"Well, that was quite the diversion," I muttered.
I watched Negi fly off toward the school buildings, Nodoka slumped across his back and Chamo perched on his shoulder. Once they were out of earshot, I turned my attention back to Kazumi Asakura.
"So," I said, my voice leveling out. "Have you decided what you're going to do about the magic situation?"
Asakura nodded. The playful, paparazzi smirk she wore while filming Negi and Nodoka's 'moment' had vanished, replaced by a look of sober clarity.
"I've decided," she said. "I'm stepping into that world. I want in."
It was the response I expected. For someone with Asakura's journalistic hunger, a scoop this massive—the existence of an entire hidden society—was a siren song she couldn't possibly ignore. But I wasn't going to let her walk into it with stars in her eyes.
"You realize that 'stepping into' the world of magic is often synonymous with 'stepping into' the line of fire, don't you?"
Negi might tell her it was a world of wonder and hidden potential. But my introduction to this world had been a violent clash with mages trying to infiltrate the Library Island. To me, magic and danger were two sides of the same coin.
"Hey, don't you think you're being a bit dramatic?" Asuna cut in, crossing her arms. She only really knew Negi and Chamo, so her perspective was understandably skewed toward the harmless side of the supernatural.
I ignored her and looked at my companions. "Ayaka, Chizuru. What do you two think?"
Chizuru spoke first, a faint shadow of a frown crossing her elegant features. "I'm afraid I have to side with Axel on this one, Asuna."
Ayaka stepped forward, her expression uncharacteristically grim. "I agree. Having experienced it firsthand, my primary impression of magic is that it is, above all else, dangerous."
Asakura's ears practically twitched at that. "Experienced it firsthand?"
"Yes," Ayaka explained. "A few days before the start of the third semester, Chizuru and I were attacked by mages who had slipped into Mahora. If Axel hadn't been there to intervene, I don't want to imagine what would have happened to us."
Technically, Takahata had been on their trail, so they likely would have been saved eventually. But considering the motives of the mages targeting them, even a few minutes of delay could have resulted in something irreversible.
"Is that... really true?" Asakura asked, her voice dropping an octave.
Chizuru gave a small, solemn nod.
"That's the reality of it," I said. "If you're ever in trouble, Negi will try to save you. I'll do the same. But there are no guarantees in this life. So, I'll ask you one last time: are you sure you won't regret stepping over this line?"
"I'm sure," Asakura replied. She didn't hesitate for a second.
"Fine. I'll let the Headmaster know."
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"Don't worry about it. Besides, Negi is... ah, speak of the devil."
I looked up to see a small silhouette on a staff descending from the sky. Negi touched down in front of us, looking slightly out of breath.
"I'm sorry to keep you all waiting!"
"What happened to the bookstore girl?" Asuna asked.
"She's safe in the school building. I... well, I made it so that what happened earlier feels like nothing more than a hazy dream to her."
One less headache to deal with, I thought. Then, I turned a sharp, predatory gaze toward the ermine on Negi's shoulder. I let just a flicker of killing intent leak through.
"Eep!" Chamo squeaked.
He instinctively tried to bolt, leaping from Negi's shoulder, but I moved faster. Using Instant Movement, I closed the gap and snatched him out of the air. It was a perfect replay of our encounter in the empty classroom the day before.
"N-now, Brother Axel... listen, I was just..."
"Chamo," I interrupted, my voice low. "I'm not saying you can't form contracts. But tricking someone who knows nothing about our world into a life-binding agreement? That's where I draw the line."
"Y-y-yes, sir! Crystal clear! It won't happen again!" Chamo squealed, giving a stiff, military salute.
I let him go with a sigh of exasperation. As I did, Asakura stepped toward Negi.
"Asakura?" Negi blinked.
"Negi-kun," she said, her voice formal. "I saw your mid-air battle with Evangeline with my own eyes."
"I... see."
"You're a mage... aren't you?"
Negi straightened his posture, meeting her gaze. "Yes. I am."
"Wait, Negi!" Asuna shouted, panicked. "If you admit it to her, won't you be turned into an ermine?!"
"Oh, that's not a concern," Asakura said, her voice suddenly breezy, as if she hadn't been dead-serious a moment ago.
Asuna stared at her, mouth agape. I couldn't help but smirk.
"I believe I told you yesterday that I'd already cleared this with the Headmaster," I reminded Asuna.
"Eh? Wait, did you? Oh, right... I think the shock of seeing that weasel after you and the Representative... you know... just wiped my memory clean!" Asuna's face turned a brilliant shade of crimson as she sputtered.
"Calm down," I said. "The point is, Asakura was given a choice by the Headmaster: have her memory erased, or join the inner circle. She chose the latter. So, Negi... she's your responsibility now."
Asakura gave Negi a playful wink. "Looking forward to working with you, Professor."
Negi looked like a deer in headlights. "Wait... me? She's with me?"
"Of course," I said. "You're the one who forgot to use a notice-illusion spell during your fight. You're the one she caught. Besides, Evangeline is a True Ancestor who isn't exactly fond of other mages. You're a 'Hero's Son' and a proper graduate. Between the two of you, the Headmaster obviously thinks you're the better mentor."
"Then, Sister Asakura!" Chamo cheered, bouncing back. "Let's get that Pactio signed immediately!"
"Actually, I'll pass on the contract," Asakura said.
"What?! But you're going to be Negi's partner, right?"
"I said I'd cooperate with him, but I'm not ready to dive in that deep yet," she explained.
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