Eugene/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

Wait, you want to be friends with me?

On Entering a Room

Wait, I have to work with other people? Argh! ARGH!

When Quest Begins

Wait, you want ME to say it? Oh wow. Okay. Um...let's go!

You ready to go? Got your sharp ends all sharpened?

Response to Beginning of a Quest

Wait, I can come? Really?

Wait, me? Yeah, but... I mean... Augh! I may not be ready!

When Controlling Character in Quest

Ah, right, I'm going for it!

When Receiving a Heal

A friend's a good thing to have...

Whew! Okay, that was close.

When Entering a Boss' Room

We'll take 'em down and then head home.

A team of friends, winning together...and I'm part of it!

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

Yeah! I'm not...scared!

They're gonna be sorry they messed with an introvert!

Upon Getting to Low Health

I'll never change if I give up here!

Man, who set this thing to Hard Mode...?

Upon Opening a Chest

You guys can split it. I uh...don't need any...

Anything in there Sam might like?

Boss on Low Health

I-I it looks like I might win? Wait, me? Seriously?

Nobody give up here!

Boss Enters Break State

This turn's gonna end it!

Whoa... Our attacks are actually WORKING.

Rare Enemy Spawns

Hey, a rare enemy! That's a nice bonus.

What a weirdo. ...Man, I know what that's like.

Upon Death

I wanted...to enjoy my youth...

I guess it's game over... way too soon...

When Revived

Game's not over yet!

When Using Weapon/Shared Skills

Damage: This will turn it around!

Buff Self: Guess I gotta get serious!

Buff Ally: Come on, let's go!

Debuff Enemy: Just leave me alone!

Heal Ally: Hang in there, yeah?

Heal Self: That was close.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Wish I could do something that cool.

I...wanna be strong like that...

When Shape Shifting is Ready

Yeah, the dragon's calling. ...Wait, it's for ME?

The dragon's gonna drop the Game Over hammer!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

My turn! Shapeshift!

Idle During Quest

Time for a nougat break...

Might be a good time for some gaming...

Quest Clear

Even I can do it if I try!

Quest Failure

Pffft! I clearly haven't changed.

Home Screen Walking

H-hey there...

K-kinda nervous here...

Heeey! Saaaam?

I won't run next time...

Want some nougat?

Let's stay up all night and game!

Home Screen Inside

Maybe a whole new home means I can become a whole new me...

What do I need to be more social? It's gotta be courage, right?

D-do you wanna...play... a game or... Um... Dammit! I can't talk when I'm nervous...

Board games are the best. And if you don't have friends, just take all the turns yourself!

Want some nougat? It's nuts, milk, AND chocolate, all smushed into a flavor bomb!

Man, Catherine seriously throws me off my game.

Home Screen Portrait

I still don't have any dreams for my future, but there is one thing I've always loved.

The little guy on my back is my pal, Sam.

Yeah, I spin tops. My town had an exchange with Hinomoto, so I got all kinds of weird toys.

I love the Halidom, there's so many dragons here! Sam's made a ton of new friends too.

Can't use magic to conjure up a fulfilling life. I'm scared, but I gotta change.

Collection Portrait

I feel like there is more important stuff to study than church doctrine or national history or whatever.

Staying up late is bad for Sam's health, so I try to limit my marathon game nights.

When I'm nervous I get all stuttery. You think there's a spell that can fix that?

You're a great guy, prince. Too great for me sometimes.

At The Halidom

You want to talk to me? ...Why?

It's been a while since I've seen the sun... Yikes, that thing is BRIGHT.

Lots of people here... Makes me nervous...

New Mana Circle Unlocked

Wait, I got stronger? No way!

On Mana Circle Fully Unbound

I feel like I can actually change myself now, so maybe I will have tons of friends one day!

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

I'm Going Home

Please come quickly, Your Highness! We found a note from Eugene! I'm going home. Thanks for everything.
-Eugene
Home? He only got here yesterday! I wonder what changed his mind. I know not, but we have searched the castle grounds and he is not to be found. Then we need to go after him. I won't stop him if he wants to leave, but if something is bothering him, I need to know what it is. Of course, Your Highness. I shall rally the others at once.

