you!”

Meanwhile, standing on the walls of the central academy tower, Fouquet felt footsteps. One jumped off towards the ground, and just as Fouquet reached it, one whispered “Spell of Levitation”, landing Fouquet like a feather, absorbing one’s momentum. Fouquet then disappeared into the courtyard bushes.

Entering the courtyard were Louise, Kirche, Tabitha, and Saito.

“Alright, lets begin.” Kirche announced.

“Are you guys really going to duel?” Saito anxiously asked.

“Yes, we are.” Louise confidently answered.

“Isn’t it a bit…dangerous? Lets just stop here and let it go, shall we?”

“That’s true, so whoever gets injured is the idiot,” said Kirche.

“Uh-huh.” Louise nodded.

Tabitha approached Kirche, and whispered something in her ear. Then she pointed at Saito.

“Hmm…now that’s a good idea!” Kirche grinned.

Then, Kirche whispered something to Louise.

“Ah…not bad.” Louise nodded.

And they all looked at Saito. who suddenly had a bad feeling about it.

---

“Hey…are you guys serious?” begged Saito, but nobody cared.

He was hung in midair by a rope from the main tower. ''Yep…I should have just picked a girl and been done with it.'' On the ground which looked so far, far away, he could see the silhouettes of Kirche and Louise. Despite it being the middle of the night, the two moons made for clear vision. He could even see Tabitha on her wind dragon. It held two swords in its mouth.

The two moons shone warmly on Saito.

Kirche and Louise looked upon him, dangling and flopping around in midair.

Kirche rolled up her fists. “Here’s how we do it…first to cut off the rope and let Saito down wins. Then the winner’s sword goes to Saito. Sounds good?”

“Got it.” Louise nodded, her face blank.

“No limits on type of spells used. You can go first…my treat.”

“Alright.”

“Okay…good luck.”

Louise brandished her wand. In the air, Tabitha began to shake the rope, wobbling Saito left and right. Spells like “fireball” have high accuracy rates, and as long as the target doesn’t move it can hit it. However, Louise had more than that to worry about – she had to make the spell work in the first place.

Louise thought hard. ''What would work? Wind? Fire? Water and earth are both out…they don’t have many spells that can cut ropes. Fire spells work the best here…''and here Louise remembered that that is exactly what Kirche is good at.

''Kirche’s fireballs will cut that rope easily. I can’t fail this one.''

She picked fireballs anyway. Aiming a small one at the target, she recited the short spell. If she fails, Saito gets Kirche’s sword, and to someone esteemed like Louise, this is completely unacceptable. She finished reciting, and with her utmost concentration, flicked her wand. If it works, a fireball should come out of the tip.

But nothing came out of the wand. The next moment, the wall behind Saito exploded. The shockwave shook Saito even harder. “What the hell?! Are you trying to kill me?!” Saito’s angry yell drifted down towards them.

The rope remained intact. If she thought she can use the shockwave to break the rope, she wasn’t thinking. A large crack appeared on the wall.

Kirche collapsed in laughter. “ZERO! ZERO LOUISE! You broke the wall instead of the rope! Now that’s ''talent''!”

Louise looked down.

“Really, I’ve got to ask you…what the heck did you do to make it blow up like that?! Oh god…my sides hurt…”

Louise frustratingly held her fists and knelt to the ground.

“Next is my turn.” Kirche aimed at the rope like a hunter would his prey. Tabitha was shaking the rope, so it was tough aiming, Despite that, Kirche kept a brisk, easy smile. Chanting a short spell, Kirche waved her wand born out from habit, fire spells are her specialty afterall.

From her wand appeared a melon-sized fireball, flying towards Saito striking the rope, burning it loose in an instant. Saito started to fall to the ground, but Tabitha waved her staff from the rooftop, casting a Spell of Levitation on him, causing him to slowly land to the ground.

“I win, Valliere!” Kirche announced in earnest.

Louise sat down, pulling on the grass with her hands in despair.

Meanwhile, Fouquet watched them from the bushes. One saw the crack on the walls from Louise’s blast. ''What kind of magic is that? She asked for a fireball spell, but nothing came out of her wand, and the wall blew up. I’ve never heard of a spell that can make things explode like this.'' Fouquet shook one’s head. ''More importantly, I can’t let go of this chance.'' Fouquet started chanting a long spell, waving one’s wand at the ground when Fouquet finished, a mild smile forming on one’s face. Following Fouquet voice, a bulge formed on the ground. Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt is showing one’s talent.

