Zero no Tsukaima - Volume 5 - Chapter 2.1

Story 2: The Encounter with the Flame and the Friendship with the Wind

Chapter 1

Well, this was the Tristain Magic Academy. The summer vacation had just started and in the dorm, two nobles were killing time. 

They were Kirche the “Ardent” and Tabitha the “Snowstorm”. Kirche was laying lazily on Tabitha’s bed in a very immodest pose. She had undone all her shirt buttons and was fanning her large chest with her hand. Kirche did like the heat but could not stand warmth. 

She was not able to control the boiling heat in the sun-baked room. 

“Hey Tabitha, would you mind making some wind for me?” 

Tabitha waved her staff without looking up from her book. 

“Give me a cold one. One that will cool me to the bone, just like your second name.” 

As expected, there was some ice mixed in the wind. The snowy wind immediately cooled Kirche’s body. 

“Ahh- that feels good.” 

Drinking in Tabitha’s cool wind, Kirche finally took off her shirt. She crossed her legs in a manner that would never be seen by any of her dozen of male friends that worshipped her like a goddess. 

She gazed at Tabitha who was reading her book the whole time. Tabitha did not shed a single drop of sweat, as she was completely immersed in her book. “Maybe her second name ‘Snowstorm’ cools her body as well as her mind,” Kirche murmured. 

“Hey ‘Snowstorm’? You really like to read books don’t you? Just like a Protestant. Could that be the popular Protestant book about the ‘The Practical Doctrine’?” 

“The Practical Doctrine” was a book that the Protestant sect of religion recited by following the interpretation of the book “The Founder’s Prayer Book," that recorded the great deeds and teachings of the Founder, Brimir. 

Although every version of “The Founder’s Prayer Book” claimed to be the “original,” their contents were slightly different. Furthermore, there were theories that “The Founder’s Prayer Book” was written hundreds of years after the fall of the Founder Brimir. “The Founder’s Prayer Book” that had been passed down through the Tristain royal family didn’t even have words in it. Therefore, many theologians interpreted it in such a sketchy way so that it would improve the political powers of the Halkeginia’s churches and themselves. The main body practitioners of the “Practical Doctrine” started in the religious center of the country Romania and was built of commoners who wanted to reform the corrupted churches that exploited people. This soon became an international circumstance. It spread out from commoners and farmers, they stripped power and land from the monks and priests, but no one knew for sure if their practices and interpretation were right. The only one that could possibly answer that was the Founder Brimir himself. 

Tabitha closed her book and showed Kirche the title. It wasn’t a religious book, but an ancient magical research book. 

“Just reading,” said Tabitha. 

“I know. In any case there is no way you're a Protestant. Ahh, it’s really hot today. REALLY hot. That’s why I invited you to go to Germania with me. It’s much cooler there.” 

Tabitha reopened her book and continued reading. Kirche, who knew the situation of Tabitha’s family, decided to invite her to the Zerbst House, but Tabitha would not agree to come. With no other choice, Kirche decided to keep Tabitha company in the Magic Academy. 

She couldn’t stand to leave Tabitha alone. 

“We're probably the only ones who would remain in this kind of sauna.” 

Kirche thought about having a water bath in the courtyard. Since all the students and teachers had left and gone back to their homes, there shouldn’t be any danger of peeping Toms. 

But then… 

A scream was heard from the floor below. 

Kirche and Tabitha exchanged a quick glance. 

Kirche quickly put on her shirt and jumped out of the room with her wand. Tabitha soon followed behind her. 

In a room a floor below, another pair of students were in the middle of a quarrel. 

“What were you thinking?!” 

“Um, I’m… I thought it was hot, and I was trying to help you!” 

The clamor was between Guiche and Montmorency. Why haven't this pair left the dorm for summer vacation? 

“I see, so that was your purpose! ‘Let's make potions together,' my butt! I shouldn’t have listened to your cajolery about being able to make any Forbidden Potions I want. Just what were you trying to do?” 

