Part 20: Never concerned with status; But still leaving 'em star struck

~Update 10.5 (Feene Bonding): Never concerned with status; But still leaving 'em star struck~

Now that Feene is on board (halfway through the game) it's time we do our final catch-up. Well, possibly final anyway. Always a chance you guys could scrap all three of our focus heroines and pick new ones.

Feene will be getting an introduction, classmating sequence, and her first set of bonding events. I will also give her a summary, the same kind I did for Serina/Fuuko/Torri. After that, we'll check in with our focus heroines for one more set of events before I start the next big vote.

But first, Feene time.


-Redux-

You ready?

Indeed.

I am steel.

Possible NSFW warning. Feene's is really not that bad though. Just the usual glowly body stuff.
Feene Transformation - Check out the cutscene




Steel knows no doubt.



Steel knows no fear.



When faced with my enemy, I hesitate not.



I am a weapon to destroy these.



Iron-Blood Transformation!



Feene's transformation is very elegant. She has the whole battle princess thing going on. I don't have a lot of input on this one, because I really like it. My only complaint is that, like all the heroines, Feene has to use a gun weapon. This is despite her skill in fencing/swordplay. The only reason I can see for it is that it would be a little dangerous for both her and Wake to be attacking an enemy together up close, considering Wake uses twin four-foot blades with a tonfa-style grip.

The Star Children helped you with that, didn't they?

Yes. I wished to prove myself a worthy partner in battle, so I requested advice from your Star Children. They were very helpful.

Yeah, they're pretty great.

Very wordy though. Maybe just shorten it to the 'Iron-Blood' part.

Still, good showing. That's all for today. I'll catch up with you later.



Here is Feene's stat spread. Unsurprisingly, she's a mage tank. She has amazing DEF and MDF, great MAT, good ATK, and garbage SPD. She is also Dusk Element, which means she can deal super effective damage to Fire/Aqua/Wind/Earth enemies.

This is also Feene's major drawback, unfortunately. Fire/Aqua/Wind/Earth element enemies have been showing up a lot so far. However, as we get closer to the end game, more and more enemies will start showing up with the Ether element. Boss fights especially start churning out Ether element shit constantly. Ether is effective against Dusk, but not the other way around. Non-element is also effective against Dusk, but not the other way around.

So Feene's effectiveness in battle is on a downward slope as soon as she joins, which is a shame.


Music: Feene's Theme: In the Sky of the Native Land

-3rd-Year Classroom-

Huh... I figured Feene would be here...

*Feene arrives*

Ah, hello, sir. Are you looking for someone? I would be happy to call upon them for you.

That's fine, Feene. I was looking for you.

For me?



I am forever in your debt for saving my hometown. When I left home, I made a solemn vow that I would help you any way I can. Now, sir, let me know what I can do for you.

Okay. Could we start by you not calling me 'sir'? Just call me Wake.

...! I don't want to appear difficult, but allow me to call you Mr. Wake.

It's a start, I guess.

So, what business do you have with me?

I just wanted to properly introduce myself. We're going to be doing that whole 'Classmating' thing, so I feel like it's appropriate.

You do not have to worry about offending me. As I have said before... I came to this Academy to repay you for what you have done.

When you need me, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sounds good. That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for humoring me.

And thank you for being so considerate.

I was on active duty in my hometown for a long time. But now I've been recalled since the Dusk Circle has been sterilized. If the situation changes, there is a possibility I will return to the front line. Until then, I plan on remaining by your side.



And there's the 'sir' thing again. Going to take some time to break her of that habit, I guess.

I'm going to sprinkle in a few sub-events throughout the these bonding updates. As I mentioned before, a LOT of these damn things sprouted up when this chapter started. I want to fit them in somewhere before they build up too much.


-Dojo-

Hey, look at you. Someone's in a good mood.

A friend of mine just sent me an update from the continent.



So, yeah, I am in a good mood.

He must be good.

He's an S Rank Disciple, just like me.

This is one of the S Ranks that I mentioned which we don't get to meet. Based on what Ruby says, there shouldn't be many more of them out there.

He's kind of like the second-in-command for the Fencing Team. He and I are pretty evenly matched when it comes to swordplay.

By the way, he seemed really interested when I started talking about you.

