Part 27: Life, Death, and Song

It always seems like there’s more alchemy to do.



















Roxis had a great idea while we were working.



Changing ingredients should be pretty easy in a synthesis like this.
Oh, is it?
In essence, it’s what you do with the magic you infuse into the stone.
By changing the core, you should be able to make something different.
Of course, there’s the compatibility issue, so there are limitations.
Whoa… You’re pretty smart.
Anyone could have come up with that.
Not really. Unless you’ve really studied, it’s pretty hard…
…In my case, I lack inspiration, so I try to compensate with reasoning.
Well. Let’s get started with trying out all the possible ingredients.
By all, you mean… all?
Yeah, gotta problem with that?
Oh, no. I’ll help.
I should learn to be a hard worker like you…
System Message: Item: Pentagle can now be made.

We had a class earlier that took us out to the dragon’s grave.

Video- “Jess 4”

Watch the Scene

Jess and I went together.



Everyone: Okay.
You’re free to roam, but there are monsters, so be very careful.
Alright, go! Make sure you come back in time.
Vayne, let’s go together.
Oh, okay.
How about, over there.
…Maybe I should ask her properly about it.

We gathered enough stuff for the class, with plenty of time to spare.



Okay…
…Are you unhappy about something?
No, it’s nothing… Kinda, well, sorta…
What is it? I’m curious…
I wanted to ask you… About your illness…
Why? I don’t think it’s that interesting.
But I still wanted to ask. If you’re okay with it, that is…
I don’t mind… So I got really sick for an unknown reason when I was small.
No doctors could fix it, so everyone thought I was just going to die.
But that’s when a traveling alchemist came to our town.
A traveling alchemist?
Yeah. And he fixed my illness with alchemy.
And so I was cured, but something went wrong or something.
And because of it, I won’t live so long.
…So that’s why you’re okay with it? If you or other people, you know…
I really don’t know… Ever since I was young, they told me I’d die soon.
So I just assumed, well, that’s what it’s like…

I really don’t understand why Jess feels the way she does.



I don’t think that’s a good way of thinking.
Why?
Well… Because… I can’t explain it well…
I wouldn’t know if you’re unclear about it, either.
Anyway, I’m going to die pretty soon.
Just, stop that. Don’t keep saying you’re going to die so easily…
Why not!?
I said, I can’t explain it!
Grr…
……
Forget it! I’m not going to talk to you anymore!
Jess!
She’s gone… I didn’t plan on this to happen…

Jess ran off, angry.



I think you’re the one who’s straying from normal common sense.
Nuh uh! You don’t even know common sense.
I know more than you. I mean, why are you so angry about it then?
I-I’m not angry.
Right. Just go say sorry and make up already.
Why should I…? Urg…
Uh, Jess? Hey…
……
Hello? Jess! …Uh oh. This can’t be good.

I started to get worried when she didn’t rejoin the class later.



Um… Hold on, please.
Hm? What’s wrong?
Jess… She’s not here…
Hrm? Oh, you’re right. Does anyone know?
Could this be… a big deal? Is it my lack of supervision!?
I’m going to go find her!
Hey, no. Don’t go by yourself!
Uhh… Everyone, we’ll split up and find her. Do not walk about alone.
I am going to be in so much trouble with the Vice Principal…

Jess had collapsed!



That voice…!
Huh, what’s this…? My body feels light… Oh, I, fainted again…
Vayne, he was so mad… But I was mad, too…
If I can’t see him anymore, will he be mad at me forever…?
I don’t… want that…
Jess!

Fortunately, she seemed mostly okay.



Can you wake up? Are you alright?
……
Jess!? Oh no. We have to take her quick…
Geesh! You’re so late!
Sorry! But I’ll save her.
You better! Go, hurry!
Alright!

I carried her back to the infirmary.



You’re right… I feel so tired…
That… was the child’s destiny.
Such a cheap line.
That’s what I have to tell myself, or I’ll go crazy.
I guess… If I think that…
Yeah. If we’re prepared for it, when she’s gone…
It won’t be a surprise. It’ll just be a little earlier than normal…

She eventually woke up.



Oh, she’s awake!
Jess, are you alright?
Every…one?
Are you crying? Does it hurt?
Huh? Oh… Why am I crying? How strange…
Don’t cause us any more worry.
Hmph, I knew you would survive this.
Yeah, yeah. You were all panicky up until a minute ago.
But if Vayne didn’t find you, who knows what could have happened…
Vayne…
……
It’s getting late. We’ll let you get your rest.
Yup. I know you just woke up, but…
I’m relieved now that you’re awake. Well, good night.
If there’s anything you need, just call us.
We’ll leave the rest to the teacher, okay…?

Jess still wanted to talk to me about something, though.



