Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Tokyo Ravens

2014-03-26T04:35:11Z

Tetsu-nii:

[[File:Tr1_cover_cut.jpg|thumb|x400px|Cover for Volume 1]]
'''Tokyo Ravens''' (東京レイヴンズ) is a Japanese light novel written by [[:Category:Kouhei Azano|Kōhei Azano]] and illustrated by Sumihei. It was adapted into a manga series in 2010, and then a 24–episodes anime that aired from October 8, 2013 to March 26, 2014.

'''''Tokyo Ravens''''' is also available in the following languages:
*[[Tokyo Ravens - Français|Français (French)]]

==Story Synopsis==

Tsuchimikado Harutora was born into a prestigious Onmyouji family, but he cannot see "spirit energy". Therefore, he's been enjoying a peaceful daily life with his friends at an ordinary high school. One day, his childhood friend Tsuchimikado Natsume, heir to the main family, suddenly appears. Will this cause his destiny to spring into motion!?<br />

- From MangaUpdates and edited

==Series Information==

*'''Genre''': Action, Romance, Comedy, Supernatural
*'''Original Title''': 東京レイヴンズ
*'''Author''': Kōhei Azano
*'''Illustrator''': Sumihei
*'''Published Volumes''': 1-10
*'''Series Status''': Ongoing

==Character Introductions==
{| class="collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:left; margin:5px 20px clear:both; font-size:100%; background:transparent; width:100%;"
! style="background:#cee0f2;" align="center"| '''Attention! Possible spoilers.'''
|-
|

<div>
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Harutora Tsuchimikado</b> (土御門春虎)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Harutora.jpg|left]]
The main protagonist and the son of the branch family of Tsuchimikado clan. Despite being born into a distinguished Onmyouji family, he has no magical powers. He had been living a normal and laid back life seeing that he could not accomplish anything without any magical powers. When he was young, he made a promise with Natsume to become her shikigami and protect her. After witnessing the death of Hokuto, he became Natsume's shikigami to keep his promise he made to her many years ago. He seems to have some sort of 'Bad luck' which he considers an ancient curse passed down by his ancestors. 
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Natsume Tsuchimikado</b> (土御門夏目)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Natsume.jpg|left]]
Harutora's childhood friend and the daughter of the main family of Tsuchimikado clan. She is a prodigal onmyouji attending school in Tokyo. During summer break, she comes to Harutora's town to interrupt his peaceful life by holding him to the promise he made long ago to become her familiar. She is heir to the Tsuchimikado family and is assumed to be the reincarnation of Yakou Tsuchimikado. As a family tradition, she has to present herself as male in front of other Onmyouji families. She has a Gohou-Type shikigami called Hokuto, a true dragon spirit that has served the main family of Tsuchimikados for generations. She deeply cares about her family reputation and holds the burden of being the next heir of the Tsuchimikado clan. 
</div>
<br style="clear: both;" />
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Hokuto</b> (北斗)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Hokuto.jpg|left]]
Harutora's childhood friend. She was close to Harutora and got really jealous when Harutora was kissed by Suzuka. During his next encounter with Suzuka, she sacrifices herself to save Harutora from Suzuka's shikigami Tsuchigumo, revealing herself to be a shikigami. Hokuto's 'death' was what prompted Harutora to become Natsume's shikigami. She shares her name with another shikigami called Hokuto, a dragon.
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Touji Ato</b> (阿刀冬児)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Touji.jpg|left]]
A former delinquent and Harutora's best friend from school. He is capable of special spirit sensing and has a vast knowledge on Onmyoudou. He was a victim to the Spiritual Disaster from two years ago. Harutora's doctor father treated him although the after-effects remained. He realized way before Harutora that Natsume was the one who conjured Hokuto. He enrolled the Onmyou Academy in Tokyo along with Harutora. He usually helps Harutora whenever he gets in trouble. He is always seen wearing a green bandanna. 
</div>
<br style="clear: both;" />
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Suzuka Dairenji</b> (大連寺鈴鹿)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Suzuka.jpg|left]]
The youngest of the Twelve Divine Generals nicknamed "the Prodigy". She is a wanted criminal for researching and using forbidden magic. She comes to town searching for Natsume to make her as an offering in a Taizan Fukun Ritual to revive her brother. She researched on Yakou Tsuchimikado and his Taizan Fukun Ritual in order to bring her brother back to life. This leads her into conflict with the Onmyou Agency. 
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Kon</b> (コン)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Kon.jpg|left]]
Harutora's shikigami. A diminutive silver-fox spirit who wears miko-like clothing and wields a wakazashi. She has been by Harutora's side since the moment he became Natsume's shikigami, but due to his low spiritual power and awareness, he was unable to hear or see her. A rare Gohou-type shikigami, she possesses independent thought and actions and is fiercely loyal to her master, and even gets jealous when Harutora associates with other girls. She has served the Tsuchimikado clan since a long time.
</div>
<br style="clear: both;" />
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Kyouko Kurahashi</b> (倉橋京子)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Kyouko.jpg|left]]
The Granddaughter of the director of the Onmyo Prep School and heir to the Kurahashi family. She is part of the top students in the school and one of only 3 known students to possess a Gohou-Type shikigami which consists of two Yaksha demon class warriors called Hakuou & Kokfuu. Initially she appears antagonistic towards Harutora (and by extension Natsume) due suspicion of using his family's fame and status of being Natsume's shikigami to suddenly enroll directly into the elite academy at mid semester. 
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:42%; margin: 5px 20px;">
<b>Tenma Momoe</b> (百枝天馬)
[[Image:Tokyo_Ravens_Tenma.jpg|left]]
A classmate that befriend Harutora and Touji during their first day at academy. He ended up unwitting involved in the Yakou Disciple incident when he was caught in attack from a shikigami called a Kodoku meant for Harutora. He however resolved himself to help Harutora rescue Natsume after listening his request. Since then, Tenma has been drawn in various events related to the cult despite his somewhat cowardly nature. He is quite knowledgeable on various info relating to current events of the Onmyodo world at large and sometimes helps Harutora catch up with his studies by lending him his notebook.
</div>
<br style="clear: both;" />
</div>
|}

==Translation==

===Format Standards===

'''Every chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Tokyo Ravens:Terminology and Guidelines|Project Specific Guidelines: Names and Terminology]]

===[[Tokyo Ravens:Registration Page|Registration page]]===

'''Translators are asked to [[Tokyo Ravens:Registration Page|Register]] the chapters they want to work on.'''

===Feedback Thread===

'''If you enjoyed the translation, why don't you tell us at the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5661 Feedback Thread].'''

==Updates==
*22 March, 2014 - Volume 5 Chapter 3 Completed
*17 March, 2014 - Volume 5 Chapter 2 Completed
*12 March, 2014 - Volume 5 Story 4 Completed
*8 March, 2014 - Volume 5 Story 3 Completed
*5 March, 2014 - Volume 5 Story 2 Completed
*25 February, 2014 - Volume 5 Story 1 Completed
*22 February, 2014 - Volume 5 Chapter 1 Completed
*18 February, 2014 - '''Volume 4 Completed'''
*21 January, 2014 - '''Volume 3 Completed'''
*6 January, 2014 - '''Volume 2 Completed'''
*27 December, 2013 - '''Volume 1 Completed'''

Older updates can be found on the [[Tokyo Ravens:_Updates|Tokyo Ravens Updates page]].

==''Tokyo Ravens'' by Kōhei Azano==

{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:left"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 1 - SHAMAN*CLAN ([[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1|Full Text]])===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The Son of the Branch Family]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Begin Worship]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Armored Demon Soldier]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Progeny of the Tsuchimikado]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Soul Calling]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume1_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
|[[Image:Tr1 cover cut.jpg|right|x310px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:right"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 2 - RAVEN's NEST ([[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2|Full Text]])===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Young Ravens' Academy]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Ears and Tail]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Shikigami Showdown]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Kodoku]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - One-Armed Oni]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume2_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
|[[Image:Tr2-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
|}
<div style="clear:both;"> </div>
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:left"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>

===Volume 3 - cHImAirA DanCE ([[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3|Full Text]])===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - A New Beginning]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Spring Tempest]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Living Spirits]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Destroying the Nue]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Starting Point]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume3_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
|[[Image:Tr3-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:right"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
===Volume 4 - GIRL RETURN & days in nest I ([[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4|Full Text]])===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Star Raid]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - The Rumored Pair]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - The Girl's Next Step]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Chapter4|Short - Chicks In The Nest Prologue]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Story1|Story 1 - Frog Day]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Story2|Story 2 - The Men's Capriccio]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Story3|Story 3 - Escape From Dougenzaka]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Story4|Story 4 - Bloody Holiday]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume4_Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr4-cover-cut.jpeg|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}
<div style="clear:both;"> </div>
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:left"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
===Volume 5 - days in nest II & GIRL AGAIN ===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Chicks In The Nest]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Story1|Story 1 - The Snowscape of the Pair]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Story2|Story 2 - Winter Day's Dinner]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Story3|Story 3 - The Tail of Duty]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Story4|Story 4 - Cold Memory In Dark]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Practical Skills Training Camp]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Six People's Conference]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - In Short, She Is]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume5_Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr5-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:right"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 6 - Black Shaman ASSAULT ===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Under The Rainy Season's Overcast Sky]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Rejecting State of War]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Onmyouji, Visiting]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Breaking Through Enemy Line]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Competition of Skills]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume6_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr6-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}
<div style="clear:both;"> </div>
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:left"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 7 - _DARKNESS_EMERGE_ ===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Chapter3|Chapter 3]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Chapter5|Chapter 5]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume7_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr7-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:right"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 8 - over-cry ===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Entaglement]] (incomplete)
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Darkness Begins to Move]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Kyouko and Natsume]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Detection]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Tsuchimikado's Girl]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume8_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr8-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}
<div style="clear:both;"> </div>
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:left"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 9 - to The DarkSky ===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Death]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Inside the Night]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Those Who Bare Fangs]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Counterattack]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Soul Summoning]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume9_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr9-cover-cut.png|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:right"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume 10 - BEGINS/TEMPLE ===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Rabbit from the Temple of Darkness]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Visitors]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Sacred Ground for Conspiracy]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Onmyouji, Kitayama]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Cursed Temple on Fire]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:Volume10_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width:200px;">
|[[Image:Tr10-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
</div>
|}

<br style="clear:both"/>

==Side Stories==
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:left"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
<br/>
===Volume EX1 party in nest===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Chapter3|Chapter 3]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Chapter5|Chapter 5]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX1_Afterword|Afterword]]
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
</div>
|[[Image:TrEX-cover-cut.jpg|frameless|right|x310px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="340" ; style="float:right"
|-
|
<div style="float: left; width:500px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
===Volume EX2 seasons in nest===
<br/>
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Prologue|Prologue]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Christmas Eve Rendezvous]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Battle of Bean]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Freshman "Juunijin Susumu"]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Silver-haired Underclassman]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Teachers' Mission]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Intermission|Intermission]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_EncounterTriangle|Encounter - Triangle]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_Afterword|Afterword]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_SpecialAppendix1|Special Appendix 1 - Natsume Journal]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_SpecialAppendix2|Special Appendix 2 - Secret Talk About Anime Work (Prequel)]]
:*[[Tokyo Ravens:VolumeEX2_SpecialAppendix3|Special Appendix 3 - Secret Talk About Anime Work (Sequel)]]
</div>
</div>
<br style="clear:both"/>
|[[Image:TrEX2-cover-cut.PNG|frameless|right|x310px]]
|}

<br style="clear:both"/>

==Project Staff==
* Project Administrator:
* Project Supervisor: [[User:Lygophile|Lygophile]]

==== Translators ====

'''Active'''
:* [[User:Lygophile|Lygophile]]
:* [[User:KanzakiAria|KanzakiAria]] (Afterwords only)
:* [[User:NoodLez|NoodLez]] (Illustration editing)
'''Inactive'''

==== Editors ====
Thanks to all editors.

:* [[User:Lens|Lens]]
:* [[User:Sideswipe|Sideswipe]]
:* Various anonymous IP addresses

==Series Overview==

*Tokyo Ravens 01 SHAMAN*CLAN (May 20, 2010) ISBN 978-4-8291-3519-8
*Tokyo Ravens 02 RAVEN's NEST (September 9, 2010) ISBN 978-4-8291-3552-5
*Tokyo Ravens 03 cHImAirA DanCE (December 18, 2010) ISBN 978-4-8291-3592-1
*Tokyo Ravens 04 GIRL RETURN & days in nest I (May 20, 2011) ISBN 978-4-8291-3637-9
*Tokyo Ravens 05 days in nest II & GIRL AGAIN (July 20, 2011) ISBN 978-4-8291-3657-7
*Tokyo Ravens 06 Black Shaman ASSAULT (October 20, 2011) ISBN 978-4-8291-3688-1
*Tokyo Ravens 07 _DARKNESS_EMERGE_ (May 19, 2012) ISBN 978-4-8291-3757-4
*Tokyo Ravens 08 over-cry (October 20, 2012) ISBN 978-4-8291-3809-0
*Tokyo Ravens 09 to The DarkSky (March 19, 2013) ISBN 978-4-8291-3865-6
*Tokyo Ravens 10 BEGINS/TEMPLE (October 19, 2013) ISBN 978-4-0471-2911-5
*Tokyo Ravens 11 change:unchange (April 19, 2014) ISBN 978-4-0407-0087-8
*Tokyo Ravens EX1 party in nest (July 20, 2013) ISBN 978-4-8291-3909-7
*Tokyo Ravens EX2 seasons in nest (February 20, 2014) ISBN 978-4-0407-0030-4

[[Category:Fujimi Fantasia Bunko]]
[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Kouhei Azano]]

Talk:Tokyo Ravens

2014-02-05T05:38:12Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Series Information...? */ new section

I really love this page layout.
:I find that it's wasting some space, but anyway, that bar at the bottom is a concern. --[[User:KanzakiAria|KanzakiAria]] ([[User talk:KanzakiAria|talk]]) 20:04, 29 December 2013 (CST)
::I added a bunch of missing closing div tags, looks better now at the bottom.
:I too, find the layout to be fitting of the naming conventions for the volumes, complementing its strangeness quite nicely. LazyAnon@23.124.160.36 20:14, 14 January 2014 (CST)
::I edit the page to make it look so http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1083/pgfb.png
if you have a lower resolution, will look different ( http://i.imgur.com/8PZ1FnY.png or http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5603/ism9.png ), basically, my design is for 1080p resolution screens[[User:12braian|12braian]] ([[User talk:12braian|talk]]) 21:53, 14 January 2014 (CST)

the page overaps with the nav bar on the left when zoomed in on a kindle.
because of this selecting chapers is hard beacuse the links to the chapters overlap with the links to the series. some conten is even shifted off the screen.

== Series Information...? ==

I'd change the "Published Volumes" and "Series Status" to:

*'''Published Volumes''': 10
*'''Series Status''': Ongoing

I'm jus' sayin'... and it's just a suggestion. ┐(-｡ｰ;)┌

[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] ([[User talk:Tetsu-nii|talk]]) 23:38, 4 February 2014 (CST)

User talk:Vaelis

2012-07-16T22:33:09Z

Tetsu-nii: /* SAO Conventions/Guidelines */

Bienvenue !

[[User:Darkoneko|DarkoNeko]] <small>[[User_Talk:Darkoneko|talk]]</small> 04:08, 14 January 2007 (PST)

== Baka to Test Chibi Illust ==

Thx for adding the chibis illustration!! [[User:Castor212|Castor212]] 00:16, 11 January 2012 (CST)

Just a heads up. I translated the illustrations for volume 5.--[[User:Teh Ping|Teh Ping]] 10:42, 1 May 2012 (CDT)

Ok, it's done ^^ [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 15:50, 1 May 2012 (CDT)

Same for volume 6. Check out 6.5 in another 5 minutes.--[[User:Teh Ping|Teh Ping]] 11:25, 3 May 2012 (CDT)

== Merci ==

Merci pour ton assistance, mais je me demandais, sais-tu lire le japonais? En comparant ce que tu as écrit avec la version anglaise, j'ai trouvé d'étranges différences. Enfin, merci...

[[User:Facteur Rien|Facteur Rien]] 14:09, 6 September 2008 (PDT)

Je n'ai que des connaissances très basiques du japonais (les structures de phrase) mais avec des dictionnaires c'est suffisant pour corriger les légères imprécisions dans la traduction.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 14:26, 6 September 2008 (PDT)

Puisqu'on en parle, ces imprécisions viennent-elles de ma traduction, ou de la version anglaise? Ca m'intéresse de savoir si je me débrouille bien ou pas.

--[[User:Facteur Rien|Facteur Rien]] 03:48, 7 September 2008 (PDT)

La plupart viennent de ta traduction. Par exemple tu traduis toujours "since" en "depuis" alors qu'il est souvent utilisé dans le sens "puisque". Tu as aussi fait quelques contre-sens et oublié des mots. Après en dehors des problèmes de sens, il y a des problèmes de temps et surtout de ponctuations. En français on met un espace avant et après un ":", "!", ";" ou "?" alors que toi tu laisses les espaces comme en anglais (pas d'espace avant et un espace après).
Par contre je dois reconnaitre que parfois la traduction anglaise n'est pas très claire donc c'est normal de faire des erreurs.
Si tu as un doute sur un mot tu peux regarder sur ces 2 sites : http://www.wordreference.com/ et http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 05:10, 7 September 2008 (PDT)

Merci pour les contacts, ils faciliteront mon travail pour la suite de Mystérique Signe. Marrant, moi qui pensais que c'était un site d'"amateurs", dans le sens où je ne pensais pas y trouver d'interprète avec un tel zèle. Ca m'apprendra à me méfier. Enfin, merci encore!

--[[User:Facteur Rien|Facteur Rien]] 12:11, 8 September 2008 (PDT)

== Ennuyant(e) ==

Je ne sais pas ce qu'il en est dans les autres pays francophones, mais en France on utilise de préférence "ennuyeux (ennuyeuse)". L'utilisation systématique de "ennuyant(e)" parait peu élégante.

== Seul? ==

Dites donc, Vaelis, vous êtes seul pour gérer la traduction des nouvelles "Zero no tsukaima"? Ca va aller?

--[[User:Facteur Rien|Facteur Rien]]

Oui ca va ^^ En fait je préfère travailler seul sur ce projet car j'utilise le roman en japonais pour vérifier la traduction.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 07:38, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

== [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter1&curid=1854&diff=47813&oldid=47800 Révocation de ma modification] ==

Bonjour (bonsoir ?), vous avez révoqué une modification que j'avais jugé plutôt utile du fait qu'elle "aérait" le texte, le rendant ainsi plus facile à lire, et qu'elle corrigeait quelques peu la ponctuation (les espace avant les points d'exclamation, d'interrogation et les point-virgules.). J'aurais souhaité en connaitre la raison puisque vous n'avez pas justifier dans le résumé de modification. Merci.

[[User:Pseudonym|Pseudonym]] <sup>[[User talk:Pseudonym|Talk here]]</sup> 11:40, 4 July 2009 (UTC)

La ponctuation anglaise est différente de la ponctuation française. Il n'y a pas d'espace avant les ! et les ? par exemple. Tu as aussi remplaçé des guillemets par des tirets, choses que l'on n'utilise pas.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 12:40, 4 July 2009 (UTC)

== Proposition d'aide ==

Bonjour. J'ai lu les quelques discussions lancées sur ta page, et j'ai pu voir que tu as répondu préférer travailler seul. Donc je passe ici pour te demander si ça vaut toujours, ou si mon aide pour la traduction de ZnT t'intéresse. C'est à toi de voir.
Sinon, niveau traduction, je suis un habitué (je fais du fansub depuis plus de deux ans, avec environ 200 traductions à mon actif). Je pense avoir le niveau en anglais, et je commence à me débrouiller en japonais (niveau 5th Grader). Voilà, je pense que ces informations te seront utiles pour ton choix. Cordialement, Thrax.

[[User:Thrax|Thrax]]

Salut. Ton aide pour la traduction de ZnT m'intéresse beaucoup :) Je désirais travailler seul au début parce que certains chapitres avaient été traduits à partir de la traduction chinoise qui était assez moyenne (avec des phrases manquantes). Tu peux choisir un chapitre et t'inscrire sur cette [[Translators_Zero_no_Tsukaima__%28version_fran%C3%A7aise%29_Registration|page]].

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 17:29, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

J'ai fait 50% du Chapitre 3 du Volume 2. Tu peux me dire ce que t'en penses ? Sinon, j'ai essayé de me fixer sur ton travail pour les noms des personnes et des lieux car je crois pas avoir vu la version française du tableau correspondant.

[[User:Thrax|Thrax]] 20:17, 23 Auguste 2009 (UTC)

Bon en fait j'étais motivé, alors j'ai carrément fini le Chapitre 3. Par contre, je pense qu'il faudrait une petite correction orthographique car j'ai dû faire des erreurs d'inattention.

[[User:Thrax|Thrax]] 21:48, 23 Auguste 2009 (UTC)

C'est globalement très bon (à part quelques petits points de détails comme le "princesse-sama" que j'aimerai garder même si ça sonne un peu bizarre, ainsi que l'oubli de deux phrases dans ta traduction). J'ai modifié quelques petites choses en me basant sur le texte japonais (il manquait une phrase dans la traduction anglaise). Je n'ai regardé que 50% du chapitre.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 22:48, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Merci de ta correction. Pour le princesse-sama, je pense personnellement qu'il vaudrait mieux faire un choix entre Princesse et Hime-sama, parce que là ça fait effectivement très bizarre. Sinon j'ai pas osé corrigé ce que tu as mis, mais ça me paraît étrange : "Il se souvint de l'expression qu'avait eu Louise alors qu'elle regardait à ce jeune noble pendant la journée.". Faudrait pas retirer le "à" ?

[[User:Thrax|Thrax]] 22:58, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Oui il faut enlever le "à"... Le problème c'est que j'ai dû faire 2 fois mes éditions (j'éditais pendant que tu as édité et à l'arrivée à cause d'une fausse manip j'ai perdu ce que j'avais fait) donc la deuxième fois j'ai été un peu vite.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 23:03, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Ah, mince. Désolé alors. Je te laisse éditer. Je pense aussi qu'il faudrait rajouter le "pas" ligne 3 que j'ai omis de mettre après "ne devriez"

[[User:Thrax|Thrax]] 23:06, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

J'ai traduit le chapitre 5 du volume 4 de ZnT. Si tu veux bien faire une petite correction ^^

[[User:Thrax|Thrax]] 08:18, 5 September 2009 (UTC)

==[[Seitokai no Ichizon]] - Teasers==
Great, I finaly get the missing chapter info and change the teaser page naming format from the format Volume X Teaser X to Volume X Chapter X to met your last teaser format change and you change the format back from Volume X Chapter X to Teaser X... ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 10:37, 24 October 2009 (UTC)

Sorry but it's because the chapters aren't fully translated, it's only a small part (and not even the beginning of the chapters).

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 10:43, 24 October 2009 (UTC)

Ah, ok. If it is like that... ... but wouldnt it have been better to change it at least in the format Volume X Chapter X Teaser X (or something like that)? For the Nogizaka teaser I couldnt do it like that, because I couldnt really know which teaser is for which volume or chapter. ;) I didnt thought that the "Seitokai no Ichizon" teasers were nearly as inconsistent as the "Nogizaka-Teasers" and that they werent from the beginning of the chapters. I thought we c/would have a nice startup for a first finished chapter. ;) Maybe you should then also control the [[Sekai no Kiki Hamekurumeku!]] - teaser of how much it is that we have of the chapter and if it is also really the beginning? Because this is also one of those which I created in the Chapter format... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 12:47, 24 October 2009 (UTC)

Huhu, we have a new Seitokai no Ichizon Teaser ^^ Could you again control if it this time can get the Chapter format, please? At the moment I have created it as [[Seitokai_no_Ichizon:Teaser_4|Teaser 4]]. - And thanks, you have always the best pictures ^^ Your private collection? ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 17:14, 25 October 2009 (UTC)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Done and done* ^^ To get the pictures I'm downloading the Japanese raws (I have the raws of almost every Baka-Tsuki project).

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 17:33, 25 October 2009 (UTC)

Hui, thanks! - You're fast! ^^ And would it be worth the Chapters format or did it again not start from the begin of the chapter? --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 18:04, 25 October 2009 (UTC)

== Forum ==
Since I cant post there at the moment, but it seems the clock is back to normal... Post from the Future... ;) (Now I also get always this message if I try to post there: You cannot make another post so soon after your last. - I hope tomorrow is everything back to normal) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 20:34, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

== hi ==

--[[User:Tomoya13|Tomoya13]] 02:28, 31 May 2010 (UTC)

hi, i would like to help translate zero no tsukaima. jap into eng. is there any source i can find to get raws volume 13 onwards? thank you. ---[[Tomoya13|Tomoya13]]

Hi. I'd like to register as an editor on SAO. Do I just add my name to the editor list or is there a set procedure? I am extremely confident in my English and my proofreading skills. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 11:03, 6 January 2012 (CST)

You can add your name if it's only editing the English. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 14:28, 6 January 2012 (CST)

Thanks a lot, man. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 22:00, 6 January 2012 (CST)

Vaelis, I sent you a message via forums about the images. I'm not sure if you checked already. --[[User:Hiro Hayase|Hiro Hayase]] 18:19, 23 March 2012 (CDT)

== Protected pages? ==
Hey Vaelis--what's up with all of the edit locks ('protected pages')? If they were perfect, that would be one thing, there's a few edits I know I need to make on Baka to Tesuto, for instance. Thanks! [[User:Starkiller4299|Starkiller4299]] 02:43, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

It blocks the edits from unregistered users. If you are a registered user you can still edit the pages.
[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 19:12, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

== favor: ==

Vaelis, Shakugan no Shana was just unfrozen! Could you possibly undelete the pages for the volumes that were translated, but deleted? (all of volume 7, part of volume 5, I think) (minus volumes that will remain dropped (1-4)). If it's not to much trouble, please! --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 20:39, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

== Question: ==

Hi, I saw that you are the boss of the progect "Sword Art Online" in Italian Version. I wondered if I can help RxD for adapt the text, so that the reading become more sliding. Thanx. Kyodai

Hi. Since RxD is the translator, I think you should ask him if he is fine with it. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 08:28, 15 April 2011 (UCT)

== SAO Volume 2 Chapters 1 and 3 ==

Now that Chapters 1 and 3 are complete. What do you think about compiling them into one chapter page via indirect transclusion like you do with the full text pages? The compiled chapter pages can then be transcluded into the full text version when the volume is complete.

/------P
|
| /-------c1a
|------c1<-------------c1b
| \-------c1c
|
| /-------c2a
|------c2<-------------c2b
| |-------c2c
| \-------c2d
Vol2<-----|
| /-------c3a
|------c3<-------------c3b
| |-------c3c
| \-------c3d
|
| /-------c4a
|------c4<-------------c4b
| |-------c4c
| \-------c4d
|
\------au

[[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 22:52, 10 August 2011 (UCT)

Thanks for listening. Here's a [[Template:SAO Nav|gift]] to show my appreciation. Could you protect it, please? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 23:23, 12 August 2011 (UCT)

I'm sorry to say this but I totally dislike this. Who allowed it?
[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 21:29, 13 August 2011 (UCT)

By the way, what did you dislike? I put in volume 8 contents and is asking opinions on how to layout for it. I am more toward making it into one big chapter, but guess parts like volume 2 if people wanted it like that. --[[User:Xplorer30|Xplorer30]] 23:16, 13 August 2011 (UCT)

I was speaking of the navigation bar, not of the layout for volume 2. I will take a look at volume 8 if you want :) [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 11:19, 14 August 2011 (UCT)

== SAO Nav ==

Vaelis. May I ask why you undid my edits on all chapter pages? Not just reverting the Nav template but also reverting the punctuation changes and removing the '''noinclude''' tags from the '''notoc''' on the chapter pages. The first two reduced the page sizes considerably thus reducing website space. Putting the '''notoc''' in '''noinclude''' tags ensured that the volume pages at least had a table of contents. The new nav template allowed for forward and backward navigation as well as jumping to ''any'' SAO page. Putting comments right besides headings causes a problem with the "Editing Table of Contents", ie: the chapters do not register for a link, so I put the comments in the line after the heading and the problem was solved. Please explain why you reverted such useful edits. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 04:45, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

Vaelis, please respond quickly. If others make more changes it's going to be more difficult to undo the changes selectively, that is if that decision is made. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 05:28, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

I see. Since you didn't respond it has led me to believe that your account may have been hijacked by a vandal and thus the reason for the unexplainable reverts. If not we can discuss this when you feel up to it. For now I'll restore my hard work. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 08:21, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

Did you ask for permission to change all that first? Regardless of whether its more useful or not, you usually ask the Project Administrator or Project Supervisor first before making such changes. Although, I am being a bit intrusive when I say this in another's affair. The templates does look nice though. --[[User:Hiro Hayase|Hiro Hayase]] 08:49, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

Hmm my apologies. Since you put it that way. It might have been too impulsive of me. But I still don't get why he undid all the punctuation changes and everything else too. The total amount of changes he made increased the total website storage space by 30258 (that includes the extra code of the old templates, changes in punctuation, double spacing, etc; see recent changes and calculate it yourself). Now, that is not a small number (website-wise, that is). [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 09:31, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

On the other hand if there is a problem with the [[Template:SAO Nav]]'s layout then talking about it on it's talk page would have helped more. I'm sure we could have reached a better option than going through all the pages and changing things in such a way that useful edits were also removed. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 09:35, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

Yes I can see your point in conserving space by making those changes, but you still need permission first to do so. Otherwise, its just going to end up being an edit war, switching back and forth just like what going now. The changes that you made are by no means minor, major changes like these need proper permission from individuals in charge of the project. And about Vaelis, I believe that he's in a timezone which is night time now or he's busy with work/school since summer's almost over. -[[User:Hiro Hayase|Hiro Hayase]] 09:43, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

That still doesn't explain why he didn't choose to edit only SAO Nav to the old version. For now I'll do that and we can discuss the rest. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 09:46, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

There. Compatibility-vise that ought to do it. So shall we begin the discussion. What exactly was it that Vaelis did not like about the new nav template? Please tell me Vaelis so that I may tailor the template in such a way as to be as compatible as possible with you. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 09:57, 24 August 2011 (CDT)

----
Here are the reasons I think the new system is preferable:

#The old system only allows for navigation amongst consecutive pages, however the new SAO Nav can allow jumping to any chapter/volume page ''without'' the tedious process of either going to the Main page or writing the long page name in the search bar. The Main Page/Search detour is an inconvenience that is eliminated by this.
##Not everyone thinks in the linear plane. There are many who would wish to go back a few chapters to check a specific chapter. It would take too long for them to go back page by page or even through the main page. This is faster.
##Supervisors and translators can jump from any page to any other without the unnecessary delays found in loading more than one page.
#The old system required copying a larger amount of code from other chapters. Whereas the new template's call code more concise, thus saving website storage space.
#Compared to the old system in which copying from other chapters was necessary because the code was too long and difficult to remember, the new nav template's call code is easy to memorize and write. Thereby making it more user friendly (easy to learn and use).
#There is one source page for the nav template. Any changes only need to be made there and all pages in which the template is called will automatically mirror the changes just like the relationship between the chapter and volume pages (ie: Less work more gain, data redundancy and data error is largely reduced).
#The template has both jumping and consecutive page stepping functionality and is also collapsible. Those who wish to just step to the next or previous page may do so with a click and those who wish to jump only need to expand the template to access the jump functionality.

As you can see the new system has overwhelming advantages over the old. Please consider this. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 03:59, 25 August 2011 (CDT)
----

I see you wont consider it. If so thenn make the changes selectively (ie: only delete the nav). Otherwise it's just wrong. If you don't like the new nav then keep the issue to it only. Don't mess up other edits.[[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 04:29, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

The nav bar: your second version was better but it doesn't change the fact that to decide whether to use it or not, it shouldn't be in place. I will think about it, see if it can be improved and eventually decide to use it (or not) but until then the old way should be kept.

For the other edits: I'm against replacing all the punctuation. “” are the correct quotation marks (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark), I don't see any reason to replace them by "". You're using the argument “it's smaller in size” but did you see any news about Baka-Tsuki having storage space issue? Anyway 30258 bytes is a ridiculous amount for a website.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 11:16, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

Vaelis: your arguments about quotation marks seem odd and in one case factually incorrect: when you reference the wikipedia page for quotation marks, you're referencing the encyclopedia page about quotation marks, not the style manual page about there use on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#Quotations), and that style page uses the form of quotation marks [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] uses, not yours. Also 30Kb is not an insignificant amount of data, and it's always better to be efficient. --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 13:23, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

I humbly apologize about applying the new nav template without your approval. But seriously which ever quotation marks you use the viewing result is the same, so isn't it better to use those with less space usage? Isn't that a good enough reason. And you haven't addressed the issue of double spacing. Extra data means longer loading time. This is an issue of loading speed and reader satisfaction. Not everyone uses DSL. What of the '''notoc''' '''noinclude''' on volume 3 and 4's chapters. leaving the '''notoc''' without '''noinclude''' causes there to be no table of contents on the volume page. A fault if I may say so. Same with the comments right next to the headings. It messes up the "Editing Mode's Table of Contents". [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 13:33, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

For the points in favor of the new template, I've given them above. Size reduction is only one of the points, there. Won't you consider it? You still havent explained what is it exactly you don't like about it. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 13:34, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

Oh and umm. Saganatsu. Umm. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#Quotation_marks) would have been more accurate. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 13:44, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

Did any of you know the difference between “recommended usage when using en.wikipedia.org” and “correct” typographic usage? Fortunately we're not en.wikipedia.org.

