>>3096345
>You’ll have to lean on Iris yourself, then...hopefully that’ll do it.

I wonder just how devoted Iris would be to the Maestro Club if she knew they’re trying to sink Lysol’s chance to complete the test.

>>3096345
>>You’ll have to lean on Iris yourself, then...hopefully that’ll do it.

>>3096345
>>Might be worth the effort to at least warn Millie. Who knows, maybe it’ll be good in case she tries to hire you somewhere down the line.

>>3096374
Lemme just don my tinfoil hat, what if she (Iris) asked them to have Lysan fail, so the two of them could stay together in school longer?
I also want to confirm with Lysan first that our narrative rider doesn't require Millie to not find out he summoned an illegal summon, before we collaborate with her anymore.
>You’ll have to lean on Iris yourself, then...hopefully that’ll do it.
We all need somebody to lean on.

Also I went back to make sure we didn't originally get shrunk small to be a fairy and turns out we're in full Christmas colors, green and red everybody

>>3096409
First thing, that’d be some devious shit, but I’m thinking it more that she’s trying to climb up the social ladder, and she didn’t realize what it might cost her.

Second, pretty sure Millie said we were pushing the limits of a legal summon, but we’re technically still good, by dint of our “No souls, loyalty oaths, or love” rule.

>>3096345

>>3096409
You took my line!

ANYWAY, locked. Leaning (perhaps even physically). Writing!

>>3096448
I sure don't remember that conversation, remember which thread?

>>3096469
It’s #59, I think. Here’s a link for it.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2965630/

>>3096448
I though it was the "no souls, blood or love as payement" talk.

>>3096477
Ah, it's illegal to offer "Whatever the summon wants" You are allowed to fish, but not purchase, and we were definitely purchased, so we're illegal. She just thinks we're legal.

>>3096499
Well, she thinks we’re legal so far, so that’s good enough for me. It also helps that we didn’t request a baby for a sacrifice or something like that, and it extra double helps that the Club also broke the rules.

>>3096497
Alright, I just had to go back to the second ever thread of MGFH. Here’s the relevant passage for what we can’t accept as payment:

>One, they signed a contract for gold, not souls. The company I work for has a strict 'No Souls, Love, First-Born, Loyalty, or Ephemerals' policy on payments. Straight, hard cash.”

>>3096345
>>3096374
>>3096376
>>3096409
“Hmph.” That’s really all you can say to that. You’re certainly not going to risk culpability for this little issue before you absolutely have to. If Iris isn’t saying anything to Millie of her own will...then it might be time to impose yours on her a bit. The question here, though, now, is ‘how’? There’s not a whole lot of time before the next (and final) round begins, and even then you’re not exactly in private…

As you walk back, you wonder...maybe you could just get next to her and ask her outright? Perhaps just convincing her to reconsider with sincere words would be enough. Then again, it’d be better if you could get more one on one time with her; it might be reasonable for you to request a few extra moments of recuperation. Could take her outside and confront her that way. If you don’t want to make a major fuss, though...hm.

Regardless of what you decide, you’re going to have to decide it quick!

>Just get next to her and explain that for Lysan’s own good she needs to tell Millie anything she knows.
>Drag her outside and browbeat her to tell Millie. It’ll involve insults, but she needs some tempering anyway.
>The effect might be a bit nulled since she’s used to you, but perhaps you can just plain Intimidate her into spilling.
>Other

>>3096532
>>Just get next to her and explain that for Lysan’s own good she needs to tell Millie anything she knows.

>>3096532
I think we can coerce Bluebelle into convincing Iris, She's absolutely mortified of us at the moment because it turns out we CAN fly and she only has her softening gimmick against us, which we've already powered through before.
>Other coerce the summon to coerce the summoner.

>>3096532
>Just get next to her and explain that for Lysan’s own good she needs to tell Millie anything she knows.

Make your choice child.

>>3096549
It's Bellbelle

>>3096532
>Just get next to her and explain that for Lysan’s own good she needs to tell Millie anything she knows.

