Part 58: Who among them will be crowned the king of fighters?
Welcome back. Last time, we went to the Erbe Scenic Road, to find Zane. We ended up finding a nun in danger instead. And then we found Zane too. Afterwards, we went to the bar to discuss joining Zane in the Tournament, at which point Olivier happened and now we have a full team for tomorrow
!
Good morning, Zane!
Thank you for coming to meet us.
Hey, it's no problem. I've been up anyway, preparing for the match today. Between checking out the weapon smith and visiting all the stores, I've had a busy morning.
Being prepared means no regrets for you, huh? 
By the way...where's Olivier?
With Olivier on our side, even if we lose, we’ll still have a good time.
Do you just deliberately time your entrances like this?Once he ended up hiding in a cupboard for three hours before he got a good entrance cue.
Good morning, Olivier. Morning... Looks like we're all here, then. What say we go ahead and get moving?
The tournament doesn't start up again until noon. It's still early, so what are we going to do to kill time? For starters, I think we should go to the equipment shop and get all of our gear in order. Then, perhaps do a bit of monster-hunting to keep us focused.
I see. A little warm-up, then? Some practice at working as a team might do us some good. After all, we've never all fought at each others' sides before.
I'm up for it! Let's go! And once we're ready, we can head straight to the Grand Arena!
We’ve got ourselves two new(ish) party members. Olivier is basically the same as ever, just stronger. His only new Craft is Sniper Shot, which impedes casting and does decent (if unremarkable) damage. The more characters who can impede the better, so it’s a pretty good craft. Furthermore, he’s opened up all six of his orbment slots, meaning he can live up to his full potential as a caster. (All of his slots are open to every element, with the exception of his first, which is Mirage only.)
More levels has also further differentiated his stats from Estelle and Joshua’s. Despite having a good 7 levels on us, he’s weaker and frailer, but has much better magic and oodles of EP.
We’ve barely done any fighting since Zane left the party, so he hasn’t really changed at all. He’s got 9 levels on us, and remains a massive wall of strength and defense.
A quick trip to the orbment factory later, and Olivier’s built like so. He’s got all the best Time magic and all the best Wind magic, since I haven’t used Wind much. The only new art he learns is Plasma Wave, which is one of the highest tier Wind arts, attacking in a line with a 20% chance of causing Seal.
Zane and Olivier start with slightly less than optima gear, so it’s time for a shopping montage!
...Or maybe not.
Outfitting an entire team with top tier stuff is surprisingly pricey, and Olivier and Zane end up stuck with slightly dated armor. Olivier shouldn’t be taking hits, and Zane doesn’t need the help, so it should be fine.
We can get a quick extra scene if go and talk to Elnan. Extra scenes are fun, and Elnan seems fun too, so let’s go.
Now that you mention it, she did say she'd meet us before the Birthday Celebration started. She should definitely be here by now. Elnan... There wasn't a girl about our age named Kloe who came around asking for us, was there? We'd promised to meet up here.
Kloe, you say? No, I'm afraid no one by that name has been here.
Aww, raspberries. Maybe we should've asked where she was staying... She mentioned some rich relatives. Though that's not much of a lead, I suppose...Ask Alan, I’m sure he knows.
Jerkface.
Lifa: Oh, Zane! Good morning. Do you feel ready for the next match at noon?
I do. And I'd like to finish my registration, if I may. Can you help me with that?Lifa: Absolutely, I can! When I first heard the news, I'd thought to myself, how is he going to fight all by himself...?
I like how Lifa is consistently kind of chatty. It’s nice when even the smallest of NPC have some personality.
Lifa: ...Hey, wait a minute... Aren't you the ones... from yesterday?
Heh. How's it going? We'd like to register for the tournament, as auxiliary members of Zane's team.Lifa: Would you, now...? Then we'll need you to fill out these forms, please.
Estelle, Joshua and Olivier filled out the required paperwork. Next to his signature, Olivier detailed a red rose--for 'flavor.'
Lifa: So, you two are members of the Bracer Guild... But...according to your profile, sir... 'Wandering lyric, troubadour extraordinaire. Ambassador of peace and hearts most faire.' ...And there's a note under it: 'Trill the extra e, and don't spare the spittle'...?
Ha ha ha! My dear, you need not bother with that post-script; your diction sings! 
Remember this line. I won’t tell you why. Just remember it.
Yeeeeah... That's enough of that, thanks. You can just burn that application. With fire. Not literally, of course. Thank you for your help.Maybe it’s just because Olivier is back in the party, but the dialogue in Chapter 4 feels even more entertaining than usual. Just another reason I like it.
