Nicolas/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

When Quest Begins

Come with me!

Is everyone ready?

Response to Beginning of a Quest

I'm right here with you!

Preparations complete!

When Receiving a Heal

Thank you very much!

A hundred thanks!

When Entering a Boss' Room

This looks to be the last of our foes!

May knowledge prevail!

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

Let's give it our all!

We won't lose!

Upon Getting to Low Health

M-my body feels...strange...

Ugh, I'm so useless...

Upon Opening a Chest

Treasure! How wonderful!

I wonder what we'll be taking home today!

Boss on Low Health

I think it's weakening!

Someone finish it off!

Boss Enters Break State

Right then—time to go on the offensive!

Now is our chance!

Rare Enemy Spawns

There's a rare enemy!

I've not seen that one before! Must be our lucky day!

Upon Death

I should have studied harder...

If only I weren't so talentless...

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Simply breathtaking.

That was...incredible.

When Shape Shifting is Ready

I can hear the dragon stirring!

The dragon's power awaits!

Idle During Quest

I wish I had brought something to read...

Isn't it about time we resumed our quest?

Home Screen Walking

What should I study today?

Maybe I should start a book club...

I wonder if anyone needs my help...

This downtime would be better spent studying.

I want my knowledge to help others.

Goodness, look at the time!

Home Screen Inside

It's quite common for me to start reading, then look up and realize the whole day is gone.

I want to believe this world rewards hard work, but I often fear that's not the case...

I can't see anything without my glasses— even a person standing right next to me!

I can't get enough of books. There's always something new and interesting to learn!

After I've committed something to memory once, I never forget it. It's...my only talent.

This castle truly is fascinating. There's so much to study in it!

At The Halidom

Can I help you with something?

Gotta keep on reading...

There's so much more for me to learn!

On Promotion to 4

This brings me one step closer to my dream!

On Promotion to 5

My knowledge is my strength...AND my greatest weapon!

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

Student of the Magic Academy

Nicolas: This castle looks suspiciously like one of the ancient buildings I saw in the academy library.

Nicolas: But the building materials are thought to no longer exist. So how...? Hmm...

Ranzal: Hey, Euden? There's a weird guy talkin' to the wall out here. He a friend'a yours?

Euden: Nope. I've never seen him before.

Euden: Excuse me. Can we help you?

Nicolas: More significantly, none of the records mention anything about there BEING a castle such as this here to begin with...

Nicolas: Yet it IS here!

Ranzal: It's like he can't even hear us.

Euden: Umm... Excuse me...

Nicolas: Aaaah! Wh-what is it?! Who are you?!

Euden: Sorry for startling you.

Euden: It's just that we live here, and we're wondering...what you're doing.

Nicolas: You live here? As in, it is your residence?

Nicolas: Ack! Sorry! So sorry! I should not have been inspecting your abode without explicit permission. Yes, quite.

Nicolas: My name is Nicolas.

Nicolas: I'm a student at the academy—and not at all suspicious, I assure you.

Ranzal: Wait, the academy?

Ranzal: You talkin' about the Caldia Magic Academy run by the Guild?

Euden: You've heard of this, Ranzal?

Ranzal: It's a school what gathers up kids with a knack for magic and gives 'em a five-star education in it.

Ranzal: Only the best make it in, though. If ya ain't some kinda magic genius, ya ain't gettin' through the door.

Euden: You must be a real expert then, Nicolas.

Nicolas: Me? Oh, heavens no! No, not really. ...No.

Nicolas: It takes all that I have merely to avoid falling behind my peer group.

Ranzal: So why's a nerdy kid like you talkin' to our walls?

Nicolas: I needed a research subject for one of my classes and ended up stumbling upon this castle.

Nicolas: It uses construction techniques that are lost to time, along with valuable timeworn materials. I couldn't help but admire it.

Nicolas: Erm, so the two of you own this, yes?

Nicolas: If it would be acceptable... Um... Would you permit me to survey it?

Euden: I don't see a problem with that.

Euden: Who am I to say no to such a serious student of history?

Nicolas: T-truly?! Thank you! I owe you a great debt!

Nicolas: Well then, time to get to work! Hrmm... Ah, interesting...

Euden: Actually, fiends come out around here at night, so you should probably be caref—

Nicolas: This structure MUST be old, and yet it looks perfectly new... How is such a thing even possible?

Euden: Um, Nicolas? Are you listening? ...Hello?

Nicolas: Could whoever built this castle have used magic to prevent the materials from deteriorating? What a masterful stroke of craftsmanship if so!

Nicolas: Ah, but that is not the only unusual thing...

Ranzal: I think he's forgotten us.

Ranzal: Guess he ain't an academy student for nothin'.

Episode 2

True Talent

Euden: Whew! I think that's enough sword swings for one day. ...Hmm? Wait, is that—

Nicolas: EUREKA!

Nicolas: I finally comprehend why this domicile shows no visible signs of decline!

Euden: You seem excited, Nicolas.

