Ep 8. Tabitha's Secret

In episode 8 of The Familiar of Zero season 1, entitled "Tabitha's Secret," we are introduced to an enigmatic character that has been deeply speculated about before by fans of the show. Tabitha, one of Louise's classmates, has been regarded for a while as a mysterious figure, so this episode finally sheds some light on her background and motivations.

As the episode begins, we see Saito, Louise, and their friends attending classes as usual at the Tristain Academy of Magic. Suddenly, Tabitha interrupts the lesson and asks Louise to join her for a chat. Initially hesitant, Louise eventually acquiesces and follows Tabitha to a secluded spot where they can talk undisturbed. What follows is a revealing and emotional conversation between the two students, as Tabitha opens up to Louise about her past and present struggles.

As it turns out, Tabitha is not originally from Tristain - she comes from a far-off land called Gallia where she was born to a noble family that has since been disgraced and destroyed. Tabitha's parents were both powerful mages, but they were involved in a conspiracy against the Gallian royals that eventually resulted in their execution. Tabitha herself was only a young girl when this happened, and she was forced to flee her home country with her loyal dragon, Sylphid.

Since then, Tabitha has been living in Tristain as a student, but she has kept her past hidden from everyone, including her classmates and teachers. Her real name is Charlotte de Gallia, but she has never revealed it to anyone, and she has been using the name Tabitha instead. This is partly because she wants to distance herself from her tragic past and start anew, but it's also because she's afraid of being hunted down by the Gallian authorities that still seek her and her dragon companion.

Louise listens to Tabitha's story with empathy and understanding, and she vows to help her new friend in any way she can. She promises to keep Tabitha's secret safe and assures her that she's not alone anymore. Tabitha is moved by Louise's kindness and tells her that she has a plan to restore her family's honor and clear her name. She reveals that she has been researching an ancient magic spell that she believes could help her regain control of Gallia and avenge her parents' deaths.

However, this spell is dangerous and forbidden, and it requires the sacrifice of a powerful and rare magical creature - a live cardinal familiar. Tabitha has been trying to find a way to acquire the cardinal without hurting anyone, but she hasn't had any luck so far. She confides in Louise that she's starting to lose hope and that she doesn't know what to do next.

Louise, being the proactive and resourceful person she is, decides to help Tabitha with her quest. She offers to use her own familiar, Saito, as a decoy, hoping that Tabitha will be able to sneak in and take the real cardinal while the other students and teachers are distracted. Tabitha is hesitant at first, but she eventually agrees, and the two girls set out to carry out their plan.

Things don't quite go as smoothly as they hoped, however, and they run into some unexpected obstacles along the way. They ultimately succeed in getting the cardinal, but at a great cost that leaves them both shaken and saddened. The episode ends on a somber note, as Tabitha reflects on the consequences of her actions and Louise comforts her and promises to be there for her no matter what.

Overall, "Tabitha's Secret" is a powerful and moving episode that delves deep into the emotional and psychological struggles of its characters. It's a testament to the show's ability to balance lighthearted comedy with weighty drama, and it showcases the strength of the bond between the two female protagonists. Fans of The Familiar of Zero will not want to miss this pivotal episode in the series.