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 Eight: Party Formed

"So," Hinagiku murmured, "what's this all been about, anyway?"

The thirteen of them—Kain, Momo, Kagome, Kenjirô, Nodoka, Yue, Ami, Erika, Nanami, Kiami, Akari, Kazumi, and Hinagiku—all sat in embarrassed silence in the parlor of the spacious Sendô household, veritable mansion or old-time traditional Japanese castle. It was late, but their adrenaline kept them awake; meanwhile, Yukari had been carried by some Sendô servants back to her dormitory room, while Mai and Rei had been taken to separate rooms within the estate to recover. Servants came out and provided tea, but otherwise they were left alone, reflecting upon the chaos they had just experienced. Hinagiku's comment finally broke the silence.

"Well, what do you think?" Nanami retorted. "You were in the thick of it."

"Er, yes, well…mostly I was just carried along with the flow," she muttered in reply. "I still don't know what any of this was about—what Ayanami-san was doing with all of you, who that old man was or what he wanted with Kain-sensei, anything about this boy, what that monster was, what Tokiha-san did, or what the Sendô family has to do with any of this! Now that we're out of whatever that danger was, I'm rather curious to know what's been going on under my nose. You all seem rather more aware of at least some of the details here, which is definitely annoying." She glared around at the assembled faces.

Kain bowed to her in apology. "I'm truly sorry for getting you involved in this, Hinagiku. I didn't want any of this to trouble you…."

"Enough of that. I'd like to know what I'm getting involved in before you apologize. And depending on how you answer, you might have to apologize for keeping me out of it. If you're in trouble, you should have asked for my help before. That's what the Student Council is for, after all—aiding the school and all its members."

Ami giggled. "This is…a little more significant than the school…."

Hinagiku glared at her, but Kain said, "The truth, Hinagiku…and Yoshida-san…the truth is that I…am a mage. A member of the magical society that exists in secret in this world, that has existed since time immemorial. This school is actually controlled by mages, and I, after graduating from a magic university, was sent here to teach English on my road towards becoming an Archmage, a master magician…."

"Magic? Nonsense…there's no such thing as magic!" Hinagiku protested.

"You can really say that after everything you've seen?" Yue said with a mixture of admiration and scorn.

"W-well, it's just that…I've never believed in superstitions or unscientific ideas and terms. I've never seen them before, so what right do they have to go existing? I just can't believe in things that can't be explained with logic, no matter what I've seen."

"Even after seeing a ghost, Hinagiku-kaichô?" teased Momo.

Hinagiku glared at her. "How do you know about that…?"

Kain chuckled, interrupting her. "It's okay, Hinagiku. Magic can be explained with logic, as long as you've learned about it. It isn't some wondrous working of inexplicable miracles…it is a science, a science that simply makes use of an energy that is unknown to most of the world. Just like all sciences, it appears like a miracle to those who can't understand it and as a superstition to those who have only heard talk of it…like if you were to meet people from ancient times and tried to explain atomic science to them. That's all it is. If you study magic, it makes perfect sense."

Hinagiku considered this. "Very well," she said finally. "I suppose it would be foolish to continue to stubbornly deny magic after all I've seen tonight. Tell me, then, what any of this has to do with each other." As Kain began to start again, she held up a hand to forestall him and continued, "No, on second thought, let me calmly and logically work out what I can myself. There have been a few recent events since your arrival that suggest something was going on behind the scenes. First, the few days you and a few other students disappeared and only showed up just in time for the end of the year exams. The 'vampire' incident from the start of the year; at that time you saved Kazumi-san from something, even though she can't remember what, exactly, attacked her, and you were vague about the answer. Then there was all the chaos from the Kyoto trip. Strange things happened, including a plague of frogs, alcoholic fountains, and a kissing contest that involved six copies of you rushing about trying to seduce your students. And, come to think of it, you spent a particular amount of time with certain of your students, including a sudden and unannounced overnight visit to Higurashi-san's family with only a select group." She glanced around the room. "And those chosen few seem to all be assembled here. All of these incidents, and then tonight…are you involved in some kind of 'magical war', as your ermine suggested, Kain-sensei?"

"N-not exactly." He sighed. "Yes, all those events you mentioned were…caused because of magic, I guess. The Kyoto one was the most prevalent. You see, since this is a magical school, Kagome is…."

"She's the granddaughter of the principal; if this school is 'actually controlled by mages', then obviously the members of the school's governing body are all part of this 'magical realm', and all twelve families of the School's Governing Council are part of this magical circle: Higurashi, Sendô, Tôsaka, Klein, Saginomiya, Sôma, Tsukai, Potter, Dresden, Magart, Xing, and Kannagi. Am I correct?"

Erika sighed. "Yes, Hina, that's correct. All twelve of our families are…part of the magical realm, and we work to keep the magic a secret from our mundane students and faculty."

"I see…." She looked up at Kain. "So why were you sent here to teach English if you're in training to become a better mage?" she asked.

"I really don't know, to be honest. People keep asking, but it's a mystery to me as well. Well…actually, it's something I'm slowly realizing. My goal is to find my missing father…and this school actually has many connections to him that I'm slowly discovering.

"But going back to your main question of…well, broadly, what's going on? I guess it really starts back in Kyoto." Kain went on to explain about Kagome's non-magical history, the attempted kidnapping, and the other parts of their Kyoto adventure. He further explained the suspicion of the Obsidian Star's involvement, his father's history with them, and the identity of the old gentleman, Graf von Herrmann, as a demon.

