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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"Whoever trained those two girls knew what they were doing."
-Unknown professor, Meldiana Academy, Wales England. Overheard by Chizuru Naba.
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Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.
Chapter Forty-four: Six Armies in New Ostia. Part Six. (Day Seven.)
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(Dewin Llan. Wales, England.)
Thunder in the distance, felt more than heard, drew Ayaka Yukihiro's attention outside her classroom and towards the hills where Professor Springfield and the others had... 'gone,' somewhere.
In order that she, Chizuru Naba, Class 3A's Cheer Squad and the Narutaki twins could remain occupied while waiting for the return of the others, they had enrolled as temporary exchange students in Dewin Llan's small academy. Stephan Dillane, Headmaster of Meldiana, and Negi's sister Nekane, had both suggested such, promising any issues they might have with school equivalency credits would be handled by Dean Konoe upon their return to Mahora.
As accommodating as the two were, Ayaka still felt they had been distressingly vague about certain details. All of the classes and the professors teaching them seemed first rate, but she couldn't shake the feeling there was something 'odd' about this academy in the hills of Wales. In all her memory, the closest thing she could relate the feeling to was the time she and Makie Sasaki had helped Chisame Hasegawa play a game during MahoraFest. Responsibilities as the Mahora students' leader kept her from dwelling on that too much, but there were other strange things she'd slowly started to notice. One was that despite the politeness all the other students displayed, they seemed reluctant to discuss in any real detail the elective classes they took. Another was a strange and sudden desire to want to go someplace else whenever she tried to explore certain interesting-looking parts of the academy.
After two months of it, this strange 'normalcy' was starting to get to several of the other girls as well. 'A few cracks were starting to appear in the facade,' as the saying went.
Despite what seemed to be a tremendous expenditure of effort to catch the perpetrators, tales of various pranks being played all over the academy and the nearby town were increasing. Thankfully, neither of the two girls had been caught, but such descriptions of the culprits as were circulating by the rumor mill made it obvious to Ayaka who the guilty parties were... Fumika and Fuuka Narutaki.
Additionally, merchants in the town were starting to complain about their sales dropping off. Discrete inquiries by Nekane amongst the academy's students confirmed what Ayaka and Chizuru suspected; The 3A Cheer Squad, lead by the class Goddess of Luck Shiina Sakurako, were single-handedly on the verge of cleaning out the wallets and coin-purses of quite a few of the academy's students. There was nothing unsavory involved, but Sakurako's uncanny skill in games of chance or innocent petty bets could potentially wipe-out the academy's contribution to Dewin Llan's economy!
As the thunder softly rumbled once more, Ayaka gave a sigh. ("Professor Springfield... Please come back soon...")
"Pence for your thoughts, Ayaka."
Sitting next to Ayaka, Chizuru wore her normal serene look. Here at least was the story of a successful adaptation to circumstances. As she had at Mahora, the auburn-haired girl had drifted into being a kind of 'mother-figure' and councilor for many of the younger students attending Meldiana. "Just thinking about Negi..."
With a touch of gentle reassurance, Chizuru reached out to place her hand on Ayaka's. "We're still here. Until they send us home, you have to believe Negi and the others will be back."
A crack of thunder, much closer and louder this time, startled nearly everyone in the classroom, rattled the windows, and inspired a nervously excited hubbub. As the history professor started trying to calm everyone down, Ayaka squeezed Chizuru's hand in return. "I hope you're right, Chizuru... I hope you're right..."
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(Floating Island of New Ostia.)
"Merciful Death! Come within the eternal sleep of petrification!"
Two sentences. Just nine words and an unnatural silence descended like a smothering cloak across the entirety of New Ostia and the skies surrounding it.
With final preparations for its use completed during the concert performances of Damashi, the spells most immediate effect was upon those in New Ostia Arena. With pitifully few exceptions; everyone there had their lives interrupted and were left in their various poses of fear, shock, and complete incomprehension like so many exquisitely detailed statues.
Moving outwards from the arena with the speed of an explosive shock-wave, the spells visible area of effect continued to expand until it finally dispersed in the skies surrounding the floating island of New Ostia.
For some, creatures and people alike, the words of Fate Averruncus' spell were a literal truth...
Anything flying which wasn't protected in some way or another, instantly fell to the surface of the island. There, or the ground far below, its own weight smashed it to unrecoverable bits.
Moving ships with petrified crew at the controls simply continued on course until they faded into the distance, crashed into something and stopped, or like a cargo whaleship which destroyed a dock in the New Ostian cargo port, hung there for a moment, then slipped out to spin like a Maple tree seed towards the ground far below.
Near the arena, the vibrations caused by a civilian Koi-ship hitting a nearby building knocked over several people in a nearby plaza. Jolted out of her father's loose grip, a little Nek-Jin girl began to slip from his unfeeling shoulders...
