Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina or Mahou Sensei Negima

A/N: I know it's a long overdue chapter, but I've been busy with reports. I've been swamped with work as of late and I had to put the story on hold.

Ace – "No, you aren't a coward. You're the one at the keyboard, not them. Besides, I'm not a big fan of the word. People use the name coward when they tell people they're too scared to fight with a sword instead of a gun. Those people are probably all dead."

Earlier that day…

"Urashima, would you mind if I ask a few questions?" Setsuna inquires. The two of them were walking down a mountain path back down into the Kyoto city limits.

"Sure thing; ask away."

"Your style of fighting; normally the Shinmei School emphasizes on being as graceful as it is deadly. But the way you fight…"

"What about it?"

"It's very…um…brutal. Why is that?"

"I'm not very good at being subtle."

She sighs, "So I noticed."

"I don't really like those fancy acrobatics. That stuff usually backfires and it's for show anyway."

"Also, not that I'm complaining but why is it you use guns?"

"Even if sensei scolds me for it, my mom taught me how to recognize calibers and handling different types of guns." By his mother, he referred to Haruka. "What about you? How come you don't use guns?"

"Guns aren't my thing. I'm more comfortable cutting than I am shooting." She clears her throat, "But back to my original subject, why is it you lack the finesse needed for the more advanced techniques?"

"I really dunno; maybe because I'm a guy?"

"Don't be silly. There are plenty of men in the Shinmei School who are as quick as they are strong; if I'm not mistaken, there was Matsumura Ganjuro who was a perfect example."

"Huh, you don't say."

"I've noticed the odd way you hold your sword, straight at the throat. Here, let me show you."

She draws Yuunagi, and hands it to Soma. Almost immediately, his hand sags low from the difference in weight in her nodachi and his katana. From behind, she guides his hands to where she normally holds it.

"Here, one hand in the middle and one at the neck. Doing that gives you a big aftershock when you hit. Try keeping one hand at the base; you shouldn't be worried about holding onto it. You've been gripping it correctly, but you shouldn't overwork your hands."

He almost enjoyed Setsuna wrapping her hands around his and her body pressed up against his back, but dismisses another one of his Urashima tendencies.

"There; that tree looks like a good target."

Soma turns to see a thirty year old tree, strong in bark. With one guided slash, Yuunagi slashes clean through the tree and fells it with minimal effort.

"I see; my bad."

Setsuna sheathes her nodachi, "Don't mention it."

"Well, since you're teaching me, I might as well teach you something." He draws out his SOCOM pistol, handing it to her.

"Really, I'm not that good."

"Hey, just in case. Show me how you hold it." Setsuna leans down and holds the SOCOM with both hands on the grip, leaned over. Soma raises an eyebrow at her very awkward stance.

She looks at him, "What?"

"Er…try to shoot this." he takes a sleight of bark that fell from a tree off the ground and tosses it forward. Squeezing the trigger, she yelps inexplicably as she shoots and misses her target. Soma grabs her wrist and puts the safety on; he notices that her hand was bleeding just below her thumb.

"Ow…"

From his pocket he draws an alcohol wipe and a bandage and immediately applies them, "Don't be so tense; you'll get biteback that way."

"Biteback?"

"It's when the slide recoils and the area between your thumb and fingers gets snagged on the way back. Try lowering your wrists away from the slide." She does as she's told, taking both hands closer to the magazine ramp.

"Like this?"

"Yeah, just like that. Now take one hand off the grip; that just makes the recoil bigger. Here, place one right here." He wraps his hands around hers and guides them along the SOCOM, placing one hand on the base of the magazine and one on the right side of the grip. "There now; this will keep it steady."

"Anything else I need to know?"

"Oh yeah, straighten your back." Keeping one hand on the gun, he places one hand on the small of her back and presses forward to make Setsuna straighten up. By her view, it almost looked as if they were tangoing.