Anyway I will look at the project chapter by chapter, when I will have the time, to undo all the mess done by some people.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 15:27, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

As for correct typographic usage: "Depending on the typeface, opening and closing quotation marks may be identical in form (called vertical, straight, or typewriter quotation marks), or may be distinctly left-handed and right-handed (typographic or, colloquially, curly quotation marks)." It still makes no sense to site wikipedia. --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 16:06, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

That "typographic usage" is for advanced word processors like "MS Word" not mediawiki based sites. Otherwise the Manual of Style would not have distinctly chosen to use the quotation format it has chosen and the quotation marks would automatically change to right and left formats like in "MS Word". Please think about the points given above rationally. In viewing mode there is '''no''' difference between the two formats however your method takes up more space than necessary and prolongs loading time more than necessary. And wasn't it vaelis that brought wikipedia into the discussion at first. Now you're saying "Fortunately we're not en.wikipedia.org"? In normal writing, correct usage would be the right and left format but here it would not. Doing so would be detrimental to baka-tsuki. There is a difference in situation. I hope for your understanding, Vaelis. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 16:55, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

Um I'm all for reasoned debate, and admittedly have a preference for how to resolve this, but it doesn't look like either of you two are going to persuade one another about either of the two points. Shall we throw this onto the forum and put it to a vote? --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 17:22, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

I understand what Vaelis is trying to say about the left and right quotation marks. Actually, I take care of that when I write with a pen and paper. I just think this situation is different because of all my above given reasons. Namely, no difference in views and smaller size, loading speed, etc. I'm all for a vote. Copy the whole conversation there first and let everyone stew on it for a while first. I think that would be better. Add the stuff about punctuation from my talk page as well. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 18:02, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

But what about the double spacing, '''notoc''' and '''noinclude'''? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 18:05, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

I'd like to invite you to a discussion [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4564 here]. Please, I would be honored if you would join me. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 13:39, 13 September 2011 (CDT)

OK, in case you guys didn't see me post in the forums, I'll say it here: It's easier for editors to simply type the quotation marks, or rather the apostrophes, during the editing rather than copy-pasting from word. Not commenting for the other arguments. [[User:Kira0802|Kira]] ([[User_talk:Kira0802|Talk]]) 13:16, 27 November 2011 (CST)

Vaelis, I understand that you are a supervisor. But a believe even you have overstepped your rights by deleting a ''freshly'' started discussion just because either you do not agree with it ''or'' no one has responded for a few days. As you wished I started the discussion in order to gain everyone's viewpoints as well as the necessary approval. It will take some time. What you did is the same as the Chinese govt blocking human rights, etc websites. Please revert your edits. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 09:54, 19 December 2011 (CST)

It's a mistake, I didn't see it was only one week old. I put it back.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 10:24, 19 December 2011 (CST)

Thank you. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 21:09, 20 December 2011 (CST)

== Deletion of Full Text Preview Volumes ==

Those were there to help the Translators to start new chapters as per my comment here -> http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4613#p117427 and also all the real work gose in to the actual chapters as those were only templates that pull the actual text from the chapters themselves.

[[User:Wolfpup|Wolfpup]] 09:07, 18 December 2011 (CST)

Firstly it's useless and secondly the rule is that we create full text version only when the volume is complete.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 12:09, 18 December 2011 (CST)

I can understand that but also lately we have had some new translators that have started chapters with the wrong chapter link and having a full text preview version, even if it is not directly linked to from the main page, for them to get the right link from could help them out so that later the page dose not have to be moved.

[[User:Wolfpup|Wolfpup]] 09:50, 19 December 2011 (CST)

Can we get the Full text versions undeleted now that there is major progress on those and to also provide Wildk with the proper chapter links besides those that have just been placed on the main page?

[[User:Wolfpup|Wolfpup]] 08:44, 11 January 2012 (CST)

It's in the baka-tsuki project guideline: http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Format_guideline#Full_Text_Versions : "Once '''all''' portions of a volume are completed" . I don't intend to change this for Zero no Tsukaima. The red links on the main page are enough.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 10:55, 11 January 2012 (CST)

Well now Volume 13 is complete so the deletion of the full text version can now be undone. As i just tried to remake that page and i get a notice about the deletion.

[[User:Wolfpup|Wolfpup]] 23:01, 18 April 2012 (CDT)

I created the full text version for volume 13 and volume 14.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 05:30, 19 April 2012 (CDT)

== Tab spaces ==

Vaelis, the lyrics are here [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Tasogare-iro_no_Uta_Tsukai:Volume1_Prologue Tasogare-iro no Uta Tsukai] (in bold). Though one can grasp about the requirement only when editting. [[User:Mystrael|Mystrael]] tried writing them as in raw but the preview comes in a single file with no tab spaces. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] 14:30, 23 April 2012 (CDT)

No, I don't have a pic. I simply do the editting. [[User:Mystrael|Mystrael]] just asked about this on the forum so I decided to help. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] 15:31, 23 April 2012 (CDT)

== ZnT Project Page ==

The switch of the series overview in the middle of the page was simply in order to see if it's a wiki or some sort of problems with the BakaReader Android app. There's nothing wrong with it IMO, and there's nothing to lose anyway. [[User:Kira0802|Kira]] ([[User_talk:Kira0802|Talk]]) 17:20, 30 April 2012 (CDT)

What you did is just a random edit without knowing what it will do. If there is a problem with the Baka-Tsuki Android App then contact its author. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 17:27, 30 April 2012 (CDT)

If the Series Overview was the only one that would show up, then as I said, nothing to lose with changing the order or something. As I said, it might be a wiki format thing. [[User:Kira0802|Kira]] ([[User_talk:Kira0802|Talk]]) 17:48, 30 April 2012 (CDT)

== SAO references. ==

Just wondering, but was there a reason for the removal of references used for translation notes? --[[User:Tap|Tap]] 06:17, 2 May 2012 (CDT)

As you can see in [[Sword_Art_Online:Volume_5#References|volume 5]] there is still tons of them :D. I only removed a few of them here and there. Some of them were an "overuse" of reference when it wasn't needed and some of them were when some people transformed a comment from the translator into a reference when it wasn't needed. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 07:12, 2 May 2012 (CDT)

== Message ==

Did anyone ever tell you that you are way too rigid? Don't bother answering. I just wanted you to know. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 11:58, 11 May 2012 (CDT)

Your the man(or woman)! Don't let others tell you otherwise. Great job translating stuff into French btw, helps me test my french reading skills. - Melty - 1:26, 11 May 2012 (EST)

I... worked... hard on those edits. What are you doing? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 11:19, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

I'm putting back all the correct punctuations and you better stop undoing what I've done. And from now on, stop your "zero check" on the SAO project. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 11:24, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

In case you think I am wrong. Please read these two articles [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_marks] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#Quotation_marks]. And Note that Baka-Tsuki uses Media-wiki thus Wikipedia Manual of Style applies for optimal style of editing. I quote from these two articles:

#'''First Link, second paragraph:''' Quotation marks are written as a pair of opening and closing marks in either of two styles: single (‘…’) or double (“…”). Opening and closing quotation marks '''may be identical in form (called neutral, vertical, straight, typewriter or "dumb" quotation marks), or may be distinctly left-handed and right-handed (typographic or, colloquially, curly quotation marks)'''; see quotation mark glyphs for details.

#'''Second Link: Under <u>Quotation Marks</u> heading there is a subheading <u>Quotation characters</u>:''' Do not use grave and acute accents or backticks (`text´) as quotation marks (or as apostrophes). There are two possible methods for rendering quotation marks at Wikipedia (that is, the glyphs, displayed with emphasis here, for clarity): Typewriter or straight style: "text", 'text'. Recommended at Wikipedia. Typographic or curly style: “text”, ‘text’. Not recommended at Wikipedia.

Since both are correct english-wise and yet the typewriter quotes are recommended on sites using mediawiki plus they take lesser space on the web, thus they are the optimal choice. Once again I humbly apologize and hope for your understanding. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 11:25, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

We're Baka-tsuki, we do however we want and don't care how it's done elsewhere. Stop bothering me, the decision is final. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 11:26, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

Your decision is a mistake. One born of prejudice rather than calm judgement. Open your eyes. It's more optimal to use typewriter quotation marks. Why are you reverting every one of my changes recently. Is this how you do things? By one-sidedly using your authority to stomp on me? If you're a real leader then at least consider the things I have said and use proper arguments to convince me you are right. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 11:28, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

Furthermore, Zero Check is my code term for ''spelling, grammar, punctuation, *SFX*, references, etc correction as well as end of line white-spaces' removal''. In other words, in order to remove 1/5 factors of the changes you also removed the other 4. At least for those 4 factors, I went through every line and made the changes after examining everything. But you just didn't even do any work and undid mine simply by the click of a button. ''You could have incorporated those changes if you had used undo properly.'' But you just... And what of the changes in stuttering. Japanese and English denote stuttering in different ways. Japanese uses commas and three dots while English uses hyphens and three dots. Punctuation wasn't the only change I made and you reverted all those completely legitimate edits. ''Unlike me'', you didn't even make the effort to check through it all did you? And you still say you're in the right? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 11:55, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

Are you really in the right here? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 12:07, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

In my opinion, there isn't really a wrong or right when it comes to format styling. As long as it's understandable I doubt most people care one way or the other anyway. The way I understand it, I'd leave the standardization up to Vaelis as the project administrator, while the editors should correct grammatical errors and the like. [[Special:Contributions/74.133.76.121|74.133.76.121]] 12:26, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

Yeah but if there isn't a wrong or a right then shouldn't the one with the most perks be used? Typewriter quotes take less space than curly ones and unless you're using an FullHD sized monitor or zooming into at least 8x, you actually can't see any difference between curly and typewriter. So why not use typewriter since it reduces the size and there isn't any visual difference for most readers? Plus he didn't just revert the quotation marks. He also reverted my other edits. He could have kept those edits if he made those changes during undo edit mode but he didn't just because he didn't want to do the work. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 12:42, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

You really think it's easy to put back all the correct punctuations while keeping your other changes? Then do it for all the previous chapters where you replaced the punctuation, I will really appreciate it (and you might realize the time it takes). I was going to put back the other edits you did with the punctuation but you can't even wait a few hours... [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 14:48, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

You're the one with the problem with punctuation that isn't even wrong (See the links and examples I have given above nowhere is it written that either typewriter or curly quotation marks are wrong, just what is recommended and I gave you a very good reason). Shouldn't you be the one to do it? Just like I did. With the spelling, grammar, *SFX* and s-stuttering edits, etc. And until now whenever you did something like this I haven't seen you do it. Why should I believe what you just said? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 19:52, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

Let me ask you again. Are you really in the right here? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 20:01, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

You know, the whole reason why those curlies exist in the first place is because of word processors like MS Word whose main purpose is to print hard copies (on paper). "Typing like this (using edit mode) doesn't give them." Plus curlies take more space '''and''' you can't even see the difference between the two with a normal computer monitor. Is there really any merit in switching to curlies? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 20:05, 15 May 2012 (CDT)

You still don't understand that the origin of this problem is you. Editors should edit in a way where other people can check the change but when you change 30 grammar/spelling lost in the middle of 500 punctuation change, do you really think there is people who will check your edits? No, you're editing in a way where no one can check! Anyway you're still ranting about volume 6 even thought I put back a lot of your edits afterward. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 05:28, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

Thanks for doing that. That's one problem off my chest. Now.. pardon me if this annoys you but... You haven't actually said anything in support of curlies, have you? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 06:59, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

Well I'll put Sword Art Online on my list of exclusions for quote marks, for now. I believe that will be acceptable. You have no problems with my other edits do you? [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 07:16, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

But... you really are too rigid over the smallest things, you know. You remind me of my past self. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 07:23, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

To be honest, hooked quotation marks, or 'curlies' only assist the reader in reading when the font of the text is Times New Roman, or any other font that uses hooked letters. On Baka-Tsuki, the font is Calibri which uses no hooks, meaning hooked quotation marks will not benefit the reader (and may even be detrimental because (‘…’ “…”) are smaller to read and take more bytes). I hope Sword Art is in Times New Roman, because hooked and non-hooked characters just don't mix well. [[User:Lofthouse|Lofthouse]] 07:35, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

I'm starting to wonder about something, aren't people seeing the same thing than me? In this [[Sword_Art_Online:Volume_6_Chapter_7|page]], I see it like this [http://i46.tinypic.com/2ni18v7.png pic]. I can clearly see the difference between the quotation mark around "Onii-chan~!" and the ones around “Wha…what’s wrong, Sugu?”.

About "You haven't actually said anything in support of curlies, have you?", I have mostly one reason and it's enough for me: we're translating a book -> we should use the typography used in books no matter the media used for the translation. The main reason why people (and a lot of website) don't use it is because on the keyboard we don't have the correct quotation mark. That's why we have computer softwares to do it automatically like MS Word [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 08:09, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

About "You have no problems with my other edits do you?", I think that a lot of them are fine but since English isn't my mother tongue, I'm not really a good judge about that. That's why the edits should be easy to check by other editors. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 08:09, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

In that case there should be minimal problems. When I gave my O-Levels I got an A+ even though I was reading novels before the English Exam. Plus, I recently graduated from Cardiff University, Wales, UK and in order to go there I had to get a Visa but I didn't even need to give IELTS exams because of my O-Level English marks. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 08:14, 16 May 2012 (CDT)

== SAO Conventions/Guidelines ==

I've skimmed through most of the messages on this talk page and understand your preference for typographer's (curly) quotes versus straight. I also get the preference for avoiding entity references. I absolutely have no problem with any of that and just wanted to know if there were any other formatting or character issues I should be aware of before going back and re-doing the edits I made and/or moving forward. :) [[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 16:57, 16 July 2012 (CDT)

Nothing else I think. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 17:10, 16 July 2012 (CDT)

Excellent! I'll get on the edit ASAP.

Please don't hessitate to let me know if you spot something in the future! And thanks a bunch for all your work! XD [[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 17:33, 16 July 2012 (CDT)

User talk:Vaelis

2012-07-16T21:57:22Z

Tetsu-nii: /* SAO Conventions/Guidelines */ new section

User:Tetsu-nii

2012-07-16T21:41:26Z

Tetsu-nii:

User talk:Tetsu-nii

2012-07-16T21:39:20Z

Tetsu-nii: /* SAO */

Thanks a lot for all of your editing! Your guess is about as good as mine as far as "scream of unknown significance." The original text is 意味不明の叫び, so it would be "a scream of indistinct/unknown meaning," or as I decided to put it, "unknown significance." I agree that my translation of that was a little weird, but "incomprehension" would imply something totally different, so I changed it back. I just use the angle brackets because they're what Sanda-sensei uses in the books. Again, thanks!--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 05:13, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

The kanji used for his father's "form" is "姿." For the "everything flipped around" bit, Sanda-sensei uses the phrase "全ては反転した."--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 18:56, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

One thing I want to say: I don't want to go overboard with the references. What I mean is, I want the references to explain things that Japanese readers would know but English readers wouldn't, simply because the Japanese readers speak Japanese. If a Japanese reader sees "Ouroboros" or "Mephistopheles" and doesn't know what those are, they're going to have to look them up on their own time; there is no other information in the book. I don't know if anyone will agree with me, so I'll leave them as they are, but I think references should just be there to make up for what is lost in translation. Thanks for all your awesome editing work.--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 01:06, 17 May 2011 (UCT)

About Adilisia's name, check what I put on [[User talk:Kira0802|Kira0802]]'s page.--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 19:33, 19 May 2011 (UCT)
== Re: Fraternal Titles ==

My policy with these sorts of things is that if the story takes place in Japan or the characters are supposed to be speaking Japanese, then I keep in honorifics/kids saying onii-san/etc and Japanese-specific nuances like that. In the part I think you are referring to (Yamada talking to Itsuki about what his sister told him), Yamada refers to his sister as "aneki" which I just don't think flows well in English. Like "Aneki says to show your face more!" (whatever he said). That just doesn't feel right to me. I'll change them because you asked, but I still think it's weird. Continued thanks for all your editing help.--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 19:08, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

About what you did with replacing Itsuki's "uncle" and "dad" with the Japanese terms--I don't think that fits. People say "uncle" and "dad" in English, but they don't say things like "aneki" or "onii-san," which I agree should be kept. As it stands, putting in "tou-san" and "oji-san" doesn't really help the reader understand Itsuki's relationship with his dad and uncle any better than "dad" and "uncle."--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 18:56, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== 見鬼と浄眼 ==

A kenki (見鬼) was a commoner who could see spirits or had clairvoyance, usually after an eye injury of some sort. [http://www.page.sannet.ne.jp/kamiura/co13.htm Here] is a page that describes them.

Jougan (浄眼) means pure eyes, and there is no explanation of any sort that I can find... I'm guessing it's just another type of person who can see spirits and stuff. Searching for it just gives a million results about the Jougan Temple.--[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 23:41, 17 May 2011 (UCT)

Since you know Japanese and want to help cross check/proof-read, it's best to get hold of the raws ^_^ --[[User:Larethian|larethian]] 02:12, 18 May 2011 (UCT)

== SAO ==

greeting, i'm sorry if i sound rude, i'm not good at talking, it's just i saw your name at recent changes, editing sao, there's something bothering me, you replaced the special characters with entity references, could you clarify first with vaelis or other editors before further edits, because i saw vaelis revert them back, so i think there's a problem with it... --[[User:Tony Yon|Tony Yon]] 23:16, 15 July 2012 (CDT)

Indeed Tetsu-nii, I'd like you to stop replacing the special characters in SAO. [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 23:39, 15 July 2012 (CDT)

Hello, umm.. it seem that you still haven't ask vaelis or others, now, i saw your other edits, replacing curly (what's the name i'm not sure..) with ?straight? " or ' as far as i know, in this project they use the curly one rather than the straight ' " --[[User:Tony Yon|Tony Yon]] 04:03, 16 July 2012 (CDT)

Tony, thanks for the notes and I'll definately talk with Vaelis before making any more edits. It might be a while since my R/l is pretty hectic at the moment, but I am hoping to make at least one run through as many of the novels as I can make time for. - [[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 16:39, 16 July 2012 (CDT)

Rental Magica

2011-07-07T19:16:20Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Editors */

[[Image:レンタルマギカ第一巻.jpg|thumb|Volume 01 Cover]]

Rental Magica is a light novel series by Makoto Sanda. It has been running in Kadokawa's ''The Sneaker'' since 2004 and has since reached twenty volumes and spawned an anime series.

==Story Synopsis==

There is more magic in the world than people think.

There is more mystery in the world than people think.

The incredibly shy and weak high school student Iba Itsuki inherits his father's magician dispatch company, "Astral," after his father's disappearance outlasts seven years and his father is taken for dead. However, he has trouble getting used to the work involved with being president of the company, and also has a hard time dealing with his employees' wild personalities.

==Translation==

=== [[Rental Magica: Registration Page|Registration]]===

'''Translators are asked to [[Rental Magica: Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

==Updates==
*8 June 2011
**Volume 01 chapter 4 complete
*29 May 2011
**Volume 01 chapter 3 complete
*11 May 2011
**Volume 01 chapter 2 complete
*5 May 2011
**Rental Magica project officially underway

Older updates can be found [[Rental Magica:Updates|here]].
==''Rental Magica'' by Makoto Sanda==

===Rental Magica Volume 1: ~Magicians for Rent!===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Magicians for Rent!]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Magician's Offer]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - <Night> of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Taboo of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - Shape of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - End of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 7|Chapter 7 - Eye of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 1: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 2: Magicians V.S. Alchemists!===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Inheritance of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - Flying Ship of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Magicians and Wings]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Magicians and Homunculi]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - Home of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - The Magician and the Story of Long Ago]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Chapter 7|Chapter 7 - Magicians V.S. Alchemists!]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 2: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 3: Magicians, Assemble!===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 3: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 3: Chapter 1|Magicians for Rent!]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 3: Chapter 2|The Magician and the Flower Thief]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 3: Chapter 3|The Magician and the Summer Festival]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 3: Chapter 4|The Magician and the Portrait]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 3: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 4: The Dragon and the Magician===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - The Magician and the Senior]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Town of the Magician's Choosing]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Pause|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Magicians in the Mist]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The Magician and the Changeling]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Pause (2)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Dragon and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - The Magician and the Fairy Eye]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 4: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 5: The Fate of the Magician!===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 5: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 5: Chapter 1|The Magician and the Sea of Summer]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 5: Chapter 2|The Magician and the School Ghost Story]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 5: Chapter 3|The Magician and the Tanabata Festival - Part 1]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 5: Chapter 4|The Magician and the Tanabata Festival - Part 2]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 5: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 6: Magicians in Training!===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Chapter 1|The Magician and the Red Lance]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Chapter 2|The Magician and Christmas]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Chapter 3|The Magician and the Blood of Solomon]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Chapter 4|The Magician and the Bonds of Solomon]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Special Section|Special Supplement: Basic Theory of ''Rental Magica'']]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 6: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 7: The Demon Festival and the Magician (Part 1)===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - The Magician that Doesn't Go Home]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Magician's Hometown]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Pause|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Hunter of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The Magician and the Mortal Hill]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Pause (2)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Laughing Demon and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Pause (3)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 7: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 8: The Demon Festival and the Magician (Part 2)===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Pause|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - The Magician and the Beginning of the Festival]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Chapter 7|Chapter 7 - The Stone and the Stage and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Chapter 8|Chapter 8 - The Magician and the Shadow of the Snake]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Pause (2)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Chapter 9|Chapter 9 - The Magician and the Demon that is a God]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Pause (3)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Chapter 10|Chapter 10 - The Magician and the End of the Festival]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Chapter 11|Chapter 11 - The Magician and the Demon's Dream]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Epilogue|Epilouge]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 8: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 9: The Magician's Classmate===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 9: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 9: Chapter 1|The Magician and the Spiriting Away]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 9: Chapter 2|The Magician's Illness]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 9: Chapter 3|The Magician's Closing Ceremony]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 9: Chapter 4|The Magician and the Aquapolis]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 9: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 10: Vampires V.S. Magicians!===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - The Magician, a Second Year!]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Magician's Secret Symbol]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Pause|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - The Magician's Offer II]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The Magician and the Night-Colored Woman]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Magician and the Monster]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - Vampires V.S. Magicians!]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 10: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 11: The Magician of the Fairy Metropolis===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Prolouge|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Magicians, to England]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Pause|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - Magician Murder Mystery]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Pause (2)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Tower of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Deliberations of the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Magician's Defeat]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 11: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 12: The Magician's Memory===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 12: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 12: Chapter 1|The Magician's Investigation!]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 12: Chapter 2|The Magician's Supplementary Classes]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 12: Chapter 3|The Magician's Promise]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 12: Chapter 4|The Magician's Meeting]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 12: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 13: The Olden Day Magicians===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Lending Magicians]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Ghost City and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Pause|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - The Magician's Secret Poison]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The Dragon Egg and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Pause (2)|Pause]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Magician that Doesn't Use Magic]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Epilogue 1|Epilogue (after)]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Epilogue 2|Epilogue (before)]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 13: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 14: The Magician's Little Sister===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 14: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 14: Chapter 1|The Magician's Home Visit]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 14: Chapter 2|The Magician's Confession]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 14: Chapter 3|The Magician's Summer Vacation]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 14: Chapter 4|The Magician's Blind Snake]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 14: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 15: The Magician of the Old Capital===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - The Field Trip and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Magician's Instructor]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - The Magician's Production]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - What the Magician Must Protect]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Shattered Everyday Life and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 15: Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 16: The Fallen Dragon and the Magician===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - The Magician in the Storm]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The Magician and the Evil Miracle]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - The Magician and the Dragon of Degeneration]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The One Who Protects the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - The Red-Colored World and the Magician]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16: Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 16 Author's Word|Author's Word]]

===Rental Magica Volume 17: The Silver Knight and the Magician===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 17: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]

===Rental Magica Volume 18: The White Magician===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 18: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]

===Rental Magica Volume 19: The Magician's Little Sister, again===
::*[[Rental Magica Volume 19: Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]

==Project Staff==

===Translators===
:* [[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]]

All who are willing to help translate are welcome.
===Editors===
:*[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]]
:*[[User:Jonathanasdf|Jonathanasdf]]
:*[[User:Krytyk|Krytyk]]
All editors who speak English proficiently are welcome.

==Series Information==

#''Rental Magica: ~Magicians for Rent!'' レンタルマギカ～魔法使い、貸します! (August 2004, ISBN 978-4-04-424906-9)
#''Rental Magica: Magicians V.S. Alchemists!'' レンタルマギカ魔法使いV.S.錬金術師! (March 2005, ISBN 978-4-04-424907-6)
#''Rental Magica: Magicians, Assemble!'' レンタルマギカ魔法使い、集う! (July 2005, ISBN 978-4-04-424908-3)
#''Rental Magica: The Dragon and the Magician'' レンタルマギカ竜と魔法使い (November 2005, ISBN 978-4-04-424910-6)
#''Rental Magica: The Fate of the Magician!'' レンタルマギカ魔法使いの宿命! (December 2005, ISBN 978-4-04-424909-0)
#''Rental Magica: Magicians in Training!'' レンタルマギカ魔法使い、修行中! (June 2006, ISBN 978-4-04-424911-3)
#''Rental Magica: The Demon Festival and the Magician'' (Part 1) レンタルマギカ鬼の祭りと魔法使い(上) (October 2006, ISBN 978-4-04-424912-0)
#''Rental Magica: The Demon Festival and the Magician'' (Part 2) レンタルマギカ鬼の祭りと魔法使い(下) (November 2006, ISBN 978-4-04-424913-7)
#''Rental Magica: The Magician's Classmate'' レンタルマギカ魔法使いのクラスメイト (December 2006, ISBN 978-4-04-424914-4)
#''Rental Magica: Vampires V.S Magicians!'' レンタルマギカ吸血鬼V.S.魔法使い! (July 2007, ISBN 978-4-04-424915-1)
#''Rental Magica: The Magician of the Fairy Metropolis '' レンタルマギカ妖都の魔法使い (October 2007, ISBN 978-4-04-424916-8)
#''Rental Magica: Magical Method Encyclopedia'' レンタルマギカ魔導書大全 (December 2007, ISBN 978-4-04-424917-5)
#''Rental Magica: The Magician's Memory'' レンタルマギカ魔法使いの記憶 (January 2008, ISBN 978-4-04-424918-2)
#''Rental Magica: The Olden Day Magicians'' レンタルマギカありし日の魔法使い (April 2008, ISBN 978-4-04-424919-9)
#''Rental Magica: The Magician's Little Sister'' レンタルマギカ魔法使いの妹 (August 2008, ISBN 978-4-04-424920-5)
#''Rental Magica: The Magician of the Old Capital'' レンタルマギカ旧き都の魔法使い (March 2009, ISBN 978-4-04-424921-2)
#''Rental Magica: The Fallen Dragon and the Magician'' レンタルマギカ滅びし竜と魔法使い (July 2009, ISBN 978-4-04-424922-9)
#''Rental Magica: The Silver Knight and the Magician'' レンタルマギカ銀の騎士と魔法使い (February 2010, ISBN 978-4-04-424923-6)
#''Rental Magica: The White Magician'' レンタルマギカ白の魔法使い (July 2010, ISBN 978-4-04-424924-3)
#''Rental Magica: The Magician's Little Sister, again'' レンタルマギカ魔法使いの妹、再び (February 2011, ISBN 978-4-04-424925-0)

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-06-04T02:36:36Z

Tetsu-nii: Added captions to images

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===



"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''— We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|''"Al-Alright..."'']]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

— But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb|I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers.]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adilisia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adilisia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adilisia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adilisia • lenn • Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adilisia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adilisia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adilisia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adilisia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adilisia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adilisia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adilisia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adilisia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adilisia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adilisia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adilisia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adilisia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adilisia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adilisia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adilisia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adilisia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adilisia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adilisia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she tossed a thin twig into each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. Not a bit of pain remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural incidents before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been lost in thought for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adilisia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the participants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 2

2011-06-04T02:31:59Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 2 */ Editorial revisions

__NOTOC__
==Chapter 2 - The Magician's Offer==

===1===

"A~ah, President ''Onii-chan'' is dea~d..."

"Hey there, that's not the proper way to leave the physical realm now, is it?"

''"Meowowow, meo~w!"''

One after another, Mikan, Nekoyashiki, and Nekoyashiki's cats tapped him on the head.

"... P-Please... sorry."

Lying prostrate on the ground, Itsuki was at the verge of death, and finally managed to move just his finger.

He was at the mansion.

On Itsuki's overturned wooden desk had been a massive pile of documents, beakers, pyramidal flasks, some machine that looked like a microscope, and a dessicated monkey's arm. All of this was now on top of him. From underneath the veritable trash heap, only Itsuki's head remained, albeit barely, untouched.

"Even though you're not done with studies and examinations?" Honami chided roughly, knocking on the stack of documents.

"Ah... yes, I know...!"

"Then finish reading from "Hand of Glory" to "The Book of Albertus"."

Recovering from his near-death experience, Itsuki shook his head and picked up the old book. It was now almost a conditioned reflex. With emptier eyes than he had when he was under Adilisia's control, he continued to read the Grimoire.

— A week had already passed since the incident in the park.

In that time, Honami—who had transferred into his class—gave him a rough education. It consisted of lessons relating to both his presidential duties and magical studies.

Itsuki was now forced to devote himself to his studies since he was followed in and out of school, with nowhere to run.

"What kind of stuff are you reading," Nekoyashiki asked from behind him in a relaxed manner.

"He's got no talent," Honami declared. "He tried basic spells and affinities, but he sucks at everything. He probably wouldn't even be able to do anything with ten years of studying. Give him twenty years and he might be able to call on a low class spirit, though it still might not be satisfactory."

Having this said right behind his back was a little irksome. What was he studying for, then?

"Heheheh, I thought that he might have the makings of a genius since he could see ghosts and monsters. But it doesn't seem to be so, does it?"

"Rather than genius, it seems like just genes. Something close to a ''kenki''<ref>Someone without a family history of spiritual power who gains an ability like "second sight" or "fairy sight" in Western lore; usually due to an eye injury.</ref> or a ''jougan''<ref>Someone born with "second/fairy sight".</ref>, I'd think."

"There is the legend of the ''kenki'' becoming a powerful mountain wizard, you know."

"Isn't that, itself, an exception to an exception? There's no logic to it, so you can't include it into the calculations."

"What if we gave him some kind of elixir or spirit drug? Honami-san, in addition to Celtic magic, you know Witchcraft, right?"

"Of course, I've already tried that stuff. I've tried everything from Mandragora root to bat wings boiled in mercury to mashed toad intestines to just plain old Magnesia solution. Not one thing caused a positive response, so I'd say he's just got no brains."

Yes, he had truly come close to death when Honami forced him to eat aconite. He'd never thought those kinds of things would ever enter his mouth.

"Well, rather than magic, we'll just have to make sure he focuses exclusively on presidential work."

"I see. If that's the case, where should we start? We have one set for studying, but..."

Standing up, Nekoyashiki opened the closet.

Looking into it, Itsuki saw several shelves filled with books.

"Let's start with something to give him the main points. We can consult with Director Hazel too but I'd start with all twelve volumes of ''Detailed Exposition of Economic Values — General Remarks'' and all six of ''Mosaic Organization Structure: Basic Theory''."

It was the first time he had even heard of textbooks being divided into volumes. They all had bindings so thick that it was not unthinkable that he could club someone to death with them. To make matters worse, just looking at a page out of them made his brain melt down.

"Um, you said it would be okay if I just signed and stamped..."

Itsuki tried raising a pitiful voice of resistance, but...

"Did you even consider what you were signing up to do when you stamped?"

Honami's ice-blue eyes became even icier. They were probably even colder than the Cocytus of Greek legend.

"Other than holding the majority vote, you'll have to know the company's economic status and relative value compared with other companies. As for magic: if you don't memorize how to apply your employees' individual abilities, we'll never get work and even at the best of times be stuck with no jobs."

Her supple finger pointed at Itsuki, stabbing through his heart.

Incidentally, the businesses front of <Astral>'s office was a fortune-telling center and a recruitment agency for an occult magazine.

That is to say, 90% of their income came from these activities.

"Since we rent out magicians, I call us 'Rental Magica.' Ehehe, it sounds sort of cool, doesn't it?" said Mikan, puffing out her chest.

She seemed to have come straight from elementary school and she carried a red schoolbag over her ''miko'' outfit. No, she must have changed clothes in the office or something.

"So? What do you do, Mikan-chan?"

"Since I'm a ''miko'', I get hired for groundbreaking ceremonies and festivals and stuff. That's why I'm a~always busy in the summer."

"I see. Yeah, there are a lot of festivals in the summer, huh? So do you always come here?"

"Yep. Though, if I wasn't here, President ''Onii-chan'' would have been made into food for Ultros, wouldn't he?"

"Y-Yeah, sorry about that..."

Itsuki weakly waved his left hand. In his right hand, he held open the ''Economics Even ''You'' Can Understand—How to Save and Use Money'' book that Honami had lent to him (she had needed to lower the level of difficulty quite a bit for his sake).

''"Meow."''

''"Meowoww."''

"Hunh?"

The office cats were pulling at the bottom of his pants.

Being pulled along, he came to a desk with a fashion magazine placed on it. The cats pointed to the open magazine and meowed, waving their tails.

"Nekoyashiki-san, this is..."

"Aah. It's my most popular 'Nekomata Onmyoudou ・ Nekoyashiki Ren's Cat Fortune Telling' feature."

Nekoyashiki, who was sitting next to him, raised his head.

"... I see."

He somehow understood quite well. He seemed to be pretty popular. His personality didn't really show through in his photo, though.

''Looks like there are hardships no matter what kind of world you live in.''

He had a strangely familial feeling.

Nekoyashiki, with his cats on his knees, pressed his brush against his cheek. On the desk in front of him, a heavy-looking inkstone was enshrined with some Japanese paper. He was apparently in the middle of making "spell seals".

Lightly waving his brush across the slips of paper, he made several talismans.

"Are these for work?"

"No, I send them as presents to my readers. I draw five names from the people who send in the questionnaires and give them these."

"Huh, presents..."

Itsuki's chin dropped. He was way off.

Nekoyashiki smiled at his look.

"President, what do you think about magicians?" he asked.

"Huh? Umm... I still don't know anything about them at all..."

Well, for a start, none of them looked very magical. At least not before what he saw in the park. He didn't understand the different kinds of magic very well either.

"I suppose it's best to be honest. So, I'll change the question a bit. What's the need for magicians in the modern world?"

"Eh?"

Itsuki blinked at suddenly being asked such a basic question.

"Er, um... I guess they exist out of necessity?"

