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 Six: For the Face of the Father

"In any case, it was a brilliant duel," Hikaru told Momo. "Your skills are quite incredible…perhaps worthy of a name like shinigami…."

Momo stared, then blushed. "N-no, not really…I-I'm just…."

Hikaru smiled, nodded at her, and then turned away to head back to his previous place. Momo, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt and recalling more of Alyssa's words from earlier, reached out and caught hold of his arm. "Wait, Tsukino-san…we wouldn't mind…if you stayed here with us…right, Akari-chan? Kiami-chan?"

"Eh? Well…" Akari began.

Kiami, quicker on the uptake in these situations, smiled. "We're sorry for keeping you out of our exclusive club, Hikaru-kun," she told the boy. "Perhaps it is time that we initiated you…what do you say, Kain-sensei?"

Kain looked at the trio of master students, then around at the other assembled faces, and finally over at Mei, who was still holding the laptop she'd acquired with a worried expression. Finally he smiled. "Considering the way things are going, it might not matter. After he's come this far and seen this much, after all…and since he's family, too…I don't think I have the right to object."

"How privileged I am," Hikaru murmured with a smile. "Now I get to see what all the whispering and the secrets and the magic are about, do I?"

"Are you all right?" Mai demanded of Momo as most of the attention shifted to the 'new initiate'.

"Eh? Ah, I'm fine…like you, I just experienced…the return of a painful part of my past…."

Mai stared at her. "What are you talking about?"

"Never mind. I can't explain right now. Only…." She glanced at the door, in the direction that Alyssa had gone. She seemed to be hesitating, pondering something. Finally she made a decision. "I'm going to go talk to Alyssa-chan. Be right back."

As she headed out, however, Mai started and then hurried after her. "W-wait for me!"

The two finally found Alyssa standing in an abandoned hallway, lost in thought. She turned to them as they approached. "What do you want now?" she demanded irritably.

Momo bowed. "I just wanted to thank you for your help, Alyssa-chan…it was painful, but it was something I've needed for a long time…."

Alyssa snorted. "I wasn't trying to help you. I was just getting a spot of revenge. I haven't felt like myself lately, after all."

"What are you talking about?" Mai replied with a huff. "You're one of our friends, aren't you?"

"Friends? Don't be absurd. I'm a demon, Tokiha Mai—remember that. The only thing I care about humans for is food."

"F-food? B-but…."

"You really don't know anything about demons, do you, Mai? Fine, then. Listen carefully. I'll tell you about Alysaser, the Herdsman, the Golden Angel.

"Yôkai that live in this world and the other are often viewed by fearful humans as a type of demon, but really they are nothing of the sort. They are more…almost fairies, you could say. They have natural powers and magics that are far beyond most humans, and so the humans, particularly those ignorant of magic and fearful of what they couldn't understand, assumed that they were terrible evils. Even war-like ones, like that brat Kenjirô, aren't nearly as bad as all that, however. They are long-lived, they regenerate, they have powers—but they're still mortal, relying on food, air, and water, and on all the rest that humans need. They are different, greater…but still within the realm of understanding.

"My kind, however, mazoku…we are true demons. We do not live on this world. We come from our own realm, one bordering this world and many others, a realm of magic and dark emotion. We are born from magic and from the darkest desires of the human heart, and the evil within humans gives rise to us. On our plane, we survive…mostly on the mana there…but here, on this world, we derive pleasure and sustenance by consuming the energy released by humans through their emotions—in particular, the darker emotions, like fear, anger, hate. The 'seven deadly sins' are a banquet course to us.

"Of course, like all gourmets, we all have our preferences on the menu, and we have all different ways of extracting our nourishment. Demons that live for the pain and the fear of man wage war on them, seek to cause pain and suffering. Others enjoy the darker passions and desires of humans, and promise them power in exchange for service or their 'soul', as we like to say, and delight in their using our powers to fulfill base desires. And, of course, amidst all this, the blood and life and souls of mages are preferable to all others.

"We mostly do not think in the same ways that you humans do—to your minds, even our thought patterns truly make us monsters. And so I lived for over a thousand years, walking the length and breadth of the world feeding on humanity, your kin. I am among the most powerful of my kind, and it generally takes a small army of mages to oppose me—and, as you've seen, it takes a lot to get an army of mages together, for they are generally a solitary people. Even now, they are only beginning to form more organized, strengthened societies here on Earth. I have always gone where I willed, done what I desired, and fed by disrupting the lives of your people."

"Yes, I personally know much of what you say is true," Momo murmured. "But that's not the whole story—not for you. The Herdsman disappeared some long time ago, before I even became a shinigami, and no one knows what happened to it. From being here with you, we've learned that you integrated yourself into society, founded your own company…even became a companion of Kalan Lockeheart for a time…."

