//------------------------------// // Arc 3: Chapter 16 // Story: Student 32: Sunset Shimmer // by Show Stopper //------------------------------// The art of spellcraft is as intricate as it is dangerous. Many a promising mage has been slain by his own spell backfiring, sometimes wreaking horrible collateral damage in the process. Entire cities have been destroyed due to experimental spells gone awry, and legends speak of entire nations and empires falling to ruin beneath raining spellfire. For this reason, even as we offer instruction on this topic, my colleagues and I warn that the path of spellcraft is not to be tread by any but the most advanced, patient, and technically-minded of mages. Wow, Sunset thought, pausing her reading to raise an eyebrow at the book in her hands. She was sitting at her desk, waiting for English class to start and trying to ignore the presence of a certain vampire sitting beside her as she read the Tome of Spellcraft that she’d found amongst the books that Negi had given her. This one happened to be in English, which made it slightly more likely that one of her classmates would see it and get curious. Thus far, however, she’d been able to avoid the attention of the more advanced students - sans Evangeline, of course - and had been able to read in peace. Now she was wondering if the book was even worth her time. I mean, making new spells is no small feat, Sunset thought, looking through the Table of Contents and frowning at how many chapters were devoted to safety and containment procedures, but not even Professor Neighsay was this strict. What the heck is wrong with these mages that the slightest error could cause such horrible consequences? “Yeah, those warnings are pretty stupid, aren’t they?” Sunset’s eye twitched before she turned her gaze to Evangeline who was looking at her book with interest. “All of the disasters they warn about happened because some mage or another tried making a super-spell while drunk out of his mind.” “I assume you speak from experience?” Sunset asked, hoping that her snark would end the conversation. Evangeline shrugged, turning her attention back to the front of the room. “I knew a couple of the idiots that book mentions. Even warned one of them off.” She smirked. “Atlantis used to be such a nice city, too.” “STAND!” Sunset stood automatically, looking forward and seeing that Negi had arrived. After the usual routine of bowing and greeting, she sat down again, preparing to ignore yet another English class that was far beneath her level. “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! EVANGELINE-SAN!?” Sunset sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose. This is going to be one of those days, isn’t it? “W-what do you want!?” Negi shouted, continuing his freakout at finding Evangeline back in class after almost a week of ditching. “I can’t challenge you to a duel right now! I’m always available after class, but-” “You took care of me yesterday,” Evangeline interrupted, barely bothering to keep a single eye open. “I thought I might as well come to class.” She then added under her breath, “Seeing how I’m stuck here anyway.” “Eh!?” Negi’s face lit up. “Really? I’m so happy! Is your flu better now?” Evangeline sighed, exasperated by his enthusiasm. “...yeah, I guess,” she muttered. “Well then,” Negi exclaimed, an innocent smile splitting his face, “let’s begin from page 31 of the textbook. Shall I begin reading?” Sunset turned to Evangeline as Negi launched energetically into the lesson, raising an eyebrow at her. “You let the kid take care of you?” she asked incredulously. Evangeline scowled and looked away, but Sunset caught the faintest hint of a blush. “It was nothing,” she muttered. “He came to my cottage with a stupid letter of challenge while I was… off my game. It doesn’t change anything between me and him.” Sunset shrugged, turning back to her book. Her mind raced as she pretended to continue reading the warnings in the first chapter. This just gets more and more confusing. First of all, a powerful vampire coming down with the flu? Who ever heard of something like that?! And if the kid had such a golden opportunity, why didn’t he take her out? She snorted, turning a page and glaring as she saw the warnings continue. She started flipping through until she found the first chapter on spellcrafting theory. It doesn’t