Sorry it took so long to do this. I had this chapter pre-written and could have put it up a long time ago, regardless of spending most of my time trying to get a new job, so I'm not going to make excuses.
(Had to make a slight edit, because the Doc Manager isn't letting me do asterisk separations anymore)
Getting INTIMATE With One's Situation
"Okay, so let me get this straight," Negi said as Kasumi finished detailing the situation to him. They were in Gouvernor Hiragi's private office, sitting on couches situated on opposite sides of a coffee table, upon which sat two hot cups of tea.
"All of the women on this island, as well as the gouvernor, are infected with a pathogen known as the 'Armed Virus', a viral agent that gives one the ability to 'drive' or transform either oneself or another into a weapon, known as an 'Arm' by means of … physical arousal?" he said with noticeable unease, as if the mere thought disturbed him. "And a virus that supposedly has only been shown to infect females."
"That is correct," Kasumi nodded curtly as she sipped her tea. "And somehow, you, yourself, are also infected, which is the entirety of the reason you were sent here with the rest of us. We are all under quarantine on this island because we have been deemed too dangerous to exist in normal society."
"Hmm," he thought for a moment as he took a sip and put his cup back on its saucer. "Interesting. I can certainly see how people could jump to that kind of conclusion out of fear. After all, people who are seen as different have historically been ostracized and oppressed, if not worse. The majority would want to prevent those in possession of such powers from using them selfishly and causing mayhem and chaos the world over." As a wizard, I doubly understand that. Plus, almost everyone here appears to be a teenager or young adult, so most are in a somewhat less-than-stable phase of their emotional development. Add to that the stress born of forced isolation and quarantine far from home, and you have the perfect recipe for a potential disaster.
"Moreover," he continued gravely, "more extremist elements would likely look upon those who are infected with this virus as, themselves, a disease upon 'normal' society, one that they must cut out in order for them to survive, to hold onto their own power, or whatever other motivation they may have – all born of fear, no mistaking that. It's practically the history of mankind: the haves vs. the have-nots, only this time, with an …" he paused to clear his throat, "unusual twist."
"As grim as your assessment is, I cannot find it in my heart to argue with you," Kasumi said, hanging her head, her clenched fist between her breasts. "That … is how it feels, sometimes.
"And that is why Gouvernor Hiragi decided to establish a governing body here at the Veste," she continued, lifting her head to meet his gaze once more. "In order to maintain order and show the powers that be that we are not the monsters they make us out to be; that we can exist in normal society while only using our powers to help others instead of using them to hurt them."
Negi took a long pause. "That's a very worthwhile cause," he conceded at last. "An idealistic one, to be sure, but one worth pursuing. I think you truly do have everyone's best interest at heart."
"Thank you," Kasumi smiled. "It is my most sincere hope that we of the Wärter will be able to open the eyes of the Watchers and earn the right to return to our homes."
And then there's that … how do you even know the Watchers are out there? And how do you know you've been showing them your best behavior and nothing else? Negi sighed. "Back there, Gouvernor Hiragi stated that I could be a 'great ally' to the Wärter. Tell me, what do you think he meant by that?"
Kasumi was just about to answer him when a third voice entered the room.
"I will not mince words: I would like you to join us, Negi Springfield," Gouvernor Hiragi said bluntly as he strode into the room with purpose in his step. "The way you conducted yourself out there was inspiring. You defended yourself against Miss Charlotte without hurting her or causing any damage to the Veste." He sat down next to Negi and placed his hand on his shoulder. "And you did it without using the powers afforded to you through the Armed Virus."
"I'm glad you picked now to join us, Gouvernor," Negi smiled politely as he adjusted his position to offer the man more room to get comfortable, but his smile soon faded. "However, I am not sure that I can fully condone what the Wärter are doing here on Mermaid Island."
Akira looked surprised. "What do you mean by that? I do not understand."
