Atelier Lydie & Suelle Part #10 - Chapter 3-2: Encounters, Lessons and Visits

Part 10: Chapter 3-2: Encounters, Lessons and Visits

Part 3-2: Encounters, Lessons and Visits

One morning…

The Boss on Soleil Street

Of course! Hehe, a great chance to pick up some more snacks, too.

The twins leave for Soleil Street.

I see. I think I understand, then. This could be called an opportunity.

Hey. Those are some unusual clothes…

You’re right. I wonder where she’s from?

What about that other business?

Ah! Well, I’m sorry to report, but we’re having some issues with selecting a location…

I see. Will you please get it done as quickly as you can? For our future plans, the acquisition of the land is a most important starting step.

V-Very well! All understood, boss!

Tiny catgirl and her subordinate leave.

Boss? I guess that means she’s someone important.

Hahaha… You’ve been reading too many comics again, Sue… Anyway, let’s hurry. We’ve got some studying to do.

The twins go home and commence studying, but…

Study Break

Uwah, my head is starting to hurt… Lydie, what does this mean?

Let’s have a look. You need to add them while mixing…

Ah, Ilmeria! We’ve been waiting for you!

Oh, you have? Do you have a question for me?

I’m tired of studying… Let’s have some fun!

That’s brave of you, Sue. To say that right after I just praised your diligence.

But all this reading wears me out! I really need a break!

Hahaha, I’m sorry… Sorry Sue is such a bad student…

Hah, I guess it can’t be helped. I was going to give you these later, but here’s some sweets.

Ah! Are you sure? These are expensive!

Are they? Don’t worry about the cost, just eat them.

Great! I love you! Let’s eat!

One study break later…

Wow, they were really good. So rich, but then they just melt in the mouth! I think you ate a few too many, though, Sue. Keep that up and you’ll become fat!

I needed sugar after using my head so much! I watch my weight, don’t worry about me! I’m still growing, too! Everything I eat makes me taller, not wider!

…ugh.

What, really? We might be twins, but I’m taller! Are you sure you aren’t getting wider?

N-No I’m not! You’re taller by, what, a centimeter? Maybe? That doesn’t even count. I’m growing every day! I might even overtake you soon!

…Uuuuh!

Um, Ilmeria? You’ve been moaning and groaning to yourself over there for a while now…

Fun fact: Lydie is 150cm, Sue is 149cm, and Ilmeria clocks in at 147cm.

Oh… Don’t tell me, you’ve got a bit of a complex about your height?

Hahaha… I don’t think we should bring up height around her…

I’ll check in on you later, girls. Bye-bye.

Okay… anyway, break’s over. We should practice synthesis some more, Sue. How about another Uni Bag?

Let’s, and then call it a day!

That’s a wrap! …Wait, Lydie, what’re you doing?

Diary Entry
Music: Flying the Nest -Lydie & Suelle-

Great, thanks. Let’s take a look. “Today I changed the way I made some cookies. I hope they turn out nicely.” …Ahh!

There’s no need to read it out loud! Hold on, Sue, why have you stopped?

Lydie, what’s this? There’s a drawing of a cat in the corner of the page?

Oh, that. That’s Cookie! A cookie fairy that I thought up myself! Although he’s only just been born, he works every day to bring cookies to the people of the world!

This is good. Real good! It’s so cute, I love it! Hehehe, I’ll draw him in my diary tomorrow as well, then!

Hahaha, I’m glad you like it, but you already don’t write enough in your diary, Sue! We started swapping these daily diaries to help you with your writing.

Hey, look! Chocolate Chip Cookie! What other kind of cookie would be good?

At least she’s having fun… Hey, Sue. What about a Green Tea Cookie?

That sounds great! But for now, let’s go to bed. We got another long day ahead of us tomorrow.

The next morning…

“Smooth” Talking

What? No! No way! Let’s go shopping. I’ll carry all the bags, OK?

Sounds good to me. Off we go!

The twins don’t even make it down the block when…

Are you t-talking to us? Have we met before somewhere?

I always make such a strong impression. We did meet briefly, in the castle. Our meeting here, however, is surely due to the guidance of god himself.

Uh-huh. Sure.

Would you care to join me for some delicious cake, perhaps? My treat, of course. Well?

Delicious cake! Sue, we can’t turn down an offer like…

No, thank you.

You’re kidding! Why? Why would you turn down cake? You were dreaming about it the other day!

Sure, but this creepy guy is super suspicious. I hate these kinds of slimy smooth talkers.

Smooth talker? You think that’s what he is trying to be?

I said no, thank you very much. Let’s leave this toad by the roadside and go do our shopping!

Hahaha, looks like her mind is made up. Hope we don’t see you around! Bye-bye!

The twins leave to shop.

Gah, mission failed. I guess I pushed my normal approach too hard? This is a problem, though. My sister is going to kick my butt again! Man, this sucks.

Sheesh, Lydie, remember Promise with Mom Number 4? “Stay away from strange people!” Especially creeps who just offer us sweet treats like that!

You’re right, Sue. Anyway, now that we’re on Soleil Street, I’d like to visit Hagel; we made some Ingot the other day and I get a feeling he’ll know what to do with it.

Sure thing!

Hagel’s Offer

W-Whatever is the matter, Hagel? You gave me a real scare!

Ah, I’m sorry, girls. You’ve just got something there that I’m really quite interested in!

