Hey everybody! This is Animajunki once again bringing you another chapter of TF! I hope you enjoy it as much as the last chapter!

Timeless Friendship.

Chapter 1

Chris looked down at the desk in front of him, the Mahogany coloring of the desk making for a beautiful centerpiece to the quaint and simple room he currently found himself in. The man seated the opposite side of the desk, the Headmaster to the prestigious academy Chris happened to attend, was currently looking down at said desk.

Sadly, he was not admiring the color nor the woodwork to his desk, instead very intently focused on the scroll that was placed on it. The Magus's brow was furrowed deeply, displaying his age in the many creases in his forehead whilst his fingers drummed rhythmically across the wood. For a few minutes since Chris had been brought up here, nothing had been said between the two. It had barely even been 30 minutes since Chris had opened his Diploma to find out what his task was, but he was starting to wonder if this wasn't perhaps a bigger deal then he had thought.

"Uh… Principle… not trying to rush you or anything, but I am curious as to why you almost freaked out when I showed this to you."

The Magus looked up from the paper with a look of some slight confusion before he suddenly realized how he was acting.

"Oh… my apologies Chris I didn't mean to act in such a manner…"

"Nah, S'cool. I am still curious though, why did you bring me up to your office? Does it have something to do with this 'Demonic Magi' thing my scroll told me to seek out?"

"Yes it does… However, before I begin explaining that Chris, let me pose to you a question first… I know you're an intelligent young man, just as much as Negi is… but… let me see if I can refresh your memory on a few things…"

Pulling away from his desk, the Old man stood to his feet and plucked his staff from the side table, the pacing of his feet on the hardwood causing Chris to curiously follow the man around the room with his eyes.

"Do you know what kinds of magic there are in the world Chris?"

For a moment, the young man could only stare at the Magus in a somewhat confused expression before his mouth turned downward into an annoyed frown.

"What kind of a question is that? Magic has many different types ranging from mundane spells that ease day to day life, and combat magic used to fight off monsters or other mages if the need should arise. Then you have communication magics, healing magics, Hex's, Military magics, etcetera etcetera…"

"Very good answer for one of my academy, but not quite where I was going with that line of questioning."

"What do you mean, if you're not using those kinds of magics then what o…ther… Oh… OH. I see where you're going with this."

The principle smiled a little to himself as a look of realization hit Chris's face.

"Very good, now try answering in another way."

"M'kay… Well, if you're going with that line of thinking, you actually only have two kinds of magic. New age Magic that compels the magical creatures and forces of the world to do the Magi's bidding. And then you have Old Magic which issues a contract between a mage and the force he is beckoning to."

"Exactly. Glad to see you still know enough about it."

"You and I are literally the only ones in this academy who know about such two vastly different forms of magic anymore Principle, and if your suddenly talking about Old Magic, then this Demonic Magi must also have something to do with the old magic as well."

"Astute Chris."

Chris let out a sigh as he slumped back into the chair he was seated in and looked up at the ceiling fan spinning lazily along.

"Astute? Yes. Is this good news? Hell probably no."

"Also an accurate estimation… I suppose you would know what kind of a problem this is going to present to you?"

"I can hazard a guess, However, I can say I'm not happy about this right now. Not at all... but mostly with the problems."

The Magus nodded his head once before he sat back down in his chair and looked on at Chris with a serious expression in his eyes.

"I can understand your discontent with this situation Chris. I know how hard you had it some years ago with this… stigma hanging over your head."

"I don't consider my heritage with Old magic a stigma or something to be ashamed of old man. Hell I didn't even know Old Magic was a taboo in this day and age until my dad brought me out into the world to see it for what it was. A place that cowers in fear to an old system."

"A system that is feared for a reason Chris."

"You new age mages don't like it cause you don't have complete control over the magical element. A bunch of spineless chickens who run when something comes along that even seems dangerous to you!"

"And yet it has still claimed lives regardless of how you tend to put it in regards to the people who fear it."

"Because a bunch of half assed idiots don't need to be going around trying to pull off crap they shouldn't have been doing in the first place!"

Chris was literally on his feet at this point, barely restraining himself from shouting at the headmaster. The Magus however, was still composed and had an even tone of voice, however, the look in his eyes told Chris that he was starting to get a little too hot headed.

"Chris, please sit down."

The calm tone of voice along with the kind gesture caused Chris to grunt in some frustration, but he did as he was asked. He then took a deep breath and tried to avert his gaze from the Magus.

"Sorry… I lost my temper there…"

"Quite alright Chris. I know you feel strongly about it and that it's something you don't consider dangerous having grown up next to it."

"I know it's dangerous old man, it just… it's not that dangerous if you just treat it with respect is all…"

"Which is why you still practice it even to this day."

"Guh!"

Chris froze up, but the look on the old man's face wasn't one of bitter chastisement. Instead, he looked somewhat mirthful and was smiling at the young man.

"I know we made an agreement that you wouldn't practice it as long as you were on academy grounds. However, I know you have in fact, been leaving facility grounds to practice it at your leisure."

"…How long have you known?"

"Since the day you first started."

