Are you talking to me?...

For the next two days, everything seems peaceful. Raizen accompanies Louise to her lectures while meditating in class. This lead to Louise not being bullied in class anymore. After the day, Raizen teaches Louise how to control her power.

Flashback after the fight

Louise is currently eating the omelette made by Raizen in her room while looking at him meditating on the side.

Louise: "Raizen, who are you really, and how strong are you? Are you the reincarnation of Brimir?

R: *open his eyes while still being covered by the mask* "First of all, I am not Brimir. Even if he reincarnates, he will not be strong as me. As for how strong I am... *walks to Louise and puts his right hand to her left shoulder.* I will show you"

After he said that, they disappeared from Louise's room and appeared in an open field far away from the academy. Louise was shocked because one second they were in her room but the next they were on a grass field. She then looks at her "familiar" to gain some answers.

R: *taking off his mask but this time his charm has no effect on Louise* "As per the definition of your text in a book about familiars. Yes, I'm still your familiar, no question about it. I just can't call you master unless necessary. It's just that familiars who are humanoid or have higher intelligence than a beast will retain their freedom to some extent like having an argument with their master but in the end, they will follow orders. One of my abilities is to read minds but I tend to not use it because I still respect privacy but if your an enemy then no mercy."

Louise:.….

R: "You can guess my abilities and I could probably do it including shapeshifting"

Raizen then turns to a dragon several times larger than Tabitha's familiar. Louise was in awe. She jumps up and down out of happiness because she really did manage to summon a strong familiar.

Raizen then turns back to his original form and continues in his lectures.

R: *looking at Louise* "Well I'm glad that you are happy but let's get down to the real reason why we are really here."

Louise stops her actions but keeps her smile.

R: "Anyway, even if you manage to have summoned me, there is a possibility that you could have really summoned a different person, a noble, or might be an elf. The one thing that they will have in common is that when you made the contract complete, they will gain this rune. *showing the rune in his left hand* The rune is read as Gandalfr - or the left hand of god"

Louise: "God!?"

R: "Not really, it's just that the people before view it as such because the power they possess is outside of the one you know. For example, the one I have let me a master of weapons. As long as I touch is a weapon then I can understand how to use it to its full extent. I don't know about the other runes unless I saw them personally them."

Louise: "So how do I fit into all of this?"

R: "That is a right question. In the past, only selected people can summon these brave souls that will manifest these runes of god that might bring peace or destruction to the world.

I was listening to the meeting of professor Colbert and principal Osmond when discussing my runes.

The people who can summon these special familiars were called void mages and most of the time they will gain a separate power different from the elements."

Louise was stunned with the revelation but let Raizen continue his explanation.

R: "As you might have guessed, you are one of these void mages you were able to summon a humanoid, which is the type most summoned by your kin all the time, and got lucky that you have summoned me. The strength of the familiar is based on the mana capacity of the void mage. To why I said that you were lucky is because, without some of my abilities acting as a shield and cushion for my massive power, you could have died.

Louise almost fainted but pull herself together at the last second with the help of Raizen. When she regains her bearing she finally talks about the information.

L: "I get that I am a void mage and you being my familiar, but how is it connected to me not being able to use proper magic?"

Raizen showed him a simple bubble maker.

L: "What is that?"

R: "A bubble maker. Let's pretend that... *blowing and creating bubbles* a bubble is a successful spell and magic is the air inside it, what would happen if too much air was put on it?"

L: ...."It explodes before the spell was formed."

R: "Correct, for some void mages, they can still do common spells up to hexagonal. In your world, magic is fueled by willpower which is only a part correct but in your case. Your body can not release the massive magic as intended for common spells so you either get the right spells to use or....train to control the magic inside your body."

L: "Wait, so you meant to say is that I have a lot of magic energy inside my body but it can't handle the amount which leads to the explosions and I would need proper spells to use magic?"

R: "So you understand, well that's the summary of it."

L: "What about the training? What do I need to do to move forward? Please help me... *trying to hold back her tears*

R: *pat the head of Louise* "That is why we're here, to train you. To be honest, it would take years of continuous training just to control your power but we can shorten it."

L: "How?"