matter. If Takamichi fails to contain her, she’s going to come after him at the next full moon anyway. If that happens, I’ll take her down once and for all. ***** Class ended without any more excitement, and Sunset packed up her tome, preparing herself for the next class. “Um, Nichi… chan?” Sunset looked up, a little surprised to see Ako standing in front of her desk, shuffling her feet nervously. “Yo. Did you need something?” Ako nodded, avoiding Sunset’s gaze. “Um, I was wondering if I could talk with you before the next period starts.” Sunset raised an eyebrow, but she nodded and stood up. “Sure, I guess. We’d better make it quick, though, or we’ll be late for the next class.” “Well,” Ako smiled a little, “even if we are, you can just tutor me a little extra to make up for it, right?” Sunset snorted and smirked a little as she led Ako towards the door. “Sure, why not? I already made that promise, after all.” She led them to the staircase from the previous day and leaned back against the same wall. “So, what did you want to talk about?” Ako fidgeted nervously in place for a moment, refusing to look Sunset in the eye. “Um, well, oh my gosh! This is so embarrassing!” She took a deep breath and looked up at Sunset, a small blush tinting her cheeks as she asked, “Did you really mean what you said yesterday? About me being good at the bass and being p-pretty?” Sunset rolled her eyes. “What, that? Of course I meant it. What reason would I have to lie?” Ako’s blush deepened a touch, but a bit of caution entered her expression. “I… don’t know. But no-one else except the other girls in the band have ever really complimented my playing, and no-one else has ever called me p-pretty.” Sunset raised an eyebrow. “And how many people have you performed solo in front of?” Ako looked away and Sunset clicked her tongue. “Thought so. Even if it’s important, the bass is naturally a background instrument. People don’t realize how much they appreciate it until they hear it on its own. But after that, it’s hard to ignore how great it makes everything else around it.” Sunset pushed off the wall, smirking to herself at how much Ako’s blush had deepened. “And by the way, if no-one else has ever called you pretty or cute, it’s because they’re either cowards or blind.” She patted Ako’s head as she walked past her. She made her way back upstairs and turned towards the classroom… ...and found herself face to face with a third of her classmates, including the cheerleader trio, the Library Exploration Club, and a smiling Kaede, Yuuna, and Makie. Haruna sniffed, wiping away a fake tear. “Our little Nichi-chan is-” “OH SHUT IT!!!” Sunset stormed past the eavesdroppers, ignoring Ako’s startled squeak from behind her. She quickly reached the classroom and threw herself into her chair, glaring straight ahead at the chalkboard. “Hey, Evangeline,” she muttered out the side of her mouth. “Need an evil partner or something? ‘Cause I think I just ruined whatever reputation as a cynical hard-ass I might have had.” “Sorry,” Evangeline replied, boredly flipping through the Tome of Spellcraft. “I don’t ally with anti-heros.” Sunset groaned and slammed her face into her desk. This is going to be a looooong day. ***** “Thank goodness that’s over,” Sunset groaned as she left the classroom. “Just sitting next to Evangeline after everything I’ve found out about her is exhausting.” “Are you going to be alright?” Yue asked, a rare note of concern in her voice. “I’m sure Negi-sensei would let you switch seats with someone else if it would help.” Sunset rolled her eyes. “And give the vampire the satisfaction of knowing that she got to me? Pass. I’ll just get all of my stress out in the boxing ring.” “I pity the Boxing Club, then. By the way, Nodoka and I were planning to turn in early tonight on account of the blackout. So if you want any candles, you’re going to have to buy them yourself.” “Oh yeah,” Sunset said. “I almost forgot about that.” The entire city’s electricity would be shutting down from 8 to midnight that evening for maintenance, an event that occured twice a year. Sunset shook her head. “I’m actually going to spend most of the night at Library Island setting up for some experiments. It’ll be a good opportunity since there won’t be any chance of some random student stumbling into my work.” Yue raised an eyebrow. “You know that we