Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit fictional story, a FanFiction based on Ken Akamatsu's Negima. I do not own Negima, or most of the other characters included in this work, excepting where it is stated in the author's notes. It is not intended or presented for any commercial profit or personal gain; it is simply a story written for personal fulfillment and presented for public enjoyment, and as an honest homage to the fine story conceived and written by Ken Akamatsu, as well as all the other (innumerable) works that find place herein (and their authors).

Chapter Three: Training, Arcane and Mundane

The girl moved like a blur as she raced down the track, quickly outdistancing her competitors. She broke the ribbon as she crossed the finish line, and, while the crowd was not large enough to give their applause a 'roar', it was more than appreciable for her. "And that is it! Konoe Kaoru of Japan has won the gold medal!" the loudspeaker proclaimed.

Kaoru waved happily; turning, she spotted the faces of her former classmates and her teacher in the stands. "Congratulations, Kaoru! Well done!"

"Thank you, Kain-kun! Thank you, everyone! I did it! I won! I got the Olympic gold…."

"Konoe-san…Konoe-san…."

Kaoru started and awoke. The class, and her teacher, were all staring at her. "Winning the Olympic gold is all well and good, Konoe-san," Kain informed her pleasantly. "But first, perhaps we should try our hardest at English?"

As the class laughed, Kaoru offered, "S-sorry, Kain-sensei. I was training this morning, so I didn't get enough sleep…."

"Really? Konoe-san, you really enjoy running, don't you?"

"Ah, well…."

('I'm Konoe Kaoru. I'm a 14-year old girl, 3rd year middle school student at Mahora Academy Middle School! Although my grades are kind of bad, I'm an athletic, energetic, sporty girl!

('I like Kain-kun. But I like running for track even more. My dream is to win an Olympic gold one day!')

Kanade called out to Kaoru and chased after her as they left the class. "Ah, Kanade. I'm off to see supervisor Ninomiya-san."

"I'll walk with you part of the way."

('I've been doing it since I was 5, so I have lots of self-confidence! I won't lose to anyone at track running!')

Meanwhile….

"It's not often we see you here at the P.E. instructors' room, Shizuna."

The principal's assistant walked past another Kaoru, P.E. teacher Kyonosuke Kaoru, who was busy assembling one of his Gundam models, and approached Haruna Ninomiya, supervisor of the Mahora girls' middle school track team.

"How's the child teacher we've been hearing about?" Ninomiya asked pleasantly.

"Kain-kun is such a nice boy…he's doing quite well." She leaned down to examine the supervisor's monitor. "What are you watching?"

She answered her own question as she watched the video. "Oh? Isn't that Kaoru-chan? Is this a video of one of last year's meets?"

"There's a contest within the club on Sunday to see who will represent the class at a special national meet. I'm examining it for reference."

"Kaoru-chan really works hard at all her meets and practices. How is she doing?"

Kaoru showed up at the still-open door and knocked lightly. "Ninomiya-sensei…."

Ninomiya, not hearing her, told Shizuna, "Kaoru? Well, to be honest, she probably won't make the competition."

Kanade watched with concern as Kaoru, shocked, fell over.

"Ara? Why not?" Shizuna asked.

"Well, it's true that she's energetic, enthusiastic, and athletic, but…well, she just doesn't seem to have the heart to make it happen, I guess you could say. She's somewhat childish compared to the others around her. Take her class, for instance. She's trying her best, but still, at all the athletic events, she isn't even the top runner in her class. None of those superior classmates of hers compete in track against her, but she lets that and other concerns weigh on her too much. She just doesn't have the guts to come through with her best when it really counts, and that's what holds her back."

"Oh, my, that sounds rather harsh…."

"Um, Kaoru-chan," Kanade ventured, watching her friend grow increasingly depressed with each word.

"Waaaah!" Kaoru jumped to her feet and showed newly impressive running skills as she fled the scene.

