A Sorceress Named Fortune
Chapter 2 The Art of Black Arts
Note: Nope, still don't own Slayers, but neither do you. P I'm sure I'd have little problem convincing the creators into turning Slayers over to me if I could cast the DragonSlave, however, since they invented the spell, it probably wouldn't work anyway. Oh well, there's always DBZ. It's a lot easier to take over. Afterall, GT exists. Meh, training in 500x gravity isn't as cool as going FIREBALL! Alas, such dreams elude me. Mesuinu! Get your mischievous mysterious behind in the real world! You're my power! (Hey, I don't really know any offensive spells, I can just manipulate raw magical energy. Unless of course you count that DragonSlave I'm suppose to learn from a hair sample. Quit goofing off and work on my fanfic!) ;;;;;;; -serious sweatdroppage Hush...I created you. (No you didn't, my daddy created me. P Oh, and yes readers, she does talk to me in real life, usually in front of others. Sad, isn't it?) Hey! Meanie! Well enough with the senseless and inevitably, pointless babel, on with the story. (What, no more goofing around? How cruel!)
Fortune giggles happily as she waits in a long line of people waiting to get into a building. Standing calmly behind her in line is a young Welsh gentleman in his tenth year. His short brown hair is pulled back in a small ponytail. A rather large travelling pack rests on his back along with an antique heirloom staff. His tiny spectacles add a kind of cute intellectualness to his spirited appearance. Out of all the people waiting in line, this adorable little boy looks like he doesn't belong.
"Ohhhhh I can't wait to get in! I'd wish they'd hurry up!", Fortune pouts. "Patience. I'm sure that they are not making us wait for nothing.", the young boy maturely comforts. Fortune turns around to face the person who spoke to her. A confused look crosses her face as she sees no one. She then looks down, and upon seeing such an adorable little boy, smiles brightly. "Oh, hello. You're attending the academy too?", she questions. "Yes, I am. My name is Negima Springfield.", the young mage replies. "I am Fortuna Gabriella Estella Envera!", Fortune proclaims proudly. "Nice to meet you...uh, is there a short way I should say it?", Negi replies. "Oh, you can just call me Fortune. That name's just an alias anyway. I've ran away from home.", Fortune answers. "Oh, my.", Negi sweatdrops.
"My mom didn't want me to learn magic. She thinks it's dangerous.", Fortune remarks. "Oh I see. Actually magic can be dangerous, only if you don't use it properly. Magic can be quite useful and can help make people's lives easier.", the young mage replies. "Uh-huh. So ya gotta do what ya gotta do. It's all about DETERMINATION!", the young sorceress proclaims. "I suppose so."
At long last the academy doors open and the waiting students begin to crowd through the doors plowing over one another. Admiring the cute little mage, Fortune shelters Negi from the violent rush of the mob. "Thank you." "No need, can't let a cute little kid like you get crushed by all these older people.", Fortune replies. The hopeful students are given an application form to fill and a quill filled with ink. Several students immediately filling out their forms on the tables. Several minutes later the students are instructed to report to the auditorium for registration orientation. The ever hopeful young sorceress Fortune escorts Negi to a seat near the front of the auditorium.
An elderly mage approaches the podium and waits for everyone to settle down and find a seat. Attendants pass out application forms to those who haven't received one yet. After everyone has settled down, the mage begins his speech. "Good morning and welcome to Atlas City Magic Academy. I am Nortan Anviritus, the Head of Enrollment and Academics. I'm sure that you are all ready and eager to submit your applications and begin your attendance, but first I need to inform you of the registration procedures and where you need to report."
The more serious students, such as Fortuna Gabriella Estella Envera and Negi Springfield, listen intently to Nortan Anviritus. The less enthusiastic students yawn and continue working on their applications. Anviritus goes over the registration process then proceeds to various important facts such as the admission fee. "The admission fee is 100 gold.", the Head of Enrollment informs the audience. A few of the potential students immediately leave the auditorium. "Full term enrollment is 1000 gold per quarter and part-time is 500 gold. Those seeking financial aid should report to the finacial aid room in room 113. You'll need to submit a form along with a reconmendation from an established and certified member of the magic community.", Nortan Anviritus continues. More students leave after that announcement leaving only the well-to-do, reconmended, and determined students behind.
The old mage finishes his lecture and the students are releashed to continue the registration process. "I had no idea that this would be so expensive.", Negi comments somewhat disappointed. "Eh heh, yah.", Fortune replies apprehensively knowing what a light coin purse feels. "Fortune, I think we need to find a job and make some money fast. It appears that we cannot get financial aid unless we have a sponser.", Negi suggests. "Well, we could always beat up bandits and take their loot.", Fortune reconmends. "Isn't it wrong to steal money from others?", Negi comments. "Yes, but bandits steal money from other people so stealing from them isn't wrong. Afterall, how are we to know who they stole that money from? If we asked around a lot of people might claim that it's theirs even when it isn't. The right thing to do is to punish them and take their ill pilfered fortune and put it to good use. Afterall, bandits have no right!", Fortune justifies. "I still don't think it's a very good idea. It sounds dangerous.", Negi admits. " We'll save it for Plan B then."
The two hopeful students go their seperate ways to explore Atlas City in search of a job that will allow them to enroll into the academy before classes begin in two weeks. Negi returns to the school with no information. Fortune arrives shortly later to report her findings. "All I found out was that Nyo-Heron's Roast Beef is looking for some waitresses.", the young sorceress informs. "That won't do. I guess it's uh...Plan B.", Negi sighs. "YEA!", Fortune exclaims happily.