aren’t supposed to leave the dorms once the blackout starts, right?” “Of course,” Sunset replied, smirking. “And I won’t. Can’t leave a place if you aren’t there in the first place. Or do you really think they’ll check the entire Library Island for students before the blackout starts?” Yue and Sunset shared a chuckle, parting ways outside of the school as Yue headed south towards the dorms and Sunset made her way west. She stopped by a couple of shops along the way, buying a couple of instant meals and as many candles as she could carry, before making her way to Library Island. She quickly made her way down to her old room, closing and locking the door and organizing all of her materials. In addition to the candles she had bought, Sunset had several pieces of chalk, a few vials of ink, and a few other basic catalysts for spellcraft. “Now then,” she muttered, checking her watch. “All that’s left to do is wait until the blackout begins. Then I can start getting all of this stuff down to the Melchizedek chamber and start setting up some containment circles and warding spells. Can’t have curious explorers wandering in while I’m working.” She pulled the Tome of Spellcraft out of her bag, sitting down at the desk to read it as she awaited the 8:00 hour. ***** Although these beings of myth are unlikely to have ever actually existed, invoking their names allows a mage to focus his power around said being’s domain. For example, Ifrit is often used when invoking more powerful fire magic, as it centers the mind on conflagration and destruction. “In other words,” Sunset muttered, “legends from my world would work just as well.” She smirked, thinking over various monsters and legends from Equestria. “And that’ll make it harder for other mages to tell what sort of spell I’m casting until it’s too late. I doubt anyone here will understand it if I invoke the name of…” Sunset frowned. “Well, it’ll work once I translate his name into Latin.” She stole a glance at her watch, her eyes widening as she saw the time. “Crap! It’s 8:00 already!” She leapt to her feet and began stuffing her supplies into a large burlap sac. “I can’t believe I let the time get away from me like that! I need to-” She froze. A vial of ink fell from her hand and shattered against the ground, its black contents spreading out like the dark void that filled Sunset’s heart. She slowly stood and looked up, towards the surface. Her face was pale, her limbs shaking. Wh-what is this? This overwhelming darkness. Sunset swallowed nervously. It… it can’t be. She isn’t supposed to have access to her power until the full moon! And even then, it’s nothing like this!!! Sunset pulled out her pactio card, summoning her artifact while she unlocked the door to her room. She shoved it open and sprinted down the hallway beyond, making for the surface as quickly as she could. This is bad, she thought, sprinting up stairs and through corridors, dodging traps as they activated. This is really, really bad! If she’s somehow at full power… Sunset shivered again, bursting out of the library and turning to sprint along the bridge that led to the mainland. I’ve got to get Honya and the others out of there! She sprinted towards the dorms, following the presence of the overwhelming dark aura that she sensed. She hesitated a moment as she felt a smaller dark aura separating off from the main mass and flying eastward. Spells? No, I’m still too far to detect details that fine. Must be a couple of thralls. She sensed the main mass following the same direction, leaving another small aura behind. And a couple more of them. Either they’ve been beaten, or Evangeline is fleeing while they fight for some reason. Sunset grit her teeth, pouring on the speed as she tried to catch up to the largest dark aura. Doesn’t matter. If she’s leaving the dorms alone, then I don’t have to worry about the girls just yet. Right now I just need to focus on Evangeline. She followed the dark aura for another half-hour as it steadily approached the eastern border of the Academy District. Is that the kid’s plan? Sunset wondered. Is Evangeline still bound here? I’d usually scold him for running away from a fight, but… Another chill ran down Sunset’s spine. Honestly, that might be the smarter call. She groaned inwardly as she vaulted a fence and sprinted down an alley. Which of course begs the question of