Author's Note:

raj (Anonymous Review): Actually, I'm fairly sure that Negi's powers make him a better Magus Killer than even THE Magus Killer, Emiya Kiritsugu, by virtue of allowing him to be far faster than what they can perceive. Keep in mind that the fastest speed a human eye can perceive, as a blur of motion, is about 0,5 kilometers per hour, IIRC. Negi's Lightning Speed is three hundred times as fast as that. Archer would have to spam Area Of Effect attacks to catch him, and even if he did, he'd just blow him to bits, at which point Negi would regenerate. If the attack isn't strong enough, it will get stopped by his barriers so it would be pointless anyway.

SeanHicks4: Fate/Stay Night is a Visual Novel first and foremost...

Great Vampire-Shinso: Ya veremos. Y si, Negi siendo quien es hace que correr sea absolutamente inutil. Traducido seria su 'Ama Loli', no Maestra, :P

Patcheresu: It's Emiya Shirou, or EMIYA, the only way they will die is intoxicated with victory atop a hill of swords. Servant Negi IS actually defeatable, since if you cut his connection to his master, he won't last very long. They should just be thankful that Illya had already summoned Herakles, because if he is summoned as Berserker the war won't last very long. If his master has a way to enforce control, as Assassin he's basically broken, since Lightning Speed would allow him to assassinate masters left and right without much hassle.

Darkest Void

Chapter 28: Fuel

Negi narrowed his eyes as the people's cheer deafened everyone.

The majority of those passing by where women and children, and even the children were, in their majority, female. It seemed that a great amount of men and adolescents had joined the army. Still, the redhead was angry. He could not help it.

The fact that they were cheering on what amounted to great amounts of people dying, on either side, reminded him that masses were very easy to manipulate, and even so, he still couldn't help but be disgusted at death. He had to force himself not to speak out against war publicly. He did not like it, the least bit, but he had absolutely no say in the matter. There was not much he could do, unless he wished to topple the government himself.

Even then, he would soon be attacked and be forced to defend himself.

The cycle would just continue on, forever, as long as there were human beings.

"We won the first battle!" Louise said, cheer evident in her voice as she turned around to meet Negi, who had his eyes closed and looked, for lack of a better term, positively pissed off. She frowned in confusion. "The alliance with Germania paid off, as five hundred platoons confronted the enemy forces. We sustained very few loses. Why are you angry?" She asked, clearly noticing the fact that he wasn't particularly ecstatic.

"Louise. People are dying." He said, sighing. "And you are all celebrating that." He stated, sighing again. "I know that this is war, but accepting it does not mean I like it." he added, turning around and beginning to walk away as he did. He removed himself from the crowds, and Louise quickly ran after him. Having way shorter legs, it was the only way to catch up to his longer strides.

"But... We won..." Louise said, looking up at Negi, who still seemed distraught.

"At what price?" He asked, looking up. "Life is precious, Louise, and I refuse to let it merely become a number." However, there was something else bothering him. Despite her efforts to defend Tristain, Henrietta hadn't been in favor of an offensive against Albion, which was something Negi was mildly thankful for. It was not the same to defend your country than it was to attack.

Negi was not his father, he could not set his emotions aside and just perform his duty, if it came down to that, he wasn't sure if he could bear with being the aggressor. He was already a monster, there was no need to further aggravate his image.

Although he was certain that Henrietta would deploy him soon enough. There was a very clear reason to. He was their trump card, and in the coming confrontation with the bulk of Albion's army, holding anything back would be a gamble that she couldn't afford to take. Everything had to be mobilized.

Even if Negi didn't end in the front lines, he would most likely have to deal with being, for the first time in his life, the villain.

For the moment, he was just wondering why war had been declared. "Louise, wasn't Henrietta against war?" Even if the pinkette couldn't possibly have more information than he did, she was still more knowledgeable about the regent's mind than Negi could be. Long running friendships tend to make you understand each other very well.

"Yes, she was." Louise stated, seemingly falling into thought herself. "However, our enemy is Albion, and they are a threat to all Halkeginia, so... we have to fight with all we have." the pink haired master spoke to herself. However, she didn't seem entirely convinced of her words. "The Princess was most likely pressured into declaring war."

Negi nodded to himself. It was his main theory, as well. Popular demand for the war was already clear, ever since the frustrated attack of Tarbes, and although people were hailing the unknown 'Dragon Slayer' from that battle, there was doubt in Tristain's allies, which Negi assumed to be the main reason Henrietta hesitated.