Still, fate was not capricious for all.
In New Ostia's main bank, a nearsighted Nezu-Jin bookkeeper, reading in the vault during his lunch break, was saved by the protection provided by the vaults solid construction.
At New Ostia's Diplomacy Suites Hotel, a cook who would have been horribly burned by a pan of hot oil which slipped from his grip was uninjured...
...while within New Ostia Arena itself, two young girls, lying sick in bed, were protected from harm by their friends and one of the girl's even younger Magister...
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(Mahora.)
With a snap, Misora Kasuga's eyes came open. Not even completely awake, she threw back the bedcovers, ran for the room's window, and jumped through before anyone could make a move to stop her. From inside her windblown pajamas, she drew out a Pactio card from the pocket where it was kept at night.
"ADEAT!"
In a heartbeat, the flannel sleepwear transformed into the stylized Nun's habit, complete with Artifact tennis-shoes, Misora normally wore when performing her duties as a mage in training at Mahora Academy. At the last moment of the fall she adjusted her posture, and as only one used to such things could do, landed safely before taking off running.
Still not fully awake, Misora ran in a dull-eyed daze through the silent streets of New Ostia. Just after passing three petrified Ma-Jin girls holding melting ice-cream cones, she came upon a family standing in the middle of a plaza near a wrecked Koi-ship. Seeing what was about to happen, she rushed forward just in time to keep the petrified form of a little girl from smashing to pieces on the ground behind her father...
As if from a dream, Misora woke to find a statue of a young girl in her arms. Looking up and seeing all the petrified persons scattered around the silent plaza, memories of a barely remembered fever dream suddenly rushed back to haunt her.
Setting the petrified girl down, Misora turned and ran faster than she could ever remember doing so before back towards New Ostia Arena. Ignoring everything else, she rushed through the main entrance, took the stairs to her rooms floor three and four at a time, then ran down the hall and jerked the door open without any thought that it might be locked. Instantly, a sobbing little girl tackled her, sending both back out into the hallway. Holding Cocone Rosa close, Misora looked up from where she'd landed as Takane Goodman and Mei Sakura, both just as unharmed as her Magister, came out into the hallway. "Everyone... thank God. I thought that nightmare had come true..."
Hearing the impact of ship-borne weapons sounding through the walls, Takane shuddered. "Don't celebrate yet, Misora. Depending on how what's happening turns out, a nightmare may still come to pass..."
As Cocone turned and burrowed up against her chest, Misora could only look up at Takane and wonder what had been going on while she was lost in her fevered dreams.
Stepping forward, Takane reached out to help Misora get up. "Misora, I want you to stay here with Mei to keep an eye on Cocone and Nodoka. I'm going to go see if anyone from Mahora answers Doyen Ricardo's call to meet at the arena entrance."
Giving a nod, Misora began to carry Cocone into the room, but Takane suddenly reached out to stop her.
After catching Misora's attention, Takane turned to look at Mei as well. "One more thing; don't answer the door or let anyone in unless it's me, or someone else from Mahora. Mei; I'm leaving you in charge for now."
Clutching her artifact broom, Mei waited for Misora and Cocone to go back into the room, then gave her Magister a worried look. "Big Sister! Please be careful!"
Nodding, Takane displayed a confident smile to her Ministra. As soon as the door closed behind Mei and the lock clicked, she took out her small 'point-and-cast' wand and headed down the hallway.
In all her life, Takane Goodman had never encountered a silence like the one she now encountered. Other than the sound of running water in one room with a cleaning cart outside its open door, there was literally nothing to hear. No faint conversations, no blaring HD viewers, not even the sounds of New Ostia that she had never noticed in the background until now, when they were gone. Distracted by what she wasn't hearing, she lost sight of the need to be cautious, and just pushed through the door out onto her levels concourse...
...and straight into a fight...
Surprised that the walls had muted the shouting and other sounds of magic use, Takane tried to jump back through the door...
Unfortunately, she had chosen the moment one of a group of gray-cloaked mages was about to launch a Sagita attack to come out into the hallway. Reacting to Takane's sudden appearance, the mage instinctively launched his attack at the unexpected potential threat.
Just as surprised as the mercenary hirelings trying to capture or eliminate him, Kagetaro of Bosporus reflexively reach out, a warning dying on his lips, as the person he'd been coming to see was engulfed in the cloud of detonating Sagita. Oddly enough, his enemies also seemed to be affected by a kind of curiosity shock, and they stopped to waited and see what had happened.
As a white beret floated down from where it had been blown, and the dust began to settle, the girl who'd been attacked slowly became visible again. Though her blonde hair was now a mess, and the simple wand in her hand a splintered wreck, the only other damage seemed to be mildly ripped hosiery and a torn sleeve which had settled around her wrist.
