魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 24 Chapter 218 (manga)

Summary/Synopis: The treasure hunter group with Nodoka takes a heavy beating from the powerful bounty hunters with females Lyn and Aisha out of commission. Nodoka wants to help by using her artifact, but Kris and Craig are determined to protect her and keep her out of harm’s way. However, their attack on a bounty hunter is short-lived as he is a bone demon of some sort and Nodoka is quickly captured, being bait to snare the rest of Ala Alba. Nodoka thinks quick as she learns her companions are about to be killed and gets one of the bounty hunters to give her his name.

Her artifact then allows her to read all of their minds, though knowledge of Zaytsev’s secret name causes him to wonder about her. She asks him why she’s being used as bait and “reads” how this is a trap to snare Ala Alba, especially Setsuna and Kaede who’s bounties continue to go up. Nodoka asks about what she’s read in his mind, revealing that she has that ability. She tries to escape but is soon caught and partially stripped in the process. Kaede and Setsuna instantly appear on the scene, setting Nodoka free. She tries to warn them of the trap, but is grabbed by the bone demon and teleported away.

The bounty hunters activate their trap, which is a device from the war. It is an anti-army magical land mine which creates a massive barrage of lightning attacks in a 100-meter area. The satisfied bounty hunters observe their work from a safe distance, telling Nodoka that Setsuna and Kaede likely won’t die from the mine, but will be damaged. However, they notice that the lighting has stopped prematurely. Nodoka sees the reason — a determined-looking Asuna has nullified the magic. Behind the bounty hunters, a dark-magic infused Negi is ready to attack.

Thoughts/Review: Wow. The end of this chapter was completely unexpected. It was not unexpected to see Nodoka and company beaten and captured, but the fact that Setsuna and Kaede were apparently the main targets of the bounty hunters to say nothing of them arriving before Negi was. I had expected Negi to arrive, fight, have a tough time of it, then teleport in the battle harem.

Good thing Asuna came when she did because despite their great strength, Setsuna and Kaede were toast for sure. Now, do the bounty hunters truly not recognize Asuna (not as the princess, but as a wanted criminal)? Somehow I think that next chapter, they’ll recognize her as another of Ala Alba…assuming Negi doesn’t kick arse first. I’m hoping to see Negi put his new skill to play next chapter.

Now, will we get an explanation of just how Setsuna and Kaede arrived on scene first? I’m hoping that it was Negi who actually arrived first, saw the problem, summoned help, then executed an attack plan. After all, if Ala Alba is going to be a true force to be reckoned with, they will need this kind of leadership.