Hinagiku stared as she listened. "That's…a lot to take in." She shook her head.

"We understand just how rough it is; after all, out of this entire group, only Kain-sensei, Momo-chan, Erika-chan, Kenjirô-san and Kamo-kun knew anything about magic," Nanami put in with a smirk.

"Not helping, Jinnai-san!" Momo hissed.

Hinagiku blinked and looked around. "None of you knew anything until recently…? How recently…?"

"Since Kain-sensei arrived," Ami responded. "They were…accidents, mostly…."

"Mostly trouble just involves us because we're around Kain-sensei," Kiami put in. "Just like you. He's been careless with his magic a few times, but it seems odd that so many of us are finding out, and his precious superiors in the school don't seem to have noticed anything…or at least don't seem to have complained to him about it. But like all the contracts he's made, these discoveries we've made have been the strangest of flukes and necessities."

Hinagiku picked up far too much from this comment. "All the contracts?" she said slowly. "Who else has a contract with Kain-sensei?"

With some reluctance and embarrassment, Nodoka, Momo and Kagome each held up their cards, and Kagome added, "And Mai, of course—she was first. And now you've made one too, Hinagiku-san?"

Hinagiku sat silently for several seconds, digesting this. Then she sighed. "Well, let's not worry any more about this at the moment." She turned to the silent Kazumi. "What about you, Kazumi-san? How did you get involved in this…?"

"Eh? W-well, Kain-sensei and I were at the museum, and…that old man suddenly appeared and came to us, and told Kain-sensei that he'd taken our classmates hostage…and he showed us a picture of Yukari-chan, captured…."

"Wait a minute…wasn't Hirai-san there with you at the museum?"

Kazumi flushed deeply. "N-no, because…they had to take care of Kenjirô-kun…."

"Not that I needed it," Kenjirô put in. "Well, allow me to introduce myself. I am Hanatabi Kenjirô, a half-demon. I met Kain and some of the girls here in Kyoto." He went on to explain his own actions at Kyoto, his eventual surrender and incarceration, and how he had been released along with Wilhelm but had refused to cooperate and had been injured attempting to flee to warn Kain. He concluded by explaining how Yukari and Matake insisted Kazumi go alone to meet with Kain, and saying, "I don't really understand why they were so worried about staying to watch me."

"I can guess," Hinagiku muttered darkly. "So what happened then?" she asked Kazumi.

Kazumi continued her halting narrative, explaining how Kamo had started talking, Kain transported them back to her room, then he and Kenjirô, after recognizing one another, had taken off to go rescue the hostages. Despite their admonitions to not get involved, she had followed after them, and, despite not being very fit or athletic, had finally come upon their battle some minutes before its conclusion.

Hinagiku nodded. "Well…that explains most things…except about Ayanami-san. How did she become involved in this, anyway?"

"Ayanami Rei is a faithful member of our household," declared a new voice, and Iori entered. "I must apologize for her behavior…."

"Sendô-senpai…does that mean she was acting on your orders?" Hinagiku demanded accusingly.

"No, not mine…our mother's. It's a long story, as well, and I'm sure you've heard enough of them…."

"This is one I'd like to hear," the seemingly sulking Erika said, suddenly coming to life and glaring at her brother. "Even I knew nothing about Ayanami-san before tonight. How long has she been mother's Servant?"

Iori smiled. "Long before you were born, Erika. Long before I was born, in fact. Three hundred years, if Mother told me the truth. She's her first and most precious Servant."

"T-three hundred years?" Hinagiku sputtered. "How is that possible? Who is she…?"

"I should tell you this, Hina," Erika said wearily. "The Sendô family…is a family of vampires. Blood-drinking immortal near-humans. My mother is many centuries old. When we share our blood with a mortal, it transforms them into our Servant, and grants them immortality similar to our own. Even though she looks like she's our age, she's older than anyone here." She glanced briefly at Momo, considering, but decided the comment held true even with the exceptional company.

"You just said you knew nothing about her?" Kain queried.

"Yes," Erika said. "Mother…hasn't shown me all her secrets, of course. But I didn't think she had such a powerful, precious Servant that she'd hidden even from me."

"Why is she in our school if she's several centuries old?" Hinagiku demanded. "Is this some sort of a joke, a mockery of Japanese education…?"

"It's almost certainly to keep an eye on me," Erika replied. "Mother and I have…differences of opinion, and I'm on a leash at the school, you could say." She shook her head. "I have no idea why she was aiding that demon…."

"Because Mother commanded it, of course," Iori replied. He blanched, half-smiled and held his hands up protectively as they all turned to stare accusingly at him. "I had nothing to do with it, I assure you. I wasn't even aware anything was going on until shortly before I arrived to pick you up. Had I known, I would have interfered in any way I could have, and Kaya-chan knows that quite well. Erika isn't the only one with 'differences of opinion'. But Rei-chan is a true Servant of the Sendô family…that is why she risked her life to protect you at the end there, Erika."

Erika looked away, somewhat ashamed at the memory. "I…I understand."

"Why did Sendô-sama want Ayanami-san helping Graf von Herrmann?" Kain asked, returning to the topic at hand.

