Before Spring Break

As the time finished up, the last day arrived. The students waited for the results. The Dean had told them all to standby for results in the classroom. Some did, some went on their way. Not interested really in the results.

"The Dummy Rangers scored in the top!" Chao said upset. 'I actually lost my top spot!' She eyed them astonished.

"Sasaki Makie 87, Ku Fei 83, Nagase Kaede 92, Ayase Yue 85, Saotome Haruna 83, Miyazaki Nodoka 96, Konoka Konoe 97, Asuna 83, Evangeline 93, Mana 98, Setsuna 95.." Ayaka said trembling a little. The usual people scored high still. But the upset was shocking. "Yuna Akashi .. made a 100."

"Because she is on the sports team." Max said calmly. "The sport based students, I offered them, even more, study aids. They needed to know things in case they went pro. A lot of contracts deal with wordplay."

"Well, I would like to congratulate you on becoming a teacher full-time." Dean Konoe said. Max shook his hand taking the certificate. "The curriculum changes.. we will not interfere with it. This class and the others have shown great progress. Even the other teachers are impressed."

"Just too strict with themselves. Students will only succeed if they want to." Max said calmly. "2-A has done a wonderful job. I look forward to what most of them do in the future." The Dean nodded and left.

"So party!" The twins Fuka and Fumika announced. "We did so good, so party!"

"Mr.Max.." Akira Okochi of the swim team stood up. ".. I want to use the agreement. I am going to train for the Regional selections! So, so be my coach!"

"Of course. I have a training schedule for you already." Max gave her a smile. "Just in case you wanted to go more competitive." Handing a manual to her to read over. "Do take it lightly. School is a time to build friendships still."

"I will!" Akira grabbed the book and held it tight. "My dad and my aunt have a small job for me to do at the beach for Spring Break. I will start then."

"No problem." Looking at his still-excited students, he rubbed his chin. "I do not want the others to cook this time. So, an invite to my place. Not my actual house but another place I purchased. All of your parents or your guardians may attend. Just to offer something for yourself and them really."

Max passed some papers with an address on it. It was for tomorrow and contained some info for them to get in touch with him as well. An impromptu parent-teacher conference.

"Food will be ready for you all. From a lot of places." Max looked at Satsuki. "I have a few dishes I think you would enjoy it. Definitely interesting to say the least. If any allergies, let me know."

"Oh, you are the best!" Chizura Naba walked up from the astrology club. A very nice teen from all Max gathered. "You mind if I bring anyone else?" He allowed her to bring more. "Great. And here is part of the star map you requested. I need a powerful telescope or more time in the Observatory."

As soon as she said that, Chao Lingshen, Satomi Nakase, and Yue Ayase looked interested. Chao because it was something that may interfere with her plans. Satomi because of the same and some information she picked up about someone buying a lot of rocket fuel. Which she needed for her own projects. Yue because she read a book recently in the Philosophy club that spoke about the stars.

"I will take care of it." Max already purchased a telescope for her to use. Well, it was his to look for stars to drain for power. That was for later. It would be unveiled at the party. Made for a good time anyway. "Ah, do not stress if you cannot make it. Spring Break is starting. So, have fun with your friends, family, and whatever else you had planned already."

The students clamored a little more than left. Well, a few stood back.

"Yes?" Max asked with a raised brow. He kept moving about putting stuff away for the majority of the break. Students had the habit of playing around. No matter how nice they were. Curiosity got the better of them. "No tricks are anything like that little brat." He said to Chao. "Just behave if you show up."

"Humph! I am not going." Chao was still angry at him. As well as angry about the shrine receiving a god there 24hrs a day. The magic in the area was completely under its supervision. Making it impossible for her to do some of her work. "Why are you interested in the stars!?"

She got right to the point. Which amused most of them.

"Charting astral energy. As well as possible meteor showers." Max said simply. Not hinting at anything else. "Some things need to be prevented."

"You should not go to space. No way you find a ship to do so!" Chao said angrily. The idea of Max doing anything out there made her upset.

"That is nice." Max shrugged. He was still going to do it. "Anyway.." Asuna walked over slightly nervous. "What is it?"

"I.. umm.." The usual reckless tomboy, was fumbling about. "We are family you said. The Dean confirmed what he could. I.. would like to grow that. Whether as uncle, cousin or whatever."

"Uh-huh." Max blinked unable to really determine what she was wanting really. Something was amiss. "I will see what I can do. Ask Evangeline to tell you some things. She knows quite a bit."

The girl nodded and walked away. A few more discussions went on before they parted. Max heading straight home afterward. A guest already waiting for him to deal with.

.

At Home-

.

Sister Shakti was waiting at the door. A few bags were in her hand. The items needed for the ritual. Stepping inside, Max went over each of the ingredients making sure it was good. With a wave, it was stored away. Another wave, and he sent over to her box.

"Ummm?" Sister Shakti looked puzzled.

"This is a better one than the one I would make with those ingredients. A very small loss for me. Inside is a very large mana heart with all the inscriptions needed to help with the incantation." Max poked her forehead, giving a complete step-by-step process of the ritual. "This should help you rise more in your group. Just never share the spell."

