King Kimi: I do not own any official media featured in this Fanfiction, but this is only for fun so don't take it too seriously. I only own the OCs such as the Baby Bear characters and Nonknown mythos and lore. This is part of the Infinitiverse Fanfiction Universe.

.

.

"The longest journey is the journey inwards. Of him who has chosen his destiny, Who has started upon his quest for the source of his being."

— Dag Hammarskjöld

.

.

Twelve Years Ago

.

.

Long ago, there was a town that included canals, stores, a marketplace and a large cherry blossom tree. It was one of many settlements that were the homes of a secret race of called the Nonknown, supernatural beings with an undetermined existence as they could not be categorized under Science or Magic. A pretty water lily in full bloom floated on an aqueduct in the town center. A small boy named Saitō Hiraga, looked eagerly at it with a smile. He was a child of average height, with a rather refined face framed by a short mess of fluffy jet black hair which sticks up at odd angles around his head.

His eyes are large and somewhat circular, their irises a bright midnight blue color, which at times are very watery, usually stretched quite wide, giving him an innocent appearance. He wore a loose, long-sleeved, blue and white jacket-like top with a raised collar over his short-sleeve white t-shirt. He also wears a pair of black jeans partnered with some blue and white sneakers. A woman, possibly Saitō's mother, walked up behind him. She had jet black hair held in a bun by a gray band and blue eyes like her son. She wore a long blue dress with long sleeves, cutouts on the shoulders, black ballet flats, and a white sash.

Laughing lightly, the mother said, "Why, hello, little Saitō. Are we trying to catch a fish?"

"I've found a flower on the water!" Saitō cheered.

"Oh, I see!" His mother smiled. Saitō rushed over to his mother.

He asked, "Can we take it home and plant it in the garden?"

"Oh no, sweetheart," she answered, "that flower lives here." Saitō looked down dejectedly and his mother rubbed his head. She said, "But I'll tell you what you can do. Take this yen and go find something nice for your big sister's return.

"She's been hunting for quite some time. I bet that the journey's been very tiring, don't you?" Taking the money, Saitō answered, "Yes." His mother then asked, "Do you think you'll know what she wants?"

"I think…" he thought before he sassily said, "she wants a water flower in the garden!"

"Why did you have to inherit my sass?" His mother asked with a chuckle. She gives her son a playful nudge on his bottom as Saitō turns away on his new mission to find a gift for his older sister. He crosses the planks that serve as a bridge over the aqueduct. His mother watched him go with a smile.

Saitō and his family lived in a prosperous and peaceful town. Saitō rushed up to a weapons stand and asked, "What can I buy with this?"

"Well, something just your size," the Young Blacksmith chuckled. He held up two wooden toy weapons. One is a sword and the other is a hammer.

Saitō deflated in disappointment at being unable to buy a new weapon for his Big Sister. He, next, waited in line at a liquor merchant.

"Sake, please." Saitō asked. The wine merchant gave him a bemused look, and with a sigh, shook his head in the negative. Saitō groans, a little frustrated.

He walked through the open town before stopping to look in a bakery window. There were several treats, including slices of lemon meringue pie, frosted cupcakes, actual cakes with frosted waterlilies atop them, and a shelf of kitten-shaped bread. Saitō is happily excited but turned when he heard a voice.

"Hey, get back here!"

Saitō looked around the corner of the bakery, following the sound of a group of kids laughing and mocking.

Three boys stood in a semicircle around a dirty looking girl who was crouched on the ground and clutching a loaf of bread. She had grey skin, short and curly inky black hair, and eyes that point slightly inwards, which seems to resemble a cat. Their sclera are black and their irises bright yellow. Her face was painted in a beautiful, yet simple sugar skull make-up design. A Tall Boy mockingly asked, "Where'd you get that bread?

He accused, "I didn't see you pay for it, thief!"

"No, look, it's all moldy!" A Short Boy joined in.

"I think she got it from the trash!" The Tall boy said. A Medium-sized Boy reached out and demanded, "Lemme see!" The Nonknown girl bit his finger before he could touch the bread.

"Ah! She bit me!" He cried. Tall Boy looked at Medium Boy's hand in horror before Medium Boy pushed the girl backward onto the ground. The strange Nonknown girl whimpered for a second but she got up and grabbed her bread off the ground. She took a few more steps back before crouching away again. The Short Boy glared, "Where'd she come from?"

Saitō watched, taking a few uncertain steps forward. The Short Boy continued, "She looks all weird!"

"I bet she's abandoned!" Tall Boy said, "Like a dog or something!" Medium Boy asked, "Does that mean I have rabies? All three chuckle meanly.

The girl saw Saitō getting closer and looked at him with big, blinking eyes. The bullies saw her focus had changed to behind them and they turned to look. Saitō panicked at having their focus and he turned to run, only to immediately bump into the legs of his sister. Hoshiko is a young girl with long black hair that reaches down to her knees and blue eyes like her mother and brother. She wore a dark sleeveless tank top with a white collar and a blue tie; she wears a blue belt that has a blue side skirt cover over a black, pleated skirt.

She wore it with long black socks and black shoes. She also wore white gauntlets and blue gloves. She also wore a long dark coat and was carrying her sword, Dragonsbane. Saito fell back and looked up at her.

"Hoshiko-nē?" Saitō said.

Hoshiko glared at the bullies and asked, "What is happening here?" The three bullies panicked and looked around, uncertain whether to run yet. The girl, however, saw this as her opening and took off with her bread. After a beat, the bullies decided to run, too. Hoshiko looked to Saitō and sternly asked, "Do you wish to run with the rest of them?"

Saitō was standing upright, but he lowered his face in response. Hoshiko placed her hand on her brother's shoulder and lowered to one knee.

"Sometimes the worst action to take… is taking no action at all," she told him firmly. "Go home. I need to speak with the mayor." Hoshiko left with Saitō watching briefly before turning away, thoughtfully.

A framed picture of the Hiraga family, with an image of a man completing the four. Young Saitō was sleeping until the roar of a beast of some kind awakened him. Saitō and Hoshiko's mother came rushing in, crying out, "Saitō, get up. We have to go."

"Mom?" Saitō asked, tired and uncertain. His mother pulled his arm and pulled him up.

"Now, right now, okay? Let's go!" In the kitchen beyond Saitō's bedroom, the outer door bursted inward as a heavily-breathing Hoshiko entered.

"Hoshiko!" Mother cried out.

"Mom, what are you doing!?" Hoshiko cried, "We need to hurry!"

"We can go to the safehouse!"

"No. I saw the beast," said Hoshiko darkly. "We need an Arwr. And you two need to leave." In disbelief, mother breathed, "What?" The creature sounded, loud and ominous, causing all three to look up at the ceiling and walls in alarm.

"Mom?" Saitō asked with concern. She got down to her knees to make eye contact with Saitō.

"It's alright, darling." Mother lied, "Everything's okay." The roof broke above her head and everything went black.

Crashing and a faint scream could be heard. They were soon followed by the muffled screams of many and loud footsteps accompanied by Hoshiko's heavy breathing. Saitō gradually came to, held by his running sister. Bits of flaming sparks speckled the air.

"Hoshiko-nē?" Saitō asked, "What… Where's Mom?"

Hoshiko was bleeding profusely from above her left eye. A woman nearby screamed. Saitō panicked, "What's going on!? Where is Mom?" Villagers ran in a panic, and black specks of ash floated with the sparks. A rumble caused the ground to shake and Hoshiko fell, dropping Saitō and landing on her back next to a well.

"Hoshiko-nē!" Saitō cried out as everyone ran past them as Hoshiko pushed herself up slightly.

"Saitō, you have to run." Hoshiko ordered. Saitō moved to his sister and begged, "No. Don't. Please. Get up!" He looks up when he hears the Dragon roaring again. Behind them, people ran while followed by the silhouetted image in a cloud of smoke.

The Flame Dragon was a massive red dragon and kaiju, with two large and powerful wings that can easily be used to fly in combat and the ability to expel fire via mouth. It has bright golden eyes and very tough scales that can even block the .50 caliber bullets fired from the LAV machine gun. In short, the Flame Dragon is a living, flying tank.

"Listen to me, Saitō." Hoshiko said, "You have to be brave now. Do you understand?"

"No, please. Please, I can't!" Saitō begged, shaking his head. Hoshiko withdrew Dragonsbane from her hip.

"Yes, you can!" She put the knife in Saitō's hands and picked him as she returned to her feet. Saitō looked at the katana as Hoshiko said, "Take action, Saitō." She was crying. "Mom and I love you." Gripping the knife tighter and fighting tears, Saitō whimpered, "Hoshiko-nē…" She threw him into the well and the last thing Saitō saw was Hoshiko's warm smile… and the Dragon's maw behind her.

.

.

Morning

Kyōi Ruins

.

.

