A/N: Hmm... Time for a new Champion. Smithers the Weapons Launderer, he's an AD champ that uses different weapons for different situations in the time of the day.
Passive: Change of Heart = Gets 40% attack speed increase for 2 seconds when using an ability
Q: Hoist by Petard! = Smithers switches to his spear, increasing the armor/magic penetration, every attack by the spear decreases armor/magic resist of the opposing enemy. Has the longest attack range here.
W: Hold the Line! = Smithers switches to his shield, increasing his armor/magic resist and blocking enemy Hero basic attacks every three times. Shortest attack range.
E: Big Damn Hero! = Smithers switches to his sword, increasing his attack speed, every attack by the sword decreases the attack speed of the opposing enemy.
R: Power of Three = He uses all three of his weapons to reduce all of the enemy's armor/magic penetration and resist, and attack speed to one while increasing his own with the stolen stats. This buff/debuff lasts for two seconds.
2-arousal/border alliance
A journey without a destination;
a voyage at sea with no map.
What awaits after drifting lost
is only a miserable death.
...And yet.
You draw sustenance from fish,
memorize the pilgrimage of the stars,
and land upon nameless shores.
We start as novice navigators, but...
Rudderless boats never find the grail.
2nd WEEK: The second selection
Combatants: 640
Summoners Remaining: 320
Midday, I feel ripped apart to the core. There's Shinji's death. There's what Lou said. Lou's right. I know it's logical. But emotionally, I can't deal with it. Unable to let it pass unnoticed, my Champion talks to me.
"Huhhh? Who cares about stuff like that? Needing a purpose to be strong, needing the resolve to be legitimate–That all sounds like lies to me! You didn't need to know anything about yourself to allow me to be of use to you. You can just go on instinct, even with the big stuff like ideals. That's what you've done so far! That's why you're a fighter... Like him. You're the kind of person who is never crushed under the weight of responsibility. So, please don't say things like that. You'll die if you lose! You can't disappear, Master!" ...All right. I'll keep doing my best, even if I don't know why just yet. After all, I've won once, and I need to keep winning. Also, who is this "him" that she's referring to? Before Caster could answer my query, she disappears again.
Right as I leave the classroom, I hear an electronic noise from my portable terminal.
:: The next combatants will be announced on the second floor bulletin board.
I should hurry to the second floor bulletin board. Opening the doors of the classroom, I enter the hallway.
Just as before, my name is listed next to another on a sheet on the bulletin board. My name is listed first, and then–
Summoner: Shushei Ratuszniak
Battleground: The Second Chimeric Lunar Sea
"...Hmph. So you are the one who will be my next opponent." An elderly gentleman next to me. His hair is almost as long as mine, and his face weathered with marks of aging. But, though he's clearly aged, he doesn't seem the least bit frail. If I had to describe the way he wore his years, I'd say it was like a tree's rings. His scars have become a solid core and tough bark. It is impossible to see his age as a weakness... "You're green. Whatever you may think, you lack experience. That you have let your opponent's appearance shake your resolve is proof enough of inexperience. And your eyes ... they are lost. You are beyond hopeless. Entering the battlefield in that state will prove ... disastrous."
Caster gives a cold glare to the old man, though I'm the only one who can see her currently. "Master, don't let what the grumpy old codger said bother you. Because whatever you chose to do is absolutely, positively right, Master. You're never lost. Jeez! Doesn't he know that old soldiers ought to get kicked off the horse and left behind...? Wait, is that the saying?" She's speaking lightly. I guess she doesn't feel as overwhelmed as I do. Not only is he skilled, but he's courageous and insightful. His words shot clean through my ego.
...Can I win against this man? But, if I lose, then I'll be the one facing death–
I look outside the classroom and see that the sun is about to set. After my opponent is revealed, I recalled something. I think of the girl who gave me advice when I didn't know left from right.
–Lou Tousaka.
Maybe she's on the rooftop again. I should check later to see if she's there.