"I get it. Let me try again."

Soma picks up the bark and tosses it again. This time, as it fell there were several holes in its side. He smirks and gives a respectful huff as he picks it up only for it to splinter apart.

"That's what I'm talking about."

"I'll keep the information close at mind."

"Just out of curiosity, why did you suddenly point out the way I hold my sword?"

"I'm a fan of Aoyama Motoko. I was just starting to wonder if you were really taught by her or not."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's nothing; Aoyama-san is so gracefully efficient and you're so…efficient."

"Sensei always hits me, telling me that I'm a "clumsy fool". But when we weren't practicing swordplay, she made me do crap like sleep with snakes in a sleeping bag, hang upside down and keep my blood flowing through willpower, and…"

"Okay, okay; I understand. But to be honest…"

"What?"

"When this is all over," she rubs her hands indifferently "I'm going to admit that I'll miss you."

Soma was confused, "What do you mean?"

"After we get the letter in, I'll arrange for you to meet the directors of the Shinmei School where you can get the training you need."

"No, I mean you're actually going to miss me?"

"Yes; what of it?"

"Why's that?"

"For the longest time, I've shouldered the burden of my family to protect the Konoe family alone. It felt nice that I could have some of the weight off of me even if just for a little while."

"For a little while? What about Sir Negi, and Asuna?"

"This is a matter for the Shinmei School. I cannot allow them to become involved."

Soma rolls his eyes "Good job."

"I'll help you get your training when things between the east and west are settled; I promise."

"Thanks," he slides his foot along the ground "I gotta say I'll miss you too."

"Huh?"

He simply grins and bolts down the pathway turning back to shout back, "C'mon, I'll race you!" Setsuna races after him yelling while holding up his pistol.

"Don't forget your gun!"

Now

"Would you like rundown, daimyo?"

"Tell me where we stand."

Mari clears her throat, "Current analysis: Negi-san is currently at eighty five percent battle capacity, Kagurazaka at eighty four, Sakurazaki at eighty three, Pharsti-sama at a healthy ninety two, and you at seventy five. Although our enemies are formidable, our current skill sets, mana supply, and your newly reworked arsenal, not to mention your slight control of the Judgment Ring, I estimate a solid eighty eight percent chance of success."

"What's the other twelve?"

"If the damage we have sustained is more than anticipated and in return hinders us, we may die horribly."

"Optimistic, aren't you?"

"I am only following my protocol."

"Whatever, let's get this show on the road. I didn't buy this damned rocket launcher for show."

Outside, Chigusa and one of her many monkey servants stood gloating at the white haired child's accomplishment. Konoka lay in the super deformed ape's hands with duct tape on her mouth shouting muffled screams of protest.

"Relax, ojou-sama. I won't do anything too bad." She turns to the newcomer, "Let's head to that altar."

"Hold it!"

"Hmm?"

Setsuna called her out, "That's far enough! At dawn others will come and take you. Just hand over Konoka ojou-sama!"

"And what if they are? I don't have that much farther to go anyway."

"I don't think you heard the girl." Soma pulls the hammer back on the Hellion, "Give us back Konoka, now."

"Watch your mouth, boy. For that, I'll show you a glimpse of ojou-sama's power." She turns around to face Konoka, "My apologies, ojou-sama."

With a snap, she began to glow vibrantly. Symbols began to appear on the water they stood in, conjuring cosmic energies at a high rate. The party kept their guards up to prepare for what might come out of the spell. Their patience is rewarded with dozens of demons materializing from the surface, all shapes and sizes. Their expressions changed from determined to disturbed.

"Whoa!" Chamo said in shock, "Konoka-chan's power is attracting whatever's nearby! There must be at least a hundred!"

"You all play nice now…" she taunts, "and short of killing you all since you are kids, I won't hold them back. Call it payback from the other night."

Soma raises his heavy handgun "Fuck you, monkey-bitch."

