A few moments later, Klaus knocked the door once again. Our conversation came to a halt.
"Master, I've brought some refreshments for you and His Excellency. There is only ten or fifteen minutes until dinner is ready. If your meeting with His Excellency is going to go beyond that, then it can resume afterward.", Klaus's voice spoke to us as we heard the door knock. I saw Victor. His momentary surprise at my bow ceased. He simply glanced at me, and we reached a hidden understanding.
"Very well. You may come in, Klaus.", Victor said, before looking back at me. "As to whether you will learn under me, let us set that aside for now, Your Excellency. At least, for now, is it alright if I address you as Naoto?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll likewise call you Victor.", I happily replied, smiling.
"Hahaha.", Victor laughed. "If other nobles caught wind of this, I fear what they would do."
"I would say their opinion means little to me since I like to take action in my own hands, but sadly, I'm afraid that isn't how the world works. If it eases you, I'll be sure not to cause a commotion here during my stay, Victor.", I responded.
"Thank you.", Victor said with a curt nod.
Seeing us conclude our talks about me becoming Victor's newest student for the time being, we saw Klaus bring in a couple maids into the room, one carrying a tray with two cups of piping hot and fresh tea on it.
"Please enjoy, Your Lordship."
"Mmm.", Victor said.
The maids didn't stay, and left shortly after, along with Klaus. It was just Victor and I again. Reaching for the tea given to me, I took a sip of it. It was very refreshing, and immediately eased any tension in the room that was previously there, if any at all. I was rather easy-going. And yet, just as the door was about to close, I saw a swift shadow blink toward me. Who else could it be but Tamamo?
"Are you done talking to Laura's dad, Master?", Tamamo asked. Hearing that caused me to laugh.
"Haha. We're almost done. Did you decide to check up on us, Tama?", I asked.
"Yup! Dinner's almost ready.", Tamamo said, letting her tails droop down the side of the chair, happily thumping away as she rested in my lap. One of my hands rested on her fur. I saw Victor's eyes shift downward, and observed Tamamo for a moment.
"This...isn't a monster, is it?", Victor asked. Yet, before I could even speak, Tamamo opened her eyes, revealing two, snake-like pupils and immediately became annoyed.
"Hmph. You dare lump me with those things. I am a proud Familiar, I have you know.", Tamamo retorted before I could speak. "And I am not called an 'it'. I am a girl!"
Another smile appeared on my lips after Tamamo said that.
"As you can clearly see, Tama here can be a little feisty, at times. But she means well, I assure you, Victor. She means no harm.", I said, smiling.
"Is that right?", Victor asked. "It would seem there is more to the world than I have yet to come across. Many things, such as this... 'Familiar', was it? They cannot be properly explained. At least to those who do not understand the way the world works."
"I couldn't have said that better myself. You've met Tama thanks to her persistence, but how about I introduce you to KeA, considering I'm going to be staying in Legram for a while? Both Tama and KeA have gotten acquainted with Laura already.", I decided to ask.
"KeA?", Victor responded, becoming interested.
"If you're going to do that Master, can I go explore the mansion some more? This place is almost as big as the castle!", Tamamo asked.
"Haha.", I laughed. "Sure, why not? Just remember if dinner is called and you don't show up, we're eating without you.", I answered. Once that was said, Tamamo's eyes lit up, and jumped off of my lap.
"Heehee, I know! I refuse to let a free meal slip me by.", Tamamo happily said before she blinked out of existence. Just that action alone caused Victor to turn serious.
"She...can just move around instantly like that?", Victor asked, becoming more and more serious. "I don't need to ask about the implications behind this, right?"
"You don't. Both Tama and I very well know that such an absurd movement technique is powerful. It allows us to traverse the battlefield much quicker, though I haven't really perfected the latter. She isn't the only one who can move from place to place. While only the Royal Army is really in the know of this, I will tell you a little bit of information about me as a token of gratitude for letting me stay here, and potentially learn under you.", I said.
"Oh?", Victor asked. "And what would that be?"
"I can move long distances. Let's say...From Zeiss to Grancel Castle in but a mere blink of an eye.", I responded, grinning.
"That...", Victor uttered. Even someone like him who constantly has a stern look in his eyes from countless years of training became shocked. "That's absurd. Even I can't do that!"
"Trust me. Not a lot of people can. I learned something quite special from another teacher of mine. Perhaps I will introduce you to her one day. She lives in a secluded village that people today no bother trying to find.", I said, keeping Roselia's matter simple for now. "But with that being said and now that I have your undivided attention, KeA why don't you come out to say hello?"
