Zero no Tsukaima:Volume1 Story1 Chapter3

Signing Off

Editors please sign off when you are satisfied that section is finished.

Each section requires a minimum signature of four editors before it can progress.

Each page is now its own section. This is to aid editing (though it makes the TOC box pretty ugly). Please try to edit individual sections whenever possible (by clicking on the "edit" link on the right side of the page), to minimize the chance of your changes colliding with edits by another contributer. BlckKnght 02:52, 20 August 2006 (PDT)

Raw English Translation Available Here

This page is for reference purposes, as a 'control'

It is protected to prevent mishaps.

Chapter 03

Chapter 03 - Part 1.0 signing

Revision 0.5 - This section has issues that should be considered. The following Editors Agree:

Da~Mike 21:31, 6 September 2006 (GMT)

Revision 1 - This section is in satisfactory condition ready for processing. The following Editors Approve:

[Signature here]

Revision 2 - This section is finished and is ready for Baka-Tsuki pdf release. The Following Editors Approve:

[Signature Here]

Chapter 03 part 1.0

P.70

Legend

Mister Colbert is a steadfast instructor who has been working at the Tristain Academy of Magic for the past twenty years. His nickname is "Colbert the Flame Serpent." He is a mage who specializes in the elemental magic of "Fire."

Colbert has been concerned about the young male commoner who was summoned by Louise during the "Spring Familiar Summoning" a few days ago. To be exact, he's concerned about the runes that appeared on that young man's left hand. It was an unusual rune. So, he has closed himself off inside the library ever since last night, poring through books.

Tristain Magic Academy's library is located inside the main tower, where the dining hall is also located in. The bookshelves are shockingly large. It's a grand sight to see bookshelves nearly thirty meters tall lined up alongside the wall. And it should be, because packed inside this library is the history of everything since Founder Brimir first built a new world in Halkeginia.

Colbert is inside a section of the library called "Fenir's Library" that's only open to instructors.

P.71

It's because he wasn't able to find the answer that he was looking for from the regular bookselves that are open to the students as well.

Using the spell of floatation, "Levitation," Colbert floated up to the shelves that could not be reached by hand, and looked through the books with intense concentration.

And then, his efforts were rewarded. His eyes stopped at the descriptions of one book.

It was an old book that described the various familiars that were used by Founder Brimir.

One section within the book captured his attention. As he read through the section carefully, his eyes opened up wide.

He compared the section from the old book with the sketch of the runes that appeared on the young man's hand.

Colbert went "ah," and cried out in a strange voice. For an instant, he lost his concentration needed for "Levitation," and almost fell to the floor.

Colbert held the book in his arms, decended to the ground, and dashed out in a hurry.

His destination was the academy principal's office.

The academy principal's office is located at the top floor of the main tower. Osman, the principal of the Tristain Academy of Magic, ruffled his white beard and hair, placed his elbow on the heavy Sequoia table, and is busy looking bored.

P.72

He was pulling his nose hairs absent-mindedly, but now he mumbled with a slow "hmm" and pulled the desk drawer open.

He took out a water smoke pipe from it.

And then his secretary, Miss Longville, who has been sitting and writing at the desk placed in the corner of the room, swung her feather pen.

The water smoke pipe flew into the air, and arrived in Miss Longville's hand. Osman mumbled in a bored voice.

"Do you enjoy taking away an elderly person's entertainment? Miss......"

"Old Osman. Managing your health is part of my job as well."

Osman stood up from his chair and walked up to Miss Longville, who has a refined and intelligent look. He stood behind Longville, who's sitting in her chair, and closed his eyes heavily.

"With peaceful days continuing like this, ways to spend time sure is going to become a very big problem."

The wrinkles engraved on Osman's face speaks of the history that he has lived through. He's said to be a hundred, three hundred years old. Nobody knows what his real age is. Perhap he himself doesn't know as well.

"Old Osman,"

Miss Longville said without removing her eyes from the feather pen running on the sheepskin paper.