"Defiant until the end; I'm almost ashamed you aren't working for me." She and the ashen kid leap high into the air well out of reach.

"Tch…" Chamo looked on their situation.

"Daimyo."

"Yeah, Mari?"

"I've reworked our chances, and according to this new development…"

"What of it?"

"Our chances have changed to……thirteen percent."

Chapter 37 – "Confidence in the Domination"

Now surrounded, the party gathered their options. With things looking bleak, Chamo makes a drastic suggestion.

"Aniki, now would be a great time for a barrier!"

"Vertātur tempestās vēris, nōbis prōtectiōnem aēriālem. FLĀNS PARIĒS VENTĪ VERTENTIS!"

A giant maelstrom surrounded them, cradling them within the safe comfines of the storm's eye while demons met their demise by being shredded to pieces against the swirling wings.

"What do you suggest, Negi-kun?" asks Pharsti.

"I'm not sure…"

Soma agrees, "Me too; I'm open to suggestions."

"The rest of you go on ahead!" Setsuna volunteers selflessly, "I'll stay behind and deal with these ogres."

"Ugh…" Soma squeezes the space between his eyes, "you're so full of shit!"

"We don't have time to argue!"

"Sakurazaki-san, I'm sorry but he's right. Even you cannot handle this many by yourself; Soma and I will stay with you."

"I'll stay here with you too!" Asuna joins them.

"Hold up! We can't all stay!" shouted the ermine, "Ane-san's harisen can send demons back to where they came from! It's the perfect tool against these guys! We'll just hold these guys off while aniki grabs Konoka ne-san and hightail it back to the temple!"

Negi calls to Soma, "Matsumura-san."

"Yeah?"

"I want you to come with me."

"Why me?"

"Because you can cast magic as well as chi; I could use the extra help." He looks to Pharsti, "Pharsti-san, please help Asuna-san and Setsuna-san!"

"Of course."

With their game plan set, that left just one thing to do.

"Okay then, all that's left is to plant a big wet one on aniki!"

"What?"

Pharsti began sweating nervously, "The barrier may drop any second!"

"Pucker up, Setsuna-kun." The male swordsman readies his sword.

"Okay…"

Her hands trembling, she clasps Negi's round face and pauses hesitantly before bringing her lips to his. Chamo did his job of activating the pactio, surrounding them in warm light.

"Amazing…" Pharsti muses.

Soma shields his eyes, "So bright…!"

"Negi-sensei, save Konoka ojou-sama!"

"I will…!"

Asuna turns around, snapping the two of them back to reality "Enough with looking into each other's eyes!"

"Yeah," Soma unlocks the safety from his SOCOM pistol "you'll have plenty of time for that later. Let's go, Sir Negi; we've got a princess to save."

Their shield diminishes, and they were once again exposed among the hordes of demons. Many of them snickered in anticipation as loads of claws, horns and spikes primed themselves for an attack.

"Bout' time! Don't rush yourselves on our accord!"

Negi came out chanting, "…tempestas fulgurien!" An enormous blast ripped through their defense, the two magi riding atop Negi's staff. Back on the ground, the enemy was left confused when they recounted.

"I think we lost twenty."

"Jeez, leave it to those western magi to lack any real finesse."

The three girls geared up their weapons, gripping tightly as they were ready to go in swinging.

"Just imagine that they're a hundred punks."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" asks Asuna to her friend.

"Calm down;" Pharsti said as the tip of her staff started glowing "as Soma-kun always tells me, I've got your back."

"That's the spirit, Pharsti-san."

"Since I've got you two to keep me covered…" Asuna bends her knees, "Let's go slay us some ogres!"

The three of them charged headlong into the swarm of giants with the intent to kill ever last one of them. All the while, Negi and Soma sped towards Konoka at a steady one hundred twenty miles per hour.

Suddenly, a shockwave unseen to the naked eye makes their hearts skip a beat. Something was amiss.