"This is a very powerful thing." Sister Shakti stared at the box. Her fingers gripped it tightly. "Thank you very much Max. I will make sure it all goes well." She spotted the little kitten.

"Hello there. You look a little sad." Kytten said. The familiar was fond of her and Shizune the most. The others less so. Except for Mana, since she was very warm like Max. "Do you want a treat to feel better? Evangeline says treats work the best when feeling blue."

"No just not wanting to hand it over too fast."

"Oh, why is that?" Max sat down on the sofa. His shoes kicked off as he relaxed. "Not like it will doom the World or anything."

"Yes, but we will most likely meet less." Sister Shakti said in a mumble. "Shizune and the others are interesting. And little Kytten too. You all are more approachable than so many others. St.Ursla members are a little too stiff at times."

"Then stop by or keep in touch via phone." Max said simply. A book appeared in his hands. Loch-Ness and its secrets. A trip to Scotland was planned to find the creature for some ingredients. "Nothing wrong with that between teacher and student. And even more so with.. friends? Or colleagues. Whatever you see me as anyway."

"I see." Sister Shakti's eyes shined for a second. Kytten's head tilted in confusion. "I will wait to turn this end. Three days will be good enough. What are you doing for Spring Break?"

"Heading to the Magic World to get supplies and find a few more Pages' to teach." Max felt the others make it onto the property. The door opened a minute later. "Welcome home." Evangeline nodded and went to the kitchen. Mana jumped over the couch body pressing him. Kaede went to bathe. "Nice to see you to."

"Yup." Mana lifted the book over her before getting comfortable. She held the book for a moment then set it down on her back. Staring at Max before giving him a small kiss. "This is home."

"Yeah.." Max just smiled before looking back at sister Shakti. "Do keep up on your studies. Things may get dangerous soon. More of the reason why I am going to the Magic World."

"Coming with." Evangeline said. "It has been a while since I have been there. I need to pick up a few things for Chacha. As well as meet a few people if they are still alive."

"Hmm, if I give you a list of things to gather, will you get it for me?" Sister asked thoughtfully. If it was Max, she believed he could get it with no issue. "I and St.Ursula will pay big. I promise."

"Sure." Max turned to the door opening again. Shizune had arrived with a very annoyed look on her face. She moved to the kitchen, downed a drink in one go, then sat on the couch. "You.. ok?"

"I..my.. family wants me to give up my dreams of being a sorceress." Shizune shoulders dropped a little. "They were happy at first, but marriage proposals came in to marry me off because of my late "talent" as they call it."

"Shitty people." Max said simply. "Not their decision. But you know that already."

"Yes." Shizune leaned back not really knowing what to do now. "I decline them outright about it. No way would I let them cause me trouble. My parents disowned me. Thinking it would scare me enough to give in."

"Really shitty people." Mana said in disgust. "They will regret their mistake."

"Meow, bad. Bad." Kytten jumped on her head. His tail patted her gently. "You are safe here. We will help."

"Good. Cause I will need it." Shizune patted the kitten familiar turning to Max. "I hope this will not be a problem."

"Not for me." Max said simply. "Maybe for them with bathroom issues. They share it upstairs. Despite there being three up there. I have one in my room with no issues."

"Because they are small. Make them bigger." Evangeline said. Her face was in a slight pout. "My magic is not really in that field. I can do it, but it would interfere with a few protection spells in place already."

"The bathrooms are big enough." Max shook his head no. "You do not need a giant bathhouse to feel good."

"Coming from the man with three different setups in one!" Mana fussed. Max looked away not really caring. "I snuck in there when you were shopping. It is amazing in there!"

"Haaa, I put a lot of work into it." Max sighed. "My nice little cutaway place. The training area has one about the same size. Just does not have my personal touch. Chill Water is not inside there. Which is not for the untrained."

"But it feels so good." Mana squirmed in memory. Touching the water felt too good. She wanted to bathe in it but felt an inherent danger from just putting her hand in the water. "Why is that?"

"It is complicated." Max really did not want to explain at this juncture. "Basically, it is wrapping you into a cold death. Like intense hypothermia to the mind with a touch. For one like you and myself, it stimulates certain centers in our nerves. But you are too weak for the full effect. Evangeline would be okay, but the others would die in about 5 minutes."

"That is... scary." Shizune mumbled. "Why have it at all?"

"The spirit stimulates close to death. And I use it.. to do certain things. Not gonna say just yet of course. But if we all go in together, you would all be fine."

"Just want to get her in the bath!" Sister Shakti shouted. She shook her head and left. Cheeks rosy remembering the time in the underground library. "I will see you all later!"

"Bye." Max waved. Raising the book off of Mana's back, he started reading it. "Nothing wrong with that. Well, unless Mana would like to dip in together first."

"Nope." Mana buried her head into his chest. "Not yet anyway."

The conversation died down after that. Shizune was happy that it worked out well enough. Learning magic full time without worry would be more than enough. Marriage could come later. Especially with the extended life span she now had.

Evangeline tried to think about what the water could be used for really. Nothing came to mind. Kaede came down in just a towel. The moment she was in Max's peripheral view, a spell activated putting actual clothes on her. The moment she retrieved what she wanted and went back to her room, it vanished.

Kytten started climbing around. Mostly moving around those on the couch happily.