The Negima! Mysteries and Adventures: I - First Mysteries

by animefanman777

Their junior high school years and adventures are now over and they have finally graduated. But what happens during their "High School" years? Join Negi and the girls as they start a brand new year and semester in High School, along with their new companion Matt Oda, as they come across the first challenges and mysteries waiting at Mahora Academy.

3. Midnight Bells

I. First Mysteries

3. Midnight Bells

Inspired by the creator of Negima!: Ken Akamatsu

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Prologue

Late one night out on the dark and quiet streets, a student girl with a long brown hair is walking back to the girls' dorm. She passed every shop and building that was closed for the night. She looks at her watch that says 23:56. Then she came to a steeple which is the clock tower that stood there for about 100 years. As the girl looked at the tower, she had this scary feeling that something creepy is living in the top of the tower.

"I better hurry and get back to my room." She said as she started to focus her way back. Just then, when the big hand and small hand on the clock pointed directly at twelve, the bells started to ring. The girl stopped and she looked at the bells swinging back and forth, and hears the chimes. The girl looks at her watch again and it says 00:00, midnight. "That's odd," she said, "The bells don't ring at this time of the hour." She was getting shakier when she watches the bells ring for so long.

Suddenly, the front doors of the tower swung open so fast that it created a quick and huge gust of wind right at the girl. She holds onto her skirt and puts her briefcase on her head for protection. After the gust, she looked inside the room where she saw two glowing white orbs close together, about three inches apart. The girls kept looking at the orbs, when in a snap the orbs started to flash in a second. The girl stood there until her eyes were suddenly in a trance. She dropped her briefcase and slowly walked into the base of the tower. When she got in, the doors suddenly closed after her and the bells stopped ringing. All was left out in this cold dark night is the briefcase laying on the ground.

---

Chapter 1

One sunny afternoon in the hallways of the English department, Negi and Asuna, along with Chamo on Negi's left shoulder, are walking down and heading to Matt's Mystery Club.

"I was really astounded that Matt Oda apprehended that Nami girl last week." Negi said. "He was incredible."

"No doubt about it," Chamo replied, "solving the kidnapping and the mob incident is true talent."

"If Matt keeps this up, he's bound to attract and get more members into his club." said Asuna as she smiled.

Negi and Asuna were about to come across another hallway and make a turn around the corner. BONK! In a flash, Negi fell to the ground. He scratched his head and books started to fall everywhere on the ground. He looked to see who he bumped into and it was none than the shy and bookworm Nodoka Miyazaki.

"Oh Nodoka! I'm sorry it's my fault!" Negi apologized

"Ah! Professor Negi. No it's my fault that I bumped into you." Nodoka replied.

Then along came in Yue and Haruna carrying about eight books in their hands and checking on Nodoka's condition.

"Nodoka are you alright?" Yue asked.

"Yes I'm fine." Nodoka replied as Yue pulled her up off the floor.

"Negi, Asuna," Haruna said, "Well what a surprise to see you. What brings you here in this building?"

"Oh hi Haruna," Asuna replied as she picked Negi up off the ground too, "We were on our way to see our good friend Matt and his Mystery Club."

"Matt, you mean Matt Oda from the news?"

"Yes indeed Haruna," Negi replied, "We are his members of his club, and we are going there right now."

"You're in his club too Negi?" said Yue as she was helping Nodoka collect the books on the floor.

"Yes, the dean says it was okay for me to be in his club as long as I don't have any other lectures to teach."

Nodoka collected all her books, but then started to drop her head down a little and put her right hand on her chest. "This Matt Oda, is he…really kind and smart from what the news says?" Haruna and Yue turned to Nodoka.

"No doubt about it." Asuna replied as puts her hands on her hips. "If you meet him, you can see how a great gentleman he is."

"We wish we could," Haruna said, "But we have to get these books back to Library Island. But don't worry, when we have the time, we will meet this Matt Oda guy. I'll bet he's so handsome that Nodoka might actually fall in lo-"

"AAH! Haruna!" Nodoka shrieked.

Yue moaned and slapped Haruna in the back of her head. "Haruna let's not do any mischievous tricks again." said Yue.

"Aw c'mon, can't a girl have some fun around here." said Haruna as she scratches her head where she got hit. "After all we are high school students."

"No!" both Yue and Nodoka answered in unison. Negi and Asuna smiled and sweat-dropped.

"Well we have to get going now. We'll see you later." said Yue.

"Alright girls take care of yourselves." Negi replied. The trio girls walked away down in the hallways. Negi and Asuna continued on to visit the Mystery Club.

---

Negi, Asuna, and Chamo arrived at the front doors of the Mystery Club. Negi knocked and Matt, the club leader, called them to come in. Negi, and Asuna went inside. There they saw Matt standing right next to Chisame with her laptop, and Satomi and Chao hooking it up to a projector. Satsuki is passing out her cooked buns to her friends Konoka and Setsuna for snacks. Asuna and Negi got closer to Matt.

"Hey Matt, what are you doing?" Asuna asked.

Matt turned to Asuna. "Oh hey Asuna and Negi," Matt replied, "You came in just in the nick of time."

"Why is that Matt?" Negi questioned.

"Well we got another mystery in our hands. Take a seat and I'll explain." Asuna and Negi did what Matt told them. As the two were patiently waiting, Matt asked Satomi and Chao if the projector is ready. "Is it all set to go?"

"Hold on Matt," said Satomi, "I just need to screw this cable in and…there!" Satomi wiped her forehead and crosses her arms. "She's all yours."

"Thanks Satomi." Matt turns to Chisame who she was checking on her laptop. "Chisame are you ready?"

She stood up and adjusted her glasses. "All set Matt." Chisame replied.

"Great!" Matt turns to the whole crowd and clapped his hands. "Attention! Attention! Take your seats please, we're about to start." Everyone did and Matt asked Chisame to dim the lights of the room. Matt turned on the projector and Chisame opened a slideshow. Using the projector, it shows what is on Chisame's laptop screen and it is showing on the chalkboard. It shows a news article that was posted to the public about four days ago. The headline stated: Mysterious Events Happening at the Haunted Clock Tower. Everyone paid attention to this Headline.

Matt clears his throat and begins to speak. "Alright listen up. Chisame read this report yesterday and she reported me of this strange event. This article stated that some witnesses saw people in the middle of the night walk into this clock tower and never came back out again. And they reported before the victims went into the clock tower, bells were rung at that night time too…at exactly midnight."

"Midnight?" Chao wondered. "That's very strange."

"Huh? Why?" Konoka asked.

"Well usually clock towers, no matter if it's big, important, or ordinary, they never ring at midnight."

"That's my exact theory as well Chao." said Matt without looking back at her. "The article also stated the investigation team did a thorough search in the whole clock tower, but haven't found any of the victims that were dragged into the tower. The police are still on the case, they have reported suspicious activity coming from the top of the tower."

"Did the police checked everywhere." Satsuki asked.

"They did, what they reported is some shadow-like feature gliding and hiding in the tower's bells. Half said it maybe a crow, while the other says it maybe…a ghost."

"Ghosts!?" Negi screeched.

"Yeah Negi, what's wrong with you?" Matt watches Negi shaking and hiding behind his chair. "Don't tell me you're afraid of ghosts."

"Well, I maybe a high ranked Magister Magorum, but I'm still a little bit scared of ghosts."

"C'mon bro," Chamo complained as he is standing on the club's table, "How can the son of the Thousand Master and the savior of the magic world still be afraid of ghosts?"

"Not to mention you have Sayo Aisaka." said Asuna as she crossed her arms and stared at Negi in an annoying look. Negi was still shimmering a little and made small tears from his crybaby face.

"Uh…Sayo Aisaka, Thousand Master, magic world…what's that?" Matt asked as he raised his eyebrow.

"We'll explain about those later," Satomi replied, "right now continue with the news."

Matt clears his throat and started to speak again. "Right, so we all know that the clock tower is haunted and mysterious. But I think there is a reason behind this." Matt told Chisame to turn the lights back on, and Matt turned off the projector. He then looks back at his members. "And that's where we come in. As the Mystery Club leader, I say we get to the bottom of this and figure out what's happening to those victims and that clock tower. I don't want to see another person suddenly go into the tower and just disappear. As a mystery-solver and gentleman, I will do everything in my power to crack down this case and save those victims once and for all. But I can't do this alone, ergo I will need your help. If you help me solve this mystery, I'll bet our club will be more popular and we would make more news on the front page. You members might become famous like me from the last two cases I solved. So are you with me?"

Everyone looked at each other agreeing if they should take the case. Satomi and Satsuki were the first ones to turn back at Matt.

"I'm in, I like to solve this mystery before another victim gets abducted." said Satomi as she grinned.

"Count me in too Matt Oda." Satsuki replied.

"If Satomi's in, then I'm in too." Chao said with glee. "And I think it's wise to help those people, before more start to disappear."

Chisame raised her hand, and Matt looks at her with her eyes closed. "I'm in too Matt. I can't let you do this on your own."

Konoka and Setsuna raised their hand as well. "I'm in Matt." said Konoka.

"Me too." said Setsuna with little confidence.

Negi is still a little bit scared of going to this clock tower and thinking it has a ghost. Asuna gave an annoying look as she watches Negi shaking up in his chair. "Oh for Pete's sake Negi! What are you so scared about? You're a highly skilled Magister Magorum, you'll have no trouble defeating or running away from a ghost."

"But Asuna, I'm still just a kid!" Negi complained.

"Oh c'mon, and suck up that wimpy look." said Chamo giving Negi a commanded voice. "You have your partners and Matt Oda at your side, so therefore you should not need worry about fighting or deal ghosts on your own."

"Chamo's right Negi," said Matt with positive attitude. "As long as we stick together as a team, nothing, not even ghosts, will stop us in our tracks. I am true to my word that you will be safe." Matt smiled at Negi with sheer confidence.

Negi's whimpering look started to fade away. He shook his and slaps his face, then he looks at Matt with a small grin. "You're right Matt. I'm with you on this mystery, and I won't let you down."

"Well that leaves me to decide," said Asuna as she puts hands behind her head, "And I'm in Matt. You can count on that."

Matt clasped his hands together and grinned at his members. "Alright it's settled. All of us are going to investigate the clock tower. Here's how it goes, tonight will get ourselves prepared for the investigation and get a good rest. Starting tomorrow in the afternoon, we're gonna come in here again and make a plan. Then tomorrow night, we will investigate the tower." Matt looks at the clock that says 5:56 p.m. He then turns to members, "With all that said, this club is over for today. Hope you have a good night."

Everyone bowed at Matt Oda and all said, "Thank you Oda-san."

---

Chapter 2

Somewhere not far from the academic buildings and out on Lake Mahora is a huge building that's about 3 stories tall and covers the whole island connected to the main land of the Academy. It was called Library Island, Mahora's largest only library building of the academy. Inside the Library contained a plethora of books and bookshelves all over the place from top to bottom, front and back.

At the front desk, the librarians Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna were organizing and stamping books they collected back from the English department. Yue was writing a checklist to keep track of books that were rented and returned, while Nodoka pulled out something from her blue jacket. She took out a paper and unfolded it. She held it and in her hand is a flyer of the Mystery Club. Yue noticed it and looks at Nodoka.

"Yue?" Nodoka asked, "Do you think we should meet this Matt Oda? A few of our classmates, including Negi, met this man and they said he's unique and kind. Are we worthy to see him?"

Yue puts down her pencil on the checklist. "Maybe not today, but tomorrow I think we will meet Matt Oda. If the news says he is a worthy person to be here at Mahora Academy, then seeing him at least once is a good opportunity for us. It might be struggling due to the fact Matthew Oda has gynophobia, but I think he is a special person that every girl in this academy should meet him."

"I totally agree with you Yue." said Haruna as she came to the front desk carrying ten books on her. She placed the books on the floor. "I really like to see this Matt Oda fellow. If what people said this gentleman is really good, then maybe I'm interested in trying and signing-up for that Mystery Club of his."

"I would to," said Nodoka in a quiet cheerful mood, "the way I see it, Matt might be an average person, but there's something about him that makes him so amazing and special."

"Aw Nodoka, do you like him." said Haruna in a cheeky mood.

"Ah!" Nodoka gasped as her face turned red.

"Haruna enough," said Yue in annoyance, "We'll meet him tomorrow in the afternoon, but for right now let's get these books in order and fast. The sun is setting as we speak."

Nodoka and Haruna nodded and continued with their work.

---

Later that late afternoon, Matt locked up the club room and everyone exited the building. They all walked outside and down the steps of the English department. As they reached to the bottom of the cement stairs, Satsuki, Satomi, and Chao went to a different direction. The trio girls said goodnight to Negi, Matt, Chamo, and the other girls.

Matt yawned and stretched his himself. "(YAWN)…oohh excuse me, I never felt this tired before."

"Might be because you were getting up too early these days." said Asuna with arms crossed together. "You haven't gotten used to the hours here yet."

"That and removing Negi away from you Asuna while you're both asleep close together." Matt thought as he looked away for a moment. "Hey it's going to kick in for me. Lately I have been getting up later in the early morning than usual." Suddenly Negi stopped and spotted something. "What is it Negi?" Matt asked. He looked to see what Negi is looking at.