Iori was silent. Erika finally said, "Probably…to teach me a lesson…and to observe Kain-sensei. She's interested in him herself, just like the gentleman demon was. After all, he is the famous son of the hero who saved the magical world…."

"That doesn't explain everything," Yue commented. "Kain-sensei is amazing, but I get the feeling that Sendô-san's interest is…more significant than that."

Erika was still silent. Iori was about to say something, but Erika finally burst out, "It's all right, Nii-sama. It's time everyone knows the truth. Mother is a Sendô vampire who has sworn allegiance with the mages, but she still believes in the superiority of vampires, and she is concerned mostly about them. She's determined that I make a Servant of my own. She probably thinks Kain-sensei would be a worthy candidate. Having a powerful mage for a Servant would make me a very powerful vampire indeed."

The interest of the group intensified at this comment. Erika clenched her hands tightly as she held them in her lap, gripping her robe. "Mother kept me secluded for many years, as vampire children don't know how to control their bloodlust. She still kept me inside the estate here even after I matured, since she feels that I wasn't ready for the 'hostile outside world of humans'. But I knew I wanted to see the world outside, and we argued. She was determined I take the necessary steps to protect myself, as a vampire, and I wanted nothing to do with it…I wanted to try living with humans and experiencing something like a normal life. She finally made a deal with me: she would allow me to attend the school here, provided I keep looking for a Servant. I have to make a Servant before I graduate high school, or…I'll be confined here in the Sendô estate again, at her whim, until she decides otherwise. I-I agreed, even though I have no intention of making a Servant. I keep hoping…she'll have a change of heart if she sees how much good I can do as a normal student…living with humans…."

Hinagiku seemed angrier than ever now. "And…she had Ayanami-san kidnap all of you…to what? Prove a point? As a leader of this school, she should hardly be endangering its students, regardless of the reason! What was she really thinking!?"

"You'd have to ask her that personally, I think," Iori chuckled. "Even I have trouble figuring out what she's thinking most of the time."

"Very well then. I will."

Iori blinked in surprise. "What? You mean…."

"I know that Sendô Kaya-san is famous for her reclusiveness, and now I can understand why…but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore what she's done…what she made Ayanami-san do. I want to hear her excuses from her own lips."

Kain nodded. "I want to talk to her, too. After all, this does involve me."

Iori smiled. "Very well. I shall go inform her. And I shall preemptively bring you three to meet her. Kain-kun, Hinagiku-chan, Erika…if you will follow me."

"W-we want to go too!" Nodoka burst out.

"That's right," Yue said. "We became involved, too, and we promised to support Kain-sensei."

"And I might have a chance to get a real interview with a vampire," Nanami mused. "You can't pass up a money-making idea like that…."

Iori waved them all down. "I'm afraid Kaya-chan's patience won't support the entire lot of you. Please, wait here. I doubt she'll see anyone but these three."

Complaining, the ambitious girls returned to their seats. Hinagiku, Erika, and Kain followed Iori through the parlor's back door into the mysterious estate's halls….

They walked in silence and sat waiting in silence in the room where Iori left them, stating he would bring their petition to Kaya. Finally Erika could stand it no longer, and asked, "Well, Hina, aren't you going to say something?"

"Hmm? What?" Hinagiku demanded.

"About…about what I am…."

"Oh, you mean, you're a vampire? I haven't really given it much thought. Being a vampire doesn't change the fact that you are Sendô Erika, my reliable and extraordinary fukukaichô who has been so helpful to me in my work." She thought for a minute. "If I think about it, I guess I am a bit surprised, though. Aren't you supposed to sparkle or something in the sunlight?"

"That's only fake vampires from Twi*****!"

"Oh, sorry. Do you really drink blood?"

"Yes…I can't stand the taste, but if I don't drink blood…well, it's like an addiction, and if we're deprived of blood our bloodlust takes over and we go on a rampage, seeking it out. I drink blood packets the family acquires from blood donations…."

Hinagiku nodded. "That's sensible. See? Why should I be upset?"

Erika smiled, almost moved to tears. "Thank you, Hina…."

Iori returned at that moment. "You are…in luck, I suppose. Kaya-chan will see you now."

The three walked slowly into the room and kneeled at the indicated locations. They looked up, and Hinagiku and Kain gasped. The girl before them didn't look old enough to be Erika's older sister, let alone her mother, yet there she was, nearly identical to their classmate. She had the same golden hair, dressed in an exquisite red kimono, but possessed blood-red eyes.

"Erika…thank you for returning. And now the esteemed Kain-sensei and the Girl's Middle School Kaichô wish to see me. What can I do for you?"

The dark aura—not exactly an evil aura, but an intense aura of near-malice—radiated tangibly from her, at least tangible to Kain, and he blanched. His hesitation was really only slight, but Hinagiku, whether through ignorance or astounding mental fortitude, forged ahead first, "I demand to know why you sent your servant Ayanami Rei to attack her fellow students. What are you thinking, as a member of the Governing Council, endangering the lives of these students?"

Kaya smiled. "How refreshingly blunt. Allow me to be the same. Why should I care about the fate of a few snot-nosed little girls who are getting involved in things that shouldn't concern them? Why should I worry about ordinary humans? And, most of all, why shouldn't I decide what goes on in my school?"

