Prologue

Flashback

"Negi," Asuna said, facing away from him.

"Yes, Asuna-san?" Negi aaked, walking to her

"I just wanted you to know that…" Asuna's sentence is suddenly cut short, as the great clock strikes twelve midnight. The twelve chimes ring through the air, and Asuna suddenly falls over, clutching her chest!

"Asuna!!" Negi yelled, running to her, He catches her right before she hits the ground, but he noticed that her skin was icy cold. "NOO! ASUNAAAAA!!!!"

The funeral

Asuna's body was laid in a golden casket, her body still clothed in Mahora's school uniform. Her red hair is laid down, like a red waterfall, the hair ornaments gone. If her hands were not put together, she had the appearance of sleeping peacefully.

But Negi knew that she wasn't asleep

The whole class of 2-A knew it as well.

Some were crying, others were failing to maintain a stoic façade. Some remained completely emotionless and others were trying to condone their friends. Regardless, all were deeply struck by their friend's passing

One by one, the class left, until Negi, Kotaru, Nodoka, Konoka, Setsuna, Evangeline, and Chachamaru remained. Evangeline and Chachamaru gor first, and Evangeline merely nodded at left a blood red rose on Asuna's casket. Kotaru then stood up and merely tapped the end of the casket with his right hand and walked away. Konoka went up to the casket and broke down completely and Setsuna had to help her get up and leave.

Finally, Negi went up to the casket and pulled out his contract card with Asuna's image on it. He placed it next to Asuna's face and slowly left…

Only to be held back by Nodoka.

"Negi," she said softly.

"What is it Nodoka-san?" he asked, voice trembling.

Instead of answering right away, she held him a soft embrace. They stood that way until Nodoka spoke up, "I know…that your grief and pain is overwhelming. You can't let this tragedy ensare you in the darkness. Let me help you."

"Nodoka…" Negi said, before breaking down into tears on her shoulder.

The Dean's Office

Negi extended a shaking hand the box that was on the dean's desk. It was specifically addressed to for him and no one else. He pulled off the cover, and gasped at its contents

It was Asuna's hair ornaments, the four golden bells

"Asuna," Negi whispered, before breaking down into tears.

END Flashbacks

A man stood in front of an ornately carved tomb stone. He was dressed in a flowing white hooded robe (with the hood covering and concealing his face) and was holding a large bouquet of flowers in one hand and a large wooden staff in the other.

He kneeled in front of the tomb stone and placed the flowers on the grave. With the wave of his staff, the flowers rearranged themselves on the grave, wiping away the decayed rose. He stayed there, lingering in front of the tomb for what seems to be hours. Then, he melted away into the night as if he were never there.

On the grave is the name Asuna Kagurazaka.