Ancient magic and its sordid history
has been facing an ever-growing decline in the modern world.
In my opinion,
magic is far overdue for a comprehensive upgrade.
For example, this is a Magic Router.
This is a projection of one of the Leylines.
If your broom is equipped with one of these devices,
it will automatically detect a nearby Leyline,
allowing you to use magic even if you're outside the range of the Sorcerer's Stone.
Did you happen to be the one who came up with this idea, Professor Croix?
Yes, I was.
I developed the technology myself.
You're a genius!
Now then...
all of you can start up your devices.
Let's run a simulation.
Oh, yeah!
This is cool!
So cool!
You really can mix magic and science!
Hello, Diana!
Are you doing some research?
Dedicated as always, it seems.
It's nothing important really.
I just wanted to know more about Professor Croix.
Professor... Croix, you said?
It seems she was an exemplary student.
She's contributed to the innovation of magic since she was young.
Her research on magic conversion is especially groundbreaking.
Yes, you're quite right.
I'd even go as far as to say her talent was on par with yours.
Her passion for magic burned brighter than anyone else's.
She was always very opinionated when it came to the subject.
Although, as a student, I recall her being very quiet.
Sounds like you know a lot about her.
Were you two friends?
Uh! Well, you see... the whole school knew who she was!
She was so famous, it's hard not to pick up on stuff like that!
Oh, look at the time! I've got to be off!
So much to do, and so little time to do it.
Such is the life of a teacher.
"Ursula... Ursula Callistis."
As I suspected, she's looking for the Claiomh Solais.
Croix...
Our new teacher is just the best!
Have you ever seen someone as strong, intelligent, and beautiful as her?
You think so?
If you ask me, all this tech is just a pain in the butt!
Come on! I think it's fantastic!
Even the magic world needs to adapt to the times.
It's the way of the future!
Really? "The future"?
If that's what I have to thank for this dumb chore, then count me out!
But because of that sorcery-router-thingy she invented,
all of us will be able to use magic outside of the school!
Look! They wrote an article about her in the paper!
"New Professor Croix Meridies. Graduated Luna Nova in 2007.
"Praised as a prodigy, she graduated with exceptionally high marks
and received numerous accolades, including the Moonlight Witch Award."
She won the Moonlight Witch Award just like Chariot?
I think those two actually attended school here at the same time.
I'll bet you that they were rivals!
Are you all still playing around with that little thing-a-ma-jig?
Professor! Were Chariot and Croix rivals?
Nonsense.
There was absolutely no comparison between the two of them.
Croix was a vastly talented and studious individual.
I'm afraid Chariot didn't do quite as well in her studies.
I will say, she was passionate and had a great sense for magic.
However, the fact that she went on to depict the craft of magic
as merely a means of performing cheap tricks
for the amusement of others is simply unforgivable.
It goes without saying, but she hasn't exactly engendered
a lot of good will from her peers as a result.
Croix was different.
Many regarded her as the future leader of the magic world.
This is amazing! Did you see this?
I heard that they managed to find some witnesses.
Are you serious? So, it's still flying around out there?
Yeah, just look at it!
Someone needs to do something about that!
You two there!
Those machines are not allowed to be used outside of class!
Fine.
Did she say "machine"?
Picking up where I left off...
The fact that Croix has been involved in this "magic science" chicanery
is disappointing.
Hey, wait... Where'd Akko go?
Excuse me, Professor!
When you studied here, you were Chariot's senior, right?
You were! I knew it!
Yes! I remember her quite well.
Her full name was Chariot Du Nord.
She was a very charming girl,
who seemed to have the innate ability to attract all kinds of people to her.
Sorry...
I don't think I've heard anyone else talk about her as nicely as you just did,
so I got a little emotional.
Everyone else seems to think of her as some kind of embarrassment.
It's true she was absorbed with flashy types of magic,
and how she could use it for entertainment.
That rubbed some of the more conservative witches the wrong way.
With that said...
I'm not the type to hold a grudge about such things.
She was truly influential in her field,
regardless of what any critics may have said on the matter.
You really are the best, Professor Croix!
Do you happen to know why she disappeared?
Or where she is now?
Why are you so preoccupied with her?
I want to thank her for inspiring me to pursue my dream of becoming a witch!
If you happened to have anything that's connected to her,
I just might be able to analyze it using magic science.
How do you mean "connected to her"?
Something like...
The Shiny Rod! Of course!
I found it while me and my friends were in the Forest of Arcturus.
Did you now?
I'll go get it!
-Just a minute, Akko. -Huh?
The equipment here is insufficient to conduct proper tests.
Come to the New Moon Tower after class.
New Moon Tower?
My state of the art lab is there.
I'll be able to accurately analyze the...
What did you call it?
It's the Shiny Rod!
And I'll be sure to bring it over!
Professor Ursula!
Is Akko here?
She said she went to the New Moon Tower.
What brings her there?
Apparently, Professor Croix had asked her to bring the Shiny Rod up to the tower.
Akko's in danger!
I sure hope that I'm going the right way.
Are you going to show me the way?
So you made it! Welcome.