With great and immense dignity, Takane slowly turned to look towards the masked person supporting himself with a forearm crutch to her left, then back towards the right and the large group that seemed to have be attacking him.
Suddenly realizing who she was, one of the gray-cloaked mages straightened up slightly from his fighting crouch and pointed at Takane. "Hey! It's that 'Mistress of Cloth-Eaters' chick!"
Sensing a rapid and violent change in his companion shadow-users aura, Kagetaro took a precautionary step back.
With a tic of anger showing at her temple, Takane turned completely away from the masked mage and towards the group of gray-cloaks. "No more insults..." Reaching up, she pulled the sleeve back into place. Instantly, shadow threads repaired the damage. "I don't care who you are, I'm not going to just take insults from a bunch of thugs beating up on someone who's hurt..." Before she even took her first step in the gray-cloaks direction, shadows began to swirl around Takane's body, rapidly covering and altering her Saint Ursula's uniform until it was replaced with her full 'Shadow-Mistress' uniform. "...I'm not some strip-target for perverted robots..." In the face of Takane's increasingly oppressive aura, one of the gray-cloaks took a step back. "...I'm not 'That Stripper-girl from Saint Ursula's'..." As she continued walking, Takane's shadow minions, as well as her Nocturna Nigredinis boss minion, began forming and advancing with her. "...and I'm certainly NOT that 'Mistress of Cloth-eaters chick!'"
From a safe distance, Kagetaro watched as the unbelievably angry young shadow-user tore into a group of mages she'd had no conflict with just moments before. Amidst the sounds of fighting and screams of pain, one phrase, shouted over and over, was louder than the rest; 'HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?' Which didn't make any sense. At least not until a few cloaks and other items of clothing began landing outside the fight. Eventually, the last of the gray-cloaks ran or stumbled away, covering themselves with whatever was at hand in an effort to preserve what little dignity they had left.
Breathing heavily, Takane turned sharply at the tap of a crutch. Standing just outside her immediate reach was the person the gray-cloaks had been attacking. "What? Do you want some to?"
With a negative shake of his head, Kagetaro gave his answer before pointing at the right hand of Takane's boss minion. "I wouldn't mind speaking with you for a moment, if you can spare me the time, but you might want to get rid of that first..."
Looking at the Nocturna Nigredinis's right hand, Takane realized it was holding a pink pair of boxers decorated with red hearts.
With a metaphoric sweat drop rolling down the back of his head, Kagetaro watched as Takane shrieked and started trying to throw the boxers away. Unfortunately, she didn't seem to be able to maintain firm enough control over her minion to get it to let them go, despite her obvious revulsion. Unable to take such a ridiculous comedy act any longer, he finally sent out several shadow blades and shredded the boxers himself. "As a Shadow user, you have an impressive level of ability related to the creation of minions, but your control seems somewhat lacking."
Turning after remotely shaking the 'contaminated' hand one last time, Takane glared at the masked shadow user as he stood there leaning on his crutch. "Who are you anyway?"
After first giving a gracious bow, the Kagetaro shifted his stance to ease a developing cramp in his lower back. "My name is Kagetaro of Bosporus. You are Miss Takane Goodman, correct?"
With a slight inclination of her head, Takane gave a positive answer to Kagetaro's question. "Why were you looking for me? My presence in New Ostia isn't exactly public knowledge."
Shaking his head, Kagetaro's posture reflected amusement. "Forgive me, Miss Goodman, but after your arena debut, that you are here IS public knowledge." Seeing Takane tense up, Kagetaro quickly held out his free hand in a placating gesture. "Please, Miss Goodman, I mean no insult. If anything, I wish to thank you for your help. In my present condition, I might have been able to prevail, but it was not a certain thing."
Looking closely at the man's mask, Takane suddenly made the connection between the name and the face. "You're that man who was nearly killed by Nagi Springfield in Granicus City, aren't you?"
Giving an obvious twitch of pain, Kagetaro seemed to deflate slightly. "Yes, Miss Goodman. You might say that fight 'beat some sense' into me. I've been crippled so badly the healers say I may never fully recover. It's a bit early for me to do so, but I'm probably going to be forced into retirement as a mercenary. Since my fighting style is traditionally handed down to a new student when a practitioner does retire, I thought perhaps you might be interested in learning additional skills as a shadow user. If not, then I apologize for taking up your time."
As the injured Shadow user turned to leave, Takane surprised herself by taking a step forward. "Wait! This really is a bad time to decide on your offer. Is there some way I can contact you later?"
With the flick of a finger, Kagetaro sent a single Shadow ribbon back towards Takane. At its tip was a small card with a telepathia linking spell printed on it. "Use that whenever you make your decision, one way or another."
As Kagetaro began limping away, Takane looked up from the card. "May I ask how you survived the petrification spell? That such a thing might be used is something else that wasn't exactly common knowledge..." Though she couldn't see it, Takane sensed the face behind the mask was smiling with amusement.
