The Knight of Mahora Academy

Period 19: The Steps Ahead

-ccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

What...what is this? A chapter...not set in Kyoto? What is Mahora? What school are we talking about? What is life?!

I'm not ready for this change! I don't like this! I don't like new things!

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

Negi checked his notes and pondered to himself in silence.

His magical capabilities were lacking in case a fight like the one in Kyoto ever broke out again. Plus his battles with Kotarou and Fate proved he needed some serious training to make up for his lacking abilities.

"Aniki?" Chamo scurried up the young Mage's arm and perched on his shoulder, "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes Chamo-kun, I think I am." Negi nodded and stood up while grabbing his staff, "I need to take the next step."

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

"Me? You want me to train you?"

"That's right! Please, Nii-San! I need to start training as soon as possible!" Negi pleaded to the blond as they sat around the table. The young redhead eyes sparkled as his voice jumped an octave, "I want you to give me lessons!"

Asuna and Setsuna were seated at the table as well, with Konoka in the kitchen preparing lunch but poking her head out when she heard the noise. All three girls looked at the blond teenager for his input as he tilted his head, "Well, this is…kinda sudden to ask at lunch, Negi."

"What's with you, Negi?" Asuna looked at the short Welshman suspiciously, "That's a weird thing to bring up all of a sudden."

"Have you been considering this before, Negi-sensei?"

"Well, only recently actually." Negi answered Setsuna before picking up his staff and setting it down on his lap, "I graduated from my magic school with top honors, but I never really believed that I was a master or that I was done learning. And that thought was proven even more prevalent when Asuna-San and I faced Evangeline-San."

"You fought Eva-chan?" Konoka inquired from the kitchen with a curious look, "When did that happen?"

"That first week of the new year." Asuna answered, "Remember? When Whiskers came here and all those people were passing out from anemia and Negi ran off to sulk for a day? Eva-chan was trying to suck out his blood so she could leave the campus or something."

"Wow, I had no idea Negi-kun's magic life was affecting us even before the Kyoto trip." The lovely young brunette tilted her head, "I wonder what else was because of magic? What about that time in the baths where we were having that mammary competition and your breasts exploded, Asuna?"

"..."

Konoka nodded, "You know saying it out loud I'm surprised I didn't figure it out sooner. You're really bad at hiding your secret, Negi-kun."

Negi hung his head in shame, "I know."

"Okay that's the second time you all have brought up this mammary thing. What the hell happened before the new year started?"

"Anyway," Asuna continued, ignoring Naruto's question as the blond threw his hands up incredulously, "We tried fighting off Eva-chan during the blackout and totally kicked her butt." The bell-wearing girl crossed her arms with a self-satisfied smile, "Not bad for our first fight as partners."

"You know Eva was just going easy on you, right? Like hands tied behind her back, eyes closed, weights on her ankles easy on you."

Asuna furrowed her eyes in annoyance, "Well maybe if a certain jerk hadn't just been standing around watching us fight!"

"I would have jumped in if things got too hard to handle! Plus I wanted to see if Negi's desire to win could match his resolve, which it did." The little redhead preened at the praise, "Plus we hadn't established Mini Rubra yet, so we weren't as close as we are now."

"I refuse to keep calling ourselves that."

"Spoilsport." Naruto turned to Setsuna, "What about you, Setsuna? As the resident swordswoman, what do you think we should call ourselves?"

"H-Huh?" The bodyguard looked around at the expectant stares she was getting from her friends, waiting for her input. Her cheeks heated up at the attention she received and ducking her head, "I-I don't know exactly. I'm not really one for making decisions like that so…can I abstain?"

The looks of disappointment from Asuna and Naruto caused the Hanyō to hang her head solemnly. This gave Negi the chance to steer the direction back to his topic as he spoke up, "But the feeling that I still need to get much stronger was even more pronounced after the field trip. Fate. Kotarou-kun. That man Nii-San held off. That girl with the swords. I never would have been able to handle all of them by myself."

"But you aren't by yourself." Asuna interjected, "You have me and Konoka and Honya-chan and Setsuna-San and Whiskers and the perverted ermine and Furball. So you don't ever have to handle these things alone."

"Y-Yes, you're right." Negi nodded his head hesitantly before shuffling in his spot, "B-But that isn't all of it. I don't want to be caught off guard and beaten so quickly. I want to do everything and anything I can to make sure situations like that don't pop up again and we aren't prepared for them! So that none of you are hurt or caught off-guard because I wasn't ready!"

