Hunter of Zero (Bloodborne/Familiar of Zero) ch. 5

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"Let me begin this meeting, on the understanding, that emotions were high and both sides rightfully deserved compensation," Osmond began. 

​They were in his office, Loungeville once more dutifully taking the minutes of the exchange whilst Colbert agreed to function as an arbiter and witness. On one side, Guiche Gramont, dressed to impress once more but his usual enthusiasm was muted, barely contained fear in his eyes. The only thing that stopped him from losing it utterly was his support. On his shoulder, the comforting hand of his beloved Montmorency, and his other friends. 

​Then in one corner, Louise Valliere, seated still, and strangely to Osmond's eyes, looking tired. Right next to her, the familiar, the Prince. Colbert still did not believe a word that came out of that man's mouth but the evidence was self-evident. Osmond wasn't going to try to change whatever Colbert felt however. He did not want this incident to come out of the Academy's walls, the cost of it leaking was obvious. 

In these dangerous times, the last thing Tristain needed was two of its most influential families feuding. 

"I agree," Louise said, her voice stiff. 

Montmorency narrowed her eyes, first at Vallière and then at her familiar, before clearing her throat. "My Guiche has asked me to speak on his behalf, and he concurs with this statement."

Personally, if she had her way, she would have that Zero stripped of her status, then tossed out. But not before watching her familiar be whipped with a lash. But Guiche would not budge. 

"Oh? Why is that?" Osmond asked, blinking. 

​"He...feels ill," Montmorency coughed. 

Rather, Guiche lost his luster and his voice was as soft as the wind. It broke Montmorency's heart to see her beloved star so troubled. But that was alright, she felt, for she would simply step up and take care of him until he was better. 

"Well..." Osmond drawled, turning to Colbert. 

"As long as Mister Gramont is of sound mind, he can do this," Colbert interjected. 

"Excellent!" Osmond clapped his hands, pleased at the progress. His eyes twinkled. "This duel had been between two Great Houses, but it has come to recent light, that it involves three." 

"Three?" Malicorne squeaked. "I don't see any other House here."

Osmond glanced to Colbert and nodded. He hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Miss Valliere's familiar is a Prince. Emilio Maximillian Caballero of House Vileblood." 

Montmorency's eyes widened. She first turned to Louise, who sank in her chair, then to the familiar who simply looked bored out of his skull. Guiche simply whitened. "He's a Prince?" she repeated. 

Osmond nodded. "Indeed. So this quarrel now involves not just the Valliere's and the Gramonts, but the Vilebloods as well who are of a foreign kingdom."

"I have never heard of a Vileblood!" Malicorne protested. He may be many things but he at least knew the many noble families around. 

"That's because he is from another world," Colbert added. "Miss Valliere summoned an otherworlder."  

Guiche's camp all glanced at the introduced Vileblood, their faces a varying measure of disbelief. But if the professors vouched for him then...they would have to acknowledge that too.

"Let it be known that I find no issue at this, and only ask that Guiche Gramont apologize to the harassed maid and to my master for his remarks," Emilio spoke after some time. 

​Blinking rapidly, Montmorency turned to Guiche, her face softening. "Well...? What do you think, my love?" 

Guiche nodded, whispering into her ear. Montmorency grimaced. She sighed, then straightened herself. "Guiche sincerely apologizes for his remarks towards Louise Valliere, and he will apologize to the maid as well." 

​The Vileblood smiled, then turned to his master. "Anything you want from this, Master?" 

Louise shook her head. "No. I have nothing else to ask for." 

"Then it is to my understanding that all parties are satisfied?" Osmond asked carefully. 

"What about Guiche?" Montmorency glared. 

"AH, yes, right. What would Mister Guiche ask for?" Osmond coughed. 

Montmorency harumphed, before crossing her arms, straining. "For the honour of his family, Guiche asks that...His Majesty, the Prince, apologize for the remarks spoken about his courage and honor, with respect." 

The air was sucked out of the room. Louise glanced up at her familiar who paused. He directed his eyes on Guiche who shrank in his seat. The Good Hunter Stared, but was met by Montmorency's equally furious glare. Then, the Good Hunter relaxed. 

"With respect to Mister Guiche's brave betrothed, I withdraw my statements against Guiche." he declared. 

Osmond released a sigh he did not know he was holding. "Then there are no objections if Professor Colbert declares this matter resolved?" 