“I’ll be frank here. You remember that meeting I had with the Maestro Club leaders? They directly requested that I prevent Lysan from passing the test. I don’t know why, but I do know that they’ve summoned a creature much like myself that evening, and that it was here today at the match JUST before the group of summons that attacked came. And if you need further convincing, I believe Miss. Jacqueline can corroborate that these ‘coincidences’ are anything but.”

I am talking, and you will listen.

Writing!

>>3096604
Should we get a bonus for intimidation?

>>3096532
>>3096545
>>3096552
>>3096562
It might be best to just be straightforward with this issue- nothing too over the top, nothing to imply danger beyond what’s already there. She seems the sort to let her imagination do a lot of the legwork for her, so it might not even be necessary in any form. As you take a sit back nearby, you shift over next to her, putting you in between both Bellbelle and her, with Lysan on the other side (pre-occupied by some snacks, it seems). She looks at you in surprise, but you pre-empt her before she can speak. “You need to talk to Millie.”

Her face goes sour at that, and she just huffs. “She already came over here asking if I knew anything ‘particular’ about the Young Maestros. Said she was investigating something about them.” She turns to you with an accusatory look on her face. “Did you put her up to that?”

“No,” you answer honestly. “I just told her what I knew. She decided on what she was going to do herself.”

“Ugh,” Iris groans. “It’s not like they WOULD get up to anything, you know?”

“And what makes you say that?” you ask quickly.

“They’ve got too much publicity. Doesn’t matter what they’re capable of, this EXACT thing is why they wouldn’t risk doing anything untowards, whether they liked it or not. They’d be first on the suspect list. Besides, they made their good name on sound business, public appreciation, and honorable treatment of summons and summoners! Why would they do something, like...like…”

“Summon someone that no one would expect them to to do their work for them?” you finish. She looks at you in surprise as you continue. “I’ll be frank here. You remember that meeting I had with the Maestro Club leaders?”

She nods. “You didn’t want to tell me at the time…”

“Well, I’m telling you now. They directly requested that I prevent Lysan from passing the test. I don’t know why, but I do know that they’ve summoned a creature much like myself that evening, and that it was here today at the match JUST before the group of summons that attacked came.”

“WH-I mean, what?” She nearly calls attention from the entire gym with her stopped outburst, and a few faces are looking over in this direction regardless. “How are you so sure they’re related? It could just be coincidence!”

Well, if you need further convincing, I believe Miss. Jacqueline can corroborate that these ‘coincidences’ are anything but.”

“Wait, Jacqueline? How...why?” Iris looks confused, whereas Bellbelle just looks concerned.

“Miss, I think...perhaps we shouldn’t be so hasty as to disregard her warnings, maybe?” Bellbelle ventures.

Iris bites her lip as she looks down, deep in thought.

>Roll 1d100+10, best of 3

Rolled 52 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3096803

Rolled 16 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3096803

Rolled 74 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3096803

>>3096824
84 is good enough.

Sometimes, it sucks when you know the right decision but still don't want to do it.

Writing!

>>3096866
History of my life.

>>3096803
>>3096819
>>3096820
>>3096824
Her eyes flick from you, to Bellbelle, and back and away again. For a moment it seems like she wants to turn to Lysan, but she stops herself, a jerk of the head the only indication of the attempt. After about a solid minute of thinking about it, she finally sighs in defeat, her head hanging low. “...fine. I guess. I mean, there’ POSSIBILITIES, but I don’t...gah. Whatever.”

As she gets up, Lysan finally takes a look, fixing her with a concerned stare. “Hey, you okay?” Had he really not been paying attention to the previous conversation? Just what was he busy with?

And almost immediately she puts on a small smile for him. “Hey, yeah, just forgot to tell your sis a few things. I’ll be right back!” You don’t think he falls for it, but he doesn’t question it as she walks off. You can see her approach Millie, who seems somewhat surprised, but then serious as Iris begins talking; before long she’s taking more notes, even as Iris’s body language states all too clearly her reluctance to be there.

