"Make sure Yue-san or Haruna-san is inside your room before you go in. If not in the room, you can come over and visit until they are," said Negi.
"Alright!" smiled Nodoka.
Indeed Haruna was inside writing her manga as she popped her head out into the hallway. Nodoka went inside and Negi went inside his dorm room.
Inside Haruna's and Nodoka's room, Haruna sat back down near her manga drawings. Nodoka slumped down onto her bed.
"So what have you two been doing? Making out," giggled Haruna.
"No!" blushed Nodoka.
"Well then, what are you up to?" asked Haruna looking down at her manga drawing.
"Cannot say until Yue-san and the rest of our group get to talk with the professor tomorrow. All I can say is I admit I am in awe of Negi-sensei's power," said Nodoka.
"Not even a little hint?" asked Haruna.
"Sorry cannot do that," responded Nodoka.
Yue opened the dorm door and soundly said, "You and Negi-kun disappeared again."
Nodoka did not flinch or say a word. She just smiled. Yue knew they were together and were safe.
"Did I miss something?" asked Haruna.
"No Paru-san, you have not missed anything," replied Yue.
Asuna waiting impatiently behind the dorm door as Negi opened it. Asuna balled her hand into a fist and slugged the little professor right in the stomach. Negi's knees gave way as he collapsed on the floor. Konoka looked horrified behind Asuna.
"My God Asuna-san! How could you?" said Konoka rushing to Negi's aide.
"He does not learn. Time after time I tell him I will help him when he needs it. But, what does he do? He keeps me at a distance," said a steaming Asuna.
"I...(cough) sorry...(cough) Asuna-san," said a out of breathe Negi.
"Are you alright?" asked Konoka.
"Yes...I will...be fine," said Negi as Konoka helped him to his feet.
Ayaka walked by and heard a hard thump come from Negi's room moments before. She peered in and saw her professor on the floor as Asuna stood over him with a balled up fist. Ayaka though remained silent to hear what was going on.
"He is fine Konoka-san. This kid is no ordinary kid as you know," said Asuna.
"I know that, but you hit him so hard and he was unprepared for it," replied Konoka.
Ayaka spoke up, "What was that about him not being an ordinary child? And why was the professor on the ground? You monkey!"
"Do not call me a monkey. He had it coming for all the trouble he has been causing around me," responded Asuna.
"Oh class rep, she just meant that Negi is not the typical ten year old due to his being a teacher," said Konoka.
"And why was he on the floor?" repeated Ayaka.
"Well he...," stuttered Asuna.
"I fell opening the door. I have to be more careful," said Negi smiling at Ayaka.
Ayaka was about to say something but began to have her usual Negi fantasy.
"Here she goes again daydreaming," said Asuna.
"Huh?" said a confused Negi.
"Yeah the way the class rep is looking. It probably is a steamy one," giggled Konoka.
'I...well...should get back to my room," said Ayaka all flushed as she almost tripped going out of the hallway.
Ayaka was still in her daze state as she meandered toward her room.
"Dodge a bullet there," smiled Asuna.
"Yes I guess you are right," replied Negi.
"Now to the point at hand," said Asuna as her stomach rumbled with hunger.
"I think this can wait until we ate," smiled Konoka.
"Where is Setsuna-san?" asked Negi.
"My grandfather had her run an errand so Asuna-san became by bodyguard," replied Konoka as she hugged Asuna.
"Do not squeeze me that tight," said Asuna.
"But too bad the professor is occupied or I would ask grandfather to let you guard by body," winked Konoka.
Negi blushed beet red.
"Knock it out Konoka-san. He is just ten," said Asuna as she rolled her eyes.
"He knows I am teasing," smiled Konoka.
Early in the morning Negi agreed to meet Nodoka by her dorm room to head out to see Albireo Imma. Negi figured to seek his help or advice.
Nodoka made herself look stunning for Negi. Haruna made sure of that. Nodoka followed Negi by his side as they headed toward Imma's secret place.
"Well I see my dragon has let you in again," snickered Imma.
"It was a little easier this time. But, I do not think it likes me," said Negi wiping his brow.
"Ah I see you brought a date with you," commented Imma seeing Nodoka behind Negi.
"No this is not a date. She...well I...," murmured Negi.
"It is already Negi-kun. Just teasing you," replied Imma.
"Well Mister Imma-sensei, we are here to ask you some questions," said Nodoka quietly.
"Ah about the rose I presume," said Imma.
"How did you know?" asked Negi.
"Kitty told me," snickered Imma who he was referring to Eva by her nickname.
"Of course. Can you tell me anything that I am missing? I do not think any of my students would have taking it. And I think it is related to the rose, but Nodoka-san and I faced a Fate ghost or image," said Negi.
"Oh? A Fate Averruncus ghost you say. It was not the real one?" asked Imma.
"No! I fought him in Kyoto and he was solid. Master beat him," replied Negi.
"So what happen when you fought the fake Fate?" asked Imma.
