Part 27: Chapter 5-5: Pranks and Powers

Part 5-5: Pranks and Powers

Right, Lydie. Are you ready?

Yeah. I’ll do my best.


Growing Pains

Phew. How was that? What do you think?

Hmmmm. I think you’re finally getting some biceps?

Finally! I am working out every day!

Five sit-ups and three push-ups isn’t really what I’d call working out…

Huh?

No, I didn’t say a thing. I think all the fighting we’ve been doing has helped you, too. You definitely won’t be defeated by a Puni anymore, for example! They could KO you in a flash before!

C-Come on, a Puni? I’ve never been defeated by a Puni! Never!

Haha, I saw it! A single attack! But don’t panic. You just get stronger at your own pace, Lydie.

Sue! Thank you, I will!



Like I said, that isn’t really what I’d call working out… but at least she’s trying…

Speaking of fighting! Someone in town wanted some Chaotic Dirt. The memo on the Notice Board said that we can get it by beating that giant black monster in the Luminous Ice Grotto.

Ehh? I’d rather not… but then again, work is work.



Let’s get this started!



I’ll protect us all!

Okay!


I’ve been editing out all the worst of the typos in the game so far, but no hiding this one!

I’ll use this move of theirs…



With this ore… Take this!



Did she just…? Argh!





Raaaaagh!



We did it! …Wait, Sue?

We need a word with Lucia once we’re outta here!

Later that day, at Atelier Borthayre…

Hey, Lucia. Can I ask you something?


Thievery or Flattery?

That’s right. Stole it right out from under you!

Wow! You just admit it!

Do I have anything to feel guilty about? Think, for a moment. The liberal “borrowing” of techniques has always been a thing. Especially useful ones! In other words, me stealing it is proof that your technique is good! Worth stealing!



I can’t accept that, you dummy! Although it’s not like we were hiding it.

Yeah, that’s true. The more people who can use it, the easier battles will be, too.

Fine. Lucia! For your crimes, just make sure you work hard!

Ohohoho! Of course I will! You can leave everything to me. Observing Lucia Style Battle Mix will be to see true art in motion! Ohohohoho!

Sigh. Anyway, Lydie, there’s more things we can make to help us gathering in the field.


Gathering Gloves and Gags

Let’s start with Gathering Gloves! They can help us find more rare materials in the field!

Shame we have neither the acumens nor the catalysts to make the best possible gloves… oh well.



Ta-dah! Check out these special gathering gloves! We can get all sorts of rare materials with these!

In theory, sure. But they look just like regular gloves…

Ah! Don’t touch them with your bare hands!



I’ve used a special processing on the palms of the gloves. They stick to anything rare they touch. I guess that’s good news for you, anyway! The gloves think you are rare, Sis! Hehe!

Hey, if you’ve got time to laugh then you’ve got time to help! Uggggh, get these things off me!



Gah, get off me! Waaah! I can’t eat like this! Waaah!

Later, after Sue gets bored of this spectacle…

Hey, Lydie, remember our old hobby?

Fishing? We… oh. Right! We can synthesize a fishing rod now!

One synthesis without meaningful effect thresholds later…


An Old Hobby

Hehe, I’m glad, Lydie. That means we can add some fish to the dinner menu tonight!

Yep! We’ve got confidence in our fishing skills, after all.

All those days, suffering without money, holding our rods over the water in the hope of eating some fish! What was it they called us? The Merveille Fishing Twins?

We had to pawn that rod in the end, so we haven’t been fishing for a while… But my skills from that time remain intact!



Muwahahahahaha! Anyway, I was thinking of doing some shopping on Soleil Street. Wanna go?

On Soleil Street, the twins find…


Buying Ideas

Ah, excuse us! Drossel?

Hey, girls! What’s up? Here to eat?

No, we were just passing by. What about you, Drossel? What are you doing here?

Shopping, of course! There are so many great things on sale here in Merveille! Hahaha. Which means I’ve bought too much again!

Oh. How much did you spend?

About 30,000 Coll…



Sue… I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

But it’s still a lot of money. And you can afford it, Drossel? Won’t this make Mr. Fritz mad?

No, it’s fine! Reading lots of different books is best for a writer.



R-Really? I can see him at least sighing a bit over this…

No, it will be fine. Hey, there’s something I want to ask you. Do you know somewhere fun to do shopping? Can you tell me?

What, you’re going to do more shopping? Uwah! I’m jealous. I want to be able to spend too!

No, Sue, you can’t. Right, well, on this street there’s a place called the Corneria Enterprise…

The Corneria Enterprise… Right, thanks!