There in front of Negi, Matt, Chamo, Asuna, Konoka, Setsuna, and Chisame are two girls, one who looks like a teenager with long, bright, and green hair and another who looks like a ten year-old with long blonde hair. The little girl smirked at the gang while the tall girl quietly stares at them.

"Evangeline? Chachamaru?" Negi said.

The two girls walked closer to the gang. "Well if it isn't you boya, how are you doing?" said the little girl with a British accent. She had that evil cold look in eyes, but to her she's only just being mischievous as always.

"Well I'm doing great so far as a high school teacher, how about you?"

"It's always the same to me. Have you forgotten I've been here for 15 years now?"

"Oh right, it's just that it feels like things are different around here at the high school district." Negi giggled and placed his left hand on his head.

"Boya you're such kid."

Matt started to shake, sweat, and widen his eyes as he stares at Eva and Chachamaru. Then with a twitch, Eva spotted Matt shaking around his body. Matt jolted a little and froze. Eva walked in front of the frozen Matt Oda and smirked at him. Matt sweated more and his eyes widen bigger. Then in a second Matt tries to hide behind Konoka and Setsuna, but suddenly he stopped, holding in his running position. "Huh?" Matt wondered. Eva had her left index finger pointed out towards upward. Then with her finger pulled backed to her palm in a zip, Matt's whole body were all tied together like some invisible string did this to him…and that was it.

"H-h-hey! What is this? How come I feel like I'm all tied up?" Matt panicked as he looked around his whole body to see the cause. Then a glimpse of a shine, he saw a very thin piece of string wrapped around his right hand. "What the…strings?"

"Eva, are you…?" said Negi in assumption and questioning mood.

On Eva's finger tips are strings that are connected to the tied up Matt Oda. Using her "doll master" powers, she rotated Matt Oda to make him face towards her. Eva got very close to Matt Oda who he is now more scared than meeting Asuna and the others for the first time.

"Well, well, what do you have here?" said Eva in mischievous mood. "My you look honest, kind, and…tasty."

"TASTY!?" Matt yelled.

"Negi where did you find this wondrous guy? He looks so good I could just-" Eva was interrupted when Asuna got her harisen out and hit Eva on her left cheek. Matt was freed from Eva's strings and he quickly hid behind Setsuna and Chisame. "How dare you Asuna Kagurazaka with you cancellation spell! You hit me AGAIN!"

"Knock it off you little brat!" Asuna yelled, "Can't you see our great friend here is afraid of girls!?"

Eva stopped her anger and made a quick jolt. "Uh? Afraid of girls? Wait…" Eva looks at Matt who is hiding behind Setsuna and Chisame, and she caught a glimpse of Matt's terrified face. Eva rubbed her left cheek and then she smirked again. "So that means he's the one and only 'Matthew Oda?'"

"That's right Eva," said Negi, "But how did you know his name?"

"It's obvious that Matt Oda is the only man around here who's afraid of girls."

"So that means, you Eva must've read or heard the news about Matt Oda's successful solving cases." Konoka said.

"Indeed Miss Konoka, and I would bet that Matt Oda already found out about Negi's sorcery secret."

"How did you know about that?" Chisame wondered. Matt slowly peeked up from behind Setsuna and Chisame as he was astounded by Eva's correct assumptions.

"Well, why would a young man be hanging around with my magical student all the time? That young man must've already known Negi's magic secret from some time ago." The gang was all amazed by this mischievous girl. Eva turns her head toward the setting sun and looks back at Negi and his friends. "The sun is about to make a complete sunset, I think you should all, including me, get a good snooze. C'mon Chachamaru." The girl with long green hair nodded and follows Eva. The two exited the scene while Matt Oda slowly came out from hiding.

Matt slowly breathed in and out to catch his breath after that terrified trick Eva played. His right hand is on his chest, feeling his heart beating like a hammer. "God, who was that cold girl?" said Matt in relief.

"Sorry about that, you'll have to get used to her." said Setsuna in little embarrassment. "She might be mischievous at first, but she's really a kind and sweet girl."

"I guess you can say that." said Chisame. "That little girl is Evangeline, she one of our classmates."

"And the other girl next to Eva is Chachamaru," said Konoka, "And she's a robot."

"A robot?" Matt questioned, "She looked like a real girl to me."

"We'll explain everything Matt," said Asuna as she patted on Matt's head, "Right now let's head back to the dorm."

Negi, Matt, and the girls exited the academy and boarded a tram leading to the girls' dormitory.

---

Chapter 3

At Negi, Asuna, and Konoka's dorm room, everyone is at the small table eating sushi and sashimi for dinner. Matt ate his last sushi roll and begins to ask a question. "Tell me girls," he said as he is wiping his mouth with a napkin, "how did you guys become Negi's partners in the first place?" Asuna and Konoka glanced at Matt carrying a sushi roll in their chopsticks. The girls looked back at each other and grinned.

"I guess there is no reason to tell you our secret." said Konoka happily.

"I'll start off." said Asuna. "You see when Negi arrived at the academy on the very first day, I saw him using his magic powers to rescue a student of Negi's named Nodoka who fell off the stairs. I was surprised and I thought having a magician with me could change my life."

"That's what you have thought," Matt replied, "But you became friends with Negi. What happened next?"

"Remember how Negi tries to erase your memories Matt when you found out about his sorcery secret?"

"Yeah."

"Well, Negi did try that on me, but never works on me."

"Really Asuna, why and what happened?

"I didn't know exactly why the erasing didn't work on me, but I later discovered I have the ability to neutralize magic. After I kept Negi's secret and found out he is training to become a high rank Magister Magorum, I aided Negi in a battle that one night and I entered a probationary contract with Negi. The contract was complete and I received this." Asuna pulled out her pactio card and showed it to Matt. "A pactio card, proving I have received Negi's magical powers and is his magical partner."

"That's incredible, if I do say so myself." Matt turns to Konoka. "So how did you get yours Konoka?"

"Mine? Well I became Negi's partner when an incident happened during our trip to Kyoto."

"An incident?" Matt questioned again.

"Mm-hmm, I was a magical key to awakening an old and terrifying demon that was about to rule the world. But thanks to Negi and my best friend Setsuna, I was free from harm. I became Negi's partner when he was suffering from major injury and I made a contract to heal Negi's wounds."

"A magical key? Wait, does that mean Konoka, you're actually a…"

"Yep, I'm a magician as well."

"But she not the only one." said Asuna in a calm matter.

"What do you mean?" Matt asked. He paused for a moment and then he twitched. "Wait, you mean Asuna, you're also…"

"That's right Matt, I'm a magician as well, but in truth, if you keep it a secret like Negi's, I'm really the Princess of the Twilight Imperial."

"A magical princess!? Wow, am I a lucky fellow to run into special people like you." Matt was so amazed that he shook his head in astonishment. "Tell me, how does ordinary school girls like you, are actually magical guys."

Konoka explained every detail to Matt that she was part of the Kansai Magic Association and how Chigusa kidnapped Konoka for her evil ambitions. Her father wanted Konoka to live a "normal" life, despite she has great potential par within her. Asuna gave the whole enchilada about her true identity: Asuna Vesperina Theotanasia Entheofushia, the last being of her fallen country, and how the she was used to "delete" and seal the Magical world by the evil Mage of Beginning.

After their talk, Matt was dumbfounded and understood every detail of Konoka, and Asuna's story. "Wow, incredible, who would've thought I met a legendary magical princess, and a high mage queen without noticing it." Matt said. "Am I glad your my friends." He then turns to Negi. "Negi you're also one lucky magician to have these high powerful girls as your partners." Negi grinned and giggled.

Chamo hops onto a corner of the table that's between Matt and Negi. "Speaking of partners Matt," said Chamo pulling a cigar, "How would you like to enter a contract with Negi?"

Negi, and the girls were a little shocked to hear what Chamo said. Matt however took Chamo's question and paused for a moment. "Contract? You mean you want me to become one of Negi's partners?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, not only you're smart, but if you have magic powers, you might become a stronger and smarter man. You might have incredible sorcery skills. Entering a contract means you get have your wishes come true. Having magic is like your handy-dandy charm." Chamo looks up in the ceiling when his eyes turned into yen signs. "Not only that, but I'll make 50,000 ermine dollar more."

"Why you little…" said Asuna in ire.

"So what do you say Matt? Wanna become an extra partner of Negi? It'll be great! And I'll be rich!" It seems Chamo's greedy desire was going his way, but…..

"I decline…" Matt replied calmly.

Chamo froze and his rich dream award is shattered. Negi and the girls were surprised at Matt that he disagrees with the offer. Matt calmly takes one of the mackerel sashimi pieces and eats it.

"I'm surprised," said Asuna, "I thought you would agree since you were astounded by magic."

"Yeah all of us partners would take this opportunity offer." said Konoka. "Why not you?"

"Yeah Matt-bro, why not?"

Matt swallows his sashimi and exhales. "It's not because I don't like magic or I don't want to do it, I just rather be special the way I am." He places his chopsticks and dish on the table. "You have incredible magic powers, and I have a superior mind. If I use magic, my smartness abilities would be sitting on the sidelines doing nothing. I'm a guy who likes to solve mysteries and puzzles without taking any shortcuts, like magic. It may sound like it is wrong thing for me, but I'm actually doing the right thing in my heart. We all have our own special talents and abilities, but in order to become powerful, we must work together and rely on our family, friends, and especially ourselves. A friend told me 'combined to make a special team, two heads are better than one.' Besides, I have you magical guys on my side, and you have me. With my superior intelligence and your proficient magical skills, we make a great team."

Negi, Chamo, and the girls were amazed of what Matt said. Not only they were surprised, but they understood Matt's point of view. Chamo hates to admit it, but he completely agrees and endures the rejected offer. "Alright…I understand." said Chamo as moaned a little. "Are you sure you don't want to?"

"Positive Chamo, and even though I found out about Negi's magical secret, I swear and vow to myself I will never reveal to anyone about you, Negi, and his partners. Cross my heart." Matt crosses his chest where the heart is.

"I'm glad Matt." said Asuna happily. "I thought you didn't want to use magic because it was a tough decision, but it turns out you were doing what's best for you and all of us."

"Were proud of you Matt." said Konoka delightfully. "Thanks."

"Aw don't mention it." Matt said shyfully as he scratches his head. "By the way, just being curious, how do you do a pactio with Negi?"

"Well Matt," Negi replied, "Chamo makes this magic circle around me and my chosen partner. Then I create a chant to approve my partner is worthy, and then the contract is official making my partner have magical powers, plus an artifact, and aiding me in battle."

"When did you all became Negi's official partners?"

"Around the time after all 31 of us completed our Jr. high school graduation ceremony." said Konoka.

"Yeah but before that, they were probationary partners that time." said Chamo with a snicker.

"Probationary? I remember you said something about that." said Matt as he got his cola drink. "What's the difference between probationary and official?"

"Probationary pactios are kinda like official pactios, except since Negi was only a magister in training and he can't form an official pactio. I have to create a magic circle and there's only one option that Negi can get a partner during a probationary contract."

"Yeah and what's that?" Matt starts to sips his cola.

Chamo snickered and then puckered his lips. "He had to do a smoochin on his girls."

Matt widen his eyes and he quickly did a spit take. Matt coughed and pounded his chest. He shook his head and yells, "SAY WHAT!?"

Asuna wasn't pleased with this, in fact she is embarrassed and furious. She grabbed Chamo and started to pound and squishes him onto the floor. "You little rat! You had to tell that to an honest gentleman like him! You're such a little panty thief DEVIL."

"AAHH! Ane-san, stop! I give up." cried Chamo as he waved his arms and legs while suffering from Asuna's ferocious grip.

Matt leans next to Negi and whispers to him. "I'm glad you can make official pactios, and I'm glad I declined the offer. Otherwise if I made a probationary pactio with you…" Matt paused the moment and made an embarrassment face. "…Eh, I rather not think about it." Matt watches Asuna pummeling Chamo throughout the whole dinner. "But I'm surprised you kissed these girls at your age, that's pretty manly."

"Uh, I wouldn't think it is 'manly' Matt." said Negi as his face turned a little red.

---

Somewhere out on the city streets that night, the librarians, Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna, were walking back to the dormitory after finishing their shift on Library Island. The streets were quiet and the buildings were dark and empty.

"Man, was there a lot of books we have to put away." said Haruna moaning. "It is a total pain that all that hard work costs us the whole day. We didn't even get to see this Matt Oda."

"It's okay Haruna," Nodoka replied quietly. "I don't mind if we try to see Matt Oda again tomorrow."

The librarian trio walks up to a clock tower, the same tower where the victims were taken inside from a strange phenomenon. The trio looks at the clock tower, seeing it as a haunted steeple.

"This…this is the clock tower from the reports." said Nodoka who is a little bit scared.

"This clock tower was built at least a hundred years ago as a time keeper to all the people here in this part of the city." said Yue staring at the tower. "It was a handy-dandy charm to alert the people for their time schedule. But today the tower is pretty much useless now that everyone has watches and clocks. Some people say that around this time at night, there is a ghost living in the top of the tower."

"Just like in the reports from the witnesses and police files." said Haruna. "Do you really think there is a ghost?" She turned to Yue.