"So for 5 damn years, great. I thought I was being stealthy…"

"I won't bother reprimanding you for it at this point. However, we have gotten somewhat off topic here. Back to the issue at hand… I am sure you can safely summarize that the 'Demonic Magi' is in fact a practitioner of the Old magic like you are, which is no doubt why you received it as an assignment on your diploma."

Chris nodded his head as he leaned back into his chair again.

"I gathered as much… and I can see that it's going to be a problem for you?"

"Not me in particular Chris. I enjoy when my students go out and fulfill their goals in life or when they get to learn new things about the world that even I know nothing about... it's just… you know how Old magic is treated. Since I took you in 5 years ago, I have tried very hard to keep others off your back for being the son of a practitioner and of being a practitioner yourself. You were kept off the radar of those higher than me because you, contrary to what you are actually doing, swore to never practice it and to keep your nose out of it. This new assignment throws a wrench in that plan sadly."

"I don't doubt it one bit. I guess that's why you called me up here? To try to get me to do something else?"

The old man hesitated for a moment, his eyes looking back down at the Diploma on his desk before he spoke up again.

"Well… Yes and No. You see Chris… you have a choice to make here. Your answer to this question will have pros and cons regardless of which one you pick."

"I… see… kinda a heavy thing to throw on me…"

"Well, you haven't even heard the question yet. Here is what lies before you. On one hand, you can accept the assignment given to you and attempt to apprentice under the Demonic magi. You'll be learning both old magic and the new magic as well, so the work load will no doubt be double for you, but you'll be doing something I know you love to do. On the other hand… I can… put delicately, alter your assignment to be doing something else."

"… I thought the Diplomas words where absolute?"

"They tend to be… but sometimes enough outside influence can see such an order overturned. Not a good thing I admit, but an option none the less. This one would allow you to have a much easier time to be out in the world without fear of being branded a heretic, you would just end up practicing your old magic ways in secret and risk being branded a criminal is all…"

"Goody."

"Still an option… However, I don't want to try to pressure you, but you'll need to make your choice right now. If I wait too long, then I won't be able to do what I suggested."

"Like right this very instant?"

"Yes. I know it's a tough choice, but-"

"I'll go and apprentice under the Demonic Magi."

The Magus cut himself short of the rest of his sentence, Chris's words surprising him. Nothing was said for a moment until the principle spoke up hesitantly.

"Are… you sure this is what you want?"

"I'm very sure Principle. In truth, the chance to meet another user of old magic outside of my late father excites me to no end. I was born learning all about Old magic, and the chance to know more about it only fills me with excitement."

The Magus couldn't bring himself to say anything for a moment, Chris's honest smile leaving him unsure of how best to continue the conversation. However, the young man's joy caused the principle to simply sigh in a defeated manner.

"Very well then, I can see that there was no reason to present a choice at all. If this is truly what you want Chris, then I won't stop you."

"Great! Not to rush or anything, but what can you tell me about this Demonic Magi?"

"Hum… I can't say much, but I do know him and where he can be found. Anything other than that you can see for yourself. Also, I should have mentioned it before hand, but we will need to have you leave today so as to avoid trouble. I would suggest you go and gather the things you need now. I would also suggest you go and talk with Negi and Anya before setting out as well."

"Wow, how soon do I need to leave?"

"As soon as you're done. To be perfectly honest, I would like to send you off right now, but I know you might have a few obligations to fulfill as well. My assistant, Ms. McGuiness will wait for you at the front gate in an hour or so."

"Huh… Okay. I guess…I'll go and get all that done then. Thank you, Headmaster, for taking care of me over the last few years… me and Negi both."

The old mans' only reply was a smile and a nod of his head before Chris saw himself out the door. Chris was somewhat blown away at the pace this was all going at. It was almost too fast for even him, but he did understand that if he waited too long, the Headmaster would end up suffering some consequences that could be avoided. Letting out a sigh, Chris started to walk down the hall while scratching the back of his head.

"One thing after another today, isn't it?"

Letting out a small grunt of amusement, the young boy made his way back to his room to begin packing. Not surprisingly, when he got back he found that Anya and Negi had been waiting for him by his room. Negi looked somewhat worried whilst Anya tried to hide said worry behind a mask of indifference. Anya had a terrible poker face by the way.

"Ah, Chris! There you are, is everything alright? I was surprised when the headmaster suddenly pulled you away to his office."

Chris looked to Negi and gave him thumbs up.

"Right as rain Negi pal. The only real thing he wanted to discuss with me was about how soon I could get rolling on my assignment. Turns out I'm heading out today!"

"R-Really? So quickly? Shouldn't you have a little more time to get things in order before heading out?"

Chris let out a small huff before he gave Negi a pat on the shoulder.

"I wouldn't worry if I was you Negi my good buddy. I can handle most any situation I happen to be tossed in. If anything I'm more worried about you. Alone in the back-lands of some island nation in the middle of a school teaming with rampaging teens? Sucks to be you in my opinion!"

Chris held himself almost arrogantly as he laughed, but Negi knew that past the posturing, Chris was only doing his best to not let him worry. Anya, however, huffed a little to herself.

