S2E8: Robinson the Sage

[Second Group's Perspective]

Within five minutes, the dancespores disperse into nothing, their main source already destroyed.

While we have to worry about our comrades being in grave danger, we also have to extract important information about the Theresentien House of Politics.

Last we checked up on it – right after we have destroyed the dancespore machine hidden in an unused classroom somewhere in the annex building of Jaxton School – its main gate, the only entrance and exit, is locked by a magical seal much more powerful than what we have encountered in the unused classroom.

And thus, we take the next sensible step: Ask for help regarding unsealing the gate from the students, or even the faculty.

Asking nursery, kindergarten, and elementary students is out of the question, since they are naturally not the ones to turn to regarding adult matters.

High school and college students, meanwhile, are the ones we should ask help from.

Speaking of the school's three departments, each wing that each department occupies contains at least three elevators for ease of access for each of the floors.

Furthermore, the sections for each grade or level are named after certain video game towns or characters – save for grade 2, whose sections are named after the first eight provinces in the Philippines to rise up against the Spanish occupation – Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

Despite my status as a Seattleite, I am not that interested in games in general, so someone like Benoit or even Christian is the one to talk to regarding these.

As for the sections in the college department, they are generically named with numbers and letters. For example, the computer sciences school sections are named A1, A2, and so on.

After around 45 minutes of asking around, we come across the most useful information we can extract, from a high school student named Alice Mumme, who is currently enrolled in section I-Aerith Gainsborough.

She is her section's top student, by the way.

"I'm actually interested in history, so I always excel in that subject. So then, I'll tell you something unbelievable. You know the Monumental Ruins that used to pay tribute to a hero named Andrew Boniface? Well, I'm emphasizing 'used to', because it has sadly deteriorated in the past few years because no one had the guts to perform routine maintenance on it. Who would anyone want to do that in the first place, with The Movement's minions still lording it over Shurilesia? More so with the Theresentien House of Politics, which now acts as a facility to inter suspected enemies of that darn organization?

"Anyway, some sage has taken up residence, and there are substantial rumors that he could be the key to unlocking that magical seal locking the Theresentien House of Politics tight. I don't know the name... but regardless, here's the key to unlocking what lies beyond the ruins. I picked it up one day while sorting some trash I could upcycle into useful things. Use it well, OK?"

[You got a Ruin Key.]

Excellent.

We must not delay ourselves and head towards the ruins right away!

The Monumental Ruins, as it turns out, lies on an island southeast of the main Shurilesian continent, which is named Rivas Island.

To get there, we have to ride a motor-powered boat and land on the island's shore.

Fortunately, Wilbur, the Ishi-shiro's chief financial officer, already has one stored in the HQ's hangar and garage.

After making our way towards HQ and retrieving the boat, we then start the trip towards the island.

Five minutes later, we are now at the only shore of Rivas Island.

The student was right.

The monument dedicated to the legendary hero, Andrew Boniface, who lived from 1877 Anno Daig'digaiae to 1922 Anno Daig'digaiae, is indeed in a state of decay.

The marble base is covered in dirt, the engravings on the brass plate are illegible due to weathering, and the statue itself, which is also made from brass, has dulled so much.

Even the lights that surround the monument itself are in dire need of repairs, as almost half of them don't work at all, and those that do flicker.

With the Ruin Key in hand, we all just have to search for a recess where we can insert it.

Luckily, the key recess lies just below the plate.

We insert it; and in no time, the recess gives way to a much simpler mechanism: A button.

I then take the initiative to press the button, and lo and behold!

With a second-long rumbling of the ground, a plate near the base gives way to a hidden set of stairs.

Yes! We should explore the rest of the ruins with no worries at all.

We all descend the stairs; and at its end, we can find a straightforward path, as well as a small abode made out of carved rock.

The abode must be the home of the sage the student is talking about.

No sooner does a young-looking man emerge from the abode, and he just wears a simple robe over the usual buttoned-down shirt and pants.

And what is even more amazing... is that he is another familiar face.

He is none other than our old classmate, Robinson Rutherford.

"Edilbert! And the other CAT officers! Good to see you again!"

We all share a hug, before he does the mandatory salute while standing up straight.

Yes, he has not forgotten his CAT days.

I then have the urge to ask the obvious.

"How did you end up here?"

Knowing that he is talking with a group of people he is familiar with, he begins his story.

***

It all started when I was just watching a Korean zombie apocalypse series on a popular video subscription service.

Just before the credits rolled, I was sucked in by the TV; and the next thing I knew, I ended up in the ruins of this monument.

Alone, with no friends to help me, I tried my best to find a way in... or a way out.

Fortunately, the ruins contain an abode where there was food all stocked and a mattress all waiting to be slept on.

