All Purpose Negima Fanfiction Thread

The kitchen staff were kind enough to get him two cups of tea. They also offered him real food to eat instead of a loaf of bread, but he'd politely declined. There was no need to waste food. His tea delivered, he'd gone back and forth, carrying the tray with the used cups back to the kitchens.

He then got a lesson that he ought not to forget. He might be used to dragons, overgrown lizards, gryphons, gryphon dragons and a variety of other, scaly or feathery, magical beasts, but the purple floating eyeball was still one of the most impressive things he'd ever seen. If only because of the sheer physical impossibility that it was.

And it just happened to be his luck that as it passed, it's leathery wing tickled his nose. Forcing himself not to sneeze wasn't healthy, let alone comfortable. It was just his luck that by doing so, he accidentally crashed on a passing maid and knocked her tray off her hands. Had he had slower reflexes, he wouldn't have caught it as it fell.

About an inch from the ground. The plate on it clattered slightly, coming dangerously close to the edge.

“Ah, I'm so sorry!” He began apologizing as soon as he was up, holding the tray with both hands and bowing repeatedly.

“N-No, it's fine, don't worry!” the maid replied, turning to face him. He didn't notice the faint blush on her cheeks at the physical proximity. “I am sorry, sir!” she began apologizing herself. Possibly an instinct of having to serve nobles all of her life.

“No, no it was my fault.” He continued. He didn't notice when her gaze locked on his left hand, which was still holding the tray.

“Ah, are you by chance the familiar Miss Valliere summoned?” she asked, tilting her head. She seemed to relax immensely almost immediately. He didn't blame her. For the few runs ins with nobles he'd had, they weren't pleasant people.

“Yes.” he replied quickly while nodding his head. “My name is Negi Springfield, pleasure to meet you.” Had he not been wondering what the standards were, he'd have taken and kissed her hand instead of bowing to her. That, and he was still holding the tray she was supposed to be carrying.

“I was brought to serve here as a maid, my name is Siesta.” She replied, a smile on her face. For the moment, he was just glad the tension broke the moment she confirmed he wasn't a nobleman. “Your name is weird, isn't it?”

Negi grinned, mildly embarassed. “My family has always had weird taste with names.” he replied scratching the back of his neck.

“Hey!” yelled a rather annoyed voice. “I am waiting here!” continued the blond fop Negi recognized as Guiche. The stereotypical stuck up noble wannabe ladies man. There was one thing Negi wouldn't let him get away with.

“Ah, at once, sir!” Siesta replied, although she still hadn't recovered her tray.

Faking a relationship for his own amusement. Sure, he'd let him get away with it last night, as he couldn't be really sure of his intentions, not even now, but he'd take a gander at his current situation and decide for himself on that regard. After all, if anyone had relationship experience when it involved multiple partners, it was him.

Negi smiled at Siesta, flashing her the same smile that had reduced women to drooling messes, and began walking his way. An implied 'I'll take this one' was on his eyes.

“B-but that is...” unnecessary? Possibly, but he was glad to help.

If he really loved them both, then he could give him a hand with it. He knew how hard it was when your heart was split into multiple people.

He was scratching a giant mole's mane affectionately, as it let itself be petted by the blond fop. Green flag. “I spoke with Verdandi all night, Montmorency.” Lying. Red flag.

“Really..?” The blonde, Montmorency Negi assumed, didn't seem too convinced. “All... night, right?” The hesitancy on the word All was evident, and the reason for it was, as well.

“Of course!” Guiche affirmed, with his standard propensity for overly dramatizing his actions. He continued the lie, and seemed not too foreign to doing so. Red flag. Such relationships cannot be sustained on lies.

“These smart eyes, this intensely soft fur!” Fanboying over his familiar despite it not being the standards of beauty was something Negi could respect. After all, he couldn't be all that bad... Green flag. “She was destined to become my familiar!” Though his ego was a bit too swollen...

“Anyway, never do that in front of me again.” She cut, coldly. Well, maybe she didn't like him interacting so closely with a large furry animal. Then again, his girls had come into much more intimate contact with Chamo... Although that usually ended in someone having to wipe the poor perverted ermine's blood off the walls.