Unfortunately, he's going straight to his next mission. So, he won't return to the Academy for a while.

Too bad. Probably would have been a good match for me.

So, I was wondering if you can do me a favor.

Can I send him your picture? He didn't want to bother you, so could you do it as a favor for me?

Sure, I guess. I don't really mind.



So there's no need for you to take off your clothes.

Excuse me?

*Triche takes a pic*

Thank you. I'm sure he'll be thrilled. I'll make sure to get this to him. See you later.

A swimsuit? ...Well, I did say I wanted fans.

Wake appears to have drawn the attention of some male admirers. Makes sense.


-Hallway-

Wake, are you coming to today's meeting?

Yeah, I've got the time.



The Aquatics Team trains Disciples to exterminate underwater Nests. So you can imagine that the training is as intense as the Fencing Club's.

That sounds terrifying as shit.

I think this will be your first time cross-training with the Aquatics Team.

Cross-training is about exchanging each other's training regime. That means the Fencing Club is going to do the same training the Aquatics Team does.

Of course, we make an exception for team members who can't swim. In that case, they'll just do their regular training.

Don't worry about me, I can swim.

We're not... using the pool though, are we? The same one the women's team trains in?

We're using the Men's Team pool. Why do you ask?

No reason. I'm good to go, then.

Glad to hear it. By swapping regimes, we're able to maximize the effectiveness of our training.



Seriously though. Can you imagine diving to the bottom of the Atlantic or something and having to battle swarms of aggressive sharks or whatever ungodly horrors are lurking in the depths of the ocean?


-Dojo-

Hey there, Wake.

I just had a meeting with some alumni.

Former students?

Yeah, the Disciples who graduated from this Academy...



And they take great pride in their alma mater, which is why they still visit. A few of them were Disciples before this was even officially the Academy. The director of the Field Hospital was a Disciple then.

And I know another alumnus is currently here as a teacher. It's a small world, my friend.


-Hallway-

Hey, what a coincidence. I was about to go to the cafeteria to get some soba. Care to join me?

Sure. I could go for some lunch.


-School Store-

I love soba more than anything else.



I already have a whole bunch of ideas for it.

You've really got a thing for that stuff, don't you? Also, it's a bit early to be planning for the School Festival, don't you think?

Don't you think it's better to savor such a delicious thought?

A soba booth at the School Festival... I'm going to have to make that happen.

You do you, man.

Interesting stuff. Well, that gets Triche's sub-events out of the way. Some of it was informative, most of it was silly.

Back to Feene for a little.


-Ritual Hall-

Alright, we're going to try Classmating today. You ready?

I know the basics of what I have to do...



You are the hero who saved my home. I am confident that we will succeed. But please, forgive my apprehension. I have never done this before...

Don't get worked up about it. We're just here to get you used to it this time. Just relax.

Then that is what I will do. I shall repay my debt any way I can.

I am still inexperienced, so I must ask for your guidance.



Feene is most suited to Paladins at the moment. Paladins are a bit of a special class in terms of use.

They have high DEF and MDF, while their SPD and TEC aren't great. Their ATK is pretty good, and they have an oddly high MAT. They don't really have the skills to take advantage of that however. They have a physical skill and some supports that raise DEF (because, come on. They're Paladins), but attack magic is not their forte.

Putting them on a Magic focused team can give the magicians a much needed shot to their DEF though. Plus, it will increase their likely already impressive MDF, and also boost MAT. You can also stick Paladins on a fast team to make them a bit more durable at the cost of a bit of speed.



We've also picked up various other new classes. So I'll introduce another one now and then spread the other 3 out across Chloe/Narika/Ellie.

Magic Knight is an upgrade to our Swordis type classes. They have some physical attacks, some magic, but not really the best at either of them. Mostly a filler class in my opinion. Good for balancing the team's stats a bit or activating team skills, but not really worth making them the centerpiece.

*huff* Was... Was that alright?

You did fine.

Phew... That's quite a relief. I'm glad a Star Child was born since we did all this.

"All this"? Kind of an exaggeration. You barely touched me.

Huh? W-Was that an exaggeration?



Well, either way, you did a great job.

O-Oh, n-no! It was nothing!

But still, Star Children are quite sweet, aren't they? And it's even more precious when it's your own.

