Part 2: Sometimes I fear for the future of the Bracer Guild...and humanity.

Welcome back. Last time, we were introduced to the Bright family, as Cassius Bright adopts the young Joshua into the family, under mysterious circumstances. Now, five years have passed, and Joshua and Estelle are following in their old man's footsteps, preparing to become bracers themselves.





Before we go, let's go and bug Cassius. A 500 Mira allowance? What are we, paupers?



We actually get a small conversation, instead of a generic line.

You haven't been there for a couple of days now.
Unfortunately, I have a lot of paperwork to sort out. But don't you worry, I'm carrying a big enough workload that the guild's not likely to fire me anytime soon.
(That's not exactly the most convincing thing I've heard come out of your mouth...)

With that neat diversion over with, let's explore our home!



We have Cassius' room, which is... it's a room. It's roomy. What's there to say?



We have Estelle's room here, which has an inconveniently placed desk. Especially since she'd never use it anyway.



We can also go and sleep in Joshua's bad, which is kinda weird!

We do it anyway.



These got installed after Cassius didn't quite make it home in time to prevent Estelle from practicing with her staff. The house was never the same again.

(This is actually a new song, I had the english track titles mixed up, and so a song in the first update was misnamed.)



Let's get this show on the road! Trails doesn't have a world map, instead, everything is just broken into zones.



The game has a handy map though, so we don't get lost. It's just a skip and a hop to Rolent.









It's a nice place.



It looks like we made good time. Not too early or too late either.
We just barely graduated from Sunday school... I never dreamed we'd have to study so hard to become bracers...
Well, you're in luck. Today is our last day of training. Truth be told though, you're the one who signed up to be a bracer in the first place, so I don't know why you'd expect to get away with any less effort.

Oh yeah, I guess I did...
All right then! Let's get to it and make it through this last hazing from Schera.
You look ready to me. Let's go meet with Schera at the Bracer Guild over there, then.

Nuts to that, let's go procrastinate!



Rinon: Hello there, Estelle and Joshua. You're up rather early today. Did you come to buy a new pair of shoes?

Now that you mention it, are there any new ones in stock?
You know, like...the newest Stregas?!!!

Like I said, Estelle loves her some sneakers.

Unbelievable. You've actually already forgotten why we came in here to begin with. We're not here to shop. We're supposed to be buying a copy of the Liberl News for Dad, right?
Ah ha ha... Of course!

Rinon: Ha ha, you've always been a big collector of those shoes, haven't you, Estelle? I'm afraid that the new Stregas aren't out yet. If you're after the latest issue of the Liberl News though, I should have them in around noon.

Noon, huh? ...That's right in the middle of our training at the guild.
We'll stop by again after our training is over.

Rinon: Sure. I'll be waiting for you.

There's a lot of these NPC conversations in the game. When I say the game has a lot of effort put into it, things like this are what I'm referring to. That said, they do drop in number after we leave Roland (spoiler: We leave Roland), but there's still a lot all told.

Let's go bother some other people.



Good morning, sir.

Elger: Well, you're up rather early, aren't you? Correct me if I'm wrong, but today is your last day of training, isn't it? I seem to remember you saying something about it the last time I had you run the store.

Yes, that's right.

Elger: I see. Well, I'm sure you'll do just fine, Joshua. Now Estelle on the other hand... I've got good reason to worry. She's always been a bit scatterbrained ever since she was a child. Probably all the knocks she took to the head playing with the boys.

Really... So I guess that scatterbrained trait isn't something new, huh?

The villagers can kinda be jerks to Estelle. It's not very nice of them

I'll give YOU a head injury if you don't shut up! And don't call me scatterbrained!

Estelle handles their barbs with grace and class. Estelle is consistently pretty amusing.

Elger: Okay, you two, let's not fight now. And shouldn't you be getting over to the guild? It seems like just yesterday that Estelle was clinging all over Cassius and now she's a bracer. It looks like I'm getting old.