Saitō had stopped crying some time ago. Now he just sat in a fetal position at the bottom of the well, his turtled in his arms. Gone. Everything he knew was gone. His town. His mother. His sister. All he had left was despair, the only light coming from above the well, far from his reach. Saitō had nothing left, absolutely nothing.

Saitō looked up, the light and life that once filled his eyes were dead and gone, in their place the eyes of someone who died. And he did, just on the inside. Saitō looked and began to remember his mother and… his…

.

.

.

His…

.

.

.

"Sometimes the worst action to take… is taking no action at all." Hoshiko had said.

.

.

.

Saitō's expression shifted from its dead and lifeless despair into one filled with a new kind of fire. The kind of fire that should have never been on the face of a boy his age. The fire that belonged to a man. A fire of pure… Determination. Saitō slowly rose to his feet with Dragonsbane in his hand.

He quickly drew the blade, cutting into the wall of the well, and began twirling the blade like a master swordsman, despite never using a sword in his life. Soon his gaze fell upon his reflection in the water. He stared for a moment before he sheathed the sword and started taking off his jacket.

A small hand rose from the well, Saitō successfully climbed from the well. Dragonsbane was tied to his waist and Saitō now wore his jacket open and loose-collared with no shirt underneath. What was left of his black shirt was now tied around the top half of his face, covering his eyes, his hair still framing his face. Saitō jumped out the well, crouching for a moment, focusing on everything around him. The smells and sounds around him as he tried to focus on those rather than his sight.

Taking away his own sight still left me with four very sharp senses. Blind Sighting. Saitō wanted to act, fight and navigate while blind, in darkness or otherwise sightless. He was determined to undergo rigorous training to promote his senses; even going as far as to blindfold himself to increase situational awareness. In this state, he will develop his Mind's Eye, forming a rough three-dimensional image of his surroundings, allowing him to use his clairvoyant abilities without actual eyesight. Before it's destruction, Kyōi lived at the base of a mountain, surrounded by forestry and green.

What was left of Kyōi was rubble, smoke and ash. Saitō could smell the charred remains of the souls killed in this attack. He 'looked' up to the mountain and started walking in direction perfectly, uninhibited by the blindfold. Saitō walked to the edge of the ruined town where it once met the forest. Saitō touched the first tree he nearly came into contact with before walking to the next tree.

He did this for a while before, slowly, walking became jogging, jogging became running, running became sprinting. Soon, he found himself running faster than the eye could blink.

"I'm fast," he said, before his expression grew more determined. "But not fast enough. Go faster." He started pushing himself, the world soon becoming a blur around him as he sensed a dodged tree, jumping and running through forest, moving at a speed that not even the most attuned of beings could grasp.

Wind blew with the whistling note of high altitude as Saitō now walked a stony ledge. Before him was more of the mountain, with a cave just ahead - the home of the Dragon. Thunder rumbled and Saitō turned to look up at the sky. That's when he heard something. Something he wasn't expecting to hear.

"Hold still, you brat! I hate losing my lunch!" Saitō stopped in his tracks, confused. With his Mind's Eye growing stronger by the second, Saitō could tell that this new voice… belonged to none other than the Dragon itself. But that shouldn't have been possible.

The Dragon showed no signs of intelligence before. It always behaved more like an animal that acted on pure instinct, following its nature. But to learn that it had a conscience made Saitō grip tightly on his sword. If it had been like any other animal, he planned to simply put it down like any other carnivorous beast, but the fact that it can talk changed everything. Now, it had a choice, one Saitō would respect and give.

Saitō moved next to a tree and listened from there. A new voice squeaked, "P-Please… I don't want to die!" A girl? Slowly, an image popped into his head as he used his Mind's eye to peace together what was going on. In the spacious area, weapons speckled every place you can look. Swords, axes and staves were all either propped up or on the ground.

Before the dragon, cowering near a wall in fear, was a girl around Saitō who he recognised based on the sound of her voice and sent of her body. The Nonknown girl Hoshiko had saved.

"You don't seem to realize the gravity of your situation, Epithymía Mávros." The Dragon sneered. "I've come too far not to kill you." Epithymía's grew wide with pure horror as the dragon began it's monologue.

"In a way, you are the one to blame, not me. The death of your parents, Kyōi Village - you are the one to blame because of the powers you possess.

"My powers…?" Epithymía asked, a little confused. The Dragon grinned and asked, "Are you saying Absolute Wish doesn't ring a bell." Epithymía had an expression of panic on her face.

Meanwhile, Saitō's hand had turned into a fist, his own nails digging into his skin and white blood leaked out. The Dragon's booming voice laughed as he cheered, "YES! The power to grant any wishes of others or oneself without any limitations: no resource needed, no condition required, no limited number, no delays for use/reuse, and no exception whatsoever! A power that should belong to a being like me! Not some silly freak of existence like you!"

"What…? What do you mean?" Epithymía whimpered. The dragon seemed to wear an evil grin as it spoke again.

"They say you are what you eat," the Dragon said. Epithymía was afraid as she understood what he planned to do. By consuming her, the Dragon hoped to gain her powers and abilities by eating her, thus theoretically increasing it's own physical and energy abilities by absorbing her notable power.

"You wouldn't! You can't!" Epithymía cried out. "A Nonknown's powers can't stolen! It's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible, my dear." The Dragon glowered. "Your unnatural kind is proof of that." Epithymía expression grew more afraid, almost on the verge of tears.

"Please! You don't have to do this," she begged. The Dragon remained tauntingly silent for a few moments before responding. He agreed, "I know. But I want to." Epithymía stared at her in silence for a few moments.

"… Why? In what world do you live in where attacking the innocent is how you can get what you want!?"

"Do not patronize me, child," the Dragon growled. "I am being as merciful as can be by letting you live a little long. However, to answer your question, it is the same one as you. There's no such thing as innocent. There's no right thing to do.

"Only what's best for ourselves. There is only the strong like me and the beings like you, too weak to fight back." The Dragon claw flew at Epithymía and picked her up by the collar of her shirt as he continued to monologue.

"And once I eat you, I will be even stronger!" The Dragon claimed. "The power to grant my own wishes at my command and call upon the forces of darkness!"

"But that's not how my powers work!" Epithymía argued. "I can only mimic darkness, not control it and I can't grant my own wishes, only the wishes of others!"

"That, my dear, is because you are weak!" The Dragon insulted. "Once I control the power you have failed to master, I will be unstoppable. I will be a Dragon king - no! A Dragon Emperor!"

He opened his jaws and dropped her into his mouth. However, before the maw of the Dragon could close, his meal was taken from him in the blink of an eye. The Dragon's eye grew wide with rage as he roared fire at his meal being stolen.

"Who dares to interrupt my rise to power!" The Dragon roared. He looked around before his eyes landed on a boy's small form that appeared from nowhere.

The Dragon glowered and demanded, "And just who are you?" Silence. Then…

"Nice to meet you, Herifell of Mount Kōki," he said, his voice now perpetually emotionless. "My name is Saitō Hiraga. But please… Saitō." Silence. Tense silence, thick as stone.

Then, Saitō said, "I had something of a relationship with Kyōi Village."

"So, you are a survivor," said Herifell. "Have you come to join your loved ones in oblivion?" Saitō shook his head and said, "You misunderstand. I've come to avenge them."

Herifell raised a brow, amused by the boy's cold, yet - in his opinion - stupidity. Saitō continued, "I overheard your conversation with my fellow Nonknown… You really have a lot of balls, don't you?" Herifell grinned evilly as Saitō continued his little speech. "Those were people that I loved and held dearly to my heart, and massacred them for the sake of obtaining power.

"I can't imagine anything more offensive."

"Ha! You're being rather brazen yourself for a foolish little child!" Herifell said. "So, what do you plan to do, Nonknown." That's right. The boy may be stupid, but Herifell refused to underestimate him. This boy was a Nonknown - a freak of nature with who knows what kind of powers.

Saitō 'looked' up and the Dragon's eyes narrowed. He thought, 'Blind? No, this is something else…'

"Justice, poised and balanced in internal calm, will shake from the golden scales in which are weighed the acts of men, the very dust of prejudice and caste: No race, no color, no previous condition, can change the rights of men," he referenced. "I am here to give you a choice, Hellfire Dragon: Live. Or Die."

"Excuse me…" Herifell growled in shock, furious at the audacity of this little freak.

"If you wish to live, you must follow these conditions." Saitō explained, "You will leave the girl alone and never harass her again. You will never harm another living creature again unless it is to eat. Finally, you will leave the Japan region of the Magical plane. You are hereby banished from these lands forever."

Silence for a moment. Finally, Herifell speaks: "I've heard enough…" The Dragon opened it's maw and engulfed Saitō's body in fire. He did this for a couple of minutes before feeling a sharp pain on his back. He turned around in horror and rage to find that Saitō had successfully driven Dragonsbane into his back.

Saitō 'looked' back at the dragon and said, "You chose poorly."

.

.

.

{ Adamas - Amanda Lee }

.

.

.

