Magister Negi Magi is owned by Ken Akamatsu and Kodansha Ltd. Tokyo in Japan, and by Funimation and Ballantine - DelRey in the United States, NOT by me.
SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189.
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"Such beauty of form and motion, in a comrade of the sky so large, made me feel as if I were no more than a simple, insignificant black-bird."
-Setsuna Sakurazaki, Comments on the Allies of the Ala Alba. "One Million Steps : A Journey to Megalo-Mesembria and the World Beyond." by Kazumi Asakura.
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Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.
Chapter 09: A Jester, Clown, or...? (Kanashimi no Ryu.)
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Of all the things she thought about in the deep recesses of her dreams, personal freedom and choice were those she cherished most.
Many things in her life were controlled, or at the discretion of others. The main purpose of her life was focused towards the accomplishment of a specific goal she had no say in choosing.
Even geased as she was to ensure she did not stray, she agreed with that goal. It provided certainty and direction in her life.
Still, there were times she just wanted to 'do' something. Go somewhere fun with people who called her friend, relax and watch a movie without concern, or spend time at a mall just to buy clothes or some silly trinket.
She could not. She might fail at her purpose if she relaxed her vigilance, even for a moment.
Therefore she remained aloof, often lonely, and occasionally ignored.
Finally, a time came when her wish could come true.
Most of her classmates followed their teacher to Wales, England, and eventually on to the Hidden World. Things happening there, monitored though means of her own, were cause for much personal concern.
Whatever the rest of the class felt about her, their teacher did his best to include her in class activities, to take interest in her progress, and to worry about her well-being.
He did miss her club's presentation during the recent Mahora Fest, but the reasons were easily understood, and she nodded simply and graced him with a rare smile when he came to profess his sorrow and to beg forgiveness.
The focus of her purpose one day committed an act which placed them under the intense scrutiny of the Mahora Academy Dean. Since their teacher was currently in Wales, this pinned the focus down in such a way there could not possibly be, temporarily at least, any escape from the eventual endgame.
Such a situation presented her with the freedom and opportunity to give something back to the one who consistently showed her kindness without ever expecting anything in return.
In the dead of night, she left the nearly empty Class 3A dorms and made her way to Mahora Academy's Library Island.
Moving with uncanny ease through the darkened passages deep within the library, she passed both guardians, one who genuflected in an almost cowering way, the other who simply waved and smiled, and eventually arrived at the roots of the Great Tree.
She performed a small ceremony, underwent a change that would have very much surprised her teacher, cried out in a special song, and vanished into transit to the land of her ancestors.
tsuzuku
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Author's Notes:
See Ambrant Arandel's "Child of Mine," and Kafka'sdragon's "Hiro's Lament" and "Markham Chronicles Negima" for this chapter's character inspiration.
The Romanji is a alternate title.
Next chapter will be the start of the Library Trio's arrival adventures.