When you enter a Labyrinth with this child, please, take me with you. I would like to grow with this child.

Yes, yes. Everyone wants in to the Labyrinths. You'll get your shot, Feene. Although it will probably be when I go to clear out W. Wind Tunnel.

Luce is next on our 'clear out the sub-event cache'.


-Hallway-



Sure is.

Well... If you'll excuse me, I should be going.

Wait, that's it?

Yes... Uh... s-sorry. Is there something you wanted to say to me?

I mean, not really. I just figured we were about to have a chat, there.

A chat? Between me and God's Gift...

W-Well... Umm... What do you want to talk about?

You're looking really nervous.

Huh? Y-Yes, a little...



"Heaven-sent"? Wow, haven't heard that one yet.

I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way.

Then, uhh... What wonderful weather we're having.

You're repeating yourself.

R-Really?

How about we try this whole thing again another time?

Sure... I'm sorry. I'll try not to get nervous next time.

Luce is quite possibly the only student in the entire Academy that holds actual reverence for Wake. Maybe too much reverence actually.


-Hallway-

Wake. Chlotz isn't with you?

No. I managed to give him the slip a little while ago. I think he's still back in the classroom.



I wanted to thank him, so I made him lunch. I wonder if he wants it...

Are you kidding? Chlotz? He wouldn't hesitate to scarf down that entire thing.

Chlotz is such a nice person. He still cares about me, even though I'm in the Standard class.

I'll admit, he has been improving lately.

Uh-huh. I'll go check out his classroom then. If you'll excuse me.

*Luce leaves*

(I don't even have to sabotage him. There's no way he can pull off a girl like that. He is going to blow it so hard. Someway, somehow, he will screw it up.

Gonna pause it here for Luce. This update is supposed to be about Feene after all. We're going to check in with her again.


-School Grounds-

She wasn't in her classroom... Dammit, why are some of the S Ranks so hard to track down? They're like ghosts sometimes.




[Male Disciple A]: Whoa, she's even more beautiful in person...


[Female Disciple B]: Look at her go... We need to scout her out for the Aquatics Team!


Something going down over at the gym. Might as well check it out.


-Gymnasiumn-



Got it! Hah!


[Male Disciple B]: Hole crap! She nailed it from all the way across the court!


She sure can draw a crowd.

Hm...? Oh, you're here, sir. If you've been watching all this time, I wish you had let me know of your presence.

I only just got here. Sure are a lot of people out here to watch you.

Yes, I suppose. I was told that sports like Starball that are unique to the Academy aren't popular...

Starball? Not familiar with it.

It's a sport that's only played at this Academy.



This replicates a Chained state on an opponent. Then you'll have a chance to shoot, earning points. It's used as practice for Chaining.

But still, I didn't know that it could draw this large of a crowd... It looks like the Disciples here quite like Starball.

Yyyeah, I don't think sports are the reason why all these people are here. They're here to see you, Feene.

Me? Is it so strange to see a Disciple return from active duty? Or is there just something strange about me?

Do you really not realize how popular you are?

...?

Okay, well putting that aside for now. Did you join the Starball Team?

No. A classmate of mine asked me to help her practice. I tried to turn her down since I had never played the game. But then P.E. started, so I ended up helping...

I'm worried you think this is ridiculous.

I don't think that. Besides, it doesn't matter what I think. If you want to join then you should.

I have no intention of doing so. As I have said before, I may be called back to the front line at any minute...

A Starball team is made up of five people. I don't think it would be a good idea for a newcomer to suddenly join and then leave.



I turned each of them down for that exact reason. Besides, I already have a way to spend my time after school...

Oh, that's cool then.

Oh, I have a wonderful idea! I promise I won't take up too much of your time, so would you please come with me? Please, think about it...

Yeah, sure. I don't mind. Lead the way.

Thank you. Would you be so kind as to wait for me by the flower bed? I'll be out shortly.

Got it.

I will be right back.


-Flower Bed-

Wonder what she wants to show me. Maybe she does gardening?

*Feene runs in*

*pant* *pant*



Hm? What do you have there? A camera?

Yes, indeed it is. I found it while perusing the general store the other day and I just could not say no.

I was thinking I could send some photos to the folks back home. So, there you have it. Would you do me the courtesy of being my model?

