Part 38: Bonus 1: Sandra's Story

Bonus 1: Sandra's Story


(The Extra Mode opens up after you've beaten the game once. Outtakes and Character's Room are always available. The Music Room opens from being nice to Agriss during Wolfgang's Path, and the Special Room opens from completing the cat girl sidequest on the main path.

The Music Room is nothing too special; it just has all the music tracks from the game. The only one worth noting is the Japanese opening...)



(The Character's Room is a collection of all the character portraits used in the game. Outtakes will be covered in the next update. We're heading to the Special Room -- Sandra's Story.)


: I'm leaving soon.
: All right, I'll leave at once. Goodbye, mother!
: Please be careful!
: You can't treat me like a child forever, I'm all grown up, remember?
: No matter how grown up you get, you'll always be my boy.
: You sound almost like a father...
: Say what you will, facts are facts.
: Enough, you two! You don't want to keep King Cornelius waiting!
: Oh, right! Let's go, Wallace!
: Right behind you!



: He's grown into a fine young man. For a while, I feared we would not live to see this day.
Her eyes narrowed, as she thought back to the beginning...



(Simply put, this is a cross between a visual novel and something like Princess Maker. You have to make the right choices to have Sandra get through school and raise Carmaine properly.)


(They give you two hints. First, Sandra is trying to become a court magician, so she not only needs to have good magic knowledge, but be well rounded in other subjects. Second, she has to learn how to make a homunculus, since one of the main characters in Growlanser I is a creation of hers.)



Two years have passed since the Magic Academy was built by Rolandia and Burnstein. Sandra is thinking back to the time she enrolled when it opened.



: Studying hard and being an excellent student must be my focus, but I can't ignore romantic possibilities, either. There are so many things to accomplish, and so little time left! I need a plan if I'm to be successful. The best course of action will be to divide the years left into quarters and re-evaluate my priorities at the beginning of each. There's no way I can do everything, but by setting goals at each quarter, I should be able to find success.


(Every quarter, we get to choose what Sandra will focus on. Magic skills and education is important, but a court magician must be well-rounded. To get her to pass, I picked either Magical Knowledge or Magic Guidance Skills each quarter, and then two others, picking both magic skills twice.)


4th Month Event: Nothing special happened.
5th Month Event: A cute new student spoke to me.



: What do I look like, your personal slave?
: W...what? How dare you address me like that!
: Well, it's obvious that someone needs to. You're rude.
: Hrmph!
: Pout all you want, but no one else is going to show you the way, and you're already late. If you ask again nicely, I might reconsider, though.
: ...I would very much like to know the way to Classroom two. Can you please take me?
: See? That wasn't so hard, was it? I'll be happy to show you. Right this way...


Sixth Month Event: It's so rainy...my room is hard to keep clean.


(Every time a quarter passes, you get a little thing with Sandra talking about what "stats" increased, and then you get to pick what she focuses on for the next quarter.)


Seventh Month Event: I studied more than usual for my finals this time.
Eighth Month Event: I went to a summer resort with friends.


: Ahhh!


: ...
: Miss? Are you all right? You stumbled...
: Oh...oh yes. Forgive me...I was just a little stunned. Thank you for your concern. I will be fine.
: All right...be careful, this is a treacherous road.
[With that advice, the man left...]
: ... ...


Ninth Month Event: Nothing of interest happened this month.
(After picking the subjects for the next three months, you have to pick a study lab for Sandra)


: There are so many different teachers and subjects...I really have no idea which to choose.


: Venzern's lab is well regarded for unifying magic theory and practical reality.


Tenth Month Event: My powers of concentration have improved considerably.
Eleventh Month Event: There was a harvest festival and a lecture on economic results.
: Continued peace is of vital importance to the economic balance of both nations.
Twelfth Month Event: I was careful to bundle up and eat well so as to not catch cold.


First Month Event: Ringing in the new year at a grand celebration was just what I needed!
Second Month Event: I joined a competition with my friends. Whomever melted snow fastest would be declared winner.
: I played in the snow so long my hands became frostbitten.
Third Month Event: The grounds around the Academy are beautiful this time of year. I'll be sad to leave...