As the battlefield is cleared and fixed again and Nerisa prepares to go up again Delilah, Millie motions for you to come to her again. This time, however, Lysan notices. “Whoa, hold on. Is something going on? You and her are going back and forth now.”

“Just talking about the situation,” you tell him. “Nothing major.”

“Hm...alright. I’ll ask Millie about it later, I guess.” He again doesn’t seem convinced, but you’re not going to argue it.

When you get over to the two of them, she nods. “Thanks, whatever you did. Iris tells me that one or two of them might have motive to make sure things go just so this year. It’s nothing concrete, but it’s at least a start.”

“What are you going to do about it?” you ask.

“Don’t worry,” she says confidently. “You’ve helped enough. Just help Lysan graduate, and I’ll handle the rest.”

While you feel like you could say something to that, you realize that you’d no real reason to oppose her on this- it helps you keep focused on the important job.

And after Delilah and Nerisa’s fight winds down (a surprisingly close fight that turned into a war of attrition from the word go), and the last match is complete, you aren’t surprised to see that in the last round, the herd is culled even more.

Lysan, Iris, Delilah, and Lucas. These are the last four. As soon as your names are called, all the summoners look at each other with some measure of surprise and...embarrassment. Everyone on the bench- heck, judging from the odd glances from the crowd, even more than that realize what’s guaranteed to happen now, especially considering the display that each of them put on earlier.

There’s only two pairings that haven’t fought yet.

(cont.)

>>3097229
“Uhhh…” Iris, for one, seems lost for words.

“Ahh-hmmmm...” Bellbelle as well, although she seems more frightened, if the nervous wing flaps say anything.

“Yeaaahh…” Lysan is just as unsure. He opens his mouth, but all that comes out is an unintelligible mumble.

A glance over to the side shows Lucas and Delilah apparently trying desperately to talk to each other before the break is over with and they’re forced to fight each other.

You, on the other hand…

>Insist he step away with you to catch your breath outside. You don’t want nerves or emotion to kill his drive to win.
>Need to clear the air between the two of them quickly. It’s not the end of the world if she doesn’t beat him.
>Don’t see a reason to even try to say anything. He knows the terms of his agreement, so he ought to know what’s coming.
>Other

>>3097242
>Insist he step away with you to catch your breath outside. You don’t want nerves or emotion to kill his drive to win.
"You know, our contract was that I had to follow your orders. It's your prerogative if you'd want to move the goalposts. Just letting you know."

Also, after that, give Bellbelle some words of encouragement. She was cool with us.

>>3097242
>Other turn to Iris and Bellbelle, "The judges didn't see our practice spar earlier, but I think we all know what's about to happen, unless you have some forbidden secret technique."

>>3097242
>>Insist he step away with you to catch your breath outside. You don’t want nerves or emotion to kill his drive to win.
Get it together dude. In the end it's just a regular match and no one's going to die or even fail from the result given how far each of you have come already. So just treat it as a practice match and fight earnestly.

We need to talk. Writing!

>>3097242
>>3097281
>>3097329
“Come on.” You grab his hand abruptly, not allowing him time to complain as you pull him away. “You should get some fresh air, catch your breath. Me too.” You quickly turn back to Iris, who’s standing there with a shocked look. “We’ll be right back, don’t worry!”

As soon as you get a decent space from the doorway, you round on him. “Don’t panic now just because you’re going up against a close friend.”

“I-I know! Seriously!” He grinds his teeth, huffing. “It’s just...I dunno, I’m still human, y’know? It’s hard to NOT react a bit! Especially when probably most of the people in there know how it’s gonna end…I just don’t want to, y’know...embarrass her.”

Is that it? Well, to most folks that’d probably be a bit insulting, but you’re pretty sure that neither competitor would take such a statement too personally, all things considered. “Well, if that’s your concern...for one, I wouldn’t consider it one, considering how far she’s come. For another thing, if she’s really your friend...” ‘and maybe more,’ you finish in your head- “...then she’s probably going to understand no matter how things turn out. If you’re really that concerned about it, then treat it like a practice fight- only this time you’re fighting your hardest.”