"This must have been on your mind for a while, Negi-kun." Konoka walked out and dried her hands with a worried look on her face, "I didn't know this was weighing so heavily on you." Negi gave a small, solemn nod before the kind brunette looked at her roommate, "Naruto-kun?"

"So you want some training to try and make up for the areas you lack, huh?" The older Mage asked. Negi paused before giving a firm nod in reply. It was silent in the room for a few seconds before Naruto smiled and nodded, "Okay, I can't say no when you give me a look like that."

"Really?!"

"Really."

"Really?" Asuna and Setsuna shared a surprised look, "Just like that?"

"What? If he wants to train with me I can't very well tell him no."

"Thank you Nii-San! Oh thank you, thank you, thank - where are you going?"

"Upstairs. Roof is empty this time of day." Naruto picked himself up before pointing towards the door, "Let's get started."

"Huh?"

"Really?"

"Now?" Asuna quickly voiced her surprise, "We're about to have supper! You can't go off and train just like that!"

"It won't be long. Quick summation of his skill set right now and then we'll be right back."

"But-"

"Let's do it!"

The girls looked at Negi in shock at his sudden and enthusiastic response. The redhead jumped up to his feet with his staff in hand as he followed after Naruto, "Oi, Negi-"

The two boys made their way out and headed for the stairs. The girls stared at the door in silence before looking between each other, "Konoka, stay here. Me and Setsuna-San are gonna keep an eye on them. Make sure nothing gets out of hand." The two Minstras made their way out and headed for the roof as Asuna hesitantly asked, "What are the chances this gets out of hand?"

"Quite likely, if I'm being honest."

The girls stepped out onto the roof and saw Negi standing across from Naruto. The young redhead gulped and gripped his staff tightly as Naruto stood with both arms crossed. The blond showed an excited grin before speaking up, "Are you ready Negi?"

"Y-Yes! Yes I am, Nii-San!"

"Good, cause we're about to start." Naruto took a low stance and smirked at his young friend, "The first thing I want you to do is counter this attack, alright?"

"Of course!" Negi raised his staff and muttered his activation chant, "Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister-"

Naruto disappeared in a burst of speed and appeared in front of Negi with his fist chambered to the side. He fist flew up for Negi's chin, the short redhead freezing in horror as the large fist approached with him being unable to block it. It flew up...

Missing Negi by an inch...

But Negi's hair fluttered softly a moment later.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Asuna and Setsuna watched in stunned silence as Negi flew through the air. Their eyes were white saucers as they witnessed Naruto send the young Mage flying just from the wind force behind his missed punch. The two girls looked over towards Naruto as he exhaled and shook his head.

"You got do better than that, or I'd actually send you flying without holding back."

"..."

"..."

"What?"

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

"There we go." Konoka whispered as she used her magic to heal the bump on the little boy's head as he whimpered, "You should be all good now, Negi-kun. Just make sure not to fly through the air and hit the ground like that again, okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Don't worry. It's not your fault that happened."

Several pairs of stink eyes were aimed towards the boy on the couch with a frown and crossed arms. He looked up at the girls staring at him accusingly and huffed, "I don't even understand why I'm getting all the angry looks."

"You sent him flying through the air."

"I didn't even hit him!"

"You still sent him flying!"

"I was just trying to train with him!" Naruto agreed back, "I told him we were starting with a counter practice and he stood there! What were you expecting to happen?! Me not to attack when he's that vulnerable?! That's fighting 101!"

"I think we were all expecting your training to ease Negi-sensei into it, Naruto-sensei." Setsuna clarified, "Attacking someone and expecting an immediate reaction like that is not very productive."

"That's an understatement!" Asuna jumped to her feet and put her hands on her hips as she admonished Naruto, "That was crazy Whiskers! You nearly killed Negi! You don't attack someone like that when you're training! I only just started training and I know that's not how it's done! I mean who gets stronger by being attacked like that?!"

"I-I did." The girls and Negi looked at Naruto oddly as he muttered that, "That's how I was trained."

Asuna blinked, "You...you can't be serious."

