Zero´s Partner

Author Note:

I swear I wrote this out of anger, User DaoistEcAsfF. You can now reevaluate the work as you said.

Please leave positive comments and reviews, it motivates me.

- Abel Wizard.

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"Where the hell am I...? Was that a dream?"

Saito blinked a few times, trying to shake off the lingering fog of sleep still clouding his mind. He looked around, his heart racing, expecting to see the familiar ceiling of his room, his posters, his desk... But all he found were rough stone walls, an elegant chandelier, and furniture that looked like it had come straight out of a medieval castle. Nothing reminded him of his home, his family, his life.

The reality hit him like a crushing weight. His chest tightened as the memories of the previous day came flooding back... the ritual, the magic circle, the explosion of light, and, above all, the pink-haired girl who had summoned him.

He turned his head, searching for her for a moment. Even with her difficult temper, there was something about her that piqued his curiosity. But at that moment, what concerned him more was something else.

He would never see his family again. He would never see Japan again. He would never live the life he had always known. According to Louise, there was no known way to travel between worlds. He had been summoned, but even she didn't know how it happened.

But if there's a way to come, then there must be a way to go back, right?

He buried his face in his hands, taking a deep breath as he tried to push away the sense of despair. The sound of light footsteps caught his attention. Louise walked out of the bathroom, already dressed in her usual uniform. Her hair was slightly damp, the pink strands falling over her shoulders. She crossed her arms, watching him with an unreadable expression.

"Finally awake. How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice carrying a barely concealed note of concern.

Saito looked at her and sighed. "So... all of this is real? You really summoned me to this world?"

For a moment, Louise hesitated. She looked away, seeming uncomfortable. "Yes. You're my familiar now. I know it must be hard to understand, but... I didn't expect a human to appear either."

Saito leaned back on the bed, taking in her words. "Right... and what exactly does a 'familiar' do?"

Louise cleared her throat, maintaining her usual haughty posture. "Well... familiars protect and assist their masters. But... you're human. So... I won't treat you like an animal."

He raised an eyebrow. "How generous of you."

Louise scoffed, quickly turning away to hide the blush that rose to her cheeks. "Don't get too comfortable. We still need to figure out what to do with you."

And all the warmth and concern in her voice vanished in an instant, as expected from a true tsundere.

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The Tristain Academy of Magic was a true spectacle of architecture. The wide corridors, filled with stained glass windows and marble columns, gave off a sense of grandeur and exclusivity. However, for Saito, the environment only served to remind him more of his status as an outsider in this world.

The curious glances and whispered conversations around him didn't help.

"So it's true... Louise really summoned a commoner as her familiar?" Montmorency raised an eyebrow as she observed Saito. 'Despite everything, he is... quite handsome,' the blonde thought as she bit her lip, eyeing him.

"What a curious situation. A mage having a human as a familiar... it's humiliating, isn't it?" Guiche smiled arrogantly, twirling a rose between his fingers.

Louise clenched her fists, her expression hardening. "So what? That's none of your business."

Saito noticed the tone in her voice. It wasn't anger directed at him, but at the others. He saw how Louise held her head high, refusing to show weakness in front of their scorn. For the first time, he felt that maybe there was more to this girl than he had originally assumed.

He smirked. Maybe being in this world wasn't so bad after all.

.

.

.

'I, Hiraga Saito, retract everything I said earlier.'

Saito felt his blood boil as he watched the scene in front of him. The academy's cafeteria was spacious and elegantly decorated. Nobles in fine clothes chatted animatedly while enjoying refined meals. But for Saito, what caught his attention the most was Louise, sitting in her place like a true aristocrat, pointing to the floor beside her.

"Sit there, Saito. As a good familiar, you should eat on the floor."

Saito froze for a moment. For a second, he thought he misheard. But then, he heard the muffled laughs around him. He looked at Louise, incredulous.

His blood boiled.

"No."

Louise raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What did you say?"

"I said no." His voice came out stronger than he expected. Saito clenched his fists, his voice filled with indignation. "I'm a human, not a dog. I'm not sitting on the floor while you all eat like I'm a pet."

The cafeteria fell silent. A few heads turned, curious to see how the situation would unfold.

Louise slammed her hand on the table, her eyes sparking. "You're my familiar! You must obey me!"

Saito took a step forward, meeting her gaze. "And you think that means you can humiliate me? I was ripped from my world, thrown here without explanation, and now you want me to crawl to you? I may not be a noble, nor a mage, but I'm proud to be human. And humans don't kneel to the whims of those who think they're superior."

But Saito didn't stop there.

"Should I take your promises as empty, princess?" Saito said mockingly. "Have you already forgotten what we talked about this morning?"

Louise's eyes widened, her mouth slightly opening but no words coming out.

The silence stretched on, heavy as lead. Some students looked at Louise, waiting for her to explode in anger. Others watched Saito with a look that bordered on respect.