The two make their way out of Atlas City with the younger mage meekly following the older girl. "So, where exactly are the bandits?", Negi wonders as they make their way through the forest trail. "I don't know. There used to be a bandit gang around here called the Dragon Fangs, but Lina Inverse blew 'em up over 20 years ago. I kind of figured that maybe we'll just run into some.", Fortune admits. The two stop for a moment as the sound of rustling in the bushes catches their attention. Looking around, they find themselves surrounded by six little pig-like creatures. "Are these bandits?", Negima wonders. "No, they're orcs.", Fortune informs.
Going for an easy victory, Fortune begins her incantation for a sleeping spell and targets the three orcs to her left. Negi follows suit and targets the three on the opposite side. "SLEEP!", they exclaim as they cast their spells. The three little pigs that Negi targeted instantly fall asleep. Fortune passes out from exhaustion as only two of hers take a nap. "Fortune, you missed one.", Negi informs then notices that the young sorceress has passed out. The last remaining orc takes off seeing that it's comrades had fallen. Negi attempts to snipe it down with a Wind Arrow but misses. Not wanting to abandon his new friend, Negi stays and waits for Fortune to recover. Will he waits, he searches the orcs for money and ties them up. Negi is dissapointed.
After about a minute, Fortune regains consciousness. "Did we get them?", Fortune asks getting up. "One got away. For bandits they don't have any money.", Negi informs. Fortune sweatdrops. "Now what?", Fortune wonders. "Why don't we try to track the one who escaped to their hideout. They may have their money there.", Negi suggests. "Yeah, we have nothing better to do.", Fortune answers, sighing because she knows that orcs don't have any money.
The two walk off of the trail and towards the direction Negi saw the orc go into. After about an hour, the two stop as they come to the realization that they're lost. "I think we're lost.", Negi remarks. Fortune makes no comment. The young mage turns to find Fortune knocked unconscious. Before he can react, Negi too blacks out.
Some time later they find themselves tied and slung over the shoulders of two bandits. Their money and their gear have all been taken and is being carried by a third bandit up ahead. After weighing his options, Negi decides on a plan of escape. He silently casts a sleep spell causing Fortune and the bandit carrying her to fall over and asleep. The other two immediately halt and gather their wits about them. The bandit carrying the hog-tied Negima sets him down to check on his partner. "A mage!", the third exclaims scouring their surroundings for a witch or wizard, but finding no one. The sleeping bandit recovers in about a minute and the three hurry towards their hideout taking their loot and hostages.
"Exuse me good sirs, but why are you taking us too? You have already taken all of our belongings.", Negi inquires causing the three to pause. They stand around silent until one finally suggests, "Slaves." "We're only children, we wouldn't make very good servants.", Negi explains. The bandits consider his comment for a moment and seem to acknowledge the sensibility of it. "We don't have time to stand around talking. There's a witch around here somewhere.", the bandit carrying their gear remarks. "You don't think it's Li...", the bandit carrying Fortune begins. "Don't say her name! Some bandit said her name 15 years ago and then BOOM! Never heard from again.", the third scoldes. "A sorceress that blew up a bandit 15 years ago? You wouldn't happen to be refering to the legendary sorcery genius Lina Inverse, would you?", Fortune mischieviously remarks, ruining Negi's escape plan.
At the mention of the Dragon Spooker's name, all three bandits focus their attention on the young girl and try to shut her up. "Don't say her name!", one warns her. Because of the commotion, Negi is left sitting on the ground. "LINA INVERSE LINA INVERSE LINA INVERSE LINA INVERSE LINA INVERSE!", Fortune chants proudly. Seeing an opportunity, Negi again casts a silent sleep spell. This time all three bandits fall alseep without Fortune passing out. The two quickly untie each other and get their belongings back before the bandits can wake up. Seeing the opportunity, they loot the lazy loafers and make a quick getaway.
Seeing an opportunity to pillage the pillagers, Negi and Fortune hide. When the three bandits wake up, they immediately flee to their ramshackle base to warn the others of a magic user in the area. The pair take this opportunity to follow the bandits. Before the trio could enter the shack, Negi and Fortune simultaneous cast sleep on them and the guards. The two quickly loot the bandits and beat a hasty retreat before anyone notices them. As they make their way back to the path, they count and divide their loot. They have just enough for the admission fee, part-time enrollment, and cheap housing. When they return, Fortune heads for a pawn shop and sells the swords she swiped from the bandits and gives Negi a cut.
The two return to the Atlas City Magic Academy and turn in their application and pay their fees. Negi finds a cheap on-campus apartment for 30 gold a semester after an adorable discount of course. "Fortune, if you need a place to stay, I've found a small apartment for 30 gold.", Negi suggests after noticing Fortune's failure to find an affordable place of residence. "Sure, someone has to watch out for you. Like an older sister!", Fortune accepts.
After settling into their two room apartment, Fortune making sure that she has her own matt to sleep on, Fortune reconmends that they strike the bandits' base again. "They don't know that we're mages so we might be able to sneak up on them and get their loot.", Fortune suggests. "Yes, but they know that a magic users IS out there, so they might be better prepared.", Negi notes. "True, but we'll have the element of surprise. We don't have classes for another two weeks, so we can afford to stay up late. We'll strike them at midnight, when they least expect it.", Fortune formulates. "It sounds like a plan. Let's get some supplies and something to eat.", Negi reconmends.