There's an odd atmosphere in the classroom today. I can only see two other people here, notably distinct from the usual four. "I don't want to believe it... The people we eliminate, do they really die? Am I wrong? They don't REALLY die, do they?" ...Unfortunately, yes, blackboard girl. For the moment, I don't want to recall my fight at the Coliseum... So, I'll leave you alone.
The friendly user next to window greets me, "Is that you, Miku? I guess you advanced, too. You know, half of the familiar faces around here are gone, now that the first round is over... I wonder if you and I will fight, given enough time." That would be quite troublesome for our friendship, wouldn't it? We have an awkward laugh.
Exiting myself from the situation, and in turn the classroom, where I meet with the girl who usually stands beside the door. "Pardon me, but that old man on the first floor is your next opponent, isn't that right? I happened to look at him and he glared at me! Your opponent is a mean guy..." I agree with that statement, given what he said to me earlier. Well, it was nice seeing you alive this round. Good luck.
Another classmate stands beside the entrance to my and Caster's private room. "My opponent in the first round was so nervous that he never stood a chance of surviving. It made me realize that there is no 'next time' in this war. It's pretty terrifying." You're taking it much better than the others, though. I wish I had that kind of composure, maybe I would be less stressed out in this situation.
At the second floor lobby, another participant pats me on the back. "I am sooo glad I'm not you right now, Miku. I would not want to fight Sir Shushei Ratuszniak. That Master is a seasoned veteran. He'll take you to task." So he knows the ins and outs of this game? This is troubling.
"Oh, you advanced, too? Congrats," says the Summoner standing outside the library. "Can't rest on your laurels, though. There's way too much War left." I'm conscious of that, I just have a lot to think about...
I see that the window lady has survived, I wonder what she's thinking about. "That black light must be a protocol strong enough to erode the digital brain of the Summoner it touches. Just seeing it in action is scary enough. I don't want to experience it myself if I can help it..." The black light? My mind flashes to when Shinji was dying; oh, that. The idea of such a program is frightening in and of itself, mind the actual uses of it.
Inside of the library, I am greeted by the friendly NPC standing behind the check-out desk. "Congratulations on winning the first round. Six more rounds to go before the Holy Grail is yours. May the Holy Grail continue to illuminate your path." Oh, thank you.
After going through a few shelves, the other student council member in this room warns me to be careful with myself. "You may have won once, but you can't rest on your laurels here. Do not become complacent, lest you be denied glory when next you fight. May you continue to experience the sweet ecstasy that only victory can provide." Will do, thank you.
Oh, hey. The bookworm's here. "I heard a couple people lost by default because they couldn't get their Triggers. I'm prepared to die in a fight, but to shuffle off the mortal coil due to poor preparation? Ew." That would be a terrible way to end. I just hope that getting these keys won't get any harder from here on. However, there's really nothing we can do about that.
I excuse myself from the library and bump into the most unfriendly person in the school. "Don't walk up to me like you want to talk. You won your first round, you know how serious things are. My only objective is to annihilate everyone save myself."
Making my way to the third floor, Phreak waves to me, "So you made it through the first round, Miku. Congratulations on your survival. The only ways to be released from the Holy Grail War are to win, or be defeated." So we're the only ones on this floor? He nods. All right, I'm going up.
At the rooftop, a distinct person in red is observing the school grounds on the balcony. "I heard about your opponent in the second round," she turns to me. "He's a decorated soldier, although I believe he's retired now. He's an assassin from a kingdom that is allied, whether they want it or not, with the Dinh plutocracy. Things like backdooring the enemy team or sniping an enemy commander are par for the course for him... Get it? He's of a completely different caliber than your first round opponent. Sheesh, you really are pathetic. Your memories haven't returned, and you're weak on top of that. I don't wanna preach, but without your memories–without your reason to fight–you're dead in the water." The ratio of put-down to advice is kind of wonky there. I do get that Lou says I have a handicap. The Holy Grail is won by individual motivation. To lack the core of that motivation is a problem.
"Only soldiers fight solely out of obligation. For the rest of us, we need to keep our eyes on a prize. You're not a strong-willed person or a soldier. By now, you should know that's a weakness Even if you've got the strongest Ultimate Phantasm out there, he'll still make quick work of you." ...? Where have I heard that before...?
