The Knight of Mahora Academy

by Master Attlon

He was saved by those people. The group that was greater than legend, heroes and gods among the people. And he grew up by their example. Of strength. Of courage. Of determination. And now, he will show this new team their message.

30. Test The Waters

The Knight of Mahora Academy

Period 30: Test The Waters

Happy holidays to all! Here's a little present from me to you!

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

"What did you want to talk about, Asuna-kun?"

Asuna felt like her heart was going to pop. Just standing across from the man she had been crushing on for most of her life made her feel like common sense went out the window. Every rational part of her mind wanted her to run away and cut things short before they could get out of hand.

But she still built up her courage.

She took a deep breath and resolved herself before finally speaking up to Takamichi Takahata.

"Sensei! I-I love you! I've always loved you! For the longest time!"

She did it! She finally did it! After all these years she finally confessed…

The weight off her shoulders was so-

"Aww Asuna, that's real cute."

Her eyes widened in surprise as a new, unrecognizable voice spoke with her. She looked up at the stranger and realized they were towering over her. So shockingly tall that their shadow engulfed her. She felt so tiny compared to him.

She felt…so young.

And as she looked at him more she realized that sense of unfamiliarity was being replaced. By a sense of…nostalgia?

"I love you too, kiddo." The red-haired man grinned as he bent over and swaddled her hair with a grin, "But don't let the princess hear me say that, or she'll kill me. Like straight-up manslaughter my ass."

He…looked like Negi. But he was so much more…crass.

And why did she feel this way? A moment ago she felt like her heart was going to burst. But now she still felt like those emotions had been muted.

What…was she excited about again?

The tall Negi-lookalike walked away and rejoined a group of taller shadows around a campsite. She prepared to follow after them-

"Did you just say you wanna follow Nagi around? Weird request when you can barely walk without spacing out."

She looked back and saw a short shadow speaking to her. Whoever they were she didn't want to bother with their childishness, "Go away. I don't have time to deal with you."

"Ugh, and don't try to talk like an adult. It's so weird!"

"I've seen you try to sound grown up and cool to a miserable effect, annoying boy."

"Hey!" The kid rushed over, grabbing her cheeks and yanking on them until she felt uncomfortable, "I told you to stop calling me that! It's annoying!"

"Let go of me weirdo."

"Not until you say my name right!"

She frowned at his annoying behavior and was prepared to sock him, "I said let go-"

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

"-Naruto."

Asuna mumbled as she waved her fist around in anger.

It was only after a moment did she realize she was awake but so tired her eyes were flittering open. And it was so early that it was still dark in the room. The orange-haired girl looked around, "W-What? What happened?"

She had a dream. Takahata-sensei was part of it. Then…what was next? It just happened but she couldn't remember properly.

"Mmm. Onee-chan."

Asuna looked down and saw Negi curled up by her side in bed. She sighed and dropped her pillow on his head, "Seriously, can you just stay in your futon? Is that too much to ask?" As she steadily grew more awake Asuna decided there was no point lying in bed. She got out of bed, wanting to prepare for the newspaper route she had to take today.

"Wha?" Asuna looked over and saw a light come out of Naruto's phone as he lifted his head. He rubbed his eyes and blearily looked around, "Did - did someone say my name?"

"No Whiskers, it's fine. Go back to bed."

"I could've sworn I heard my name." Naruto sat up, "Geez what time is it?"

"Early."

"And you're up?"

"Yeah, I have my newspapers to go deliver."

"Oh, right." Naruto stretched out his arms and yawned, "Man it's early."

"Then go back to sleep." Asuna repeated, "I told you already you don't - KYAAAA!"

Asuna's shrill scream startled and shook the room as Naruto panicked, "W-What?! What is it?!"

Asuna freaked out and pointed down. Naruto followed and saw a tent being pitched in his PJs bottoms.

"O-Oh!" He quickly grabbed his blanket and covered his lower body in a hurry, "T-That's not what you think!"

"What else could it be?!"

"J-Just a biological reaction! Happens every morning!"

"It does?!"

"I-It's not for anything in particular!"

"Stop talking about it!"

"Huh? Onee-chan?"

"What's happening?"

"Ane-San, did Aniki do something again?"

"Shut up! I'm sleeping!"

"EVERYONE GO TO SLEEP!"

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

"Asuna-neechan was upset this morning? What happened?"

"Um, I'm not quite sure." Both boys looked up at their oldest friend, "Nii-San, do you know what got Asuna-San worked up earlier?"

"Uh, no." Naruto unconvincingly deflected while his eyes shifted aside to avoid their innocent and curious looks, "I have no idea what was wrong with her. Probably something she saw that startled her. Best we just forget about it completely."

Chamo spoke up, "But Aniue, I thought I heard you say something to her-"

"Forget it completely!"

The younger boys seemed confused by Naruto's insistence. Kotarou picked up the pace before turning around to face his friends as he walked backward, "Hey, you guys hear about the stuff goin' on in this festival?"

"Oh yes, I'm so looking forward to it!" Negi nodded, "Shows and parades are being shown every hour or so. The food and booths on display will be stunning! And all of the clubs my students are in are having exhibitions of their own-"

"Dude, I ain't talkin' 'bout the borin' stuff!" Kotarou interrupted and stuck his tongue out, "All that school stuff ain't no fun anyway." An eager grin turned up at the edges of the young Hanyō's mouth, "I'm talkin' 'bout the tournament!"

Negi and Naruto both stopped and looked at Kotarou in surprise, "A tournament?"

"Like a martial art tournament?" Naruto asked, a hint of excitement bleeding through in his voice as he spoke, "I didn't know they had tournaments at this thing. That's cool."

"Yeah, there are a ton of 'em!" Kotarou started listing off on his fingers, "There's one fer weapons and swords. A few fer hand-to-hand. And I even hear there's some underground fightin' clubs where things can go super hard!"

"I-Is that something we should be worried about as teachers?" Negi asked nervously as Naruto shrugged.

"So I think we should sign up! Join in on the fun and fight!"

"What?" Negi looked startled by Kotarou's suggestion, "We can't do that! Imagine all the people we'd hurt if we participated."

