A/N: 1. Once again, thank you for the support.
2. I realised recently that there's something that I have no way of informing you about in-story, so I'll just tell you here. MSA!Chao has bigger blush stickers than canon!Chao. There is a reason for this due to events that result from Negi becoming a fortune teller and you'll see hints about them n future chapters, but it'll be a while before I actually state what the reason is.
3. I spent last week incredibly sleep deprived due to marking and trying to meet a deadline at the same time, so I didn't get any writing done. As such, Chapter 21 isn't done yet. Add to that the fact that next arc requires a lot of time making sure that I don't make any mistakes and I'm afraid that this fic is going to slow down a bit. Sorry about that.
"Wow..." remarked Konoka as she stepped up to the door leading out of Eva's cabin. "It's raining pretty heavily."
"Ugh!" complained Chisame. "With only one umbrella, we have a choice between taking ages for us all to get back or getting completely soaked."
"Well, then let's hurry!" Konoka suggested. They all rushed back to the dorms, arriving at their destination sopping wet.
"Well, that helped." Chisame snarked.
"Most of us could do with a bath anyway." shrugged Yue. "We'll feel better after having one."
"You have a point." conceded Chisame.
"I think that I'll just have a shower." Konoka said with a shrug. "I'd like to get back to my room."
"Yeah, I'll do the same." Asuna added.
"I also need to return to my room for the moment." said Setsuna. The others shrugged and headed off to get ready for their bath.
/
Kotaro had gotten up again and was busy stuffing his face enthusiastically. "Uhyaa." said Natsumi as she set down another tray.
"Ngmm...Um, this is great!-!" Kotaro mumbled through his full mouth. "Delicious!"
"He sure eats a lot." sighed Natsumi as she knelt down to join him.
"My, that's great!" Chizuru said with a smile. "Eat all you want, okay?"
"Yeah! Seconds, please!" begged Kotaro. "But really, thanks a lot! This is great." He continued to shovel food into his mouth with his spoon.
"He's got some amazing healing power." remarked Natsumi as she looked at the thermometer. "His fever's already gone down!"
"So Kotaro-kun," asked Chizuru, "have you remembered anything besides your name?"
"Nope…Not a bit..." Kotaro replied scratching his head as he took a bite from his fork. "It's like there's a mist inside my head."
"Right…I guess we have no choice. Well then…" said Chizuru as she grabbed the green onion from earlier. "Time to try the old 'onion in the bottom'! The shock might bring back his memory." Natsumi clutched her face and Kotaro backed away in open mouthed-horror. "I was almost there when he went and woke up last time."
"Chizu-nee…" sighed Natsumi, "his fever is down already, see?"
"No way! Stop!" cried Kotaro as he fell over and his tail puffed up.
"Just kidding." said Chizuru with a smile before grabbing his collar and dragging him. "Now, let's go was your body, okay?"
"W-w-waitasec!" begged Kotaro as he reached his hands back and attempted to free himself. "I can wash myself!"
"Nope. You're a total mess right now." replied Chizuru as she dragged him into the bathroom and shut the door. She quickly stripped him and Natsumi soon heard her say, "Oh my, this tail decoration is attached right on your skin! Hey Natsumi, come look!"
"Wah! Don't take that off me!" cried Kotaro.
Natsumi closed her eyes, held her hands together and prayed, "Oh, please don't let Kotaro-kun become Chizu-nee's toy."
"Ah..." said Kotaro as he backed away, seeing the dressing covering the wound that he had caused and which had just been revealed, along with her underwear, as Chizuru undressed.
"Hm? What?" Chizuru asked.
"That wound..." Kotaro replied. "I-I'm sorry...earlier my head was all hazy."
"Oh, it's all right." smiled Chizuru. "The cut isn't too deep."
"Uh, but to hurt a woman..." Kotaro protested. "I-if there was any scar..."
"Don't worry about it." Chizuru interrupted. "Besides...until you remember something, you can stay here as long as you like, Kotaro-kun. I can see you have your reasons, so I won't call anyone."
"Eh...er...um...Sorry...Th-thank you." mumbled Kotaro. Natsumi opened the door till it was ajar and peeked inside.
"Kotaro-kun." she whispered. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I advise you not to fall for Chizu-nee...She's scary, you see."
"Heh?" asked Kotaro. "N-no one's fallin' for anyone!"
"Natsumi-san," asked Chizuru, "did you say something just now?"
"No, nothing!" replied Natsumi.
"Hohoho, Natsumi-san!" laughed Chizuru as she grabbed her smaller roommate and tickled her.
"Kyaa-kyaa!" Natsumi squealed.
"Hmm." Kotaro said as he touched his chin and screwed up his face. "I get the feeling I had some kind of important business to take care of."
"Oh, yes you do!" said Chizuru with a smile as she turned from Natsumi. "You still need a bath!" She reached over and grabbed him, dragging him back into the bathroom.
"Nononno..." begged Kotaro as he wriggled free and ran out the bathroom. "No need to do that. I can wash on my own."
"Hohoho!" laughed Chizuru as she gave chase. "You can't run away from me." Kotaro ran for the door, but just before he reached it, it swung open itself and Ayaka walked in.
"What's happening, Chizuru?" she asked before a young boy immediately rammed into her at high speed.
"Waaaa!-?" she screeched as she fell over.
"Eh…S-s-sorry." The boy apologised as he got up and covered his mouth with his hand.
"What's the matter?" asked Chizuru as she walked up to her prey, followed by Natsumi.
"Uh…this Nee-san…" started the boy.
"Uh." said Ayaka as she lay on the floor.
"Wah!-?" cried Natsumi. "Iinchou?-!" Ayaka lifted her head and looked at the boy with interest.
"Wh-who are you?" she asked. She got up. "I've never seen you before?"
"Are you okay, Iinchou?" asked Natsumi.
"Well, that hurt and I nearly threw up, but I think that I'm okay now." She looked at the boy's bare chest.
"While you make yourself comfortable, let him get changed." Chizuru suggested. Ayaka knelt slowly at the table, eyeing the boy as he went off to change. Once he returned, she said, "Okay, now tell me who this is and what he is doing in our room."
"Oh, this child is Natsumi-san's brother, Kotaro." Chizuru smiled as she held a hand towards the boy.
"The Heck?-!" cried Natsumi as her eyes rounded.
"Wha…" Kotaro cried as he leaned away from Natsumi.
"…Brother…riiiight?" asked Chizuru as she turned back towards Natsumi and Kotaro.
"Un, unn! You're right!" agreed Natsumi as she made a salute, still round-eyed.
"Uh…yes." Kotaro confirmed.
"Really?" asked Ayaka widening her eyes. "Natsumi-san, why didn't you ever tell me that you had a younger brother?-!" All the times that she could have3 spent with him if only she'd known.
"No one would ever let you know that they had a younger brother." muttered Natsumi.
"Really?" asked Ayaka. What was she talking about?
"It just never came up, Iinchou." Natsumi said before turning to Chizuru and whispering, "B-but Chi-san…"
"We don't have a choice, Natsumi." Chizuru replied with a smile behind a concealing hand.
"Well, I'm glad that you finally introduced him to me," Ayaka said "but why is he here? Is he just visiting?"
"Well, Ayaka…" began Chizuru as she held a handkerchief to her eye, "Natsumi-san's home has some complications that I can't say…"
"Chi-san!" complained Natsumi.
"For Kotaro-kun, the only person he can trust is Natsumi-san…" continued Chizuru.
"R-really?" asked Ayaka. She grabbed one of Kotaro's hands and said, "Don't worry! I'll make sure that you can stay with us!"
"Uh…" asked Kotaro, leaning towards Chizuru and Natsumi, "Who's this oba-san that keeps yabbering?" Ayaka collapsed at that remark. Oba-san!-? Who finds an oba-san attractive!-?