"Humph, well, I guess that's one thing off our minds. I won't have to contend with you for some time at least. I call that a pretty big plus in my book!"

"Oh? What a coincidence Anya, I also just so happened to think it a wonderful thing that I won't have to look at your ugly mug for some time. It's so exciting that I almost can't wait to leave now."

The both of them glared at each other, but even Chris was sure his face wasn't as smug as he was used to making it. Hell, he could even see that Anya didn't seem to mean it either. Negi, true to his feelings, could only shake his head at the both of them.

"Despite what you both say to each other… I'm going to miss the both of you terribly."

Those words made Anya and Chris look away from each other and back to Negi, the weight of their separation finally starting to hit home, even more so for Chris since he wouldn't have much longer to be with his friends.

"Well… I guess we should make every second count then shouldn't we? You both mind helping me pack? It's not a lot mind you, but extra help is always nice, know what I mean?"

Both Negi and Anya knew that Chris had enough things in his room to fit a small backpack with enough space to hold even more. He was a minimalist if nothing else. However, they weren't about to deny him such a small favor and went about his room helping him pack. As they did, the trio went about reminiscing about the time here in the academy (Mostly tales regaling Anya and Chris's continued fighting over the years) and before long, they were talking and laughing with each other all the way to the front gate of the school. However, the harsh reality of the situation hit them when Chris saw Ms. McGuiness waiting for him at the gate. Letting out a sigh, Chris did his best to try to appear chipper.

"Well… all good things must come to an end as they say… I guess this is the last you guys will see of my handsome mug for a while."

Anya rolled her eyes while Negi simply smiled.

"I suppose so… though I have no doubt we can send letters to each other when we get to our destinations… heck, if your leaving today Chris, then maybe you can get a letter off before myself or Anya leave… I'm not going for another three months or so since I need to brush up on Japanese."

Anya nodded her head.

"True enough, though there's no way I'll ever accept any letters from you Mccreepy since I know your liable to put something stupid in it."

"Maybe not all the time Anya."

The group smiled to each other before Chris held out his hand for Negi.

"I hope to see you soon Negi. When I blast through my training, I'll come and see how you're doing in Japan M'kay?"

Negi smiled at Chris and shook his hand, a warm and strong handshake to indicate that he was hoping Chris would uphold that bargain.

"I'd like that actually."

Anya, however, didn't share that same sentiment though.

"Ugh, you know he's just gonna do something stupid when he gets there you know… Anyway, since this will hopefully be the last time I ever see you again Chris… I guess I can show you just a tiny bit of goodwill today."

Chris simply looked at Anya with an annoyed look and was about to say something sarcastic to her. The next thing he knew though and she moved up to him, stared him straight in the eyes, and then wrapped her arms around his body and gave him a hug. Chris's mouth feel open and his eyes popped out of his skull almost literally. His brain had just shut down, this set of events leaving him stupefied. Negi seemed to have much the same reaction, though not to the extent of Chris's. This lasted for a good 10 seconds before Anya pulled away, a smug smile on her face dashed with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Be safe okay? And make sure you keep the stupid crap to a minimum after all, I can't tell you off when you're so far away."

With that done, Anya turned around walked away, acting as if this was to be expected. What she wasn't showing was the brightness of her blush having increased and her embarrassment levels rising at what she just did. Negi and Chris couldn't see that though, and the both of them simply looked to each other, the sheer absurdity of the situation leaving them both speechless. However, Donet giggled to herself at the display and spoke up to break the both of them out of there thoughts.

"Well… that was rather adorable. Make sure you write to her everyday Chris; such a treasured person is hard to come by after all."

Chris shook his head in disbelief for a moment before he muttered to himself.

"That girls gone bloody mad… must be the end of the world… Anyway, I'll see you later Negi, train hard and stay safe okay?"

Negi nodded in affirmation.

"I will, I hope you do the same Chris. I'll write to Nekane and give her my address in case you don't get a letter off in time. That way when you send it to her, she can send you mine and Anya's."

"Always coming up with the smart plans Negi… Later Bud!"

With that final farewell, Chris followed behind Donet, his life starting from here on out.

Xx some months later. xX

Negi let out a small sigh as the plane began to touch down. His stomach was all in knots right now, his last four months having been spent on reevaluating his English master's degree along with his study of the Japanese language. He wasn't used to how the teaching environment might treat him, and the fact that both Anya and Chris had left very shortly after getting their assignments had left him feeling rather lonely for the past few months. However, he had managed to get over that, and the instruction he got from the teachers at the academy on how to teach a classroom was a big help to him in those months. Though he had not taught a class, he was sure that he had the confidence to try at least, though the butterflies in his belly seemed to say otherwise. However, he didn't have enough time to think it over anymore as the plane landed, and the captain and hostess' calling out to the passengers to get ready to disembark. For the next 50 or so minutes, Negi spent his time getting his bag and his staff. Thankfully he didn't have many problems with any of that, though he had been stopped a few times by a security guard or two to ask if he had lost his family in the airport. It was kinda hard to get it across that he was independent, but his license seemed to do the trick, though the guard's themselves where rather skeptical about it. After that, Negi was on something of a schedule and he had to find his way to Mahora academy, though he wasn't sure how best to get there. Thankfully, after some time wandering and asking around, he found a lovely couple who managed to point him in the right direction. He was going to have to use the train's to get where he needed to go, though he was relived to find out that the station wasn't far and quickly made his way to the station he needed. A few rides later along with an hour or two taken away, Negi found the tram train that would take him as close to the school as possible. He had a few hiccups with his bags at checkpoints, but he managed to get that dealt with quickly enough.