Hinagiku blanched at her directness, and Kain took his turn. "Your school? What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. Why do you think this school, steeped in magic and ruled by mages, is an ordinary school, a school for ordinary humans? Kain, of course, graduated from Caelar University—a school that is specifically for mages, a school that is a blank in the regular world. Why isn't Mahora Academy mage-only? The answer is simple—because I never wanted mages here in the first place.

"Do you know about the vampire-mage wars? About ninety years ago the vampires had grown tired of living in the shadows of man's society and decided to use their superior powers to rule the world and improve it for their sakes. The mages, of course, went to war against them in order to preserve the secret of magic and the order and harmony of the world. I was intelligent enough to side with the mages. The weakest vampire is far stronger than the weakest mage, but the champions of both are near equals, and the mages had much greater numbers. I knew the vampires didn't have a chance of really pulling off victory. So I declared allegiance to the mages.

"After the war was over and the mages, predictably, won, wiping out some of the oldest and grandest vampire families, some of their more paranoid representatives took exception to my continued existence and demanded I at least be watched, so they confiscated my school that I had built up years previously.

"I didn't design it as a source of education, but as a feeding ground…to give me and my family free access to all the blood we could want, and, furthermore, the nice, enjoyable blood of vibrant young teenagers, some of the best in both taste and nutrition. Alas, the mages taking the academy from me prevented me from using it so freely, but it is still a fine hunting ground. Why else do you think I let my precious daughter attend this school?"

The teenagers stared at her in shock, and she continued, "Just because I am an 'ally' of the mages doesn't mean I get along with them perfectly, of course. Vampires can't rely on anyone but themselves…all normal humans, including mages, are our enemies, and while they tolerate us right now, eventually they will find excuse to try and destroy us. The only defense I have is to make my family strong enough that I can dissuade them from starting anything for fear of the losses they'll sustain. Because of that, I keep an eye out for dangers and advantages, and I realized before anyone else here that Graf Wilhelm Josef von Herrmann had been released and that his target was Kain Lockeheart. I decided to take advantage of him for several reasons.

"Poor, deluded Erika still thinks she can survive as a human by denying her vampire heritage. I hope the graf and Rei taught you how weak you are when you soften your heart enough to rely on others. You waste your energy and your time as long as you play around with those little girls. You have several candidates…why don't you make a Servant already…? Or do you want to return here after graduating and live out your days in a depressing, lifeless box…?"

Hinagiku dashed to her feet and slapped the childlike matriarch. "How dare you!" she seethed. "Erika tries her hardest as the fukukaichô of the Girls' Middle School! She gives her all to support her fellow students and create a happy, fulfilling school life for them, but you consider it a deluded joke that makes her soft and weak!? How can a parent tread on her own child's happiness?"

Kaya looked up at Hinagiku, smiling evilly. "How bold your kaichô is, Erika. She's certainly worthy as well. Why don't you make her a Servant? She'd be more than satisfactory."

Hinagiku blanched and stepped back. "W-what?"

"Children never understand how parents seek to aid their happiness," Kaya continued scornfully. "Like your own parents, Hinagiku-chan…do you even suppose why they left you with an 80 million yen debt? Why they abandoned you so? Were they simply rotten, or did they have a purpose?" She sneered as Hinagiku recoiled at the terrible memory now assaulting her. "Be careful with your words, Hinagiku-chan, when you have weaknesses of your own…."

"Enough," Kain said quietly, drawing the vampire's attention. "What do you really intend? Was this whole thing a game to you? This battle you involved my students in?"

Kaya turned her smile to him. "A game? No. An experiment, rather. An interesting one. You are still the most worthy to be Erika's Servant, if you're truly willing to help her. You proved it against that foolish mazoku.

"Yes, I sent Rei to restrict your little girls so you would be forced to battle Wilhelm with your own power, in order to grow…or die. I have great plans for you, but you need to be worthy of those plans. So? What will you do with this knowledge? Are you going to enact righteous vengeance against me?"

Kain stared at her impassively. "Regardless of the situation, it is now past. You may have acted against us, but you still could have arranged for us to be killed in that battle at any time. Vengeance? It is not mine to enact, especially against someone like you. Still, Erika-san's future is another matter. I won't let you restrict her freedom like that simply because she refuses to enslave anyone. I will prove to you that she can live a fine and safe life as a normal girl, with or without a Servant. I will free her from your control and force you to acknowledge her."

Hinagiku and Erika stared at Kain in shock as Kaya's smile widened. "Oh? What a bold statement. How do you intend to prevent me from taking back what belongs to me? Will you try and fight me for her? How noble…."

"If I have to, I will fight you, but personally I hope it doesn't come down to violence. I don't believe it should. But Erika-san is one of my faithful companions, and she has been accepted by everyone in our little party. I just ask that you consider that, and have faith. Trust me…and trust your daughter. I believe that we can coexist with vampires, as friends—and I believe that Erika, and all of us, will prove that. If we can prove that Erika has a true place among us before she graduates, will you withdraw your terms?"

Kaya's smile actually faded a few moments before returning, this time more subdued and wondering. "You certainly do have a way with words, you interesting boy. You really are very much like your father. Very well…I will at least consider your absurd request. Don't expect me to change my tune so easily, but you don't harm me at all by trying, so you may carry on…until she graduates from high school. Now, go. I am done trying to teach infants."

Erika and Kain rose, and Hinagiku desperately joined them in bowing before they departed.