​Glee bubbled in his old stomach as the students and Prince nodded. "As arbiter, I declare this matter closed. Miss Loungeville shall make a record of it," the bespectacled man said. Montmorency sighed, hugging her beloved as his friends celebrated. Guiche stood up, wincing as Louise and the Good Hunter looked at him, then left. 

Osmond leaned back on his chair as Loungeville paused writing, arranging the paper in her hand. "Another successful crisis averted. Miss Loungville, would you be so kind as to grab a good bottle from the kitchens so that we may celebrate?" 

"And how many glasses?" Loungeville asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"For all of us, of course," Osmond tittered. Loungeville nodded then turned to leave.  

Colbert walked up, taking the document Loungeville had left, and read it. He lowered the paper, curious to see what Louise might be reacting. To his surprise, she had an empty look to her. Colbert was not blind. He knew that Louise was bitterly bullied for her inability to control her magic. Her worst offender was Kirche, which was natural since their families had been feuding for as long as anyone could remember. Guiche was also one such student. He had thought that Louise would be pleased at this turn of events. 

"Is Miss Valliere alright?" he asked. 

Surprised, Louise glanced up, blinking, before she put on a smile. "Y-yes, I am fine. It's just...I am trying to process things, Professor." 

"Right..." Colbert muttered.

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"The wine here is excellent," the Good Hunter remarked as they left the Headmaster's office. Their footsteps echoed softly in the winding stairway that led downward.

"They are," Louise replied quietly, her expression unreadable.

The Good Hunter paused mid-step, turning slightly to study her. "Is something troubling you, Master?"

Louise stopped abruptly, spinning on her heels to face him. Her eyes were sharp, frustration flickering behind them. "You don't say," she snapped sarcastically.

The Good Hunter tilted his head, reading the unease in her posture. He sighed, a quiet, measured sound.

"I just found out that you're a noble. That you're a Hunter. I've learned so many things about you in such a short time," Louise began, her voice rising as the words spilled out. "How, in the Founder's name, am I supposed to feel about that?"

Her hands clenched into fists as she continued. "How am I supposed to feel knowing I'm so weak that I need my familiar to fight for me? Do you even understand how humiliating that is? If you weren't who you are, if you weren't so strong, you could've been gravely injured. Or worse!"

She took a shaky breath before launching into another tirade. "And Guiche! He torments me! They all torment me! I've spent my whole life dreaming of revenge, of proving them wrong, of showing them that I'm not the failure they think I am. And yet, today, when I finally had the chance to humiliate Guiche the way he and everyone else do to me..."

Her voice cracked. She bit her lip, looking down at the floor. "I..."

The Good Hunter silently removed his hat and lowered his neck gaiter. He sat down on one of the steps, resting his hat on his lap. His movements were slow and deliberate, inviting her to join him without a word.

After a moment of hesitation, Louise followed, lowering herself onto the steps. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.

"You what?" the Good Hunter asked gently, his tone soft but steady.

"I..." Louise's voice wavered. She looked down, her brows furrowed as she admitted, "I didn't like the feeling."

The Good Hunter tilted his head slightly. "What feeling?"

"When I saw how scared he was," Louise continued, "I didn't like it. Seeing how broken he looked. It didn't make me happy. It made me feel...guilty."

A pause settled between them, her confession hanging in the air. 

"Guilty?" the Good Hunter repeated, his voice calm.

Louise nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the floor. "I feel like we went too far. Like we shouldn't have done that."

Her admission hung in the air, raw and vulnerable.

The Good Hunter glanced away, and for a moment, Louise thought he couldn't bear to look at her. But it soon became clear he was merely gathering his thoughts.

"In my lifetime," he began, his voice steady but weighted, "I have seen the very worst of humanity. I have witnessed horrors inflicted by those who cared nothing for the pain they caused."

Louise looked up at him, her eyes glimmering with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability, listening intently.

"You," the Good Hunter continued, "have every reason to enjoy the suffering of your peers. After all you've endured, it would be understandable. But you don't." He turned his head to face her fully, his piercing gaze softening. "To me, that says something important. You, Master, have a conscience."

Louise listened.

"You could order me to do unspeakable things," he said, his tone even. "You could command me to inflict the worst tortures on those who've wronged you. And yet, I know you won't. You'd hate yourself for it. You don't want to hurt people."