The moment the train took off, Negi found himself being able to think and process for the first time since he got off the plane, and was finding himself looking around at the cabin he was in. Much to his curiosity, it was pretty much packed full of girls older then him by some years, he actually seemed to have some difficulty in moving about a bit since it was so full. However, he was careful to watch where his hands went, the thought of his sister telling him to be respectful to young woman. He took that to heart since he had found out that he would be teaching an all-girls class, though he found the thought of actually teaching them a bit of leap from practice to the real thing. He wasn't going to try to let it bother him though, and simply nodded to himself to help keep him mentally focused. However, that focus went out the window when the train lurched a little and he found himself falling into the bosom of a girl right next to him while also getting crushed by another one behind him.

Thankfully they pulled away, though he felt pretty embarrassed about the whole thing and started to try to stammer out an apology to the girl he pumped into.

"I-I-I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that, but I wasn't expecting the train to do that, and my feet where all over the place and-"

The young woman looked down at Negi for a moment before she smiled at him sweetly.

"It's alright, I didn't really mind it at all. Are you okay though?"

However, before Negi could answer her, one of the girls friends turned around to see what was going on.

"Oh? Whats with the kid?"

"I don't know, I think he's some kind of foreigner."

Another of the girls friends looked to Negi and bent down to look at him at eye level.

"What are you doing here little boy? This is the train for middle school and High school students. The Kindergarten stop was a few stops back."

The girl was wearing a pretty heavy perfume, something Negi was unaccustomed to. He tried to answer her, to let the girl know that he was in fact a teacher, but the heavy smell caused the back of his nose to itch, and he felt a sneeze coming on as it continued.

"Ah-Ah!-AH! AHCHOO!"

The next thing he knew, and the force of a gale escaped his mouth, blasting across the floor of the tram and blowing up random papers, dust, and young lady skirts. Many of the girls where caught unaware and many of them yelled in surprise as they quickly pushed the gravity defying skirts into their proper positions. Negi once again felt the shame of having done something irresponsible, but he couldn't apologize for this one since it would reveal his status as a Magi. The girls looked to each other, blushes on their faces as they tried to contemplate what had just happened, though the speculation was put to a stop when the train started to do the same.

"We have arrived at the Mahora academy central station, please stand clear of the doors as the train comes to a complete stop. We thank you for riding with us today."

The girls all looked ready to go, but one of them turned around and gave Negi a friendly smile.

"Well, it was nice meeting you little boy."

"Yup! Hope to catch you later you lil' cutie!"

"Hurry guys! We're going to be late as is!"

The next thing Negi knew, the tram doors opened and he was quickly pushed out with a speeding crowd of young girls, only coming to a stop when he managed to escape to the outside of the rushing horde of females. He was pretty much at a loss in the face of all the hustle and bustle and found that he couldn't process it all so quickly.

"Jesus! This is insane! Is this what all Japanese schools are like?!"

However, the P.A. resounded out around him, informing all students that they had a little less than 10 minutes before the bell rung and that late comers would be punished with yellow cards. Looking at his own watch, Negi felt his eyes almost pop out of his skull when he saw the time.

"Ah cripes! If I don't hurry I'm going to be late for my first day as well! That'll set the tone for the whole semester! As Chris might say… 'gotta go fast'!"

Using what power he dared to expose, Negi almost shot off the ground and took off running in the direction he hoped would lead him to his destination. As he continued on, he felt something odd behind him, as though someone was staring at him intently, though he wasn't sure if that was the case right now. He pushed it to the back of his mind only for something else to catch his attention. A pair of girls currently talking a bit away from him as they also hoofed it to try to get to their own destination, though he couldn't help but overhear something of their conversation. Something involving love fortunes and other some such that mostly was girlish gabble as far as he was concerned. However, he felt a strange tug at the girls fate, Negi himself having taken small prediction classes back at the academy, and something he quite excelled at. He decided to do a bit of reading if only for the sake of keeping in practice, and did just that. However, the image that came to him was more of a negative emotion. Sadness, and… he had never experienced it before, but Negi was sure that this must be what heartbreak was. Thinking it over for a moment, he decided to let her know, even if it was a sad fortune.

His appearance next to them caught their attention, especially of the redhead in particular, and he tried smiling at the confused pair.

"Excuse me… I don't mean to butt into your conversation, but I thought I would go ahead and let you know… you'll be heartbroken."

For a moment, the girl blinked in surprise before the full weight of those words kicked in and she almost fell over herself as she came to a halt right there.

"I…AH…WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BROKEN YOU TWERP!?"

Negi flinched and almost fell back in surprise at the girls sudden violent outburst.

"Nu-uh, not so much!"