"He is." Kyūbi spoke up from his makeshift bed on Konoka's pillow as his tails swished around slowly, "The Boy trains better through doing, not learning. So that's how Rakan trained him. And the Red Moron. And the Butch Princess. And the Stupid-Haired Demon. They threw him in the water to teach him to swim and tossed him in a monster filled forest so he can learn survival skills and they tied his arms together when he was forced to face off against a dragon-"

"Heh. Hehe. Hehehehehehehehehehehe." The teen in question cut in with a low, monotone laugh as his head hung from his shoulders, "You know what, you're right Asuna. Who gets trained like that? Poor unfortunate souls, that's who. And who trains people like that? Monsters. Pure, unfeeling monsters." Everyone stepped back in horror as they saw Naruto's sunken eyes and pale complexion as he remembered the horrors he endured to reach this point. He chuckled darkly, "I mean what's to be expected of someone who gets trained by just getting thrown into the thick of it? They become broken shells of themselves, that's what. Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe-"

"Um, Nii-San, I think we should stop training together for the time being."

"What about Setsuna-San?" Asuna raised, "She's teaching me kendo at the moment and she's a good instructor."

"I'm not really looking to fight with a sword. Sorry Setsuna-San."

"That's fine. I'm not really supposed to be teaching anyone else the Shinmei-Ryū style fighting, and I don't think I would be a very capable teacher for more than one student."

"Plus it isn't just the martial arts aspect I wish to learn. My magic needs to be trained as well." Negi sighed, "I need to find teachers who can help me learn how to fight and increase my magic."

Which was a difficult objective to achieve when very few of the teachers here at Mahora Academy had the free time to offer their guidance.

"Oh." Konoka gasped as she smiled and wink, "If you're looking for someone to teach you magic, I think we know a little lady who fits the bill perfectly."

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

"Mho."

"Moo?"

She blew her nose into a tissue, "I said no! That was a no! Now go away I'm sick!"

"Please Evangeline-San! I need guidance in my magic and you're the most gifted Mage I know!"

"Goodness, you should be careful Boya. Anymore of that and people are going to notice all the brown on your nose."

"I told you this was a bad idea." Asuna bragged to the downtrodden redhead, "Eva-chan is still gunning for your blood to break out of Mahora, isn't she? Asking her to teach you is like putting your name out for an open buffet."

"Oddly enough Asuna Kagurazaka is the one with the most common sense out of you two." Eva wiped her nose again as her hay fever continued to act up. The vampire rubbed her red-rimmed eyes and sniffed, "If you really are so eager for someone to teach you, why not ask Takamichi for lessons? Or you have the Dumbass to give you some pointers."

"I asked Takamichi a long time ago for advice in my magic but he told me our styles aren't very compatible. And as for a Nii-San...I don't think that's a very good idea."

"Oh, you already tried and it didn't work out, did it?" Eva chuckled at the complicated expression Negi showed as he shuffled in place. The Dark Evangel took her seat and sat back comfortably before staring at the Welshman in silence. Negi gulped under her harsh gaze before she finally spoke, "You're really resorting to coming to me for instruction, aren't you?"

"Yes I am."

"Very well." Eva waved her hand, "If you're that adamant then the least I can do is offer you the chance to prove your devotion."

"P-Prove it?"

"First, you will lick my foot." The vampire raised the offending appendage into Negi's gaze as he blushed and paled in horror. The Dark Evangel smirked and raised her toe, "And from then on you will kiss my foot every day in proof to your devotion to me as you - GAGH!"

Evangeline pulled the pillow off her face and glared at her twin-tailed attacker, "No perverted requests right off the bat, Eva-chan!"

"Perverted?! This is how commoners show fealty to their lords! If I'm going to be teaching Boya then I need to know he can commit!"

"And he has to show that by playing to your fetish you little sicko?!"

"I'm not a sicko and it's not a fetish!"

"Yeah and I'm a Nobel Prize winner!"

"Prize winner in how to be unappealing to men!"

"I-I don't want to hear that from the inappropriate loli!"

"Watch your mouth you little-"

Negi, Chamo, and Chachamaru watched from the side as the Dark Evangel, one of the most feared Mages and vampires in history, tussled with a young middle-schooler and pulled each other's cheeks in retaliation. Negi shuddered in horror, "W-What is happening?"

"This, Aniki, is the wonderful art of the cat fight." Chamo answered from his shoulder with a cigarette in hand, "Men have tried to analyze it, dissect it, understand and stop it for generations, but we are no closer to figuring out what draws the lovely ladies to scrap and pull at each other like this. We're still no closer to this day. The only thing we can do..." The ermine pulled out a camera and snickered, "Is enjoy it while we can."