Nicolas: Ah! Euden!

Nicolas: I have discovered a crucial fact about this citadel!

Euden: No kidding? Er, but maybe you want to go wash your face off before we talk?

Euden: It's covered in dust.

Nicolas: Mmm? Heavens, so it is! I didn't even notice.

Euden: Your concentration really is something.

Euden: So then, what's this important thing you discovered?

Nicolas: Ah! Yes. Well, you see, the mana readings I'm getting from this keep are exactly the same as those recorded from the Spire of the East's 72nd floor!

Nicolas: Now, according to paragraph 108 of the Grimoire of Alcazars, the Spire of the East was constructed 200 years before the discovery of magic.

Nicolas: The only records of such a reading being found anywhere else are in paragraph 26 of the Sacred Map, and paragraph 15 of the Pilgrimage Tome. It's very rare indeed!

Euden: I don't think I followed...any of that?

Euden: So basically you found readings here in this castle that match readings recorded in some old books?

Euden: How do you even know that, actually? I don't see those books on you, and I'm pretty sure we don't have any copies lying around.

Nicolas: I read said books back at the academy.

Euden: You read them back at the academy...?

Euden: Wait, do you remember every word of every book that you've ever read?

Nicolas: Yes. I read them over and over again until I can commit them to memory.

Euden: That's actually amazing.

Nicolas: Oh, not at all! It's merely what is required for me to keep pace with the other students, given that I am not a genius.

Euden: I don't know about that.

Euden: Being able to remember everything you read seems pretty genius-y to me.

Nicolas: Alas, true geniuses don't need to spend time poring over books and studying as I do.

Nicolas: A spell that my classmates can master in an instant requires days of painstaking, grueling research from me.

Nicolas: I simply don't have the...knack?

Euden: Heh. I understand just how you feel.

Euden: I've never been able to compare with my brothers when it comes to swordsmanship.

Nicolas: Truly?

Nicolas: I find that rather difficult to believe, given how strong and dexterous you are.

Euden: That's because I trained without pause once I grew tired of losing to them.

Euden: Which is why I'm no longer as weak as I once was.

Euden: But if I look like a talented swordsman to you, then you look like just as much of a talented mage to me.

Nicolas: What...?

Euden: I can only imagine how much hard work was required to gain all the knowledge you have now.

Euden: Perhaps it's not a ＂natural＂ skill per se, but working hard and achieving results is a talent all the same.

Nicolas: You truly think so...?

Nicolas: I'd never thought of it in such a way.

Nicolas: But you're right when you say I've put in more sweat and hard work than any of my peers.

Nicolas: Perhaps that is my talent after all...

Episode 3

Field Experience

Fiend: Grrrrrrr...

Nicolas: Focus, Nicolas... Stay calm...

Nicolas: You've read all manner of things about fiends in books...

Nicolas: Paragraph 22 of the Beastly Compendium states that when one encounters fiends in a forest, they are to seek out high ground and attack from above.

Nicolas: Aaah!

Nicolas: Oh no! I've been cornered on low ground! Right then. In such a situation, I need to place the sun at my back and—

Ranzal: Hey! Nicolas! Whatcha mumbling to yerself for? Concentrate on the damn fight or yer gonna get hurt!

Nicolas: Ah! Yes. Apologies. Also, thank you for saving me.

Ranzal: Oh, for the love'a... Look, I'm just glad yer okay.

Nicolas: ......

Euden: All right, that's the last of them. Is anyone hurt?

Nicolas: I am well, thank you.

Nicolas: But I'm sorry I was so useless.

Ranzal: I wouldn't say useless. But what's with all that whisperin' to yerself and crap?

Ranzal: I mean, ya did it the entire time!

Nicolas: Um... Well...

Nicolas: I've read about fiends and how to combat them in books, so I was attempting to recall that knowledge during the battle.

Nicolas: But even though I know how to fight them in theory, my whole body freezes up when I'm actually faced with them.

Nicolas: So yes. I AM useless.

Nicolas: I may have knowledge to spare, but if I can't apply it to actual battle, I may as well not have it at all.

Ranzal: ...Huh.

Ranzal: Tell me somethin', Nicolas: How much experience do ya have fightin' fiends?

Nicolas: Effectively zero.

Ranzal: Then it ain't a surprise things didn't go perfect this time.

Nicolas: I don't follow.

Ranzal: It took ages before I could fight as well on the battlefield as I could in practice.

Nicolas: It did?

Nicolas: I would never have thought that to be true. You're a virtual killing machine out here!

Ranzal: Now, sure. But it took a whole lotta battles and experience for that to happen.

Ranzal: But just jumpin' into real battles and swingin' away ain't enough, neither.

Ranzal: Ya need the knowledge and techniques ya gain from trainin' in order to make use'a combat experience.

Ranzal: And since ya already got the knowledge, I think yer gonna be a real asset once ya get the experience.

Nicolas: Really?

