APH: You guys either don't like us or you guys are just WAY too lazy… I DON'T SEE REVIEWS AT ALL!!
MX: (Takes out chainsaw) I'LL CUT YOU GUYS INTO PIECES!!! (Charges at the fans)
Sarah: (Trips MX) You can't do that… BECAUSE I'M DOING IT!!!
APH: (Grabs Sarah by the back of her collar) Still, I hope the last chapter amused you guys in one way or another… and I must apologize to Yuki. I probably traumatized her pretty badly. And as for that 'mysterious' person will be eventually revealed. But if you guys want to spoil yourself, go to Teruko's deviant art. There's a picture of her.
MX: Anyway, school is starting to come down on us with a vengeance… or at least on APH with a vengeance, it's not scheduled to come at me till middle of November (exams…(shiver)). We won't be making as much progress as before.
Eva: What progress?
APH: (Side glance at MX) …And partially it's due to you going MIA sometimes…
MX: HEY! I HAVE A LIFE YOU KNOW!! (Shakes chibi fists)
Everyone: …sure…
MX: You guys are evil… (pouts)
APH: (sweat drop) Anyhow… we'll stop boring you with this nonsense… for now. So here's the next chapter.
DISCLAIM: I DON'T OWN A THING BUT SARAH AND YUKI!! LOCKE BELONGS TO TERUKO!!
MX: Why am I feeling kinda left out here?
XXXXXXXXXX
Sakurako sits on a bench as she thought about what was revealed to her the day before. After calming Sarah down somehow (don't ask how… it's a miracle in itself that no one was killed), she had starts to ponder the whole issue about magic.
Oh sure, she heard of it when she's little. It's basically everywhere when she's a kindergartener. Besides, many kids that age believes in magic. Heck, there are still people now that believe in magic.
However, seeing and simply believing is TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!!
"It is just because you DO NOT go around saying that I'm a wizard… or in my case, vampire. Just think about it. Out of 10 people, how many would actually believe that and how many would just pass it off as a stupid game of truth-or-dare?"
That was Sarah's explanation for you, short and direct. From what the vampire, who now Sakurako knows for sure is one, said, the world is full of magic. You just need to know WHERE to look for it.
'And just where did they hide before?' The cheerleader asked herself. After seeing the ghost girl, Sakurako finds that the world seems to open up to her(MX: kinda like when you learn about s3x and all the euphemisms that go with it… nothing seems so innocent anymore). For example, she starts to see other strange things. She found that some animals' behavior quite strange. She finds teachers wearing, or simply carrying things that are way out of your ordinary day life. '…Just like sensei's staff…'
Also, the whole concept of an inner world kind of freaks her out. In her mind, how do you hide a whole world?
"They have their ways…"
That was what Locke had said after he FINALLY found her… and speaking of Locke…
'I wonder how he is…?'
XXXXXXXXXX
"AAAACCCHHHOOO!!" Locke sneezed for the nth time that day as he drank some more hot coffee. He is now being restricted to the infirmary because of yesterday's stunts
In another words, our slayer here finds himself with a light fever and runny nose.
"You know Locke-san, coffee isn't exactly the best thing to drink when you have a cold…" Ako, who decides to help as the nurse isn't here today, says as she frowns at the man sitting in front of her.
"Ah… it helps with my nerves. Just think of it as an addiction." Locke says with a small smile before he sneezed again. "…Besides, I'm drinking lots of fluids, no?"
"…You know, if it weren't because you were a patient, I'll give you an ear full for that cheeky comment!" Ako says as she rests her hands on her hips and glare at the slayer. "In the infirmary, what we say goes! Health is the most important thing a person can have! And it is our job to make sure that they get it! Even if it means chaining you down to the bed, I will make sure that you're A HUNDRED PERCENT before you can leave THIS ROOM!!" The girl pauses for a breath before she gives an annoyed look. "Is that clear?"