---

Suu! Suu! ...Hmm? You wanna know if I regret this? Yeah, sticking around was never gonna fly. I was never gonna become friends with any of 'em... The Previous Day
Um...hey. Er, it's Eugene, right? From Quinbell? What brings you here? I, um...just wanted to say thanks for helping me out at the festival. Also, I thought maybe I could say hi to folks while I was here and...you know. I mean, there's all kinds of people here, yeah? So I figured maybe at least one of 'em might wanna...be my friend? Are you really worried about that? Because I think everyone here would be happy to be your friend, Eugene. Yeah, except I'm gloomy and cynical and mess up what I say when I'm nervous. It's not exactly grade-A pal material. I'm confident you'll find a lot of great friends here. May I have a moment, Your Highness? Of course. See you around, Eugene! Man, that prince is something else. He's got this crazy aura about him, and he clearly trusts all his friends. So if he thinks I'm going to find a friend here... Maybe he's right? Oh, hey! Haven't seen you around before. You new here, guy? Uhhh... I'm... Errr... (C'mon, Eugene, get it together! Talk to him! Make a friend!) You wanna come skate with me? Um...skate? Oh man, you don't know how to skate? You're gonna LOVE it! Look, just strap these blades to your shoes, okay? Ack! The ground just turned to ice! Yeah, magic blades, blah blah blah. Anyway, let's get skating! GYAAAAAA! TOO FAST! I'M SCARED!

---

Oww... Man, I'm just one big bruise now from falling all over the place. What was even UP with that guy? He just yammered on about skating and didn't listen to a word I said! Hey there! Umm... Are you talking to me? (Ugh, not again... Wait, no. I can't let that last failure put me off the entire idea of making friends—I can do this!) I, um... See, I just came here, sooo... Uh oh. Someone's got a case of the sads. Well, I know just the thing to turn that frown manically upside down: DANCING! Wh-what? H-hang on! Dancing's really not my thing! Don't worry, I'll teach you everything. Ready? Aaand...step! Turn! Step! Leap! Pirouette! GRAND JETÉ! I told you I'm no good at—GYAAAAA!

---

Okay, why is everyone in that stupid castle so full of stupid energy? I mean, yeah, they all seemed happy to have me around, and it was kind of fun, but... I can't deal with folks who are that...cheerful. Suu... Heh. I'm conflicted all right, buddy. But if I run away now, it'll be exactly the same as all my other failures. Suu! Suu! Thanks, Sam. Your support means a lot. All right. I'm gonna do this. If I want to make friends and have a youth I can look back on without regret, I have to change. I need to stop hanging around in shadows and step into the light! ...Or whatever. Suu! Eugeeeeene! Where aaaare you?! Oh man, they actually followed me! Okay, time to be strong and— VROOOOOOOOOOM! FOUND YA, TURKEY! You're Eugene, yeah? ...... (Nope. A thousand years of trying won't be enough for me to get along with him.) If it's friends you want, I'm your man. So hop on my chariot and let's RIDE, daddy-o! Yeeeeee-haw! What the heck are you SAYING, gosh?! Hop on my partner and ride, baby! We're gonna be INVINCIBLE! OHHHH YEAAAAAH! WOOOOOO!

Okay, what is WITH this guy? My chariot is the BEST, baby! Let's go 'cause some trouble! N-nope! I'm good, thanks! Aw, don't be a square! Be a BOSS! Noooooo! Suu? Suu?!

---

(I was stupid to think I could change myself. I'm gonna be awkward forever...)

Episode 2

Sam's Support

All right, my turn now. I rolled...a seven! I'm moving my light infantry forward! Suuu... Suu! Trying to fend me off with a magician, eh? Well played, Sam! But I saw that coming, which is why I've got an assassin waiting for you. Suu?! I'm coming for you now! I rolled a ten, and I'm charging foward with my light infantry! Ha! Your commander is down, which means I win! Whew! Talk about a heated battle. You're really fun to play with, Sam. ...Oh hey, it's raining. Rain always makes me think of the day I first found you. (We were busy getting ready for the summer festival at the time...) Eugeeeeeeeeene! Ugh, it's the one-woman idiot brigade. Hey! Let go of me! I will do no such thing, young man! You must help with the preparations! No I must NOT! Stop trying to force a bunch of crap on me, gosh! Festivals are stupid. If you want one, go set it up your own dang self. How dare you call my perfectly planned, spectacular-in-every-way festival "dumb!" I have had ENOUGH of this! Mark my words, this will be the day I get you to wo— L-look! Up there! It's a flying lion, and he's breathing FIRE! What?! Hey! Return here this INSTANT, Eugene!