why I’m rushing blindly into it. “-on, Ane-chan! We’ve got to hurry!” “What’s this ‘we’ about?! I’m the one doing all of the running!” Sunset rounded a final corner, surprised to find herself face to face with Asuna, Chamo sitting on her shoulder with a lighter and a small firework held in his paws. “Asuna?” Sunset asked, slowing down to run alongside her. “What are you doing out here?” “Same thing as you!” Asuna snapped, her eyes locked on a bridge that they were approaching. The bridge spanned the river that surrounded the Academy District, and three figures could be seen almost in the middle of it. “I’m coming to help Negi!” Asuna finished. Sunset raised an eyebrow at Chamo. “With a firework?” “It’s all part of our plan!” Chamo replied, grinning. “This will blind Evangeline long enough for us to get some distance! Then Aniki will be able to form a contract with Asuna Ane-chan and beat her into submission!” Or maybe hold her off long enough for backup to arrive, Sunset thought. If there are other mages at this school, they’ve surely sensed the commotion by now. Sunset nodded, focusing forward again. “Alright. Let’s get him out of there.” Asuna nodded, taking a deep breath as they crossed onto the bridge. “HEY!” she shouted, drawing the attention of two of the figures. “HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” One of the figures darted towards them, revealing herself to be Chachamaru. As soon as she got close, Chamo leapt off of Asuna’s shoulder, lighting the firework. It let off a bright flash of light, blinding Chachamaru and allowing Asuna and Sunset to slip past. “You get Negi!” Asuna shouted, her eyes narrowing on Evangeline as they got closer. “I’ll distract Evangeline-chan!” Sunset nodded, though her thoughts were far from amicable. Are you an idiot? She’s a hundreds-of-years-old vampiric mage! If she doesn’t have several magical barriers, I’ll eat my jacket! Asuna’s kick sent Evangeline flying, blood trailing behind her from a shattered nose. ...I wonder how leather tastes? Sunset shrugged off her shock, grabbing Negi in one hand and throwing a shot of fire in Evangeline’s direction with the other. It exploded at her feet just as she was recovering from Asuna’s kick and Sunset and Asuna took that opportunity to run, getting as far from Evangeline as they dared before ducking behind one of the bridge’s support pillars. Sunset breathed a sigh of relief, checking her watch and wincing. “The blackout still has more than 10 minutes,” she muttered. “We’re lucky that she’s probably just been playing with you this whole time.” “I… I’m sorry,” Negi said, looking down and away as tears began to stream down his face. “Asuna-san. Nichibotsu-san. I’ve caused you trouble again. I tried so hard on my own, but it wasn’t enough.” “Idiot.” “Eh?” Negi looked up just in time for Asuna’s fist to lightly bop him on the head. “Don’t overdo it on your own!” Asuna said. “Didn’t you just ask me an Nichi-chan to help you with this sort of thing?” “Doesn’t matter if it’s the full moon or not,” Sunset added, smirking down at him. “We promised ourselves to this fight, and we aren’t going to back down.” Asuna nodded, grinning down at him. “In situations like this,” she jabbed a thumb into her chest, winking, “just call on your onee-chan, and I’ll come and help you! It’s no trouble! We’ll work together and find a way to deal with Chacha and that problem child.” “It’s not like it’s just your problem after all,” Sunset added. “If something were to happen to you, everyone in class would be sad.” Negi looked down, sniffing a few times. He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes before looking back up, a renewed fire lighting them. “You’re right! Asuna-san, Nichibotsu-san, I have to beat her!” “That’s the spirit, Aniki!” Chamo shouted, darting out from around the corner. “Come on, Ane-san! Let’s do it!” “And where have you been?” Sunset asked, glaring down at the ermine as he began drawing a magic circle around Asuna and Negi. “I thought we left you back on the bridge to serve as bait for the blood-sucker.” Chamo paused just long enough to glare up at Sunset. “You think you’re funny, don’t you Nichi Ane-chan?” Asuna sighed, blushing a bit as she turned her attention back to Negi. “Well… I guess I’d better do this.” “Eh?” Negi looked up from Chamo just as Asuna leaned down, taking his face in