Screw you Dad, no newspaper for you, we're getting shoes!

And now, having sufficiently wasted Cassius' money, we go upstairs...



Stella: [Oh my, well if it isn't Estelle and Joshua? Are you on your way to bracer training?

Yeah, and just you watch.
I'm going to pass this exam and be as good of a bracer as Schera, too!

Stella: Hmm-hmm-hmm. I'm looking forward to that. By the way, Estelle...

Wh-what? Why are you looking at me like that?

Stella: Did you wash your face? How about your teeth? Did you brush them, too? Joshua's so fastidious, but you always forget to take care of yourself.

Come on! That was a long time ago. I don't do that anymore, right, Joshua?
Umm, now that you mention it...
You did take off from home the other day with your hair all in a mess, right?
Ugh... That was only because it was an emergency! Mr. Rinon got the newest Strega-brand sneakers in on that day...

Consistency!

Stella: ESTELLE!

Y-yes!

Stella: You listen to me carefully! For a girl your age, you need to take care of these things. If your appearance is messy, you won't look like someone that people can trust even if you are a bracer. Your appearance is a reflection of what is on the inside.

A-all right, I'll be more careful from now on.

Stella: Well, that's that. Now how about the both of you get on over to the guild?

(Man, you just can't argue with her.)

So let's just run away instead.



Melders: Oh, it's you, Estelle and Joshua? You seem to be here rather early.

Good morning, Mr. Melders.
Good morning, sir. We appreciate you fixing that orbment light the other day.
Speaking of orbment lights, isn't the one outside our house burned out? We should get that replaced ASAP!
Orbments sure are a daily life necessity, aren't they?

Exposition is also a daily life necessity.

Melders: When I was a lad, there weren't any of these orbment thingies. Now we can get fire and light with the mere flip of a switch and even ships fly in the skies. I don't like it. Don't you kids think things are way too convenient these days?

...then why do you work at the orbment factory?

(Oh crap... There he goes again about 'the old days'...)
(Yeah, well if you'd just learn to shut your big trap...)

Melders: When I was young, I made things a reality through hard work and sweat. Sweat, I tell ya! It would be nice if the young kids these days knew the meaning of the phrase 'hard work'

Ah ha ha ha. You're probably right.



Freddy: How are those orbments working out for you that we tuned the other time you were here?

In your case, Estelle, it's not whether the orbment is good or bad, the problem lies in the way you use it. You're always jumping into things without a second thought, so you end up being slow to learn.
If you'd just start thinking before you start swinging, then you'd learn twice as much.
Well, excuse me for sucking.

I was actually planning on skipping this conversation, but this made me laugh too much to do so.

Freddy: There, there. No need to get upset. Everyone has these problems when they first start out. If you can get the hang of things, you'll gradually be able to handle them better.

That's right!
I'm going to master using this as quick as I can and surpass even Joshua!
Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Also, we begin to learn more and more that Joshua can be kind of a smartass.

Freddy: When I first entered the Zeiss Central Factory, I pretty much couldn't use one of these things either.

Even you couldn't use one, Freddy?

Freddy: Yeah, but I can still become an engineer even if I can't use one. But since you're aiming to become a bracer, you'll have to learn how.

Argh...

Moving on...



Verne: Welcome to the Hotel Rolent. Are you here to spend the night?

Uh...Verne? It's us, don't you remember?

Verne: Ha ha, I know. I was just joking, Estelle.I was practicing my greeting just now.

Oh, really...
Did you ever notice that Verne teases people with a straight face while being courteous at the same time?)
(That's probably because he can...)



The Hotel's empty. Maybe if you weren't an asshole you'd have customers, Verne.



Alan: And a lot of people will come... Which means a lot of chicks will pass through here. Score! Staring at these girls is one of my simple pleasures. You know what I mean, right, Joshua?

Uh, sure...
Alan, you never change a bit.
All this nonsense is the reason why you can't get a girlfriend.