Outside the building, she raced away and, turning a corner, ran into Kain, accompanied (as usual) by Mai, Momo, and Kagome. "Eh? Konoe-san? A-are you all right? What's wrong?"

"Ah…Kain-sensei…n-nothing!" And, so saying, she took off again at her breakneck speed.

Kain stared after her. "What was all that about?" he managed finally.

"Beats me…" Mai replied, bewildered.

The next morning….

Kaoru's alarm read 4 o'clock, but she wasn't asleep. Her moist eyes were still open. She looked over at the clock, saw the early time, sighed, and got out of bed. Her two roommates, Kanade and Nanami, were sleeping soundly, but Nanami woke as she was dressing herself.

"Kaoru-chan…going to early morning training?"

"No, self-training."

Nanami, elite snoop and observer, caught something in her voice and her gaze. "Have you been…crying, Kaoru-chan?"

"I wasn't crying!"

Minutes later, she was out in the pre-dawn light, jogging quietly as the thoughts rumbled through her mind. ('Maybe I should head up towards the hill with the world tree….')

She stood by the tree to catch her breath…and her thoughts. ('Childish. Heart…and guts. Is that what I need? How can I get it…?')

Then she heard a sound down below her. ('Hmm? What's that sound?')

Down below, at the plaza around the fountain that was his usual haunt, Kaoru spotted….

('Kain-kun? What is he doing in a place like this so early in the morning?')

Kain was standing in a pose, or, rather, a stance, and, as Kaoru watched, he began to go through the motions of a kata. Kaoru had seen Akari and Kiami perform a few before, and she recognized the rote of martial arts training. His motions were clean and precise, and his face was adorned by an expression of serious intent, far different than the amiable brightness he usually wore. The look intrigued Kaoru.

Kain paused and adjusted his stance. "Okay," he said to himself. "Now, for the next one…."

"Kain-sensei!" Kaoru shouted, clapping him on the back and greatly startling him.

"W-what? Konoe-san? What are you doing here?" He observed her jogging suit, and continued, "Out for a morning run?"

"Yes, but what about you, Kain-sensei? Is that some of the martial arts you were talking about?"

"Y-yes…Heiro-san has been teaching me these last few days. I've been practicing them on my own."

"Ah, so you're really doing it! That's pretty amazing, Kain-sensei! Are you planning on entering the academy's martial arts tournament?"

"N-no, that's not why…."

"Hmm. I see…." Kaoru fixed Kain with a stare, causing him to lean back a bit. "Kain-sensei…you have become just a bit cooler since you came back from the Kyoto trip…."

"Eh? What?"

"Anyway, do it again, Kain-sensei!"

"Ah, r-right…."

Two more figures began approaching, however, catching their attention. "Hmph…martial arts, huh?"

They turned. "Alyssa-chan…Miyu-san…good morning," Kaoru greeted them, surprised.

"Good morning," Kain greeted them. "What are you doing here this early?"

"Hmm…you're really getting into it, aren't you, boy?" Alyssa said, frowning. "Are you going to start practicing martial arts, then? I thought I might meet you and give you my decision from earlier, and perhaps I've thought correctly. Maybe you should forget about becoming my apprentice."

"Eh? Apprentice?" Kaoru muttered.

"N-now what a minute," Kain protested. "I'm just trying to get stronger in every way I can…."

"Don't worry about it," Alyssa said icily, turning and starting away. "I wasn't really planning on taking any apprentices anyway."

"What's going on, Kain-sensei?" Kaoru asked.

"Ah…well…it's a long story…." ('How can I explain anything about being Alyssa's apprentice to Kaoru-san? What kind of story could I make up?')

"Keep at your martial arts," Alyssa continued as she started away. "It's more fitting for a child like you."

('Child?') Kaoru wondered as Kain attempted to pursue Alyssa.

"Are you jealous, Alyssa-sama?" Miyu asked suddenly.