her hands and placing her lips to his. The circle beneath them lit up, Chamo giving a triumphant cry of “Pactio!” A card flashed into existence, which Chamo swiped immediately and stuffed into Negi’s hand. Negi backed away as soon as Asuna released him, blushing furiously. “Wh-wh-wh-what are you doing, Asuna-san?!” “She’s giving us a fighting chance,” Sunset said, glancing around the corner and wincing. “Crap, they noticed that. Stop freaking out over a stupid kiss and let’s get out there before they blow us out of hiding!” Asuna and Negi shared a look, nodding to each other before walking out to the center of the bridge, Sunset beside them. Evangeline and Chachamaru hovered about a hundred feet away, the first apparently effortlessly and the other via a pair of rockets at the bottom of her feet. Rockets? Sunset thought, bringing her fists up. Seriously? As if being a robot weren’t advantage enough. She took this opportunity to look over her opponents more carefully, and was a little surprised by what she saw. Evangeline was wearing a tight black dress that would have looked provocative on anyone older. Chachamaru was dressed in a full maid outfit, complete with headpiece and high-heels. Which her rockets are somehow working through. Sunset shook her head, choosing to ignore the weird fashion choices. “What’s the matter, boy?” Evangeline called as she and Chachamaru slowly descended. “You think you can take a break because your onee-chans came to save you? Trying to twist the battle to your advantage?” “What are you talking about?!” Asuna shouted, pointing accusingly at Evangeline. “You’re the one who tried to ambush Negi two-on-one!” “You’re also an ancient vampire with hundreds of years of magical training and practice,” Sunset added. “And you say that Asuna and I are a threat? Something tells me you’re all talk!” Evangeline smirked as she and Chachamaru floated down to street level. “Trying to bait me into playing with you, eh?” she asked, shaking her head. “The boy may not be much of a threat, and Asuna’s little more than a violent monkey, but you?” Her eyes narrowed as she ignored Asuna’s insulted retort. “You’re an unknown, aren’t you? But for you to be standing there so confidently…” She licked her lips. “You must have been quite the powerful mage on the other side of the mirror.” Sunset grit her teeth, but passed it off at a grin. “Maybe,” she said. “In fact, maybe I was the personal student of the sun.” Her smirk grew more genuine as Evangeline’s eyes widened. Keep her talking, Sunny. The longer she’s distracted, the better a chance we have. “I see,” Evangeline muttered, her eyes narrowing once again. “The old man told me quite a bit about that Tenko Hime he met. But he also mentioned that our magic and yours are incompatible.” Crap!!! “Which means,” Evangeline grinned, “you’re down to what you’ve learned since you arrived here.” She turned her attention to Negi. “If you really think that this is enough, then let’s go. Show me what you’ve got, Negi Springfield!” A tense moment of silence overtook the bridge, neither side making a move. Sunset kept her eyes trained on Evangeline, watching for even the slightest twitch. Negi struck first. “Sis mea pars per nonaginta secundas, ministra Negi, Cagurazaka Asuna, Crepusculum Ocassus!” Sunset dashed forward as Negi pulled out a practice wand, Asuna only a step behind her as they felt magical energy start to fill them. Chachamaru was on them in an instant as both Negi and Evangeline began chanting their spells. Sunset dove around Chachamaru, leaving Asuna to face off against her. She’ll be fine, Sunset thought, her focus on Evangeline. But this one is far too dangerous for me to waste time taking out the minion. She poured magic into her gauntlets, smirking to herself as they lit on fire. I’ll get her after her first attack. The kid had better be able to withstand whatever she throws at him. “Sagita magica,” Evangeline chanted, finishing her incantation, “series glacialis!” Seventeen missiles of ice formed around her, shooting off towards Negi. Sunset took the opening, rushing forward and throwing a punch straight for Evangeline’s chest. Evangeline smirked, stepping to the side and grabbing Sunset’s arm, just above the gauntlet. She twisted, throwing Sunset past her and sending her skidding across the bridge. “Nice try,” she taunted, her attention