That’s not the way! Ah, she really gets lost, doesn’t she?

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Drossel heading in the correct direction toward anything… Right?

Speaking of Corneria, it’s been a while since we visited her last. She’s just up the street, so let’s go see what’s up!


Trading and Logistics

Corneria, do you have a problem? Maybe we can help you!

We solve problems for everyone in the city! At least, that’s what we tell ourselves.

Hehe, is that so? In which case, let me try out your services. I want to bring in new products from my hometown, but it’s a bit too far away. Watches and autographs are one thing, but cakes and vegetables won’t last the trip.

I see. I wonder if we could do something with alchemy? Like, a portable ice room?

Oh, good idea. That would stop things from spoiling!

Yes, that sounds like quite a good idea. Can I hire you to make that?

Yes, leave it to us! We’ll make it so you can bring in all the delicious cakes!

The twins run off toward Lune Street.

Ah, well, this is about more than cakes… no matter. I’ll just wait and see what you manage.

Ooh, Lydie, should we drop by Ilmeria’s before doing the job for Cory?

Hehe! Let’s!


L’s

What’s the matter, Punyu? Are you hungry? I suppose you must be. Hehe… I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll make you something extra delicious. It’ll be worth the wait.

Punipuni!!

My word, did you see that, my dear? Our beloved teacher Ilmeria has a mile wide smile.

I did indeed see that. She really does love that Puni.



Hehe, sorry. We just wanted to have some tea with our teacher…

And we simply happened to come across such a hila-… I mean, fascinating scene…

Ooh… Ooh… Don’t you mock me! Don’t make fun of me like that!

We would never! We would never make fun of you! It’s completely normal to care for your pets.

Exactly. Besides… When you’re so head over heels for your Puni, you act in such a classical Ilmeria-like way!

What’s that supposed to mean?! You are making fun of me after all!

Haha… But Ilmeria… What was it that made you decide to keep a pet in the first place?

Oh, yes. All of a sudden you just seemed to have one. What happened?

…I was lonely.

…Huh?

I… I was lonely, alright?! I hated coming back to an empty atelier every night! That’s why… That’s why I wanted a Puni to be here to wait for me at the very least. I-Is there something wrong with that?!



Ilmeria! Please feel free to come and visit us anytime you like! We’ll have a warm meal waiting for you!

That’s right! Come everyday… In fact, why not come and live with us?!

Feel free to rely on us whenever you need us! After all, we’re your loyal students!

Yes! Come here, beloved teacher, and give us a hug!



Punipuni…

Hahaha! We’ll be back later, Ilmeria!

Still though… it’s not like we have much to feed her with when she does drop in.

Maybe we got a little carried away. Anyway, Ice Box time!



We have looooots of Ice Bombs ready, right?

Yeah! We just need some water, wood and hidden power to round it off.



Now let’s take it to Corneria!

Mmm! Time for all the delicious cakes from wherever she’s from!


The Merchant’s Trademark

Oh, it’s so cold! I could even carry raw meat around using this!

That’s great! Now we’ll get all the cakes!

Hehe, I do have to thank you somehow, don’t I? What would be a fitting reward?

Y-You don’t have to do anything special, please. We don’t need anything…

Trust is an important part of my business. I need to thank you somehow… Ah, I know what to do! I’ll start my volume retail service!

Volume retail? What’s that?

Here’s the thing. I have a unique ability. Sue, will you lend me an item for a moment?



Thank you. Now to get to it… Hm… Haaaha, teyaaah! There, what do you think?



No, this is my power. I have the ability to copy objects.

Copy objects? I can’t believe it. How is such a thing even possible?

It’s a very rare power, apparently. It’s made me very popular.

I bet! Being able to copy items out of thin air like that? That’s almost too convenient!

Very well, Corneria. Can we ask you to provide us with that volume retail, too?

Yes, of course. I’ll give your requests priority, so feel free to pile them on me! No problem!

Oh! One more thing, Corneria. The items you copy… are they just like their originals?

Yes! Right down to their quality and traits. …Oh, and prices will scale with the quality of whatever you want me to copy, as well as what the items themselves are. I won’t charge you as much for copying wheat as I would for gems, for instance.

That’s only fair. Hmm… I can think of something I want you to copy already!

Oh? Go ahead!



Ooh, that Red Neutralizer that we got to have the effects of gunpowder? Having a ton of those on hand will be super useful for making more bombs!



And we could always use more Moffcloth to help forge better armor.



Okay… Moffcloth and Red Neutralizer. Give me time and I’ll have even more of these items ready and waiting for you!