Enraged, Herifell threw Saitō and his sword off of his back before swatting him away with his tail. Saitō went flying down the cavern and righted himself in mid-air, landing on his feet. Frowning, Saitō pointed his sword out. The Dragon came closer, lifted its torso upright and let out a roar that sent out a ray of fire. Saitō dodged the attack.

While the beast straightened its head, Saitō sheathed his sword and ran to attack from behind. Herifell lashed out his tail and Saitō had to dive and roll to avoid being hit. He managed to get upright, but the Dragon was galloping right toward them. Saitō used invisible speed to run from Herifell's sight. The Dragon stopped and looked around, trying to find where its prey went.

I'm trying to understand it but it's making me numb

This swirl of karma leaving such a bitter taste on my tongue

Cause I know the pain and sorrow

It has only begun (Whoa-oh-oh Whoa-oh-oh o-whoa-o)

Saitō reappeared and stabbed the dragon in its tail, making the creature roar, rear and go after the Nonknown. Battle noises could be heard while Epithymía hid at the cavern's entrance and watched the fight. Saitō slashed at the Dragon and got slapped into the ground by one of its claws, spitting out white blood. He was grabbed next. The Dragon let him go and turned around when he saw Epithymía covering at the entrance.

Now I'm surrounded by my enemies

But lucks on my side

So I shatter through the walls and change the course of the tide

Can't stop this surging fate like a volcano set to break

Before he could fly at her, Saitō found his inner Herculean strength and grabbed the dragon by its tail and threw him in the opposite direction. Saitō went in to slash at the foreleg with his sword. Herifell used his hind legs to kick Saitō back, where he landed on his feet. He sheathed his sword and quickly drew it, sending out a wave of energy. Saitō ran in, and he was able to land a successful slash on one of the hindlegs.

Take a breath until you're set to

Face that voice of fear

That god of death that's always looking down on you

"Do you believe yourself?"

I won't stop 'til I've won

A glimpse of that bright future that's just begun!

Herifell roared while the torso uprighted and his head cocked to look at Saitō a bit stunned. He extended both his wings and swung them round, creating a rotary attack that knocked Saitō aside. When it pulled back its wings, the spines on its back extended several inches further out. The Dragon roared into the sky, causing Epithymia to cover her ears. Saitō ran up the walls and launched himself from it.

Shining like a diamond!

The emotions in your heart reflect like crystal

As we vow an oath

That will ignite your light and mine

And we will rise

So many times I've

Gotten back on my feet to make it to this moment

It's time our prayer that's waiting in the dark

Is set free so light the spark and let it shine!

He is immediately pushed against another side of the cavern wall by one of the creature's claws. He prepared to breath fire at Saitō before Dragonsbane was impaled through his claw, forcing the Dragon to release him. Herifell twitched and jerked, flinging Saitō about until he crashed into the ground, bruised and bleed, but still determined as hell. Saitō came up from behind the Dragon and slashed at his hindleg again. He roared and swung his tail again. Saitō landed on his back but quickly bounced onto his feet and ran in slashing at the front legs.

Much like a sweet ambrosia, the tears of mistake (Whoa-oh-oh-oh)

The road ahead is filled with predators waiting for a chance to take

In the right hands, even glass can shine like diamond

And seem like it's 100 karat glimmering (Faker!)

The world is waiting for a captivating miracle

One that makes my heart skip a beat!

Saitō used Dragonsbane to block Herifell's front claws from its forward leap toward him. He pushed him down and followed with breathing fire out at him, attempting to finnish him. He evaded by jumping around the room and striking at it, and had to jump out of the way again as it made an attempt to eat him. Saitō succeeded in maneuvering the Dragon so that he sliced off one of Herifell's wings. While the Dragon flinched and raged, a knife boomeranged into its flank.

Shining like a diamond!

Deep inside the purest hope reflects like crystal

Oh shine all my tears

And you will find a hidden light to cure the dark

There is no time left

To throw away on a lackluster imitation

I'll carve this rough stone into a gem

Even if that means it'll burn away all I am!

Herifell turned and attempted to snap at Saitō. However, using the walls, Saitō launched from the roof to force the other wing off. Saitō ran in and used his sword to cut through one of the Dragon's hind legs before jumping back to the ceiling. From the roof, Saitō free fells and spuns to cut off the next back leg. Restrained and half-destroyed, Herifell's roars of anguish continued but weakened.

No way to burn it just fight on through (To prove my way)

Don't break it now (No!)

Break it! (Don't make me break!)

Waiting for the other side I'm up against (Miss you)

I will protect all that I love until the end

No way to burn it just fight on through (To prove my way)

Somehow I keep on coming (Go! Go!) keep on coming back

Up to the sky, we'll raise our hearts up high!

"N-No…! How can I… possibly… be defeated…" the Dragon glared as Saitō walked up to him, "by a freak like you…!?" Saitō took Dragonsbane and slashed more at the flesh in a motion. He stands before him and his head looks back at him. It roared into Saitō's face, but the roar was too weak and did not even cause Saitō to flinch. In his thoughts, Saitō said, 'For my mother.'

Shining like a diamond!

He severed off the Dragon's left arm. 'For my sister.' He severed off the Dragon's right arm. 'For all those that you've slain.' He struck a gash into the flailing chest. Saitō closed his eyes.

Shining like a diamond!

The emotions in your heart reflect like crystal

As we vow an oath

That will ignite your light and mine

And we will rise

So many times I've

Gotten back on my feet to make it to this moment

It's time our prayer that's waiting in the dark

Is set free so light the spark and let it shine!

And we will shine!

"For myself." He opened his eyes and swung with the sword, beheading the Dragon.

.

.

Baby Bear Shūsoku!

Gwir Frenin yr Arwyr

.

.

It's time - It's time

Adamas

.

.

Tristain's Academy of Magic

Tristan, Halkeginia

.

.

Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière, awoke to the morning sunshine that gently kissed the face of the sleeping noble girl. She sat up stretched for a few moments, then she narrowed her eyes as she looked at the palm of her hand.

"Same dream again," she said. Sighing, the third daughter of the Vallière family began to prepare for her day, first by brushing her long curly pink hair. Then, she put on her uniform, which consisted of a long-sleeved blouse underneath a long black cape reaching her feet.

She wore a black skirt, a pair of long black stocking-like socks, and black shoes. Louise, doll and child-like in appearance, looked at herself in the mirror before picking up her wand, ready to start another day.

.

.

Chapter I

Louise and Saitō

.

.

Louise proceeded to report to class. Louise decided to sit in the back where she listened to the new professor introduce herself and begin the lessons.

"Congratulations, everyone, on making it to your second year. I am Mrs. Chevreuse and I have been engaged to teach here at Tristain's Magical Institute." Professor Chevreuse introduced. "My element is earth and my codename is Chevreuse the Red Moon.

"For the next two terms, I will be teaching you all about earth-based magic."

.

Professor Chevreuse

.

A new professor at the Tristain Academy of Magic. Nicknamed "the Red Moon" Chevreuse, she specializes in earth type magic.

.

.

"Now, what are the four basic elements of magic?" Chevreuse asked. A young blonde noble boy raised his hand while making the most unattractive, unmasculine moan ever.

"The four elements are air, water, earth, and fire," answered the mageling. "Also, just by coincidence, my element happens to be earth, just like you, Madame. Guiche de Gramont at your service. My codename is Brass."

Guiche then placed his rose-like wand in his mouth as he slightly ran his hand through his hair all the while saying, "Pleased to meet you."

.

Guiche de Gramont

.

The fourth son of a prominent military family. Charismatic and charming, he is a renowned and infamous playboy.

.

.

"Very nice to meet you, Mr. Grammont," Chevreuse nodded. "Earth magic is directly involved in the revitalization of all things. To help you understand that principle, you will all now memorize a spell of basic alchemy." Professor Chevreuse put three pebbles on to her desk and pulled out her wand.

"Rel Im Yon."

The students gasped in astonishment as the three pebbles turned into a metal of a golden color.

"Oh, wow!" exclaimed a redhead bombshell of a mage. "Did you turn them into gold?" The girl was a tall, young woman with long, red hair and brownish-gold eyes. On her neck lies a gold necklace-like ring and wears a black cloak pinned into a pin with the symbol of the academy. She wears a white, fitted, long-sleeved blouse, which leaves her large bust exposed.

She wore black, short skirt and a pair of long, gold boots which reached her skirt.

.

Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst

.

Also known as Kirche the Ardent. In the spirit of Shakespeare, her family and Louise's are mortal enemies, born of an ancient and petty grudge.

.

.

"No, dear," Chevreuse responded. "Brass."

"Oh, right." The girl said, disappointed. Chevreuse put her wand away as she said, "Now let's see if one of you can cast this spell." Chevreuse looked around the room, finally leaving Louise.

"You over there," she called to Louise, earning a gasp of fear from the class. "The one taking notes."

Louise then looked up from notes after she noticed Chevreuse was speaking to her. Chevreuse asked, "What is your name?"