“Even if you’re doing most of the fighting?” he argues back. “We both know I’m not doing much…”

“I’m following your orders,” you contermand. “And it IS what you got me for. That said...since I AM following your orders, it’s up to you to decide what those orders are.” When he looks at you as though expecting you to clarify, you just fold your arms. “Just letting you know.”

“Uh...right.” He nods, and something like a spark of an idea flashes through his eyes...you think. “Okay, then. So...caught enough of a breath?”

>“You go back in. I’ll catch up.” You could use some time to re-energize…
>“Yeah. Let’s finish this up.” The fight with Iris awaits.
>Other

(Run resumes tomorrow!)

>>3097585
>>“You go back in. I’ll catch up.” You could use some time to re-energize…
Finally, a chance to get some mana recharge in.

>>3097585
>“You go back in. I’ll catch up.” You could use some time to re-energize…

>>3097585
>>“Yeah. Let’s finish this up.” The fight with Iris awaits.
I feel that Bellbelle deserves a fair fight. She was pretty cool with us, albeit nervous at a couple of points.

>>3097626
??? How does recharging makes things less fair when it was never going to be 'fair' to begin with? Besides, our job is to help Lysan pass via winning this test, not try to pointless worry about the other summons's chances of winning over us.

>>3097585
>“Yeah. Let’s finish this up.” The fight with Iris awaits.

>Other: "Remember what was told to us. This competition is to show skill and control and...if i recall there is one thing Iris, Bellbelle and us can both do to show off a little." (Basically offer to have a dance fight against Bellbelle like the one we saw the day before)

>>3097661
I know it's just paranoia but i would rather keep close to Lysan at all times. Even more now that the rich kids are probably furstrated with their plans being toppled by us having Lysan win.

>>3097765
I challange you to a dance off,
hands off, no trash talk, no back walk

>>3098475
just me, you, that's all
No cat calls, no tag teams, no mascots

>>3098475
I was thinking more princess tutu figthing scene but a dance off is good to.

>>3098513
A Tutu-esque battle would be fucking baller

>>3097585
>“You go back in. I’ll catch up.” You could use some time to re-energize…

>>3098547
>baller

Kek

>>3097585
>>“You go back in. I’ll catch up.” You could use some time to re-energize…
Shouldn't take long, and these fights are getting pricey mana-wise.

>>3099247
If we do the dance off we won't spend mana. But then again maybe we will be attacked before the results are given

>>3097585
>“You go back in. I’ll catch up.” You could use some time to re-energize…
Just so we are prepared to protect Lysa if he gets attacked. And no dance battle please.

>>3099359
Pussyfooting around is totally in line with what he would do if going up against his gf.

>>3099373
True. But he should be the one who decides to do that. I'm against Miranda suggesting the dance battle.

>>3099373
She isn't his gf yet...i think.

>>3099384
I seriously doubt the judges would allow us to change the rules anyway, thankfully.

Even Miranda suggesting it is so far out of character I dunno why you're even bringing it up

>>3099571
He must be worried people will vote for it even if it's a bit out of character. I just wanted to habe a excuse for a tutu-esque battle. But that would be more a Lorelei thing.

>>3097585
>>3097613
>>3097619
>>3098547
>>3099247
“You go back in. I’ll catch up,” you offer.

“If you’re sure...just don’t be too late, okay?” A nod from you, and he heads back in. Finally.