Germania and Tristain shared a rocky alliance at best. Since the marriage had not taken place, the royal families were still separate. Therefore, Germania was most likely involved in the war for their own purposes rather than to honor the alliance, and with the recent rumors that Negi had heard, the alliance was not looking particularly solid.

The fact that Albion was spreading rumors of a Demon or an Elf that Tristain had contracted to defend the country had spread doubt amongst the common folk of Germania, who were quick to buy into the story, because no human being could possibly fly into the air and defeat as many as fifteen Dragon Knights along with their Dragons, it just wasn't possible.

For the moment, Negi just hoped his little display had not soured Tristain's international relationships further, before remembering he still had a conversation going with Louise.

"As expected." Negi said, sighing. "Louise, before long, I will most likely have to leave to go to war. When I do, there is a very high chance that I will break the contract that binds me as your familiar."

Louise blinked. "But..." She began, not quite certain why he would be saying such a thing. "I will be going to war too, and one of us needs to die to sever the contract..." She trailed off, disbelief clear in her voice. She didn't want to believe Negi would even think of doing so. Were all of his promises about being with her all empty?

The sadness in her voice almost made Negi flinch. But he already expected it and had prepared accordingly. "No." Negi said, closing his eyes. "You are not going to war, Louise. You are far from ready, either mentally or magically." Those words caused Louise's eyes to widen to plate size.

Who was he, to order her to remain away from war? She was a noble, a goddamn Valliere, like hell she would stay away while even her classmates fought in the war! There was absolutely no way that she would let her familiar talk to her that way! Even if he was an inhuman being that seemed to possess wisdom beyond his age, she still would not let him stand in her way to being of use to the queen. "WHAT?" Louise's voice could be heard pretty much across the entire village.

Negi's ears ringed for a few seconds. "What you just heard. You are still an innocent, Louise. And even if it damns me, I will protect that innocence."

What the hell could he possibly be talking about? Innocence? Well, she was... that... but she was far from innocent! She'd seen death before! She'd seen her familiar receive grievous wounds time and time again! She was trained for battle by that same familiar (although barely), so why would he insist on maintaining her away? She couldn't form words, although she didn't know why her throat was knotted like that.

"B-B-But!"

"Louise... You have never killed anyone before." Negi said, exhaling a long breath before he continued to speak. "It never gets any easier, and it will haunt you for the rest of your life. I still have nightmares, Louise. I won't let that happen to you." The redhead familiar spoke, nodding to himself. "Even if it means plunging into the deepest darkness, I will make sure you never sink with me."

"Partner, I don't think anything has ever hindered the brutality with which you fight." Derflinger said, confused by his reluctance to kill. "When you fought that Romalian, the intent to kill was fairly evident, even with a wooden weapon."

Negi smiled. "That is a problem, yes." He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "It is the only way I know how to fight. My master developed my particular style modeled after my mother's, and she was... less than nice."

Louise didn't know what to feel. Anger? Frustration? She certainly felt those two. Even a hint of resignation, in that she knew, at the very least subconsciously, that her familiar was correct, and that she could not dismiss his words for he spoke from experience. Annoyance? She felt that, as well. But there was something off. She thought her anger would have over powered everything. That her frustration would have clouded her judgment and in it, she would have fallen for familiar patterns.

But even inside her rage, the fact that her familiar, even if he was saying he might cut their bond, was stating that everything he did was for her protection. It filled her with weird sensations she wasn't quite used to. She had never thought someone would be devoted to herself in that sense. In the end, it only ended feeding the pond of the sadness at the back of her mind.

The sadness that began with his mentioning of severing the contract.

"Still..." She had to seek confirmation. It was not something possible. It could not be done. Countless mages had tried to dispel the contract, and all of them had failed. "You cannot break the contract, you cannot die, thus severing it would require my..."

Negi shook his head. "As I said a few times before, I know of a spell that can break any enchantment, any contract, any curse, even disrupt large scale spells. It took me nearly two years to develop this at the height of my power, and even then I had a rough outline to work from. It is, without a doubt, the most complicated and difficult spell I know." He explained. "And the first, and only, time I used it, it took me a week to prepare for it."

Louise blinked. Such a ridiculous spell that requires a ritual like that would be, in hindsight, quite befitting of its ability. A spell that could basically counter all magic had to have a significant drawback to it.