“That was my objective! I'm not lying!” 

“You're having weird thoughts because no one is around, right? Sorry, but I’m not gonna give you one finger until I’m married!” 

Guiche shook his head. 

“Don’t come any closer!” 

“I’ll swear, I’ll give you my word.” 

Guiche put his hands on his chest. 

“I swear in the presence of the Founder and God that I, Guiche de Gramont, did not unbutton the sleeping Montmorency because of any bad intentions, but I really thought you looked feverish. You were sweating profusely so I was worried you were going to be steamed to death.” 

“Really?” 

Montmorency regarded him with a doubtful look. 

“Swear to God.” 

Guiche answered solemnly. 

“…not gonna do anything weird?” 

“No, not even gonna think about it.” 

After Montmorency thought for a moment, she raised her skirt and flashed her panties. Since Guiche jumped at her in an instant, she screamed out loud. 

“Dear God! A liar! He’s a liar!” 

“White! White! It was really white!” 

“No! Stop! Please stop!” 

After they fooled around for a while, the door opened with a bang. Kirche and Tabitha came in and their eyes met Montmorency’s eyes, who was just pushed onto a bed by Guiche. 

“…oh, you were just about to do it,” sighed Kirche. 

Guiche, who suddenly became serious, stood up and said in a very dignified way, “Oh, I was just… straightening the wrinkles in Montmorency’s shirt.” 

“By pushing her onto a bed?” Kirche asked with a scoff. 

“Straightening the wrinkles,” Guiche repeated himself. 

Montmorency said in a cold tone, “Quit it already. That’s all you have in your head.” 

Guiche flushed. 

Kirche opened her mouth and said tiredly, “You two are a really cheap couple. You don’t have to do it in this suffocating dorm.” 

“We are not doing anything! …and I should ask what you're doing. It’s summer break.” 

“It’s just not worth the trouble for us. Although it is a vacation, it’s a pain to cross the border just for that. So what are you two doing anyway?” 

“We were, um…” 

Montmorency fidgeted, as she could not say that she was making Forbidden Potions. 

“Ma-magic research.” 

“Well, you were doing some kind of research.” 

“It was Guiche who wanted to do weird research! His brains are probably fried in this heat!” 

Thus criticized Guiche hung his head. 

“I guess.” 

Kirche muttered, “What do you mean, ‘I guess’?” 

“Let’s go out. It wouldn't be a surprise if we fry our brains in here.” 

“Huh? Where?” 

“Let’s go to the town. It’s gonna be a long break, so let’s have some fun.” 

“Well, I do want to drink something cold…” 

Guiche agreed. Montmorency, who didn’t even want to think about what would happen if she was left alone in the dorm with Guiche, also agreed. 

“Really cool your head down when you drink, ok?” 

“I will, swear to God.” 

“So, what about that little fella?” 

Montmorency pointed her finger at Tabitha. Kirche answered. 

“She’s going.” 

“You can tell by just looking at her?” 

“I can.” 

Kirche said it as though it was obvious. 

Tabitha then closed her book, walked over to the window sill, and blew a whistle with her mouth. A flapping noise was heard. In a blink, Tabitha jumped out of the window. Kirche followed. 

As Montmorency peeked outside the window, she saw Tabitha’s floating Wind Dragon. Kirche was riding on its back and was waving. 

“Hurry up or we’ll leave you!” 

Guiche and Montmorency both jumped after her and Guiche, who went ahead, tried to catch Montmorency. 

Then Montmorency started screaming things like ‘don’t touch me’ and ‘don’t look at me’ to tease Guiche. 

“But…I was only trying to catch you.” 

“Where do you think you’re touching?” 

“I thought you two were lovers,” muttered Kirche with surprise. 

