"Magic Training"
By
Jonathan Allen Scher
FADE IN:
INT. OUTSIDE A RUIN - DAY
Two young librarians, YUE AYASE and NODOKA MIYAZAKI, are out on magic training after class was over. Yue began giving Nodoka pointers that she learned from their professor, Negi Springfield.
YUE
By saying the words
'Practe bigi nar ardescat,'
it generates energy of
elements depending on the
last word said. In Latin,
'Ardescat' means burn,
'Vente' means freeze, and
'Lux' means light. Try
focusing on the tip of
your wand, Nodoka. And
release the energy from
your body.
NODOKA
I'll try.
She waves her wand and recited the incantations as instructed.
NODOKA
Practe bigi nar ardescat!
A spark appeared but shortens and dissipates. Nodoka groans in frustration.
NODOKA
I'm amazed you were able
to do it with no sweat,
Yue. I'm a little jealous.
Yue sits on a stone wall.
YUE
I'm not sure how I did it
so fast.
Yue lifts her wand up and stares at it.
NODOKA
Do you think maybe it's
because you have someone
in your family who's
engaged to magic?
Yue didn't say a word as she turns her wand around to see the other side of the tip that's shaped like a crescent moon. Nodoka looks at her wand shaped like a blue planet with rings and plays with it while waiting for an answer.
YUE
...I'm not sure, but...
probably.
Nodoka turns to Yue who is gazing at her wand and waves it around playfully and gently.
YUE
You know why I don't
like studying? My
grandfather would
always tell me stories
when I was younger.
Even while I was
growing up, I always
believed in fairytales.
He made them sound
so exciting.
Nodoka keeps gazing at Yue who keeps playing with her wand.
YUE
It felt like... a
place where people are
happy all the time and
your wishes would come
true. It felt like
there were so many
places to go exploring,
like it's an adventure.
He always made me smile.
Magic has always made
me smile...
Yue stopped for a moment and began to sadden.
YUE
Before he...
NODOKA
(Trembling)
Yue...
Yue looked down at the ground with her wand dangling in her hand as her arm lays on her knee.
YUE
Before I met you...
even before I met
Professor Negi...
I always looked at
the world as full of
meaningless things.
I know it's no reason
to not take studying
seriously, I just...
can't find it
anywhere to adapt to
it. I can't enjoy it
like I used to... or
at least without
him...
NODOKA
(Tries to comfort)
I'm sorry, Yue. Sorry
About your grandfather.
Yue's face begins to tremble as well as her eyes start to get teary.
YUE
I know it was his
time...
(Starts to cry)
I just miss him so much.
Nodoka sits beside Yue to console her.
NODOKA
It's okay...
YUE
I have always been
your best friend. I've
always supported you
in your love pursuit.
I felt you were the
best choice for him.
I had no intention
of falling for Negi.
When I realized I had
feelings for him too,
I got scared. I prayed
To grandfather for
help, but... but I was
all alone. I couldn't
tell you and I was
afraid it would
break our friendship.
NODOKA
(Trembling)
Oh Yue...
(In thought)
It must've been hard
for her.
YUE
And when you
overherad everything
Haruna was saying to
me, it drove me away.
I literally
jumped... then when
I woke up, I was
alone floating on
water. I couldn't
bring myself to you
after what I've done.
I really felt like
wanting to dissapear
along with this
horrible feeling...
before you...
before...
(Sobs)
Nodoka grabs Yue to embrace her in a long hug.
NODOKA
It's okay! I'm not
mad at you at all
for liking Professor
Negi! I just didn't
Want to lose you!
YUE
Uh?
NODOKA
And I know this is
Going to sound
Wierd, but... I'm
actually glad you
are in love with
him too.
YUE
W-what?
NODOKA
Sometimes... I feel
I'm not the right
person for him.
YUE
How can you say
that?
NODOKA
I was satisfied with
just looking at him
from a distance.