"But then, Partner, how do you plan to use it?" Derflinger asked. "In the middle of a war, you won't get a week of free time."

"I don't need it. I needed it that time because the curse I was dealing with was created by one of the most powerful mages in my world. I can't quite compare to him in the raw power department, so I had to compensate." Negi explained, rubbing his chin. "Comparing the two spells... It is like comparing the sun to a candle."

Louise seemed unhappy with the comparison. Was their bond really so weak?

"Although, to be fair, it was casted by my father, who was one of the most powerful mages of all time." Negi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "He wasn't really good with these kinds of spells, so he overcharged it as much as he could just in case it failed, and it ended up being basically unbreakable, even to some of the oldest and most knowledgeable archmages of my world. So, yeah, it was a special circumstance."

Negi fished into his pocket and pulled his hand out. "This is..."

"The Ruby Of Water." Louise said.

Negi nodded. "It won't be safe with me." he added. "When I depart, I will return this to you, Louise."

The pinkette shook her head rapidly. "No." She said. "You will return it when you get back." There was no lack of confidence, no wish, nothing but certainty. Louise knew, after all, just how hard to kill Negi was.

The redhead smiled. "Maybe." He replied, seemingly fallen into musing.

He knew that, regardless of what he did, he would cut ties soon.

The runes' light only grew stronger every day, and soon, it would begin piercing through the darkness again. He could not let the runes take him over, as everything lead to him becoming fiercely protective of Louise, to the point of violence at the slightest provocation. He would absolutely not let that happen.

Negi tilted his head. Apparently, he hadn't been expecting Julio to receive him at the academy's main gate when he returned from the city with the groceries and a Louise that still seemed to be somewhat in doubt and depressed.

"Just come with me." He had said, and since it was clearly something important, Negi would agree and just go with him for the time being. Julio had not done anything that warranted mistrust, but even so Negi kept an eye out. It wouldn't do to get caught off guard twice. He was glad he made it a habit to carry Derflinger practically everywhere now.

Nobody who knew him ever said anything about it. After all, barehanded he was even more dangerous than with a sword, so it made sense that they'd see him carrying Derflinger around as him bringing a friend who couldn't walk on its own power.

It wasn't entirely far from the truth. However, as he was lead to the office that Agnes had claimed for herself not too long ago, a place that could seriously use some decoration, he couldn't stop himself from wondering what the blonde would want from him. Another mission, perhaps? Maybe she wanted him to aid in the recruitment campaigns or something? He wouldn't put it past her.

When they went in, Julio did as he accustomed and leaned against a wall, letting Agnes take the stage. "Springfield, Valliere." She greeted them in the most professional way possible, her hands locked together, resting on her desk. Apparently, she was used to a more intimidating form of communication, but she still had a long way to go if she wanted to intimidate Negi. Monsters aren't so easily scared, you see.

"Good morning, Agnes." Negi and Louise said, taking turns. Negi actually smiled at her in that same way that made lesbians question their sexuality, while Agnes noticed Louise wasn't quite as open as usual. Something to be investigated later.

"Did either of you know that there is a secret, underground library in this academy?" She asked, smiling a little when Negi tilted his head in confusion.

"There is?" Maybe this world had more similarities to his own than Negi had guessed, if they hid important documents and books in an underground library in a magic academy. He just hoped it wasn't as... over the top as Library Island was. Immortal or not, there are only so many arrows to the knee one can take before it becomes annoying.

"Yes. It is used to store secret documents that cannot be destroyed." Agnes quickly continued, nodding. "I have obtained a permit from Her Majesty to investigate the contents of those documents." She said, and then her expression changed from calm to clear anger. "But... Headmaster Osmond..."

Louise was starting to figure out why she had never heard of it. Most likely it held secret documents that would expose the corruption in the court, but could not be destroyed because they were fairly important and destroying them wouldn't be a good idea.

"He said that he had received no order to open the entrance." It was quite clear that Agnes believed he was lying off his ass. Negi could see why. The old man was not as innocent as most people would instantly assume he is. The redhead had far too much experience dealing with old men with a pleasant façade to be fooled by Osmond. "So he won't open it."

"Even though he received Her Majesty's permission?" Louise asked, taking a step forward. Again, it had less of her usual demeanor and more of an uncertainty and sadness that neither Julio nor Agnes could quite place. It was weird to witness Louise like that. Something had definitely happened.