The group finally arrived at Tristain’s castle town and went to a road that forked from Bulton Avenue. It was just about sunset. In the darkening streets, the magic lamps started to color the surroundings. That magical, wondrous sight created a happy atmosphere that wrapped around the street with the summer heat. 

If Bulton Avenue was Tristain’s front face, then this Chicton Street was the bowel. Indecent bars and gambling dens were lined up along the street. Montmorency frowned, but Kirche walked on unworriedly. While walking, the group discussed which bar to go to. “Do you know any of the bars around here?” Kirche asked Guiche. 

Guiche answered with a smile, 

“Well, I do know a good one that I've always wanted to go to.” 

“It’s not a weird bar, is it?” Montmorency asked as she heard an amorous tone to his speech. Guiche shook his head. 

“It’s not weird at all!” 

“Then what kind of a bar is it?” 

Guiche fell silent. 

“See, it is a weird bar! Just say it!” 

Montmorency started to choke Guiche. 

“N-, no it’s not! It’s just girls in cute clothes bringing wine for you… Arg!” 

“If that's not weird, then what is?” 

“That kind of sounds like fun.” 

It seemed to have piqued Kirche’s interest. She suggested to Guiche, 

“Let’s go there, just some plain bar would be too boring.” 

“WHAT?” Montmorency bellowed. 

“Why don't Tristainian women have any confidence in themselves? Makes me sick.” 

Because Kirche said that in such a taunting way, Montmorency suddenly stood up and said, 

“It’s just that wine will taste bad if we just let some low-class women pour it.” 

But because Guiche, who had been backed up by Kirche, started to skip away, Montmorency had no choice but to follow. 

“Hey! Wait for me! Don’t leave me here!” 

 “Welcome!” 

As they went into the shop, a tall man who wore a leather shirt welcomed them to the shop. 

“Oh, are you new? More noble ladies! How beautiful! How très bien! The girls in the shop will be jealous! I’m the storekeeper, Scarron. Please enjoy yourselves today!” he said while he twisted his body and bowed. Although he seemed kind of obscene, he complimented them so Montmorency was now in a better temper. She combed her hair with her fingers and said clearly, “Guide us to the cleanest table”. 

“Every table in this store is scrubbed to shine as much as Her Majesty’s palace.” 

Scarron lead the group to one of the tables. The bar seemed to be really prospering. 

Just like the rumors said, girls wearing suggestive clothing were carrying wine and food. 

Guiche, who was already looking around the bar in ecstasy, ended up with his ear being pulled by Montmorency. 

After the party settled down around the table, a strawberry blond haired girl came to take the orders, but for some reason, hurriedly covered her face with a tray. Her whole body started to tremble slightly. 

“Why are you hiding your face?” Guiche asked discontentedly. Without answering, she gestured to ask for the order. By looking at the girl’s hair color and height, Kirche quickly realized something and, for the first time this summer, an extra-large smile appeared on her face. 

“So, what do you recommend?” 

The girl who was hiding her face with a tray pointed at the neighboring table. On it was a dish with a honey grilled baby chick wrapped in piecrust. 

“And what’s the recommended wine?” 

The girl pointed at a wine that had been served to another table, a well-aged Gernew wine. 

Then Kirche said in a surprised tone, “Ah, Familiar-san is flirting with a girl!” 

The girl came out from behind the tray and stared around the room with sharp eyes. 

Everyone in the group except for Kirche shouted. 

“Louise!” 

Louise noticed the broad grin on Kirche’s face and realized that she had been tricked, and once again hid her face with the tray. 

“It’s too late, La Vallière.” 

“I’m not Louise.” 

Louise spoke in a shaking voice. Kirche pulled on Louise’s arm and laid her on top of the table. Kirche grabbed on to the right arm, Guiche on the left, Tabitha grabbed the right leg and Montmorency held on to the left leg. The immobile Louise faced to the side and said with a shaky tone, 

“I’m not Louise! Let go of me.” 