Ranzal: For now, hang back in battle and let us do the dirty work. That way you can gain experience without all the risk.

Ranzal: We're gonna need all the info in yer noodle someday soon, which means ya gotta keep it attached to yer shoulders!

Nicolas: Thank you, Ranzal.

Nicolas: I won't let you down! One day, I will make certain that my knowledge helps everyone!

Nicolas: So, Euden?

Nicolas: Would you let me take part in battles more often?

Nicolas: I want to gain as much practical experience as I can!

Euden: Of course, Nicolas. We're counting on you.

Episode 4

A Commendable Dream

Euden: ...302! ...303! ...304! ...305!

Euden: ...Hmm?

Euden: Oh, are you taking the washing in, Nicolas? Want me to give you a hand?

Nicolas: No, it's fine. I'm almost done now. Please continue your training.

Euden: Well, if you're sure.

Euden: ...Wait, what number was I on again? Oh well. I guess I'll just start from the beginning.

Nicolas: You never miss a single day's practice, do you?

Euden: Nope. If I did, I'd get rusty.

Nicolas: Might I ask you a question?

Euden: Sure.

Nicolas: You found yourself thinking you were weak after losing to your brothers so many times, correct?

Euden: That's right. Why do you ask?

Nicolas: I just can't imagine how you could think you were weak. You're at least the equal of everyone here, if not more.

Nicolas: And you fought valiantly against those fiends the other day, as well.

Euden: Sure, but that's because I've been training this whole time.

Euden: When I first started out, I was pretty painful to watch.

Euden: I'd train and train, and still get beaten by some apprentice knight who'd literally never held a sword in his life.

Nicolas: I'm impressed you were able to stay motivated after going through that.

Euden: I just didn't want to give up.

Euden: If I stopped trying because of that, I'd never catch up to anyone.

Euden: And since I was doing it because I WANTED to do it, it didn't matter what other people thought of me.

Nicolas: You really are amazing.

Nicolas: I wish I could be so determined when it came to following my own dream.

Euden: Do you have one in particular?

Nicolas: I do—though I've never told anyone about it for fear they would mock me.

Euden: I promise not to mock you.

Nicolas: Well, I want to make it so that everyone in the world can use magic.

Euden: That's...impressive.

Nicolas: Indeed. But I want to prove that anyone has the ability to control magic if they put in the hard work and practice.

Nicolas: This is a matter I have personal experience with, for I am not a magical genius with natural talent.

Euden: I think it's a laudable goal, Nicolas. And very YOU.

Nicolas: Truly?

Euden: I do. And given that you work harder than anyone, I'm sure you'll be able to see it to completion.

Euden: If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.

Nicolas: Thank you very much. I'm going to follow your example and never give up!

Nicolas: No matter what anyone says, I won't let it bother me. I'll see it through to the end!

Episode 5

Taking Strides

Euden: You just got a letter, Nicolas.

Nicolas: Oh, it's from the academy. That was fast.

Euden: Do you mind me asking what it's about?

Nicolas: I applied to take some time off from my studies. This is their response.

Nicolas: ...Ah. They accepted my proposal.

Nicolas: That's no surprise, really. It's not as if anyone there had high hopes for me. What reason would they have to say no?

Euden: Wait. You applied for time off?

Nicolas: I really should be returning to the academy soon, but instead, I wish to remain in this castle for a while longer.

Euden: Are you sure? It's going to be more difficult to learn magic here.

Nicolas: True, I might not learn more pure magic...

Nicolas: But I've learned all manner of other vital things since coming here.

Nicolas: Things I couldn't have possibly learned from textbooks or lectures.

Nicolas: I've met and talked with people who've led completely different lives—people I never would have met at the academy.

Nicolas: And I've learned that talent and hard work come in many different forms.

Nicolas: This place helped me realize that all the knowledge I've accumulated IS a talent.

Euden: But if you stay here—

Nicolas: It would be a burden, yes? I understand.

Euden: No, we'd love for you to stay here! But what about your plan?

Euden: You know, the one where you prove that anyone in the world can learn magic?

Euden: Wouldn't studying magic at the academy let you achieve that more quickly than if you stayed here?

Nicolas: On the contrary, I think it would be better for me TO stay here.

Nicolas: I've come to believe that I need the experiences I'm getting here if I want to achieve my dream.

Nicolas: I'm not a genius, so I need to work hard and gain knowledge to compensate.

Nicolas: But you are very much the same way, which is why I want to pursue this dream at your side.

Nicolas: If I learn from you and work hard, I'll eventually have enough knowledge to be the equal of the natural geniuses at the academy.

Nicolas: I'll become a first-rate mage who shows the world that they can do it, too!

Nicolas: And staying here is the first step toward that goal.

Euden: Well, it sounds like you've really thought this through.

Euden: If there's anything I can do, let me know.

Euden: I'd be happy to help however I can.

Nicolas: Thank you, Euden.

Nicolas: I can't wait to begin...

Nicolas: With enough hard work, I WILL achieve my dream!