"That's something I'll only explain if I become your teacher. Good day and good luck. Miss Goodman."
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(Dragon Clans.)
Emerging from the shelter of the Hellas Empire Guardian Dragon's Deflexio defenses, a black-scaled, dragon-form Zazie Rainyday moved out and turned, bristling, to face her benefactor. "I, Zazie Rainyday, challenge you! Fight me now, or back down and do as I say!"
In all the years since he'd been made a Guardian Dragon the Hellas Empire's military, Valbazard had not once backed down from, or lost a fight he'd been challenged to. Now, in the face of an absurd challenge from such a ridiculously young pup, he began laughing so hard the ground shook. "You? Challenge me? Be grateful I let you shelter from that spell. Get out of here. I'm sure I'll be busy shortly."
Standing firm in the face of Valbazard's dismissal, Zazie shifted herself into a posture that meant she was quite ready to fight.
Seeing that and finding himself suddenly intrigued, Valbazard ignored the calls coming from the Hellas Fleet flagship Sphyrna, and matched Zazie's stance. "Okay then Little One, do you mean for us to abide by the normal rules of a challenge?"
To anyone watching, it might have looked as if the little black dragon confronting Valbazard was tense with anticipation, but in reality, Zazie was shaking in her scales over the audacity of something that could potentially bring about the end of her life. "Of course! This is not some addle-minded whim! I intended from the start for this to be a completely formal challenge! Does this mean you accept?"
With a snort, Valbazard sent a puff of harmlessly warm breath at the upstart before him. "Certainly! I'll even let you get in the first blow!"
Suddenly showing unexpected relief, Zazie collapsed into a limp heap, completely open to attack. "Then I win."
If it were even possible, Valbazard was even more shocked than before. "WHAT?"
Showing unexpected confidence for someone so completely vulnerable, Zazie looked up at her wide-eyed opponent. "You could even now still crush me with less strength than you have in a single finger, but unless you intend to become the Guardian of the Maga Nosferatu, then I win."
Even though he wasn't a part of the Dragon Clan charged with keeping an eye on the Disciple of Catastrophic Noise, Valbazard had no doubt he would be forced into doing such if he simply lashed out and crushed the upstart with the surname he now belatedly recognized. That in itself might not have stopped him, even the loss of face coming from ignoring the outcome of a legitimately accepted challenge might not have, but memories of the only thrashing he'd ever suffered made for a pathological desire to have nothing to do with Evangeline Anastasia Katherina McDowell. "All right. You win. What is it you want of me?"
Finally managing to draw herself up into a more dignified sitting position, Zazie gave Valbazard a serious look. "I just want you to stay put and not do anything. Don't listen to any orders to go attack anyone. If you had tried to do so, the Elysium clans would have come in and attacked you, and we'd have all been at more risk than we already are."
Still ignoring the calls from the Sphyrna, Valbazard lay back down, resting on his head on crossed forelegs as he did so. "So you made your challenge to save me as well?"
Nodding, Zazie turned to look out towards Old Ostia. "The Thousand Master's son is even now trying to stop no less of a threat than that of the Life Giver. We may all die if he fails to do so, but if you had been ordered to attack him, or any of my other friends, then you, me, and many other dragons would certainly have died in what would have been a completely unnecessary battle. As much of a danger as the Life Giver represents, this is a situation where the less outside interference there is, the better."
Matching Zazie's gaze, Valbazard made the rumbling sound that passed for a sigh in older dragons. "Well then, if this is to be the end Little One, I can't think of any company braver than you to meet it with."
Surprised to be given such an honor, Zazie stiffened slightly, making a respectful bow after doing so. "Tha... Thank-you!"
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(Mahora. Ariadne.)
Emerging from a storage closet where her group had hidden for T'fa Kij'tsu to cast a bunker spell, Anya Cocorowa found a scene out on the arena verandah disturbingly similar to what had happened six years ago in Dewin Llan.
Feeling Anya start shaking, Albert Chamomile quickly nipped her on the ear. "Get it together Anya! This isn't the time to be having a nervous breakdown!"
Flinching from the bite, Anya tried to swat Chamo like a fly, but he easily dodged her attempt. Angry more at her own weakness than what Chamo had done, she reached up to scratch his head in thanks.
After donning his spell circle cloak once more, T'fa made sure his partner R'th was ready to fight, then looked up at Anya. "Lets go. If we can't meet up with Saotome's group as planned, we'll go check out that call by Doyen Ricardo to meet by the arena entrance."
Without another word, Anya took her normal place in the middle of the little group. With R'th taking the lead, they moved off along the verandah.
Reaching a stairway leading both higher into the arena and down towards the ground, R'th spotted movement on the far side of the stairs and quickly flattened herself against the wall. As Anya and T'fa followed suit, whoever was coming towards them did the same.