"Well done," murmured Iori as he left with them. "Not many have ever gotten away with doing and saying those kinds of things to her. You must have really impressed her."

Kain shrugged. "I hope so. Our happiness depends on it…."

As late as it was, the Sendô family prepared rooms for the group to stay the night. After bathing, the tired group retired to bed.

Some, however, found sleep a harder prey to catch.

Hinagiku sat on the porch overlooking the Sendôs' garden. Her head and heart were both heavy with the incredible revelations of the day. Everything that had happened. All of it….

"Hinagiku…good evening."

Hinagiku turned in surprise. "Kain-sensei, good evening…."

"You can't sleep either?" Kain questioned. He silently gestured another question, and Hinagiku waved for him to sit.

"There's no chance for me to sleep after everything's that happened today," she sighed after Kain had seated himself. "And even after everything you've told me, I still have questions. I feel like I don't understand anything any more, and I don't like the feeling…."

Kain smiled wryly. "And you wonder why we never told you about this realm before…."

"W-what was that?! Are you trying to suggest I'm incapable of understanding your magic?!"

"Easy, Hinagiku, easy," Kain soothed her. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to belittle you, or anything. I'm just…." His smile dropped and he lowered his eyes. "I just…I don't know. I'm not supposed to be revealing magic to anyone from 'outside', as they like to call it, and yet everyone seems to be finding out. But more than that…it seems that trouble is following me so closely, and those who shouldn't be getting involved…who should be safe because they don't know anything…are ending up in so much danger…."

"O-oh…I see…." This was truly disquieting to Hinagiku—since his arrival, Kain had always seemed level-headed, calm, confident, and sure, but with this sudden revelation he had shown a vulnerability she hadn't expected. He was so mature and reliable as a teacher, it was difficult to remember that he was a still a teenager, the same age as the rest of them…but that thought did remind her of something else she'd been thinking about recently….

"Tell me…Kain-sensei…what…was your childhood like?"

"Eh?" Kain turned to her in surprise. "My…childhood…?"

"I-it's just a question," Hinagiku said, flushing. "I mean, what was it like...knowing about magic…being the son of someone famous…graduating from the university at a young age…?"

"Oh…well…." Kain considered the question. It wasn't a completely innocent question…obviously Hinagiku was fishing for something, but he wasn't sure what. Still, considering what she'd been through, if she wanted something more from him, he owed her what he could give. "What, exactly, do you want to know?" he finally asked. "I could talk for a long time about my youth…."

"Ah, w-well…I'd heard…that you never knew your parents…."

('"Onee-chan…where did Mama and Papa go?"')

She pushed the memory away and pressed on, "It just seems…you've had so many experiences, and I wonder how they've brought you to here…."

('No parents, eh….') "That's right. My father…was Kalan Lockeheart, who is known in the magic society as the Grand Archmage. He saved the magical world, Arcanus Myrror, from total destruction nearly twenty years ago. However, roughly fifteen years ago, about when I was born, he vanished, and no one has heard from him since. As for my mother…I never knew her, and no one could ever tell me who she was. I was raised by my father's uncle, as well as a woman who called herself my aunt, but…by the time she was gone, I was still too young to really know anything about her, even though she raised me like my mother. Uncle Harold refuses to say anything about either of them….

"I grew up hearing stories of my father's magnificence, and with the determination to meet him again. To be like him, to emulate him, to follow the path he followed and become a great hero. That is my only goal in life…and that is why I've worked so hard, studied so hard, how I was able to join the world of 'adults' when I was still a child…."

"Wait," Hinagiku interjected, "you said 'again'? It sounds as if you've already met your father…."

"That's right…I did." Kain gripped his cloak. "This cloak I always wear…is his. It's a memento from him, something he gave me. He's been missing for fifteen years, so everyone thinks he's dead, but I met him ten years ago, when he saved my life, the day my village was destroyed…."

"Destroyed…and that's when you moved…."

"Eh? You seem…very well-informed about my youth, Hinagiku…."

"N-no, i-it's nothing like that, I-I just…I just asked Miki about you once, and she read your biography to me…."

Kain stared at her and then began to laugh. "After teaching Hanabishi-san all this time, I think I actually understand exactly what you said and what must have happened. Yes…after that incident, I moved to my current hometown, where Uncle Harold finished raising me. I entered the magical university with my friend Lina when I was 10, and I finally graduated earlier this year, right before I came here to Mahora Academy."

Hinagiku had been thinking about something else. "I was involved in my own fight at the time, but I remember that the old man said something to you and you…went off. You also asked him, right before that monster attacked, who had hired him to destroy your village…."

"Yes…he revealed to me that he was responsible for it. He had also mentioned that he was acting as a mercenary, now, and, apparently, then…."

He turned and looked up at her. "May I ask why you are so interested, Hinagiku? Why you want to know about my past?"

Hinagiku looked away. She was silent for a few moments, then finally voiced the sentiments that had dominated her thoughts for the last few days. "Did you…ever blame your parents for…abandoning you, Kain-sensei? Did you ever think…that there was a reason…you didn't have them around?"

Kain blinked in surprise. "What…?"

"My real name isn't Katsura. That's the name of my foster parents. My real parents abandoned my family when I was…well, about five years old, the same age as you when your village was destroyed. They left Onee-chan and me with an 80 million yen debt and just disappeared. Onee-chan worked like a devil to pay off the debt and keep us alive. Eventually, we were adopted by her old kindergarten teacher.