"Yes, yes…I will admit, living amongst humans can…affect us. They are a curiously resilient species. Surrounded by powerful races, near-immortal races, like yôkai, mazoku, and shinigami, they still have such confidence and willpower, such a strong desire to live…their lives are short, and yet in that short time they can grow and learn in astonishing ways. Even in the weakest among them, I found a fascinating level of strength. Perhaps I did see…something that I couldn't understand, but that I wanted to understand.

"And humans grew more fascinating as they began to master the world through their tools and science began to advance. I decided to become involved in this new 'civilization' that was rising across the world. It's quite fascinating…even as they go farther, however, they remain the same, they are stuck in place. The same flaws and problems since time immemorial are still their weaknesses, despite civilized mankind's belief that such traits should be rooted out. Sometimes I think that demons do humanity a favor by destroying their weakest and most terrible members.

"My new project occupied my attention for some time. I had found a fascinating new game…I could build or destroy lives, buy and sell souls, without a single spell, without exposing myself at all. In ancient times, controlling a king allowed you to control a kingdom, work your will upon them, dominate them…it is something I have done time and time again. But in this society, in the world of capitalism, with a corporation…you have true, irresistible power. A king who oppresses gives rise to rebellions, attracts attention…eventually he will be overcome and overthrown. But an organization, a corporation…it is merely the soulless entity derived from a pursuit of wealth. What was once called greed is now called good business, and by clinging to the laws built up in the society alongside them, a careful organization can do what it pleases without fear of retribution. Don't think that I used bribes and secrets to get my way…even without resorting to dark and 'underhanded' methods, without relying on the shadows of society, the clever leaders of a corporation can dominate the lives of sheep-like humans. Oh, how much fun this new game of chess was…."

"What about Kain-sensei's father?" Mai demanded suddenly. "How…did you meet him, while you were busy controlling this corporation?"

Alyssa regarded her carefully. "Kalan Lockeheart, eh," she murmured. She did not quite understand why she was being so cheerfully free with her past now…perhaps he himself was the answer. The knowledge of his survival, and promise of more to come….

"Kalan Lockeheart…was special, and more than special. Of course, I was well aware of all the secret magic organizations the wizards of this world operate. I kept tabs on them as well. I even insinuated myself into their society. The Searrs Foundation is listed as one of the magic society's corporations…and they still have no idea that I am their real leader. Among other things, it allowed me to keep tabs on how much they might suspect my little company. So, I watched them…and I was surprised when a tiny boy of eight years of age entered Caelar University, one of the premier colleges of magic in the world.

"Children have always been…special. Demons cannot touch them, you see. There is something about them, some…purity, I guess you could say. Humans themselves are an interesting species, but their younger versions are so much more…resilient, understanding, and quick-witted. Although they lack knowledge and general attributes of strength, while they are still in the midst of growing into themselves…they learn, every one of them, with the speed and precision of a genius, they withstand trauma and pain to startling degrees, and it is almost impossible to predict how they'll respond to any stimulus. They grow their own way. Fascinating little creatures. And here was a little boy, who was the most fascinating of them all…he was a child who had the strength of a man.

"Of course, Momo is well aware, and you have heard many times, Mai, just how amazing Kalan Lockeheart was—that he defeated masters of martial arts in this very tournament, the ones who are now training Akari and Kiami, when he was just ten years sold. He was defeating armies and great demons before he reached his teens. But it wasn't simply his genius that was extraordinary. It was his strength of will that was most impressive. Humans who have an inordinate amount of genius, who are superior intellectually to adults when they are only children and pursue higher levels of learning at such a young age, are often more fragile emotionally. That emotional state does not develop as quickly as their mental capacities, just as the body is far from maturity. Kain himself is a good example—he is still a child at heart, and all the more so because he was never able to really think like a child. He is not an adult, nor a child—he is a product of his own life, of all his foibles and strengths, but in the end, his will is sometimes weak, especially compared to the rest of him. He is naïve and foolish, far too unsure of himself. At times he is able to seize hold of the confidence in himself to do great things, but it is inconsistent, unreliable. Like this tournament, for instance. His mind is caught between two thoughts: all this magic being shown so openly, even if it isn't likely to be believed, is bad, and he should try to stop it—yet he wants to prove himself, to follow in his father's footsteps, and doing anything to interfere with this, to give less than his best in pursuit of victory like his father had done, is betraying his father's memory. He wembles between these two worries, and so he deals with this untenable situation by doing, really, nothing. He's just letting it take its course.

