i was reading a few previous chapters when i chanced across something nodoka said in chp 258 that might explain stuff (unless the translator was an idiot):
"Alternate planes...traditionally, places 'not of this world,' where spirits and the souls of the dead can be found."
maybe the magic world is full of dead people O_o. it suits rakan, though, because then he's already a legend. On the other hand, it doesn't make sense to be saving dead people from death.
EDIT: omg, chp 260 last page, considering that the girl with horns is actually tatsumiya in disguise, does that mean the other guy is takamichi????