"Must be quite dangerous." Julio said. "It has been there for thousands of years. It is surely filled with traps." The Romalian explained, from his spot in the wall, opening his eyes and grinning at everyone else. "From what we have uncovered, it has anti-theft magic protecting it. Merely going inside could put our lives in danger." He said. Then he looked at Negi. "Well, most of us anyway." he added.

"I am a Musketeer! I don't fear danger!" Agnes snapped, slamming her fists on the desk.

"Agnes, Musketeer or not, you are still mortal." Negi corrected, closing his eyes and holding back the need to sigh in exasperation. He began to wonder if he was an insanity magnet, and missed the hypocrisy of that thought. "Still, I am rather curious." Mostly because of a chat he'd had not too long ago. Agnes could only possibly be looking for one thing. "What are we looking for?"

Agnes narrowed her eyes. "For the last piece of information I will need before my revenge is complete." she said. Negi sighed. He'd known that it was unlikely that she'd be convinced on the spot, but hope's the last thing to die, ain't it?

"Revenge?" Louise asked, wondering what she could be talking about.

Julio, meanwhile, got off the wall. "It's natural to help your friends when it is necessary, right?" Julio asked, turning to the pinkette and her familiar.

"Of course." Negi replied, smiling at him, though he didn't know if in this case it was such a good idea.

"To be fair, you are the only friends that I have." Julio admitted shamelessly. "So I wouldn't really know." The blond took a moment to chuckle.

Negi laughed a little. "I have a hard time believing you have a hard time making friends, Julio." Negi replied, with a smile on his face. "On second thought, no, I don't actually. I know the feeling

"You two irritate me." Louise said, glaring at the two idiots who were still quite busy discussing the finer points of how difficult it is for a crazy sexy man to have friends that did not resent them for being, well, too sexy for their shirts.

It seemed to snap Julio to attention, in any case. "Ah, yes. Louise, do you think you can open the door?" the blond with Heterochromia asked, smiling at her using the most charming smile he could muster. It was a testament to Louise's self control that she didn't become a blushing, sputtering mess at that.

"Well... I don't know about opening it." Louise admitted, a bit nervously. "I can bring down almost anything with Explosion, though." She added, a bit sheepishly.

"Normally, that would be enough." Negi admitted. "However, it would be best if we did not destroy the door. It's a matter of security."

Agnes nodded. Unlike her, other people were not badass and would thus be in danger in a place filled with traps.

Then, a light bulb seemed to go off in Louise's head. "Wait, I know who can open it for us!" She nearly yelled.

Cut to a laboratory where a blonde woman is currently attempting to discover the power of rock through alchemy.

Eleonore most decidedly did not like the intrusion while she was working on things completely unrelated to doors. "... So you want me to open a door with magic?"

She wondered why, if Negi and Louise were around, they couldn't do it themselves. Surely Louise could just explode the crap out of it, and a mage of Negi's caliber should be capable of at least that... In any case, she'd never miss a chance to show her little sister how magic actually works. Maybe then she'd learn something.

Hopefully.

After a trip through the women's bathroom, Negi, Agnes, Julio, Eleonore and of course, everyone's favorite walking explosive, Louise, found themselves walking downstairs, relying on Negi's lantern finger and an actual lantern courtesy of Agnes. That finger thing was, evidently, incredibly useful, since it worked more like a flashlight than as a lantern, which allowed them to see into the distance as well as right next to themselves.

Meanwhile, Louise wanted to confirm her doubts. "... I wonder why they didn't just burn these documents." She asked. Surely, someone would be able to answer.

"They cannot burn the royal documents. They are the only proof of the nobles' actions, and the crown uses them to keep track of their subordinates." Eleonore corrected. "However, they cannot expose them publicly, either. So, hiding them where no one would look is the best option."

"It's quite contradictory." Negi said, looking at Eleonore as they finished rounding around and found themselves staring at an enormous door. "But it's necessary." He finished.

"It is also as old as our political system itself." Eleonore finished. Then she pulled out what looked like a pair of those strange binoculars you sometimes see refined ladies use when watching Opera on TV. Seriously, I have no idea what they're called, nor do I care to know. "Interesting..." She mumbled to herself.

"How do we open it?" Julio asked.

"The magic lock is formed by three groups. Opening each one of them is easy, but if I am not mistaken, doing so out of order or messing up the timing could prevent us from opening it entirely." A convoluted password system. Thank god I don't live in that world.