P.73

"What is it? Miss......"

"Please don't touch my butt just because you're bored."

Osman opened his mouth halfway, and began walking around in tottering steps.

"Please don't pretend to be feeble-minded every time things go bad for you either."

Miss Longville said in a calm-as-ever voice. Osman sighed. It was a deep sigh filled with agony.

"Where exactly is truth? Have you ever thought about that? Miss......"

"At the very least, it's not inside my skirt, so please stop sneaking your mouse under the table."

Osman looked down. With a sorrowful face, he whispered,

"Mortsognil."

A small mouse appeared from under Miss Longville's desk. It climbed up Osman's leg, jumped onto his shoulder, and tilted its head. Osman took a nut out of his pocket, and put it in front of the mouse's face.

Squeak squeak, the mouse cried happily.

"You're the only friend I can trust, Mortsognil."

The mouse began nibbling on the nut. After it finished nibbling, it cried out again with a "squeak squeak."

P.74

"I see I see, you want more, huh? Very well, I'll give you more. But, I want your report before that, Mortsognil."

Squeak squeak.

"I see, white? Pure white, huh. Umu. But Miss Longville is best with black, don't you think? My cute Mortsognil."

Miss Longville's eyebrows moved.

"Old Osman."

"What is it?"

"If you do this again, I'm going to report to the royal palace."

"Ha--! Do you think I can work as the magic academy principal if I'm afraid of the royal palace--!?"

Osman opened his eyes wide and yelled out loud. It had an impact that's unimaginable to have come from a teetering senior.

"Don't get all prickly just because someone peeked at your underwear! You're letting marriages run away from you because you're always like that. Haa~~~~, Miss......"

Old Osman began rubbing Miss Longville's butt without reservation.

Miss Longville stood up, and began kicking her boss around silently.

"Sorry. Stop. Ow. I won't do it anymore. Really."

Old Osman held onto to his head and cowered. Miss Longville, while panting, continued to kick Osman around.

P.75

"Ow! To kick a senior. You. Like that. Hey! Ow!"

Such peaceful time was shattered by a sudden intruder.

The door was opened forcibly with a slam! And Colbert flew into the room.

"Old Osman!"

"What is it?"

Miss Longville was sitting at her desk as if nothing happened. Osman folded his arms behind him, and greeted the intruder with a serious tone. That was some quick work.

"I, I have serious news!"

"There's no such thing as serious news. They are only small deals."

"P, please look at this!"

Colbert passed the book he was reading earlier to Osman.

"Isn't this "Founder Brimir and his familiars"? Again with you fishing up old documents like these. If you have that much free time, go think of some good ways for us to collect more tuitions from those slack nobles instead. Mister......, what is it?"

Osman tilted his head.

"It's Colbert! Did you forget!?"

P.76

"Right right. That was your name. You always talk so fast, it's no good. Well, Colbert-kun, what is it about this book?"

"Please look at this too!"

Colbert passed Osman the sketch of the rune that appeared on Saito's hand.

The moment he saw it, Osman's expression changed. His eyes glowed and turned a serious tone.

"Miss Longville, please leave the room."

Miss Longville stood up, and left the room. Watching her leave the room, Osman opened his mouth.

"Explain the details to me, Mister Colbert."

It was just before lunchtime when Louise finally finished cleaning up the classroom that she messed up. It took this long since she was forbidden to use magic to repair the room as part of her punishment. Still, since Louise can barely use magic to begin with, it doesn't really have any meaning. Mrs. Cheverus came to about two hours after being blown away by the explosion wind, and returned to teaching. But for the whole day that day, she didn't do any more "Alchemy" lectures. It appears to have become a trauma for her.

Finished with the clean up, Louise and Saito headed toward the dining hall, in order to eat lunch.

On the way, Saito teased Louise over and over again. After all, it was because of Louise he had to do all those manual labours earlier.