"Master, Kagurazaka-San and Negi-sensei are still our guests. And you are showing a rather unfavorable side of yourself when you act like this." Chachamaru calmly spoke up, "Perhaps you should both take a breath and think about your choices again?"

Both girls stopped their pointless bickering and stared at their audience with a cheek between each finger. Eva and Asuna released each other and rubbed their own faces before the vampire scowled at the young Mage, "Boya?"

"Y-Yes!"

"I'm sure if you asked any number of people that know about magic, they would voice their opinions about this idea."

"Maybe! But I'm asking you for your opinion!"

Eva let a small smirk stretch her lips, "Very well. But I'm not going to accept your apprenticeship so easily. On Saturday, we'll have a test. Pass it, and I'll allow you to be my student."

"Really?!"

"Don't look so excited. Focus on passing my test first before anything is set."

"Y-Yes, of course! Thank you Evangeline-San!"

Asuna frowned, "Couldnt just cut out the middleman and accept him outright, could you?"

"You just can't understand, Asuna Kagurazaka. If the boy can't even survive the easiest challenge I could think up, then he doesn't deserve to be under my tutelage."

"You are so desperate for friends."

"Shut your mouth."

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

"So Eva's giving you a test for apprenticeship, huh? You worried?"

"Y-Yes, of course I am. But I'm also very excited that I might be able to gain a powerful and experienced teacher like Evangeline-San."

Konoka leaned towards Asuna, "I thought Eva-chan would jump at the chance for a friend."

Asuna shrugged, "She's gotta keep appearances apparently."

"Bitch is making this more and more difficult."

"Kyūbi-chan," Konoka pouted at the fox in her arms as they made their way to class, "That's not a nice thing to call Eva-chan."

"I could call her worse things but that would probably upset you more."

"I have a possible magic teacher now." Negi slowed to a stop in the middle of the school walkway and cupped his chin in thought, "Now I need to find someone who can teach me how to fight."

"Oh that's the easiest thing in the world." Naruto said as he stepped up to his little friend's side, "You punch, and you kick, and everything else is a fancy version of that."

"That's not true at all Sensei!" Setsuna spoke up adamantly, stepping up to join their conversation, "You can't tell someone to simply practice punching and kicking and then know the fundamentals of fighting just from that! There are many techniques and forms to master to find your true skill!"

"Not for me." The blond responded, "I didn't practice a form so much as I was shown the basics and allowed to develop from there. Every attack I use and move I make was something I made from fighting over the years."

"W-Well, I guess that makes sense." Setsuna nodded, "I thought your attacks were too wild to be an actual discipline. But while that may have worked for you, I don't think Negi-sensei would be the kind that would do well simply being self-taught. His desire for a master in his teachings tells me that he would grow more from a structure, not a freestyle."

Naruto forehead creased before he relented with a nod, "I guess you're right. Negi definitely strikes me as someone who needs to be taught instead of someone who makes it up as they go. Good point Setsuna."

"Hey, ain't you lucky Aniki! You got two combat specialists here to help give you advice!"

"Y-Yes!" Negi nodded, "Thank you Nii-San! Setsuna-San! I'm in your care!"

"Well someone who can properly teach you how to fight hand-to-hand." Naruto crossed his arms in thought before looking at his Ministra, "I guess we're out of the running, seeing as I have no form and you're more attuned to swordsmanship."

"I agree. I can't imagine Evangeline-San has gotten this far in her life without some form of combat training, but there's no telling she would give him those lessons even if he made it so far as to become her apprentice."

"She's vindictive like that." Naruto agreed, "Oh, what about Kaede? Negi might have fun learning how to be a ninja."

"I've asked Kaede to teach me a technique once for creating clones to make my demon-slaying missions easier. She said she's not allowed to do so because it's against her clan's rules. Tatsumiya is quite skilled."

"He couldn't afford it in this lifetime."

"Fair enough."

Asuna leaned in towards Konoka, "I feel like they're getting into a topic I really can't follow."

"I feel left out." Konoka pouted.

"Well if it'll make you feel any better, there's something fun happening over there."

The two girls and fox looked over at the gathering of people that was causing quite the commotion.