Hm? What’s wrong?
Vayne… Can I just talk to you for a bit?
Me? Sure…
Oh oh oh? Vayne and Jess sittin’ in a—Teehee…
Oh my? You two, alone?
Sorry Vayne, I can’t allow any alone time with a weakened lady.
Oh, stop it with the stupid remarks. You can, too, so let’s go.
So… What is it that you wanted to talk about?
Um… Well, thanks… For rescuing me…
Oh, it’s okay. It was my fault to begin with, for yelling at you…
No, no. You didn’t do anything bad.
I mean, yes I got lost and collapsed because I ran off, but…
…Sorry.
Uh, that’s not what I meant. Either way, it’s not your fault.
…I kind of understand how you feel, too. I think.

I still don’t think she quite gets it.



I felt sad when I thought I won’t see you anymore, but we’re still fighting.
It’s probably the same.
I would be sad even if we hadn’t fought, if I couldn’t see you again…
Really? That’s the one I don’t really understand yet…
Oh, okay…
But, I’m glad. Being able to make up with you.
If you think that way, then maybe we should keep fighting forever…
What? That’s not good…
I’m just kidding. I’m glad we made up, too.
Geez! Vayne!
Well, it’s time for you to get some rest. See you tomorrow.
Okay… Good night.
What is this…? It feels strange.

I’m not sure how I’d ever explain it, though…

Video- “Pamela 3”

Watch the Scene

One thing that’s for certain is that we’re never bored for long around here. Yesterday we had some really dull homework, and Pamela was kind of fuzzing out.



Yeah, we got a lot of homework and stuff…
You’re not going out?
Not today. We need to get this out of the way…
Vayne, I need some help!
Oh, okay.
……
*sigh * It’s so boring…
Hwaaah…
Huh!? Pamela is crying!?
But, why…? Is she fake crying again? But no one’s looking…
For Pamela to be crying… Something that sad? Or for a different reason…?
Hwaaah, I’m sleepy. I’m gonna go home and sleep.
Sorry we can’t play with you today.
It’s alright, see you tomorrow.
I got it!
W-whoa, that scared me… What’s going on?
I hope she didn’t think something weird again…

So, while our first sign of trouble really was Anna suddenly running out after being really quiet, we didn’t know what was up until Pamela ran in today.



Pamela?
What’s going on here?
I-I’m gonna be killed!
What!? Killed?
But you’re a ghost.
*shudder * *shiver *
She’s seriously afraid…
Are you okay…?
Not at all. Anna… She’s going to…
Anna?

Anna charged in carrying some kind of stick with a scroll hanging off of it, I can only assume her training also qualifies her to be an exorcist or something.



Y-you have to be kidding me! Please, help me!
Her usual assumption…
We have to stop her…
It won’t be easy. Look at Anna’s eyes… Those are the eyes of a hunter!
You mean, she’s serious?
Indeed. …Vayne, take Pamela and run.
The rest of us will stop Anna. Injuries are to be expected.
*sigh * Oh well.
Vayne, hurry, hurry!
Okay… Be careful, Flay!
Stop right there!
You stop right there!
…If you plan to interfere, I will not go easy on you.
Anna… Why are you doing this?
It is all for the sake of Pamela!

We had to stop so I could catch my breath outside the classrooms.



Do you think we got far enough away…?
I wonder if everyone else is alright…
I hope they’re fine…
But why does Anna want to kill you…?
I don’t know. She came to the Library and said she wanted to free me…
Once she starts, it’s hard to stop her. Anyway, let’s rest here for a bit…
So this is where you were.
Ahhhhhhhh! She’s here!
If Anna is here… Did everyone else…?
It’s no use in running. Just pass over…
No! I don’t want to die!
Engarde!

We got some support, luckily.



Roxis!
Sorry, she broke our circle.
Where’s everyone else…?
Jess and Nikki are… Grh! I won’t last long either. Hurry and run!
But then you’ll…
Thank you! Okay, let’s get going.
What? But…
He’s offering, so come on.
…Roxis!
Somehow I’m not satisfied with being left behind so easily…
…You realize you stand in front of me, and you won’t escape unharmed?
I guess I should concentrate on this…

We fled further on, to the faculty rooms.



Roxis… By now, he’s…
Don’t worry. Roxis is strong.
Quite the wishful thinking you’ve got there…
That voice is…
Flay! That wound…
I must concede, I was swayed by emotion…
Oh no. Even you…?
That is no longer Anna. She has transformed into Super Anna!
Super…?
She will soon find you here… Run away! Every moment counts!
Gh… I’m sorry, Flay!

We left Flay behind.



Shgohhh… Fshhrrrrrrr…
Too excited, she’s lost her personality. But I am the Duke of Destruction.
If I have to die… at least I’ll take you down with me!

In the end we had nowhere to run.