R: "By this..." *pulling out two massive rocks that were more or less six feet high* you will put your magic energy into these rocks and not destroy them. Your goal is this..." *puts his hand to one rock and pushed his energy into it and turn it into dust*

L: "I thought I don't have to break it?"

R: "Yes, but did you see that the stone turn into dust rather than shattering it into different pieces? That is the kind of level of control I wanted you to have to be able to use common to complex spells. You already have the power, all you need is control. We will start with big stones to small ones. Then making shapes and lastly figurines. The last part will make you money depending on how good you are. At the academy, if you are not doing something, try to levitate a rock without using a wand. Wands are used to focusing magic energy and designated spell, if your control is high enough, you would not need to use it anymore."

After listening to the explanation of Raizen, Louise started pouring her energy into the rock but as expected, it just shattered and crumble down. Raizen prevented any harm done to her and told her that his first choice was to use the trees around but the kingdom might get suspicious for the loss of the massive amount of trees near the academy so the stones that he has will be the replacement.

Back to the current time after Louise was done with her practice and is in her room.

R: *caressing Louise's hair before she sleeps* "You will get there someday and be able to do common to complex spells in a heartbeat."

Louise then closes her eyes and falls asleep. Raizen has been patting the head of Louise a few times already whenever she was feeling down or needs encouragement. He is also helping her understand how her power works and how to control it properly. They have only been doing it for two days now but it felt like longer than that with how Louise is determined to finish her training before the end of her third year in the academy.

The next day, Raizen stops the stone training and gave Louise a stress ball. He said that it will help her in feeling her energy and molding it in her hand. She needs to remember the feeling of molding something and try to mold the magic energy inside her whenever she is using the stones for training. Also, this day is Void day based on the talks from the other students so she needs to not focus on training and the stress ball will help relieve some of her burdens and strengthen her arms even though it is small.

R: "Do you know where swords are sold? I want to see the quality of blacksmiths in this world for I am also a blacksmith."

L: "There is a town near hear but it would take a third of an hour to get there by horse."

R: "Good, I will not use my teleportation this time to get there. We will use the time for your training with the stress ball."

{an: Raizen already tell Louise some of the abilities that he often uses}

They were on their way towards the town when Kirche notice them outside her window. She then proceeds to bother Tabitha's reading time to follow Louise and her familiar. She and Tabitha already spot the two riding on a horse when they notice the hand of the familiar of Louise suddenly raised and now Sylphid, familiar of Tabitha, is chewing on something and slowly descending.

Kirche: "What happened to your familiar?" *looks at Tabitha*

Tabitha: *looking at Sylphid* She is eating food but it's not poisoned. I can only guess that Raizen, Louise's familiar, manages to detect us and throws food at Sylphid to distract us. From the way she is chewing, we will be stuck here for a few minutes before she gulps down the food. She only does this if the food is really delicious.

Kirche: "He knows that we were following them? How was that possible? We were high up in the sky, he did not even look up."

Tabitha: "I do not know either" *being curious about Raizen while looking at Sylphid*

One hour later, Raizen and Louise are now in front of the sword shop that she knows. They went in and directly told the owner that they only have 100 gold left and ask if there is a sword worth of it.

The owner showed them the sleeping Derflinger and directly bought it, no question ask. The owner was surprised that they bought the sword quickly. If he have known earlier, he would have increased that junk sword's price. Now a new customer walks in and he will try to sell the germanian sword that he got this week for a high price.

Back at the academy in Louise's room.

Kirche and Tabitha came to give Raizen the Germanian sword. When they entered, they were surprised that Louise did not throw her usual tantrum whenever Kirche is around and just concentrating on the ball she is currently holding in her bed.

Tabitha: "Weird..." *looking at Louise*

Kirche: "If even Tabitha is saying it then it really is weird"

R: "There is nothing weird to what she is doing. Something to at least improve herself. And I'm not telling you what she is doing."

Tabitha was about to ask that but it seems that Raizen already knew that they will be curious.

Kirche: "Anyway, I came here with Tabitha to give you this germanian sword. As a sign of love for you."

R: "Are you really giving me an ornamental sword that is not even forged properly?

Kirche: "But the shopkeeper said..."

R: "He is a merchant, he will tell you what you needed to hear. Besides, I think that not even your Germanian military would want this. As for it being your sign of love."