"Then, can you do it?" Agnes asked.

Negi had to actually compliment Eleonore's skill at analyzing an enchantment and discovering its properties so easily. Maybe it'd be fun to have her look over an artifact. See if she could break down the immensely complicated items of old.

"Of course, who do you think I am?" Eleonore quickly replied. "Lock! Here is your key! OPEN!" An unnecessary enchantment, but I wouldn't begrudge her wanting to ham it up. Lord knows it is satisfying as all hell.

The locks flashed, and all opened in quick succession, from top to bottom.

"As expected from elder sister." Louise said, nodding to herself. Maybe it would have been better to pay attention to her lessons after all, she was a skilled mage.

"I am thankful." Agnes said, nodding to Eleonore. "However, from now on, I will go on ahead alone." She said, holding the lamp up.

"I can't accept that." Julio said, grinning. "We came this far and the fun's just begun, right?"

"I opened the lock entirely because I want to know what lies inside." Eleonore said, putting her hands on her hips. "Finally, I might be able to discover whether or not the rumors about my father being a playboy in his youth are true or not!" She said, glaring at the far distance. Louise felt a big drop of sweat fall down her skin.

"But it will be dangerous." Agnes replied.

"Maybe." Negi said, shrugging. "But that is what you've got a meatshield for, right?" he said, smiling.

"What's a meatshield?" Louise asked, turning to Negi. From the looks everyone but Julio gave him, he had to blink and look at the blond to get confirmation.

"A meatshield is basically a sacrificial lamb that takes damage instead of the... squishier members of the party." Julio commented, snickering slightly at the faces Louise, Eleonore and Agnes gave him when he called them squishy. "It's generally done by adventuring parties expecting to face monsters, and it's generally a role filled by powerful warriors."

"So we're an adventuring party now?" Eleonore asked.

"Yep." Negi replied. "It's more fun that way." He admitted.

Louise shook her head. "So, it makes more sense for us all to go together if it's going to be dangerous, right?"

Agnes felt the strange need to laugh. "Yes. You are right." She admitted.

"Then, let's go." Julio said, however, as the party got in formation to walk forward, they heard the steps coming down. Negi narrowed his eyes. He should have heard them before, but it seemed that their owner had been dead set on not making any noise. Only the steps of a professional could be so silent.

"Where do you think you are going?" Colbert's voice rang through the hallway.

Negi turned his head almost immediately, his hand leaving Derflinger's handle. "Colbert?" He said, narrowing his eyes.

Said balding man nodded, before turning to glare at Agnes. "Agnes, what are you doing here? The headmaster has already denied your petition." he said, his voice carrying a hint of a threat of retribution in it.

"As if I care." Agnes yelled, her eyes narrowing. "Neither he nor you have any authority over me. For as long as I stay here, I am the highest authority."

Negi shook his head. "That's not how you convince someone." The redhead familiar said. "Colbert, why would you not want us to go?" Negi asked, tilting his head to the side.

"It is dangerous." Colbert quickly said.

Negi didn't buy it for one second. "Let's go." There was something off about Colbert, and he couldn't place his finger on what it was. Why was he so adamant to their visit to what was, for all intents and purposes, a hidden library? The hunt for knowledge didn't seem like it would be something that the teacher would be against.

And safety was not an issue either. Everyone there, well, except for Louise, was experienced in their field of work. Julio was a very competent swordsman as well as quite clever, Agnes was not the captain of the musketeers just because the princess liked her and Eleonore was an experienced triangle class mage. Not to mention, Negi had shown several times that he was very powerful and capable of protecting them from any harm that would come off a trap.

Apparently, Louise wasn't feeling like keeping secrets away from Colbert, so when he asked exactly what they were doing there, she quickly replied that it had something to do with Agnes' revenge, but didn't specify as to why.

The teacher's reaction was... completely expected.

"Revenge, you say?" Colbert asked, narrowing his eyes. "Revenge is... the most worthless of causes."

"Perhaps." Negi replied. "But it is a cause, nonetheless, and it is important to Agnes. She is my friend, Colbert, I will help her however I can." It would not be the first time he compromised his morals to help a friend. Actually, scratch that, he never did. His morals were based around helping his friends.

"But... why now?" Colbert asked.

"The army will soon take over one of Albion's port cities. When they do, Her Majesty will go to the frontline to bolster morale." Agnes explained. "And when she does, I will join her." And Negi had a ghost of an idea about why she wanted to join her in the frontline. Without her revenge, she wouldn't have a purpose to live for. Such a stupid, senseless waste of life.