"W-what?!" Alyssa screeched. "N-no!"

"Hey, Alyssa-chan!" Kaoru suddenly called out. "Why aren't you letting Kain-sensei become your…apprentice?"

"It seems she is jealous," Miyu informed her.

"Hey!" Alyssa barked, reddening. "I'm telling you, that's not it!"

She collected herself and turned to stare at Kaoru. "Hmph. I'm just not interested in playing with children. And I'm certainly not interested in talking to childish people like you, Konoe Kaoru."

This struck a nerve in Kaoru, needless to say.

"Oh, yeah?! Well, you're very much a child yourself, Alyssa-chan! Kain-kun is already pretty strong! He'll be a master without any training from you!"

Alyssa glared at Kaoru, who glared right back. ('This girl,') Alyssa thought to herself. ('I should have done all of us a favor and taken all her blood back then….')

"Fine!" she suddenly burst out. "I'll decide Kain's apprentice test right now. If you can hit Miyu with your martial arts…and only with your martial arts…even once, then you'll pass. But you have to fight one-on-one."

"Eh?" Kain blinked. "But…."

"Ha!" Kaoru slapped her fist into her hand. "If that's all, Kain-sensei will win easily!"

"K-Konoe-san…" Kain insisted, beginning to panic.

Alyssa sighed and pointed. "Go ahead, Miyu."

"Are you sure about this?" the robot asked.

"Don't worry. Just go. And just don't hurt him too badly."

"Very well then." Miyu began to stride forward. "Please excuse me, Kain-sensei."

Miyu came dashing in suddenly. Kain's eyes widened in shock. He blocked her first attack, an arm sweep, but the following side kick was far too fast for him. He managed to get up his magic shield in time to absorb the greatest part of the impact, but he was still sent flying.

Kaoru stared in shock and horror. "K-Kain-sensei!"

Alyssa sniffed. "I said martial arts only," she chided him. "Well, not that you had much chance anyway. If you can't hit Miyu even once, then you'll go no further. I'll give you a break, and give you time to practice a little more. The time of your final test will be Sunday, here, at midnight. Give it your best shot, boy."

As Alyssa disappeared, Mai, Momo, Akari and Erika came into view. Spotting Kain lying on the ground, struggling to rise, they hurried over to him. "Kain-sensei! Are you okay?"

Kaoru stared with concern as the four girls helped Kain up. ('D-did…did I just do something bad…?')

"You've looked depressed all day, Kaoru-chan," Kanade noted after class that day. "Are you all right?"

Kaoru wasn't paying attention. ('What should I do? Because of me, Kain-kun has to….')

She shook her head. ('Maybe I can do something.') And so, once again leaving Kanade protesting in her dust, she took off like a shot.

Meanwhile, out in the woods north of the buildings a little ways, Kain and Akari were training.

"You learn very fast, Kain-sensei," Akari noted as they sparred. "And you certainly have a lot of talent…but I don't think you have a chance if all you have is two days."

A backswing to Kain's face combined with a sweep to the back of Kain's foot with her own leg put Kain on the ground. "That's it. You lose!"

"So he won't be able to be Alyssa-chan's apprentice after all?" Mai asked, standing off to the side discussing the matter with Momo, Erika, and Kamo.

"It would seem not," Kamo agreed. "Kain's gotten really good with his magical aptitude lately, but Alyssa seems to have suggested that he couldn't use it in this fight…she was just smart enough not to say so directly in front of Kaoru-chan."

"Kain-sensei's had some physical combat training, but not a lot," Momo agreed. "If he had his magic to work with, hitting Miyu-san wouldn't be a question…it would just be a challenge to defeat her. However, without relying on magic, his chances are slim…."

"Miyu-san is strong, fast, and powerful," Erika muttered. "I've fought her, so I know first-hand. Without his magic…he's an ordinary human."