Taking a moment to recover, Negi tried his best to salvage his thoughts and at least give the girl an explanation, he did kinda just throw it on her after all.

"Uh… well… I just overheard you guys conversation and I decided to do a little reading of my own, and I saw it come up bad and I decided-"

He never got to finish his thought however, as the girl started to glare and cry at him at the same time, something he found kinda amazing.

"DID IT LOOK LIKE I WAS ASKING FOR FREE FORTUNES YOU LITTLE BRAT!?"

"Uh… well, I guess-"

The other girl quickly interjected herself into the conversation in an attempt to try to sooth her friend.

"Oh come on Asuna, he's just a kid, he can't have known any better. Give him a break."

"A break! That sounds great Konoka, how about in two halves! You know I hate kids Konoka! Especially snot nosed little pricks like him who think they can say whatever they want!"

Not expecting it, Negi was gripped tightly by the top of the head and lifted with just the girls arm above shoulder level. An amazing feat of strength, and something he would have applauded, if he currently wasn't on the receiving end of it flailing desperately.

"So how did those anger management classes work out Asuna."

Not really expecting an answer for that one, Konoka was about to speak up when the sound of someone behind them started to shout.

"YO! The red headed dimwit currently holding my buddies head like a grapefruit!"

The three individuals turned around to look at the voice, Asuna practically whipping her head around at being called a dimwit. The sight that greeted them was one of a young boy, about the same age as the kid currently being manhandled by Asuna, though looking more like a creepy type of brat dressed mostly in dark clothing and staring at Asuna with a vicious glint to his eyes. Asuna glared at the kid and only seemed to growl at him.

"Oh Great, ANOTHER brat come to ruin my day!"

Negi, However, was absolutely shocked to see who it was, and almost forgot about being held up about 4 feet off the ground.

"Chris!?"

Only giving him a smile, Chris came over next to Asuna and glared up at her with a cocky grin on his face.

"I think I told you to drop him you Ape."

Asuna did no such thing, though Chris now had her full attention.

"And what exactly gives you the right to tell me what to do you little punk?"

"It's not really much about right here lady. If you don't let him go pretty quick, then I'm afraid that I'll have to take matters into my own hands to see him extracted from your clutches."

Negi looked down at Chris, though he was surprised to see him here only four months after his assignment had started, he wasn't about to let his friend be beat to a pulp.

"Chris! What are you-"

Negi never got to finish, as in that moment, Chris spoke loudly.

"TIMES UP! Time for a rescue! Delta saving kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccckkk!"

Next thing anybody knew, Chris threw his foot back and kicked Asuna straight in the shin. Had anybody bothered to notice, he was wearing steel toed boots. Asuna, however, didn't need to see it so much as she just felt it crack into her shin. Causing her to drop Negi and screech out in pain.

"YEOWCH!"

Next thing she knew, she was hopping up and down on her un-assaulted leg and gripped the left one that now felt as if someone had taken a baseball bat to it. Chris held his hand up in a victory pose and smiled viciously at Asuna.

"And another falls to the might of my kick! Ha ha!"

Negi, scrambling to his feet after his fall, looked more to the girl who was still hopping up and down in pain though he brought his attention to Chris and gave him a cross look.

"Chris! What are you doing! You shouldn't be up and assaulting people you just met!"

"Everything is tolerable for a good cause my friend. And come on, she totally was assaulting you first, I just did my job as a loyal and honorable citizen of this world and did the right thing."

"By cracking her shin in half!?"

"Oh for petes sake, it was just a little love taAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH SHIT!"

Next thing Chris knew, he was hoisted up by the collar of his jacket and was staring into the teary yet fury filled eyes of the girl called Asuna, nothing but murder to be found in her heterochromia.

"You little bastard! I've half a mind to take you and your friend and shove you right on the tracks of the next train just so that I can watch you-"

"That will be enough Asuna-kun!"

The group of four stopped what they were doing, the sound of the commanding voice causing all of them to look up at the third story window that the voice happened to emanate from. Standing there looking out the window was an older gentleman ranging somewhere in his late thirties, though his hair was already pretty gray, though Negi and Chris knew that was just the mans natural hair color. He was dressed in a casual business suite and carried himself like an older man would. He was smiling down at the group and waved at them all, to Negi in particular.

"Hey Negi-kun, long time no see! And is that Chris I happen to spy with you as well?"

Where a moment ago she was raging battle fury and ready to commit murder on a child wide scale, Asuna was suddenly aflutter with her eyes open wide and her cheeks growing redder by the second. Trying to compose herself, Asuna held herself like a girl her age would and bowed a little along with Konoka.

"G-Good morning takahata-sensei!/ Good morning Sensei!"

Negi and Chris had very different greetings however.

"Takamichi! Long time no see!"

"Hey Old man! How's it hanging? Still alive and kicking I see!"

Asuna was almost literally blown away at the serious amount of familiarity these three had with each other.

"Wait! You guys know Takahata-Sensei!?"

However, Takamichi was the first to speak up before anybody else could answer her question.

"It's wonderful to see you both again after so long. Welcome to Mahora! I hope the place has been treating you right Negi-sensei! You as well Chris-kun! Give me a minute, I'll come down to talk with you both, and to help get you set up Negi-sensei."