"Yeah," Naruto shrugged, "And as fun as joining a tournament sounds – seriously, there's a geeky voice in my head telling me to just join and fight my way to victory – when you hit a certain point in our line of work, even watching professional fights feels like a low-energy, low-stakes kind of experience."

"Well yeah, there're bound to be a ton of jobbers and weaklings we'd have t' work through," Kotarou smirked, "But when we finally got around to fightin' each other, we'd get t' have a match worth all our time."

Naruto chuckled, "Aw Kota, I don't think it'd be fair if I joined and fought you guys. I'd win hands-down."

Negi looked frightened by the spiteful sounds and glare Kotarou was giving off, "What was that? Don't get so high and mighty now, Naru-nii. If I remember correctly I had ya on the ropes back in Kyoto."

"You don't remember correctly, 'cause I was holdin' back so I didn't get anyone hurt." Naruto patted Kotarou's head and spurned the Hanyō's ire even more, "You might be a pretty tough and rowdy little wolf, but I would be an elephant stomping you into the dust."

"Oh yeah?" Kotarou egged on with a twitching eye, "Well keep bein' cocky and this wolf will rip ya apart."

Negi gulped and raised his hand, "I-If you're an elephant and you're a wolf, what am I?"

"A mouse."

"Definitely a mouse."

"I'm not a mouse!"

Chamo sighed as the three capable and powerful boys started to devolve into children arguing over who was tougher and what they could do. The little ermine shook his head before climbing up Negi's back to prop himself on his ward's head, "Hey!" He yelled and got the trio's attention through their arguing, "I got an idea. How about instead of arguing about fighting and beating each other hypothetically at full power, you guys just limit yourselves?"

The three boys shared looks of confusion, "Limit ourselves?"

"Yeah. Why don't you guys limit what you can do in a fight so it's just martial arts and your strength to get you?" He leaned down to get Negi's attention, "You can use this as a chance to test how well you've been fighting with all that kung-fu training." He looked up, "And I bet you two are pretty decent fighters with all the fighting you've done, even if you ain't got any magic or Ki to bolster yourselves."

…

"That sounds pretty fun." Naruto grinned, "I can't remember the last time I fought someone without some power behind my punches."

"Never tried not usin' my Ki." Kotarou flexed his hand before smirking, "But even without it I bet I can still kick plenty of butts."

"I would like to see where my skills in Kenpo have gotten compared to others. And I would feel a lot better fighting on a normal person's level instead of bolstering my power to hurt them."

"Well okay! I guess it's decided! You three are signing in and fightin' like normies!"

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

"So~…you guys heard about the legend of the World Tree?"

"The one about confessing during the Mahora Festival, right?"

"Yeah!" Misora smiled, "I heard a story from the track&field club just yesterday. There used to be a runner in our club so handsome that he had a whole fan club of admirers! He was so popular that no one dared to even try asking him out because they knew they weren't good enough. But one day, a junior in the club pulled him aside during the festival under the World Tree and confessed to him right there! And they've been together ever since!"

Kazumi hummed, "And have you met these people before?"

"Uh…no."

"See! That's the problem!" She announced while throwing her arms up, "It's all secondhand info and hearsay! I need concrete info! I need facts! I need sources! There has to be some way to see if this legend works or not!"

"Geez, calm down Asakura. No one is gonna believe that the World Tree is magic or something."

Many students in the know decided to not even bother with that one.

"But what if it is true? I mean could you imagine confessing to the guy of your dreams and getting a yes just like that?"

That sent a few particular peoples' ears burning in response.

"I don't think it even has to be a boy and girl. I've heard all kinds of couples have confessed under the tree and made it work."

"Aww, that's sweet! Love is all-encompassing!"

"I'm still not convinced. That sounds like it could just be a placebo effect. Or peer pressure. Or the suspension-bridge effect!"

"The misattribution of arousal is more commonly connected to life-endangering fear and panic."

"Yeah! And it fits perfectly for a confession!"

"Man," Konoka giggled, "All this love talk has got me feeling giddy." She said as she went back to sewing up the outfits for their exhibit, "Hey Secchan, what do you think about all this?"

"M-Me?!" The young swordswoman panicked and mumbled out her words. She, Konoka, and Asuna were all seated together working on props and costumes while everyone else was working on other parts of the haunted house. The three girls were joined by a napping Kyūbi, who had taken one look at their cat ears and whiskers before chuckling and falling asleep.

Setsuna's eyes shook and trembled as her needling hand started to rapidly shake, "I-I-I don't e-ever think about stuff like that, Ojou-sama! I-It's improper and unnecessary to my duties as a bodyguard."

Asuna shared a look with Kyūbi, "Nice save."

"Real subtle."

"You don't think the tree will magically make the confession come true?"

Setsuna blanked, "O-Oh, is that what you were talking about?" She heard Asuna and Kyūbi snicker at her side and glowered at them before regaining her composure, "I don't know how much credence these stories about confessions have but I can't attest to their authenticity myself."

"So there's a chance they could be real? Oh, how exciting!" Konoka grinned and bounced in her chair, "I wonder how many people are going to take the chance and confess~? Oh, do you think Negi-kun and Naruto-kun will get any confessions?"

"Those two?"

"I mean Negi-kun is super adorable. He's become the mascot not just for our class but for everyone in the school. He's famous! And Naruto-kun is building up a reputation around all the classes helping out the teachers. Exposure like that is bound to get him some admirers."

"Yeah, see! Konoka gets it!" Haruna pointed out, hearing their conversation and getting the others' attention as she spoke up, "If we aren't careful we're gonna lose our boys! Negi-kun's a pushover and everyone swarms him in an instant! He has no resistance whatsoever and if some dippy girl decides to take the chance then we'll lose him!"

Several girls suddenly felt a tinge of urgency swell in their bellies.

"N-Negi-kun wouldn't betray us like that!"

"He's a pushover! He might just agree to go out with someone on the spot if they confessed to him!"

"O-Okay, we might have to watch over him. But there's no way Naruto-kun would do that! Plus, like, I'm not sure if he's as popular or has much of a pull as Negi-kun!"

"He wasn't! We were safe to monopolize at least one of our exclusive toys!" Haruna complained, "But unlike Negi-kun, Naruto-sensei has more classes he helps around with and a broader base of people to interact with! Plus that dancing clip of him going around really hasn't helped our case!"