"But Kalan…was different. I won't say that Kain hasn't had his moments—his battle with Takamichi, he was at his best. Nothing mattered to him but the fight he had, and he would give anything, take any risk, for victory, because he knew he had to. You see, Kalan was like that all the time, even as a child. He was not afraid of adults. He was not afraid of misunderstanding, of being liked or disliked. He understood that he was a superior specimen, and yet he believed that all people were worthy of respect. Those who had respect for others, he respected, no matter how weak or strong they were. Those who did not respect others lost, in his mind, all rights to his respect. Everything was black and white to him, simple. In some ways, despite his genius, he could be called an idiot—at least I would say so. He didn't philosophize. He didn't need to. It was a waste of time. He knew what was right, and he didn't care what anyone else thought about it.

"And so he was fascinating. That assurance left him with practically no emotions that I could make use of, even if he had been adult enough that I could. But he caught my attention all the same, and so I made this human form so that I could…befriend him. My goal was to raise him to an adult and see what I could do with that annoyingly pure personality of his. He graduated at age ten, completing an eight-year degree in two years, and then came here…and I came with him."

"But you didn't follow him to Arcanus Myrror," Momo put in. "Why didn't you?"

Alyssa turned a slight glare Momo's way, but she continued. "To say that mazoku are…afraid of Arcanus Myrror would be untrue, but we are often…cautious. As I said, powerful demons of my level require an army of mages to defeat…and in a magical world, even though our power increases and we have access to even better sustenance due to its high mana level, there are also a lot more mages around, and they are better organized, and swifter to respond to demonic threats. In my opinion, it was never worth it to make trouble there. And Kalan wanted to go there into the midst of the war that had just begun. He was going to find out who started it and put them down, like he was just going to stop a playground bully. We had…a fight about it, really. A very human, childish fight over what we wanted to do. Perhaps the war might have had a chance of molding him more the way I wanted, but…I didn't want to get involved in it. Somehow, I knew that it would…be the end of him…."

"In truth, you were in love with him. You didn't want to let him go, even though you understood the most what the war entailed. And so, after it was over and he came back to Earth, you hunted him down and tried to make him yours again…."

Alyssa turned with fury on the black-cloaked man who had invaded their conversation. "You shut up, you bastard! Don't mock me…I am a demon princess! I don't feel such petty, foolish human emotions!"

"You said yourself that humans can affect you," James Bond continued happily. "Just admit the truth: you've been corrupted by us, and you fell in love with the most perfect human specimen you'd ever seen. After all…why else would you be so interested in what I know about him?"

Alyssa glared at him, red with bursting anger, then finally whirled and stalked away again. "I'm done," she spat. "I have no more time to trade insults with imbeciles. Enjoy the rest of your tournament."

The black-cloaked man watched her go. He laughed slightly. "I must apologize to you girls…especially you, Momo-chan. When we were younger, Alyssa-chan used to torment me terribly…but now that I'm older, now that the war has…changed me…and her…I'm able to deal with her better, and I was tormenting her in return a little…just a spot of revenge. She didn't like it, and I think that's why she decided to pick on you, Momo-chan."

Momo smiled at him. "No, it's not a problem. Honestly, it's…what I needed. She ended doing what even you and Kalan couldn't do…you really have changed from those early days."

He shrugged. "We all have…we all did, except for Kalan, who was almost too pure to really change. Well, if you'll excuse me…it's about time for my match to start…."

And now we must rewind slightly to what took place while Alyssa was in the middle of her history lesson. Hikaru was now fully the property of the girls and Kamo, who were taking care to 'initiate' the boy. Kain, lost in thought, had wandered off and was sitting on the steps heading down to the arena alone. Once again, there was a break while highlights of the matches were being shown and Nanami was giving more colorful commentary. On the side, Miyu and Xiang were discussing some of implications of what was shown, at least of the martial arts side. Xiang always declined to offer any insights he might have held about the magical powers being demonstrated.

And so Kain thought his thoughts. He was, as Alyssa had pointed out, quite weak-willed about matters. He let himself be too bothered by things. He was a thinker, and thinking was always dangerous for him, because he thought too much. At this moment, his mind was worrying over the state of his friend Kenjirô, who had still not returned from the infirmary, despite the insistences of Chisame. He was worrying over the threat of magic's exposure present in the tournament. He was worrying about Mai, who seemed okay now, but who had undergone that strange transformation in the middle of the fight and even summoned that incredible elemental beast again. He was worrying about Momo, who had acted positively insane for half of her last match, shouting at nothing and attacking Hikaru as if he was a monster sent to torment her. She was acting normal now, had finished the fight normally enough, and apparently Alyssa was the cause for her problems somehow, but it was still worrisome. And, of course, next he would have to face Momo, and fighting one of his friends and partners was something he was not looking forward to. And yet he wanted to keep winning, to follow his father's path, to prove that he could get just a step closer to that figure….