And then, a voice whispered to me.

"You are in a fantasy world. Seek out your classmates – all 49 of them, and you can walk out of this world free."

Well, as someone who is at least familiar with a genre of stories named isekai – I could understand the basic mechanics behind it.

And right until you have all arrived, I was biding my time here in my abode.

***

What he has experienced is essentially not different from what I have experienced myself.

In fact, after doing some freelance work on my laptop, I was suddenly sucked in by the laptop's screen.

Minutes later, I woke up on the bank of a lake, alongside many of my fellow CAT officers.

That was where we have all learned that we were transported to a fantasy world; and given our experience as reserve military officers back in the real world, we could establish a paramilitary organization to protect the peace here in the fantasy world named Daig'digaia.

No sooner did a building emerge from the lake's waters, as if we were bequeathed a blessing.

Opportunity knocked at the door, and in no time, the Ishi-shiro was born.

"Alright," I finalize. "Now that you have shared your story, let us proceed with the matter at hand. There are substantial rumors that you could break the otherwise unbreakable seal at the Theresentien House of Politics."

"Ah, yes," he assents. "Even while cooped up in this abode, I'm still able to keep myself up with the latest news, thanks to fast over-the-air connections. Alright, then. The seal you're talking about is based on a scroll that is hidden deep within this ruin. I don't know how those guys from The Movement managed to copy that scroll, but the original is still intact. Well then... let us all proceed forward."

We all nod in agreement.

We seven proceed along the straightforward path leading to the basement second floor.

And on this basement second floor, we come across a fork in the road.

From our ocular inspection, the path to our left leads to the basement third floor, as we can see steps going downward.

The path to our right, meanwhile, leads to a treasure chamber.

Since we want to stock up on supplies, we explore the treasure chamber first.

The treasure chests here are clustered in a way that one must face a specific direction in order to access one.

From these chests, we acquire the following.

[You got 10 bottles of Hi-Potion.]

[You got 10 Pei Pa Koa Candies.]

[You got 5 bottles of Ether.]

[You got 2 bottles of Incomplete Elixir.]

[You got 5 Immortal Bird's Feathers.]

[You got 10 Tents.]

[You got 5 bottles of Disinfectant Oil.]

[You got 15 Blink Stones.]

[You got 15 Dexterity Spheres.]

[You got a Portable Lightning Rod.]

Furthermore, in this chamber, we can sense some faint magic on the walls, which tells us that something is hidden behind them.

And our hypothesis proves to be right, as there are short paths hidden behind those magic walls.

These paths lead to three more treasure chests, which contain the following.

[You got an Immunity Charm.]

[You got a Barbarian's Coif.]

[You got Moro Armor.]

After acquiring this much treasure, we head back to the fork in the road and proceed towards the basement third floor.

The basement third floor is best described as an underground lake, with several cobblestones scattered about, and a piece of land, which is most likely sediment accumulated over the years, at the opposite end.

There is a treasure chest on each of three of the cobblestones, so all we have to do is to jump through other stones to reach them and get their contents, all the while dispatching random monster encounters.

[You got a Heater Shield.]

[You got Vacul.]

[You got Karayi.]

After getting these useful pieces of armor, we head towards the piece of land, which contains a pillar that houses the scroll Robinson is talking about.

I direct him, "You know about this place, right?"

"To be honest, this is actually my first time here. Even as a sage, I dare not sully the scroll with my mere presence."

A nefarious voice then permeates the air, its laugh mockingly replying to what he said.

"Hahaha! You cowardly sage! Instead of exploring your supposed domain, you just lock yourself up in your abode... doing indecent things!"

Robinson defiantly replies, "Like I have the time to do that! I have no girlfriend, and you mock me with THIS?!"

"Believe what you wish. Because you are a coward, I will do THIS!"

The nefarious voice gathers into evil energy that quickly possesses the poor sage.

An excess of that energy then emerges from his ears, which then form into huge ghastly eyeballs.

Using Robinson's voice, the evil spirit provokes us, "Now show me if you can beat the living daylights out of this coward, soldiers!"

I courageously retort, "You are more cowardly, taking advantage of someone's vulnerability!"

***

[Boss Battle: Shaitan & Mahou no Me x2]

Shaitan: An evil spirit possessing Robinson Rutherford, who is trying to incite him into going against his allies by whispering into his vulnerable heart.

Mahou no Me: A "magic eye" that supplements Shaitan's deadly offensive spells.

Shaitan

Level 32 | HP: 3141 | MP: 56

Mahou no Me

Level 32 | HP: 1413 | MP: 999

Party: Edilbert, Angelino, Rosalind, Jamieson, Priscilla, Aisha

[Note]

When Shaitan is casting spells, he uses the MP of each Mahou no Me. If the two Mahou no Me are no more, he can still use his own MP pool.

