Hunter of Zero (Bloodborne/Familiar of Zero) ch. 7

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Osmond thought his problems were over. But no, things were only getting started.

First, there was the hill. Hills didn't just explode without reason, but this one certainly had. He'd sent his best investigators to uncover the cause, only for them to return empty-handed. Now the Academy had a smoking crater where one of its best vantage points used to be. The spot had offered breathtaking views of the countryside; now it offered nothing but ash and regret.

Second, there was Count Mott. Found dazed and confused near the border between his lands and the Academy, his guards dead, his belongings ransacked.

And now, a third problem.

"Of all the damn times, now we have a thief running loose," Osmond groaned, letting his head fall flat against the desk.

"A thief?" Longueville asked, setting a stack of heavy books down in front of him.

"Don't play coy. You know exactly what I mean," Osmond grumbled, voice muffled against the wood. He lifted his head just enough to glare at her. "And to top it all off, the Crown Princess is coming for a visit, and...GRAH!"

Longueville's lips pressed into a thin line as Osmond wailed.

"I just wanted a nice, peaceful semester," he moaned. "This is too much work for one poor old man..."

"Perhaps God is testing you, Headmaster," Longueville replied dryly. "It's time to prove why you hold your title."

Osmond straightened at that, sighing. "Perhaps you're right," he muttered. "I am the Headmaster of Halkeginia's most prestigious magical academy. I must prove my worth once more."

"That's the spirit," Longueville said approvingly.

Osmond smirked, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he let his gaze wander over Longueville. Despite her thick purple robes, they couldn't quite hide her curves. Her full chest, her shapely legs, her inviting hips and taut stomach. He drooled.

"Oh, I love it when you praise me like that-"

"I'm reporting this to the Royal Court," Longueville warned sharply, cutting him off.

Osmond immediately sat up straighter, coughing. "So, how are the preparations for Her Highness's arrival?"

Longueville smiled, adjusting her glasses as though nothing had happened. "Everything is proceeding smoothly. The tents and grandstand are set up, the students are readying their familiars, and everything is running like clockwork."

"Good! Good!" Osmond said, clapping his hands together. "A few extra écus will be added to your pay, Madame Longueville!"

"Excellent," she replied, tilting her head slightly. "And as for this so-called thief, Headmaster, Professor Colbert assures me that he and the others have taken all necessary precautions. The Princess will also bring extra protection, so there should be no issues."

"I love it when things work as they should," Osmond sighed contentedly, leaning back in his chair. "Hopefully, we won't encounter any more...unexpected details."

"We won't," Longueville snorted. "Things have calmed down since then. We will all be alright." 

From one of the dorms, a girlish scream echoed.

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Louise woke up, feeling more rested than she had in ages.

A mop of blonde hair hovered over her, accompanied by a pair of bright green eyes.

"Good morning, Little Louise," Evetta greeted cheerfully.

She screamed.

Louise screamed and screamed until her throat went hoarse. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? IN MY ROOM?" the pinkette shrieked. "AND WHERE IS MY FAMILIAR?"

"Goodness gracious, I'm right here," a voice groaned from the corner.

Louise whipped her head around. There he was standing silently in the shadows.

"Wait…" Louise narrowed her eyes. "Were you just standing in the corner this whole time?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation.

"WHY!?" Louise yelled again, her voice rising several octaves.

"To watch you sleep," the both of them said in unison.

Louise froze. She blinked.

"You...spent the whole night...watching me sleep?" she asked slowly, her voice trembling.

"Yes," the Good Hunter confirmed.

"You were so adorable," Evetta giggled. "It was like watching a tiny, helpless animal rest. I wanted to poke your cheek, but the Good Hunter wouldn't let me."

Louise's eye twitched. "You...you're…you two are…YOU'RE A BUNCH OF FREAKS!"

It was then a mechanical voice chimed in. "You got that right, Pinky. These two stood there all night, staring at you like a pair of lunatics."

Louise froze again, her brain struggling to process the new absurdity. "Where is that voice coming from?" she demanded, glancing around the room.

