Led by Akira, we arrived at the grand bathhouse. Considering my room and the bathhouse were both located within the girls' dormitory, the walk wasn't exactly a marathon.
"So, you've arrived."
A voice drifted down from above the moment we stepped inside. It was, without a doubt, Evangeline. However, there was a striking difference: she was currently in her adult form. She sat perched atop the roof of the indoor rest area, looking exactly as she had in the dream when she faced the Thousand Master. Flanking her like a royal court were Yuuna, Izumi, and Chachamaru—all dressed in matching maid uniforms.
"Man... I don't even know where to start with the critiques," I muttered.
"Oh? You shouldn't be surprised by this form," Eva smirked. "After all, you saw it when you were busy peeking into my dreams, didn't you?"
"Peeking into your dreams?"
Ayaka's voice dropped an octave. Her head snapped toward me. Wait, that's the part you're latching onto?
"What, you didn't know?" Eva continued, her voice dripping with mischief. "Axel and the brat used magic to skulk around my subconscious and learn all my most embarrassing secrets."
"Hey! Don't phrase it like that!" I protested, feeling a cold sweat break out as a literal aura of menace began to radiate from Ayaka.
"Axel-kun," Ayaka whispered, her eyes shadowed. "We are going to have a very... long talk about this later. And Chizuru-san will be joining us."
"...Understood," I replied, defeated.
"Kuku! That's what you get for underestimating me," Eva laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, my bad. Putting the dream-stalking aside for a second—why are they all in maid outfits?" I asked, gesturing to the controlled girls. I mean, if it were just Akira, it would be weird, but seeing the whole squad in frills was surreal.
"What a silly question. They are currently my servants; it is only fitting they dress the part."
"It is Master's personal hobby," Chachamaru added flatly.
"Hey! Chachamaru?!" Eva barked.
While the two of them bickered, Akira—who had led us here—suddenly leaped into the air with supernatural grace, landing lightly on the roof beside her mistress.
So, she's actually being treated as a vampire thrall, I noted.
"Wait, Evangeline-san!" Ayaka shouted, shaking off her jealousy for a moment. "You're sure there won't be any lasting effects on them? No magical fallout?"
"Hmph. Do you really think I'm that clumsy? Relax, they'll be back to their usual selves by tomorrow."
"Fine. So, where do we sit?" I asked. "You promised us a ringside seat for this 'spectacle.'"
"Mmm, just stay wherever," Eva said dismissively. "The brat will probably overthink your presence anyway. It'll add to the pressure."
"That is remarkably lazy of you," Ayaka remarked, her voice flat with exasperation.
I ignored the banter and pulled Ayaka toward the edge of the bathhouse, finding a spot that wouldn't interfere with the inevitable crossfire.
"Evangeline-san, if you do anything cruel to Negi-sensei, I won't forgive you!" Ayaka called out one last time before settling in beside me.
"...!?"
Suddenly, the moment she reached my side, Ayaka slammed her hand over my eyes, effectively pinning my head back. At the same time, I heard the sound of someone landing on the tiled floor with a wet thud.
"Wh-wha—! Evangeline-san?! Why is Makie-san stark naked?!" Ayaka shrieked.
"...Honestly, I have no idea," Eva replied, sounding genuinely baffled.
"Master Eva! I delivered the message to Negi-kun!" Makie chirped.
"First of all, put some clothes on!" Eva yelled. "Who told you to go out there in your birthday suit?!"
"But Master Eva said it was an emergency!"
"Ugh... you really are a pink-haired idiot, aren't you?"
A few minutes later, after Ayaka finally deemed it safe to remove her hand, I saw Sasaki Makie standing there, now sporting the same maid uniform as the others.
"I'm just... going to pretend I didn't hear any of that," I said, rubbing my neck.
"Please do," Eva sighed, looking far less regal than her adult form intended.
"Oh? He's here."
Eva's eyes sharpened. She regained her composure and let a predatory grin spread across her face. I strained my ears and heard it too—the sound of rapid footsteps echoing through the hallway, getting louder by the second.
SLAM!
The doors burst open. Negi Springfield charged into the bathhouse, breathless and wild-eyed.
"Evangeline-san!" he shouted. He scanned the room, but since Eva and the others were high up on the rest area roof, he couldn't see them. Ayaka and I were tucked away in the shadows, staying quiet to avoid being spotted.
"...Where are you? Release Makie-san!"
In response, a single magical light flared atop the rest area roof. It illuminated the adult Evangeline and her maid squad: Akira, Yuuna, Makie, Izumi, and Chachamaru.
"Fufu. Over here, boy. But where is your partner? Coming here alone... you certainly have courage."
"Y-You... who are you?!" Negi stammered.
Eva looked like she was about to savor the confusion on his face, but Negi's follow-up question killed the mood instantly.
"U-Um... who are you exactly?"
"Oh, for heaven's sake!"
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