"Dance clip?"

"This one," Kazumi said as she held up her phone and showed a short video of Naruto struggling to stand on his feet before whipping about and dancing to music. Some of the others girls watching it whistled in surprise at his moves, "This and another one of him shooting fire into the air have been making the rounds across Mahora."

"Why does he look like he's barely able to stand?"

"Oh," Ako piped up, "He was wearing those clothes when he was brought into the infirmary. This was when he was wandering around sick."

"He was doing this sick?" Misa was surprised to hear that before she grinned, "Now that's pretty cool."

"Oh," Konoka hummed and leaned in towards her friends, "That might explain the dance club tickets he found."

Asuna and Setsuna nodded in agreement.

Misa stood up at the front of the class and announced to the others, "Okay girls, we need a plan of action! We cannot stand idly by and allow these fair-weather fans and new hussies to dig their claws into the boys! It's up to us to defend and protect them from the great wide temptations they may face!"

"Woohoo! Go Kakizaki!"

"Spoken like a girl with a boyfriend!" Sakurako cheered.

"We dug our claws into them first and we called dibs! They're ours! Property of 3-A!"

The unanimous support she had around the room quickly waned and soured with that extra little bit she added on.

"Spoken like a girl who should not have a boyfriend!" Sakurako cheered and then had to quickly defend herself from Misa's murderous grip.

"Well, Kakizaki's psychosis aside, we should do something." Yuna announced, "Negi-kun is relying on us to protect him!"

"That poor boy stands no chance against the ravenous carnivores that roam these lands!"

Mana looked up from her station and shook her head, "Pot calling the kettle black if I've ever heard it."

"It's up to us as the older sisters to protect those boys before their innocence is corrupted and they break from the pressure of some random girls confessing to them!"

"Yeah!" The usual group that takes charge of 3-A's madness cheered. All except-

"Okay! Wait! Hold on!" Haruna quickly piped up and shook her head. With a focused frown she fixed her glasses up her nose, "Just to be clear I think we need to settle something properly here. Now yeah, I agree that if someone kissed Negi-kun and confessed to him, they could probably get him to fold and break under their heel. The kid's a wimp like that. But Naruto-sensei?" She clicked her teeth and shook her head, "I don't think that's gonna be enough for him."

Setsuna was intrigued by Haruna's insight and nodded in agreement, "I concur. Naruto-sensei wouldn't be swayed so easily by just a simple confession by the World Tree."

"Exactly! With him, they're gonna need to cough up a whole lot more!"

…

That…left most of the girls of 3-A confused by her meaning. Not all of them mind you, but most.

"What - what does that mean?"

"I mean he's 16! He's gonna want what all boys that age want!" Haruna tilted her glasses forward and rolled her eyebrows, "All~. Of~. Them~."

Each emphasis she made seemed to click more and more and some girls were left blushing while others considered her point more seriously. The manga artist's face went bright red and her breathing quickened as she smirked, "Oh they'll have to offer all sorts of things to get his attention. I mean at his age? Surrounded by all these pretty girls all the time? He's probably thought about-"

"Haruna!" Nodoka quickly leaped up and clasped her hands over her mouth.

"-plus getting his hands on-"

"Stop it!" Yue folded her hands over Nodoka's to silence her.

"-not to mention how soft it must feel to be-"

"Not where the ears of the innocent can hear you!" Konoka latched on to the taller girl's body to crush her lungs before any more sound could be made. And even as the Library Exhibition Club silenced and choked out one of their members, some of the girls considered what she said.

"She's right."

Eyes turned to Eva as she and Chachamaru were busy creating some decorations, although it was clear only the android was taking the task seriously. The blonde grumpy girl with cat ears on her head continued to speak, "At some point, there is a deep and unstoppable change that boys go through at that age. When everything they believed in and considered important fell away their minds could be filled with the primal desire to indulge in their lust. All common sense and decency succumb to an almost obsessive need to fulfill their sexual desires. The only thing on their minds will be a want to achieve pleasure through their hand, the hands of others, or whatever-"

"Eva-chan! You are too young to be talking about stuff like this!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if that Dumbass is already a slave to his baser, animal instincts." She chuckled, "Honestly it's only a matter of time before the Boya goes through the same thing too. Heh, can you imagine those silly pure eyes of his being corrupted by desire? Oh, that would be a sight to see."

"H-Hey, don't go talking about Negi-kun like that!"

"Yeah, they aren't animals!"

"Well not in class, because they have to keep up appearances." Eva looked over at the trio closest to the boys in question, "Hey, you three hang out with them more than anyone. Notice anything suspicious about their behavior while you're around? Quick glances? Maybe something dirty they were hiding? If there are any interesting stories then please share them with the class."

Despite the curious and eager stares the girls gave them, Konoka remained calm and steadfast as she answered, "No way. Negi-kun and Naruto-kun are perfect gentlemen around us. They never do anything naughty."

"T-That's right." Setsuna piggybacked off of Konoka's confidence and nodded, "They are always focused and kind and don't do anything uncalled for. Isn't that right - Asuna-San?"

The twin-tailed girl couldn't help but blush as her mind lingered on the unfortunate incident that happened that morning. The image of that pitch in his pants standing up in her line of sight caused her ears to burn and she quickly shook her head.

"Asuna?"

"N-Nothing! It's nothing!"

"Oh, something did happen?!" Eva's voice hitched with laughter, "That's hilarious! I was starting to think they were eunuchs or something! Ahaha!"

Before anyone not in the know could ask what a eunuch was, Negi entered the room. The little Mage had a small frown on his face as he walked up to the podium, "Good morning, everyone. I hope things with the exhibit are coming along smoothly."

Kaede noticed the young teacher's displeased expression, "What's up, Negi-Bōzū? Something on your mind, de-gozaru?"

"Oh, just something Nii-San said earlier that's sticking with me." Negi said with a pout, "I mean I get there are some differences that can't be closed so easily but he doesn't have to rub my nose in it. I mean he's bigger and older and stronger! Of course, he's going to be ahead of me in some categories! And how can he say he's as big as an elephant while I'm as small as a mouse?! That's just insulting! I am more than a mouse and I think he's exaggerating saying he's an elephant! Honestly, it's just - everyone, are you okay? You look like you swallowed sour plums,"

Eva was slamming her fist on the table and chuckling into her desk before she toppled over and loudly guffawed for everyone to hear.

