The staring contest continued for long enough to be considered awkward. In reality, though not much time had passed. I finally have gotten over my humiliation and face the girl with new resolve.

"Who am I?"

I finally got the big question on the table. I'm not really sure if the girl knows, but she probably knows more than I do.

"You are a familiar."

"What is a familiar?"

The girl stares silently at me for a while. Sorry, it may be a stupid question to the girl, or maybe it was a profound and complicated issue. Either way, I needed to know.

"My servant."

Simple! Who's servant? I do not really mind being the servant to a beauty like you, but I get the feeling the context is different from what I am hoping for.

"Explain."

"You are too familiar."

"I am a familiar."

"No the word familiar can mean a summoned servant, or if used in a different context it's like to be too friendly."

"I see."

So I am overly friendly? Wait I should have denied being a servant instead of accepting it right? I need to listen to the rest of the story though. The word summoning sounds important.

"Can you tell me where I come from?"

"......"

The silent treatment. Or maybe she does not know?

"Can you tell me my name?"

"You do not have a name."

Wow. That stinks. For some reason I am disappointed. The girl answered fairly quickly, so it is probably true. I let out a sigh.

"Do not do that."

"Do what?"

"Sigh."

"Why?"

"Stop asking questions."

"Why?"

"Stop disobeying me."

"No."

At this point, the girl appeared frustrated. I realized that I was irritating her, but I felt it was necessary. The status quo had gone out the window the moment this conversation began. Now I need to find a new status quo and make it right. To do that I need to press this girl for answers.

"Answer my questions please."

"You are a familiar, and you should obey your master who is me without arguing about it."

Maybe I am pressing too hard? But I am finally beginning to get somewhere. I want this girl to have a normal conversation with me.

"Let's sleep together."

"Die."

"It was a joke."

I can tell jokes. First time I tried it. Although I may have lied about it being a joke.

"Familiar's can't tell jokes. They shouldn't be able to talk either."

The girl appears to be confused. I seem to have thrown her outside her comfort zone. The one walking on thin ice though is me. I better not upset her anymore. What should I do to make her like me? Trying to make her laugh by telling her another joke seems to be a bad idea though. Let's try being familiar then.

"Let's go out together."

"Die."

What was wrong with what I said!?

"You shouldn't stay in here all day. Get some sun?"

"I should study. No, I should report you to Miss Collins."

"Please don't. I promise not to be a bother."

So it is not alright for a guy to be in the girl's dorm after all? If that is the case, I really can't stay.

"What kind of familiar are you?"

"A regular one I guess?"

"It is a part of the contract's bylaws that a familiar cannot speak. How are you speaking? You cannot be a familiar if you talk."

"So I should stop talking then?"

"That would be for the best."

"......"

"......"

"That isn't going to fly sweetheart."

"What kind of slang is that? And who is your sweetheart? Do not call me that."

"You have not introduced yourself."

This caused the girl to pause. Her flustered look is really cute. I wish she would take off the hood so I can see more of her face.

"My name is Linda."

Finally, it took the girl forever to introduce herself. I guess I should call her Linda from now on. Wait. What about me? I do not know who I am. I still need to return the introduction though it feels like the proper thing to do.

"My name is Jack."

I came up with it on the spot. I hope she likes it.

"No, it is not."

She doesn't like it.

"A familiar cannot have a name until they earn recognition through passing the Mar Naming Examination."

Looks like it some kind of official rule or something. So I have to take a test to receive a name? How inconvenient.

"Call me Jack."

"Like I said you cannot have a name it is not allowed."

"It will be a private nickname then?"

"It is against the law. I cannot call you by a name until you have taken the exam."

"May I go take the exam then?"

First order of business on my to-do list is getting a name.

"The exam is only held once a year, and it passed a week ago."

Get a name has moved to the back of my to-do list.

"That is inconvenient."

"It takes about ten years of training for a new familiar to pass that examination."

"That is very inconvenient."

I will not have a name for ten years? What a letdown. Please just call me Jack. It is a great, simple name, and I kinda liked it when I said it.

"What is the Mar Royal Magic Academy?"

"It is the magic academy located near the royal capital of Mar in the kingdom of Mar. It is a place attended by those who have a high natural affinity for magic. In other words the school for the nobility and royalty of our kingdom."

What the heck is with all the Mar? Well, at least she finally answered a question without bitching about it. Our conversation is now falling into the realm of normality. If any of this is normal in the slightest. Maybe it's all extraordinary?

"You are a commoner though?"

"Uggh."

Linda looked like I hit her. My inane comment was like a blow to the gut.

"It was very hard for me to get here."

"Will you tell me your circumstances?"

"That is not your business."

Ice princess. So cold. I'm freezing. Maybe the room is chilly because of her?

"I would like to know."

"......."

Linda stared at me. She seemed to be considering what to tell me. She is an introvert huh? Not very good with talking. Neither am I. Maybe I take after her? What a weird thought.

"Somebody is playing a sick prank on me. This is not funny. Familiar we are going to see Miss Collins now."

Where did that conclusion come from? I wonder if I should try to stop her? Too late. She walked out the door. I ran out to catch up.

"Are we going to walk all the way to that building we were in last time?"

"......"

I am being ignored again. Time to stop this. I grab the girl by the hand startled her.

"Let go."

"No."

"I will attack you."

"I still will not let go."

"I will kill you."

"Scary but I don't think you will."

"It is easy for a dead-man to be brave."

She is seriously going to kill me, isn't she?

"Please talk with me, and we can work things out."

I'm not sure how I can reason with her, but if communication breaks down, I'm a goner. The girl stared silently at me. I am still holding her hand. She does not try to break free with force. I guess I am lucky after all. We return to the room. Seems like our conversation will continue awhile longer.