The trio ahead were completely oblivious to it as they focused on their conversation, "We need someone to teach a novice how to fight."

Asuna and Konoka watched the crowd groan with sympathy pain.

"Someone skilled and reliable, perhaps already knowledgeable about magic as well."

Over the crowd they saw a large man charge his smaller opponent, and then get flung off his feet and slammed into the ground.

"And someone close by who we can call on."

Kyūbi looked up at the figure flying in their direction, Asuna pulling Konoka and him aside just as the beaten martial artist cracked the ground and groaned.

"I got no one." Naruto and Setsuna sighed as Negi hung his head sadly, "I don't think there's anyone like that here for us to go to."

"Oh for the love-"

Asuna stomped over and forced herself between the trio. She spun Negi around to face the other direction and pushed Naruto and Setsuna's cheeks so they were looking the same way.

"Incredible!"

"Just what you expect from Ku Fei!"

"The Queen of Martial Arts reigns supreme!"

"Fuhaha!" The golden-haired, tanned fighter laughed as she looked over the field of beaten warriors and fighters that laid at her feet, "You had no chance-Aru! You want try again, maybe train little harder-Aru! Then we see if you ready for fight!"

...

Setsuna blushed and looked down in shame, "I can't believe I didn't think of that before."

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

"Me? Train Negi-Bōzu?" Ku titled her head in thought.

"You're super skilled, and the kid could use someone with your talents." Naruto tried to convince the kenpo master into teaching the little Mage. Him and Negi pulled the fighter aside during lunch and tried to sell her on the idea of teaching the young Welshman some kung fu. Naruto clapped his hands together and lowered his head, "What do you say? You'd probably have some fun molding this tiny little stick into…whatever you can make."

"Please, Ku Fei-San. I beg of you." Negi bowed his head deeply.

"Don't Negi-Bōzu already have magic-Aru?"

"P-Please don't say that out loud." The young teacher shushed her before nodding, "Yes, but I want to be prepared in case I don't have my magic or if it isn't enough. And I thought when you used kenpo that it would be very useful to learn. So if you can please-"

"Okay. I do." The kung fu master cut off the boy's plea and quickly accepted his offer without hesitation, "Will be very fun to train newbie-Aru!"

"Oh. O-Oh!" Negi beamed a smile, "Thank you, Ku Fei-San!"

"Rōshi! You will refer to me as Ku-Rōshi from this day forth-Aru! Properly respect new master!"

"Y-Yes Rōshi!"

"Oh this is fantastic." Naruto chuckled.

"I agree!"

A flash of light behind them pulled all attention to the door of the roof. Standing in the doorway was Kazumi with her camera in hand and a grin on her face. She wagged her camera around for emphasis and chuckled, "'Young teacher asks student for personal lessons.' I can see the headlines now."

"U-UWAAHHHH!" Negi panicked, his eyes growing wide and white as he frantically shook his head, "N-No Asakura-San, this isn't what you think it is! I-I was just asking Ku Fei-S – I mean Ku-Rōshi for lessons! L-Lessons on how to fight, n-not whatever you're suggesting! S-So it isn't as bad as you thought-"

"Relax Negi-kun, I'm just pulling your leg." The pink-haired reporter laughed and waved her hand nonchalantly, "I already know what's going on. I overheard some of your talk. Well that and Asuna and the others spelled it out for everyone. Whichi was lucky because Iincho looked about to wither away when you called Ku Fei out after class. When it looked like everyone was gonna come up here and spy on you, Asuna spoke up and told them you were just asking her for some basic training. They seemed to accept it pretty fast and dropped the whole thing."

"Then why are you here?"

"Cause my curiosity can never be satiated." Kazumi winked at Naruto as he rolled his eyes, "I just had to see for myself the step Negi-kun takes from a tiny, adorable little string bean into a little Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung killing machine. Or whatever the English equivalent of that would be."

"Jason Statham?"

"That's it!"

"U-Um, Asakura-San, I think you might be jumping a few steps ahead-"

"That right! Focus on making him Bruce Lee first-Aru! He be whatever he want after that!"

"Lofty goal."

"N-No, let me finish what I was saying-"

"Yes Boya, finish your thought." Everyone froze and looked towards the door again to see Evangeline standing with Chachamaru by her side. The vampire's arms were crossed and she had the most bemused expression those present had ever seen her wear. She raised an eyebrow skeptically, "I'd love to hear what you have to say."