"Aniki, did you feel that?"

"Yes I did; Matsumura-san, please repeat after me." He chants, "Accelerātiō…!"

Soma does as he is told and chants alongside him, boosting their speed to a respectable two hundred and ten. Back with the girls, they were busy slaughtering anything that came within five feet of them.

"Permissum orbis terrarum rector meus manus manus… MATRIS GAIA"

An earthquake rocks beneath them, rock spires crushing two very large ogres. Pharsti supports her female friends as they carved a pathway to buy time for Negi and Soma; obliging her, Asuna takes her harisen and the paper seemed to destroy a monster on contact as she leapt through the air. As she lands, two peeved demons take their turn to make an attack. In the blink of an eye, Setsuna cuts through both of them with one hand while preparing for another attack.

"Shinmeiryuu…"

Forty four polished slashes overkill several of their numbers, landing gracefully in style.

"Hyakuretsu Okazani!"

Asuna makes use of her given pathway and thwacks another demon into dust; her one hit kill ratio was spotless. Coming from behind her, Pharsti finishes off her chant and unleashes a set of magic arrows upon several more.

Pharsti compliments her Shinmei partner as the three of them stand back to back to back, "Quite the fancy footwork, have we?"

"You aren't so bad yourself."

"Y'know," Asuna grins "I'd say we make one hell of a team."

"You think?" asks Setsuna.

"Maybe when we get back, you can teach me kendo."

"Um…I'd like to, but I'm still pretty green."

"Oh don't sell yourself short!" Pharsti adds, "But now isnt the time for this. If I remember correctly, Negi-kun wanted us to annihilate anything that doesn't look like us."

Asuna blunk "Pharsti, I never knew you could be so…violent."

"Soma-kun has been an influence on me. In this instance, I'm happy for it."

On the opposing side, the summoned demons conversed among themselves on how three girls can best one hundred and fifty of them; being taller, more muscular, and having an overall more threatening arsenal they should have already killed if not scared them into submission.

"Jeez, that girl and her harisen are a real pain…"

"One hit kills and no misses! She's hacking; she has to be!"

"Lemme just ask," one particular demon speaks "do all you girls run around without panties?"

"Heh; nice butt, pigtails." A demon snickers at Asuna.

"Damnit, I knew they turned to stone but…"

"Hey, she's vulnerable!"

"Let's get her! Just be careful of that harisen!" The entire hoard of monsters resumed their chase after the panty-less Asuna. Setsuna scolds her for being foolish enough to lower her war fan.

Pharsti shakes her head, "I hope those two are having better luck than us."

Meanwhile, Chamo was currently freaking out over a most unwelcome sight. He spots Konoka being used like some kind of a medium for a ritual; the mage and swordsman sped ahead, hearing something behind them. Onmyou dog gods were speeding towards them at blistering pace, throwing them completely off guard and knocking them square off Negi's staff. They land on the ground safely, Negi softening his fall with the use of wind magic and Soma crouching before he lands.

They are greeted by a swaggering voice from Negi's furry foe, Inugami Kotaro.

"Well now, Negi; I didn't really think I'd get to face you again so soon!"

"Kotaro!"

Switching back to the girl's party, Asuna, Setsuna and Pharsti were wrecking shop. From their view, about half of their forces remained and the other half was still willing to fight. Pharsti uses her Hail Dust spell to freeze one member of the pig clan into a solid block of ice; Setsuna follows her attack by leaping high into the air and splitting the iceberg neatly in two. Finishing last, Asuna uses her magically enhanced muscles to kick one side in the opposite direction and make a powerful swat at the other. The two halves she hit shatter into sizable chunks; the three of them gather together and Pharsti performs the maelstrom barrier spell Negi demonstrated not too long ago. The result was tons of ice pieces being thrown every which way and killing anything they hit.

"C'mon, more of them?"

"Persistent fellows, aren't they?"