Before she could process his words, he leaned in and gently poked her forehead with a gloved finger. Louise let out a startled squawk, jerking back, her cheeks flushing.

The Good Hunter chuckled, pulling away. "And that," he said, his voice lighter now, "is exactly why I'm happy to serve as your familiar. You've got a compassionate heart, Louise. I wouldn't entrust my strength to someone who'd feel right at home among the ranks of the Healing Church."

There was a faint edge of disdain in his voice when he mentioned the Healing Church, though Louise didn't understand the reference. Still, she could sense his disgust.

"Thanks for the glowing endorsement," she muttered, crossing her arms, though her voice lacked its usual bite. 

"Though of course, if you want to conquer the world, I would be happy to-" The Good Hunter joked. 

"No, we aren't conquering the world," Louise growled, to the Good Hunter's faux disappointment. 

"Pity. You would make a great evil Overlady," The Good Hunter said, reciting something that only he would know. 

"I am not interested to become an Overlady!" Louise squawked, crossing her arms. "I..." 

​The Good Hunter looked expectantly. 

​"I want to be a great mage," Louise muttered. "I want to be strong, to not just rely on your for protection. I want respect, but because of what I can do." 

​The Good Hunter listened. And nodded. "Respectable. I am happy to support you in those goals." 

"But did you forget that I can't cast a proper spell?" Louise growled. "No matter what I do, I just end up blowing things up?" 

​"That is not considered a power?" The Good Hunter asked. 

"How is blowing things up a power? I can't cast fireballs, I can't cast even simple spells," Louise bemoaned. 

"I don't know about how the magic in this world is done. Can you explain it to me?" he asked. 

Louise stared, ready to launch a barrage of insults. How could a noble not know how magic is done? Then, she remembered, he was a foreigner. Sighing, she sat straighter. "Magic is a innate ability present in humans and..." she paused, as if trying to stomach saying the word. "...Elves." Shaking, she continued. "The magic that a mage can actually practice however depends on their affinity. There are five, but the most common is fire, water, wind, and earth. Guiche's affinity is with earth. Indeed, the Gramont family is famous for that. My family's affinity is varied. And mine..." 

"Yours?"

"I don't know," Louise growled again, palming her face. Her hand retreated, and her face was gripped with frustration. "My mother tried everything to find out what my affinity was and each time, I never could find it." 

"But you could still cast spells, yes?" The Good Hunter asked. 

Louise harumphed, crossing her hands. "Of course I can cast spells. They just...explode. Everytime!" 

"Maybe that's the thing," The Good Hunter suggested. "With your lack of affinity with the other elements, perhaps you have the last one." 

Louise stared at the Good Hunter. "Oh, what a suggestion," she snarked. "My ability to screw up my spells is because my affinity is with Void magic." 

"In the absence of other alternatives, I can conclude that," The Good Hunter shrugged. 

"That would be ridiculous," Louise shook her head. "There have been no Void practitioners for thousands of years." 

"Who was the last one?" 

Louise stood up, dusting herself. "The Founder, Brimir." 

She began to take two steps down, then paused. Her fists tightened. "I...I want to be a great mage. I want to be powerful. And I will do it whether it kills me or not." 

"It won't," the Good Hunter replied, his voice knowing. "Because you already are a mage. You just don't see it." 

"How am I a mage when I can't cast fireball?" Louise asked blandly, turning around, challenge in her eyes. 

"Because you are clearly going for the wrong thing. The answer is right in front of you. You have been told your entire life that you are doing something wrong when clearly, there isn't," the Good Hunter refuted. "You are a Void Mage, Louise. Accept that." 

Louise looked away, teeth sinking into her lip. "I...I would have to test that. How would I even know? I can't just claim I am one without proof." 

"Then we will find some," The Good Hunter said. "Until then, don't be ashamed of your failures. Don't call for a fireball next time. Instead, cry out explosion." 

"That's stupid," Louise retorted. 

"No, I think you'll like it," The Good Hunter said. "I knew someone who was a great destruction mage." 

​This piqued Louise's interest. "Was she powerful?" 

​"Very," the Good Hunter replied. "Very very powerful. I can show you how she did it." 

Louise was on him quick. "Show me." 

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The Good Hunter stood, birdsong in his ears. The sun was shining, and he spotted a hill. He took a breath, Louise watching carefully, then he spoke. He thrust his hands out, gesturing. 