P.77

It was Saito who carried the new window glasses, it was also Saito who carried the heavy desks, and it was also Saito who wiped the soot-filled classroom with a floorcloth. Louise only wiped the desks reluctantly.

He sleeps on the floor, receives poor food, on top of that, he has to wash her underwears (he didn't do it yet though).

Being abused by Louise like that, there was no way Saito could keep quiet after discovering her weakness. As if seizing the moment, Saito teased Louise non-top.

"Louise the Zero. I get it now. It sure is clever. Probability of success is zero. But still a noble even then. Wonderful."

Louise was silent. Saito became gleeful.

”Alchemy! Ah! Kaboom! Alchemy! Ah! Kaboom! It's a failure! It's a failure because I'm Zero!"

While jestering like that, Saito circled Louise around and around. Whenever he said "kaboom", Saito raised his arms, and portrayed an explosion. It's a detailed performance.

"Louise-ojousama, this familiar has created a song."

Saito said while bowing his head humbly. Of course, he's making fun of her. He's playing her down.

Louise's eyebrows twitched. She's on the verge of explosion, but the gleeful Saito doesn't notice that.

P.78

"Why don't you sing it?"

"Louise Louise is no good Louise. A mage who can't use magic. But it's ok! Because I'm a girl......"

Saito held onto his stomach and laughed.

"Bu-wa-ha-ha-ha!"

He laughed at his own joke. A hopeless guy.

When they arrived at the dining hall, Saito drew the chair out for Louise.

"Here we go Ojousama. You mustn't cast magic on the food, alright? It'll be hectic if the food explode, after all."

Louise sat down silently. Since Saito got to tease Louise all around, he's feeling satisfied. He got his revenge on the saucy and arrogant Louise. The rough meal doesn't bother him either.

Although the destitute-looking soup and bread on Saito's plate is painful to look at, since he got to laugh so much earlier, it's even for him.

"Now then, Founder whatever. Highness Queen. Really damn it for the meager food. Amen."

As Saito was about to start eating, his plate was picked up and taken away from him.

"What are you doing!?"

P.79

"Youyouyou......"

"Youyouyou?"

Louise's shoulders were trembling from anger. Her voice is trembling too. It appears that she had been suppressing her overflowing anger until they arrived at the dining table. Probably so that she can think of an effective punishment.

"Youyouyou- you familiar, howhowhow- how dare you say, thithithi- things like that to your master."

Saito realized he went too far.

"Sorry. I won't say them anymore, give me back my feed."

"No! Absolu-tely no!"

Louise distorted her adorable face out of rage, and screamed.

"One meal cut for every "zero" you said! It's final! No exceptions!"

In the end, Saito left the dining hall without his lunch.

I shouldn't have been sarcastic with her...... A doer-regretter, he is.

"Haa, I'm so hungry...... Damn it......"

Holding onto his stomach, Saito placed one hand against the wall.

"Is something the matter?"

Turning around, a plain-looking young girl dressed in maid outfits with a large silver tray in her hands looked at Saito

P.80

with a worried expression on her face. Her black hair kept together by a hairband and freckles looked lovely.

"It's nothing......" Saito waved his left hand.

"It can't be that you're the one who became Miss Valliere's familiar......"

It appears that she has noticed the runes drawn on Saito's left hand.

"You knew?"

"Yes. They say that a summoning magic ended up calling forth a commoner. It's becoming a gossip."

The girl smiled sweetly. It was a carefree smile that Saito saw for the first time after coming to this world.

"You're a mage too?" Saito asked.

"No, I'm different. I'm a commoner like you. I am a servant who's hired to take care of the nobilities here."

I'm not a commonor, but someone from Earth, but it's probably pointless to explain. So Saito kept quiet and greeted the girl.

"I see...... I'm Hiraga Saito. Nice to meet you."

"What a strange name...... My name is Siesta."

At that time, Saito's stomach grumbled.

"Looks like you're hungry."

"Yeah......"

P.81

"Please follow me this way."

Siesta began to walk.