"Possible, after all, magic and mystic creatures exist, since we have Negi." Yue replied. "Am I right?"

While the two were discussing, Nodoka looks up at the top of the clock tower seeing the bells inside. Then at that moment, she saw two glowing white orbs appearing in the shadows inside at the top of the tower where the bells are kept. Nodoka kept staring at the white orbs in fright. The white orbs flashed not too brightly, and Nodoka's eyes became hypnotized. She couldn't move, but kept staring at the white orbs for a long time. When her arms dropped, she drops her briefcase on the ground and got Haruna and Yue's attention. The two looked Nodoka all dazed and hypnotized. Haruna snaps her fingers at her, while Yue waves her hand in front of Nodoka's face.

"Nodoka, Nodoka! Hey wake up." Yue commanded.

"Nodoka! Hey, snap out of it!" Haruna yelled.

The two reached Nodoka and she shook her head. "Wha…What happened?" Nodoka wondered as she was confused of what she was doing. She looked at her two friends that were both worried, and then she looks back at the top of the tower that the two orbs were gone. "What was I doing?"

"I don't know, but I'm glad you're back with us." said Yue in relief.

"Yeah, now let's go home." said Haruna. "This tower is now giving me the creeps."

The trio started to walk back to the dorm. As they were walking back, the two white orbs glowed again from the tower as it watches the librarians walking away.

---

Chapter 4

At Asuna, Konoka, and Negi's dorm room, the gang, including Matt, finished their dinner and wash the dishes. After cleaning up, Matt got today's newspaper and reads the headline and article of the clock tower incident. He sits near a table that's close to the window. As he was reading, a thought came to Matt. "It is odd how in the middle of the night, the victims go into the clock tower. But the thing is: who would stay at the clock tower around midnight. I don't think there was a person who could take a nightshift at a clock tower."

Konoka and Asuna where washing and drying the dishes. Konoka begins to worry about the people being taken in the clock tower. Asuna spots Konoka's worried look. "Hey are you okay Konoka?" Asuna asked.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine." Konoka replied. "It's just that I'm a little bit scared and worried to what happened to all those people that were taken inside the tower."

"Don't you worry Konoka. Tomorrow, all of us of the mystery club will check the clock tower and get to the bottom of it." Asuna patted Konoka on her left shoulder. Konoka smiled.

A moment later, Matt lifts his head from his newspaper and looks out the window. While he's looking out the dark scenery, he begins to think of what dangers and secrets lay in the clock tower. Just then, Matt spotted something out in the opening grounds of the walkways. He spotted two white lights flashing repeating every second. Matt calls the girls, Negi, and Chamo to come over to the window.

"Hey guys, do you see that?" Matt said as he pointed where the light is coming from.

"Yeah, what is that?" Chamo replied as he looked out the window.

"I'm not sure." said Negi putting his left hand on his chin.

"It looks like a light signal." Matt said as he observes the lights. "Maybe it's asking for help."

"Maybe, I guess." said Asuna putting her hands on her waist and raising her eyebrows.

"C'mon guys let's check it out." Matt said.

Matt, Asuna, Negi, and Chamo left the room while Konoka stayed behind finishing up the dishes. They took the stairs and down the hallways to reach the ground floor. When they did, they exited the dormitory and looked for the lights. Matt spots them ahead and the gang walks towards it. As they got closer, they not only see the lights flashing, but also a shadow silhouette that's shape like a teenage girl wearing a maid's outfit. "What is that?" Matt asked. As the dark sky is clearing up of the clouds, the full moon appeared and its bright shine revealed the identity of the silhouette. It was none other than Chachamaru.

"Oh, it's Chachamaru." Negi stated.

"Good evening to you professor Negi." Chachamaru replied as she bows at the three. "And you too, Asuna and Matthew."

Matt was a little bit scared of her because she looks like a real girl, despite that Matt knew she's only a robot with superior artificial intelligence. "Oh hi there, miss uh…Chachamaru." said Matt in a calm matter. "Are you the one making those lights flashing on and off?"

"Indeed, Mr. Oda-san." Chacha replied.

"Please just call me Matt."

"Yes, Matt-san." Chacha bowed at Matt again. "I called you here because my master wants to see you tonight."

"Your…master?"

"Yes, she should be arriving anytime right now."

Matt turns around to Negi and Asuna standing behind him and was all confused. "Uh, okay, I don't know what's going on, why Chachamaru brought me here to see this 'master' of hers. But I think we should get back to the dorm." Suddenly out of the blue, a large silhouette dropped down behind Matt Oda without him noticing it. It looked like a woman wearing a cape around her. Negi and Asuna jolted as they gave a little shocking faces to Matt. Matt was confused and raised one eyebrow up and the other down. "What's a matter?" Matt asked. Negi and Asuna slowly pointed in the direction of what's behind him. Matt flinched a little and starts to sweat. In a frightening look he slowly looked down on the ground to see not only his shadow, but another one right next to his, only bigger and taller. And analyzing the shape, he discovers the head and hair style belonged to a woman. Matt started to shake in fright as he slowly turns his head to the woman who is right behind him. He looked at her face and head that had long blonde hair and evil smirk with two fang teeth sticking out. She was staring at Matt with an evil look. Matt turned white, jumped, and screamed. Matt started to run away, but the woman quickly grabbed Matt's shoulders before he escaped.

"Now is that anyway to treat to woman?" said the lady grabbing the struggling Matt Oda.

"Let me go! Scary, creepy, woman!" Matt yelled.

"My you look so good and tasty." The woman got closer to Matt's neck on his left side. "I wonder what a gentleman's blood taste like?" Matt's eyes widen so huge and he sweated a lot. "If you hold still, it won't hurt as much."

"Master, aren't you going a bit too far?" Chachamaru asked as she sticks her hand out to try to stop her.

"Oh Chachamaru, I just want to taste a little blood from Matt, that's all." The lady wrapped around Matt's body, and Matt was chilling more than normal of his gynophobia. "Now relax Matt, this won't hurt a-"

Then in a snap, Asuna came to the rescue when she got out her harisen and smacked the lady on her right cheek. Matt was freed and he rushes behind Negi's back and crouch his body to the ground.

"Will you cut that out Eva, You're scaring our friend!" Asuna yelled.

"Curse you Asuna! You and your cancellation magic spell." said the woman rubbing her right cheek. "Is that anyway to treat a lady?"

"Shut up you stupid brat! You're only just an old hag living in a girl's body!"

"Old hag!? How dare you Kagurazaka!"

The two girls continue to bicker and fight, while Negi, Matt, and Chachamaru watch them from a safe distance. Matt slowly stood up and continues to watch the two girls fight as if it was a horrible cat fight. Matt couldn't take much more of this slug fest sight, so he walks towards them.

"Girls stop!" Matt cried to reach them. But the two didn't hear Matt the first time. "GIRLS, I SAID STOP!" And that did it, the two of them stopped each holding the other's hair and were covered up with scratches on their bodies. They all looked at Matt seeing how firm and bold he was to stop the two girls fighting. "Thank you, I appreciate that." Matt wiped his shirt, and he breathes and exhales. "Now Asuna, you mean to tell me you know who this woman is?"

"Of course Matt." Asuna replied wiping herself. "This woman here is no other than Evangeline."

"Evangeline!?" surprised Matt and he looks at the woman. "You mean you're the little girl I met this late afternoon?"

"Hmph." In a snap, the woman turned into her true self, Evangeline the little girl. "I see you're not slow."

"What the…alright what's going on?" Matt moaned as he was also confused.

"My master wanted to see again since we left in a hurry this afternoon." Chachamaru explained.

"I was impressed on how well you did on solving the kidnap and fair incidents." Evangeline continued. "Not an ordinary human could do those superior things, therefore you peak my interest. But I heard you have this fear of girls that I couldn't help myself to take this advantage and mess around with ya."

Chamo popped up on Negi's right shoulder. "So…you like Matt, but you like to tease him, huh Eva."

"More or less Chamo." said Eva as she closed her eyes and shrugged.

"Well I can see why they call you 'The Dark Evangel.'" said Matt as he scratches his head.

"Hmm? How did you know about that?" she replied when open her right eye to Matt.

"Negi and Asuna told me all about you." Matt crossed his arms. "You were just an ordinary girl when in a dramatic event, this mage gave you a curse, a curse that you can't grow old or die. Yet you obtained these dark powerful magic. And that same mage put another curse on ya that you can't leave the academy. But overtime when Negi came along, you learned your lesson and changed your behavior. You're free, but you want to stay on Negi's side for little while."

"I see you been doing some history lessons Matt." Eva smirked. As Eva wasn't looking at Matt, he looks closely at Eva and sensed something wrong within her. Eva looks back at Matt and noticed his observance. "Is something wrong Matt?" she asked.

"Uh, no. Nothing, just thinking something about the clock tower." Matt replied as he shook his head and his right hand out to Eva.

"The clock tower? I heard about it. I've read that people have gone missing in that tower." Eva sticks her right index finger out to the side. "Tell you what, since I'm interested in you and I'm curious about that tower, Chachamaru and I will aid you into helping and figuring out the mysteries inside that tower you guys are going to check out."

"Wait Eva," said Asuna, "How did you know about that?"

Eva giggled, "We have our ways."

Just then, they gang heard bells ringing in the middle of the night. They were looking at the direction of where the bells came from. From a faint distance, they all can see the clock tower. Matt looks at his watch and makes quick and quiet jolt. "Midnight." he said. And the bells kept ringing throughout the whole night.

---

Chapter 5

Matt opened his eyes only to be standing on a highway bridge close to the edge. Cars were passing by him, going at 55 mph. Then he spots a silver car about a mile away from him that's familiar to him. It was the car that his mother and father in it. "This feels familiar…" Matt said as he tries to recall this scenery. Then behind his parents' car about 400 feet away is a dark green pickup truck that's going about 70 mph passing every car. "That pickup truck is going pretty fast." As Matt's parents got closer to him, Matt spots his mother holding something in her hand. He observed them carefully and what appeared to be plane tickets. "Plane tickets?" Matt paused a moment, then in a quick jolt he realized what this scene is. This is the scene where his mother and father fell off the highway. The pickup truck was right close to his parents and right behind it is a police cruiser chasing it. The criminal in the pickup truck wants to lose the cruiser, so he cut right in front of his parents' car. Matt's parents' car skid out and went out of control. "Mom! Dad!" Their car was heading toward to the edge of the highway bridge just about 30 feet away from Matt. "NO!" he cried and sticks out his left hand out to them. Their car broke the wall of the bridge and fallen straight down to the river below the bridge. SPLASH! "NOOOO! MOM! DAD!" Matt rushes to the broken wall and looks down at the wrecked car. "No…" Matt started to make tear. Crack! Matt heard a noise and wonder where it came from. What he didn't know that what he's standing on is a concrete piece of the bridge that's about to break off. Without noticing it, the cracked cement piece fell and Matt fell along. Matt screamed as he reached his right hand and grabbed the edge of the broken bridge. Matt struggles as he looks down below him and tries to pull himself back to the concrete bridge. Crack! Matt heard another cracking sound. He looks up and the concrete piece he's holding and in a scary shock, it was breaking off. "NO!" Matt screamed as he tried to pull himself again. But the piece broke off and Matt fell. "NOOOOOOOO!" Matt looks down and below him were sharp rocks sticking out of the surface of the river. This was Matt's sad and horrible fate as he got closer to the rocks. "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

"AAHHH!" Matt screamed. He was breathing heavily, and he was hot and sweaty. He looks around and in relief he was in Asuna and Konoka's dorm room, all dark with the moonlight shining from the outside. He touched his chest feeling his pounding heart. He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Whoa, what a nightmare." He looks at Konoka still sleeping in her bed. Then he looks at the clock sitting on the table next to the window that says 4:48. "Well I'm glad I didn't wake anybody up." He looks down on himself in a sad look. "Mom, Dad…I miss you." Matt turns his head towards the bunk bed then towards Negi's sleeping bag, which again is empty. "Oh no, come on, not again." And of course, Negi is sleeping with Asuna in her bed. As usual Matt carried Negi back to his sleeping bag. "This is getting ridiculous. Next time this happens, I better tape him to the floor or get a fishing line on him to pull and stop him."

---

That morning in Negi's class, everyone is packing up their school utensils and books. Negi put his paperwork away until Evangeline showed up next to him with Chachamaru.

"So later today we meet this Matthew Oda at this club he has." said Eva.

"Yes, here's the flyer that has the address on it." said Negi as he gave a flyer to Eva. "I have to go now, I'll see you at the club."

Negi left as Evangeline and Chachamaru watched him exit the class. Some of the other students saw Eva got a flyer of the Mystery Club and they were a little bit surprised.

"Eva got one too?" Fuka whispered to Natsumi, Sakurako, Kazumi, Sayo, and Fumika, all together in a circle.

"Just who is this Matthew Oda?" Fumika asked.

"Well he is certainly attracting more girls." Natusmi replied. "But wouldn't that affect his fear of girls though?"

"I guess," Kazumi answered, "but we may never know. I sure wish to see him again."

"Yeah, I know what you mean Kazumi." said Sakurako happily.