"Hello there…Kain-kun…."

Kain looked up in surprise as the black-cloaked figure approached him. "You…" Kain murmured. He stood and tensed a little. "You…defeated Kenjirô…."

"I haven't introduced myself to you properly yet," the man said, ignoring Kain's accusation. "I'm James Bond. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kain-kun. Your power and growth…they've been quite amazing. I'm more than satisfied with what I've seen. Now, if you manage to make it to the final match against me…I'll give you a prize…."

He stepped forward and put his hand on top of Kain's head, then leaned his face down to whisper in Kain's ear. "I will let you fight me."

Kain froze solid. He did not move, react, or do anything as Mr. Bond strode up the steps past him and headed out into the main part of the Saginomiya estate, onward to interrupt Alyssa's lecture with a bit of painful truth.

Kain finally turned to stare after the departed figure. The look on his face was pure shock. ('That voice…it can't be, but…I know…I have heard it…I could never forget it…just then, that was….')

The preparations were nearly complete for the semi-finals. Several individuals and groups were making their moves.

On one roof, Kenjirô stood, gazing down, ready to watch how Akari would deal with the man who had humiliated him.

On the other side, out of his sight—and all others' sight—Kaoru and Riku helped the rest of their less-nimble classmates invade the arena via the roof.

Akari prepared for her battle as her 'family' gathered behind her, ready to cheer her on.

Watching from their various groups and points, Nodoka, Yue, Ami, Kagome, Matake, Kazumi, Yukari, and Kajirô waited with anticipation for the semi-finals to begin.

Sakura and Caria observed the scene from their computers, carefully continuing their plot.

Miyu turned to look at Chisame as she typed furiously at her computer, watched her dismay and frustration build.

('W-what's the meaning of this? Just when I thought the situation had calmed down some, something's causing the excitement to spike up again! Dammit…such ridiculous topics…there must be dozens of hackers hired just to fan the flames of these rumors, in order to get this many topics spread around so quickly….

('No, it's not…it can't be! The writing is too skilled, too casual, for such forced work. It's all too incredibly well-done. What do I do now!? Maybe I should let the fool know about this…no, that won't do any good. Jeez…I just can't do enough with a notebook PC like this!')

Miyu gazed at her a moment longer, then returned to her own computer in front of her.

"The spread of rumors on the net has returned to normal, despite the interferences," Caria explained. "Everything's green now."

"Good, good…just continue with this until the interference from the mage side disappears."

"Right. That just leaves us one problem…."

Caria pulled up a screen showing the cloaked figure of James Bond as he made his way across the grounds and approached Kain at the steps.

"Oh, him?" Sakura smiled. "I showed Takahata-sensei his image while I was down there, and he was quite surprised. He was able to confirm his identity…."

"Eh? S-so, he really is…."

"One of the Grand Archmage's companions, yes…his first and most loyal friend…."

"So, he is, then: Allen 'Jynx' Black, who attended Caelar University with Kalan and graduated at the age of thirteen, then accompanied him to Mahora and then to Arcanus Myrror…there isn't even any information about him in the mage database, no official records, since he left the university. I-isn't this bad? If someone the caliber of Alyssa-chan gets involved in this…."

"No, I really don't think we have to worry about him. His goals likely have nothing to do with our plan…and I think that he, too, wishes to see what Kain-sensei will do here…."

"He's made contact with Kain-sensei!"

"As I expected…keep surveillance on him, but don't do anything unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Besides…I'm the only one who could interfere with him, anyway…."

Mai and Momo were en route to the fighters' chamber when Kain came barreling out and into them. "K-Kain-sensei! What's the matter?"

"Mai…Momo…I was looking for James Bond. Have you seen him?"

"Eh? That…sir? He was just here, then he disappeared. His match is about to start, so he's probably back in the arena, or will be soon…."

"I-I see…is that so…." Kain looked thoughtful, almost depressed. Mai stared at him.

"Is something wrong, Kain-sensei?"

"Ah, no…it's just…something happened with…with Mr. Bond…something…I can't describe very well. It's just…no…nothing." He looked up at Momo. "I…I need to reach the final match, no matter what. I have to face him…."

"Eh?"

"Mai! Momo! Kain-sensei!" Kagome waved as she approached, trailed by Kajirô and Mei.

"Kagome? What's up?"

"We were just looking for you. I just wanted to see how you were all doing…those looked like some crazy fights…what about you, Momo? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine now, really…."

"Thank you all for waiting! First semi-final match between James Bond and Heiro Akari is about to begin! Please return quickly to your seats…."

Kain started. "I-I have to go watch this match. Everyone…please excuse me." Kain hurried off.