She then got up, red-faced, squealing, "Wh-why are you calling a fourteen-year old lady an oba-san?-!"
"What?-!" cried Kotaro, "Fourteen?-! You're kidding me, right? You look way older than you are!"
"Obviously, your traumatic home-life has resulted in you not being able to understand what you're saying!" declared Ayaka, grabbing hold of him and spinning . "But don't worry! Now that you have me, I'll show you the proper way to behave in society."
"Er, he's just a kid, Iinchou." Natsumi protested.
"No problem!" Ayaka replied, stopping and raising a hand to the Heavens. "It's never too early for a boy to start learning how to be a gentleman and with me as his teacher, he should do fine."
"What is she on about?" Kotaro asked, removing himself from her grasp.
"I'm glad that you're taking this so well, Ayaka." said Chizuru. "We were worried after the time with Makie-san."
"Family is important!" Ayaka replied. "I'm not going to cast out a friend's younger brother when he needs me!"
"You can't call her old, Kotaro-kun." Natsumi said, turning to their newest roommate.
"Yeah…you're right…" sighed Kotaro, "The old one here is Chizuru-nee-san."
"What did I just hear?" asked Chizuru as she turned towards them, pressing her palms together.
"Ahh!-?-!-?-!" squealed Natsumi, stepping back.
"No-no-nothing!" replied Kotaro, holding up his palms in surrender. This Nee-san is scary. he thought.
/
As was typical, the bath was full of various classmates when the girls arrived. Ako was just complaining about her arm being swollen, when Yuuna started handing out bottles of slime, while sounding like an advertisement. "You're sure that this will make me look better and is not just a ridiculous attempt to cover me in goo?" asked Anya as she stared critically at the bottle.
"Of course!" Yuuna replied. "Try it!"
"This better work!" Anya replied. "I mean, I don't know of what effect it has had on you! How long have you been using it?"
"A while. Don't you think I've changed at all?" Anya's eyes lowered to Yuuna's chest.
"On second thoughts, could I have two bottles?" Makie swam to the other side of the bath to stay away from the hated slime. "Well, it looks like you can have Maki-chan's bottle." Yuuna said, handing over another as the other girls who had agreed to try the product began rubbing the slime over their skin. The slime girls used the opportunity to slip through the door. "Ooh...A lot of targets here" said Suramui with a grin.
"We're only looking for the partners and the martial arts instructor." Ameko reminded her.
"Chigusa-san wants us to leave Anya-chan to her and the others don't matter." added Purin.
"I haven't been in this world for six whole years…" Suramui said. "I wanna fool around a little!"
"Well, just don't overdo it." ordered Purin.
"Geez…How the Heck would this sort of stuff work…" Chisame grumbled to herself as the slimes slipped into the water next to her. "Idiots…Huh…Yo, wait a minute…you didn't pour that stuff in here, right?" She asked, turning towards the others.
"Huh." Makie said, getting up and clutching her hands to her chest.
"No, I didn't." smiled Yuuna as she turned back towards Chisame.
"We wouldn't waste it!" added Anya.
"Wha…" began Satomi as her eyes suddenly widened.
"Nnn…" Chao hummed as her eyes followed suit, immediately followed by Satsuki's.
"W-w-wait, hold on a second!" Chisame said, turning red as she began to squirm. "Why is this water swirling around me!-? Aya, stop!-!-! This isn't funny!" Outside the bath, Hibiki Aya suddenly stopped what she was doing.
"I'm sorry, dear!" she said. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Yes. You stopped." Yukino said, before pulling her back into a kiss.
"Whaa?-!" squealed Madoka as she joined Chisame in squirming and blushing. Is Sakurako playing a prank? she thought. Is that why she suddenly said that she forgot her soap and went back to get it?
"NOOOOOOOO!-?" Makie cried as she wrapped her arms around herself and screwed up her reddening face. "It's slimy."
"What the heck is going on there?" Kazumi asked Yue from the other side of the bath as she looked at the other, thrashing girls. "I can't exactly pull out my artifact right now." The slime Trio swam towards them, leaving whirlpools in their wake.
"Ahaha, this is so funny!" laughed Suramui.
"All right, let's get to work." Purin ordered.
"It's the six people over there and the one down there." Ameko pointed out Nodoka, Yue, Kazumi, Ku Fei, Kaede, Haruna and finally Chisame."
"Looks like we'll need to use Chigusa's gift after all." Purin commented, pulling a laminated charm out of her body. "Suimin kyosei suru kiri." The water bubbled up, forming a mist that quickly filled the room.
"What's going…!-?" began Madoka, before she collapsed in the water, along with all the other girls.
"You can handle these, right?" Purin asked Suramui. "Just don't fool around. I've got to search for the exorcist and Ameko needs to help Chigusa-san."
"No problem." said Suramui with a grin as she started slithering over the bodies, enlarging herself as she did so. Once all three had finally left, Suramui taking a large group of the girls with her, Chao opened her eyes and peeled off the patch designed to counter any sleep spell. She then walked over to her belongings, picked up her cell phone and sent a message.
"It's started. You know what to do." She placed her cell phone back, returned to her original position and closed her eyes.
/
Setsuna continued walking down the corridors, her eyes darting to and fro. "Huh?" she said, turning her head around. "Something didn't feel right…was that just me?"
"Se…chaaann." came a voice. Setsuna turned to face the smiling form of Konoka. "Heh hehe."
"Ojou-sama?" Setsuna asked. "Didn't you return to your room with Asuna-san?"
"Because I want to go to the bathhouse with Se-chan." said "Konoka" with a smile as she raised a finger. It was then that Setsuna noticed what she was wearing.
"Huh. WAAAA?-! Why are you naked, Kono-chan?-!" She turned away, blushing furiously. "W-w-wait…waaa…Kono-chan. Ojou-sama! Just put some clothes back on!-!"
"Hehe…Se-chan." came the giggling response.
"Huh?" asked Setsuna, daring to glance back. She watched as Konoka began to melt and reach out her arms. The slime wrapped around her. "A trap!-?" Setsuna gasped as she reached for her sword, but it was too late. She didn't even have time to grab it, never mind draw it. Purin melted away, forming the two of them into a puddle, which slithered towards the theatre.
/
A knock on the door interrupted Konoka and Asuna's preparations for bed. "I'll get it." sighed Asuna. She walked over to the door and started to open it, only for it to be forcefully pushed open by Yuuki. At the same time, Ameko forced her way through the window.
Konoka rushed for her wand on her desk but Chigusa, who had just walked into the room, yelled, "Stop her!" and Enki jumped on top of her, pinning her. Asuna punched Yuuki in the stomach, causing it to buckle, but in that time, Ameko had slithered over and grabbed her foot. Asuna tried to dislodge her foot, but Yuuki used the opportunity to swipe at her, knocking her over.
"Ow!" she cried. With that, Ameko slithered over her.
"I can't dissolve her." Ameko said. "I guess that means plan B."
"Well, they warned us that this might happen and that if it did, it meant that our plan was more likely to succeed." Chigusa replied as she pulled out a bottle of chloroform and splashed some on a handkerchief. She then covered Asuna's mouth and nose, knocking her out. "Done." Chigusa smiled. "Now go deal with Ojou-sama."
/
"Come and get it!" Chizuru smiled as she walked over, carrying plates of food. "It's dinner time!" She placed the trays on the table.
"Ahhh!" said Kotaro with his own smile. "They all look so delicious." Ayaka perked up at that.
Of course, she thought, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, after all.
"Ah…" said Natsumi, "you can still eat, Kotaro-kun."
"Yep!" said Kotaro with a grin. "I can still continue!" As they sat eating together, Kotaro suddenly stopped smiling.
"What's the matter, Kotaro-kun?" asked Natsumi.