"Nicely done, Pharsti-san."

"Yeah, now if Negi can only get Konoka back!" stepping out from the shadows was a tengu-esque creature, swinging a very large straight edged sword in Asuna's direction. She manages to guard against one blow only to stumble backwards and receive several hard hitting blows for once again letting her guard down.

"Not a member of the…bird tribe!"

"Not bad, girl;" Taunted the bird warrior "But I'm tougher than the others that you've faced."

Pharsti mused, "Amazing…! Kagurazaka took all those hits, but she's still in fighting form! For an everyday schoolgirl she has an excellent defense."

"I'm coming Asuna—" turning back and taking her focus away from the swarm of foes, a sharp whistling gains Setsuna's attention. She narrowly guards against the large sword, sliding along the ground with her heels sloshing across the water. She manages to stave off the bird warrior momentarily to catch her breath.

"Now you face us, sword of the Shinmei."

Behind her, Pharsti stood at her side with fingers charging a spell; "And you will face us, warriors of the bird tribe."

In the background a large pillar of light shoots towards the sky. A cold feeling shot through the girls as they feared the worst, followed by the silky Lolita voice of Tsukiyomi.

"It seems as though Chigusa-san's plans are all coming together."

"Damnit…Tsukiyomi! Not good…"

Behind her, Amaterasu stood back to back with his sister. "It will be over soon, Setsuna-chan…"

"I'll take them!" Pharsti points her spell towards her, "EGO dedi vos meus—aah!" before she can finish the incantation, the bird warrior snags Pharsti with one arm while holding Asuna up by her harisen arm.

"No so fast, little one. This is a matter between us and the Shinmei girl."

Setsuna was slowly deprived of options, "This is really not good…!"

"Soma-kun, hurry! We're being overrun, and that Tsukiyomi girl and Amaterasu are here!"

"We've run into some obstacles. We're going as fast as we can; we'll be there as soon as we beat the crap out of this wolf guy."

Soma put up his fists up in an aggressive posture, "Who are you supposed to be?"

"So Negi, you got a guy to fight for you now? It's a step in the right direction."

"Listen, inuyasha." Soma taunts "You're messin' with me now!"

(A/E: Soma is referring to inuyasha as the word meaning "Female dog demon" i.e. demon bitch.)

"Shut up! I came to fight Negi again! I got no business with some pawn from the Shinmei School."

"Kotaro-kun, why are you doing this?" asks Negi, "Why are you following that monkey woman?"

"Her goals don't concern me in the least. All that matters is that I find a real fight!"

"We can fight after this is over!"

"Admit it; after this is done you won't want to fight!"

"Not now, inuyasha!" Soma points to him "If you want a fight, I'm wide open!"

"If you're so into fighting, why don't the both of you come at me at once? Who knows? You just might make it in time!" He struts one hand out and produces a clone of himself, "There, an even playing field!"

"Don't fall for it, aniki!" Chamo warns him, "Let Soma-aniki fight him off!"

"You're a man, aren't you?" Kotaro makes another attempt to taunt him.

"What's it gonna be, Sir Negi?"

Negi tosses Chamo off his shoulder, "Okay then. You're on!"

Soma cracks his knuckles, "Alright; I'm with you. Let's shut this punk up."

The two of them rush headlong towards their wolf opponent, the four of them giving out cries of anger as they raised their fists primed with punches. Suddenly, a massive shuriken separated the four of them with a dividing line making them stop. Soma grabs Negi and leaps backwards to a safe distance. Kotaro and his shadow clone were both knocked back into a tree, the clone disappearing.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu?" he said aloud, "Who the hell are you?"

"What on earth is that?" Negi asks as he catches his breath.

"I dunno," Soma shakes his head, "but I want one."

Negi and Soma look around to see what outside force acted in their favor. Their ears catch wind up in the trees where they spotted a familiar shadow that turned into a familiar figure.