The group stared after him. "That was…unusual," Kajirô remarked. "Kain-sensei didn't seem the type for this…does he have a crush on Heiro-san…?"

Mai laughed half-heartedly. "More like he has a crush on that James Bond…everything keeps getting stranger and stranger here…."

"We should go watch the match, too," Momo said, turning to head that way.

"Wait." She stopped and turned in surprise. Kajirô stepped forward. "There's something you all should know…." He looked around as Tear and Rin approached from the infirmary and Hinagiku and Erika came out of the fighters' chamber to see what was taking their friends. "All of you…."

"What!? Sakura-san captured Takahata-sensei and Momo's gigai!? W-why would she do such a thing!?"

"Is this true?" Momo demanded of the young man.

"He's been in telepathic contact with several of the teachers, but it was suddenly cut off. That's why they've called me. He was investigating her lair…I don't have any answers for why, but we can be sure that it's coming to a head."

"Well, we know that she's planning something…from the look of things, she's trying to spread rumors of magic around, make it go public," Kamo averred. "Naturally, Hawk and the rest of the magic teachers are opposed to this…."

"You saved Sanada Sakura before, and now she's done this," Tear said harshly. "We should never have let her go…."

"No, you should have," Kamo insisted. "If Sakura-chan overcame Hawk so easily, even if he was weakened from fighting Kain, then all of you wouldn't have had a chance against her either. However…."

"Well, we can't leave this be," Kajirô said with a sigh. "Things could get even more troublesome…."

"B-but if even Takahata-sensei was overcome, what we can we do?" Mei pleaded fearfully.

"We can't do anything if we stand around worrying about it," Hinagiku snapped. "If Sakura-san has gone this far, we have to stop her!"

"Hmm…if we have this many, we might be able to do it." Rin turned to Momo. "You have your match with Kain-sensei next, Hinamori-san. You better stay and finish your part of the tournament with him."

"Yes…that's probably best, for many reasons," Momo agreed. "The last word I got from Honoka-chan was here…." She began to describe how to find the tunnel her gigai had discovered.

"Well then. We'll go." Tear looked around. "Who's going with us?"

"I can't let this go," Mai insisted. "I'll help out. I can't let Sakura-san do something like this…."

"These students…this school…they are my responsibility too," Hinagiku declared. "I'm coming."

Erika nodded. "Likewise, it is the same for me."

Kajirô sighed. "I guess there's no choice. Here we go."

"A-all right," Mei managed. "Let's go…."

Rin turned to Tear and nodded. "We're ready, then."

Mai looked at Kagome. "Stay here with Kain-sensei…if something else happens, you and Momo need to let him know what's going on…but not until after he's finished with this. He won't be of any use otherwise."

"Right," she sighed, then bowed. "Best of luck, all of you!"

Kamo jumped up onto her shoulder. "I'll stay behind too. This is where I can do the most good. Do your best!"

"Let's go!" And as Momo and Kagome headed back towards the arena, Erika, Hinagiku, Tear, Rin, Mei, Mai, and Kajirô headed off towards Sakura's underground lair.

"The semi-finals round begins now! The first pair battling for the honor of engaging for the final prize…James Bond versus Heiro Akari!"

Kain hurried up to the balcony and looked over the arena as the pair squared off. "Made it…just in time…."

"Welcome back," Kiami murmured. "We were afraid we would be left watching all alone."

"Contestant James Bond has shown us remarkable abilities and incredible powers! His dark hood, hiding his face, conceals a dark heart that chills us to the core!

"And contestant Heiro Akari, the most accomplished martial artist of Mahora Academy, has taken down everyone in her path in defense of her title! The skills she has demonstrated are so incredible, they beg us to ask: is she even human?"

Hikaru turned and looked at Kain's intense gaze. "Are you all right, Kain-sensei?"

Kain didn't respond, didn't seem to even hear as he fixed that rigid gaze on the man calling himself James Bond. ('That voice…it was…Dad's voice…I remember it so well from that snowy night…just who exactly is that person?

Kenjirô gazed out over the arena as well, Akari's admonition ringing in his ears. ["Make sure you come watch, okay?"]

Kenjirô nodded. "I'm watching, all right. Let's see what you make of this, Akari-san…."

"Now then, the first match of the semi-finals…."

"It looks like this year yielded quite an incredible harvest," James remarked. "You, too, seem quite capable. Kain-kun's martial arts techniques…you are the one who taught him those, aren't you?"

Akari cocked her head at him. She did not answer his question—she didn't need to. "Sir…Bond-san…I don't know what your objective is, but I, Heiro Akari, will come at you with my full power. After seeing the matches of Kain-sensei and the others, I can't afford to go easy, either."

"…That's fine. I will be your opponent."

Kain watched them. ('James Bond…I can't see his face at all because of the hood, but…he's….')