"E-Evangeline-San!"

"My my, I don't know what I was expecting from Nagi's offspring but obviously I was deluding myself. Of course you would be unfaithful to your promises." Eva shook her head exhaustedly, "You come to my home and practically beg me to teach you magic, but not one day later and you turn around to do something as uncouth as beg another woman to teach you how to throw a punch. How disappointing."

"Oh, am I home wrecker-Aru?"

"I didn't say that."

"No it's the way you said it. Specifically in the wording and tone of a jilted lover." Naruto mocked.

"You. I said nothing to you. You stand by and shut your mouth." Eva hissed before turning her attention back on Negi, "So can I assume now that you're going to the kung fu enthusiast with your training desires, you don't need me to be your teacher anymore? Well that's unfortunate but it does clear up my schedule for the time being. I suppose that's that then-"

"No wait! That isn't what this is about at all, Evangeline-San!"

"Master," Chachamaru finally spoke up from her mistress' side, "Do you not think you may be taking this matter a bit too seriously? It is clear that Negi-sensei wishes to pursue both magical and physical training in order to maximize his potential and face whatever trials lay ahead of him with greater ease. After the attack in Kyoto, someone as worried about his students' health and safety as Negi-sensei would clearly want to become stronger." Negi whimpered with tears of joy at Chachamaru's comprehensive analysis of his state of mind, "Since he saved your life during the fight at the bridge, perhaps you can consider letting him train under two masters as a favor?"

"My favor to him should have been the fact I let him live, but I considered that debt paid in full when I helped out in Kyoto. Now stop trying to work on his side Chachamaru and let me see him squirm with guilt."

"Wow, I always thought there was something secret about you Eva-chan but I could never put my finger on it. But who would have guessed it was because you were actually some super powerful, super evil vampire that Negi-kun's dad locked here in Mahora for over a decade. Hahaha! I didn't believe Asuna when she told me that but it is so cool! And also a little concerning that Negi-kun's dad would deliberately stick a well-known vampire like you in a place filled with children and adolescents."

Naruto shrugged, "Actually if you knew Nagi, you'd realize this was pretty par for the course."

"Kazumi Asakura," Evangeline looked the taller girl over before shaking her head, "The fact that you let someone so adamant on becoming a journalist find out your secret should have been reason enough to deny your apprenticeship."

"Aw, come on Eva-chan, you shouldn't be so hard on the little guy. He's at that age where he's curious about everything." Kazumi raised her camera, "Hey, do you mind if I have an interview with you? I'm sure people would flip to know the tiny grouch in our class was actually some super scary vampire."

"That's fine. But if that article circulates far enough it will get into the hands of some bounty hunters after my head. And if they find you they may just capture you and torture you for all the information they can get on me. So you can continue if you wish, but expect retribution in some form to follow."

Kazumi stood there in silence and blinked before lowering her camera. She looked over at Naruto with a frightful expression and pointed at the vampire with a shaky hand. He nod to convey her warning was true.

The reporter stepped aside and waited patiently.

The whiskered, scarred blond finally stepped up, "Okay Eva, that's enough scaring everyone and vaguely threatening them. Just let Negi train with Ku Fei and teach him when you get the chance."

"Oh are you ordering me around now, Dumbass?" Eva scoffed, "Well you certainly have bigger britches than expected. And why should I do that exactly?"

"Because teaching Negi after he's gotten some martial arts training in has to be more entertaining than as he is now. Just imagine a Magical Swordsman wielding magic like it's second nature with the fluid movements of Chinese kenpo to bolster him. The Magister Magi, Negi Springfield…" Naruto paused and looked at Eva's unamused expression before grinning, "Trained by the Dark Evangel herself, Evangeline A.K. McDowell."

A smirk grew across Eva's face as she considered the idea, "Oh, and all of his accomplishments will be traced back to me. Now that does sound interesting." She frowned and looked up at Naruto, "You do understand that I can't just accept him so casually. That test will still have to be completed."

"Oh I'm sure he's okay with that. Aren't you Neg-"

"YES!"

"There you go."

"Very well. I will reconsider my decision."

"Thank you-"

"If you can admit that you can't train him."

Naruto's pleased smile was quickly changed to an expression of irritation and annoyance, "Come again?"