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

With a stern frown, Asuna focused on her painting. Her brush strokes lightly ran along the canvas and gave form to her mind. It was nice to just sit down and paint again in the club after so much time away. She had to take a leave from normal activities to handle Negi moving in, finals, Naruto moving in, the Kyoto trip, and everything that happened after that. But after all the craziness she had been through in the last couple of months, it felt liberating to be sitting here and painting again.

Since the Art Club would be having an exhibit of the student's artwork during the festival, this was something she would be able to show to others who came by to check them out. And if that was the case then she was going to have to make the best piece of artwork she could.

Maybe a landscape of the school? Or how about a portrait of Takahata-sensei? Something that she could enjoy painting. She smiled fondly and sat across from a blank canvas, gently tapping her brush into the paints of her palette before raising them. She touched it to the white surface…

…

'Oh god, what do I paint?!'

Asuna freaked out as she struggled to put anything to mind.

How long had it been since she'd last seen Takahata-Sensei? Could she even faithfully recreate his features? Could she give them the proper reverence they deserve?!

"Ugh," With a groan, she instead looked to the side and peeked out the window at the sight of the World Tree in view along with the landscape of the school. With a defeated sigh she just let her hand draw a rough outline of the world tree while she periodically looked out the window and let her mind wander.

Things had been so hectic lately. Life seemed normal and mundane until recently. But Negi came to their school and became their new teacher. And she found out he had magic and got roped into this crazy world she had no idea existed before then. She got to know the annoying little bugger a little better even though he was still a pain in the butt. And he ended up staying after he helped her and the other Baka Rangers pass their test.

Then the new year began. Whiskers and Furball joined the class and Eva revealed who she was. They went to Kyoto and made proper friends with Setsuna. Stopped an international incident by saving Konoka from rebels. Then had to face an invading Demon that captured them and tormented the boys before finally being defeated.

In all, it was still kind of crazy that this was real. Just a few months ago she had been a regular student but now she was neck-deep in the internal workings of magic in the school. And what she had seen and experienced had changed her view of the world forever.

She had seen a little boy come from a far-off place to prove himself as a Mage and try to find his father. She met an annoying guy who came to stand by their side and help them through their trials. She realized one of her classmates was an ancient vampire who desperately wanted to be free and worked hard to make herself seem like more of a villain than she was. She learned that another one of her classmates was so close to her best friend without ever knowing their true history and now trusted her as a partner.

She was exhausted by the antics of her new life and friends. The constant mishappenings with magic made things weird or awkward usually at her expense. The fact she had to share her room with two boys, a grumpy fox demon, and a pervert ermine that liked to sleep in her underwear.

And the horrors of the world she didn't know about. All the monsters and demons lurked beyond what they could normally see. The depths and evils some people would go to for ambition or reach their own goals. The tragedies some children their age or even younger have to go through in their lives. The pain Negi had to suffer through as a boy. The scars left on Whiskers' body just to keep up. And how far both of them were willing to push themselves beyond what they could handle.

With every beautiful part of the world of magic she saw, she also witnessed something terrible. And with every awful thing, she learned there was also something that filled her heart with warmth. Even if it wasn't always easy being a part of this world now…Asuna did believe she had grown a little.

I mean you had to when facing Mages and demons and vampires and perverts and Hanyō and stripping magic and annoying boys and erections and-

"Asuna-kun?"

"KYAAHHH!" Asuna shrieked in panic and looked back to see Takamichi had appeared behind her. She started stuttering in fright, "T-T-Takahata-sensei?" She quickly tried to fix her posture and appear a little more mature in her sitting before she realized how stupid she looked and just awkwardly chuckled, "W-When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago. I tried talking to you but you were so in the zone that you didn't hear me at all."

"O-Oh! I-I'm sorry for ignoring you! I-I don't know what was wrong with me!"

"You just had to focus on your painting. That's admirable for a young artist."

She blushed at his praise and shook her head, "O-Oh no! No I-I'm not an artist! Not really! I-I couldn't even come up with anything to paint for the exhibit."

"Really? Because this looks quite good."

Asuna followed his finger and looked at the canvas in front of her. It was no longer a blank page for her to draw on but a myriad of colors and paints blended while her mind wandered. It looked like it was modeled as a landscape of the Mahora skyline with the World Tree in the middle during a sunset. However, instead of a perfect recreation, it looked like the tree had been given its shape on the edges of the colors she used to frame it. Warm and cold colors sit opposite from each other around the tree to give the sky and landscape some detail.

Honestly…it looked better than she expected it to.

"Wow Asuna," Some of the other Art Club members looked over her shoulder as they admired the painting she made, "This is pretty!"

"I like it!"

"A bit rough but I can see all the improvement you've made in the time you spent in this club."

As the other members congratulated her and her face started to heat up even more with their praise. Takahata gently patted her shoulder with a fond smile, "Congratulations, Asuna-kun. Seems like you've come a long way."

"T-Thank you!" She blurted out suddenly. It felt like this was the perfect opportunity. In the light of the setting sun and after she finished her painting, she should have been exhilarated enough to make her confession. She opened her mouth-

And let out a faint chirp before her lips started to close in on themselves.

"Asuna-kun, are you alright? You seem-"

"A-Ahahahaha! A-A-All g-good!" She quickly blurted out, avoiding direct eye contact and waving her arms around like a mad woman. Her painting tilted over and she quickly caught it before anything bad could happen, "S-Sorry! Clumsy me!" She fiddled with her bag over her shoulder before quickly dashing out the door, "G-Goodbye everyone! See ya later!"

Asuna rushed out the door. Then rushed down the hallway. Then out of the building entirely. And as she steadily built up more speed, her expression became gloomier and more defeated. Until she slowed down to a miserable pace and hung her head in defeat, "Dammit…I suck."

"Asuna?"

"What are you doing, Asuna-San?"

She looked up to see Konoka and Setsuna dressed up in costumes, probably in preparation for their class exhibit or even their clubs. She stood up to face them properly and immediately saw Konoka's pitiable expression, "W-What?"

"You failed to ask Takahata-sensei out again, didn't you?"