“Here you go, sir.” Negi said, his voice sounding as smooth as always, though he eyed Guiche a bit longer than what would normally be considered appropriate.

“Bring me another cup of tea!” That was a request he could get behind. The boy quickly turned back to Montmorency, who was busy petting her frog, which was expressing it's delight by making a heart with it's tongue. I wish I could make this shit up. “Your familiar is very beautiful, just as yourself!” he called.

Negi had delayed fulfilling Guiche's request in favor of sticking around, see if he was leading the other girl on intentionally for his own amusement... Truth be told, he had a hard time telling.

“You are sappy as always.” Though her face was screaming 'Praise me more!'

“I cannot lie in front of your eyes.” Red flag. Big time liar.

“But, I have been hearing rumors that you are seeing a first year girl. Is this true?”

“Absurd!” Okay, that was it, then. He was obviously leading both of them on intentionally and keeping both from knowing about each other as best as he could, which was very poorly. Had Asakura been around, Negi would've at the very least been easily able to expose this. “How could that be, when I have the beautiful Montmorency by my side? After all, I...”

“Cannot tell a lie in front of your eyes?” Negi spoke. “I am sorry for interrupting, but that is very rude.” He chastised, before turning around to leave.

“W-Who are you!?” Guiche asked indignantly, as Montmorency's attention jumped from Guiche to the retreating back of a strangely clad red haired gentleman.

“My name is Negi Springfield.” He stated. “So, I was right the colors of your cloaks represent your grades. The girl you were with last night had a brown cloak, hadn't she? She was a first year, then...” And he hadn't wanted to let that one slip, but he was really distracted with the confirmation of his theory.

“What is he saying!?” Montmorency snapped, to the distraught Guiche.

“Return to your task, servant!” the blond fop snapped, rapidly getting to his feet. How he'd managed to do that without knocking the mole out of his lap was anyone's guess.

“I am sorry, but I am not a servant.” Negi replied, before continuing on his chosen path, straight to Louise's table.

“Ah, right, you are Louise the Zero's familiar...”

Negi nodded, without turning back.

“Guiche, what is he talking about?” Montmorency asked, a mix of curiosity and anger in his voice.

“Ah, it's just, the other night, I just happened to come across him on a hallway, that's all!”

“Weren't you in your room with your familiar!?”

And so the liar was exposed. Negi didn't like ruining his reputation, but he was being a jerk, and faking relationships for his own amusement.

“Montmorency! Let us depart!” He nearly yelled.

“Hey, wait, why so soon!?”

Negi rapidly figured out the reason. Sure, she was plain and average looking, but the first year he'd seen last night with Guiche was unmistakable amongst the second years. The cloak was kind of obvious. She was carrying what appeared to be a white picnic basket.

“Lord Guiche..? Where could he have gone..?”

“That way.” Negi said, pointing at the fleeing blond fop.

“Lord Guiche!”

He didn't stick around to see the fireworks unfold, however. Preferring to lose himself on the crowd. He was trying very unsuccessfully to maintain the lie going. The slap resounded across the field, though. So did the laughing.

Red with Rage, Guiche turned to the spot that was clean, where a man in green was walking away. “Y-You!” he yelled, pointing his rose wand at Negi. “You don't know who you're messing with!” He had a grin on his face, clearly thinking about some sort of punishment for Negi. “I challenge you to a duel!”

Negi faltered mid step. “... Are you sure you want to do that?” He asked, turning around, looking more curious than anything else. He then realized he didn't really know the capabilities of this world's mages, and seeing the spells working rather than the basic theory behind it would be interesting, although he admitted that he wanted to see if he could learn how to use their magic, he hadn't had the time to check Louise's textbooks. He couldn't read the runes, but he'd get around that easily enough with a week or two.

“Precisely!”

Negi smiled. “Very well then!”

“I will teach you how to behave! You made two beautiful ladies cry!”

Negi felt a pang of regret hit him. It was indeed his fault that their little bubble had burst.