"...What's that confused look for? I'm talking about Ultimate Phantasms... Don't tell me you don't know. It's like Jarvan IV's Cataclysm. An Ultimate Phantasm is a power that makes your Champion a Champion." Ultimate Phantasm? Makes my Champion a Champion.
I do believe my questions render Lou Tousaka speechless. "...You don't have an Ultimate Phantasm? That would mean you aren't making full use of your Champion's powers, and yet you defeated the Bounty Hunter? And here I thought you'd relied on a really potent Ultimate Phantasm to defeat the Bounty Hunter... Hmm. I might have to rethink my opinion of you. But, more and more, I'm getting the feeling that something's very off about you. I mean, your memories didn't return after prelims, and you can't use your Ultimate Phantasm, either. You're a troublesome individual, you know that? Maybe a bug damaged your personal data when you exited the prelims. Possibly your Magic Circuit isn't functioning right. In any case, you have to fix the issue. Meanwhile, you better keep using your Champion and updating their Mastery Alteration of the Soul. You may be able to use their Ultimate Phantasm if you strengthen your bond with your Champion. The R.I.O.T is supposed to treat all Summoners equally. If the R.I.O.T sees that you can't use your Ultimate Phantasm, it will take corrective action. One more thing. Defeating an enemy isn't an invitation to forget that enemy ever existed. It's helpful to know who you've fought, so take the time to look over your Matrix." Thanks, you're always a big help. I'll make sure to return the favor in the future.
I fast-travel to the first floor and Caster materializes beside me. "What is the matter? Did what that brazen girl said worry you?" That's right. This smiling girl of a Champion, one just as capable as displaying incredible powers.
Now that I'm a Summoner, of course I can't avoid my curiosity about this Ultimate Phantasm thing. "Anytime you want to see my Ultimate Phantasm, just ask. It takes the shape of my legendary feats. Using my Ultimate Phantasm will expose my identity, so you better not be careless with it." I understand how a great warrior's tactics and tools could telegraph their identity to a wise Summoner. It will be most advantages if I wait as long as possible to use the Ultimate Phantasm... The computer beeps, which ends the conversation for now. I'll learn Caster's identity in due time. She says I'll know eventually, so I don't think it's right for me to keep questioning.
:: The primary cipher key has been generated.
A trial, huh...? Right, if I don't acquire both Triggers, I won't be able to enter the battle.
The fox girl offers a small laugh, "Looks like we have a task to do! Let's complete it as quick as we can, Master!" Then, vanish.
The classmate at the lobby here looks quite stressed out, I should go talk to him. "Seriously though... I thought I was mentally prepared for this, but shit just got real. I mean... Tomorrow we'll be putting our lives on the line. It's kill or be killed, you know?" Oh, so today doesn't count? I mean, I sure hope that everyday didn't count, but that's not going to happen.
I should probably head outside for a bit, some Vitamin D won't hurt for my ... avatar. How does that work? Distracting me from my thought process, I pass by a pair of classmates talking about their exploits from yesterday. "I've always been a military nut, but I never dreamed that I'd get to fight in a war. When I defeated my enemy ... they actually died. I thought this was supposed to be a video game..."
"I was lucky to win my first round, I need to get serious, or things are going to get ugly. Next time, my opponent will be stronger, and that's fine." I've seem to gone by unnoticed.
Since I have nowhere else to go, I enter the archery and meet up with only Summoner that loiters around here with the equipment. "Oh, you've advanced. I guess now we'll find out if it was beginner's luck that you defeated Hackee. In any case, congratulations." I'm not very sure if that was heartfelt, but I'll take it. Thank you. I see that you succeeded too. She fires an arrow and the bolt hit a few inches below the bullseye, I suppose you have some things on your mind... You don't want to talk about it, I'll go back to the main building now.
Ah, yes. Today's a new week so I should go visit Cristina. I pass by the girl that is infatuated with her Champion, "If my Champion was there with me, there's no way we would have lost, but... Once we finished the first round, it was so surreal. I still feel like I'm dreaming..." It is rather surreal to see what happens. Next time, maybe I should just leave like Caster wanted us to.