"Oh, nothing. I just think this is pretty nice…" Kotaro said with a small smile. "I've never eaten like this. I mean, everybody together at one table…seems kind of fun. Eating together as a family."
"Oh…" gasped Chizuru, covering her mouth with a hand, "Natsumi-san's home must be rather cruel." She pressed his face into her chest.
"It's a normal family, for crying out loud!" Natsumi complained as her eyes watered and her face flushed.
"And don't comfort him like that!" Ayaka added, reaching for Kotaro. "If he needs comforting, I shall see to all his needs! After all, with my family's large staff, I have had to become a people person!" Natsumi raised an eyebrow as she remembered some of Ayaka's more…enthusiastic interactions with Asuna.
"Um…I'm okay right now." Kotaro mumbled.
"Hmmm...But you mentioned 'Anya' earlier. Is she your girlfriend?" Chizuru said. "If so, would you really be happy without her?"
"Huh? I don't think so. I don't remember anything."
Thank goodness. I didn't want to have to compete with my teacher. Ayaka thought.
The doorbell then rung.
"Who could that be?" asked Natsumi.
"I'll go look." Ayaka offered. She opened the door until it was ajar and looked out to see a man in a hat and coat. "…May I ask who you are?" she said.
"My apologies, Miss. I have something to talk about…" the man said, "…to a particular kid here."
"…You're looking for Kotaro-kun?" Ayaka asked. "What's the matter?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just here to give you a flower, my fair lady." the man smiled, offering her a rose.
"Huh? Oh…" Ayaka said raising a hand to her mouth as she began to blush, "Thank you…huh? A…ya?" she fell over, unconscious.
"You're a gullible idiot, Ayaka." Wilhelm said as he crushed the lock. Natsumi and Kotaro turned to see him entering the room. "Good day, wolf boy." Wilhelm greeted with a touch of his hat. "You seem to be in good shape."
"Huh…? What…?-!" Kotaro asked as he got to his feet. "You-you are…!-!" He didn't get any further as Wilhelm punched him in the face, causing him to skid across the floor on his back.
"Well, young man…" Wilhelm asked, "care to hand over the 'bottle'?"
"Waaa?-!" squealed Natsumi as she clutched her fists to her chest and her face reddened. Chizuru's eyebrows drew together.
"Although we have other goals for this mission…" Wilhelm said, "…it'll be horrible if we get sealed in that bottle again."
"Damn." Kotaro swore with clenched teeth. "Bottle…?"
"Ko-Kotaro-kun." Natsumi whimpered, shaking from behind Chizuru whom she was clutching.
"Other goals…." Kotaro continued, clutching his head and screwing his eyes shut. "Anya is…?"
"Ah, yes…" Wilhelm sneered. "Remember it now?"
"Excuse me. I don't know who you are…" Chizuru said.
"Chi-Chi-san." Natsumi mumbled as tears filled her eyes.
"…but no matter what, coming in without greetings, and wearing your shoes, too, entering somebody's room…" Chizuru continued, "I don't think this is what a gentleman should do, right?"
"Aya…" Wilhelm said, turning towards Chizuru, "I apologise, my fair lady. Didn't know the Japanese have this sort of habit…sorry about that. About that door…" He took off his boots and his hat, resting the hat against his chest. "I'll pay for it. My name is Wilhelm von Herrmann. Although I call myself a baron, my family's name is dying out…I'm just a regular employee…Oh yeah, do you have any wishes, my fair ladies? We're currently on a special offer, and the first three customers can have an exclusive discount!" He smiled a waved his rose.
"…Wishes? I'm quite content thank you." Chizuru replied.
"Oh, is that so? What a pity." Wilhelm's face fell.
"What did you do to the golden-haired Nee-san?" growled Kotaro.
"Nothing much…" Wilhelm replied, putting his hat back on, "just put her to sleep. So…decided to give me the bottle or not?"
"I don't know what that is…but even if I have it…I WON'T GIVE IT TO YOU!-!" Kotaro roared, charging for Wilhelm.
/
Mana raced down the passage, scaring off a couple of girls from class 1A who were making out. She soon spotted Sakurako in her towel, about to enter the bath. "Stop!" Mana yelled.
"What is it?-!" Sakurako asked, turning around.
"You can't go in there right now, there are plumbing problems." Mana lied.
"But I was just there!" Sakurako said. "And I left Misa-chan and Kugumin there!"
"They'll come back to your room soon enough." Mana said. "The staff just have to deal with this first. As the school employs me, they called me to help. I have experience with plumbing."
"O…kayyy." Sakurako replied, turning to head back to her room. She supposed that she'd have to make do with a shower, unless the plumbing problems had affected that as well. Mana entered the bath area, looking at the unconscious girls lying on the still damp ground. They were lucky that the water was evaporated by the spell, or she would have had drowned classmates.
She walked over to Anya and pulled out a charm, dropping it onto Anya's chest with a muttered, "Owarasu maho." Anya gasped, suddenly sitting straight up and flinging her eyes open.
"What's going on!-?" she cried.
"We are under attack." Mana explained. "A sleep spell was used to render everyone in this vicinity unconscious."
"What!-?" cried Anya.
"They should be left like that for now to preserve your secret." Mana continued. "The school should handle everything else. Is anyone or anything missing?" Anya looked around.
"All my partners who were with me!" she replied. "And Fei!"
"Then, they've been taken." Mana said, furrowing her eyebrows. "What about your pactio cards?" Anya quickly looked through her belongings.
"They're gone too!" she cried.
"Were all of your partners here?" asked Mana.
"No, Sayo wasn't." replied Anya.
"Then, we'd better ask for her assistance." Mana suggested.
"She's normally at the convenience store at this time." Anya informed her as she threw on some clothes. Mana didn't bother mentioning that she already knew that.
"We need speed," Mana said, "and we'll need to rescue those who were kidnapped. The only logical conclusion is to make another pactio."
"Another one!" Anya complained."I already have six! I don't want to just keep getting more!"
"Are you're other partners available to help?"
"Well, once we find Sayo..."
"Without the added speed a pactio provides, it may be too late. Plus she has no experience with combat."
"All right." Anya sighed as her head dropped. "But Chamo is in my room. Probably in the underwear drawer!"
"No need." Mana replied, pulling out a piece of chalk. She quickly drew a magic circle and knelt in the centre.
"Okay." sighed Anya, stepping into the circle. She pressed her lips against Mana's and after the familiar, purple glow had subsided, Mana grabbed a card from the air.
"Adeat!" she said. She was quickly clad in green, military camouflage and was carrying a sniper rifle. Mana looked down at her weapon, raised an eyebrow and snapped it in half. The two pieces shifted form into handguns in her hands. She then slammed them together and they melded together into a double-barrelled shotgun. She twisted the newly formed weapon and it shifted into a machine-gun. She then pulled the gun and it changed into a rocket-launcher. She then shrugged and folded it back into a machine-gun, slung it round her shoulders and said, "All right, I've got the gist of how it works. Get on my back and let's go!"
Anya, staring wide-eyed at this display, pointed at Mana and asked, "How did you work all that out!-?"
Mana sighed and said, "I used to be another mage's ministra. I'm familiar with using artifacts. If you know what to listen for, it's like they 'talk' to their owner, telling them what they can do."
"Wait, you were…" Anya began.
"Questions later." Mana interrupted. "Just get on my back!" Anya obliged with a sigh. "Sim tua pars!" Mana chanted and raced out the door.
/
The convenience store quickly grew as they approached it and they stopped at the door where Sayo had drifted through when she noticed that they were approaching. "Anya-sensei, Tatsumiya-san," she said, "hello. Why have you come here?"
"The other partners have been kidnapped and Anya-sensei's cards have been stolen." Mana explained. "We need your artifact for clues on how to save them."
