Aha I managed to arrive! It’s so nice to have a relaxing reading evening. Thank you for the material to immerse myself in, Evie~.

First extra! It’s funny, cause I had the really delayed thought after you asked me about extra requests that I wanted to knowmofe about Cael and Masami’s relationship—and here it is! Way to be a mind reader, Key-chan! It was nice to see an expansion on things from a different angle. Good work here~.

Slight editing note, but I think there’s a paragraph in the conversation with Hakuyuu where you accidentally switch to third person between dialogue. Just one paragraph tho. Thought I’d point it out.

Extra two! I am super guilty of thinking of AU scenarios for my own stories. Glad to know I’m not the only one. It’s fun to imagine how things could go differently, and this was a fun dive into another route. Dat ending tho... well, I’m a sucker for tragic time loops (KagePro, yeah?) so bring it on. And Rakah tho. Rakah, man. So many interesting teasers... Huh, what do you mean I have to wait for the third story? The Meanderer first? Ah, so cruel...

Extra three! Another fun dive into the future. You may worry about spoilers, but the journey is the real experience, you know? I think stuff like this is what makes you more interested to know how things got to where they are. That being said, the miscellaneous children are adorable and delightfully spread out in personality. I applaud your capacity to deliver a variety of distinct characters in such a short space.

Kohaku’s spirit at the wishing tree, tho. My heart almost couldn’t take it. Speaking of hearts, seem something nasty happens to Ceara’s. At least there’s peace for her family in the aftermath.

Thanks again for working so hard on SL! It’s been a delightful journey to take together. As mentioned, looking forward to The Meanderer! Looking forward to the rest of the series! Glad you’re working hard on CoU! Way to be a boss! Yay, Key-chan! Yay, Evie! Banzai!

I shall see you when I wade through my collection of fanfiction updates to hit up CoU chapter four. Til then, I should be getting some sleep. Ciao~

-Avi

Okay part one extras gooooooo!

This first one was super sweet. Hakuryuu and Judar were my first Magi faves, so watching them have a moment of peace and fluff was super endearing. I loved it. Perhaps once all is staid and done we’ll have some full on Kou family fluff, but for the moment, this’ll do~

Much appreciation for the Parisa segment! As we’ve talked about before, side characters always have such interesting ways of developing. Thanks for the extra delving into her background, and I look forward to what’s to come for her in later Gift Bearers entries!

Since I was also in the mood for Sou and Sui aunt and uncle time, this one was a delight, too! After all the angst and drama in the main story, it’s nice to have some family fluff up in here. Being an assimilated household members has its fair share of troubles, hm? Maybe I should play around with that in one of my Magi stories when I get to writing them...

And extra four, more stories of early days of Ceara in Kohaku’s spot. I agree, it’s nice to see the princes out and about, especially the Haku boys. There needs to be more love for them out there! The drama in this one was intense and I had this super suspenseful feeling all the way through. Excellent work with the tension, Evie! Looking forward to seeing this sequence play into later in the series~~.

Hm, getting to part two of the extras will take a little bit of time, but I’ll keep pushing forward! Keep up the good work, Key-chan, you’re blowing me away! I’ll see you around!

-Avi

Wow, that was fast.

I have very mixed feelings about the first part... I mean it was very well written, very emotional... and that's the problem. I felt bitter as soon as I realized it was about Cael; I kind of don't want to start liking the characters that I know are going to die. Too cruel, too cruel. Same with him and Masami's relationship; couldn't enjoy the cute little romance since I knew how that'd end and what Masami would become. Hm, but I did like what I assume was Ceara and Kouen's first meeting. I would've liked to see more of that, but I suppose that wouldn't have worked since this was from Cael's PoV.
I kind of forgot: did Kouen ever tell Ceara that he was the one her brother died protecting? I'm kinda bitter at Kouen now, too.

As for the second part... okay? Weird. Just weird... it made me think about paraller universes (that we've gotten some hints about in the actual story, haven't we?) and that those might be strongly included in the sequel.

The third... again, weird. And I don't really like the kids, any of them. Probably because it was too short to get attached to the characters... I mean Haku, Yuu and the twins are in the story too, but they are so small there that treating them as the same characters is difficult. And there were some other confusing parts too, ones that you'll probably explain in the sequel so I won't comment on those.

Most of the information in the A.N went whoosh, completely beyond my understanding. Well, nothing new in that when it comes to your stories. I'll just wait and see. :D

When I saw this was updated I was kind of expecting news of a sequel... I had completely forgotten the extras. :p

I liked all four, but the second one the least... I've just never been too fond of Parisa. However, it did make me wonder how her parents reacted when they met Sousei... since we'll still hear from Parisa in the sequel, maybe we'll get to know that later, too?

