Negi and Sage stood across each other. Their eyes met in a passing glance then separated as they observed the landscape around them. It was a thick forest with rolling hills scattered in the lands, barely allowing the mid-afternoon light to pass through the thick foliage. The twins observed the area, ignoring their extra audience then turned their attention to their foe.

Negi stuffed his hands in his pockets and relaxed his posture. He smirked at his sister, acting as his guard was down. However, everyone watching could feel the mana in his body shift and flow into his surroundings; they could feel the mana in the air. Sage pulled out a small black dagger and crotched into a stance, holding the dagger in a reverse grip. Her mana leakage was small, almost nonexistent as she was circulating it in her body.

Misora was biting her nails. She could tell Sage was going to release an all-out attack on Negi, who seemed to not care about the on slot of attacks. She jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to the person and was surprised to see Kaede tapping her shoulder.

Kaede nodded at her and Ku then raised her kunai and threw it at Negi. She knew the twins were waiting for something that might distract their opponent, but she didn’t have the patience for them.

The male teacher did not move when the kunai lightly sliced his cheek but kept staring forward despite his sister vanishing from her place. Negi stepped to the side, dodging a dropkick, and grabbed Sage’s throat. She used her momentum to kick Negi’s side, feeling a few ribs give under her feet. Before she could feel any sense of victory, she realized she was thrown through a grove of trees. She crossed her arms and blocked a ray of black magic, sending her through more trees.

Negi stopped the blast and rolled to the side; a ring of white magic clipped his right leg and instantly caused a third-degree burn. He slid to his feet and raised his left hand. “Spirituum de terra, et ut benedicat mihi da vires in praesidio. I formare obice.” The mana in the air and earth swirled then formed the head of a wolf on his form. He barely flinched when Sage slammed into his barrier and roared in his face.

Ku grabbed her head and groaned, Sage’s roar ruptured her eardrums. Misora immediately attempted to heal Ku, ignoring her own pain and the pang of agony that grew worse every time Sage slammed her head against the barrier.

Sage screamed once more but it wasn’t from rage. From her back, a pair of white wings grew and she swiftly flew a large distance from her brother, a large chunk of her neck missing. She pulled out her pactio card and evaporated into a green, glowing bow. She pulled back and shot a fury of bolts. Negi canceled his barrier and teleported out of the storm of arrows. He huffed as teleporting without chanting wiped out half his mana reserves.

Sage whispered under her breath, “ Angeli in excelsis caelum Valhalla, praebueris ira tua, et sanitas tua. Valkyrie vocationem.” All her wounds faded and the mana stored inside of her exploded outward. Her bow shifted into a spear and a crown of gold leaflets formed around her head. Negi tried to shoot an underhanded blast at her but she slapped Negi’s blast away from her form, causing it to slam into one of their secret observers.

Negi laughed at Takimichi’s misfortune then lunged at the floating form of his sister. “Insanus spiritu: Lupus!” Black fur grew on his face and his hands turned into large claws. He swiped at her, sending a wave of natural mana hurling towards her. She reached out, shattering the wave, and grabbed him directly. He yelped then went silent after she buried him deep into the earth. His eyes rolled back into his head and a red foam leaked out of his mouth.

Sage landed on the ground and collapsed onto her knees; her mana vanishing along with her powerful form. The spear by her side faded away and turned into a small pactio card once again. She looked at Negi’s broken form that was quickly leaking out a puddle of blood.

“Misora…” She pointed at her twin then fainted from exhaustion.

The healer rushed over to Negi and made a small prayer. She rested her hands on his chest then sent a powerful and constant stream of healing magic. Kaede rushed over to Sage and noticed how loose she was. She did a quick inspection then released a long string of curse words.

Ku kneeled next to Kaede and took Sage from her arms. “What is wrong?”

The ninja gritted her teeth. “Her muscles are liquefied.”

“At least it’s just her muscles! Negi-sensei organs are filled with blood! From the amount, he would have collapsed before she touched him.” Misora called out, panicking as she was trying to keep the young man alive.

They heard a cough then looked to see it was Takamichi-sensei. He was dirty and sported a large bump on his forehead. He gestured to Negi. “He has a terminal illness and I believe this fight exasperated his problems. He should have medication.”

Ku gasped, then searched Sage’s shirt, even checking her cleavage. Kaede and the others looked at her oddly until she pulled out a small prescription bottle from her bosom. She opened the bottle and took out a small, yellow capsule then handed it to Misora. The nun in training placed the pill in Negi’s mouth then helped him swallow it. It took about five minutes after he consumed the medication for him to stir and wake up. Misora sighed in relief then shifted her magic to Sage, slowly repairing her liquified muscles.

Negi looked at Kaede and Takimichi then fainted once again. The older man shook his head then picked up the younger male teacher. Once Sage was stabilized, Ku carried her out of the forest and led the group to a private location.