Outside the nurse's office, the Cristina-obsessed Summoner is still around. How are you? "I hope this virtual illness thing heals itself, otherwise who knows what'll happen to me... Talk about dodging a bullet! My opponent was DQ'd after failing to get both Triggers." That's quite lucky, for you. You'll continue to see more Cristina, from now on. He nods not so enthusiastically to me. His mind must be on other matters, I'll just leave.
Cristina is sitting on one of the chairs inside of the office. Hey there, V. What does the lovely nurse have for me, today? "Here you go, Miku! Healing supplies. I wish you the best of luck this week, too." She gave me ... an Ether Shard. Thanks, Cristina. I'll make good use of this. Aw, she's so cute with that oversized nurse jacket.
Ahem, over at the garden, I notice that the flower girl has passed the first round. "You and I–We're both going to be taking the lives of others, huh? Of course, there's pretty good chance that ours will get taken as well. Cheery thought, huh?" I-I, we...ll. I'm sorry, I think I forgot to to do something.
I swiftly enter the chapel and see the two sisters. I walk up to the both of them to see what they have in mind to talk about.
Shurelia's voice is sounded first. "Used to the Alterations, are you? Good. Your Champion should be closer to what they once were. They've been weakened by their Summoner's rank. You'd better get them back to full strength ASAP."
Nikasaur steps in, "In a world of oddities, Miyuki speaking with a lowly Summoner is the oddest. Must be the e-cigs..."
Shurelia unfortunately nods to her sister, "Exactly! No coffee, no tobacco, and I'm forced to spend my days with a mouth-breathing imbecile! Only the insane could enjoy being trapped here. I can't wait to finish here and ditch this body." ...Miyuki Shurelia continues her tirade but there is something odd about her choice of words. And what exactly does she mean by "ditch this body" anyway? "Did I mumble? Once a magus enters the R.I.O.T, they can't leave until they get the Holy Grail. But I'm not a Summoner, meaning that I'm pretty much trapped here unless I take drastic measures–Such as create a version of myself that'll self-destruct once my business in the R.I.O.T is done." ...Umm... I see what she means, but her resolve is beyond my ability to comprehend.
Nika gives me an amiable pat on the back, "Ignore her. She's just a twisted degenerate who showers what little emotion she has on her dolls. The difference between her and her copies are miniscule. Think the difference between genius and... Anyway, just take everything she says with a boatload of salt. So, up for a Mastery Alteration now?" Sorry, I've already spent all of my points from last time, and I think we're quite satisfied with what we have.
I teleport myself down to the school commissary, maybe they're selling something new now. "Congratulations, Miku," the student council member there addresses me, "I honestly didn't expect you to come out on top... Sorry about the lack of faith. But to survive the next round, you'll need to get even stronger. Be sure to buy everything you'll think you'll need for the trials coming in the week ahead." That sounded similar to an advertisement, a little too similar. Maybe I shouldn't trust these non-player characters so much.
The gorger is here today, too. Why does he so much? "...What was that? Well, I tend to eat a lot when stressed out ... like now. If I don't somehow manage to stay calm, I won't survive even the easiest of battles." How lucky that you get to have the luxury of a great depressant...
Besides the usual two and the the clerk, who happens to have a new item called Remedy on sale, I see a familiar set of four sitting on table in the cafeteria.
The red head waves at me to join them. Hi... "Hey, remember us? Of course you do. Welcome to the Lemon Beach House." Huh? "Bitch please, the LBH... That's our team's name! Just roll with it." ...I wasn't aware I was officially on a team...
Aranarth chips in, "You're not. I'm not very sure how someone like you would be able to participate in team-based tournaments, but since you were on our team yesterday, I'm very sure that you're on it for the rest of the season." He sighs, "Troy."