You want a picture of me?

Of course.



Now, if you'd be so kind, I would like to capture the essence of the hero inside you!

Uh, well... I'm not really sure how to do that...

Is that... going to be a problem?

N-No, it's fine. Let me think... essence of a hero huh?



As funny as it would be to go with the option that I'm sure everyone is looking at, Wake is all about that henshin hero stuff.

For those curious, choosing the flower fairy thing makes Feene look at him like he's a massive weirdo, then makes him agree to both of them never mentioning that ever again.

I shall protect the world's peace!

Ooh!

You look just like a superhero! You look like Red from Frontier Squad Gunsoldier!

That is exactly the essence I wanted to capture!

Feene's totally a closet otaku.

*Picture flashes*



I mean, I don't mind it, but I'm going to cramp.

Yes, you may. I think I have more than enough photos of you like that. I used to watch Frontier Squad all the time with my friends as a child... I'm sure that my friends will be tickled pink when they see this.

Kind of wish you'd told me you were going to share this, before hand.

Thank you for today.

I will make sure these photos get to my friends right away. I hope they will like them...

They must mean a lot to you.

We have all been together so long, ever since we were children. We played together, we fought together, we laughed together... We were a family.

I can only imagine how much they miss me. I thought it would mean something to them if I could send them some photos.

Well, I guess I can't object to that then. You must really miss them, too. Ever think about just going back to be with them?



Alright, take it easy.

Still, I have to admit I'm kind of jealous of you and your friends. I don't think anyone would talk about me as highly as that.

Hoho, I'm sure they would. Your friends are all such good people. Although my contributions may be meager, I will support you to the best of my ability.

Don't talk about yourself like that. There's already more than enough of that going on around here. You're great, and you're definitely a welcome addition to the group.

Oh... Um... Th-Thank you... I swear I will live up to your expectations, at least while I'm here...

*ahem* Now then, I think I shall take some photos as I walk home. I intend on spending my time after school practicing my photography.

Have fun. I hope you get some good shots.

So do I. It looks like my afternoons are going to be busy.

So unlike Chloe and Narika, Feene is more than willing to tell everyone 'no' when they try and rope her into shit. Good for her. Although her reasons for doing so are less 'leave me alone' and more 'I have a higher calling'. Whatever works.

Back to Luce. I know everyone is dying to know what she is up to.


-Student Council Room-

Hello, Wake.



This month we're including a special column about the Standard Class.

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you know about the Standard class?

Ehh, well... I think I remember Chlotz mentioning something about how the Standard class students aren't ranked. That's about it.

That's true, we don't have any ranks... Instead, each grade is divided by courses like linguistics or athletics.

I'm in the linguistics course, and I get credit for defending Fort City. There are lots of courses available to the Standard class.

So we plan to interview members from each course for the bulletin.

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it. Looking forward to how it turns out.

Me too. Please be patient and we'll do our best.


-School Grounds-



You're worrying too much.

Well... Triche's there, so you should be fine.

Shouldn't you be going? You're gonna be late.

Be careful, alright?

I'm fine, don't worry.

*Alec leaves and Wake approaches*

Hey, Luce.

Oh... Wake, hello.

Was that Alec you were talking to just now?

He stopped by to tell me he can't patrol after school today. Even though he's busy, he always finds time to help me out.

He seems to really worry about you. Not really a side of him I've seen too much of.

Huh?

The only other time I've seen him like that is back in the city during the monster thing. He looked really concerned about you.

Alec and I have been friends since childhood.



When we were kids, he would always come save me when I was in trouble. And it looks like he still thinks I can't watch out for myself.

That does sound like a 'him' kind of thing.

He can't protect me forever. His mission is so much more important.

And honestly, I wish I could help him...

Okay, that's finally done. Now all that's left is Mark, Ruby, Chlotz... god dammit...

Not going to subject you guys to those right now though. We'll use those as a break between Chloe/Narika/Ellie events.


-3rd-Year Classroom-

(She said she was going to be taking pictures after school. So where...)

Wait, what's with that crowd?


[Starball Player]: Come on, don't be so uptight! Play some Starball with me after school. I thought we could be friends, y'know?





[Male Disciple C]: Hey, aren't you being unfair? Feene belongs in the student council!