"Over here!" the voice called out.

Louise's gaze landed on the sword strapped to Evetta's waist.

"A…talking sword," Louise muttered, her voice hollow.

"Not just a talking sword," the blade shot back indignantly. "I'm the talking sword, thank you very much."

Louise stared for a long moment, then collapsed back onto her bed. She gave up. She surrendered to the insanity of her life.

Louise Vallière, Master of the Freak Show.

Instead, Louise retreated into her mind, the only place where she felt safe.

The Good Hunter took the opportunity to pull up a chair and sit by her bedside. "Had a nice sleep?" he asked, his tone casual.

That much, Louise could answer. "Y-yeah," she muttered.

"Good. Because I checked your academic calendar, and you've got an important day today," the Good Hunter drawled.

Louise blinked. "Eh?"

"Something something, a Princess is coming to visit?" he pointed out.

Her face fell. "Oh...Oh my God! I forgot about that!" Panic seized her. "I need to change! We need to pract...kyaah!" She scrambled out of bed in a frenzy, only to trip and fall face-first onto the floor.

Groaning, she barely registered the screech of wood as the Good Hunter stood up and squatted next to her, his heels flat against the ground.

"And we will," he assured her calmly. "But not in a state of panic. You just woke up after exhausting yourself, so take it easy."

Exhausted. Right...the hill.

"I blew up a hill," Louise whispered, the memory flickering back.

"T'was a most destructive show of force, Little Louise," Evetta chimed in. "But I fear your Institute will run out of hills if you blow up another one."

"I am not blowing up another hill!" Louise groaned as she pushed herself up. Dusting herself off, she glared at the Good Hunter, ignoring the fact that even squatting he was practically her height. "What did you do to me?" she demanded.

"I did nothing. You're a void mage. You can blow things up," the Good Hunter retorted matter-of-factly.

"Impossible. There haven't been void mages for centuries," Louise shot back, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

The Good Hunter noticed her hesitation and tilted his head. "Even you don't sound sure of that," he pointed out. "Stop dancing around it and embrace your unearthly, unnatural, eldritch powers, Louise."

Her glare narrowed. "Why do you make it sound like I'm some kind of freak? Like you?"

"Believe me," the Good Hunter said with a smile, patting her head despite her protests and growing chagrin, "compared to me, you're downright mundane."

He stood to his full height. "Now that we've discovered your element, let's go pay the Headmaster a visit. Time to get rid of that 'Zero' moniker everyone keeps calling you."

"Let me change first, you animal," Louise muttered, brushing his hand away.

It was then her view was blocked. She looked up to see Evetta smiling down at her.

"Allow me to help you, Little Louise," Evetta offered sweetly.

"Normally he does it," Louise said, pointing to the Good Hunter.

"It is my turn, then?" Evetta tilted her head.

Louise stared at her, then sighed in resignation, raising her arms. "Fine."

Evetta beamed, her expression lighting up like the sun.

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Students parted as they walked by, their curious eyes fixed on the latest addition to Louise's retinue. That felt just about right to Louise. After all, having more than one attendant was only fitting for someone of her stature.

Most whispers and glances, however, fell upon Evetta. Louise couldn't blame them. The woman dazzled the eye with her gentle green gaze, a face that balanced sharp aristocratic beauty with womanly softness, and skin so flawless it seemed otherworldly. Louise didn't feel envy, not exactly. After all, she was herself beautiful and majestic, though she had to admit Evetta seemed to supply certain features she lacked.

Even in a somewhat plain but finely made dress, Evetta's figure drew attention. The fabric hugged her curves, her corset barely containing her ample bosom, while her slim, refined waist emphasized her elegance.

Louise ignored that. She had more pressing matters to think about.

Despite the voice in the back of her head insisting it was impossible, her body knew the truth. She had used her willpower against that hill. She had felt the magic flow through her, leaving the crater as undeniable proof.

She was a Void Mage.

She didn't know how to feel about this discovery. Louise supposed she should feel elation, and that wasn't to say she wasn't happy. But after spending so long exhausting herself to prove her worth, achieving her goal felt…surreal. Her heart was still catching up to the weight of it all.