"Oh dear!" gasped Sayo. "All...all right. Adeat!" Sayo pulled out her card and transformed into her pactio outfit. "What do you need me to do?"
"Um...Try finding out what the other partners and Fei have been saying since they were kidnapped." Anya shrugged.
"Right." Sayo said, placing her pen against the scroll and concentrating. "I'm sorry, but this is the most recent entry from them. I assume that this was just before they were kidnapped."
She pointed at the lowest point of the scroll which read, "Kazumi-san: What the Heck is going on there?
Kazumi-san: I can't exactly pull out my artifact right now."
"Try expanding to everyone in the class." Mana said.
"Why...?" Anya began.
"Just do it." Mana replied.
"All right." said Sayo and new lines were added to the scroll.
"Kugumiya-san: What's going!-?
Sakurazaki-san: Huh?
Sakurazaki-san: Something didn't feel right.
Sakurazaki-san: Was that just me?
Sakurazaki-san: Ojou-sama?
Sakurazaki-san: Didn't you return to your room with Asuna-san?
Sakurazaki-san: Huh. Waaaa?-! Why are you naked, Kono-chan?-!
Sakurazaki-san: W-w-wait…waaa…Kono-chan. Ojou-sama! Just put some clothes back on!
Sakurazaki-san: Huh?
Sakurazaki-san: A trap!-?"
"That looks like the kidnapper disguised themselves as Konoe-san and kidnapped Setsuna as well." Mana commented. They continued to scan down the scroll.
"Kagurazaka-san: I'll get it.
Kagurazaka-san: Ow!
Kagurazaka-san: Mmmmfl.
Konoe-san: Let go of!"
"It looks like Kagurazaka-san and Konoe-san were taken as well." Mana said.
"Crap!" Anya growled. They continued scanning the page.
"Kagurazaka-san: Mmmnnf.
Tatsumiya-san: Stop!
Shiina-san: What is it?-!
Kagurazaka-san: Mmmfllfl.
Tatsumiya-san: You can't go in there right now, there are plumbing problems."
They skipped ahead, ignoring the rest of Mana's conversation and Eva's complaints to Chachamaru about the mess that their earlier training session had left."Konoe-san: Let us go!
Naba-san: Come and get it!
Naba-san: It's dinner time!
Murakami-san: Ah.
Konoe-san: What did you do to them!-?
Tatsumiya-san: The other partners have been kidnapped and Anya-sensei's cards have been stolen.
Konoe-san: What are these bubble things!-?
Tatsumiya-san: We need your artifact for clues on how to save them.
Murakami-san: You can still eat, Kotaro-kun."
"Kotaro!" gasped Anya. "Did he escape!-? Does he want revenge!-? And look! This is happening right now! We've got to get to their dorm before he does something to them!"
/
Kotaro launched a punch at Wilhelm, which was blocked with an arm. The two then began engaging in fisticuffs before Wilhelm knocked Kotaro backwards. Kotaro rolled on the floor before launching himself from the wall back at Wilhelm, ready to punch him again. Wilhelm merely kicked him in the side sending him crashing into the staircase. "Waa!-!" squealed Natsumi, clutching her fists to her chest as tears poured down her reddened face.
A good speed…and high power… thought Kotaro with a grin, this guy is pretty strong.
"I like talented young men…" Wilhelm claimed as he swept his cloak. "You're young, but you have great capabilities."
"What?" asked Kotaro, losing the grin. This oji-san doesn't look human either. he thought.
"Just give me the bottle and you won't get hurt." ordered Wilhelm.
"Oh, if only you…" Kotaro smirked. "could hurt me…Then come and get it!-!" He split into six and attacked.
"Woah?-!" cried Wilhelm as he struggled to block all the copies. "This…this is…? Called shadow copies, eh? An Eastern mystery!" With that, one of them finally scored a punch to his stomach. "Ugh." Wilhelm grimaced.
"You underestimated me, Oji-san." Kotaro smirked. "This is the end! Inugami!-!" He held out a hand, but the inugami never arrived. What happened to my inugami…!-? he wondered as he glanced at his hand.
"Hmm…Quite entertaining." Wilhelm said, grabbing Kotaro's hand. "You have more talent than expected. Even this 'oji-san' is a little surprised…However…how disappointing…It seems that you forgot that you can't use your inugami anymore."
"Kotaro-kun." Natsumi called, tears in her eyes. Wilhelm punched Kotaro in the stomach, knocking him to the floor. "Nooo!-!" Natsumi cried, squeezing her eyes shut and clasping her fists to her chest.
"Guu…Ugh." moaned Kotaro as he twitched on the floor.
"Wiping out the future of a talented young man…" said Wilhelm as he placed a foot on Kotaro's chest and adjusted his hat, "really isn't my usual intent…so don't blame me." He opened his mouth, which began to glow.
"Ugh." Kotaro grimaced as he opened an eye. Chizuru then slapped Wilhelm through the face.
"AAAKK?-!-?-!" cried Wilhelm as his face distorted from the impact. Natsumi grabbed her cheeks and her jaw dropped at the scene that she had just witnessed.
"I don't know what's happening," said Chizuru, "but this is definitely not what one should do to a child."
"Chi-nee-san…" moaned Kotaro, "don't."
"That was rather frightening, my fair lady…" said Wilhelm who now sported a large bruise and a nosebleed. "It's rather rare to see a human perform this sort of response. Kotaro and you...You both interest me…Do you want to come with me?" Natsumi quivered from behind Chizuru, still clutching her fists to her chest.
"…I think that it would be best if you left without any of us." Chizuru replied.
"A pity." sighed Wilhelm as he pulled out his rose. "At least let me give you a parting gift!" He quickly shoved the rose right in front of Chizuru's face. Her eyes widened and she collapsed, unconscious. Wilhelm lifted up the unconscious Chizuru as Mana threw open the door.
"Ayaka!" cried Anya as she jumped off Mana's back. "So they got her too!"
"They put her to sleep as well." Mana explained as she knelt next to Ayaka.
"Kyaaaa Chi-san!-!" came a voice.
"Murakami-san said that." Sayo reported from just outside the door. Anya ran into the room to see Wilhelm holding the Chizuru's unconscious form.
"You're pretty quick, Anya Cocolova." Wilhelm complimented her.
"Who are you and what are you doing with Chizuru!-?" yelled Anya.
"Hmm…The nine partners of yours are all in my captivity…" Wilhelm said as he turned to look at Anya. "If you want them back, then you'll have to get them from my associates. One is particularly interested in a rematch with you. You remember Amagasaki Chigusa? It's her. I have other business to deal with in the mean time. Bear in mind that if you don't get them back soon, I'll be back to support Chigusa."
"What are you talking about!-? Where are they!-?" asked Anya.
"In the middle of campus under the giant tree. My colleagues will wait for you in the main walk." Wilhelm said as water spun around his body. "If you truly care about your friends, I suggest that you don't foolishly call for aid." The water enveloped his body and collapsed, leaving only a puddle. Mana walked into the room.
"Awawawawa…A-Anya-sensei." moaned Natsumi with tears in her eyes and a reddened face.
"Natsumi, are you okay?" Anya asked, turning to her. "Did you see what happened?"
"Awawawa…What's wrong with me?" Natsumi asked, collapsing to her knees.
"Ou…Guu." Kotaro suddenly moaned as he began to open his eyes.
"Kotaro!" Anya cried, turning towards him. "It looked like you had an argument with that man! Were you working together?-!"
"Anya…?" said Kotaro. "Ah, Anya!-!" He sat bolt upright and pointed at her.
"Yes. It's me. What's going on!-?" Anya asked.
"Guu…What am I…ah…I remember now…" Kotaro moaned clutching his head and closing his eyes. "I have to tell Anya…Tell Anya…Augh…" He suddenly grinned and pointed at Anya. "Ah, that's right! I have come to protect Anya from her enemies! You need a strong guy like me to protect you! Your partners are pretty amazing, but this is a boy's job!"