---

I'm finally rid of her. What a pain... Why should I help out at festivals that have nothing to do with me? Those things are no fun if you go alone, so I'm gonna stay home this year, too. Huh? Why's it raining when it's still sunny? H-hey! Who's there?! You better not be eavesdropping on me! Suu... Huh. It's making a sound like an animal, but it's not a cat or a dog or anything... Suu? Suu! Oh, geez. Whatever it is, it seems really young... I don't see anything else here. No friends or family or whatever. Guess you're alone just like me, huh? You wanna come with me, then? Suu! Suu! Hey, this thing seems really happy! Wait, does it understand what I'm saying? Well, if I can talk to it, I'd better give it a name. Hmm... You know what? You seem like a Sam to me. Suu! Suu! Heh. You like that, huh? In that case, it's nice to meet you, Sam! Su! (In the end, it turned out Sam was so smart we could even play board games.) (Sam was understanding, calming, and the best friend a guy could want.) (Then the day of the festival came...) You sit about feeling bad for yourself, and on the rare occasions you speak, naught by gloom flows out! Little wonder you're so cut off from the world. Oh yeah, like people enjoy having some egocentric hag boss 'em around all the time! Yak yak yak, that's you! GRRR! Suu... I absolutely HATE you, young man! I absolutely HATE you, lady! (Because Catherine and I fought, Sam changed. We had to mend fences in order to stop the chaos.) (But just saying we were friends wasn't enough—we needed to get to know one another and resolve our differences.) (That led me to find out how her frustration influenced her attitude, and how hard she worked as a result.) Sam ended up teaching me something really important. Everyone has their own worries and issues to deal with. I want to change. I NEED to change. I thought I'd made up my mind about that, but now I'm just running away again! Things can't keep going on like this. I know that. But... But I'm just so darn NERVOUS! I mean, can I really fit in at the Halidom? Suu! Suu! Hmm? Hey, where are you going? That's the front door. Suu! Suu! Why's he jumping up and down in front of the door like that? Wait... Are you trying to cheer me on and help me move forward? Like, "Let's open this door and head back to the Halidom!"? Suu! Aw, thanks, Sam. I feel a bit more courageous now. ...Just a little. But that little bit is enough to pick myself up and try again!

Episode 3

The Desire to Change

If I'm going to try and make friends here, I need to find someone a bit closer to my own energy level. Guys like that skater and dancer are more of a deep-end-of-the-pool thing. So who looks easy to get along with and laid-back enough to handle? Hmm... Suu! Suu! Hmm? You want me to look over there? Huh. Yeah, okay. He looks close to my age and seems pretty quiet. Might work. Thanks for the heads up, Sam. I'm gonna go talk to him! I hope this works so I can finally have some NORMAL teen years. Ummmmm...hey. (I did it! I managed to say hello without being all weird about it!) Oh, hello. Are you one of the prince's new recruits? Er, yeah. My name is...um...it's Eugene. Nice to meet you. Oh, likewise. I'm Nicolas, a student from the Caldia Magic Academy. Magic Academy?! (Damn, he must be really smart. How am I supposed to make friends with a huge brain like that?) Er, is something the matter? Nothing just wanted to say hi and I did so now I'm saying bye. So...bye.

---

Man, there really are some amazing people around this place. Suu! Suu! Hmm? Who's that? A young priest in training? Well, he seems pretty normal—might as well give it a try. All right! Priest work done for the day! Which means it's time fooooor... Knight training! Oh yeah, let's WORK it! Or he's a knight. A priest-knight. Wait, is that even a thing? Ugh. So much for normal. Hey there! You new? No I'm just leaving gotta go bye.

---

Man, what is UP with this castle? Everyone's either a complete weirdo or a world-class genius. Suu! Suu! Yeah, you're right, Sam— it's too early to give up yet. There's a zillion people in this castle, so there's gotta be at least ONE who gets my general...deal.

---

I can't do this any more. I'm exhausted. Looks like I'm doomed to be as alone here as I am at home. So much for the stupid dream of making a stupid friend, gosh! But at least I've got you, Sam. Suu! Suu! We can still play games together, so it's not like I'm totally alone. Hey, you're that guy from earlier! Oh, is that a board game? Nice. It's...um...yeah. I used to play board games with the other village kids back at my parents' church. This one can take four players, yeah? You mind if I find a couple other folks and we all join in? W-wait!