"START!"

"However," Bond began, "it seems you are quite capable…so I will also be using my full power, right from the beginning…."

An explosion of force caved in over half of the arena floor, as if a giant wrecking ball had been dropped onto the location. Akari's form gasped in shock as it was crushed by some invisible force….

"W-what an attack! The same power that defeated Hanatabi Kenjirô…but even more powerful!? But…what happened to Heiro Akari?"

Even Kiami stared in shock from the blast of power. Kain cried out, "Akari-san!?"

"Uh oh…did I overdo it?" James remarked with chagrin.

Then Akari's form faded away.

"Hmm…not bad," Akari remarked from his elbow. She looked up at him. "I haven't studied ninjutsu, so I can't use bunshin…but I can move fast enough to let my ki leave after-images." She turned back to the crater. "So…that kind of force, isn't any kind of attack from above…it must create gravity or something, right? How crazy…."

('What a surprise, James thought. I didn't feel her presence at all….')

She lashed out at him, and he ducked under the blow. He barely had time to recover before she was on him again, forcing him backwards with a level of speed and power that left shockwaves from every swing.

"What high-level kenpo," he remarked. "I haven't seen fighting like this in over twenty years…not since the last time we had this tournament…."

"My thanks for the compliment." A swift kick to his shin dropped him slightly, and she followed it up with a powerful thrust to his stomach. Then, an instant later, she was above him, sending him flying with a vicious spinning kick. He flew and impacted the ground hard, stirring up more dust.

"A-awesome, Akari-san!" Kain cheered.

('No…it's just like when he fought Kenjirô-kun,') she thought. The dust faded, and there was no form or any sign that there had been. ('As I thought, he's….')

The cloaked figure reappeared behind her as she touched down, but she ducked under his punch and came up again. They traded blows for several seconds, fighting back and forth.

"Taekwondo," remarked Xiang for the benefit of the audience. "Plus a bit of several different Chinese kenpo styles. He's actually rather well-trained as well."

Bond pulled back from one attack and managed to trip Akari, and as she stumbled past, he slammed her in the back with a kick. She went flying, but then disappeared.

"An instant step from any position? That takes real skill," he opined as she reappeared behind him.

He swung on her, but she switched to grappling, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a lock. Then, when she had positioned him just right, she kicked him into the air again (letting go so he could fly away), and then 'stepped' back into the air above him. She dropped on him, slamming him back into the ground.

His body remained limp on the ground as he lay there, and she rose to watch him carefully. To the audience's shock, but not to Akari's surprise, the man rose and dusted himself off. "Goodness," he remarked cheerfully. "I'm out of shape. I guess that's what happens when you spend years in a library."

He looked over at Akari again, who was smiling slightly at him. "Still, I shouldn't demean your accomplishments. You are truly incredibly skilled, Akari-san. I haven't seen skills like this in someone so young…not from such a young non-mage, ever."

"Unharmed," Kiami murmured. "Even from that. Akari's beating him with all her might, and he's absorbing it like a sandbag. What is he?"

('The power of 'James Bond' is incredible,') Kain thought. ('As I thought, he must be….')

He shook his head. ('No, that's not it…he can't be. Compared to the few memories I have, he's…completely different. And from all the stories I have heard, he's nothing like him. Just…who is he…? Did I imagine it after all?)

"Really amazing," James Bond continued. "You must have learned all that from your masters…I remember some of them pretty well. Still, to think that you've absorbed so much knowledge from them at such a young age…between Kenjirô-kun and you, and Mai-san and Momo-chan…I feel confident that Kain is in good hands."

"I'm glad you feel that way," Akari said. "But you're certainly not making it easy for me."

"Well, I can't…I have to meet him in the finals, so I'll use every trick I can to make it past you."

"Even a body that isn't real? Sneaky of you."

The would-be spy blanched. "Ah…you caught me. You even figured out the gravity magic, too…you certainly are clever. Or experienced with magic."

"Oh, not at all…I think my masters suspect things of your 'inner world', but they aren't actually a part of it. I was initiated only recently. But…I understand about fighting, so I can guess at how most of it works.

"So…in order to defeat that split body or illusion of yours or whatever it is…I'll need to channel my ki in a way to get rid of it in an instant…so, where is your real body? I'd figure it would have to be close…."

"Not really…two miles…rather, three or four kilometers…the location is a s-e-c-r-e-t…."

"T-that far!? That's pretty amazing! I'm shocked!"

"Oh, don't be…it's not something I can do normally…just during the few days of the Festival, when the power of the World Tree fills the grounds of the campus and the surrounding area."

"Hmm." Akari considered this. "I see. So, tell me then…what business do you have with Kain-sensei that demands you face him in the finals? If you're planning something devious, I can't allow you to face him…."