"…Hai…" Locke answers as he's a little too baffled at the moment for something else. 'What is it with today's teenager and following rules? …Oh wait, that's a huge contradiction right there…' The slayer thought before he drank some more coffee. Just then, something pops up in his mind. "Wait… I don't have to pay for this… right?"
"Eh? It's a school infirmary, not a hospital. What we have are things that can be bought at a rather cheap price. Our duty is simply to keep the student comfortable and stable when something occurs. So no… I guess you don't." Ako answered with a confused air around her before all of that was replaced once again with that commanding aura. "But that's beside the point. You are to rest until you get better."
"Hai, wakata." Locke answered with a sigh of relief and exasperation. He can't believe that he's being confined to a bed by a school girl.
"Good. If you need me, just dial the number next to the phone. I'll be around." With that, the girl left Locke to himself.
'…Right now I'm rather vulnerable if anyone decides to attack…' Locke thought as he absent-mindedly looked out the window. '…It's rather peaceful here… even with two vampires here, it's quite safe…'
It's almost unimaginable to Locke. As it is, Locke Whitby had devoured half of his life hating vampires for their cruel ways. He hated them for their blood lusts, their cruel natures, and their seemly inability to feel sympathy.
However, that philosophy was shattered in the matter of two day. How? It's done simply by two vampires that live peacefully among humans, their main food source. It is simply too hard to believe…
Yet seeing is believing right?
THUMP-THUMP
Rain continues to pour, but all he can feel is pain. Unbearable pain that continues to eat at his soul… what is left of it as he's pretty sure that it's half way to hell …
THUMP-THUMP
'Huh?' Snapping out of his stupor, Locke blinks a few times as a particular memory resurfaced. It isn't exactly the best… but it seemed rather important…
…The sky is dark. Every where he looks he sees corpses…
'…That's right. It's a rainy day twenty some years ago… when I was still a human…'
…A battle was fought here. What it was fought for or how it started, he can't be sure. What he is sure about thought is that this isn't a normal war and how they fought definitely isn't normal…
'…It's during the Great War… it was because of an accident…'
…For all he remembered, he's walking down in a pace like always, whistling happily as he walks to meet his family. But what awaits him just down the hill? A battle field…a freaking battle field that destroyed his home, his family, and most of all, his view of reality. Strange lights were thrown around as some of them exploded while others shred things into little pieces…
It is a rather cruel sight…
And that's when it occurred…
"WATCH OUT!!" A voice screamed, but alas it was too late. Locke blinks as he turned around, only to be blown back a few feet by what looks like a giant ball of fire. Then it's all a blurry mass as everything slows down around him.
"DAMN IT! …CIVILAN… INJURED…" A distorted voice shouts not far from him. However, right now, he's in shock as seeing part of himself smoking…
"DON'T…NOT ENOUGH… MUST…" Another voice shouts something else. Judging from what can be heard, it doesn't seem as it they do anything with him…
"BUT… MUST HELP… WHAT THE… VAMPIRES!!!"
'Vampires…?'
"RETREAT! RETREAT!!!"
'…That's right… I remember they left me there to die…' Locke thought as his eyes turn cold and bitter, yet sad at the same time as he gazed at the cup of coffee in his hand. 'The vampires were attacking… they were coming in large numbers… They disregarded the East and West and simply just devoured anyone in sight…'
The slayer's hand unconsciously tightens around the cup as he continued to remember…
…It's silence… Locke has no idea how long he was out for, but he's sure that if he has a burn like that on his body, then he shouldn't be alive right now… Does that mean he is in heaven?
"…You're awake…" A voice, soft but demanding, says a few meters away. It's obviously male as the voice is leaning towards the deeper side. "That's good…"
"…W-where…? W-what…" Locke managed to croak out from the lack of water. His throat felt as if someone just shoved a ball made of sand paper down his throat.
"You are currently in my tent with my companions. We are not here to harm you… and you been out for a few days now." The voice explains as a few shifts of cloth can be heard.
'That explain why I can't talk…'
"…And I'm sorry to say, but you're the only survivor we found… Everything within a mile radius is either ashes or carnage…"
Now that got his attention. "W-what…? M-my family…?"