"I've thought about it, but…don't you think there was a reason…? Some unavoidable reason why they couldn't take us with them?"

('So that's it…yes, our situations are similar, in a way….') "Hinagiku…do you love your foster parents?"

"Of course I love them! I love them very much! Very much, but…I loved…my real mother, too…."

Kain thought for a long moment. "I can't speak for your parents…I never knew them and what they are…but I think that all parents care more for their children than nearly anything else in the world. Tell me, Hinagiku…do you think perhaps that you are the reason they had to leave?"

"W-what?"

"I'm not accusing you. I'm just wondering if there's any portion of you that had that fear, that doubt in your heart. It's common in children with broken pasts; I should know. Perhaps you were stronger than that…after all, you probably knew that the 80 million yen debt seemed to be their real reason for leaving…."

"K-Kain-sensei…you…."

"Like you asked me in order to settle your own worries on your situation, I did the same here….

"I spent my early years listening to tales of my father. I wanted to meet him…so badly…. I heard that he was a hero who would save those in need, so when I was young I did…terribly reckless and stupid things, endangering myself, hoping that my father would come to rescue me. I always held that wish in my heart….

"And in the end…that wish was granted. My village was destroyed, but afterwards, I got to see my father…he came back and saved me. Me, and my uncle…just the two of us out of the whole village.

"I know it's foolish…I know it's stupid…but ever since that day I've been carrying the weight of this terrible curse. I feel as if my foolish wish was the reason for it…that I caused the destruction of my village and the loss of all those people through my stupid, childish dream…."

"No, Kain-sensei, that can't be true! It couldn't have been anything like that…."

"I know…I know…and perhaps now I'm finally ready to realize that. However…it still may have been my fault…or because of me. Someone summoned Wilhelm von Herrmann and all those other demons, summoned them specifically to attack my village. Why? What in that village could possibly catch the eye of someone strong enough to destroy it so utterly? Was there anything…besides the son of the renowned hero?

"Was it a member of the Obsidian Star, after revenge on my father? Or something else? I don't know…but I can't shake that fear from my heart. Everywhere I go, it seems I'm destined to bring trouble and remorse to those around me…first my village…and now, even this normally-peaceful school has been wracked with troubles since my arrival…."

Hinagiku stared at Kain in shock. Kain turned to her and smiled. "Some fears seem insurmountable, don't they? I'm sorry…I suppose you didn't need that trouble added to your own fears." He stood up. "Come here, Hinagiku…I'd like to show you something."

Tentatively, she rose and approached him. "What are you…?"

In response he reached out and put an arm around her waist. The next instant the world around her shifted, and they were suddenly in….

"This…this is our Student Council room?" Hinagiku stumbled and Kain steadied her. She managed to recover from the sudden change in her reality surprisingly quickly, but then, she was Hinagiku.

"Why are we here?" she finally managed.

With her steady on her feet, Kain let go of her waist, shifting his grip to her shoulder and hand. "This way, please." He started walking towards the balcony.

"Huh?" Eh?! Ah! No! Not onto the terrace! I can't…."

"Don't worry, don't worry…."

"N-no! You know I don't like high places!"

"I will hold you tight. Open your eyes."

Hesitantly, Hinagiku did so.

And what she saw took her breath away, and not in the way she expected. The buildings of Mahora and the surrounding city spread out before her, lit by the occasional lamps and streetlights. The moon shone above them, bright and full, and the stars twinkled in the sky. It was a surreal scene, and one she had never before observed.

"…How incredible."

"This is the view that you showed me the first time we met," Kain explained. "You've been worrying about the reason your parents left. I've been worrying about the reason trouble might be following me. There might have been reasons…perhaps there might not have been. From someone else's viewpoint, we both might look unfortunate, or that our hearts are permanently scarred. But the place we find ourselves in here and now isn't so bad, is it? We can dwell on our past, on the things we can't change…or we can always look in front of us, and appreciate what we have."

Hinagiku looked up at him before turning back to the marvelous panorama before her eyes. ('Ah…I see…I finally understand. I am…in love with him. But when I start to love someone…I somehow feel that person is going to disappear. And that feeling scares me….')

"I'm…such a fool…" she muttered.

"Hmm?"

"It's just like this view. It was right there next to me, but I couldn't see it, because I was afraid."

"Are you still afraid?" Kain asked.

"I'm still afraid," Hinagiku confirmed, turning to smile at him. "But it doesn't feel so bad."

"It seems you've taken care of our escaped criminal, Kain-kun…."

Kain shook his head. "No. I managed to defeat him, with Kenjirô-kun's help, but he sacrificed himself to save us."

Kensuke nodded. "Hmm. Yes, he had a great barrier set up that concealed him from us…it was only shattered after the beast was summoned, however. You never caught the one who summoned it?"

Kain shook his head again. "I'm afraid not. He probably fled after Mai…after her spirit defeated it. We can guess the Obsidian Star was responsible, but that's all."

"Yes…and you don't have any other information? Even with Wilhelm von Herrmann's power, it seems odd he was able to shield himself from all our magical senses without outside aid…."

"I'm afraid not. Although, with everything else they've done, it wouldn't surprise me that the Obsidian Star was helping him with that, too."