"Ahaha. A no-holds-barred response. I like that. If you think about it normally, there's really no need for them at all. If you need to fly, you use an airplane. If you need to talk to someone far away, you use a telephone. And if you need a familiar, there's always Sony's AIBO. Those robots are much cuter and more functional than your typical magical beast, aren't they? Oh, but of course, cats are the exception."

Putting emphasis on the last part, Nekoyashiki then made a solemn expression.

"But magic, just by virtue of being magic, can destroy the world, you know."

Nekoyashiki declared with all the sharpness of a ''katana''.

"..." Itsuki gulped involuntarily. "Is there really magic that powerful?"

"No. Because there is a human limit to spell power, all magic has its limits. For example, in the current world, the greatest flame user in the current world is Ismail Talib, a master of Islamic ''Djinn'' Magic. However, even he would only be able to burn down a single city at his best. Furthermore, there would need to be a lot of costly preparation before anything could be accomplished. It would probably be safer and smarter to just drop a napalm bomb on the city."

Nekoyashiki took a small sip of his green tea. It was apparently cold, as he made a disgruntled look.

"B-But monsters made with magic are pretty amazing, aren't they?"

"Ah, I see where you're going with this. Things like Kabbalic Golems and Homunculi do indeed have power greater than that of humans. The best and best known are <Goetia>'s Mathers family's 'Seventy-Two Demons.'"

Hearing the familiar name, Itsuki's face became stiff.

"Oh, what's the matter?"

"N-No, it's nothing."

Adilisia • lenn • Mathers.

That was the name of the girl who now sat to his right during class. Thought it was difficult for him to admit. Perhaps it was because of Honami, but she hadn't given him any trouble. Still, he could feel the terrible sensation that a pair of green eyes was glaring at him from time to time.

''The best, huh...''

As Itsuki half admired her and half feared her, Nekoyashiki continued his discussion.

"However, there is a limit even to the highest ranking demons. No matter which road the summoner takes, they can't outdo their natural ability while still being able to completely control the monster. There are ways for summoner-type magicians to make their work more efficient, but it just makes things more likely to work rather than guaranteeing anything."

"... Then, what was that magic that you said could destroy the world?"

"Oh, that..."

As Nekoyashiki nodded, the black, old-fashioned phone next to the support pillar rang.

Lifting the handset to his face in a flash, Nekoyashiki answered.

"Thank you for calling. This is the magician dispatch company <Astral>... eh? Oh, I see. Yes. Yes, yes. Understood!"

Slamming the handset back onto its cradle, Nekoyashiki whirled around.

"President! Urgent request!"

"Eh? Don't tell me it's another monster extermination!" Itsuki responded in a panic.

"No, it looks like a magazine writer is out with a cold! If we hurry, we can write the substitute article. We have to take a quick trip to the publisher and write it on-site."

— Well, that seemed pretty peaceful.

"U-Understood. Let's go."

Itsuki gave a tired laugh and turned his back to Nekoyashiki, who was placing his cats in a ''furoshiki''<ref>In this instance, using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furoshiki furoshiki] to carry a bundle.</ref> before slinging the bundle over his shoulder.

Before exiting the door, Nekoyashiki turned around.

"That's right. About what I was saying earlier..."

"Hm?"

"The most dangerous magic is... when the magician becomes the magic himself," Nekoyashiki said, narrowing his eyes into crescent moons.

===2===

The next day, during lunch, Itsuki walked up to the curry meal... and moved on, taking the udon meal.

Among the students, the curry at this school was known as "Russian Roulette". Since there is no set kind of curry served, you could get terribly sweet curry one day and get blazingly spicy curry the next. Whether it was the spiciness of a chili pepper or the sweetness of syrup and powdered sugar, it all smelled and looked the same. There was no way to think of it as anything other than a trap.

Pushing through the waves of people, Itsuki made his way to the end of the cafeteria and sat at the empty table there.

As he read the reference book Honami had lent him while eating, "May I sit here?" came a voice that rang like a bell.

It was Adilisia. Of course, she wasn't wearing her dress in school; she had on a sailor uniform and was holding a cafeteria tray. Her golden hair and emerald eyes clashed quite considerably with the sailor outfit and Itsuki simply blinked at her for a moment.

"... What are you gaping at like a fool?"

"N-No, I just didn't think you'd be eating the school food."

"It is my choice."

Turning her face away, she sat in front of him.

The smell of delicious curry wafted from her tray.

"Ah..."

With an elegant sweep, Adilisia brought the spoon to her mouth.

"!!!"

She swooned in agony.

"What is this!? Can't they make this curry sweeter!?"

She slammed the table. Itsuki's right eye began to hurt again. She was gathering spell power bit by bit.

"There's nothing you can do about it here..."

"Ugh!! How could I have fallen into such a trap?"

"W-Wouldn't it be best to not overdo it and just not eat the curry?"

"Be quiet. Since I made this decision, I will see it to its finish."

With teary eyes, Adilisia stuffed the suspicious curry into her cheeks.

"... Hey, look at that over there."

"... Ibaitsu made the transfer student cry."

"... I heard that Ibaitsu is her manservant, is that true?"

"... What? I heard that the transfer student was Ibaitsu's fiancée."

"... Well, what about the other transfer student?"

"... No way... are they gonna start fighting?"

At the scene, rumors began pouring out of the surrounding students.

''Aw man! I'm the center of another weird misunderstanding!''

Recently, Itsuki was all the class talked about. Of course, it wasn't because Itsuki himself was interesting. It was because of the people sitting to his right and left during class. That is to say, the two transfer students. Since the beautiful mixed race girl and the English lady glared at the class loon between them, it would be weird for rumors not to spring up.

Slurping his udon, Itsuki sighed.

Feeling that things were going to get worse, he was trying to think of a way to respond to the situation when the young lady who had finally finished half of her curry glanced upward.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg75.jpg|thumb|"Do you really plan on overcoming the <Night> with such a... such a careless attitude?"]]

"Itsuki."

"Yes?"

"It may be impolite of me, but please allow me to inquire. You have only recently become a company president, yes?"

"M-More or less..."

"And even though you aren't a magician?"

Her green eyes stared him down.

"N-No, though I have been doing all I can about that..." Itsuki answered, flustered. He had already stopped trying to study magic. Should he have told her the truth?

However, hearing that, Adilisia's expression changed.

"Well then... even though you aren't a magician, you are still the leader of <Astral>, that... jumbled up collection of magicians... yes?"

With a sudden sweep of silence across the cafeteria, whispers began to arise.

Because they were far away, the other students didn't catch on to words like "magician" or "leader," but what they did see was that Adilisia was quite indignant.

But as any proper young lady, Adilisia didn't pay attention to the whispers. She leaned over the table at Itsuki.

"Uwah!"

"Do you really plan on overcoming the <Night> with such a... such a careless attitude?"

''Uh... <Night>?''

Itsuki didn't think too much about it. He pulled back as Adilisia's white visage came nearer. She peered straight into Itsuki's eye.

"Fine."

She let go of the table. "Since you apparently are not aware of that either, I will give you a warning. If you continue with that attitude, you will die within three days."

"Die..."

Itsuki felt the coldness of those words all the way through to his heart.

"..."

"..."

For a while, the two stayed silent, simply looking at each other.

When Itsuki grabbed his chopsticks, he felt something.

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"... Adilisia-''san'', are you, by any chance... worried for me?"

In an instant, Adilisia's face became bright red up to her ears.

"Do not say such foolish things! Since you saw things normal people are unaware of in the park last week, I was just clarifying things for you."

She stood up angrily.

"So how about now? If you value your life, you will pull out of the next offer."

Simply declaring that, the girl swiftly turned on her heel.

"Hey, wait a second."

Itsuki tried to follow her, but he suddenly felt a strange itch under his eye patch. He rubbed it, standing up.

However, he felt something wet.

"Huh?"

The finger he had rubbed under his eye patch with was dyed slightly red.

''"... with that attitude, you will die within three days."''

"Ugh..."

And then, seeing his own blood, Itsuki—who was anemic—fell on his back in a faint.

After school, Itsuki made his way home after being slapped awake by the school nurse.

"Hey, I want to go home, so hurry and wake up!" she insisted.

For the time being, the blood had stopped. In all truth, there really wasn't that much bleeding in the first place, and it had totally stopped by the time he had reached the infirmary. Because the nurse in the infirmary knew him well, she let him be without taking his eye patch off. Itsuki was thankful for that.

''It's been a long time since I've seen blood...''

Talking to himself, he walked toward downtown.

Lots of shops had already closed. There were few people on the streets and the old townscape was like a silhouette in the sunset.

The city of Furube was a mix of new and old.

It was a small town that had existed on a sloping hill since the Heian Period. Then, the bubble economy brought a population influx, turning the place into a commuter town overnight. To add to that, the city recently began luring enterprises, bringing in a lot of hustle and bustle and causing the construction of many new buildings.

It was a laid back town, but the downtown area was in the middle of a rebirth.

As he climbed the sloping road on his way to the alleyway leading to the office, Itsuki suddenly stopped his feet.

"A-Are you here again?"

Remembering Ultros, his facial expression dropped.

That demon dog—his caretaker still hadn't taken him back so, it couldn't be helped, he was now being kept at <Astral>.

As he walked through the alleyway, it was an established practice for Ultros to playfully assault him. For example, one time Ultros had climbed to the top of the roof and dove headfirst at Itsuki, nearly crushing him to death.

When he held his eye patch and looked across the alleyway...

"You are <Astral>'s Iba Itsuki-''sama'', aren't you?"

"Wha...?"

Being spoken to from his side all of a sudden, Itsuki jumped.

Slipping through the sunset, a human figure stood before him. Itsuki should have been able to see him in his peripheral vision, but it was as if he didn't even register in Itsuki's consciousness.

It was as if the man lacked any sort of characteristic at all.

With a blank expression on his face, he wore a worn out business suit on his body, which was about average height. In his hand, he carried a normal-looking suitcase. If he were to walk into a crowd, you would immediately lose sight of him.

"Aren't you Iba Itsuki-''san''?" the man asked again.

"Eh? Ah, y-yes..."

"A~h, of course. You do look like Tsukasa-''san''," the man said, forcing a nostalgic look onto his face.

"You know my dad?"

"Yes. President Iba Tsukasa helped me a long time ago.

"Excuse me for beating around the bush. I am Kagezaki, of the <Organization>."

"<Organization>..."

He remembered Honami saying the name.

It was definitely the public controller that assembled magicians. Honami still hadn't told him the details, but he had heard that it was an association that presided over more than a hundred magical groups.

"Right now, I would like to congratulate you on your succession. We await your future patronage."

"Y-Y-Yes, nice to meet you and all that... but why is someone from the <Organization> here?"

"It's about the contract."

Smiling calmly, Kagezaki held up the suitcase.

"Contract?"

Remembering what Adilisia had told him, his cheeks became stiff.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing that important, but... Ahahaha!" He broke out in a cold sweat. "Well, uh, let me take you inside the office..."

"There won't be any need for that, President."

All of a sudden, he was interrupted by another presence in the alleyway.

"Nekoyashiki-''san''!"

"Oh, Nekoyashiki-''sama''. It has been a while."

In the alleyway at twilight stood a gray-haired, young man—Nekoyashiki. In his peculiar Japanese clothes, with his folding fan, his chest and shoulders covered in cats, he was the same as usual.

However, his face looked somewhat perturbed to Itsuki.

"Kagezaki-''san''. You received the communication that we were waiting for the offer, correct?"

"Yes. That is what this is about." Keeping his smile, Kagezaki nodded. "The truth is that earlier, the offer contract was terminated by <Goetia>-''sama''. According to the rules, if <Astral>-''sama'' does not formally reject this claim, they will have to withdraw from the next <Night>."

"I know that."

Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

He didn't hide the fact that he did not like Kagezaki. Itsuki felt a bit surprised at this, Nekoyashiki was usually subtle.

Kagezaki lips drew out into a full grin.

"Ah, then that works out wonderfully. You know <Astral> has not accepted an offer for six years, right? If you refuse this one as well, I will have to consider terminating your registry with the <Organization>." Acting as if he really regretted it, Kagezaki continued. "If that happens, you know that Itsuki-''san'' will be back to the way he was before and Nekoyashiki-''san'' and Mikan-''san'' will have to return to their former positions, right?"

"Huh?"

Former positions?

As Itsuki blinked confusedly, Nekoyashiki wore a grim expression.

"I know that. I know we have to do this job to keep our place in the registry. That's what you're saying, yes?"

"Yes, more or less."

Kagezaki put on a troubled smile.

His smile gave no impression. Like a movie extra whose presence or lack thereof made no difference, his face was completely spiritless.

''...''

Suddenly, Itsuki became afraid.

His slight confusion changed to uneasiness, and that uneasiness morphed into terror. Like with Adilisia, it wasn't a clear abnormality. However, Kagezaki seemed so average that it made him suspicious.

— It was as if his face was bleached.

Itsuki gulped. Feeling something cold on the back of his neck, he finally opened his mouth to speak.

"Please w-wait for just a minute. I can't figure this conversation out. What do you mean by terminating our registration? What 'job' are you talking about?"

"What?" Kagezaki shifted his gaze toward Itsuki. "You mean all of this hasn't been explained to you?"

"It hasn't been two weeks since he's succeeded the role of president," Nekoyashiki answered.

With a smile of understanding, Kagezaki nodded.

"If that's the case, then why don't I explain? Otherwise..."

Kagezaki smiled again.

However, the one who answered him this time was not Nekoyashiki or Itsuki.

At the bottom of the sloping road, two new characters were walking that way.

While Itsuki was in the infirmary, Honami had left school and appeared to be coming back from shopping.

"Kagezaki ''oji-san''..."

Mikan was next to her holding a plastic supermarket bag, tugging at the hem of her sailor uniform, shivering.

She stepped in front of Mikan.

"I'll tell you about it," Honami Takase Ambler said flatly.

===3===

"--Well then, I'll place the documents here. There are also reference documents for the next case, so please read through them."

Placing his trunk on the table and making a bow, Kagezaki stood up and left. He didn't disappear or fly away like a magician, he stood up on his two feet and walked down the hill road outside.

Until his shape disappeared, a pair of harsh Ice Blue Eyes glared at him.

"President, shall I take that trunk for you?" Honami prompted.

"Oh, sure. ...Mikan-chan, is it safe?" Itsuki, taking the trunk, asked Mikan, who had been hiding.

"Yeah, it's safe..." With a pale face, Mikan nodded stiffly. Her hands were still shivering. She tugged on Itsuki's school uniform. "Not! Uwaaaah!" Tears began to tumble out of her eyes, and she buried her face in Itsuki's stomach. "Uuu... I'm scared... I'm scared--..."

"A-ah, I understand, I understand..."

He decided against telling her not to rub her runny nose all over him and nervously stroked her head.

"*H-hic*, president onii-chan... waaaah... was bullied by oji-san..."

"Uh... yes?"

Confused, Itsuki wiped Mikan's cheeks. She had cried quite a bit, and her tears had streaked down to his pants.

As he did,

"... Hmph."

For some reason, Honami was looking at him with horribly cold eyes.

"Wh-what?"

"Nothing. So you're interested in that type, huh? I guess it's up to you."

"Wh-why are you saying something like that?"

"Forget about it. I'll leave you two alone."

Nekoyashiki intervened with his calm-as-usual tone.

"Now then, how about we return to the office first?"

"Meowo~ww"

Nekoyashiki's cats meowed in agreement with one another.

A few minutes later.

Inside of <Astral>'s messy office, the smell of black tea wafted faintly through the air.

"Here you go, Mikan-chan."

"Thanks Honami."

Taking the white teacup, Mikan made a tiny slurp.

Incidentally, Itsuki had changed out of his soggy school uniform into regular clothes. Because Ultros licked him all over every day, he sadly had to keep a spare set of clothes at the office.

"H-hey, what about me?"

"Oh, are you here?"

"... S-sorry..." Itsuki said, lowering his head.

A little while later, a teacup was held out to him.

He was at the reception table. He sat next to Mikan on the creaky antique sofa. Nekoyashiki was a little further away at his desk, and Honami was sitting in front of Itsuki in a Windsor chair, placing her own teacup before her.

After a short pause,

"Now then, back to what I was saying before..."

"Oh, yeah," Itsuki nodded.

He didn't understand any of the earlier discussion, about the offer, or the registry, or the <Night>. There was something about former positions too.

"So, I'll explain everything to you in order," Honami said, putting the rim of her teacup to her mouth. Apparently she had been studying in England until a little while ago, and her motions were very similar to Adilisia's.

Taking a single sip of the amber-colored liquid, Honami began to talk.

"I already told you about the <Organization>, right?"

"That one structure affiliated with seventy or eighty percent of magician groups, wasn't it? <Astral>'s part of it too, right?"

Seemingly satisfied with Itsuki's answer, Honami nodded.

"Right. Both <Astral> and <Goetia> are registered. In the beginning, it was a support union made by magicians in Europe in the Middle Ages. They could never intervene in anything directly, but they had a lot of influence worldwide. For example, even if you weren't formally registered with the <Organization>, no one would treat you like a real magician."

Giving a simple review, Honami looked at Itsuki.

This was review, right? If he said that he couldn't remember something, he didn't know what kind of horrible things she'd put him through, so he nodded obediently.

"Alright then, I'll continue. --Offers are 'jobs' accepted from the public by the <Organization>, which are then directed to its registered magical groups."

"'Jobs?'" Itsuki asked.

"Yes, 'jobs.' I just told you that the <Organization> could never intervene in anything directly. That's because the different magical groups are very sensitive to their spheres of influence. If someone idiotically sticks their nose in someone else's domain, it could turn into a fight. That's why the <Organization> recruits magicians who can solve such problems."

That is to say, in exchange for not getting your own hands dirty, you dispatched others capable of solving various issues. That seemed like what a support union would do.

After thinking for a moment, Itsuki opened his mouth.

"Then, that guy Kagezaki came because--"

"A 'job.' --The <Organization> is seeking to resolve some issue that's popped up."

"...!"

At Honami's words, Itsuki could feel his blood rush through him.

Whatever this 'job' could be, there was one thing that was certain.

"W-woah, time out! Wait a second! Then, Adilisia came--"

"Because <Goetia> took the offer. If <Astral> takes the offer as well, then the reward is first come, first serve. That is to say, we'll be fighting one another."

Itsuki got goose bumps.

He remembered the fear that Adilisia had instilled in him. If magicians were fighting...

"T-then, you mean... with... magic?"

"Naturally. We're magicians."

Honami made the finishing blow. Itsuki dropped his head as though he were a marionette whose neck string had been cut.

"President?"

"No, that's..."

There was no going back now. It was only a matter of time before a gruesome death.

On the other hand, the girl across from him made a small sigh.

"You know, you're the one who's supposed to decide whether or not we take on offers, right?"

"Huh?" Suddenly, Itsuki's face sparkled. "That's it then! Let's take a pass on this one..."

"--Let me return to what we were discussing before."

Nekoyashiki, who was dandling his cats, gave a warning from his desk.

"What?"

"Ah, there is a certain reason... how should I put this? This could turn into a long story, but unlike other magical societies, <Astral> isn't a simple magical group. Our last president forcibly pulled in several different kinds of magicians. That is to say, we're like a hodge podge of different magicians..."

Itsuki felt as though Adilisia had told him something similar before. Something like "jumbled up collection"...

"What do you mean?" Itsuki knitted his brows.

"To put it simply, if <Astral> is removed from the registry, Nekoyashiki-san and Mikan-chan will have to go back to their original groups," Honami chimed in.

"H-hunh?"

"<Astral> hasn't taken any offers since the last president disappeared. The <Organization> can't keep an association like that in their registry. That's what Kagezaki was threatening earlier."

An awkward silence spread across the room.

"U-um..."

Finally, Itsuki looked around.

"... President onii-chan... I don't want to go back." Mikan looked up at him from beside, holding her teacup with both hands.

"........."

"Meow."

"Meeow!"

"Me~ow."

Meowow~ow."

The cats began to exert pressure from all sides of the office.

"......................."

"Aren't they cute? They're the treasures of the world, the finest art this earth has borne. However, I can't take this many cats back home with me. Aah, you're not telling me that you would rather these cats die, are you?"

Putting on a drama, Nekoyashiki lamented exaggeratedly.

"..........................................."

"What're you gonna do, president?" Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler asked him coldly, persisting.

"................................................................................"

Itsuki felt as though something similar had happened not half a month ago.

"... O-okay... I get it..."

Almost crying, Itsuki slammed the table.

Though he had come this far, he was still a total novice. --Or rather, even he hadn't thought it would get this bad.

He made a deep, deep sigh, expelling everything in his lungs.

Then, he puffed his chest out, partly out of desperation.

"Okay then, what kind of 'job' are we doing this time?" he asked, crying.

===4===

The place had been called the "goblin factory" before.

Everyone in Furube City knew of the smokestacks rising from halfway up Mt. Nyuu.

Around it was a red, rusty barb-wire fence, and the vacant space between the fence and the factory was overrun with weeds. The outer concrete wall had cracks here and there, and they were a strange color, as if a demon had slashed at the wall with its claws.

The place had been sealed off several decades before. As was often the case when a business failed, the factory head and his family had all hung themselves, and the land was abandoned, leaving the building to slowly rot away.

Incidentally, there were scary stories about how if one listened closely, they could hear the factory head that killed himself creeping about at night, or the sound of machines that should have been destroyed working as usual.

Itsuki was at the entrance of this factory.

Furthermore--the air of the tepid summer night felt bizarre.

"... gh..."

"President onii-chan? What's wrong?"

"No, that's... it's... nothing, nothing at all..."

Walking one step behind Mikan, grasping the cuff of her Miko clothes, he made an awkward smile and shook his head.

Since they had entered the mountain, his knees had been shaking nonstop. He wanted to praise himself for making it this far. Incidentally, Mikan was a surprisingly good walker, so she hadn't sweated a drop the whole way up the mountain road.

Mikan tilted her neck.

"Are you scared?"

"Geh!"

Straight pitch.

Fast ball.

Mikan was right on the money.

"Mfufufu, it's okay. I'll protect you, president onii-chan."

Laughing into her nose, she waved her tamagushi with a triumphant air.

"P, protect...?"

"You know..." She pressed the tamagushi against her cheek, starting to explain herself,

"--Mikan, enough chit-chat, how about that misogi?"<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misogi misogi] (禊) is a kind of Shintou purification rite.</ref> Honami cut in from beside.

Honami was wearing her sailor uniform as usual. However, she had a large pointed hat over her chestnut-colored hair, and she wore a night-colored cape across her skinny shoulders. She was like a witch from a fairy tale, the same as Itsuki had seen her in the park.

"Al-right!"

Pointing her lips, Mikan waved her tamagushi here and there across her miko clothes and fingers. This was apparently a misogi.

Making sure Mikan was occupied, Honami turned to Itsuki.

"President. Hand me your badge so I can do the preparations."

"Uh... this thing?"

Itsuki fished his badge out of his pocket and held it out to Honami. She grabbed it from him and held it up to the moonlight, then fastened it to Itsuki's collar.

Tilting his neck to the side, Itsuki caught a glimpse of Honami's splendidly white nape.

A faint scent slipped into his nostrils.

"Ah..."

His cheeks became hot.

"Hm, what?"

"N, no, it's nothing. Nothing at all. What's this?"

"Basically, protection. The holy pentagram is strengthened by the divine nature of the silver mirror. This kind of thing is used in both the east and west, so it has some ability to overcome spell wave interference. There's some more ways to use it, but I'll tell you later. --Now, this,"

"Oh, business cards..."

Tucked away in a thin, silver case was a stack of business cards. Furthermore, neatly embossed next to the words <Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral> was "Company President ・ Iba Itsuki."

"Wh, why are you suddenly giving me this?"

"Oh, I finished purifying those business cards!" Mikan butted in, puffing her chest out.

"After we finished washing out the paper with the miracle water of Fuji, Mikan purified it with a ceremony. Inside of them is the Kabbalah Cross that the head of the Fetish Department, Hazel, carved. Since every single one of them has a real fetish in it, don't go around giving them to everyone."

"S, sure."

Who was he supposed to give these to, then?

--He felt like he was treading deeper and deeper into the swamp.

"Then... what were the preparations you were talking about?" he fearfully asked.

Honami narrowed her eye at him from behind her glasses.

"I'm deciding that now. Before the 'job' starts, I have to give you something to protect yourself, so that I can properly cover you."

"B, but... I don't see anything strange right now," he protested flusteredly.

He could see monsters, but he didn't know for sure if this place was a real spirit spot or not. Looking from his right eye, it seemed like just a regular old creepy place.

Even so, what he really feared was that--the lack of knowledge. He didn't know whether or not to be afraid. He pitied himself a bit.

"It's here."

Honami let loose a grin, looking down at the watch on her wrist.

"There are definitely ley lines here, but they're small. This is a dragon cave. If it's as the reference docs say, then the 'Night' will be here very soon. Just thirty seconds left on the clock... twenty-nine... twenty-eight... twenty-seven..."

"Huh?"

"... Seventeen... sixteen... fifteen..."

Her soft countdown echoed across the ruined factory in the mountain recess.

The numbers traveled across the night air, taking on a strange feel as if they were a spell themselves.

"..."

Itsuki, unable to move, gulped.

"Eight... seven... six..."

The countdown ran into the single digits.

"Five... four... three..."

Mikan gazed at the entrance of the factory.

"... Two... one..."

Creeeak!

--Itsuki's right eye twisted.

"... Wh, what!?"

He felt his eyepatch.

All of a sudden, the world had changed.

No, that wasn't it.

It wasn't a feeling of anything that changed.

It was as if the world had reverted to a former state--an unpleasant sense of déjà-vu. There was an enormous spell power. It felt as though an explosion had occurred inside his right eye.

"Mee~ow."

"Spell wave pollution--confirming a shift from class six to class three. Just like the reference docs said," Nekoyashiki sighed, stroking the cat he was holding against his chest.

"... The Magi Night has begun," the witch with the Ice Blue Eyes finally declared.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Adilisia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers felt a sudden burst of pressure assail her body. She had a sensation of gravity suddenly becoming stronger. The spell power that diffused across every inch of her body reverberated against the ground violently.

"... gh!"

Gripping the pentagram of Solomon over her chest, she pushed back the spell power in a single breath. Withstanding the feeling that her blood was flowing backwards, the girl lifted open her red lips.

"--The <Night> has come."

She stood on the other side of the factory. It went without saying that she knew each member of <Astral> had arrived as well.

Behind her, ten people in black clothes stood by.

They each held pentagrams of Solomon over their chests as well, and were wearing rings to provide spiritual protection. These were Adilisia's handpicked apprentices of <Goetia> that she had taken with her for work in Japan.

"I will confirm the 'job' one last time," Adilisia whispered, gazing at the factory without turning around.

She spoke in a small voice, but the magicians were not ones to let any of her words escape them. If they messed up one single pronunciation or had even the slightest error in their tone of voice, it would completely change the meaning of their spells.

"The request from the <Organization> is to obliterate this <Night>. Without drawing the eyes of anyone, without allowing any injuries to occur, we must seal it in darkness under the cover of darkness. <Astral> is likely thinking this as well."

Adilisia's voice sounded out delicately.

It was like the voice of some beautiful bird.

"However, this time, that is not our aim."

The black clothes--the apprentices, gently lowered their heads. Age made no difference. To a magician, the difference in rank was absolute.

Their rank was 3=8 and 4=7. As the rank of those with regular genius and strong effort, you could say their rank was the highest. Even so, they were a long shot from Adilisia.

It was because of her blood.

Naturally, plain old genius meant nothing in magic.

If having strange powers and being outside of the norm was proof of a magician, then the ones who stand on top are necessarily those who are separated from people from the beginning. As much as a lifetime of hard work was meaningless, the collected bloodlines of thousands of years--that tenacity, was what bore the forbidden fruit of magic.

Adilisia had been a magician since before she was born.

That is why she spoke so magnificently to the apprentices that she stood above.

"We will retrieve... our elder. For that purpose, we will use any means, and any magic. Use your spell power for only this purpose until your very last drop of life."

Without so much as a cough, the black clothes lowered their heads again.

It was the same landscape as always.

It was the same view as always.

This kind of mechanical exchange was natural for a magical group.

"Do you understand?"

Suddenly, the face of an idiot, the leader of another magical group, hovered in her head. Adilisia bit her lip.

"I warned you. --If only you had not gotten yourself involved in this <Night>..."

<references/>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-06-03T23:49:54Z

Tetsu-nii: Reversions and revisions to editorial changes.

==Prologue==


May, London.

Befitting its nickname, "The City of Fog", the boarding school's garden was wrapped in a deep, white mist that morning.

Stepping onto the damp ground in front of the vine-shrouded chapel, Honami Takase Ambler gripped her suitcase.

The familiar face of an old gentleman awaited her at the marble front gate.

"McGregor-sensei."

"Miss Honami. How about at least a goodbye before heading back to your hometown? I was almost deprived of conveying my regards to our best student in recent years."

The fog at their feet completely obscuring his cane, McGregor placed his bowler against his chest.

His Japanese was fluent.

Honami let out a brief laugh and likewise took off her tall, pointed hat. Ice-blue eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses appeared from behind her chestnut-hued, somewhat-short hair. The pure white blouse and tight skirt were dazzling on her innocent, fifteen-year old body.

"I didn't wanna cause any trouble. You're working on your next thesis and all."

"Do not patronize me. How could one be a proper, English gentleman if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"

Stroking his orderly, Colman moustache<ref>Type of moustache made famous by English actor, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Colman Ronald Colman.]</ref>, McGregor snorted lightly.

Honami smiled again.

He was that kind of person—showy and childish, but wonderful to be with. When he had suddenly approached Honami and asked her to teach him Japanese, he had said, "I have no patience with accents. In any language; historic, polite speech most befits a gentleman." Several months later he underwent a total personality shift, right down to the BGM.  He even threw out occasional ''rakugo''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo Rakugo] is a traditional form of comedic Japanese storytelling.</ref> and ''kabuki''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki Kabuki] is a traditional form of Japanese theatre.</ref> nuances. Students, unaware of the circumstances, had even spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.

However, over the last seven years, he was the most helpful person to Honami.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"

"Sure."

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him—it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already, but she could handle the worst with what she had on her person. If push came to shove, she still had the thing inside her suitcase.

"Now–now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."

McGregor twirled his cane. If this were an old movie, he would probably start tap dancing.

"In a garden like this, there is no need to worry about spell wave pollution. There is little time before the plane arrives. Let us begin quickly."

Swiftly, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ceramic goblet. There was an ''ouroboros'' carved on the side and a candle lid set on top. It was an object often used in alchemical experiments.

"Egyptian magical arts, your specialty?"

"This is your test. Naturally, you meet the aptitude requirements for a student. Thus I have raised the level of difficulty on your behalf."

McGregor casually released the wine cup.

In that instant there was a change. Breaking apart with a sound, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami. As if it had a will of its own, the smoke rushed into her nose and mouth.

"...gh"

"The stuffiness you are feeling is a reaction to the Kabbalah Golem and sulfur, ''Tria Prima''."

McGregor observed dispassionately.

"I shall refrain from writing '''EMETH''' at this moment. Well then, how well can you handle an enemy with no true form?"

The smoke had already engulfed Honami's body.

According to McGregor's calculations, the smoke monster wouldn't stop until Honami had fainted. Of course he had set it not to take her life, but it was possible that he had overlooked something. The smoke was designed to engulf her until all the air had been squeezed from her lungs.

However, the smoke suddenly stopped moving.

"Hm?"

McGregor frowned. A sprig of mistletoe had sprouted from the ground. It bound the smoke despite its shapelessness.

At the same time, a single arrow flew out of the smoke and struck McGregor's cane.

As the cane fell to the ground, it broke cleanly in half length-wise.

The letters '''EMETH''' were carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.

"There's the spell's origin. Lying is the beginning of thievery, Sensei."

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."

Waving his numbed hand, McGregor, who had landed on his backside, gave a wry smile. The smoke had already disappeared. The girl who was now holding her hand out to him hadn't even needed to open her suitcase. It had been a ploy from the start, but as expected, she hadn't been forced to use her trump card.

"Aaaah, what a waste, what a waste...!"

Throwing off his gentlemanly façade, McGregor struggled to his feet.

"If you stay, we will waive all the research fees... and we will grant you unlimited access to our prized Grimoire! At least a another year... no, for just half a year, please continue your studies here!"

"I'm happy that you value me."

McGregor sullenly crossed his arms.

"You have a lover in Japan or something?" he asked.

Honami's cheek's turned bright red.

"I-It's nothing like that!"

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behavior to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."

"Isn't what you're saying more like the reaction of a French gentleman?"

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, Sensei."

Smiling mischievously, Honami handed McGregor a single business card.

Printed in sepia-hued letters on lavish paper stock with a crystal watermark was:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company • Astral'''

'''— We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Return to [[Rental Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Talk:Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-06-03T23:45:29Z

Tetsu-nii: Reasoning behind the editorial reversions or revisions.

As a general point, please try not to change the meaning of what the translator has provided. If there's a question about his translation, please make a note of it so the two of you can resolve the issue and avoid having me change something back to the way it was. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 23:45, 3 June 2011 (UCT)

"Do not patronize me. How could one be a proper, English gentleman if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"
* "patronize" would be more fitting in this instance since MacGreggor sensei seems to be portrayed as being somewhat pedantic. While "belittle" would still convey the meaning, it would fail the measure of his characterization. That being the case, I'd rather honor what I infer to be the translator's intention.
* Comma required because "proper" modifies "gentleman" and not "English"
* "see off his pupil" is more correct because the phrase "see his pupil off" would be splitting the verb phrase, "see off"; and I have real difficulty imagining someone as Proper as MacGreggor-sensei being any less punctilious in his speech.

In any language; historic, polite speech most befits a gentleman.
* Semi-colon used because "In any language" is another subordinate clause which isn't necessary to convey the primary meaning. A comma would be inappropriate because it could lead to too much confusion—a comma there would imply "language" was another modifier as are the next two comma-separated words. Since this is not the case, and since moving the clause to the end of the sentence would make things too awkward, and potentially change the meaning of the sentence altogether (depending on the interpretation of the reader), the semi-colon is the best choice.