"Darkness black than black, darker than dark..." 

Louise held her breath. 

"I beseech thee, combine with my deep crimson...!" 

He seemed to be making more gestures, special and poised, his eyes burned! "Justice, fallen upon infallible boundary, appear now as an intangible distortion...." 

Louise's eyes widened as he cast his arms foward! 

"EXPLOSION!" The Good Hunter roared. 

...

...

Louise blinked. 

"Where's the Explosion?" Louise asked. 

​"My sweet master, I was only showing you how she did it, I did not say I could do it," the Good Hunter snorted. 

"Then what in the flaming Hells was that display for!?" Louise yelled shrilly. "You could have just showed it to me like a normal person!" 

"But that's how one should do it, I did not make the rules," he retorted. He dusted off his waistcoat before speaking. "Now, you try. Cast an explosion." 

​"No way," Louise refused.

"If you can cast an explosion spell, that will prove that you are a Void mage." 

"But not that," Louise cried, her cheeks reddening. "That...do I really have to yell it like that?" 

"Yeah, trust me," the Good Hunter winked. Still feeling unsure, Louise took a step. Her wand flashed in her hand. She looked down, glancing at it. After all this time...maybe he was right? Maybe her affinity was Void? Her heart told her not to be presumptuous. The Void was a holy thing. But her mind, sharp and academic, urged her to do so. 

​Oh. What did she have to lose?

She took in a breath. "Do I have to follow it as you said?" 

​The Good Hunter shook his head. "No. Say what you wish. Make it meaningful." 

She nodded, heeding his advice. She glanced up, power bubbling in her stomach. "Light from light, dark from dark. From the depths of my soul, I desire nought but the destruction of which I see!" 

Her cheeks burned with mortification and embarrassment, the only consolation being that literally no one else saw her right now but the birds and the trees. She had no idea what she was speaking but it felt right on her lips. "Listen to me! Hear my voice! Bow down to my wish and let reality be what I demand! May this world tremble before me as I cast...!" 

With a voice filled with all her pains, Louise screamed as she thrust her wand: "EXPLOSIONNNNNNNNNNN!" 

Louise expected nothing. Louise expected a fluke. But a fluke did not happen. She knew the truth in the depths of her soul. Power coursed through her veins, electrifying her blood as Willpower surged. Her heart pumped, adrenaline gripped her. She felt like flying, utterly empowered. Her wand flared with arcs of raw magic spiraling outward like threads of lightning. The light was blinding, the sheer force of it vibrating through the ground, shaking loose leaves from the trees around them. 

The Good Hunter smiled.

The explosion tore through the hillside with devastating force, a blinding column of light spearing into the sky. The ground split open, chunks of earth and stone hurled into the air like cannon fire. The sound was deafening, trees bent and snapped as a shockwave radiated outward, flattening everything in its path. Flames danced in the air, curling into massive, spiraling plumes of smoke that rose like a dark crown. The ground beneath her feet trembled violently, cracks spiderwebbing outward. The sheer scale of the devastation was breathtaking, as if a piece of the heavens themselves had been torn down and slammed into the earth.

The Good Hunter, his coat billowing, shielded his face with his arm. Dust and debris whipped around him, but he stood firm, his expression grinning. 

When the light finally dimmed and the roaring subsided, Louise's cheeks were flushed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The wand in her hand trembled, faint wisps of smoke rising from its tip. She blinked, staring at the destruction she had wrought. The once-beautiful hill was gone, replaced by a scarred and smoldering pit. The sheer enormity of it left her reeling.

She could do it. 

She actually could use magic! 

She....

She fell as her body went limp and she collapsed, the last thing she saw was the smoke rising to the sky. But the Good Hunter would not let her fall. He was fast, catching her body before it even touched the grass. Chuckling. he glanced down at her sleeping form, how utterly at peace she was. 

[SPOILER="I'm Alive!"][URL unfurl="true" media="youtube:JCdEVZUz1Uo"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCdEVZUz1Uo[/URL][/SPOILER]

"What a terror we will make you," he intoned to no one in particular. He then lifted her up, princess style, holding her close.

"Munya..." Louise muttered sleepily as she buried herself against his chest.

"Back to your bed, Little Master," The Good Hunter laughed, glancing up to the smoking distance, then turned, back towards the academy, his coat billowing behind him. 

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A/N: Aw. Isn't that cute. And yes, nostalgia time.