"Well if you're so adamant on me teaching Boya then why don't you teach him yourself? Unless of course it's because you can't." Eva calmly explained with a devious smile, "It doesn't have to be anything serious. I just have to know if you can train him or not."

Naruto stood in complete silence with a vacant expression on his face. He looked over and spotted the hopeful look in Negi's eyes on the verge of tears. His plea was obvious without even saying a word.

"I…" Naruto took a deep breath, "I need you to teach Negi because…" His eyes twitched as veins pulsed on his head, "Because. I. Can't."

"Chachamaru?"

"Video log saved, Master."

"Good, I'll make sure to review it later and make copies." The vampire laughed before pointing at her teacher, "Boya, Saturday at 6 AM, you'll have a sparring match with Chachamaru to see if these new martial arts skills are worth it. Pass and you'll be my pupil. Don't and you can kiss your apprenticeship goodbye."

"Y-Yes, okay Evangeline-San!"

"Good." The little blonde turned around, "Well time to head home Chachamaru. And can you play a snippet of the audio on a loop on our way back?"

"Of course Master." The green-haired android made the sound of a rewinding cassette before Naruto's voice started projecting, "Because. I. Can't. Because. I. Can't. Because. I. Can't. Because-"

"I'm so glad to have you by my side Chachamaru."

The vampire and her attendant vacated the rooftop and left the group of teens behind. Kazumi, Ku Fei, and Negi all stared at Naruto's back as he silently stood in place after Eva's exit. Negi stepped up, "N-Nii-San? Are you okay?"

"Yeah Negi, I'm fine."

"Oh, o-okay. Well I just wanted to thank you for convincing Evangeline-San to test me like that. I-I promise that I will do everything I can to win that spar on Saturday."

"Well then you're already failing."

"H-Huh?"

"If you were doing everything you could, you'd stop wasting time talking to me and start training with Ku Fei." The tall blond slowly turned around, staring down at Negi with intense, shaky eyes, "I just swallowed every ounce of pride and dignity I had to get Eva to give you a second chance. So now we'll make sure over the next few days that you master kenpo."

"Uh, kenpo has lot styles-Aru. Take long time-"

"Then you'd better get started!"

"R-Right!"

Negi ran over and placed his staff to the side as Ku Fei started her lessons. The blond huffed and stepped over to the side as he watched the little redhead listen to the history of Chinese kenpo. He felt a pair of eyes on him and saw a smug grin looking his way, "What?"

"That was really sweet of you to help Negi-kun like that." Kazumi said with a giggle as she strolled up to stand by his side, "I don't think most boys would admit to something like that just to help a kid. Especially when it's clear Eva-chan is gonna be holding onto that recording for a long time to come."

"Oh I'll get her back for that, don't you worry." Naruto said menacingly, "Plus I sorta had to. You couldn't imagine how awful it is to spend the whole day with Negi and he looked at me with those big eyes that said he wasn't gonna hold it against me but he was still sad. Easier just to bite the bullet and take Eva's shit."

"Sure that could be it," The pink-haired girl shrugged, "Or it might be because you're a big ol'softie."

"Don't you have better things to do?"

"As a matter of fact I do, thanks for reminding me." Kauzmi pulled out a familiar picture and shoved it in Naruto's face with a deep frown, "I'm getting chewed out by the Journalism Club because one of my photos was a different quality than the others. Because it was taken on a phone. Without me even there. To do it right! Stop me when the sense of guilt has started to sink in."

"Alright I get it already!" Naruto's frown deepened, "So what does this mean exactly?"

"Well how about a favor?"

"I'm apprehensive about where this might go."

"On top of Negi-kun's personal story rights for keeping magic a secret, I want the rights to your stories too!"

"For one bad photo?"

"And my upset feelings." Kazumi pouted, changing her posture so that her hands were behind her back and her feet were rubbing into the tile of the roof. She was trying to look meek and small, something that didn't really work for the confident, extroverted reporter. Or maybe it was because the pose accentuated her buxom, "C'mon, you're not gonna say no to me when I'm asking so nicely, are you?"

"This is asking nicely?" She just kept staring at him before he sighed, "Fine, whatever."

"Yay! Thank you very much!" Kazumi laid a quick peck on his cheek for her appreciation before running over to interrupt the training, "And thank you Negi-kun for introducing me to magic!"

"A-Asakura-San! D-Don't kiss my cheek please!"

