Task From The God

by gunner007

Thousand years has passed since the event of Dirge of Cerberus, leaving only Vincent alone. But then, an event turns up that requires his strength to join into the battle once again. Full summary in the Prologue chapter.

38. Chapter 37

The timeline… it just doesn't make sense to me, also the UQ Holder, its timeline, it really messed up that I can't think properly. Is the author did it mistakenly or is he purposely messing with the readers?

To Guest: Holy sh*t, after reading all your reviews, I have realized I made a lot of mistakes. Thank you for pointing out all the mistakes that you found and also you helped corrected all my mistakes. I am really appreciating your helps there. If I have some time, I will try to fix all the mistakes like you mentioned in my other chapters and will reupload those. Hope you enjoy my story here.

I watched some youtubers played the Final Fantasy XV (15) Demo: Episode Duscae, I was amazed how the way Ramuh summoned out and annihilated the entire enemies, it was freaking amazing and totally makes me wanna buy this game so much. Talk about summon, what summon do you guys want to bring out in next few chapters?

As usual, this chapter may still contain some errors, and it will be updated anything. So please enjoy reading this, and if you happen to find any mistake that I conducted, please inform the mistakes you find to me, thank you for your cooperation.

I do not own Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy Dissidia, Mahou Sensei Negima, and Kara no Kyoukai.

[I've defeated Gabranth, but the demon managed to escape on its own from the crystal fragment, but thanks to their supports, I am able to eliminate the demon and obtained an important key item, a crystalized eye, which allows us to track the crystal along with the demon imprisoned inside. Before I leave, Gabranth told me to head to the Mundus Magicus, for there is a huge possibility that the crystal might be lies in there. And also, the headmaster told me that Negi and others are in trouble in Mundus Magicus. I'd never expect Negi and others arrived in that world. Negi, you never cease to amaze me, for attract a lot of troubles.]

…

Chapter 37: The World of Magic – Part 1

…

~FFXMSN~

Mog possessed an ability, the Mass Teleportation, which allows him to teleport together with people around him to anywhere as long that places they have been before, however this ability is require a large area in order to make it success, it cannot be used in narrow areas, and also it will take longer than Vincent's Teleportation ability. They arrived on top of the rooftop of Mahora Academy and immediately head to the headmaster's office.

…

Mahora Academy

To Vincent

Headmaster's Office

"Here's the autograph you want, headmaster." Vincent said as he gave the autograph to headmaster, and the headmaster received the item he wanted.

"Oh thank you, Vincent-kun," The headmaster thanked as he placed the autograph into his drawer, "However, this is not our main concern here, you need to help Negi-kun and others."

"How Negi and others went into the Mundus Magicus which is the World of Magic, headmaster?" Vincent asked as he wears his red headband. "Are there any special portal or something like you mages possessed?"

"There are many gateways which they are called Gate Ports in this world that connects this world to the World of Magic," The headmaster replied, "And one of the gate ports is lies in England, and that is where Negi-kun and others took."

"I see." Vincent replied. "Do those gate ports open very often?"

"Not very often I have to say," The headmaster replied as he strokes his long beard, "the gate port opens only once a week, and sometimes only once a month, depending on its condition."

"…That's pretty long, so, when will the door open again?" Vincent asked.

"…Hm…" The headmaster thinks, "…Last week Takamichi and Tatsumiya went there, but…"

"Hm? Vincent wonders before he felt a presence stood outside of headmaster's office.

"They managed to arrive there before the gate was completely closed," The headmaster said.

"Closed? Completely?" Vincent asked, "What do you mean?"

"Someone sabotaged the gateway of that world, and that explosion caused the gateway bridge between this world and the World of Magic broken." The headmaster told, "Since the bond has been broken," He said, "it's impossible to travel there unless it has been repaired partially."

"…So, it's impossible to travel to that world using the gate port in this world?" Vincent said.

"…Yeah, we have to wait till the gateway has been repaired," The headmaster replied, "and… that may take a few years."

"A few years kupo!?" Mog exclaimed.

"…We cannot wait till it's done, that will take too long." Vincent said, "…I will find a way to travel there."

"There is no other way to travel to the World of Magic when the bridge between two worlds has collapsed, Vincent-kun." The headmaster said. "But, I believe you have a way to travel to that world."

Then, Mog decided to shows himself out in front of headmaster, "There is a way, kupo~" Mog told.

"Hm?!" The headmaster startled for not noticing a creature close to him.

Vincent looked at the headmaster, "Pardon me, headmaster, let me introduce my friend here to you, his name is Mog, a Moogle that sent to aid me in my mission." He introduced Mog to the headmaster.

"Nice to meet you, kupo." Mog greets.

"I-it's nice to meet you too, Mog." The headmaster greets as well. "You have a way to travel to the World of Magic without using the gate?"

"Lady Cosmos can transport us to the World of Magic, kupo~" Mog explained.

"I see, using that transportation magic to transport us." Vincent said. "We have to rely on Lady Cosmos on this one."

"Wait, Vincent-kun," The headmaster said, "I suggest you to go to the Megalomesembria Gateport first, which is in the capital city called Megalomesembria to…" Then, his statement has been continued by Vincent.

"To see and investigate the situation over there in order to find the culprits who are responsible for the damages they have caused," Vincent continued headmaster's statement, "That's what I wanted to do first." Vincent said. '…I got a feeling that I know who, but I want to know why.'

"As expected from you, Vincent-kun," The headmaster said, "I'll leave that matter to you." The headmaster said as he brought out his phone ready to inform someone. "Let me inform this to a friend of mine, he will send a guide there and will help you." He said before the calls got through. After a short moment, the headmaster has finished his calling. "I've informed to my friend over there, he will send someone to escort you to the gate." The headmaster take out something from his drawer, a map, "Here Vincent-kun, you will need this map of Mundus Magicus."

"Alright," Vincent said as he received the map. "Headmaster, is there any reason why you're not going?" Vincent asked.

"I can't, because I have some other matters need to complete here," The headmaster replied, "Be careful when you're in that world, Vincent-kun." The headmaster said. "Many ferocious monsters, and strong warriors are everywhere in that world, do not underestimate them. Also, don't try to break any law in that world; the laws in that world are very different than this world." He warns.

"I will." Vincent replied before he turns around and exited out the headmaster's office.

…

Once Vincent exited out the headmaster's office and closed the door, he sees Shiki leaning against the wall in front of the headmaster's office with her arms crossed. "How?" She asked.

Vincent raised his eyebrow, "…You asked me 'how'?" He said, "I was about to ask you a question after I felt your presence. What are you doing here?" "He asked before he realize, "…You're planning to go with me to the World of Magic, are you?"

"That's what I wanted to," Shiki replied, "I rather go to a world where I've never venture before than staying in Mahora."

Vincent remained quiet before he sighs, knowing is useless to convince her, "We're going to the World of Magic. Are you ready?" Vincent replied and asks Shiki.

"Sure," Instant replied by Shiki as she uncrossed her arms, and both of them heading to the rooftop.

…

Mahora Academy's rooftop

Vincent and Shiki are now arrived to the rooftop of Mahora Academy in order for Cosmos to transport them without any obstacle, "Lady Cosmos, I have a request." Vincent calls for Lady Cosmos through telepathy.

"I understand," Lady Cosmos responded his calling, "I will transfer you, Mog, and together with your friend there to the world you seek."

"I thank you," Vincent thanked, "Lady Cosmos, please drop us at the Megalomesembria Gateport in the capital city of Megalomesembria, for there is something we want to investigate there."

"Alright, get ready." Lady Cosmos told them.

"Get ready," Vincent told Shiki, and she stood near to him before a bright light shines beneath them, followed up with a few more magic circles forming around them, and then the area around them shines brightly, and when the light dies down, they are disappeared from there.

…

…

~FFXMSN~

…

The World of Magic

[Start Music: Kyouraku no To Yusnaan – Final Fantasy 13 Lightning Returns]

The World of Magic, or Mundus Magicus, is a magical realm where the magic is extremely abundant and well known by all its inhabitants which are humans and demi-humans. Demi-human is a hybrid of human and creature with a humanoid body and animal features. Other than humans and demi-humans, there are also some other races such as demon race, however their origin is remain unknown. All of the technologies of this world are powered by magic. This world also filled with mythical creatures that take the place of regular animals.

…

Megalomesembria Confederation

The newest and the most dominant country of the north of the World of Magic, it is composed mostly of its full blooded humans who are the descendent of 50 million migrants from Earth. And the Megalomesembria is the capital city of The World of Magic, and also the leading power in the Megalomesembria Confederation, the World of Magic's number one megalopolis.

…

Megalomesembria Gate Port

Megalomesembria Gateport is a magic gateway located in the capital city of Megalomesembria, and also one of the eleven gate ports located in the World of Magic and they are available to the public.

Right now, the mages and the engineers are still repairing the damages caused by the intruders few days ago, in the large centre of the dome of the gate port, there is a damaged duplicate of the gate port on Earth, although it only has the first circle but the stone pillar were destroyed, it serves as the gate port to link the gate port in the Earth, and there are a few circle platforms that are damaged. Not just by those, the roof that covering the gateway was also damaged, leaving a large hole.

Then, everyone seeing a bright light coming from the gateway, they are covering their eyes from being blinded by the bright light. After the light dies down, they see two persons arrived from the Earth. They see one of them is a tall person with long black hair dressed in black suit, and the other one is a young girl with short black hair that reach her neck wearing blue kimono and red leather jacket, they are Vincent and Shiki as they have arrived to the World of Magic.

"…" Vincent remained quiet as he looked around to his surroundings, and same goes to Shiki.

"Wow, I can feel a lot of magic around us, kupo~" Mog said as he excitingly.

"I can guess you won't have to hide anymore, Mog." Vincent said before he sees all of the mages in this dome are surprised to see them appeared suddenly without using the gateway.

"Yeah, kupo~" Mog said before he began to appears out with a poof of smoke, and they can see Mog's unique appearance. "Yeah, kupo~" Shiki is still trying to resist her temptation to hug Mog, until they see someone approaching to them. Donet McGuiness, a foreign and short-blonde-haired woman dressed in white outfit.

"Are you the one that the headmaster of Mahora Academy mentioned?" Donet asked the long black haired man as she arrived to them.