"…We found a house nearly completely blasted clear… I assume that it's your house as there was a picture that looks remarkably like you… Also, I'm sorry to say that your family…"
"…They d-died?"
"…Yes. They were drank dry by the vampires that joined the skirmish a while ago…"
'…That's the first seed of hatred…' Locke remarked as his hands tighten even more, cracking the cup, but not enough to crash it, although he is very close to doing so…
He remember the pain, the despair, the desire to simply cock a gun and put himself out of that hell he call life. He also remembers the feeling of trying to move that left arm, which all but burn to a crisp.
He remembers the hollow feeling in his heart…
He remembers requiring help for just about everything…
He remembers the burning hatred for everything in the world…
It's almost a month since Locke witnessed the battle. It's almost a month of this endless torture… and it's almost a month that the hatred in his heart continues to grow.
Everything seems hopeless. He just can't understand why they couldn't just put him out of his misery. Why they couldn't just left him there to die…
While Locke continues to ponder this, he completely ignores the group of strangers that entered the tent he was staying at.
"…So that's how bad it is?" A voice, grim and dry, says as the owner's eyes seems to burn a hole into Locke's back.
"Yes. I think he's sinking into depression. He refuses to eat or drink. He's only alive because we force feed him…"
'Oh yes, I remember those… prying my mouth open will you? I'm hungry.' Locke thought sarcastically as he roll his eyes, still refusing to turn to face them. He tune out their conversation on him as he close his eyes and release himself to the land of unconsciousness.
There, he dreams about his family. About his fiancée, his sister, his mother, his father, his little brothers, his friends, his colleges, and everyone that was once inside the town that was now a giant grave yard.
He sees himself cuddling with his wife-to-be.
He sees himself chasing that hyper woman that was his sister for some stupid reason.
He sees himself under a pile of wiggling kids that were his brothers, trying to out do him even thought they know he's quite strong.
He sees himself laughing with his father as they work on the land at their farm.
He sees himself helping his mother and sister doing chores that are either too heavy or just simply for the pleasure of enjoying their presence.
He sees himself talking with his friends while they lie under the night sky.
He sees himself working with his colleagues in the market.
He sees himself dancing with one girl or another at a festival as their siblings or family members laugh and cheer them on.
…And he sees himself crying to them as they burn to ashes in a war that was not meant to be…
…he sees himself strapped down as two men talks about whether to go through with the procedure or not… 'Wait, what the heck is going on?!'
"Mr. Whitby, as your injuries are too serious, we can do little about it. Even if we manage to heal them, you will lose the function of your left arm and part of your left leg." A man, dressed in what looks like robes says as he takes off a pointy hat. "Right now, we have two choices. With the technology of this time period, we can amputate those mentioned limbs and install mechanical limbs free of charge, as it is due to us that you're in such situation."
"…And the other…?" Locke asks as he stares at the man with out a care in the world. And what does he mean by 'we?'
"…The other option is to transform you magically into a dampire and let the ability granted to heal your wound as well as make you both physically and mentally stronger. However…" The man hesitated as he looks unsure as to whether they should have offered it or not.
"However…?"
"The risk of you dieing is rather high, as our studies show that your magic level is rather low due to neglecting it for years."
"…And what do you care if I die or not?"
"We are wizards, and we are supposed to help those in need." The man explained as he looks at Locke with a sympathetic look. Whitby's eyes harden at that look. Oh how he hates pity.
"…Wizards huh? And I thought they don't exist. Actually, I believe that there isn't even such thing as magic." Locke says lifelessly as he continues to look at the man without a care what-so-ever.
"Oh I assure you Mr. Locke, that magic is rather real." The man says as he walks over to a table next to him and held out one of his hands. The next thing that occurred is what shocked Locke for quite a while. "As you can see, magic does exist…" The man says with a smile before putting down the table that he was hovering a while ago. The smile was gone in a second. "As for those choices, there are the only things we can come up with. We will give you a while to…"
"No… I'll do it." Locke says as he interrupts the man. "…I'll risk everything on it. Just make me stronger… I will become a dampire."
