Disclaimer: None of the anime used in this story belong to the writer. This is a work of fiction done for fun, not money. Please do not sue. You won't get much anyway.

Prologue

Lina drained the drink and then set her tankard down with a sigh. "That hit the spot," she murmured, then put her hands to the table and rose to her feet. "Thanks, old man," she told Harold. "That'll get me on my way. I've got a long trip ahead of me."

The old wizard smiled at the girl. "Of course," he replied. "So, you're really going? All the way to Japan?"

"Of course I am! It's summer vacation, and that idiot still hasn't come home to see us! I'm going to grab him and drag him back here. That'll teach him to ignore us…."

"I see," Harold chuckled. "Well, at least you're properly dressed for it. I'm surprised you discarded your wizard's regalia, even for a trip like this…."

Lina scowled back at him. As he had mentioned, she had dressed appropriately for the early 21st-century earth, in short jeans and a tank top and light jacket, and had even removed her black headband. She had a deceptively small bit of luggage as well. "I'm not an idiot," she said scathingly. "I can't stand this no-magic world, but if I have to brave it to find Kain, I know how to act and look." She turned around and waved. "I'll see you in a few days…with Kain in tow."

Harold watched her go, still smiling. "Will it really be that easy?" he mused aloud. "Kain-sensei seems more and more attached to his new companions over there…friends and students and fellow teachers…perhaps that's one of the reasons she worries so."

He had been…surprisingly evasive in his last letter, describing pieces of the exciting and baffling Festival, the tournament, meeting his 'father' and Jynx, and several other topics, but it was obvious he wasn't sharing everything. He worked his students hard and got them ready for their final summer tests…without the genius Sakura Sanada supporting them, it was more difficult, but they still managed to get 3rd place amongst all the classes in their exams. But Kain's letter suggested that, once the break started, he wasn't quite ready to return home yet, temporarily or not—he had many preparations to make, and he even had some sort of organized unit now…and he would soon begin some kind of major operation with them….

It was almost time, Harold knew. Kain was about to embark on the most important venture yet…the descent into the magical world…right into the quest to find his father….

F I N

Author's Note: Welcome to Act 7!

Hooray! Here we are! Act 7! The crazy Festival is over, Kain is approaching superhero status, and the real fun is soon to begin! Nearly half the class has joined his side, and so many powers and contracts are available to them….

And Lina is on the way. Again, like Act 4, the opening is a bit of a 'flash forward', as they haven't reached summer yet, but it's always good to show recent events described to the pair in America for these prologues. I know some of my readers look forward to them especially. Well, never fear…this time the popular sorceress will be joining the main storyline before too many chapters in.

And then we'll finally introduce her properly. For now, it is all about to begin. Let's dive in…secrets to be revealed, powers to be awakened, and plans to be made!