Seeing the ghostly wisp of someone he recognized, Chamo started to speak up, but the sudden sound of running footsteps approaching the stairs on the next level up caused him to hold his tongue...
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Dizzy from the amount of energy she'd needed to expend for her Shield Maidens golem, Haruna stumbled at the bottom of the ramp leading out of the arena seating area.
As soon as Kazumi knelt to help their classmate, Natsumi immediately turned and ran back up into the arena.
Kazumi started to go after Natsumi, but Haruna stopped her short. "Let her go. Natsumi wants to stay with Kotaro anyway. Besides, if Negi looses, can you think of any better place for her to be than with the boy she loves?"
Slightly irritated, Kazumi helped Haruna stand back up as Doll-form Sayo watched from her usual spot in the redhead's cloak. "Negi's not going to loose!"
Giving her conspiratorial grin, Haruna nodded. "Of course not! But that was a great line, don't you think?"
Exasperated by Haruna's antics, Kazumi let her classmate go. "If you have the energy to joke, you can stand on your own!"
Chuckling, Haruna finally gathered the strength for her second wind and stood up. "Should we go find Anya's Crew first? Or see if anyone answers that call to meet at the arena entrance?"
Taking the artifact camera from her pocket, Kazumi began to run a finger across its memory card slot. "I'm thinking neither..." At a raised eyebrow from Haruna, she held out the camera. "I've got some great shots of that big spell going off. I think maybe it's time for 'Kasayo McDowell, Ace Reporter,' to score another scoop!"
Even if it was a change in plans, Haruna quickly gave a thumbs-up to Kazumi's idea. "Let's go then. The stairs up to the VIP levels and the press box aren't too far away."
Just before they reached the stairs leading up to the press box, Kazumi spotted someone approaching along the verandah from the other direction. Reacting to her caution as she flattened herself against the wall, Haruna quickly did the same.
Completely used to her role as an Ala Alba spy, Sayo jumped from her doll-form and moved out to see who was there. Recognizing Ayna's crew at once, she started to turn to tell Kazumi it was safe, but the sound of harried voices coming down the stairs immediately sent her back to hover at her friend's shoulder...
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("I'm definitely going to have to have a 'discussion' with my secretary when I get back to the academy.")
Angry beyond words, more with herself than any soon to be weaselized secretary, Victoria Seras used another round of unincanted Lightning Sagita and dropped one of the grey-cloaked fools who'd tried to take her captive. Normally, such work would have been done by a close guard of Valkyrie Mage Knights, but she'd been convinced by a secretary of nearly ten years to leave them behind in Ariadne for a well deserved rest. She had readily agreed, counting on being able draw a close guard from the experienced unit traveling to New Ostia on the Argonauta.
That had been before the Argonauta's Captain withdrew all the Valkyries from New Ostia, first claiming the need to conduct a search for two missing cadets, then a day later that the ship was now quarantined due to an illness the unit's commander had developed.
Intending to go examine the condition of 'Her Girls' personally, Seras found seemingly endless administrative and ceremonial duties repeatedly delaying that trip. Additionally, what little sleep she'd been able to get, plus the need to examine reports of unusual movements of various military units around New Ostia and Ariadne had added to the delays until it was time for the finale of the Nagi Springfield Cup.
Made aware of 'Nagi Springfield's' true identity through private communications from Jacobus Rakan, Theodora Hellas, and Cordoba Ricardo, she had been genuinely interested in the outcome of that match. While they had been lacking in specifics, the communications from her old friends had also warned her to be on her guard. For that reason, she had easily survived the use of a Mass Petrification spell by what were probably agents of the Separatists, or at worst, Total World. When the group of grey-cloaks now fleeing before her had burst into the Ariadne private suite, apparently expecting nothing more than the need to carry off her petrified form, they had received a rude shock.
As another gray-cloak who'd failed to run faster than his fellows fell and was left a twitching heap on the floor, Seras began to smile at the irony of her partially playing out one of the classic stories about the Valkyrie Brigade Mage Knights: Bandits had been harassing a small town under Ariadne's protection, so the town's Magistrate had sent for help. When only one Valkyrie had shown up, the man was incensed, thinking the town's plight wasn't being taken seriously. Asked what she thought she could do alone, the Valkyrie had looked the Magistrate right in the eye before answering; "There's only one group of bandits, isn't there? Unless you want me to wait for them to call in reinforcements, then one Valkyrie is plenty."
Perhaps nothing more than a myth the Valkyries didn't try to deny, such stories, and the personal reputation of 'former' Valkyrie Brigade Leader Victoria Seras, had caused the gray-cloaks to flee without even trying to capture their target. Such was fine by her. Every gray-cloak she took down meant one less to fight if they ever screwed up the courage to turn and actually confront her. As what was left of the group turned and ran down the stairs to the next level, it seemed as if one Valkyrie would certainly be enough in this case.