Still work in progress.

"So you want this to be resolved before you go... so you can die with no regrets when the time comes?" Colbert asked, his voice showing clearly his disgust about her ideas. Negi sighed, it seemed like the teacher had hit the nail straight on its head, if Agnes' scowl was anything to go by.

However, Louise bought Agnes some time, as she didn't seem like she wanted to dignify Colbert's question with an answer. "Her Majesty will join the frontline?" Louise asked, surprised, shocked even.

Agnes nodded. "She said that since she signed the declaration of war, causing the army to risk their lives fighting for Tristain, that it was only fitting that she should do the same as their leader."

Negi was used to the complete opposite. Politicians hide themselves away, after all, they only started the war. Why should they go out to fight? They leave that part to the poor. War pigs.

Mundus Magicus, by contrast had both cases in spades. The Hellan Imperial Family was comprised almost entirely of powerful individuals, who could likely take on a whole platoon of magic knights on their own. The Ostian Royal Family had had a rather corrupt king, but Queen Arika was one of the most powerful individuals in Mundus Magicus period, which she made quite evident when she joined Ala Rubra.

Then you have the most despicable of the lot, the Megalomesembrian Council, which of course never had anything to do with a war. Negi took a deep breath to let his hatred subside after the memory of them faded away. The fact that he knew his vengeance would never come offered even more fuel to his fire, however.

"You still haven't answered." Colbert said.

It was, however, clear that Colbert had gone ignored by Agnes once again. However, there were more pressing matters to attend to.

Like a great worm that had suddenly sprung from the wall. Right next to Julio. "Oh, shi-"

The party of six stood on a semi circle around the titanic worm that had erupted from the ground, Julio leaping back for safety as the thing seemed to hang back. It was, very clearly, completely blind and seemed to rely on sound to find its prey.

Nobody could quite move, however, after Julio leaped back. The thought didn't even cross their heads, and it was most decidedly not due to fear, as Louise had faced a much more scary monster before. No, it seemed as if there was something preventing them from acting out of turn.

Negi, meanwhile, raised a hand. "Iaculatio Fulgoris." he said in a tone so low he might as well not have. With a wave of his hand, six yellow, cracking spears appeared in thin air, and then shot at the creature faster than the eye could see. When they impacted, the creature howled in pain and reeled back.

Louise could have sworn she saw a large, white '6634' flicker into existence above the spot where the lightning spears crashed into the creature. What could it possibly mean?

The creature was left Stunned from the shock the spears brought and thus could not recover in time for when Agnes dashed forward and stabbed it, again, a strange number appeared, this time reading 344, driving the sword upward, Agnes leaped off the ground, causing a '430' to flicker into existence again, kicking off while pulling it out, causing the number to read '412' as she went back to exactly the same spot she'd begun running from.

Louise recognized it. It was a mid level magical creature, a Land Worm. Or at least one of its family, because she was certain Land Worms weren't that big. She, for some reason, also knew that it had 62180 HP remaining, despite not knowing what HP even means. Maybe this was the cave's magic?

However, it was Colbert's turn, it seemed. The man in blue sighed, waved his staff around and let loose a torrent of blue, intensely heated flame towards it with a yell of "Fire!" The creature howled in pain as the blast engulfed it in its entirety, however, it quickly gave way, and Louise once again saw a white number raise. This time, it read 1640. If she were better at math, she'd have concluded that the beast now had 60540 life remaining.

This time it was Julio's turn, however, he seemed to stand still to analyze the creature. "It's a Ground Worm. It is immune to earth and weak to water and it also has some degree of resistance to magic in general." He informed. "Don't get caught in its mouth, it will swallow you whole."

The rest of the party nodded. Eleonore lifted a few of the tiles the beast had crushed in its arrival and, once they were sharpened, tossed them at it. They dug into its skin, drawing blood as they did. A number reading '946' rose from the creature, and Louise was beginning to think this was utterly ridiculous.

Wordlessly, Louise raised her wand and tried to explode it to end the fight right then and there, but the creature seemed to weather the sizable explosion pretty well, as a number reading '1230' raised from its skin, leaving Louise perplexed. Apparently, the difference between Negi and most Halkeginian mages was more pronounced than she expected it to be.