"Nagase-san!" they said simultaneously.

It was indeed Nagase Kaede. In tow she carried Ayase Yue in her arms while wearing a Chinese dress no less.

"To lose oneself in the heat of battle and forget your purpose…" she grins, "You lack devotion, Negi-bozu. And I'm not very impressed with you either, Matsumura-kun."

"You know me?"

"No; you're just a terrible liar, de gozaru."

Back with the now surrounded Setsuna; she wore a look of desperation on her face. Asuna and Pharsti were at the mercy of an elite bird clan member leaving her completely outnumbered. Gripping her hands into fists, she concentrates on a single point with chi building up at an extreme pace.

"I have no choice! I'll have to use that technique!"

Without any forewarning, a bullet penetrates straight through the skull of the bird warrior. Pharsti and Asuna drop to the ground in surprise, looking around to see what could have caused it.

"What?"

"You're slipping, Setsuna-kun."

The three turn to see one Tatsumiya Mana holding a Remington rifle, with Ku Fei directly behind her looking in uncomplicated bewilderment at the copious amount of monsters that littered the landscape.

"Mm, they look strong!" said the baby faced Chinese girl.

"Number eighteen, Tatsumiya Mana correct?" asks Pharsti.

The markswoman nods, "Right on the money, Pharsti-san. Here, take this." She tosses Pharsti a blue vial, letting her down the liquid inside.

"How did you know?"

"I'm not stupid; you're practically oozing an ether trail when you walk."

"So you know about…?"

"Everyone in the underground knows about Matsumura's son. Now if I remember, you can cast spells?"

"Pharsti Okami-sama!" Mari hails her"We've deciphered a part of the Judgment Ring!"

"What of it?"

"An incantation has been created through the Magic Database you created. Using this spell will deplete twenty five percent of the mana reserve, but its effect will be potent."

"Let me have a go at it."

"At once."

Pharsti produces a Judgment Ring beneath her, her hair fluttering in an ethereal wind. Her crystallized wings jutted from her back as she casts her newly developed spell.

"Ratio Orbis! Muto fortuna pro Asuna Cagurazaka!"

In Asuna's hand, her harisen was replaced by the advertised massive sword. She shakily gets to her feet and lifts up her newly found sword with minimal effort.

"Holy crap…how did you do that?"

"The will of the Judgment Ring."

Back with Negi and Soma, they were still dumbfounded by Kaede's lightning quick attack. The Kunoichi gives them a quick talking to send them both off to fight again.

"Do not worry about this one. I'll handle him."

"B-but!"

"Let her handle him." Soma tugs on his arm, "I think she knows what she's doing. Let's move; Konoka's waiting for us."

As the two of them run off, Negi turns around and thanks Kaede for giving him a helping hand. Kotaro darts after his rival, two kunai cutting him off and making him turn back around.

"Oh yeah, you get out of my way! I'm not into hitting women, but if I have to…"

"Kotaro was it?" she muses. "You see Negi-bozu as a worthy adversary; your eyes are indeed keen. But at the moment, I suggest you forget the rhetoric and fight for real. At the moment, you face me…"

-Koga Clan Chuunin-

-Nagase Kaede-

Her sentence was finished with several Kage Bunshin aligning behind her. Kotaro was fascinated by her exemplary ninjutsu skill; he grins at the opportunity to fight a worthwhile opponent.

"Alright, that's fine by me! Bring it on!"

On the other front with the party consisting of women, Mana was taking her rifle infused with magic bullets to the masses of demons, picking them off one after another. Soon enough, many came within near point blank range leaving her with little use for it.

"Too bad about your rifle!"

"That range won't do you any good this close!"

Wordlessly, Mana simply chuckles and kicks her rifle case to produce two Desert Eagle .50 Action Express' that she catches in mid-flight. Upon latching onto them, she points them directly forward and unloads several rounds in two directions with each pull of the trigger. With grace that would make Shinji Mikami blush, she dispatches several more without any delays. One manages to sneak past her onslaught, hefty blade already within striking range. A deflection from the base of the magazine precisely split it down the middle before she fills another member of the bird tribe full of gunpowder.