The voice of Peace4lyphe gets my attention, "OK... So, let's start at the beginning. So... You know about what the League of Legends is right?" Yes... I am aware of it being a battleground for Legendary Heroes to fight against each other. "...Right, it's a video game thaaaaaat recently released a new game mode called the Holy Grail War. Users join in either solo or team queues, meaning that users joined this game with either four other people or just by themselves. Since we lost a man in the preliminary rounds, we guessed that you are his replacement, and for us a total newb." I... "Which is the reason why ... we are going to spend a lot of time training you during this war. You see, if we get more people who can carry the team for us, then it will be easier on us to get the Holy Grail." So, you're saying that you need to train me so then I won't be as much of a burden on you all? He nods.
The tallest student of the group frowns, "All right. What Summoner level are you now? You can check your Matrix for it." Me? Uh... I look at my terminal and it says that I am level nine now... Oh, I could have gotten a new mastery alteration. "...That's not good... Everyone else in this war is level thirty and they know Summoner's Rift like the back of their hand. We got lucky the first round since we were going up against nooblords. We're going to have to get serious from now on." Um, OK. "You are going to have to get to level twenty by the end of the week." Wh-wh-what? "That's the point where Summoners can get actually good runes and you'll have a better understanding of your Champion by that point." Is this a part of the lesson?
"Doncha worry 'bout this, Miku. I'm also kind of new to this game," the thinnest user out of the four pats me on the back. "We can learn together."
The ginger rubs his head in frustration. "Except that you can't, Schwab. No. You're not going to get any better than this... Unfortunately for us. Just do what you do best and tower hug. That's all you're good for." ...OK, what about me? "You? Here's lesson number one: Get wards. Wards win games." Huh? "They're items that provide sight through the fog of war for three minutes. If we have them planted at everyplace we can't see at a moment, we can coordinate our attacks decisively. That's it for today, you need to go do whatever it is you need to." He shoos me off of the table; this person here is quite rude.
The Summoner whose name was ... Jcblatt waves goodbye to me. "If you need us, we'll be here all week ... with tons of MD." MD? I shake my head and go back up the stairs, I'm pretty sure I should just leave.
I take a break in our private room to relax a little after all that has happened. "Oopsy! I, of all people, forgot to offer some well-deserved congratulations. Allow me to congratulate you on advancing out of the first round. Although our enemy thought the Holy Grail War was just a game, he was a very powerful magus–But my Master was able to defeat him! Of course, I expected nothing less than victory!" I still feel kind of bad that I killed an eight-year-old. I mean yes, he was a cruel kid that would grow up to be an evil man, but still... "All we need to do is keep going just as we are! Also... We managed to survive. With that said, there's no reason to dwell on your former opponent, right? Although we've only been together for a short time, I know exactly what kind of person you are. So don't feel that you have to suffer alone in silence, all right?" Yes... You're right, Caster. I'll be continuing to rely on you. I think that's enough small talk for today, let's go to the Mystic Maze.
A student standing outside of classroom 1-A stares at me with her eyes disquietingly wide open."What the...? Miku, is that really you? Did you actually win the round? No way!" I'm quite bothered at this point since everyone's being quite shameless about their expectations. I'll play around... Actually, no. I just lost. I'm only walking around here as an NPC ghost forever haunting the school and in extension, the R.I.O.T. "I mean, Shinji was a total dirtbag, but his hacking skills should've been enough to crush you. Seriously, though. I thought that you'd be one of the first to fall. To think you're not dead yet... Did I say that out loud? Oh man, my bad. I shouldn't have said that to your face... Anyway, it was obvious you won. Otherwise I wouldn't be here talking to you, right?" I see that manners have finally settled into your mind. I'll do you a favor and leave you alone then.
Hmm, the couple also survived. How about that? The boyfriend appears to be very antsy about something. "Have you seen the bulletin board yet? You know, where they tell you who your next opponent is? The minute I saw who I had to face next, my mind went totally blank. Seriously, total shutdown. I guess the old saying, 'karma can be a fickle mistress' still holds true even here..." Wait... Are you saying that...? Oh. My. I offer you my sympathies.
Does the girlfriend know? "That old guy over there... He seems to be arguing with someone... He's obviously upset about something, but ... he's kind of freaking me out, you know?" So, she doesn't. Well, good luck with that.