"Huh?! H-How'd you know?!" Konoka and Setsuna pointed down and she followed to see she was still wearing her apron from Art Club. She palmed her face and groaned, "Man, I forgot to take it off." With a sigh, she nodded, "Yep, Takahata-sensei was standing right there, looking at my nice art and complimenting me…and I ran in the opposite direction."

Konoka patted her head, "Doesn't matter what situation you're in you always get flustered talking with him, huh?"

"I'm surprised you're still having such trouble, Asuna-San." Setsuna noted in worry, "I mean compared to all the other things you have fought and faced before now I thought confessing would be easier."

"Me too, Setsuna-San. I thought now that I had fought and trained and done so much, this would be easy. That I would have become braver and more capable of expressing my true feelings." Asuna looked out at the setting sun, her eyes stinging with small tears as she stared at the red, orange, and yellow of the horizon, "But confessing…there is truly no great obstacle for a young woman to conquer."

Setsuna's eyes sparkled as Konoka giggled, "I-I think I understand, Asuna-San!"

"I probably won't ever be able to tell him the truth." Asuna let out an empty giggle, "I'll probably just hold onto my feelings until I die. Asuna Kagurazaka, the timeless spinster. Yeah…that sounds about right."

Konoka and Setsuna shared a worried look while watching their friend succumb to her negativity. There didn't seem to be an answer for them to give her to be courageous-

"Whelp looks like this is my time to shine!" Konoka squeaked as she felt something run up her back and the girls looked as Chamo appeared on her shoulder, "Ane-San, looks like I got the answer to your problem!"

Asuna dryly chuckled as all life left her eyes, "The rat is gonna solve this for me? Oh, I've hit rock bottom now."

"No need to be spiteful! I come with a good idea!" Chamo grinned, "You train with swords all the time to get better, right? So all you need is practice~."

"Practice?"

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

"You're going on a practice date?"

Asuna blushed and avoided the looks of the others. Konoka smiled and nodded, "Yep, it was Chamo-kun's idea. Since Asuna is so nervous about asking out Takahata-sensei, all she needs is to go on a practice run with someone and get an idea of what it'll be like."

"Oh, that's not a bad idea." Negi nodded as he, Naruto, Setsuna, and Konoka sat around the table while Asuna melted into an embarrassing puddle on her bed, "Way to go, Chamo-kun!"

"It's what I do." The ermine said atop the table with Kyūbi at his side, "So we just gotta get Ane-San out on the town, hanging out with someone, and she'll be ready to ask out Takamichi! Super easy!"

"It's not easy!" Asuna cried out, "Don't make it sound like a walk in the park, Pervy Chamo! First off, where the hell are we even going to find me a date?!"

…

The others slowly turned to stare at Naruto and Negi in response.

Naruto slowly turned to look at Negi.

When he realized all eyes were on him he panicked, "M-Me?! Why would I be the choice for the date?!"

"I don't know." Naruto shrugged, "I thought you'd be the easier choice because Asuna likes you better."

"B-But you're closer in age, Nii-San! Wouldn't you be a perfect choice?!"

"Neither of you is a perfect choice!" Asuna quickly piped in with a screech while her face turned beet red, "Ah, this is so embarrassing! Don't we have some more eligible choices?"

"Hmm…" Konoka cupped her chin in thought before snapping her fingers, "Secchan, do you wanna take Asuna out on a date?"

"That's not what I meant!"

"Ehh?!" Setsuna panicked, "O-Ojou-sama, I-I'm not sure that is an appropriate idea! I-I shouldn't be going on practice dates with a friend!" Setsuna blinked before quickly turning to Asuna in worry, "N-Not that there's anything wrong with going on a practice date! O-Or going out with you, Asuna-San! It would be an honor and a pleasure to go out with you! But-"

"E-Enough, Setsuna-San!" Asuna cried out while wildly flailing her arms, "Y-You don't have to make this more awkward than it already is!" With a sigh, Asuna rubbed her face and felt how hot it was before looking at her friends, "How about instead of a practice date, you guys just give me some advice on what to do during a date?"

…

Negi, Setsuna, Naruto, and Konoka all looked at each other in silent apprehension. And then slow realization. Before turning their gaze aside shamefully.

Asuna blinked with emotionless eyes, "Oh…there's no dating experience anywhere in this room, is there?" As they all nodded, Asuna palmed her face and groaned, "Okay, time to fake a date, I guess. Any bright ideas?"

"Well let me introduce these!" Chamo suddenly popped up with a jar of colorful candies in hand, "Try one of these and it'll solve all your problems!"

"What are those?"

"Try one and find out!"

"I'm not trying any suspicious candies you're passing out, perv."

"I'll try one!" Konoka took one of the colored pills with excited curiosity. As she did Naruto took the jar and eyed them, "Bottoms up!"

She tossed the pill in her mouth and ate it before she popped with a small cloud of smoke. And after she did she stood before her friends as an older version of herself. She stood taller and a little curvier as the clothes she had been wearing became a bit tighter on her. She gasped, "Oh my gosh! Everyone, I'm a sexy bombshell!"

Everyone was staring at her in shock. Setsuna looked like she was an instant away from passing out entirely.

"The age-defying pill! That's the answer to our problem!"

Naruto balked in surprise, "You got age-defying pills?! These are hard to come by in the magic world, let alone here!" He lowered his head to eye the ermine curiously, "How the hell did you get these?"

"Not easily, and not for cheap, I can tell ya that much." Chamo stated, "If we use these we can simulate dating someone older, and Ane-San will have some experience before she goes out with Takamichi! Brilliant plan, no?"

"NO!"

"Aw, come on, Asuna, lighten up." A young Konoka said besides a tiny Setsuna as they looked up at the twin-tailed girl, "It's all to help you confess your love! You should be happy!"

Asuna bit her lip and wanted to argue more but looked at Konoka's big, hopeful eyes and sighed, "Dammit, fine, let's do it." She patted the little Konoka on the head, "You're lucky you're so cute it's got me feeling nostalgic."

"Yay!"

"Okay, we have a plan! We've got Ane-San's consent and the age pills to help with the look! All that's left is to decide who will take her out!"

"Don't make it sound like an execution."

"Chamo-kun, give me another pill! I wanna see what I'd look like as an old lady!"

