At the lectern stood a plump female mage: Chevreuse of the Red Earth.
In this world there are five systems of magic: Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, and Void— though the Void system has been lost.
Mages are ranked by how many systems they can combine in a spell: Two-system combinations: Line
Three-system combinations: Triangle
Four-system combinations: Square (Quadrivium)
By Louise's reckoning, Hayashi Maki clearly surpassed even Quadrivium level.
Other elemental systems, combined, can produce all kinds of effects. A Void mage, however, can overwhelm all other systems—after all, the Founder was a Void mage. "Void" because it is unknown—and thus contains every possibility.
One class later, Hayashi Maki was bored out of his mind. He pulled out his phone, snapped a few shots of the class, grabbed some selfies and group pics. Heh—give it a few days and he could show them to Nibutani Shinka: I attended a magic academy too, you know. Nibutani-sama might be so jealous she can't resist and begs for a contract?
Well, unlikely—Shinka's a reserved girl—but it's a nice fantasy.
After class, Kirche sauntered over with Tabitha, who was walking while reading. Ignoring Louise's stormy face, Kirche looped herself around Hayashi Maki's arm.
"Darling~, what were you doing just now? Let me join next time."
She cooed, feeling his warmth; when he didn't burn under her family's "warmth," she grew even more delighted.
"Just taking some commemorative photos—here…"
Hayashi Maki showed her the shots. Kirche's eyes lit up; she leaned to his ear and purred, "Come by my room tonight—take all the commemorative shots you want."
Louise glared. "Zerbst, what do you think you're doing to my familiar? Hands off!"
"Tch, Vallière—can't you see Darling and I are dating? He may be your familiar, but he's also a man. You can't interfere in our love."
"Dating my foot. Not happening. Hayashi Maki—come with me!" Louise yanked him out of the room.
"Tch… so stingy. No wonder you're so flat," Kirche pouted, then turned to whine to Tabitha, "Tabitha, look at Vallière—always hogging Hayashi Maki. I'm clearly the better match for him!"
"Oh. I see," Tabitha said flatly, never looking up, eyes still on her book. Kirche didn't mind; that was just Tabitha—and she was the perfect sounding board, never impatient.
Afternoon came.
Because Hayashi Maki was peeking up skirts during class, Louise banned him from the classroom—sending him to hang with the familiars instead.
He didn't mind; those lectures were useless to him. And if Louise wouldn't let him admire long legs, what was the point of sitting there?
"Lick, lick~"
A green snake familiar offered him its tongue eagerly. Hayashi Maki sidestepped with a dark look. Turning away, he found a floating giant eyeball batting… well, eyelashes? A magical eye—a special type of familiar.
Kirche's salamander Flame was there too, rubbing its head against his trouser leg. Hayashi Maki patted her head in consolation. Then his gaze fell on the most dazzling familiar present:
A blue dragon.
Tabitha's familiar—Sylphid. A legendary dragon, rumored to take human form. A dragon girl… Hayashi Maki perked up.
He pulled a fried chicken burger from his inventory and held it to her muzzle. Sylphid, dozing, sniffed the aroma and opened her eyes.
Seeing Hayashi Maki smiling and offering food, she warmed to him at once—snapped up the burger and ate blissfully—then fixed him with bright, expectant eyes. Hayashi Maki chuckled and fed her another. Spending a little food for a dragon girl's favor? Total bargain.
Sylphid savored the treats. At his feet, Flame chirped plaintively, big eyes shimmering with Kirche-like tears: Why only the dragon? For Kirche's sake, Hayashi Maki tossed Flame a couple burgers too.
Other familiars stared, envious—but under Sylphid's gaze, none dared approach. Sylphid arched her long neck proudly and flicked her wings at Hayashi Maki.
"Does that mean… I can ride you for a bit?" he ventured.
Sylphid nodded vigorously.
No way he'd refuse—who hasn't dreamed of being a dragon rider? He swung up onto her back. With a joyous cry, Sylphid spread her blue wings and shot skyward.
In the classroom, Tabitha instinctively looked up at the soaring shape. Noticing Hayashi Maki sprawled on her familiar's back, a spark flickered in her usually blank eyes. To be recognized by Sylphid… What kind of man is Hayashi Maki?
Skimming the sky on Sylphid, Hayashi Maki felt giddy. As the wind roared, information on Tabitha surfaced in his mind:
Tabitha's true name was Charlotte Éléonore Allière. Her father was the younger brother of Joseph, King of Gallia, and the rightful heir to the Gallian throne. Her father was murdered; in saving her, her mother was poisoned by water magic and lost her mind.
Charlotte was forced to live under the name "Tabitha"—the name her mother had given a doll. After the poisoning ordered by her uncle, the current King Joseph, her mother took the doll for her daughter, drifting in a fog ever since.
This world had several realms: Tristain, which had lost its king; Albion, torn by civil war; and Gallia—a kingdom under the feckless Joseph, who had seized the crown by killing his brother.
Turning over these facts, Hayashi Maki began to form a new plan.
~~~
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