Chamo looked at me, confused. "Is that even allowed, Boss?"
"Don't look at me. I'm not the expert on mage law. Negi, you're the valedictorian—what's the verdict?"
"Well," Negi said, thinking it over, "if the Headmaster has already given his approval, the rest is up to the individual mage's discretion. I'm perfectly fine with Asakura's stance."
"Great! You're a reasonable guy, Negi-kun," Asakura said. "I'm not much of a fighter, but the Journalism Club is the best in the business when it comes to finding things out. If you need info, I'm your girl."
"Thank you. I appreciate it," Negi said, bowing politely. On his shoulder, Chamo looked utterly dejected.
"So, we're officially comrades now. Good to have you, Asakura," Asuna said, smiling.
"Right. I guess we're in the same boat, Asuna. Good to be here."
"Well, in my case, the Headmaster doesn't actually 'officially' know I know, so I'm more like a stowaway," Asuna joked.
Asakura tilted her head. "Wait. If the Headmaster knows I saw the fight, and you were standing right there next to me... doesn't he obviously know you know, too?"
Asuna froze. "...Eh?"
"She's right," I added. "In fact, the Headmaster likely wanted you to find out. There are... circumstances involved."
"WHAAAAAAAT?!" Asuna shrieked, clutching her head. It seemed the realization that she hadn't been nearly as sneaky as she thought was a massive blow to her ego.
"Anyway," I said, bringing the focus back. "Negi. Regarding Evangeline. We're willing to back you up in that fight. What's the plan?"
Chamo's eyes lit up. "Whoa, for real?! With Axel's team, we'd have three more heavy hitters!"
But Negi didn't look relieved. He looked troubled. He looked down at his hands, and when he looked back up, his eyes were hard with a new-found resolve.
"Axel... thank you. I really mean it. But I have to face Evangeline-san myself. Could you... leave this to me for now?"
"Are you sure?" I asked. "You've felt her power. You know what she's capable of."
"I know. But my father sent me here to be a teacher. This is my trial. If I can't even handle a problem with one of my own students using my own strength, I'll never be a Magister Magi."
It was a dangerous mindset. If this were a real battlefield against a true enemy, Negi's pride would get him killed. He was a fledgling refusing a lifeline while a predator circled overhead. In a different world, I might have knocked some sense into him.
But here? Evangeline knew this was a game. She wasn't going to kill him. And sometimes, a fledgling needs to hit the ground once or twice before they learn how to actually fly.
"Fine," I said. "We'll leave it to you. But if you get in over your head, don't be too proud to call out. We'll be ready."
"I will. Thank you, Axel."
"What about me?" Asakura asked.
"You're his 'partner' in this," I said. "Help him out."
"Got it! Leave it to me. So, Negi-kun, let's start with the basics. What do we know about Eva-chan? Any weaknesses? Garlic? Crosses?"
"Actually," Negi said, already shifting into tactical mode, "she doesn't seem to care much for social interaction in class, but she is in the Tea Ceremony Club. Maybe she has a weakness for traditional Japanese culture?"
"Interesting. I'll see what I can dig up. We need every edge we can get. Axel, we'll see you later!"
Negi waved and headed into the dorms, with Asakura following close behind, already firing off questions. Ayaka and Chizuru stepped up beside me as they disappeared.
"Are you sure about this, Axel?" Ayaka asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I agree with her," Chizuru added. "The boy looks like he's walking into a trap."
"He is," I admitted.
"Then shouldn't we—!"
I held up a hand to calm Ayaka down. "He needs to experience the gap between his ideals and reality. This is a controlled environment. It's a mock battle, even if he doesn't realize it. Evangeline won't take his life."
I paused, remembering that Evangeline's primary goal was to drink Negi's blood to break her curse.
"...Probably."
I didn't think she'd let him bleed out. Probably.
Status Window
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 38
PP: 625
Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272 | Defense: 272 | Evade: 302 | Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain: Air: S | Land: S | Sea: S | Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30)
Awaken (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Regen, Concentration)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Morale Limit Break
Geass (Gray)
Magic (Fire, Shadow, Summon)
???
???
Kills: 376
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"