I thought having
Professor Springfield
as a teacher was
enough for me. I
was happy with
everything as it
was. And well... I
think I lied...
because when I
thought he was
dating Konoka,
I was really upset.
YUE
...You're entitled.
NODOKA
No... I'm not. That's
what makes it so sad.
Even seeing you with
Negi... I'm not.
YUE
...What are you
saying?
NODOKA
I think you may be
better for him than
I am, Yue.
YUE
Uh... W-why? What
makes you think
that?
NODOKA
You seem to
understand him better
than I do. All I've
done is listen to him.
I'm not even good at
starting a
conversation with
him. That's why it
was rare to see
myself talking and
laughing with him.
But both you and him
have more in common.
You understand what
he's gone through.
I can't imagine
what it's like
without parents.
I can't even see
myself losing anyone
close to me. When you
leaped off the wall...
(Hugs tighter and
starts sobbing softly)
I thought I was
going to lose you...
one of my closest
family members!
(sobs and sniffs)
I was glad you're
Okay when you landed
In the debths where
There's water.
You're my best friend
ever,Yue! Even if you
are in love with him,
you'll always be my
best friend forever.
Yue's eyes tremble as a tear flows down her cheek.
NODOKA
That's why I said that
we should do our best
to make him happy...
but... even I'm afraid
to tell you something.
YUE
Huh?
NODOKA
Even though I have no
reason to... my heart
was pounding very
hard. I was sweating
and my chest tightened
almost as if I
couldn't breathe. I
was overwhelmed with
so many unpleasant
feelings and even
though I tried to
ignore it... it gets
even heavier.
It almost feels like
It was me being
chased by Haruna and
I jumped off the same
place you did.
Yue was speechless for a moment.
YUE
You were...
NODOKA
Mhmm, I WAS
jealous...
I wish those feelings
would... dissapear.
(Closes her eyes
tight as tears keep
flowing down)
I'm scared, Yue. I
can't even look at
my own heart.
(She then opens her
eyes as they tremble
and smiles innocently)
...That's why I think
that you two should
be together instead
of me. That's why
i'm glad you're in
love with him too...
Because if i'm not
the right girl for
Negi, I can be happy
knowing you will be
there for him.
YUE
Nodoka, that's crazy!
What will people say
if you just hand
someone you love
over to your best
friend? Besides, how
do you know if you're
not the right one
for him?
NODOKA
I just...
(Whimpers softly)
YUE
Nodoka... I'm sorry
for-
Nodoka lets go of the hug and sits beside her looking down at the grass.
NODOKA
No, if anyone needs to
apologize, I should. I
spied on your heart
when you wouldn't
admit your feelings.
I should know how hard
it is to tell secrets
to, even to someone
you care about the
most. I feel
ashamed of myself.
I use my diary to
read people's
thoughts but I can't
even use it on myself.
YUE
You tried using your
artifact on yourself?
NODOKA
(Nods)
Mhmm... but I'm afraid
to... I'm afraid of my
dark feelings...
Yue gazed at her for a moment before looking down at the grass. Both remained silent for a few moments until Yue cracked a short smile and looked at the sky.
YUE
(Giggles softly)
I thought I was
crazy.
(Nodoka looks at her)
Do you remember when
we started school
and we had
Professor Takahata?
You couldn't make
eye contact with
him. Not only your
long bangs kept
your face hidden,
you really had
androphobia. I
didn't think you
would ever be
interested in boys.
(Lowers head)
But when Negi came,
you changed. Haruna
and I noticed
how you act around
him but you were
too scared to talk
to him. I thought
you still had the
same problem with
him as you did with
Takahata.
(Raises head again)
Then I found you
at the courtyard.
FLASHBACK:
Nodoka was at the courtyard sitting on a bench reading a book.
NODOKA
Magic to make the
person you like
notice you. First
gather a four-leaf
clover and place it
into your left
pocket. And then
recite the person's
name in your mind
three times.