Asuna's jaw drops, "How did she…when did she?"

Completely stunned, Pharsti shook her head "I'll have to say the same thing. Such keen accuracy! You girls continue to surprise me."

The swordswoman notes, "We've worked together on occasions."

"Very good!" said Ku Fei in her slightly broken Japanese "Now is my turn!"

"Ku-san, you just handle the small fries."

"You mock me!" she smugly brags, "I got four thousand years worth of chinese martial arts here!"

Behind her, a number of monsters took the opportunity to attack her while she was in the middle of a long winded speech. Ku turns and deflects an incoming blow by letting it slide off her wrist, following up with a powerful palm thrust that sends a massive shockwave that blows many of them backwards.

"Whoa," Asuna slowly got back some hope "Ku's pretty tough too!"

Tsukiyomi simply giggles at the sight, possibly fascinated by the increase in strong women. Her brother muses, wearing a smirk of pleasure as he watches beautiful women blow through the opposition.

"This day gets more and more interesting…"

In the meantime, Kotaro was struggling against Kaede's combination of her Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and industrial sized shuriken. Weaving his way through the fakes, he attempts to sort the duplicates from the real deal. Taking several kunai between his fingers

"Nothing to it…! The shadows can't do damage." Suddenly catching him off guard, the original Kaede blows him backwards. Landing back on the ground, another strategy was in order.

"Pretty good, sister!" he chuckles, "What's a badass like you doing in junior high?"

"You aren't bad yourself. But I can't help but feel you're holding out on me."

Lunging straight at her and delivering an earth shattering punch that misses her by a swift dodge. Kaede simply laughs quietly to herself as she barely breaks a sweat in fighting him.

"I'm not normally into hitting women!"

"Anything you dish out, I can take it."

Back in the air, Negi and Soma were still soaring at breakneck speed towards the sacrificial stage. In flight, the three (Chamo included) converse about their newly formed plan of action.

"I have a new idea."

"Lay it on me, Sir Negi. What's your plan?"

"I think I know how we can beat that white haired person. I'll give those delay spells I've been practicing a try."

"Sounds alright with me."

Chamo was skeptical "How do you know this will work?"

"I don't."

Without any warning, the same monster which hurled Soma into a wall came at them at full speed. No longer being diplomatic about how he did it, Negi stacks another acceleration spell atop the one the two of them already put boosting them to an impossible speed with the binding magic of Negi's staff holding them to it. Like an arrow, Negi slams his fist straight through the beast and spills it's innards across the lakeside.

"Whoa, Sir Negi!" Soma gasps, "Nicely done!"

"Aniki! Heads up, we got another one!"

This one was a winged black dragon, using its aerodynamics to match their speed. Soma stands up on the staff and draws the RPG-7 to get ready for its approach.

"Soma-aniki, use the Hellion!" Deciding not to question his strange logic, he puts the rocket launcher back and draws the Hellion and aims straight at the dragon. "Brace yourself!"

Shifting his back foot sideways, he pulls the trigger with a more than thunderous roar matching that of a cannon erupts from the barrel. A massive stream of white light pierces through the dragon's head all the way through its body out the other end while dragging the head along with it as it explodes in a fiery red blast. The recoil from the shot sends them spinning backwards for several feet before Negi manages to stabilize his staff from the sudden rotation.

"Holy crap!" Soma gasps, "Now that's some serious firepower!"

"It had better have been! I paid good money for it!"

"They've slowed us down long enough! Konoka-san is waiting!"

Without anything standing between them, the two of them bolt towards the stage intent on kicking copious amounts of ass.

A/N: I understand that I half assed this chapter, but I'll try harder for the next one.

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