October 26th, 2011 
AstroNerdBoy 魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 37 Chapter 342 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 342
Negima! Manga Vol 37 Ch 342
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Eva and Negi face each other on top of the water in her castle resort diorama sphere while on one of the castle’s archer tower’s battlement, Asuna and Setsuna are observing. Asuna gives the signal to start and Eva gets the drop on Negi with a massive attack that sends him smashing into the castle wall, shredding his shirt. Eva is stunned her attack was so effective and voices her displeasure, but Negi protests, saying he has to power up first. With that, Negi activates his Magia Erebea, which Eva remarks irritates her since it was her technique.
To the surprise of Asuna and Setsuna, Al and Eishun show up, remarking on Negi’s power, as Negi launches his counter-attack. Eva counters his attack, but does like what she sees in Negi. In response, Eva activates her own Magia Erebea, turning into ice form to counter Negi’s lightning form. Jack shows up with the other observers, remarking on how glad he is to see this. When Asuna and Setsuna ask how he can be at Mahora, he says he has an artificial body, which is how Cocone lives on Earth.
Negi readies a massive, double-punch thousand thunderbolts spell, which has everyone, including Eva, impressed. Eva and Negi go at it in a massive display of lightning and ice, both enjoying the fight. Jack asks two new arrivals, Kurt and Takamichi, their opinions. Takamichi is impressed but Kurt isn’t impressed by what Negi called a “display.” Eva’s hand takes a massive slash in Negi’s side, but he quickly heals from it as if not injured at all. Setsuna is stunned by this, so the others explain that Negi actually died on the Magic World but Magia Erebea brought him back to life, thus making him immortal, though not as completely as Eva. As such, he will probably be forever young and deathless, but the others don’t know if Negi will be able to age or not for a few years.
To answer Setsuna’s objection, Al explains that though immortality has eluded others who sought it, Negi obtained it by using Magia Erebea, created by Eva from her own immortal flesh and soul, and Negi being the descendent of Amateru. As such, Setsuna realizes that this is the price Negi paid though Kurt considers it a gift, not a price. Kurt goes on wistfully on how Negi could rule it all with this power, leading to Takamichi grappling with Kurt in an annoyed fashion.
Setsuna is a bit surprised at Asuna’s attitude about Negi’s change, but Asuna explains that her worrying that Negi would be hurt or killed are over since he won’t die even if he is killed. Even though Negi might not be human, Asuna is not bothered by this since Eva, Zazie, and Chachamaru are not human. Asuna does seem a bit sad that Negi would only be able to become adult in appearance by the use of magic, much like Eva. Setsuna ponders this and thinks that Negi couldn’t have a family. She also wonders about all those who have feelings for Negi.
Meanwhile, Eva still shows herself to be superior to Negi in combat and has him smashed down by massive ice attacks. Asuna pulls out her pactio card and tells Setsuna that she’s still worried about Negi and that even if he’s not human, there are still a lot of girls who can follow him. With that, she jumps off the battlement and activates her artifact harisen just as Eva launches the finishing blow, nullifying the attack. Setsuna wonders what price Asuna paid as Asuna tells Negi that together, they can think of something to defeat Eva. She asks Eva if that’s OK, so Eva agrees to be her opponent as a parting gift.
Thoughts/Review:
I’m glad to see Eva’s resort(s) being used again, though it seems they may not be used much more. I find that Eva’s remarks of finality are odd, as if she is planning to leave or something. Her sparring with Negi, which I know many of us wanted to see, is labeled as a final training lesson. Allowing Asuna to come into the fight is termed a “parting gift.” So, does that mean that Eva is leaving? Or does that mean that Negi and Asuna are leaving, never to return to Mahora?
Considering the curse and such, it would seem that Eva is not going anywhere, thus Negi and Asuna must be the ones who are leaving. However, it is possible that Eva might be planning something within the confines of the curse that would make her not be around. After all, the one who turned her into a vampire is supposed to be sealed under the World Tree and it is possible that Eva might be involved with something there.