Watching Takahata vanish from the window, both Konoka and Asuna turned to look at the two young boys, in particular the crimson haired one. Konoka blinking in surprise and mouthing the word the two girls were both so skeptical about.

"Sensei?"

"Ah! Of course. Let me introduce myself to you both!"

Negi cleared his throat and pat himself down a bit before he bowed to the both of them.

"Greetings you two! My name is Negi Springfield! And from this point on until the end of the school year, I'll be teaching English at Mahora academy!"

Konoka, though somewhat shocked, wasn't quite as astonished as Asuna was.

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHH!? You're a bloody teacher?! A Brat like you!?"

"That's brat-sensei to you! Uh… I mean… uh."

"Oi! Twintail! Back off him or I'll give your other leg a reason to start smarting as well!"

Asuna rounded on the other boy in the vicinity, only to just barely notice what he was doing and jump out of the way of her other shin getting a smackdown.

"HEY! YOU LITTLE BRAT! YOU JUST TRIED TO KICK ME AGAIN!"

Chris looked at her for a moment before he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Tsk."

"DID YOU SERIOUSLY JUST CLICK YOUR TONGUE AT ME YOU LITTLE PAIN IN THE-!"

"Asuna-kun, I think you need to try to calm down a bit. I can hear you shouting from behind the door after all."

Asuna, along with everyone else present, turned to see Takahata had finally had made his way downstairs and was already outside, an amused grin on his face as he looked at the group.

"Bu-But Sensei! This Brat-"

"My name is Chris you hairless female gorilla."

Trying very hard to keep what was left of her composure in check, Asuna continued on.

"… Chris has kicked me twice now!"

"Oi oi, get your facts straight. I kicked you once, and tried to kick you a second time. Both times to save my friend from being pounded into paste by your hands I might add."

Asuna pointed to him and began to fume.

"SEE! He even admits it!"

Takahata could only give her a weary shake of his head before he turned to Chris and stared at him in that way a father might.

"Now Chris… I know your used to being rather… rambunctious in your pranks and whatnot, but I would ask you not hurt my students please. You won't have to contend with them, But Poor Negi-sensei here is taking over for me after all. No reason for your actions to cause him undue grief."

Chris rolled his eyes before he crossed his arms.

"Fine fine… I'll give Negi plenty of trouble without messing with his students anyway."

Negi didn't like the sound of that, but Asuna wasn't paying any attention to anything from after her beloved teacher had said that the little crimson haired twerp was taking his classes.

"Your-your leaving Sensei!? But-but you can't! that would… that would…!"

Both Negi and Chris looked to the girl and spoke in such unity, Konoka and Takamichi almost felt as if it was rehearsed.

"Break your heart?"

"Yeah, break my… HEY WHO ASKED YOU YOU PINT SIZED PAIN'S IN THE-"

Asuna's emotions where all aflame at this point, her mind almost to the point of not even working anymore, and her body just doing it's own thing as she grabbed the focus of her ire by the top of the head again and started to crush his scalp. That poor soul being Negi.

"I hate brats like you! Teaching, don't make me laugh you… you little nit! You nothing!"

Negi felt his own frustration start to grow at her words as he was roughly man handled yet again by the evil twin-tail girl.

'Jeez, whats with her tone? I was only trying to be helpful by reading her fortune! She didn't have to explode on me of all things!'

However, the breeze had kicked up a little, and some of Asuna's hair tickled the end of Negis nose, the slight agitation causing his nose to itch.

Chris, who was going to step in to stop her, saw Negi start to take deep breaths and realized what was going on. He looked over to Konoka and grabbed her by the hand and pulled her back a little distance.

"Might want to stand back Nee-chan. I'd hate to see someone as nice as you get hit with whats about to happen."

"Huh?"

Before Konoka could even ask what he was talking about, the sound of a gale force sneeze erupted out of nowhere, though to her it looked a heck of a lot like it came from the boy called Negi, and much to her surprise, Asuna's clothes where blasted away in tatters with the strips of cloth falling all over the place as Asuna could hardly even register what the heck just happened to her. However, everybody around her could see her in most of her near nude glory with the exception of her bra and… wool bear panties. Everyone felt their face flush at the sudden display, all save for Chris who simply looked her up and down a few times before he folded his arms and sighed at her.

"Cute, but I don't judge underwear on cute alone monkey. 3/10."

Totally ignoring what the brat just said, Asuna fell to the ground and tried to cover herself the best she could, the stares of Takahata-sensei as he attempted to avert his blushing gaze to a rather interesting light post being the worst she ever could have felt in her life.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!?"

Spending a few minutes to get the shamed girl a set of clothes (thankfully she had her track suite in her bag) Takahata lead the group to the principal's office. A man that Negi and Chris was sure must be some kind of gourd monster of sorts with the way his head was shaped. Negi kept it to himself, but he had to step on Chris's foot a few times to not get him to put his foot in his mouth. However, where it should have been Negi or the principle to start the conversation, Asuna was the first to break the silence.

