Part 120: 9/11/09

9/11/09

Things seem to be settling down a bit.



Hey, Aelita…
I wonder why Shinjiro-senpai came back so suddenly…
He seems reliable though.
Yeah, I guess. He’s kinda scary, if you ask me…
But, it doesn’t seem like he’s rejoining SEES just cuz he likes to fight.

More ‘exciting’ lessons on magic.



Are you ready? Then, let’s begin. Today, we’ll discuss the magic of the Renaissance.
The Renaissance was a time when the arts and the sciences enjoyed a resurgence in Europe.
Naturally, this had a profound influence on magic.
It might be more accurate to say the two studies helped improve one another…
As to why the Renaissance helped to further magic…
They had found a way to escape the rule of the church.
By studying the teachings of previously forbidden sects, the knowledge of magic spread greatly.
The Renaissance also brought about the revival of ancient Greek and Roman literature.
Magical texts, such as the Hermetica, received new translations and study.
Philosophy, natural history, alchemy, astrology…
The book was filled with a wide range of subjects, and could be called the bible of magic.
Just as science and astronomy have made strides in the modern day…
So, too, has the art of magic.
You can see this in the emergence of a great magician, who applied the knowledge of the Renaissanc.e
John Dee was a professor who advised the Queen of England, but…
…with the magical knowledge he obtained, he was able to talk to angels.
Then there was Hohenheim, a doctor who traveled across Europe…
He became known as Paracelsus, a renowned physician and alchemist.
Of course, a magician’s life wasn’t an easy one.
Both men lived lives riddled with persecution.

I swear the man lives off of picking on me in these lectures.



Here’s a test to see if you were paying attention.
Get it wrong, and your house will become irrevocably haunted. Bagahi Laca Bachabe…
Now… Who should be my victim? Aelita, I ask thee.
Which book helped further the art of magic during the Renaissance?
The Hermetica.
Correct. Back to your peaceful life.
Magic at the time had a great influence on the church-ruled society.
Several magicians were involved with the central part of the Renaissance, the religious revolution…

Akihiko asked me out at lunch, so we headed down to Wuck after school.



> The inside of the restaurant is busy…
Aelita, there’s a table open over here.
Man, it’s crowded in here. Is there a promotion going on?
That reminds me, the other day Mitsuru…
Child’s Voice: Noooo! I want a milkshake!
> A small boy sitting with his family at the next table begins screaming…
Mother: You already said you wanted to have juice! You can’t have both!
> The mother’s voice is getting louder as she argues with her child…
> It’s reaching the point that your ears are hurting…
> What should you do…?
Senpai, should we leave?
Huh? Is something wrong?
> Akihiko is surprised…
> It seems that Akihiko wasn’t bothered by the commotion at all…
> The family at the table next to you has gotten embarrassed and begins to leave.
> The child’s screaming slowly recedes into the distance…

I wouldn’t have minded so much if he’d kept it down to lower than a jet engine.



> Akihiko is absentmindedly watching them off…
He’s just a child.
Then you shouldn’t hold it against him that he’s acting like one…
> Akihiko laughs…
> Akihiko suddenly falls silent…
Aelita…
Do you think I’m… strange?
You’re charming.
Th-That’s not what I asked.
……
> Akihiko blushes…
Sometimes people tell me that I’m a weird guy, or that I act kind of strange…
Normally, I wouldn’t let that kind of thing get to me…
But back in the day…
…They’d say I was like that because I didn’t have parents.
It’s not like I could do anything about that…
That’s why… I wanted to show them that they were wrong.

Akihiko was telling me about his past a bit.



…I mean, the orphanage wasn’t all bad, either.
> Akihiko smiles gently…
Oh, sorry.. I don’t think I ever told you.
I don’t have any parents. My sister and I grew up in an orphanage.
…My sister’s long gone too.
…That reminds me, you don’t have parents, either.
Ah, sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up…
……
No, wait… I think that might be why I wanted you to hear what I had to say about this.
…Because I think I can depend on you to understand me.
> Akihiko smiles wryly…
> You feel like you understand Akihiko a little better now…

It’s funny, my parents died but I never really felt like an orphan. Can’t really explain it.



I’m sorry for talking about that sort of thing. We should start heading back.
> You returned to the dorm with Akihiko.

I didn’t feel like making anything for dinner so I headed out, managed to talk Shinjiro into coming along again.



> You came here at Shinjiro’s request…
This crossed my mind the last time we ate here…
Those guys eat on their own, right? Well… Are they doing okay?
What do you mean, ‘okay’…?
Your body’s your most important tool.
Still, all those guys ever eat is instant noodles and stuff like that.
> Shinjiro is sighing…
…Well, Persona is supposedly the “strength of the heart…”
So, I guess it might be better if they eat what makes them happy. But…
You’re so kind-hearted.
…Don’t be stupid.
> Shinjiro seems a little embarrassed.
If you get the chance, let them know.
Tell ‘em they need to eat better.
They won’t listen if it comes from me. Especially Aki…
> You can sense Shinjiro’s serious feelings towards fighting and the other members of the group…
> You feel like you understand Shinjiro a little better now…

Ken really wouldn’t like eating out with him I think, because he’s pretty serious about vegetables.



…You are gonna eat those vegetables, right?
> Under Shinjiro’s harsh stare, you made sure to clean your plate.
> You and Shinjiro went back to the dorm.