I liked the fourth one. I wished we would've learned more about Yuu and Ren in canon flashbacks (and about Kouen and Koumei too) before Magi ended, but unfortunately not. Anyway, my personal guess is that Masami was bitten by a snake similiar to what bit Hakuryuu in the anime; maybe that thing had something to do with her becoming so dark?

I was wondering if the way Magi ended causes some trouble for your plans? I mean everyone lost their djinns for starters, and then the thing with magic... I'm not sure if I even understood that one correctly; did everyone lose their magic or was the only thing that was really lost the Magi system? As in Judar and the three others can still use magic, but they're now normal magicians? What do you think?

Oh gosh Key-chan, I finally made it. I’m like super tired and have had a beyond draining week, but this was a great wind down piece for me to read and I thank you for that. Sorry this review most likely won’t be more coherent.

Overall, I love this conclusion/buildup. So much good things for the future. I’m looking forward to The Meanderer and learning more about Noé in the process! Is it too early to ask who the pairing’s gonna be on that one? Hm?

Also, here are my scattered random thoughts:

- It’s interesting how this started out as a DGM idea. I’m curious how you made the transition to the story it is today.

- I’m also looking forward to that Magi one shot you published recently. May take me a while to get there but I will do it!

- As for more bonuses, I’ve been meaning to ask for more Parisa. Like, backstory maybe?

- Congratulations on the completed project! You wrote something awesome here and it’s inspiring me to just keep creating more and more. Pat yourself on the back cause you did an awesome job!

- Oh, also Curse of Ursus? How’s that coming along, hmmmmm?

Aaaaaand I think I’ve exhausted all my coherent thought. Congrats again and thank you for the wonderful story! I’ll be seeing you around, hopefully sooner than this time!

-Avi

I've followed this story for quite some time, and I must say you most definitely blew me away with your writing! This is probably the best written story for Kouen I have had the pleasure of reading. You've not only really captured his character and written him well and believably, as well as the characters of Koumei, Kouha, Kougyoku, etc. But you've made Kohaku blend in perfectly well with the setting and cast of characters. I became so attached whenever I took a peak at the manga (which honestly is a mess, this fic was one of my saving graces) I was usually expecting her to appear next to Kouen and the others. I admit, at times she did seem a little too 'good' but overall, she a wonderfully written character.

Her relationship with Kouen was complex, and very well developed. I liked that Kouen didn't just fall in love with her within a maximum of three chapters (well, given they shared a background together it's not that it would not have been believable.) and that his love for her didn't make him out of character. Kouen is a very difficult character to write for, and seeing as he's basically asexual in Ohtaka's work (unless you count his whole thing with Hakuei which is just, ugh in my opinion) writing romance for him can be hard, but you've managed to make it very believable. Kohaku is definitely someone I can see at his side.

Also, I really like that Kouhaku, being Kouen's love interest, wasn't reduced to that. A love interest. She didn't revolve around Kouen. She had her own life, her own goals and wishes, her own development, relationships with other characters that made her well rounded. I'm glad you didn't fall under the trap where authors make their characters do nothing but look pretty and fawn over their designated love interest and have nothing to them aside from that (That is a trend unfortunately). You've added a lot of unique and interesting twists to your character that isn't seen often. I give kudos to your writing abilities, I can only hope to achieve that level one day. :)

I'm getting repetitive. xD There's a lot more I can say, but I fear this is to long already and I'm rambling xD Anyways, you are a gifted author and I really enjoyed Kohaku and Kouen's story, and I can't wait to see what else you will write for Magi, (assuming it will explain the whole system of the gifts, and possbily have characters like Sinbad, Muu, maybe even some alma torran?) lord knows this archive needs some more fanfiction, OC fics especially!

So this is it... I have a lot to say so where should I start? Hmm, let's try to go somewhat in the order that things happened here:

So, two kids and then two more were born? Okay, don't have much to say about that. Normally I don't like little OC kids in stories, but I've always had a soft spot for children of canon characters that are born later in a story.

While there was a time I didn't like them I'm glad to see the twins doing okay. However, Sou and Parisa being a couple came out of nowhere; I thought the magician would eventually end up together with Jin (who is still my favourite out of all your OCs.) Ah well, maybe he will find someone in the sequel? I'm also satisfied with what happened to Masami; at first I wasn't since it looked like the whole thing was left hanging, but the grave scene was a proper ending to Masami's side of the story in my opinion... aside from the fact that I don't think her death was a suicide. I think someone, don't know who, had something to do with it.