As long as the two Mahou no Me stand, Shaitan's magic will hurt more. Attacking one of them, though, will prompt a physical counterattack.

The evil spirit possessing the sage sneers using Robinson's voice, "Hahaha!!! Your little reunion in this world will never see the light of day!"

I just bravely respond, "Let us see about that, hell-spawn."

Edilbert chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Mahou no Me A.

Angelino chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Mahou no Me A.

Rosalind chooses to attack Mahou no Me A.

Jamieson chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Lock-on Target, on himself.

Priscilla chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.

Aisha chooses to attack Mahou no Me A.

Shaitan casts Apoywa on Edilbert, dealing him 676 damage.

Edilbert performs his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Mahou no Me A, dealing it 3 hits for a total of 679 damage.

Mahou no Me A counterattacks with a physical attack on Edilbert, dealing him 85 damage.

Angelino performs his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Mahou no Me A, dealing it 681 damage.

Mahou no Me A counterattacks with a physical attack on Angelino, dealing him 84 damage.

Rosalind attacks Mahou no Me A, dealing it 329 damage. A critical hit!

Mahou no Me A is knocked out.

Jamieson performs his Innate Skill, Lock-on Target, on himself.

Jamieson's accuracy rate increased.

Priscilla performs her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.

"As Florence Nightingale once said, 'Angels fight because they are faced with bitterness.'"

The quote restores all allies' health to maximum.

Aisha attacks Mahou no Me B, dealing it 150 damage.

Mahou no Me B counterattacks with a physical attack on Aisha, dealing her 83 damage.

Edilbert chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Mahou no Me B.

Angelino chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Mahou no Me B.

Rosalind chooses to attack Mahou no Me B.

Jamieson chooses to attack Mahou no Me B.

Priscilla chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.

Aisha chooses to attack Mahou no Me B.

Shaitan casts Yelowa on Aisha, dealing her 565 damage.

Edilbert performs his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Mahou no Me B, dealing it 3 hits for a total of 643 damage.

Mahou no Me B counterattacks with a physical attack on Edilbert, dealing him 82 damage.

Angelino performs his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Mahou no Me A, dealing it 652 damage.

Mahou no Me B is knocked out.

Rosalind attacks Shaitan, dealing it 205 damage.

Jamieson attacks Shaitan, dealing it 321 damage. A critical hit!

Priscilla performs her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.

"As Sigmund Freud once said, 'The final target of all living things is death.'"

The quote attacks Shaitan, dealing it 520 damage.

Aisha attacks Shaitan, dealing it 243 damage.

Edilbert chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Shaitan.

Angelino chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Shaitan.

Rosalind chooses to attack Shaitan.

Jamieson chooses to attack Shaitan.

Priscilla chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.

Aisha chooses to attack Shaitan.

Shaitan casts Kidlatwa on Rosalind, dealing her 210 damage.

Edilbert performs his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Shaitan, dealing it 3 hits for a total of 668 damage.

Angelino performs his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Shaitan, dealing it 607 damage.

Rosalind attacks Shaitan, dealing it 204 damage.

Jamieson attacks Shaitan, dealing it 221 damage.

Priscilla performs her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.

"As Niccolò Machiavelli once said, 'To know the way to heaven, you must know the way to hell.'"

The quote lowers all of Shaitan's statuses.

Aisha attacks Shaitan, dealing it 343 damage. A critical hit!

Shaitan is knocked out.

The counter-terrorists win! That's us.

5759 EXP and 4126 Double Pesos acquired.

Edilbert leveled up, from Level 30 to Level 32!

Angelino leveled up, from Level 30 to Level 32!

Rosalind leveled up, from Level 30 to Level 32!

Jamieson leveled up, from Level 30 to Level 32!

Priscilla leveled up, from Level 30 to Level 32!

Aisha leveled up, from Level 30 to Level 32!

***

The evil spirit exits Robinson's body and vanishes into nothing.

Hopefully, for good.

We then waste no time resuscitating him with our healing supplies.

In no time, he recovers, and immediately states...

"Thank you all."

I state in return, "We at the Ishi-shiro are just doing our job."

"Ah, the paramilitary organization? Suits you all right."

"Well then. Let us focus on the scroll."

As we are all guarding him, to guarantee that no evil possession shall happen again, he reaches for the scroll, and grabs it without incident.

[You got Scroll of Secure Sealing.]

With our mission complete, we all agree to head back towards Jaxton School.

Robinson reacts, "It sucks that I'll have to leave my abode for now, but I have a mission to do. And I'll see it through the end."