"…And pray tell, Mr. Locke, what are you going to do with that new power?"
"That is none of your business…" Locke says rather harshly as the wizard looked at him for a while before sighing, signaling that he gives.
"Very well… but I warn you: this conversation is not to leave this room unless the person you're talking with is a high ranking official in the inner world (which we will clarify later) and if you ever step out of line, we will send men to hunt you down."
"…I got it, no going on massacres with that new power. Anything else new?" Locke says sarcastically as he raises an eye brow… or he tried as his body lacked the energy even for THAT. 'Damn…I really need to eat now…'
"…Good. We shall begin the process shortly." The man says as he turns to walk out the door. Just as he's about to exit it, he suddenly turns around as he remembered something. "There is one more thing that you need to know. By turning you into a dampire, it's going to mess with your brain a little. There MIGHT be some strange behaviors that weren't there before. And a word of advice, mentally prepare yourself as it's going to hurt like hell."
'Oh, it hurt like hell alright…' Locke thought with a sweat drop as he remembers the process. 'Seriously, what was the point of sticking a needle into my ass check and some rather sensitive parts…?'
(APH: I apologize if you mistook this as some thing perverted… And as I can assure and promise you, IT IS NOT!!!)
(Sarah: Because if it is, I'll gut him (smiles evilly))
(Other Negima cast members: And we'll enjoy watching it.)
Anyway, as I was saying, Locke sweat dropped at the memory of the process. Despite being turn into a human pin cushion, the 'ceremony' was rather successful… and in a way, a failure, as the first thing Locke did was beating the doctor responsible for the process half dead. Reason: for almost making sure that he won't be having children.
'And I thought that was the worst part…' The slayer thought as a shiver went down his spine. It was bad enough with that operation, what made it worst is that by turning into a dampire, he seems to also inherit a rather… for a lack of better word, annoying trait.
Oh yes, he inherited the power to seduce just about ANY female that he came across… and he almost died from a stampede because of that. 'And to think they would go that far… I wonder if teenagers will be worse.'
"…You'd been like that for quite a while now Locke-san…" A soft, well-mannered voice says, causing Locke to ALMOST squeal like a school girl by the sudden intrusion.
"GAAAAAHHH!!! W-W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?!?"
XXXXXXXXXX
"Is that wise?" Evangeline asks the school principal as she lay another white GO piece down. "I mean, using his daughter as a body guard. It seems a little too… cold even for me."
"Ohohoho! You don't need to worry about that. From what I can tell, she carries herself like a warrior." Konoemon says as he happily places another piece down.
"That doesn't mean she has enough experience to walk around without further safe guards." The vampire says as she places another piece down.
"True, true. But if her father thinks that she doesn't need any further safe guards, then I believe that we should trust his judgment." Another piece was laid down.
"It still worries me though." Another…
"Oh? Is Eva-chan getting soft?" Another…
"HELL NO!! …It's just that… well, err…" Another…
"I'm waiting…" A teasing tone and another…
"It's just that… err… Sarah would have done the same…" Mentally slapping herself and another.
"Sure… And game over!" Konoemon exclaims as he lay down the final piece, which completely surrounded Evangeline's as the child vampire sweat dropped at the over reaction.
"…You no good, overreacting, bastard…" Evangeline mumbled darkly as she checks to make sure that he didn't cheat.
"Master, the principal won fair and square… would you like to see a record of this game?" Chachamaru, who is once again by the side of her master, says 'helpfully' as she pours another cup of tea.
"You aren't helping at all…" Evangeline groan out as she pouted childishly and huffed in a childish way. "Sarah must be affecting you…"
"That is incorrect as I found master sometimes to be rather smug in things. So in order to make sure that it doesn't become a habit, I have devised a way to prevent that from ever happening." Chachamaru says with a slight smile. As for her master, she just blinks at the robot.