Stay with me, Pamela.
My school life was so happy until yesterday… And suddenly it’s this…
It’s okay… I’m sure Anna’s pretty tired by now.
Maybe we’ll have a chance to convince her…
Are you sure about that?
A-Anna…
No! Get away from me!
I had partially lost my conscience, but Flay’s strike woke me up…
And now, to fulfill the true goal at hand!
Why are you after me?
You want this. You mourn your fate as a ghost, and hope to go to heaven…
I never wanted that!
Then why did you shed that tear!?
Tear…? Me? When?
Yesterday at the workshop, I saw it. A single tear, rolling down your cheek…
Is that true, Pamela…?

Yeah, so this was once again all a terrible misunderstanding.



Yawn?
Mmhm. Like, hwaaah…
Yawn…
Anna, did you…?
……
……
……
…Fine. For the sake of argument, let’s assume I had the wrong idea.
But there’s no argument here. It’s 100% your misunderstanding…
Horrible! So horrible! You went way too far!
But, Pamela, are you really okay like this?
Uh, what do you mean?
You’ve lived a few hundred years as a ghost now… And you will be forever.
W-well…
Those you befriend will leave this world, one after another…
Er…

It turned out that Anna really did think she was helping Pamela out.



Happiness…? My happy…
I will sheathe my sword for today. But you should thank about it.
For your bliss, I will always be there for you…
Anna… Thank you!
You’re a good girl… You’re really worried for me…
Yeah…
I’m going to think hard about it. About myself and other stuff, too…
Yeah, I think that’ll be good… Oh!
Wh-what? What’s wrong?
We wrapped things up nicely, but… we need to go help everyone else!
Oh, wait. I’m coming, too!

All’s well that ends well, I guess…

Video- “Nikki 3”

Watch the Scene

This school is such a strange place.



???: Not looking too well. Those three are far too close to each other…
Damn them… Just because they belong to the same workshop!
It can’t be helped. We must rain down divine punishment.
Agreed. If not us, then who!
Isn’t it too early?
It is meant to happen eventually…
Alright. Then we must move our plans to action.
Everyone: All for Miss Nikki!

We’re always getting attacked for no reason.



Wait.
What’s wrong?
You’re being watched… Be careful.
What? …Ah!

Today it was a bunch of students.



Fan A: For our ambitions, you must die!
W-wait a minute!

I took them down, but that was just the start of them.



No idea. But it’d be wise to get away from here. We don’t know their goals.
Okay. I’ll hurry back to the workshop…
Fan B: There! There he is!
Fan C: Our comrade’s been defeated!? Damn. We will avenge him!
Another one!?
There’s too many… Let’s get out of here.
O-okay!

I ran into Roxis and Flay, who’d also been attacked.



Ah…
Flay! And Roxis…
By the looks of it, you too?
Yeah. They just came out and attacked me. I’m still confused…
Each one is weak, but they are trained. At this rate, it’ll only get worse.
So what was all that about? Those guys…
I should be the one asking.
Either way, we’ll move as a group. The others will be at the workshop.
You’re unreliable, but better than having nobody, I guess.
Ouch, that’s mean…
Ready!? We’re going to force our way through. Don’t fall behind!

We managed to get back to the workshop, where Nikki and Jess seemed perfectly fine.



I never knew the workshop was so far…
You guys are all late. Getting lazy aren’t we?
Hm, you guys are alright?
Alright with what?
We were being chased by strange guys. We assumed you would be, too…
Strange guys? You need to make a better excuse than that for being late.

They ran in after us, but quickly stopped.



Ah.
Fan Club: Crap. It’s Miss Nikki… Everyone, run!
Uhm… Those guys?
Yeah. We were chased the entire time, and I really don’t know why…
Ah, those guys, huh…
Hm? You seem to know something about them.
Wha? Oh no, I know nothing. You know me.
Suspicious…
Very suspicious…
If you tell us now, I won’t have to force it out of you…
Force!? What are you going to do…?
Jess, make any medicine your heart desires. A unique, original one.
Anything? However I want? Yay!
Wahh! Wait! Not that! Okay, okay, I’ll tell you.
Sorry Jess, she gave up.
Aww, how boring.
So, who were those guys?

It turns out Nikki’s popularity is just as much of a problem as her earlier unpopularity…



Fan club?
Yeah… They’re the ones who always come listen to me sing.
And why would your fan club be attacking us?
Jealousy…
What a nuisance.
To be able to craze that many men… I’m such a sinful woman, teehee.
Not a hint of remorse.
I’ve changed my mind. Jess, go ahead with the…
Wait! I’ll tell them I have no interest in any guys here, whatsoever!
Slightly rude, but fine.
As long as we don’t get attacked…
Okay then, I’ll go now.
But to realize how much charisma Nikki has…
Of all people, how could I have underestimated her.
I hope nothing worse happens…
Don’t jinx it, please…