: In the third month, seven years from now, the crack is predicted to enlarge, causing a total solar eclipse. Children born during that time will be Growsians, humans that can manipulate Grow from birth.
: If I were to bear a child seven years from now, I would be the mother of a Growsian.



(If you haven't been doing well in your studies, you can fail out of school here, giving you a game over.)



: A big graduation essay is due in the autumn. Each teacher requires a different theme, so I have to choose soon. However, I should study under a different teacher until Summer to broaden my general knowledge.


(It's required to take this study lab, because this is where you learn how to make a homunculus.)
: Maxwell's lab has copious information on searching ruins as well as information not detailed in textbooks.


Fourth Month Event: A new student arrived!


: Yes, sir!
The ruins seem to have been a Growsian research facility.
: It had a number of devices that looked like tanks.
: These materials are used to make a Homunculus! It should provide invaluable insight!
: Oh, Professor! I'm so happy!
: These instructions are so clear! It seems like a straightforward process.
: Yes!


Fifth Month Event: I think I have a touch of spring fever.
: I'm much too busy to work on the Homunculus.
Sixth Month Event: It rained quite a lot this month. It's depressing...


Seventh Month Event: It's definitely getting warmer around here. I've had to pack away all my cloaks.
: The fluid culture that nurtures that Homunculus spoils easily, so I can't leave it unattended for long. I'm so...tired.
Eighth Month Event: It's been hotter and more humid than usual lately.


: Are you sure it wasn't a reflection of moonlight from a statue?
Student 1: No, no! I'm positive of what I saw! You would be too, if you had see that creepy thing! IT was a human figure surrounded by an eerie glow that was moaning as it approached the fountain. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen!
Student 2: A dead person wandering around looking for water? That is the weirdest thing I've ever heard! Is it...thirsty?


: You know, I think I have an idea what it might be...
[Left the two frightened girls alone with their small thoughts.]
Ninth Month Event: After an unusually hot Summer, it's finally cooling off here.


: I'll go to Professor Venzern, then. Once he reads my splendid essay, he'll have no choice but to give me an excellent grade!


Before she knew it, the essay was finished.
: Well done, Sandra! What do you intend to do now?
: It's my dream to become a palace Magician for Rolandia.
: Well then, let me write you a sterling letter of reference.
: Thank you so much!
: Be sure to continue your research, even after you graduate...the world will be better for it.
: I promise I will, Professor.


Chief Palace Magician: Hmmm, a letter of recommendation from Venzern? What's your name?
: I'm Sandra. Pleased to meet you.
Chief Palace Magician: You have an excellent breadth of knowledge as well as excellent magic guidance ability. You're just the kind of person this court needs. Welcome, Palace Magician Sandra!
: Oh, thank you, sir!


(If you don't become a Palace Magician, it's game over here.)


: Oh, these Palace Magician's garments are even more splendid than I had imagined! Makes me look very official, doesn't it? Well, enough silliness. Here is where my real work begins...


[The castle was a confusing place, and this day Sandra found herself lost...again.]
: Oh, dear. I thought it was this way, but perhaps I should have made a left first? Where am I?



: Well, I seem to have taken a wrong turn, and now I'm terribly lost. Can you direct me to the East Tower?
Soldier: Oh, that's an easy mistake to make. You need to be on the second flood to access the East Tower.
: Oh, is that all? Thank you so much!
Soldier: Say...I haven't seen you here before, are you a Palace Magician?
: Yes, I just joined the court last month. My name is Sandra, pleased to meet you.
Soldier: I am Gremio, if you'd like, I can escort you to the second floor, Sandra.
[Sandra was quite taken by the kind soldier she met that day.]


Sandra performed her job well, elated to be living her life's dream.
Chief Palace Magician: Your skill is quiet impressive! I've not seen this degree of aptitude in some time.


[Overheard soldiers gossiping...]
Soldier 1: Hey, where is Gremio?
Soldier 2: Isn't he in the library again?
Soldier 1: What's up with him and those...books? Ugh...