Alan: You wound me, Estelle. But it's because of this enjoyment that I feel that it's worth doing this job. It's a paradise! Ha ha ha ha!

This guy's a serious nutjob...

C'mon Alan, working a dead end job to ogle some chicks? What are you doing with your life man? Your mom was right. Get it together son.

So I think you're getting the idea. These conversations are exhaustive. So let's see the cliff notes version:



Everybody is still kinda mean to Estelle. Also, with a name like Divine, did he ever have a choice in life?



We hear about Tio, a former classmate of Estelle's.





Turns out some dude named Fate (some dramatic parents in Rolent), is an old war buddy of Cassius. The twist, of course, is that Cassius has a war buddy at all.





Kids are weird these days.



I think Estelle became a bracer so she could hit things with her staff, but hey, if the end results are the same.



Armand: I've got to be courageous and try to talk to her.



Uh... I don't think having a stalker is good.



<<Septian Calendar 1192>>

Destroyed during the Hundred Days war when Rolent was bombarded by the Erebonian Imperial Army.

<<Septian Calendar 1197>>

Rebuilt with the cooperation of the citizens of Rolent.

If we go in the clocktower...





What's wrong, Estelle? Something on your mind?
It's nothing, really!
How about we climb up to the observation deck?
Sure, I guess.

Well, that's interesting.

We won't climb it though, we don't got time for that!



Enough procrastination, let's get on with it.



Morning, Aina.
Good morning.
Is Schera here already?
Yes, she's waiting for you upstairs. Once you finish today's training, you'll finally be recognized as members of the Bracer Guild. Good luck to the both of you.
Thanks!
We'll do our best.

---



The Hermit and The Magician... ...and last of all, inversion through The Wheel of Fortune... Hmmm, this is a difficult combination. How should I interpret this...?

And now we meet the much alluded to Scharezard...Scherazerd... Charizard. She's not my favorite character, but she's entertaining nonetheless.

Good morning, Schera!



This is a rare occasion for the both of you to show up so early.
Since it's my last day of training, I figured, [Why not?] I'm ready to get this show on the road and become a bracer myself!
I'll give you credit for your enthusiasm.
But I'm going to work you hard today in every way I can think of to make sure that high-spirited attitude of yours holds up. I hope you're ready.
I can feel that enthusiasm dropping already...
Quiet you! Every time I teach you something you somehow manage to forget it... This training is my way of trying to keep some of that information in your head instead of letting it dribble out your ears like it usually does.
Waaaah! Joshuaaa! Schera's picking on me!
Don't worry, Schera. While Estelle may hate studying and rarely ever does her homework... ...acts rashly, is overly naive, and has a tendency to stick her nose into everything... ...her instincts are sharp, so I'm sure she'll pick up on how to use an orbment with some practice. Eventually. Probably.

Haha, oh Joshua. Aren't you supposed to be on our side? Like I said, our mysterious boy has become a smart-ass teenager.

I guess there's not much I can do now except hope for the best...
Hold on a sec, Joshua... Somehow I get the feeling that you weren't standing up for me...
Well that's odd. I'm positive I described all your best traits accurately.
Whatever...
By the way, Schera, what were you trying to predict with your tarot cards? Your face was really intent.
Oh, this? I was just trying to get a vague reading about what might happen in the near future... Unfortunately, I don't seem to have been in the right mindset to interpret the cards correctly.
You couldn't read the cards?
Now that's surprising to hear.
Actually, the more profound the meaning of the cards, the more difficult they become to interpret. But that's not important now. I think it's time we start your final training. I'll give you a brief rundown of all the information we've covered in your previous training. This is the minimal level of knowledge that bracers should have in order to function effectively. And, Estelle, make sure you pay especially close attention to what I'm going to say.
Yeah, yeah.



We're now given a chance to get filled in on some of the background of the game's world. It may not be the most elegant way to get this information across, but at least nobody has amnesia!



Orbments are mechanical devices which operate by using what is known as orbal energy.