“The gardens in front of the Vestri court!” Guiche yelled, as he stomped out, still fuming in rage.

But once he was out of the circle made by the students, Negi heard a second set of stomps coming his way. He almost immediately pinned down the maker of the sound, it was his master, looking as annoyed and angry as ever. “You idiot! What are you doing!” She yelled, grabbing a hold of his sleeve and pulling harshly as she began dragging him off.

“Uh... sorry?” he said, not really understanding where her anger came from.

“I don't care about what happens to you, but why the hell did you accept that duel?” He tilted his head. Was she worried about him?

“I had no reason not to, Master.” He said, keeping up her pace with ease. “May I ask where you are taking me?”

“You're going to apologize to Guiche! If we hurry, he might forgive you.”

“Master, I don't think I should apologize to him.” He stopped suddenly, and Louise found out that her size was really a disadvantage some times. Particularly when it involved her lack of physical strength

“You don't understand anything!” She yelled, trying her best to get to his face. It was a cute attempt, at the very least. “A commoner cannot defeat a noble! You're lucky you came out unharmed!”

Negi laughed. “Master, do not worry about me.” He said, once again. “I have confidence in my abilities, although I might be a bit rusty from paperwork.” he admitted. If Louise hadn't been angry, she'd have blushed at his confident smile. “Could you show me where the Vestri court is?”

Louise was still fuming, but a rather fat boy with an owl perched on his shoulder spoke up for her. “That-a-way!” he said, a pleased smile on his chubby face.

“Thank you!” Negi pointedly ignored Louise's angered scream. Apparently, he was named Malicorne. He ought to commit that name to memory. Maybe.

“Ah, Negi! Don't do this!” A maid was chasing after him, much to Louise's annoyance, for some reason.

“This is looking good! Taking our bets, guys, taking our bets!” he began yelling at the crowd.

Louise's vein throbbed. Fat bastard... “Why did I have to get the idiot familiar!?”

An old man and a balding teacher were talking.

Moving on, back to the court...

Negi stood, hands at his sides, looking at what was decidedly a slap's mark. It seems there was still red in it. That Montmorency girl sure had an arm. Murmurs and whispers ran around, the bets were heavily stacked in Guiche's favor, and Louise was still frantic. Siesta had failed to convince him to budge.

It was a matter of manly pride, it seemed, which he denied vigorously. Kirche had hit the nail right on the head. Then again, she'd placed a generous bet on his name...

“I am amazed that you didn't cut and run!” Guiche began, great pomp and class exuding from his every orifice.

“Wait!” Louise yelled, breaking through the crowd, much to their annoyance. They wanted the beating to start already. Although the majority of the females were hoping his face was avoided. “Guiche, stop this absurdity! Duels are forbidden!” Well, at least she wasn't trying to stop him this time...

“Only amongst Nobles!” Guiche corrected. “He is a commoner. There is no problem.”

“That's just because this has never happened before. No commoner has ever been this stupid.” Louise commented.

“Ah, Louise, could it be that this commoner has awakened your maidenhood?” Negi blinked. That was a horrible choice of words.

“As if!” she yelled, blushing pink. “Just stop it! How could I just stand by and watch my familiar get beaten around!?”

“Even if you say that, that will not make up for what your familiar has done!” Guiche said, raising his wand and covering his mouth in yet another overly dramatic gesture. “Let the duel begin!”

A single petal fell from his rose wand, shining brightly as it touched the ground.

From it rose a Valkyrie of bronze. Negi tilted his head. So, they fought like Eastern mages, then?

“My runic name is Guiche The Bronze, therefore, this Bronze Valkyrie shall be your opponent!”

Negi frowned. “Master, don't worry about me. I will be okay.” He said, plastering on a winning smile. Still grumbling, the pinkette relented on her tugging of Guiche's cloak. That construct had a pathetically low amount of magic put into it. He was being condescending, clearly underestimating Negi.

The thing rushed at him, though instead of using the spear in it's right hand, it went for a very poorly executed left hand straight. The thing was fast, but nowhere near fast enough to surprise him. It went for his face, and the sound of flesh and bone meeting metal shocked everyone.