---

(Well, THIS got out of hand quick.) Let me see... I rolled a nine, so I'm going to move my heavy cavalry. Mmm... Then I shall intercept using two of my light infantry together. Everyone's so good at this— it's really anyone's game! (Great. I'm surrounded by a child genius, a ninja assassin, and a priest-knight.) (I couldn't stand out more if I tried.) You're up, Eugene! R-right! I look forward to seeing how you will endeavor to break this stalemate. Yes, this move will likely determine the course of the entire battle! Ha ha! I can't wait to see where this goes! (Holy cow. I'm actually having FUN.) (I had no idea this game could be so great with other people!) All right, I rolled a 10, so I'm going to move my shock trooper forward!  ! Hmm? What's wro— Ooooh noooo. Missed my shield knight, did you? Crap! It's going to repel my attacks and create an opening! (Talk about rookie mistakes. Ugh!) (I got so carried away by having fun that I let my strategy suffer!) Time to mount a counterattack. I'm gonna plow into Eugene's ranks! Though it pains me to double down on a defeated foe, I'm going to do the same. There is no place for mercy in war. Prepare to meet your end at my hand. Oh man, I'm deep in it now! (Urgh... Why am I always making critical mistakes at the very worst times?) Suu! Suu! (...No, he's right. It's too early to give up.) (After playing so much with Sam, I know everything there is to know about this game!) (There has to be some way to turn my fate around. Lemme see...) Ah! If I move my shock trooper there... Running away, eh? Big mistake! You'll be cornered before you know it! Oh, I'm not running away. I'm preparing to win. Shock troopers get a special terrain bonus when they fight on a hill.  ?! Their charge power doubles when moving down steep slopes—which means I can roll twice the usual number of dice! Yes! That's a 20! Charge, shock trooper! Mow down everything in your path! Yessss! All three of your commanders are down, which means I win! Whoooooa. How did you plan all that?! Astounding. The cornered jackal truly is the most dangerous game. I had a lot of fun, even though I got completely annihilated. Me, too! Let's play again sometime, Eugene! Sound good? Y-yeah. Sure. Suu?! Suu? I'm fine, buddy. That just wore me out a bit. Still, that's the first time anyone's ever asked to play with me again. I'm really glad I came back here. Thanks for giving me the push, Sam.

Episode 4

A Mighty Opponent

You're planning to hold an Alberian chess tournament? Yeah, I thought it would be fun if the folks who like games could all play together. Hope says you're quite the board game aficionado, but how are you at chess? I mean, I'm good at board games because I play 'em all the time. I've only played a little chess, but I think I can handle a tournament. ...Hopefully. Anyway, if you need more bodies or whatever, I'll sign up. Really? Great! Then I'll be cheering you on when the big day comes. Suu! Suu! You seem happy, Sam. Is it 'cause I decided to do this on my own? Suuuu! Well, games are about all I'm good at, and I feel like they give me a chance to be more of a normal, social kid. Is that dumb? Suu! Suu! Heh. You're always in my corner, aren't you? Thanks, buddy. All right, I'm gonna give this my best! Eventually, the day of the tournament came.
Eugene secured victory after victory,
and made it to the semi-finals.
There! Checkmate! Looks like it's the end of the road for me! Nice job, lad. (Oh man, I might actually win this entire tourney. Games really ARE my deal!) You're amazing, Eugene! I think you've got this in the bag! Good luck, Eugene! May fortune favor you. Thanks, guys. I'll do my best! Think I'll cheer on that Eugene fellow, too. I wasn't expecting you to lose, Aurien. His offense was spectacular. I could feel his passion in every move, as if this was his favorite place in the world. I probably could have distracted him with some clever words, but that seemed a touch unfair. Thanks for taking the honorable path. No thanks required—I'm all about staking the future on the promise of youth! But his next opponent won't be so easy; I fear he's in for a significant challenge. Yeah, I know. He's going to be facing...

---

I-I'll move my stone trebuchet forward! Hmm... Then I will use the provided opening to capture your sorcerer princess. No! That was the crux of my offense! (Who IS this guy? He's a monster!) (I've played a perfect game so far and he's STILL walloping me!) (I think I'm going to lose...) (No, I can't give up. Not now. There has to be a way out of this!) If you spend all of your time trying to turn this game around in a single move, victory will ever elude you.  ?! Victory is not something discovered by a moment's sudden inspiration—it is a goal attained through thorough, deliberate thought and planning. Do not narrow your horizons to a single move. Instead, examine the big picture— because a single misjudgment on whether to attack or retreat can ruin any strategy. (Wait, so what's he saying? Does he think I should play a more defensive battle?) (OR...he's just playing mind games! Don't listen to him, Eugene!) I'm moving my sellsword into the enemy formation! (This is a long shot, but if I can catch him off guard and break through his defense...) So you chose to continue your assault? I applaud your valiant efforts. However, my woodland archer can now take advantage of the weak point this reckless advance made in your formation. Ah, crap! That is checkmate. I lost? No! This can't be happening... Suu... Ooof. Tough break there, Eugene. But hey, you gave as good as you got! Shut up! I don't need your pity! Yikes! Er, sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive, I promise. W-wait, no! I didn't mean... Ugh, that came out all wrong. Urrrrgh! The poor lad had tears in his eyes. Yes, he took the loss pretty hard. ...... The day after the tournament...
Well, I'm back... Suu? Suu? Yeah, I know. But I can't do this anymore. I only had one thing I was good at, and that Leif guy just came in and wiped the floor with me. Then I yelled at Hope when he was just trying to support me. I'm an IDIOT, gosh! Suu... Nope. Not this time, buddy. I'm just a big dumb failure. I can't do anything right... And I can't get along with anyone...