A variety of effects can be produced depending on their structure and the type of quartz (processed septium) installed. Although it's only been about 50 years since their invention... These devices play an integral role in all facets of life from lights, heaters, and other everyday products to weapons, magic, and even airships. In connection, this technological reform is commonly known as the Orbal Revolution.

The setting of Trails isn't especially unique amongst JRPGs, but as the game goes on, you'll notice they still put a fair amount of thought into it. The recency of the invention of orbments is more important than you might expect.





They aid the community in various ways such as exterminating monsters, preventing crime, finding lost items, and escorting people and goods.The Bracer Guild, which has established branches across the continent, manages the affairs of the bracers in each region.

Essentially, the Bracers are an influential group of freelance do-gooders.





The kingdom of Liberl in which we live sits on the western half of the Zemuria Continent and abounds with nature and deep-rooted traditions. Liberl is proud to be one of the leading producers of septium on the continent and is known for its high level of technology used to develop orbments. Orbment technology has also been a key pillar of support for Liberl in protecting its independence as it has contended with neighboring nations. 10 years ago, when Liberl was invaded by the Erebonian Empire, it was the use of orbal-powered airships that saved the kingdom from defeat. Consequently, even now, our relationship with the Empire is somewhat sensitive. But, thanks to the Queen's political finesse, Liberl enjoys peace.

Turns out the evil empire's already invaded us. Are they going to end up going for round two, or what?



The second textbox changes from 'About Bracers' to 'About the Bracer Guild'. It can be easy to miss. Like I did. Fortunately, I have a text dump

The Bracer Guild is a worldwide organization of bracers established 50 years ago. Aside from the Liberl Kingdom, there are numerous other branches set up across the continent which promote peace and stability within their areas. Due to its international and neutral nature, it often mediates between disputing powers, and it even played a role in ending the Hundred Days War. However, as a consequence of the various roles the Bracer Guild is required to fulfill, it is often short-handed.



I'm going to speed things up now and move on to the practical portion of your training.
Uh, Schera? How is today's practical training any different from the training we've done before?
Since it's practical, that means you will be experiencing things first hand. Therefore, I am going to have the both of you run through everything as if this were a real bracer job.
So what you're saying is... There won't be any studying at a desk involved?
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. This time you'll have to go out and make a physical effort to accomplish your task. I'll make sure to have you work up a sweat, so I hope you're ready.
Yes! That's seriously just what the doctor ordered. I didn't know what I was going to do if I had to sit another day with my tush parked at a desk. I guess I got all worried for nothing.
Well, suddenly you're all bright and cheerful, Estelle.
Let's just hope that smile on your face lasts until the end of today's training...
Okay. Let's get cracking on your first objective, shall we?
Let's have at it!



But before that, there is something that we need to give the both of you.
Aina, are they ready?
Yes, they are.
Alll right, you two. Go get one for each of yourselves.


But wasting time is basically all we do!



Received Bracer Notebook.

The Bracer Notebook is amazing. It's pretty much a FAQ built into the game. Anything you need to know, it's in the Bracer Notebook. I love it. But more on that later.

Bracer notebooks serve as the official way to record the status of your current jobs.
Also, anything you may hear or anything that you may find and where... These kinds of trivial things can often become clues. No matter how insignificant something may seem, always write it down.



Again, I like how the game messes with the standard delivery of lines for effect.

Oh? Please tell me it was my ears playing tricks on me, because I swear I only got one response.
Uh...I-I'm sure there were two...
Keeping an accurate account of events is an important duty for ALL bracers. So, get with the program and stop trying to make this out to be more than it really is, Estelle.
Okay, okay, I got it.

I like Estelle, but I also like that Schera doesn't always take her attitude lying down. To be honest, they kind of overplay Estelle's flaws in the prologue. I don't know if it's just opening roughness, or main character syndrome (trying to set up room for growth), but it goes get dialed back as the game goes on. Which is good, because I really like Estelle most of the time.