Heading to a bench nearby under an awning, you fish around in your bag for a crystal or two. While you likely have enough energy to finish this up, it’s always good to be certain, and considering this was likely your last fight, there’s no reason to not go in as close to your best as possible. Two crystals ought to do the trick…

As you pull them out subtly and make with absorbing their mana, you sigh a bit in relief. This job hasn’t been too bad, a few issues aside…

Although as soon as you feel a thump in your chest, you mentally berate yourself for tempting fate. Of COURSE there’d be some reason they came back…

The thumping gets more and more intense, until it’s a reverberation with no force thrumming throughout your body- and a strange zipping noise sounds not a few feet away from you- right behind a wall. Before you can decide on what to do, you hear something from that direction. “Psssst! Hey!” A head sticks out- the other outgoer’s, Amanda Kane. Still in full helmet, though. “You got a bit of time?” You squint your eyes, but don’t response. “Sorry! Just, y’know...wanted to say thanks for not interfering. I’m about done here, but for a second there I was REALLY worried, y’know! Just wanted to say thanks, and, uh...hey, look me up when you get back- I’ll buy you a drink! I mean, if you drink. I dunno- agh, you know what I mean! Anyway, name’s Amanda Kane if you didn’t know. Rank C Courier, Flashpoint, 8th Division. Later!”

She ducks her head back, and soon the thrumming goes away- although not in the direction it came from. Hm.

Well...at least it was harmless. But, enough of that. After you finish recharging, you’ve got a tournament to win.

Walking back inside, you look to find Lysan; it doesn’t take long before you see him- talking with the proctors, no less? Hm.

>Roll 1d100, best of 3.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>3099591

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3099591
rollin

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>3099591
Huh, so it looks like any potential interference from other other Outgoer is finished along with her job. Good. That mean any further interference can be considered as clearly hostile and no more double-thinking is needed to consider friend-or-foe.

>>3099591
Interesting. He must have been filled with passion, whatever he's talking about...

Writing!

>I’ll buy you a drink! I mean, if you drink

Jesus christ is Miranda some kind of boogey woman or something?

>>3099634
I think this is more on amanda being a ball of nerves than miranda being intimidating.

>>3099643
Makes sense.

>>3099643
She also doesn't look very old, and being from the intersection, who knows if she even eats food? There's bound to be some strange characters around, being connected to the multiverse and all.

>>3099634
That sounds more about if Miranda drinks alcohol than if she drinks any kind of liquid at all.

For all Amanda knows, we could be a robot or a species to which alcohol is lethal to. It's not like she can tell when we look like we do

>>3099591
>>3099599
>>3099601
>>3099603
As you approach, you can see him finish up whatever he was saying, with the proctors looking on in impressed silence- to your surprise, even Tandal is nodding in approval. “Mind if I ask what you were talking to them about?”

He smiles, actually. “Eh, nothing too major, just clarifying some rules and expectations and all that stuff. That and I...well, I kind of had a little talk with Iris, too, when I first came back in.”

You raise an eyebrow. You don’t think you were expecting him to just go for it like that. “Oh? That’s interesting. Did you resolve anything?”

“Yeaaah...she kinda bopped me on the head and called me silly.” He laughs a bit, and you have to admit you could see that happening. “Said a lot similar to you, really, but...we agreed to not go easy on each other...and that the winner might owe the loser dinner.” The way he grins tells you he knows exactly how one-sided that deal is.

“NOW! THE NEXT FIGHT...LYSAN FAIRVIEW VERSUS IRIS ZOIBLE!” Yup. Just as everyone predicted.

As you both take your positions, with Iris giving a last wave to him, Lysan smiles, takes a deep breath, and looks at you. “Okay, you ready?”

“As always,” you allow.

“Good, ‘cause we need to really impress the judges with this one. They suggested we try stuff we haven’t done before, and that we'd get a lot of points for it if it works.” Hmmm…

“SUMMONERS READY! SUMMONS READY!” A pause. “BEGIN!”

“Let’s fly!” Lysan shouts, just as you see Bellbelle’s eyes begin to glow with an ethereal (and pink) power.

>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!
>Keep it at a low hover to the ground; she won’t have as many degrees of movement!
>Try to intercept whatever she’s doing before anything else!
>Other

>>3099756
>Keep it at a low hover to the ground; she won’t have as many degrees of movement!
Remember that it's not how flashy we are, it's how creative we are.

>>3099756
>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!
Or at least jump up high enough that we won’t get hit by whatever Bellbelle’s doing.