At the end of the classroom are Haruna, Nodoka, and Yue hearing the girls from the other side of the room, and seeing Eva holding the flyer.

"We should definitely see this Matt Oda." said Haruna. "He really is drawing a crowd."

"Indeed Haruna." Yue replied. "As soon as we're done with our clubs, we will go directly to him, right Nodoka."

"Uh, yeah, right Yue." Nodoka replied quietly holding and scrunching the Mystery Club flyer in her hands.

---

Later in the afternoon, Negi, Chamo and all of the members, including Evangeline and Chachamaru who volunteered to help, we're listening on Matt's plan on the investigation at the clock tower tonight. Everyone paid attention to Matt as he draws on the chalkboard and talks at the same time.

"Okay, here's how this is going to work." Matt started to explain. "According from our good samurai swordsman, uh swords-woman, Setsuna, she has these magical paper golems that whenever you write name on it, a doppelganger of you magically appears. Will use these as bait to lure the thing or whatever that's pulling and capturing the victims in the clock tower. Since the victims walk into the tower, we'll wait until our bait gets close to the doors before they close, and that's where we make our move. We'll chase down this 'culprit' and put an end to this haunting clock tower case. Once we captured the culprit, we'll save the victims and we're home free and done." After Matt made the last sketch, he puts down his chalk and turns to his members. "Any questions?"

Konoka was the only one who raised her hand in the club. Matt spots Konoka's raised hand and points to her. "Yeah, just one important question that I want to know."

"Go on…"

"I like your drawing and sketching, where did you learn that, in art class?"

Everyone collapsed in embarrassment, except for Evangeline and Chachamaru which they only sweat-dropped.

"Miss Konoka!" Setsuna cried as her face is all red.

"What? I was listening to Matt's plan, but I like his drawing too. It is really well organized and planned out." She has to admit it; Matt's drawing on the board is creative. Though he couldn't make a full detail of him and his members on the board, the way he sets up his designed plan and where the arrows are pointing at which specific target were organized and completely straightforward.

Matt rubbed his head with his eyes still closed. "Konoka, was that necessary to ask?" he said.

"Well, I just wanted to know, that's all." Konoka replied gleefully.

Matt stood up and wipes the dirt off his shirt. "Any other questions, besides my art skills?" He looks at his members and nobody raised their hand. "Does everyone understand this plan?"

"Yes." Everyone said in unison.

---

Just outside the club and in the hallways of the building are Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna walking toward the Mystery Club.

"I can't wait to see Matt Oda." said Haruna as she was thinking something good. "I wonder what he looks like."

"Who knows," Yue replied. "Maybe he's handsome guy, a romantic lover."

"Or maybe he's super strong and all muscles."

"Um girls," Nodoka interrupted them. "I heard he's a just an ordinary and honest gentleman. I think he's a kind and generous young guy."

"Well whatever he is," Haruna continued, "I really want to meet him."

"Me too." Yue replied.

They trio kept walking until they arrived in the front door that above it hangs a temporary sign that says the Mystery Club. The trio made a small grin.

"This is it." Haruna stated. "Just like what the flyer said."

Yue turns to Nodoka. "Okay Nodoka, go ahead and knock."

"Um okay…" Nodoka feels a little nervous. She slowly raised her fist and moves closely to the door. She stopped for a few seconds as her fist was shaking up and down. She catches her breath and pulls back her arm. Just as she was about to knock, the trio heard the door click as it was about to slide open. The trio freaked out and quickly hid around the corner of the hallway. And by peaking with their head out a little, the door opened and saw someone coming out.

Matt Oda stepped outside of the club and looks back at his team that were about to come out of the room. First person to step out is Negi, next Asuna, then Konoka and Setsuna.

"Negi really is in the club." surprised Haruna.

"Not only that, but Asuna, Konoka, and Setsuna as well." Yue stated.

"Alright everyone," Matt called to his members, "I know we need to get plenty of rest for our investigation tonight, so I'm closing up the club early. Remember, we meet at the clock tower twenty minutes before midnight tonight. Capeesh?" Everyone nodded. After Matt reminded his team, walking out of the room came Satomi and Chao, next Satsuki and Chisame, and finally Eva and Chachamaru.

"Wha?...Satomi and Chao?" Nodoka questioned in surprise.

"And Evangeline and Chachamaru?" Yue followed.

"Even Satsuki and Chisame?" Haruna gasped.

Matt locked the club's door and makes sure door is locked tight. He turns back to his team and gives out his last words. "Okay we'll all see you tonight."

"Don't worry," Satsuki replied, "We'll all be there at the tower, Matt Oda."

Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna flinched a little to their surprise. "That's Matt Oda!?" the three quietly shouted in unison.

Nodoka carefully stares at Matt Oda. "He looks so kind and honest." Nodoka thought in her mind.

Matt and his gang went down the hallways in the direction where the librarians were hiding around the corner. They passed the trio girls without noticing them and exited the building. The librarians came out in the open and were amazed to see Matt Oda in real life.

"Wow…so that's Matt Oda." Haruna said in amazement.

"Yeah, I never expected him to be so honest looking." said Yue in glee.

Nodoka puts her hands to her chest. "He…he really is cute."

"Awww…you really like him?" said Haruna being so cheeky on Nodoka's feelings.

"Haaahhh! No! It's just that, he really is a nice looking guy, like he's a gentleman."

"You're maybe right Nodoka." Yue replied.

"They were going to investigate the clock tower tonight." said Haruna as she puts her left hand on her chin and closed her eyes. "Maybe we should check it out with them as well."

"Um Haruna," Nodoka responded, "I think we shouldn't be involved in their work."

Haruna slaps Nodoka on her back. "What are you talking about? I really like to see him again. I think he's the one for me."

"Haruna, don't be such a trouble maker." Yue replied in disagreement. "But I would like to say 'hi' and get to know him more."

"What do you say Nodoka, just this one time to meet this guy?" Haruna winked at Nodoka.

Nodoka looks down with her bangs covering her eyes. She shakes a little and made a shyly reply. "Um…okay, just this once."

"Then it's settle." said Yue lifting her right thumb up. "We're meeting this Matthew Oda tonight at midnight at the clock tower." Haruna raised her arm in the air and made a cheer, but Nodoka slowly raised her arm halfway and quietly cheered.

---

Chapter 6

That night, Matt, along with Satsuki, Chao, Satomi, Chisame, Evangeline, and Chachamaru, were waiting for Negi and the other girls to show up here at the clock tower. Matt taps his right foot as he was growing a little impatiently wondering where rest of the gang is.

Chisame looks at her watch. "It's 23:38, where are they?" she replied so impatiently.

"I don't know," Chao replied, "But if they don't show up soon, our chance to catch this crook will be over."

Just then, Matt heard a voice from a distance. He turned to the direction where it came from. There coming into his direction is Asuna and Negi waving their hands, along with Konoka and Setsuna following up in the rear. "There they are, and just in time." said Matt. The last members of the team made it and were breathing in and out.

"Sorry we're late." said catching her breath. "We took a quick nap, but Negi almost slept in for the night."

"I'm sorry about that." Negi replied in crybaby response.

"Jeez boya," Evangeline sighed, "You really are such a kid."

"No worries," said Matt, "You guys arrived right in the nick of time. Now that we're all here, let's get this operation started."

Minutes have passed and everyone is hiding in the bushes, just right in front of the clock tower. Matt turns to Setsuna and points to her giving the signal to say "Go." She nodded and pulled out a paper golem. She gave it to Konoka which she wrote her name on the golem. The golem lit up and after a short burst of puffy clouds, a Konoka doppelganger appeared before her. Konoka told her copy to stand in front of the tower's front doors and wait there. The doppelganger walked toward its position and waited.

Matt turns to Chao which she's looking at her watch and makes a question. "Alright, how much longer?"

She stills looks at her watch and replies to Matt, "Only six minutes left."

"Perfect, everything's going according to plan." Matt crouches down and looks at the doppelganger.

"Konoka!" someone shouted. Everyone in the bushes jerked and wondering where did that voice came from. To their surprise and bad timing, it was the librarians walking up toward the Konoka doppelganger. Everyone made shocking expressions on their faces as the librarians got closer to the fake Konoka.

"Konoka what are you doing here?" Nodoka questioned "Where's everyone else?" The doppelganger didn't say anything but just tilted her head.

"Konoka is something wrong?" Yue asked. The doppelganger didn't reply back, in fact she is tilting her head back and forth confusedly. The three girls stared at her awkwardly until Haruna walks up to her.

"Hey what's a matter with you!?" Haruna yelled at the fake Konoka trying to get her attention. "Hey! Snap out of it!" Haruna slapped hard on the doppelganger's cheek until all of sudden it poof and turned back into a paper golem. The librarians were shocked.

Negi and Asuna popped out from the bushes and ran up to the librarians. "Nodoka, Haruna, Yue!" Negi shouted.

"Negi!" the librians shouted.

"What are you guys doing here?" Asuna asked to them.

"We heard that you guys and this Matt fellow were going to this clock tower." Yue replied. "So we decided to come along and check it out as well."

"But why did you have a paper golem duplicated as Konoka out here?" Haruna asked.

"It was supposed to be our bait for our trap." Asuna moaned.

"Bait?" Nodoka asked.

"Trap?" Yue wondered.

Matt hiding in the bushes started to stand up and is about to grab Negi, Asuna, and the librarians. "I got to hurry and get them out of there." Matt quietly shouted.

"Oh no!" said Chao in surprise.

"What? What happened?" Satomi asked.

On Chao's watch, it stated 23:59, just five seconds left 'til midnight.

Everyone in the bushes were very scared. "Uh Oh!" Satomi said in fright. The moment Chao's watch says 00:00 (midnight), Matt looks at the tower's clock as its big hand turned toward straight up to 12 on its face. Then the bells in the top of the tower started to ring. Negi, Asuna, and the librarians heard the chimes as they watch the bells ring back and forth.

Matt pops out from the bushes and gave them a shout. "Negi! Girls! Get out of there! Hurry!" Before they could move, the doors to the tower's front entrance started to swing open quickly making a huge breeze flying towards Negi and the girls. After the breeze, they looked to see what was inside the room. There appearing before them are two white glowing orbs floating in the darkness of the room. Everyone started to shake in fright and stepped back a little. However something kept Nodoka from moving back with the group. As she kept staring at the orbs, they flashed quickly and Nodoka eyes began to fall into a trance. Nodoka then slowly walked toward inside the tower and towards the glowing orbs.

"Nodoka! What are you doing!?" Haruna shouted.

"Nodoka, get back here! Stop!" Yue yelled.

Nodoka couldn't control herself, she kept walking towards the balls.

"Nodoka stop!" cried Negi as he reaches her hand. But as he grabbed Nodoka's hand, she stopped, and the glowing orbs made another flash. Another gust of wind came and pushed Negi back to Asuna and the other librarians. Nodoka continued to walk, still in her deep trance. She entered into the tower and the doors started to close.

"No! Nodoka!" Yue shouted. She, along with Negi, Asuna, and Haruna rushed to the doors to see if they could get inside. But they're too late, the doors were closed and was sealed tight. The four tried to open the doors, but they were sealed like placing super glue between the cracks of the doors. The four felt discouraged to lose Nodoka. Matt and the others showed up next to them.

"Don't worry you guys, we'll think of something to get your friend back." Matt said as he tries to cheer them up. Negi and the girls turned to Matt Oda. Matt swings his right arm to his chest in great confidence and courage. "I swear as a gentleman and mystery-solver, I will rescue your friend no matter how small the situation is." Yue and Haruna stared at Matt and walked closely to him. Matt started to shake a little cause of his phobia, but he tries to endure it.

"So you're the Matt Oda we heard so much about." said Haruna as she put hands on her hips. "Wow you sure look honest and ordinary, just like what Nodoka expected."

"We never expected this kind of young man to be this regular." Yue smiled. "I agree with Haruna, you do look like an honest gentleman."

"Oh, thanks girls." Matt said timidly. "But now our plan is ruined when you guys accidentally showed up."

"We didn't mean to ruin your plan." Haruna replied in a depressed mood. "We heard you guys were going to the clock tower, so we thought we can come along."

"But I guess now we messed up for our unexpected show-up." Yue said.

"It's not your fault girls," Matt replies back, "We just never expected you girls to show up. But how did you know about all us that we were investigating the tower tonight."

Yue answered back to Matt. "We, Nodoka, Haruna, and I, were walking toward your club this afternoon so we can meet and greet you, but you guys left the club and stated you were going on an investigation hunt at the tower."

"I see," said Matt as he put his left thumb and index finger on his chin, "Well…if we're going to get Nodoka and the other captives back, I'm going to need a lot of help, which means I need you girls."

"You can count on us Matt." Yue replied.

"I'm in too." Haruna followed.

"By the way," Matt asked, "Are you familiar with Negi Springfield?"

"Yes…why?" Haruna answered.

"Negi seems to know you girls so well, including Asuna and the rest of the girls here. You must be in Negi's class, not mention his magical partners."

"Yeah Matt." said Yue in a surprise. "But how did you know about that? That's a secret."