A sudden commotion from the stairwell caused Seras to pause as a matter of prudence. Shouts of surprise, from the gray-cloaks and what seemed to be children, were followed by the roar of something big. Obvious sounds of fighting started, and after a few seconds, several of the gray-cloaks tried to come back up the stairs. They did not get far.
Stepping past their twitching bodies, equally ready to attack or defend as necessary, Seras moved to where she could see down to the next level. Looking over the grey-cloaks scattered on the stairs and on the next landing was small, dark-haired child who seemed to be the master of a huge golem. Noticing her, the little girl made ready to fight, but another red-haired girl who seemed to be haunted by a spirit came over to restrain her. They had a short talk, then the red-head stepped forward and held out her hands.
"Ma'am? We're friends of Jacobus Rakan. Are you Victoria Seras of Ariadne?"
Stepping out while relaxing only slightly, Seras began to descend the stairs. "I am she. Are you perhaps the friends of 'Nagi Springfield' I've heard about?"
Backing up along with Haruna, Kazumi politely made room for Seras to stand at the bottom of the stairs. "Yes Ma'am. We were heading up to the press box when these fellows tried to grab my friend here."
After a nod to the golem master, Seras looked around and saw another red-headed girl, as well as two bounty-hunters who had taken up guard positions. "They most likely wanted you as hostages to use against me."
Holding up her Artifact camera, Kazumi pointed back up the stairs. "Miss Seras? I really do need to be going. I want to get a story out before anyone else can. I have still-shots and film of who set that big spell off, and I want to get them out before anyone can start spreading lies like they did last time!"
("Spreading lies like the last time?") Deciding it might be interesting to see what kind of story the little red-haired girl before her wanted to tell, Seras gave an indulgent smile. "Fair enough. I'll accompany you. That is, if you don't mind?"
Realizing when something that sounded like a request was actually an order, Kazumi gave a bow recognizing Seras authority. "No problem, Ma'am." Repocketing her camera, Kazumi turned to the rest of her group. "Let's get going! There's no telling how much time we have before we're cut off from being able to do anything!"
(-)
(Mahora.)
Eyes closed as she struggled with exhaustion to keep her water shield going, Akira Okochi silently thanked Negi's familiar Chamo for suggesting she make a Pactio Contract. With the Positus Spiritus allowing her to breath normally, she could concentrate on protecting everyone in the water, even while sinking to the bottom next to the dock.
With her energy reserves depleted first by the long swim, then the Elemental shield, relaxing as the effect of the big spell passed turned out to be a mistake. Akira let her concentration lapse for just a moment, and the pressure even in such a shallow part of the lake immediately made itself felt. She started to panic, but a strong arm wrapping itself around her chest, and an immediate lessening of the pressure quickly brought it back under control.
Breaking the surface, Akira took a deep, gasping breath, relaxing and allowing whoever had helped her to make the short swim back to the dock.
"Give me a hand here!"
A soaking wet Lynn Garland and Dolnegus employee Tosaka were immediately there to help pull Akira out of the water. Weakly waving to show her thanks, she sat there as Lynn and Tosaka leaned down again to help pull a now robe-less Dolnegus back onto the dock.
Giving the resting Akira an odd look, Dolnegus finally turned to where Tosaka had knelt. Moody as always, the former debt-slave had knelt and was now rubbing at a bruise on his shin. Nearby, Ako Izumi was trying to wring the water from her nearly ruined maid outfit. "Tosaka, shut up."
Used to seeing his boss wearing a mage robe, Tosaka hesitated for a moment until he recognized the man standing on the dock in slacks and a light shirt which were normally hidden. "Sir?"
Sighing, Dolnegus gestured down the dock and along the shoreline. "Look around you. You should be thanking Miss Izumi, instead of grousing about a Free Employee getting kicked by a Debt-Slave."
Standing up, Tosaka looked around and instantly saw the proof of what would have happened if Ako had left him behind. Everyone who hadn't gone into the water was petrified. The contest judges, all the spectators, Akira's swimming coach, even the only two friends he'd managed to keep since Old Ostia. He immediately wanted to be angry. Ako and Akira had both obviously known something might happen. However, Ako had pulled him into the lake, when it would have been so much easier to leave him behind. Conflicted over how to react, thinking he would give at least curt thanks, he started to turn. Unfortunately, the state of Ako's uniform immediately caused him to face away again.
Seeing Tosaka's odd movements, Ako looked up to see his neck colored by a deep blush. Glancing back down at herself, she suddenly realized how much had been revealed by the wet clinginess of her outfit. Giving an embarrassed shriek, she curled up into a ball and sat on her heels.
Worn out as she was, Akira instantly went to Ako's side. Holding out a hand, she closed her eyes and began leeching the water out of her friend's clothes.