"Yes," Vincent replied, "My name's Vincent Valentine, and this here is Ryougi Shiki." He introduces himself and Shiki to Donet. "And also, this here is Mog." He introduces Mog to Donet.

"I'm Donet McGuiness, and I'll be your guide here." Donet introduced herself.

"Hello~" Mog waves his hand, and she startled a little for she has never seen such a creature before.

"C-can I ask you a question?" Donet asked, "…How did you three… able to teleport to here from Earth?"

"We have our own way." Vincent replied, "Now please, care to tell me what happened here?" Vincent asked. "I heard Negi and others were in trouble after they arrived here."

"…As you can see, the gate port is currently under repair, for Negi-kun and others, the explosion must have sent them separately in this world." Donet started, "And, do not worry about them, because Takamichi-san and Tatsumiya-san arrived few days ago." Donet told as she ensures them. "However…" She said as she brought out a device to project out a holographic screen displaying news. "Please see this. I recorded this just in case." Vincent, Mog, and Shiki looked at the screen.

"This is a Midday News." The news reporter announced, "This is a follow-up report to the incident which occurred five days ago, where magic power within the gate ports went wild in various locations throughout the world." Behind the news reporter shown out an image of a blown gate port dome, and they can see a powerful burst of energy released from inside, "Magic energy continues to be discharges at each of the gate ports, and with no outlook for recovery, travellers are being stalled…"

"…" They remained quiet there watching the news.

"There had also been no word of a responsible party, the background of this incident remaining a mystery." The news reporter continues, "However, we have received new images today from Megalomesembria Authorities for public release…" Then, the background image changed into a wanted poster, showing an image of a young boy with red hair, and they know who that is, Negi, along with the reward which is Dp 300, 000.

"What?" Shiki surprised a bit.

"The person you see here is the perpetrator of the incident, a human boy who appears to be no more than 10 years old." The news reporter said, "He has been labelled as an internationally wanted criminal with a reward posted." The image keep changing, displaying Negi destroyed the magic pillar. Then, another image shows out, displaying out a list of Negi's accomplices together with bounty reward.

"…" Vincent remained quiet as he sees his surroundings once again, the entire places were badly damaged by someone powerful enough to infiltrate without being detected by securities. "I don't really believe Negi actually did all of these by himself."

"Me too kupo!" Mog said angrily.

"More like someone wants to frame them I say." Shiki said.

"A forgery." Vincent said, "What do you think, Mog?" He asked the reliable sidekick sitting on his left shoulder.

[End of the Music]

"…Hm…" Mog senses around their surroundings, "…Large amount of magic energy has been used here. Do you want to see back the situation, kupo?"

"Can you do that?" Vincent asked.

"I can control the time by conjuring out holograms of the time when Negi and others arrived, the re-enact the whole incident, to see the real perpetrator, kupo." Mog replied.

This statement surprised Donet before they see Mog's hands are glowing as he chanting. Then, when he claps his hands, the space around them started to distorting, then numbers of holograms of mages, along with hologram Negi and others including staffs and securities were projected out, even the objects like platforms and gateway are holograms. This sudden appearance of Holograms startled most of the workers including mages and engineers.

"Are these… holograms?" Shiki said as she looked around.

"I conjured these holograms to re-enact the whole scene, kupo." Mog explained.

They see the holograms projected out, seeing the day the incident starts, mages that were transported to this world walking around, and Vincent could see his students including Negi and Kotarou arrived as well as they were wearing white cloaks like others. Once the mages exiting out of this dome, then, he sees there were some students that did not involves in this, he sees Yuuna, Ako, Makie, and Akira, as they were scared for being spotted by securities and were brought to another platform away from the gateway.

"Yuuna, Ako, Makie, and Akira? What were they doing here? Were they following them?" Vincent said before he noticed another one was involved, it was Natsumi. "Even Natsumi."

They seeing Negi and Setsuna arrived back into the dome, and they were shocked to see. Followed up by Asuna, Kotarou, Kaede, Ku Fei, Konoka, and a young short girl with long ember twin-ponytail hair, Anya Cocolova, they weren't expected to see their classmates tagged along with them.

"…" Vincent remained speechless as he sighed and shook his head placing his palm on his face for seeing Negi had conducted a grave mistake.

"…He's sure in trouble." Shiki commented as he sees Vincent's reaction.

Then, they see Negi felt something before he turns his head around his surroundings, they couldn't hear any voices coming from Negi's mouth as he was saying something before he brought out his wand and ordering around without telling them the reason. Then suddenly, a stone shard came out of nowhere and pierced through Negi's right shoulder, the girls and others were surprised to see.

"Oh my!" Donet startled.

"…That shard, so it's him after all." Vincent said as he recognized the stone shard.

They continue watching the holograms, seeing Negi cough out blood before collapse on the floor, blood flowing out from his body with large quantity. Everyone including the girls was shocked to see before they arrive to Negi's side. Asuna kneel down beside Negi and cried onto Negi, Kaede order Kotarou to protect the other four, the securities immediately calling for help. Konoka was shocked to see Negi lying on the floor motionlessly on a puddle of blood. Ku Fei was guarding around the area.

They see the girls were look around and found the black sealed box that had their weapons stored inside, the girls were panicking before he see Negi spoke out something to them before a few lightning attacked onto them out of nowhere. Kaede, Setsuna, and Kotarou were able to block the ambush attack, but the other two guards get hit by the attack. The attack created a smoke, and at that moment someone walk out of the smoke, and they recognized the one attacked them, a white haired boy, along with his three subordinates as their faces were covered.

"…Isn't that?" Donet recognized the white haired boy.

"Fate Averruncus," Vincent stated the name before he looked at Fate's subordinates, "and his subordinates, the Cosmo Entelecheia." He continues. "I'm sure he's the one who framed Negi and others."

"The wanted criminal…" Donet continues. "…He was there? H-how come I didn't notice him that time?" She muttered in surprise.

They continue to see the holograms continues its roles, Kotarou, Kaede, and Setsuna tried to fight them, but they were been overwhelmed by their powers. Ku Fei was unable to do anything. Then, when Fate preparing to petrify them with his magic, he get punched by Negi out of a blue, seeing Negi has already pulled out the shard from his body. At that moment Asuna punched the sealed box, releasing all their weapons, allow them to counter back.

The girls fought back with their full strengths and their pactio card in order to buy some time for Konoka to use her healing spell to heal Negi's wound. When Negi recovered back, they were thought they were able to launch their counter attack, but they weren't able to. They were helplessly seeing Fate summoned out a few giant pillars from the air above them and crushed down the platforms.

Afterward, they seeing Fate and others had shattered the stone pillar to destroy the bond between two worlds, and then seeing a powerful magic had been casted upon Negi and others, a forced transportation, they seeing Negi and others tried to join their hands but a powerful explosion occurred, interrupting them to join their hands before they were been transported far away separately.

After that, the holograms disappeared in front of them and everything returned to normal. "That's the end, kupo." Mog told.

"…" Donet was speechless after seeing everything. "Please… be safe, Yuuna…"

"…" Vincent remained quiet before he places his left index finger on his left temple, "…Golbez, Jecht, can you heard me?" He starts calling them through telepathy, then, a respond replied back from Jecht.

"Hey!" Shouted by Jecht, "It's been a while, Vincent!"

"You've arrived." Golbez replied. "I am right now watching the entire places in this world with my observers, to see any activities going on."

"Listen to me," Vincent said, and this take their attentions, "my students and a young boy called Negi arrived to this world and got separated by Cosmo Entelecheia." He told.

"That nerdy kid and his fellow students huh? Yeah, they're with me now." Jecht told.

"So you managed to rescue them." Vincent said, "I suppose you know everything?"

"Yeah, the nerdy kid told me everything so far, there are still some students hasn't been rescue yet." Jecht replied. "Right now these two kids are fighting in a tournament in order to save three students that had become slaves, you should come. I like their courage."

"A tournament? Slaves?" Vincent asked, "Where are you now?"

"Erm… wait for a while," Jecht replied as he paused, a short moment later, he replies back, "We're in the Ostia Coliseum, at the New Ostia. It's a one nice floating city for ya, and right now they are celebrating some kind of festival regarding about the peace, a lot of people came here for the festival and tournament."

"Do you want me to transport you there?" Golbez asked.

"Yes, but not now, for I need to change my location where they are no people around, allowing you to bring out a portal for me to travel to where Negi and others are." Vincent said.

"Alright." Golbez understood before the communication cuts off.

"Shiki, let's go." Vincent told as he began to head toward to the terrace and Shiki follows.

"W-wait!" Donet said, causing Vincent and Shiki halted their movements and look at her, "W-who are you really?" She asked them, especially to the long black haired man, for she has never seen his calibre before.

It took Vincent a while before replying, "A friend." Vincent replied before they exited out from the dome.

…

Terrace

Vincent, Mog, and Shiki arrived to the terrace, they takes a view of the city outside, the majestic view of Megalomesembria, the capital city where they are standing now. They can see a lot of giant flying fishes at the sky above the city, then they looked at the city, seeing the lights from the city are like they will never extinguish for a long time.

"…Wow." Shiki astounded by the view of this new world. "Truly a fantasy world…"

"Wow!" Mog amazed and excited.

"Those are machines" Vincent said as he can see very clearly of those flying fishes with his sharp eagle eyes. "They look kinda real from far away." He then start to call Golbez through telepathy, "Golbez, bring out the portal. We're ready." Vincent communicates to Golbez through telepathy.

"Alright, I am warping a portal nearby your location." Replied back by Golbez before a dark portal appears behind them.

"Shiki, let's go." Vincent told. Shiki nodded and they immediately entered into the dark portal before it disappeared.

…

~FFXMSN~

New Ostia

[Start Music: Sunaumi no Mezame – Final Fantasy 13 Lightning Returns]

Ostia, a country and a capital city in the World of Magic, and it is located west of Megalomesembria. Ostia is considered to be the 'Holy Land' of the realm's non-human population.

Few years ago the Royal Capital Ostia was once known for its scenic beauty and its giant floating islands. However, after its destruction following the Magic War between two forces, one of them is the Megalomesembria Confederation, and the other one is the Hellas Empire fought over the possession of the land, and after the war, it became ruins and now known as a simple sightseeing location for the remains of the former Royal Capital Ostia.