back on Negi who had just thrown out several bolts of electricity to counter Evangeline’s attack. “Haha! To think that you can use lightning too! But your incantation took way too long!” Sunset grunted and got to her feet, glaring at Evangeline as she prepared another series of magic arrows, wielding darkness this time instead of ice. Damn it! That wasn’t just a lucky grab, was it? I guess a few hundred years gives you plenty of time to learn to fight hand to hand too. Sunset took a firm stance, watching the other two mages’ spells explode against each other once again. And like I thought, she’s toying with him. She keeps slowly amping up the number of arrows like this, and the kid’s going to get worn out before he has a chance to properly counterattack. I’ve got to break up that pattern! Sunset thrust one of her palms forward and began chanting her own incantation. “Equis Equis Alicornus. Undetriginta spiritus ignis. Sagita magica, series ignis!” Thirty-one bolts of fire formed around Sunset’s hand before shooting straight for Evangeline. Evangeline turned to look over her shoulder, a wicked grin on her face. “Trying to flank me, eh? Septetriginta spiritus glacialis. Sagita magica, series glacialis!” Sunset grit her teeth as the two waves of arrows impacted, exploding into steam and mostly canceling each other out. Six bolts of ice magic came hurtling towards Sunset, who threw up both of her hands and shouted “Reflectio!” A wall of flame separated Sunset from the arrows, catching them and reducing them to steam. Sunset charged through the wall, aiming to catch Evangeline off guard. “Undetriginta spiritus ignis. Sagita magica, convergentia ignis!” A single bolt of fire, far larger than the others, shot from Sunset’s hand and straight for Evangeline. The vampire rolled her eyes and jumped to the side. “That’s the problem with the convergence version of that spell,” she said. “It’s much easier to dodge.” Sunset clenched her fists, punching the air in front of her and sending bolt after bolt of fire in Evangeline’s direction. Hopefully it served its purpose, Sunset thought as Evangeline either dodged or blocked her attacks. Come on, kid! You aren’t going to get a better chance than this! “Veniant spiritus aerialis fulgurientes-” Evangeline’s eyes widened before she turned to glare back at Negi. “Damn it. I let her distract-” She lost the rest of her sentence as she leapt out of the way of another of Sunset’s converged magic arrows, jumping into the air and out over the side of the bridge. “Tch! Stay out of my way, you pesky horse!” Sunset shook where she stood, panting from the effort of expending so much magic so quickly. Damn it, should have been focusing on sprints rather than endurance. The kid’s spell had better hit her hard! “-cum fulgurationi,” Negi continued, power gathering around him, “flet tempestas austrina!” He brandished his wand, pointing it straight at Evangeline. “Jovis tempestas fulguriens!” A spiraling column of wind and lightning shot from Negi’s wand, streaking straight for the vampire. Evangeline grit her teeth and flung her hand forward. “Reflictio!” Negi’s spell struck her barrier, pushing her back through the air as she struggled to maintain her defence. “Gu-guah! You little punk! You think this is enough to get through to me?!” She darted to the side, allowing her barrier to fall as power began to build in her hands. “Enough playing around,” she said, looking between Sunset and Negi. “Time for me to take both of you out! Lic lac la Lac Lilac-” “Master! You musn’t!” Everyone turned to see Chachamaru running for the edge of the bridge. “Return! Hurry!” “What are you- agh!” Evangeline’s retort was cut off as the lights on the bridge flared to life. Sunset’s eyes snapped to the shore where the lights of the city were turning on as well. “The blackout is ending seven minutes and twenty-seven seconds earlier than expected!” Chachamaru shouted. “Master!” “Eh?!” Evangeline’s eyes widened in panic. “They finished early?!” She turned to fly back to the bridge. Sunset tensed suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. “Hit the deck!” she shouted, collapsing to the ground. Negi and Asuna did so as well right as the magic struck. “KYAAAAAA!!!” Powerful energy struck Evangeline from every direction, lighting her up and causing her to writhe and contort in midair for