Part 51: Chapter 8-4: Those Who Can

Part 8-4: Those Who Can

Now then! What mischief shall I get up to today?


Con and Crisis

Sue, Sue! I’ve got a new request for synthesis!

Ah! Lydie, well done! What is it for?

We need to deliver ten portions of this medicine. Here’s the note.

Hah, that’ll be easy… L-L-L-Lydie! Look at this!



Uwah, you walked into this one, Lydie! There’s a penalty if we don’t deliver, too!

Wah, I’m sorry, Sue! W-What should we do?

What do you think?! Do the best we can in the time we have available!



S-Sophiiiie!

W-Whatever is the matter? You’re paler than a Puni! Tell me, what’s going on?

Someone gave me a request for synthesis. She told me ten portions of medicine by tomorrow, and handed me this note… saying a hundred by tomorrow! And we have to pay a penalty if we don’t finish the job…

I see. Whoever gave you this job is a bit of a sneaky one…



Come on, Lydie! No need for the waterworks! This would have caught me out too, I’m telling you.

But… but…

Alright. Girls. Will you lend me your cauldron and some materials?

Whuh? Uh, sure thing!

Now then. Materials, materials… This, and this. Mix them together!



What? You’re joking! You did all that in an instant?

Yep. There’s a hundred there, but you should probably count them, just in case. Make sure you check the fine print from now on. You’ve got a delivery to make, anyway!

Hmm… Wow! T-There’s really a hundred of them! Amazing! Sophie is just amazing!

How cool was that?! I want to be just like her when I grow up! …Hey! We need to deliver these, now! Come on, Lydie! Let’s go get paid!

Hahaha, yes!

They find their client, but…

…What do you mean you don’t have our payment?! Feh! Thanks for nothing!

Uwah… was this all just a cruel prank?

Grr… Let’s beat it, Lydie!

After they get home…


To The Letter

An alchemy question? Yeah, I dunno what Sophie did, but-

Not about that. Something more simple. The recipe says to add the materials like this, but why do you think that is?

Why? Because the materials fight, surely?

Excuse me?

Because if you put this one in first, this one gets all crabby and upset, right? That’s why you have to put this one in first.

Ah, I see! Their properties conflict, so you have to follow the recipe!

Yeah, that’s it! Conflicting properties!

Interesting. You don’t remember the terminology, but you understand the process.

Hold on. You’re not saying I’m at some kind of disadvantage here, are you?

Not at all! You just explained something very difficult to me! I’m impressed. Still, though… I’m not going to lose to you, Sue!

Them’s fighting words! I won’t lose to you either, Lydie!

Haha! In which case, you can start by learning all the proper lingo.

Eh…? I’d rather not…

Hehe! Guess I win this round, then!

Bleeh!

Still though… we needed Sophie to save us earlier. So we’ve still got a lot to learn. So… why don’t we pay Ilmeria a visit?

Sure thing! Race you there!

Eeeeh?! Wait up!

Hmm, what to do… Lydie is one thing, but Sue…


Teaching Style

Oh, you heard that? I was just thinking about the best way to teach you. Thinking about the best way to help my students grow is a part of my job as your teacher, after all.

Uwah! You’re so incredible, Ilmeria, I don’t know what to say…

Incredible, you say? Actually, recently I’ve been thinking about what kind of teacher I should be.

What kind? No, wait… a kind of teacher?

Well, my teacher was also my father. He was very, very strict. Of course, I improved and matured a lot, thanks to him. But it was also very difficult. So I’ve been trying to find an approach that differs from the one my father took.

I see. I hadn’t really considered the need to be a “kind” of teacher before.

Nor I, until now. So that’s why I want to ask you two… What do you both think of me? Do you think I’m doing well as your teacher?



T-That was a little too smooth. You don’t have to worry about my feelings…

We’re not. You’re so kind, and you always listen to our problems.

You explain things clearly, and help us with so much. You really are a great teacher!

Girls!

Ah! And more importantly, you’re so cute!

Hahaha! That’s right! That’s very important!



Hehehe… you’re even cuter when you’re pouting!

You might be right, Sue. Hey, this feels more like we’re becoming friends, doesn’t it?

…You continue to underestimate me, girls! I’m going to teach you how fearsome I am!



W-What?! That’s not fair!

I think that’s one of your flaws, Ilmeria!

Silence! Students must listen to their teacher! Come on, move!

Ah, we just got a bit carried away! We’ll apologize! Forgive us!

Ilmeria has acquired the skill “Hard Work’s Reward”.

A new Combination Art for Firis and Ilmeria “Crimson Treasures” is unlocked.

Hard Work’s Reward - Increase Follow-up Skill damage.

Uwah… maybe we pushed her a bit too far this time, Sue…

Hey, at least she let us off the hook in the end! Now! I think we’ve got some shopping to do on Soleil Street…


To Each Their Own

Hey, it’s Firis. Is she out shopping?

Just a little more! 850! Please? Come on!

Okay, okay! I can’t resist your passion! Here you go, 850 Coll. No one else is going to buy this, anyway. Go ahead!

Great! Heheh, thank you!



Haha, you saw that? Something I was taught. The best way to make a purchase is with a discount!

Y-Your methods seem a bit rough, though! What were you buying, anyway?

Hahaha! A really cute toy.

Cute? I want to see it! Can I take a look?

Hmmm. Alright. Just for you, Sue. Ta-dah!



Sure did! I’ve loved this character for ages. I buy one whenever I see it! Heheh, those big round eyes and vivid colors. So charming! I can’t take my eyes off it!