"And how, pray tell, are you going to do that?"
"Why master, by continuing to dump cold water on you, metaphorically speaking that is." Chachamaru says as Evangeline sweat dropped. "We don't want you to be sick again. You're very hard to take care of when you're sick."
"NOW WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN?!" Evangeline exclaims as she flailed her arms wildly. Her cheeks puffed out in anger as her face also heated up in embarrassment.
"Ah, it means nothing." The robot says with as much innocence as she allowed herself, which is quite a bit considering how much time she spends with Evangeline AKA the master of acting innocent.
"All it means is that you're a brat, hohoho! SMACK! Itai…" Konoemon moans as he hugs his head. A bump can be seemed throbbing on his head as the vampire just storms away in both anger and embarrassment.
'Who would had thought Chachamaru would call me, her MASTER, a brat…' Evangeline silently thought as she pouted. 'I think we need to schedule a 'session' with Hakase…'
XXXXXXXXXX
"So let me get this straight… Your father sent you over here." Locke asks his 'intruder', which is a girl that looks about seventeen of age with black hair that covers her right eye and some of her right cheek. Her hair passes her rather small shoulder just slightly. The girl also has a rather petite frame with smooth skin and long legs. She also has large, bright, dark-chocolate shades that are rather expressive. She's also about 5 ft four, average height for girls her age.
She's wearing a rather simply sailor uniform that's not specific to any school at all. The uniform is composed of a long-sleeve shirt and a knee-length skirt, both a navy blue with a red bow hanging around the junction around her neck. She's also wearing a pair of white, silk gloves and grey stockings with dancing shoes adorning her feet.
All in all, she's more cute than pretty, but so cute to a degree that no one cares if she's not pretty at all
(MX: Now just what in the world does that mean?)
(APH: …I have no idea what I'm doing really…)
(MX: …you never do, but… now that we have a new girl in town… hehehe…)
"Hai…" The girl says with a simple nod and a blink of her eyes.
"And you were here to help guard Konoka ojou-sama when she went to Kyoto…" Locke asks again as his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hai… that's about it…" The girl says with a tilt of her head.
"And what, pray tell, are you going to do in THAT set of clothing?"
"Oh this?" The girl asks as she looks at her uniform. "It's rather comfortable. Besides, I'll change once we're settled in a hotel."
"Hoshiiko…" Locke says to the girl in a low tone, causing the girl to sit up a little straighter.
"H-hai?" The raven-haired girl, who is now identified as Hoshiiko, gulped a little as Locke cross his arms in front of his chest.
"You're a little too relaxed don't you think?" Locke asks as his eyes narrow a bit more. "Danger is everywhere…" At this, he leans forward a little. "It's around every corner –a little more-, in an alley, -a little more- and even in board day light." Now Locke is nearly nose to nose with a rather flushed girl.
"Um… a-and?" Hoshiiko stammered out as she leans back a little.
"Do you know what happens to people that are unprepared?"
"Um… I don't think I want to know…"
"They get attacked, and then it depends on what kind of creature that attacks them…"
"Um, s-sempai… I think I've got the idea…"
"If it's a vampire, they'll suck your blood dry…"
"…Um…"
"If it's a werewolf, they'll eat you alive."
"…Eep…"
"And if it's a demon, it'll either violate you or eat you a live as well… or maybe both…" Locke says as he suddenly turns on a flash light and shines it under his chin. What he gets in return in a rather painful punch in his face. "Owie…" With that, the slayer fell out of bed in a rather unceremonious way.
"G-G-GOMEN SEMPAI!! You just… scared me…" Hoshiiko says as she blushes at the fist-print on Locke's face, or rather, the one that's going to occur a few minutes later.
"N-no problem…" Locke groans as he climbs back onto his bed. "I deserved that. Still, that doesn't explain why he let you come alone!"