"Konoka, no!"

"Konoka-neechan, these things are expensive!"

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

"Naruto-sensei, are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?!" He whispered harshly as he pulled on his collar to try and ease some of the heat building up under his collar. As he caught his breath he looked at his friends, "Are we sure this is the right choice?"

"When you take the pill you become the closest to Takamichi in age, Nii-San."

Naruto looked agitated and chewed on his lip before looking around the corner one more time. He spotted Asuna standing by a cafe wearing a cute outfit she had picked out in preparation for the date. And she looked just as apprehensive as he did, "But she said she didn't want to go out with me yesterday, didn't she? Maybe if Negi did it-"

Konoka stepped forward and cupped his cheeks, "Naruto-kun," She spoke firmly and smiled at the blond teen to calm his worries, "Asuna needs your help right now. If you don't want to do this then we can call this off." She pulled her hands away and Naruto stared at her while his anxiety started to ease, "But even if this is a little nerve-wracking, I bet knowing she needs your help is what matters most, right?"

…

With a deep breath, he nodded and fixed up his attire. Once it was done he grabbed the pill out of his pocket and held it tightly. With one last look, he turned to Konoka, Setsuna, Negi, and Chamo who all looked ready to cheer him on. And with a nod, he popped the pill, "This better not stretch out my clothes."

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

"Hey, she's pretty cute."

"Think she's waiting on someone?"

"Aww, that's sweet,"

Asuna's cheeks flared red hearing the whispers of people around her. As she stood to the side waiting for her 'date' to arrive, she started digging her foot into the ground. A date with one of two people who she didn't know specifically who would come to see her or what they would look like.

How was this a good idea again? Any plan made up by Chamo and sold by a little Konoka's puppy eyes should be examined with more scrutiny. She only had herself to blame for getting convinced to do this. Maybe if she left now she could still do some work on her art? Probably had some touchups she could give before the exhibit. She had to-

"Hey. S-Sorry I'm late."

Asuna flinched and felt her breath stop for a moment before she quickly calmed down. She turned to face her date…

And was stunned at the older man in front of her.

"Whiskers?" It was him because of the whiskers on his face and the faint scars running up his cheek and temple. But for a moment she was stunned because he looked so different. He was so much taller, with a leaner face and deeper eyes. It didn't look like he'd grown any hair but when framed around his face it seemed longer. Asuna was stunned for a moment before she finally spoke, "Is that you?"

"Yeah." His voice almost seemed deeper too as he scratched his chin and looked over himself, "I'll be honest this was the first time I've ever used an age pill. Feels…weird."

Asuna stepped up to him and observed him. She then looked deeply into his eyes…before pinching his cheek and pulling.

"Ow."

"Wow, it doesn't even fade away when you pull on it. This is a really convincing illusion." She pulled and stretched his cheeks a few more times before finally releasing them. He rubbed them as she tilted her head, "So Mages use stuff like this? And this is how Eva-chan appeared all older and sexy?"

"Some Mages use it now and then. But I think Eva uses her magic instead of a pill." Naruto said as his cheeks finally cooled down, "I don't know how long these pills are supposed to last so I guess we should get this date started."

Asuna's cheeks turned pink before she nodded, "Yeah, sure, should get on with it. Let's…" She tried to look at him before craning her head back, "Wow, you are tall now!"

"You think?"

"Yeah!" Asuna patted her head and made a line to his collar, "We used to be about the same height, right? Are you gonna get this tall?"

"Well, there's no guarantee that this is exactly what I'll look like when I get older. But I hope I do get this tall." Naruto sulked, "I wanna be tall."

"You seem fine enough."

"I was short as a kid. Shorter than other people my age. Got teased all the time. Mostly by Raka-Ji who found it funny. Stupid prick. Anyway, if I get this tall as I'm older I'll be happy."

They started walking down the street as they talked, "How old are you anyway?"

"I'm not sure. Twenty? 20-something? Somewhere in that range." He smirked and shrugged, "Not as old as Takamichi but you'll have to do."

She punched his arm with a pout, "Shut up you jerk."

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

As Asuna and the aged-up Naruto walked through the street, he looked around and whistled in amazement, "Man, I can't believe there's so much work still going into this festival."

Asuna looked around as they walked by, "Yeah, there is always so much effort going into this thing. You excited?"

"Honestly yeah, looking forward to it now. Every one in the faculty room kept talking it up and telling me how much fun it is." Naruto said with a giddy chuckle, "It's gonna be fun."

As Naruto looked around at all the preparations being done, Asuna looked around and noticed people pointing in their direction. People that she probably knew and knew her in return. And wondering why she was walking around with some stranger all dressed up like this, "Man, this is embarrassing. I hope I don't have to hear about people spotting me in class."

"What's the problem? I thought you'd like walking around with an older gentleman."

Asuna let out a little giggle, "O-Okay, you're older, but I wouldn't say you're a gentleman."

"Really?" Naruto pulled on his suit jacket, "I thought I had the look down pretty well."

She giggled and shook her head, "No, it takes more to be a gentleman than a suit." Asuna looked the older Naruto over with a curious tilt of her head, "I think you could pass with the appearance of one, but it's also in the way they talk. The demeanor and calmness in how they approach a situation. There's a lot that goes into the appeal of an older man."

"Shouldn't have expected anything less from a connoisseur of older men." Naruto muttered to himself, earning a small glower from Asuna in response, "I bet it'd pull the image together if I had a cigarette in my mouth, wouldn't it?"

"Uh," Asuna blushed and scratched her cheek, "I can't argue that. I have to admit I got warped pretty hard on the elegant smoker look."

"I tried one of his cigarettes, you know?"

"You did?!" Asuna balked as they walked up to a small festival area being set up by non-students on the edge of the school, "You know you're too young to be doing that, right?" They stepped up to a booth serving cotton candy, "Why would you do that?"

"I also got influenced by the adults around me. Gateau-San and Eishun-San looked so cool when they did it, and Michi does too, as embarrassing as that is to say. Two please." He ordered them both a serving of cotton candy and held hers out for her, "I'll warn you now that it tasted awful."

"I bet." Asuna laughed before biting into her cotton candy.

"Yeah, and take it from someone who can breathe fire; the feeling of the smoke in your lungs sucks hard!"