"Aya? You two know each other?" asked Natsumi.
"What enemies?-!" cried Anya. "You mean like the one who just left? Like Chigusa? He said that she was working with him!"
"Is that so…damn…I lost my memory, huh." he said. "Even Chizuru-nee-san got involved in this and she knows nothing about it."
"My allies were also captured." Anya said. "Well, everyone except Mana and Sayo."
"Your allies too!-?" Kotaro cried. "I mean, someone should be able to beat Honya-nee-san or Yue-nee-san if it's a straight fight, but Asuna and the Shinmeiryuu swordsgirl can't be captured!"
"Well, we know that at least some are missing, he claimed that all of them are and Sayo agrees." Anya said.
"And so do I." added Mana.
"Anya..." said Kotaro, pulling a bottle out of his hair, "about this bottle...With this bottle and one short spell, you can quickly seal these akuma. I'm giving this to you."
"Well, that should help." said Anya. "I've heard of bottles like that before, so it should be simple enough."
"Mm-hmm. Before I came to this campus, I stole this from that oji-san, but for that reason, I got hit by his magic." Kotaro explained. Anya took the bottle.
"Right, let's go!" she said.
"Ah, I'm coming too!" declared Kotaro with a grin as he made a fist.
"Well, hurry up!" said Anya. "We've got to get them back before he gets back!"
"It's all right, Natsumi-nee-san, we'll be back soon!" Kotaro called as they walked out.
"Uh...I ...understand...B-be careful!" Natsumi replied.
"A ghost!-?" gasped Kotaro as he stepped outside.
"Oh right." said Anya as she joined him. "This is Sayo. She already knows you. I suppose that this is your first time meeting Mana, too."
"Yes." replied Kotaro. "You really like making partners, don't you?"
"Well, these are the last of my partners." Anya explained. "And I had a good reason for making pactios with all of them. I'm not a pactio-slut! But anyway, let's get going!"
"I suggest that you two fly." Mana said. "As ministrae, we'll catch up easily."
"In public!-?" asked Anya.
"It's dark and rainy." Mana replied. "It should be fine."
"I can't fly at the moment though." said Kotaro. "Most of my powers were temporarily sealed as punishment."
"Then I'll give you a ride." sighed Anya. "Mea virga!"
/
Wilhelm arrived at the theatre, carrying the prone form of Chizuru. "What did you bring her for?" asked Chigusa.
"She interests me." replied Wilhelm.
"So you're risking the mission for yet another personal interest." sighed Chigusa.
"I wouldn't talk if I were you." Wilhelm replied as he handed Chizuru over to Purin. "You have that ridiculous vendetta against Anya after all."
"Allowing me to settle the score against that Western brat was the payment that we agreed to in the beginning." Chigusa replied. "Not something that I decided in the last minute."
"Well, Fate put me in charge and I say that we're keeping her, so put her with the others while I handle my other business." Wilhelm ordered as he snapped a magic cancel collar around his neck. He then walked over to the portal in the moat that Purin had come from and stepped through it. When he emerged, he found himself in daylight, in a small village, standing in a pond. Purin had already scouted the area and told him where to look so he waltzed up to the house she described and peered inside. As he'd hoped, he saw the young son and niece of The Thousand Master standing together. Suddenly the boy spun his head round to face the window, forcing Wilhelm to act. He smashed his way though the window and landed in front of the young boy and his cousin.
/
"You know, you should really let me handle this." Kotaro said as the broom flew towards the World Tree. "I'm the boy, so I should do the fighting and protecting."
"Us girls did fine when we fought against you in Kyoto." Anya protested.
"No you didn't." Kotaro disagreed. "You got petrified!" Anya clenched the broom tighter at that statement and grit her teeth. "You won't be able to beat that oji-san if you're just like before!"
"Well, I'm not!" Anya replied. "I've been training under the Dark Evangel herself and have become far more powerful!"
"Well, even if that's true, I should still be the one protecting you." Kotaro dismissed.
"You!-?" Anya cried. "We've beaten you twice already! Plus you were beaten by that guy as well! Not to mention that you've lost most of your powers! I think that I'll be the one protecting you!"
"That was just me being careless!" Kotaro protested.
"And that's supposed to give me confidence in your fighting abilities?-!" asked Anya.
"Hey! I know what I'm up against this time!" Kotaro said.
"Well, Mana is my partner, so she's supposed to protect me." Anya shrugged. "Plus I'm learning to become a combat mage so I can fight in the front with my partners."
"In the front!-?" asked Kotaro. "Girls don't belong there!"
"Never mind!" Anya said, pointing ahead. "It's time to land. I can see our target."
"What the Heck is that giant tree behind there!-?" asked Kotaro. "It's huge!"
"Look!" Anya said. "Mana and Sayo are down there! We'll meet up with them there!" She landed the broom next to Mana. "It looks like Chigusa is waiting for us there." Anya informed them. Mana switched her artifact to its rocket launcher mode.
"I can take her out from here if you want." she offered.
"Are you crazy!" Anya cried. "This is a rescue mission!"
"I doubt that I'll kill the hostages." Mana shrugged, lowering the rocket launcher. "But fine. We'll do it your way then. What do you suggest?"
"We charge straight in and challenge Chigusa, defeat her and rescue the girls!" cried Anya raising a fist into the air. Mana covered her face with her palm.
"Fine." she sighed, switching to twin hand guns.
"That's an awesome plan!" Kotaro said.
"Glad that you agree!" Anya said. "Charge!"
/
"Huh...? This is..." Asuna said as she lifted her eyelids, "This is...The university's festival stage? Huh? Whaa...!-? Wh-wh-why am I dressed like this!-?" She was wearing lingerie and was being held up by ropes.
"Blame my associate for that." replied Chigusa. "He insisted that you be dressed in that by the time he returned."
"You!-?" shrieked Asuna. "What kind of pervert would do this!-? Let me down!"
"Can't do that." replied Chigusa. "My employer needs you and you're all bait."
"All?" asked Asuna.
"Asuna!" came a voice. "Are you all right, Asuna?" Asuna turned to see that it was Konoka, tied up in a large bubble. She was trying to nudge the other girls who were tied up in the same bubble, but were unconscious. Another two bubbles contained Setsuna and Chizuru respectively. Yue started to moan and her eyes started to flicker open from the amount that Konoka was wriggling.
"Everybody!-?" asked Asuna.
"What's going on?" asked Yue as her eyes opened.
"As Anya's allies, you are serving as bait to lure her here." Chigusa replied. "Then we'll see why Eastern magic is superior and I'll have my revenge!"
"Amagasaki-san!-?" asked Yue. "You're still on about that!-?" Konoka started trying to wake up the others.
"Setsuna-san!-?" asked Asuna, turning to one of the separate bubbles. "And that's...Chizuru-san!-!"
"Yeah, we had to put them to sleep as well because my associate is afraid of shinmeiryuu and he's 'interested' in the other girl." Chigusa explained. "Well, I've worked with perverts before."
"And...why is everyone so scantily dressed?" asked Asuna.
"Aargh..." moaned Yue, "We were...in the bath. We're being a hindrance to Anya even with our training."
"I'm the only one with clothes." Konoka said. The other girls in the bubble began to stir from Konoka's efforts. "Hey, hey. Girls over there..." Konoka called to the slime trio, "let us out!"
"Sorry, can't let you out of our specially-made water prison." said Ameko. "My name is Ameko."
"Suramui." Suramui introduced herself.
"Purin." added Purin.
"You should be grateful that we didn't melt you down and eat you up." said Suramui with a smile. "Well, this is the fate of weak people who want to be part of the magical realm. And we've confiscated your wands and pactio cards and even tied you all up. Now you can't use your magic to escape."