[Female Disciple B]: She should be on the Aquatics Team! We're already so low on members as it is.


Unfortunately, the people nagging her are persistent and Feene isn't quite aggressive enough. Come on, Feene. What happened to that gumption you had back when you kicked that Fencing Captain's ass?

Er... But... I have photos... to take...

(Just one time I'd like to see one of these girls take control. I thought Feene was going to be that girl. Oh well, we'll fix that eventually. For now...)

Feene, I need to speak with you for a minute. Could you come here?

Huh...!? Oh, OK. I'll be right there! Pardon me... Please let me through...



Take the hint! She has important stuff to do!

So... what is it you wish to talk to me about, sir?

It's Wake, Feene. Wake. And let's talk outside. Come on.

Oh... Please don't pull on my hand. I won't run away...


-Courtyard-

This should be good.

Is something urgent, sir?

No, nothing is going on. You just look like you needed a hand to get out of there.



Um... But... U-Ummmmm... Well...

What? Did I step out of bounds?

O-Oh, no... That's, um... not it... It's just rather difficult to talk to you while you're still holding my hand...

Oh, right. Sorry about that.

N-No... It's fine. You were such a big help, after all.

I feel as though I have declined every club in this Academy at least once... But I feel so fragile when I'm pressured...

You're not the only one like that. Narika and Chloe kind of crumble the same way.

It's sort of understandable though. They're all desperate to get a Disciple of your caliber to join their clubs.

Huh... Is that so?



You're... serious... aren't you?

Ignoring that for the time being. Have you taken any pictures to send back home?

Unfortunately, I have yet to do so... I find that if I stay at school after the final bell, I get swarmed by people... I'm flattered that they want me to join their clubs, but it's not what I want to do...

Then just join the Photography Club. You like it, and if you join a club then the others can't recruit you to theirs.

I thought the very same thing, but this school doesn't have a Photography Club. There used to be one, but not anymore... I suppose certain frivolities can't exist in times like these...

Then start it up yourself.

Me!?

But wouldn't I need to get permission from the Academy...? Would they approve of such an irresponsible club...?

It's not irresponsible, Feene. As for approval, you're an S Rank that helps seal Dusk Circles, I'm sure they'd be willing to let you have that one thing.

Huh? Th-Thank you... But in troubled times such as ours, I think it may be out of place at the Academy...

(Oh Star God, is it really going to be this difficult with her? Come on...)

Listen, you're serious about Photography, right?

I am serious about it. It may seem irresponsible to others, but it's important to me...

Then go and ask Chloe about it. Don't think, just do. The worst she can say is 'No'.

Sir... You're right.



Okay, well let's make sure we don't apply that approach too liberally. There are times--

I really feel like I could start a Photography Club now! I'm going to go talk to those teachers right now!

Sure, whatever. You're fired up, that's all I really want right now. Let me know if you need any support.

Thank you. Oh... There's a flower blooming behind you. Please allow me to take a photo.

*Feene snaps a pic*

....Oh, I'm sorry. That same flower grows back home, so I couldn't help it...

Come to think of it, you took my picture here last time too.

Yes. This is one of my favorite places.

It's a nostalgic place for me, filled with flowers from my hometown...

Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so melancholy... Now, if you will excuse me.

I want to research how to apply for a new club immediately.

Good luck.

I'll do what I can. Thank you for all your help today.



So that's Feene. Everyone pumped for some damn Photography!? I thought so. Here's a summary of the following events to maybe bump up the interest.




What happened last?: You just read it.

What happened next?: I don't have a movie reference for this one. Wake goes looking for Feene out by the flower bed and instead finds a stray cat.



Said cat has Feene's ribbon on it and seems to want Wake to follow. The cat leads Wake to the old schoolhouse where he finds Feene trying to clean it up a bit.



She's not especially good at it. To be perfectly honest, I'm not even entirely sure how to use that thing myself. Doesn't look like an especially effective duster. With Aterra's level of technology I'd figure they would at least be up to early Swiffer levels. Anyway, the Academy gave her permission to use the room for her Photography Club, which is why she's getting it all spruced up. Wake gives her a hand since Feene admits that she's kind of a complete idiot when it comes to housekeeping, to the point that she needs to remind herself to be careful not to step into the bucket and run into the blackboard when cleaning the floors.