“Really, what are you doing here?” 

Louise would not answer. Snap! Kirche snapped her fingers and Tabitha cast a spell. With the power of the wind, Tabitha coiled the air around Louise and controlled her. Louise bounced on top of the table to a seiza pose. 

“Wha-, What are you doing?!” 

Kirche snapped her fingers once again. Silently, Tabitha waved her staff. The mass of air which controlled Louise became multiple invisible fingers and started to tickle her body. 

“Ahahaha! Stop! It tickles! Stop!” 

“So under what circumstances are you working here?” 

“I’m not saying! Ahahaha!” 

The fingers of air continued to tickle Louise but she wouldn’t confess. Eventually her body went limp. 

“Such a tight-lipped kid. You've been hiding many things recently.” 

“If you understand… then leave me alone…” 

“Will do.” 

Kirche picked up the menu dully. 

“Hurry up and order something.” 

“This,” said Kirche pointing at the menu. 

“I can't tell, which?” 

“Well first of all, everything written on this menu.” 

“Huh?” 

Louise stared at Kirche blankly. 

“Just bring me everything.” 

“You're really rich… I’m so envious.” 

Kirche then said to Louise, 

“Oh, of course it’s your treat. I’ll happily accept the offer, La Vallière-san.” 

“What? Don’t sweet-talk! Why do I have to treat you?!” 

“Or I’ll tell everyone in school that you're working here.” 

Louise dropped her jaw. 

“If you say it… I’ll, I’ll kill you.” 

“Oh my, I wouldn’t want to die. So could you bring all the food quickly?” 

Louise sadly dropped her shoulders and disappeared toward the kitchen while hitting many things on the way. 

Guiche said shaking his head, 

“You really are a nasty woman.” 

Kirche happily replied. 

“Don’t misunderstand me, I just don’t like that girl. We're basically enemies…” 

Kirche cut off her speech and fixed Tabitha’s disorderly cloak. 

“You should really fix that habit of messing up your hair and cloak when you cast spells. Women are about appearances and smarts are secondary.” 

Kirche was fixing up Tabitha’s hair like an older sister taking care of a little sister or a mother worrying for her daughter. 

Guiche looked at Tabitha. Why does this mean Germanian woman trust Tabitha and only Tabitha? thought Guiche. Although it was summer vacation, the two didn’t go home and stayed together at school. Moreover, they seemed to be communicating telepathically. Maybe it’s because Tabitha rarely speaks, but they were able to understand each other by just exchanging looks and were as close as sisters. 

But… Guiche puzzled over his memory. They weren’t this close when they first enrolled. I'm not sure because I was fooling around with other girls too much but didn’t they even start a duel? 

Just when Guiche wanted to inquire about it, a group of new customers came into the bar. They were good-looking nobles. They were wearing hats with large brims furnished with stylish feathers and had sword-shaped wands sticking out their cloak. They seemed to be officers from the royal army. 

They probably had been training the whole day; they came in without a care and started to look around for tables. 

The officer started to talk about the different girls in the bar. Many different girls poured the wine but none seemed to satisfy the officers. One officer noticed Kirche and winked at her. 

“Isn’t that a noble girl? Women that could be together with us will have to carry a wand around!” 

“That’s right! This is a rare break that her Majesty has given to us, the officers of the royal army. We can’t just have some commoners pour our wine.” 

While saying such words, they were loudly deciding whom would go and pick up the girls. It seemed Kirche was used to these kinds of things and continued drinking wine calmly, but Guiche was feeling uneasy. He supposed himself to be in a position where he should be escorting the girls, but couldn’t be firm in front of nobles that were officers in the royal army. He would probably get beaten up. 

Eventually the decision was made for whom to go talk to them. One of the nobles stood up. He was a handsome man who was just over twenty years old. 

Full of confidence, he played with his mustache and elegantly bowed to Kirche. 