And now, the New Ostia is the last remaining floating island of Ostia, right now the New Ostia is having a grand festival in order to celebrate the 20 years of peace, Megalomesembria and the Hellas Empire are come to celebrate the peace, as there are many people coming from all over the world to New Ostia to celebrate the festival, and also for the tournament. There are many knights around, giants armed with weapons, flying fleets, and a gigantic dragon.

…

Ostia Coliseum

The Ostia Coliseum, it has eight arenas that surrounds a bigger arena lies in the centre of the Granicus Coliseum, the centre one is much bigger than the other eight arenas. Most of the spectators are come from all over the places to watch the strong people who entered the tournament to win the grand prize.

On the rooftop of the coliseum, a dark portal appeared out, Vincent and Shiki walked out from the portal before it disappears.

"So this must be the New Ostia." Shiki said as they looked around, "But… why are we standing on the rooftop of some big building?" She asked.

Vincent observes carefully of their surroundings, he can see a lot of cheering coming from every direction, and also he could hear fighting sounds coming from inside the building, and he understands, "…This must be the Ostia Coliseum Jecht mentioned." Vincent said before he takes a look on the people that are queueing on the ground there. "…Are they… humans, or animals?" He said as he noticed there are people with animals' features, like tails, large body, furs, and ears.

"They're demi humans, kupo." Mog told.

"Demi humans?" Shiki said. "Like, they're half human and half of… something?"

"Demi humans are magical creatures that are based on various lifeforms, including mythical creatures like dragons and any non-animal beings like trees, kupo." Mog explained, "This grants them a set of natural abilities that can used in actual combat, kupo. Some more, they have the ability to transform into a less-human forms that can enhance their fighting capabilities, however it depends on what lifeform they based on, kupo." Mog finished his explanation.

"So, this gives them an advantage in any kind of combat." Vincent said, "And, does that mean I wouldn't have to hold back anymore?" He said while looking around the town.

"Yeah, kupo, but still, don't overkill them, you hear, kupo?" Mog replied.

"Hmph, at least I won't have to hold back anymore, and don't worry, I won't kill them, for they're not like the terrorists from my world." Vincent replied as he smirked before he felt some presences he knows, "I found them." He told them.

"Let's go then." Shiki said before she follows Vincent as they are began to head toward to where the presences are.

…

Inside the arena

Inside one of the arenas where Vincent felt Negi and others' presences including Jecht's, Vincent and Shiki arrives inside the arena without being detected by authorities and securities for not buying any tickets to enter. '…I sensed Ako, Akira, and Natsumi… as they are in this coliseum.' He thought, 'And outside there, I can sense… Makie and Yuuna, they are accompanying with Konoka, Chisame, Nodoka, and… hm?' He felt something.

"Vincent." Shiki calls, and that snapped out of Vincent's thought.

"Yes?" Vincent asked.

"You're in deep thought again?" Shiki asked.

"…Yes, but it doesn't matter right now." Vincent replied as he doesn't want to tell. Once they have reached to the spectators' areas, he noticed four persons standing near the railing, and he recognized them. Two men and two young girls, the females wearing maid outfit, and for the males, one of them has a long black tied hair with two animal ears wearing a shade, for the other one, the man has a red haired wearing a white coat together with a shade as well. And last but not least, the tall and muscular man beside them, Jecht.

[End of the Music]

…

Jecht and others right now are waiting for the next match to start, "Hm?" Jecht felt a familiar presence drawing close to them, "Hmph." He smirked suddenly.

"Hm?" The red haired man and the black haired man are wondered why Jecht smirked suddenly, even the girls, Ako, and Natsumi, staring at him.

"Hey old man, what's with that smirk suddenly?" The black haired man known as Kotarou, asked.

"He's here." Jecht replied as he glanced behind him, causing them immediately turns around, seeing Vincent and Shiki are standing behind them.

"It's been a while." Vincent greets first. "Hello girls," He greets Ako and Natsumi.

"Vincent-sensei!" Ako and Natsumi exclaimed as they are happy as well. "W-why are you here?" Ako asked.

"…Vincent-nii-san!" Kotarou exclaimed as he happy.

"…Vincent…!" The red haired man known as Negi in teenage form, he hesitated for a while for minding Ako and Natsumi, "-san!" He changed the honorific from '-nii' to '-san' to avoid suspicious from Ako.

"Hm?" Shiki noticed the way Teenage-Negi/Nagi paused for a moment, but she let it off.

"Eh?" Natsumi wonders, "You two know each other?"

'…I see.' Vincent immediately understands of why Negi hesitated for a moment before four of them approached to Vincent. "We're acquaintance." He answered as he was covering them, "Still, I am glad to see you girls are alright. Where are the others?"

"Setsuna-san, Kaede-san, Haruna-san, Chachamaru, Ku Fei-san, and Kazumi-san," Teenage-Negi/Nagi replied. "They have gone to the ruin of the Old Capital Ostia, in order to search for the return gate port, the currently inactive gate port should be hidden somewhere amongst those ruins."

"So there's a gate port lies in the ruin huh?" Vincent said. "Do you think that return gate port might still working? Even though the bridge between this world and the Earth broken? Or maybe it doesn't even need the bridge to return?"

"That's what we think also," Teenage-Negi/Nagi replied.

"Still, I am proud to see you all managed to survive by yourselves in this harsh magical world." Vincent said.

"All thanks to old man here that he came to help us up." Kotarou said as he smirked while pointing his thumb on Jecht.

Vincent looked at Jecht, "I owed you one, Jecht." He said.

"Heh, no problem." Jecht replied.

"Are there any movement from Chaos's forces?" Vincent asked.

"Nope." Jecht replied as he shook his head. Natsumi and Ako confused as this is their first time hearing the name Chaos.

Mog pops out with a poof of smoke, surprising the girls, "Hello, kupo~" Mog greets them.

"Hey Mog!" Jecht greets, ignoring the surprise face of Ako, Natsumi, and Kotarou as well, as this is their first sight of a small fluffy creature that they have never seen before.

"This is Mog, a friend of mine here." Vincent introduces Mog to them.

"Hello~" Mog greets them before he noticed Ako and Natsumi are surprised. "Hey, don't get too surprised to see me, kupo~" He said as he flew toward to Ako and landed onto Ako's hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you girls, kupo~"

"S-so cute…" Ako and Natsumi are attracted to Mog's cuteness and fluffy appearance.

"So, 'Nagi'," Vincent said as he knows Negi will definitely use his father's name as his alias name to hide his identity, "Care to tell me everything you know?" He asked.

"Sure," Teenage-Negi/Nagi nodded.

…

Later

It took them some time to explain everything to Vincent and Shiki, "I see. First, Ako was caught a disease and was in serious condition, they were unable to help Ako until someone came along and gave her an expensive medicine known as Ixiir, a one million drachma, the currency of this world." Vincent concludes, "And then, Natsumi, Akira, and Ako signed up a contract to repay their debt, as slaves."

"…Yes." Natsumi replied as she feels a bit guilty.

"It's alright, I am not angry at all, you girls were trying to save Ako desperately, and that's all the matters." Vincent said, "And now, Nagi and Kotarou joined the fighting tournament in order to win the grand prize, which the prize is equal to the price of Ixiir, a one million drachma."

"That's right, Vincent-san." Teenage-Negi/Nagi nodded.

"Now I really hate these kind of people, kupo~!" Mog said angrily as he was on Ako's head. "Enjoy torturing people!?"

"And what's more," Vincent said as he eyed on the collar on Ako's neck, "…That collar, I can remove that." This statement somehow surprises the girls.

"Eh!? Really?" Kotarou exclaimed.

"Yes, I can just simply remove it quickly before the collar exploded, but," Vincent said, "I may fear it will trigger an alarm and they will immediately trigger the explosion in every collar." He added. "Some more, they have hundreds of slaves in their hands."

"Damn…" Kotarou cursed a bit.

"It's really dangerous, kupo," Mog said, "one mistake and, you know the result, kupo."

"The only way is that you and Nagi have to win the grand prize, and that is all." Vincent said. "So, how many are rescued so far?" He asked.

"Two more left, Yue, and Anya." Teenage-Negi/Nagi replied.

"Yue?" Vincent said, "I felt her presence close by."

"Eh?" This makes them looked at him with their surprised face. "T-that means Yue is alright…"

"She was among one of the knights out there." Vincent said.

"…" Teenage-Negi/Nagi was surprised. '…That means…' He thought as he recalling back his memory, remembering that he clashed onto a knight that had the same face as Yue, he thought that knight wasn't Yue, and he was wrong. '…She was actually the Yue we know! I was wrong…!'

Vincent noticed Teenage-Negi/Nagi stayed quiet as soon he mentioned about Yue, "…I see, something must have happened to her." Vincent said. Then, they hear announcement from the announcer, followed up by the cheering from spectators. They look at the battle arena, seeing the contestants came out from the contestants' entrance gate, and another contestant came out from the opposite one.

"This is the final of the D-Block preliminaries and on the one hand we have Kagetarou of Bosporus!" The announcer announced as the contestant Kagetarou, a tall man dressed entirely black, with a long black cape and also a black mask. Both of his arms are wrapped with his black whips. He came out and stopped in front of the contestants' entrance gate.

"…Him." Kotarou started as they are looking at the contestant Kagetarou.

"Y-Yeah." Teenage-Negi/Nagi agreed.

"Hm?" Vincent wonders as he can see they recognized the contestant Kagetarou.

"…Him? Who is he, exactly?" Ako asked the two of them.

"His outfit is soo… creepy." Natsumi commented.

"That's the guy who chopped Nagi's right hand." Kotarou replied, and Natsumi shocked to hear.

"Ehh!?" Natsumi quickly covers herself using the railing as her shield, "Ahhhh… so he's a bad guy…! A really bad guy…!" She said, "Now you mention it, he does look like a bad guy too… scary… just scaryyyyy…"

"Hm…" Jecht thinks.

"Bad guy? What are you on about? You can be such an idiot, Natsumi-san." Kotarou said.

"Wha!?" Natsumi shocked and embarrassed.

"When two men fight one another, only complete dumbasses bring 'right' and 'wrong' into the equation." Kotarou said, "The only things that exist between two men in battle are 'difference in position' and 'debt and repayment'."

"…" Teenage-Negi/Nagi looked at both of them as he heard what Kotarou said.

"I don't get what the heck you're talking about!" Natsumi shouted at Kotarou, "If a guy cuts people's arms off, that make him the bad guy for sure!" She continues yelling at Kotarou.