Make sure you do... All right then, let's begin.
Look over by the door. You can see that there's a bulletin board standing there.



First, I want you to go and check the job description posted there.

When the bulletin board is approached, a [!] mark will appear. Pressing the X button will display the job list.

By selecting the job names on the list, you can view their details.



We mosey our way on down to the Bulletin Board. The Bulletin Board is where we accept sidequests, and occasionally main quests. It's convenient, because with one or two exceptions, you don't need to hunt down bonus content. You just find it here, laid out bare for the world to see. You can also see the relevant information for any sidequest you've accepted in (where else?) the Bracer Notebook.



It looks like you were able to see what was posted without any trouble. Checking the bulletin board is one of the most basic functions a bracer performs on their job. Checking regularly to see whether or not there are any urgent tasks which need immediate attention is also an important duty for bracers.
Man, all this talk about duty is starting to cramp my style.
Sure, there are a lot of rules to follow, but there's an equal level of responsibility in the jobs themselves. I think being a bracer calls for much more than just someone with a half-hearted attitude.

Suck up.

Um, I guess you're right. I'll just have to be more motivated.
Hmm-hmm-hmm. Had a change of heart, have you?
You betcha!

So motivated, she's gonna run for VP!

_{A little dated?}

Well, before all that motivation sneaks off somewhere, let's get to work on your next task.
What will we be doing this time?
We'll be heading across the street to Mr. Melders' orbal factory and learning about how to use its services. He has graciously taken time out of his work schedule to explain things, so make sure to be on your best behavior.

O-kay.

---




At an orbal factory, you can modify your orbments and synthesize support quartz in order to use orbal arts. Arts have a wide range of effects and if mastered, can be extremely helpful.

The bracer business is a pretty risky occupation, so the guild has had a long-standing relationship with these orbal factories. Anyway, this is about as much as I can explain. I'll leave the technical details to the expert. ...So, Mr. Melders, if you wouldn't mind taking over from here?

This is less intimidating than it sounds. In plain english, this here's where you make magic stones, them equip them to use magic spells. Simple enough.



Melders: So, what is it that you would like to know about?



We can then get some tutorials on gameplay mechanics. Now, I'm sure you'd like your explanation from someone smart, funny, and handsome, so I'll let the game explain it.



The game has better things to do, so you're all stuck with me.

If there's nothing else, then let's have you both try and use the services here.

For that, you're going to need some sepith.

Received several types of each type of elemental sepith.

With that amount, you two should be able to synthesize a few quartz.

Now, I want you to begin by first making an elemental quartz that will work with each of your particular orbments.

In your case, Estelle, any elemental quartz is okay, but for you Joshua, it has to be a time elemental quartz.

Normally at a shop you would be able to exchange sepith for mira, but for this training you will not be able to use this service.



Right then, let's get our 'splaining on. We've got three options, although only one's available to use now. I'll explain the others later, for now, let's choose Quartz.



And then we see a list of available Quartz. Buying a new quartz is pretty easy. When we kill monsters, or beat up people sufficiently, they drop various sepith (as seen on the left.) There are 7 different elements of sepith, to get a quartz of an element, you trade in sepith of the same element (or money, using Shop. I almost never do this.). Fairly straightforward. Now the real question is, why bother?

All quartz do two things when you equip them. First, they give some passive effect (for example, Defense 1 gives +5% defense.) Second, they teach you spells. The exact mechanics are a little complicated, just make a note of the Elemental Value on the bottom. (In this case, Defense 1 has an Elemental Value of x1 Earth.)