However, all of its other wounds, seemed to disappear after the weapon that made them left it body, and the tiles that had penetrated inside its body were soon removed as the creature flexed its muscles, the wounds closing behind them.

It was Negi's turn again. "End the fight." Louise commanded.

"Now, before it shakes off the paralysis!" Agnes added, seeing as the lightning surging around the creature disappeared.

Negi nodded. Then it seemed as if the rest of the world had left existence as a large runic circle appeared below Negi. "To sumbolaion diakoneto moi, basileu Ouranionion. Epigenetheto, aithalous keraune hos Titenas phetheirein." Lightning cracked around Negi as the circle came to life, shining brightly. "Ekatontakis kai khilias astrapsato." All of his powered gathered on his outstretched hand. "Khilipl Astrape!"

A brilliant, almost beautiful, display of fireworks ensued as the creature was fried from the inside out, it's horrifying howl of pain echoing across the tunnel. That attack was impressive every time Negi used it.

A white number reading '99999' raised from the creature's smoking flesh, along with a sign reading 'OVERKILL!'

"You overdid it." Louise said, deadpan. "Anyway, let's get moving. This feels too much like a... random encounter." She said, although she didn't know why she had used that terminology. Negi laughed. "What was wrong with that fight?" She added to herself.

"There was something odd." Agnes said. "I meant to continue my attack, but I felt the need to retreat when I wrenched my sword free." She said.

Colbert sighed. "It is the magic of this place. Here, all fights are like that. I do not know how it works, but I know that it can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on our luck." He explained, rolling his arm. "We have to take turns depending on our natural agility to attack. For some reason, everything works through numbers here."

As Colbert launched into an explanation, Negi remembered something very important. Evangeline liked playing retro role playing games in her spare time. He ignored the fact that she liked to do so naked, right now was not the time for biologically natural reactions, and this was too much like one of them. It was actually kind of funny to think that Evangeline would be jealous of him for having to put up with.

It took like six random encounters, but what sealed the deal was the fact that Louise levelled up at some point. Apparently, this place would be great for training if she was so inclined. Another Ground Worm and a couple other cave creatures was enough to do it.

However, since they were upstanding folk, they didn't check the corpses of the creatures that they had defeated, or they would've found the treasure that all other adventurers had been carrying when those creatures devoured them.

All in all, they had some degree of fun. The worst they had gotten had been a couple scratches, and Louise was really starting to like the 'battles' she fought, since she could take free potshots at the enemy without any retribution whatsoever.

The hallway stretched almost into infinity, however, and it had annoyed her far too much to truly enjoy her time there.

Colbert hadn't enjoyed it at all, however, he had displayed the fact that he was quite used to the conditions inside the forbidden library...

And Now, For Something Completely Different: Stat Sheets, let's see if you can figure out which sheeth I'm using as a template and where I'm stealing ranks from.

Negi Springfield Entheophysia.
(AKA: Lightning God, Genius Mage, Godslayer)
Magister Magi Level ?
Hp: 9999/9999
Mp: 9999/9999
Right Handed
Attack: 6400
Accuracy: 79 - 99%
Defense: 2100
Evasion: 99 - 90%
Magic Defense: 80 - 90%
Skill Level:
Fists: 30
Swords: 15
Spears: 25
Strength: B+
Spirit: E
Intelligence: A+
Stamina: A
Agility: EX
Magic: A+++

Noble Phantasm: Mille Vincula - The Thousand Bonds

Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Valliere
(AKA: Louise The Zero)
Void Mage Level 2
Hp: 100/100
Mp: 600/600
Right Handed
Attack: 25
Accuracy: 4 - 65%
Defense: 10
Evasion: 1 - 40%
Magic Defense: 1 - 40%
Skill Level:
Wands: 5
Strength: E
Spirit: B
Intelligence: A
Stamina: D
Agility: D
Magic: A+

Noble Phantasm: ?

For comparison...

Agnes Chevalier de Milan
Musketeer Captain Level 36
Hp: 1600/1600
Mp: 0/0
Ambidextrous
Attack: 300
Accuracy: 13 - 99%
Defense: 140
Evasion: 6 - 50%
Magic Def: 30 - 90%
Skill Level:
Sword: 30
Pistol: 22
Strength: C+
Spirit: A
Intelligence: C
Stamina: B
Agility: C+
Magic: -

Noble Phantasm: Revenge Of The Burned

If you couldn't figure it out yet, it's a combination of Final Fantasy and Fate/Stay Night.