"Your purpose, which Miss Kasumi has explained, is a very good one and a very meaningful one, it is true," Negi nodded, not taking his eyes off the gouvernor's. "However, your success is not defined by your purpose, your motivation, or the messaging you send to those you have tasked yourselves with governing. Rather, it is determined by the methods you choose to employ, as well as how active you are in addressing the greatest detriments to such a mission."
"Detriments?" both Akira and Kasumi said at once.
"I'll put it bluntly," Negi stood up. "When I grabbed Miss Charlotte's hands, out there in the courtyard, I took an opportunity to read her mind through our direct physical contact, and what I saw in her thoughts," he paused and shook his head glumly, "does not align with what I have seen in yours."
Both of them looked at him with shock in their eyes.
"You … read her mind?" Akira said slowly in disbelief, with the slightest hint of apprehension, perhaps even fear, in his voice.
"And did I understand you to say you have read our minds as well?" Kasumi said defensively.
"Yes, I did," he nodded, now completely serious. "It's one of the many talents I have developed over the past several years. Although I haven't fully mastered it yet, I can often tell exactly what a person is thinking at any precise moment by looking into his or her eyes, and by making direct contact, like this," he said, reaching out and resting his hand on Kasumi's shoulder, "I can dig deeper into their inner thoughts."
Akira's gaze narrowed. "So, when you shook my hand earlier is when you-"
"Yes," he cut him off. "And when you placed your hand on my shoulder just now. I looked inside your mind and understood everything. It was all in your memories. I saw how much you cared for all your fellow victims of this virus; your deep empathy and drive to create and maintain order in a society with all the makings of an archetypal jungle; and your genuine desire and hope that you can help everyone return home to their families." He looked at Kasumi. "And I believe that you, Miss Kasumi, share that hope and believe in it with all your being.
"You both think of others before you think of yourselves," he said, approvingly. "And that is invaluable in people of high authority in any society." At these words, both Akira and Kasumi smiled, and Negi swore Akira blushed slightly. "However," he said firmly, "your sentiments are not shared by the one you have allowed to take the lead role in managing the people living here."
"You are referring to Miss Charlotte," Akira surmised, not showing a hint of surprise.
"I am afraid so," Negi closed his eyes, pausing once more to gather his thoughts. "I have never met someone as egocentric as she appears to be. No, not even my master has such an obsession with herself as Miss Charlotte does." And she's a 700-year-old vampire. "The only thing that woman lives for is self-indulgence and nothing else. In my experience, people like her, in order to get their way, tend to take the route of oppression and subjugation through violence and punishment rather than the route of peaceful governance through mutual understanding and benevolent, hands-on guidance. They place greater value in others fearing them rather than supporting them.
"To be completely honest with you, although I would like to place my faith in you Wärter – which, as I understand it, means 'keeper, attendant, guardian, caretaker' and such – if the ethos of an organization is not shared among the highest authority, I can only see turbulence and difficulty in the future. I fear that having Miss Charlotte in a position of power will only stir up hostility and resentment among those who live here."
"I've heard enough!" Kasumi stood up in protest, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "How can you just sit there and cast such judgement on people you hardly even-"
"Kasumi!"
"Erk," she stopped mid-sentence and looked at her superior officer. "But Gouvernor-"
"I appreciate your feelings, Kasumi," Akira closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "But I do not think he is wrong."
"But-"
"And I think you know it as well. It is true that I take the approach of macromanagement when it comes to affairs of governance here at the Veste and primarily leave it to you, to Miss Charlotte, and to the rest of the Wärter to supervise the Hexe, but it is because I want everyone to be able to get along with each other peacefully like they would in their everyday lives back … back home. If they constantly had me looking over their shoulders, I feared it would cause them to resent me, the way prisoners see their warden." At these words, he looked downward, but then raised his gaze to meet Negi's. "But now things are different."
"Huh?" Negi said, confused.