His students, unaware of the circumstances, spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.
* "His students" restored because not only because it was the original translator's choice, it emphasizes the fact that even those students with the greatest exposure to MacGreggor-sensei are confused by his behavior and think he's gone loony.
* "unaware of the circumstances" is a subordinate clause and unnecessary to convey the primary meaning of the sentence, making the use of commas necessary.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"
* Again, original translator's choice restored. Ellipsis used in this instance are perfectly appropriate. While a comma would also be correct, there's no point in changing it.

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him—it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already [...]
* You changed the meaning of the first sentence. The translator wrote that Honami examined ''his'' equipment, but you changed it to her taking inventory of her own equipment.
* Using "airmail" as a verb is fine, there's no need to make changes to this sentence.

"Now–now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."
* The n-dash is necessary to avoid a repeated word. Normally, I'd separate them with a comma, but the comma which follows the second "now" makes that a bad choice.

Breaking apart with a sound, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami.
* Removed "outward" since nothing in the original translation mentioned direction. Since billowing implies direction, it's sufficient without modification.

McGregor observed dispassionately.
* Again, translator's choice. And while "calmly" and "dispassionately" can be used as synonyms, there are different connotations. Please respect the translator's choice as much as is possible.

The letters '''EMETH''' were carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.
* The change you made could imply that the cane was still held together. Since that was not the interpretation I made from the translator's text. I've also changed it back to the beginning of its own paragraph since short paragraphs help convey a sense of fast-paced action.

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."
* Reverted to translator's choice.

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behavior to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."
* Reverted to translator's choice. I think your changes would change the meaning too much.

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.
* Reverted to translator's choice. The two final sentences of the paragraph feel like they are continuations of the sentiment instead of a portion of the following paragraph. As an aside, as you probably know, the closing quotation mark is omitted on purpose since the same speaker continues in the following para.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."
* While I'm not 100% certain, I left it "Celtic Magic minors" instead of changing it since it's possible that MacGreggor-sensei is referring to a student who is studying Celtic Magic as a minor. I thought this was not-impossible considering his academic background and presumed mind-set.

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, Sensei."
* I put "to do this" back in since there's no reason to cut it that I could see. Again, it was the translator's choice.

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 2

2011-05-28T17:38:01Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 1 */ Mostly to correct the Adelicia/Adelisia issue, but also inserted a couple of references.

__NOTOC__
==Chapter 2 - The Magician's Offer==

===1===

"A~ah, President ''Onii-chan'' is dea~d..."

"Hey there, that's not the proper way to leave the physical realm now, is it?"

''"Meowowow, meo~w!"''

One after another, Mikan, Nekoyashiki, and Nekoyashiki's cats tapped him on the head.

"... P-Please... sorry."

Lying prostrate on the ground, Itsuki was at the verge of death, and finally managed to move just his finger.

He was at the mansion.

On Itsuki's overturned wooden desk had been a massive pile of documents, beakers, pyramidal flasks, some machine that looked like a microscope, and a dessicated monkey's arm. All of this was now on top of him. From underneath the veritable trash heap, only Itsuki's head remained, albeit barely, untouched.

"Even though you're not done with studies and examinations?" Honami chided roughly, knocking on the stack of documents.

"Ah... yes, I know...!"

"Then finish reading from "Hand of Glory" to "The Book of Albertus"."

Recovering from his near-death experience, Itsuki shook his head and picked up the old book. It was now almost a conditioned reflex. With emptier eyes than he had when he was under Adilisia's control, he continued to read the Grimoire.

— A week had already passed since the incident in the park.

In that time, Honami—who had transferred into his class—gave him a rough education. It consisted of lessons relating to both his presidential duties and magical studies.

Itsuki was now forced to devote himself to his studies since he was followed in and out of school, with nowhere to run.

"What kind of stuff are you reading," Nekoyashiki asked from behind him in a relaxed manner.

"He's got no talent," Honami declared. "He tried basic spells and affinities, but he sucks at everything. He probably wouldn't even be able to do anything with ten years of studying. Give him twenty years and he might be able to call on a low class spirit, though it still might not be satisfactory."

Having this said right behind his back was a little irksome. What was he studying for, then?

"Heheheh, I thought that he might have the makings of a genius since he could see ghosts and monsters. But it doesn't seem to be so, does it?"

"Rather than genius, it seems like just genes. Something close to a ''kenki''<ref>Someone without a family history of spiritual power who gains an ability like "second sight" or "fairy sight" in Western lore; usually due to an eye injury.</ref> or a ''jougan''<ref>Someone born with "second/fairy sight".</ref>, I'd think."

"There is the legend of the ''kenki'' becoming a powerful mountain wizard, you know."

"Isn't that, itself, an exception to an exception? There's no logic to it, so you can't include it into the calculations."

"What if we gave him some kind of elixir or spirit drug? Honami-san, in addition to Celtic magic, you know Witchcraft, right?"

"Of course, I've already tried that stuff. I've tried everything from Mandragora root to bat wings boiled in mercury to mashed toad intestines to just plain old Magnesia solution. Not one thing caused a positive response, so I'd say he's just got no brains."

Yes, he had truly come close to death when Honami forced him to eat aconite. He'd never thought those kinds of things would ever enter his mouth.

"Well, rather than magic, we'll just have to make sure he focuses exclusively on presidential work."

"I see. If that's the case, where should we start? We have one set for studying, but..."

Standing up, Nekoyashiki opened the closet.

Looking into it, Itsuki saw several shelves filled with books.

"Let's start with something to give him the main points. We can consult with Director Hazel too but I'd start with all twelve volumes of ''Detailed Exposition of Economic Values — General Remarks'' and all six of ''Mosaic Organization Structure: Basic Theory''."

It was the first time he had even heard of textbooks being divided into volumes. They all had bindings so thick that it was not unthinkable that he could club someone to death with them. To make matters worse, just looking at a page out of them made his brain melt down.

"Um, you said it would be okay if I just signed and stamped..."

Itsuki tried raising a pitiful voice of resistance, but...

"Did you even consider what you were signing up to do when you stamped?"

Honami's ice-blue eyes became even icier. They were probably even colder than the Cocytus of Greek legend.

"Other than holding the majority vote, you'll have to know the company's economic status and relative value compared with other companies. As for magic: if you don't memorize how to apply your employees' individual abilities, we'll never get work and even at the best of times be stuck with no jobs."

Her supple finger pointed at Itsuki, stabbing through his heart.

Incidentally, the businesses front of <Astral>'s office was a fortune-telling center and a recruitment agency for an occult magazine.

That is to say, 90% of their income came from these activities.

"Since we rent out magicians, I call us 'Rental Magica'. Ehehe, it sounds sort of cool, doesn't it?" said Mikan, puffing out her chest.

She seemed to have come straight from elementary school and she carried a red schoolbag over her ''miko'' outfit. No, she must have changed clothes in the office or something.

"So? What do you do, Mikan-chan?"

"Since I'm a ''miko'', I get hired for groundbreaking ceremonies and festivals and stuff. That's why I'm a~always busy in the summer."

"I see. Yeah, there are a lot of festivals in the summer, huh? So do you always come here?"

"Yep. Though, if I wasn't here, President ''Onii-chan'' would have been made into food for Ultros, wouldn't he?"

"Y-Yeah, sorry about that..."

Itsuki weakly waved his left hand. In his right hand, he held open the ''Economics Even ''You'' Can Understand—How to Save and Use Money'' book that Honami had lent to him (she had needed to lower the level of difficulty quite a bit for his sake).

''"Meow."''

''"Meowoww."''

"Hunh?"

The office cats were pulling at the bottom of his pants.

Being pulled along, he came to a desk with a fashion magazine placed on it. The cats pointed to the open magazine and meowed, waving their tails.

"Nekoyashiki-san, this is..."

"Aah. It's my most popular 'Nekomata Onmyoudou ・ Nekoyashiki Ren's Cat Fortune Telling' feature."

Nekoyashiki, who was sitting next to him, raised his head.

"... I see."

He somehow understood quite well. He seemed to be pretty popular. His personality didn't really show through in his photo, though.

''Looks like there are hardships no matter what kind of world you live in.''

He had a strangely familial feeling.

Nekoyashiki, with his cats on his knees, pressed his brush against his cheek. On the desk in front of him, a heavy-looking inkstone was enshrined with some Japanese paper. He was apparently in the middle of making "spell seals".

Lightly waving his brush across the slips of paper, he made several talismans.

"Are these for work?"

"No, I send them as presents to my readers. I draw five names from the people who send in the questionnaires and give them these."

"Huh, presents..."

Itsuki's chin dropped. He was way off.

Nekoyashiki smiled at his look.

"President, what do you think about magicians?" he asked.

"Huh? Umm... I still don't know anything about them at all..."

Well, for a start, none of them looked very magical. At least not before what he saw in the park. He didn't understand the different kinds of magic very well either.

"I suppose it's best to be honest. So, I'll change the question a bit. What's the need for magicians in the modern world?"

"Eh?"

Itsuki blinked at suddenly being asked such a basic question.

"Er, um... I guess they exist out of necessity?"

"Ahaha. A no-holds-barred response. I like that. If you think about it normally, there's really no need for them at all. If you need to fly, you use an airplane. If you need to talk to someone far away, you use a telephone. And if you need a familiar, there's always Sony's AIBO. Those robots are much cuter and functional than your typical magical beast, aren't they? Oh, but of course, cats are the exception."

Putting emphasis on the last part, Nekoyashiki then made a solemn expression.

"But magic, just by virtue of being magic, can destroy the world, you know."

Nekoyashiki declared with all the sharpness of a ''katana''.

"..." Itsuki gulped involuntarily. "Is there really magic that powerful?"

"No. Because there is a human limit to spell power, all magic has its limits. For example, in the current world, the greatest flame user in the current world is Ismail Talib, a master of Islamic ''Djinn'' Magic. However, even he would only be able to burn down a single city at his best. Furthermore, there would need to be a lot of costly preparation before anything could be accomplished. It would probably be safer and smarter to just drop a napalm bomb on the city."

Nekoyashiki took a small sip of his green tea. It was apparently cold, as he made a disgruntled look.

"B-But monsters made with magic are pretty amazing, aren't they?"

"Ah, I see where you're going with this. Things like Kabbalic Golems and Homunculi do indeed have power greater than that of humans. The best and best known are <Goetia>'s Mathers family's 'Seventy-Two Demons.'"

Hearing the familiar name, Itsuki's face became stiff.

"Oh, what's the matter?"

"N-No, it's nothing."

Adilisia • lenn • Mathers.

That was the name of the girl who now sat to his right during class. Thought it was difficult for him to admit. Perhaps it was because of Honami, but she hadn't given him any trouble. Still, he could feel the terrible sensation that a pair of green eyes was glaring at him from time to time.

''The best, huh...''

As Itsuki half admired her and half feared her, Nekoyashiki continued his discussion.

"However, there is a limit even to the highest ranking demons. No matter which road the summoner takes, they can't outdo their natural ability while still being able to completely control the monster. There are ways for summoner-type magicians to make their work more efficient, but it just makes things more likely to work rather than guaranteeing anything."

"... Then, what was that magic that you said could destroy the world?"

"Oh, that..."

As Nekoyashiki nodded, the black, old-fashioned phone next to the support pillar rang.

Lifting the handset to his face in a flash, Nekoyashiki answered.

"Thank you for calling. This is the magician dispatch company <Astral>... eh? Oh, I see. Yes. Yes, yes. Understood!"

Slamming the handset back onto its cradle, Nekoyashiki whirled around.

"President! Urgent request!"

"Eh? Don't tell me it's another monster extermination!" Itsuki responded in a panic.

"No, it looks like a magazine writer is out with a cold! If we hurry, we can write the substitute article. We have to take a quick trip to the publisher and write it on-site."

— Well, that seemed pretty peaceful.

"U-Understood. Let's go."

Itsuki gave a tired laugh and turned his back to Nekoyashiki, who was placing his cats in a ''furoshiki''<ref>In this instance, using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furoshiki furoshiki] to carry a bundle.</ref> before slinging the bundle over his shoulder.

Before exiting the door, Nekoyashiki turned around.

"That's right. About what I was saying earlier..."

"Hm?"

"The most dangerous magic is... when the magician becomes the magic himself," Nekoyashiki said, narrowing his eyes into crescent moons.

===2===

The next day, during lunch, Itsuki walked up to the curry meal--and moved on, taking the udon meal.

Among the students, the curry at this school was known as "Russian Roulette." Since there is no set kind of curry that they serve, you could get terribly sweet curry one day and get blazingly spicy curry the next. Whether it was the spiciness of a chili pepper or the sweetness of syrup and powdered sugar, it all smelled and looked the same. There was no way to think of it as anything other than a trap.

Pushing through the waves of people, Itsuki made his way to the end of the cafeteria and sat at the empty table there. As he read the reference book Honami had lent him while eating,

"May I sit here?" came a voice that rang like a bell.

It was Adilisia. Of course, she wasn't wearing her dress in school; she had on a sailor uniform and was holding a cafeteria tray. Her golden hair and emerald eyes clashed quite considerably with the sailor outfit, and Itsuki simply blinked at her for a moment.

"... What are you gaping at like a fool?"

"N-no, I just didn't think you'd be eating the school food."

"It is my choice."

Turning her face away, she sat in front of him.

The smell of delicious curry wafted from her tray.

"Ah..."

With an elegant sweep, Adilisia put the spoon to her mouth.

"!!!"

She swooned in agony.

"What is this!? Can't they make this curry sweeter!?"

She slammed the table. Itsuki's right eye began to hurt again. She was gathering spell power bit by bit.

"There's nothing you can do about it here..."

"Ugh!! How could I have fallen into such a trap?--"

"W-wouldn't it be best to not overdo it and just not eat the curry?"

"Be quiet. As I have made this decision, I will see it to its finish."

With teary eyes, Adilisia stuffed the suspicious curry into her cheeks.

"... Hey, look at that over there."

"... Ibaitsu made the transfer student cry."

"... I heard that Ibaitsu is her manservant, is that true?"

"... What? I heard that the transfer student was Ibaitsu's fiancée."

"... Well, what about the other transfer student?"

"... No way... are they gonna start fighting?"

At their scene, rumors began to pour out of the surrounding students.

''Aw man! I'm the center of another weird misunderstanding!''

Recently, Itsuki was all the class talked about. Of course, it wasn't because Itsuki himself was interesting. It was because of the people sitting to his right and left during class. That is to say, the two transfer students. As the beautiful mixed race girl and the English lady glared at the class loon between them, it would be weird for rumors not to spring up.

Slurping his udon, Itsuki sighed.

Feeling that things were going to get worse, he was trying to think of a way to respond to the situation when the young lady who had finally finished half of her curry glanced upward.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg75.jpg|thumb|]]
"Itsuki."

"Yes?"

"It may be impolite of me, but please allow me to inquire. You have only recently become a company president, yes?"

"M-more or less..."

"And even though you aren't a magician?"

Her green eyes stared him down.

"N-no, though I have been doing all I can about that..." Itsuki answered, flustered. He had already stopped trying to study magicianship. Should he have told her the truth?

However, hearing that, Adilisia's expression changed.

"Well then... even though you aren't a magician, you are still the leader of that <Astral>, that... jumbled up collection of magicians... yes?"

With a sudden sweep of silence across the cafeteria, whispers began to arise.

Because they were far away, the other students didn't catch on to words like "magician" or "leader," but what they did see was that Adilisia was quite indignant.

But as any proper young lady, Adilisia didn't pay attention to the whispers. She leaned over the table at Itsuki.

"Uwah!"

"Do you really plan on overcoming the <Night> with such a... such a careless attitude?"

''Uh... <Night>?''

Itsuki didn't think too much about it. He pulled back as Adilisia's white visage came nearer. She peered straight into Itsuki's eye.

"Fine."

She let go of the table. "Since you apparently are not aware of that either, I will give you a warning. --If you continue with that attitude, you will die within three days."

"Die..."

Itsuki felt the coldness of those words all the way through to his heart.

"..."

"..."

For a while, the two stayed silent, simply looking at each other.

When Itsuki grabbed his chopsticks, he felt something.

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"... Adilisia-san, are you, by any chance... worried for me?"

In an instant, Adilisia's face became bright red up to her ears.

"Do not say such foolish things! Since you saw things normal people are unaware of in the park last week, I was just clarifying things for you."

She angrily stood up.

"So how about now? If you value your life, you will pull the next offer."

Simply declaring that, the girl swiftly turned on her heel.

"Hey, wait a second."

Itsuki tried to follow her, but he suddenly felt a strange itch under his eye patch. He rubbed it, standing up.

However, he felt something wet.

"Huh?"

The finger he had rubbed under his eye patch with was dyed slightly red.

''"--With that attitude, you will die within three days."''

"Ugh..."

And then, seeing his own blood, Itsuki--who was anemic--fainted on his back.

After school, Itsuki made his way home after being slapped awake by the school nurse saying "Hey, I want to go home, so hurry and wake up!"

For the time being, the blood had stopped. In all truth, there really wasn't that much bleeding in the first place, and it had totally stopped by the time he had reached the infirmary. Because the nurse in the infirmary knew him well, she let him be without taking his eye patch off. Itsuki was thankful for that.

''It's been a long time since I've seen blood...''

Talking to himself, he walked toward downtown.

Lots of shops had already closed. There were few people on the streets, and the old townscape was like a silhouette in the sunset.

The city of Furube was a mix of new and old.

It was a small town that had existed on a sloping hill since the Heian Period. Then, the bubble economy brought about a population influx, turning the place into a commuter town overnight. To add to that, the city recently became a lure for enterprises, bringing in a lot of hustle and bustle and causing many new buildings to be constructed.

It was a laid back town, but the downtown area was in the middle of a rebirth.

As he scaled the sloping road on his way to the alleyway leading to the office, Itsuki suddenly stopped his feet.

"A-are you here again?"

Remembering Ultros, he made a depressed facial expression.

That demon dog--his caretaker still hadn't taken him back, so as it couldn't be helped, he was now being raised at <Astral>.

As he walked through the alleyway, it was an established practice for Ultros to playfully assault him. For example, one time Ultros had climbed to the top of the roof and dove headfirst at Itsuki, nearly crushing him to death.

When he held his eye patch and looked across the alleyway...

"--You are <Astral>'s Iba Itsuki-sama, right?"

"Wha--?"

Being spoken to from his side all of a sudden, Itsuki jumped.

Slipping through the sunset, a human figure stood before him. Itsuki should have been able to see him in his peripheral vision, but it was as if he didn't even register in Itsuki's consciousness.

It was as if the man lacked any sort of characteristic at all.

With a blank expression on his face, he wore a worn out business suit on his body, which was about average height. In his hand, he carried a normal-looking suitcase. If he were to walk into a crowd, you would immediately lose sight of him.

"Aren't you Iba Itsuki-san?" the man asked again.

"Eh? Ah, y-yes..."

"Aah, of course. You do look like Tsukasa-san," the man said, forcing a nostalgic look onto his face.

"You know my dad?"

"Yes. President Iba Tsukasa helped me a long time ago. --Excuse me for beating around the bush. I am Kagezaki, of the <Organization>."

"<Organization>..."

He remembered Honami saying the name.

It was definitely the public controller that assembled magicians. Honami still hadn't told him the details, but he had heard that it was an association that presided over an upwards of a hundred magical groups.

"Right now, I would like to congratulate you on your succession. We await your future patronage."

"Y-y-yes, nice to meet you and all that--but, why is someone from the <Organization> here?"

"It's about the contract."

Making a calm smile, Kagezaki held up the suitcase.

"Contract?"

Remembering what Adilisia had told him, his cheeks became stiff.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing that important, but... Ahahaha!" A cold sweat ran across him. "Well, uh, let me take you inside the office--"

"There won't be any need for that, president."

All of a sudden, he was interrupted by another presence in the alleyway.

"Nekoyashiki-san!"

"Oh, Nekoyashiki-sama. It has been a while."

In the alleyway at twilight stood a gray-haired young man--Nekoyashiki. In his peculiar Japanese clothes with his folding fan, his chest and shoulders covered in cats, he was the same as usual.

However, his face looked somewhat perturbed to Itsuki.

"Kagezaki-san. You received the communication that we were waiting for the offer, correct?"

"Yes. That is what this is about." Keeping his smile on, Kagezaki nodded. "The truth is that earlier, the offer contract was terminated by <Goetia>-sama. According to the rules, if <Astral>-sama does not formally reject this claim, they will have to pull out of the next <Night>."

"I know that."

Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

He didn't hide the fact that he did not like Kagezaki. Itsuki felt a bit surprised at this, as Nekoyashiki was usually subtle.

Kagezaki lips blew out into a full grin.

"Ah, then that works out wonderfully. You know <Astral> has not partaken of an offer for six years, right? If you don't do this one as well, then I will have to consider erasing your registry from the <Organization> soon." Acting as if he really regretted it, Kagezaki continued. "--If that happens, then you know that Itsuki-san will be back to the way he was before, and Nekoyashiki-san and Mikan-san will have to return to their former positions, right?"

"Huh?"

Former positions?

As Itsuki blinked confusedly, Nekoyashiki made a grim expression.

"I know that. I know we have to do this work to keep our place in the registry. That's what you're saying, yes?"

"Yes, more or less."

Kagezaki gave a troubled smile.

His smile gave no impression. Like a movie extra whose presence or lack thereof made no difference, his face was completely spiritless.

''...''

Suddenly, Itsuki became afraid.

His slight confusion changed to uneasiness, and that uneasiness morphed into terror. Like with Adilisia, it wasn't a clear abnormality. However, Kagezaki seemed so average to the point that it made him suspicious.

--It was as if his face was bleached.

Itsuki gulped. Feeling something cold on the back of his neck, he finally opened his mouth to speak.

"Please w-wait for just a minute. I can't figure this conversation out. What do you mean by erasing our registration? What 'job' are you talking about?"

"What?" Kagezaki shifted his gaze toward Itsuki. "You mean all of this hasn't been explained to you?"

"It hasn't been two weeks since he's succeeded the role of president," Nekoyashiki answered.

With a smile of understanding, Kagezaki nodded.

"If that's the case, then why don't I explain? Otherwise..."

Kagezaki smiled again.

However, the one who answered him this time was not Nekoyashiki or Itsuki.

At the bottom of the sloping road, two new characters were walking this way.

While Itsuki was in the infirmary, Honami had left school and appeared to be coming back from shopping.

"Kagezaki oji-san..."

Mikan was next to her holding a vinyl supermarket bag, tugging at the hem of her sailor uniform, shivering.

She stepped in front of Mikan.

"I'll tell you about it," Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler said flatly.

===3===

"--Well then, I'll place the documents here. There are also reference documents for the next case, so please read through them."

Placing his trunk on the table and making a bow, Kagezaki stood up and left. He didn't disappear or fly away like a magician, he stood up on his two feet and walked down the hill road outside.

Until his shape disappeared, a pair of harsh Ice Blue Eyes glared at him.

"President, shall I take that trunk for you?" Honami prompted.

"Oh, sure. ...Mikan-chan, is it safe?" Itsuki, taking the trunk, asked Mikan, who had been hiding.

"Yeah, it's safe..." With a pale face, Mikan nodded stiffly. Her hands were still shivering. She tugged on Itsuki's school uniform. "Not! Uwaaaah!" Tears began to tumble out of her eyes, and she buried her face in Itsuki's stomach. "Uuu... I'm scared... I'm scared--..."

"A-ah, I understand, I understand..."

He decided against telling her not to rub her runny nose all over him and nervously stroked her head.

"*H-hic*, president onii-chan... waaaah... was bullied by oji-san..."

"Uh... yes?"

Confused, Itsuki wiped Mikan's cheeks. She had cried quite a bit, and her tears had streaked down to his pants.

As he did,

"... Hmph."

For some reason, Honami was looking at him with horribly cold eyes.

"Wh-what?"

"Nothing. So you're interested in that type, huh? I guess it's up to you."

"Wh-why are you saying something like that?"

"Forget about it. I'll leave you two alone."

Nekoyashiki intervened with his calm-as-usual tone.

"Now then, how about we return to the office first?"

"Meowo~ww"

Nekoyashiki's cats meowed in agreement with one another.

A few minutes later.

Inside of <Astral>'s messy office, the smell of black tea wafted faintly through the air.

"Here you go, Mikan-chan."

"Thanks Honami."

Taking the white teacup, Mikan made a tiny slurp.

Incidentally, Itsuki had changed out of his soggy school uniform into regular clothes. Because Ultros licked him all over every day, he sadly had to keep a spare set of clothes at the office.

"H-hey, what about me?"

"Oh, are you here?"

"... S-sorry..." Itsuki said, lowering his head.

A little while later, a teacup was held out to him.

He was at the reception table. He sat next to Mikan on the creaky antique sofa. Nekoyashiki was a little further away at his desk, and Honami was sitting in front of Itsuki in a Windsor chair, placing her own teacup before her.

After a short pause,

"Now then, back to what I was saying before..."

"Oh, yeah," Itsuki nodded.

He didn't understand any of the earlier discussion, about the offer, or the registry, or the <Night>. There was something about former positions too.

"So, I'll explain everything to you in order," Honami said, putting the rim of her teacup to her mouth. Apparently she had been studying in England until a little while ago, and her motions were very similar to Adilisia's.

Taking a single sip of the amber-colored liquid, Honami began to talk.

"I already told you about the <Organization>, right?"

"That one structure affiliated with seventy or eighty percent of magician groups, wasn't it? <Astral>'s part of it too, right?"

Seemingly satisfied with Itsuki's answer, Honami nodded.

"Right. Both <Astral> and <Goetia> are registered. In the beginning, it was a support union made by magicians in Europe in the Middle Ages. They could never intervene in anything directly, but they had a lot of influence worldwide. For example, even if you weren't formally registered with the <Organization>, no one would treat you like a real magician."

Giving a simple review, Honami looked at Itsuki.

This was review, right? If he said that he couldn't remember something, he didn't know what kind of horrible things she'd put him through, so he nodded obediently.

"Alright then, I'll continue. --Offers are 'jobs' accepted from the public by the <Organization>, which are then directed to its registered magical groups."

"'Jobs?'" Itsuki asked.

"Yes, 'jobs.' I just told you that the <Organization> could never intervene in anything directly. That's because the different magical groups are very sensitive to their spheres of influence. If someone idiotically sticks their nose in someone else's domain, it could turn into a fight. That's why the <Organization> recruits magicians who can solve such problems."

That is to say, in exchange for not getting your own hands dirty, you dispatched others capable of solving various issues. That seemed like what a support union would do.

After thinking for a moment, Itsuki opened his mouth.

"Then, that guy Kagezaki came because--"

"A 'job.' --The <Organization> is seeking to resolve some issue that's popped up."

"...!"

At Honami's words, Itsuki could feel his blood rush through him.

Whatever this 'job' could be, there was one thing that was certain.

"W-woah, time out! Wait a second! Then, Adilisia came--"

"Because <Goetia> took the offer. If <Astral> takes the offer as well, then the reward is first come, first serve. That is to say, we'll be fighting one another."

Itsuki got goose bumps.

He remembered the fear that Adilisia had instilled in him. If magicians were fighting...

"T-then, you mean... with... magic?"

"Naturally. We're magicians."

Honami made the finishing blow. Itsuki dropped his head as though he were a marionette whose neck string had been cut.

"President?"

"No, that's..."

There was no going back now. It was only a matter of time before a gruesome death.

On the other hand, the girl across from him made a small sigh.

"You know, you're the one who's supposed to decide whether or not we take on offers, right?"

"Huh?" Suddenly, Itsuki's face sparkled. "That's it then! Let's take a pass on this one..."

"--Let me return to what we were discussing before."

Nekoyashiki, who was dandling his cats, gave a warning from his desk.

"What?"

"Ah, there is a certain reason... how should I put this? This could turn into a long story, but unlike other magical societies, <Astral> isn't a simple magical group. Our last president forcibly pulled in several different kinds of magicians. That is to say, we're like a hodge podge of different magicians..."

Itsuki felt as though Adilisia had told him something similar before. Something like "jumbled up collection"...

"What do you mean?" Itsuki knitted his brows.

"To put it simply, if <Astral> is removed from the registry, Nekoyashiki-san and Mikan-chan will have to go back to their original groups," Honami chimed in.

"H-hunh?"

"<Astral> hasn't taken any offers since the last president disappeared. The <Organization> can't keep an association like that in their registry. That's what Kagezaki was threatening earlier."

An awkward silence spread across the room.

"U-um..."

Finally, Itsuki looked around.

"... President onii-chan... I don't want to go back." Mikan looked up at him from beside, holding her teacup with both hands.

"........."

"Meow."

"Meeow!"

"Me~ow."

Meowow~ow."

The cats began to exert pressure from all sides of the office.

"......................."

"Aren't they cute? They're the treasures of the world, the finest art this earth has borne. However, I can't take this many cats back home with me. Aah, you're not telling me that you would rather these cats die, are you?"

Putting on a drama, Nekoyashiki lamented exaggeratedly.

"..........................................."

"What're you gonna do, president?" Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler asked him coldly, persisting.

"................................................................................"

Itsuki felt as though something similar had happened not half a month ago.

"... O-okay... I get it..."

Almost crying, Itsuki slammed the table.

Though he had come this far, he was still a total novice. --Or rather, even he hadn't thought it would get this bad.

He made a deep, deep sigh, expelling everything in his lungs.

Then, he puffed his chest out, partly out of desperation.

"Okay then, what kind of 'job' are we doing this time?" he asked, crying.

===4===

The place had been called the "goblin factory" before.

Everyone in Furube City knew of the smokestacks rising from halfway up Mt. Nyuu.

Around it was a red, rusty barb-wire fence, and the vacant space between the fence and the factory was overrun with weeds. The outer concrete wall had cracks here and there, and they were a strange color, as if a demon had slashed at the wall with its claws.

The place had been sealed off several decades before. As was often the case when a business failed, the factory head and his family had all hung themselves, and the land was abandoned, leaving the building to slowly rot away.

Incidentally, there were scary stories about how if one listened closely, they could hear the factory head that killed himself creeping about at night, or the sound of machines that should have been destroyed working as usual.

Itsuki was at the entrance of this factory.

Furthermore--the air of the tepid summer night felt bizarre.

"... gh..."

"President onii-chan? What's wrong?"

"No, that's... it's... nothing, nothing at all..."

Walking one step behind Mikan, grasping the cuff of her Miko clothes, he made an awkward smile and shook his head.

Since they had entered the mountain, his knees had been shaking nonstop. He wanted to praise himself for making it this far. Incidentally, Mikan was a surprisingly good walker, so she hadn't sweated a drop the whole way up the mountain road.

Mikan tilted her neck.

"Are you scared?"

"Geh!"

Straight pitch.

Fast ball.

Mikan was right on the money.

"Mfufufu, it's okay. I'll protect you, president onii-chan."

Laughing into her nose, she waved her tamagushi with a triumphant air.

"P, protect...?"

"You know..." She pressed the tamagushi against her cheek, starting to explain herself,

"--Mikan, enough chit-chat, how about that misogi?"<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misogi misogi] (禊) is a kind of Shintou purification rite.</ref> Honami cut in from beside.

Honami was wearing her sailor uniform as usual. However, she had a large pointed hat over her chestnut-colored hair, and she wore a night-colored cape across her skinny shoulders. She was like a witch from a fairy tale, the same as Itsuki had seen her in the park.

"Al-right!"

Pointing her lips, Mikan waved her tamagushi here and there across her miko clothes and fingers. This was apparently a misogi.

Making sure Mikan was occupied, Honami turned to Itsuki.

"President. Hand me your badge so I can do the preparations."

"Uh... this thing?"

Itsuki fished his badge out of his pocket and held it out to Honami. She grabbed it from him and held it up to the moonlight, then fastened it to Itsuki's collar.

Tilting his neck to the side, Itsuki caught a glimpse of Honami's splendidly white nape.

A faint scent slipped into his nostrils.

"Ah..."

His cheeks became hot.

"Hm, what?"

"N, no, it's nothing. Nothing at all. What's this?"

"Basically, protection. The holy pentagram is strengthened by the divine nature of the silver mirror. This kind of thing is used in both the east and west, so it has some ability to overcome spell wave interference. There's some more ways to use it, but I'll tell you later. --Now, this,"

"Oh, business cards..."

Tucked away in a thin, silver case was a stack of business cards. Furthermore, neatly embossed next to the words <Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral> was "Company President ・ Iba Itsuki."

"Wh, why are you suddenly giving me this?"

"Oh, I finished purifying those business cards!" Mikan butted in, puffing her chest out.

"After we finished washing out the paper with the miracle water of Fuji, Mikan purified it with a ceremony. Inside of them is the Kabbalah Cross that the head of the Fetish Department, Hazel, carved. Since every single one of them has a real fetish in it, don't go around giving them to everyone."

"S, sure."

Who was he supposed to give these to, then?

--He felt like he was treading deeper and deeper into the swamp.

"Then... what were the preparations you were talking about?" he fearfully asked.

Honami narrowed her eye at him from behind her glasses.

"I'm deciding that now. Before the 'job' starts, I have to give you something to protect yourself, so that I can properly cover you."

"B, but... I don't see anything strange right now," he protested flusteredly.

He could see monsters, but he didn't know for sure if this place was a real spirit spot or not. Looking from his right eye, it seemed like just a regular old creepy place.

Even so, what he really feared was that--the lack of knowledge. He didn't know whether or not to be afraid. He pitied himself a bit.

"It's here."

Honami let loose a grin, looking down at the watch on her wrist.

"There are definitely ley lines here, but they're small. This is a dragon cave. If it's as the reference docs say, then the 'Night' will be here very soon. Just thirty seconds left on the clock... twenty-nine... twenty-eight... twenty-seven..."

"Huh?"

"... Seventeen... sixteen... fifteen..."

Her soft countdown echoed across the ruined factory in the mountain recess.

The numbers traveled across the night air, taking on a strange feel as if they were a spell themselves.

"..."

Itsuki, unable to move, gulped.

"Eight... seven... six..."

The countdown ran into the single digits.

"Five... four... three..."

Mikan gazed at the entrance of the factory.

