The day after I formed my provisional contract with Chizuru, we gathered after school at Evangeline's villa. The usual suspects were there: my newly bound followers, Ayaka and Chizuru; the mistress of the house herself, Eva; and her loyal retainers, Chachamaru and Chachazero. But today, the guest list had grown.
"Whoa, what is this place?! A castle?!"
"This… I think it's a Miniature Magic Sphere. It's a high-level magical tool, supposed to be incredibly expensive. As expected of Evangeline-san."
"In all my years as an ermine fairy, I haven't been this blindsided in a long, long time, I tell ya!"
That was Asuna Kagurazaka, Negi, and Kamo, in descending order of volume.
Yesterday's contract ceremony had run late, and by the time we finished the initial look at Chizuru's Artifact, it was past dark, so we'd called it a day. There was also the slight issue that Chizuru's Artifact seemed to have a massive area of effect. To avoid any collateral damage, we decided to reconvene at Eva's villa—where we could cut loose without worrying about the neighbors—to properly test both Chizuru's and Ayaka's new toys.
Kamo was here because he's an expert on Pactios and Artifacts. Negi was here because he's Kamo's employer and a magic geek. As for Asuna, she'd already formed a contract with Negi during his mock battle with Eva, so she tagged along to verify her own Artifact.
However, any sense of purpose seemed to have evaporated the moment they saw the castle-in-a-bottle. They were busy gawking at the scenery, completely forgetting why we came. Though, to be fair, they were a lot more stable than when we first arrived; the lack of handrails on the transit paths had initially left them trembling.
Ayaka and Chizuru watched them with a sort of lukewarm, "been-there-done-that" pity, having already gone through the shock themselves.
"Good grief," Eva sighed, her patience wearing thin. "We're here to research Artifacts, not go sightseeing. Yukihiro Ayaka, Naba Chizuru—summon your weapons."
The two girls nodded in unison.
"Adeat!"
In a flash of light, their appearances shifted. Ayaka was now clad in a sleek black evening gown, while Chizuru wore a striking red one. They were equipped with their respective Artifacts: the "Nine Tails" whip and a gleaming bracelet.
"...Whoa. I knew the Class Rep was flashy, but Naba-san, you look like you're heading to a gala," Asuna muttered, looking stunned.
It was a fair assessment. Though their colors differed, both wore extravagant party dresses that commanded attention. Ayaka had always had a refined silhouette, but Chizuru's curves were… well, "mature" would be an understatement. It was a little difficult to know where to look. In fact, Negi had turned a bright shade of crimson and was staring pointedly at the floor. Kamo, on the other hand, looked like he'd won the lottery.
"Asuna-san, why don't you try summoning yours as well?" Ayaka suggested.
"Eh? Oh, right. Uh… Adeat!"
Asuna held up her card, following Ayaka's lead. But what appeared in her hand was…
"A paper fan?" I blurted out.
It was a harisen—a giant, traditional Japanese slapping fan—nearly five feet long.
"Wait, what? Why?!" Asuna cried, frantically looking between the fan and her card. "Aren't Artifacts supposed to be the weapons drawn on the card?!"
I walked over and peered over her shoulder at the card. It depicted Asuna in her school uniform, wielding a massive, broadsword nearly as tall as she was.
"Maybe it's because you're the designated 'Straight Man' of the group, Sis? The fan fits the comedy routine!" Kamo joked.
"Like hell it does!" Asuna roared, bringing the massive fan down on the ermine's head with a thunderous WHACK!
Watching the perfect arc of the strike, I couldn't help but think Kamo might actually be onto something.
"…Moving on from Kagurazaka Asuna's comedy prop," Eva said, waving a dismissive hand.
"Don't just move on!"
"Quiet, you. What am I supposed to do with a paper fan? Anyway… first, Yukihiro Ayaka. Your Artifact. 'The Whip of Fresh Blood,' was it? Quite fitting, in its own way."
Eva smirked as she gestured for Ayaka to step forward.
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