"Kain-sensei!" The group stopped and turned to see Kaoru approaching with a big box in her arms. "I know you're working hard, so I brought you a lunch!"

"Oh! Thank you, Konoe-san…."

He sat down to eat, graciously; after he consumed it, Kaoru asked, "So, how's it going, Kain-sensei?"

"Ah…well…not so good." Kain sighed. "I'm learning, but…I doubt I'll be ready by Sunday…."

"Eh…Sunday…?"

"Is something the matter, Konoe-san?"

"Aaah! I forgot! I have a selection test for the competition on Sunday!"

"Eh?" Mai looked at Kaoru with concern. "Are you going to be all right?"

"W-well…." Now it was Kaoru's turn to sigh. "To be honest, I have no confidence…."

"What? That isn't like you, Kaoru-chan!" Akari objected. "You're always upbeat and sure of yourself! You can't get discouraged now…."

"Akari-san is right," Mai agreed. "You shouldn't give up so easily…."

"B-but…Sensei said I was too childish and didn't have the heart to do well when it mattered! And you know what? It's true! I always say my dream is to make the Olympics, and I always do well in practices, but when the real competition comes, I always do poorly. I can't even match up to girls in our class that don't practice track…."

Erika, one of the offenders in that black mark on Kaoru's record, could only look away, feeling a little guilty, but Kain burst out, "I don't think that's true, Konoe-san!" Kaoru looked up in surprise. "I've seen you at track from time to time," Kain continued, "and you're always giving it your best! I don't know about being childish, but you have plenty of heart! The way you stood up to Alyssa yesterday was quite incredible. Don't be hard on yourself…just have your usual confidence! You'll do fine. And even if you fail, as long as you do your best, you have nothing to be ashamed of!"

Kaoru stared at Kain. "Kain…sensei…."

"Come on, Kain-sensei!" Akari declared, rising. "In that case, we have to work hard, too! Back to training!"

"Right!" Kain got to his feet and moved to join her.

Kaoru stared at the pair as they continued to spar. "Mai-san," she said softly.

"Hmm? What?" Mai asked.

"You know…Kain-sensei isn't just cute…he might be pretty cool, too."

"Huh?"

We once again see Kaoru, much more cheerfully this time, rising very early in the morning, dressing in her gym clothes—and applying a hint of makeup, for some reason—and heading out on her morning training.

('I'm Konoe Kaoru, 14 years old, a 3rd year at Mahora Academy Girls' Middle School! I'm not too bright, but I'm an energetic and cheerful, sporty girl full of athletic spirit!')

('I like running for track! But right now, what I like even more is….')

"Kain-sensei!"

Kain paused his kata and turned to the girl. "Konoe-san! Good morning! Hmm…somehow, you look quite cute today, Konoe-san."

"Hehe…I'm happy to hear that."

"But…." Kain considered her clothes carefully. "...This is morning training, isn't it?"

"Yes! It's easy to move in these clothes. Anyway, Kain-sensei!"

"Er, yes?"

"Kaoru-san has a selection test on Sunday, and Kain-sensei has his apprenticeship test at midnight tomorrow! There are about two days left…let's both do our best!"

Kaoru proffered a hand, and Kain clasped it. "Right!"

Akari and the others arrived, and Kaoru spent some time watching as they continued their training. Meanwhile, Mai and Erika began to train together as well. Kagome had started coming, and they watched the pairs as they dueled.

"Is Mai-san learning martial arts from Erika-fukukaichô too?" Kaoru asked.

"Ah…well…."

"And Kain-sensei is so obsessed with training…asking both Akari-chan and Alyssa-chan for training…what for?"

"Ah…." Mai groped for an answer. "Well, all sorts of things happened during the school trip…me, I just kind of got caught up in it. It's not something I have to do…but it's fun to train like this with Erika.

"But, it's different for Kain-sensei," Mai admitted. "He has some kind of goal."

"Ah? A goal? Really? So he does have one? What is it?"