I feel a presence near the entrance of the Arena and crouch down almost instinctively. It is the old man I had spoken to earlier, Shushei, with his Champion more than likely by his side. "I've just learned the identity of our next opponent. Though young, they did survive the first round. So be on your guard always. And I will not tolerate you acting solely on your 'gut feelings'."
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. I don't care who our opponent is, my only goal is their death. And anyway, they've already killed once, have they not? Anyone who made it through the first round is worthy of a little respect. Or is that just me...?"
"Your arrogance will be the death of us. I need you to obey my commands if we are to survive. No more acting on your own like the first round. Winning battles is meaningless if we lose the war. Do you understand me? I will not tolerate your insubordination a second time."
"I got it, I got it. Jeez old man, you can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."
Caster jumps behind me, peering over my shoulders to get a better look ... or she might just be trying to get closer to me. "Oho, look at the girly man! But the skinny ones are usually the most dangerous for some reason. More impressive by far is the Summoner. He's obviously an experienced player! That punk from round one was a joke. This old warhorse is going to be much more of a challenge."
Wait, how did he pass off for a student? He's too old looking.
We approach the doors. "Heads up, Master. It looks like those two already went into the Arena ahead of us. We might end up having to fight them. I hope you've been up on your preparation. If there are any loose threads you need to take care of, do so now while you have the time." I'm good! "OK, let's get going! Be careful though, this opponent is going to be tougher than the last."
Second Chimeric Lunar Sea - Mystic Maze First Floor
THE GLORY OF THE NIGHT-SHROUDED WORLD AND THE DEFILED FACELESS HERO. WHAT IS JUSTICE, AND AT THE COST OF WHOSE PRIDE?
The moment I enter the Arena, the very atmosphere sends warning messages screaming throughout my brain.
Don't stop–
However, I can't bring myself to move. It feels like both of my feet have been nailed to the floor. It's almost as if my body and mind have become disconnected and fear has taken over my basic instincts. I know that I have to get away as quickly as possible. The longer I stay here, the faster that death will come to claim me.
"Hang in there, my dear Master! Don't zone out on me now!" Um, what is happening to me is far more serious than "zoning out"... But oddly, that comment seems to free me. The sound of Caster's voice somehow relieves my paralyzing anxiety. "This must be–the enemy's Ultimate Phantasm. It looks like he just sprayed poison everywhere. Well, if he thinks this will give him an advantage, he's an even bigger idiot than I thought." Just looking at the always optimistic Caster is enough to put me at ease. However, if this is a result of the enemy's Ultimate Phantasm, we still remain at a serious disadvantage. "With this kind of Ultimate Phantasm that relies on a static field, the source of the field has to be placed nearby. If we destroy the source of the field all of this will clear away in a heartbeat. Let's get going, Master. The source of the enemy's poison has to be somewhere around here!"
As we traverse through the Mystic Maze, my vision starts to get heavy and all of my surroundings are inverting in color. Caster is able to help me through by carrying me on her shoulder. Luckily, the walls around us are transparent, meaning that we can see farther off into different parts of the floor than anticipated.
And sitting far away from us, I see a rather menacing and unusually placed pit in a dead end of the labyrinth. "Aha! Unclean wood sighted! Make no mistake, that suspicious pit is the source! If we destroy it, then it's goodbye to the poison. Let's go!"
All right, let's go to the left since that's where its general direct–Oh, no. It loops back to the starting point and doesn't connect to the well. We have to get back to the fork and go right instead. And while we make our way to the cavity, enemy programs similar to the Kleins from the previous week interrupt us constantly... We don't have time for these ... Pradox... That's such a weird name.
I hear the sound of two voices engaged in conversation at the end of the hall and slowly make my way over. These voices can only belong to two people that I know of. It has to be Shushei and his Champion.
"There they are, Master. It looks like Gramps is talking about something important." In the condition that we are in, it's better to stay silent, stay hidden. I give Caster a meaningful nod and try to quiet my breathing. Attacking now would be a bad idea, especially since I can probably get a lot of information just by listening.
The old man questions his Champion, "What is the meaning of this?"