"Why'd you even do it?"

"I wanted to look cool and mature in front of Michi after seeing him again. Sue me!" They both shared a chuckle as they ate their treat and walked along, "I think the thing is that while the smoking sucks, there was something about being around the smoke that wasn't so bad."

"The smell! Exactly!" Asuna chimed in, immediately understanding what Naruto was trying to say, "There's just something about the smell that is so calm and relaxing. I always thought so when I was a kid."

"I know, right? It's so nice." Naruto chuckled before looking up in thought, "You don't think we're gonna get affected by the second-hand smoke, are we?"

"I think what's done is done."

"Grim, but fair."

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

"Hey, you live in a magic world, right?" Asuna asked while eating some yakisoba out of her container, "What's the craziest thing you've eaten over there? I gotta imagine there's - like - orbs of light you take into yourself or maybe you can drink the air or something?"

"That all sounds super wild." He said around a mouthful of food, "Honestly the food there isn't anything crazier or much different from stuff here. I think some of the ingredients are different - because they have different creatures for meat and bits - but the meals they make out of them are pretty close to what you'd find here."

"Really? I didn't expect that."

"Well I mean not everything is the same. Hehe, t-there was this one time when I tried out some spices and herbs put on a sturdy piece of meat from the Hellas Empire, where Demons have stronger tastebuds and tongues. I bit into it…and I passed out."

"You passed out?"

"Yeah, my face got all hot and my eyes rolled back and I passed out. I tried another, smaller piece afterward with less spice. It was good but I also felt funny after I ate it. Like I couldn't concentrate and I laughed at everything and Kyūbi told me I kinda just stared at wallpaper for an hour without realizing it."

"That…sounds like you had something else to eat."

"It does, doesn't it?"

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

The pop of a toy gun sent a little cork flying into the small prize that quickly toppled over.

"Winner!"

"Yeah!" Asuna pumped her fist as the vendor passed her the little prize she won, "Told you I was good at these games. You on the other hand…"

Naruto kept reloading and firing cork shots across the firing range only for them to either bounce off the firmest part of the prize or fly off course entirely.

After a few more wasted shots he sighed and placed his toy gun down. He looked over at Asuna's cheeky little smile, "Yeah, I'm not good with a gun. Bravo, you kicked my ass."

"Ah, no reason to be upset. We can't all be good at everything." Asuna started patronizingly patting his back with a jaunty laugh, "Hey, if you want I can give you some pointers. Help you get a little bit better. It's the least I can do for someone in need."

"Yeah, laugh it up." Naruto stiffly nodded before smirking, "But now it's my turn. And the next game is-"

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

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

"AHHHHHH - C'MON MAN!" The university student cried as Naruto easily pegged him with water balloons before he could have any chance to dodge them, "HAVE SOME MERCY!"

"Sorry, dude!" He called out and lowered the water balloons after more than proving his point to his twin-tailed date. With a smug smirk, he saw Asuna pout, "How's that for aim, huh? Feels like it's more impressive by your hand rather than a weapon, right?"

"That just sounds like you're making an excuse for sour grapes." Asuna remarked as she walked past him and picked up her balloons for her turn, "Plus I already know you're good at throwing things, remember? You spiked those freaking batons at me during my training and beaned me in the head."

"It was only in the name of helping you out with your training." Naruto cheekily smiled while crossing his heart, "I swear."

Asuna frowned at him before squaring up with the target and the college student meant to dodge their throws. She reeled back-

In time for someone's foot to gently touch her back foot mid-throw.

"H-Hey!" Asuna's throw went off course and she turned to Naruto in a huff, "What was that you jerk?!"

"Me trying to win." He cheekily stated before he had to desperately dodge a water balloon flung at his head, "Whoa!" He then started to jump and flip around her projectiles, "This is my nice suit! Please don't throw water balloons at it!"

"This! Is! What! You deserve!"

"Ma'am, please don't throw the balloons at other customers!"

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

From around the corner, their friends watched their date without them noticing. And as Asuna spiked balloons at Naruto and forced him to dodge, Konoka giggled, "Well it's nice to see they're having so much fun on a date."

Sweat ran down Setsuna's temple, "Y-Yes, but I can't help but think that the original concept of having her go out with a mature gentleman has - unfortunately - fallen apart."

"STOP MOVING, WHISKERS! I WANNA MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU WET YOURSELF!"

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SO SPITEFUL!"

"Yeah, I think that plan went out the window." Konoka said with a laugh as she put a hand to her cheek, "But still she looks like she's having so much fun. And Naruto-kun seems like quite the charmer when he's all grown up. Kya, I wish I could go on a date too!"

"O-Ojou-sama, is that something you should be saying right now?" Setsuna whispered in a hushed panic. She then looked to Negi for assistance before noticing his focused stare, "Negi-sensei, is something the matter?"

Negi didn't look away from Asuna and Naruto's heated interaction but spoke up to the others, "I've noticed this for a while; Asuna-San and Nii-San argue and bicker sometimes…but doesn't it seem like they get along remarkably well?"

Setsuna and Konoka looked at Negi before turning back to the date. Even though they were still disputing the semantics of sabotage and why they shouldn't get their clothes wet, any heat in their argument had been traded away for lighthearted discussion and smiling. Tossing some light jabs as Asuna chuckled and knocked her fist against his shoulder.

"Now that you mention it," Setsuna nodded, "They do seem very comfortable being around each other. For people who have only known each other for a few months, you'd think it was longer."

"Yeah." Konoka nodded with a warm smile, "When Asuna and Naruto-kun bicker and snap at each other, it reminds me of how she is with Iincho. And just as quickly they can go to worrying and being concerned with each other. Naruto-kun looked so distressed when Asuna got hurt with the magic amulet during that Demon attack. And when she saw him struggling to breathe with that petrification, she was so happy when he was okay afterward." She shrugged, "I don't know why but…they seem almost like old friends."

Chamo nodded atop Negi's head, "I think this date went along pretty well, right?"

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

"So why Michi?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know," Naruto shrugged as they walked along the street with ice cream in hand as the sun started to set, "What made you fall for him? I know you like him but this doesn't feel like just a student crushing on a teacher because he's mature. So what happened?"