The place that Saito was taken to is the kitchen at the back of the dining hall. Many large pots and ovens are lined up inside. Cooks and other maids similiar to Siesta are busy preparing meals.

"Please wait a moment, ok?"

After getting Saito to sit down at a chair in the corner of the kitchen, Siesta scurried off to the back of the kitchen. And then, she returned with a disk in her hands. There are warm stews inside the dish.

"It's stew made from the leftovers of the meals we give out to the nobles. Please eat this if you'd like."

"It that alright?"

"Yes. It's only staff food though......"

Saito became teary at her niceness. It's totally different from the soup that Louise passed down to him. Saito moved the soup into his mouth one spoon after another. Delicious. He feels like crying.

"This is delicious."

"That's great. There's still more, so take your time."

Saito ate the stew in a trance, while Siesta watched him with a sweet smile.

P.82

"Were you not given food?"

"I called her Louise the Zero, and she got mad and took my dish away."

"My! What a thing to say to a noble!"

"What nobel? Getting all bossy just because they can use some magic."

"How courageous you are......"

Siesta gazed at Saito with a stunned look.

Saito returned the empty dish back to Siesta.

"It was delicious. Thank you."

"That's great. If you're ever hungry again, please come anytime. If you're alright with the things that we eat, I'll provide them for you."

What a grateful thing to say. Saito became even more teary-eyed.

"Thank you......"

Seeing Saito suddenly breaking into tears, Siesta cried out in a surprised voice.

"W, what's wrong?"

"No...... it's just, this is the first time anyone has treated me nicely ever since I got here......, I'm overwhelmed unknowingly......"

"Oh, no, that's overstating......"

P.83

illustration

P.84

"It's not an overstatement. If there's anything I can do, let me know. I'll help."

He's not interested in doing something like washing Louise's underwears, but helping out Siesta is something he would like to do.

"Then, please help me carry the desserts."

Siesta said with a smile.

"Ok." Saito nodded hard.

Lined up inside the large silver tray are dessert cakes. Saito holds onto that tray, while Siesta picks up the cakes with a pair of tongs, and hands them out to the nobles one by one.

There's a snobby looking mage with curly blond hairs, and wears a shirt with frills on it. A rose is inserted inside his shirt pocket. His friends around him is making jeering remarks one after another.

"Hey, Guiche! Who are you going out with right now!?"

"Who's your lover? Guiche!"

It seems that the snobby mage is called Guiche. He placed a finger on his lips lightly.

"Going out? There is no such specific female like that for me. A rose blooms for the enjoyment of many, after all."

The guy's describing himself as a friggin' rose. What a hopeless snob. His big-headedness is enough to make the person watching him feel embarassed. While wishing for him to die, Saito gazed at Guiche.

P.85

At that moment, something fell from Guiche's pocket. It's a small bottle made of glass. Purple-colored liquid is swaying inside it.

Although he's an unpleasant guy, a dropped thing is a dropped thing. Let's tell him.

Saito said to Guiche.

"Oi, you dropped a bottle from your pocket."

However, Guiche does not turn around. This bastard, ignoring me?

Saito handed the tray to Siesta, and crouched down to pick up the bottle.

"You dropped this, skirt-chaser."

He then placed the bottle on the table. Guiche stared at Saito with a lothing look, and pushed the small bottle away.

"This is not mine. What are you talking about?"

Guiche's friends, who realized the origin of the small bottle, became to make a fuss loudly.

"Ohh? That perfume, isn't it Montmorency's perfume?"

"That's right! That brilliant purple color is the kind of perfume that Montmorency mixes only for herself!"

"So, Guiche, something like that falling out of your pocket must mean you're going out with Montmorency right now, right?"

P.86

"No. Listen up, ok? I'm saying this for the sake of her reputation......"

As Guiche was about to say something, a young girl wearing a tea-colored mantle, who was sitting at the table behind him, stood up, and tromped over to Guiche's seat.