"Louise, ma'am." Louise replied. She then placed her quill onto the desk and proceeded to stand. "My name is Louise Françoise de la Vallière."

Amongst the students shivering and groaning in fear, a pudgy boy mage raised.

"Um, excuse, ma'am." croaked the student. Chevreuse looked to him and asked, "Is something the matter?"

"I think it would be better if you picked someone else." The boy received the agreement of the entirety of the class, apart from the elephant in the room.

"It's too dangerous to let her try," implied Kirche. "Let me do it!" Louise officially became annoyed at the redhead's statement and slowly grew angrier.

"Dangerous?" Chevreuse said, amused. "So what if alchemy is dangerous?"

"I'M THE ONE SHE PICKS, SO I'M GOING TO DO IT!" Louise shouted.

"Well said!" Chevreuse applauded as a choir of fear from Louise's fellow students who had begun to move about their seats, as if routine. A blue haired magette, while reading a book, vacated the room. Louise stepped up to the brass pebbles and pulled out her wand. The class shrunk back in fear.

"Please, Louise," Kirche begged, "stop it."

"You're distracting me," scorned Louise, "so be quiet!" The redhead gasped, as if she was talking that way before. Louise simply turned her back to Professor Chevreuse.

"Now, Louise," instructed the fool of a teacher, "think hard about the metal you turn this into."

Louise looked at three pebbles and pointed her wand.

"Rel Im Yon."

The trio of pebbles began to glow as the room was engulfed in a bright light.

Elsewhere, in the highest tower of the school, an old man and a beautiful, spectacled, green-haired woman were conversing in peace. The elderly, white haired mage had long hair and a long beard. He wore black robes that wrapped around the right side of his body and were laced several buttons. To the left of the deal he sat at rested a long, wooden staff. The woman wore the typical uniform, which was a dark blue dress with white outlines.

She wore a red, scarf-like cape. She also had her green hair tied back in a ponytail with clips on the side to keep her hair out of her face.

"Another year has started with no particular problems that need to be dealt with." The old man sighed.

"It couldn't be better." His secretary replied, not looking up from her paperwork.

"As the institute's headmaster," said the old educator, "I could not have wished for a more peaceful beginning."

.

Old Man Osmond

.

The Headmaster of Tristain's Academy of Magic. He is a smart and powerful square mage whom the Princess finds trustworthy.

.

.

Then began to pull out his smoke pipe that was as white as his long white beard. His secretary pulled out her wand and levitated the pipe from the headmaster's mouth. The headmaster puffed smoke as he gently stroked his beard.

"Up to your old tricks again, I see." He mused, lifting himself from his seat.

"Taking care of your health is part of my job here," The secretary answered, still only paying for her work, "and smoking is bad."

.

Miss Longueville

.

Osmond's attractive, bespectacled secretary. She is able to use magic due to coming from a noble family who lost their rank.

.

.

The headmaster walked up to the secretary and placed his wrinkled hand onto her rear.

"Are you going to take away one of the few pleasures this old man has left in his life, Miss Longueville?" Miss Longueville simply replied, "Please stop touching my buttocks, sir." After seeing he was caught red-handed, the old man began to pace to and fro, pretending to be senile. She continued, "And stop acting like you are senile every time you are caught behaving badly."

The old man suddenly stopped pacing as a lantern lit up in his head.

"Oh, I just remembered!" He recollected. "Tomorrow is the annual familiar summoning ritual for all the sophomore students." Longueville merely clicked her tongue in irritation and muttered, "Damn geezer." While Miss Longueville guard was down, a white mouse crawled out of her skirt from between her legs as the old explained familiar spirits.

Osmond said, "A familiar is a mage's lifelong servant, friend, and companion, as well as one's eyes and ears in the world." The mouse ran up to the old man's hand as he was in a crouching position to pick up the little rodent. "Ah, my dear familiar, Motsognir. Our journey together has been a long one."

.

Motsognir

.

Osmond's Familiar Spirit. Much like his master, Motsognir is also perverted, using his size to peek at Longueville's panties.

.

.

The mouse began to talk to him in an unspeakable language.

"Oh, I see, white," The old man spoke to the mouse, able to understand him. "White as snow you say." Miss Longueville made a small squeal, closing her legs quickly. "Well, I think Miss Longueville would look much better in lacey black then plain white cotton, don't you think so, Motsognir?"

"Lord Osmond," Longueville scolded, "if you ever do that to me again, I will report it to the royal family." Old Man Osmond turned to his trusty secretary and said, "Ha! Don't get so upset because someone peeped at your precious little panties. It's attitudes like that've kept you a spinster." Miss Longueville gasped in disbelief and in anger, began to step on Osmond.

"Oof! I'm sorry!" Osmond apologized. "I won't do it again! Please, forgive me!"

BBAARROOMM!

An explosion could be heard throughout the academy as it shook the school. The headmaster looked up from his hands and knees.

"Was that…?" Osmond asked.

"Yes, sir." Longueville responded. "I do believe it was."

"You mean the third girl from the Vallière family?"

Meanwhile, the classroom which Louise was in looked as if it had just gone through a bombing, with the smoke replacing the oxygen so dearly needed and semi-unconscious students sprawled all over. At the front, Louise stood with her uniform in terrible condition, holding what remained of her wand. Her face was a mixture of shock and disappointment. As students began to struggle up, the now enraged Kirche, who was protected from the blast by a chivalrous noble boy, raised her head to yell at pink-haired magette.

"What is the matter with you!?" The redhead shouted.

Not wanting to admit to the damage done to her pride by her own failure, Louise pridefully turned away from her fellow classmates and said while rubbing her cheek with a handkerchief, "I guess I messed up a little bit." Louise's response irked the enraged magette.

"What part of this is a little?" The pudgy mage questioned.

"Your magical success rate to date has been zero!" Guiche exclaimed.

"Louise the Zero!" The redhead angrily mocked.

.

Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière

.

A second-year student at the Tristain Academy of Magic and the third daughter of the Vallière family. However, Louise is nicknamed "Louise the Zero" for her seemingly poor magic abilities that usually result in explosions.

.

.

With closed eyes, Louise continued to rub her face as she huffed. She then looked down upon the unconscious form that was Professor Chevreuse who most likely regretted her decision.

Soon after, Louise was just leaving Osmond's office when she heard what she considered to be the most irritating voice in the world.

"So, what's the story?" Louise looked up to see none other than Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst stand before her. She was accompanied by Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency, a young lady with blond, curly long hair and blue eyes. There was a large, red ribbon tied around her hair. Like other students, she had the same format of clothing, though she had some alterations.

Instead of white socks, she wore stocking-like socks reminiscent of those of Louise and wore black school shoes.

.

Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency

.

Her runic name is Montmorency the Perfume. She has feelings for Guiche, but remains jealous whenever Guiche flirts with other girls.

.

.

Kirche was also accompanied by another young girl. Tabitha is a small, bespectacled girl with light blue hair and corresponding light blue eyes. She wore a white, long-sleeved blouse underneath a long, black cloak reaching to her feet. The cloak was pinned by a circular, gold or brass pin attached to a ribbon. She wore black, short skirt and white, long, stocking-like socks reaching up to her skirt.

She also wore a pair of brown, school shoes. She carried with her a large, curved staff, which she uses in place of her wand. She was reading a book, completely uninterested in the immaturity before her.

.

Tabitha

.

A quiet girl who is a classmate of Louise, and best friend of Kirche. She is usually focused on a book and uses a large curved staff for her wand.

.

.

"Another trip to the detention room," Kirche instigated further, "or are they finally expelling you? Just kidding!" Kirche and Montmorency began to arrogantly laugh as if Kirche said a very funny joke. Louise scowled, but simply closed her eyes and continued down the steps while saying, "They decided not to punish me."

"What!?" Kirche and Montmorency cried.

"Why not?" Kirche asked.

"They said it was partially the teacher's fault for making me do it even though after all the students in the class tried to stop her," explained Louise. Barely, holding it in, Kirche and Montmorency began to laugh again. Louise stopped her trek downward when she became parallel to the trio's location on the stairs.

"I'm just having a bad day," Louise gritted, "that's all."

"Yeah," Kirche mocked, "well, you're always having a bad day. You can't even get a real codename, Louise the Zero!"

Louise growled at the Bombshell's comment.

"Why don't you be quiet!" Louise snapped with irritation.

"Tomorrow should be fun." Kirche grinned. "I can't wait to see what kind of Familiar you manage to summon." Louise snapped her head to the trio's direction, earning a surprised hum from Kirche and Montmorency.

"OH, YEAH!? WELL, I'M CONFIDENT IN ONE SPELL! THE SUMMONING SPELL! SUMMON SERVANT!" Louise boasted. Kirche and Montmorency gasped in confusion and shock. "Just you watch. I'll conjure up a Familiar that is divine and beautiful and powerful and it will be better than anything any of you could cook up and then we'll see who's laughing!" With that, Louise continued on her way.