(Closes the book)
It seems easy. I
think I might be
able to do it.
YUE
Nodoka?
NODOKA
Yue.
YUE
I got bad news.
Sorry, but it looks
like I can't go to
the library with you
today after all.
NODOKA
It's okay.
(Twiddling fingers)
I'll just get Haruna
to go with me, then.
Yue leans closer to see the book Nodoka is reading.
YUE
Magic for love?
Groovy.
NODOKA
(Blushes and
Stammers)
Ah! Ah! Actually...
I uh only got it for
th-the pictures!
YUE
Well then tell me,
Bookworm, do you
like the pictures
of magic better or
the pictures of love?
NODOKA
Uhh!? W-well a little
of-
YUE
Okay, so I guess you
like both of them,
huh?
Nodoka's face turns red as she giggles and smiles over the thought.
NODOKA
(In thought)
Love and magic...
I really wish there
was some sort of
power that would
bring Negi and me
together.
BACK TO PRESENT:
YUE
Since then, you haven't
given up on your wishes
to try and win Negi's
heart.
NODOKA
He sure changed our
lives.
YUE
Magic sure changed
our lives.
NODOKA
Hehe... yeah.
Both smile while looking down at the grass.
YUE
You know what else
we have in common
besides books?
NODOKA
Hmmm?
YUE
We're afraid of our
own feelings.
NODOKA
You mean our dark
feelings?
YUE
Yeah... but when you
think about it,
I don't even have a
good reason to love
Professor Negi, not
like you.
(Turns to Nodoka)
I'm curious, why is
it you like
Professor Negi? Tell
me again.
NODOKA
Why? Well... I
guess... well its
because... I guess
its because he's
really cute, honest,
super smart, and he
can totally use
magic. And even
though I'm scared
of boys, Negi makes
me feel safer
around him. seeing
the courage in his
eyes helps me
focus on my goals.
he's very mature,
even if He is
younger than me.
but then...
YUE
But then...?
NODOKA
I dont think why
I love him matters.
YUE
Huh?
NODOKA
I don't think you
need a reason to
love. I can't tell
you why, I just do.
YUE
You just do?
NODOKA
Even if he wasn't
all of those
amazing things, I
would still love
Professor Negi.
YUE
So if that's true,
to love someone
without any
conditions... it
would mean that I
would be able to
love Professor Negi
too?
NODOKA
Mhmm...
Yue puzzles for a moment.
YUE
Then... do you
think it's normal?
That I love him too?
And if so... then
isn't it normal for
you to feel
jealous?
NODOKA
But I have no reason
to because...
because...
YUE
Just like I have no
Reason to love Negi?
NODOKA
Uhh?
(Frowns)
I'm confused.
YUE
I think I understand
now.
(Tightens up)
We feel this way because
we've been ignoring our
emotions. If you think
about it, we've been
experiencing normal feelings
this whole time.
NODOKA
You think so?
YUE
No, actually...
(Smiles)
I think it's alright
to feel this way.
I think it's alright for
you to be jealous of
me because I felt that
way too when Haruna
tried to kiss Negi in front
of me. And if you say
it's okay if I love Negi
too, then that's natural too.
(Puts her hand on her heart)
So... I think that... we
shouldn't be afraid of our
own dark feelings, Nodoka.
It's that kind of fear we need
to be careful with. If we
suppress them, we feel
worse. If we embrace it,
we lose control. It must be
balanced... and understood.
Only then can we do that,
we should be fine.
Nodoka's eyes tremble as she gazes at Yue by her words.
NODOKA
(Eyes tremble)
Yue clinches her fist with a serious look on her face to tighten up.
YUE
I know that our dark
feelings will always be
there but that can't
scare me. It can't scare
any of us, right?
NODOKA
...
YUE
I'm saying that we need
to work hard, Nodoka.
A lot of us know Negi's
a wizard and he's looking
for his missing father, right?
NODOKA
Yes, the Thousand Master.