Hoshiiko tilted her head as she scratches her left cheek with one finger and a cute frown appears on her face. "…I don't know really. It can all be a test to see if I'm ready for something or it's just simply a way for me to gain experience." The girl says before her cute frown deepens a little, making her even cuter. "But this is sort of a little too big for just gaining experience…"
"You're right… it's a bit too extreme…" The older slayer says as he ponders what their ever-be-loved leader would want by sending his only daughter, Hoshiiko, into a battle field. 'She has fire power, sure… but she's still too young to taking this… What could you gain from this you cunning old bastard…?'
XXXXXXXXXX
Asuna was extremely confused. She has no idea why Sarah had pulled her over to the side all of a sudden…
Err, well, to be more precise, she pulled her all the way over to their dorm, which is empty right now. That is exactly why Asuna is confused. If it's so important, she doesn't have to drag her all the way here does she?
As for our caretaker right now, she's a little fidgety even for her, and this only serves to peek Asuna's interest. As she opens her mouth to say something, she was shushed by Sarah as she produces a single piece of paper that's in a human shape.
"I want you to keep this around when you guys are on the school trip." Sarah says and hold up a hand as she sees Asuna was about to ask something. "I'm not going to explain what it is. You'll learn that eventually. As for now, I want you to promise that you'll keep it around."
"Eh? Why would I need something like that?" Asuna asks. A suspicious feeling starts to bubble up deep down her chest as she narrowed her eyes. "There's… something you guys are keeping from me huh?"
"That's really none of your- !"
"OF COURSE IT IS MY BUSINESS!!" Asuna exclaims, cutting off the vampire as she also stuns herself by the rather unexpected out burst. "Whatever is going on, I'm sure that it has something to do with Negi… I'm stupid, not ignorant you know?"
"…Ah… I guess you're right…" Sarah says softly after a few seconds of silence. Smiling slightly, the taller girl walks towards the dorm steps and sits down on one of the lower one. Patting the space next to her in an inviting gesture, she waited until Asuna seats herself before she starts to explain. "…First off, I'm sorry for that. It's uncalled for and it's partially my fault that you're dragged into this whole affair…"
Silence is her only response as the Baka Red continues to study Sarah with a critical eye.
"…Second, you're not the only one that knows the existence of magic in our class."
"I'M WHAT?!" Asuna exclaims in surprise as her eyes widen. Sarah prop her elbows on her knees and rest her chin on her palms as she tilt her head slightly. "Y-you're telling me that magic isn't exactly that secretive?"
"It's secretive alright. It's just that some people are born into the world with high sensitivities to magic or that their parents are mages." Sarah explains with a small smile as she witness Asuna's jaw drop.
"…"
"Shocking huh? Not really, considering we have a robot and me and Eva-chan in the class. Just asks yourself, where did Chachamaru come from? Someone had to have built her for the purpose of helping Evangeline in her weakened state no?"
"I-I never thought of that…" Asuna stuttered at her rather weak logic. "B-but what does that have to do with this sheet of paper?!?!" The girl asks as she waved said paper around.
Sarah gives a small chuckle as she simply snatches the paper out of Asuna's hand and held it in front of the girl's face, "This, may be the difference between life and death. But I'm exaggerating. This here is just a simply slip of paper provided by one of our classmates. This is made from a special paper that response to ki rather well, which is also the type of paper that charms are made from. Following me so far?"
"Mm… I guess…"
"Good. Now for the purpose of this slip of paper…" Turning it around, the vampire shows Asuna something that baka red was sure wasn't there before. "As you see, my name is written on there. This is a charm made with the purpose to copy or mimic whoever wrote their names down here. Well if used properly, it can cause massive results ranging from saint to Satan-ish."
"Err… and…?"
"As of now, I twigged the charm in a way that while it DOES mimic everything I do, it can only perform at a capacity of 20 of my power."
"And, pray tell how strong would that be?" Asuna asks in curiosity as a smirk forms on Sarah's lip.
"Hmm, I'll say it's enough to take off a few medium-level, humanoid demons, but with some difficulty."
"That didn't answer my question."