Surprise soon turned back to confusion as Kirche turned to her best friend, who was silent the entire discussion.

"What do you think, Tabitha?" Kirche asked.

"I don't know," was Tabitha's only reply.

.

.

Evening

Tristain's Academy of Magic - Girl's Dorms

.

.

Later that evening, Kirche was thinking over her confrontation with Louise as she bathed.

"Very strange." Kirche thought to herself. "Considering her past, how could she be so confident?" Kirche paused, before thinking, "Maybe she… Nah! No way." Suddenly, there was a knock on her bathroom door.

"Is it that time already?" She exclaimed. "Wait a minute Stix, I'll be right there!"

"Kirche," said a familiar yet unexpected voice. "It's me, Palestine." Kirche put her hand to her mouth.

"That's right," she remembered, "Stix is coming tomorrow."

Kirche then grabbed her wand and levitated her towel around her bare body. She continued, "I'm sorry, Palestine. I'll be there in just a moment." She waved her wand again to levitate her nightwear so she could change.

Meanwhile, Louise was in her room changing into her nightgown. After she was done, she jumped into her bed face first.

"Well, I'm confident in one spell! The summoning spell!" Louise remembered. Louise shoved her face into her pillow and whined, "But I wish I hadn't said so."

.

.

Morning

Tristain's Academy of Magic - Summoning Field

.

.

The day of the annual Familiar summoning ritual had finally arrived. Professor Jean Colbert would be observing the class as they summoned their Familiars for the first time (outside, of course).

"The day has finally come for the summoning ritual." Colbert announced.

.

Jean Colbert

.

A professor at the Tristain Academy of Magic who is interested in history; his element specialty is fire magic.

.

.

"This is the first test for you all now that you have advanced to the second year here at Tristian's Academy and the sacred first day where you will finally meet your Familiars with whom you will spend your life living as a nobleman." Louise already had her wand out as if prepared for anything. However, if only she knew how ill prepared she truly was for the events that would change her life and who she was forever.

"All set, Louise?" Kirche appeared out of nowhere behind Louise. "I'm looking forward to what amazing Familiar you summon."

"Leave me alone." Louise spat with irritation.

Later, almost everyone had finally summoned their Familiars. Kirche summoned a salamander, Tabitha summoned a wind dragon, and Montmorency summoned a frog. Guiche summoned… um… what is that thing exactly?

"Alright, then," said Colbert, "has everyone had their turn?"

"No, not quite." Kirche answered. "Miss Vallière hasn't done it." Kirche gave Louise a sly smirk as her very target realized that all eyes were on her.

The class soon circled the poor girl who prepared to make her summon.

"Louise the Zero. What do you suppose she'll summon?"

"There's no way she can summon anything. We'll just have another explosion and nothing else."

"With all your boasting," said Kirche, "you should be able to summon up something much more amazing than this, right Louise?"

"Well, of course." Louise pouted, then turned her head. 'Please, work!' Louise prayed. Louise closed her eyes and raised her wand to the air.

"My servant that exists somewhere in this vast universe!"

Her class looked on at her in confusion.

"What kind of spell is that?" Montmorency asked.

"Whatever it is," Guiche commented. "It's original, that's for sure."

"My divine, beautiful, wise, and powerful servant, heed my call! I wish for you, servant, from the very bottom of my heart! Answer my guidance and appear!"

Louise waved her wand in a circle twice and slashed forward. Suddenly, the wind started to pick up gradually. The blue sky turned to gray as clouds covered it. Leaves blew in the wind. Louise's teacher and fellow students covered their faces as thunder was heard, while Louise herself smiled in amazement as she watched the storm appear.

WHAKOOOOOM!

A brilliant beam of white light shone down on the ground before her, shaking the earth around like one of her explosions.

"BY THE FOUNDER!"

"WHAT IS GOING ON!?"

"HOW IS LOUISE DOING THIS!?"

As suddenly as it appeared before Louise, the beam of white light vanished, leaving behind a rune-like pattern burned into the ground… and someone standing in the center of it's design. No one said a word until Guiche breathed, "What…?" The figure that stood before Louise was a mysterious young man of average height, with a rather refined face framed by a short mess of fluffy jet black hair which sticks up at odd angles around his head. Half of his face is covered in black bandages, extending from the hairline to the cheekbones.

He is a rather muscular young man who is well-built for his age, despite having quite a thin frame. He wears a high collar sleeveless black shirt, black pants, and black cloth covering his left leg. He also wears a pauldron, and his chest is covered by two straps, held in place by a badge that was designed like so: 後見 ("Kōken", guardianship). His boots resembled an armored version of normal street shoes in shades black and silver. He wore a black, fingerless glove on his right hand and what appears to be a black gauntlet on his forearm, over the segmented armor, which also has small pieces of dark blue armor on it.

He wore a floor-length, black jacket with the bottom half detachable with straps and dark blue. The jacket also has it's right sleeve torn for the armor and a hood as well. He turned around and walked up to Louise, startling everyone who was convinced that he was blind. Louise just stared at his face with no visual of his eyes that the bandages hid. Louise, for some reason, felt spellbound by this mysterious stranger that she had summoned.

Enchanted by his very presence. Before anyone could say anything, the blind boy pulled Louise close and stole the young noble woman's first kiss. Louise's eyes grew wide as her rosy lips met with his soft ones. She tasted something salty… No… sweet! And he was holding her like something from her wildest dreams: strong arms held her as if she was the most beautiful and delicate rose in the world.

She felt as if she was going to melt right into his embrace. There was no else to her but the two of them. Only her and her Familiar… Familiar… Familiar…

Something was really wrong with this picture! Louise's eyes opened wide as she awoke from her dream-like trance and finally noticed that her Familiar had stopped kissing her.

Of course, the feeling was lingering on the starry-eyed noble's lips which was making her face so red, it was literally a shade that had yet to be discovered by man. She found herself unable to hear the laughter and mockery of her peers at her summon over the thunderous pounding of her raging heart. While Louise was trapped in her stunned silence, the class was laughing their collective butts off. It all started after the Familiar felt something burn into the skin of his left hand. Despite being 'blindfolded', he was still able to somehow look at his hand before Kirche stepped forward, laughing.

"Exactly what I would expect from someone who boasted like you did!" Kirche giggled, gaining the Familiar's attention. "To think you actually summon up a blind commoner in such an over-exaggerated display!" The Familiar didn't show it he was liking this girl's attitude and disrespect. Meanwhile, had stopped working, so nothing they were saying was getting her attention.

Like so:

"Louise the Zero!" A pudgy student exclaimed, "She always seems to live up to expectations!" Everyone started laughing hard until they started feeling an odd change in the weather. The Familiar stretched out his hand and suddenly, the wind started to pick up gradually. The blue sky turned to gray as clouds covered it.

Leaves blew in the wind. Colbert and his students covered their faces as thunder was heard, while Louise snapped out of her trance in amazement as she watched with horror her Familiar unleash his power. The Familiar boy then lowered his hands and opened his eyes as his powers settled. He looked around and finally spoke for the first time.

"Does anyone else have something snarky they'd like to say?" He asked, almost threatening.

"N-No way…!"

"Did he really just change the weather?"

"Power like that can only be conjured by two Triangle-Class Mage's!"

"Don't tell me that Commoner is a Square-Class Mage!"

"Are you kidding! Not even a Square-Class could summon such power by themselves!"

Thanks to the quick storm, Louise had snapped out of her trance only for to once again stop working. Her Familiar could do magic! And not just any kind of magic, he could do weather magic! This was sending Louise on a spiral of an emotional roller coaster. She was feeling all kinds of things right now: Joy that she summoned something, concern that she possibly 'kidnapped' another noble, pride that she summoned a powerful Familiar, and most of all, jealousy that her Familiar was better at magic than she was.

It just wasn't fair! And, of course, Kirche decided to point this out.

"Well, isn't that just sad!" Kirche mocked, "Louise summoned a Familiar that is better at magic than she is!" Louise gritted her teeth and lowered her head in shame and frustration as everyone laughed at her.

Professor Colbert was also getting angry with his students' disrespect of their young peer and such a sacred ceremony. And when he tried to silence them, they just continued to laugh. However, they finally stopped when they heard these words.

"Those who scorn you taunt only themselves," the Familiar said to Louise, silencing the other students. He then shocked everyone by surprising Louise by roughly lifting her straight by the collar of her shirt and cloak, and ordered, "You have no reason to keep your head down. Back straight, chin lifted, eyes forward. Understood?"

"… Y-Yes," Louise was barely able to say. Colbert coughed into his hand before he spoke and said, "Very well, the contract has been completed. The bond has been made." Colbert turned to the other students and finished, "And with that, the ritual is now complete. You may all return to your dormitories. Dismissed."

The professor turned on his heel and gently rose into the air, along with the rest of the class. Louise glared at the ground as some of the students mocked her for not being able to even cast a simple levitation spell. Suddenly, the Familiar picked up Louise as if she was his newly wed bride. The young noblewoman was now blushing, stuttering, "H-Hey! Wh-What are you doing?"