"Oh?' James Bond's smile was just visible under his hood. "So many people look up to Kain-kun, just like his father…it's great. Don't worry, I promise I'm not planning anything 'devious'. I'm just fulfilling a promise to an old friend."

"…Is that so? You put on a fine performance, but I'm beginning to see past it…you really don't have much deceit in you, do you? You learned it all secondhand…."

The man stared at her, then began to laugh heartily. "You really are a clever little girl. I've been trying so hard to be a mischievous little trickster, but…."

"Well, it doesn't matter." Akari resumed her stance. "We should finish this properly…."

She leapt at James Bond again, but he retreated…up and into the air. He spread his hands, and five massive black orbs appeared in the sky. Akari stared up. ('Gravity magic…!')

Bond gestured, and the five orbs came crashing down into the arena. The exploding blasts of energy tore the arena to pieces and exploded into the water, sending waves washing over the audience.

"Uwaa~! What's this!? All the spectator seats are in Splash Mountain Conditions! The audience is now soaking wet! Replacement underwear is being sold on both sides of the Saginomiya grounds' gates!"

"T-that was close!" Chisame breathed, and looked up at Rei, who had been responsible for saving her and her laptop from the wave, hauling her out of the way. "Er…thank you…Ayanami…." As Rei silently returned her to her place, she continued, "What the hell are they doing?"

Kain stared up at the fighter. ('What is this? Of course my father wouldn't have a reason to return here, return now…but then, who is he? What is his purpose?')

All the destruction and water finally cleared away, and Akari appeared again on the devastated arena floor, panting heavily. James Bond, still floating in the air above, whistled. "Even avoiding all that with your instant movement…a full stream of them. I'm becoming more and more interested in you, too…seems like I won't be able to win easily."

Akari glanced up at him and smiled. "Until I understand exactly what you're planning, I'm going to stick to you. You won't be rid of me like that."

"Hmm…you're strong, all right. At this rate, we'll go past the fifteen minute time limit…."

('More people flying now,') Chisame thought as the crowd remarked upon the same. ('I know my classmates can't fly, so I was able to ignore it before…rather, it helped me remember that this all had to be fake…but now, with this guy…isn't all this overdoing it a little? Have we really completely lost hold of reality now?')

The man sighed. "If it comes down to a vote, and I lose, all my plans go down the drain. This is risk in and of itself, but honestly, I can't help but hold back against a girl myself, so I can't end it with anything else…."

And from his sleeve he drew….

"A-a card!?" Kain gasped. "A contract!?" He whirled around to look at Kamo, still sitting on Kagome's shoulder, but the ermine didn't respond.

('An artifact,') Akari thought in despair. ('So, he is…what could this be…?')

"This might be considered cowardly, but it's necessary now," he said. "You should feel honored you've forced me to go this far. Activate."

The card transformed into a giant rolled scroll. It flew open and swept around him in the air. Akari assumed her stance and readied herself.

"Take a good look, now. Here I go!"

He slapped a palm onto the scroll, and an explosion of smoke enveloped him…and when it faded, the figure was….

Shorter, now, by a few inches, and wrapped in a cloak…a snow-white cloak. A most familiar snow-white cloak.

As Akari…as Kain…as the rest of the audience stared in shock, the man vanished. Akari flinched and then lashed out at the air…and convulsed as the stranger was suddenly right in front of her, planting his fist with force into her abdomen. She gasped out and slumped forward, into the man's grip.

"Sorry about that," the new, unfamiliar voice whispered in her ear, "but it seems I didn't have a choice. Still, to have even have had a chance to attempt to strike back…you're impressive."

"Y-you…you're…."

Smoke enveloped the man as he released Akari, letting her slump to the floor…and when the smoke cleared, the original black-cloaked man was standing there, holding his card. He slipped it back into his robe. "That was quite impressive, Akari-san. I'm rather intrigued by you. I was planning on holding…well, a tea party, after this is all over. I'd like you to come too."

As he turned away, she whispered, "W-wait…that man just now…wasn't you…was that…?"

"Sorry, Akari-san. That's all for now. Thanks for the workout."

"I-it seems that Heiro Akari has been defeated! W-we don't even know what that last trick was…but it seems that in his inverted-color form, James Bond defeated his opponent with a single, solid punch! I-it seems the judge has nothing else to say and has finished the count, so James Bond is the winner of the match and the first to advance to the Final!"

"Is this really all right?" Caria asked Sakura. "We could disqualify him…your one rule was not to summon spirits, and he clearly did that…."

"Well, we can tell, but no one else can." Sakura smiled. "He saw that, and cleverly concealed himself while it went on. I'll permit it. Besides…this distraction just makes it easier for us…."