Lifa: You're very...welcome. I've finalized your team register for the tournament. I list Zane as team captain, with 3 auxiliary members: Estelle, Joshua and Olivier. Please remember there can be no changes or substitutions.
Understood. Feels like it's all about to break loose, doesn't it? Oh yeah. Do we know who our opponents are going to be?Lifa: We have already determined the pairings, but to discourage wagering, we do not announce them until just before the match is to begin. You can guess your opponents just prior to the match, though, by taking note of who else is sharing your ready room.
Ah, so opposing teams are kept in opposing rooms, I take it?Lifa: That's correct. Here. This is for you and your teammates.
You received the Registry Card.
Lifa: Please show that to the staff before you enter the arena. And, that should just about cover everything. Best of luck to you all! Knock 'em dead!
Thanks Lifa! This time, I don’t mind you sharing your opinions
Receptionist: Please note that tournament participants are asked to remain within the arena’s walls until the end of the day’s matches. Have you made all the necessary preparations for a day of hot, hot action.
Yup! And I’m ready for the tournament, too!
Receptionist: Your waiting room is the ‘Blue Team Room,’ just inside the hall on the right.
Yeah, has to be. Well, why don't we just relax until it's time for the match? Do you ever do anything OTHER than relaxing?Once, in 1194.
Rais: Ha ha... Too bad for you, huh?
Hmmm... Who are you guys, again?Flawless
Deen: We're the Ravens! We had all of Ruan pissing their collective pants in fear of us!
Rocco: Don't tell us you forgot!
Guys. I was KIDDING. I knew you guys were in Grancel yesterday to watch your buddies fight in the preliminaries. And you're back again today to pick a fight with us. Didn't you learn your lesson the last time?Deen: Heh heh heh...
Rais: Ha ha ha...
Rocco: Hee hee hee...
Okay, that's just creepy.
Are you planning to participate in the no-holds-barred matches?
Huh?!Deen: Hey, what's with the shocked look?
Rais: We won the prelims and made it here, fair and square.
Rocco: I don't remember you guys showing your faces before we'd made it halfway through, either.
Well, how do you like that! Not bad, for amateurs. Must've been some special training, huh?Deen: Guh...
Rocco: What the hell...?
I had you figured for just another bunch of punks, but you've got some real spirit to you. 
Nice going.Rais: Well, it was nothing, really...
Rocco: A-anyway... You beat us before. We ain't gonna miss our chance to get back at you!
Ha ha. Any time you're ready. Though I guess not today, if you guys are in the blue team room with us...Deen: Well, we're supposed to be on the other side, but...
But you couldn't wait to confront your opponents, could you? Well, best of luck! May the better team win!Deen: ...
Rocco: ...
Rais: ...
Huh?Deen: Hey, let's get outta here.
Rocco: Yeah... The mood's all off, now.
Rais: Let's go get something to eat before the fight.
I love how Estelle completely takes the winds out of their sails.
Did I say something wrong? No...not at all. 
You really are something else. Huh? Ha ha... Well, don't worry about that.
I'm impressed that she's so nonchalant about her own talents. Did I miss something? Ha ha. Don't worry about it. C'mon. Let's just get in the waiting room and wait for our match to start.
Calm down. All we have to do is wait patiently until it's our turn. They'll call for us. That doesn't calm me down at all!
We’re now giving free reign to talk to all the other teams on the blue side. We need to talk to everybody to continue, so let’s talk.
Hey Estelle. Since we're in the same room, that means we won't be pitted against each other in today's matches. 
...Too bad, huh? Yeah, it is. But, that just means the fun gets to last longer for you, right?
Heh. If nothing else, you sure do know how to trash talk!---
Hey, champs. How are you feeling? A little nervous and...kinda panicky, to be honest! If you get nervous, you'll start taking short, shallow breaths. And that's bad news! Force yourself to breathe slow and deep, and you'll find yourself feeling like a whole new person. Got it. Shallow breaths. I-I mean, deep breaths. Deep breaths! 
*inhale* *exhale* Wow, that...actually helped, I think! Thanks, Kurt!
Ha ha, no problem.---
Heya, newbies! Hi, Anelace.
Looks like you got onto Zane's team. Not too shabby! I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got.---
Looks like you're in.
Yep, sure are! Thanks to you.
Show us what you can do. And may the best team win.So may we win. Because, y’know, we’re the best team... Get it?
...Estelle is much better at this than me.