Ha…haha. I think Firis’ views on cuteness…

Yeah. They’re a bit different from ours.

Right! Your name is “Googly No. 6”! Come on, let’s go home and take a nap, Googly!

Firis has acquired the skill “Carefree Girl”.

Carefree Girl - Increase ATK and reduce damage taken from an enemy 3 levels or more higher than you.

Heheh… you go ahead and do that, Firis…


(Lots of) Jobs and Jealousy

I couldn’t! I just couldn’t! Just give me a little longer…



I wonder. Maybe he knows? Well… there’s only one way to find out! Alt! We’re coming i-



Alt, hello. Why do you look so exhausted?

You’re not hungry again, are you?! That’s no good! I’ll make you something right away!

I’m tired, yes, but I’m not hungry. I’ve been inundated with work recently, that’s all.

Wow, I’m jealous! What have you done to attract it all?

Jealous?! There’s nothing to be jealous of, I assure you. You see… Oh, no!!

Alt, baby! Ah! He’s really here!



N-No, I can’t! I’m too busy to take any more…

Come on, do this favor for me! Here’s the request! I’ll be counting on you!

Ah, I’ll leave mine here for you too. Bye-bye!

T-That was one-sided! Is that…

Yes, that’s why I’m getting so much work. Look at this.



“Alt, the handsome young alchemist who’s the talk of the harbor. A special on this cool and…”

That’s enough of that. So it’s an article on you, and it even says where your atelier is.

I don’t know who wrote it, but I’ve been swamped with women everyday since.

Huh. Good for you, Alt. Spending every day surrounded by girls.

It’s not good at all! You try getting this much work! It’s soul-crushing! …What’s more, I hate this kind of attention. I just want to be left alone.

I can see you’re having a problem, but I don’t think there’s much we can do to help.



Uwah, this is absurd! What did I do to deserve this?!

You’ll be fine. Just fine. I’m sure you’ll be enjoying yourself before you know it. …Let’s go, Sue.

Wait, Lydie?! Uh… Best of luck, Alt!

Sigh…


An All-Alchemist Party…?

Hey. You’re distracting me. Go away.

Come on, I’m not getting in the way. I want to learn about alchemy too!

Why? You’re not an alchemist.

Think about it. Everyone adventuring with Lydie and Sue is an alchemist, aside from me!

Now that you mention it, that’s true.

It’s cramping my style! Not to mention I spend every day surrounded by bombs! That’s why I’m here, Alt. I want you to teach me alchemy!

Why me? Although, I guess sometimes a miracle can happen. You never know. …Very well. As a special favor to you, we’ll start from the basics. First… Here’s some materials. Let’s start you off with making medicine.

Just chuck em in and start mixing right? Alright! Here we go!

Wai-



Oh dear…

I’ll get it right this time!

Y-Yeah, that’s the spi-

Wait, what’s with this stench… uwaaaaah!



So it turns out as expected. No miracle here. Mathias, you’ve got no alchemy talent at all. Not even a glimmer of something we could work with. I mean, absolutely zero potential at all. Nothing.

Gaaah! Rub it in, why don’t you!

Basic ability plays a large part in alchemy, after all. You need to give up and do whatever it aaaaaaaaagh!



Oh look, another hunk of man stuff! But I still prefer Alt!

Gah! H-Hey! Help me, Mathias!

So I’ve got no alchemy talent at all, and he also gets all the ladies? Seriously?

Come on! You might not be an alchemist, but be optimistic! You can use a sword really well!

No, you’re just saying that. I’m nothing. A Puni. The king of rotten Puni, that’s all!

A-L-T! Baby! I’ve got a request for you, honey! Are you ready for my request? Do you accept it?



Sigh… Enjoy yourself, Alt. I can’t take this…

Later that day…

… Hey.

What’s up? You look pretty serious. Not thinking about learning alchemy again, I hope?


Alt’s ONE WEIRD TRICK For Pickups



You… you really aren’t serious, right?

No, seriously!

…You are so stupid, I don’t know where to start!

Come on, help me out! I think I’m pretty handsome, right? So why do the women all prefer you? Why? Tell me!

Do I have to spell it out? It’s just a matter of character.



What?! You’re making me mad now! Even I’ll get mad at a comment like that!

Just listen. The reason women like me is because they want a quiet, intelligent type.

Oh. That almost makes sense.

If you really want to become popular… there’s only one way to go. Right?

Y-Yeah…

If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it. Let’s both try our hardest, together!

Alt! Thanks so much for this! I’m going to be the talk of the town!

That’s the spirit, Mathias! Let’s get started at once! So here’s the secret to looking intellectual. A surefire way to pick up ladies…

Later…



Hey, Mathias. What are you doing in Alt’s atelier?



Mathias? That is you, right? You seem different from normal…

What’s wrong? You’re actually making me feel all weird…



Sue. I don’t know what all of this is, but I can’t take it. Come on, let’s go.

Yeah. This creeps me out. Goodbye!

Well, that’s that…

Hey! Thanks for nothing. That didn’t work at all!

I noticed. Your complete lack of intellect made acting like an intellectual impossible for you. I was hoping you’d be able to take some of the heat off me, but I guess not…

Oh, you’re going to feel heat! When I get my hands on you, you’ll burn!

Hahaha! Come on, does it matter? I think you’re best when you’re just yourself! Although you’ll never be popular with the ladies! Hahaha!




GET BACK HERE!!