"Use spells that did not do any damage. Nodoka-san with her pactio could not sense anything," sighed Negi.
"Ah really? Well I am sure it was just a fake and sounds like maybe a warning that you are getting close to the culprit that stole the infamous rose from this lady behind you," commented Imma.
"Really think so that we are getting close?" asked Negi.
"Maybe or perhaps it may not be connected to the rose and Fate is playing tricks on you and taunting you to see how far you have progressed since Kyoto," said Imma smiling.
"This is very puzzling indeed Mister Imma-sensei," said Nodoka.
"Yes miss you are right. Puzzling prospect of portioned preparation's activity," said Imma.
Negi just sighed. Nodoka did not know what to do or say.
"Well Negi-kun, what is your next step?" asked Imma.
"Have not a clue. Have to think about what you have said and see where I go from here," said Negi.
"Good luck!" said Imma as he watched Negi lead Nodoka back out of Imma's place.
Yue is to meet up with Nodoka outside near the World Tree. Yue sat down with her back toward the big tree and opened a book to read. The Narutaki twins suddenly appeared above Yue.
"What are you reading?" asked Fuka.
Yue looked up and replied, "Stuff!"
"What kind of stuff?" asked Fumika.
"You would probably get bored even if I told you two," replied Yue.
"Well guess it must be a boring book," snickered Fuka.
"To the uneducated and the non-thinkers probably would be," smiled Yue.
"Did she call us stupid? She is part of the baka rangers after all," replied Fuka.
"Hey sis? Let it go and let us go and find professor Negi-sensei," smiled Fumika.
"You probably will find him with bookworm," responded Yue.
"He is always with her as of late," said Fumika.
"Are they actually going out?" asked Fuka.
"Negi-sensei is only ten. What do you think?" asked Yue.
"You are right. Why would he like older girls," said Fuka.
The twins vanished from Yue's sight and her peace and quiet resumed until Nodoka ever shows up.
Negi gave a message earlier in the day to Kasuga Misora asking to meet.
Wherever Kasuga goes Cocone is always there.
Negi and Nodoka were waiting near the Mahora Academy water fountain when Kasuga and Cocone showed up in their nun outfits.
"So professor what did you want?" asked Kasuga.
"You do know what has been going on?" asked Negi.
"About the rose? Yes!" replied Kasuga.
Cocone whispered in Kasuga's ear.
"Do you...have any information that can help?" said Nodoka hesitate.
"All we know is someone that has tremendous magical power that could do this," said Kasuga.
"Who has the power to do this?" asked Nodoka.
"Could be...him," said Negi thinking.
Cocone, Kasuga, and Nodoka all looked confused.
Cocone whispered again in Kasuga's ear.
"That could be a possibility," replied Kasuga to Cocone.
"Well if you hear anything more can you let us know?" asked Negi.
"Yes professor I will," replied Kasuga.
Cocone tugged at Kasuga's arm.
"Ah we must go professor," said Kasuga as her and Cocone walked away.
"So professor if they do not know and we do not have much. Then what are we going to do?" asked Nodoka.
"All we can do is search for the rose and clues to who took it," smiled Negi.
"How come you did not tell Kasuga-san about the fakes?" said Nodoka.
"They do not have to know. Let us go back to the dorm and think about what Kasuga-san said and what Imma-sensei said ," replied Negi.
Negi opened his dorm as he stepped on a piece of paper that was on the floor. He cautiously looked over the paper. He opened it and there was a message that read:
"Ddylasech wedi cwblhau 'm off. Ewyllysia bod yn canfod 'ch 'n anhydwf."
Negi pondered who wrote this note. And what did it mean by it.
Asuna walked into the dorm room and saw Negi fixated at a piece of paper.
"What are you doing?" asked Asuna.
Negi looked up at Asuna and replied, "Oh it is not anything."
Asuna knew better then to know it was nothing.
"You are going to ask for my help on this?" asked Asuna.
"I cannot Asuna-san. You will get hurt," replied Negi.
"Yet you willing to take bookworm who has no offensive capabilities," responded Asuna.
"She has qualities that you do not have," smiled Negi.
"What? Like that she loves you?" smirked Asuna.
Negi blushed, "No that is not it. Her pactio comes in handy."
"Sure her pactio," winked Asuna.
Negi gathered his stuff and headed out to the hallway forgetting to throw away the note that was on a table in the dorm.
Nodoka was waiting for him as she peered down the steps lost in her thoughts.
"Are you ready?" asked Negi.
Nodoka jumped what seemed like a mile in the air as she said she was ready.
Meanwhile back in the dorm, Asuna was curious about that piece of paper that Negi was looking at. She knew that she should not look at it, but could not help herself as she picked it up. She read it and immediately ran to Yue's and Haruna's dorm.
Once Negi and Nodoka stepped outside of the dorm they poofed to another make believe world that look like it was located in the Swiss Alps.
Nodoka stood there gawking at the different buildings and at the mountain peak behind those buildings.
"Be on your guard," said Negi.
"Yes!" replied Nodoka.