"Oh, an unexpected event happened." Matt then puts his hands on his hips. "But right now, let's save Nodoka and the others. And the only way how is to rampage inside." Matt examines the front doors of the tower and analyzes them. "The doors look well plated, but the wood around it are old. Negi can you do a spell to break through the doors, I'm sure one big pack of punch just might break through."

"Yes I can," Negi replied to Matt. "Stand back everyone." Everybody did as Negi's mana power increased within his body. A bright flash appears all over on his body almost causing Matt's eyes to go blind. Negi sends his mana into his right hand fist and pulls it back. "Fuka Hoken!" he yelled. With a quick swing, he sends his fist to land on the doors. After making contact, a huge gust wind from Negi's fist pushes the doors. It broke through and the doors were pushed all the way into the back of the room. Negi's mana decreases and took a deep breath. After exhaling, he turns to Matt. "Alright Matthew were in…Matt?"

Matt posed a stance in a shocking astonishment. He had his right hand close to his chest, his mouth was open a little, and he had his right eyebrow raised and the other lowered. "Wow…" Matt replied.

Negi giggled and put his right on his head. "Well I said I am a powerful and high ranked magister magorum."

"Yeah…but I never expected to be this good."

"Well, that's the beauty and power of magic, ay Matthew." said Eva staring at him with one eye open and with her arms crossed together.

"Eh, yeah." Matt giggled and then coughed to clear his throat. "Anyway the doors are open. Let's move!" And everyone did, they all rushed inside the tower's room. Inside they encountered the stairs leading up to the top of the tower. Everyone started climbing as they race towards the top.

While they were climbing, a stern thought came into Yue's mind. "Hold on Nodoka, we're coming."

---

Chapter 7

Everything was all black as Nodoka was unconscious lying on the ground. After gaining her consciousness, she then slowly opened her eyes and looked around to see where she was. Giant bells were above her head and four windows, each side has one. She knows that she is in the top of the tower. She looks around some more and, in her great fear and shocking surprise, she sees all of the other victims, young men, women, girls and boys all lying on the ground. Their whole bodies were wrinkled and their skins were pale white. She also notices strange white collars around their necks too. Nodoka tries to escape, but something stop and choke her, as if she was pulled like a dog. Nodoka realizes that she has the same white collar around her neck as the other victims. She looks at it and sees a line attached to the collar. She follows it and it leads to something covered with cloth standing on the edge of the tower's window. She stares it in great fear, and wanted to back away. Then the creature on the edge of the window turns its head around to Nodoka as its eyes glowed and its teeth grinned at her. Nodoka became so scared that she fainted to the floor. In her subconscious mind, it stated, "Negi, Yue…please…help me."

---

Negi, Matt, and the girls climbed about six flights up the stairs as they got higher and higher getting close to the top. Some of the girls were sweating while the others help them to climb up further.

"Hey! ...How much…further… do we have to go?" said Chisame huffing and puffing at the same time.

"Just a bit further and we're at the top." Matt claimed as he was also breathing.

"Y'know," Chamo says, "there is a simple way to get up there."

"And how?" Matt questioned.

Chamo pointed his paw up in the air, "We can 'fly' up there."

Matt blinked, "Oh yeah! I forgot that you guys are magicians."

"Great idea Chamo," Haruna commented, "For once that furry head of yours is thinking something than girl-"

"Ah!" Yue shouted covering Haruna's mouth. "Not in front of our kind young man here."

"Oh right, sorry." Haruna smiled in embarrassment. Matt raised his left eyebrow and lowers his right eyebrow in a confused look.

Negi nodded, "Right I'll go first." Negi sticks out his hand and, in a bright light, his staff appeared in front of him. He grabs his staff and hops onto it.

Asuna touched Negi's left shoulder as he turned around to see Asuna. "I'll come with you." Asuna demanded. Negi smiled and nodded. Asuna hopped onto his staff and the two flew up ahead to the top. The two were flying at incredible speed and they were getting closer to the top.

The rest of the gang watched Negi and Asuna go up, as Yue is getting ready to bring out her broom from her pactio card. Suddenly, Eva twitched, and sensed something wrong. She looks up to Negi and Asuna, and warned them. "Negi! Asuna! LOOK OUT!" Eva cried.

Negi and Asuna heard Eva's warning when they looked back, and then they turned their head towards above them. Falling rocks were falling right above their heads! Negi screamed, but Asuna quickly reacted and brought out her pactio card. "ADEAT!" she yelled. Her card transformed into a giant sword and she grabbed it. Asuna swings her sword and sliced the rocks into pieces. "Piece of cake." said Asuna in a confident mood. She thought that was it, but Negi screamed again as more rocks started to fall onto them.

Everyone on the stairs panicked, but Eva made a fast move. "Chachamaru!" she shouted. Chachamaru raised her arms and aimed at Negi and Asuna. She launches her hands and grapples Negi and Asuna by the collar of their shirts. She quickly pulled them back to the others as the rocks just missed them by an inch. Negi and Asuna were stunned and relieved at the same time.

Negi stood up breathing and puts his right hand on his chest feeling the pounding beat from his heart. He then looks at Evangeline and Chachamaru, "Thanks, I thought-"

"You idiot!" Eva shouted, "You almost got yourselves killed up there. What were you thinking, barging in without caution?"

"Calm down Eva," Haruna interrupted them. "Everyone's okay and no one got hurt."

"Hmph! You just got lucky there boya, since me and Chachamaru backed you up." Matt Oda pauses a moment and stares at Evageline in her upset look. Matt Oda sensed something within Eva, like he knows something is bothering inside of Eva. She spotted Matt Oda staring at her again. "Something wrong Matt?" she asked in a grump.

"Uhhh…no," Matt replied as he shook his head, "I'm just looking at Negi making sure he has no scratches on him."

"Well I guess the only we can do is to keep climbing up." Yue stated.

"Aww…C'mon!" Chisame complained, "Don't they have elevators in these clock towers?"

"Unfortunately, not." Matt obliviously replied. "Let's keep moving."

---

At the top of the tower, Nodoka gain her conscious…again and looks around the room. She sees the victims again still all wearing white collars like Nodoka has on her neck. She turned to the window where the hooded culprit is standing on the edge of the window looking at the moon in the sky. She thought everything she seen around her is a nightmare, but it turns out it's real. Nodoka tries to be brave and pulls out her pactio card. She quietly enchanted, "Adeat." and a magical diary appeared before her. She called out to the hooded culprit. "Hey!" The culprit turned to her. "Who are you, and what's your evil purpose." The culprit with the two glowing white orbs using as the eyes just stared at her speechlessly. After a few moments, a picture and words appeared in her book. All in her pages said, "Energy…Blood." Nodoka was so scared while the culprit turned to the moon again. Nodoka held tight to herself and hopes that Negi, and her friends will rescue her in time.

---

Negi and the gang kept climbing up the stairs and they still haven't got close to the top. Matt looks around the inside of the building and spots lamps on the side of the walls. Matt examines them closely.

"What are you doing Matt?" Chao Lingshen asked.

"Nothing, just taking a closer at this lamp." Matt replied. "It really looks old, like it was built at least a hundred years ago."

"Well this tower was built around in the 1900s." Satomi replied and winked at him. "Before watches arrived in this part of the town, people relied on this clock tower as a source to keep track of their time for their shifts, schedules, and daily routines."

Yue continued the facts. "But since time passed and people are now wearing watches and have digital clocks at home, this clock tower is now nothing but an ordinary tower. Not many people use this tower anymore. However, strange rumors were spread when some people discover and thought this clock tower is so old that ghosts are now living in it."

"So today, when people pass by this tower during the nighttime," Chao continued, "Many of them think it's haunted and they spread the word around to the people to stay away from this place."

Matt took his hand off the lamp as left his fingers marks on it and dust on his hand. He wipes them off on his shirt. "Interesting story," Matt replied, "but I'm not so sure Negi is taking a liking to this."

Everyone looked at Negi as he was crouched into a ball shivering in fear.

"C'mon bro, act like a man will ya!?" Chamo shouted to Negi.

"Why are you guys giving Matt Oda history lessons about this place?" Eva scolded. "I thought we are here to rescue your bookworm friend and apprehend this ghostly culprit."

"Don't be so rash Eva." Matt replied. "Though I don't like History, it may be helpful to learn about this place to get good information and how we are dealing with this culprit we're facing up against." Eva didn't care and scoffed at Matt.

"Hey you guys," Konoka called out, "Not to interrupt, but can we move on?"

"Eh you're right Konoka." Matt corrected. "Let's move."

---

The team kept climbing and climbing for so long that it felt like they climbed at least 30 flights so far. Everyone was getting tired, and slowly started to sulk. They were all sweating and breathing heavily.

"GAH! I can't take it anymore!" Chisame yelled. "I'm going to collapse."

"Uwah, I can't go any further." Konoka moaned.

"Miss Konoka, hold on." said Setsuna as she help her carrying her.

Matt grabbed on to the rails of the stairs and took deep breaths. "Something's is not right." He claimed. "We should be at the top right about now, but were not. I don't think this tower can be this high to reach the top."

"But Matt," Asuna responded as she was breathing heavily, "We been climbing up these stairs for so long. Are we missing something?"

Matt looks around the whole area on the floor they're on and tries to find this oddball trick here. He looked at the stairs, the ground floor, the ceiling, and the walls, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Matt paused for a moment and begins to think very hard. Then Matt turns around and spots a lamp, the same kind Matt observed back some flights down. He observes the lamp carefully, and in a blink of his eyes, he saw and noticed something. Matt got closer to the lamp to confirm his assumption. Matt twitched.

"Aha! I knew it!" Matt yelled.

"What? What is it Matt?" Asuna wondered.

"How could I not realize this sooner? Guys we been walking in circles."

"Huh!?" everyone shouted and pondered.

"What do you mean Matt?" Satomi asked.

"Ever heard of an artist named M. C. Escher?"

"I know that guy." Chao replied. "He's was a famous artist who created this illusion painting of stairs going in a complete circle. Why did you say that?"

"Well Chao, everyone, we're in his painting."

"Huh?" everyone was confused.

"Take a look at this lamp here." Everyone got close to Matt. "You noticed something strange on this lamp?"

They observed it closely, but they were clueless. "It's all dusty Matt." Konoka replied. "I don't know what's wrong with it. All I see is it is glowing and a few finger print markings."

Everyone couldn't figure it out, but Satomi and Chisame have got it. "Of course!" Chisame shouted. "Matt you're genius." Everyone stared at Chisame to see how she figured out Matt's point of view. "You see these fingerprints here." Chisame pointed to parts on the lamp. "Look at Matt's hand!" Matt opened his hand and it still shows little bit of dust on his fingertips and on his palm. Everyone were still a little bit confused, in a few seconds they came to understand Matt's point.

"You're catching on now." Matt stated. "These prints on the lamp here are the same as my fingertips. I just touch this lamp, and we been climbing up the stairs not too long ago. How can the lamp from a few flights ago that has the markings of my prints, have another lamp with the exact same prints on this one on this stair level." Matt put his hands on his hips. "It's very simple. Somehow we entered into this illusion that the moment we're about to enter the next level of the stairs, we're right back to the last stair level we climbed. That's why no matter how many flights we've gone up, we could never reach the top. I don't think we're dealing with an ordinary criminal, this has to be the work of someone with magic."

Everyone was amazed again by Matt's intelligence abilities. "That explains why we been walking up this tower for so long." Haruna stated.

Matt looks up. "Now that we know we're in this loop-de-loop illusion, is there any way to break this so we can get ourselves out of here."

"I can do that!" Asuna shouted in confidence.

"How Asuna?"

Asuna pulled out her sword out and sticks it into the wall. "Just watch and you'll be amazed." Matt's watching. Asuna puts her hand on her sword. A glowing white aura surrounded Asuna's body and a magic circle appeared on her feet. She transferred her magical power into her sword as it started to glow. With her sword attached to the wall, the magic in the sword was transferred to the wall causing the whole floor level to glow. "Nullify Magic!" She called out. Crack! They heard the sound and spotted the crack floating in…midair. Crack! Crack! Just then, cracks were everywhere, on the walls, the stairs, all around the team. The cracks were connected together and then, CRASH! Everyone covered themselves as pieces of the illusion spells fell and were crushed and disintegrated. "How about that Matt?" Asuna said proudly.

"Incredible!" Matt exclaimed with his right hand on his chin. "Am I a lucky fellow to have you magical guys."

"So are we out of the illusion?" Konoka asked.

Matt takes a look at the lamp on the wall only this time it has no markings of his fingerprints. Matt knew they were out of the trapped illusion. "We sure are Konoka." Matt replies back to her. "This lamp here doesn't have my fingerprints from the last lamp I touched."

"Finally!" Chisame yelled in relief, "We can now get to the top."

"Right everyone let's go!" Matt called out as he lead the group climbing up the last flight of stairs.

---

Chapter 8

As they reached to the top, and "really" the top, they encounter a hatch that was sealed tight. Matt tries to push it hard to open but no dice. Negi ordered Matt to stand back as he did his magical punch again to break through the hatch. It worked again and they made it through. The team was finally at the top of the tower where they encountered Nodoka and the rest of the captured victims.

"Nodoka!" Yue and Haruna shouted in sync.

Nodoka turned to see who shouted and she was happy and relieved to see them and the rest of the team. "Yue! Haruna!" she cried happily.

