Chapter 2
"I ask you…"
"Are you my master?"
The courtyard was filled with silence, everyone too stunned to say anything as their gaze fell upon the mysterious stranger.
Louise's jaw dropped at the goddess like beauty in front of her, whose voice was so gentle it seemed to tickle her ear.
"W-Who?" Was the only word Louise managed to say.
"Ah, introductions are in order." The woman said, before bowing once more. "My name is Merlin, the Mage of Flowers, and… your guide to the ever-distant paradise." The one named Merlin was the only thing that filled Louise's vision, with a bright light behind the figure and rose petals flying around them, making an absolutely cinematic scene from Louise's perspective.
But for some of the students who were watching this scene.
"What's up with this light? And where did these flower petals and wind come from?" Someone asked out loud, but an exaggerated blonde-haired man already knew. After all, he does the exact same thing! How could he not recognize such a technique to make yourself look cool and handsome!
But the more he looked, the more he couldn't help but see that this person's technique was better than his! Far better! It wasn't even a competition, everything about her technique was just so natural that his own looked like a fraud. From his pocket, he took out a handkerchief that belonged to a girl that confessed to him earlier this morning and started writing down everything he observed in an effort to improve his own techniques!
Everyone else's focus was on something far more serious. The fact that this summoned person carried a staff meant they were a mage, and only nobles were able to be mages…
"A noble?" A student whispered in the crowd.
"No way… did she summon a noblewoman?"
"Isn't that really bad? What if they're from some big house? That staff and clothes don't look like something a standard noble would wear or afford…"
The students kept whispering amongst one another, gossiping about this potential international political issue if this mage was from another country.
When Louise finally racked her mind together, she too came to this realization. Her eyes widened, her face full of worry about the problems it could bring to her family, country, and most of all, her best friend the princess.
Merlin who had been listening closely to the whispers around her quickly grasped the situation. Mages were most likely seen as political and military assets of a country.
Similar to how no god would want a member of their familia to be stolen by another god. No ruler would want their asset to be stolen by another. And in this situation, they believe that Louise had just unintentionally kidnapped a mage from another nation.
Merlin couldn't help but giggle to herself.
This would have been true if she belonged to any country or familia, but she didn't. She no longer served in Arthur's court, nor did she ever join a familia. She was nothing more than a wanderer seeking anything interesting that could entertain her.
And now, a new object of interest had just summoned her.
Professor Colbert stepped forward after judging that the situation had turned serious. Summoning a noble was already a big problem, he wouldn't let this situation spiral into a political disaster.
He stopped a respectful distance away and bowed slightly. "Forgive me for my interruption madam, I am Jean Colbert, a professor of this academy."
Merlin turned to him and offered a slight bow in return. "And I am Merlin, though if you wish, you may formally address me as Lady Avalon."
"And before you speak, I am here of my own volition. So you don't need to worry about any political issues, I belong to no flag nor nation." She stated, offering no chance for him to speak as she turned back to the pink-haired girl still staring at her.
"Hehe, if you stare that much master, you're gonna make me blush." Merlin hugged herself and started wiggling her body in a strange almost lewd manner while giggling to herself.
Louise, who was about to look away after getting embarrassed from staring, was now looking at Merlin with a different emotion. 'Did I summon a weirdo?'
Calming down, she locked eyes with Louise. "Master, I've already introduced myself, you know. It's unbecoming of a noble lady to not introduce yourself back."
"Ah!" Louise's face turned red from being called out. She had been so caught up in this unexpected situation that she had forgotten to even give her name to the one she summoned. "My name is Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere."
'What the hell is up with this long name? Who granted your family such a name, or did someone just think it sounded cool and decided to roll with such a name?'
"I-I'm sorry…" Louise suddenly blurted out.
"Hm? What for?"
"I-I didn't mean to summon someone like you! I thought I'd get a dragon or something! Not... a noble…"
Merlin leaned slightly closer, her tone playful. "Oh? Disappointed? But I understand, I would also prefer a cool looking dragon as my familiar."
Louise's eyes widened. "Wha-? No! I mean- That's not the point!" She then turned to Professor Colber. "Professor Colbert. Can I try summoning again?"
"I can't allow that."
"Why?!"
Colbert began to explain. "This ritual is a sacred one that decides the mage's entire life. Trying a second time is blasphemy against the ritual itself. Whether you like it or not…" He then turned to Merlin, he steeled himself for his next words. "Lady Avalon has been chosen as your familiar."
Merlin meanwhile, watched with a smile on her face, clearly entertained.
"B-But-"
"I will not allow any exceptions, noble or not. Continue on with the ritual, if not, you will be expelled."
Louise wanted to argue more but gave up and resigned herself. She let out a sigh, "all right…"
She then turned to Merlin and walked up to her. Merlin was curious about what would happen next.
She shyly tapped her wand on Merlin's forehead. "Pentagon that rules the five powers, bless this individual, and make her my familiar."
Louise raised her hands gently and took Merlin's face. And Merlin sensing what was gonna happen next, kneeled down. Louise's face was beet red as she readied herself.
Their lips connected and held for a few seconds before Louise pulled away.
"Ara, what a bold master I have."
Louise turned away, the Professor walked up and announced. "It seems the Contract has been established peacefully."
Merlin then felt a sudden heat enter her body. "Oh, what's this?" She raised her left hand to inspect it. Glowing runes appeared on her hand in a language she was not familiar with.
"It's the rune of the familiar being burned onto you." Louise informed, then suddenly the symbol upon her own hand that appeared when she began summoning Merlin also began to glow.
Colbert recoiled, eyes wide. "What... in the Founder's name...?!"
Louise stared at her hand in disbelief. "Wh-What is this?!" She had seen the symbol earlier, but didn't have time to truly inspect it, and with Merlin's summoning, she also forgot about it momentarily.
Merlin gently took her hand and traced the marks with a fingertip. "Command Seals. A pact that binds us as master and servant. You now have three orders you may give me... and I must obey, no matter what. But once all command seals are used, our contract is over."
Colbert looked pale. "I've never read anything like this..."
"I can explain more, Master, but I believe we should move to a more private setting, unless you're the type to prefer an audience. I personally don't mind having an audience." Her eyes seemed to glow briefly before returning to normal. Louise couldn't help but feel that Merlin was hinting at something that she shouldn't and wouldn't want to know.