"Strange that nobody is here," said Negi.
"Yes!" replied Nodoka trying to compose herself.
"Miss me boy?" said a husky male voice behind them.
Negi turned around slowly with his staff in hand. Nodoka behind Negi turned as well.
"You cannot be the real Hermann," said Negi.
"Oh is that right boy? You so sure that people in this place is not petrified like your hometown?" asked the voice.
"I will stake my life on it," replied Negi.
"Professor be careful," said Nodoka.
"Centum telum of Lux lucis caecus inimicus," recited Negi.
The figure of Hermann countered, "Tripudio of Pertification obviam virgo."
Nodoka already knew she was going to be a target and hid before the spell could hit her as it hit a wooden barrel.
"NODOKA-SAN ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" yelled Negi.
"Yes professor!" exclaimed Nodoka.
"Centum unda telum per inimicus," said Negi.
The Hermann image moved toward where Nodoka was hiding. Negi's water arrows came at Hermann as it dodge. Negi saw Nodoka in the cross hairs of his spell as he tried to reverse them but he could only get most of them as a couple penetrated Nodoka's arm and leg.
"Boy you should be better then this hitting your own partner. Careless you are. You have a lot to go to be like your father," said the image of Hermann now in his demon form.
Nodoka screamed out in pain as she dropped her pactio item onto the ground.
Negi tried to rush to Nodoka's aid but the demon Hermann image quickly interceded Negi.
"Tsk tsk boy. Never turn your back to your enemy," replied the demon.
"I am so sorry Nodoka-san. It was all my fault," said Negi as tears started to run down his cheeks.
"There is no crying on the battlefield during a fight boy," replied the demon.
Negi wiped away the tears and recited, "Per ventus dea quod unda deus certamen , tribuo mihi salus quod ops terminus is pugna."
The water and wind turned into a powerful water spiral that looked like it had penetrated the false Hermann. In fact all it did was make a hole in a building as Hermann disappeared. Negi looked around for a moment just in case it was hiding. Negi ran as fast as he could toward Nodoka.
Negi looked down at Nodoka as she was in extreme pain. With her eyes watery she gazed up at him and tried to smile.
"I am so very sorry Nodoka-san," said a teary-eyed professor.
"It is not your fault," said Nodoka softly.
Negi tried to heal some of her wound enough to ease the pain. Nodoka moaned softly.
A crowd of Mahora students were gathering around Negi and Nodoka. Negi looked up and yelled for someone to get some help. Gandolfini arrived on the scene as he looked at Negi.
"What happened here?" asked Gandolfini.
"She...um...fell hard," replied Negi.
Gandolfini looked at one of Nodoka's wound and did not say a word. He quickly carried Nodoka to the nurse's office as Negi just sat there in a daze.
"How could I let this happen? I injured my own student and pactio partner. I am a disgrace to the magi and my father," thought Negi.
Yue, Haruna, Asuna, Konoka, Setsuna all ran toward Negi. Chisame stood distance back watching shaking her hand in disbelief.
"What happen to bookworm? What did you do?" asked Asuna.
Negi got up as the crowd now dissolved and only the six girls remained.
"Leave me be girls," pleaded Negi.
"No!" said Asuna.
"Think we should Asuna-san," said Yue.
"I want to know what he did to bookworm," said Asuna.
"Please Asuna-san that is enough. Let us leave," said Konoka.
"I said No. This boy is suppose to be this great magi and have us as partners, yet he does not use us as such," said Asuna.
"You really want to know?" asked Negi looking at all the girls.
"Yes I want to know," replied Asuna.
"I was the one who injured Nodoka-san. So if you do not mind. I prefer to not injure anyone else," said Negi as he turned away and walked away.
"You idiot. How could you injure poor bookworm?" asked Asuna.
"Asuna-san let it go," said Setsuna.
"I am so sorry Asuna-san," said Negi as he dashed off.
"That idiot getting all worked up will not help," said Asuna.
"I know but he is just a kid. And he carries a heavy responsibility as a teacher and now as our magic partner," said Konoka.
"Leave the kid to me," said Chisame behind the other girls.
They all turn and were confused.
"What?" said Asuna.
"Right now he probably does not want to be near anyone he cares for," replied the net idol.
"He does not care about you?" said Haruna.
Chisame laughed and said, "Remember I do not believe in this so-called magic. I still distrust him and his ability as a teacher."
"But you did kiss him for the pactio to help us at the festival," said Konoka.
"That was a one shot deal. I do not get involved with others," replied Chisame.
"Too late for that," winked Haruna.
"Hmpf! Just let me talk to him," said Chisame.
A/S More translation below
Negi's note in English means "You should have finished me off. Will be seeing you shortly."
Negi's first spell, "Hundred arrows of light blind the foe."
Fake Hermann's first spell, "Dance of Petrification toward the maiden."
Negi's second spell, "Hundred arrows of water at the foe."
Negi's third spell, "With the wind goddess and water god combine, give me salvation and the power to end this fight."