Sighing, Sarah leans forward and pokes Asuna in the nose. "In another words, this charm is about three times your physical state, two of Kaede's… or is it a half?" Sarah tilted her head as she looked at the sky in a, even for Asuna, cute manner. "Oh well. All you need to know is that while it's not enough to help you win a big fight against enemies with high magical power, it's enough to cause a distraction."
"Wow… Kaede's that strong?" Asuna asks before she carefully holds onto the slip of paper. "I better keep this safe…"
"Fufu, while Kaede is strong, she'll be able to reach my level if not surpass me one day… all of you can." The last part was added in a whisper a little too low to be heard by Asuna. "She does have the power to take my by surprise and disable me if I'm a normal human being. However, what makes us is experience."
"Eh?"
"I'm almost a thousand years old. I'd fought almost nearly all the major battles named and unnamed in the history of the world. A few seconds in a battle can be the same as a few months of training. So while she can disarm people rather well, Kaede's senses aren't as sharp or as well trained as mine."
"Really? You're THAT old?!" Was Asuna's first response after a few seconds of silence, which cause Sarah's head to drop before the rest of the information register. "So what you're saying is that while Kaede can probably match you in combat, she lacks the experience?"
"Hai."
"…That makes me wonder…" Asuna says as she pokes her chin with a finger. "If you really are that powerful, then why did you even let Negi go through all that?"
"Isn't it obvious? In the Inner World, mages are not judged by how much magic power they posses or how many spells they knew, but rather by how well they can fight with a given amount of resources or conditions." Sarah explains as Asuna nods a few times to indicate that she's following so far. "Let's take Eva-chan for example. Evangeline AK McDowell is ranked rather high in that while she possesses a great deal of magic power (or mana), she also specializes in wide-area destruction spells." At this point, Asuna's eyes widen as her jaw seems to slacken and her mouth hang open.
"Coupled with the fact that she was a powerful vampire, she can blow herself up for all she cares. In another word, no matter how narrow the field was, Evangeline can win just about any battle."
"Matte! You say just about… so that means that she can't win all battles right?" Asuna asks as she blinks a few times. "And if someone like Evangeline can't win all the battles, what makes you think that Negi-bouzo will stand much chance?"
"Easy." Sarah says with a smile as she looks up into the sky. "He doesn't need to… at least not yet."
"Eh? Now you sound like a hypocrite." Asuna accused half-heartily, which caused the vampire to giggle a bit before both looked up at the sky. "But then again, he's too young to bear these burdens."
"Yeah… quite young indeed." Sarah remarked a bit softly before she stands up. As she dusts herself off, a genuine smile slaps itself onto Sarah's face. "Just keep that slip of paper handy. If you're ever in trouble in Kyoto, just toss that paper in front of you and it should activate." Sarah says with a mock salute before she marches off towards Evangeline's house.
'…I'll do just that.' Asuna thought as she returns her gaze back to the sky while remaining on the cold stone steps of the dorm.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Err… you sure this is wise?" Hoshiiko asks as she watches Locke put on his cloak. "I mean, you're still sick."
"Don't worry too much. Besides, I'm not a dampire for nothing." Locke says as he grabs his giant cross with his left hand. "Besides, I'll set up a bubble of non-reality." Pausing slightly, he glances at Hoshiiko with a suspicious glance before a mischievous grin appears on his face. "You… do know what that is… right?"
"OF COURSE I DO!!" Hoshiiko exclaims before she turns away to sulk. "Freaking old men and their stupid attitudes…" The girl rumbles on only to stop as she felt a hand on her head. "Mou!"
"Haha, don't worry. I promise that I won't die here." Locke says with a shit-eating grin while the younger girl just pouts. "Aw, did I hurt wittle Hoshii-chan's feeling?"
"SENPAI!!"
"Just kidding. Ten years and you still haven't changed from that little seven year old that everyone adores so much."
"SENPAI!" Hoshiiko whine as her face flush with embarrassment. It's true that members of the 'Guardian' find their little papa's girl quite adorable. Even the coldest members have a soft spot for the cute princess.