Finally, Louise huffed and looked away. "Do whatever you want."

Saito sighed, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

As soon as he settled in, he heard a soft murmur from the girl beside him. "I'm sorry, Saito... I was wrong."

Saito crossed his arms and looked at her. "Look, Louise. I understand that you want to impress your peers. But those people who ridicule you? They don't deserve a single bit of your respect. You owe them nothing."

Louise felt an unexpected warmth in her chest. Someone was defending her. Someone understood her. And here she was, almost humiliating him to impress people who didn't respect her.

"Thank you, Saito..." she began, but was interrupted.

"... But if you try to humiliate me again, I will leave at the first chance I get. If I get locked up, I'll bite my tongue the moment it happens. Remember that."

His green eyes were filled with a terrifying determination.

Louise swallowed hard and nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven."

And so, Hiraga Saito made history. A commoner eating among aristocrats.

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The marble corridor of the Tristain Academy of Magic was silent, as usual. The soft sound of light footsteps and distant echoes of students' conversations seemed to get lost in the vast walls of the place. But this tranquility was abruptly broken by Guiche's voice, heavy with jealousy.

"Peasant! How dare you exchange glances with my beloved Montmorency like that?" Guiche exclaimed, his eyes sparking with fury. He clenched his fists, his face turning red with anger. His girlfriend, Montmorency, was nearby, blushing slightly as she cast a curious, even somewhat apprehensive, look at Saito.

Saito blinked, confused by the accusation. "I was just... looking around, buddy. No intention at all, I wouldn't steal my bro's girl." Saito replied calmly, as if reciting a sacred text, with a tranquil and carefree expression.

But his words didn't seem to convince Guiche. The noble's wounded pride made him react impulsively. He raised his magical rose, which glowed with energy, vibrating softly as he pointed it at Saito with a challenging and arrogant look.

"Then I, Guiche de Gramont, will teach you the difference between a mere commoner and a noble! I challenge you to a duel!"

Louise, who had been quietly standing next to Saito, crossed her arms, her pink eyes burning with anger and determination. She, who cared deeply for him, couldn't let the situation get out of hand. "If you're challenging my familiar, then you're also challenging me, Guiche!" She shouted, though deep down, she felt uneasy. She knew Saito wouldn't fear the confrontation. Her heart raced, but she knew it was a great opportunity for her familiar to prove his worth.

Saito rolled his shoulders, a smile on his face as if he had just found the opportunity he had been waiting for. "Alright, if that's what you want."

The students around them began to stir, their whispers filling the air, and soon, a small group had formed, following the two to the school courtyard.

On the way, however, Saito remembered something important. "Louise, I need a sword." He said, his voice more excited now, barely able to hide his enthusiasm. He was eager to finally test his skills in real combat.

Louise looked at him, surprised for a moment, before quickly reacting. Without hesitation, she grabbed his arm and led him to a small storage room, where she found a short sword that Saito could use. She handed it to him with a slight concern in her eyes but also a touch of tenderness, as if she was more worried about his well-being than the fight itself.

Now wielding the sword, Saito felt a faint current of energy in his hands, as if his runes were reacting to the blade. His fingers tightened around the hilt, ready to enter battle.

"How confident are you in beating him, Saito?" Louise asked, a worried tone in her voice, though she was also curious about his performance.

Saito smiled confidently and winked at her. "Very. But... if you promise me a kiss as a reward, maybe I'll try even harder." The teasing was clear, but his voice was full of fun.

Louise, surprised by Saito's boldness, blushed instantly. She nodded slowly, unable to hide the flush on her cheeks. "Alright, you perverted familiar. But don't you dare get hurt."

"Don't worry, princess." Saito replied with a mischievous smile, before turning and heading toward the courtyard.

When they arrived, Guiche was already waiting, impatient and visibly irritated. "Well, well, I thought you had backed down. Let's finish this quickly," he said with a dramatic flourish. He then summoned his specialty, a bronze Valkyrie that appeared with a metallic sound, its iron wings fluttering lightly in the air.

"Let's see how you fare against my beauties of metal, commoner!" Guiche mocked, his arrogance evident as he watched Saito prepare.

The Valkyrie charged at Saito, but he was ready. With swift and agile movements, he dodged the first strike, jumping back with a skill that seemed almost superhuman. He was grazed on the arm, a superficial cut that made Louise hold her breath, her heart racing as she saw him in danger.

"Be careful, Saito!" She shouted, clenching her fists, but he was already prepared for the next strike.

With a fluid movement, he landed a precise blow, cutting the bronze Valkyrie in half. Saito's sword glowed with an intensity that seemed to emanate from his runes, and without hesitation, he grabbed the Valkyrie's giant sword, smiling with confidence. He felt a growing power within himself. He remembered a sword style and felt as if he was connecting with a fighting technique impossible to perform in the real world, a sword style from a cursed place. (Abyss Watchers!)