His head snapped to the side, but the rest of his body remained perfectly still. “Well... that was underwhelming.” Negi commented, placing a hand on the still Valkyrie's chest. “Iaculatio Fulgoris.”

Everyone blinked. Then rubbed their eyes. Then blinked again. The Valkyrie had been sent flying away, a spear that was cracking with lightning shooting past it, as the pieces that had once formed the construct scattered into the ground. Everyone was too shocked by that to even comment.

Thankfully, the thing's pieces didn't reach the edges of the circle.

Again on the tower, a discussion regarding a legend was going on. It was, however, boring.

Kirche smiled when she noticed her favorite bespectacled girl was ignoring her book to stare at the fight for a change. That, and he was most decidedly impressive, if nothing else.

So he wasn't a commoner after all...

Trying to save face in his panic, Guiche scrambled to summon several more valkyries, as half a dozen petals fell from his wand to the ground. “If you apologize now, I'll let you go!” not even he bought his bravado.

Louise broke out of her stupor. Sure, he'd defeated one, but there were six now. She'd question his magic later. “Stop it! Now! It's an order from your master!”

Negi just smiled. “I'm sorry, Master, but this is a fight between men, stopping it when it has just begun would be an insult.”

As the Valkyries rushed forward, he took a step to be in front of Louise. He avoided the first one's spear, stole it from it's hands and used it to whack the second into the ground. However, he hadn't intended to smash it into the ground like he had. It was now buried in a crater.

He quickly placed both hands on the spear's shaft and plunged it through the chest of the third, using it as a hammer to slam the fourth into the ground. It shouldn't be that easy. He was reinforcing himself with magic, but only minimally. He should still feel the exertion of utilizing his muscles.

Since the spear/Valkyrie Hammer combo in his hand was useless, he let go of it. The sudden feeling of power was gone. Maybe he'd unconsciously tapped into Magia Erebea. It was unlikely, but probable, and he hadn't used it in a while, so it was understandable that his instincts would take over in a combat situation.

This musing almost let the sixth Valkyrie and the recovering first (which curiously enough had a second spear in it's hand) impale him, but he'd seen them coming easily, as he jumped above both spears. Before they could direct their attention upwards, he pointed his palm down. ”Iaculatio Fulgoris!”

Guiche stared as six spears descended from the sky surrounding the familiar. They cracked with lightning, and when they struck, they tore the already battered and damaged valkyries apart.

Then he touched the ground. “Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister!” Cheers aplenty followed. He then pointed a finger at Guiche, who was still staring slack jawed at his valkyries' destruction. "Flans Salvatio Pulverea.”

The blond fop hurried to jump to the side, as a gust of wind passed by the spot where he'd been standing, lifting dirt and small pieces of the valkyries alike. He yelled out as Negi smiled at him again. He hadn't even broken a sweat. Guiche subsequently pointed his wand at Negi, apparently getting ready to cast an attack spell.

Negi replied with another palm point as Guiche tried to chant. ”Fulguratio Albicans.”

Only a few sparks shook Guiche, and messed up his hair a little. The ground right in front of him, however, exploded in lightning.

“I GIVE UP! I GIVE UP!” He yelled, as he noticed Negi lowered his hand.

The majority of those who had bet on Guiche began yelling obscenities. The rest slumped. The women in the audience cheered. Kirche, blushing, felt herself up while her small companion muttered something about perversity and left her alone.

Louise was in too much shock. Siesta was torn between cheering for a noble and the fact that that same noble was probably one of the nicest people she'd ever met and had no compunctions about engaging in commoner work.

“You're no commoner! That was magic right then and there!”

“I can assure you that I am not a nobleman.” Negi said, smiling brightly, though most of the crowd chose to ignore that declaration. “Well, technically, anyway.” he amended, though that one went unheard.

He did just then notice that Louise was staring at him with admiration mixed in with rage. “How!?”

That one would be a lengthy explanation...

“I can explain, Master...” Negi felt a big drop of sweat run down his forehead. Why did he have to get picked by the Master that most resembled Evangeline when she was angry?

Damn scary women, those were.