Defense 1 boosts Defense by 5%
HP 1 boosts max HP by 5%
Attack 1 increases Attack by 5%, but decreases Defense by 5%
Evade 1 boosts Agility by 1
Action 1 boosts Speed by 10%

We buy one of each, because we're given the sepith for free anyway. But which should we equip? To know that, we need to know what each stat does:

HP: If HP becomes 0, you're a bad person and should feel bad.
EP: Used to cast artes.
Strength: Do more physical damage
Defense: Take less physical damage
Magic Strength (ATS): Do more magical damage
Magic Defense (ADF): Take less magical damage
Turn Speed (SPD) Take turns more frequently
Dexterity: Accuracy
Agility: Evasion
Movement: How far a character can move in combat
Attack Range (RNG) How far a character's weapon can attack in battle





Both Estelle and Joshua are fairly well-rounded. Estelle's pretty well the definition of a balanced character, while Joshua is more offense oriented, at the cost of defense.



Now to equip our shiny new quartz. Note that we only have 1 open slot, meaning we can only equip one quartz.



With HP 1 equipped, something magical happens. Estelle learns Tear, a basic healing spell, and Aqua Bleed, a water aligned attack spell. Why did this happen?


Well shit, I don't know, I was hoping you would.



Alright, I looked it up. Our slots are actually divided into two lines. You should be able to see them visually in the bottom right. The first line is all the slots on the left branch, and the second line is all the slots on the right branch (the middle slot is considering a part of both lines.) When the Elemental Values of all the quartz equipped in one line reach certain threshold, you learn certain spells. A net Water Elemental Value of x1 in a line teaches us Tear and Aqua Bleed, but if we slotted more water quartz, we'd learn bigger and better healing spells.

Certain spells also require combinations of different Elemental values, and some quartz have multiple Elemental values. Normally this would be an obtuse mechanic requiring guessing and or walkthroughs. Not here, though. Remember how I said the Bracer Notebook is a godsend?



We can see every combination necessary for every spell. It's super useful. Moving on.



Joshua's a little different though. First of all, Joshua's time aligned, which means some of his slots can only be equipped with time quartz. This can be a hassle to work against, especially when it comes to the shared slot. You want to equip quartz with a bunch of different, large elemental values in the center slot, and so having a restriction on it isn't ideal. It also means, despite his smart aleck remarks, Estelle is honestly better at using her orbment then he is.

That said, his lines are also different then Estelle's. His first line is longer, while his second is shorter. This is a slightly better arrangement, as the ideal setup is one long, undivided line.

Overall, it's a pretty clever system. I'm a fan of the customization it allows, and the game does some neat things with it. Physical attackers get a bunch of short lines, so they can't learn top tier magic, while magical attackers get long lines, letting them use the best of the best.



We have no choice but to equip him with Action 1, which teaches Clock Up (+25% Speed), and Soul Blur (deals damage, 20% of causing Faint, which prevents an enemy from taking any actions.) Since Joshua is stuck with time for the moment, I tend to give Estelle water so that we can heal without using items. There's also a second reason why Estelle makes for better support, which we'll see soon.



Since you have both recovery and attack arts set up, it appears that you don't need any more instruction from me about how to do this task. If you balance your arts out between each other like you've done here, it should make dealing with monsters much easier. Last of all, I'm going to have you both open a new slot in your orbments. The more slots you have available to you, the broader range of choices you have. Since EP, which is consumed by using arts, can have its max value increased by opening up slots, it would be a good idea to open them all early on. Now, I want you to use this sepith and open a slot on each of your ornaments. Go ahead and decide which slots you're going to open.



We can now use the Slot option. It's pretty simple. We trade in some Sepith, we open a slot. The further from the center, the more expensive it is, and we can't have a closed slot between two open. Furthermore, like Schera said, Max EP increases when you open a slot.

Also Schera is a terrible liar, and she only gives us enough to open one. We open one of Estelle's, and give her some Earth magic.



Since your central slot is not limited to any particular elemental, you are free to install any type of quartz you like. This concludes your training here at the orbal factory. Now it's time to move on to what you've both been waiting for: the qualification test.
...Pardon? D-did you just say, [test]?
You can't honestly tell me that you forgot about the test...again, can you? Didn't I remind you just this morning?

You ever have one of those moments you regret the past five years of your life? Joshua sure has. All the time.