Her answer came in the form of wind swirling around them, gently lifting them into the air. Her eyes widened in surprise and remained that way as she realized that this was levitation, or at least not simple levitation. Her Familiar was somehow manipulating the very wind to push them off the ground. She looked at him and, through some form or means, he looked back at her. Louise was again entranced by the mystery that was his bandaged face, shrouding his eyes.

So engrossed was she, Louise failed to notice that they were now shooting off the earth higher into the heavens. Something about her new 'mage' Familiar, Louise could not explain it, made her feel safe. Then, she looked and quickly wrapped her delicate arms around the boy's while she let a squeak of surprise. The wind carried Louise and her Familiar over a sea of endless clouds with nothing but sunny blue skies around them. It was an incredible and breathtaking sight.

"Whoa…" Louise released a breath as she looked around at the beauty around her. "Wow…! Amazing!" Louise had never seen such a natural work of art and, because she could perfect her magic, she thought that she'd never would.

"I thought you would like the view," her Familiar said. This made Louise blush and docile as she looked away to hide her bashful expression.

"I… don't dislike it…" Louise said, trying her best to regain her composure and maintain her mother's 'Rule of Steel.'

The Familiar nodded and, perpetually emotionless, said, "I see. I'm glad." Louise looked up, eyes widening slightly before turning to her Familiar.

"Who are you?" She asked. He 'looked' at her and gave his answer.

.

"Saitō Hiraga. My name is Saitō Hiraga."

.

.

Evening

Tristain's Academy of Magic - Girl's Dorms

.

.

It had been a while since Louise and Saitō literally flew back down to the Academy and Louise was brushing her hair as she got ready for bed. Every so often, her eyes would wander to her Familiar who was sitting in the window sill, 'gazing' up at the moons. Louise finally decided to ask about it.

"How are you able to see with your eyes all bandaged up?" Louise asked. Saitō tilted his head a bit at the question.

Over the years, Saitō had come to hate giving long answers, but was more than willing to do so if the situation demanded it.

"I am blessed with the power to see everything that happens no matter how far and no matter how the conditions are, even with these bandages," he answered. Louise raised an eyebrow, a little skeptical of that, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's been nothing but nice to her after all.

"I see that you're having trouble believing me," he continued, causing Louise to look at him through the mirror of her vanity, eyes widening slightly at his words.

"It's fine, I understand. You and I have barely met, I don't expect you trust me just yet. Anyway, as for your question on how I knew what you were thinking," Louise almost fell from her chair at being, once again, called out on her thoughts, "my vision is not limited to just seeing everything that goes on. I can see the thoughts of anyone and everyone (King Kimi: Not to be confused with Telepathy.) and bypass time itself and can see the future and past. Like why everyone calls you Louise the Zero and how that all started."

Louise looked down, ceasing her brushing, and fell into solemn silence. Familiar already knew the truth, how she was a failure at magic. She felt her depression rising until…

"Louise the Zero - the wielder of the fifth element." After about three seconds, she realized what her Familiar was implying. Yeah, she tried all of the elements.

All of them… but one.

"EH!" With a squeak, Louise leapt backwards, only to find that gravity was cruel and unforgiving. Saitō turned to 'check' on his fallen master and asked, "You okay there?"

"Y-Y-You shouldn't be making jokes like that!" Louise scolded. Saitō tilted his head in response and asked, "Does it look like I'm joking?"

Louise nervously rubbed her head.

"Um… well… it's kind of hard to tell with the bandages on your face," she answered. Saitō sat on the sill, staring at the noble silently. He then turned back to the twin moons. One was blue and the other was pink.

It reminded Saitō of an ancient legend his family told… and of his sister.

"Think about it, mistress."

"Please don't call me that, it feels weird." Louise sweatdropped.

"You have already tried to use all four known elements but the fifth, Aether." Saitō said. "As such, deductive reasoning suggests that your element must be the fifth one."

Louise gave him a confused look as returned to her seat by the vanity.

"Aether? What's that?" Louise asked. "I've never heard of such an element?"

"According to ancient and medieval science, aether, also spelled æther or ether and also called quintessence, is the material that fills the region of the universe above the terrestrial sphere," he stood up. "The concept of aether was used in several theories to explain several natural phenomena, such as the traveling of light and gravity.

"In my birth language, Aether is translated to Kū or sora (空), most often translated as 'Void'," Louise's eyes widened at that word, "but also meaning 'sky' or 'heaven', represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness. Kū is of particular importance as the highest of the elements.

"In martial arts, particularly in fictional tales where the fighting discipline is blended with magic or the occult, one often invokes the power of the Void to connect to the quintessential creative energy of the world. A warrior properly attuned to the Void can sense their surroundings and act without using the mind, and without using their 'physical senses'." Louise gasped as she immediately thought of something, remembering the subject of Saitō's 'Absolute Sight' from earlier.

"Does that mean you possess the power of Void as well since you have that sight thingy?" Louise asked.

"No," he answered without hesitation.

"So fast!" Louise cried. "But I think I understand. This 'Aether' you speak of is your word for 'Void', right?" Saitō 'looked' at her for a few beats and nodded. "Okay, then. But honestly, what you are suggesting is blasphemous! If the church caught wind of it…"

"Louise," he said. "The aura around you isn't like the others here. I've only seen such power from one other person, and she possessed the power of the Aether, too. I can see what you are thinking Louise, but just because there hasn't been a 'Void' Mage since your founder doesn't mean that the Void cannot be found again. Think of it this way - why is it that out of everything you could have summoned, you summoned a human instead?" Louise turned away from her Familiar, her mind conflicted.

Saitō walked up behind her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. He then took off the gauntlet on his left hand and showed Louise his runes. She looked even more confused until he read what they translated to.

"Do these not read 'Gandálfr', Louise?" Saitō's question and Louise's eyes grew wide.

Gandálfr - the Left Hand of God! A legendary familiar with the ability to excel in the use of any object crafted as a weapon simply by touching it. The Gandálfr Familiar's duty to protect a Void Mage as they cast their spells. A Void Mage like Louise. Louise looked around a bit, as if she was afraid that someone else was in her room.

She then proceeded to restrap Saitō gauntlet to his left arm before looking up at him. With a stern look, she said, "We keep this a secret. Unless we can truly trust them, we tell no one, understand." Saitō 'stared' for a moment before nodding. Louise let out a sigh and went to her bed while Saitō watched her.

Then, Louise remembered something.

"Oh, um… Saitō, would you mind washing my clothes for me?" Louise pointed to the basket in the corner of the room. Saitō looked at Louise, and gave a nod, making her smile. Earlier, Saitō made it known to Louise that he was like Tabitha, only talking more when the situation required.

Other than that, he was actually a man of very few words, answering with yes, no, or I don't know. Not that Louise minded because now she could rival that unbearable Zerbst on equal…

Louise jumped out of bed and used her hand to bring Saitō to a halt. She was wearing a face of absolute bafflement at what she just saw, knowing that if she allowed Saitō out the room the way he was about to, people would look at him like he was crazy. Louise forced him around and took the laundry basket off his head.

"Hands," she forced him.

"Head," he returned the basket to the top of his noggin. Louise took it again and put it back in his, "Hands."

"Head," he replied, putting it back on his head. Louise repeated her previous process with another, "Hands."

Saitō stood there 'stair' for a minute before slowly returning the basket to his, "… Head." This was Louise's face when he did it again: 😖. She moved to grab the basket only for Saitō to grab her hand and force them to head, saying, "Head."

"Eh?" Louise squeaked. He moved her hands to her shoulders.

"Shoulders," he said.

"Huh?" Louise squeaked. He moved her hands to her knees.

"Knees."

"Uh?" Louise squeaked.

He moved her hands to her feet and said, "Toes." Silence. Nothing but silence for a beat before Saitō forced Louise to repeat the process, singing, " Head, shoulders, knees, and toes - knees and toes. "

'What is happening here!?' Louise cried from the inside. Louise immediately dropped to her hand and knew and began kowtowing. She begged, "Please, carry that basket like a normal person!

"I'm already laughing stock at the school, so I'm begging you… please don't make it worse!" Saitō 'stared' at his master for another moment.

"Okay," he dropped the basket to his hands and walked out the door. Louise stood up with streams of anguish on her face as she stumbled to bed, her head in pain.

Saitō was walking through the halls with his basket in hand. The Tristain Academy of Magic was built as six enormous towers in the shape of pentagon: one large central tower and five towers of smaller heights on the outerwall surrounding the main building with each having different color roof for each of the five elements with the central tower as the exception. The Academy was situated just before an impressive cliff's edge that overlooks the city across the sound. At the base of the cliffs, a docking bay is also available for water-going surface vessels, and a path from there leads upwards to the top of the cliff. At the entrance was a long, wide avenue leading up through the schools outerwalls to what appears to be the main academy buildings and their large, impressive main doorway, which opens up to a large amphitheater surrounded by a double ring of colonnades bisected by the main avenue with the outer ring rising high over the main entrance to the academy itself.

