Negi says good-bye to Nodoka out in the hallway of the dorm. Asuna is pacing back and forth within her dorm she shares with Konoka and Negi. Negi opens the dorm door as Asuna hears the door open.
"I am home!" said Negi expecting no one to be inside.
All of the sudden Negi was laying on the floor with something heavy on top of him.
"Asuna-san?" asked a smothered Negi.
"Do not ever do that again you brat," said Asuna softly hiding her tears.
"Do what?" asked Negi.
"Ever take off without telling me," sniffed Asuna.
"Are you crying?" asked Negi.
"NO I AM NOT CRYING," exclaimed Asuna loudly.
"Alright then can I at least get up?" asked Negi.
"Sure!" replied Asuna turning away from Negi.
"It is alright Asuna," said Negi.
"I want to...know what happen in your own words. You and bookworm have been spending a lot of time together for just being friends," said Asuna.
"If you insist on wanting to know," said Negi giving in to Asuna.
"Yes please Negi-kun," smiled Asuna.
They both sat down on the couch as Negi took a deep breathe.
"When the rose was taking from Nodoka-san's possession, her and I thought it could have been one of the students in class. But, during our investigation we were unceremoniously transported to a foggy field. An image of Fate, the one we fought back in Kyoto that Master allegedly beat, showed up and I fought the fake Fate. Nodoka-san knew it was a fake due to her pactio. The image could not be injured by spells. Just gave us a warning and left. Then the next day or two Nodoka-san and I again were transported to what look like a Swiss or bavarian village that mysteriously had no people in it. The image of Hermann, the one who found a way inside Mahora if you recall that took you and um...gave you an outfit. I fought the image and it manage to get in the middle of Nodoka-san and myself. I did not see Nodoka-san behind Hermann so I casted a spell that eventually hit Nodoka-san. At least a little of it did. I thought I was at fault so being a kid I ran away. Chacha-san found me and we talked. She is quite convincing. Then after I left her I was again earlier transported and met the rose thief. After the brief meeting I was dumped into the fountain as I hit my head as Nodoka-san rescued me. We talked and came to somewhat of an understanding," lectured Negi.
"So to sum it up. You fought images that were maybe from the rose thief that you finally met. Do you have any idea to who it was?," said Asuna.
"No unfortunately the voice was not known by me," sighed Negi.
"So how are you and bookworm then?" asked Asuna.
"Well I did not want to argue with her so I let her be right," smiled Negi.
'You are learning professor," giggled Asuna as she hit him on the back.
"Huh?" said a confused Negi.
Eva looks up at the girl's dorm building. Chachamaru by her side.
"So this is where my apprentice is staying?" asked Eva.
"Yes master. He stays here with Asuna-san and Konoka-san," replied Chacha.
"Might as well visit since we are here," smirked Eva.
"Yes master," replied Chacha.
Chacha opened the door as Eva stepped cautiously inside. There were bunch of girls running here and there to their unknown destinations within the building.
Eva followed Chacha to Negi's room. A knock upon the door was heard by Asuna as she opened it. Chacha stood there motionless. Asuna motioned Chacha to come in. Chacha bowed gracefully as she stepped aside as Eva smiled evilly.
"Oh great the vamp brat is here!" replied Asuna.
Negi overheard Asuna and asked, "Master is here?"
"Are you going to let me in or we going to still trade barbs at one another," commented Eva.
"Fine you may come in. But if you attack the kid, I will throw you out," said Asuna.
"Like you can try," said Eva.
Eva stepped inside and looked around at the dorm room.
"So this is how teenage girls live these days?" asked Eva.
"Yes according to my data they are not as tidy as they once were," replied Chacha.
Negi hurriedly toward Eva and bowed. Eva half-heartedly smiled. Asuna had her arms cross watching Eva's every move.
"Do you want some tea Master?" asked Negi.
"No I just came for a quick talk then I am off to meet the old man," said Eva.
"Old man?" asked Asuna.
"The dean," replied Chacha as Eva looked at Chacha.
"So have you found out anything new on the rose thief boya?" asked Eva.
"No...not really. I think I did meet the thief earlier today though," said Negi.
"Oh? And?" asked Eva.
"Nothing much to add, but I am wondering more on why such a trivial thing as me giving a rose to a student could cause this much of an uproar," said Negi.
"Jealousy perhaps? Or teaching you a lesson boya?" asked Eva.
Negi shrugged.
"Why should anyone be jealous of this brat and bookworm?" asked Asuna.
"You are not too bright I see Asuna-san. This brat as you say has attracted a lot of girls around him. And many others who are not even his partners enjoy his company. And there may be others that we do not know about that this kid may have attracted," said Eva.