"Hmm…well…should I tell her?" Mai continued to herself. "It's not like I know everything anyway…."

"Hey! Don't be stingy! Tell me!"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Erika offered.

"Even if you need to hit her only once, you'll be at a disadvantage if the fight drags on," Akari muttered to Kain as they trained. "You need to give everything you've got in your first attack, or, really, you won't have much of a chance…."

"It'd be easier if I could use ki, like you, Heiro-san," Kain breathed in between the strikes.

"Unfortunately, ki isn't something that's that easy to use," Momo commented. "It's quite different from magic, even though it produces similar effects, just like our reiatsu."

They went quiet as Kaoru approached. "Kain-sensei…."

She stopped as she saw his face again in the battle, locked in concentration, with that serious look. "No, never mind. Kain-sensei, let's do our best!"

The next day, at 4 p.m., the group finished their training. "Your match is eight hours from now," Akari explained. "Everything I can teach you in that time frame, you've already learned. All you can do now is prepare yourself for the match and reflect upon what I've taught you."

Kain bowed. "Yes. Thank you, Heiro-shishô!"

Akari blushed. "Ah…shishô…that's too much. Just Akari would be fine, please…."

"Kain-sensei!" Kaoru, Kanade, Nanami, Risa, and Riku were coming into view. "We heard you had a match of some kind tonight," Kanade explained. "We brought food to have a 'good luck' party!"

They ate and chatted happily. "How's Kain-sensei doing?" Kanade asked Akari.

"Ah…he's doing incredibly well," she stated with a sigh. "I mean, in three hours he's learned techniques that would take a normal person a month to master. What is with that? It's not fair…."

"He wouldn't be a genius child teacher if he couldn't do at least that much," Kagome pointed out.

"Amazing!" Risa breathed. "That's Kain-sensei for you! He'll win his match for sure!"

"Yeah! For sure!"

('If only it was that easy,') Kain thought with a sigh.

"Is this really all right, Alyssa-sama?" Miyu asked as the pair approached the appointed place. "The odds of Kain-sensei, without his magic, being able to hit me are less than three percent. It would be unfair to not at least give him a chance."

"Don't worry about it. I have no intention of taking any apprentices. I've giving him a special privilege of a chance, even if it's microscopic. Don't go easy on him. Understood?"

"As you wish, Alyssa-sama."

They saw Kain waiting by the fountain as they approached. Kain stared at them resolutely. "Kain Lockeheart is here for his apprenticeship test!" he declared with conviction.

"Ho…you came after all, boy. I commend your courage. Let's hurry up and get started, then. If you can hit Miyu even once, using only martial arts, then you pass. The match continues until you give up, die, or can't fight anymore. You got that?"

Kain smiled. "So, those are the only conditions? I'm ready."

Alyssa scowled. "What? Of course. Well, more importantly…." She pointed. "Can't you do something about your stupid fan club?!"

"T-they just followed me…."

Besides Mai, Momo, Kagome, Erika, and Akari (the usual attendees at his training), Kaoru, Kanade, Kiami, Nanami, Risa, and Riku had all shown up to watch. Several of them were cheering loudly for Kain.

Kain, taking the last of their encouragement, strode forward to face his fate. He bowed to Miyu.

"Miyu! Let's begin!"

"I will be your opponent," Miyu agreed, adhering to Japanese etiquette.

"Will he be all right, Akari-chan?" Kaoru asked with trepidation.

"If he can strike well in the first minute, he has a chance," Akari admitted. "However, if the fight drags out, his chance drops to zero. Miyu is strong and skilled and doesn't get tired. He can't keep up with her if it continues too long."

"Oh…." ('Kain-kun…do your best….')

"Begin!" Alyssa commanded.

Miyu came dashing in and began laying out fierce strikes without remorse. Kain managed to counter and deflect them. ('After seeing Akari-san for two straight days…this isn't so bad…but still….')