First, she needed confirmation. Then, she would tell her mother.

Her mother would be so proud.

"Oi," Louise said, glancing up at the Good Hunter. "What have you been doing while I was away? And how did Evetta even get here?"

"Relaxing," the Good Hunter replied casually. "Not doing anything out of the ordinary."

"Nothing that would send me to my deathbed early?" Louise asked dryly.

"Absolutely not. I've been a very good lad," he said with mock innocence.

Louise narrowed her eyes at him as they walked, holding her suspicious gaze for a moment before turning back. "And you, Evetta? How did you get here?" she asked, her voice softening.

Despite herself, Louise couldn't summon even a hint of negativity toward the Plain Doll. Evetta was warm and gentle, reminding her of her big sister, Cattleya.

"By way of magic, Little Louise," Evetta replied, her hands folded neatly in front of her as she walked. "I took a stroll through your Capital and came across Sir Derflinger here."

She tapped the sword at her waist, and it chuckled audibly.

"Miss Doll here has an eye for quality," the sword said with pride.

"How were you even able to find him?" Louise asked, frowning. Magical artifacts were common, but a talking sword was new even for her.

"I sought him out," Evetta explained. "I sensed the energy he emitted."

Louise tilted her head. "How does that even work?"

"It is like a stench or a beacon," Evetta said, her voice as calm as ever. "The stronger the energy, the more it draws us in."

"And…me?" Louise asked, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

Evetta smiled faintly. "You, Little Louise, are burning brightly in our eyes."

Louise stopped walking, her mind catching on those words.

"It is how we were able to find you," Evetta said softly. "The night you prayed."

The night she prayed.

Louise turned to face them. Evetta smiled warmly. The Good Hunter, his face hidden beneath his hat and neck gaiter, gazed at her with glittering eyes.

A strange feeling washed over Louise. Despite their strange origins and eccentric behavior, she felt safe with them, protected. Warm. Her chest fluttered with trust, and her lips almost curled into a smile before she caught herself.

Louise harumphed and spun on her heel, walking ahead to hide her expression.

Evetta and the Good Hunter exchanged a knowing glance.

"That's so heartwarming," Derflinger whispered.

"But you don't have a heart, Sir Derflinger," Evetta blinked. "Did I miss something?"

"I was speaking metaphorically," the sword retorted.

"Ahhhhh," Evetta nodded thoughtfully. "What is a metaphor?"

The Good Hunter snorted.

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The trio, or as Derflinger insisted, a quartet, left the student dorms and out into the ground. There, students practiced with their familiars. Some were doing tricks, others praising their familiars as they worked. Louise's lips went thin. 

"Maybe we should focus on practicing instead going to the Headmaster," Louise drawled. 

"Is it not important for you to get your record set straight?" The Good Hunter asked. 

"Yes, it is!" Louise said, but hesitated. "I just want to make sure that we have an act. We are not just doing this for our amusement but it is to show off our capacity as a mage before the Royal Court. I want to be impressive. I want to dazzle them." 

The Plain Doll and The Good Hunter shared another look. The Good Hunter stole his gaze away, and planted a hand on Louise's shoulder. Louise glanced up. 

"Any reason why?" The Good Hunter asked. 

Louise's lips quivered, then she turned away. "The Princess will be here. She and I...we were childhood friends. I wanted to show her how much I have grown. I want her to come back to the Capitol with a smile on her face." 

The Good Hunter nodded. "And...how old is she?" 

"Around my age, why?" Louise asked, raising an eyebrow. 

The Good Hunter nodded sagely. "Leave it to me. I just have an idea, something that will turn the heads of nearly everyone. They will go back home talking about it for centuries to come." 

Louise's heart soared. "...Really? What?" 

"You'll see," the Good Hunter assured. "Mi pequeña refresca." 

Louise's mind blanked. "What?"

Then he vanished from her sight. "H...Hey!" 

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A/N: Keep in mind, this is going to be crack. Do not, absolutely do not, take this seriously.

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