"Nagi," Vincent calls, "I can see that you have grown stronger than before." He said as he could sense Teenage-Negi/Nagi's power level has improved.

"…Yeah, all thanks to Rakan-san, I was able to become strong." Teenage-Negi/Nagi replied before he looked back at the contestant Kagetarou, for he feels glad that he met Kagetarou and had a fight with him, and because of that, he found a teacher that train him.

"Rakan?" Vincent said.

Teenage-Negi/Nagi turns around as he heard that. "Jack Rakan is one of my father's companions." He replied.

"Yeah, that old guy lookalike this old man as well," Kotarou mentioned, "Though their hair colours are different, but they have some similar features."

"Ha ha ha!" Jecht laughs, "So far I've never met someone that has some similar features of me! Also, he's a very strong fella!" He continues.

"…Hmph," Vincent smirked, "That means you have found yourself a drinking companion?" He jokes.

"Yeah, last time we were drinking non-stop in a bar! And we have become buddies since that!" Jecht said before he laughs, until they hear another announcement.

"Now then, up until now, Kagetarou has been causing a stir winning his matches one after another all on his own." The announcer announcing, "But here, in the final of his preliminaries, he's finally registered a partner! And what a partner this is… It's a man who's been out of the public eye for ten years now!"

"Eh…?" This statement took their attentions including Teenage-Negi/Nagi.

"Hm?" Vincent felt a powerful presence coming from the contestants' entrance from where Kagetarou just exited.

"…Really?" Jecht said as he raised his eyebrow for felt that familiar presence.

"The one and only legendary mercenary swordsman! The ultimate gladiator who won his own freedom! A leading player in ending the Great War!" The announcer announcing as a silhouette appeared out from the contestants' entrance gate, and when the sunlight shines upon the silhouette, everyone did not expect the contestant was Jack Rakan, one of Negi's father's companions, the power of the Ala Rubra, he is a tall and dark skin muscular man, has white hair and both of his bangs are long, wearing a red bandana covering his forehead, wearing a red jacket and white pants. "FROM ALA RUBRA! The man of a Thousand Blades! It's JA-CK RAKAN!" The announcer shouts out the contestant Jack Rakan's name loudly to make all the spectators cheers loudly with great excitement to see one of the heroes in front of their eyes.

However, this brings a great shock for both Teenage-Negi/Nagi and Kotarou, "…Eh…?"

"What!?" Kotarou exclaimed as he slammed his hands on the railing.

Everyone was surprised for this unexpected appearance of one of the heroes, even the opponents are surprised as well as their eyes widened, "It looks like this surprise entry has caught even his opponents off guard!" The announcer announces.

"I-Isn't that man Ne-Nagi's master!?" Natsumi exclaimed.

Kotarou went and grabbed Teenage-Negi/Nagi's collar, "What the hell's going on, Nagi!?" He asked angrily.

"I-I don't have the faintest idea!" Teenage-Negi/Nagi replied as he also curious as well.

"With him in the contest, surely we won't stand a chance!?" Kotarou continues.

"Ah!" Teenage-Negi/Nagi noticed something, "I know… it has to be just some imitator, a lookalike!" He said.

"A fake!?" Kotarou said before he understands, "…Yes! That would make perfect…" He said as they are hope that the legendary mercenary they are seeing now is a faker.

"He looks like an idiot to me." Shiki commented.

'…No,' Vincent thought as his expression changed, '…That's not a fake.'

"Incipite!" The announcer starts the match. First, they see the contestant Jack Rakan doing some kind of basic martial art movements before he suddenly jumped into the air above them, then for his next move he clenched his right hand into fist and gather some energy into, knowing that the contestant is ready his attack, a powerful one.

'He poured a small amount of energy into his fist, but that small amount of energy is enough to wipe his opponents out.' Vincent thought as he can see the energy has gathered in the contestant Jack Rakan's right fist, ready to throw a powerful energy attack onto both misfortune contestants. Then, everyone see the contestant Jack Rakan just threw a powerful energy fist onto two contestants, the powerful impact created a shockwave, forcing everyone to cover their eyes, and the attack caused the entire area to vibrate, even the people outside of the coliseum can even felt the vibration.

When the smoke dies down, all the spectators could see a giant fist mark on the ground, and the two contestants are lying on the ground motionlessly. The result of the match is obvious for facing one of the members of the Ala Rubra is a suicide for those two misfortune contestants.

…

The contestant Jack Rakan landed on the ground just beside those two defeated contestants, "Hey, no worries, I was holdin' back. I even left ya alive, at least." Rakan said as he gave a thumb up.

"…Holding back?" Kagetarou said as he remained unsurprised after witnessing Jack Rakan's power.

…

To Vincent and others, right now Teenage-Negi/Nagi shocked to learns that the contestant Jack Rakan isn't the imposter like he mentioned. The contestant Jack Rakan that they are seeing now is the real deal, his teacher.

"Impressive." Vincent comments as he witness the power Jack Rakan possessed. "He gathered just a small amount of energy into his fist, and capable to unleash out that force."

"…Does that guy ever concern about the place where we are standing now?" Shiki said.

"Ha! What an idiot!" Jecht said laughing.

'…It's really him…!' Teenage-Negi/Nagi is shocked.

"…No mistaking that insane power or that idiocy… And also, he calls that holding back? From what, turning them into dust?" Kotarou commented as he shocked as well.

"I'll say, what a monster that guy is, kupo!" Mog exclaimed.

"…What now, Nagi?" Kotarou asked as he worries, seeing Teenage-Negi/Nagi didn't reply any word as his expression changed.

"And Rakan takes the win! The cheers are practically splitting the stage for the Legendary Hero's revival!" The announcer announced as the today's matches have ended.

…

Café

To Vincent

Ako and Natsumi return and continue their works, while Teenage-Negi/Nagi and Kotarou, accompanied by Chisame and Chamo as four of them have went to find Jack Rakan about his sudden appearance in tournament.

Right now Vincent and Jecht are sitting in the café to discuss their matters, all the females in the café blushing for seeing Vincent's face, and some girls seeing a fluffy adorable creature Mog eating peanuts on the table, and Shiki is staring at Mog. "So, how was the crystal fragment that you found in that place?" Jecht asked as he eating a steak that he bought these foods with his drachma money earned from bounties he completed during his time roaming around the Mundus Magicus.

"…" Vincent remained quiet before he moved his hair on his right side, letting Jecht seeing an earring attached on his right ear. "This is the crystalized eye from the demon I killed."

"It acts as a sensor, kupo." Mog told before continues eating. "This item could help us find the crystal easier, kupo."

"Still, this world is large for you to find." Shiki said before she sips her drink.

"As a sensor huh," Jecht said while still eating, "Was it hard when you faced that demon?"

Vincent sips his tea, "Don't call it the 'demon'," He said, "Better call those abominations the Hell Bringers," He stated the name.

"Hell Bringers?" Jecht said.

"The one that I fought was quite powerful, and it wasn't even its real body, just a small piece of the Hell Bringer." Vincent said, "That time I underestimated its strength, its strength easily break through my Barrier that supposed to protect me from any physical attacks. Try imagining it," he told, "a one small fragment of a Hell Bringer can bring such power, even it's capable to win against me in my Limit Breaks state. Then, what about the real body?"

Jecht's expression changed, "…If a one small fragment like you said there can have such power… then the real body could bring down the hell upon this world." Jecht said as he eats another piece of his steak. "So that's why you named it the Hell Bringer, it could bring an apocalypse to this world in instant. But still, you managed to win against that small piece of it on your own."

"If it wasn't their helps, I could not able to win against it, and I won't be able to get this crystalized eye." Vincent said.

"Their helps?" Jecht said as he raised his eyebrow before he took his mug of ale and drink.

"Mog, Gabranth and together with two very intellectual humans aided me." Vincent stated. "Thanks to them, I was able to kill it quickly before it could do anything."

Jecht spitted out the ale from his mouth, "Gabranth?" He said with surprised tone before he wipes his mouth, "Damn, I haven't seen that guy for a long time… How is he?"

"He's doing alright," Vincent replied, "He's quite strong, but he was holding back when I fought against him, which means he is just like you and Golbez who still has humanity." He continues.

"He caused quite a ruckus over there." Shiki said, "A tall building missed half of it."

"Heh," Jecht let out a small breath of laugh. "Indeed, he's really strong when he wears that helmet of his there." He said before he changes the topic. "Oh yeah, you know that white haired boy? I think his name is Fate or something…"

This took Vincent's attention, "You mean Fate Averruncus?" He said. "He and his members formed an alliance with the Chaos's forces, and that doubled up their forces' strength."

"Aye," Jecht agrees, "things will never been easy for us. Some more, that boy really wants to kill you, badly." Jecht said before he eats another piece of the steak, "That Fate boy shown out in this town when the festival started, nerdy boy and others had to fight him and his five servants, all of his minions are all girls." He elaborating the incident, "At one time when I arrived and helped them," he recalling back, "That time when I see that Fate boy's face, oh… his face was filled with anger and hatred, and he announced to us that he will fight that nerdy kid, and also you."

"…" Vincent remained quiet listening to Jecht.

"I don't know what or how did you made him angry." Jecht said. "Payback or something?"

"I overwhelmed him once before." Vincent said as he recalling back the incident from Cinema Town during the Kyoto field trip, "I guess that was the reason why he was angry at me." Then, he decided to change subject, "…There's one thing that made me wonder, how did you and Jack Rakan becomes friends?" He asked.

"Hm…" Jecht now recalls back, "Before this festival, that nerdy kid was caught into a fight a couple of days ago," He started, "You remember that wolf kid mentioned before? About that nerdy kid's arm had been sliced off?"

Vincent understands of that part, "So he fought that contestant Kagetarou before?" He said. "I must say, this world indeed has a lot of competitive fighters. But still, all of them are out of their league."

"Yeap," Jecht replied, "then, that time when I felt his presence and immediately got there, Jack Rakan already fighting that fella and managed to save that kid." He continues before he proceeds to eat his second plate of steak. "After that, he suddenly wants to have an arm wrestling with me, and guess who won afterward."

"…" Vincent remained quiet as he thinks, "…A draw. Because you know you have to hold back your strength. Otherwise, that place you had the arm wrestling, will be sunk down, and that place will be a history."