Raizen then takes the sword and breaks it in half while only using two fingers.

R: "Your love is fragile. I will take the sword and compensate you on a later date and if you're wondering if I will run then your wrong. Louise will still be in the academy for less than two years and I will be with her. You probably just got the sword for a low price even when that shopkeeper wants to sell it for a few thousand of gold."

Raizen is facing his covered face towards Kirche who is having a hard time making a straight face the look at Tabitha who just looks sideways.

R: "Anyway, I appreciate the gesture but if you two don't have anything else for me or Louise. You need to return to your rooms and rest."

Tabitha: "I have a question, how can you still see us with your mask?"

R: "hmm... I'll show you..."

Raizen took off his mask to give Tabitha a try on what he sees.

Kirche: "KYAAAAA!!"

R: *facepalms and remember what she seeing right now* "Can you be quiet!?"

Kirche: "Sorry about that, not often do I see a very scary faceless head. Why do you even have that?"

R: "Secondary mask. This academy has floating eyeballs, a dragon, and a big mole but seeing a head without a face get to you? You need to get out more. There were even stories in your library that tell about that. Anyway, here... *give the mask to Tabitha* try this on and you will see."

Tabitha accepts the mask and scans it for any holes and runes engraved on it. Other than the paint in the front, there is nothing unusual to the mask. She then put on the mask and was amazed at what she sees.

R: "How is it?"

Tabitha: "Impressive. As if I'm not wearing a mask at all. If not for the weight on my face then I would not know that I have one."

Kirche: "Can I try it?" *looking at Raizen that gave his approval*

Tabitha then gives the mask to Kirche to try. Kirche was also amazed and ask if the mask was for sale but Raizen just told her that he only got one mask and it's one of the first that he made so it has some sentimental value and even if he has more. He will not sell it just for a price. Kirche keeps making deals that it lead to the awakening of something.

??: "Can you be quiet!?"

Kirche looks at Raizen asking if he is the one who said that.

Tabitha: "The sword. It talked."

R: "Right, almost forgot about that. *picking up the rusty sword* A soul in a sword. You are either crafted by the finest blacksmith or the accumulated will of your users."

??: "Both. I don't know exactly how long it was after my creation but I can tell that it's already a few thousands of years ago. I can also remember that the blacksmith called me Derflinger."

R: "Nice... You got lucky to be named like that. From where I came from, your name is similar to the name of a warship. The only difference is, you survive longer than it."

Derf: "Knowing that, gives pride to my name."

R: *looking at the two girls* "Anyway ladies, you should really go back to your room. Tomorrow will be your regular class."

The two walked out of the room and Louise collapsed to her bed because of exhaustion.

R: "Good job with your concentrating on the ball. I was really sure that you would berate Kirche when she became pushy."

L: "I can't believe it too that I last for that long. I just kept repeating to myself that she is not important and I want to change myself for the better."

R: "Well, that is good. Tomorrow will only do light training and some self-defense in case you don't have your wand with you, are not fast enough to cast your spells, or are in tight spaces. *used his power to relieve the fatigue of Louise* You should rest.

L: "Thank you"

A few days later. Life in the academy is relatively normal. Raizen was either in the kitchen talking to the cooks, helping Siesta and the other servants with what they were doing. Being followed and talk to by either Kirche or Tabitha. Sometimes just talk to Derf just to pass time.

Raizen then notices an imperial messenger coming to the academy and goes to the office of the principal. The message came from the princess that a thief, "Sand Fouquet", struck multiple nobles already. When the messenger was about to leave, he notice Siesta doing her work then he got back to the office of Osmond to tell the principal what he wants.

Raizen wants to stop this event but he got a different idea.

The next day, Raizen asked the head chef where is Siesta and he told him that she quit and now serving Count Mott. He now just have to wait for everybody else to sleep.

At night, Raizen told Louise that he will be gone for the night. She just nodded and said "be careful" then goes to sleep. These last few days were hard for her. She can already make the initial spell stable but it still explodes. She was really happy with the result that I baked her a cake for celebrating her improvement.

He then proceeds to go to Kirche's room. He knocks on the door and Kirche opens it. From the way she look, she was just starting to get undressed.

R: "Sorry about that, can I still have the heirloom that you want to give the other day?"