He wasn't about to mention Rei Ayanami's involvement in the situation. Nor did he feel this was the time to make life difficult for the school's Magic Council by implicating the Sendô family. Kaya Sendô's personal vendetta had now become a battle of honor between him—and his related students—and her, and he had the same 'this is personal' pride about it as he'd had with Alyssa. And, in this case, perhaps much more reasonably.

Kensuke nodded. "In any case, it seems you've survived another little crisis. It's seemingly becoming your habit. Your skills and abilities have grown tremendously, Kain-kun."

"Thank you, Principal. Now, about Kenjirô-kun…."

"Hoho! Don't worry; we're fully aware of how he helped you in this latest little trouble. His situation is well in hand…."

Mai met him as he left the Principal's building. "Are you all right, Mai?" he asked. He had left early Sunday morning to report to the school's chief, and this was the first time he'd seen her since the chaos of last night.

"Yes, I'm fine. I…don't remember hardly anything that happened last night after that monster appeared, but otherwise I'm okay. What about you? You pushed yourself real hard last night…."

"You don't need to worry about me. That wasn't worse than anything else I've faced recently." He considered her carefully.

"W-what? I've told you, I'm fine…!"

"Right. That's good. So, what's up?"

"What do you mean, what's up…?"

"You have that thoughtful look on your face. You always get it when you need to talk about something."

"W-what? Hmm…do I…?"

"Of course. Well?"

"Alyssa-chan wanted us to come to her place. Urgently. Apparently she's aware of what happened last night—I guess that's no surprise—and she wants to see us."

"Okay. How many of us is she gathering this time?"

'This time' was everyone previously…and, of course, Hinagiku and Kazumi.

"Were you watching last night, Alyssa?" he demanded. "We really could have used your help if you were…."

Alyssa smiled mischievously. "It's not a master's place to be involved in her pupil's fights," she teased. "Besides, you all handled it just fine. And you've delightfully recruited two new members. Well, let's celebrate with some extra training, shall we? Come."

"What's this about?" Hinagiku hissed to Kain, with Kazumi working hardest to follow them. "What's with Alyssa-chan?"

"Well, actually, she's a demon just like Wilhelm, and…."

He gave her the Cliff's Notes version of how he had come to be her pupil. "I see," she muttered. "I suppose this is…useful…tell me, Kain-sensei, do any of our other classmates have strange secrets like this?"

"None to my knowledge…."

"Well, whatever Alyssa-chan is going to show us, I suppose it can't be any worse than what happened last night…."

"Ah…actually, for you, it might not be true…."

"What the hell is this?!"

Hinagiku sat shivering on the ground in the exact center of the entrance pillar. The impossibly high entranceway had paralyzed her…and, of course, much worse was the fact that a good portion of her class now bore witness to this completely uncool side of her.

"Ah, that's right…" Erika murmured. "She absolutely can't stand heights…."

"You'll have to face it, Hinagiku," Kain told her. "You can do it."

"No! Absolutely not! Just send me back, right now! Whatever is happening here, I don't need to be a part of it! Just get me out of this ship-in-a-bottle or whatever it is…."

"Hinagiku-san…" Kazumi murmured. She was astonished and tentative about the height herself, but only Hinagiku was a true acrophobe.

"You can't leave," Alyssa informed her evilly. "Once you come in, you can't leave for twenty-four hours. Well, it will only be an hour outside, but if you don't want to cross the bridge to my nice villa, you'll just have to stay there for a whole day…."

"W-what? Here? N-no, I can't…!"

Kain could think of several solutions, especially more teleportation magic—he could even just use her card to do it effortlessly—but decided that it was best to help her overcome her problems herself. He went to her and proffered a hand. "Come, Hinagiku. I won't let you fall. Just close your eyes and let me guide you, and you'll be fine. It's better than staying there all by yourself isn't it?"

Hinagiku still hesitated, and Kain continued, "Surely the great kaichô of Mahora's middle school girls can manage at least this much…?"

Hinagiku blushed, scowled, and, still trembling, took Kain's hand and slowly rose. Her eyes closed, she let him walk her across the bridge spanning the impossible canyon. When they were safely on the other side, he finally told her, "You can open your eyes now."

Alyssa surveyed the group once they were all herded across and gathered. "Well now," she said. "It seems your beloved Kain-sensei's 'party' has grown by two more members. Congratulations. It really does seem like the whole class will be part of us by summer vacation. "

As Kain flushed, Erika whispered to Hinagiku, "She does this all the time. She supports us because it makes Kain-sensei nervous and ill-at-ease."

"It seems cruel of her," Hinagiku whispered back.

"She is a demon, after all…."

"I hear our two new members have heard most of what the magical realm is about, so I'll cut straight to the chase and tell you what we are about. This group consists of those who have, mostly, dedicated themselves to Kain-sensei's dream of becoming a hero of the magical realm and finding his long-lost father, Kalan Lockeheart. Now, all of you have experienced first hand just how dangerous this endeavor can be…just how terrible. It's still not too late to back out if any of you have second thoughts. So? What is your decision? Does anyone want to quit while they're ahead, or do all of you want to see this through with our beloved teacher?"