Feene says that the cat is a stray that she fed and which took a liking to her. She wonders where he is, only to notice that he apparently swiped some food that she had laying around. Little rascal.

One day in the halls while Wake is looking for Feene, Chlotz bugs him to go get something to eat. Wake tells him that he can't because he's going to Photography Club with Feene. Chlotz immediately assumes that Wake is going to take pictures of her "silky smooth, milky-white, precious nudity" (actual quote, but it's Chlotz so does that really surprise you?). His reasoning for this is that why else would Wake join a Photography Club where the only other member is a girl? In Chlotz's mind, "photographs = nude, dude. It's the eternal dream of all men!" Feene walks in on this at the exact moment you'd expect. Chlotz then tries to distance himself from the comment, then passes the buck to Wake, then he bolts. Feene quietly muses to herself if she would be worthy of having those kind of pictures of her taken by Wake.

Moving on from that little bit of weird, Feene meets with Wake in the schoolhouse for Photo Club and tells him that the picture he took of her trying to clean was really popular with her friends. They apparently liked seeing a different side of her. One they have never seen. Feene doesn't know what they mean by that, they don't want to explain it to her because she needs to figure it out for herself, so Feene decides that she wants Wake to take more pictures of her. Wake then officially joins the club, Feene says that she knows a way to repay him for everything he's done for her, which leads to:



So Feene is weirdly into that idea, but only once Wake learns how to take artistic photos. It's gotta be tasteful nudes, you see. Wake of course tries to explain that it was just Chlotz being a douche, but Feene has this whole 'debt repayment' thing about her. She might only be able to pose in a swimsuit rather than full-on nude, but she promises either way. Wake just rolls with it because there's no point in trying to argue with some of these girls.

The two then go out to a shop in order for Wake to get his own camera. In the midst of this, Feene finds a camera that has some kind of magic lens that "magically crops out curtains and other obstructions from photos". Feene ponders why someone would want to crop out curtains, because she's incredibly niave and pure, and Wake responds with this gem:



Good stuff. Also this place should be shut down for some incredibly shady voyeur shit. Wake eventually spots one particular camera that the shop clerk says is a classic, the first magic-optic camera ever made: Raika. It apparently required a lot of Star Energy to operate, so it was quickly discontinued. It has a badass name and story behind the name, and Wake thinks it's elegant and suitable for taking Feene's picture, so he tries to buy it. Smug shop clerk says that it's a good display piece, so he can't just let him have it.

As most people with more arrogance than sense, the shop clerk does the thing where they make some comment about only being worthy of it under certain circumstances (in this case, having enough Star Energy to be able to actually use it), Wake does it with ease because he's fucking God's Gift. Shop Clerk then tries to renege on the deal by saying that Feene would have to do it too, which she proceeds to do easily since she's a fucking S-Rank Disciple. Wake then gets the camera when the shop clerk gets cornered in his own smugness.

The clerk also implies that Wake and Feene are in a relationship, Feene denies it, says she is too young for those kind of relationships (16-17? Come on, Feene. Get out of here with that), then says that she sees Wake with pure and clear eyes while beet red.

Finally, Wake and Feene meet up one day so that Wake can get some shots of Feene. We are then introduced to that Starball player from earlier, named Aya, who 100% wants inside Feene's skirt. She's also the NPC douchebag for this route because we didn't have enough of those already. After trying to insinuate that Wake is waiting to pounce on Feene like a starving dog, she tries to twist his words to make him sound like a jackass that is insulting Feene.




Aya is a creeper by the way. She asks Feene to send pictures her way when she gets some good ones (of Feene she means), and Feene later mentions that she can now use the pictures to repay her debt to Aya. Feene is... slow on the uptake. She doesn't realize that a ton of people in the Academy, boys AND girls, want a piece of her.

Also, I have no idea why Aya's database entry has her in a Standard class uniform. I'm not sure if the translation is wrong and she actually is a Standard instead of an Elite, or if she was originally a Standard and later changed to an Elite but the art team didn't bother to redo the portrait.

So that's Feene. There you go.

Oh, wait. There's still the formal costume vote:




The next two updates will be for Chloe/Narika/Ellie. They get one last set of bonding events before you all have to cast judgement once more.