"... Two... one..."

Creeeak!

--Itsuki's right eye twisted.

"... Wh, what!?"

He felt his eyepatch.

All of a sudden, the world had changed.

No, that wasn't it.

It wasn't a feeling of anything that changed.

It was as if the world had reverted to a former state--an unpleasant sense of déjà-vu. There was an enormous spell power. It felt as though an explosion had occurred inside his right eye.

"Mee~ow."

"Spell wave pollution--confirming a shift from class six to class three. Just like the reference docs said," Nekoyashiki sighed, stroking the cat he was holding against his chest.

"... The Magi Night has begun," the witch with the Ice Blue Eyes finally declared.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Adilisia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers felt a sudden burst of pressure assail her body. She had a sensation of gravity suddenly becoming stronger. The spell power that diffused across every inch of her body reverberated against the ground violently.

"... gh!"

Gripping the pentagram of Solomon over her chest, she pushed back the spell power in a single breath. Withstanding the feeling that her blood was flowing backwards, the girl lifted open her red lips.

"--The <Night> has come."

She stood on the other side of the factory. It went without saying that she knew each member of <Astral> had arrived as well.

Behind her, ten people in black clothes stood by.

They each held pentagrams of Solomon over their chests as well, and were wearing rings to provide spiritual protection. These were Adilisia's handpicked apprentices of <Goetia> that she had taken with her for work in Japan.

"I will confirm the 'job' one last time," Adilisia whispered, gazing at the factory without turning around.

She spoke in a small voice, but the magicians were not ones to let any of her words escape them. If they messed up one single pronunciation or had even the slightest error in their tone of voice, it would completely change the meaning of their spells.

"The request from the <Organization> is to obliterate this <Night>. Without drawing the eyes of anyone, without allowing any injuries to occur, we must seal it in darkness under the cover of darkness. <Astral> is likely thinking this as well."

Adilisia's voice sounded out delicately.

It was like the voice of some beautiful bird.

"However, this time, that is not our aim."

The black clothes--the apprentices, gently lowered their heads. Age made no difference. To a magician, the difference in rank was absolute.

Their rank was 3=8 and 4=7. As the rank of those with regular genius and strong effort, you could say their rank was the highest. Even so, they were a long shot from Adilisia.

It was because of her blood.

Naturally, plain old genius meant nothing in magic.

If having strange powers and being outside of the norm was proof of a magician, then the ones who stand on top are necessarily those who are separated from people from the beginning. As much as a lifetime of hard work was meaningless, the collected bloodlines of thousands of years--that tenacity, was what bore the forbidden fruit of magic.

Adilisia had been a magician since before she was born.

That is why she spoke so magnificently to the apprentices that she stood above.

"We will retrieve... our elder. For that purpose, we will use any means, and any magic. Use your spell power for only this purpose until your very last drop of life."

Without so much as a cough, the black clothes lowered their heads again.

It was the same landscape as always.

It was the same view as always.

This kind of mechanical exchange was natural for a magical group.

"Do you understand?"

Suddenly, the face of an idiot, the leader of another magical group, hovered in her head. Adilisia bit her lip.

"I warned you. --If only you had not gotten yourself involved in this <Night>..."

<references/>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-28T17:26:22Z

Tetsu-nii: Forgot to correct the "Lenn/lenn" portion of the Adelicia/Adelisia issue.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''— We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

— But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adilisia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adilisia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adilisia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adilisia • lenn • Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adilisia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adilisia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adilisia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adilisia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adilisia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adilisia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adilisia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adilisia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adilisia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adilisia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adilisia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adilisia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adilisia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adilisia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adilisia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adilisia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adilisia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adilisia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she tossed a thin twig into each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. Not a bit of pain remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural incidents before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been lost in thought for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adilisia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the participants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-28T17:17:29Z

Tetsu-nii: Undo revision 97434 by Tetsu-nii (talk)

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adilisia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adilisia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adilisia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adilisia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adilisia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adilisia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adilisia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adilisia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adilisia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adilisia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adilisia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adilisia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adilisia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adilisia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adilisia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adilisia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adilisia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adilisia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adilisia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adilisia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adilisia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adilisia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adilisia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she tossed a thin twig into each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. Not a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural incidents before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been lost in thought for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adilisia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adilisia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the participants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-28T17:10:20Z

Tetsu-nii: Forgot to correct the "Lenn/lenn" portion of the Adelicia/Adelisia issue.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adilisia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adilisia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adilisia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adilisia • lenn • Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adilisia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adilisia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adilisia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adilisia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adilisia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adilisia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adilisia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adilisia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adilisia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adilisia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adilisia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adilisia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adilisia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adilisia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adilisia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adilisia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adilisia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adilisia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she tossed a thin twig into each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. Not a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural incidents before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been lost in thought for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adilisia • lenn • Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adilisia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the participants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-28T16:56:45Z

Tetsu-nii: Mostly to correct the Adelicia/Adelisia issue.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adilisia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adilisia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adilisia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adilisia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adilisia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adilisia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adilisia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adilisia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adilisia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adilisia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adilisia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adilisia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adilisia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adilisia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adilisia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adilisia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adilisia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adilisia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adilisia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adilisia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adilisia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adilisia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adilisia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she tossed a thin twig into each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. Not a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural incidents before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been lost in thought for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adilisia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adilisia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the participants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-05-28T16:39:01Z

Tetsu-nii: Removed superfluous references.

==Prologue==

May, London

Befitting its name, The City of Fog, the boarding school garden was wrapped in a deep, white mist that morning.

Stepping onto the damp ground in front of the vine-shrouded chapel, Honami Takase Ambler gripped her suitcase.

The familiar face of an old gentleman awaited her at the marble, front gate.

"McGregor-sensei."

"Miss Honami... How about at least a goodbye before heading back to your hometown? I would have been deprived of conveying my regards to our best student in recent years."

The fog at their feet completely obscuring his cane, McGregor placed his bowler against his chest.

His Japanese was fluent.

Honami let out a brief laugh and likewise took off her tall, pointed hat. Ice-blue eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses appeared from behind her chestnut-hued, somewhat-short hair. The pure white blouse and tight skirt were dazzling on her innocent, fifteen-year old body.

"I didn't wanna cause any trouble. You working on your next thesis and all."

"Do not patronize me. What would a proper, English gentleman do if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"

Stroking his orderly, Colman mustache<ref>Type of mustache made famous by English actor, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Colman Ronald Colman.]</ref>, McGregor sniffed slightly.

Honami smiled again.

He was that kind of person—showy and childish, but wonderful to be with. When he had suddenly approached Honami and asked her to teach him Japanese, he had said, "I have no patience with accents. In any language; historic, polite speech most befits a gentleman." Several months later he underwent a total personality shift, right down to the BGM. He even threw out occasional ''rakugo''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo Rakugo] is a traditional form of comedic Japanese storytelling.</ref> and ''kabuki''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki Kabuki] is a traditional form of Japanese theatre.</ref> nuances. His students, unaware of the circumstances, spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.

However, over the last seven years, he was the most helpful person to Honami.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"

"Sure."

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him—it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already, but she could handle the worst with what she had on her person. If push came to shove, she still had the thing inside her suitcase.

"Now-now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."

McGregor twirled his cane. If this were an old movie, he would probably start tap dancing.

"In a garden like this, there is no need to worry about spell wave pollution. There is little time before the plane arrives. Let us begin quickly."

Swiftly, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ceramic goblet. There was an ''ouroboros'' carved on the side and a candle lid set on top. It was an object often used in alchemical experiments.

"Egyptian magical arts, your specialty?"

"This is your test. Naturally, you meet the aptitude requirements for a student. Thus I have raised the level of difficulty on your behalf."

McGregor casually released the wine cup.

In that instant there was a change. Sounding out and breaking apart, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami. As if it had a will of its own, the smoke rushed into her nose and mouth.

"...gh"

"The stuffiness you are feeling is a reaction to the Kabbalah Golem and sulfur, ''Tria Prima''."

McGregor observed dispassionately.

"I shall refrain from writing '''EMETH''' at this moment. Well then, how well can you handle an enemy with no true form?"

The smoke had already engulfed Honami's body.

According to McGregor's calculations, the smoke monster wouldn't stop until Honami had fainted. Of course he had set it not to take her life, but it was possible that he had overlooked something. The smoke was designed to engulf her until all the air had been squeezed from her lungs.

However, the smoke suddenly stopped moving.

"Hm?"

McGregor frowned. A sprig of mistletoe had sprouted from the ground. It bound the smoke despite its shapelessness.

At the same time, a single arrow flew out of the smoke and struck McGregor's cane.

As the cane fell to the ground, it broke cleanly in half. Length-wise.

The letters '''EMETH''' were carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.

"There's the spell's origin. Lying is the beginning of thievery, Sensei."

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."

Waving his numbed hand, McGregor, who had landed on his backside, gave a wry smile. The smoke had already disappeared. The girl who was now holding her hand out to him hadn't even needed to open her suitcase. It had been a ploy from the start, but as expected, she hadn't been forced to use her trump card.

"Aaaah, what a waste, what a waste...!"

Throwing off his gentlemanly façade, McGregor struggled to his feet.

"If you stay, we will waive all the research fees... and we will grant you unlimited access to our prized Grimoire! At least a another year... no, for just half a year, please continue your studies here!"

"I'm happy that you value me."

McGregor sullenly crossed his arms.

"You have a lover in Japan or something?" he asked.

Honami's cheek's turned bright red.

"I-It's nothing like that!"

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behaviour to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."

"Isn't what you're saying more like the reaction of a French gentleman?"

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, Sensei."

Smiling mischievously, Honami handed McGregor a single business card.

Printed in sepia-hued letters on lavish paper stock with a crystal watermark was:

'''< Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''— We rent magicians to meet your needs >'''

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Return to [[Rental Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-19T07:07:50Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica */ formatting issues w/ katakana

Go Buffalo,go! My gratutude for taking the time to translate a very special kind of story.

Cheers! / --[[Special:Contributions/83.227.250.155|83.227.250.155]] 15:56, 25 March 2011 (EDT)

Thank you for your kind words! --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 16:14, 25 March 2011 (EDT)

A more complete show of my thanks is on the Mimizuku project page, but I wanted to go ahead and say thank you so much for translating such an engaging story so quickly and so well.

~Blaster

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did. --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 21:49, 23 April 2011 (UCT)

Super awesome work on Mimizuku. Also saw that you are starting on Rental Magica. The best of luck!
-alyu

Awesome to work on Rental Magica! One of my favourites! --[[User:Larethian|Larethian]] 06:55, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Thanks, alyu and Larethian! I'll do my best. --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 14:33, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Congrats for Mimizuku and Rental Magica! [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] 18:20, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Thanks, Kira! --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 18:25, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

First, Thanks for translating this series, it is something I've been wanting to read for a long time. Since I like it I tend to like to help.

In that part that I separated into different paragraphs, it really sounds like it is Kagezaki saying something at the beginning then Itsuki inviting him in - that is why I separated it.--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 02:40, 30 April 2011 (UCT)

Thank you so much for working on Rental Magica. I'm very fond of the series due to having watched the anime a long time ago. I hear the LNs are much better (anime was so-so), so I'm happy to see it getting translated. Thank you very much for keeping it unlocalized, as well. Mikan's onii-chan is delicious. I can't wait until you reach Lapis (do keep Lapis' third person speech please). [[User:Imagker|Imagker]] 01:39, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

===Rental Magica Typo===
That was no problem for that (to remove such little errors) we all here can edit ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 12:36, 8 May 2011 (UCT)

=== Rental Magica Edits ===

At line 88, I was hoping you might be able to elaborate on "a scream of '''''unknown significance'''''" means.

Also, if you'd look over the changes in the Prologue, I'd really appreciate it. I really want to get your feedback on the formatting change to the business card—using "angle brackets" ('''<>''') vs. "brackets" ('''[]''')... But I want to make sure I didn't change the meaning of anything when I made the edits.

I'm also '''Tetsu-nii''' on the forum if you want to contact me that way. 御苦労さん!

That scream of unknown significance, could that instead mean unknown '''source'''?--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 05:29, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

if I may suggest, how about --> "incomprehensible scream", this is different from "scream of incomprehension", the former being incomprehensible to the listener and not the screamer. --[[User:Larethian|larethian]] 06:04, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

'''RE: "We Rent Magicians" vs. "We Rent Out Magicians"'''
The colloquial American English usage would be "We Rent Magicians" the way a U.S. car hiring service (to use International/Commonwealth English usage) would advertise with a phrase like, "We Rent Luxury Sports Cars". I removed the "Out" because I thought it felt/sounded awkward and could be omitted without changing the meaning (again, in American English usage). --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 13:07, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

== Fraternal Titles (''Onii/Aniki/Onee/Aneki'') ==

Whenever possible, I prefer to leave in the ''Onii''-(chan/san/whatever)/''Onee''-*/''Ani*''/''Ane*'' since the English "Bro(ther)"/"Sis(ter)"/etc. don't convey the same meaning without becoming unbearably cumbersome or awkward. Further, I think most of the readers are savvy enough to understand what they mean. I still think it's not a bad idea to use links, brackets, or footnotes to define the terms the first time they're used; but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.

* That long diatribe to ask if you'd please go through and replacing the existing "big sis", "sis", etc. with the terms that Sanda sensei used.

On a slightly different note, while I feel the same about other familial titles like ''Otou''/''Okaa'', ''Oji''/''Oba'', ''Ojii''/''Obaa'', etc.; those can often be replaced with things like "Dad", "Pops", "Mom", "Uncle", "Auntie", "Gramps", "Granny", etc.

Really, if you feel strongly about it one way or the other, please let me know. But I'd vote for Romanji of such titles left in w/ definitions used the first time they appear as links or in footnotes (I'll take care of those so you don't have to).

Finally, please leave in the honorifics if you'd be so kind. Whether the reader is aware of it consciously or not, they do a lot to convey the attitudes of both speaker and scene.

==Awkward Wording==
I was just trying to figure out this passage: Basically, it's a storm of spell power that runs ley lines.
Does this mean that the storm of power is like an engine for the ley lines? If it is maybe 'runs ''the'' ley lines' might flow better.--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 15:54, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

So those 'storms' follow the ley lines? Going back to the sink analogy, the ley lines are like a spring that is the source for the water coming out of the sink?--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 16:04, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== Rental Magica Names ==

Just saw your edits, and wondered if it should be 'Adelicia' rather than 'Adilisia'. Sorry if you already talked about it, but I just wanted to be sure, since Wikipedia used 'Adelicia' instead. And great translation! [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] 19:29, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== Rental Magica ==

Missed your reply before on my Talk page. Ooops! X<

Thanks again so much for translating this project! I was really excited when I saw that it had gone active. Enough to quit lurking and actually contribute. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 03:32, 16 May 2011 (UCT)

***
In Chapter 2.1, there are a couple of terms that I couldn't find after a google search: ''Kenki'' and ''Jougan'':
"Rather than genius, it seems like just genes. Something close to a ''kenki'' or a ''jougan'', I'd think."

If you could elaborate, or even just give me the kanji so I can do a more thorough search, I'd really appreciate it. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 21:22, 17 May 2011 (UCT)

***
I'm not criticizing, just wondering: Is there a reason you don't like the version from the Wikipedia page—''Adelicia Lenn Mathers''? My understanding is that the katakana for her name is:

アディリシア・レン・メイザース
which transliterates to ''Aderishia Ren Meizasu'', so I can kinda' understand, but even the fansubbers that released versions of the animé all seemed to agree on ''Adelicia''.

Again, ''not'' criticizing, just wondering. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 07:05, 19 May 2011 (UCT)

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-19T07:05:26Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica */ Q. re: Adilisia vs. Adelicia

Go Buffalo,go! My gratutude for taking the time to translate a very special kind of story.

Cheers! / --[[Special:Contributions/83.227.250.155|83.227.250.155]] 15:56, 25 March 2011 (EDT)

Thank you for your kind words! --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 16:14, 25 March 2011 (EDT)

A more complete show of my thanks is on the Mimizuku project page, but I wanted to go ahead and say thank you so much for translating such an engaging story so quickly and so well.

~Blaster

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did. --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 21:49, 23 April 2011 (UCT)

Super awesome work on Mimizuku. Also saw that you are starting on Rental Magica. The best of luck!
-alyu

Awesome to work on Rental Magica! One of my favourites! --[[User:Larethian|Larethian]] 06:55, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Thanks, alyu and Larethian! I'll do my best. --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 14:33, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Congrats for Mimizuku and Rental Magica! [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] 18:20, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Thanks, Kira! --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 18:25, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

First, Thanks for translating this series, it is something I've been wanting to read for a long time. Since I like it I tend to like to help.

In that part that I separated into different paragraphs, it really sounds like it is Kagezaki saying something at the beginning then Itsuki inviting him in - that is why I separated it.--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 02:40, 30 April 2011 (UCT)

Thank you so much for working on Rental Magica. I'm very fond of the series due to having watched the anime a long time ago. I hear the LNs are much better (anime was so-so), so I'm happy to see it getting translated. Thank you very much for keeping it unlocalized, as well. Mikan's onii-chan is delicious. I can't wait until you reach Lapis (do keep Lapis' third person speech please). [[User:Imagker|Imagker]] 01:39, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

===Rental Magica Typo===
That was no problem for that (to remove such little errors) we all here can edit ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 12:36, 8 May 2011 (UCT)

=== Rental Magica Edits ===

At line 88, I was hoping you might be able to elaborate on "a scream of '''''unknown significance'''''" means.

Also, if you'd look over the changes in the Prologue, I'd really appreciate it. I really want to get your feedback on the formatting change to the business card—using "angle brackets" ('''<>''') vs. "brackets" ('''[]''')... But I want to make sure I didn't change the meaning of anything when I made the edits.

I'm also '''Tetsu-nii''' on the forum if you want to contact me that way. 御苦労さん!

That scream of unknown significance, could that instead mean unknown '''source'''?--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 05:29, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

if I may suggest, how about --> "incomprehensible scream", this is different from "scream of incomprehension", the former being incomprehensible to the listener and not the screamer. --[[User:Larethian|larethian]] 06:04, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

'''RE: "We Rent Magicians" vs. "We Rent Out Magicians"'''
The colloquial American English usage would be "We Rent Magicians" the way a U.S. car hiring service (to use International/Commonwealth English usage) would advertise with a phrase like, "We Rent Luxury Sports Cars". I removed the "Out" because I thought it felt/sounded awkward and could be omitted without changing the meaning (again, in American English usage). --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 13:07, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

== Fraternal Titles (''Onii/Aniki/Onee/Aneki'') ==

Whenever possible, I prefer to leave in the ''Onii''-(chan/san/whatever)/''Onee''-*/''Ani*''/''Ane*'' since the English "Bro(ther)"/"Sis(ter)"/etc. don't convey the same meaning without becoming unbearably cumbersome or awkward. Further, I think most of the readers are savvy enough to understand what they mean. I still think it's not a bad idea to use links, brackets, or footnotes to define the terms the first time they're used; but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.

* That long diatribe to ask if you'd please go through and replacing the existing "big sis", "sis", etc. with the terms that Sanda sensei used.

On a slightly different note, while I feel the same about other familial titles like ''Otou''/''Okaa'', ''Oji''/''Oba'', ''Ojii''/''Obaa'', etc.; those can often be replaced with things like "Dad", "Pops", "Mom", "Uncle", "Auntie", "Gramps", "Granny", etc.

Really, if you feel strongly about it one way or the other, please let me know. But I'd vote for Romanji of such titles left in w/ definitions used the first time they appear as links or in footnotes (I'll take care of those so you don't have to).

Finally, please leave in the honorifics if you'd be so kind. Whether the reader is aware of it consciously or not, they do a lot to convey the attitudes of both speaker and scene.

==Awkward Wording==
I was just trying to figure out this passage: Basically, it's a storm of spell power that runs ley lines.
Does this mean that the storm of power is like an engine for the ley lines? If it is maybe 'runs ''the'' ley lines' might flow better.--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 15:54, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

So those 'storms' follow the ley lines? Going back to the sink analogy, the ley lines are like a spring that is the source for the water coming out of the sink?--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 16:04, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== Rental Magica Names ==

Just saw your edits, and wondered if it should be 'Adelicia' rather than 'Adilisia'. Sorry if you already talked about it, but I just wanted to be sure, since Wikipedia used 'Adelicia' instead. And great translation! [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] 19:29, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== Rental Magica ==

Missed your reply before on my Talk page. Ooops! X<

Thanks again so much for translating this project! I was really excited when I saw that it had gone active. Enough to quit lurking and actually contribute. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 03:32, 16 May 2011 (UCT)

***
In Chapter 2.1, there are a couple of terms that I couldn't find after a google search: ''Kenki'' and ''Jougan'':
"Rather than genius, it seems like just genes. Something close to a ''kenki'' or a ''jougan'', I'd think."

If you could elaborate, or even just give me the kanji so I can do a more thorough search, I'd really appreciate it. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 21:22, 17 May 2011 (UCT)

***
I'm not criticizing, just wondering: Is there a reason you don't like the version from the Wikipedia page—''Adelicia Lenn Mathers''? My understanding is that the katakana for her name is:
'''アディリシア・レン・メイザース''' which transliterates to ''Aderishia Ren Meizasu'', so I can kinda' understand, but even the fansubbers that released versions of the animé all seemed to agree on ''Adelicia''.

Again, ''not'' criticizing, just wondering. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 07:05, 19 May 2011 (UCT)

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 2

2011-05-17T22:34:20Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 1 */ General Edit

__NOTOC__
==Chapter 2 - The Magician's Offer==

===1===

"A~ah, President ''Onii-chan'' is dea~d..."

"Hey there, that's not the proper way to leave the physical realm now, is it?"

''"Meowowow, meo~w!"''

One after another, Mikan, Nekoyashiki, and Nekoyashiki's cats tapped him on the head.

"... P-Please... sorry."

Lying prostrate on the ground, Itsuki was at the verge of death, and finally managed to move just his finger.

He was at the mansion.

On Itsuki's overturned wooden desk had been a massive pile of documents, beakers, pyramidal flasks, some machine that looked like a microscope, and a dessicated monkey's arm. All of this was now on top of him. From underneath the veritable trash heap, only Itsuki's head remained, albeit barely, untouched.

"Even though you're not done with studies and examinations?" Honami chided roughly, knocking on the stack of documents.

"Ah... yes, I know...!"

"Then finish reading from "Hand of Glory" to "The Book of Albertus"."

Recovering from his near-death experience, Itsuki shook his head and picked up the old book. It was now almost a conditioned reflex. With emptier eyes than he had when he was under Adelicia's control, he continued to read the Grimoire.

— A week had already passed since the incident in the park.

In that time, Honami—who had transferred into his class—gave him a rough education. It consisted of lessons relating to both his presidential duties and magical studies.

Itsuki was now forced to devote himself to his studies since he was followed in and out of school, with nowhere to run.

"What kind of stuff are you reading," Nekoyashiki asked from behind him in a relaxed manner.

"He's got no talent," Honami declared. "He tried basic spells and affinities, but he sucks at everything. He probably wouldn't even be able to do anything with ten years of studying. Give him twenty years and he might be able to call on a low class spirit, though it still might not be satisfactory."

Having this said right behind his back was a little irksome. What was he studying for, then?

"Heheheh, I thought that he might have the makings of a genius since he could see ghosts and monsters. But it doesn't seem to be so, does it?"

"Rather than genius, it seems like just genes. Something close to a ''kenki'' or a ''jougan'', I'd think."

"There is the legend of the ''kenki'' becoming a powerful mountain wizard, you know."

"Isn't that, itself, an exception to an exception? There's no logic to it, so you can't include it into the calculations."

"What if we gave him some kind of elixir or spirit drug? Honami-san, in addition to Celtic magic, you know Witchcraft, right?"

"Of course, I've already tried that stuff. I've tried everything from Mandragora root to bat wings boiled in mercury to mashed toad intestines to just plain old Magnesia solution. Not one thing caused a positive response, so I'd say he's just got no brains."

Yes, he had truly come close to death when Honami forced him to eat aconite. He'd never thought those kinds of things would ever enter his mouth.

"Well, rather than magic, we'll just have to make sure he focuses exclusively on presidential work."

"I see. If that's the case, where should we start? We have one set for studying, but..."

Standing up, Nekoyashiki opened the closet.

Looking into it, Itsuki saw several shelves filled with books.

"Let's start with something to give him the main points. We can consult with Director Hazel too but I'd start with all twelve volumes of ''Detailed Exposition of Economic Values — General Remarks'' and all six of ''Mosaic Organization Structure: Basic Theory''."

It was the first time he had even heard of textbooks being divided into volumes. They all had bindings so thick that it was not unthinkable that he could club someone to death with them. To make matters worse, just looking at a page out of them made his brain melt down.

"Um, you said it would be okay if I just signed and stamped..."

Itsuki tried raising a pitiful voice of resistance, but...

"Did you even consider what you were signing up to do when you stamped?"

Honami's ice-blue eyes became even icier. They were probably even colder than the Cocytus of Greek legend.

"Other than holding the majority vote, you'll have to know the company's economic status and relative value compared with other companies. As for magic: if you don't memorize how to apply your employees' individual abilities, we'll never get work and even at the best of times be stuck with no jobs."

Her supple finger pointed at Itsuki, stabbing through his heart.

Incidentally, the businesses front of <Astral>'s office was a fortune-telling center and a recruitment agency for an occult magazine.

That is to say, 90% of their income came from these activities.

"Since we rent out magicians, I call us 'Rental Magica'. Ehehe, it sounds sort of cool, doesn't it?" said Mikan, puffing out her chest.

She seemed to have come straight from elementary school and she carried a red schoolbag over her ''miko'' outfit. No, she must have changed clothes in the office or something.

"So? What do you do, Mikan-chan?"

"Since I'm a ''miko'', I get hired for groundbreaking ceremonies and festivals and stuff. That's why I'm a~always busy in the summer."

"I see. Yeah, there are a lot of festivals in the summer, huh? So do you always come here?"

"Yep. Though, if I wasn't here, President ''Onii-chan'' would have been made into food for Ultros, wouldn't he?"

"Y-Yeah, sorry about that..."

Itsuki weakly waved his left hand. In his right hand, he held open the ''Economics Even ''You'' Can Understand—How to Save and Use Money'' book that Honami had lent to him (she had needed to lower the level of difficulty quite a bit for his sake).

''"Meow."''

''"Meowoww."''

"Hunh?"

The office cats were pulling at the bottom of his pants.

Being pulled along, he came to a desk with a fashion magazine placed on it. The cats pointed to the open magazine and meowed, waving their tails.

"Nekoyashiki-san, this is..."

"Aah. It's my most popular 'Nekomata Onmyoudou ・ Nekoyashiki Ren's Cat Fortune Telling' feature."

Nekoyashiki, who was sitting next to him, raised his head.

"... I see."

He somehow understood quite well. He seemed to be pretty popular. His personality didn't really show through in his photo, though.

''Looks like there are hardships no matter what kind of world you live in.''

He had a strangely familial feeling.

Nekoyashiki, with his cats on his knees, pressed his brush against his cheek. On the desk in front of him, a heavy-looking inkstone was enshrined with some Japanese paper. He was apparently in the middle of making "spell seals".

Lightly waving his brush across the slips of paper, he made several talismans.

"Are these for work?"

"No, I send them as presents to my readers. I draw five names from the people who send in the questionnaires and give them these."

"Huh, presents..."

Itsuki dropped his chin. He was way off.

Nekoyashiki smiled at his look.

"President, what do you think about magicians?" he asked.

"Huh? Umm... I still don't know anything about them at all..."

Well, for a start, none of them looked very magical. At least not before what he saw in the park. He didn't understand the different kinds of magic very well either.

"I suppose it's best to be honest. So, I'll change the question a bit. What's the need for magicians in the modern world?"

"Eh?"

Itsuki blinked at suddenly being asked such a basic question.

"Er, um... I guess they exist out of necessity?"

"Ahaha. A no-holds-barred response. I like that. If you think about it normally, there's really no need for them at all. If you need to fly, you use an airplane. If you need to talk to someone far away, you use a telephone. And if you need a familiar, there's always Sony's AIBO. Those robots are much cuter and functional than your typical magical beast, aren't they? Oh, but of course, cats are the exception."

Putting emphasis on the last part, Nekoyashiki then made a solemn expression.

"But magic, just by virtue of being magic, can destroy the world, you know."

Nekoyashiki declared with all the sharpness of a ''katana''.

"..." Itsuki gulped involuntarily. "Is there really magic that powerful?"

"No. Because there is a human limit to spell power, all magic has its limits. For example, in the current world, the greatest flame user in the current world is Ismail Talib, a master of Islamic ''Djinn'' Magic. However, even he would only be able to burn down a single city at his best. Furthermore, there would need to be a lot of costly preparation before anything could be accomplished. It would probably be safer and smarter to just drop a napalm bomb on the city."

Nekoyashiki took a small sip of his green tea. It was apparently cold, as he made a disgruntled look.

"B-But monsters made with magic are pretty amazing, aren't they?"

"Ah, I see where you're going with this. Things like Kabbalic Golems and Homunculi do indeed have power greater than that of humans. The best and best known are <Goetia>'s Mathers family's 'Seventy-Two Demons.'"

Hearing the familiar name, Itsuki's face became stiff.

"Oh, what's the matter?"

"N-No, it's nothing."

Adelicia Lenn Mathers.

That was the name of the girl who now sat to his right during class. Thought it was difficult for him to admit. Perhaps it was because of Honami, but she hadn't given him any trouble. Still, he could feel the terrible sensation that a pair of green eyes was glaring at him from time to time.

''The best, huh...''

As Itsuki half admired her and half feared her, Nekoyashiki continued his discussion.

"However, there is a limit even to the highest ranking demons. No matter which road the summoner takes, they can't outdo their natural ability while still being able to completely control the monster. There are ways for summoner-type magicians to make their work more efficient, but it just makes things more likely to work rather than guaranteeing anything."

"... Then, what was that magic that you said could destroy the world?"

"Oh, that..."

As Nekoyashiki nodded, the black, old-fashioned phone next to the support pillar rang.

Lifting the handset to his face in a flash, Nekoyashiki answered.

"Thank you for calling. This is the magician dispatch company <Astral>... eh? Oh, I see. Yes. Yes, yes. Understood!"

Slamming the handset back onto its cradle, Nekoyashiki whirled around.

"President! Urgent request!"

"Eh? Don't tell me it's another monster extermination!" Itsuki responded in a panic.

"No, it looks like a magazine writer is out with a cold! If we hurry, we can write the substitute article. We have to take a quick trip to the publisher and write it on-site."

— Well, that seemed pretty peaceful.

"U-Understood. Let's go."

Itsuki gave a tired laugh and turned his back to Nekoyashiki, who was placing his cats in a ''furoshiki''<ref>In this instance, using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furoshiki furoshiki] to carry a bundle.</ref> before slinging the bundle over his shoulder.

Before exiting the door, Nekoyashiki turned around.

"That's right. About what I was saying earlier..."

"Hm?"

"The most dangerous magic is... when the magician becomes the magic himself," Nekoyashiki said, narrowing his eyes into crescent moons.

===2===

The next day, during lunch, Itsuki walked up to the curry meal--and moved on, taking the udon meal.

Among the students, the curry at this school was known as "Russian Roulette." Since there is no set kind of curry that they serve, you could get terribly sweet curry one day and get blazingly spicy curry the next. Whether it was the spiciness of a chili pepper or the sweetness of syrup and powdered sugar, it all smelled and looked the same. There was no way to think of it as anything other than a trap.

Pushing through the waves of people, Itsuki made his way to the end of the cafeteria and sat at the empty table there. As he read the reference book Honami had lent him while eating,

"May I sit here?" came a voice that rang like a bell.

It was Adilisia. Of course, she wasn't wearing her dress in school; she had on a sailor uniform and was holding a cafeteria tray. Her golden hair and emerald eyes clashed quite considerably with the sailor outfit, and Itsuki simply blinked at her for a moment.

"... What are you gaping at like a fool?"

"N-no, I just didn't think you'd be eating the school food."

"It is my choice."

Turning her face away, she sat in front of him.

The smell of delicious curry wafted from her tray.

"Ah..."

With an elegant sweep, Adilisia put the spoon to her mouth.

"!!!"

She swooned in agony.

"What is this!? Can't they make this curry sweeter!?"

She slammed the table. Itsuki's right eye began to hurt again. She was gathering spell power bit by bit.

"There's nothing you can do about it here..."

"Ugh!! How could I have fallen into such a trap?--"

"W-wouldn't it be best to not overdo it and just not eat the curry?"

"Be quiet. As I have made this decision, I will see it to its finish."

With teary eyes, Adilisia stuffed the suspicious curry into her cheeks.

"... Hey, look at that over there."

"... Ibaitsu made the transfer student cry."

"... I heard that Ibaitsu is her manservant, is that true?"

"... What? I heard that the transfer student was Ibaitsu's fiancée."

"... Well, what about the other transfer student?"

"... No way... are they gonna start fighting?"

At their scene, rumors began to pour out of the surrounding students.

''Aw man! I'm the center of another weird misunderstanding!''

Recently, Itsuki was all the class talked about. Of course, it wasn't because Itsuki himself was interesting. It was because of the people sitting to his right and left during class. That is to say, the two transfer students. As the beautiful mixed race girl and the English lady glared at the class loon between them, it would be weird for rumors not to spring up.

Slurping his udon, Itsuki sighed.

Feeling that things were going to get worse, he was trying to think of a way to respond to the situation when the young lady who had finally finished half of her curry glanced upward.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg75.jpg|thumb|]]
"Itsuki."

"Yes?"

"It may be impolite of me, but please allow me to inquire. You have only recently become a company president, yes?"

"M-more or less..."

"And even though you aren't a magician?"

Her green eyes stared him down.

"N-no, though I have been doing all I can about that..." Itsuki answered, flustered. He had already stopped trying to study magicianship. Should he have told her the truth?

However, hearing that, Adilisia's expression changed.

"Well then... even though you aren't a magician, you are still the leader of that <Astral>, that... jumbled up collection of magicians... yes?"

With a sudden sweep of silence across the cafeteria, whispers began to arise.