Then this whole thing with Rakah and the like... well, it does seem a bit more interesting now that there is more information on it, but I'm still not too interested in it. I think the reason is that the conflict with the Reizei family and her love for Kouen were what I saw as "Ceara's story" and it didn't seem to need more to it, but if the main character of the sequel will be another OC then maybe it will be more interesting as her (his?) story.
I suppose the people at the end are the ones we've seen through the story... actually, they kind of have to be. One thing makes me confused though: isn't Seijin one of them? Or something similiar? I mean if my memory serves me right, then the things Rakah said to him during the summit... this calls for a re-reading. I probably don't get it done now either but I'll try.

Also, if you're taking requests then I would love to see a scene of Hakuryuu taking care of Ceara's children (all four of them), with his only help being a (not so) happy Judar.
A scene of how the kids got used to their scary uncle Sou would be nice, too.

I'm probably forgetting something here but eh, when don't I. Looking forward to the sequel; hoping to see a new interesting OC and some familiar faces. Of course I'll keep my eyes open for the extras, too.

I'll admit it, you totally got me here. I really did think that you killed off Kouen when they had already arrived to the island yet he still didn't show his face. But did Koumei and Kouha know he was alive at that point? I would think that no, they didn't since they probably wouldn't have been able to put up an act like that if they knew, so who kept it a secret and why? Was it Hakuryuu who wanted to teach them a lesson? It doesn't really sound like him but that's all I can think of.

And Ceara's pregnant... and from the ending I'm assuming it's not her first child. Since this is more or less a romance story I probably should've expected that, but somehow it caught me by surprise.

I'm assuming it's Alibaba she's hearing... a slight chance it's Judar but I doubt it because of the timing.

So I take it that Rakah is some kind of time/dimension traveler, probably the later, at least that's what this chapter made me think. To be honest I've never found the part of the plot that includes him that interesting, but I hope that that changes with the sequel. By the way, will the sequel be an OCXcanon character story, too?

Key-chan! Congrats on drafting out the story! Congrats on surviving your classes (I assume)! Congrats on the new chapter in general! (Tosses multitudes of confetti about)

I think it's funny that you were worried about not contributing enough time to the Civil War, but it seemed like more than enough to me. Once again, great blend of canon and fresh action. Also the whole scene with Kougyoku and Kouha fighting alongside each other is one of my favorites. Glad Ceara could be around for it.

The buildup to the twins vessel assimilations was great. I'm hoping they at least cameo elsewhere in the series so we can see where they've ended up after all this time. And the emotional level on the scene of trying to kill Hakuryuu. All excellently done.

Your sentences are also all as beautiful as always. (Sobs for want of a level of skill I have yet to achieve)

One note on this chapter I have is that the events that occur while Ceara is imprisioned aren't touched on, making Aladdin's appearance a bit jarring. I mean, obviously, knowledge of canon fills it in, but it's a bit of a jump if you look at this as a closed narrative.

That being said, you do handle the canon scenes surrounding Kouen's "execution" very well. As a reader, we know he survives. Ceara doesn't, and you touch into those emotions all the way into the near suicide in the ocean.

Now Rakah...I'll admit most of my questions are about him, but I'm sure those will unfold as the series progresses. The sequence in his POV has so many teasers at what's to come and his backstory that I'm pumped to see it all unfold. Ganbatte!

One question I've been meaning to ask tho that keeps slipping my mind to mention is really dumb: Are Ceara and Cael's names pronounced with a soft or a hard C? I keep switching which one I use and a definitive answer would be nice...

Now the time skip. I wasn't too surprised about the kids, 'cause, well, you kinda teased that for me. We do get some nods to the manga plot. Now I'm ready to go for the near 30k words that'll make up the ending and see where this ride takes us next. Onward!

Oh, and I'm honored that you mentioned me in your notes. I shall say hi in return.

Good luck once more with tidying up the final chapter, and I'll be patiently looking forward to it. Ciao~

-Avi

AHHHHHHH SHES PREGNANT AHHHH ;_;
I cried so much during this chapter, you got me crying in class xD
I have a shit ton of questions
1. So the story with rakah -Will we get to hear about it in the next stories?
2. Will the other stories be focused on your characters as well as canon? ( Since this was focused on the kou for example, will we get ones with other characters? such as maybe Sinbad: D (I think you would write for him so well)
3. alma torran- -Will that arc play a role in future stories? it's hinted that the gifts existed for centuries, and I think it'd be really interesting to see that intertwined with the alma torran arc: D (I'm just hungry for a story with that arc)
4. Will Kouen and Ceara kids play a role?
5. what will happen to Masami? Will she pay for what she did? I hope so, it'd be nice for Ceara or the twins to just punch her in the throat or something
xD
I'm both sad relieved magi is ending. I've grown so attached to the series it's gonna be weird expecting chapters to come when they won't be; _; and if things become Canon that I don't like, luckily theres always fanfiction to keep me satisfied: D and au xD
I'm also sad to see this wonderful story end, you be created such wonderful characters that grown attached to it'll suck not being able to see anymore
I hope you write more for magi :D ahh I feel so bittersweet xD

I procrastinated reading this chapter (because school and exams) but I'm regretting all my life choices right now. Still have 1 more paper on monday but I gave in a read this anyway; it sure didn't disappoint!