---
I’m in the moments just after the curtain rises, but before the diva sounds her first refrains! Quick! Hand me a glass, that I may catch this feeling and drink deep its bitter malt!---
No matter how you look at it, these are some strong teams. Heh. Glad I came to Liberl. This place seems right up my alley.---
1st Lieutenant Riel: So you’re bracers, huh? You guys are pretty good...for your age. Heh. May the best team win!
---
Private Mercia: This tournament is where we military and you bracers alike get to shamelessly display some prowess. Shake what you’ve got up there, and don’t lose an eye-- ‘cause that would really hurt!
---
Private Bian: Border garrison... Not to be messed with, for sure. But we’re not about to lose!
---
Hey, we can’t have two Zanes! One of you will have to change your name.
(It’s you, Private Brad.)
---
Chairman’s voice: But we will now commence with the no-holds-barred matches!
Chairman’s voice: South side, blue team... Bracer Guild, Grancel branch. Team captain is Kurt! North side, red team... Royal Army Assault Cavalry. Team captain is 1st Lieutenant Jed.
The Assault Cavalry is made up of the best men of the uniform. They won't be easy to beat. Good luck, guys! You just leave the heavy lifting to us. Let's goooooo!
Referee: Both teams, go to your starting places.
This is basically the same as the last Bracer versus Soldiers fight. Soldiers good, Bracers better. Much better.
Liberl's bracers are not to be trifled with. They all demonstrated great skill. Indeed, they may be few in number, but one of them could likely take on a thousand foes. If we have to face them in a match, we'll have a tough time of it.The bracers walk in.
Ha ha... It's an honor to be told so by [Zane the Immovable.]
It feels different from the prelim matches. Much harder to stay focused.Chairman's voice: Here's the lineup for the 2nd match... South side, blue team: From the Calvard Republic... Captained by martial arts master, Zane! North side, red team: Team Raven, captained by Deen!
That's us!
And look who we're facing... Ha ha. Facing such louts ought to prove most interesting, indeed.
All right, to the arena!Before we enter, we can talk to the senior bracers again.
---
Looks like you’re up next. Go get ‘em!---
We’ll be cheering for you. Go knock ‘em dead. Or down, at the very least.---
That worked up a good sweat. I could sure go for an ice cream right about now... Good luck, newbies!---
Just stay cool, and you'll do fine. I'm actually quite anxious to see you guys in action. Should be pretty grand!---
Rais: I guess the Goddess smiles on everyone at least once.
Rocco: You may have found our weaknesses before, but we've been through some insane training since then. Time to let you see the results!
Ha! Well, you've got spirit, at least! I hope you're not expecting us to take it easy on you! (Umm... Is it just me, or is Estelle a little livelier than usual? I'd almost call her attitude 'manly.')
(If she hears you saying that, I'm not helping you.) All right, it's just about time.Referee: This begins the 2nd no-holds-barred match of the competition. Both teams, go to your starting places.
I’ve talked about the tournament from the outside looking in, but now that we’re participants, I’m going to talk about the tournament from the outside. I like it! I’ve always been fond of fleshed out tournament plots in games, probably because of The Thousand Year Door, and Trails’ is pretty good. The fights, especially the semi-finals and finals are quite fun, and the game does a good job of weaving some interesting plot development in between the rounds of the tournament.
The Ravens are pretty much the same as when we fought them last, they’re just faster and stronger. I take a somewhat different tack this time, and have Zane taunt them, while Joshua and Olivier get started on speeding up the team.
Zane has one job, and he’s very good at it.
This isn’t a particularly tough fight, but the Ravens have still come a long way. They can take multiple White Gehannas to the face and stay standing, which is more than a lot of enemies can say.
The Ravens biggest weakness is that while they have a lot of tricks up their sleeve (the same as before: they can heal, revive, buff and debuff), none of them are enough to compensate for middling damage. And while they have lots of HP, as the fight goes on, the S-Crafts come out to play.
Estelle finishes the fight off in style, showing off Volcanic Rave for the first time. Volcanic Rave is the strongest fire magic in the game, attacking a medium radius centered around a tile of your choosing.
Deen: *huff* *huff* Damn it.. Lost again...
Rais: H-he’s too damned tough...!
Rocco: Shit! Shit, shit, SHIT!
Now, now... Don't get so discouraged. To be honest, I'm impressed. You gave us a good run for our mira. I agree. You're a lot stronger than when we fought in the Varenne Lighthouse.Deen: R-really...?
Rais: I...uh, don't really remember it too well.