Naruto chuckled and watched Negi try to reprimand his student while blushing and wiping his cheek frantically. Ku Fei barked out an order and made her new pupil shut up. She spoke firmly and started doing the movements he would have to learn for his first move. But the moment he tried the footwork, Negi tripped over his own feet.

Man, how did he land this job again?

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

"So tell us Chachamaru, how was the sparring match everyone was so excited for?"

"Negi-sensei finally won in the end by exploiting a loophole in Master's order and landing a hit on me while I was distracted." The android said as she laid back with her chest cavity open and in the middle of maintenance with her creators, "Negi-sensei will now be training with Master from now on. I am glad he was victorious in our match."

"Oh?" The Chinese-themed genius inclined an eyebrow with her smirking, "And you're sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact you didn't wanna beat on him and now you get to see him all the time?"

"I do not think I fully understand what you are talking about-"

"Hakase?"

"In." The bespectacled girl answered after fiddling around in Chachamaru's chest compartment for a bit. The young lady in the lab coat dug in a little deeper and hummed, "It seems that Chachamaru's central processors were overheated for a period of 61 minutes, 23 seconds, and 76 milliseconds from the time of 6:00 AM to 7:01 AM on Saturday." Hakse poked her head out and fixed her glasses, "I think the closest human equivalent to this reading would be anxiety and nervousness during a time of high stress."

Chachamaru raised her head, "I do not believe we have to look into this any further."

"Does she have images?"

"Let me check. Yes."

"Put them up on the screen."

A computer screen was projected onto the wall of the laboratory. A mouse pointer scrolled over the numerous files saved in Chachamaru's hardrive…

"Naruto-sensei confession? Top priority?" Chao tilted her head, "Click that one."

A video clip of Naruto standing in front of her with Kazumi, Negi, and Ku Fei behind him started to play as he took a deep breath, "I…I need you to teach Negi because…Because. I. Can't."

Both scientists looked at their creation for context.

"Master said that no matter what happens to me, I need to preserve that clip. She wanted it backed up, streamed, saved, and uploaded on every form of storage I had access to."

Chao whistled, "She must really wanna keep it safe. Hakase, what else does she got saved?" Another video clip was displayed onscreen and they were surprised to see the footage of Chachamru punching and kicking Negi every time he stood back up. The two scientists marveled as Negi continued to lift himself up over and over despite the beating he received, "Whoa."

"Did Evangeline-San really request this of you?" Hakase asked as Chachamaru gave a small nod. The bespectacled girl patted her creation's head, "I'm sorry you were so worried."

"Oh man, look at him go!" Chao cheered, "Negi-Bōzu is just so cool isn't he! Evangeline-San definitely underestimated him if she thought this would be enough to keep him down!"

A soft bell echoed through the laboratory and interrupted the genius' admiration of the footage. The green-haired robot inquired, "Chao-San, is that the radar you had set up?"

"Why yes it is!" Chao happily ran over to her computer and started typing in her code, "I can't believe it took this long to finally get a hit on what I was looking for but better late than never!"

"Well if they're as elusive as you say it was going to take some time."

"And that time has come, my dear Hakase! Viola!" A map of Mahora and its surrounding prefectures appeared on the screen besides the video from Chachamaru's memories. Dozens of red dots started to appear within the boundary of the academy with several more popping up on the farthest reaches of the map, away from Mahora and its defenses. Chao smirked, "Finally got them."

"Are you sure we can capture them for what we need?"

"Oh it'll be a challenge no doubt." Chao said with an eager grin, her eyes looking from the map to the video of Negi friends coming together to help the little teacher after he had slipped into unconsciousness. She grinned wider, "But I won't make the same mistake as Evangeline-San."

[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]

Done

I didn't think I could but I just managed to finish this baby for the next update. Which man's I kept to my usual April of updates schedule I like to keep.

Which means next week I get to update the problem child.

I'm a glutton for punishment.

Anyway, I was thinking about adding the Negi test in this chapter but for the life of me I couldn't think of anything I could add to it that had already been done to death. I mean I could have had Naruto as a spectator and voice the loophole in Eva's parameters, but honestly it felt more in-character for him to be pleasantly surprised about it as well.

So just imagine that's what happened.

Anyway, onto more important things, I'm setting up for what's basically the next saga of things to happen. I always wanted it to get here, but honest to god I never believed I'd reach this far.

ReadxReview

Thank You and Bye