Kain caught one punch and countered, but Miyu intercepted the attack despite her impossible position.

"So close!" Akari breathed.

Kain moved into an offensive stance, fighting ferociously, seeking to break Miyu's defenses and land his hit. However, Miyu ever-so-calmly blocked every strike.

('Not bad,') Alyssa thought, watching him. ('Yes, he'd be dangerous even now, combining that little bit he's learned with his self-taught magic-enhanced style I observed from him earlier. Still, as a mere human, he can't match Miyu….')

"Enough playing around, Miyu. Finish him!"

"Yes, Alyssa-sama."

The strike was impossible for Kain to see, and he went rolling away bouncing hard and eliciting several gasps of astonishment and worry from his audience.

He lay unmoving in the dirt for several seconds. Alyssa chuckled. "Well, that's that," she clucked. "That was a good effort, but you never stood a chance, Kain. It's been fun. Let's go, Miyu."

"Not…yet…" Kain breathed as he struggled to his feet.

Alyssa looked back at him in astonishment. "What?"

"It's not…over…until I'm dead or can't fight anymore…right?" Kain looked up, blood running from the corner of his lips but a stern smile on his face.

Alyssa sighed. "Look, Kid, I admire your bravado, but it's obvious…."

"I'm not dead yet, and there's no time limit," Kain insisted. "Until I die, I can keep going. Let's do this."

"W-wait, you don't mean…!"

"What, are you afraid I'll win? I'll keep going until it's over. Miyu! Here I come!"

Kain charged in, but Miyu knocked him aside easily this time. Still, Kain rose to his feet and continued to fight.

Over a dozen minutes later, Kain stood panting opposite the expressionless Miyu. Battered, bruised, one eye swelled shut, one arm almost limp, still he stared at Miyu with determination and prepared to charge in again. Even Alyssa, demonic heart and all, felt only sickened by the scene. "Look, Kain…I can see you're motivated and all, but still…isn't this taking it too far? You'll never win at this rate. Do you think I'll agree out of pity or something if you keep it up like this?"

"I don't need your pity, Alyssa," Kain said with surprising force in his voice. "This is about me and my skills, more than anything. It's more than merely the training now. I will do this. I don't care how long it takes. If I can't even do this much, I might as well die."

The watching audience was horrified by this. "Kain-sensei…is so serious…what's the meaning of this…?"

"Isn't this too cruel? This has been going on far too long…."

Mai scowled. "That's enough!" she snapped. "If that idiot won't give up, I'll make him give up. There's no reason to risk his life in this stupid contest."

She moved to intercede, but Kaoru suddenly blocked her path. "No! Mai-san! Let him be!"

"Kaoru-san? But…Kain-sensei is just being foolish! There's no way he can win! If he continues this, he'll just end up…."

"But he isn't just some spoiled child!" Kaoru insisted. "Kain-sensei is an adult…far more than any of us, and this is his decision, his determination! We can't step on that!"

"B-but, no matter how you look at this…."

"You said Kain-sensei has a goal, right? Well, look at him! He's risking his life for it! Do you have anything you care that much about? I don't know what his goal is, but I know it means more to him than anything in the world, more than his own life! I don't have the resolve to interfere with that! All I can do is acknowledge it, and believe in him."

"K-Kaoru-san…."

Alyssa stared up at the argument and sighed. "Teenage girls…especially Japanese ones," she muttered. "So melodramatic…."

Even Miyu's attention was drawn somewhat by the spectacle. "Konoe-san…."

('Now.') Suddenly Kain sprang to life. Moving with impossible speed, far greater than he had demonstrated thus far, he moved in. Instantly Miyu's attention was back on the fight and with no loss of time she struck back. Unlike all the previous times, however, Kain easily dodged aside as she struck, grabbing her wrist and planting an elbow in her abdomen. He let go as she went flying backward, crashing into the ground.