Because they were far away, the other students didn't catch on to words like "magician" or "leader," but what they did see was that Adilisia was quite indignant.

But as any proper young lady, Adilisia didn't pay attention to the whispers. She leaned over the table at Itsuki.

"Uwah!"

"Do you really plan on overcoming the <Night> with such a... such a careless attitude?"

''Uh... <Night>?''

Itsuki didn't think too much about it. He pulled back as Adilisia's white visage came nearer. She peered straight into Itsuki's eye.

"Fine."

She let go of the table. "Since you apparently are not aware of that either, I will give you a warning. --If you continue with that attitude, you will die within three days."

"Die..."

Itsuki felt the coldness of those words all the way through to his heart.

"..."

"..."

For a while, the two stayed silent, simply looking at each other.

When Itsuki grabbed his chopsticks, he felt something.

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"... Adilisia-san, are you, by any chance... worried for me?"

In an instant, Adilisia's face became bright red up to her ears.

"Do not say such foolish things! Since you saw things normal people are unaware of in the park last week, I was just clarifying things for you."

She angrily stood up.

"So how about now? If you value your life, you will pull the next offer."

Simply declaring that, the girl swiftly turned on her heel.

"Hey, wait a second."

Itsuki tried to follow her, but he suddenly felt a strange itch under his eye patch. He rubbed it, standing up.

However, he felt something wet.

"Huh?"

The finger he had rubbed under his eye patch with was dyed slightly red.

''"--With that attitude, you will die within three days."''

"Ugh..."

And then, seeing his own blood, Itsuki--who was anemic--fainted on his back.

After school, Itsuki made his way home after being slapped awake by the school nurse saying "Hey, I want to go home, so hurry and wake up!"

For the time being, the blood had stopped. In all truth, there really wasn't that much bleeding in the first place, and it had totally stopped by the time he had reached the infirmary. Because the nurse in the infirmary knew him well, she let him be without taking his eye patch off. Itsuki was thankful for that.

''It's been a long time since I've seen blood...''

Talking to himself, he walked toward downtown.

Lots of shops had already closed. There were few people on the streets, and the old townscape was like a silhouette in the sunset.

The city of Furube was a mix of new and old.

It was a small town that had existed on a sloping hill since the Heian Period. Then, the bubble economy brought about a population influx, turning the place into a commuter town overnight. To add to that, the city recently became a lure for enterprises, bringing in a lot of hustle and bustle and causing many new buildings to be constructed.

It was a laid back town, but the downtown area was in the middle of a rebirth.

As he scaled the sloping road on his way to the alleyway leading to the office, Itsuki suddenly stopped his feet.

"A-are you here again?"

Remembering Ultros, he made a depressed facial expression.

That demon dog--his caretaker still hadn't taken him back, so as it couldn't be helped, he was now being raised at <Astral>.

As he walked through the alleyway, it was an established practice for Ultros to playfully assault him. For example, one time Ultros had climbed to the top of the roof and dove headfirst at Itsuki, nearly crushing him to death.

When he held his eye patch and looked across the alleyway...

"--You are <Astral>'s Iba Itsuki-sama, right?"

"Wha--?"

Being spoken to from his side all of a sudden, Itsuki jumped.

Slipping through the sunset, a human figure stood before him. Itsuki should have been able to see him in his peripheral vision, but it was as if he didn't even register in Itsuki's consciousness.

It was as if the man lacked any sort of characteristic at all.

With a blank expression on his face, he wore a worn out business suit on his body, which was about average height. In his hand, he carried a normal-looking suitcase. If he were to walk into a crowd, you would immediately lose sight of him.

"Aren't you Iba Itsuki-san?" the man asked again.

"Eh? Ah, y-yes..."

"Aah, of course. You do look like Tsukasa-san," the man said, forcing a nostalgic look onto his face.

"You know my dad?"

"Yes. President Iba Tsukasa helped me a long time ago. --Excuse me for beating around the bush. I am Kagezaki, of the <Organization>."

"<Organization>..."

He remembered Honami saying the name.

It was definitely the public controller that assembled magicians. Honami still hadn't told him the details, but he had heard that it was an association that presided over an upwards of a hundred magical groups.

"Right now, I would like to congratulate you on your succession. We await your future patronage."

"Y-y-yes, nice to meet you and all that--but, why is someone from the <Organization> here?"

"It's about the contract."

Making a calm smile, Kagezaki held up the suitcase.

"Contract?"

Remembering what Adilisia had told him, his cheeks became stiff.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing that important, but... Ahahaha!" A cold sweat ran across him. "Well, uh, let me take you inside the office--"

"There won't be any need for that, president."

All of a sudden, he was interrupted by another presence in the alleyway.

"Nekoyashiki-san!"

"Oh, Nekoyashiki-sama. It has been a while."

In the alleyway at twilight stood a gray-haired young man--Nekoyashiki. In his peculiar Japanese clothes with his folding fan, his chest and shoulders covered in cats, he was the same as usual.

However, his face looked somewhat perturbed to Itsuki.

"Kagezaki-san. You received the communication that we were waiting for the offer, correct?"

"Yes. That is what this is about." Keeping his smile on, Kagezaki nodded. "The truth is that earlier, the offer contract was terminated by <Goetia>-sama. According to the rules, if <Astral>-sama does not formally reject this claim, they will have to pull out of the next <Night>."

"I know that."

Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

He didn't hide the fact that he did not like Kagezaki. Itsuki felt a bit surprised at this, as Nekoyashiki was usually subtle.

Kagezaki lips blew out into a full grin.

"Ah, then that works out wonderfully. You know <Astral> has not partaken of an offer for six years, right? If you don't do this one as well, then I will have to consider erasing your registry from the <Organization> soon." Acting as if he really regretted it, Kagezaki continued. "--If that happens, then you know that Itsuki-san will be back to the way he was before, and Nekoyashiki-san and Mikan-san will have to return to their former positions, right?"

"Huh?"

Former positions?

As Itsuki blinked confusedly, Nekoyashiki made a grim expression.

"I know that. I know we have to do this work to keep our place in the registry. That's what you're saying, yes?"

"Yes, more or less."

Kagezaki gave a troubled smile.

His smile gave no impression. Like a movie extra whose presence or lack thereof made no difference, his face was completely spiritless.

''...''

Suddenly, Itsuki became afraid.

His slight confusion changed to uneasiness, and that uneasiness morphed into terror. Like with Adilisia, it wasn't a clear abnormality. However, Kagezaki seemed so average to the point that it made him suspicious.

--It was as if his face was bleached.

Itsuki gulped. Feeling something cold on the back of his neck, he finally opened his mouth to speak.

"Please w-wait for just a minute. I can't figure this conversation out. What do you mean by erasing our registration? What 'job' are you talking about?"

"What?" Kagezaki shifted his gaze toward Itsuki. "You mean all of this hasn't been explained to you?"

"It hasn't been two weeks since he's succeeded the role of president," Nekoyashiki answered.

With a smile of understanding, Kagezaki nodded.

"If that's the case, then why don't I explain? Otherwise..."

Kagezaki smiled again.

However, the one who answered him this time was not Nekoyashiki or Itsuki.

At the bottom of the sloping road, two new characters were walking this way.

While Itsuki was in the infirmary, Honami had left school and appeared to be coming back from shopping.

"Kagezaki oji-san..."

Mikan was next to her holding a vinyl supermarket bag, tugging at the hem of her sailor uniform, shivering.

She stepped in front of Mikan.

"I'll tell you about it," Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler said flatly.

===3===

"--Well then, I'll place the documents here. There are also reference documents for the next case, so please read through them."

Placing his trunk on the table and making a bow, Kagezaki stood up and left. He didn't disappear or fly away like a magician, he stood up on his two feet and walked down the hill road outside.

Until his shape disappeared, a pair of harsh Ice Blue Eyes glared at him.

"President, shall I take that trunk for you?" Honami prompted.

"Oh, sure. ...Mikan-chan, is it safe?" Itsuki, taking the trunk, asked Mikan, who had been hiding.

"Yeah, it's safe..." With a pale face, Mikan nodded stiffly. Her hands were still shivering. She tugged on Itsuki's school uniform. "Not! Uwaaaah!" Tears began to tumble out of her eyes, and she buried her face in Itsuki's stomach. "Uuu... I'm scared... I'm scared--..."

"A-ah, I understand, I understand..."

He decided against telling her not to rub her runny nose all over him and nervously stroked her head.

"*H-hic*, president onii-chan... waaaah... was bullied by oji-san..."

"Uh... yes?"

Confused, Itsuki wiped Mikan's cheeks. She had cried quite a bit, and her tears had streaked down to his pants.

As he did,

"... Hmph."

For some reason, Honami was looking at him with horribly cold eyes.

"Wh-what?"

"Nothing. So you're interested in that type, huh? I guess it's up to you."

"Wh-why are you saying something like that?"

"Forget about it. I'll leave you two alone."

Nekoyashiki intervened with his calm-as-usual tone.

"Now then, how about we return to the office first?"

"Meowo~ww"

Nekoyashiki's cats meowed in agreement with one another.

A few minutes later.

Inside of <Astral>'s messy office, the smell of black tea wafted faintly through the air.

"Here you go, Mikan-chan."

"Thanks Honami."

Taking the white teacup, Mikan made a tiny slurp.

Incidentally, Itsuki had changed out of his soggy school uniform into regular clothes. Because Ultros licked him all over every day, he sadly had to keep a spare set of clothes at the office.

"H-hey, what about me?"

"Oh, are you here?"

"... S-sorry..." Itsuki said, lowering his head.

A little while later, a teacup was held out to him.

He was at the reception table. He sat next to Mikan on the creaky antique sofa. Nekoyashiki was a little further away at his desk, and Honami was sitting in front of Itsuki in a Windsor chair, placing her own teacup before her.

After a short pause,

"Now then, back to what I was saying before..."

"Oh, yeah," Itsuki nodded.

He didn't understand any of the earlier discussion, about the offer, or the registry, or the <Night>. There was something about former positions too.

"So, I'll explain everything to you in order," Honami said, putting the rim of her teacup to her mouth. Apparently she had been studying in England until a little while ago, and her motions were very similar to Adilisia's.

Taking a single sip of the amber-colored liquid, Honami began to talk.

"I already told you about the <Organization>, right?"

"That one structure affiliated with seventy or eighty percent of magician groups, wasn't it? <Astral>'s part of it too, right?"

Seemingly satisfied with Itsuki's answer, Honami nodded.

"Right. Both <Astral> and <Goetia> are registered. In the beginning, it was a support union made by magicians in Europe in the Middle Ages. They could never intervene in anything directly, but they had a lot of influence worldwide. For example, even if you weren't formally registered with the <Organization>, no one would treat you like a real magician."

Giving a simple review, Honami looked at Itsuki.

This was review, right? If he said that he couldn't remember something, he didn't know what kind of horrible things she'd put him through, so he nodded obediently.

"Alright then, I'll continue. --Offers are 'jobs' accepted from the public by the <Organization>, which are then directed to its registered magical groups."

"'Jobs?'" Itsuki asked.

"Yes, 'jobs.' I just told you that the <Organization> could never intervene in anything directly. That's because the different magical groups are very sensitive to their spheres of influence. If someone idiotically sticks their nose in someone else's domain, it could turn into a fight. That's why the <Organization> recruits magicians who can solve such problems."

That is to say, in exchange for not getting your own hands dirty, you dispatched others capable of solving various issues. That seemed like what a support union would do.

After thinking for a moment, Itsuki opened his mouth.

"Then, that guy Kagezaki came because--"

"A 'job.' --The <Organization> is seeking to resolve some issue that's popped up."

"...!"

At Honami's words, Itsuki could feel his blood rush through him.

Whatever this 'job' could be, there was one thing that was certain.

"W-woah, time out! Wait a second! Then, Adilisia came--"

"Because <Goetia> took the offer. If <Astral> takes the offer as well, then the reward is first come, first serve. That is to say, we'll be fighting one another."

Itsuki got goose bumps.

He remembered the fear that Adilisia had instilled in him. If magicians were fighting...

"T-then, you mean... with... magic?"

"Naturally. We're magicians."

Honami made the finishing blow. Itsuki dropped his head as though he were a marionette whose neck string had been cut.

"President?"

"No, that's..."

There was no going back now. It was only a matter of time before a gruesome death.

On the other hand, the girl across from him made a small sigh.

"You know, you're the one who's supposed to decide whether or not we take on offers, right?"

"Huh?" Suddenly, Itsuki's face sparkled. "That's it then! Let's take a pass on this one..."

"--Let me return to what we were discussing before."

Nekoyashiki, who was dandling his cats, gave a warning from his desk.

"What?"

"Ah, there is a certain reason... how should I put this? This could turn into a long story, but unlike other magical societies, <Astral> isn't a simple magical group. Our last president forcibly pulled in several different kinds of magicians. That is to say, we're like a hodge podge of different magicians..."

Itsuki felt as though Adilisia had told him something similar before. Something like "jumbled up collection"...

"What do you mean?" Itsuki knitted his brows.

"To put it simply, if <Astral> is removed from the registry, Nekoyashiki-san and Mikan-chan will have to go back to their original groups," Honami chimed in.

"H-hunh?"

"<Astral> hasn't taken any offers since the last president disappeared. The <Organization> can't keep an association like that in their registry. That's what Kagezaki was threatening earlier."

An awkward silence spread across the room.

"U-um..."

Finally, Itsuki looked around.

"... President onii-chan... I don't want to go back." Mikan looked up at him from beside, holding her teacup with both hands.

"........."

"Meow."

"Meeow!"

"Me~ow."

Meowow~ow."

The cats began to exert pressure from all sides of the office.

"......................."

"Aren't they cute? They're the treasures of the world, the finest art this earth has borne. However, I can't take this many cats back home with me. Aah, you're not telling me that you would rather these cats die, are you?"

Putting on a drama, Nekoyashiki lamented exaggeratedly.

"..........................................."

"What're you gonna do, president?" Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler asked him coldly, persisting.

"................................................................................"

Itsuki felt as though something similar had happened not half a month ago.

"... O-okay... I get it..."

Almost crying, Itsuki slammed the table.

Though he had come this far, he was still a total novice. --Or rather, even he hadn't thought it would get this bad.

He made a deep, deep sigh, expelling everything in his lungs.

Then, he puffed his chest out, partly out of desperation.

"Okay then, what kind of 'job' are we doing this time?" he asked, crying.

===4===

The place had been called the "goblin factory" before.

Everyone in Furube City knew of the smokestacks rising from halfway up Mt. Nyuu.

Around it was a red, rusty barb-wire fence, and the vacant space between the fence and the factory was overrun with weeds. The outer concrete wall had cracks here and there, and they were a strange color, as if a demon had slashed at the wall with its claws.

The place had been sealed off several decades before. As was often the case when a business failed, the factory head and his family had all hung themselves, and the land was abandoned, leaving the building to slowly rot away.

Incidentally, there were scary stories about how if one listened closely, they could hear the factory head that killed himself creeping about at night, or the sound of machines that should have been destroyed working as usual.

Itsuki was at the entrance of this factory.

Furthermore--the air of the tepid summer night felt bizarre.

"... gh..."

"President onii-chan? What's wrong?"

"No, that's... it's... nothing, nothing at all..."

Walking one step behind Mikan, grasping the cuff of her Miko clothes, he made an awkward smile and shook his head.

Since they had entered the mountain, his knees had been shaking nonstop. He wanted to praise himself for making it this far. Incidentally, Mikan was a surprisingly good walker, so she hadn't sweated a drop the whole way up the mountain road.

Mikan tilted her neck.

"Are you scared?"

"Geh!"

Straight pitch.

Fast ball.

Mikan was right on the money.

"Mfufufu, it's okay. I'll protect you, president onii-chan."

Laughing into her nose, she waved her tamagushi with a triumphant air.

"P, protect...?"

"You know..." She pressed the tamagushi against her cheek, starting to explain herself,

"--Mikan, enough chit-chat, how about that misogi?"<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misogi misogi] (禊) is a kind of Shintou purification rite.</ref> Honami cut in from beside.

Honami was wearing her sailor uniform as usual. However, she had a large pointed hat over her chestnut-colored hair, and she wore a night-colored cape across her skinny shoulders. She was like a witch from a fairy tale, the same as Itsuki had seen her in the park.

"Al-right!"

Pointing her lips, Mikan waved her tamagushi here and there across her miko clothes and fingers. This was apparently a misogi.

Making sure Mikan was occupied, Honami turned to Itsuki.

"President. Hand me your badge so I can do the preparations."

"Uh... this thing?"

Itsuki fished his badge out of his pocket and held it out to Honami. She grabbed it from him and held it up to the moonlight, then fastened it to Itsuki's collar.

Tilting his neck to the side, Itsuki caught a glimpse of Honami's splendidly white nape.

A faint scent slipped into his nostrils.

"Ah..."

His cheeks became hot.

"Hm, what?"

"N, no, it's nothing. Nothing at all. What's this?"

"Basically, protection. The holy pentagram is strengthened by the divine nature of the silver mirror. This kind of thing is used in both the east and west, so it has some ability to overcome spell wave interference. There's some more ways to use it, but I'll tell you later. --Now, this,"

"Oh, business cards..."

Tucked away in a thin, silver case was a stack of business cards. Furthermore, neatly embossed next to the words <Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral> was "Company President ・ Iba Itsuki."

"Wh, why are you suddenly giving me this?"

"Oh, I finished purifying those business cards!" Mikan butted in, puffing her chest out.

"After we finished washing out the paper with the miracle water of Fuji, Mikan purified it with a ceremony. Inside of them is the Kabbalah Cross that the head of the Fetish Department, Hazel, carved. Since every single one of them has a real fetish in it, don't go around giving them to everyone."

"S, sure."

Who was he supposed to give these to, then?

--He felt like he was treading deeper and deeper into the swamp.

"Then... what were the preparations you were talking about?" he fearfully asked.

Honami narrowed her eye at him from behind her glasses.

"I'm deciding that now. Before the 'job' starts, I have to give you something to protect yourself, so that I can properly cover you."

"B, but... I don't see anything strange right now," he protested flusteredly.

He could see monsters, but he didn't know for sure if this place was a real spirit spot or not. Looking from his right eye, it seemed like just a regular old creepy place.

Even so, what he really feared was that--the lack of knowledge. He didn't know whether or not to be afraid. He pitied himself a bit.

"It's here."

Honami let loose a grin, looking down at the watch on her wrist.

"There are definitely ley lines here, but they're small. This is a dragon cave. If it's as the reference docs say, then the 'Night' will be here very soon. Just thirty seconds left on the clock... twenty-nine... twenty-eight... twenty-seven..."

"Huh?"

"... Seventeen... sixteen... fifteen..."

Her soft countdown echoed across the ruined factory in the mountain recess.

The numbers traveled across the night air, taking on a strange feel as if they were a spell themselves.

"..."

Itsuki, unable to move, gulped.

"Eight... seven... six..."

The countdown ran into the single digits.

"Five... four... three..."

Mikan gazed at the entrance of the factory.

"... Two... one..."

Creeeak!

--Itsuki's right eye twisted.

"... Wh, what!?"

He felt his eyepatch.

All of a sudden, the world had changed.

No, that wasn't it.

It wasn't a feeling of anything that changed.

It was as if the world had reverted to a former state--an unpleasant sense of déjà-vu. There was an enormous spell power. It felt as though an explosion had occurred inside his right eye.

"Mee~ow."

"Spell wave pollution--confirming a shift from class six to class three. Just like the reference docs said," Nekoyashiki sighed, stroking the cat he was holding against his chest.

"... The Magi Night has begun," the witch with the Ice Blue Eyes finally declared.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Adilisia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers felt a sudden burst of pressure assail her body. She had a sensation of gravity suddenly becoming stronger. The spell power that diffused across every inch of her body reverberated against the ground violently.

"... gh!"

Gripping the pentagram of Solomon over her chest, she pushed back the spell power in a single breath. Withstanding the feeling that her blood was flowing backwards, the girl lifted open her red lips.

"--The <Night> has come."

She stood on the other side of the factory. It went without saying that she knew each member of <Astral> had arrived as well.

Behind her, ten people in black clothes stood by.

They each held pentagrams of Solomon over their chests as well, and were wearing rings to provide spiritual protection. These were Adilisia's handpicked apprentices of <Goetia> that she had taken with her for work in Japan.

"I will confirm the 'job' one last time," Adilisia whispered, gazing at the factory without turning around.

She spoke in a small voice, but the magicians were not ones to let any of her words escape them. If they messed up one single pronunciation or had even the slightest error in their tone of voice, it would completely change the meaning of their spells.

"The request from the <Organization> is to obliterate this <Night>. Without drawing the eyes of anyone, without allowing any injuries to occur, we must seal it in darkness under the cover of darkness. <Astral> is likely thinking this as well."

Adilisia's voice sounded out delicately.

It was like the voice of some beautiful bird.

"However, this time, that is not our aim."

The black clothes--the apprentices, gently lowered their heads. Age made no difference. To a magician, the difference in rank was absolute.

Their rank was 3=8 and 4=7. As the rank of those with regular genius and strong effort, you could say their rank was the highest. Even so, they were a long shot from Adilisia.

It was because of her blood.

Naturally, plain old genius meant nothing in magic.

If having strange powers and being outside of the norm was proof of a magician, then the ones who stand on top are necessarily those who are separated from people from the beginning. As much as a lifetime of hard work was meaningless, the collected bloodlines of thousands of years--that tenacity, was what bore the forbidden fruit of magic.

Adilisia had been a magician since before she was born.

That is why she spoke so magnificently to the apprentices that she stood above.

"We will retrieve... our elder. For that purpose, we will use any means, and any magic. Use your spell power for only this purpose until your very last drop of life."

Without so much as a cough, the black clothes lowered their heads again.

It was the same landscape as always.

It was the same view as always.

This kind of mechanical exchange was natural for a magical group.

"Do you understand?"

Suddenly, the face of an idiot, the leader of another magical group, hovered in her head. Adilisia bit her lip.

"I warned you. --If only you had not gotten yourself involved in this <Night>..."

<references/>

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-17T21:22:09Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica */ Mystery Terms

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-17T11:12:09Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 4 */ Minor things I missed last time.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adelicia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she a thin twig toward each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural incidents before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been lost in thought for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the participants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-16T07:59:09Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 4 */ General edit...

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adelicia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she a thin twig toward each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there really isn't any way to get out of this.''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing like what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster and he took a huge wound that he could have cost him his right eye. His right eye was completely useless for a week and eventually became unable to tolerate light, requiring the use of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it.''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He tapped the badge on his desk, making it ring like a wind chime.

''I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today,'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that preceded homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"—"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

In contrast to Itsuki's reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction...

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from now on. First, introduce yourselves."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. Probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Amidst the applause echoing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shattering.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed forlornly in the wind.

"Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge in a single glance. His delicate looks suggested he was in his twenties. And he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height. The length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes—they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics defied any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule: the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right and the man followed their direction precisely, as if he were remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a notation on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"— Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the contestants..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. Those are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not smile in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to either side of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a gaping slash.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<hr/>

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-16T07:34:50Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 3 */

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Just as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"— Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

Another character had appeared, floating in the night sky.

She sat horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied back with a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large, pointed hat. Her fingers wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

— Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel; then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her ice-blue eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, addressing me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a belligerent demeanor, as if all her previous elegance had been a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained. According to the <Organization>, the next <Night> is going to be rather significant. It is no time for <Astral> to butt-in!"

"Okay," the girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for 'rather significant', <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this Far-East back-country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop making passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia had vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed off Adelicia's words.

With that, he could tell that this person was of the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the middle of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had before. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was boring through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though—he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching on his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world...

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to do the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. That is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"—!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However she immediately turning her head and chanted, '''"Come forth, Bathin, powerful duke commanding thirty armies..."'''

A pale, phantom horse was immediately summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she a thin twig toward each of the four corners of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began rushing to Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-What is it?"

"— Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"— Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay? ... President."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-05-16T07:30:19Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Prologue */ Forgot to add the <references/> tag. Damnit.

==Prologue==

May, London

Befitting its name, The City of Fog, the boarding school garden was wrapped in a deep, white mist that morning.

Stepping onto the damp ground in front of the vine-shrouded chapel, Honami Takase Ambler gripped her suitcase.

The familiar face of an old gentleman awaited her at the marble, front gate.

"McGregor-sensei."

"Miss Honami... How about at least a goodbye before heading back to your hometown? I would have been deprived of conveying my regards to our best student in recent years."

The fog at their feet completely obscuring his cane, McGregor placed his bowler against his chest.

His Japanese was fluent.

Honami let out a brief laugh and likewise took off her tall, pointed hat. Ice-blue eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses appeared from behind her chestnut-hued, somewhat-short hair. The pure white blouse and tight skirt were dazzling on her innocent, fifteen-year old body.

"I didn't wanna cause any trouble. You working on your next thesis and all."

"Do not patronize me. What would a proper, English gentleman do if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"

Stroking his orderly, Colman mustache<ref>Type of mustache made famous by English actor, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Colman Ronald Colman.]</ref>, McGregor sniffed slightly.

Honami smiled again.

He was that kind of person—showy and childish, but wonderful to be with. When he had suddenly approached Honami and asked her to teach him Japanese, he had said, "I have no patience with accents. In any language; historic, polite speech most befits a gentleman." Several months later he underwent a total personality shift, right down to the BGM. He even threw out occasional ''rakugo''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo Rakugo] is a traditional form of comedic Japanese storytelling.</ref> and ''kabuki''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki Kabuki] is a traditional form of Japanese theatre.</ref> nuances. His students, unaware of the circumstances, spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.

However, over the last seven years, he was the most helpful person to Honami.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"

"Sure."

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him—it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already, but she could handle the worst with what she had on her person. If push came to shove, she still had the thing inside her suitcase.

"Now-now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."

McGregor twirled his cane. If this were an old movie, he would probably start tap dancing.

"In a garden like this, there is no need to worry about spell wave pollution. There is little time before the plane arrives. Let us begin quickly."

Swiftly, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ceramic goblet. There was an ''ouroboros''<ref>An [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros ouroboros] is an image or depiction of a serpent or dragon eating its own tail.</ref> carved on the side and a candle lid set on top. It was an object often used in alchemical experiments.

"Egyptian magical arts, your specialty?"

"This is your test. Naturally, you meet the aptitude requirements for a student. Thus I have raised the level of difficulty on your behalf."

McGregor casually released the wine cup.

In that instant there was a change. Sounding out and breaking apart, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami. As if it had a will of its own, the smoke rushed into her nose and mouth.

"...gh"

"The stuffiness you are feeling is a reaction to the Kabbalah<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah Kabbalah] refers to the Judaic discipline relating to Rabbinic Mysticism.</ref> Golem<ref>In Jewish folklore, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem golems] were humanoid beings created from things like dirt or clay.</ref> and sulfur, ''Tria Prima''."

McGregor observed dispassionately.

"I shall refrain from writing '''EMETH''' at this moment. Well then, how well can you handle an enemy with no true form?"

The smoke had already engulfed Honami's body.

According to McGregor's calculations, the smoke monster wouldn't stop until Honami had fainted. Of course he had set it not to take her life, but it was possible that he had overlooked something. The smoke was designed to engulf her until all the air had been squeezed from her lungs.

However, the smoke suddenly stopped moving.

"Hm?"

McGregor frowned. A sprig of mistletoe had sprouted from the ground. It bound the smoke despite its shapelessness.

At the same time, a single arrow flew out of the smoke and struck McGregor's cane.

As the cane fell to the ground, it broke cleanly in half. Length-wise.

The letters '''EMETH''' were carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.

"There's the spell's origin. Lying is the beginning of thievery, Sensei."

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."

Waving his numbed hand, McGregor, who had landed on his backside, gave a wry smile. The smoke had already disappeared. The girl who was now holding her hand out to him hadn't even needed to open her suitcase. It had been a ploy from the start, but as expected, she hadn't been forced to use her trump card.

"Aaaah, what a waste, what a waste...!"

Throwing off his gentlemanly façade, McGregor struggled to his feet.

"If you stay, we will waive all the research fees... and we will grant you unlimited access to our prized Grimoire! At least a another year... no, for just half a year, please continue your studies here!"

"I'm happy that you value me."

McGregor sullenly crossed his arms.

"You have a lover in Japan or something?" he asked.

Honami's cheek's turned bright red.

"I-It's nothing like that!"

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behaviour to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."

"Isn't what you're saying more like the reaction of a French gentleman?"

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, Sensei."

Smiling mischievously, Honami handed McGregor a single business card.

Printed in sepia-hued letters on lavish paper stock with a crystal watermark was:

'''< Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''— We rent magicians to meet your needs >'''

<hr/>
<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Return to [[Rental Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-05-16T06:42:19Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Prologue */ Mostly capitalization and references.

==Prologue==

May, London

Befitting its name, The City of Fog, the boarding school garden was wrapped in a deep, white mist that morning.

Stepping onto the damp ground in front of the vine-shrouded chapel, Honami Takase Ambler gripped her suitcase.

The familiar face of an old gentleman awaited her at the marble, front gate.

"McGregor-sensei."

"Miss Honami... How about at least a goodbye before heading back to your hometown? I would have been deprived of conveying my regards to our best student in recent years."

The fog at their feet completely obscuring his cane, McGregor placed his bowler against his chest.

His Japanese was fluent.

Honami let out a brief laugh and likewise took off her tall, pointed hat. Ice-blue eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses appeared from behind her chestnut-hued, somewhat-short hair. The pure white blouse and tight skirt were dazzling on her innocent, fifteen-year old body.

"I didn't wanna cause any trouble. You working on your next thesis and all."

"Do not patronize me. What would a proper, English gentleman do if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"

Stroking his orderly, Colman mustache<ref>Refers to English actor, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Colman Ronald Colman]</ref>, McGregor sniffed slightly.

Honami smiled again.

He was that kind of person—showy and childish, but wonderful to be with. When he had suddenly approached Honami and asked her to teach him Japanese, he had said, "I have no patience with accents. In any language; historic, polite speech most befits a gentleman." Several months later he underwent a total personality shift, right down to the BGM. He even threw out occasional ''rakugo''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo Rakugo] is a traditional form of comedic Japanese storytelling.</ref> and ''kabuki''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki Kabuki] is a traditional form of Japanese theatre.</ref> nuances. His students, unaware of the circumstances, spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.

However, over the last seven years, he was the most helpful person to Honami.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"

"Sure."

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him—it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already, but she could handle the worst with what she had on her person. If push came to shove, she still had the thing inside her suitcase.

"Now-now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."

McGregor twirled his cane. If this were an old movie, he would probably start tap dancing.

"In a garden like this, there is no need to worry about spell wave pollution. There is little time before the plane arrives. Let us begin quickly."

Swiftly, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ceramic goblet. There was an ''ouroboros''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros Ouroboros] — a serpent or dragon eating its own tail</ref> carved on the side and a candle lid set on top. It was an object often used in alchemical experiments.

"Egyptian magical arts, your specialty?"

"This is your test. Naturally, you meet the aptitude requirements for a student. Thus I have raised the level of difficulty on your behalf."

McGregor casually released the wine cup.

In that instant there was a change. Sounding out and breaking apart, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami. As if it had a will of its own, the smoke rushed into her nose and mouth.

"...gh"

"The stuffiness you are feeling is a reaction to the Kabbalah Golem and sulfur, ''Tria Prima''."

McGregor observed her dispassionately.

"I shall refrain from writing '''EMETH''' at this moment. Well then, how well can you handle an enemy with no true form?"

The smoke had already engulfed Honami's body.

According to McGregor's calculations, the smoke monster wouldn't stop until Honami had fainted. Of course he had set it not to take her life, but it was possible that he had overlooked something. The smoke was designed to engulf her until all the air had been squeezed from her lungs.

However, the smoke suddenly stopped moving.

"Hm?"

McGregor frowned. A sprig of mistletoe had sprouted from the ground. It bound the smoke despite its shapelessness.

At the same time, a single arrow flew out of the smoke and struck McGregor's cane.

As the cane fell to the ground, it broke cleanly in half. Length-wise.

The letters '''EMETH''' were carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.

"There's the spell's origin. Lying is the beginning of thievery, Sensei."

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."

Waving his numbed hand, McGregor, who had landed on his backside, gave a wry smile. The smoke had already disappeared. The girl who was now holding her hand out to him hadn't even needed to open her suitcase. It had been a ploy from the start, but as expected, she hadn't been forced to use her trump card.

"Aaaah, what a waste, what a waste...!"

Throwing off his gentlemanly façade, McGregor struggled to his feet.

"If you stay, we will waive all the research fees... and we will grant you unlimited access to our prized Grimoire! At least a another year... no, for just half a year, please continue your studies here!"

"I'm happy that you value me."

McGregor sullenly crossed his arms.

"You have a lover in Japan or something?" he asked.

Honami's cheek's turned bright red.

"I-It's nothing like that!"

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behaviour to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."

"Isn't what you're saying more like the reaction of a French gentleman?"

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, Sensei."

Smiling mischievously, Honami handed McGregor a single business card.

Printed in sepia-hued letters on lavish paper stock with a crystal watermark was:

'''< Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''— We rent magicians to meet your needs >'''

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Return to [[Rental Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-16T04:08:54Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 2 */ Bit about Iba's dad...

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was uncertain about his father's appearance and past, which he was just beginning to learn about.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-16T04:06:21Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Ch 1.2 */ I hate when that happens....

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-16T03:59:35Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 2 */ Mostly to correct/change Capitalization.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===


"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with your Uncle Kusakabe to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, Uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that Dad was president of some magician company, and Uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is Uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so Mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, the world turned upside-down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune-Telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, President-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, her formed a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his butt, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-16T03:44:53Z

Tetsu-nii: Changed back to "Adelicia" to agree w/ the Wikipedia entry.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''Onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''Onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe-Oji-san to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that dad was president of some magician company, and uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so mom's pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything flipped upside down.

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a President~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia Lenn Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled a sheet of something from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami Takase Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia Lenn Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami Takase Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-16T03:32:01Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Ch 1.2 */ new section

Go Buffalo,go! My gratutude for taking the time to translate a very special kind of story.

