Period 14: Showdown on Sakura Lane!

Negi and Asuna were almost home. They had parted ways with Nodoka earlier at the library, but Negi was starting to get visibly nervous. He shifted uncomfortably and kept looking over his shoulder in the direction they had come.

"What's the matter Negi? You're worried about Honya-chan aren't you?" Asuna said. "You like her don't you?" Negi blushed.

"It's not like that!" He protested. "It's just, it's so dark out, and Makie-san already collapsed . . . I'm her teacher after all."

"I know, I'm only teasing." Asuna smiled. "Honestly, I'm getting a bit worried myself."

"Asuna-san, weren't you the one saying that the rumor was fake?"

"Yeah, I know, but it won't hurt to walk her home, right?"

"Right!"

X

"Sagitta magica, series aquarius!" [Magic arrows, series of water] Mero's projectiles flew toward her opponent. Evangeline just smirked and tossed her potions. The liquid exploded against the projectiles, and the attack dissipated into a thick cloud of steam.

Damn! She blocked it completely. But wait, something isn't right.

Before she could attack again, another bottle of potion, sailed through the vapor.

"Nivis Casus!" [Avalanche] The bottle exploded in a violent shower of ice and snow.

"Ngth." Mero grit her teeth as she blocked it. This much power from a potion? And why is she even using catalyst potions in the first place? Catalyst potions were generally inefficient in combat. Their power is fixed, and they can only cast the specific spell used in its creation. Additionally, they take a considerable amount of time and skill to make. The only real advantages they offer is that they can be activated instantly and for almost no magical energy. But she should have plenty of magic power if she's been feeding on blood. Was she just underestimating her, or was she trying to conserve magic for some reason? "Series aquarius!" [Series of water] She jumped out of the mist and fired another volley of arrows. Evangeline flew into the air dodging in and out of the arrows. "What?" She can fly without a staff or a broom? Wait no, that isn't it. It's her cape, that isn't just fabric, it's her casting focus. This is bad, if she decides to fly away, I won't be able to catch her. I've got to get rid of it. "Convergentia!" [Converge!] All the projectiles changed direction and concentrated their fire on Evangeline.

"Hmpth, not bad." The vampire pivoted in the air. Her cape fanned out around her and deflected all the arrows. "Try this on for size." She flew directly above Mero and dropped another potion. "Laculatio grandinis!" [Hailstone Spears] The liquid poured out and froze, forming three long thin icicles.

"Paries aquarius!" [Water wall] She raised her hand above her head. Clear water gathered around her palm and formed a protective dome around her. The shield deformed as the icicles hit it. Most of their momentum had been arrested on contact with the spell, but they slowly tunneled into the barrier, stretching the water like rubber. The points were mere inches from Mero's face when they finally stopped completely.

"Oh? I must admit I am impressed." Evangeline smiled. "Non-incanted spells and a water wall that can block my spears. You're not half bad. But if you specialize in water magic, I'm a bad match for you. Glacio!" [Freeze] Ice emanated from the point of each spear and spread across Mero's shield. In seconds the dome froze completely and shattered.

"Enough of this!" All the ice shards flew away as an invisible aura of magic energy flared up around her. She raised her hand and chanted. "Vishu tal li sugal vangeit! Venient spiritus aquar-Ah!" [Come spirits of wa-] Just as she was getting ready to cast her spell, a bright light emanated from her right arm, and a series of black rings set with ancient Greek letters appeared on her skin. Then all at once the light disappeared, and Mero dropped to one knee. She caught her breath as the markings slowly faded away.

"Well that's interesting." Evangeline stared curiously at Mero's arm. "That's a powerful seal you've got on you. Did someone trap you here too? No, you mentioned before that you were trying to avoid being detected didn't you? That means you're either a spy or a saboteur."

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"Grr." Mero frowned. She had her completely figured out. At this rate her entire mission could be over in a single night."Evocatio Undine!" [Evocation of Undines] She waved her hand and three ghostly women, clad in transparent blue armor and wielding spears appeared floating behind her. "Tch!" Only three? I guess this is the best I can do with my current power. The spirits surged forward. Evangeline flew upward to dodge their spears and the undines flew after her.

"Reflectio!" [Reflection] Evangeline put up a barrier, and two of the spirits charged straight into it. The third flew up above her and brought down her spear. Evangeline spun around and covered herself with her cloak. "Kuh!" The spearhead stabbed into her abdomen, and she plummeted toward the pavement. She flailed around in free-fall, as the undines closed in on her. "Tch!" She clicked her teeth and threw up three more potions. They exploded like grenades and the spirits disappeared in a shower of ice and snow. Before she could completely recover Mero came up right beneath her, preparing to launch another spell. She reacted just in time to fling another potion at her.