The assembly stared in silent shock. Kain smiled and relaxed. "I did it. See that? One…hit…." And then he collapsed.

"Kain-sensei!" His 'fan club' came charging down to check on him as Miyu picked herself up.

Alyssa stared at the silent, still form of the boy as the girls struggled to revive and congratulate him. Finally she smiled and turned away. "Well done, boy. You passed the test. I'll talk with you later to set up a schedule. I hope you're prepared…my training is going to make this hell of a test seem like a summer stroll. Oh…and you ought to keep up those martial arts. Everyone needs some physical skills…and that suits a boy like you."

Mai looked up and stared at her as she walked away. "Wait a minute," she hissed to Kamo, who was again riding on her shoulder. "Wasn't he not supposed to use magic in that contest? What's the deal?"

"He didn't," Kamo explained. "Alyssa-chan didn't suddenly take pity on him or anything. That wasn't magic, you see—that was ki, just like Akari-chan uses. The kiddo really is a genius, after all. He managed to learn how to generate it himself just from watching her and from thinking it over in his head. I don't know for certain, but maybe he thought he'd figure out how if he just kept at it. Remarkable."

"Really? Alyssa-chan recognized it as ki too?"

"Of course. They produce similar effects, but they're really quite different. It's hard to explain, and this isn't the time. But, in any case, Kain showed that he could fight alongside anyone, even without magic…and it may not have been her intent, but he showed the little brat that he can run with anything she can dish out."

Kain, finally aroused, smiled bravely at Mai as she turned back to him. He gave her a thumbs-up, which she weakly returned. ('Ah, well,') she thought. ('He wouldn't be Kain if he didn't push himself beyond all reason….')

Kain then turned to Kaoru and said, "Konoe-san…I did my part, and now it's your turn to do yours. Don't give up…right?"

"Y-yes…right Sensei!"

With that, Kain slipped back into delirious sleep.

"Here we are…it's your turn, Kaoru," Ninomiya told the girl. "Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

Ninomiya glanced askew at Kaoru as she stepped up to the line. "Did something happen to you, Kaoru? You seem so much…more serious. For a moment I thought 'Who is this?'"

"Eh? Not really…."

"I get it—Kaoru has a crush on a boy, right?"

"Stop talking like an old man, Ninomiya-sensei!"

"Hahaha…just kidding."

"Jeez…."

"In any case, are you ready?"

"Yes!"

Kaoru crouched down at the starting line. Ninomiya fired her gun, and Kaoru took off towards the finish line.

Author's Note: Character Revisit: Kaoru Konoe

This chapter went through a lot quicker than the previous two…of course, it was a much closer cut-and-paste to the Negima story, with only the character exchanges shifting the story. Kain gets his chance to earn his training from Alyssa. Oh, and, of course, I've discarded a lot of nonsense segments, particularly ecchi moments. The chapter is long enough without them.

Mostly, however, this is Kaoru's chapter, and in this moment she fully replaces Makie Sasaki, the energetic gymnast of class 3-A. Of course, Kaoru is a runner, instead, which made altering the contest to suit her somewhat tricky, but it fit well. Kaoru is determined to be a runner, but does initially lack mental fortitude in her origin. When she feels she is struggling with her running, she pushes herself hard, and in the midst of that effort the power of her Gate of Strength awakens, granting her its superhuman powers. After posting times that were, quite frankly, impossible, she was disqualified by her teachers and supervisors, and so when the A.E.G.I.S. team comes to recruit her, she is a bitter and reluctant new member.

Of course, THIS Kaoru doesn't get superhuman abilities right off the bat, but, two years younger and surrounded by distractions, this kind of difficulty seems to fit her. Her own troubles paralleling Kain's search for his goal makes a nice little story and motivation.

And while Kaoru has been one of the girls interested in Kain all this time, as she states in her narrations, it is only after this that she truly joins his 'fan club'.

Now she's going back to a mostly cameo character for a while. And so, on to the next portion….