"Why are you doing this?" asked Asuna.
"Apparently, my employer needs information about you, but I don't care about that." Chigusa replied. "I'm just here for my revenge."
"Huh...M-me!-?" asked Asuna. "Wh-what is this about?-!"
"I didn't ask for details." Chigusa replied. "And it looks like she's here." Anya ran down the stage, followed by Kotaro and Mana.
"Fortis la tius Lilith lilioth!" she cried as she raised her staff before her, "Omne flammans flamma purgatus! Domine extinctionis et signum regenerationis! In mea manu ens inimicum edat! Flagrantia Rubicans!" Chigusa grinned and raised a hand. The flames disappearing right in front of her as Asuna glowed and winced.
"She deflected it!-!" cried Kotaro. "A defensive barrier!-?"
"No. That's not her power! She's using something to cancel the magic!" cried Anya. Chigusa dropped a handful of stencils onto the floor.
"Saru shudan." she grinned and the stencils transformed into monkeys.
/
"Who are you and why are you breaking into my house!-?" demanded Nekane.
"I just want to know your abilities…" Wilhelm claimed. "If the two of you defeat me, I'll leave. If I don't fight the two of you at once, you won't use your full powers against me. Defeat me and I'll leave. Those are my conditions, and that's all I have to say."
"Sis, I can't see…!" Negi began.
"Come to me, three hundred and seventeen spirits of earth and strike my foe!" Nekane yelled, tugging her earring. "Sagitta magica, convergentia sabulonis!" The many arrows of sand raced for Wilhelm before disappearing. Back in Japan, Asuna glowed and squirmed once more.
/
"Attack." Chigusa ordered.
"Something's happening to Asuna!" cried Anya. "Sagitta magica, series ignis!" Three arrows of flame fried the nearest monkeys.
"I'll handle this!" Mana said, switching to a machine gun and mowing down the monkeys. Chigusa's face whitened and she threw a charm against the floor.
"Dai kabe!" she cried and a miniature of the Great Wall of China erupted from the ground, shielding her from the bullets.
/
"That spell didn't work!-?" asked Nekane.
"And I couldn't see beyond when he stopped the arrows!" Negi added. Nekane's eyes widened.
"Bonitas, amor et audacia!" she cried. "Erchomai, petra tou edafous, trypo dia! Doru petras!" A spike of stone grew rapidly towards Wilhelm before stopping, leaving a concave end. Back in Japan, Asuna squealed again. "So you're cancelling the magic." Nekane concluded.
/
The slime girls jumped towards Anya and her allies. "Sagitta magica una ignis!" cried Anya, pointing her staff at Ameko, but the arrow simply fizzled out as it got near the slime and Asuna squealed once more. Mana unloaded her machine gun at Purin, who splattered against the floor while Kotaro punched Suramui in the face only to have her arm wrap around his own as Ameko wrapped around Anya's.
/
"Lapis nigrer!" cried Nekane and a rock launched itself at Wilhelm who smashed it with a fist.
"You can't beat me with such weak magic!" Wilhelm declared.
"But this means that some will work on you!" Nekane replied.
/
Mana snapped her machine gun in half, turning it back into twin hand guns and fired upon Suramui and Ameko, splattering them and freeing her allies. Inside the three splashes of goo were spheres around which the slimes began to reform. "They must be using those balls to cancel the magic!" Anya cried. "And they're using Asuna as well! She keeps squealing when a spell is cancelled!"
From behind the wall, Chigusa pulled out another stencil and cried, "Hi tori!" The stencil caught fire and she let go as it rose into the air and formed a large bird made of fire. It screeched as it rose above the wall and dove towards Anya.
/
"Firmum lapis autumni!" Nekane cried, pulling on her earring.
"He'll smash through it!" Negi warned her.
Her eyes narrowed but she continued the incantation. "Nobis protectionem sordidum! Firmato provallo terrae duri!" A wall of stone rose from the ground, blocking the path of Wilhelm.
/
"Run!" cried Anya as she darted off. Kotaro and Mana followed her, but so did the bird. "Crap! It's got tracking abilities! Um…" She pointed her staff between Kotaro and Mana. "Aer et aqua, facti nebula his somnum brevem! Nebula hypnotica!" A fog poured out through her staff and doused the flames, leaving a burnt, soggy piece of paper to drop to the floor.
"A sleep spell?" asked Mana as she switched back to a rocket launcher.
"For the water." explained Anya. Mana fired a rocket at the wall. The resulting explosion caused the wall to crumble and the girls who were still partially asleep in the middle bubble to jolt awake as Mana returned to twin hand guns.
/
Wilhelm smashed a hole through the wall of stone and Nekane caused the rest of the wall to collapse on top of him. As he got up she began chanting again, "Bonitas, amor et audacia! Frangito solum! Scindito terra! Separato et teneto inimicum meam!"
"Deflexio!" Negi interrupted her, pointing his staff at her.
A barrier formed in front of her as Wilhelm cried, "Demon fist!" and launched a beam at her. The barrier was blasted and beams bounced off it.
Nekane grimaced but continued, "Cooperito moras omnia in foveae! Rumpito!" Cracks in the ground spread from her feet towards Wilhelm but stopped short. Back in Japan, Asuna squealed again.
/
Mana started firing as the slimes approached while Kotaro jumped ahead and punched Ameko in the face. "I thought that you didn't hit girls." Anya said.
"As long as they're slimy, they're fair game." Kotaro explained as he pounced.
"That's racist!" complained Ameko just as Kotaro punched her again. Mana continued unloading her bullets at Purin and Suramui who splattered until the spheres within them became visible. Mana activated her demon eye and shot the spheres, shattering them, while Kotaro ripped the sphere out of Ameko and crushed it in his hand.
/
Wilhelm began to circle around the cracks and Nekane began to chant once more, "Bonitas, amor et audacia! Frangito solum! Scindito terra! Separato et teneto inimicum meam!" Negi's eyes widened and he stepped behind his cousin as Wilhelm began to laugh.
"You've just seen that that won't work!" he laughed. "What are you trying to do?-!"
"Cooperito moras omnia in foveae! Rumpito!" Nekane finished, but this time, the cracks did not head for Wilhelm, but towards the wall before climbing up the wall and spreading along the roof.
/
"Give up, Chigusa!" cried Anya. "We've removed your allies' resistance to magic and taken down your wall! You can't beat us!"
"Chigusa walked through the dust and reached for a charm. "You Western brat!" she cried. "You'll pay for this! Mukando na hari!" She flung the charm into the air and needles began to rain from the sky.
"Crap!" cried Anya.
/
Pieces of the ceiling fell on top of Wilhelm. "Y-you!" cried Negi. Wilhelm's hat fell off as he got up and his face reverted to that of his akuma form.
/
Mana switched back to rocket launcher mode and activated her demon eye as Kotaro jumped in front of Anya. She fired at the needles and the rocket exploded in the air, melting and scattering most of the needles as Mana and Kotaro turned their backs and shielded Anya from the remaining needles which penetrated their skin.
/
"You!" snarled Nekane, balling her hands into fists.
"That's right." said Wilhelm, throwing off his cloak and transforming completely. "I am the one who petrified nearly your entire village."
"Sis!" cried Negi shoving her out of the way, just in time for them to avoid being hit by a beam from Wilhelm's mouth which hit the wall and turned it grey. They looked up and glared at the akuma as they got back to their feet. How dare he come back after what he had done!-?
/
"Kotaro-kun!" Yue called out. "Tatsumiya-san! Are you all right!-?"
"Yes, are you okay!-?" asked Anya as the rest of the girls expressed similar concerns while Kaede undid their restraints.
"I heal fast." replied Kotaro as he started ripping out the needles from his back. "I couldn't let you get hurt like that."