The avenue is marked with trees and flags and torches, as well as a number of impressive aqueduct-like features and archways. There was a large circular pond feature surrounded by a pathway and a garden of red trees. The main avenue is also referred to as the courtyard. The most prominent part of the academy buildings is a large tower. The tower was surmounted by a number of green spheres of lights.

Situated immediately below this was the Headmaster's office, which sat high above the clouds and afforded an impressive view of the surrounding area. Saitō walked into a hall where a couple of students appeared to be flirting with each other. One of them happened to be the blonde boy boy he saw earlier with the blonde girl. He was currently flirting with a girl with medium-length, chocolate brown hair and purple eyes. She wore the usual attire of the students, but wore a brown cloak in place of black.

Saitō simply decided to ignore them and carry on with his chore.

"You know that I have been told I am very good at baking souffles." The girl smiled at the blonde who held a rose in the air.

"I would love to have the chance to sample one of them." Guiche said. The girl gasped in the utmost happiness as she cried, "Do you really mean it?"

Guiche sparkled and said the most cliche line Saitō had ever heard. It was so bad, Saitō had to cringe a bit.

"Yes. Of course I do, Katie." Guiche answered. "Don't you know by now that I would never lie to you?"

"Oh, Lord Guiche!" The girl swooned while Saitō subtly continued to cringe at the conversation.

"There is absolutely nothing hidden behind my feelings for you." Guiche said to the lovestruck Katie. Saitō, on the other hand, dropped his basket, catching the attention of the two nobles. He then ran back over to the window by the stairs, opened them, and released what little food he had eaten that month.

"It's that mage that Louise summoned." Guiche said. Saitō was wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

"You mean the one from today's ritual?" Katie asked. "It caused quite the stir amongst the first year students, too." After wiping his mouth free of any remaining vomit, Saitō went to pick up Louise's laundry. But before he could take his leave, Guiche said, "Hold on."

"Hmm?" Saitō turned to Guiche.

"A Familiar troubling the hands of nobility," the noble closed his eyes, "and not even a word of thanks." From under his bandages, Saitō's eye twitched in well concealed annoyance. This guy was so full of himself, Saitō kind of already wanted to crotch punch this dude. However, he withheld the urge as he remembered someone saying something earlier. It was faint, but with his Absolute Hearing, it was clear as day.

The Familiar was an extension of the master. Which most likely meant that any action he took would be seen as the actions of Louise. So, Saitō 'stared' at the young Earth Mage before saying, "Thanks." He walked away and as he turned the corner, he barely uttered, "Pansy."

Walking down to the ground level of the academy, Saitō looked around for somewhere he could wash the clothing. He was walking around for a while until he spotted someone.

"Excuse me," he called. The person, a girl in a maid uniform, turned to look at him before smiling, "Yes?" Though he didn't show it, Saitō was glad that the maid seemed to be nice enough to help him. However, he 'blinked' as he took in her appearance.

Her short, black hair and blue eyes were sort of nostalgic to him. She looked a bit… Japanese.

"Um," the maid said. "Is everything alright?" Saitō lightly gasped a bit and shook him to snap out of his daze.

"Apologies," he answered. "I need to wash clothes. Could you help me?"

The maid smiled.

"Of course. I will show you so please follow me," she said as she began to walk away. They walked in silence for a few moments before the maid turned to him, "What's your name?"

"Saitō."

She looked at him for a moment, giving him a look over.

She then realized, "Oh, you must be the Familiar that Louise summoned." Saitō looked at her.

"How did you know?" Saitō asked.

"I work with most of the servants at the academy, and I didn't recognize you. Also, no servant is allowed to wear something like that when they work," she said as she pointed to his coat.

"… Yes, I am Louise's Familiar."

"That is rather unfortunate. I serve Louise every so often," she said as she giggled slightly. "I don't think I could do it."

"It's not so bad," he replied.

Saitō turned to the maid, "Your name?" The bubbly maid perked up. Saitō was already starting to notice the dichotomy between the servants and the 'nobles' around here, but was it really so rare for them to be just treated cordially?

"I'm Siesta. I work as a maid here," she said before smiling at him.

She said, "I have to say, all things considering, you seem to be taking the whole familiar thing very well."

"Kind of have another job that's similar." Saitō replied. Siesta and Saitō eventually reached the spot where clothing was supposed to be washed, though they continued to talk long after they reached their destination. Siesta explained all about the Tristain Academy of Magic, about Nobles and their ability to use magic. She also explained the role of commoners and their usual mistreatment from the nobles.

Saitō sat there and listened to her as they both cleaned the laundry, absorbing the information like a sponge. He didn't really say anything, just asked a few questions, which Siesta was more than happy to answer for him. She also shared a lot about herself as well.

"Thank you, Siesta." Saitō nodded at the maid as he put the last of the laundry in the basket.

"You're very welcome. Thank you for talking with me," she said before she paused with a confused look on her face. "Oh, no! I was talking so much about myself that I didn't even learn anything about you."

"I am not that interesting." Siesta gave a small, playful frown as she gently swatted his arm.

"Don't say that," the maid scolded. "I bet you have your fair share of stories. Oh, I have to go. I still have some things I need to take care of."

"Well, I don't want to keep you. I hope to see you around," Saitō said as he watched her smile at him before leaving.

He really enjoyed talking with her.

After he dropped off Louise's laundry, he sat on her bedside and watched her sleep, brushing her hair. Louise's room was a large one with white walls and the flooring was wooden. A little below midway up the walls was a thick brown border with gold edges. In a few places around the room are arch-shaped bookshelves attached to the walls. The room had gold sconces with blue teardrop beads hanging from them.

The entrance area was a step lower than the rest of the room and has a pair of brown armchairs with gold frames next to a wooden table with a gold frame. On the floor beneath this furniture set is an ornate off-white rug with borders of varying thicknesses in a pattern of gold, white, gold, pink, gold. Nearby was a fireplace, above which hung a mirror with gold curved, leafy designs on the black frame. Hanging to the left of the door was a thick white curtain pulled to the side by a lighter blue tie. In the back of the room was an enormous window with equally tall, thick white curtains pulled aside by black ties.

To the left side from the fireplace was the sleeping area. The king size four poster canopy bed where Louise slept sat perpendicular to the wall and was dressed with white fitted sheets and a yellow blanket with a pattern of rhombus shapes and black dots. At the head of the bed are three large, white pillows and one small, circular, light pink pillow. The bed frame is white with curved, leafy, silver decoration at the top on the footboard and the top of the headboard. The headboard has the same white rhombus-and-black-dots pattern as the blanket in its middle portion.

Back by the window was a wooden vanity that has a large, ovular mirror and two drawers with gold handles. On the floor, in front of it, was a small, off-white rug with white, ornate designs. Nearby was a small, circular stool with a golden metal frame and a light pink cushion. As Saitō watched his little master sleep, he thought about their conversation. True to his words earlier, Louise aura was like nothing anyone had ever seen, it's whit color making her shine like a star, her mana abundant.

It took him a while to realize that there would be many people in this world who could help Louise stop causing Aethreal Explosions. Saitō reached behind him for a phone-like device, which had an image of a radio tower, the symbol of Saitō's distress beacon. Of course, Saitō was really in distress but his master was. If he didn't get him someone to help her with her Aether/Void Magic… well, let's just say Louise could live up to her name: the power to reduce everything to zero. But for the meantime…

Saitō reached into his pocket and pulled out an amulet charm of some kind. It's design was Norse in origin, shaped like a tear with a lapiz lazuli in its core. Written along the edge of the jewel were Norse runes. He lifted Louise up gently and wrapped the amulet around Louise's neck, careful not to wake her. After that he pulled out a ring with a moonstone in the center, the inside engraved with celtic symbols.

He placed it on the ring finger of her left hand and recited a chant. The gems of the Amulet and the Ring glowed with radiant light before dying down. Suddenly, Saitō's holophone was heard vibrating. He took it back out from his pocket to 'see' 'ARCHE AETHERHART' calling. He stood up and went to 'look' out the window, seeing that the person he wanted to talk to had arrived, looking up at Louise's dorm with eyes of stone.

Arche Aetherhart had blonde hair and blue eyes with a face that possessed delicate features. Arche's hair was cut to a length barely reaching her shoulders. Compared to other beauties, her prettiness laid in the elegance category. She also gave the impression of a lifeless doll. A rather young, petite teenage girl of a slender build, Arche's aesthetic was ruined by her mask of stone.

Arche wore a blue trench coat with a white hood and a short blue skirt and high boots. On her hip was a beautiful ornate sword that glowed as it's blade was made of aether rather than metal. Behind Arche, waving flirtatiously, was a familiar and friendly face that belonged to Saitō's old friend, Epithymía Mávros. Epithymía, or Epi for short, is now a tall and slim grey-skinned young woman with an ample bust. She has mid-back length black hair with two shoulder-length strands of hair frame her face, with the left one starting from a prominent, high fringe.