Guiche, his face pale with surprise and frustration, summoned four more Valkyries to face Saito.

The Valkyries tried to surround him, but Saito was faster. He spun and danced between them, slicing their joints with impressive precision, taking them down one by one. His swords, now in both hands, seemed like extensions of his own body, and he moved with an agility that was more like a dancer than a fighter.

"I-impossible!" Guiche exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. He couldn't understand how a commoner could have such skill.

With one final impressive move, Saito appeared before Guiche. In a single clean strike, he knocked the magic rose from Guiche's hands, splitting it in half, causing the noble to stumble backward and fall to the courtyard floor.

Silence took over the courtyard for a moment before Montmorency let out an impressed sigh. "Such strength... incredible..." She murmured, unable to hide her admiration.

Louise, on the other hand, huffed, trying to hide the satisfaction she felt. She crossed her arms, but only she knew how impressed she truly was. And, as she remembered the promise she had made, a flush spread across her face, making her skin even rosier. She looked at Saito with a mix of affection and apprehension, as the students around them burst into exclamations of shock and admiration.

Saito turned to Guiche and extended a hand to help him up, his smile casual. "If you don't want to lose, think twice before challenging someone."

Guiche, surprised by Saito's gesture, hesitated for a moment but then accepted the help. His pride was a little shaken, but his honor was still intact, and he knew the commoner deserved respect.

Louise approached Saito, giving his shoulder a light tap. "You did well, Saito."

Saito smiled, the sun shining over the courtyard and lighting up his victorious expression. He turned to Louise, leaning into her ear and whispering in a husky voice that made her shiver. "Don't think I forgot what you promised me, Mistress!"

Her response was immediate, a warmth flooding her cheeks. She could barely breathe, her thoughts swirling as he teased her. The atmosphere between the two of them was undeniably changing.

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Saito exited the bathroom with his hair slightly damp, wearing a black tank top and his usual black pants.

Louise's room was lit only by the soft light of candles, creating a cozy feeling. Louise stood near the bed, her heart racing, as Saito entered the room, still with the triumphant air from his victory.

Saito looked at her, a bit tired but with a satisfied smile on his lips. Louise watched him attentively, with a gleam of anxiety in her eyes. The atmosphere was heavy, yet filled with a sweetness that only the two of them could feel.

Louise, her voice trembling, finally spoke, breaking the silence. "Saito... you... you won, as promised. I... I have to keep my word."

Saito, surprised that she brought up the subject, looked at her. "The kiss... right?"

She nodded slowly, still a bit hesitant, but the confidence in her eyes was visible. She walked up to him, her heart racing with each step, until she stood right in front of him. For a moment, they stared at each other, almost challenging one another to take the next step.

With a trembling hand, Louise gently placed her palm on Saito's face, and her eyes, locked with his, conveyed something that she couldn't express with words. Desire, emotion, and vulnerability were there, reflected in the gleam of her eyes.

"Saito..." she murmured, and before he could say anything, she moved closer to him. The kiss happened with an intense softness. Louise's lips touched Saito's, and he, surprised by the lightness and intensity of the moment, didn't hesitate to reciprocate. He felt the warmth of her mouth and the gentle touch of her hands on his chest. The world seemed to disappear for a moment, and nothing else mattered but being there with her.

They separated for a moment, just to look at each other, breathing heavily. Louise closed her eyes for a second, as if trying to compose herself, and then, without words, kissed him again, now with more intensity, as if she wanted to prolong that moment and explore even more the connection between them.

Saito, surprised by the passion in the kiss, wrapped his hand around her neck, pulling her even closer. Their hearts beat together, and the chemistry between them seemed irresistible. But then, Louise pulled away slightly, her eyes open, her breath quick. She seemed nervous, and her lips were still trembling a little, but her expression was determined.

"Saito... I'm not ready for... more than this," she said, her voice soft, but firm. "I... I don't know if I can, yet."

Saito, with his eyes gently filled with understanding, placed one of his hands on her face, caressing her skin. "I understand, Louise," he said with a kind smile. "Don't worry, I'll wait. What matters is that we're here, together."

She smiled timidly, relieved by his understanding. Louise, with a hesitant movement, walked over to the bed, pulling the covers. "Let's sleep, Saito. I... I want you to stay by my side."

Saito followed her and lay down beside her with a deep sigh. He looked at her, who was already settling in, and saw that she seemed more relaxed, but still with a slight blush on her cheeks. He turned on his side so that their bodies were almost touching, but without getting too close.

The two of them stayed in silence for a while, just listening to the rain outside and the soft sound of their breathing. Even though the kiss had been intense, there was something deeper at play—something they both knew was more than just physical attraction. At that moment, it was about trust, respect, and maybe the beginning of something more.

Louise looked at him and, before closing her eyes, whispered, "Good night, Saito."

"Good night, Louise," he replied softly, his heart at peace, knowing that this shared moment was just the beginning.