Part 29: Update XXVII - For your forgetful self

Update XXVII - For your forgetful self



Music: School IV


Here's hoping the note holds a clue, I'm not looking forward to another trip into the Amnesia Zone™.



Unfolding the memo, I read the four words written there— [What is your name?] That is the only thing written.

"What is your name?" Oh yeah, my name is...oopsy! I almost let my name slip out! Hey... So that's what they're after?!

What's the point of the question? But to ask my name in a Reality Marble that induced amnesia— Could this be a way to defeat the barrier? If so, how do you keep your memories once inside? ...I really should try to answer the question while in the Marble, but how will I recall my name? Maybe I should ask someone's advice about this...



It's inevitable, even if I wish it weren't. When the time comes, I won't go easy on you, okay?



I couldn't have said it better.

Hahaha, thanks. Great minds think alike. We're bros...! Er, no, more like enemies of a like mind.

~

Go easy on me.

Do you know what you're asking? In asking for kindness, you're being cruel. Aaagh... That makes me want to spare you the pain even more...



Well, it's more like I'm absorbing data that I can hopefully unravel and make sense of someday.



Going to start a collection? There could be Red Alice, Pink Alice...



That kiddy Servant used a magic that high-powered? I'll have to be careful of that...

~

There seem to be cyber ghosts in the virtual space here. But this is a virtual world, so it isn't like anything was even alive in the first place.

~

I injured my enemy in the Arena. My next enemy might be you... *snicker*





Once disaster strikes, it will be too late.



I can't identify who is responsible, but this action is...troubling...



Let me think...

That puts Rani deep into thought. I feel bad, seeing how serious her face looks.

Is it all right if I carve a seal into your body? Don't worry. The pain is momentary. It's not enough to break your soul so don't worry.



...Carve? ...Break my soul? That's where I politely decline...



Alright, Rani was... a bust, but what about Rin?



I explain the situation to Rin Tohsaka, who responds in an irritated tone tinged with worry.

So, you want a way to recall your name in a Reality Marble designed to eradicate memories, right? Hold up a sec... Did you say Reality Marble? That little brat's Servant actually created one?! To be able to affect the entire Arena for such a long period of time... Definitely suspicious. She isn't a Heroic Spirit, but some kind of malicious hack... I wonder how long she'll last...

...Th-That's nice and all, but does she actually know of a way to get rid of the Reality Marble?!



Can it really be that simple?

...On my hand? ...I see. What a blatantly, painfully obvious suggestion. Even if I forget what the word means, if I can remember to read it out loud, I'll be fine...maybe.

No maybes about it. Sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. Leaving a memo is required to make a barrier. It seems the law of the playground applies here.

To not think of such a simple solution... Yeah, I feel like a total idiot right now... Regardless of my embarrassment, I make an effort to thank her for her help.

Wh-Why in the hell are you thanking me for something so trivial, you idiot?

And as expected, a vituperative response. I know we may have to kill each other, but still, I wish we could get along better. ...Whatever the case, I'd better write my name on my hand before I forget...literally.

Things that have survived Hakuno's amnesia: knowledge of the Holy Grail, a handful of recipes, and the meaning of the word 'vituperative.'

_{(It means bitter and abusive. )}





Taiga has shown up again.





Good job, soldier! I shall keep this contraband under tight security. Oh, by the way... Your wonderful teacher has another favor to ask. Care to listen?



Of course.

Yay! You're my hero. Anyway, there is talk of an ice flow on the second floor of the Arena. So... If you could grab some chunks of ice from it, I'd really appreciate it. Why do I need ice? Well, let's just say it's for something that only an adult would understand. If you get some ice for me within the third round, I'll give you one of my prized possessions!



There's a short scene out by the fountain.

Why'd they get so mad? Maybe 'cause they were scared of going away for good.

But they just had to remember their name!

Uh-huh. But maybe no one can.



And then they leave.



And, of course, the proud gladiolus is oft associated with "forgetfulness." Is there something in your past you'd like to forget? Or is every memory precious to you?



The code cast attached to it can restore your Servant's HP. I would recomend using this if the effects of Ether Fragment aren't cutting it anymore.



Do you think that maybe she's some kind of witch or something?

~

I ran into my opponent while in the Arena and pushed him around until he ran away. There are no more enemies in my world, just obstructions. Just vermin to be killed...Hehehe...



Alright, here's hoping this works.

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor


Whoever, or whatever, Alice's Servant is, they have enough juice to keep this running for a full day.







Francis...Xavier!

Franci...Xavi...?! —Wait, calm down. Don't panic. I'm not sure what these words mean, but I know it's dead wrong. This other name below Francis seems okay to read out loud though.

I love Hakuno deciding to troll her future-double-amnesiac self by writing a fake name.

And before you ask: no, actually naming yourself Francis Xavier doesn't change the scene at all.

~

Hakuno Kishinami.

Hakuno Kishinami! The words that come out of my mouth mean nothing to me. But the atmosphere, so hostile before, instantly loses any sense of foreboding.







The twins pop in.









Are you sure? Is it gonna be okay broken?

It'll be okay, Alice. We gotta wait for now, but we can have lots more fun later!



Goodbye, lady.



And then they leave.







All we get from Level 2 is a single keyword.


...the hell?

I tried googling around to see if this was from something related to Alice in Wonderland, but all the results I could find lead back to Extra-related sites. So, uh, don't do that.



Thanks to all that running around yesterday, a good chunk of the floor is already mapped out.



But now, enemies are spawning like normal.



The yellow bees are known as Earthcalls.



This dead end has a chest.





I gain a level off an Earthcall while retracing my steps.



Weather Drives are also here.



Right next to it is Taiga's ice.



Now that the color filter is gone, I can get a better look at the castle.





And a different angle.



This far corner has a chest.



While this path leads to a switch right across from where we caught Alice last time.



The switch opens a gate further ahead.



This week's sealife consists of jellyfish.



Holy shit, a second new enemy type in one week! Someone better tell the art team to slow down before they blow the entire budget!





This thin fellow is called a Monophobia.



He likes to groove.



West of the Monophobia is a chest, and we can see the exit portal across the gap.





Heading around leads to a second healing fountain.



Fairy tales are only entertaining when they're just children's stories.

We can see the entrance from here. The entire floor has just been a massive loop around the edge.



Although there's no hidden path for a shortcut like last week.



The gate we opened earlier is right next to the exit portal.



It goes up a fair bit.



At the top is an icy platform, with two Monophobias guarding the Trigger and a bit of gear.





I swap the Rusty Sword for the Imp's Belt. You never know, buff negation could be handy.





And that's our Triggers for the week!





We can get some nice shots of the castle from here.



By the way, have you noticed something in the background?

Something that we haven't seen in prior weeks?



Light.

We're close enough to the water's surface that a few rays of light can reach us.



And that's the floor cleared out.



I was a single fight off from a level, so I grab that before I leave.



Done.



Music: School III


I missed a spot.

Next time: Reading exercises.