"Hmpf! He is only ten years old. He is not even good looking," said Asuna.
"Ah yeah! I forgot you like old men like Takahata-sensei," smiled Eva.
Asuna blushed, "It is not...,"
"Or like I said someone might be teaching him a lesson. The important part maybe is recognizing what is being taught like a teacher does," said Eva.
"Exactly like I do in English class," said Negi.
"So what is the lesson that may be taught then?" asked Asuna.
"Well I think boya should answer that," said Eva as she got up and Chacha opened the dorm door.
"You leaving so soon Master?" asked Negi.
"Yes, well as I said I have to see the dean," said Eva as she stepped into the hallway.
Nodoka was out in the hallway near her dorm door as she saw Eva coming out of Negi's room. Eva never saw Nodoka nor did Chacha.
"Um wonder what Eva-chan was there for?" whispered Nodoka to herself.
After seeing Eva leave Negi's room, Nodoka quickly went inside her room. Haruna and Yue were already within siting.
"So Negi-sensei was the one that put you into the infirmary?" asked Haruna.
Nodoka sheepishly answered, "Yes, but it was partially my fault for being so clumsy."
"Did he at least apologize?" asked Yue.
"Yes after I...um," blushed Nodoka.
"After you what?" asked Haruna.
"I kind of saved him from drowning," replied Nodoka.
"That is when you found him?" asked Yue.
"Yes! I was sitting there by the fountain when you left and I managed somehow to get him out of the fountain," replied Nodoka.
"Amazes me what love can do these days," smiled Haruna.
Nodoka blushed again, "It is not like that."
"So what happen after you got him out of the fountain?" asked Yue.
"I had to give him CPR," said Nodoka.
"Oh you had to put your lips against his," smiled Haruna.
"Well yes kind of. He revived as I kind of kissed him," said Nodoka still blushing.
"Talk about a wet kiss," giggled Yue.
"So are you two cool with each other now?" asked Haruna.
"Yes he tried to apologize but I told him he did not have to since it was my fault. I told him that he need not take the whole blame on the situation," replied Nodoka.
"Very adult like of you," said Yue.
"Yes I thought it was," responded Nodoka.
"We should get to Eva-chan's place at the resort to train," said Yue.
Nodoka did not say a word about seeing Eva leave Negi's room.
At Chao Bao Zi, the winged swords-woman and the healer took some time to eat together.
"Oh you have to try this. It is a beef and mushroom Okonomiyaki," said Konoka with a mouthful.
"That is good," replied Setsuna stabbing at her Gyoza.
Fei Ku approached the two and asked, "How is the food?"
"Twis foo deth goo," said Konoka chewing.
"She said the the food is good," smiled Setsuna.
"That good to hear. Will let Satsuki-san hear praise," replied Fei Ku as she bounced toward where Satsuki was.
Satsuki smiled and continued cooking.
"So about Negi-kun. Are you worried about him?" asked Konoka.
"I am always worried about the professor. Even though he is strong magically and gaining strength at hand to hand combat, he is still a kid," replied Setsuna.
"Yeah he is a kid, but we cannot smother him either or he will push us further away. Eva-chan told me once that I can be the most powerful healer. And Negi-kun is the son of the Thousand Master. Imagine what our children would be like," giggled Konoka.
Setsuna almost choked on her food. "Seriously, you cannot be serious," said Setsuna.
"What? If my father and his father were friends. Maybe destiny put their kids together. Should see what the fortune cards say," smiled Konoka.
"You do know that you would be down the list of his perspective permanent partners. He has Asuna-san, Nodoka-san, Yue-san, and Chacha-san I suspect has feelings for him. And do not forget the others outside of our circle like Ayaka-san and Makie-san," said Setsuna.
"Cannot a girl dream though. He looked so hot when he was our age when he went on that mock date with Asuna-san. Even you said you would not mind dating him," smiled Konoka as she took a piece of her food.
Setsuna blushed, "It is not like that..."
"Why you blushing then?" asked Konoka.
"You know I serve only to protect you," said Setsuna.
"Yes, but you also promised to protect Negi-kun too," replied Konoka.
Setsuna looked down on her food and attacked it.
A couple hours later, Fei Ku showed up within Eva's resort and saw Kaede already there waiting.
"I see you had to work," commented Kaede.
"Yes! When Chao-san left, more responsible fell on me," said Fei Ku.
"Sure you can train," winked Kaede.
"Endurance no problem," smiled the Chinese martial artist.
"Will let you warm up first," said the Ninja.
"So are we sure we should go to Wales with professor. We are not his partners," asked Fei Ku stretching.