Some of the group exchanged glances, but for the most part their faces were dominated by wry and knowing smiles. Even Kazumi seemed determined about this. Alyssa smiled evilly at them. "You're all amazingly stupid, you know…but your determination is admirable. I've just been hosting these little school exercises out of boredom, but you've all won a measure of respect from me. I hereby give my blessing to this little gathering, for whatever it's worth. Your 'adventuring party' is formed."

The group cheered, and even the more reserved members seemed to join in. Kain, still flushed with embarrassment, basked in the glow of their enthusiasm. There were still many troubles, many unanswered questions, many worries, and he still felt guilty over so many of his students being involved in this danger on his account…but now he was finally ready to accept them. If this was his reason for being here at this school, than it was a good one.

He would accept all of them, completely, for as long as they would support him….

Author's Note: Character Introduction: Rei Ayanami

And so concludes Act 3. Kain has vanquished a new foe, gained some new allies and advanced one more step towards the secret of his lost father.

A new major player has taken center stage and prepares to make things more interesting.

Contracts have been formed and feelings have been realized. Several more have to sort through their own sentiments, but this is definitely a major turning point.

This chapter was a change from the Negima path I've been following almost rigidly throughout Act 3. The Sendô family's standing has finally been revealed, Hinagiku and Kazumi have been introduced to the magic circle, preparing them for major places in Act 4. Hinagiku's conversation with Kain was adapted from the conversation she had with Hayate at the end of her birthday. In that story, Hayate's 150 million and Hinagiku's 80 million were about the only thing separating the eerily-similar history of the two. Here, there is some difference, although certain points will tie in later (no more spoilers than that). Still, the fact that both were without their biological parents most (or all) of their lives and were seemingly abandoned does connect them, and it was useful to make that connection visible.

Of course, now Hinagiku has to worry about how she feels about this awakening of her feelings with Kazumi present…and now that Kazumi can get a little closer to Kain, being introduced to his world, she'll have to deal with the consequences of that….

And if you're wondering about her two roommates, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about them, or Kenjirô.

And, of course, Mai. Kagutsuchi finally made his appearance. A bit of Mai's true power…and shall we say a bit of 'True Mai'?...has been shown. Act 4 and beyond will go into some of that, too….

Anyway, we now begin one of the most exciting parts. The Mahora Academy School Festival. How will this shape up?

Well, first of all, let's get Rei Ayanami out of the way. I shouldn't say it like that. Putting her into this story was one of the most enjoyable character shifts I've done so far. As one of the Twelve, I had to have her in here, and she's even of the appropriate age, but what to do with her….

Obviously, I couldn't leave her with her Eva history. I shouldn't have to explain any more about that. For what few may not know or remember, she is a clone, and that's all I will say about her past. But where could I put her? I already had a character to take the place of the silent and mysterious Zazie, and there wasn't much other call for a silent, expressionless, seemingly robotic character. After all, we already had two—the real robot, and then the aforementioned Zazie replacement. What could I do with her?

Ah, well, I had already decided that, while Miyu was a perfect replacement for Chachamaru, it just didn't work to have Miyu emulate Chachamaru in falling in love with the teacher and gaining emotions she can't understand or cope with over this. While it's a great plot device and story thread to pursue, it…just doesn't work with Miyu. She's not that type of character. Her devotion to Alyssa is the only strong emotion she truly needs to show. Respect and admiration for her classmates will also develop, and that's cool, too. But developing feelings for her teacher? No, for her, that's just wrong.

So I decided Rei could take up that role—the robotic servant, even if she isn't really a robot, who starts as an (ordered) adversary and, after the conflict is resolved, is struck by the hero's concern over her well-being and her continued interaction with him (this part of it won't really come out until Act 4 and beyond, of course—here she's just been introduced).

Well, that decision would give her a place in the story. But what about the girl herself? Who exactly is she in MSK?

And then I was saved by Fortune Arterial. Erika's story and family came with few changes, but there was one character revealed in that work that I didn't care to bring in, and that was Kiriha Kuze—a Servant of Kaya Sendô who had her memory erased and was left to play 'tag' with Kaya by trying to remember her and find her. A very cruel, evil little game….

In any case, Rei would make a great Servant for Kaya, one who was her most faithful follower, one with a robotic devotion and work ethic. So, here is Rei's history (very condensed) in this universe….

Rei Ayanami is actually of the Tôgi clan, but part of another branch. The exact details of her (and Kaya's) situation will not be revealed here, but, to be brief, she devoted herself to her friend's side, and, shortly after Kaya became a vampire, Rei became her Servant, and both stopped aging.

As her most precious Servant, Kaya usually jealously guards Rei and keeps her out of sight of most of the rest of her family and clan; in fact, even Iori has only seen her rarely. When her precious daughter decided to go off to school, Kaya had Rei join the school as well to keep an eye on Erika.

Making a Servant truly enslaves the human to the vampire, and it breaks his or her will down when the feat is accomplished—the more blood is given by the vampire, who feeds it to the human to make him or her a Servant, the more will is lost. Rei's intake was not extreme, but after centuries of living as Kaya's Servant, and being treated with ever-increasing care since Kaya's descent into paranoid reclusion in the last century or so, Rei has lost nearly all her emotions. Lost things, of course, can be found, but Rei does not suspect or desire this. She simply follows orders, as she is commanded. Now that her secret has been revealed to our party, her situation will change somewhat….

Roles will reverse with Rei (and others…) in Act 4, and Rei will have an opportunity to join the party as well. Get ready for it….