Nearby, Tosaka seemed surprised by what she was doing, but Dolnegus had a look of recognition on his face.
After Ako's modesty had been restored, Akira took the water she'd gathered and moved it to the lock on Ako's neck. Tosaka started to take a step forward, but an angry look kept him at bay. As the former Debt-Slave looked on in shock, and Dolnegus as if he was seeing the final answer to a vexing question, Akira used the last of her energy to sever the hasp on Ako's slave collar. With a sharp toss, she threw the lock body into the lake, then quickly removed what was left of the hasp and the collar and sent them to follow.
"Ho... HOW?"
Making a shushing motion at Tosaka, Dolnegus moved to stand near the nearly spent, but still openly defiant Akira. "Miss Okochi... Was you father's nam-GYAAAHH!"
As a barrage of lightning Sagita suddenly pummeled the dock around Dolnegus, Akira threw herself over Ako, knocking the girl down. Tosaka and Lynn both managed to protect themselves from the fringe effects of the attack, but Dolnegus collapsed to the dock along with the last of the pelting debris raised by the exploding Sagita.
Reminded of a slightly similar situation involving 'Nagi,' Ako began trying to push Akira away.
Seeing how she'd pinned Ako down, Akira started to stand and apologize, but a wave of dizziness left her unable to do anything more than roll to the side and sit up.
"You idiot! What if you've killed him!"
Turning towards the sound of the voice, Tosaka and everyone else on the dock or along the shoreline saw a group of persons all wearing gray colored robes emerge from behind the line of petrified contest watchers.
"He should have been petrified! I would have had to do that anyway if he resisted!"
Brushing past Akira's swimming coach, the gray-cloak who seemed to be the leader knocked the Iru-Jin over. Fortunately, the former HD star fell off the dock and into the wet sand on the beach, instead of onto something that could have shattered him or broken a flipper.
Incensed, Akira began running through her limited options, but as burned out as she was, they didn't amount to much. Along the shoreline, a suddenly angry Yuuna had tried to draw one of her pistols, but Craig Caldwell had managed to stop her. With a sharp look, he kept her from trying again, but the leader of the gray-cloaks noticed the movement and sent two of his men to investigate.
After a moment of watching the group by the shore, the man finally turned back to face those on the dock. "What is with all of you unpetrified people? It shouldn't have been that easy to avoid the effects of that spell!"
Passing Lynn, Tosaka, and Akira, the man knelt to examine the unmoving Dolnegus. After giving a sigh of relief, he signaled two more men to pick the Chairman up. Standing back up, he noticed Ako clinging to Akira's arm. "I recognize you... You're one of those pretty young Debt-Slaves who were always around Nagi Springfield..." Eyes widening slightly, he started to move closer, but was stopped when someone stepped in front of him."
Holding an arm out, Tosaka tired his best to look protective without seeming threatening. "Excuse me. She may have been one of Springfield's before, but this girl's mine now."
With a sharp motion, the man gestured back at Ako. "Where's her slave collar?"
Giving a conspiratorial leer, Tosaka leaned forward slightly. "Well, she 'personally' paid off her portion the debt she and her friends owe, so I released her. That other girl there was less cooperative, so she still owes her share."
Nodding, the leader of the gray-cloaks started to move away, then suddenly turned and doubled Tosaka over with the butt of a mage staff. Pushing his gasping target out of the way, he stepped forward and jerked Ako to her feet. "This girl as well. She'll be useful in more ways than one, and I'd like to know how she really got rid of her slave collar."
As another gray-cloak came forward, Akira reached out and put a hand around their leader's wrist. "Let Ako go!"
Surprised by the strength in the grip of the long-haired debt-slave who'd dared to touch him, the gray-cloaks leader swung his mage staff at her face. Connecting solidly, the blow bloodied her nose and seemed to knock the girl out, but her hand remained locked around his wrist. "One of you come get this piece of Debt-Slave trash off me!"
Nodding, the gray-cloak who'd been coming for Ako shifted his attention to the limp Akira, but before he went more than a few steps, a soaking wet, whiskered apparition rose from the water next to the dock. Before the man could so much as let out a squeak of surprise, he had been jerked off the dock and pulled into the lake.
On the shoreline, the men who were investigating Yuuna's Posse reacted by starting to ready Sagita spells.
Before either could do anything else, Yuuna jerked her arm free of Craig's grip, raised her needler and fired. One of the gray-cloaks staggered, but managed to fire his spell in response so down Yuuna went. Before he could try anything else, Craig sent him back-first into the sand with a magic boosted punch to the gut. The gray-cloaks companion tried to help, but was set upon by Aisha Coryell and Christian Danchecker before he could.
Both gray-cloaks getting ready to carry Dolnegus took out their mage-staffs to help, but one vanished into the lake without a peep, and the other suddenly found an attack by a dark-haired Eru-Jin of more immediate concern.