"I'm glad you're safe." Yue worried. "Now let's get you out of here!"

"I can't! This collar is preventing me to escape." She pointed towards the captives laying on the floor. "They also have collars like I do."

Negi , Matt, Chamo, Setsuna, Eva, and Chachamaru got close to the captives and analyzed the collars. They also discovered that the captives' faces and bodies were all wrinkled.

"Wha…What's with these guys?" Matt questioned and shouted. "They look like about to decay and turn into dust."

"Their energies are stolen." Chamo claimed. "These collars are draining the life energy from these poor people."

"We got to take them off!" Setsuna commanded.

"No good." Eva interrupted. Everyone turned to Eva. "These collars are impervious to remove. The only way is to destroy the source that's creating these."

Suddenly Setsuna jolted when she sensed something nearby. She looked what's behind her and gave a quick and shocking reaction. "Negi! Behind You!"

Negi quickly turned his head. A bolt of purplish lightning tries to struck Negi, but he quickly dodge it out of the way. He got his ground and looks up. Everyone looked up to see where that bolt came from. "What the heck!?" Matt exclaimed as he saw what's right before his eyes. Floating in air in front of the window where the moon is shining from the back is the hooded culprit. It's glowing red eyes and evil grin stares at the team.

"I..Is…that, the ghost?" Chisame replied in a little bit of fright.

"So this guy must be the one kidnapping these innocent people." Chao said.

Chamo hopped on Negi's shoulder and pointed at something. "Guys look!" he yelled. What Chamo is pointing is the white streams that are connected to him. The other end of the streams is connected to the people wearing the collars. "That thing is sucking up the life energy from these people."

Matt made a stern look. "Then there's only one thing to do," Matt explains to everyone, "We must defeat this hooded pain in the neck to save everyone."

Negi nodded. "Right Matt." Negi replied. He turned to his students, "Girls are you ready?"

His students nodded and every girl, except Eva, and Nodoka, pulled out their pactio cards. Matt looks at them a stunning surprise to see this scene. Everyone raised their card and yelled, "ADEAT!" Matt covered his eyes from the blind light as the cards glowed brightly.

After the bright light disappeared, every girl's appearance changed. Yue wore a witch's hat and a cloak, Haruna has an artist apron with an artist hat, Setsuna wore a maid outfit with cat ears on her head and has wings on her back, Konoka is dressed up as in Kansai kimono dress, Asuna wore a maid outfit, different from Setsuna's, Chisame wore a black school girl outfit with bat wings and a tail on it, Satomi has a lab coat and has powerful robotic arms worn on her back, Chachamaru turned into a robotic cat girl with gliders on the side of her hips, Chao turned into her fighting combat and magic version of her, and Satsuki wore a chef's hat with a giant wok with her.

"WOWSERS!" surprised Matt in great amazement.

"Pretty cool huh?" Haruna replied to Matt giving him thumbs up and a grin.

"You sure you don't want to make a pactio with Negi?" Chao asked Matt.

"I know your magic is awesome, but I said I rather just be myself with my best personalities." Matt replied calmly and smiled.

"Heads up everyone!" Chamo shouted. "Look out!"

The ghost sends another purple bolt straight to them. Yue quickly reacted, "Elementa ignis." Several balls of lightning appeared around Yue. "Multi Fulmen Ictu!" Bolts of white lightning came out from the balls and were aiming at the purple lightning. They collided and the exploded on impact.

Haruna drew multiples of Chamo and send them flying towards the ghost to distract it. The phantom was covered and immobolized by the Chamos.

Negi got his staff and performed a spell. "Vires in ventum. Canite hunc inimicum." A powerful whirlwind spun around Negi with incredible speed. "Inferna Gust!" The huge blew straight towards the ghost pushing it back towards the window. The wind was so hard that the ghost's cape spread open revealing a great and shocking surprised to everyone.

"What in the world is that!?" Asuna shouted.

The ghost revealed to be a reaper only this reaper doesn't have a scythe. It has a skeleton head with its fangs sticking out, it has ribs, two skeleton hand bones, and he was floating like a bat in the sky. It wore a dark amulet around his neck, and has purple-reddish fire in his ribs. Everyone saw this shocking sight, but Chamo and Eva's spine chilled.

"N-N-No Way!" Chamo shouted in a big fright.

"It can't be!" Eva followed "How is this possible!?"

"What's a matter you two?" Matt questioned. "It's almost as if you know this horrifying ghost."

"You darn right, Matt!" Chamo replied, "That's a Blood-Fang Phantasmo!"

"They are notorious to us magic people." Eva commented. "How could this one survived?"

"EEEAAAAHHHHH!" screeched the phantom. It summoned a huge purple ball over its head. When the ball is charged up, the phantom summons bolts all over the place. Everyone quickly dodged its attacks and took cover.

"This ghost is now serious." Matt explained while taking cover. "We got to destroy it before he turns all the captives into dust and takes over this city."

"I'm on it!" Chao shouted as she prepares to battle. Chao got close to the phantom. "Come here and get me, ghost boy." she said while moving her fingers in a sign to say "bring it." The phantom sticks out its left hand and purple sparks appeared on its hand. Shockwaves came out of its hand as it was shooting towards Chao. She evaded the attack and makes a close fighting combat. She swings her fists and arms onto the phantom, but it dodged her attacks as well. When Chao missed her landing punch on the phantom's head, it put its hand on her stomach and sends a shockwave to her. Chao was pushed back to wall and fell to the floor. Chao regained her stance, but notices sparkling steam coming out from body. She felt a little weak and couldn't why, until… "Guys be careful! This phantom can suck your magic too."

"That's not good!" Chamo complained.

"Look Out!" Matt pointed and shouted.

The phantom charged up his hands with black aura on it. Once charged up, it send out a huge black stream, on each hand, sending towards the team. The streams exploded when making contact to the floor and everyone avoided the attack. One of the streams is heading towards Negi, and he just missed the attack only he tripped and dropped his staff a few feet away from him.

"My staff!" Negi shouted. Negi raced to retrieve his staff, but unbeknownst to him, the phantom spotted him and sends out its black streams to him.

Eva spotted the rash Negi that is about to get hit from the phantom and makes a quick move. "Boya! Look Out!" Eva was able to push Negi away, but unfortunate, Eva got hit from the stream. "AAAAHHHHH!" After the impact damage, she was pushed back to one of the window on the walls and flew out the window.

"Evangeline!" Negi cried.

"Master!" Chachamaru shouted.

Matt got up and saw Eva falling out the window. "Eva, NO!" Matt raced towards the window where flew out. While heading to window, he looks around and spots a rope just a few inches close to the window. He grabs the rope and jumps out of the window to rescue Eva.

"Matthew!" Asuna shouted.

"Matt-san, No!" Satsuki followed and screamed.

Outside the tower and in middle in the air, Matt, holding the rope in one hand, reaches the unconscious Eva with all his might and falling speed. Matt's other hand was a little bit close to Eva's, and wasn't sure he could make it. But he just made it and quickly grabbed Eva, while the rope reached its last stretch holding the two in midair. Matt just saved Eva in the nick of time. They swung back to the wall of the tower, while Matt stills holds onto Eva's hand. Eva quickly gains back her consciousness and looks up to Matt.

"Don't worry Eva, I got you." Matt said as he struggles to not let go. "You're safe."

Eva made a shocking expression. "You saved me?" Eva said in a surprise. "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you save me? I was so mean to you. You're only a human being with no magic, and you gave up your life to save me. You're afraid of girls, you are afraid of me. So why Matt?"

Matt paused a moment, and then gently smiled. "Eva, a gentleman like me does not want to see a cute innocent girl fall to her death."

"Cute? Innocent? I am a-"

"Eva listen. You might be mean and mischievous. They call you 'The Undying Mage,' 'The Lord of Darkness,' 'Dark Evangel,' whatever you are. But you're just a sweet and kind girl on the inside."

"What...?"

"I understand you been given by a terrible fate and your darkness and evil attitude grown over the centuries. But somewhere inside of you, there is a faint yet bright light shining saying you're really are a kind girl. I know this Eva, there's no reason for you to get tough and evil on others." Eva was now more surprised and feeling more sympathy. "You see Eva, when you met me, the first time in that afternoon and that night in your adult vampire form, you were not teasing me cause of my phobia as an advantage, you liked me as being your friend. You just didn't know how to say it in a complemented and generous way. The reason I was staring at you while you weren't looking at me was because I sensed something wrong within you. And that was that crying and innocent feeling that you cared about your friends so much, especially Negi. I was able to sensed that." Eva's eyes widened a little. "I know you changed Eva, you're a reformed vampire and a great dark mage. But to have friends, you must show your true feelings to everyone. A gentleman like me is telling you the truth, you really are a good girl."

"Matthew" Eva was moved by Matt Oda's kind and wisdom words. She even felt her heart pounding a bit from this warmth feeling.

"Now hold on Eva, I'm going to pull ourselves up." Matt holds tightly to Eva's hand as he quickly pulls himself and Eva back up to the top of the tower.

---

Chapter 9

Back at the top of the tower, the team still fights the phantom. The team quickly swift and dodged all of the phantom's attacks but they were getting tired and weak. Using Satsuki's pactio, she quickly made snacks to recharge each of the team members' energy. But her snacks were not good enough to fully recharge the team's strength.

"Fulgur Jaculum!" Yue shouted as a lightning arrow was formed and head toward the phantom. The phantom counterattack with it and absorbed the attack. Yue gritted her teeth and turns to Nodoka. "Nodoka we need your help! Get your pactio out!" However Yue is stunned when she sees Nodoka moving so weak. Yue went to her. "Nodoka, what's wrong!?"

She slowly opened her eyes to Yue. "I-I-I feel…so…weak." She responded in suffering and pain. Yue was now more scared when she saw Nodoka's face has wrinkles.

"Oh no! Nodoka!" Haruna cried while she drew a giant shield to protect herself, Yue, and Nodoka. "Hold on! Please hold on!"

Chisame saw this too. "Nodoka no!" She turns towards the other captives and in a scary surprise, their flesh have all been drained, showing the bones underneath the skin. Chisame jolted. "Negi! We don't have much time! They're going to turn into dust!"

Negi heard what Chisame said and also saw the captives going to turn into skeletons. In haste, Negi turns to Asuna. "Asuna!" he commanded. Asuna responded and made a nod. Negi turns toward the phantom and quickly conjured a spell. "Ventus terroris ego praecipio tibi, quoniam haec bellua inferni." A huge gust of wind swirled around Negi again. "Curvis Ligans Cham!" The wind was headed straight towards the phantom. The phantom tries to block it, but the huge gust split into streams causing the phantom confused. Then the multiple streaming winds surrounded the phantom and tied together to trap the phantom. The phantom stopped for a moment and Negi called out to her best partner. "Asuna, Now!"

Asuna was in the air pulling back her huge sword as she leaps towards the phantom. The creature turned to Asuna. "Take this you freak!" Asuna yelled as she swung her sword. But the phantom broke the free from Negi's trap spell and moved out of the way. "Ah!" Asuna said as she missed the phantom, but when she landed on the ground, her sword made contact to the roped and she cut it, the rope that holds Matt and Eva. "Gah! Oh No!" Asuna screamed as she tries to grab the slice off rope.

---

Outside at the side of the tower, Matt stills holds onto Eva's hand and tries to pull themselves back up to the top. They were about a few feet from the top. "Almost there Eva, hold on!" Matt shouted as he was struggling to reach the window. Matt is just a few inches from the window until…

"Ah!" Asuna yelled. SNAP! "Gah! Oh NO!"

"Huh?" Matt yelled and wondered. Then the rope that was cut flung out of the window and both Matt and Eva fell.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" cried both of them.

"Matt! Eva! No!" Asuna shouted as she looked out the window and sees them falling.

As the two were falling, Matt looks at the ground remembering this same situation from his nightmare last night. "I guess, this is it." Matt thought as he closed eyes as he brace the impact.

Eva quickly gains back her conscious. "Matthew!" Eva shouted as she looks at Matt falling to his doom. Without delaying, Eva swiftly pulled out her pactio card and looks at it in a smirk. "This'll be my first time to use a pactio card. Let's how good it is from the boya's magic." She sticks her card out to the side and yelled, "ADEAT!" The card flashed as its magic was sending into Eva's body. Her appearance changed, she wore dark doll dress, with a dark cape around her. Then she began to chant. "Lic Lac La Lac Lilac, Spiritus!" Eva turned into a purplish-light color and stream as it zoomed to ground. When it landed the light disappeared and Eva turned into her adult self. She looks up and reaches her arms out. Matt Oda is falling towards her and she caught him to break the impact. Matt had his eyes closed thinking he was gone when crash to the ground. Eva looks at him with an evil smirk having her fangs sticking out a little. "Matthew…thanks for rescuing me. You really are gentleman." She zooms into the air, carrying Matt Oda in arms, and heads straight to the top of the clock tower.

---

Back at the top of the tower, Asuna got furious and her sword increased into its ultimate form. Her eyes were burning and she clasped her teeth together hard. "You piece of drop cloth!" She yelled at the phantom. "You made lose two of my good friends! Now you are gonna pay!" Asuna raced toward the phantom without thinking of a plan of attack.