She's a cute girl with chestnut-colored hairs. From the color of the mantle she's wearing, she's probably a first-grader.

"Guiche-sama......"

And then, she began crying with flowing tears.

"I knew it, you and Miss Montmorency are......"

"They're misunderstanding me, Katie. Listen, you're the only one I have in my heart......"

However, the girl named Katie slapped Guiche's face hard.

"That perfume coming out of your pocket speaks for everything! Goodbye!"

Guiche rubbed his cheek.

And then, a girl with rolled-hairs stood up from a far off seat. Saito remembered that girl. She was the girl who had an argument with Louise when Saito was first called out into this world.

With a stern look, the girl walked over to Guiche's seat with sharp steps.

"Montmorency. It's a misunderstanding. I have only been on a long ride with her to the forests of La Rochelle....."

P.87

Guiche said while shaking his head. He's pretending to be calm, but a drop of cold sweat is flowing down his forehead.

"I knew it, you had your hand on that first-grader, didn't you?"

"Please, Montmorency the 'Fragrance'. Don't distort your blooming, rose-like face with such anger. You'll make me sad too!"

Montmorency grabbed the wine bottle that was placed on the table, and plop plop, poured its contents on Guiche's head.

And then......

"Liar!"

she yelled, and left.

Silence followed.

Guiche took out a hankerchief, and wiped his face with it slowly. And then, while shaking his head, he said in a dramatic tone.

"It seems that those ladies do not understand the meaning of a rose's existence."

Thinking "you just keep doing that your whole life", Saito took the silver tray back from Siesta, and began to walk again.

Guiche then called Saito to a halt.

P.88

"Stop right there."

"What do you want?"

Guiche spinned his body on top of the chair, and woosh! crossed his feet. Every bit of his actions are so snobby, it give you a headache.

"Thanks to you carelessly picking up some perfume bottle, two ladies' reputations have been damaged. How are you going to repay for that?"

Saito said with an annoyed voice.

"It's your fault for two-timing."

Guiche's friends laughed out loud.

"That's right Guiche! It's your fault!"

Red rushed onto Guiche's face.

"You know, server-kun. When you placed the perfume bottle on the table, I pretended to not know anything, didn't I? Can't you even have enough wits to follow my lead?"

"Either way, your two-timing will be blown eventually anyway. Also, I'm not a server."

"Hmph...... Ahh, you're......"

Guiche snorted, as if to look down on Saito.

"You're that commoner who was called out by Louise the Zero, aren't you? My fault for expecting the wits of a noble from a commoner. You may leave now."

P.89

Saito got pissed. It's true that he's a pretty boy, but Saito can't stay quiet after being talked to by a snobby big-head like this. So he made one unnecessary comment.

"Shut up you snobby punk. Go suck on rose for the rest of your life."

Guiche's eyes lighted up.

"It appears that you don't know anything about manners towards a noble, do you?"

"Unfortunately, I came from a world with no nobles, you see."

Saito copied Guiche's movements, raised his right hand, and said in a snobby manner.

"Very well. I will teach you that manner. It'll be perfect for letting off some steam."

Guiche stood up.

"How interesting."

Saito showed his teeth, and murmured. First of all, this guy's first impression is unpleasant. Although they're not as cute as Louise, two pretty cute girls are going out with him. On top of that, he made fun of me.

There's more than enough reasons for a fight. I'm going to beat the crap out of you, including getting revenge for the parts where I got made fun of by Louise too. After all, she's still a girl!

"You wanna go right here?"

P.90

Saito said. Guiche is taller than Saito, but he's all wobbly, and looks weak. Skirt-chaser are without money and power, indeed. Saito's not all that strong either, but he doesn't think he'll lose.

Guiche turned around with a spin.

"You're running away!?"

"Don't be ridiculous. How can I dirty the nobles' dining tables with the blood of a commoner? I will be waiting at the Vestri Courtyard. When you're done with handing out the cakes, come."

Guiche's friends all stood up with an excited look, and followed him off.