I put my palm forth, causing Victor's shock to subside. It didn't take long for AI KeA to pop into existence again.
"...What?", Victor uttered. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"KeA is no joke! Who is this scruffy old man, Master?", AI KeA responded. I guess even an AI like KeA can feel annoyed by such a remark, haha!
"Hahaha!", I laughed, louder this time. "This scruffy-looking man here is Sir Victor. We'll be under his care for the time being.", I explained to AI KeA.
After explaining her new surroundings, AI KeA had another look at Victor. Likewise, Victor didn't expect to suddenly see a small little fairy appear in my hands. Her body flew upward, allowing her wings to flutter about in a swift manner. She flew back and forth around Victor a bit, only to end up landing on top of Victor's head. Seeing the little fairy pixelated before him, he actually became surprised once he felt a thud on his head. AI KeA was purely composed of data, but she had some weight to her.
"You look just like Laura!", AI Kea happily said, staying atop Victor's head. It took a good moment for his shock to subside, but he soon laughed.
"Haha! Well little one, that is because Laura is my daughter. You certainly have an endless bag of tricks don't you, Naoto?", Victor mused, seeing yet another creature Victor didn't know about.
"You think so?", I replied. "To be honest, KeA is still pretty new to me. I do not know how she came into existence, or the one behind her appearance. I am afraid I cannot go into much detail."
"Nor is it my desire to pry into such matters. It can only be the act of the Goddess.", Victor responded. "As long as this little fairy means no harm to our people, then she shall be considered a guest under my care as you are, Naoto. I do not see any issues that will arise from this."
"Thank you. It means a lot to hear that, coming from you.", I happily said. For the time being, I only plan to have AI KeA interact with those within the Arseid House. I looked up and saw AI KeA happily humming, still on Victor's head. "Did you hear that, KeA? You can continue to explore the place to your heart's content. We will be heading to dinner shortly, after I talk about the last thing I want to discuss with Victor."
"Okay!", AI KeA happily said. Victor didn't move. He just saw AI KeA fly outward before the two of us, only to completely vanish from sight. We were left to our own devices. I then looked back at Victor.
"I am using every chance I can get to let KeA learn and observe. Thank you for that, Victor. With that out of the way, me acknowledging you as my master is but one of two things I wish to discuss. This other topic shouldn't take long, so why don't we get down to business?", I said, deciding to change the topic. Learning the Arseid Style of swordsmanship to eventually mold my own style is but one reason why I am here in Legram, to be specific.
"It does look like you have something else on your mind to discuss about.", Victor responded, nodding his head.
"I do. Before I explain, let me ask you this. How much do you know of House Rogner's situation?", I asked.
"So it is about House Rogner. I hear he has been keeping himself holed up inside his own house, especially after that incident struck the Reinford Group. He has been attempting reconstruction, and garner favors, most likely. And aside from that, I hear he has a rather unruly daughter who always seems to go missing. She has been spotted all over Western Erebonia, but signs point to her presently residing in Liberl.", Victor answered, before looking right at me in the eyes.
"And if I had to take a guess, you are the one behind Lady Rogner's disappearances.", Victor guessed. As he said that, he took another cup of his tea.
"Excellent. That is much more than what the average person knows about Angie's constant developments. And there is a very good reason for that.", I said, smiling at him. "I won't beat around the bush. Considering you know what is happening back at home, Angie is the first girl to enter the Royal Harem. We have begun a relationship. Albeit we're taking it slow, considering our ages and all."
"You...are dating Lady Rogner?", Victor mused. "If I recall correctly, doesn't Lady Rogner have one of the worst attitudes in regards to particular genders, and has some...rather peculiar tastes? Has the Goddess shined on her? She truly is dating a boy?"
"Haha!", I laughed. "You'd be surprised Victor. Angie really has changed for the better. Even if the two of us are like this now, that doesn't really mean anything, as far as nobility goes. We are presently devising a plan. It will bring us to clash against House Rogner.", I explained with a serious look in my eyes.
"A confrontation between the nobility...", Victor uttered. "While that concept isn't exactly foreign to our rich history here in Erebonia, considering several uprisings and civil unrest has shaped what our country is today, if Lord Rogner catches wind of this, he is going to be furious."
"Which is why I am bringing this up for discussion with you now, Victor. Angie and I are planning to merge two of the Great Houses together.", I declared.
"A plan to merge two of our Great Houses together...", Victor uttered, becoming shocked once again. "No doubt will that cause a stir amongst our nobility. Some might even fall if they don't ride the wave quick enough."