"True we are not his partners...yet, but he needs our help. Plus I like to see where this leads. Imma was an intriguing fellow. Perhaps maybe this is part of my training," said Kaede.
"You just protective of professor," smiled Fei Ku.
"I may be, but I was not the one who wanted a kiss from him," smiled Kaede.
Fei Ku blushed remembering Kyoto and then how Negi looked when Fei Ku fought Mana.
"He is your martial arts disciple after all. You need to look after him as well. Never know you might actually get that kiss from him," smiled Kaede again.
"That not what it is between disciple and me," said Fei Ku.
"Sure! And that is the same thing Eva-chan keeps saying to herself too," replied Kaede.
"Ready when you are," said Fei Ku.
"Alright here I come," said Kaede as there were multiple clashes of techniques used by both girls on each other.
Once again Chachamaru managed to find Chisame wearing her cos-play outfit for a photo shoot for her net idol web page.
"Yyouu are not suppose to be here," scolded Chisame.
Chacha bowed and asked, "Are you going to train with Negi-sensei and the rest?"
"Now why should I get myself involved with them? It was more of a headache then anything," replied Chisame.
"So that is a no?" asked Chacha.
"Precisely!" responded Chisame.
"So you are not curious at all about the trip to Wales?" said Chacha.
"I am not even involved one bit," replied the net idol.
"It must be boring though for you to always be number one on the net," said Chacha.
"How did you know?" replied Chisame.
"The professor sometimes let it slip while training that he still goes to your webpage. Makes Master not happy of course," said Chacha.
"That kid still is a fan after all this," thought Chisame.
"Well you should still come and watch since you are officially one of his partners," replied Chacha.
"Like hell I am. I am not physically gifted like Setsuna-san or Asuna-san. I probably do not even have much magical ability like Yue-san or Konoka-san. Heck all I can do is hack into the net with the mice," said Chisame.
"True but what about that magical staff?" asked Chacha.
"What about it? It looks like a kid's toy still to me. I do not even know what it can do beyond my computer abilities. Even the brat does not know," said Chisame.
"If you come certainly it could help," said Chacha.
"For the last time..." said Chisame as Chacha grabbed her and led her to Eva's place.
"Will you let go of me," said Chisame.
Chacha was not listening as she dragged Chisame into the resort.
"I do not know why you dragged me here. I absolutely will not participate with those people," said Chisame.
Konoka looked over and saw Chisame standing next to Chacha.
"Glad you can make it Chisame-san. Negi-kun will be happy," said Konoka.
"Like I care if the brat will be happy or not," said Chisame as she heard crash noises.
"It is a little battle with Master and the professor and dog demon," said Chacha.
Chisame leaned against a post just watching the battle best she could.
"You have to do better then this to beat the rose thief boya," said Eva.
"The rose thief?" asked Kotaro.
"Sorry yes, it is why I have been missing a couple days of training," said Negi.
The trio of Haruna, Nodoka, and Yue showed up beside Chisame and Chacha.
"Master go for blood," commented Chachazero.
In another part of the resort Setsuna and Asuna were clashing with their swords. Fei Ku and Kaede were dueling as well in another part.
Eva stopped all the training as she summon all who were in the resort in a line.
"This may be the most pitiful group I have every seen. Setsuna-san is not giving it all for fear of hurting Asuna-san. Asuna-san needs to think more rather then react. Konoka-san just idly stands watch and does not read or learn anything. Nodoka-san, Yue-san, and Haruna-san shows up late. Chisame-san well she is weak even if she trained. And my disciple lacks cohesiveness with his allies," said Eva.
"We did well against Chao-san," said Konoka.
"That was pure luck. Asuna-san was knocked out. Setsuna-san could not even touch Chao-san. Kaede-san had her hands full with Mana-san that ended in a draw. Fei Ku-san and Haruna-san fought well against Chacha-san's sisters but it took too long. Nodoka-san stupidly saved boya. Yue-san wisely stayed out of the way because her lack in magic would only be a hindrance. Konoka-san was not even directly in the fight. And Chisame-san is useless," reprimanded Eva.
"But, the results were that we won," said Asuna.
"If my disciple over there (pointing) did not use his head, Chao-san would have won. If you meet up with the white haired boy again you all would get decimated. You all have to work as a team. Even the useless ones can help somehow," said Eva.
Little mumbling was heard in the line in front of Eva.
"So I am useless huh? I am weak. Then why am I here," said Chisame.
"Indeed why are you here?" asked Eva.
"Because Chacha-san dragged me here," replied Chisame.
"I would suggest you stay out of our way then," replied Eva.