Ah...ha...ha... Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember some sort of talk along those lines at the breakfast table...
Sometimes I fear for the future of the Bracer Guild...and humanity.
Oh well, no sense in worrying about that now. Let's head over to the testing area.
Y-you mean like...now?! I don't know if I'm ready for...
How about a little less yapping and a little more walking?



Joshuuaa, heeelp meeeee...

Okay, even if Estelle can be a bit much, that's pretty funny. Schera's alright. Also, for those keeping track at home, we're now at Estelle's 21st portrait. It's a goddamn pain in the ass, I hate cropping these a great bit of effort in Falcom's part.



Melders: Don't mention it. And good luck with that test of yours.

Freddy: We'll be rooting for you.

---





I expect to see you both use what you've learned up to this point.
Understood.
...
What's wrong, Estelle?
Um... Schera?
What now?
...I was kind of wondering but... is there not going to be a paper test or something?
... Did Cassius drop you on your head as a child or something?

Kids are slippery, okay

You just read what it said on the bulletin board not that long ago, right?
Yeah, and?
And I even made you jot down what you read in your bracer notebooks... unless you forgot that, too. I'm pretty sure the job listing mentioned searching for and retrieving an item from the sewers... Ringin' any bells yet?

What a relief!



Estelle sparkles somehow. If only I could sparkle. Then people would finally love me.

I give thanks to thee for thy infinite grace in bestowing upon us such wonderful gifts as sewers.

They do their duty all right.

So what you're really saying, is that you thought it was a paper test? No wonder you were acting all crazy back at the orbal factory...
Ahhh, I can already feel the nostalgia. All those horrible days stuck in a classroom are starting to feel like grand memories indeed...
I'm really starting to wonder if we'll even be able to graduate at all...
What's wrong with you? Why do you have to go and say something like that when I'm trying to reminisce about positive things?
All right, that's enough jabbering, you two. This is supposed to be a test, so how about the both of you try to at least look a little anxious? Just so you know though, if you do happen to flunk the test, you don't even want to imagine the kind of homework I have in store for the both of you.
Heh, heh. We'll be fine! Just tell us what you want us to do and let us loose!
Well, if you're so confident then how about proving that you're not just blowing hot air with the results of your test?
Anyway, as you both saw on the bulletin board, this test will be a search conducted in Rolent's sewers. Your objective is to retrieve the contents of a chest which has been placed somewhere within that area. The layout of the sewers is extremely simple, so you don't need to worry about getting lost, either. However... There are real, living, breathing monsters down there, so if you get careless and let down your guard, you WILL be sorry. Also, let me give you this before I forget.

Y'know, you think monsters in the sewer would be a bigger deal. Not just a fact of life kinda thing. It's not normal. I'd be terrified of using the washroom.

Received Tear Balm x 3

Received Monster Guide

What's this book for?
It's called a Monster Guide, and it's used to record information about monsters and other opponents you meet. Whenever you figure out an enemy's attributes, you should make an immediate note of it in there.

The monster guide is another pretty handy in game guide. Once you fight an enemy, its Level, Hp, weaknesses, drops, location, and some information about it is jotted down.

Sounds pretty straightforward to me. [He who controls the flow of information, controls the tide of battle,] right?
That's exactly what I'm saying. You've really got a good head on your shoulders, Joshua.
That's some pretty useful advice.
Thanks for the tip, Schera!
We'll put it to good use.
All-righty then! Let's get pumped and knock out this test!
Let's. Don't forget, though, this IS an exam. We should make sure we treat it as such.

And with that, all that stands between us, and bracerhood (dom?) is a sewer. But we’ve had such a good run procrastinating. So once more, for old time’s sake?

Next time: Actual gameplay, and Estelle is a culinary genius? It’s more likely than you’d think!

(There would have been gameplay this update, but I was just over the character limit.)



Bracer Notebook

(Some gameplay mechanics that have yet to be covered will be brought up in the Notebook.)