I brought the Shiny Rod with me!
Come on! Let's analyze it right away!
Just set it down on that table right there.
Oh... okay!
It looks like the Shiny Rod is particularly effective
when used in conjunction with spirit energy.
Right, and that means... what?
It means it responds to the innate spiritual energy of the owner,
and greatly amplifies their magic power.
I... still don't get it.
It used to be attuned to the heart of Chariot, but something's changed.
Changed?
Have you ever felt like you were in direct contact with the Shiny Rod?
Uh, I have. I think so...
Why, out of everyone else, has it chosen to react to you I wonder.
I must find out.
I want to be just like Chariot!
To become an amazing witch that touches people's hearts all over the world!
Believing in myself is my magic!
Begin character analysis.
Emotional pattern, yellow.
Judgment, zero.
Objectivity, zero.
Temperament, impulsive, selfish, forceful,
simple-minded, careless, insensitive.
I knew you'd come, Chariot.
Akko!
Vega Varulus!
Belga Veeda!
Isn't this a happy reunion.
It's been a while, hasn't it...
Chariot Du Nord.
Answer me, Croix. Were you testing me?
It's been so long since you abandoned your old name.
I thought perhaps you had gotten soft over the years,
but it appears you had more spunk in you than I thought.
Akko!
What have you done to her?
I merely acquired her data.
Since I've been observing her covertly for the last few months however,
I'm afraid that nothing of consequence was learned.
It was all a grand waste of time.
I'm sure I can guess the reason why you decided to come back to Luna Nova.
You're after the world-altering magic!
You really haven't changed one bit!
You have no concern for anyone else!
You, on the other hand, have changed.
You're washed up, barely even a glimmer of the star you used to be.
It's over, Chariot.
No matter what you try to do to stop me,
whatever tricks you employ,
you know I'll get my way in the end.
Oh, yes. You go by Professor Ursula now.
Tell me, have you revealed your secret to that girl yet?
I may not have the spark I used to,
but I'll protect Akko's brilliance with all my might!
Akko.
Is that you, Professor Ursula?
I think... Wasn't I in Professor Croix's research lab?
You weren't feeling well, so I brought you here to get some rest.
I had... this weird dream.
Chariot was there, and she was talking.
Something... about "world magic," I think.
Now is as good a time as any to tell you this.
About the true nature of the Shiny Rod, and why it revealed itself to you.
And also about the Grand Triskelion,
a powerful magic said to be able to change the very world itself...
which has long been sealed away.
Only the Nine Olde Witches are privy to this information.
The origin of the Grand Triskelion is thousands of years old.
Once upon a time...
the branches of the great tree Yggdrasil covered the world.
They also connected all the stars in the heavens.
Witches were able to draw their strength from these branches.
As time went on, however, their power began to fade.
And eventually, the great era of magic came to a close.
The remnants of those branches are what we now know as the Leyline.
But one last source of their power remains.
The final vestiges of their power
were sealed within Arcturus by the Nine Olde Witches.
That is the magic that can alter the world.
The Grand Triskelion.
How do we break the seal?
When seven unique spells are revived,
the Grand Triskelion's power will be released.
You can see the seven spells there.
They're words written in Luna Runes.
I can't read them at all.
These characters were used long ago by witches who studied the moon and stars.
Very few today can decipher it.
Because of that, no one has been able to read the Seven Words for quite some time.
Simply speaking them is insufficient.
Only when the person who recites the Word,
breathes life into it, will its true power return.
"When the person breathes life into it"?
You may not realize it, but you've revived three of the Words already.
Is that true?
You don't remember?
Before you arrived here,
while you were in the Forest of Arcturus, you gave life to the first Word.
Extend your hand.
Adventure awaits!
My heart is pounding, and my head is spinning,
but I will become a witch!
Noctu...
Orfei...
Aude...
Fraetor!
So that was the first of Seven Words...
The meaning behind it is "aim unto the truest target."
Attaining one's dream is bound to include many difficulties along the way.
At times, you may just feel like giving up altogether.
But you should never let that fire in your heart die out.
Keep your passion alive and continue to "aim unto the truest target."
That is its meaning.
Noctu Orfei Aude Fraetor.
The second Word was revived during the blue moon.
You might not get the things that you dream of...
but you can always get the things that you work for!
Phaidoari Afairynghor.
And the third was the spell you cast during the Samhain Festival.
Open your heart!
Let's laugh together!
Arae Aryrha!
You and the Shiny Rod were responsible for reviving those lost Words.
I was?
There are another four Words remaining.
Four more...
Where can I find them?
That...
you're just going to have to discover yourself.
What about you? Do you know them?
I do, except the very last one.
Once you've found your way, and revived all Seven Words,
the seal to the Grand Triskelion will be released.
I see... I get it!
Professor! I don't know how I didn't see it before!
-Chariot! -Huh?
It was Chariot!
She must've been looking for the Words too!
That's why she disappeared. To search for them!
If I find these Words, I'm sure I'll be able to find Chariot as well!
No matter what it takes, I'll find them both!
Translated by: Lana Sofer