"What's that? I put up this little barrier so that you'd win, boss. Why wait until the Elimination Battle to take them out? If they drop out now, it'll be an easy victory for us.
"...Who gave you the command to do such a deed? Even scavengers such as vultures that feed upon carrion have at least a single shred of dignity." It's obvious by the heat in their voices that they disagree about what strategy they want to follow. "The use of the corruption pit is unnecessary for this fight. I thought I forbid you to use it. It seems to me that you lack the most important of traits: Pride."
"Pride, you say? Sorry, but I just can't see myself seeking something as useless as that. I mean, I'm all for it if that's all we need to win this whole thing. Really, it'd be the best thing in the world if our enemies would just kill themselves in the face of our Pride! Sorry, I'm not nearly the man you are. I'm just a pragmatist that'll resort to poison if it'll guarantee a kill."
"...I see. Violation of trust. Ambushes. Betrayal. These are the things you rely on in battle." The Champion put up the barrier on his own. It's obvious that there is disagreement about his actions.
"So, those two don't get along at all. Their relationship is totally different from ours, my dear Master. I can't deny his resourcefulness, but since the dawn of time the weak have always hidden behind clever schemes. If the strong were to use poison, it'd almost be like cheating. I can see why Gramps is scolding his Champion!"
Shushei lowers his voice, although it's hard to determine whether he's doing so from scorn or disdain. "I will not order you to lower this barrier now. However, should you choose to disobey me again–" After a somewhat petulant reply of "Gotcha", the sense of their presences disappears and I sigh in relief. So there is discord between my enemy and his Champion. While the differences in ability between us is great, this might be my key to victory in the second round.
I see another bee-like program, however this one is called Insanity. It must be a stronger kind of enemy. It focuses on constantly attacking and not giving Caster much of a break, but we didn't have much of a problem against it and we defeat it quickly.
All right, the well is just around this corner. "Ah, there it is! That's the source of the barrier!" Magic flows from where the crater descends over the Arena. There is so much of it that those who are unprepared would drown in poison. "Take this...!" With a single swing of Caster's arm, the pit that generated the barrier vanishes as if it had never existed. The moment the source of the barrier disappears, so does the pressure and pain crushing my body. But, this barrier... We need to watch out for this Champion.
I leave the area to focus. First, I need more information. "We did it, Master!" I nod, let's get through this floor and get out of here. Next to where the well used to be, a blue Item Folder stands unopened. I have obtained ... a Remedy from opening it. "Master's so talented!" Heheh, thanks.
Further down the maze, we find our path blocked by a gate that's right next to a switch. Unluckily, we also find another Pradox program waiting for us. It isn't much of a problem to kill, but it does take some of our time away. "Awesome, we leveled up!" Caster really does like giving out hugs... Speaking of which, I'm supposed to be level twenty by the end of this week. This is going to be a goal that's incredibly frustrating to get to. I turn on the unattended switch and the gate unlocks itself and opens.
We enter into a room with four new looking programs, two Pradoxes, and another switch placed in the center of the place. "The vibe here reminds me of the Battle of Nasu... Be on your guard!" The new enemies look like ... incredibly menacing box heads with very sharp teeth, if I have to make a comparison to an animal, then I think it looks a lot like a crocodile's head. Or is it alligator? Fishbite is its name apparently. Let's fight these things.
This might have been a bad idea since Caster is taking a heavy amount of damage from the foe. Not only that, the other three heads became very attentive towards our battle and decided to engage us while we were busy... We do pull through in the end and kill the beasts. Wow, that was a bit more difficult than anything we've fought up to at this point. "Are you OK, Master? We need to be careful if we see that enemy again." Thanks, but are you all right? "Since Master kept showering me with healing items, I feel perfectly fine! Thank you, my dear Master!" Let's ... not do that again. I activate the switch in this room; the gate on the other side of the room deactivates and we go further through the maze.
Past the room there are plenty of separating paths. Oh, well. That means we've got a lot of exploring to do. I guide Caster to a slight detour since I saw a red Item Folder at the end of it. We have obtained Durable Gym Clothes. So it's a type of Formal Wear that ... doesn't do much.