('J-just now…that was definitely…that cloak…but how…?')

"I did get you pretty badly," James Bond said to his defeated foe as he moved to help her to her feet. "Shall I help treat you?"

"Please don't worry about me," she insisted. "I'm built to take worse than that…although not often…."

"I see. Well then…I leave Kain-kun to you…." And he vanished.

"H-he disappeared again," Kain murmured.

"Concerned about him?" Kiami asked with a smile. "Well, no surprise…considering who he is…."

Kain's head whipped around. "What was that!? Kiami-san, do you know who he is!?"

She looked away. "Oh…well, I wonder…."

Akari arrived. "Ah…and all of you fought stronger foes without flinching," she murmured, sagging against the railing. "I feel ashamed…."

"N-no, not at all," Kain replied, properly distracted. "Are you all right? Your wounds…."

She looked up at him. "More importantly," she cut in, "I have a message from Bond-san. He says 'I'll be waiting for you at the Final match'."

Kain stared at her for a second, then nodded. "Right!"

"This is bad, Gandolfini-kun, Meia-san. It seems someone is using the battle tournament to advertise the existence of magic on purpose. The objective is unclear, but it is almost certain to be the work of Sanada Sakura."

Gandolfini and Meia stared at the computer screen. "I knew she was up to something...I should have restricted her back then, despite my instincts telling me to trust Kain-kun," Meia lamented.

"We better meet up with the rest of the teachers and come up with a counter-plan," Gandolfini remarked. "Nijuuin-san, you contact the principal."

"Understood!" The rotund teacher made a few magic signs. "Meat buns! Pizza buns! Shark fin buns! I command you in the name of Nijuuin Mitsuru!"

"You should really change that activation phrase," Meia remarked before the two hurried away.

Chisame's look of intense disbelief intensified. ('I-I just can't believe this! Regardless of that ridiculous battle just now, this time, it's…both sides are suddenly making a comeback in force!? People denying the magic, people spreading the rumors, all of this….

('What's going on here!? This isn't a simple net discussion! This is war on public opinion manipulation using the internet! It's a super-high-level cyber war!')

"Chisame-san." Chisame whirled around to stare at the blank face of Miyu. "It seems you've been working hard for a while now, but it's pointless. I know about your hacking skills, and also about the level of software technology available at this time."

"W-what!?"

"However, what is running on the net right now is a battle between two sides which are both far above you and what you have access to: it is a program for information manipulation across the internet built by a once-every-few-generations-level genius using technology, both in type and level, unavailable to the normal societies of this space-time. The other side is a highest level MagiTech software developed by mages to defend their secrets and their society. It's regrettable, but…even with your skills, there is nothing that you can do with that computer notebook."

Chisame gritted her teeth at the robot. "W-who are you people!?"

Author's Note: Character Introduction: Gandolfini and Mitsuru Nijuuin

So, the tournament is coming to a close…only two epic battles remain. Secrets are being revealed and in danger of being revealed like crazy, and on the side we have a bunch of fearless students invading the enemy's lair. Goodness, I still wonder if the day is even half-finished, however….

We learned a bit about Alyssa's history, and then just had one battle. That makes this chapter slightly shorter than many of the recent ones, but that's probably better…and I like to finish things with chapters, especially in a tournament like this, so I don't want to start anything else (as in, another big fight) just for a few more pages.

This time, I'm kind of letting the action speak for itself. Much was put out in the open. The battle between 'Colonel Sanders' and Kaede Nagase at this point was similar, but I'm changing it mostly because my martial artist, Akari Heiro, is the one who advanced this far, and not my ninja, Kiami Tsukimori. The reason for this is largely just because…it was easier for me to do, way back in Act 2, and that's where this really comes from. My fighter/ninja pair is much closer here, and Kiami's unique personality just made it easier to put Akari in the forefront. Unfortunately, she can't fight Bond's magic with strange ninjutsu abilities, but her martial arts, I hope, more than made up for it.

I could introduce Allen 'Jynx' Black here, since he was finally named, but I'll leave him alone until the finale and instead mention these two semi-bumbling teachers. They'll be slightly important in the near future….

G andolfini is one of the chief teachers of Mahora, although he's a bit part player. He has no other names. I really don't have much to say about him, except what you see. Most of his parts, as it stands, I'm replacing with Meia, although he'll be important (briefly) at the start of Act 6. The other man, Mitsuru Nijuuin, is likewise mostly a nobody, a bumbling teacher who…well, he's not really bumbling, but all the teachers are helpless before the preparations our villainess(?) has made. As shown by his dialogue and his roly-poly figure, he is somewhat too fond of food….

Well, that pathetic excuse for an intro is all I have here. Let's keep going!