"Ha!" Jecht laughs, "You got that right!"

"And after that, you two become drinking buddies." Vincent said jokingly as he smirks.

"Three," Jecht re-correct his statement, "included that fella that sliced off that kid's arm."

"…" Vincent just got speechless from what Jecht said.

"However, I did not expect that fool joined up in that match," Jecht said with honest.

"Hm… I guess he really wants to have a fight against Negi." Vincent said.

"Probably," Jecht said before he grabbed his mug of ale and drank it.

"Vincent-s-sensei." They heard someone calls for Vincent, a familiar female voice that he knows. They turn their heads, seeing Akira in maid outfit standing there.

"Akira," Vincent greets as he stood up from his seat, "I've heard everything from Nagi," He said, "I'm sorry that you and others become like this," He said.

"…It's alright." Akira said as she knew that her former teacher is not an ordinary teacher ever since the Kyoto field trip.

"…" Vincent noticed something as he sees the way she responded, "I see. You already know Nagi is Negi in disguise, right?" He said. '…Well, that's obvious.'

"…Yes," Akira nodded, "I always knew that you're not an ordinary teacher, and also Negi-sensei as well." She said as she feels a little guilty. "For this whole thing… it's our fault for following Negi-sensei and others…"

"Do not blame yourself, Akira," Vincent said, "Have a faith in Negi and Kotarou, they will definitely free three of you together."

"B-but!" Akira said with a little loud, "they said he will have a fight against a powerful and legendary mercenary man!" She said worryingly.

Then, Vincent did a quiet gesture, "It'll be alright, Akira," Vincent said, "After all, Rakan as his teacher, just wants to see his student's strength that he raised up."

"…" Akira remained quiet as she doesn't know what to say.

"I know you're worried about both of them," Vincent said, "But, this is their chance to prove themselves, and also, their chance to break their limits. Otherwise, they will unable to protect anyone with their current levels." He continues.

"…" Akira still remains quiet before she asks, "How?"

"Hmph," Vincent smirks, "Not everything is hopeless, for I have a feeling that they will receive some helps from people."

…

~FFXMSN~

To Negi and others

Somewhere in New Ostia at the edge of the floating city far away from the city, Negi as he is now in his normal form, Kotarou as well in his normal form, Chamo, and Chisame are having a serious meeting right now, "It's hopeless! It's hopeless! Hopeless! Hopeless! Hopeless! Hopeless!" Shout loudly by Chamo while slamming his small meeting table made out of cardboard, "It's all hopeless!"

"It's impossible!" Chisame shouted in despair after they learned the legendary mercenary Jack Rakan will be facing them at the final.

"Argggghhhhhh! That idiot Rakan! Why did he has to pull that stunt like this?!" Chamo continuously panicking.

"Ahhhhh! Why the hell does he think he's playing at!? Things like this that makes men and idiots such…!" Chisame complains as well, Negi and Kotarou are helplessly watching both of them panicking around.

"If that idiot hadn't gone and entered himself, this whole thing would've been a breeze, right!?" Chamo shouted angrily while facing Negi.

"Y-Yes, it would seem that way, but…" Negi replied as he worried.

"As if we didn't already have more than enough to worry about, what with fighting Fate, together with his evil organization, another evil forces, and now he just has to go and add to our problems!" Chisame shouted panicking around while holding her head.

"…Things becoming more complicated…" Kotarou said as he sighed. "At least Vincent-nii-san arrived into this world, but…" He said.

What Kotarou stated there makes Chamo and Chisame looked at Kotarou, "Vincent-nii-san!? He's here!?" Chamo asked.

"Yes," Negi replied, "Right now Vincent-nii and Jecht-san are discussing their matters in café."

"But… even with Vincent-sensei here, he can't help us in this…" Chisame said.

"Yeah, switching contestant is impossible." Kotarou agrees, "Just… what's with that old guy thinking?" He wonders as he gritted his teeth.

"Obviously, he wasn't thinking at all. He's a complete moron or his brain fried." Chisame said as she stares at her trembling hand, "Our whole plan has just been ruined completely…"

"You think it's impossible for us to win…?" Negi asked.

"Well, isn't that obvious!?" Chisame yelled, "You've seen that idiot's abnormal frankly ridiculous strength yourself, haven't you!? It shouldn't even be allowed!" She said, "How on earth could you possibly defeat a monster like that!?"

"That old guy is strong as Vincent-nii-san, but he's even more ruthless." Kotarou said.

"I actually headed down to the Ostia Library right away and did a bit of research on Rakan myself." Chamo said as he went and sat on a box with books beside him, "Just to see if I could find some kind of weakness of way to capture him or something. I mean, he is a hero who saved the world, there's a fair amount of stuff of him."

This brought a little hope for them, "Ohhh! And!?" Kotarou exclaimed.

"Well… I couldn't call this good news, so prepare yourselves…" Chamo said before he starts the story, "In the ordinary run of things over here… are mages, not swordsmen, who tend to be the most use in battle when all's said and done… mages really have all the firepower after all…" Chamo started. "…But it looks like common sense like that doesn't apply to our old man here, you ready for this?" Then, Chamo begin to describe out the information he learned about Jack Rakan, "All told, over the course of the war, the guy managed to take down one hundred and thirty-seven ships single-handed!"

"Eh…!?" Three of them are shocked.

"That's more than even the Thousand Master himself in terms of sheer numbers… I think it's safe to say he's taken down more ships with his bare hands than anyone else, ever." Chamo continued. "He also took on nine divine warriors at once single-handed… There are any numbers of stories about his exploits in the war." Then, Chamo asks them, "Oh yeah, have you seen the Sacred Guardian Beast of the Empire, the Ancient Dragon Vrixas Nagasha?"

They recalling back the image of a giant dragon they have met not long ago, "It kind of felt like the ultimate fantasy moment." Chisame expressed her opinion.

"Man… it was incredible." Kotarou replied. "But still Vincent-nii-san's moving fortress is way more incredible."

"Oh yeah… I saw that thing back at the ceremony." Negi replied. "It certainly seemed like an incredibly intimidating beast."

"Yeah, well, ancient dragons are supposed to be up there with high daylight walkers as some of the most powerful beings in existence. In other words, that monster's got power on a level with Evangeline herself…" Chamo said, "…But yeah, apparently Rakan fought it to a standstill…" He frowned as he announced the most shocking part.

"Whaaat!?" Exclaim by Negi, Kotarou, and Chisame in unison.

"N-no way! I mean, that thing was at least a hundred metres long, you know!?" Kotarou said. "How the hell do you fight a thing like that to a standstill!?"

"Don't ask me!" Yell by Chamo, "I mean… these could just be rumours that have got blown out of proportion, but…"

"…No, it actually has a ring of truth to it." Chisame replied.

"Eh?" Negi startled from her statement.

"You remember what Chamo and Konoe told us, right? About the battle with Fate's minions." Chisame mentioned. "The idiot had got himself stuck in a sealed off dimension, theoretically impossible to escape, and he broke out of there through sheer force of willpower." Chisame stated, "I think I can believe anything of him after that. Nothing he does will surprise me anymore."

"I certainly do find that difficult to believe…" Negi said.

"Hey, I don't want to believe it either. I'm the biggest sceptic here. Remember?" Chisame said seeing Negi still has some doubt.

"But it's true!" Chamo said.

"And one more thing… about that strength chart he drew…" Chisame mentioned one more topic, "Truth is, purely out of curiosity, I asked him afterwards where exactly of there he would place himself if he had to."

"Eh…?!" Negi shocked.

"What do you think his level was?" Chisame asked them, three of them are curious and nervous as they wanted to know their enemy's power level.

"H-how much…?" Ask by Chamo.

"Twelve thousand, apparently." Chisame announced.

This shocked them all, "T-t-t-twelve… thousand!?" Then, everything turned silent as their hopes drained into deep down bottomless pit of despair.

"…T-there's only one thing we can do… we need to ask sir Jecht and Vincent-nii-san to beat him up… or kill him if it necessary! Though I doubt it'll be that easy…" Chamo suggested the most ridiculous plan ever.

"…" Chisame remained quiet, "…I hate to say this… but this may be our last hope…" She said as she places her palm on her forehead.

When they mentioned Vincent, they hear a voice coming from the staircases behind Chisame, "I guess it was inevitable." They immediately turn their heads facing where the voice coming from, they seeing Vincent, Jecht, and Mog arrived to them. "We come to check you up."

"Vincent/-nii/-nii-san/-sensei!" They shouted in unison as they are happy.

"…Hm." Vincent noticed the atmosphere around them, "I can see the atmosphere around you all quite unpleasant." He said, "You're discussing how to defeat your enemy, which is the hero of the war, Jack Rakan of the Thousand Blades? Or are you all right now feeling despair…?"

"Apparently, with our current level, we have no chances of defeating that old fart…" Kotarou replied. "The level between us is just too huge."

"I can understand that." Vincent said. "But, for me, I can see that this will be your first and last chance for you two to break through your limit."

"Still, it's too early for them, kupo." Mog said. "Unless, there are some kinds of harsh trainings for them which can makes them stronger within a short amount of time, kupo."

"Well…" Chisame started, "…There were, Negi-sensei just took a forbidden spell scroll which that good-for-nothing meathead provided, and that training able to improve his level." She explained about Negi's training. "But, it wasn't enough."

"What kind of training did you undergo, Negi?" Vincent asked as he looked at Negi.

"…Before the training, there were two paths for me to choose," Negi started, "Light and Darkness, the Light represents my father, and the Darkness represents Evangeline-san."

"Hm…" Vincent thinks, "Let me guess, you chose Darkness." He guessed.

"Yes," Negi nodded. "It's Dark Magic."

"Dark Magic?" Mog said, "It's an extremely powerful technique that requires a lot of dark energy, and it also dangerous to user, kupo!"

"By taking the Darkness path, you decided to follow your master's path, and it will be difficult, can you do that?" Vincent said, and Negi nodded again with his determined expression.

"Yes." Negi replied.

"And by following your master's path, you will become one with the darkness, and you will be as strong as her. She will be proud of you." Vincent said.

"…Yeah." Negi replied before he remains quiet, then he remembered something. "Erm… everyone, would you all come with me for a moment? There's something I want to try."

"Hm?" Kotarou, Chamo, and Chisame are wondered.

