IIRC, the first (and to some extent, the second) volumes of Negima were quite heavy in harem antics, until Evangeline started her business, and the whole pactio and ability exploration (typical of shounen) began in the Nara arc.

So I guess you’re right: the romance element in Negima is relatively small, and aside from the blatant aspect of the fanservice, I’m more interested in Negi forming a pactio with everyone in the class. It’s sad though, that he has to say ‘normal again’ when referring top the manga going back to non-combat or even ‘harem’ status. Guess the publisher still has some expectation of this series (or if anything, are primiarily motivated by money. Which is not unusual. Heh.)

I didn’t mind the last 9 chapters (volume of 27) being mostly action. It was a change in degree concerning the level of action and power, and nothing else, so I wasn’t really bothered. It’s easy to notice such a shift, but I wasn’t worried…I sorta had a feeling Ken would return to the balance like it was before chapter 241.

It’s nice to hear the editors aren’t forcing Ken to do anything he doesn’t wish to do. Heh, I love Ken’s analogy. Oh, that reminds me… Nagi’s shoryukens vs that Mage of Beginning was definitely not a coincidence. That Valkyrie Profile too.