Kirche: "So you decided to leave Louise and come to me for a hot night?"

R: "Huh. No. Listen, if you give me the heirloom, I can either replace it with something better or you can have any favor coming from me that you can use as long as it does not come conflict with my morals."

Kirche: "...hmm, I will take the favor and will think hard enough to what you would do for me."

Kirche then gives Raizen her "family heirloom". He already knows what is inside so he did not bother asking. After he was far from the academy, he teleported to the front of the place of Count Mott. The guards notice him and walk up to him in a hurry.

G1: "Who are you!? Why do you have a mask?!"

R: "I'm a plebeian that has a connection to one of the Zerbst people. Tell that the message that I have has something to do with an heirloom. This is for his eyes to see only. As for why I have a mask, my right eye was taken and my face was disfigured. Just tell the Count what I said and I will stand here until he gives a reply. If I'm an assassin, either you guys would already be dead or the count would be dead without you guys knowing. Me, standing here with the other guards is your reassurance."

The guards talked to each other for a minute then one of them informed the Count. Two minutes later, the guard return and told Raizen to follow him. Another guard was following them for safety.

Now they are in the mansion. They lead Raizen to the Count's receiving area for messengers. When they arrived, Raizen sees Siesta serving the Count with tea. He was holding back to not punch Mott in the face and destroy the mansion because the Count keep ogling the chest area of Siesta.

Mott: "So this is the plebeian that wants to see me. What do you want?"

R: "I want Siesta to return to the academy."

Mott: "How will you accomplish that?"

R: "Like what I told you, I have a connection with a Zerbst. *showing and giving the heirloom with a key to the Count* You can open it if you want, so you can see if it's authentic or not."

Mott then opens the heirloom and sees that it's the real item.

R: "So about Siesta..."

Mott: "You can have Siesta back"

Siesta, who was listening at the side, can't believe what she was hearing. She can return to the academy because of Raizen. She was then told to get her stuff before they leave.

R: "You know Count Mott, I was hoping for a little more arrogance coming from you because you are a noble."

Mott: "You just lucky plebeian that I am in a good mood today or I might feed your corpse to my dogs."

R: "Heh! That would not happen. You do not have the ability."

Mott: *close the porn book and look at Raizen while his anger is clearly shown on his face* "Do tell why a mage like me can not kill a plebeian like you, I really want to see where your arrogance comes from."

Instead of talking, Raizen gestured his hand with a choking hold to the neck of Mott and lift him a few feet above the ground. The guards who are in the room try to help Mott but suddenly collapse before making a step.

While being lifted in the air, Mott can feel that something is burning in his right neck. After a few seconds, Raizen released him and now gasping for air. Raizen then walked up to Mott that made the Count move away but the time he blink and keep moving he notice that the person disappears. Mott then looks around and finally saw Raizen looking outside the window. Mott tried to use his magic with his wand but he could not control the water from the vase that is in the room.

Mott: *looking at Raizen* "What did you do to me!? Why can't I use my magic!? I thought you were just a plebeian!"

R: *still looking outside the window* "I took away your ability for the moment. I could even take it away permanently."

Mott: "No please don't..." *kneeling and begging*

R: "And I'm not a plebeian nor a noble. I'm just someone you don't want to mess with. *look at the kneeling Mott* I made a mark on your neck. If you try to abuse your authority again to oppress any living thing...*disappears near the window and reappear in front of Mott and lifted him in the air* I will know."

Raizen then gestures to the couch. At the same time, Mott was thrown over to it. Mott who is scared for his life huddle to the spot and keep quiet.

R: "After me and Siesta get away from your territory, then you will be able to use your magic again."

Raizen then left the count in his current state and meet Siesta halfway in the corridor. Outside Mott's mansion, Siesta was looking for the horse that Raizen used to get here but she did not see any.

Siesta: "You did not bring a horse? How did you get here?"

Raizen just smiles at her and made her fall asleep. He caught her in a princess carry and teleported back to her room in the academy.

In the morning, Count Mott came back to the academy but quickly left. Base on the stories from the other servants, he did not like Siesta so he was returning her to the academy.

Kirche has an idea of what had happened last night just with why Raizen wants her heirloom and the counts "collection" of books. In the end, she did not continue thinking about it because she still can decide what will Raizen would do for her.