"Sure." Vincent said. Then, the group follows Negi to a place far away from Ostia.

…

~FFXMSN~

Floating Boulders region

Vincent and others followed where Negi is heading, and they are arrived to a place that is far away from Ostia, a place that has nothing but giant floating rocks, along with a sea of dense fog beneath those floating rocks located at northeast of Ostia. The group arrived on top of a flat surface of a giant boulder.

"…" Vincent looked around to their surroundings.

"What a place." Shiki commented as she looked around. "There's nothing here but floating giant boulders."

"So, what exactly are you showing us that need us to go all the way out to this reef in the middle of nowhere?" Kotarou asked.

"Well, what I'm about to do is a little flashy… so I wanted to get away from the military warming all around Ostia." Negi replied. "It's my new spell."

"New spell? What, that thunder spear thing?" Kotarou said.

"No…" Negi replied before he bit his right thumb, the blood flowing out from the bite mark on his thumb, "It's the single most powerful spell that I can cast right now."

"A spell that requires blood for incantation, it's a large scale attack, right?" Vincent guessed, and Negi nodded. Negi then clenched his right hand to cover his hand with his blood, and he then started drawing magic circles on the flat surface.

"The most powerful…?" Chamo asked, "You mean you've learned something even more powerful than the Tempestas thing, aniki?"

"Well, it's not complete just yet." Negi replied while drawing, "I was meaning to complete it with Rakan-san." Then, after he finished drawing, he then placed his left hand on the mark to pour his magic energy into it, the ground where they stood appear out a magic circle.

"Ho," Jecht said as he interested, "I like to see how powerful this attack is."

Negi completed the magic circle, "…Now, how big would you say that giant floating rock up there is exactly?" Negi asked as he points his finger to a giant floating rock in front of them.

Kotarou looked at it, "Well, it's a fair distance away, and I've got nothing to compare it with right now, so it's difficult to say." He replied.

"From the bottom to top, its height is one hundred and fifty-five metres, and the diameter of the rock is around 70 metres." Vincent help answered. "Not to mention about the distance between us and that rock, the distance is approximately around three hundred metres."

"…" Kotarou and Chisame were surprised, while Jecht, Mog, Shiki, and Negi as they weren't surprise for they know Vincent always calculate something very accurately.

"You're planning to test your new magic onto that rock?" Vincent guessed.

Negi nodded, "I'm going to try to destroy it." He said.

"You're kidding!?" Chisame surprised.

Then, Negi started, "Here goes!" He readied his spell as he chants, "Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister! To Sumbolaion Diakoneto Moi, Basilik Ouranionon. Epigenetheto Aithaloeis Keraunehos Timeis Ptheirei." Once he done that part, he proceeds to the next part as he aimed the giant floating rock with his right hand, "Iactum Extendentem Circulum Praesentum! Captem Objecta a Primum ad Decimum!"

"Oh, this is something interesting." Jecht commented seeing magic circles he has never seen before.

"I hope that boy know what he's doing there." Shiki said as she takes a few steps away.

"Area Constet!" Eveyone can see there are many magic circles surrounding the giant floating rock that Negi targeted, "Intus se Premant Spiritus ad Pressuram Criticalem! Tribus… Duobus… Modo!" Negi continue chanting. "Capturam Disjungens! Omnes Spiritus Fulguranoles Fortissime Emittam!" His left hand creating out electricity, while a few magic circles wrapped around his right arm, "Hekatontakis Kai Killiakis… Astrapsato!" Then, he throws the magic energy from his right fist onto the giant floating rock, "KHILIPL… ASTRAPE!" His right fist threw out a lightning bolt, and the moment it struck upon the giant floating rock, the magic circles around it fire out lightning bolts as well, every lightning bolts striking onto the giant floating boulder, continuously zapping on it and drilling themselves into its core before it goes exploded, creating a powerful shockwave together with a blinding light.

"A-amazing!" Mog shouted while covering his eyes, Negi shielding himself using his magic barrier, while Kotarou covering Chisame from the shockwave, Vincent and Jecht as both of them did not even covering their eyes from the blinding light. When the shockwave and the blinding light calms down, same goes with the lightning, they lowering their arms to see the result.

"M-my ears… this magic is just insane…" Chisame said as she lowered her hands from her ears.

Everyone looked at the giant floating rock, seeing the rock is missing its upper half diagonally, and they could even see the surface flowing out lava, proving that Negi's new spell was powerful. "Whoa… so this is the Thousand Bolts…" Kotarou said as his eyes widened, "Seeing it in the move was one thing, but in real life it's something else…"

Shiki, Chisame, and Chamo opened their eyes and looked at the result, "Whoa! It's melted!" Chisame and Chamo exclaimed.

"…That is ridiculous." Shiki commented.

"Now that's some serious power… I guess you're really living up to the idea of a mage as a form of artillery…" Kotarou commented.

"That was impressive, kid." Jecht said as he approaches to beside him.

"M… Maybe you really can do it!" Chamo exclaimed as he pumped up his spirit, "Hell, if you hit him with that thing, even the Invincible Rakan-sama would sure to feel it!"

"That's all very well… but you'd think he'd really just stand there and take it?" Kotarou said, "You heard that incantation, it's too freakishly long. And also don't forget in the movie, he took that very attack head-on, bearing it with sheer willpower. Just hitting him with it once ain't gonna take him out. That's for sure." And with that statement, it drops down Chamo's fighting spirit.

Chisame realized something, "Of course! You don't use that incantation as an attack… you use your Dark Magic to…!"

"…That's right! Magia Erebea: Armationem." Negi said, "The Thousand Bolts was originally conceived as a wide range, anti-army spell. It actually releases a full time times the destructive power of Jovis Tempestas Fulguriens… If I charge myself with that kind of power or…"

Leaving Negi chatting with Kotarou and Chisame, Vincent stares at the giant floating rock that has missing its half after taking a powerful attack from Negi, 'It's true that the destructiveness of the Thousand Bolts was really powerful… even it was incomplete.' Vincent sees the lava flowing out, his eyes eyeing the floating rock missing its half, 'But… the destructive area is extremely large, probably wider than the size of the arena, or maybe coliseum.' Vincent then glance at Negi, 'Can you really use that ability against Jack Rakan in the coliseum which there will be thousands of spectators watching?' Vincent thought seeing the kids having their discussion, and also he can see Negi's expression. 'Some more…' Before he could finish it, he felt a presence, not just one, but more. 'Hm?' He turns his head facing at the incoming presences approaching towards to them, Jecht and Mog felt as well, and one of the presences he felt is odd. '…That presence…?' He turns around seeing a silhouette arrives to them.

"Hm?" Jecht looked at the direction as well, and Mog immediately hide himself as he recognized that presence.

"T-that presence kupo!" Mog said as he frighten.

"Not a chance." A voice of a female stated as the statement interrupted them.

"Hold it, hold it!" Chamo yelled at the stranger, "Who's there? What's all this!? You've got some guts to be saying stuff like that about aniki's great new idea, you know, missy!" Then, four of them are stunned to see the person approaching to them.

"Ha ha ha…" The female laughs, "I can see it written all over your face. 'I can't win with a thing like this.' You don't even have faith in this plan yourself, so you tell it to your friends and try to encourage yourself by getting their approval…"

"That voice…?" Shiki said as she recognized.

'…She got that right.' Vincent thought.

"You're…?!" Negi shocked to recognize the female with long blonde hair.

"Ooh, did I hit the mark? Boy." The female said, "He he he… don't you worry, I can't honestly say I dislike this kind of futile struggle." They recognized the female, and that female was Evangeline in white cloth. "It can't exactly be helped; you're up against Rakan, of all people. That lunkhead has broken every rule in the book so often the book might as well not exist."

"Ah… The grumpy gothic girl." Shiki muttered as she gets annoyed.

"M-Master!?" Negi exclaimed.

"Evangeline-san!" Kotarou exclaimed as he addressed Evangeline politely for he doesn't want to feel her wrath upon him, "What are you doing here!?"

Ignoring Kotarou's question, Evangeline continues, "You'd have to be an idiot to even try fighting a guy like that." She said smirking, "Why don't you just cut your losses and give up on this one, hm? I couldn't fault you for it."

As Evangeline finished saying, Negi grit his teeth tightly and remained quiet, while Vincent was eyeing onto Evangeline, '…This presence, is indeed Evangeline's, but… why do I feel like this Evangeline wasn't Evangeline I know?' Vincent thought.

"Hm?" Evangeline noticed two men stood there, she then looked onto the man with long black hair with pale white skin, "My… are these friends of yours here?" She asked. "Especially that handsome one."

"…I see" Vincent understood something. "Are you a spirit or something similar?"

"Eh?" Shiki was surprised a little.

"Erm… Vincent-sensei, allow me to explain." Chisame said as she approaches, "That one is just an artificial spirit, a degraded copy of Evangeline." She explained, "And also she's the one granted Negi the Dark Magic power."

Kotarou dumbfounded, "Eh… you mean that this Evangeline-san here… is not a real one?" He asked with a little rude.

"I see." Vincent said.

The Spirit-Evangeline glances at both Vincent and Jecht, for noticing their powers, "…You two are not average fighters, are you?"

"You got that right, missy." Jecht said.

"And…" Evangeline added facing at Jecht, "…You almost look like that lunkhead some more…" She commented.

"Ha ha ha!" Jecht laughs, "Even this little missy also notice that!" The word 'little' makes the Spirit-Evangeline angry a bit.

Then, Evangeline looked back at Negi who was still remained quiet there, "So, boy, what is your answer?" She asked.

"…Sorry to disappoint if you came all the way to tell us that, Evangeline-san…" Kotarou opened his mouth and told.

"…That's right." Followed up by Negi, "…This fight… isn't one I can just run from." Negi gave his answer.

"Oh…?" Evangeline said as she did not expect.

"Rakan-san told him 'Let's do this.' Face-to-face, no messing about, just a plain-out challenge." Kotarou said, "What that means is that he acknowledged Negi as a man in his own right. No more treating him like a kid."

'…No more treating him like a kid? He is a ten-year-old boy right now.' Shiki thought.

Evangeline remained quiet before she smirks, "Still, you don't have a ghost of a chance of winning," She said with cold harsh truth, "It's not like that lunkhead actually thinks these things through. This is a meaningless contest."

