Zero no Tsukaima:Side Story Volume1 Story1

1st Story - Tabitha and the Pterosaur

The blue-scaled Sylphid picks up her master, and flew up into the sky. The two moons shine brightly in the clear sky behind her blue scales. The white moon is so bright as to be almost transparent, and the red moon leaves a slightly reddish tinge. From such a high altitude, it was a fantastic scene to be viewed.

growl... growl... (stomach rumbling sounds)

Sylphid snorted her nose. She was hungry.

But it would be rude to disturb the master when she is reading a book. What to do, this is so troublesome, Sylphid looked furtively at the girl who is her master.

Sitting astride the part of the neck which dips a little from the top of Sylphid's head, with a dorsal fin on her back, her short, blue hair fluttering in the wind, the little girl calmly opens the book.

Although turning 15 years old this year, her body's build was that of a child 2 or 3 years younger. Perhaps when she was 12 years old, her body stop growing.

Her cold blue eyes behind the spectacles do not reveal any emotions. She was so absorbed in the book, only turning a page on the book occasionally, that one cannot discern any expression from her.

However, her facial profile was quite lovely like a peaceful and tranquil spring although it was cold. Her cold demeanor resembled that of the clear and transparent winter wind, which shrouds her with a matured tinge of melancholy on her innocent young face.

It is Sylphid's important master, Tabitha.

growl~, and Sylphid's stomach growled.

Oh, I cannot endure it anymore! Even if she gets angry, I don't care! Sylphi doesn't care anymore! With a soft murmur, Sylphid began to entreat her master.

"I am hungry. I am hungry. I am hungry"

Tabitha was distracted from the face of the page, and stared at the face of the mythical beast she was straddling on. Noticing that she had her master's attention, Sylphid bleated a happy sound through her nose.

fuga fuga.(sound of heart beating?) She and older-sister's face moved close. Looking intently at Sylphid's face

Sylphid called out to her master Tabitha, "Older sister-sama".

Why was she called such even though Sylphid was an only child. When she was summoned during the "Summoning Ceremony" of the Trystain Magical Academy by this girl, she felt quite blessed and decided to call her "older sister." She had the vibe of that of an older sister.

Sylphid had such a simple character that just because Tabitha had paid attention to her, she was so happy that forgot her hunger. She started chattering to enjoy a conversation with Tabitha.

"Elder sister-sama, it's so lovely today. I'm so glad!"

Sylphid looks like a wind dragon of six mails length......

She has beautiful translucent scales that seem to glitter and reflect light.

She seem even larger when she spreads her wings. Those huge wings re-assuredly flap powerfully in the sky. In any case, she looks just like a wind dragon in every respect.

However, normally, dragons do not talk.

A dragon's intelligence, although it is a superior mythical beast in its own class, does not give them the ability of human speech.

"It's also such a nice weather today! What do you think, elder sister-sama?"

However, within Sylphid's trembling throat, a lovely sound of human speech was produced and fluently came out of her mouth.

Only a sage carrying an abundance of knowledge may probably realize the true nature of Sylphid

and recall the name of these species from the fading shadows of ancient legends.

Tabitha found one such book that was written by one such scholar. The title of the book is written as such:-

"Mythical Intelligent Creatures of Ancient Times - The Rhyme Dragons"

"elder sister-sama, what are you reading?"

In a sweet-sounding voice that does not suit her face, Sylphid asked.

"It's a book written about your species"

In a voice almost without any inflection, Tabitha answered.

"I'm glad. As I thought, Elder sister is really very very interested in me"

"not really. it was just by chance"

"I'm delighted even though it's only coincidental. hey elder sister-sama, do you remember? the day when you summoned me"

"I remember"

Tabitha responds seemingly with some measure of coldness.

"I also remember fondly! That day elder sister gave me my name! a superb name! Sylphid! a human name!"

"coo coo", sounds of happiness emit from Sylphid.

"It is not a human name"

"Is that so! a wind fairy's name! an ancient fairy! kyui kyui!"

Sylphid's neck shook with joy. Tabitha's body was also violently shaken, but Tabitha was not concerned at all. Her sense of balance was amazing.

""Irukukuu" is a name for dragons. It means a gentle breeze! "Sylphid" is a name for humans. I, I have a second name! for when I'm together with elder sister-sama! kiyui kiyui!"

Tabitha returned her attention to the book. Sylphid continues to chatter on.

"Yes, yes! At that time when elder sister-sama summoned me, there was that girl with the pink hair! A human boy was summoned! That was quite a surprise! It was disgusting! Yet it was so funny!"

However, Tabitha did not carry on the conversation anymore. So, Sylphid felt neglected. And so she remembered that she was hungry.

"I'm hungry. how about a meal? how about a meal?"

Sylphid being able to speak human speech like that is not just a wind dragon.

An ancient wind dragon, one of the lost legendary rhyme dragons......, It is a legendary creature to live in the deserted mountains and the depths of the forests where human eyes have didn't touch.

The rhyme dragons are extremely intelligent and can understand human speech, but they require a lot of time to grow to adulthood. If one were to guess the age from the annual growth ring of her scales, this rhyme dragon should roughly be about 200 years old, but she would be equivalent to a human of not more than 10 years of age.

Yet, one cannot approach it carelessly despite it being a child

In the spring (youth) of a rhyme dragon, this species can boast of intelligence superior to that of a human being, and also better in language sense, and can manipulate "primal magic", and it is also a strong mythical beast which flies at high speed in the sky and can hurl powerful breaths.

This Sylphid, the rhyme dragon, was acquired with "Summon Servant" from somewhere in this world and contracted to Tabitha as her familiar. A thing that exemplifies the magical ability of this master is indicated with this accomplishment alone.

To Sylphid, such a powerful mage like Tabitha impressed her strongly.

"I'm hungry. I'm hung-greeee"

"you're noisy"

"if i don't say it, elder sister-sama will easily forget about my meal. Therefore I have to say it a lot. I'm hungry. I'm hungry"

Sylphid continues crying "gya gya" with her protesting voice.

(~9%~)