Cheers! / --[[Special:Contributions/83.227.250.155|83.227.250.155]] 15:56, 25 March 2011 (EDT)

Thank you for your kind words! --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 16:14, 25 March 2011 (EDT)

A more complete show of my thanks is on the Mimizuku project page, but I wanted to go ahead and say thank you so much for translating such an engaging story so quickly and so well.

~Blaster

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did. --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 21:49, 23 April 2011 (UCT)

Super awesome work on Mimizuku. Also saw that you are starting on Rental Magica. The best of luck!
-alyu

Awesome to work on Rental Magica! One of my favourites! --[[User:Larethian|Larethian]] 06:55, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Thanks, alyu and Larethian! I'll do my best. --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 14:33, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Congrats for Mimizuku and Rental Magica! [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] 18:20, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

Thanks, Kira! --[[User:Amazing Buffalo|Amazing Buffalo]] 18:25, 24 April 2011 (UCT)

First, Thanks for translating this series, it is something I've been wanting to read for a long time. Since I like it I tend to like to help.

In that part that I separated into different paragraphs, it really sounds like it is Kagezaki saying something at the beginning then Itsuki inviting him in - that is why I separated it.--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 02:40, 30 April 2011 (UCT)

Thank you so much for working on Rental Magica. I'm very fond of the series due to having watched the anime a long time ago. I hear the LNs are much better (anime was so-so), so I'm happy to see it getting translated. Thank you very much for keeping it unlocalized, as well. Mikan's onii-chan is delicious. I can't wait until you reach Lapis (do keep Lapis' third person speech please). [[User:Imagker|Imagker]] 01:39, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

===Rental Magica Typo===
That was no problem for that (to remove such little errors) we all here can edit ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 12:36, 8 May 2011 (UCT)

=== Rental Magica Edits ===

At line 88, I was hoping you might be able to elaborate on "a scream of '''''unknown significance'''''" means.

Also, if you'd look over the changes in the Prologue, I'd really appreciate it. I really want to get your feedback on the formatting change to the business card—using "angle brackets" ('''<>''') vs. "brackets" ('''[]''')... But I want to make sure I didn't change the meaning of anything when I made the edits.

I'm also '''Tetsu-nii''' on the forum if you want to contact me that way. 御苦労さん!

That scream of unknown significance, could that instead mean unknown '''source'''?--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 05:29, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

if I may suggest, how about --> "incomprehensible scream", this is different from "scream of incomprehension", the former being incomprehensible to the listener and not the screamer. --[[User:Larethian|larethian]] 06:04, 10 May 2011 (UCT)

'''RE: "We Rent Magicians" vs. "We Rent Out Magicians"'''
The colloquial American English usage would be "We Rent Magicians" the way a U.S. car hiring service (to use International/Commonwealth English usage) would advertise with a phrase like, "We Rent Luxury Sports Cars". I removed the "Out" because I thought it felt/sounded awkward and could be omitted without changing the meaning (again, in American English usage). --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 13:07, 11 May 2011 (UCT)

== Fraternal Titles (''Onii/Aniki/Onee/Aneki'') ==

Whenever possible, I prefer to leave in the ''Onii''-(chan/san/whatever)/''Onee''-*/''Ani*''/''Ane*'' since the English "Bro(ther)"/"Sis(ter)"/etc. don't convey the same meaning without becoming unbearably cumbersome or awkward. Further, I think most of the readers are savvy enough to understand what they mean. I still think it's not a bad idea to use links, brackets, or footnotes to define the terms the first time they're used; but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.

* That long diatribe to ask if you'd please go through and replacing the existing "big sis", "sis", etc. with the terms that Sanda sensei used.

On a slightly different note, while I feel the same about other familial titles like ''Otou''/''Okaa'', ''Oji''/''Oba'', ''Ojii''/''Obaa'', etc.; those can often be replaced with things like "Dad", "Pops", "Mom", "Uncle", "Auntie", "Gramps", "Granny", etc.

Really, if you feel strongly about it one way or the other, please let me know. But I'd vote for Romanji of such titles left in w/ definitions used the first time they appear as links or in footnotes (I'll take care of those so you don't have to).

Finally, please leave in the honorifics if you'd be so kind. Whether the reader is aware of it consciously or not, they do a lot to convey the attitudes of both speaker and scene.

==Awkward Wording==
I was just trying to figure out this passage: Basically, it's a storm of spell power that runs ley lines.
Does this mean that the storm of power is like an engine for the ley lines? If it is maybe 'runs ''the'' ley lines' might flow better.--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 15:54, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

So those 'storms' follow the ley lines? Going back to the sink analogy, the ley lines are like a spring that is the source for the water coming out of the sink?--[[User:Darn2k|Darn2k]] 16:04, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== Rental Magica Names ==

Just saw your edits, and wondered if it should be 'Adelicia' rather than 'Adilisia'. Sorry if you already talked about it, but I just wanted to be sure, since Wikipedia used 'Adelicia' instead. And great translation! [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] 19:29, 15 May 2011 (UCT)

== Rental Magica Ch 1.2 ==

I'm still unclear regarding the term "father's form" in the passage:

[There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was a bit uncertain about his '''''father's form and past''''', which he was just getting to know for the first time.]

If you could paste in the Kanji for that, it might let me think up some alternatives.

Thanks again so much for translating this project! I was really excited when I saw that it had gone active. Enough to quit lurking and actually contribute. --[[User:Tetsu-nii|Tetsu-nii]] 03:32, 16 May 2011 (UCT)

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-14T11:29:08Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 4 */ Changed back to "Ley Lines" and included a reference.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe-Oji-san to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your ''imouto''<ref>Younger/Little Sister</ref>."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope (that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out) was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, ''Ji-chan''<ref>Affectionate term for ''Uncle'', see previous note about Familial Honorifics</ref>, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that ''To-san''<ref>Informal term for ''Father'', analogous to "Dad".</ref> was president of some magician company, and ''Ji-chan'' didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is ''Ji-chan'' there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so ''Ka-san''<ref>Informal for ''Mother''</ref> is pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't talk silly. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything began to fall into place. 

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a President~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled out a sheet of paper from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ley Line<ref>Referring to the spiritual and metaphysical meaning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_Lines Ley Lines].</ref> waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>
<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-14T10:44:38Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 1 */ Mostly to edit the notes.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwa~agh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARA~A"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYY~I?"''

''"JRY~I?"''

''"ZRY~I!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Wha~a?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seem to muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments Haori] (羽織) — a type of traditional Japanese over-robe.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means (猫 : ''cat'') (屋敷 : ''mansion'')".</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The Buddhist concept of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRY~?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagushi tamagushi] is a traditional Shinto implement</ref>—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was an employee-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and leading <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President ''onii-chan''," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRY~Y?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRY~Y."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRY~Y!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"''O-Onii-chan'', President ''onii-chan''?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe-Oji-san to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your ''imouto''<ref>Younger/Little Sister</ref>."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope (that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out) was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, ''Ji-chan''<ref>Affectionate term for ''Uncle'', see previous note about Familial Honorifics</ref>, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that ''To-san''<ref>Informal term for ''Father'', analogous to "Dad".</ref> was president of some magician company, and ''Ji-chan'' didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is ''Ji-chan'' there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so ''Ka-san''<ref>Informal for ''Mother''</ref> is pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't talk silly. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything began to fall into place. 

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a President~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled out a sheet of paper from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The spirit line waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>
<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-14T10:25:15Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 2 */ Edited and inserted some references.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARAAAAAAAA"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYYYYIII?"''

''"JRYYYYIII?"''

''"ZRYYYIIII!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Whaaaa?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seeming muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori''<ref>A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments haori] (羽織) is a type of traditional Japanese clothing.</ref> and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied<ref>Nekoyashiki (猫屋敷) means "cat mansion."</ref>, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana''<ref>The "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaya-vijnana Eight Consciousnesses]," or the consciousness forming the base of all human existence.</ref> they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRYYYYYY?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko Miko] (巫女) are traditional holy women of the Shintou religion.</ref> outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was a worker-under-contract in the ''Shintou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintou Shintou] (神道 ''lit: way of the gods'') is the popular mythological tradition of Japan.</ref> department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmyoudou Onmyoudou] (陰陽道) is a traditional Japanese occult system of thought that mixes ideas from many Asian philosophies.</ref> department. He was said to be the main force behind and ahead of <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President onii-chan," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRYYYYYYYY?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRYYYYYYYYYY."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"O-Onii-chan, President onii-chan?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the ''goban''-faced<ref>i.e. his face looks like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_equipment#Board Go Board].</ref> "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his ''sanpaku''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku Sanpakugan] (三白眼 ''lit: three whites eyes'') refers to when the iris is small, with white showing between the iris and lower eyelid.</ref> eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed, monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld.'<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon:_Nobita%27s_Great_Adventure_into_the_Underworld A Doraemon movie]</ref>"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-Funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe-Oji-san to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold down the house here and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. ''Aneki'''s<ref>Yamada's Older Sister – More about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Familial_honorifics Familial Honorifics]</ref> always saying you should show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, I heard from ''aneki'', your father's case has been wrapped up, right? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of Itsuki's head.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your ''imouto''<ref>Younger/Little Sister</ref>."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were talking, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Itsuki's heart lurched.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Take it if you need to."

"Y-Yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, President!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession procedures I told you about, we've got a new employee coming in. Can you swing by here tomorrow, President?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-Yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'President'?"

"N-No... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his school bag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as deceased after seven years, according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

Printed on a pretty, white envelope (that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out) was, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets".

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since his father had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. Since they had treated him just like family, Itsuki pretty much considered them to be such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear Itsuki or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for Itsuki. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

— As a result, aside from occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle (who was now in America) out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, ''Ji-chan''<ref>Affectionate term for ''Uncle'', see previous note about Familial Honorifics</ref>, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that ''To-san''<ref>Informal term for ''Father'', analogous to "Dad".</ref> was president of some magician company, and ''Ji-chan'' didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]<ref>Written in English in the original text</ref>... oh, Itsuki ''nii-san''<ref>Informal for ''Older Brother''</ref>? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um... hey, is ''Ji-chan'' there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so ''Ka-san''<ref>Informal for ''Mother''</ref> is pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, ''Onii-san''?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't talk silly. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was a difference in their mental abilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice came back to him. But then Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"''Onii-san''... did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-No, it's not anything like that...!"

"Re~ally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely be found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made a company president..."

Itsuki had a far-off look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking back and forth against the ground weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the office of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't notice it unless you already knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several documents.

There was a Transfer of Management Contract, an Inheritance Rights Contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents; but that wasn't the problem. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything began to fall into place. 

On a card embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was printed along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''—We rent magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from ''kokkuri-san''<ref>Fortune telling game, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokkuri_%28game%29 Kokkuri], rather like a Ouija board</ref> to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed to the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye shrank to a dot.

''"—Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki put on a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; a strong recommendation that the head of the association—that is, the position of president—be a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."''

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's avenues of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]

''"Al-Alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, President!"''

''"Onii-chan's a President~!"''

''"Meowowow! Meeeow!"''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A~ah..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Lowering his head, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some mistake, the class fool had become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and me, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us part-time,"'' Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house and he would flee here often ever since kindergarten. It was in a dead zone formed by the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over whether he should really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

—But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

''Ping!''

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot, iron spike had pierced his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation like approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwa~ah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances and he hadn't seen anything pass through either of them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.

[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]

Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grasping the skirt of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You-You are..."

As Itsuki struggled to regain the use of coherent speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then you're the new employee I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's—Adelicia's—cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and it was coming from this girl without her invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Under his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"—!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye, and his throat, hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he thought he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately nodded his head.

"Y-Yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name 'Mathers'... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-Yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before him.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, President of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she issued an order.

"Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly un-informed about anything.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled out a sheet of paper from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this through the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a flowery smile, but it made Itsuki break into a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles Mephistopheles] — The demon featured in the legend of Faust—who is referenced as the "philosopher" in this instance.</ref>

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision-making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl commanding sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U-Uwa...!"

In front of Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was caught in his throat and his body became petrified.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment and his body obeyed Adelicia.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his will, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes—it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The spirit line waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<references/>
<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-11T15:43:02Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Fraternal Titles (Onii/Aniki/Onee/Aneki) */ Added plea for honorifics.

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-11T13:20:59Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Edits */

Rental Magica Volume 1: Novel Illustrations

2011-05-11T13:19:48Z

Tetsu-nii: Removed the "out"s again... and made some other, minor changes.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 cover.jpg|600px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 inner cover.jpg|left|400px|]]

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

Magician Dispatch Company

<br><br>

Astral

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

We rent magicians to meet your needs. 

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 1 left.jpg|left|300px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 1 right.jpg|300px|]]

Celtic Magic

The magic of the "Oak Druid" that appeared in ancient Europe.

Only transmitted orally, this magical art consists of many poems and knowledge that must be kept secret.

The user receives spell power from mistletoe, most powerfully on the sixth day from the new moon.

Mistletoe grown on oak has the highest potency.

Aside from chants and spells, the user can borrow God's power to create storms.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 2 left.jpg|left|300px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 2 right.jpg|300px|]]

Magic of King Solomon

The magic passed down from Solomon, ancient king of Israel and son of David.

Magic circles, triangles, pentagrams, and Stars of David.

The user employs various symbols to summon the seventy-two demons used by King Solomon.

However, the symbols and spells are incredibly complicated. Its study pushes one's mental capacity to the limit.

If even the tiniest mishap occurs, the demon will turn on its summoner and devour them.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 3 left.jpg|left|300px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 3 right.jpg|300px|]]

Shintou

It has many followers in Japan but is one of the rarest forms of magic in the world. Reserved specifically for "purification".

The user allows not the slightest amount of impurity to approach a ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami kami]''.

In a certain way, it is the most rigorous of the magical arts.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 sendoff.jpg|left|400px|]]

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

We rent magicians to meet your needs.

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-11T13:05:38Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Edits */

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-11T13:04:09Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Edits */

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-11T12:53:15Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Fraternal Titles (Onii/Aniki/Onee/Aneki) */ new section

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-10T12:20:24Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 1 */ Forgot to include a change. Oops. I'm stealing your suggestion, Larentian!

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARAAAAAAAA"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYYYYIII?"''

''"JRYYYYIII?"''

''"ZRYYYIIII!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out an incomprehensible scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Whaaaa?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seeming muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori'' and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name [which means: ''Cat Mansion''] implied, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana'' they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRYYYYYY?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was a worker-under-contract in the ''Shintou'' department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou'' department. He was said to be the main force behind and ahead of <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President onii-chan," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRYYYYYYYY?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRYYYYYYYYYY."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"O-Onii-chan, President onii-chan?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the goban-faced "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"... Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his sanpaku eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"... Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Underworld Adventure.'"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out, he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"... You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently, you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"... Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe's uncle to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold the house down here, and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. Your big sis's always telling you to show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his neck.

"Oh yeah, I heard from your sis. --You're father's case has been wrapped up, has it? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of his neck.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were conversing, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, his heart jumped.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Go out if you need to."

"Y-yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, president!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession operations I told you about, we've got a new worker coming in. Can you swing about here tomorrow, president?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'president?'"

"N-no... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his schoolbag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as dead persons after seven years according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

On a pretty white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets" was written.

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since he had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. As they had treated him just like family, he pretty much considered them to be as such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear him or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for him. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

--As a result, aside from the occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle, who was now in America, out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that dad was president of some magician company, and uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]... oh, Itsuki nii-san? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um--hey, is uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so mom is pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, onii-san?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't say silly things. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in just a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was quite a difference between their mental capabilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice returned to him. But from then, Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"Onii-san--did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-no, it's not anything like that...!"

"Reeeally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely get found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made into a company president..."

Itsuki had a distant look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking the ground back and forth weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the bureau of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't be able to notice it unless you knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several different documents.

There was a transfer of management contract, an inheritance rights contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents, but that wasn't the problem itself. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything turned around.

On a slip of paper embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was written, along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''--We rent out magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from kokkurisan to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye became a dot.

''"--Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki gave a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; the head of the association--that is, the position of president--is recommended to go to a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's methods of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]
''"Al... alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, president!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''""""Meowowow! Meeeow!""""''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A-------h..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Sinking his head down, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some kind of mistake, the class fool had somehow become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and I, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us out part-time."''

Was what Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today, he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to take a stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house, and he would run away here often ever since kindergarten. It was in an air pocket of the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over deciding whether he would really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

--But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

Ping!

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot iron pipe had impaled itself into his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation of approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances, and he hadn't seen anything pass through them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]
Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. --First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grabbing the hem of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You... you are..."

As Itsuki struggled to retain cognition of his speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then, you're the new employee who I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's--Adelicia's--cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and this girl was emitting it without even invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Underneath his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed about ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"--!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye--and his throat--hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he felt that he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately shook his head vertically.

"Y-yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name "Mathers"... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before his eyes.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"--It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, president of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she made an order to him.

"--Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly uninformed about anything, at all.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled out a piece of paper from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this with the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a florid smile, but it made Itsuki feel a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl supporting sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U, uwa--!"

Before Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was buried in his throat, and his body became petrified like stone.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment, and his body followed what Adelicia said.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his conscience, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes--it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ray Line waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-10T12:12:46Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 1 */ Inserted meaning of "Nekoyashiki" and some minor changes.

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARAAAAAAAA"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

... Immediately after.

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYYYYIII?"''

''"JRYYYYIII?"''

''"ZRYYYIIII!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out a cryptic scream, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Whaaaa?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seeming muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori'' and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name [which means: ''Cat Mansion''] implied, they were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana'' they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRYYYYYY?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was a worker-under-contract in the ''Shintou'' department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou'' department. He was said to be the main force behind and ahead of <Astral>.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President onii-chan," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRYYYYYYYY?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRYYYYYYYYYY."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"O-Onii-chan, President onii-chan?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the goban-faced "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"... Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his sanpaku eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"... Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Underworld Adventure.'"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out, he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"... You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently, you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"... Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe's uncle to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold the house down here, and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. Your big sis's always telling you to show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his neck.

"Oh yeah, I heard from your sis. --You're father's case has been wrapped up, has it? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of his neck.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were conversing, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, his heart jumped.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Go out if you need to."

"Y-yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, president!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession operations I told you about, we've got a new worker coming in. Can you swing about here tomorrow, president?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'president?'"

"N-no... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his schoolbag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as dead persons after seven years according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

On a pretty white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets" was written.

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since he had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. As they had treated him just like family, he pretty much considered them to be as such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear him or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for him. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

--As a result, aside from the occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle, who was now in America, out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that dad was president of some magician company, and uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]... oh, Itsuki nii-san? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um--hey, is uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so mom is pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, onii-san?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't say silly things. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in just a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was quite a difference between their mental capabilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice returned to him. But from then, Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"Onii-san--did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-no, it's not anything like that...!"

"Reeeally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely get found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made into a company president..."

Itsuki had a distant look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking the ground back and forth weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the bureau of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't be able to notice it unless you knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several different documents.

There was a transfer of management contract, an inheritance rights contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents, but that wasn't the problem itself. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything turned around.

On a slip of paper embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was written, along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''--We rent out magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from kokkurisan to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye became a dot.

''"--Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki gave a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; the head of the association--that is, the position of president--is recommended to go to a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's methods of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]
''"Al... alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, president!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''""""Meowowow! Meeeow!""""''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A-------h..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Sinking his head down, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some kind of mistake, the class fool had somehow become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and I, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us out part-time."''

Was what Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today, he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to take a stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house, and he would run away here often ever since kindergarten. It was in an air pocket of the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over deciding whether he would really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

--But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

Ping!

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot iron pipe had impaled itself into his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation of approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances, and he hadn't seen anything pass through them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]
Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. --First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grabbing the hem of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You... you are..."

As Itsuki struggled to retain cognition of his speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then, you're the new employee who I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's--Adelicia's--cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and this girl was emitting it without even invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Underneath his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed about ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"--!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye--and his throat--hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he felt that he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately shook his head vertically.

"Y-yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name "Mathers"... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before his eyes.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"--It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, president of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she made an order to him.

"--Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly uninformed about anything, at all.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled out a piece of paper from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this with the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a florid smile, but it made Itsuki feel a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl supporting sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U, uwa--!"

Before Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was buried in his throat, and his body became petrified like stone.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment, and his body followed what Adelicia said.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his conscience, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes--it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ray Line waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Novel Illustrations

2011-05-10T11:57:58Z

Tetsu-nii: Editorial changes to text from images.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 cover.jpg|600px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 inner cover.jpg|left|400px|]]

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

Magician Dispatch Company

<br><br>

Astral

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

We rent magicians to meet your needs.

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 1 left.jpg|left|300px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 1 right.jpg|300px|]]

Celtic Magic

The magic of the "Oak Druid" that appeared in ancient Europe.

Only transmitted orally, this magical art consists of many poems and knowledge that must be kept secret.

The user receives spell power from mistletoe, most powerfully on the sixth day from the new moon.

Mistletoe grown on oak has the highest potency.

Aside from chants and spells, the user can borrow God's power to create storms.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 2 left.jpg|left|300px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 2 right.jpg|300px|]]

Magic of King Solomon

The magic that comes down from Solomon—ancient king of Israel and son of David.

Magic circles, triangle figures, pentagrams, stars of david.

The user employs various symbols to summon the seventy-two demons used by King Solomon.

However, the symbols and spells are incredibly complicated

and its study pushes one's mental capacity to the limit.

If even the tiniest mishap occurs, the demon will turn on its summoner and devour them.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 3 left.jpg|left|300px|]]

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 illus 3 right.jpg|300px|]]

Shintou

It has many followers in Japan but is one of the rarest forms of magic in the world. Reserved specfically for "purification".

The user allows not the slightest amount of impurity to approach a ''kami''.

In a certain way, it is the most rigorous of the magical arts.

[[File:Rental Magica vol 1 sendoff.jpg|left|400px|]]

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

We rent magicians to meet your needs.

Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-05-10T11:36:40Z

Tetsu-nii: Minor Format change: If it's what Sanada sensei used, that's good enough for me.

==Prologue==

May, London

Befitting its name, The City of Fog, the boarding school garden was wrapped in a deep, white mist that morning.

Stepping onto the damp ground in front of the vine-shrouded chapel, Honami Takase Ambler gripped her suitcase.

The familiar face of an old gentleman awaited her at the marble, front gate.

"McGregor-sensei."

"Miss Honami... How about at least a goodbye before heading back to your hometown? I would have been deprived of conveying my regards to our best student in recent years."

The fog at their feet completely obscuring his cane, McGregor placed his bowler against his chest.

His Japanese was fluent.

Honami let out a brief laugh and likewise took off her tall, pointed hat. Ice-blue eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses appeared from behind her chestnut-hued, somewhat-short hair. The pure white blouse and tight skirt were dazzling on her innocent, fifteen-year old body.

"I didn't wanna cause any trouble. You working on your next thesis and all."

"Do not patronize me. What would a proper, English gentleman do if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"

Stroking his orderly Coleman mustache, McGregor sniffed slightly.

Honami smiled again.

He was that kind of person--showy and childish, but wonderful to be with. When he had suddenly approached Honami and asked her to teach him Japanese, he had said, "I have no patience with accents. In any language, historic polite speech most befits a gentleman." Several months later he underwent a total personality shift, right down to the BGM. He even threw out occasional ''rakugo'' and ''kabuki'' nuances. His students, unaware of the circumstances, spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.

However, over the last seven years, he was the most helpful person to Honami.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"

"Sure."

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him--it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already, but she could handle the worst with what she had on her person. If push came to shove, she still had the thing inside her suitcase.

"Now-now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."

McGregor twirled his cane. If this were an old movie, he would probably start tap dancing.

"In a garden like this, there is no need to worry about spell wave pollution. There is little time before the plane arrives. Let us begin quickly."

Swiftly, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ceramic goblet. There was an ''ouroboros'' carved on the side and a candle lid set on top. It was an object often used in alchemical experiments.

"Egyptian magical arts, your specialty?"

"This is your test. Naturally, you meet the aptitude requirements for a student. Thus I have raised the level of difficulty on your behalf."

McGregor casually released the wine cup.

In that instant there was a change. Sounding out and breaking apart, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami. As if it had a will of its own, the smoke rushed into her nose and mouth.

"...gh"

"The stuffiness you are feeling is a reaction to the Kabbalah Golem and sulfur, ''Tria Prima''."

McGregor observed her dispassionately.

"I shall refrain from writing '''EMETH''' at this moment. Well then, how well can you handle an enemy with no true form?"

The smoke had already engulfed Honami's body.

According to McGregor's calculations, the smoke monster wouldn't stop until Honami had fainted. Of course he had set it not to take her life, but it was possible that he had overlooked something. The smoke was designed to engulf her until all the air had been squeezed from her lungs.

However, the smoke suddenly stopped moving.

"Hm?"

McGregor frowned. A sprig of mistletoe had sprouted from the ground. It bound the smoke despite its shapelessness.

At the same time, a single arrow flew out of the smoke and struck McGregor's cane.

As the cane fell to the ground, it broke cleanly in half. Length-wise.

The letters '''EMETH''' carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.

"There's the spell's origin. Lying is the beginning of thievery, sensei."

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."

Waving his numbed hand, McGregor, who had landed on his backside, gave a wry smile. The smoke had already disappeared. The girl who was now holding her hand out to him hadn't even needed to open her suitcase. It had been a ploy from the start, but as expected, she hadn't been forced to use her trump card.

"Aaaah, what a waste, what a waste...!"

Throwing off his gentlemanly façade, McGregor struggled to his feet.

"If you stay, we will waive all the research fees... and we will grant you unlimited access to our prized Grimoire! At least a another year... no, for just half a year, please continue your studies here!"

"I'm happy that you value me."

McGregor sullenly crossed his arms.

"You have a lover in Japan or something?" he asked.

Honami's cheek's turned bright red.

"I-It's nothing like that!"

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behaviour to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."

"Isn't what you're saying more like the reaction of a French gentleman?"

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, sensei."

Smiling mischievously, Honami handed McGregor a single business card.

Written in sepia-hued letters on a lavish paper stock with a crystal watermark was:

'''< Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''-- We rent magicians to meet your needs >'''

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Return to [[Rental Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-09T23:35:19Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Edits */

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-09T23:25:44Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Edits */

User talk:Amazing Buffalo

2011-05-09T23:23:11Z

Tetsu-nii: /* Rental Magica Edits */ new section

Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1

2011-05-09T02:26:27Z

Tetsu-nii: /* 1 */

__NOTOC__==Chapter 1==

===1===

'''Well then, let us begin a story of magic.'''

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

Iba Itsuki screamed and, injured, fainted.

Falling on his bottom in an alleyway late at night, the pain coursed through him. A plastic bucket next to him tipped over, splashing his school uniform pants with kitchen waste.

"Ah... ah... ah... ah..."

However, Itsuki hardly noticed it. He looked up with a dazed expression, pressing the eye patch over his right eye against his face.

He was a boy who looked a little younger than his actual age.

As if to display his personality, his hair was short and wasn't dyed or gelled. Even though it was a holiday, he wore his school uniform. The one exception to his bland appearance was the eye patch covering his right eye like a pirate. Though for a young boy to wear it, it came off looking a bit ridiculous.

Now, though this boy was pressing his eye patch, he had a serious reason.

With his left eye, he couldn't see anything.

If someone looked around they wouldn't see anything to be afraid of. They wouldn't see anything but the shadow of a young boy in a dark alleyway.

If they were a normal human.

"..."

However, Itsuki could see something with his right eye.

Through the palm of his hand pressing against his eye patch, he could see them clearly.

... Red eyes.

The blazing, red eyes glared at Itsuki from three meters above. There were six eyes in all—two on each head.

It was a fearsome, massive, three-headed dog.

It was several times taller than Itsuki; had black, stiff, starchy skin; and eyes that burned red like Hell—not to mention three heads that spread across the whole width of the alleyway. Each had a terribly devilish gravity to it, as if looking at one would cause your soul to be snatched away.

... It appeared to match the reference documents to a T.

"... A-Ah, um..."

''"GARAAAAAAAA"''

Burning hot breath emanated from the right and left heads. Just the passing wind of that breath made Itsuki's hair stand on end. Any hotter and he'd have been burned to a crisp.

... Naturally.

It was like a fusion of its ancient ancestor who guarded the gates of the underworld and the Black Dog that strode through Europe. According to the numbers in the reference documents, its breath's maximum temperature was somewhere around two or three thousand degrees. No matter what, any human would be turned to ash in an instant. Such was the nature of magical beasts.

However, if we were talking about a human with a magical eye, perhaps there was one method of resistance...

'''... Immediately after'''

Itsuki waved his outstretched hands in front of his face with all his might.

"No... um... I-I don't really taste good!"

With all of the desperation of a grade schooler being extorted by a middle schooler, Itsuki vigorously shook his head.

... Correction.

As a matter of fact, he had no way of resisting at all.

''"GRYYYYIII?"''

''"JRYYYYIII?"''

''"ZRYYYIIII!"''

The three heads examined Itsuki from several angles.

It looked like they were arguing over which one would get to eat him. Or maybe they were just trying to decide how to cook him.

"Uh, uh, ahahaha...!" Itsuki spoke through a dry throat. Responding keenly to his voice, the three heads violently bared their fangs.

They laughed.

With a twisting sound, something cold grabbed onto Itsuki's back.

"Awaawaawwawaa!"

As he let out a scream of incomprehension, Itsuki flailed his arms and legs.

At the same time, the demon dog jumped.

It was unbelievably nimble. Even though it seemed to rub against both walls of the narrow alleyway with each step, it jumped straight up and landed behind Itsuki.

"Wh-Whaaaa?"

His eye opened to the size of a dinner plate.

He had no time to be astonished. Within a moment, Itsuki's field of vision was enveloped in pure red.

That was: a pure red, burning, terrible-smelling...

chin.

''*Lick!*''

"..."

''*Lick, lick, lick, lick...*''

"... Huh?"

He opened his eye.

Itsuki's vision awash in sticky saliva, he saw the demon dog panting and wagging its tail. The dog seemed to be so happy he couldn't bear it. With all the eagerness he could seeming muster in one lifetime, the dog wagged his tail.

"Wawawawawa!"

The three heads licked Itsuki's face over and over with feverish energy.

From behind, Itsuki heard a jolly voice.

"Oh, as expected of you, President, being first to arrive."

"... Hey, Nekoyashiki-san."

Itsuki, covered in slobber, turned around. He saw a young man holding a folding fan.

He was a head taller than Itsuki. He had bleached, white hair and long, thin eyes that stretched to the bridge of his nose. He seemed to personify the word "beautiful." However, his Heian-period style ''haori'' and folding fan dispelled any notion of beauty.

And also, just as his name implied, there were protruding from his ''haori'' here and there...

''"Meow"''

''"Meorw"''

''"Mrrow"''

''"Me~oww"''

... four cats: white, spotted, black, and calico.

"Mm... yes, yes, yes. I was a bit caught up with feeding these children, so I ended up coming late. Cats are good, they are. Treasures of humanity. Treasures of earth. No, no, space... space-time; no, the treasures of ''alaya-vijnana'' they are! A thousand gold pieces for a cat is stingy! As for myself, Nekoyashiki Ren, ten thousand, no, a hundred million!"

"Uh... rather than discuss cats, what the heck is with this dog!?"

The demon dog's rough tongue engulfed almost all of Itsuki.

In contrast, the man festooned with cats placed his folding fan against his mouth and tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? What is this? You did see... it said he likes people, right?"

"Likes... people?"

That kind of went without saying. Rather, does he like people, or does he like ''to eat'' people?

"Oh, President. Looks like you only skimmed the reference docs once again. This time it's a pet search...?"

"P-Pet?" Itsuki parroted involuntarily.

"A subspecies of descendants—be that as it may, it makes an ideal familiar. It ran away during a walk. It looks like we've finished our request, haven't we?"

"..."

Itsuki said nothing.

However, there was a visible change in the demon dog.

''"GRYYYYYY?"''

Suddenly letting go of Itsuki, the dog let out a howl, wary of the man and the cats. It heaved its body around.

"My-my, Ultros-san!"

It had incredible agility.

Ultros, the demon dog, rushed down the alleyway faster than Nekoyashiki could even shout.

''"—Cleanse, purify—"''

This time, a lisping but cool and clear voice echoed down the alleyway.

''"Cleanse, purify. Amidst woven pattern of rock and cloud, blade of the wise great god, disperse all misfortune, the Buddha in Heaven..."''

An evergreen branch adorned with white strips of paper—a ''tamagushi''—moved in the darkness. As it waved, the demon dog jumped far back, returning to where Itsuki stood. It hung its head and whimpered as if discovered while making mischief by its master.

"Huh?"

Itsuki blinked.

At the other end of the alleyway stood a girl with pigtails. Actually, she looked about eight. Rather than a girl, she could more correctly called a ''little'' girl.

Her clothes looked a bit like Ren's. She wore a pure white, crane design ''chihaya'' and a crimson ''hakama''. That is to say, a ''miko'''s outfit. She had a red schoolbag on her back and she had apparently come directly from school.

"Enough, Nekoyashiki-san. Didn't you hear that this one gets timid when it senses other monsters' spell power?"

Puffing out her cheeks, the little girl stood with her arms akimbo.

She had said her name was Katsuragi Mikan. A third year elementary school student, she was a worker-under-contract in the ''Shintou'' department. That is to say, this was her part-time job.

"Ahaha. An honest mistake."

With that, the young man called Nekoyashiki Ren let out a relaxed laugh. He was the acting senior managing director and head of the ''Onmyoudou'' department. He was said to be the main force behind and ahead of '''Astral'''.

"Well then, shall we leave the last part to our President?"

"Eh, me?"

Itsuki's eyes were still spinning as Nekoyashiki handed him three seals. Complicated symbols danced across the surfaces of the slips of Japanese paper. If you showed them to someone even slightly versed in calligraphy, their eyes might have flown wide in amazement. However, Itsuki's eye was already wide open.

"So... you've gotta stick them to its heads. If I go any closer, it'll get scared and run."

"..."

Itsuki held his breath.