In my mind, it is Asuna and Negi who will depart, possibly for Turkey, but possibly to return to the Magic World. It is hard for me to say where they might go and what they might do in terms of getting Negi’s plan on the road. Maybe we’ll have a time skip that some have speculated on (and from what some tell me, there have been a few manga employing this plot device so I won’t rule it out, especially since I still think it is Negi that saved himself in the past, whether or not my Negi=Nagi theory is true). No matter what happens, we should be in for one more interesting bit of fighting and a revelation of the price Asuna paid. I am a little confused by her final remarks to Setsuna though.
Speaking of Eva, as I mentioned, her sparring with Negi is something many of us wanted to see, myself especially. I figured Eva would want to test her disciple once he returned and then go full bore on him, thus further revealing the true heights of her powers. I didn’t expect her to pull out her own Magia Erebea though since I figured she no longer used it as a technique, but simply had it as a natural part of herself. So, it was neat seeing her ice form, which wouldn’t surprise me if she were as hard as diamonds. Weird that her ice form causes her to lose her shoes. *lol*
One thing I REALLY want to see (and I’ve stated this before) is more on Eva’s past. I do think Akamatsu-sensei could easily do this at this point in the story.
So, the surviving members of the core of Ala Rubra reunite at Eva’s resort, including surprise guest Jack. That was a clever way for Akamatsu-sensei to explain how Cocone was able to live on Earth this whole time. What I wonder is, how are these artificial bodies being created on Earth? Magic, sure, but where is it being done and who is doing it? In some ways, this is kinda freaky if you think about it.
Still, for all of Ala Rubra to be here, I wonder if they are planning to join Negi on his quest to help the Magic World. Considering how they started this mission with Nagi, it makes sense to me that they’d continue the journey with Negi. However, that means less room for the girls, but the last chapter shows Akamatsu-sensei setting up the girls as having their own goals, some of which involve Negi, but some seemingly don’t.
In the end, this is a really enjoyable chapter and I’m really looking forward to seeing what Asuna and Negi do in their rematch against Eva. It would be sweeter than sweet if Eva brought Chachazero into the fight as well. ^_^
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I think Setsuna’s worries about Negi not having children are a bit misguided.
Because if Negi can no longer have children, what happens to Chao Lingshen? She can’t be a descendant to someone who can’t reproduce. Or was this explained somewhere else?
“Setsuna wonders what price Asuna paid as Asuna tells Negi that together, they can think of something to defeat Negi.”
Is Asuna siding with Eva ANB? =D
Anyways, Negima is getting more and more exciting, even if it is a bit of filler.
I wonder how Asuna’s memories of being the Twilight Imperial Princess might come into play…
I’m seriously surprised by the bittersweetness of the current storyline, myself. There’s been a fair amount of foreshadowing leading up to it, but even so… poor Nodoka.
I’m really curious what Asuna’s price was – anyone have any ideas?
I knew there was something funny about the way Negi explained his workload to Chachamaru =D Just ike I said back in your review of 337, he’s gonna watch over his project for the next hundred years.
I think only Asuna is leaving. In page 16 in the first panel, RedHawkScans translated it as “I asked you to take care of Negi.” But the original line, ”ネギのこと頼んだよ” sounds to me like it should translate closer to “take care of Negi” or “I’d ask you to take care of Negi, but I’d still worry.” I could be wrong, my Japanese isn’t that great.
She then goes on to say, “even if he’s not human anymore, it looks like there still are a lot of girls who can follow him.”
That makes it sound like she won’t be one of them.
Setsuna goes on thinking “if Negi’s price was his deathlessness, then what was Asuna’s?” Followed by a shocked face, maybe she already figured it out too.
Finally at the end, by saying Asuna’s name while speaking and saying “I will be your opponent” we can see she was only speaking to Asuna(she was already fighting Negi) when she said “this is your parting gift.”
So yea, Asuna is probably the only one leaving. Probably some sort of duty that comes with being ‘Asuna Vesperina Theotanasia Entheofushia.’