"I… I know… but still…" Negi said, "My father's best friend has finally acknowledged me as a fellow man…" He clenched his fist, "Running away from something like that is not an option. I will do it. …This is a battle: man against man." He said with his confident face.

Everyone smiled at Negi for listen to his reply, even the Spirit-Evangeline, "…Hah, I see." She responded.

Then, Kotarou continues his question, "…Anyway… what are you doing here?" He asked. Before the Spirit-Evangeline could answer, someone spoke.

"I have come to provide you with a little aid in your training." A female spoke. Except Vincent, Jecht, and Mog, the others turned around and looked at the direction where the voice came from.

"W-who's there?!" They demanded.

"Calm down." Vincent told them. "They're not enemies."

"You must be Negi." The female spoke. They see a dark skin lady with a long blonde hair, possessed a pair of horns that circled her head like a circlet, and she has a pair of long ears, dressed in white cloak holding a scroll in her left hand. Negi's expression has changed when he see five girls they know together with the dark skin woman in white cloak, the girls are Asuna, Konoka, Nodoka, Yuuna, and Makie as they are in child form. Yuuna and Makie change their appearance back to normal and rush to Negi.

Negi is happy to see Yuuna and Makie are alright, "Makie-san! Yuuna-san!" He exclaimed joyfully before Makie went and hugged him tightly.

"Negi-kun!" Makie exclaimed before she letting Negi go from her hug.

"It's incredible that you've made it here so well, Makie-san!" Negi said surprisingly.

"I'm sorry for making you worry, Negi-kun! Are you mad?" Makie said.

"W-why would I be mad? I'm the one who should apologize! Still… I'm glad you're safe!" Negi said happily.

Meanwhile to others, Asuna, Konoka, and Nodoka saw their former assistant teacher Vincent is there as well, "Vincent-sensei!" Konoka shouted as she rushes to Vincent.

"Konoka," Vincent said as he kneels down to her height, "I'm glad that you girls are alright." He said as he softly patting her head. Asuna and Nodoka approaches to both of them, and Vincent looked at them. "…Asuna, Nodoka. Sorry that I've made you all worried."

"…" Asuna remained quiet, "We glad to see you as well, Vincent." She said as she crossed her arms and looked away. "Oh, hey Shiki-san." She greets.

"How are you?" Shiki greets.

"As usual… Well, lots of bad things happened." Asuna replied as she deadpanned.

"Hm… I understand." Shiki said.

"Vincent-sensei," Nodoka started as she wanted to ask a question.

"Nodoka, your question will have to wait," Vincent said before he looked into others, seeing Negi is happily meeting with Makie and Yuuna. "I know what you're going to ask, but there are still others that have been away, so let's wait for them to return to us, alright?"

Nodoka nodded, "I understand." She said smiling.

"Ah… this is great… the reunion…" Yuuna said as she wiping her tears, "But yeah… that thunder just now was seriously incredible, Negi-kun! Were you okay?" She asked. "I mean, that couldn't actually have been magic just now!"

"The Thousand Bolts." The dark skin lady stated, and everyone looked at her, "The largest-scale electrical attacking incantation in existence." The dark skin woman approaches while removing her white cloak, revealing her attire to them. She wears a black and white sleeveless outfit that exposing the centre of her chest and her black legging exposed parts of her thighs, a tattoo mark between her breasts, a white cape around her waist, together with black tasset connected with belts. "And a favourite high ancient incantation of the Thousand Master; that is to say, your father."

"Sexy babe at 12 o' clock!" Chamo exclaimed as he got attracted.

"Hm…?" Chisame wonders, "This woman… I've seen her somewhere…"

"A-and you would be…?" Negi wonders too before he gets interrupted by Makie and Yuuna as the girls are surprised.

"N-N-N-Negi-kun…'s father!? But then…!" Makie exclaimed.

"Yes?" Negi asked them.

"Is it really true, then!?" Yuuna asked.

"Is what?" Negi asked again as he was confused.

"The man of a thousand spells! The Thousand Master!" Makie said as she was awed.

"You're actually the son of that ridiculously famous mage!?" Yuuna asked loudly as she was surprised. Everyone watching how exciting Makie and Yuuna are as they learned Negi is the son of the Thousand Master who was once saved the World of Magic.

"Hey Vincent," Jecht calls, "what is your current capability? How many seals have you released?"

"Right now my capability is 30%," Vincent said before he roll his left sleeve, letting Jecht to see his left forearm, revealing one of two seals is missing. "If I release one more time of my second sealing belt, my capability will be in 40% permanently, and I will be able to proceed to the next one."

"Hm…" Jecht thinks, "Yeah, that will be nice, and you will need to unleash two or three more seals in upcoming fights." He said.

"Yes," Vincent agreed as he stares at his left forearm, "I will need to depend on this power in order for us to win." He then looked the others, seeing Makie and Yuuna are excited to see Negi flying on his iconic staff, "For Lady Cosmos and everyone." He then asks another question, "Any news from Golbez?"

"He's still keeping his eyes everywhere, and it means they are also keeping their profiles low." Jecht said. Then, they hear Yuuna said something loudly.

"Ohh! Yes!" Yuuna exclaimed, "That's right! You won't believe this, but this is none other than…" She introduces the dark skin lady to them, "The Third Princess of the Hellas Empire, Theodora-sama!"

"You can call me Theo." Theodora said.

*Whistle* Jecht whistled as soon he heard. "She kinda reminds me of Ronso tribe."

"A princess huh." Vincent commented. Then, he thinks of something else. 'Now that I think about it, I don't know anything about this world yet, for example this Hellas Empire and the Megalomesembria.' He thought, '…Perhaps I should go to library and study histories and the geography of this world…'

Theodora's appearance surprised them, "Wha- Hellas- As in that Giant Empire Hellas!?" Chisame exclaimed.

"Ahhh!" Kotarou remembered something, "She's the tomboy princess who was in Rakan-san's video!"

"'Tomboy'…?" Theodora surprised a bit as she steps forward, "What has that stupid meatball been telling you…?" She halted her movement and look at Negi, "…Now, boy, I was a good friend of Nagi and Arika." She said, "…And yet… in the end, I was unable to do anything for them. Forgive me." She apologized.

However, for this, this is Negi's first time to hear that as he just froze. "…Wh… what is this about…?" He asked.

Theodora wonders what Negi means, until she realise, "…What? It couldn't be… you haven't been told anything about it…?" She muttered as she was shocked. "Ah! It's nothing! Forget I said anything!"

'There are two more presences coming toward here.' Vincent thought as he felt two more presences.

"W-wait a moment, please!" Negi said surprisingly, "W-what was that all…!" Before Negi could finish his question, they hear someone laughs loudly.

"Wahahahahahaha!" Everyone turns toward to the direction, seeing a flying vehicle approaches and stopped in the midair, "Hey there! So you're Negi, are you!? Man, you really are just a kid!" The driver man shouted before jumps down and landed on the higher ground. The man is a hot-blooded adult human who has a very peculiar hairstyle, slicked black hair together with five peculiar thorns-like hairs, wearing a dark blue formal suit. He is the Senator of Megalomesembria, a V.I.P. of Megalomesembria.

"What is it this time!?" Kotarou exclaimed.

"Who's this hot-headed old guy!?" Chisame exclaimed.

"And what's with his hair!? And that ride of his looks expensive!" Chamo exclaimed as three of them had no idea who that man is.

"Hey hey hey! The name's Ricardo! I'm doing the politician thing right now! Hahaha!" The man introduced himself to them without doing any formal way.

Kotarou, Chisame, and Chamo are sweat-dropped seeing a politician speaking with no manner. "…His way of speaking's no better…" Chisame said.

"Ho ho ho…" Someone snickers behind them, they turn around seeing a woman with a broom landed behind them, "I'm afraid he's always been that way."

"Wha!?" Kotarou surprised.

"There's another one!?" Chisame exclaimed.

The woman has a pair of horns, long blonde hair, dressed in grey formal suit, "I'm Seras. Pleased to meet you." The woman introduced herself to them. Seras is the headmistress of the Ariadne Knights.

…

After a small introduction, they have learned their identities. "Whaaaa!?" Kotarou exclaimed, "You're a Senator of Megalomesembria," he then points at the woman, "and you're the headmistress of the Ariadne Knights!?"

"Wh-wh-wh-why are representatives from all the major countries of the World of Magic all showing up at once!?" Chisame exclaimed.

"Well, I did not expect these big shots to show up here." Jecht commented.

Vincent remained quiet before he smirks, "…I know why they come here for." He said.

"Hm… I guess they must have some connection with his father." Shiki said.

Seras the Headmistress of the Ariadne Knights, Ricardo the Senator of Megalomesembria, and lastly Theodora the Third Princess of the Hellas Empire as three of them are walking toward to Negi. "A pleasure to meet you, Negi-kun." Seras said, "I have been greatly indebted to your father and his companions."

"Gyahahahahaha!" Ricardo laughs, "That idiot Nagi and that meathead Rakan were both onetime drinking buddies of mine, whether I liked it or not!" He said.

Negi can tell both of them are very good friends of his father, "…I… see…" Negi said.

"Hmph, small fry, the lot of them." The Spirit-Evangeline said as she is not comfort of a lot of people.

Ricardo approaches to Negi and kneel down to his height, "So… how about it, kid?" He said as he placed his left hand on Negi's right shoulder, "You're planning on taking him on seriously? That real-life broken character, Jack Rakan…? Even though you don't stand a chance in hell?"

Everyone is waiting for Negi's answer, then, Negi replies, "Y… Yes!"

"Wahahahaha!" Ricardo laughs as he is happy, "Great answer! I think I like you, kid!" Then, the Spirit-Evangeline joined them, "Well, we're gonna supervise your training. It'd be a blast to see old Rakan lose to someone other than Nagi, after all!" This surprised Negi. "And you'd better count yourself damned lucky! We're talking about studying with a man who might as well have the whole magic world in the palm of his hand!"

"Hah, big talks for a small fly. You couldn't even beat Rakan yourself." The Spirit-Evangeline commented.

This statement shocked Ricardo, "What!? You've got some nerve, Eva! Talking to me like that when you're not even really here!" He yelled angrily for being mocked by Spirit-Evangeline.

"Well, do you deny it? The likes of you would be lucky to get into 'The Top 100 in terms of strength'." The Spirit-Evangeline mocks again.

This makes Ricardo even angrier, "W-why you!"