Asuna blew out some air and licked her ice cream before looking up at the sky, "You know I don't have a family, right?" The blond man nodded, "I don't remember anything from when I was young. If I had a family of any kind I must have lost them when I was still a kid. The first thing I remember – and the only thing I can – was walking along the snow, my cheeks and nose all cold from the air, as Takahata-sensei gently squeezed my hand and led me along. Then we ended up here in Mahora, where I started to meet and talk with other people. And each time I would come back to him and tell him about my day and the people I met. I stayed with him for years until I moved up to middle school and stayed with Konoka."

Her hand raised up and gently touched her bells as they jingled with her movement, "He gave me these bells as a gift when I was a child. The first and last gift I ever received from him. Just thinking about where I am now compared to where I was then…and knowing it's thanks to him that I'm here…" She smiled sweetly and giggled, "I can't help but think about him like that." She looked up at Naruto with a grin, "I-I might be reading into it a bit much."

He smiled in return, "I think that's pretty natural…given you've been crushing on the guy for years." Asuna chuckled and knocked his shin with her foot before he continued, "So if you've liked Michi this whole time, why only now are you deciding to confess?"

"I've wanted to say it for a long time." Asuna admitted, "I just kept freezing and choking. But when Negi found out I liked him and told me to confess." She chuckled and rubbed her head, "He said the old man from his village used to tell him that courage, even a little bit of it, is the real magic that can change things around you."

"A little bit of courage is the real magic?" Naruto repeated before dwelling on the thought. He smiled and chuckled, "I'm glad Negi grew up with some sensible people around him."

"Yep, and if I have to hear that little brat keep giving me advice then I'll never be able to live it down. So all I have to do is-"

Asuna suddenly stopped walking and dropped her ice cream cone. Naruto looked back at her in confusion before noticing the haunted look on her face. He followed her line of sight and spotted a small cafe down the street…

Where Takamichi and Shizuna were sharing a table and talking. And just in time for her to take his cigarette and put it out while gently reprimanding him.

Asuna stepped back and Naruto looked back at her as small tears formed in the corners of her eyes, "Asuna-"

She turned and bolted away.

Naruto clicked his tongue and quickly rushed after her. As he passed by Negi and the others, Setsuna quickly pointed in the direction she saw her run off. Passing her his ice cream, he rushed after his friend.

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

Asuna stood by a railing looking out over the city and sighed, "Ugh, stupid. So stupid. I'm so, so…"

What kind of reaction was that?

She just saw him sitting next to Shizuna-sensei and her mind just went blank. Was it jealousy? Was she so insecure that even seeing her crush on another woman made her weak and doubt herself?

She had no claim. She was just a kid. What right did she have asking Takahata-sensei out and confessing to him? She was deluding herself. She was-

A sharp flick along both her ears caused her to shoot up in surprise, "IYAH!" She squealed and quickly covered her ears, "W-What the-"

"Can you not just run away like that?!" Naruto complained while taking the moment to catch his breath, "I lost sight of you and it ain't easy finding one person in this freaking city!"

"Why did you flick my ears?! That startled me!"

"Good! Be startled!" He argued back, "Why did you just bolt off like a bat out of hell? Was it because Michi was eating with Shizuna-sensei? So what?" He shrugged, "They're - like - the most sociable teachers in the whole school. Don't be so shocked that they're friendly with each other."

"Yeah," Asuna rubbed her face, "Yeah, that makes sense. I get that, honestly. It's just…" She rubbed her face more firmly, "I can't explain it. Seeing him with Shizuna-sensei made me realize that I-I am not dating material. I mean I'm stupid. I'm violent. I'm not very sociable. And I'm crushing on Takahata-sensei because he was nice to me. Like he isn't nice to everybody he meets?" Her voice had a small lilt to it as she caught her breath, "I'm the kid he found without a home and to who he just gave some aid. I don't-"

"That's not true." Naruto stomped up to her side and grabbed her shoulder, roughly turning her about to face him as tears brimmed along her eyes, "Do you seriously think he'd take care of you if he thought you were just some kid? Some brat he didn't even want to bother with?" Smoke started to gently lift off his body as he put a hand on her shoulder, "You are so much more than that. You have to realize and accept that. I don't know whether love with bloom if you confess to Michi, but you have to know…"

"You are more dear to those around you than you believe."

Even though he had turned back to normal size…she felt like she was still looking up at him. Even though he was usually a goofball and an immature brat…he spoke with such certainty that she couldn't find it in herself to raise an argument against him.

She lowered her gaze and softly sniffled before nodding her head, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay."

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief before gently patting her head. As she dried her eyes he caused her bells to jingle, "If you feel this way, don't let a little doubt or hesitation stop you. A little courage is all the magic you need, right?"

"Right." Asuna nodded in agreement. She closed her eyes and felt his hand on her head, "You're enjoying this consoling thing, aren't you?"

"Oh," He quickly pulled his hand back, "Sorry."

"No, it's fine." Asuna looked out over the setting sun and faintly smiled while touching her head, "I'm not sure why but when you did that, I felt kind of…"

The setting sun…bleached the sky…familiars shades of yellow, orange, and red…

"Nostalgic?"

And as Asuna pondered on just what it was she was feeling, Naruto looked conflicted seeing her like this. He understood how essential it was for her to not remember what she had been forced to do as a child with her power. And seeing her look out over the sun fondly while thinking about her first love was a luxury he and Ala Rubra would have happily given their lives to see possible.

He should have been happy to see her like this…

But a part of him missed it…

Missed the first friend he had ever made.

But he squashed that uncertain feeling aside. Her happiness…her life was more important than anything.

More important than having a friend look at him and recognize him for who he was.

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

Done

I wanted to get one more chapter out this year but I'm not sure if that's going to be possible. If not it will just be the start of chapters next year.

And hopefully after that I can get through a good portion of the Mahora Festival. I'm thinking of doing short chapters to cover this arc, so that each one can handle the scene I'm trying to focus on considering there's going to be a lot of jumping around. If I try to cover what I want to in lengthy chapters, I'm sure I'm not the only one that's going to get confused.

But I hope this tides you over until I can get back with a few new chapters. I can't believe I finally started this story up again this year. It wasn't always a good year, but I'll look back on the positive while still remembering what I may have lost.

Happy holidays to all of you!

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