Mapping out another circuitous route, we encounter a green version of the seahorse program. This one is called a Swindle and it's blocking a stairwell that houses a green Item Folder at the top. After fighting our way to the top of the hill, we get to the folder and we receive a nice gift.
-TRIGGER OBTAINED-
We have obtained the Trigger Code Gamma. "Oh yeah, we found that pesky cipher key! Or is it a Trigger? I'm so confused... We did it, my dear Master." Don't worry about the name, I'm just going to call it a key since that is what it's used for... So, yes.
The Mystic Maze has reached its end, however Caster and I are unable to get to the exit way since a gate is blocking our path. This must mean that there's a switch around here somewhere. We take the final two deviant routes, and finally find the switch in the last detour. I activate it and the gate opens. Caster, let's go home. "Good work today."
Caster and I are about to head to bed, but before we go to sleep she wants to discuss about what happened today. "Our new opponents are tougher than the first round, but there's one way that they're weaker! Here's why we'll win... The old guy doesn't get along with his Champion. But, you and I are a perfect combo, so we're going to win!"
Today's Results
Triggers obtained: First Floor = Obtained; Second Floor = Pending
Arena Completion Rate: First Floor = 100%; Second Floor = 0%
Treasures Obtained: First Floor = 75%; Second Floor = 0%
Matrix Status: Enemy Champion Info 01 = Pending; Enemy Champion Info 02 = Pending; Enemy Champion Info 03 = Pending
Champion Status:
Matrix STATUS
CLASS: ?
SUMMONER: Shushei Ratuszniak
TRUE NAME:
ULTIMATE PHANTASM:
KEYWORD:
HEALTH = ?; HEALTH REGEN = ?; MANA = ?; MANA REGEN = ?; RANGE = ?; ATTACK DAMAGE = ?; ATTACK SPEED = ?; ARMOR = ?; MAGIC RESIST = ?; MOV. SPEED = ?
? = ?; ? = ?; ? = ?; ? = ?
Matrix KEYWORD
01:
02:
03:
Matrix SKILL
01:
02:
03:
04:
Matrix DETAILS
01:
02:
Matrix STATUS
CLASS: CASTER
SUMMONER: Miku DIVA Hatsune
TRUE NAME:
ULTIMATE PHANTASM:
KEYWORD: Maleficium
HEALTH = 380 (+80); HEALTH REGEN = 5.5 (+0.6); MANA = 230 (+50); MANA REGEN = 6.25 (+0.6); RANGE = 550; ATTACK DAMAGE = 50 (+3); ATTACK SPEED = 0.668 (+2); ARMOR = 11 (+3.5); MAGIC RESIST = 30 (+0); MOV. SPEED = 305
Attack Power = 3; ? = ?; ? = ?; ? = ?
Matrix KEYWORD
01:
02: Maleficium = The Witchcraft that Caster uses is all physical phenomena performed with her own body. While common Magecraft are programs that "recompose what exists around", Witchcraft are programs that "recompose the raw materials in one's own body."
According to Caster's own words: "This time there is only one due to the constraints of the Moon Cell, but originally I could produce a million troops from my multiple tails!"
That is really suspicious though.
03:
Matrix SKILL
01: Essence Theft [C] = A passive ability that activates whenever any of Ahri's champion abilities deal damage, causing her to gain charges of Essence Theft. Each target that was dealt damage will provide 1 charge, up to a maximum of 3 per ability. Upon reaching 9 stacks, her next ability will consume the charges to gain 35% spell vamp when it deals damage.
Essence Theft is not expended if her next ability doesn't hit an enemy unit.
Spirit Rush's 3 separate casts are considered as individual spell casts; it is therefore possible to gain 9 charges by only activating Spirit Rush.
Essence Theft cannot be charged or consumed with her summoner spells or items' active effects.
When Essence Theft has 9 stacks, Caster's orb becomes green.
02:
03:
04:
Matrix DETAILS
01:
02:
Now that that's done, let's go to sleep Caster. I cover us both with the blanket provided to us. Good night.
A/N: I like Zyra. Zyra's really cool.