"Headmaster… I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but heard this… kid-" Her gesture toward Negi did not go unnoticed by aforementioned child. "-is gonna be a teacher at our school, specifically of class 2-A. Please tell me this is some kind of joke!"

The headmaster, stroking his beard sagely and with a small crinkle of a smile on his face, nodded his head at her.

"I could tell you it's a joke Asuna-chan, but then that would make me a liar. On to the subject at hand…"

The headmaster turned his attention to Negi himself, the boy somewhat fidgeting under his gaze. However, Chris was right next to the lad and gave him a thumbs up out of the corner of his eye. It lifted his spirit a little bit at least.

"So Negi-sensei… Despite being so young, you've been given quite the task for your training eh?"

Negi turned his attention back to the Headmaster, his friend being something important, but not as much as this right now.

"Somewhat sir, but I never expected this to be easy in any way shape or form. I'll give it my best."

The headmaster gave him something of an approving nod, followed by a remark.

"Good… but you'll give better than your best. That's the point of your training after all. However, I hope you don't mind, but I'll be putting you on something of a trial period until March. I want to see how well you do in that time. By the by Negi-kun…"

"Yes Headmaster?"

The Old man looked to Negi, and then to Chris, the Headmaster giving the boy a quizzical stare as he did.

"Who is this young man if you don't mind my asking? I presume a friend of yours?"

However, Negi didn't get to speak as Chris let his voice be heard first.

"Right-o Old man! Negi's numero uno compadre! However, I came along because I wanted to, I'm kinda just a random background character for the time being… though I do have something you yourself will need to see after you get done with Negi here."

The Old man Scrunched his eyebrows up quizzically, but steepled his fingers to show that he wasn't going to dwell on it any further.

"I see… anyway Negi-kun-"

"Now wait just a minute here!"

Now it was Asunas turn to loudly voice her opinion, the girl pushing past the two young boys and directly in front of the principles desk.

"Headmaster, this is beyond crazy right now! A kid being a teacher? OUR homeroom teacher for that fact? It's outrageous! I can't bring myself to accept it!"

"Ah, but Asuna-chan, this is not for you to accept, but for me, and I do… However…"

The headmaster brought his attention back to Negi, a hard look in his old eyes that spoke of no mirth nor warmth.

"This will be hard, and you will not be allowed to complain. You will receive no second chances should you fail. Do I make myself clear Negi-kun?"

Negi felt a knot form in his stomach at such final words, but he crushed that feeling down with sheer determination before he gave the headmaster an equally determined look.

"Crystal sir. I understand what will happen if I fail… except… I won't. Fail I mean."

The old man smiled knowingly under his beard, however, Chris was beaming before he slapped Negi on the back in pride.

"Jeez Negi! I haven't been gone that long have I? When did you grow a pair huh? If I was a girl I would totally be falling in love with you right now! Ha ha ha!"

Chris started to slap his friend on the back, Negi being caught unaware and almost falling to the ground on impact. However, Negi caught himself and looked back at his friend with a smile on his face.

"Sometimes it's hard for me to tell if your making fun of me or praising me Chris…"

Though he said that, Negi knew deep down that Chris was being inspirational in his own way.

"Ho Ho Ho… well now that we've got that out of the way… I would ask you not worry too much while you are here Negi-kun. I think just throwing you into the job would be rather cold on my part, so I've assigned to have Shizuna-sensei act as something of an academic adviser for you while you're here. Shizuna-kun! You can come in now."

Curious, Negi turned around at the sound of the door opening only to find his face implanted into a mass of jiggly flesh. Looking up, he found that his head had been implanted between the impressive bust of the woman he quickly found out to be the aforementioned Shizuna-sensei. Negi was somewhat at a loss for words at the moment, but if Shizuna was upset or perturbed by the fact she now had a ten-year old's face wedged between her bosom, she gave no indication of it. In fact, she seemed to smile down at him and pat his head as one might their own child.

"Sorry about that."

Negi couldn't really get much of an answer out and could only reply with a 's'kay.'

The principle, having something of an envious look on his face, cleared his throat before he spoke up.

"Anyway, if there is anything you don't understand, then feel free to ask Shizuna-Sensei."

Negi was still somewhat stuck for words at the moment, but Chris spoke up quickly.

"Holy crap… if I was only a few years older…"

Negi snapped out of it when he heard is friend and gave him something of a chastising look… after extracting himself from Shizuna's bust of course.

"Chris. Seriously, could you not do that right now?"

"Fine fine… but hot damn."

Negi flinched at Chris's attitude, but Shizuna didn't seem bothered by it. A moment later and the Principle caught his attention again.

"ah, one more thing…"

However, his own attention was directed at the two girls still present.

"Konoka-chan, Asuna-chan, do you mind if Negi-kun stays with you two for a little while, we aren't sure where to put him as of yet."

Negi and Asuna where trying to process that info, However, Konoka took any kind of deciding power away from Asuna when she answered with a 'sure, no problem.'

Asuna quickly processed the question after that.

"Whoa! Wait! What?! We have to learn from him and wet-nurse him to!? What kind of system is this!?"

However, the Principle didn't seem to have any intention to take back what he said, and Chris spoke up in an almost mocking tone.