I liked how Seijin pushed Ceara to kind of stop moping. I like her character and all, and I really appreciate all her flaws that removes her from the category of mary-sue, but Seijin pushing her to deal with her issues was a nice touch, and builds on his character as well.

Aladdin's appearance was certainly welcome, and even though the focus of this fic isnt on him, reading about how sullen or tired he looked broke my heart a little. Ceara's new weakness/issue with the seal was confusing at first, but it really does build tension and anticipation for whatever stuff you're going to write in the future because you'd better explain all these! (Really though, who the hell is Rakah)

Moving on, Ceara and Kouen interactions. Given that this was such a slow burn, the two of them reaching this point is really satisfying, and natural. I think you've done an amazing job in grasping how Kouen would handle such a romance, and where his priorities lie in spite of all that. The smut part felt natural, and it was well done in the sense that I could sense the Ceara and Kouen's characters throughout the interaction, and not just some random person A and person B fucking each other for no good reason, and it wasn't cringy either, so kudos to
you!

Again, thank you for writing this for us to enjoy!
-kei (or crazywordsmith :D)

Hm, can I be constructive and comprehensive this time? Not sure I have the brain power for that. Oh well! I'll just tell you what I enjoyed about the chapter cause that's the best I can do.

I like the opening sequence just because we get to see Seijin be more active. Not that he's been a passive character, but he's stepping up here to keep the plot moving and to keep Ceara from being too hard on herself. As for the plot, I enjoy the extra tension point of territories conquered by Ceara wanting their retribution and whatnot. You thought you knew all the problems? Think again.

And then we have more problems with Ceara's seal acting up. This is a great use of making sure her ability has consequences-you know the troubles that can come from making one too OP, I'm sure. Plus we got some more Aladdin time, who I was looking forward to seeing again, plus Parisa's a magic nerd badass. I'm enjoying Parisa a lot-hoping to see more of her!

Then we have Ceara and Kouen bonding time. I have to say you played a really subtle buildup when it comes to their relationship, and I appreciate it. We've gone through a lot to get them to this point, so the flow feels natural. Good work on that part! As for smut, I'll admit that I've read enough fics that smut tends to lose its charm for me, but you incorporate enough character that it feels like they're building their intimacy with each other and not having a fuck fest for the hell of it. I'm not sure if it came across that way, but I promise that's a compliment.

And then we have the battle transition which means we're into the Civil War arc. Koumei's suspicious, plus Kouen has things set up to let Ceara run away...though I'm sure you'll find a way to twist the tension further and screw that plan up cause you're you and you're awesome.

...I swear I'm looking at things to give you advice on, but I'm having a hard time finding weakpoints. Do you have any areas you feel like you have trouble with? I could maybe search for those...

And three other unnamed stories, huh? I'd love to help with that, but I'd need a bit more clues on what they're about... (smirks)

Anyways, I've never done a five week class before. Ten weeks is crammed enough for me. However, I wish you the best of luck! Do your best and remember to take breaks, Key-chan, and you shall return victorious!

And with that that's all I've got to say. I'll see you around wherever our paths may cross again!
-Avi

And its 0-3 well done, and thank you for this amazing chapter.
Alright let's do this chapter review *cracks knuckles* I adored the Hakuryuu scene it was so cute, I really like those flashbacks with Little Ceara, if possible some more please!
And then came the bedroom scene thank you god bless you woman, from the two densest characters ever they do sure move quickly ;p And yes I whole-hardly agree En would not be soft and sweet. Last but not least there is Mei who is total badass I'm loving it! If only Kouha can make fun of those lovely bruises of Ceara next chapter then I'm a very very happy camper.

I'm so glad you're okay (which reminds me I saw the GOT reference in last chapter title) well please send some Cali sun over here cause its raining too much. I guess that's it.
Oh happy summer vacation Enjoy! And I can't wait till next time -
Love from rainy Holland

my heart bleeds for Ceara.

I'm glad the sousei mystery was unveiled! Gotta say though, I'm kind of disappointed that Sou and Sei knew about the abuse and let it be :( Don't worry about the length of the chapter, it was great! Still, who the hell is Rakah anyway... he didn't die right? Thanks for updating! :)