Episode 5

Rematch

Suuu... Suu! Hmm. Now I get it—this is where that move from earlier pays off. Huh? That's the door! Sorry to intrude, lad. Aurien? How'd you get in here?! Oh, I just spun a plausible yarn to convince this hut's owner to part with a spare key. Hey! My UNCLE owns this hut! Heh. Surprised at my effectiveness? My way with words has many uses, including winning all manner of duels. Words can lead a foe to mistakes, which can lead to great upsets. They are even powerful enough to let you defeat Leif at chess! What are you trying to say? I'm saying you must be willing to do whatever it takes to win. At some point, everyone faces a battle they can't afford to lose—a battle worth staking their very future on. Some may call your passion a mere game, but to you it is something to which you have chosen to dedicate your entire youth. Yeah, well... I can teach you the art of words if you like. What say you? Um... Nope. Sorry, but I don't want to rely on something like that. Games are special to me because they're the one thing I put my heart and soul into. And that's why I want to beat Leif with my own skill! Impressive! And here I thought you would still be in shock over your defeat. Yeah, it's all thanks to Sam. Sam remembers everything about my match with Leif, which let me analyze why I lost in the first place. It sucks to admit, but Leif was right: I was entirely focused on offense at the expense of any defense. But now I've spent ages studying defensive moves so I won't make the same mistake! Heh... Aaaah ha ha ha! Why are you laughing?! I'm serious, gosh! My apologies. Seeing the light of youth just brought me such great joy. It takes a good deal of strength to admit your shortcomings and work to fix them. I just don't wanna lose again. That's all. There's no need for false modesty. Your way of thinking has true class, and I respect that. So permit me to give you my help in a more legitimate way: You may test all the defensive skills you have learned on me. Really? Thanks! And so Eugene set about training with Aurien
for the next several days...
Is it true that Eugene came back, Prince Euden?! Yes, and he just challenged Leif to a rematch! Oh man! I gotta round up everybody and make him a cheering section!

---

Eugeeene! ...... ...... The air is so tense I could cut through it with my blade. I think we should keep quiet and let him concentrate. Then let's cheer him on in our minds! (My hands won't stop sweating! Okay, Eugene, calm down.) (If I just focus on what's in front of me, I'll be defeated like last time. I need to take in the entire board instead...) I will take your grassland warrior with my sellsword. And I'll move my stone trebuchet to the center! An excellent move; you fend off my offensive while advancing your own. Then my response should be... I've never seen him think about a move for so long before. Is he actually cornered? Hmm. That would work, but... ...I move my sorcerer princess forward. (Oh man, that's brilliant! There go all my plans...) Leif is moving in for the kill! Is Eugene going to be able to handle this? (Should I withdraw and regroup, or press forward...?) (Dang it, I'm getting so tired, my eyes are going blurry. Maybe I should just wager everything on a surprise attack.) (No, that's what cost me the match last time... Think, Eugene! Think!) (Wait. There's one spot in his formation that's less well defended than the rest. If I take advantage of that, I could...win?) All right. I'm moving my woodland archer forward to take your sellsword. Naive. What? You fell for the lure I placed before you. Perhaps the promise of respite was too tempting, and your concentration lapsed. I will take advantage of the opening your woodland archer left to strike with my stone trebuchet. Argh! No way! That is checkmate. Still, I commend you on how much you've improved in such a short time. We fought as equals today. The match was decided by our mental stamina. Had yours been greater, it may have ended very differently. Yeah, but I STILL lost—and that's after I trained forever! I'm no good at this... That's not true! Heck, I bet you'll totally win next time! Oh my gosh. Were you guys all watching me this entire time? How can you cheer me on after all the jerk things I said to you? What, that? Pffft! Water under the bridge! Cheering friends on is what friends do! F-friends?! Yeeeees? Don't tell me I'm the only one who thinks this is a friendship. Heh heh... N-no, of course not. F-friends it is, then! Um, and thanks for coming to support someone like me. But that's...um... That's all the more reason I wanted to answer your support and win! *sniff* Aw, Eugene... Now THIS is what youth is all about. The "normal teen youth" I wanted is about feeling incredibly pathetic and frustrated all the time? Then why was I so eager to experience it?! Normal youth is STUPID!