"Sorry Asuna-chan. We all gotta do our part to help the world ya know?"

"You shut up you little brat!"

However, Konoka attempted to sooth the raging beast that was Asuna by pulling Negi in front of her.

"Aw, come on Asuna. It'll be like having a kid brother."

"And that's supposed to endear me to him how exactly!?"

Chris let out a loud sigh before he clapped his hands together to catch everyone's attention.

"Alright already. As interesting as it would be to watch you pop a blood vessel, I think it's high time ya'll got moving. You Negi because you got a class to teach, and you two because you'll be late for class if you don't hurry up."

Asuna and Konoka knew the boy was right, and Asuna still needed to get a spare uniform to put on. Negi also knew this was true, but he took a moment to look to Chris and gave him a puzzled look.

"Um… Chris… I… I have a few questions for you… but time won't permit me to ask them right now… but if you get the time, do you mind coming to talk with me sometime today? I wanted to ask you a few things… mostly about what you're doing here right now…"

Chris smiled at Negi before he waved at him.

"Sure, no problem. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, so I'll try to catch you at lunch break today. Now hurry up and git."

Negi gave one last look to his friend before he was rushed out the door with his instructor and the two girls, leaving the pale youth in the room with the headmaster and Takamichi. Chris turned around and found a chair to sit in and kicked his feet up on the coffee table in front of him.

"So! I'm sure your curious as to what I'm doing here seeing as you obviously got no word of me beforehand am I right?"

Konoe interlocked his fingers and placed his chin on top of them as he looked at the young man.

"That would be a correct guess Chris-kun. As far as I was aware, Negi-kun was the only one who was here on an assignment. Which makes me curious as to what you happen to be doing here. I am in fact aware of who you are, and of what your task is supposed to be."

"Did the Magus send you a letter about me as well?"

"Actually yes. If you had opted to not take your original assignment, you were to come here with Negi-kun and learn what you could. Is that no longer the case though? Did you decide to come here anyway?"

Chris smiled before he reached into his cloak and pulled out an aged looking letter. Chris flipped it a few times in the air before he threw it so high in the air that it landed on the desk in front of the Dean.

"Come on now Chris, you need to be a little more respectful then that. I know you know better,"

Chris looked over at Takamichi with a lazy lull of his head. The older man simply looked on at Chris like a father would his child before Chris let out a sigh and sat up straight.

"Alright alright… Anyway. Any questions you may have will be answered in that letter from my master. I'm not allowed to talk about it of course… but my master can explain things easily enough."

Dean Konoe looked to Chris before he looked to the letter haphazardly thrown on his desk. The old man grabbed the letter and opened it. The next few minutes where spent in silence as the Dean went over the letter, heeming and hooing as he did. Chris managed to find something to do by taking a coin out of his pocket and flipping it before the Dean got done.

"I see I see… well this explains a lot then. I knew dealing with Old magic would have some interesting effects… but I never knew it could cause such a phenomenon."

Chris smiled smugly at the old man before he got up from his chair and took the letter back.

"Yup. Old magic can do a lot the new magic can't even dream of."

"Very true… but I must also let you know Chris-kun that though I am very lenient in terms of who does what on my campus, I will not have you causing trouble for the people of my academy. If word gets back to me that you have caused major issues, I will see that you are removed from my academy. Do I make myself clear?"

"Very much so headmaster. Trust me though, I'm only here to for my own sake really, I won't bother anyone else."

Konoe nodded his head before he reached into his desk and pulled something out of it.

"Good… however, while you are here, I can't have you staying on campus as a freeloader. You're going to need to be doing something productive while at the academy. I'll give you a choice. Would you like to be a student, or would you like to work with the Campus magical defense?"

Chris looked to the two papers presented to him before he gave the old man a sour look.

"Can I be a P.E teacher instead?"

The only thing he got for asking was a cross look from both the Dean and Takamichi.

"Fine fine… geez… I'll be part of the campus magic police or whatever you call it. I know enough already as is."

The dean put one of the papers away before he handed the other to Chris.

"Good. I'll let Takahata-Sensei guide you to the defense office. Good luck on your current assignment Chris-kun… from both your master and myself."

Chris gave the old man a polite bow before he turned around made his way out the door. When he did, Dean Konoe and Takamichi looked to each other before the old man broke the silence first.

"That one is going to be a handful, isn't he?"

"Well… I'll be honest. He may be a troublemaker… but Chris has always been a good kid. Yes, he may cause problems more often than naught, but he has always been reliable when it matters most. Especially when it comes to Negi and Anya. He loves them both as if they were his real brother and sister. He'll never be the one to admit it though."

"I see… Well, let us hope that that love can be extended to more than just those two as well… his master's letter mentioned that he's here for some kind of 'emotional training' though it doesn't say anything about what needs to be done for that to happen…"

"We don't know how old magic practitioners train their students, so maybe it's something we would be best not knowing about."

The old man nodded his head in some understanding before he motioned for Takamichi to leave.

"Good luck with him. I get the feeling this will be a very interesting development…"

Welp! here's hoping that you all enjoyed it! I'll be working on the next chapter quickly, so I hope you all look forward to it!