“What a shame, Valliere!” Kirche laughed.

Her battle lost, Louise reluctantly and gloomily slacked her shoulders. Saito watched her, a complicated emotion on his face. “…why don’t you uh…untie me first?” He managed a low tone. He couldn’t move with the rope wrapped around him in layers.

Kirche smiled, “Oh, why of course, I’ll be glad to!”

Right then, Kirche felt something behind her. She turned around. She couldn’t believe her eyes. “What…what the heck is this?!” Her jaw dropped. What she saw was a huge earth golem moving towards them.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!” Kirche ran away screaming.

Saito yelled behind her, “Hey! Hey! Don’t go! Don’t leave me here!” He was in a panic. After all, he has never seen such an enormous golem, and it’s heading towards him. “Wh…what the hell is this?! It’s huge!” Saito wanted to run, but the ropes had him tight on the ground.

Louise recovered her senses and ran towards him.

“You…why are you tied up like this?!”

“Isn’t that your idea?!”

Above them, the golem raised its foot.

Saito lost hope. “Louise, get out of there!” He yelled.

“Dammit…this rope…” Louise tried in vain to untie the knots.

The golem’s foot descended. Saito closed his eyes.

In that instant, Tabitha’s wind dragon veered from the skies, grabbing the two with its talons, and pulled them out from the foot with only inches to spare, before the foot came down crushing everything under it in a heart beat.

Hanging under the wind dragon, Saito and Louise watched the golem. Saito shakily asked, “Wh-wh-what…the hell is that?”

”I’m not sure…but it’s one gigantic earth golem! Somebody must have summoned that!”

”Something that big?!”

”…whoever summoned this, must be at least a triangle level mage.”

Saito bit his lip, and thought of Louise, who tried to untie him despite her danger. “That aside…why didn’t you run?”

“No respectable master would desert her familiar like that.” She answered frankly.

Saito watched her quietly. For some reason, he found her quite attractive…just now.

Fouquet, standing on the golem’s shoulder, smiled. Fouquet paid no attention to the wind dragon or Kirche escaping. A dark cape covered one from head to toe. They could not make out Fouquet face. Fouquet transformed the golem fist to a metallic composition, and ordered it to punch the wall. A dull thump sounded as the metallic fist hit in the wall, collapsing it. Under one’s dark cape, Fouquet smirked.

The golem transported Fouquet in with its hand, and one entered through the hole and into the treasure vault. It stored valuables of every kind, but Fouquet had only one target.

The Staff of Destruction.

A row of staffs of many sorts hung on the wall, but one came to Fouquet as completely unlike a staff. It was a meter long, and made with a sort of metal that one has never seen before. Fouquet looked at the metal plate right under it, reading “Staff of Destruction, do not remove.” one smile grew to a grin.

Fouquet picked up the Staff of Destruction, and was shocked by its lightness. ''Just what is this thing made of?'' One had no time to ponder, Fouquet ran back on to the golem’s shoulder.

Just before Fouquet left, one burned a message onto the wall:
“I got your Staff of Destruction. –Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt.”

With its caped summoner sitting on its shoulder, the golem leaped over the Academy walls, landed with a huge thud, and moved toward the grasslands and beyond.

Above the golem, the wind dragon circled around. Tabitha, sitting on the wind dragon, waved her staff for a Spell of Levitation, moving Saito and Louise onto the dragon’s back. She waved again, the air around Saito resonated into slicing waves, shredding the binding rope into pieces.

“Thank you,” he said to Tabitha in gratitude.

Her face remained blank, only nodding in acceptance.

Saito watched the gigantic earth golem, and asked Louise, “That mage…broke the wall. But what for?”

“The treasure vault.” Tabitha answered.

“he was holding something when it came out of that hole.”

“It was a thief. But…that was quite bold.”

They watched as the giant golem suddenly crumbled in mid-run, into a large mound of dirt.

They descended to the ground.

Brightly illuminated by the moons, there was nothing else besides the mountain of dirt. Just like that, the summoning mage had disappeared into the night.