"Fine I will," responded Chisame as she walked back to seat where she sat.
"Any more lip from you people?" asked Eva.
A collective response of "No!"
"Fine then I want to see boya with every one of his pactio partners. Except Chisame-san," said Eva.
First up Asuna and Negi versus Eva and Chacha.
"This is by far no rematch. I just want to see how you two work together so no spells. Only physical combat," said Eva.
Eva raced toward Negi as Asuna dodged Chacha's first blow. Negi to grab Eva and toss her in the air. Asuna swung her sword as Chacha side-stepped it. Eva landed on her feet.
"Well that is a little progress," smiled Eva.
Next up was Setsuna and Negi versus Eva and Chachazero.
"Oh good I get to draw blood," said Chachazero.
"I will fight Setsuna-san and Chachazero will get Negi," said Eva.
"Is that true Master? I get the Thousand Master's kid," said Chachazero.
"Remember bird demon no holds barred," smiled Eva.
Negi dug out an old fashion Japanese Katana against Chachazero's double cleavers.
Chachazero swiped with her right and near caught Negi's arm. Negi parried Chachazero's left arm and spun around the puppet. Meanwhile, Eva started off with a high kick as Setsuna blocked it. Chachazero tried to back stab Negi as Negi managed to dodge and he hit Setsuna. Eva swung her arm toward the unbalance Setsuna and hit her square in the ribs. Setsuna went down to one knee as Negi saw her. Chachazero swiped again and hit Negi's wrist. Blood was drawn as Chachazero was happy. Setsuna and Negi looked at each other as they switched partners as Negi fought Eva to a draw. While Setsuna dismantled the puppets weapons.
"We will pass on Yue-san, since she is not even close to being ready. Same goes for Haruna as her drawings do not last long. That leaves Miss Miyazaki-san. I heard that you were involved with two battles recently. You will fight along side boya now," demanded Eva.
"But...I do not have any offensive capabilities," murmured Nodoka.
"Fine then its you and boya versus just me. Magic this time," said Eva smiling.
"But...," slurred Nodoka.
"You will be alright. Just stay behind me at all times. I do not want a repeat of what happen again," said Negi.
"Are you sure?" asked Nodoka.
"Believe in me and your abilities," smiled Negi.
"Ugh sickening is it not. Those two make me want to puke," said Eva.
"Why because he may be happy with her while you could not get his father," said Asuna.
Eva shot Asuna a death glance.
"No it is just jealousy," said Chacha.
"Ready Master when you are," replied Negi.
Nodoka opened her book and stood behind him.
"Glacies quod Atrum temerarius meus to order. No obviam hostes hostium." recited Eva.
"She is casting a spell professor," whispered Nodoka.
"Ventus Obex," recited Negi.
The wind barrier blocked the jagged dark ice thrown magically by Eva.
"She is just waiting until the barrier subsides for her next attack," said Nodoka reading her pactio item.
"Have to come up with a way to neutralize that attack. Know which spell?" asked Negi.
"No her mind is rambling as she knows about the book," said Nodoka.
"WHAT BOYA ARE YOU TWO HAVING PROBLEMS READING ME?" yelled Eva.
"Alright I have the perfect spell but I need you to distract her," said Negi.
"Me? What can I do?" asked Nodoka now shaking.
"Calm down and use your head. You are smart," smiled Negi.
Nodoka closed her eyes and wanted so bad to show Negi how much she has improved as a person.
"Alright professor let me handle it," said Nodoka with confidence.
The wind barrier died down as Negi was no where to be seen.
"Where is boya?" asked Eva.
"He is here but nowhere," replied Nodoka.
"Do not get cute on me girl," replied Eva.
"Look you old hag. You should treat Negi-sensei better then you do. You know I am right and all of us here do to," said Nodoka.
"Old...hag am I? Treating him with kid gloves will get you all killed," said Eva.
"I do not mean treat with kid gloves. Just be a little more softer," said Nodoka.
"What do you know about battles? I have lived a lot longer then you all put together three times or more," said Eva.
"You are right. We do not know about the battles. But we do know we will protect each other and especially Negi-sensei," said Nodoka.
"Pfft! You girls? Will believe it when it happens," said Eva.
"Lux lucis of senior caecus unus quisnam peto malum," recited Negi behind Eva quietly from a distance.
All of a sudden a flash of light in front of Eva shimmered and Eva was blind.
"That was not fair boya. But, good tactic though," said Eva wiping her eyes.
"Are you alright Master?" asked Chacha.
"Yes just give me a minute," said Eva.
All the girls except Chisame ran up to Nodoka mobbing her and congratulating her.
Negi simply smiled at her as she blushed.