I’m curious about the harisen as well. Why bring out the harisen when she can summon a blade? Is it just because they are training? I guess that makes sense. Still, I feel something might be fishy about that. I lol’ed at Setsuna catching herself on wondering about Negi having a harem ending be the best.
Though i am not sure what is going to happen to Asuna but i think i can take a guess as to why Eva is calling this training session as her final one.
It is possible that Eva is planning to retire from her position as Negi’s master/teacher and become Negi’s partner/subordinate (though a pactio).
This way we may get two things solved. One we get to see Eva getting her pactio card (which has been designed a long time ago and have been recently re-released as well). Also this possible pactio might finally remove the curse from Eva.
When will negima 343 raw be out? Is there a break?
It could be that Negi’s not the only one with aging problems. Asuna was once locked into a certain age. She was depowered, had her mind wiped, and started aging. Now she’s been repowered, and her memory’s back. Maybe she’s also no longer aging?
Eva. Subservient to Negi. What alternate universe are you talking about? Now, I can see her getting a pactio, certainly. But under no circumstances do I believe Eva could or would ever see herself as inferior or subservient to Negi. It goes against her very nature. It would be interesting to see if that’s how the Mahora curse gets solved.
I think Setsuna’s worries about Negi not having children are a bit misguided.
Because if Negi can no longer have children, what happens to Chao Lingshen? She can’t be a descendant to someone who can’t reproduce. Or was this explained somewhere else?
Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Genetic material could be used to create an offspring. It could also be that he’s not unable to produce offspring.
Is Asuna siding with Eva ANB? =D
Fixed. ^_^;;; Thanks for the head’s up. ^_^
I wonder how Asuna’s memories of being the Twilight Imperial Princess might come into play…
I’m still bummed that we didn’t have Asuna coming to terms with her past shown in the story. I’d still like to have seen that.
I’m really curious what Asuna’s price was – anyone have any ideas?
She may be forced to return to the Magic World and not be with Negi or her friends. I think this is what Ayaka was implying during their dinner meeting, regarding Asuna’s clothing. Asuna may now become the leader of Ostia.
I think only Asuna is leaving.
…
That makes it sound like she won’t be one of them.
Yeah, I agree now that I’ve had time to ponder things (as referenced earlier).
So yea, Asuna is probably the only one leaving. Probably some sort of duty that comes with being ‘Asuna Vesperina Theotanasia Entheofushia.’
*lol* I swear I hadn’t read this before now but that’s now my thinking too.
I’m curious about the harisen as well. Why bring out the harisen when she can summon a blade? Is it just because they are training? I guess that makes sense. Still, I feel something might be fishy about that. I lol’ed at Setsuna catching herself on wondering about Negi having a harem ending be the best.
Well, there’s no reason to bring out the blade unless it is absolutely required. As we saw, the harisen was good enough to do the job against Eva’s massive spell.
It is possible that Eva is planning to retire from her position as Negi’s master/teacher and become Negi’s partner/subordinate (though a pactio).
I have a tough time with that one. I know we’ve seen Eva with a pactio and she may well take one before all is said and done. But at this time, I can’t see Eva agreeing to be the ministra to Negi.
Also this possible pactio might finally remove the curse from Eva.
Now, that is an interesting idea.
When will negima 343 raw be out? Is there a break?
The manga is released on Wednesdays in Japan.
It could be that Negi’s not the only one with aging problems. Asuna was once locked into a certain age. She was depowered, had her mind wiped, and started aging. Now she’s been repowered, and her memory’s back. Maybe she’s also no longer aging?
That’s a possibility as well, though I don’t think Asuna was ever “depowered.” She simply didn’t remember how to use the power, but it instinctively came out going back to Negi attempting to erase her memories to Negi trying to give her a lift on his staff.
But under no circumstances do I believe Eva could or would ever see herself as inferior or subservient to Negi. It goes against her very nature.
I can see a time where Eva acknowledges that Negi has passed her in terms of power.
Not saying who, but some people get to say “I told you so” now. Red Hawk just posted 343 a bit ago, and the slap we saw in the RAW doesn’t seem out of place now… even for Setsuna.