"Asuna! Wait!" Negi cried out. But Asuna didn't hear him and began to swing her sword everywhere to make contact on the phantom. The phantom dodged every attack from Asuna's as if it knew where Asuna would strike. The phantom charged up his right hand with purplish sparks and touches Asuna's stomach. BOOM! Asuna was pushed back to the wall and made painful contact. "Asuna no!" Negi cried out loud.

"Asuna stop this!" Konoka shouted as she performs her healing spell on her. "You're only getting yourself killed."

"No I won't!" Asuna replied back angrily and cried at the same time. "Because of this freak sheet, Eva and Matt are-"

"Right here." said a womanly British voice. Everyone widen their eyes and turned to see where the voice was coming from. There they saw in front of the window is Evangeline in her adult form holding Matt Oda in her arms.

"Master!" Chachamaru shouted. "You're alright."

"Evangeline! Matthew!" said Negi and Asuna in unison. Everyone smiled and were relieved to see that both the two were safe.

Matt begins to slowly open his eyes and looks around. "Uhh…what happened? Am I dead?" he said. He looks up to see a woman staring at his face. Matt made a short scream and jumped off of her arms. "You again!" Matt had his right arm in front of his chest and the other all the way back of him.

"Now is that anyway to say to a vampire woman who just saved your life?" said the adult Eva putting her hands on her hips.

Matt blinked and looks at her again. "Eva?" she smiled and winked at him. Matt turned away and made his face a little bit red. He scratched his head and complemented her, "Uh…thanks Eva, for saving my life."

Negi was so relieved and his heart slowly beating. "What a relief, I thought Matt and Master were-"

"NEGI! LOOK OUT!" Chamo cried.

Too late, when Negi turned around, the black stream from the phantom exploded on contact where Negi is. Negi was soaring and slammed on the wall really hard. His staff flew off in the other direction towards Satsuki and Satomi. Negi struggles to get himself up, but the phantom was right close to him. Negi looked and shivered in fright. The phantom charged up his right hand using its powers to drain Negi's energy. Negi was so scared and hopeless that he couldn't move.

"Negi!" Everyone shouted, except Matthew and Eva.

"Not good!" Eva moaned, "Hold on Boya!"

There was no time left, as Matt sees the captives slowly starting to turn into skeletons and Negi becoming the next energy sucking victim. Matt looked all around in the room, and saw a sledgehammer on the floor. He quickly grabbed it and made a stern look.

Negi was still frozen and frightened by the phantom. The terrifying ghost pulled back his charged energy sucking hand, about is about to make contact on Negi. "HEY! Bone Head!" Matt shouted to the phantom. The phantom turned to the source of the sound. There Matt had the sledgehammer pulled back and made a swing. "HIIYAA!" Matt screamed. DONG! The sledgehammer hit and made contact on the phantom's head. The phantom was pushed back to wall and fell to the floor. Negi was relieved once again, while Matt put the head of the sledgehammer on the floor. "There's one thing you need to know about me," Matt stated to everyone, "I do not like people who hurt my friends."

Everyone was amazed by Matt's incredible action, even Eva was surprised too. Eva grinned and looked at Matt. "For an ordinary human, he's braver than I thought." Eva thought.

When Matthew looked at the injured phantom again he spotted something. The cape that's covering its back had been moved off and there he sees a glowing yellow orb, with the white energy-sucking streams clipped on it, attached to its back ribs. Matt flinched and his brain hatched an idea. "Guys look!" Matt called to everyone and pointed, "On the phantom's back!" Everyone looked and saw the yellow orb. "That orb is the source to him and sucking the energy from the captives. We need to destroy that!"

"Right Matt!" said Asuna as she got up and recovered her injury. "I'll slice it in half."

"No Asuna wait!" Matt stopped her putting his hand in front of her. "If you're not careful, you could get hurt again and your magic might be drained."

"But what are we suppose to do Brainiac?" Chisame complained. "Sit here and get ourselves sucked by this ghost freak!?"

"Relax everyone! Using your impressive skills and bravery, I know how we can defeat this menace once and for all." Matt sees the phantom slowly float into the air recovering from his painful injury. Matt quickly looks at everyone with a stern look. "Just follow my lead, and do as I say." Everyone wasn't sure about Matt. "Trust Me!" Matt put his left hand on his chest as a sign that he's showing his honesty. Everyone looked at each other, looked back at Matt and then nodded.

"Alright Matt." said Satomi with a stern look.

"Just don't mess us up." Chisame commanded.

Matt nodded. He looks at the phantom which it slowly turned to Matt. His skeleton head got a crack on its left side, and now it wants Matt for its next victim and revenge. The phantom raced towards him. "OKAY!" Matt yelled, "Yue! Haruna! Fire it!"

"Gotcha!" Yue shouted. Yue cast a flaming spell and Haruna drew multiple of electric explosives bombs. The two shoot at the phantom and it blocked the attacks.

Matt pointed towards the phantom and the girls. "Satomi, Chao, Chachamura! Help them out and distract it!"

"Right" Satomi, Chao, and Chachamaru said in sync. Chao flew towards the phantom trying to distract it and Satomi sends shockwaves from her mechanical arms to the phantom, and Chachamaru turns her hands into large swords to fight the phantom hand-to-hand combat.

"Satsuki and Chisame, Get Negi's staff!" Matt commanded.

The two girls gave thumbs up and went after Negi's staff.

"Quickly Konoka and Setsuna, help Negi."

"Got it Matt!" Setsuna called out. The two got to Negi and, with Matt not looking, Konoka used her healing fans to cure Negi's injuries.

"Asuna and Eva I need you!" The two girls got close to Matt. "Okay listen closely and you gotta do this right." Asuna and Eva listened on Matt's secret plan.

Konoka fully healed Negi and he felt like he was ready to restart battle. "Alright Negi!" said Konoka in glee.

Negi smiled and scratches his head. "Thanks girls, I feel much better."

Chisame and Satsuki came to Negi. "Negi," Chisame called him, "You're going to need this." Chisame tosses his staff to Negi and he felt happy to have his trusty magical stick again.

Then Matt Oda got close to Negi. "Negi are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, I feel like I can fight again." Negi replied in great confidence.

"Good, because Negi, I know a way how to defeat that monster. Listen closely." Negi put his ear close to Matt's mouth and begins to secretly listen on Matt's plan.

The five girls fighting the phantom were all getting sweaty and tired due to the phantom's spell of sucking their attacks and energy. "We are getting worn out here." said Haruna huffing and puffing. "We could use some help."

Matt calls to the exhausted girls. "That's enough ladies, take a break." The five girls looked at Matt and nodded. They all retreated to safety. "Alright Asuna, you're up!"

Asuna came forth to the phantom and sticks her sword out to the side. "I'm on it Matt." she replied back to Matt. Asuna charged and swings her sword towards the phantom. It was a close combat as Asuna and the phantom kept fighting and dodging at the same time. While everyone was watching Asuna's fight, a few of them wondered where Negi and Eva were.

Matt watches closely the two fighting as he focuses something in his mind. "Wait for it. It has to be just right." Matt thought.

Asuna quickly got tired, but she swung her sword again to the phantom. It missed and made its left hand charged up in purple sparks. Asuna twitched and grinned as she knew this was her chance. The phantom's hand made contact on Asuna and BOOM! Asuna was pushed back to the wall again. Asuna laid there and the phantom got close to her. She looked with one eye opened as the phantom pulled back its right hand. The phantom charged its hand, but it felt different this time. His charging magic felt weaker and the phantom was confused. Asuna smiled, "Gotcha!"

Matt quickly reacted and shouted, "Eva! Now!"

Eva smiled, "Nivis Tempestas Obscurans!" The phantom reacted as ice was surrounding it. It quickly tries to escape, but due to its strange slow movement, it was trapped inside leaving its back open. The phantom tries to break free, but it was too strong to break through.

"Alright Asuna!" Matt Oda called to her. Asuna got up and nodded. She got her sword and jumps towards the frozen phantom. She sliced off the phantom's cape that covers the back revealing the yellow orb on its back ribs. Matt turns out the window to see Negi coming in. "All you Negi!" Matt shouted.

Negi comes flying in at incredible speed and begins to chant. "Ras tel Ma Scir Magister! By the power of the lightning, sends this vile creature back to hell. Raika Hoken!" Negi's fist began to glow with lightning all over it. He pulls back his fist as he brace for the impact on the phantom's orb. The phantom tries its hardest to break free, but no dice. Instead it watches Negi coming in close as it knew this was it. Negi started to swing his fist, "HHAAAAAA!" BAM! Negi's fist landed on the yellow orb. Everything slowed down for Negi as he watches the orb and first close together. There was a moment of silence, then… CRACK! Negi grinned and zoomed past the frozen phantom. He lands safely on the wall and looks at the phantom. KABOOM! The explosion made a loud noise to everyone. The orb made a plethora of cracks then… CRASH! The yellow orb shattered and disintegrated.

The phantom screamed as the ice that trapped around it broke apart. The white streams that connected to the captives and Nodoka broke off and disappeared. The phantom floated all the way up to the ceiling as it was shaking back and forth of the pain he suffering. Suddenly streams of bright lights popped out of its body, its skeleton hands, ribs, and its mouth and eyes. Everyone watched the defeated phantom bursting more streams of light out of its body. Then its whole skeleton body begins to crack everyone. "EEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" it screeched. Its whole body glowed to the brightest and then KABOOM! Everyone covered themselves from the explosion. The phantom turned into sparkling ashes and landed on the captives including Nodoka. When it made contact, Nodoka and the captives' wrinkles were gone and their bodies were back to normal and full of flesh. Everyone did it; the phantom was gone for good.

"Alright! We did it!" Haruna screamed happily.

"Wahoo! We won!" Satsuki shouted gleefully.

Matt fell and sat on the floor, wiped his head, and exhaled in relief. Negi and Asuna came to Matt and looked at him.

"You were awesome Matt." Asuna said gracefully.

"Yes indeed," Negi followed, "Your plan really worked."

"I agree with them Matt," Chisame came into the scene, "You really know how to plan that attack."

"We thought you were crazy," said Satomi, "But you were one step ahead of the game."

Konoka and Setsuna pulled Matt up off the floor. "That was impressive Matt-san." Setsuna complemented him.

"Yeah Matt," Konoka followed, "You know how to think."

"Aw, thanks everyone." Matt replied scratching his head, "But I couldn't stop that ghost without your help. So we all did great together." Everyone giggled until Matt spotted something outside the window. "Well I'll be…Look!" Matt pointed out the window. Everyone looked out and coming above the horizon is the morning sun. "A nice view to see the sunrise."

The moment broke when Yue shouted. "Nodoka! Nodoka!" Everyone looked to see if Nodoka was alright. "Nodoka wake up! Please Nodoka, wake up!" Nodoka's eyes and mouth started to move. She slowly opened her eyes and in front of her is Yue looking at her.

"Yue…" Nodoka replied.

"Oh Nodoka," Yue smiled and cried happily, "I'm so glad you're safe." She hugged Nodoka tightly feeling she won't lose Nodoka again.

"What happened to that ghost?" Nodoka wondered.

"It's gone!" Haruna replied. "Shazaam! Kablooey! Eternally disappeared."

"And it's all thanks to Matt Oda." said Yue as pointed her towards Matt. Matt walks closer to Nodoka and looks at her. He pulled her up on her feet.

"Hey Nodoka, how are you feeling?" Matt asked.

"Oh, um, good, thanks." She replied.

"I'm really glad everyone's alright, including you young miss."

Nodoka smiled, but then she saw a cut on Matt's right arm. "Oh, Matt you've got a scratch on your arm."

"Hm?" Matt looks at it, and he swings his hand and smiles. "Oh, it's just a scratch. No big problem."

Haruna blinked and realized something. "Hey I noticed Matt, you're not afraid of Nodoka or both of us."

"Of course not, Nodoka is a sweet girl and you two were really helpful. So you girls couldn't scare me from your kind hearts."

Nodoka and her friends smiled. "Thank you for saving me, Mr. Oda-san." Nodoka said calmly.

"Don't thank me Ma'am. Thank Negi and the others too." Matt pointed to his team and everyone smiled at Nodoka and the other librarians. Matt stood up to everyone. "Alright everyone, let's get these people back home." They all nodded and started to pick up the unconscious captives.

"Master, are you alright?" said Chachamaru. Matt turned to Chachamaru and sees the robot girl helping the adult Evangeline.

"Yes Chachamaru." said Evangeline wiping the dust off from herself.

Matt walks up to the two. "Eva, are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, Matt. There's no need to worry about me."

"That's good. And…thanks again for saving my life too. I thought for sure I was a goner."

"Glad I could help." Eva smirked. Right after Matt turned his back, Eva grabbed Matt's right arm. Matt looks and back to Evangeline. Eva was looking at the other direction in a shy mood. "Matthew…" Matt listened, "I just want to say, 'thank you,' for understanding my feelings." She looks at Matt and she smiled in gentle mood. "For a young gentleman with no magic, you were the only one who's able to truly understand my deep feelings. I told my sad story to Asuna and Setsuna during the Mahora Fighting Tournament, and they understood me too. But you…" Eva paused a moment. "You're someone who's so special to reach my heart. I feel like I was…was…"

Matt smiled and makes a look like he knows what Eva is going to say next. "Loved?"