He looked several times from Nekoyashiki to the demon dog and back again. He thought of asking Mikan to do it, but she was on the other side of the dog.

"U-Under-Understood."

With a completely pale face, Itsuki nodded like a puppet.

"Good luck, President onii-chan," Mikan said, smiling.

"Ah... ahahaha." Itsuki let out a dry laugh as he stepped closer and closer to Ultros.

''"GRYYYYYYYY?"''

"I-I-I-It's alright. I won't hurt you..."

''*Pat*''

The first one.

With that, the left head drooped and fell comfortably asleep.

''"JRYYYYYYYYYY."''

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm not doing anything... just sticking some seals here..."

''*Pat*''

The second one.

''"ZRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!?"''

"...!!!"

Just as he affixed the third one, Itsuki lost consciousness. For real this time.

"O-Onii-chan, President onii-chan?"

''"Me~eorw?"''

Itsuki felt as though voices were calling him from far off.

Bye bye. See you later. Thank you.

===2===

"...!!!"

Itsuki opened his eye.

For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

He looked around. It was red.

He was in the classroom at sunset.

One of his classmates was looking at him with a tired face.

"Hey, Ibaitsu?"

Yamada tried calling him from the seat next to him. Yamada was the goban-faced "hope" of the physics club. Incidentally, he was called the "hope" because he had won the physics club fighting game tournament during the new student welcoming ceremony without a single loss.

"Of course, you finally wake up after sleeping straight from the beginning of first period to the end of supplementary lessons. Have you ever considered that you might be possessed or something?"

"... Wow... I was out of it for that long?"

"Yeah, you were making some amusing moans all through class. No one felt like touching you." Yamada goggled his sanpaku eyes at Itsuki. "You were talking about a three-headed monster dog or something. Did you wander out at night after watching a horror film? Something like 'Terror! Flying Killer Tomato V.S. Ed Wood?'"

"I don't think there was a dog in that one."

"Forget about it. You always faint during horror films anyway."

"... Isn't that natural? They are kind of scary..."

"Heh, I still remember you swooning during 'Nobita's Great Underworld Adventure.'"

"Ack!"

Oh, the trauma.

Ever since elementary school, every time he went out, he ended up in some unfavorable situation. Just half a month after he entered this school, the whole class knew he was a scaredy-cat thanks to Yamada. Even the neighboring classes knew him as "The Guy Who Fainted from Watching Doraemon."

"Keheheheh!" After laughing like a demon for a while, Yamada asked, "So, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"... You know, you've looked a little funny since last week."

Yamada lowered his eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"F-funny?"

"Yeah. You're normally out cold, but recently, you've been doing it a lot more. Have you taken up some kind of weird part-time job or something?"

"... Mm... sort of..."

Giving an ambiguous laugh, Itsuki rubbed his cheek.

"Well, whatever. I thought you were gonna go with Kusakabe's uncle to America, weren't you?"

"I can't do that. I've got to hold the house down here, and I don't want to cause him that much trouble..."

"Well it's too late for that now. And after you guys had been living together for several years..."

"Well, just go with what's logical, I guess."

Yamada sighed at Itsuki's words.

"Man, you're a good guy in a weird place. I don't really much care about that, but at least visit us once in a while. Your big sis's always telling you to show your face more."

"Yeah, thanks," Itsuki said meekly.

Yamada dropped his shoulders tiredly. However, he suddenly tilted his neck.

"Oh yeah, I heard from your sis. --You're father's case has been wrapped up, has it? A lawyer sent some kind of letter. So they found your dad after all?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that Itsuki was having trouble putting his thoughts into words, Yamada tapped the back of his neck.

"Hm, I guess that was asking too much. Well, if you really want to know, then just call your sister."

Yamada was totally shameless.

Itsuki shook his head, giving a wry smile.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. Since it's already been seven years since he went missing, I've just thought of him as dead."

"... I see. That bad, huh?"

"I really don't have any feelings about it, though. I've been living with Kusakabe since before he went missing, after all."

"Yeah, you've really got nothing to complain about there... Man, if I could live with Yuuka-chan..."

"Hush, lolicon."

"You shut up, greenhorn!"

As they were conversing, Itsuki's cell phone started rumbling in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, his heart jumped.

"Ack!"

"Hm? What's wrong? Go out if you need to."

"Y-yeah..."

Gulping down a huge gob of saliva, he pressed the talk button.

The moment he did...

"Oh, president!"

"Huh?"

Yamada's ears perked up.

"Hey... Nekoyashiki-san, what is it?"

"Along with the succession operations I told you about, we've got a new worker coming in. Can you swing about here tomorrow, president?"

"Uh, yes... I understand, but..."

"Also, I need you to sign the documents confirming the capture and return of Ultros the other day."

"Y-yes... Understood. Well, see you later."

As he cut the call, just as he expected, Yamada was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ibaitsu... did someone just call you... 'president?'"

"N-no... it was just a wrong number."

"And you answered it?"

"That's, uh... s-sorry. I have to go home now!"

"Wait up, Ibaitsu!"

Standing up in a panic, Itsuki grabbed his schoolbag and ran away.

When he left the classroom, it was already evening.

People who have disappeared are dealt with as dead persons after seven years according to the law.

Iba Itsuki knew this because of a particular letter he had received.

"Oh... it's about dad."

On a pretty white envelope that seemed like it would be a waste to throw out, "Regarding the Inheritance of Iba Tsukasa's Assets" was written.

Though it was kind of cold of him, Itsuki hadn't even thought about his father until receiving the letter. Since he had gone missing a long time ago, when Itsuki was still too small to remember, he had been given to his uncle and his uncle's wife to be taken care of. As they had treated him just like family, he pretty much considered them to be as such.

Itsuki's uncle had raised him perfectly well.

He gave both Itsuki and his real daughter, Yuuka, the same amount of affection, and even though he knew that Itsuki could see things like ghosts and monsters, he didn't fear him or give him any flack for it even once. Rather, saying it was for self-defense, he gathered lots of reference and information books for him. To Itsuki, who was often chased by monsters because of his weak appearance, the reason he was able to live for so long was thanks to his uncle.

--As a result, aside from the occasional bouts of fear and bullying, Iba Itsuki led a decidedly peaceful and average life.

But now...

For the first time, Itsuki resented his father and uncle a little bit.

That's not to say that such resentment was undeserved. After all, there must have been a reason why he was given to his uncle. When the letter came, he refrained from speaking about it to his uncle, who was now in America, out of concern over the issue.

However, it was still totally unexpected.

''... Man, uncle, you're no fair!'' Itsuki lamented in his heart. ''To think that dad was president of some magician company, and uncle didn't even say anything about it! Not once!''

Not to mention that he would have to succeed his father as president once he died!

After eating ramen for dinner on the way home, Itsuki stopped in the nearby park and made a phone call.

"[Good morning]... oh, Itsuki nii-san? What's wrong?"

It was Yuuka. Thanks to the time difference, her voice was sleepy. It couldn't be helped. Nine in the evening in Japan was still early morning in New York.

"Um--hey, is uncle there?"

"He's on a business trip. He flew off somewhere to the Great Lakes. He hasn't been calling regularly either, so mom is pretty mad."

"I see..."

"Hey, hey, when are you coming to visit, onii-san?"

He heard the sound of rubbing against a blanket on the other end of the line. It seemed like Yuuka had just gotten out of bed.

"It's no use until summer break. High school is too much, right now."

"I wish you could come to school here..."

"Don't say silly things. I'm not so good with English, unlike you."

"You'll get used to it in just a month!" she assured him cheerfully. There was quite a difference between their mental capabilities that Itsuki wished she would consider.

"... Yeah, yeah... Say, Yuuka, have you ever heard anything about some company called <Astral>?" he tried asking suddenly.

"Huh? What?"

A puzzled voice returned to him. But from then, Yuuka's tone turned serious.

"Onii-san--did you see something again?"

''Ack!''

Bull's-eye.

"N-no, it's not anything like that...!"

"Reeeally?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm going to go. International calls are expensive!"

"Talk to you soon, then!"

Cutting the connection, Itsuki took a deep breath. Yuuka was pretty perceptive. If he talked to her any further, he'd definitely get found out.

"... Of course I can't tell her I've been made into a company president..."

Itsuki had a distant look on his face.

He sat on the swings, kicking the ground back and forth weakly.

Ruminating over the conversation at the mansion the week before, Itsuki heaved a sigh.

--The mansion.

That was the bureau of the magician dispatch company <Astral>.

It was a very small mansion, hidden among several other buildings, and you wouldn't be able to notice it unless you knew about it. After receiving the letter about his inheritance, Nekoyashiki gave him a big nod and handed him several different documents.

There was a transfer of management contract, an inheritance rights contract, and several other papers with difficult-looking contents, but that wasn't the problem itself. He was a bit uncertain about his father's form and past, which he was just getting to know for the first time.

However, when he was handed the business card, everything turned around.

On a slip of paper embossed with a crystal watermark, the title, "Nekoyashiki Ren - Onmyoudou Department Head" was written, along with the following in sepia-colored letters:

'''<Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''--We rent out magicians to meet your needs>'''

''"..."''

Itsuki simply sat speechless for several seconds.

''"... Um, what exactly is this?"''

''"Can you read? We support customers with magicians from all around the world, versed in magic arts from kokkurisan to voodoo, to fulfill their requests. Though, we're a bit shorthanded right now."''

Smiling, Nekoyashiki fluttered his folding fan.

''"So, I want you to succeed the position of president of this company."''

''"President-san, president-san~!"''

Itsuki's eye became a dot.

''"--Hey, wait a second! I'm a high school student! I don't remember anything about my father at all, and what exactly does 'magician dispatch' entail?!"''

''"It's not a problem. So long as there's a guardian, even a high school student can manage a company."''

Holding a teacup in his hand, Nekoyashiki gave a flawless business smile and nodded. If he weren't covered from head to toe in cats, he could pass as an exemplary model of a businessman.

''"But why do I have to inherit anything?! Why don't you become president, Nekoyashiki-san? I'll sign whatever contracts or anything I need to in order to pass it on to you."

''"The fetters of industry don't really appeal to me."''

Nekoyashiki gave a cheap smile.

''"We got an order from the <Organization>; the head of the association--that is, the position of president--is recommended to go to a blood relative. If we ignore what they say, we can't do business, and tomorrow we'll all be wandering the streets."

''"Bankruptcy? Restructuring? Bad debt?"'' Mikan said in a worried voice, looking up at Itsuki.

Then, the cats began to exert wordless pressure. Itsuki couldn't find the words to go against their adorableness.

''"Uh, um..."''

No words.

The floor under his feet began to rumble with a strange moan. If he refused rashly, the floor would surely break open and unleash some kind of horrible monster.

''"I... I can't use magic or anything..."''

''"Don't worry about it. It will be enough for now if you simply sign and stamp here."''

Nekoyashiki smiled and nodded.

Itsuki's methods of escape were vanishing one by one.

Suddenly, Mikan grabbed the armrest of the sofa. Latching onto it with her small hands, she made her mouth into a へ shape.

''"..."''

Wordlessness.

''"..."''

Silence.

''"..."''

Stillness.

Itsuki finally cracked.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg37.jpg|thumb|]]
''"Al... alright..."''

He gave the slightest nod.

''"That's wonderful, president!"''

''"Onii-chan's a president~!"''

''""""Meowowow! Meeeow!""""''

Cheers came from all sides of the office.

Washed away by the sound of the cheers, Itsuki was crushed by despair.

"... A-------h..."

Heaving a huge sigh, Itsuki unsteadily hit his forehead against the swing's chain. Sinking his head down, he looked like an old man on the verge of death.

''This is bad! This is really bad!''

No matter how he looked at it, it was bad. By some kind of mistake, the class fool had somehow become the president of a magician company. Even more of a mystery was his employees.

''"Along with Mikan and I, our board director, Hazel, is off touring Europe, and we've got a new employee coming in soon. We've also got three or so freelancers helping us out part-time."''

Was what Nekoyashiki had said.

Since then, ten days had passed. Furthermore, in the days leading up to today, he had gotten involved in a monster capture. Going home with heavy steps, it was natural for him to take a stop in the park.

It was a small park.

It was near his house, and he would run away here often ever since kindergarten. It was in an air pocket of the school district, so almost no one came through. Occasionally, he would hide in the earthen pipe tucked away in the shadow of a tree and finally be able to sleep soundly.

"Even if I hide, nothing will change..."

He looked irresolutely at the earthen pipe. He struggled over deciding whether he would really hide in it. Even if he went to America like Yuuka said, it wasn't likely that Nekoyashiki would give up on him.

--But, at a time like this, the earthen pipe was a place where he could ball up his misfortune.

After heaving his fifty-sixth sigh, Itsuki got up from the swing.

Ping!

Suddenly, it felt as though a hot iron pipe had impaled itself into his right eye.

"--gh!"

It was just a hallucination, right?

Right?

Actually, it was a sensation of approaching death. Heck, it felt like death itself. Something had turned the park into a veritable hell in just a moment.

... He couldn't turn around.

No matter what happened, he couldn't turn around.

But he did. And there...

"You are the president of <Astral>, yes?"

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Itsuki jumped upon hearing the voice from behind him.

There shouldn't have been anyone else in the park. There were only two entrances, and he hadn't seen anything pass through them.

Nonetheless, a girl stood before him.
[[Image:Rental Magica v01 pg41.jpg|thumb]]
Like destiny, like a nightmare, she was chuckling.

"...ah."

Itsuki couldn't speak. Stuck on his bottom, he simply flapped his mouth open and closed.

"My my..."

At his appearance, the girl smiled from ear to ear.

"Excuse me, but I did not want to intrude on your home, so I invoked a reading to link me directly to your location. --First, at least look me in the eyes. I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Grabbing the hem of her pure black dress, she made an elegant curtsey.

She looked as though she had been pulled straight out of a western painting. She was beautiful.

Even in the night, her hair was a brilliant gold color, and it was set into vertical curls. Her strong, green eyes looked down at Itsuki. Here and there, complicated patterns of gold and silver thread adorned her dress. She seemed to be about the same age as Itsuki.

"...You... you are..."

As Itsuki struggled to retain cognition of his speech, the girl smiled and waited.

However, her smile collapsed upon hearing his next sentence.

"... Reading? Are you an employee of <Astral> too? Then, you're the new employee who I was told would come to teach me?"

"No."

The girl's--Adelicia's--cheeks quickly turned a rosy crimson.

At the same time, another nasty pressure stabbed into Itsuki's right eye.

''Aah!''

With that pain, he knew.

This was spell power.

The origin of all these mysteries, the great "power" itself. That demon dog had been captured thanks to spell power, and this girl was emitting it without even invoking any spells.

"How dare you! To call me an employee of <Astral>...!"

Itsuki's skin began to go numb little by little, and Adelicia's spell power began to swirl. Underneath his eye patch, Itsuki's right eye seemed about ready to explode.

"Uh... Did I say something wrong?"

"--!"

"Uwa!"

Seeing the girl's face freeze, Itsuki grasped his eye patch quickly.

"It can't be... you don't even know?" Adelicia asked in a too-gentle gentle voice.

"... Huh?"

"Are you telling me that you do not know the name Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers?"

Itsuki's right eye--and his throat--hurt.

When he gulped, the gob of saliva felt like a stone.

... If he answered carelessly, he felt that he would definitely die. He felt the touch of death through his individual hairs, creeping into the pieces of his soul. Thinking only of that feeling, he was like a poor little animal about to be eaten.

Feeling his heart thumping loudly, he desperately shook his head vertically.

"Y-yes..."

"... Hmph. I see."

Adelicia's eyes grew dead cold.

"The president of <Astral>, when he hears the name "Mathers"... does not know who that is?"

''I only just became the president!''

"..."

The girl glared at Itsuki, who simply nodded, unable to say a thing. He felt as if he were a frog being stared down by a snake.

"You aren't lying, are you...? Are you really Iba Itsuki?"

"Y-yes, I am, but..."

His words caught in his throat, Itsuki looked back up at the girl before his eyes.

Her fearsome spell power hadn't changed. However, the ghastliness about it had slightly diminished.

Between the two of them, there was a tired feeling.

"--It is okay. It seems I have not made a mistake in reaching you, president of <Astral>."

Throwing back her golden hair, Adelicia let out a small sigh. She seemed to make all of her movements separately.

Slowly walking forward, she moved to Itsuki's side.

With all the pomp of a queen, she made an order to him.

"--Withdraw from the next offer."

"Off...er?"

Itsuki boggled his eye at her.

He was utterly uninformed about anything, at all.

''Nekoyashiki-san, you said I would just have to sign and stamp, and everything would be fine!''

"Uh... sure..."

"Wonderful. If that is the case, then there is a way."

Saying this, the girl pulled out a piece of paper from somewhere in her dress.

It was piece of parchment.

It was also kind of ominous-looking. The rough surface seemed to have veins of poison running through it, and the red letters scrawled across it looked sort of like human blood.

"Uh... um... this is..."

"Did you not just make your decision? If you do not understand my words, then we can negotiate this with the <Organization>. Everything will be fine with just one signature."

Adelicia smiled.

It was a florid smile, but it made Itsuki feel a cold sweat.

"Sign...?"

"Yes, if you just pull out of the next job, everything will be fine."

She spoke in a whisper that could well have been that of Mephistopheles, who had stolen the soul of a philosopher.

However, Itsuki hesitated in taking the quill and parchment held out to him by Adelicia.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

Stiffening his face, Itsuki laughed ambiguously. As expected, he had no decision making skills as president.

Unable to judge his appearance, Adelicia gave a single nod.

"If that is the case, allow me to lend you a hand."

"Huh?"

'''"--Come forth, Botis. Wise earl supporting sixty armies--"'''

A shrieking snake appeared in Adelicia's hand in a flash.

"U, uwa--!"

Before Itsuki, who had begun to shout, the snake's eyes twinkled brightly.

In an instant, Itsuki's voice was buried in his throat, and his body became petrified like stone.

"Now, let us continue."

''... Hunh?''

His body began to move on its own.

With empty eyes, Itsuki took the quill and parchment, and his body followed what Adelicia said.

''Huh--!? This isn't good!''

His body neglecting his conscience, he took the quill and touched it to the parchment.

"... Yes."

A smile bloomed across Adelicia's face like a flower.

But then...

"That's as far as you go."

A third cold voice fell.

Yes--it fell to the ground.

===3===

Something sliced through the darkness of the night.

With a swift gust, the parchment ripped in half. As the pieces danced through the air, they caught fire and burned to ash.

"Uwah!"

Itsuki reflexively waved his hand. Right as the parchment was destroyed, he regained control of his body.

"--Mistletoe Spear."

Picking up the small twig thrown at her feet, Adelicia looked up at the sky.

"Honami!"

In that night sky, another character had appeared, floating.

She sat sitting horizontally on an old broom with her back to the moon. Her chestnut-colored hair was tied into a ribbon. She wore a surprisingly large pointed hat. Her fingers were wrapped around a twisted oak rod.

--Yes, she had the appearance of a witch straight out of a fairytale.

However, the one thing about her different from a regular witch was that she was wearing a sailor uniform. It was surprising to see an innocent girl of about fifteen or sixteen wearing a pointed hat and a dark cape.

And though it was unrelated to the situation, Itsuki thought she was pretty.

If Adelicia was a magnificent jewel, then this girl was a single, painstakingly raised, blue rose. She didn't have the brilliance of a gemstone, but her figure was unparalleled. She wasn't a sure winner, but there was no counting her out of the race just yet.

"Aren't you overdoing things a bit, Addie? --I think summoning one of the seventy two demons is going a bit too far."

From behind her thin-rimmed glasses, her Ice Blue Eyes smiled.

"Do not act overly-familiar with me, calling me by such a name!"

Adelicia waved her hand widely.

She took on a violent composure, as if all her elegance up to this point was a lie.

Anger flared up in her eyes. She seemed to be looking at an irreconcilable enemy.

"I have already explained, but the next <Night> is of rank, according to the <Organization>. It is no time for <Astral> to open its curtains!"

"Okay." The girl called Honami gave a disinterested assent. "But still, for a rank, <Goetia>'s youngest leader in history came all the way out to this far-east back country?"

"That is none of your business. I take on the work that I wish to do. That is all."

"Well then, I suggest you stop taking passes at our president."

Honami shrugged.

Itsuki, watching from the side, could tell how much Adelicia was vested in whatever she was talking about. The pain in his right eye that he had forgotten about suddenly returned in full force.

Even so, the witch on the broom lightly brushed Adelicia's words off.

With that, he could tell that this person was at the same level or higher than Adelicia.

''...gh''

Finally realizing what was going on, Itsuki held his breath.

''Does this mean... that this is a magician showdown!?''

And of course, he was wide open in the center of it. Not only was his life at risk, his soul was too.

However, he couldn't escape.

The spell power in Adelicia began to amass in far greater amounts than it had up until now. Once that power exploded, a magical battle of unimaginable proportions would begin.

Itsuki felt as though a drill was drilling through his eye patch straight into his right eye.

More than the pain, though--he felt a horrible sensation that something was encroaching upon his eye, as if it were being invaded.

Finally, the park itself seemed to turn into an alternate world--

"... Let us stop this. Tonight is not the time or place for this," Adelicia said, lowering her arm. "Since we are contracted to the same work, we will unfortunately be in conflict. There is when we shall weigh our relative merits."

"Whatever."

"--!"

Adelicia bit her lip at Honami's blunt response.

However, immediately turning her neck,

'''"Come forth, Bathin. Powerful duke supporting thirty armies--"''' she chanted.

That instant, a pale phantom horse was summoned to her side. Then, as the night wind blew through the park, Adelicia's figure disappeared.

"A Solomon demon that transports people instantly? There's quite a crowd of them, aren't there?"

Giving a small sigh, Honami looked down at the park.

"This little spell power probably won't disappear quick. What was she planning to do if that turned into spell wave pollution...?"

Pushing up her hat while making a troubled face, she threw four thin twigs at each corner of the park.

"Ah..."

Itsuki raised his voice.

The pain in his right eye disappeared in a flash. The spell power that remained in the park had just been wiped out with a cleansing ritual.

"That'll do it, probably."

The witch on the broom dusted off her hands.

She then lowered her gaze to Itsuki.

"Is your right eye alright?"

"Ah... ah, yeah."

Since it looked like she had been worried for him, he nodded quickly. No a bit of pain had remained.

"I see. That's great, then," she said nonchalantly. She slowly floated down and stood in front of Itsuki.

Standing right in front of him, the witch seemed even lovelier. Her chestnut hair mixed with the color of her eyes was probably because she was of mixed race.

Blood began to well up in Itsuki's head.

Walking up to him to the point that he could feel her breath, the witch held out a hand to Itsuki's cheek.

"Uwah!"

"You're bleeding."

She wiped a white finger below his eye patch. It was soft, pleasant, and smelled good.

She slid the finger softly across his eye patch.

"..."

The witch's eyes grew slightly narrow.

"Wh-what is it?"

"--Nothing. It's pretty sensitive, so you could have lost your eyesight from that spell power. Be careful. Also, take this. Nekoyashiki-san asked me to give it to you."

She pressed a small badge into Itsuki's hand. From the silver mirror decorated with a pentagram, it seemed to be a company badge.

"A company badge... so, I'm guessing you're an <Astral> employee?"

Not responding to his question, Honami turned her broom diagonally. It should have fallen over, but it floated in the air merrily while supporting the witch's petite body.

"--Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. We'll get to know each other for real tomorrow. Don't get seen going home like this, okay?--president."

Smiling faintly, the witch's shape flew off somewhere into the sky.

The badge in Itsuki's hand sparkled, reflecting the light of the moon.

===4===

The next day.

Itsuki examined the badge as he sat at his desk in the classroom. He was, of course, unable to sleep at all last night, and ended up going to school early.

''I wonder if there's really no way to get out of this...''

Itsuki began to worry again.

He felt almost disembodied. In regard to the demon dog incident and the park the night before, he felt as though he had died and come back to life. He had been involved in supernatural happenings before, but nothing to the degree of what was happening now.

''No, there's only one way.''

Holding onto the badge, he ran his hand across his eye patch.

--He thought of when he had to start wearing it.

He didn't remember very well, but it was probably around kindergarten. He had been chased by a monster, and he took a hit that inflicted a huge wound to the point that he could have lost his right eye. His right eye was in a stupor for a week, and eventually became unable to withstand light, requiring the application of an eye patch.

''... Though I can still see monsters with it, even though the patch is over it...''

Itsuki sighed. No matter what he thought, it was bad luck that he couldn't sell back. Rather, they were having a bargain on hemorrhages.

He knocked the badge on his desk, and it rang like a wind chime.

''... I wonder if that girl's going to be at the office today...'' he suddenly thought, becoming glum again.

Nekoyashiki had told him to come to the office after school. However, wasn't that just stepping deeper into the swamp? At this point, the best he could come up with was calling Yuuka and flying off to America.

"--What's that badge?" Yamada asked from behind him.

"Ack! Uh, it's nothing..."

Flustered, Itsuki waved his right hand. He had apparently been thinking to himself for a while. When he looked around, he saw the usual boisterousness that occurred before homeroom.

Cutting through two or three meaningless conversations, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

The door rattled.

"--"

... Itsuki was frozen solid, right down to his individual brain cells.

Contrary to his reaction, cheers began to echo across the classroom. Eighty percent of the male students and all of the female students were speechless, their eyes popping out.

It was because the homeroom teacher was leading in an unfamiliar girl.

No... correction.

There were ''two'' girls.

"Uh--... I don't know if you've all heard or not, but these two transfer students will be joining our class from today onward. First, give a self introduction."

Itsuki didn't hear the teacher's sleepy voice at all. It was probably because his ears wanted to refuse what he was hearing.

"I am called Adelicia ・ Lenn ・ Mathers. I will only be here for a few months, but for now, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"I'm Honami ・ Takase ・ Ambler. Nice to meet you guys."

Among the applause sailing through the room, Itsuki could clearly hear the sound of something shatter.

It was the sound of his peaceful life being smashed and scattered across the floor.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Scene change.

Later that evening, a single man stepped into a certain park.

It was the park where Itsuki had first seen Honami and Adelicia the night before. There were no children left in the park, and against the backdrop of the deep crimson sky, the rusty swing swayed in the wind forlornly.

"--Looks like this is the place after all."

The man slackened his blank face.

He was a hard man to judge with a single glance. His delicate looks gave him to be in his twenties, and he wore a business suit with no peculiarities. He was about medium height--the length of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the size of his eyebrows, the deepness of his eyes--they all seemed to be about average.

It was as if his characteristics completely shut down any attempt to characterize him.

There was one thing that didn't follow the rule, and that was the L-shaped wires he held in each hand.

The two parallel wires occasionally twitched left or right, and the man followed their direction precisely as if he were being remote-controlled.

This was the magical art of dowsing.

It used a person's subconscious to find hidden treasure or a source of water. It was one of the old magical arts well known in England.

"Yes, yes."

Nodding, the man stopped as the wires crossed each other between the jungle gym and the monkey bars.

As he did, the man touched a red pen to his tongue and made a memo on his small map.

It was a municipal map. It was a 1/300,000 scale reduced map with several X marks and small annotations scrawled across it.

"--Spell wave pollution class six to seven. It looks like someone tried to clean it up, but it seems to have revived afterward. The Ray Line waves are all according to the calculations. The <Night> is near. Now, the undertakers..."

Folding up his map, the man took out a notepad.

He let out a sigh.

"<Goetia> and... <Astral>. There are a couple of nostalgic names, eh?"

He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Even so, his eyes did not laugh in the slightest. Only his lips stretched to both sides of his face. It looked almost as if his mouth was a slash wound.

The man's red, unpleasant shadow seemed to contaminate the ground of the park.

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Back to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Prologue|Prologue]]

| Return to [[Rental_Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental_Magica_Volume_1:_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

Rental Magica Volume 1: Prologue

2011-05-08T07:25:02Z

Tetsu-nii: Formatting issues.

==Prologue==

<big>'''May ~ London'''</big>

Befitting its name, The City of Fog, the boarding school garden was wrapped in a deep, white mist that morning.

Stepping onto the damp ground in front of the vine-shrouded chapel, Honami Takase Ambler gripped her suitcase.

The familiar face of an old gentleman awaited her at the marble, front gate.

"McGregor-sensei."

"Miss Honami... How about at least a goodbye before heading back to your hometown? I would have been deprived of conveying my regards to our best student in recent years."

The fog at their feet completely obscuring his cane, McGregor placed his bowler against his chest.

His Japanese was fluent.

Honami let out a brief laugh and likewise took off her tall, pointed hat. Ice-blue eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses appeared from behind her chestnut-hued, somewhat-short hair. The pure white blouse and tight skirt were dazzling on her innocent, fifteen-year old body.

"I didn't wanna cause any trouble. You working on your next thesis and all."

"Do not patronize me. What would a proper, English gentleman do if he did not see off his pupil at the gate?"

Stroking his orderly Coleman mustache, McGregor sniffed slightly.

Honami smiled again.

He was that kind of person--showy and childish, but wonderful to be with. When he had suddenly approached Honami and asked her to teach him Japanese, he had said, "I have no patience with accents. In any language, historic polite speech most befits a gentleman." Several months later he underwent a total personality shift, right down to the BGM. He even threw out occasional ''rakugo'' and ''kabuki'' nuances. His students, unaware of the circumstances, spread rumors that McGregor had finally gone loony.

However, over the last seven years, he was the most helpful person to Honami.

"Well then... how about one last graduation exam from your former teacher?"

"Sure."

She had been surreptitiously examining the equipment he had with him--it was all right. She had airmailed all her large magical items already, but she could handle the worst with what she had on her person. If push came to shove, she still had the thing inside her suitcase.

"Now-now, no hesitation. Rather, you seem already sufficiently prepared."

McGregor twirled his cane. If this were an old movie, he would probably start tap dancing.

"In a garden like this, there is no need to worry about spell wave pollution. There is little time before the plane arrives. Let us begin quickly."

Swiftly, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ceramic goblet. There was an ''ouroboros'' carved on the side and a candle lid set on top. It was an object often used in alchemical experiments.

"Egyptian magical arts, your specialty?"

"This is your test. Naturally, you meet the aptitude requirements for a student. Thus I have raised the level of difficulty on your behalf."

McGregor casually released the wine cup.

In that instant there was a change. Sounding out and breaking apart, smoke billowed, pushing away the fog all at once, and surrounding Honami. As if it had a will of its own, the smoke rushed into her nose and mouth.

"...gh"

"The stuffiness you are feeling is a reaction to the Kabbalah Golem and sulfur, ''Tria Prima''."

McGregor observed her dispassionately.

"I shall refrain from writing '''EMETH''' at this moment. Well then, how well can you handle an enemy with no true form?"

The smoke had already engulfed Honami's body.

According to McGregor's calculations, the smoke monster wouldn't stop until Honami had fainted. Of course he had set it not to take her life, but it was possible that he had overlooked something. The smoke was designed to engulf her until all the air had been squeezed from her lungs.

However, the smoke suddenly stopped moving.

"Hm?"

McGregor frowned. A sprig of mistletoe had sprouted from the ground. It bound the smoke despite its shapelessness.

At the same time, a single arrow flew out of the smoke and struck McGregor's cane.

As the cane fell to the ground, it broke cleanly in half. Length-wise.

The letters '''EMETH''' carved inside cane, which had been held together with with varnish; though the '''E''' had been marred by the arrow's impact.

"There's the spell's origin. Lying is the beginning of thievery, sensei."

"Mistletoe Spear, eh? Again, a classic."

Waving his numbed hand, McGregor, who had landed on his backside, gave a wry smile. The smoke had already disappeared. The girl who was now holding her hand out to him hadn't even needed to open her suitcase. It had been a ploy from the start, but as expected, she hadn't been forced to use her trump card.

"Aaaah, what a waste, what a waste...!"

Throwing off his gentlemanly façade, McGregor struggled to his feet.

"If you stay, we will waive all the research fees... and we will grant you unlimited access to our prized Grimoire! At least a another year... no, for just half a year, please continue your studies here!"

"I'm happy that you value me."

McGregor sullenly crossed his arms.

"You have a lover in Japan or something?" he asked.

Honami's cheek's turned bright red.

"I-It's nothing like that!"

"Oh-ho!" McGregor joyously blew out his cheeks. "Well then, you said you had a childhood friend or something? It would not be outside the bounds of gentlemanly behaviour to leave it at that. But do tell me of your circumstances."

"Isn't what you're saying more like the reaction of a French gentleman?"

"Bah! It is a meaningless distinction." If any other English gentlemen had heard him, he probably would have been killed. "Well, whatever. For now, I am just happy to see the face of Miss Honami.

"So, where exactly in Japan are you going? Are there Celtic Magic minors over there? I heard it's almost all Shinto and Buddhism pulling the strings there."

"Yeah... About that... I made the decision to do this ten years ago. Take a look, sensei."

Smiling mischievously, Honami handed McGregor a single business card.

Written in sepia-hued letters on a lavish paper stock with a crystal watermark was:

'''[ Magician Dispatch Company ・ Astral'''

'''-- We rent magicians to meet your needs ]'''

<noinclude>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"

|-

| Return to [[Rental Magica|Main Page]]

| Forward to [[Rental Magica Volume 1: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]

|-

|}

</noinclude>

User:Tetsu-nii

2011-05-08T07:15:30Z

Tetsu-nii: Grammar error. Damnit!

I'm a bit of an old-fart with something in the neighborhood of twenty years working professionally as a technical editor, including contracts localizing Japanese-to-Nihonglish translations into American English.

I like to say that I am possessed of a meticulous nature, but that's just a pedantic way of saying I'm anal retentive. But that's what makes me a decent editor. Having said that, I'm still human--I'll miss things. So I feel no animus towards anyone who might catch me in a legitimate mistake of omission or commission. But if I believe you're mistaken, I'm likely to change things back and will be glad to present my case with references to: _The_Chicago_Manual_of_Style_, Strunk & White's _Elements_of_Style_, the _Oxford_English_Grammar_, et cetera. Please be prepared to provide like reference sources.

I'm also the editor for the fansubbing group [http://www.colormesubbed.com/ ColorMeSubbed [CMS<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. So if you run into any questions or issues with the editing in any of our releases, please feel free to let me know.