I wouldn't know, but it seems we all gave it all we had. I think we can all return to the waiting rooms with our heads held high.
Our heads slightly higher.
Just goes to show you that change is the only constant in life. I watched the fight closely. It wasn't bad! Not bad at all... Ha ha ha... Thank you. I like to think that their change of heart is born of a desire to follow my shining moral example.
Wow... You really think so? Would you quit with your bullshit? You don't even know their situation. You don't even really know who we're talking about! The moment one falls in love is as quick as infinity itself.
You're not...'normal', are you?
Chairman’s voice: South side, blue team... From the Royal Army's 3rd Regiment... Captained by 1st. Lieutenant Riel!
Riel: Let's show 'em how it's done, people!
Isaac: Aye-aye, sir!
Chairman’s voice: The Capua Family, a.k.a. the Sky Bandits... Captained by Don Capua!
The Capuas...
Hmmm... That name rings a few bells...
Chairman’s Voice: Somewhat notorious, always in the news... They are the Capua family, the Sky Bandits who terrorized the Bose region! Today they present themselves to you in a physical display of contrition, eager to fight in a fair and honest manner. In doing so, they hope to atone for all the problems they've caused the Kingdom's citizens. This wish to make amends is foremost in their hearts as they take the field. And thanks to the sponsorship of Duke Dunan, they are here to show you that remorse. We hope you enjoy this shocking match-up and first ever public apology in tournament history!
If I got to apologize by kicking ass in a martial arts tournament then I’d... probably still apologize the old-fashioned way. I’m not a strong man.
...that this new 'team play' rule was enacted so that those criminals could participate. Ha ha ha... The duke is certainly a generous man.
This is no laughing matter! I kind of expected something crazy, but this is just...
Referee: We now begin the 3rd match of the no-holds-barred tournament. Both teams, go to your starting places.
Although the Capua’s are obviously slightly stronger, this fight isn’t a complete shutout like whenever Kurt and crew takes the ring.
The Captain of the soldier team is particularly tough for a portraitless NPC.
Still, Don brings the literal big guns, and while the Capua’s generic Sky Bandit helper goes down, the soldiers still lose in the end.
Well, they ARE pretty strong. But if worse comes to worst, and they actually win the championship... THEN what? Ha ha ha. Would they actually invite pirates into the castle for a dinner party? Oh, to be a fly on the wall for THAT little soiree. We need to make sure that it doesn't come to that! Regardless, this means that we have a tough opponent to deal with.
Bern: Well, don’t get so depressed. They’re used to fighting as a group. That’s all.
Riel: It’s not their strength, so much as our weakness. Which means we need to do some more training when we get back to our unit.
Chairman’s Voice: South side, blue team... From the Border Patrol, 7th Regiment... Captained by 1st Lieutenant Bern!
Rial: Looks like you're up. This is the last fight of the day, so you better make it count.
Bern: Understood. We'll give them twelve kinds of hell, army-style. Let's do this, people!
Chairman's voice: North side, red team... From the Royal Army Intelligence Division, captained by 2nd Lieutenant Lorence!
Hey, it's them!
Lieutenant Lorence... Wasn't he the one who...
Referee: Both teams, go to your starting places.
The Special Ops Soldiers are much, much better than the normal soldiers, but it’s not quite a complete, bloody, hard-to-watch curbstomp.
Until Lorence gets involved.
*whistles* Impressive. Given that they were a man short in the prelims, I figured they'd have another join in. I guess they had an ace in the hole.
Estelle, Joshua and I are also aces in that same hole, then, since we too missed the preliminaries. Ha ha. Perhaps that bodes well for us. The trick is to come late!
That fighting style... Huh? Joshua? What's wrong?
It can't be...but...
Joshua? Joshua! Oh... I'm okay... No need to worry. I was...just kind of taken aback at how good that guy's swordsmanship is.I’ve mentioned way back when that I think the agreement Estelle and Joshua have not to talk about the latter’s past works really well narratively, and here’s another example why. Joshua knows Lorence. I know this, you know this, hell, it’s even kind of implied later that Estelle’s realized this. Estelle and Joshua’s agreement takes Joshua not sharing who Lorence is from just another moment where a JRPG character doesn’t share important information to a character establishing moment for Joshua. He’d rather lie and not share potentially relevant information then reveal anything about himself.
R-really? I'm impressed. You've got a good eye, Joshua.Chairman’s Voice: And that concludes our first day of full-contact matches. Today's winners were Kurt's Team, Don's Team, Zane's Team and Lorence's Team!
Next time: It'll be us, obviously.