One of them stayed behind at the table. It appears he's monitoring Saito, to make sure he doesn't run away. Siesta gazes at Saito while trembling. Saito said while laughing.

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna lose to that wobbly pushover. What kind of noble is that?"

"Y, you're going to get killed......"

"Haa?"

"If you truly anger a noble......"

Siesta ran away with a dash.

What's with that? Saito mumbled. Is that guy really that strong?

From behind, Louise ran up to Saito.

P.91

"You! What are you doing!? I saw that!"

"Yo Louise."

"Not Yo! What are you making duel agreements on your own for!?"

"'Cause, that guy really pisses me off, so......"

Saito said with indifference.

Louise sighed, and shrugged her shoulder.

"Go apologize."

"Why?"

"If you don't want to get hurt, go apologize. He might still forgive you right now."

"Don't be ridiculous! Why the heck do I have to apologize!? He's the one who made fun of me first. Besides, I was only being nice and......"

"Just do it."

Louise looked at Saito strongly.

"I don't wanna."

"What a stubburn person...... You know? You can't win, you'll get hurt. No, you'd be lucky if you can get away with only being hurt!"

"You never know until you try."

P.92

"You listening? A commoner can never beat a mage!"

"Where's that Vestri Courtyard?"

Saito began to walk. One of Guiche's friend, who watched Louise and Saito's entire exchange, pointed with his chin.

"Over here, commoner."

"Ahh geez! Really! You're just a familiar, why do you keep going off doing things on your own!?"

Louise chased after Saito.

The Vestri Courtyard is a courtyard located inside the magic academy grounds, between the "Wind" and "Fire" towers. Since it's a ground located on the West side, not a lot of sunlight reaches here even during the day. It's perfect as a place for duels.

However......, right now, the ground is packed by the students who came after hearing the news.

"Gentlemen! It's a duel!"

Guiche raised his artificial rose, and "Yeah-!", cheers rose throughout the ground.

"Guiche is going to duel! The opponent is Louise's commoner!"

I have a name too...... Saito thought loathingly.

Guiche swings his arms, responding to the cheers.

P.93

And then, as if he finally noticed him, Guiche turned to face Saito.

Saito and Guiche stood in the middle of the plaza, and glared at each other.

"In any case, I suppose I should praise you for coming here without running away."

Guiche said in a singing voice while fiddling with his rose.

"Who's running away?"

"Well, shall we start then?"

Guiche said.

Before he could finish, Saito began running. In fights, victory goes to the one who makes the first move!

The distance to Guiche is about ten steps. I don't care whether you're a mage or a noble, I'm going to break that arrogant nosebone of yours in half.

Guiche watches that Saito with a composed smile, and waved his rose.

One petal dances through the air and......

Became a doll with the shape of an armor-wearing female warrior.

Its height is about the same as a regular person, but it appears to be made of hard metal. Under the shallow sunray, its skin...... and armor glistened.

The doll stood in front of Saito, and blocked his path.

"W, what the heck is this!?"

P.94

"I am a mage. So I fight with magic. You're not going to object to that, are you?"

"Y, you bastard......"

"I forgot to tell you. My second name is 'Bronze'. Guiche the Bronze. Therefore, my bronze golem 'Valkyrie' will be your opponent."

"Eh?"

The golem with the shape of a female warrior charged towards Saito.

Its right fist drove right into Saito's stomach.

"Ugh!"

Saito groaned, and fell to the ground. It's not surprising, a bronze-made fist has just been droven into his stomach, after all.

The golem looked down at Saito calmly.

However, he can't stand up because of the pain. This is probably what it feels like to be punched by a pro-boxer, he thought.

"What, over already?"

Guiche said in a disgusted tone. From the crowd, Louise came flying out.

"Guiche!"

"Ohh Louise! Sorry, I'm borrowing your familiar for a while!"

Louise shook her long hair, and yelled at Guiche angrily in a loud voice.

Chapter 03 - Part 2.0 signing