written by Ken Akamatsu

It’s a brand new term at Mahora, and having passed his test of raising his class’s GPA and test scores to #1 in their year, Negi Springfield is on cloud nine. However, fun times don’t last long, as Ako Izumi delivers terrible news on the first day back: Makie Sasaki has been attacked by, believe it or not, a vampire! As skeptical as his students are, Negi has reason to suspect supernatural interference.
 
That night, while on patrol, Negi discovers another attack, this time on Nodoka Miyazaki, whom Negi saved previously. The perpetrator? Evangeline A. K. McDowell, one of Negi’s own students. Not only is Evangeline a vampire, but she is also a sorceress with a deep connection to Negi’s family. Fifteen years ago, Negi’s father, the Thousand Master, put a curse on Evangeline, all but stripping her of her incredible powers and confining her to the Mahora campus, and now that Negi’s father has disappeared, the only way to free herself is to drain the blood of one of the Thousand Master’s relatives, a.k.a. Negi. After a short battle, Negi is defeated and nearly killed when Asuna arrives to save him, but now with not only Evangeline, but also another of his students to contend with, Negi may need a miracle just to last out the week!
 
That miracle might just come in the form of a skirt-chasing, wisecracking ermine named Chamo, who claims he’s come to Japan to help out Negi. Chamo’s presence may yet serve to beget greater chaos in Negi’s life, but thanks to help from some other students, including the stoic ninja Kaede Nagase and good old Asuna, the young teacher just might get out of this redefined blood feud yet!
 
With the introduction of additional supernatural elements to Negima!, things have only just begun to escalate. The flashbacks utilized in this volume boost the quality of the storytelling a great deal. The first book of the series to house important flashbacks, this volume has shown that the seemingly episodic nature of the first two volumes were merely building up to the formation of an amazing serial work that promises to thrill readers without fail (it’s thrilled me already!). Not only that, but starting in this volume, the scope of the magic used by the mages jumps up by leaps and bounds, going from simple stripping sneezes and mind-reading to full-scale projectile and beam attacks. Dragon Ball Z fans will love that!
 
I predict even more amazing feats will follow in coming volumes and look forward to being wowed again. Ordinary wizards like Harry Potter can’t touch you, Negi-Sensei!
 

-- David Gromer

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