Eva looked at him and saw his honest and compassionate face. She smiled again. "…you might be right." The two stared at each other, until Eva spotted Matt's scratch on his arm. She made an evil smirk and pulled Matt's arm closer causing Matt to come closer to her. "You know, I wonder a gentleman's blood tastes like?" She was about to lick the scratch, but Matt pulled back his arm swiftly.

"Eva," Matt called to her in a sarcastic look. "Just stop being mischievous and be yourself."

Eva noticed that Matt wasn't afraid of her, nor even in her adult form, anymore. "Wait Matthew, you're not afraid of me?"

"Of course not Eva, after all…we're good friends. Am I right?" Eva made a little surprise look on her face, and then she smiled. She magically poofed herself back to her normal form and crosses her arms. "And Chachamaru, you're also my good friend, for a robot with great A.I. skills and a heart." Chachamaru smiles and bows to Matt to thank his complements. "Come on you two, let's get these people home."

Eva closes her eyes and smiles. "Right behind you Matt." she replied happily. "Chachamaru."

"Yes Master." said the robot helping Eva and Matt carrying the sleepy captives with everyone.

---

Chapter 10

"The missing captives that disappeared from the clock tower incident have been rescued and taken back to their homes and families." said the woman with a black hair bun on her back head on the reporting news. "Local citizens near the clock tower heard strange noises coming from the tower's top floor last night. The policeman arrived at the scene early this morning, when a group of young teens came out of the tower and rescued the captives. The captives have no serious injuries and physical conditional symptoms. The police did an investigation on the whole tower and found no suspicious activity, declaring the tower is perfectly safe. The teens that rescued the captives stated they came to clock tower for a late night investigation and heroically decided to free the missing victims of the clock tower incident. These young teens including a ten year-old boy and young 21 year-old man, all came from the populated all-girls school Mahora Academy, and are group together as a team called the 'Mystery Club.' Thanks to these wonderful kids, the clock tower is secured and the missing victims are safely returned home. This is Kagami Moda, channel 8 news."

At the dean's office, Dean Konoe, Negi, Matt, the Mystery Club members, including the librarians, Evangeline, Chachamaru, and professor Takahata, were all watching the news on a small television just on the side of the dean's desk. When the news ended, Konoe turned the TV off and faces towards the whole group. "Well done everyone." The dean said gracefully. "It's all thanks to you that the phantom is gone for eternity, and that clock tower will never haunt another innocent person again."

"No problem Dean." Matt replied happily. "But there is one thing I want to know." The dean raised one of his eyebrows. "Eva and Chamo knew about this phantom in the beginning. So I'm thinking you magical people know this as well. Do you know if it was notorious to you, or something?"

"Well Matt you're not off the track." Takahata explained. "Yes indeed, these Blood-Fang Phantasmos were gruesome and aggressive to us magical citizens. We thought we would lose our lives from them, but we made a miraculous comeback."

"I never heard of these Phantasmos." Negi questioned. "What were they?"

"Well Negi my boy," the dean replied, "You weren't around the time when the Phantasmo Disaster struck."

"What happened?" Matt asked.

The dean straightens his beard. "About 25 years ago in the magical world, there was an excavation team at a digging site, searching for gems to create staffs and wands. One day a digger found a door in a hidden cave. It had strange carving and writing like nothing we haven't seen. The digger was eager to open the door, so he did. But when the door opened, disaster struck."

Takahata continued the story, "What the digger didn't know was that the door was actually a sealed door leading to the underworld. When he broke through the door, swarms of Phantasmos came out of the door, and the digger was the victim to be killed. They rampaged all over the site and we didn't know how dangerous they were. When we observed and analyzed that they were dreadful, all the strongest mages came together, including me and the dean, fought back to eliminate them once and for all."

Eva was next continuing the story, "I was in on the battle too, before I had the curse. I didn't care to save the civilians or the innocent scoundrels. I want to make sure they don't get in my way. There were hundreds of them, so much that they also infiltrated Earth as well." Matt, Negi, and the girls jumped. "Every single mages, from both the magic and human world, fought hard to prevent the Phantasmo invasion."

Chamo hopped on the dean's desk and makes the final point of the story. "We were very lucky. I hid to safety from this tragic event, and saw everything with my own eyes. Some wizards outrageously survived and won the battle, and some were dead and gone. After this war, the excavation team went back to the door that lead to the underworld and sealed the whole cave, never to be uncovered again."

"The one you fought at the clock tower must've escaped and hid itself to Earth to recover from that battle." the dean said. "I'm sure that was the last one you just fought."

"I hope so," Matt said in relief, "because that guy was tough. But we couldn't stop it if we didn't all work together." Matt turns to his friends. "You were great everyone. It was your superior bravery and strong magic that we managed to solve this case."

"We should be thanking you Matt." said Satsuki.

Chao leaned next to Matt and waved her right index finger back and forth. "She's right! It was your strategic thinking that got all of us together and defeated the phantom."

"Yeah Matt-san, you were great." Konoka said in glee.

"We can respect that, Matt-sama." Setsuna said.

"There right Matthew." Negi said to Matt. "I couldn't defeat the phantom, if wasn't for your bravery to save me."

Matt blushes a little and waved his hand. "Aw everyone, you're saying that."

"Ooooo, someone is getting attracted." said Haruna in a cheeky mood. Yue and Nodoka were not pleased with Haruna's attitude.

"Haruna," Matt replies to her, "A gentleman like me sometimes needs to be shy when they are complemented. It's okay to show that you're shy by a complement from everyone."

Usually Haruna's cheeky attitude would jolt Nodoka or Yue if they had a crush, but Matt Oda is a different story to her. Haruna grinned and winked at him. The moment stopped when the school bells began to ring, indicating it's time for class. "Well I'm off, and you guys better get to your classroom." he said as he walks to the front doors. "I'll see you all in the afternoon."

"Alright Matt we will." Asuna replied. Matt left the room and headed towards his Mystery Club.

Chao crosses her arms and makes a worried look. "That Matt Oda, sometimes I always worried about him."

This caught the librarians, Eva, and Chachamaru's attention. "What do you mean Chao?" Yue asked.

Satomi filled Chao in, "Well basically, Matt Oda is really the only one in his club right now. He's got nowhere to go."

"Why would you say that?" Nodoka replied softly.

"To tell you the truth," Satsuki explained, "Matt Oda is really an orphan." This made the librarians, Eva, and Chachamaru blinked.

"We like to stay and tell you guys about him," Asuna said to them. "But we better get to class."

"Now don't you worry Asuna." the dean called to her. "Perhaps these girls need a good explanation on Matt Oda. I think they will understand."

The librarians, Eva, and Chachamaru looked back at Negi and the other girls. Asuna stepped up forth to them and clears her throat. "Well, you see…"

---

Later in the afternoon at the Mystery Club, Matt Oda is organizing the chairs and tables in his room. "(YAWN!) Goodness me, I'm so tired from last night." Matt said. "But I'm glad that phantom is gone and everyone is okay." Just then, he heard a knock on the door. He looks at it and said, "Come in!" The door opened and in came the librarians: Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna. Matt stood up and walks to them. "Oh, Nodoka, Haruna, Yue, what are you doing here?"

"Matt um…" Nodoka said softly to him, "Is it okay to…um…to you know…to…"

"Yeah…I'm listening."

"Go on Nodoka, say it to him." Haruna said encouraging her.

"You can do this pal." said Yue.

Nodoka got her nerve back and looks at Matt. "Is it okay…that…we join club?"

Matt blinked. "You three?"

"Truth us Matt," Yue replied. "We owe you a lot for saving our best friend's life. We wouldn't have Nodoka right by our side if it wasn't for you."

"Not only that," Haruna continued the conversation, "But we took a liking to your incredible intelligent skills of you defeating the phantom. You are really smart." Haruna then winked at Matt. "It's no wonder you solved the kidnapping incident and Satomi and Chao's malfunctioning machine."

Yue smiled, "We also took a liking to help you solve these mysteries, I think they might be fun for all of us."

The three took out their registration form and showed them to Matt. "So Matt, let us into your club." Nodoka said happily. Matt smiled and got his pen to write his signature on the forms to prove they are officially in the club.

After Matt wrote his name on the last form, Nodoka speaks up to him. "Um, Matt…"

"Yes Nodoka?" Matt replied.

"Were not only here to thank you, but…" Nodoka paused and Matt looks at her. "…We heard from our friends, you were all alone."

Matt shook his head a little in surprise. "They told you?"

"Sure did Matt," Haruna replied. "Trying to forget the past about your late parents, despite they were your only family members, is pretty hard."

"We can really understand that." Yue commented.

"Matt, please let us be on your side forever as your friends." Nodoka said in a concerned mood.

Matt didn't know what to say, but he smiled as an answer. "Of course you can be with me. You are my good friends, and I need all the help I can get." The librarians smiled and were very pleased by Matt's acceptance.

"So you're here too, I'm not surprised." said a girl with a British accent. Matt and the librarians looked to see who said that. There at the door stood Evangeline and Chachamaru.

"Eva, Chacha," said Matt, "What brings you here?"

Eva walked a little bit closer to Matt, and she is a little shy and looking away from Matt. "Matthew…I was wondering, that after you rescued me, I thought that maybe I can acquaintance you and satisfy you if you let me be in your group…"

"What?"

"What my master is trying to say is," Chachamaru dropped in, "She wants to be in your club."

"Really Eva?" Matt put his hands on his hips.

Eva looks at Matt shyly. "If it's not too much trouble, and I just want to say thanks for understanding me."

Matt smiled, but the librarians were a bit confused. "Understanding her?" Haruna questioned. "What's that mean?"

Matt looks back at Haruna. "You'll know sooner or later." Matt looks at Evangeline and pats her head. "There's no reason for you to be shy, you are welcome in my club." Matt got closer to Eva's right ear and whispered. "And Eva, that's the sweet and kind girl I see you right now." Eva looks at Matt and he gave a wink. Eva made her evil smirk again and snaps her fingers. "Chachamaru, if you please."

"Yes Master." Chachamaru replied as she brought two registration forms out from her pocket. "I too want to join your club Mr. Oda-san. You seem like a really honest and nice man." Matt smiled. "We also wanted to help you of your pain from your late parents. I maybe an high level artificial intelligent robot, but I do understand the morality and social life of someone's pain and being loved." Matt looks at the librarians seeing they are happy to have the dark mage and female robot into Matt's club.

Matt grabs the forms and wrote his name on them. Matt puts the forms into his folder. "And with that girls, welcome to the Mystery Club."

---

One hour later, Negi and the rest of the members were walking down the halls and heading to the Mystery Club. "It's another day to see our friend Matt again." said Negi in great confidence.

"Yeah, I'll bet Matt is getting more members today." said Asuna.

"I don't know…" Chisame replied. "The news about the clock tower was a big report, but I wonder if it'll affect Matt's phobia."

"Well we don't need to worry." Satomi talked in. "I saw the clip on the news of the clock tower and there weren't any good shots of Matt Oda, especially his face."

"So maybe Matt's face won't be recognized from the news." Satsuki said, "But at least he still has us."

"That's for sure." Konoka giggled.

They arrived at the front doors of the Mystery Club. Negi knocked on the door and Matt called them to come in. Negi opened the door, and he and the girls made a little jolt. There they saw the librarians reading mystery novel book with Matt Oda, and Eva and Chachamaru reading an article about the legendary Seven Wonders of the World.

"Master, Chachamaru!" Negi said in a complete surprise. "What are-?"

Eva and Chachamaru turned to Negi. "Hi there boya. What's happening?"

"Hey you guys." Matt called on them. "These girls became official members of the club."

"Wow." said Setsuna in a impressive mood.

"Well we told you guys about Matt Oda's sad story," Asuna talked to the new members. "But we never expected for all of you to be in Matt's club."

"What's wrong with that?" Haruna shrugged. "We owe him a favor and we want to help him. After all, he really is a honest gentleman." Nodoka and Yue nodded.

Negi and Asuna looked at each other as they entered the room, along with the rest of the members. Both of them smiled and giggled, and so did the other members, including the librarians. Chachamaru only smiled at her friends, and Evangeline looks at Matt smiling at his members. Matt saw Eva giving him an evil smirk, but Matt is not afraid of her, instead he smiled at her. In fact, Eva smiled because she was happy and pleased to be with her classmates, Matthew Oda, and especially Negi, and Matt knows Eva is saying thank you again for Matt still sees the kind and cute girl he sees in her now.

To be continued.

---

Author's Notes

In the manga version, the story or Ken Akamastu stated that Evangeline didn't use a pactio card, not even once. I thought it would be interesting that I at least try to make Eva use pactio card for a change since in the end of the manga, everyone became Negi's magical partners.

Despite Eva was mischievous at all times, a wiki stated that she really a sweet girl on the inside. I thought I bring that sweet and cute side of her in this story to make things interesting to the scene of a gentleman understanding the true feelings of wicked character.

The original story didn't say Chao made a pactio with Negi, but I thought why not since she and all the other girls are Negi's partners in the end.