"I also heal fast." Mana added as she did the same. "It's the job of a ministra to protect her magistra. I've suffered worse injuries before." The slimes charged towards them.
"Now's your chance!" Mana said.
Anya pulled out the bottle and cried, "Lagena signatoria!" The slimes were sucked into the bottle.
"Noooo! Ahhhh!" cried Suramui.
"Back into the bottle again?-!" asked Ameko.
"We are the bad guys." replied Purin. The bottle sealed itself after the slimes had been completely sucked up. Kotaro charged towards Chigusa.
"N-no!" cried Chigusa as she pulled out another charm and threw it onto the floor before Kotaro. "Ne wana!" Roots grew from the charm and attempted to grab Kotaro but were shot down by Mana's machine gun.
"I don't normally hit girls," Kotaro cried as he raced forward, "but I'll make an exception for people who hurt other girls!" He finished by punching Chigusa in the face and slamming her into the ground unconscious.
/
"Bonitas, amor et audacia! Grandescito columnam ab solo! Firmamentum petrae figuratum erit!" cried Nekane. Wilhelm grinned and spread his wings. Nekane narrowed her eyes and turned towards Negi.
"Continue!" he said. Wilhelm's eyes widened at that order and he turned to face Negi in his confusion. Then he shrugged and flapped his wings down once.
/
Kotaro ripped the necklace off of Asuna's neck and crushed it. Destroying it just like he had just done to Chigusa's.
Wilhelm felt the loss of his connection to Asuna. "No! Wait!" he cried.
"Turris ruboris provenerit! Columna lapidis!" Nekane finished and a large stone pillar erupted from the ground. "Cadito!" The pillar fell over and crushed Wilhelm.
"Aaaargh!" he shrieked. That boy's fortune telling was already making things difficult for me. He'll quickly see that I'm no longer protected. I no longer have the advantage. I have to report back to Fate. The water from the burst plumbing surrounded him and he disappeared in a puddle.
/
The bubbles holding the hostages faded away. The naked girls covered themselves up. Yue and Nodoka reddened. "Kotaro-kun," said Yue, "you protected Anya-sensei and helped save us."
"Well, I just did it because it was the right thing to do." said Kotaro, turning away, placing a hand on his head and blushing. "And I'd already come all this way. I wasn't trying to protect or save anyone in particular. I would have done it even if you weren't the ones who needed rescuing."
"Well, we forgave you for your involvement in Kyoto because we're good people." replied Yue. "It didn't have anything to do with you. In fact, I'd be willing to forgive Amagasaki-san and those other girls as well if they showed signs of remorse. I think that the others would as well."
"We would?" asked Anya, raising an eyebrow.
"Everyone deserves a chance to become a good person." said Yue, raising a finger. "If Amagasaki-san was helped to get over her parent's death, then she may be a better person and could help Konoka with Eastern magic. For now, though, we should tie her up and she'll probably have to be supervised for a while."
"Right!" said Anya. "Of course." They quickly grabbed some of the ropes used to tie the girls up and used them on Chigusa. Being tied up caused her to begin to regain consciousness. "Ah good. You can answer our questions now."
"Huh?" asked Chigusa as her eyes fluttered open.
"What happened to that other guy who was with you?" asked Anya.
"…If he's not back by now…he's probably given up and gone back to report or something." Chigusa said, scanning the room.
"Then we can continue this tomorrow." sighed Anya. "We can hand you over to Konoemon and then I can get some sleep. We still need to get Chizuru and Setsuna back."
"I can take Chizu-nee-san back." offered Kotaro.
"And what about you, Kotaro-kun?" asked Yue. "Are you going to stay here with us and go to school?"
"That…sounds nice." Kotaro hesitated. "I would like to stay here with you all and Ayaka-nee-san already offered to make sure that I can stay here."
"Then I'll take Setsuna-san back to her room." offered Asuna.
"I'll help!" said Konoka with glee.
/
Back in Wales, Negi looked at the destruction around the house. "Will you be able to get this all fixed soon, or do I need to stay longer?" he asked.
"I'll manage." Nekane sighed. "Besides, there are many people who will be eager to help me rebuild...As well as accommodate me while I'm waiting."
"Are you sure, Sis?" Negi asked.
"Of course." she smiled. "You don't have to worry about me."
"Good." Negi frowned, touching his chin. "Because I think that it's finally time for me to visit Anya."
/
Omake:
/
In the bath, lying naked with her eyes closed, Chao sighed. She was going to have a very sore back the next morning.
Tela Infinita (Infinite Projectiles): Through the power of Tatsumiya Mana's pactio with Anya, she is granted this artifact. Modern weaponry has begun to exceed the destructive capabilities of the spells of the average mage. Ever since the early use of firearms, some mages have predicted the eventual superiority of mundane weaponry in this regard. Therefore, in recent years, some artifact designers have taken advantage of this to increase the combat capabilities of their partners. This artifact was designed to allow the user to use a large variety of ranged, modern weaponry as desired. It has the ability to shift form and function between a fully-automatic machine gun, a sniper rifle (which is also capable of firing tranquilizer darts), a double-barrelled shotgun, a rocket-launcher and twin pistols all through simple twists and turns of the artifact. Changing form also results in automatic reloading.
From the files of Chao Lingshen, Temporal Renegade:
Full Name: Iwao Yukino
Birth Date: 8 February 1991
Death Date (In My Original Timeline): 14 November 2014
Blood Type: B
Likes: Clothes, art, movies, fanservice, directing, Hibiki Aya.
Dislikes: Party poopers.
Religion: Believes that there's no point in deciding until Aya does though the manifesto of the SOS club appeals to her despite not being a member.
Sexuality: In her words, has "a healthy appreciation for the eye-candy value of both sexes" but sticks with females for anything more than looking and is too happy with Aya to consider cheating on her, though she'd be happy to experiment if Aya gave the okay.
Noteworthy Family: Is not close to her parents. Unlikely to become involved.
Affiliations: Mahora Academy Junior Girl's High class 1A, The Art Club, The Drama Club, The Bridge Club, The Film Club, The Cosplayers Club, girlfriend of Hibiki Aya, friendly with most people, but accepts her girlfriend's dislike of fortune-tellers and rivalry with Shiina Sakurako even if it exasperates her and she wishes that they could all get along. Out of all her classmates, she is the friendliest with the Katsura triplets as triplets are useful to filmmakers and they actually are good actors who are also members of The Drama Club and she sees them as fun people.
Background: Yukino was happy to be sent off to a large, diverse boarding school like Mahora as she saw it as an opportunity for new and interesting experiences. It was there that she started on her path to try becoming a famous director. She joined the Drama Club to learn more about acting and to help with recruitment for her projects, though she usually uses her classmates. After she began dating Aya, she got her to join The Drama Club to increase the skills in her class. In return, she joined The Bridge Club and became Aya's partner. She is currently trying to get Aya to turn one of her gambling circles into a legitimate poker club with Aya as head. Assuming nothing changes from my timeline, she should be successful around Mahorafest. Yukino has a wide variety of taste in plots and genres though they tend to be fairly odd. She even writes crack fanfiction as practice for her film plots. Yukino is a talented artist and craftsmen. She especially likes designing and making the costumes for her films which are usually very fanservicey. She also makes outfits as gifts though and even sells her outfits to fund her projects.
Abilities: Yukino is a creative, talented artist with...an unusual way of thinking and a lot of enthusiasm. While her films are not exactly normal, her skill in dressmaking has resulted in her becoming financially successful.
Possible Impact on My Plans: As an enthusiastic person who would love to get involved in magic and would make a documentary about it if she could, she would eagerly support my plans. She would also find making a pactio a lot of fun, though would check with Aya before agreeing to do so. Aya wouldn't stop her though and she'd simply enjoy watching her girlfriend kiss someone. Naturally, she would bring Aya in if she became involved and Aya would agree with anything she decided. Her recklessness does mean that allying with her would be dangerous though.