: I need more reference materials, I'd better visit the library.
[Sandra went to the library.]
: Let's see...yes...yes! This is exactly the book I nee...oh! It's...that soldier!
[Sandra spied Gremio in a corner of the library, fervently turning the pages of a magic guidance document.]


: Hello Gremio!
: Oh! Sandra!
: Is that a magic guidance document?
: Ah...yes, actually. I'm trying to improve my skills so I can fight with blade and magic if necessary.
: You're teaching yourself, and yet that's an advanced magic guidance document...
: Well, I've been studying for a very long time. I actually grasp most of the concepts presented here.
: Well, your diligence is just as amazing...
: Well, thank you for saying so! I love this Kingdom, so I am doing everything in my power to be the best soldier I can. All my hard work is paying off, too. I just recently was assigned my own platoon to command!
: And not a moment too soon, I would say!
: Now that I have this additional command, I have even more studying to do. I can't let the King down!


: Well...is there anything I can do to help?
: Would you?! Actually, I was stumped at this part. What does that mean...



[Sandra went about her work in high spirits.]
Chief Palace Magician: Your skill never ceases to impress me, Sandra.


: All the crops in the kingdom are dying. There must be something I can do to help...



: I never really believed that war would break out.


[Food supplies are dwindling.]


: If I'm careful with my cooking, I can avoid waste.



: What about negotiating with Ranzack? They weren't affected as much by the weather...
: Hmmm...interesting idea. I shall consider it, thank you.


As it turned out, all the Palace Magicians were summoned, and Sandra was the last to arrive.
: Oh! I'm...sorry I'm late...
The Chief Palace Magician motioned silently for Sandra to come forward. As she approached, she realized a large basket was in front of him...with a child inside.
Chief Palace Magician: I want you to peer into this child's future and tell me what you see.
This was not Sandra's area of expertise, but she silently obeyed and held her crystal over the baby. She peered into the crystal and saw light and darkness engaged in a fierce battle for domination. Sandra then described what she saw.
Chief Palace Magician: So, it's true after all.
: What do you mean?
Chief Palace Magician: Everyone here received the same result, one by one. This child will either be a light to save the world or shall lead our descent into darkness. I'm at a loss for what to do...
Sandra looked at the baby in the basket, and the child stared blankly back at her.


: I won't let this child stray to the path of darkness! I will raise him myself!
Chief Palace Magician: B...but...
: It makes perfect sense! Why not?
Chief Palace Magician: Hmmm...all right. I'll give you the opportunity to raise him.
: Oh, thank you! You won't be disappointed, I promise! He's a cute baby...I have to give him a name. Hmmm...how about Carmaine? Yes, that's it! Carmaine...


Of course, she knew nothing of this.
And so, Sandra took in the baby named Carmaine, and remained unmarried, raising him herself for three years. During that time, war that raged around Rolandia still showed no sign of ending.


(Marrying Gremio gives you a game over, so staying single is the way to go.)
Sandra decided that she was still young and there was no hurry to marry. She busied herself with the care and instruction of Carmaine.


Sandra was ordered to investigate newly-discovered ruins.
: I have to go outside town, so be a good boy until I get back.
: I will...


The presence of this escort caused the Burnstein Army to attack, and the area was thrown into chaos.
: W...what should I do?!


: Huh?
: Get over here if you value your life!
: Y...yes...


: Mmm...good.
: What's wrong?! You're so...so pale!
: Ooof!
: W...wait!
He had shielded Sandra from an enemy attack. His back was riddled with arrows.


The two of them hid in a mountain hut as Sandra tended his wounds. During this time together, love blossomed between the two of them.
: ...I, Sandra, swear to take only Wallace as my husband...
: You're blushing...
: I know you have to look for your commander, so you don't have to swear...
: ...
: It's your duty, I understand that.
: I scouted the area a while ago and there were no soldiers. We seem to have evaded their search.
: It's time for goodbyes, then?
: I'll take you to the base of the mountain.
: No...it will be too hard to say goodbye...let's just part here.
: All right, then...take care.
Sandra and Wallace parted, and she returned to Rolandia.


It was on the day of the solar eclipse, and the girl she named Louise became a Growsian. Sandra, the mother of Carmaine and Louise passed her busy days as a Palace Magician raising them.