Her hair is curly and her eyes that point slightly inwards, which seems to resemble a cat. Their sclera are black and their irises bright yellow with visibly long eyelashes. Epi possesses a very voluptuous figure, with large breasts and curvy hips, which, over time, steadily become more defined. Her face was painted in a beautiful, yet simple sugar skull make-up design. Being a tomboy, she wears sporty clothing consisting of a cropped gray double-breasted vest with a gray cropped undershirt, cutoff denim short shorts with black biker shorts underneath, long gray and black striped stockings, and black lace-up knee-high boots.

Epi also wears various unique accessories including burnt sienna gloves, three wallet chains attached to her shorts, and a belt with a crescent moon-shaped buckle. She finally completed her attire with a dark teal gatsby hat and a blue scarf hanging from her belt. The third and final arrival was Rook the Raccoon. Rook is a young, anthropomorphic raccoon with grey fur with white fur around his muzzle, and black fur around his eyes like a mask, the front torso, and striping his tail. He also has blue eyes, triangular ears with white canals and three locks of hair on his forehead.

He wore a long-sleeved white and black jacket, and matching work trousers with black pouches over his knees and tool belt to carry his engineering equipment. He wears a padded black gauntlet on his left arm, a pair of armor-plated black shoes and an ornate pair of goggles with teal lenses. Saitō opened the window and jumped out, performing a superhero landing in front of the two girls and raccoon.

"What. Happened?" Arche asked firmly. "You disappeared out of thin air! Everyone has been going crazy looking for you!"

"Barely been a day," he answered as he walked pass them. "Walk." The trio followed Saitō, Arche annoyed that he brushed them off like that.

"It doesn't matter," she said. "You just vanished through a green portal out of nowhere and everyone started to freak out! So. What. Happened?"

"I was summoned as a Familiar," Saitō answered, stopping Arche in her tracks, her face filled with shock and dumbfoundment.

"What?" Arche said dumbly. Epi laughed at his answer, amused.

"Interesting things always seemed to randomly happen to you, huh Sai?" Epi asked, her husky voice filled mystique. Saitō nodded in response and Arche ran a bit to catch up with the group.

"How do you summon a human or humanoid being as a Familiar?" Arche said, her frustrations all but forgotten, replaced with confusion. "Something like that has never happened before, at least that I'm aware of."

"Aether mage," said Saitō. After he spoke, Arche, Epi and Rook's eyes widen more and more.

They walked in silence before Rook finally asked, "What?" Saitō stopped walking as they arrived behind a building near the back of th outer wall. The house is a two-story building with a large brick chimney and red roof. He turned to face his companion and said, "Needed people I could trust."

"Now I see," said Arche. "You asked for specifically to help you with your master for some reason." Saitō nodded."

"You are Arche Aetherhart, the Phoenix of the Aether."

.

Arche Aetherhart

.

Formally known as Arche Eeb Rile Furt. After being killed by the Overlord Ainz Ooal Gown, she learned the hard way that she was a Nonknown that embodied palingenesis: the concept of rebirth or re-creation. Her other anomalies are Aether Manipulation, Life Embodiment, and Enhanced Power Replication, the last of which have given her the powers and abilites of her last four enemies: Ainz, Albedo, Aura Bella Fiore, and Shalltear Bloodfallen. This, among other reasons, has earned her the title the Phoenix of the Aether.

.

.

Epi spoke up and said, "Arche does make sense in a way. But why did you need me and Rook here. Hard to see how we could be of any use."

"Wouldn't volunteer to help me," he emphasized on the last word, knowing her feelings for him. Epi chuckled and replied, "You're right. I totally would."

.

Epithymía Mávros

.

She and Saitō have been together ever since the attack on Kyōi which happened when they were both very young. She is a Nonknown of undead descent with the power to grant any wishes of others or herself without any limitations and transform her body completely into darkness. At some point during this time, Epithymía began to develop feelings for Saitō but is quick to dismiss any idea of them being "together-together".

.

.

Epi giggled at her own answer cooly as Saitō turned to Rook and said, "As for you, your Hypercognition will come in handy." This made Rook bashful, who nervously rubbed her head.

"W-Well, it won't be as handy as your Absolute Sight and Hearing, Saitō," he said. Saitō bent to one knee and rested a hand on Rook's shoulder.

"Don't cut yourself short," he told the Raccoon. "There is no one I trust more for this job than you, old friend.

.

Rook the Raccoon

.

A gentle and sweet-natured soul, Rook - a Nonknown Anthropomorh of Raccon descent - was initially timid and lacked courage. After meeting Saitō, however, Rook has become more confident, eventually growing into a more outgoing, brave, independent individual and a hero in his own right. Since encountering Saitō, Rook has looked up to him and stood by his side, helping him whenever he can during their adventures. His anomalies are the ability to grant an enhanced physical condition to oneself or others, gaining access from an outside supernatural source; and The user can instinctively or with little effort perform complex mental operations that are beyond the capability of a normal human mind, making their mental actions/process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and the senses more powerful than an average person.

.

.

"Thanks, Saitō!" Rook chirped with newly found courage. "I won't let you down." Arche turned to the dorm tower where they found Saitō. So, his master was an aethreal mage, huh? But why did he need her. Was there something wrong with his Master or something wrong with them or something?

"Explosions. School sees her as a failure," Saitō saw her thoughts and answered. Arche deadpanned in response.

"Thank you, Saitō," she said. "But, next time, please wait for me to asked the question instead of invading my privacy."

"So, you'll help?"

Arche stared for several beats before sighing, "Yes, I will help. However, I have a condition." He looked at her. "We invite this school and everyone affiliated with it to Atsumaru when Granny gives the word." There's another beat of silence before Saitō held his hand out to shake with Arche's.

As for Arche herself, she stood still for a moment, staring at the Hero in front of her, but then offers her own hand out and shakes it with Saitō, sealing the deal. However, unknown to the Nonknowns, a certain blue-haired mage was watching them from the back of a blue dragon.

.

"Interesting,"

.

.

- Next Time -

Chapter II

Of Commoners and Nobles

.

AN: I'd like to thank Putain de Plagieur, Lord Metallex, and Neptunia56. Without them, I don't think I could finish the story.

When it comes to dialogue, it's like trying to have a conversation with myself. So I'd like to give a shout out and credit to my two favorite co writers.

I'd like to also give a shout out to foxchick1, PEJP BengtZone V2, Grey Wolf4, Angron, DewElr, DanganBullshit, Blue trooper, Perseus12, Sai55, ZarcMagician, RyuujiVantek, Nemesis Lyonner, and Readkos for their continued Support. Remember, this Shared Fanfiction universe is for fun. Thank you and don't forget to review. Feel free to ask any questions.

This is a Saitō x Harem fanfiction, with Louise and Nobuna as head honchos. Behold! Saito's unwanted harem (Aphrodite's Curse).

Sengoku

01. Oda Nobuna

02. Akechi Mitsuhide / Jūbei

03. Shibata Katsuie / Riku

04. Niwa Nagahide / Manchiyo

05. Matsunaga Hisahide / Danjō

06. Hachisuka Goemon

07. Maeda Toshiie / Inuchiyo

08. Takenaka Hanbē

09. Nene

10. Ikeda Tsuneoki

11. Sassa Narimasa

12. Takigawa Kazumasu

13. Kuki Yoshitaka

14. Kuroda Kanbē

15. Yamanaka Shikanosuke

16. Gamō Ujisato

17. Matsudaira Motoyasu

18. Imagawa Yoshimoto

19. Bontenmaru

20. Katakura Kojurō

22. Louise Frois

23. Giovanna L'Ortese

24. Magara Naotak

25. Magara Naozumi

26. Takeda Shingen

27. Takeda Katsuyori

28. Uesugi Kenshin

29. Uesugi Kagekatsu

30. Hōjō Ujiyasu

31. Kennyo

32. Kyonya

33. Saika Magoichi

34. Manmi Senchiyo

35. Ashikaga Yoshiaki

36. Ukita Hideie

37. Konishi Yukinaga

38. Kobayakawa Takakage

39. Kikkawa Motoharu

40. Himiko

Halkeginia

01. Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière

02. Charlotte Helene Orléans de Gallia / Tabitha

03. Tiffania Westwood

04. Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst

05. Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency

06. Siesta

07. Jessica

08. Matilda of Sachsen-Gotha / Fouquet / Miss Longueville

09. Henrietta de Tristain

10. Agnès Chevalier de Milan

11. Karin Désirée de la Vallière (Louise Vallière's mother)

12. Eléonore de La Vallière

13. Cattleya de La Fontaine

14. Luctiana

15. Illococoo / Sylphid

Nonknown

01. Epithymía Mávros (OC)

See ya later, Storytellers!