“We are the officers that belong to the Navaaru regiment. We were stricken by your august beauty and would like to invite you to our dining table.” 

Kirche answered without even looking. 

“Sorry, but I’m having a good time with my friends.” 

The officer’s friends started hooting. If he got rejected now, it would bruise his pride. He tried to persuade Kirche with enthusiastic words. 

“I will plead you to ignore that. Please bestow a moment of happiness upon us who have nothing but unforgiving battle awaiting us.” 

But still, Kirche just waved him off. 

The noble disappointed, went back to his friends . 

“You’re not popular with women,” said an officer. But the young man shook his head. 

“Did you hear her accent? She has to be a Germanian woman. Quite suspicious as a noble, if you ask me!” 

“But I heard Germanian women are really lewd. Quite rare to see a woman with firm conduct.” 

“Probably a Protestant to boot!” 

Maybe it was partly because of the alcohol, but the officers started throwing insults against Kirche. Guiche and Montmorency looked at each other and asked Kirche if she wanted to leave the bar. 

“But we were here first,” muttered Kirche as she stood up. Her long hair seemed to be burning as though it was a wild inferno. Other customers and waitresses and practically everyone who was watching the whole incident fell quiet. 

“Ah, so have you changed you mind and decided to accompany us?” 

“Yes, not with goblets… but with this.” 

Kirche smoothly pulled out her wand. 

The men fell out of their chair laughing. 

“Don’t even try, young lady. We are nobles and will not point our wands at women.” 

“Are you scared of Germanian women?” 

“Ridiculous!” 

The men continued laughing aloud. 

“Then I will make you draw your wand.” 

Kirche swung her wand. Fireballs equal to the number of men came out of the tip of her wand and instantly incinerated the decorative feathers on their hats. The bar stirred. Kirche stood up to bow to the audience. 

The men who were being turned into the laughingstock stood up all at once. 

“Miss, this joke has gone a little too far.” 

“Really? But I’m always serious. And, wasn’t it you who invited me?” 

“We invited you to drink, not to fight.” 

“Then could I duel you gentlemen for insulting me just because I didn’t accept your offer to drink?” 

The atmosphere in the bar froze. 

One of the officers spoke determinedly, 

“Foreign young lady, are you aware of the No Duel Policy? Under the order of Her Majesty, we are restricted from dueling. But you are a foreigner. As long as we reach an agreement among ourselves, we could do practically anything to you. Are you speaking under this knowledge?” 

“Nobles in Tristain really give long speeches. If this was Germania, the duel would have ended by now.” 

They couldn't back down after they had been made fun of like this. The officers looked at each other and one of them gripped his hat’s brim and said, “Choose your opponent, you have the right.” 

But Kirche didn’t change her expression. But there was fiery anger swirling inside her. The more Kirche got mad, the more composed and mannered she became. 

“As you have said, Germanian women are lewd, so I’ll take care of all of you together.” Applause was heard inside the bar for Kirche’s brave words. The officers’ faces were flushed bright red due to anger from the insult. 

“We are nobles but at the same time also soldiers. When insulted, when challenged, we will not hold back even if the enemy is a woman. Come.” 

The noble pointed outside of the bar with his chin. Guiche was shaking under the situation. Montmorency was just drinking wine as though it was none of her business. Louise was talking about how the stupid woman was getting herself into useless trouble again and hiding in the kitchen. Saito unfortunately fell victim of Louise’s anger against Kirche and was passed out because of the pain that Louise had inflicted upon him; so he couldn’t intervene. 

So, the one who stood up was Tabitha. 

“You don’t have to worry about it. Sit down, it will be over in an instant.” 

But Tabitha shook her head. 

“Do you mean I won’t be able to beat them?” 

“No. But I’ll go.” 

“This doesn’t involve you,” said Kirche, but again Tabitha shook her head. 

“I owe you.” 