A/N: 1. I admit that I made Natsumi a bit snarkier than normal here, but unfortunately, I really wanted those lines there and there wasn't anyone better available.
2. Also, as you may have noticed, Ayaka's reaction to Kotaro is quite different. I think that it makes sense based on the differences from canon. Based on Ayaka's comments of canon, I see a lot of Ayaka's negative reaction to Kotaro as coming from comparing him to Negi, which she can't do here as she hasn't met him yet. Instead, Kotaro's the first boy a few years younger than her that she has a decent opportunity to get close to.
3. You know, Chizuru is pretty optimistic for thinking that there wouldn't be any problems with keeping Kotaro in their room. I'm thinking about the possibility of problems from the faculty, rather than Ayaka. After all, I think that Chizuru expected Ayaka to react a lot more like she does here rather than the way she did in canon.
4. "Suimin kyosei suru kiri" should mean, "Sleep causing fog". It is an Eastern sleep spell. You know that they must have one. It's a standard status effect!
5.Medinocaskedme "Wait,sleepspellinthebath?Unlessallthewaterinthebathevaporatedtomakethemist,thatsoundsdangerous." Myresponseis:Ididthinkofthatanddecidedthatallthewaterevaporatingexplainsboththenodrowningandthepower,speedandareaofeffectofthespell,soyes,that'swhathappens.Themundanesarebeingtoldthattheyhadplumbingissues,whichissomethingstartedbyManaatChao'ssuggestionoff-screenbeforetheattack.
6. Incidently, Sakurako wasn't there because this would have been less pleasant for her than what happened in canon, so once again, her luck saved her.
7. Another thing that I'm trying to do is differentiate the slime trio a bit.
8. "Owarasu maho" should mean "Void enchantment" as Sayo's scroll indicates. It's Japanese, so they can all understand it.
9. I'm starting to wonder if I'll end up making more spells than Akamatsu did.
10. This was the most complicated fight that I have ever written. I actually worried and thought that I should have used Chigusa's zenki and goki, but after what happened to the saru shudan it was clear that they'd be pretty useless against Mana anyway. Still think that I made Wilhelm a bit more useless than he should be. Oh well. It was a tough fight to portray. One of the things that I wanted to do was demonstrate some of the stuff that Eastern magic could do. Was it all right
11. "Saru shudan" should mean "Troupe of monkeys".
12. I came very close to having Anya cast a different spell as she entered, but I decided that she'd still be learning it at this time.
13. "Dai kabe" should mean "great wall".
14. I assume that stone spear and freeze lance are equivalent to axe of Zeus, but that Tertium and Eva skipped their full incantations. As such, I needed to make up the rest of stone spear's incantation. It's probably very badly translated, but "Erchomai, petra tou edafous, trypo dia!" should be Greek for, "Come, stone of the ground, pierce through!"
15. "Bonitas, amor et audacia!" is Nekane's activation key. It should mean, "Goodwill, love and courage!"
16.MedinocwonderedwhyManawantedtosnipeChigusawitharocketlauncherashesaidthatrocketsfeellikeaPainfullySlowProjectiletohim,especiallyinMahouSenseiNegimawherehigh-levelmagesattainSuperSpeed(thoughinmydefence,Chigusaisnotahigh-levelmage).Myresponse:Technically,shedidn't.It'sanimageshe'stryingtocultivateaspartofherplanswithChao.She'stryingtolookcoldandlikesomeonethatAnyawouldn'twantasapermanentpartner.Still,thanksforthepoint.I'llbearitinmindinthefuture.Hethensaid, "NotethatIdidn'tquestionsuggestingtosnipeChigusa,forIwouldhavedonethesame.It'sjustthatIwouldhaveusedthehighestvelocityammoavailabletome,toreducethechanceofdodging/interception." MyresponseisTwopoints.1.Asyousaid,Chigusa'snotactuallythatfast.2.Manawasjustmakinganextremelyoverkillsuggestionaspartofcultivatingherimage.Shewantsthistobeaonceoffthing.Hethensaid, "Nowyou'vegotmewonderingwhatwouldhavehappenedifAnyahadansweredlikeme." (Todoitproperly.)Myresponsewas:Goodquestion!IthinkthatManawasprettysureofhowAnyawouldanswer,butifshehadsaid"Goforit!",Manawouldhaveprobablyeithershruggedandgoneaheadorshemayhavesaidthattheycouldn'tdoitfromthatanglewithoutriskingAsunaandmanipulatedthebattleintotakingplacethewaythatChaohadplannedit.(Ihaven'tputalotofthoughtintowhatwouldhavehappened,butIthink,somethinglikethat).
17. "Hi tori" should mean "fire bird".
118. As Lapis nigrer launches an actual rock (at least, I'm interpreting it as picking up a rock and throwing it as it's convenient for me and doesn't contradict canon that I know of), cancelling the magic won't help against it.
19. Medinoc requested a while ago that Anya realise what was happening before Negi did. I hope that this is an early enough realisation for him. (I think it is from his reaction.)
20. "Firmum lapis autumni! Nobis protectionem sordidum! Firmato provallo terrae duri!" should mean "Oh solid stone of Autumn! Bestow your earthy protection upon us! Harden before us, wall of toughened earth!" I've done a wall spell for fire and water, this is the earth version. This is one I'd really appreciate being checked. I have a feeling that it ends up calling it "sordid" rather than "earthy" protection.
21. "Frangito solum! Scindito terra! Separato et teneto inimicum meam! Cooperito moras omnia in foveae! Rumpito!" should mean: "Sunder the ground! Split the earth! Divide and surround my foe! Swallow all obstacles in a pit trap! Fissure!"
22. "Mukando na hari" should mean "Neglectful acupuncture"
23. "Ne wana" should mean, "root trap".
24. "Grandescito columnam ab solo. Firmamentum petrae figuratum erit. Turris ruboris provenerit. Columna lapidis." should mean, "Grow a column from the ground. A support of stone shall form. A tower of strength shall appear. Stone pillar."
25. "Cadito!" should mean, "Fall!"
26. The scene with Chigusa's interrogation was a mission to write! I considered going back to tidy it up, but didn't have the inspiration.
27. Anyway, I kind of like the idea of Kotaro and Yue being slightly Tsundere towards each other, so yeah.
28. I decided to put Yukino's profile here as she appears briefly and shouldn't be too far from Aya's.
29. When I wrote the scene with Wilhelm offering Chizuru the wish, I considered making the omake a Madoka Magica reference, but forgot about it when the time came. Well, I've got another one planned for later anyway.
30. Last chapter's profile was the one that got Over Master and Andmeuths questioning the early death dates. I'd been wondering when that would be picked up. If you think about it, the reason shouldn't be too difficult to work out.
31. Andmeuths had some questions about the combat styles. There would be a paladin equivalent, yes. As for the magezilla, it's easiest to compare it to a combat mage. A combat mage trains both their magical and physical combat abilities. In battle, they rely mostly on physical combat, casting spells as they gain the opportunity. Mostly for blasting when they need ranged attacks or if their opponent gives an opening. In contrast, a magezilla only learns the basics of physical combat and concentrates on improving their magic, but not for blasting. Instead, when a battle begins, the magezilla casts several buffing spells on themselves, turning themselves intoa physical warrior. They then use this power to fight as if they were a physical combatant, relying on their magic to give them the power. Also, no one has made requests on this, so I'm ready for them.
32. Coming up next chapter, over three months and twenty chapters late, Negi finally arrives at Mahora! (Includes a scene written by Japanese Teeth.)
33. Speaking of Japanese Teeth, he checked this chapter. Thank you.