"Okay, I'll stop teasing. Just promise that no matter what happens, you'll stay out of the bubble." The older slayer says as he suddenly turns serious. "Just because those vampires don't attack students doesn't mean that they're pure on whatever their intentions are…"
The girl looked at one of her mentor for a few seconds before her head lowered "…No promise… but I'll try." A pause, before a deep breath, "I know I'm no match for someone like that… but I still wish that I can help in someway…"
"…" With a satisfied nod, the older slayer stands up and head for the door, but when he is about to close it behind him, he pauses and call for the girl's attention. "By the way, can you go find someone named Izumi Ako and Sasaki Makie?"
"Eh? What for?"
XXXXX A while later XXXXX
An ominous air settles in as Evangeline glanced out of her window. Dark clouds start to gather as the temperature decrease while humidity of the air increases. Judging by these facts alone, the Undying Mage can tell that a storm is approaching. Also, if that didn't help, the strange wind that suddenly appears clearly indicates an abnormality in the weather.
Normally, the self-proclaimed evil mage wouldn't so much as pay a second's mind to it. However, today, it's completely different. First of all, there is killer intent in the air. Storms don't produce killer intent, and the level projected is too high to be from any small predator that lives in the nearby forest.
Second, her gut is simply telling her to stay in the safety of either in the Principal's presence or that of Sarah D. McDocland. Since the former is no where to be found and the latter had just left to Kami-knows-where, the blonde finds herself rather anxious. When her gut tells her something, it usually is right, and right now she's pretty sure that this is something she can't ignore.
Third and lastly… it's too quiet. Even with predators nearby, the woodland doesn't tend to get this quiet. Evangeline knows that since her magic is suppressed, the animal would pay her little attention as her aura is anything but threatening on a normal day. If she was in her former power, there will still be voices, a bid those that are attracted to dark magic. For example, snakes.
After evaluating her choices for a while, the girl makes her decision. Stepping away from the window, the mage walks towards the closet and drag out the cloak she wears when she's battling Negi. Putting it around her as well as a pair of black stockings, the blonde girl walks towards the corner of her room, where a certain doll is staring at her.
"We're going out. I don't feel… good right now." The vampire says softly, and Chachazero knows when to keep her mouth shut. Even though Evangeline didn't use any malice in her voice, the doll is still sensitive enough to know when her master is agitated. "CHACHAMARU!!"
"Yes master?" The monotone of the robot response a few seconds later as the owner appears in the bedroom.
"Chachamaru, we're going out."
"…Yes master. Should I arm myself?" Evangeline smiles at that. While the robot has no feeling (or at least she thinks she doesn't), Chachamaru is still very good at detecting her anxiety or worries. She really needs to thank Chao and Hakase for her.
"…No, I don't think we'll need it." With that, Evangeline swiftly walks over to her door, opens it, and find herself with a panting Makie and a slightly older girl that looks like a deer caught in the head light.
"E-EVANGELINE-SAN!! L-LOCKE-SAN AND SARAH…!!!"
XXXXXXXXXX
APH: I AM SO SORRY!!! (Bow)
MX: He is really sorry (starts to inch away)
APH: I AM SO VERY SORRY!!! (Bow again)
Sarah: Really… school is tough (inch away too)
APH: I DESERVE TO DIE!!! …Wait, no I don't!
Sarah: Well, I think people won't like you much for the cliffy there…
APH: It's significant as I need time to revive my imagination (sulk) school pretty much drain every last drop of it.
MX: yes, and it seems that it still can't get rid of that damned bad grammar of yours
APH: MY grammar is just fine thank you very much!
MX: when you say simple sentences it is, but I've been editing for you for almost a year now and it still isn't getting any better, in fact I swear it's getting worse.
APH: Prove it!
MX: well there's the fact that before I do anything to a new story I run a check for the word "cloth" and every time you never fail to disappoint, I always have to change it to clothing.
APH: (starts mumbling under his breath as a dark cloud floats above him)