“You mean the incident in the Ragdorian Lake? Don’t mind it. I did it out of my own will anyways.” 

“Not that.” 

“Eh?” 

Then Tabitha clearly muttered, 

“Owe you one.” 

Kirche recalled with those words. 

“That’s quite a long time ago.” Kirche smiled. 

She thought for a moment but finally decided to leave it to her friend. 

“What happened? Got scared? We will forgive you if you apologize now.” 

“You’ll still have to pour drinks for us though.” 

“You’ll be lucky if it ends with you just pouring drinks.” 

The officers laughed. Kirche pointed at Tabitha. 

“Beg your pardon, but she has even more skill than me. She even has the title Chevalier.” 

The officers put on a doubtful expression. 

Tabitha just walked toward the entrance of the bar reticently. 

“Do any of you gentlemen have the Chevalier title?” 

The officers twisted their necks in disbelief. 

“Then she should prove to be more than a match.” 

As Kirche finished speaking, she sat down on a chair as though her job was over. The officers, who couldn’t back down, followed Tabitha to the outside of the bar. 

“Is she gonna be ok?” 

Asked Guiche. Kirche was just drinking her wine elegantly. 

“That girl never forgets this kind of old fashioned promises.” 

Kirche muttered happily. 

Outside, Tabitha was facing the officers at 10 paces. Around them neighboring residents surrounded the duelers excitedly but also by keeping a good distance back. In reality, though the No Duel Policy was in effect, it didn’t all together stop the fights between the nobles. This kind of fight was an everyday occurrence. 

However… the opponent of the team of three apparent officers of the royal army was a very young little girl. That combination drew the attention of the spectators. 

“Gentlemen, our opponent is a kid. After this people will call us bullies. Our honor is going to be ruined no matter if we win or lose. What shall we do?” 

As the man that was inviting Kirche said, the youngest of three answered, “Why not let her act first?” 

The man who was silent until now said in a happy tone, 

“Hah, teaching children is an adult's responsibility!” 

Chevalier? She must be joking. There is no way such a little girl can be given such a title. 

Although she is a kid, she still is a noble. We cannot forgive such a lie. On top of that insulting an officer from the royal army is just absurd. 

Tabitha was just standing ominously there with her staff in her right hand. Nothing could be inferred from her expression. It seemed neither the crowd nor the three officers could ruffle her emotions. 

“Little lady, please draw your staff first.” 

Said the oldest of the nobles. 

The onlookers held their breath and watched over them attentively. 

Tabitha simply waved her staff easily, like the time she made wind to cool off Kirche. The battle ended in an instant. 

As the customers saw Tabitha coming back to the bar, they gave her a huge welcome mixed with astonishment and wonder. There was a huge commotion outside. Because with just one hit from a huge “Air Hammer,” a hammer made of compressed air, Tabitha blew the officers to the other side of the street and knocked them out cold. One customer peeked outside the window timidly and saw that one of the officers had regained consciousness and was dragging the other two away. 

“You are amazing despite your size!” 

Although the bar was filled with applause, Tabitha was flipping a page in her book, not paying attention. 

Kirche poured wine in to Tabitha’s cup with a smug expression. 

“Let's have a toast.” 

Guiche asked Kirche as if he was confused. 

“Um, Kirche?” 

“What?” 

“Why are you two so close? You two are like sisters.” 

“We just get along.” 

But they were the opposite of each other. What’s more … Guiche pondered on what he recalled earlier. The two actually had a duel like the one outside as soon as they enrolled to the school. 

“Were you two always this close? What happened between you two? Tell me.” 

This also triggered Montmorency’s interest and she leaned forward. 

“What happened? Tell us.” 

Kirche looked at Tabitha, but Tabitha was silent. However Kirche nodded. 

“She said I can talk about it so I will. It’s not that great of a story though.” Kirche took a full wine glass. 

She gulped down the wine, and started telling the story with drowsy eyes.