"You have shown, in the little time you have been here, that you are a person who believes in nonviolence. Not only that, but you are, despite your young age, both a teacher and a martial artist who understands the true value of discipline and self-restraint. You, Negi Springfield, are someone who can lead us forward into a new tomorrow."
"Gouvernor …" Kasumi said, barely at a whisper.
"If I am reading between the lines properly," Negi looked into Akira's eyes, "then you want me to take an active approach in establishing a way to instill your philosophy through education?"
"Mm," Akira nodded. "I believe that you may yet serve as a beacon of hope for all of us, Negi. If we can show those observing us that we can create an orderly society and practice restraint in the use of our powers, then we may one day return to our old lives with our loved ones."
Negi thought about it for a long moment, then opened his eyes. "I will … consider this notion. However, I will need some time to think it over. At least a couple of days, all things considered."
"That is all I ask of you," Akira said graciously. "Take as much time as you require. Nevertheless, before we adjourn this meeting for now so you can get settled in, I would like to run a test to determine which you are, Mr. Springfield: a liberator or an extar."
"Since you have not awakened yet, based on our readings from when you first arrived," Kasumi took over, "it is customary to test a new transfer's abilities upon your arrival at the Veste."
Negi gulped. "What do you want me to do?" As if I didn't know.
"I believe the easiest way would be to administer a liberator test," Kasumi answered. "We would have you attempt to drive a low-level extar and assess your ability to control the powers you received from the Armed Virus."
"I refuse!"
"What?!"
Negi looked at her with conviction. "I am an English gentleman. I refuse to engage in such perverse activities."
"But-!" Kasumi began to protest, but Negi held up a hand to stop her.
"However," he continued, "I have an idea that might suffice."
Akira looked at him pensively. "What is your idea?"
"Please bring an extar here and I will try something that should yield a satisfactory result," he said.
The next several minutes seemed to pass like an eternity, but finally the doors opened, and Kasumi walked in, accompanied by a young teenaged girl with short, light-brown hair. She was dressed in a uniform of a different style than Kasumi's or Akira's. Negi assumed this was a more standard uniform among the low-ranking Wärter.
"What's your name, Miss?" Negi asked, gently.
"Um, Sachi Yamada, sir," she stood at attention. Negi only chuckled.
"At ease, please," he smiled. "Sachi, I assume you know why we've summoned you here?"
"Yes," she said, with the slightest bit of nervousness in her voice. "I'm here to help test your aptitude, Mr. Negi."
"Indeed."
"Well," she gulped, closing her eyes. "I'm ready."
"That won't do!" he said sharply.
"Huh?" she opened her eyes in surprise, only to find that he hadn't moved from his original position, which was approximately five paces from her.
"I need you to remain calm, Sachi," he said slowly, almost hypnotically. "Now, look into my eyes without blinking."
As he looked on from his seat on the couch, Akira watched with no small amount of anticipation. He said he refused to drive her physically, but what other way could there be? he thought with great interest. Show me your abilities, Negi Springfield, so I may see them with my own eyes.
But he never saw exactly what Negi did, for as Negi next blinked, his eyes glowed as he opened them. It was not bright enough to light up the room, but a moment later, Sachi gave a soft squeal. In a flash, she transformed into what looked like a high-tech beam rifle and fell to the floor with a loud clatter.
Neither Kasumi nor Akira could hide their shock.
"I don't believe it!" Kasumi exclaimed.
"I've never seen anything like it," Akira gasped.
At that moment, both thought the exact same thing as they watched him walk over and take hold of the weaponized extar: HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HER WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING HER! HE DIDN'T EVEN MOVE AN INCH!
I wonder, can any of you guys guess how Negi did that? For those who have read the Negima! manga, it shouldn't be too tough to figure out (but keep it to yourselves, please). For those who haven't, it will be revealed in due time. As for explaining how/why Negi was infected with the Armed Virus (yes, that IS the case), there is a plan for that. It will start to become apparent soon enough.