Specialized gear! Yes! That makes us sound super rich! Hagel! Tell us more!

No problem! First things first… I’ll need all the requisite materials.

Like for your Beginner’s Staff, Lydie, I need two Ingots—or any stronger metal like Silvalia—some Gems, and some Cloth. The better you craft your weapons materials and cloth, the stronger I can make your customized gear! And that’s how it works!

I see. So we bring you the right materials, and you can create order-made equipment for us?

That’s right. You’ll quickly form an attachment with items made just for you, and they’re strong too! You can bring me materials any time, girls! I’ll make the perfect gear for you!

note: later on I’ll post a more detailed rundown on crafting weapons and armor because the equipment crafting system in L&S is legitimately pretty janky, and tests your knowledge on various aspects of the game’s alchemy system (hitting effect level thresholds and trait transfer). Aside from which, we only have access to the most basic materials at the moment, so I can’t show off the full depth of the system just yet. Anyway!

Alright! We took a few detours, but now we’re home with the groceries.

Hey, Lydie. Sister Grace had that board game for us, right? If we go now, we can play a match and make it home before the time Dad and us agreed on.

Okay! I’m excited!

The twins go to the church.

Sister Grace! Let’s finally play some…

A Game… no, Confessionals

Talking?

My daughter is so rebellious! She won’t listen to a thing I say. Sister, please. What should I do? How can I get through to her?

Sometimes, I think you need to try and see things from her perspective. In order to create a common topic to talk about, how about trying something that she likes?

Like what? I’m sorry, I’ve got no idea what it is kids are into these days.

Young girls currently love a romance series called “Created Eyes”. For clothing, the brand “Lumoniel” is popular, and for food, a cake called the “Shucool”.

R-Really? You know so much, Sister Grace…

I do my homework. May you and your daughter find the blessings of God.

Thank you! Thank you so much!

She’s in touch with the youth, that’s for sure. I can’t believe she’s in her fifties!

Me neither. She looks only about twenty, too!

H-Hold on! She’s not a vampire, is she? Sucking blood in the shadows?

Knowing the trends of the world is a way to help others. As for my appearance…

Yes? What’s the secret?

… I was born with it.

… Right. Back to work.

Hold it right there, young lady. God would at least allow you to crack a smile!

Hahaha, she really is young at heart, isn’t she?

She is! But Lydie… about the game…

Oh! We didn’t get the chance to ask her. Oh well. Let’s go home and meet up with Dad.

That afternoon…

What They Lost

Yep, all of it. Dad, can we leave yet?

The family leaves for Honnete’s grave.

Heheh. We’ve been working really hard! We’ve got a mentor and we’re even better alchemists now!

That’s right! We’ll have the greatest atelier in the kingdom before you know it. Just watch over us!

Quite a lot of time has passed… since we lost Honnete, hasn’t it?

I know. I disappoint them at every turn! They’re getting a bit rebellious, too, for their part.

Isn’t that also because of your behavior?

You don’t hold back, do you, Sister? They need their mother, that’s all. There’s so much they want to say to Honnete. Things they can’t really say to me.

That’s probably because they understand too, in their own way.

I wonder…

Roger. I think it’s about time…

Girls! We’re heading back. Get ready, come on!

Roger…

I’m sorry, Sister. I’m a weak man, that’s all there is to it.

Dad, what were you talking to the Sister about?

Grace? Ah, she chewed me out. She told me to provide a better life for you.

She’s got a point! You’re not allowed to buy any painting stuff for a while!

That’s not going to happen. No one can quell the fires of creation in my heart!

The Malen family leaves for their atelier.

Almighty God. Please, grant that family your protection.

That evening, after more studying…

Catalysts

We’re getting better, slowly but surely, aren’t we, Lydie?

We are! We’ve definitely earned this break…

Guwah! Cough, cough!

Ilmeria… come on. We were just enjoying a snack!

Oh dear. Sorry if I surprised you.

You did! So no unannounced lecture today. Sit down and eat some snacks with us! Alright?

Nope, my little learners, that isn’t going to work. I’ve got something important to teach today! If you don’t know about this, you’re lower as an alchemist than a Puni! No, than water fleas!

Water fleas! I don’t think I like the sound of that, Sue.

Me neither. Very well, we’ll give up on snack time…

Good. I’m about to teach you about Catalysts. Let’s get right into it.

Alright, so… what are Catalysts? What do they do for alchemy?

They are elements that influence synthesis.

They can cause more colored spots to appear, and create reactive spots which can enhance or dilute effects, or even allow you to transfer more traits, or hit higher effect levels. Some can raise the quality of your final product, or allow you to make a bomb or elixir that has more uses. A few even allow you to make two items with one synthesis! More potent catalysts can even cause more spots to appear in your cauldron period, so you have more room to use components and get the most out of your ingredients. That covers it. Did you get all that?

Yes! Mixing in a Catalyst allows for even more incredible synthesis!

Sue, are you sure you understand? I guess that isn’t incorrect, but…

Just give it a try and you’ll get it. Here’s your reward for making it through the lecture! I’ve got some delicious pudding here. Let’s all eat it together.

Yes! I knew we picked the right teacher!

Me too! Thanks so much, Ilmeria!

Hehe, thank you. So… this one is regular, and this one is pumpkin…

After they finish their study break in earnest…

Sue! I want to try out a Catalyst!

Sounds great! What should we test it with?