"…Whoa whoa whoa… is this actually all right?" Chisame said deadpanned, "I mean, these guys are some serious VIPS, right? Internationally speaking…"

"That's quite some guys there huh…" Kotarou said.

Ricardo stopped his argument with Spirit-Evangeline, "Thah!" He let out a breath of anger, "Well, whatever!" He then turns and point his finger toward to Kotarou, "You! Dog-boy over there! You're his partner, am I right!?" He asked.

Kotarou startled a bit for that sudden, "Hm? Y-yeah…" He answered.

"I think I'll give your training some special attention!" Ricardo offered.

"Eh? No, look, I'm self-taught, and…" Kotarou replies, but unable to.

"If its plain martial arts you're interested in, look no further than me!" Ricardo stated his expertise role, "I may not look it, but I was known as the demon combat instructor in the Praetorian in my day!"

"My field of expertise is combat magic." Seras stated her expertise role, "I'll help you perfect that 'Thousand Bolts' incantation of yours."

"I'm not particularly skilled at teaching myself…" Theodora said as she offering her supports, "But hey, I'll help you out whenever I can, alright?"

The Spirit-Evangeline approaches, "Boy… you only need one master." She said, "I wouldn't bother wasting your time with these fools. They're just small flies."

Once again, Ricardo gets angry by that statement, "The hell was that!? Are you looking for a fight!?" He yelled.

"Not that I'd mind, but don't blame me if you die." The Spirit-Evangeline said nonchalantly.

"Enough of this!" Ricardo yelled again.

"The-re we go!" Theodora placed down a pedestal along with a sphere on top of it.

Negi recognize that peculiar and familiar appearance, it is the magic sphere that like similar to Evangeline's magic resort inside Evangeline's Cottage. "T-that's…"

"That's right!" Theodora answered, "You have three days until your match with Rakan; no matter how you look at it, that's not going to be enough." She said, "But if you carry out your training in this Diorama Magic Sphere, we can turn those three days into thirty." This gives them a hope.

"Ahhh! That's awesome!" Chamo agreed.

"Always pleased to hear it!" Kotarou as well is agreed, even Negi as he has regained his confident back.

"What are you getting all happy about?" The Spirit-Evangeline said, "None of this changes the fact that Rakan is invincible… Your situation hasn't actually improved in the slightest, you know?" Her cold harsh statement always filled with truth. "You can have all the time and teachers in the world. But if you yourself cannot find the power to surpass him, then all that is meaningless. It's you who will be fighting him at the end of the day."

Negi and Kotarou acknowledged, "Y-Yes! Of course!"

"Negi." Vincent calls as he approached to Negi.

"Vincent-nii…" Negi said.

"Put all your efforts into your training." Vincent said before he looks at Kotarou, "Same goes to you, Kotarou, you do not want to be left behind again, right?"

Kotarou widen his eyes as he remembering the day after his defeat against Colonel Sanders during the tournament. "Yeah!" He said loudly.

Vincent looked at them, "Now, you two have reliable instructors here that can train you two within these thirty days. Do not waste this chance, and also their helps and supports, alright?" He told.

"Yes Vincent-nii/-nii-san!" Negi and Kotarou said in unison.

"Heh!" Ricardo smirked, "Well said there, whoever you are!" He said, "All right then… with our goal of defeating Rakan in mind… Let's get training!"

"Right!" Kotarou shouted.

"Yeah!" Negi shouted as well.

And so, Negi and others went into the Magic Sphere and begun their tough training under four supervisors guiding them to make them stronger within these three days in reality time, thirty days in Magic Sphere.

…

Vincent, Jecht, Shiki, and Mog are staying outside, for they need to continue their mission. "I should head to the library to learn more about this world." Vincent told.

"Yeah, kupo!" Mog said.

"You like reading too huh?" Shiki commented. "I'm coming too, for I want to know more about their cultures, parades and stuffs like those."

"Ain't that… kinda boring?" Jecht said, "Sitting there facing tons of books and countless words, and not to mention they won't allow anyone to make any noise."

"…" Shiki remained quiet as she stares at Jecht after listened of what he said.

Vincent gave a small chuckle from what Jecht said, "I guess the library isn't suit to your character." He said, "Also, we don't have the currency of this world, so, while they are training, we should go do some bounties jobs to earn some drachma."

"Yeah… we're kinda needs some money in order for us to survive in this world." Shiki said.

"Yeap, don't expect me to lend you some money." Jecht said.

Vincent smirked, "Don't worry, I never ask anyone to lend me money." He said before his expression changed. "And, Jecht, did you notice that presence just now?"

"Hm?" Shiki wonders.

"…" Jecht remained quiet as he knows what Vincent asking before he answers back, "You also noticed huh?"

"Eh… What are you two talking about, kupo?" Mog asked before he realize what they means. "Wait… you don't mean that girl called Asuna… a fake kupo?"

"What?" Shiki surprised to hear that.

"Yes, I can feel that her presence, it's indeed belonged to Asuna," Vincent said. "But… it's different than before."

"…Er… What?" Shiki confused.

"I sensed there's another presence inside her presence, and that means this inner presence must've duplicated Asuna's presence and made it her outer shell to camouflage herself to deceive others." Vincent stated, "In other words, someone swapped her place, and Asuna must've been captured by someone."

"A spy huh." Shiki said as she trusted of what Vincent said. "But… the way she talks, the way she behaves, and her personality… That spy mimicked her perfectly."

"Hm… this is bad indeed, kupo…" Mog said.

"Damn… I didn't notice this early until just now." Jecht said. "I guess that young girl must've been captured during that Fate Arven… ruckus whatever name boy called caused some ruckus on New Ostia a few days ago."

"It's Averruncus, kupo." Mog helps re-correct the name.

"His servants must have possessed some unique abilities, but I believe they won't harm Asuna, they must have some reasons to capture her, I think it must be related to the war that happened twenty years ago." Vincent said. "…Or… they probably want her unique power."

"Her unique power kupo?" Mog asked.

"She has a rare ability to negate any magic." Vincent replied.

"Negate any kind of magic huh…?" Jecht said.

"For now, let's keep this a secret; do not tell a single word about this to others, for we don't want to cause them to worry, alright?" Vincent told.

"Sure." Shiki agreed.

"Yeah, kupo!" Mog agreed as well.

"And I think you will tell them one day, huh?" Jecht said.

"Yes, depends on circumstances. And, when she is alone, I will interrogate her, forcefully if I must." Vincent said before he changes the topic, "Anyway Jecht, is there any place where I could start doing bounty?" He asked.

"Check tavern," Jecht replied. "Each tavern has a bounty board, allowing anyone to take on any request from clients. Best place to start and obtain any information."

"Hm… Thanks." Vincent said as he turns around, "Shiki, are you coming with me? I am going to the library first to learn everything about this world."

"Sure thing." Shiki replied.

"Hey," Jecht calls, "Be careful from Chaos's forces, for they have possessed a lot of powerful monsters, and they can easily tame them like their own pets."

"…Like Bahamut SIN." Vincent said as he remembering Sephiroth riding on the Bahamut SIN during the Mahora festival, and Kuja's Silver Dragon. "Indeed, they have a lot of dangerous monsters. But…" He said as he stares on his left hand, "I can summon out my powerful beings to aid us."

"Like that Alexander?" Shiki said. "How many summons you possessed?"

"Sixteen in totals," Vincent answered, "and depends on how many seals I have released. I can summon one out without releasing any sealing belts. If I unleash one sealing belt, I can summon out one more." He then looked at Jecht, "Jecht, can you do any summoning other than fighting?"

"No I can't, you could tell that I can't." Jecht replied, "Summoning isn't my role, I was a guardian back then, to protect the summoner in their pilgrimage." He said, "But hey, at least I could summon out limited numbers of monsters like last time."

"…I see." Vincent said. "I wonder, are there any more summon that I can obtain?"

"…" Jecht remained quiet as he stares at the night sky.

"Something bother you?" Vincent asked as he noticed.

"…The moment you mentioned 'Bahamut SIN', it reminds me of Sin." Jecht said.

"…Sin kupo?" Mog asked.

"No no no, forget what I say." Jecht said.

"What is this 'Sin' you're talking about?" Vincent asked.

Jecht looked at Vincent, he then sighed, "Can't escape from your curiosity." He said as he scratch his head before he starts, "Sin, is different than the Dark Yojimbo you faced before during in the tournament," Jecht replied, "and very different than other monsters. But, I am lucky that Sin doesn't exist anymore." He then starts to describe the details about this Sin to them.

…

~FFXMSN~

Somewhere in a universe

Somewhere that is far, far away, in a burning barren under the dark and fiercely thunderclouds where lightning struck randomly afar. Garland, stood in front of the lake of lava, where their master Chaos, recovering his power back in very slow pace.

"This new warrior of Cosmos has killed the small piece of the demon we seeking." Garland spoke as he kneels down humbly.

"…"

"And also, he has obtained an object dropped from the defeated little demon that allows him to find the crystal easier." Garland continues.

"It… doesn't matter… who actually obtained it first…"

"Yes, my lord," Garland said, "When they found the crystal along with the demon, we will take the chance to seize it first."

"…It won't be easy…"

"Kuja and Sephiroth had witnessed the strength of this new warrior of Cosmos, capable to summon many of his powerful summon." Garland said as he lowering his head, "We should not underestimate his strength."

"Now… that reminds me of one thing…"

"…?" Garland raised his head.

"In the world… where Jecht was from… there was one monster that took my attention…"

"What kind of monster was that, my lord?" Garland asked.

"One… that effortlessly terrifies all the living beings with just its dreadful presence… Its immeasurable power can trembles the whole world… And… using its monstrosity size… not even the armies of whole world can compare to it…"

"…I have never heard of such fearsome creature, my lord." Garland said.

"…If I had my power … even if it reaches minimum state… I can bring it back to life… Garland… Do what you can do to prevent that warrior from approaching the crystals…"

"Yes, my lord." Garland responded as he stood up. "The others will definitely slow him down." He said, "But… if the others are still unable to slow him down. I, Garland," He brought out his iconic giant metallic sword on his right hand and swing toward to the wasteland behind him, releasing a powerful large violent gust of wind, blowing everything away, "shall eliminate him with my own hand." He said before he starts walk away from the lake of lava.

…

…

End of the Chapter 37