"Frigirans exarmatio!" [Freezing disarmament] they both shouted simultaneously. The two spells collided, and freezing water vapor sprayed everywhere. All the cloth attached to their bodies froze and shattered, and the two naked girls collapsed onto the sidewalk.

"Ow. . ." Evangeline, said rubbing her head. "That was quite a nasty spill." Ignoring the throbbing in her own head, Mero quickly got to her feet and stood over her opponent."

"Don't move." She pointed her hand at her, which was glowing with magical energy.

"I'm sorry," Evangeline snickered. "But it's hard to take you seriously if you say lines like that when you're buck naked." She ignored her.

"Surrender. You've lost your cloak and your catalyst potions. You cannot escape and you cannot defend yourself."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I'm no fool." She said. "You've used catalyst potions to cast all of your spells. Whether you refuse to use your full power or are unable to, you've lost your primary weapon. And without your cape, you cannot fly away." She held up her hand to show the ring she was wearing. "I still have my casting focus. This fight is my victory."

"Heh, heh, guess you're smarter than you look."

"Nodoka-saaaan!" It was Negi's voice. Judging his volume, he was very close, and getting closer.

"Honya-chan! Are you out here?" Asuna this time. Mero bit her lip. At the rate they were going they would reach them any second now.

"Looks like we're about to have company." Evangeline said. "I imagine that would be pretty bad for you. There's no way to explain this situation." A bead of sweat rolled down Mero's face.

"Nodoka-saaaan!"

"What will you do Mero Averruncus?"

X

"Nodoka-san!" Negi cried as he ran up to the girl laying on the ground. He held her by the shoulders and shook her gently. "Are you alright Nodoka-san?"

"Hmm. . ." She slowly opened her eyes. "Negi sensei?" She said sleepily. After a moment her head cleared, and she realized what was happening. "N-N-Negi sensei?!" Her face flushed crimson and she trembled nervously.

"What happened Honya-chan?" Asuna said kneeling down next to her. "Why were you passed out on the ground?"

"I'm not sure." She admitted. "I remember being scared and then. . . I don't know. But. . ." She turned to Negi, who was getting red in the face himself. "But you came to save me right, Negi sensei?" He swallowed hard.

"O-Of course!"

"Okay, lovebirds," Asuna said. "If Honya-chan's okay, I think it's time we head home.

"L-L-Lovebirds?!" Nodoka stammered.

"You've got it wrong, Asuna-san!" Negi protested.

"Sure, sure." She waved away the statement."

From a nearby rooftop, Mero and Evangeline watched as the trio walked away.

"None of them seem to have noticed us." Evangeline said. "I guess both our secrets are safe for now." Mero glared at her.

"From them maybe, but not each other."

"Ha, ha, too true." She agreed.

"You're coming with me." She said firmly.

"You're right. I'd really rather not fight you without my potions, but I'm not quite out of tricks yet." Just then a shadowy figure leapt onto the roof. She stepped into the light, and standing between the two naked girls was another one of their classmates, Karakuri Chachamaru.

"You had an accomplice? No matter, I'll just freeze the both of you. Visju Tal Li Sjutal Vangeit." Before she could finish her spell Chachamaru dashed forward and thrust her palm into Mero's stomach with an inhuman amount of force.

"Guh!" Mero flew backwards and slammed into the roof. She clutched her stomach and gasped for air. A fighter? Is she her partner? Before she could get up Chachamaru was already standing over her. Mero launched a punch at her, Chachamaru caught it easily and twisted her wrist. "Guaaah!"

"Fu, fu, fu. I wouldn't get into a fist fight with Chachamaru if I were you. You'll only get hurt." Mero took another swing at her, and Chachamaru simply jumped back and rejoined her mistresses' side. "Let's call tonight a draw. I have nothing to gain from taking you down here. Don't worry I won't reveal you to anyone, after all I don't want to make too much noise in this school either."

"You're a fool if you think I'll just let the two of you walk away." Evangeline smirked.

"Do it Chachamaru."

"Yes master." She scooped her up in her arms, and a pair of metal panels opened up on her back. Mero jumped up and sprinted toward them. She had no idea what they were about to do, but she couldn't let them get away. Jets of flame shot out from Chachamaru's feet and the openings in her back. She shot up into the air carrying her master with her. What kind of spell was that? She didn't sense any mana, so there was no way to track them. Mero grit her teeth and watched helplessly as the two disappeared into the night sky.