Life with a Zero (Familiar Of Zero fanfic)

Chapter 5

Vestri Court was the central garden between the Wind and Fire elemental towers. Being located to the west, the Court didn't receive much sunshine, even in the middle of the day, but it was the perfect place for a duel.

Right now... the place was packed with people who had heard the rumors.

"Gentlemen! It's a duel!" said Guiche as he lifted his artificial rose high, eliciting a loud cheer from the crowd.

"Guiche is going to duel! His opponent is Louise's commoner!" said one of his friends

Looking around, I saw many pointing and laughing at me

[tch- they sure are looking down on me]

Waving his arms about, Guiche acknowledged the cheering. And then, as if finally noticing my presence, he turned to face me.

"First, I commend you for coming here instead of running away!" Guiche remarked in a sing-song voice, as he twirled his rose.

"Why would I run away?" I said with a smirk

"Right then, let us begin," said Guiche.

[First to strike wins] I thought as I ran towards him at full speed

I saw a petal floated down as if dancing in the air and it became the armor-clad shape of a female warrior. Its height was about the same as a persons, but it appeared to be constructed from some hard metal. Under the pale sunlight, its skin... its armor gleamed.

It then blocked the punch that was meant to hit Guiches face, and it then threw me but I landed easily back on my feet

"Wh-what the fuck is this?!" I yelled

"I am a mage, therefore I fight using magic. Surely you have no complaints?"

"No, no, I don't actually..." I said as I tried to shake the pain off of my hand

This seemed to leave him perplexed, but he soon composed himself

"I guess I forgot to mention earlier. My Runic name is "the Bronze." Guiche the Bronze. My bronze golem "Valkyrie" shall be your real opponent."

"Chicken Eh?" I said in a whisper

The warrior-shaped golem charged towards me. Its right fist impacted heavily with my tum. And I could hear a loud cracking sound

"Harg!"

I fell to the ground grabbing my stomach

"Ow fuck, ow god!" I said in a sarcastic tone

[Again, thankfully I never clean my sweaters pockets]

I secretly let the bread crumbs fall out of them as I rolled around the floor to emphasize my fake pain

"What, over already?" Guiche sounded dissatisfied

"Guiche!" Louise burst out

"Oh, Louise! My bad. I'm just borrowing your familiar for a bit."

Louise shook her long hair and yelled angrily at Guiche.

"That's quite enough! And besides, dueling is strictly forbidden!"

"Only dueling between nobles is forbidden. Nobody has forbidden duels between commoners and nobles."

Louise was at a momentary loss for words.

"Th-that's because nothing like this has ever happened before..."

"Louise, do you like this commoner?"

Louise's face burned an angry scarlet.

"No! Don't be ridiculous! It's just that I won't put up with having my familiar beaten up before my eyes!"