Growing increasingly angry as his men were forced unrecoverably onto the defensive, the gray-cloaks leader started to pull Ako into a hostage choke-hold, but a sudden blow to the face stunned him slightly and he let the girl go. Almost immediately, unconscious long-haired Debt-Slave released his arm.
"Buddy, Ako isn't going anywhere, and neither are you."
Eyes wide with surprise, Ako watched as Tosaka, his fists glowing with magic, wadded into the man who'd been holding her with an unnaturally fast series of punches.
With an outlet for over two months of frustrations before him, Tosaka pressed an unrelenting Dempsey-roll attack against the quickly punch drunk leader of the gray-cloaks until the man's eyes finally rolled back, and he collapsed in a limp, swollen-faced heap to the dock.
Fretting and worrying, Makie Sasaki was doing what she could to help Aisha take care of the Sagita burned Yuuna when the brown-haired girl suddenly woke up. Brushing the two of them off, Yuuna got up and walked over to where Craig was keeping an eye on the man who had cut her down. As she watched, Yuuna suddenly pointed her needler at the man.
Her mind clouded with pain, Yuuna looked down at the frightened man who had caused that pain and felt a very seductive temptation. The look of fear in his eyes, and the craving it provoked were both tantalizingly familiar; like a word that just couldn't be recalled. Passing a salivating tongue unconsciously over her canines, she was seriously considering pulling the trigger when a pair of trembling hands gripped her sleeve. Startled, she turned to find Makie there, shaking her head.
Having seen something indescribably awful in the depths of the brown-haired girls yellow eyes, the man at Yuuna's feet realized the pink-haired girl had saved him when those empty eyes suddenly returned to normal. Filled with relief, he promptly passed out.
Blinking as if waking up, Yuuna felt the return of the pain permeating her body and sat down heavily. Pulling up her shredded shirt, she looked at all the visible Sagita burns and winced. "Owww... these hurt..."
When Christian and Craig moved to truss the now unconscious captive up, Aisha stepped aside but kept an eye on Yuuna and Makie. For someone who seemed on the surface so clueless about magic, the brown-haired girl had shown an amazingly strong healing ability. Even as she watched, the girls Sagita burns were fading. She also seemed to have some kind of 'berserker' trait, as evidenced by her ability to stand despite such severe wounds. Fortunately, the pink-haired Makie seemed to be able to control that, so there had been no need to attempt an intervention to save the captives life.
Next to the end of the dock, Lim Dies flitted about concernedly as her Pactio partner Ray Blaze pulled his two half-drowned captives up onto the sand before dropping them and sitting down heavily.
On the dock itself, Lynn was tending to the still unconscious Akira, as well as Chairman Dolnegus, while a humming Ako was using a moistened cloth as a cold-compress for a nasty bruise on Tosaka's mid-riff.
With this fight finished, Aisha turned to look in the direction of the old city. Filled with colors and clouds that reminded her of an incipient whirlwind, what she saw made her feel extremely uneasy. ("Something tells me we're a long way from being home-free just yet...")
tsuzuku.
(-)
Author's Notes:
About the girls attending Meldiana: Better to keep Ayaka, Chizuru, Madoka, Sakurako, Misa, Fuuka and Fumika occupied than to let them wander around loose to get in trouble. Wards could be used to keep them out of were they don't belong, while extra-credit for the exercise of successfully keeping secrets from mundanes could be used to motivate the magical students into not revealing anything. As a worst case, Stephan Dillane could geas everyone involved, preventing them from taking any unfortunate action, even if they wanted to.
As for what classes they would attend? Normal classes. Like all school-work and no play makes for dull students, so to all magic and no general studies makes for unbalanced mages. Even Negi couldn't have graduated Oxford without at least testing out of math, science, and other general subjects.
For those interested, her are places to find several characters mentioned this chapter:
Three Ma-Jin ice-cream sisters: Chapter 221, page 14.
Family helped by Misora: Chapter 222, page 7.
Captain Komaki. (Blonde. Senior Valkyrie on the Argonauta.): Chapter 220, page 10.
Lieutenant Hild. (Long, dark hair.): Chapter 220, Page 10, and chapter 224, page 17.
T'fa and R'th. (Anya's bounty hunters.): Chapter 193, page 3. (And other places.)
Lim and Ray. (Pixy and Tiger-man.) Chapter 193, page 3. (And other places. 'Nagi and Kojirou's' first real opponents.)
There will be a better explanation later when Akira and Dolnegus talk again, but for now, I stand by what I've written before. Elementalists, (or, if I may be permitted to borrow a term from 'Avatar' TLAB, Water-Benders,) don't use energy the same way mages do. For that reason Akira is able to do what she does. What bites her in this case is the 'Law of unintended consequences.'
Chapter Forty-five: A duel ends, duels begin.