YUE
(Gazes at the sky as she stands up)
We will find him. He is
everything to Negi. That
has always been his goal,
to be reunited with his long
lost father.
Wind blows through her hair and she looks down at Nodoka.
YUE
And our goal is to help him
and that's how he'll like us
more. That's how he'll like
you more.
NODOKA
Ah?
YUE
(Smiles down at Nodoka)
I'll always support you for
Negi. As much as I love him,
I'm still going to help you.
You still have a long way to go.
(Reaches for her hand)
And the only way he'll like
you more is if you keep trying.
Now what do you say we get
back to it? And train harder!
Nodoka's eyes tremble by Yue's speech and advice thus bringing her confidence up by accepting her hand as she takes it and stands up smiling back at her.
NODOKA
All right... let's do it!
MONTAGE:
Nodoka gets back on her feet and focuses her mind to continue her magic training. She recites the Latin incantations over and over. She never gave up after every spark she emitted from her wand. Her sweating made things harder but it was all ignored by higher effort she is putting into. Yue keeps coaching her and Nodoka keeps trying. She even takes time to study her magic books and Yue's encyclopedia.
Finally, at deep breath she took and brightening her focus, she raises her wand high up and said it right in the exact moment as her tone and accent was correct.
NODOKA
Practe bigi nar ARDESCAT!
A small flame came out and stayed in its place. It wasn't as big as Yue's but it was bright enough to see her progress finally make one step closer to achievement.
NODOKA
(Giggles and shouts in overjoy)
I DID IT!
Yue smiles at her achievement.
YUE
Good work, Nodoka.
NODOKA
I don't konw what I'd ever
do without you. That was
the best advice you ever gave
me. I know now that I shouldn't
be afraid of what I'm feeling
whenever I see him with
someone else. It is hard to
love someone without carrying
such a burden of jealousy.
Everything we are to Negi is
precious to him and no matter
what, he'll always have us.
(Looks down and smiles with a blush)
But no matter what, I'll always love
him whoever he is with.
(Closes her eyes)
Even if that someone is... my best
friend in the whole world... I'll
always be supporting you too.
Yue blushes. Nodoka then looks at her with a nice smile.
NODOKA
Thanks for all your help, today.
I can always count on you.
YUE
(Smiles back)
...What now?
NODOKA
I've been thinking...
(Pulls out her pactio card)
I think I'm ready... to look
inside my heart. I'm curious
to know what it is my heart
wants.
YUE
Really? You're sure about this?
NODOKA
Yes. I should consider my
feelings more than pushing
them aside.
(Holds the card out)
Adeat!
Nodoka's card flashes and transforms into a book called Diarium Ejus (My Diary). It landed in her hand and she opens it. It is all empty. Yue steps next to her. Nodoka is nervous as she keeps flipping the pages over.
NODOKA
I know there are no resolutions
for a love triangle... still... what
should we do?
YUE
I hope there is a way.
The book reveals words and pictures on her diary describing her desires with her friend. It reveals the first solution. The picture shows both Yue and Nodoka sleeping together with Negi. Both Yue and Nodoka gasp and blush incredibly as it says 'Saishoudoukin...?' An idiom referring to one sleeping/living together with his wife and mistress at the same time. Nodoka and Yue are bright red and in shock as their bodies shake.
NODOKA
W-w-w-w-wait... h-how is
this different? How is this
a solution?
Aaaahhhahaahhhh...!
YUE
This does not bode well...
FADE OUT:
This is something I did for my film class when I was in college before I dropped out. I didn't pass the class because I didn't feel like reading other stories. I can say I was satisfied with this so I had some of my tutors read it for me as they were acting it out. They thought the ending was pretty funny. But yeah, this is just a small piece of thank you for reading and following my remake of Negima 'Negi Springfield.' I did another script of Negima which I'll upload when I fix it up a bit. Until then, thanks for reading and hope you enjoy it. Please review, I appreciate your feedback.