several seconds. Finally, she began to fall, trailing electricity as she did so. “The seal on master’s power has been restored!” Chachamaru shouted. “Without magic, she’s just an ordinary child! She’ll drown in the river!” Good riddance, Sunset thought, smirking up at the panicking robot and aiming her fist. One shot, and you’ll never reach your- Sunset’s eyes went wide as she saw Negi leap over the edge before Chachamaru could reach it. “KID!” Sunset scrambled to her feet, rushing over to the edge of the bridge. She arrived at the same time as Asuna, both of them looking over just in time to see Negi grab onto his staff and Evangeline’s arm. He hoisted the both of them onto his staff, pulling up just before they would have hit the water. “Oh, thank goodness,” Asuna said, collapsing to her knees. “Negi, you idiot. You almost gave me a heart attack.” “Idiot is right,” Sunset muttered, glaring at Evangeline as Negi carried her back up to the bridge. He set her down and stepped back, Chachamaru moving in immediately to check on her. “Master! Are you alright! Are you wounded anywhere?” “Just my pride,” Evangeline muttered too quietly for anyone to hear. She pushed Chachamaru away and moved to stand up. A bolt of fire shot over her head. Evangeline paused, turning a level stare to Sunset. “You know, this isn’t very sporting.” Sunset glared down her arm at Evangeline, both her eyes and her gauntlets still burning with magical fire. “Just as well. I don’t hunt monsters for sport.” “N-Nichi-chan?!” Asuna exclaimed, staring at Sunset in shock. “What was that for?! You could have hit her!” “You’re right,” Sunset said, her eyes narrowing further. “I’ll make sure not to miss next time.” “I won’t let you-” Sunset raised her other fist without looking, pointing it at Chachamaru. “You move a single inch, and I’ll reduce you to slag.” Seeing Chachamaru holding still in her peripheral vision, Sunset turned her full attention back to Evangeline. “You really should have seen this coming. Did you think we’d just let you walk after an attack like that? Your seal was the only thing keeping me from coming after you before, but now you’ve found a way around that. You’re too dangerous, Evangeline A K McDowell.” Evangeline held Sunset’s gaze for a moment. “Heh, never figured it would end like this.” She shook her head. “What a pathetic final showing. Losing to a couple of kids and a transformed horse? At least tell me you were someone important back where you’re from.” “That knowledge won’t do you any good where you’re going,” Sunset retorted. “Hmph. Fair enough.” Evangeline closed her eyes. “Make it quick, then.” “NO!!!” Sunset blinked, surprised to find Negi standing suddenly in her way, arms spread wide. “N-Nichibotsu-san, you can’t!” he said. “We beat her! She isn’t going to cause any more trouble! You don’t have to k-ki…” “It isn’t murder,” Sunset said, rolling her eyes when Negi flinched at the term. “It’s an extermination. This unholy monster has lived for too long as it is. I don’t know how many lives she’s taken, but she deserves no sympathy from us. Now,” Sunset clenched her fist tighter, her fire glowing brighter and hotter, “move aside.” “I won’t!” Negi shouted defiantly, the fire in his eyes burning as bright as Sunset’s fists. “Evangeline-san is one of my students! I won’t let you hurt her!” Sunset glared at Negi, cocking her fist back. “Last chance, kid. Move, or be moved!” “Nichi-chan! You can’t!” Asuna cried. She stepped forward, halting as one of Sunset’s fists switched from Chachamaru to her. “This is way too far!” Sunset ignored her, staring Negi down. Negi’s eyes flicked nervously to the fire in Sunset’s fists, but he refused to move. Sunset grit her teeth. She screamed in frustration, launching her fist forwards. Negi flinched. Fire splashed harmlessly at Negi’s feet. Sunset sighed heavily, turning away. “Abeat.” Her artifact vanished in a flash and Sunset tucked her card into her pocket. “I hope you’re ready for the consequences, Springfield,” she said. “Every misdead she commits from this day forward, even after you’re dead and buried, is on your head. Are you willing to accept that?” Negi nodded. “I’m her teacher. I’ll make sure that she doesn’t do anything bad ever again.” Spoken like a naive little kid. Sunset shook her head. “...see you in class, Asuna.” And without another word, she walked away.