>>3099756
>>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!
We shouldn't countermand Lysan on a direct order. Besides, it'll be fun to make use of our wings again.

>>3099756
>>Keep it at a low hover to the ground; she won’t have as many degrees of movement!

>>3099756
>>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!

V-tech just kicked in yo
Turn on a dime macross zero style

>>3099756
>>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!
Fly it is then!

>>3099756
>>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!

>>3099756
>Take it high; you’ll make this an aerial fight!

>Good, ‘cause we need to really impress the judges with this one. They suggested we try stuff we haven’t done before, and that we'd get a lot of points for it if it works

making that dance fight even more tempting now...

Sky high, then!

Writing!

I suspect she is a better flier than us.

>>3099847
Yes. Even more because Iris is able to use wind magic to support Bellbelle

>>3099847
In the air there is nothing she can touch to turn into Stretch Armstrong

But yes

>>3099756
>>3099768
>>3099770
>>3099777
>>3099786
>>3099789
>>3099791
You can’t see anything wrong with THAT- less things for her to touch, less chance of her making impromptu taffy out of whatever’s at hand. Although you don’t think you want to risk touching her too much regardless…

Especially considering her next statement. “Everything will be...SOFT!”

You tense your legs and take a massive leap upwards, just as she comes down with a massive (for her, anyway) impact, slamming her bulb-fists on the floor- a ripple of power exudes out of her, backed by a visible tendril of mana stretching from Iris to her as the battle area exudes a haze of pink; stopping almost exactly at the outer limits. Already you feel...loose? Like you just got a massage that was a bit TOO good…that, and your wings feel a bit soggy, to boot. Crap. She has this kind of power and control? Or…

You turn to Iris, and you can tell she has a laser focus on the arena itself, an expression of intense concentration on her face. So...they played their ace early, then? Not great. You don’t suspect you’ll be able to stay up here as long as you’d hoped. That’s only compounded by how Bellbelle dives into the ground, pulling up yet another tendril of what SHOULD have been wood but was now clearly the consistency of soft taffy if anything else. Nothing from Lysan is forthcoming for now, so...

>Try to blind her, perhaps- get her to falter and attack from an unexpected angle.
>You could try to use your sticky mana again to gum up her wings- seems fitting for this.
>Maybe you could use her soft things against her. If she’s thinking to wrap you up, then…
>Other

>>3099894
>You could try to use your sticky mana again to gum up her wings- seems fitting for this.
And then
>Try to blind her, perhaps- get her to falter and attack from an unexpected angle.
We should try to get closer before we try to blind her and messing with her wings while we're falling down should do it. Voting to do the blinding with Sun's Flare.

>>3099894
>>You could try to use your sticky mana again to gum up her wings- seems fitting for this.

>>3099894
>You could try to use your sticky mana again to gum up her wings- seems fitting for this.

Have we used sticky mana enough on this job for it to have a lower roll, or to not have to roll yet? We’ve used it at least two or three times in under a week.

>>3099894
>You could try to use your sticky mana again to gum up her wings- seems fitting for this.
>Other: use Light Barriers as stable stepping platforms in the air.

>>3099894
>>Maybe you could use her soft things against her. If she’s thinking to wrap you up, then…

Oh, almost forgot:

>Current Mana: 8000/11,000

>>3099894
>You could try to use your sticky mana again to gum up her wings- seems fitting for this.

Gummy works it is.

Candy factory, this place is becoming...

>>3099921
Yes, I've checked, and it should clear.

>>3099911
>>3099917
>>3099921
>>3099922
>>3099934

Need a roll! 2d20, Best of 3. Minimum 20 total for successful application!

Rolled 8, 10 = 18 (2d20)

>>3099982
Urgh...

Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d20)

>>3099982
Gum gum power!

Rolled 9, 10 = 19 (2d20)

>>3099982

File: Kill Me.jpg (30 KB, 636x523)

30 KB JPG

>>3099992
>>3099994
>>3099995
goddamnit

Close, but no kewpie doll!

(On the plus side, next attempt won't exactly be hard...)

Rolled 13, 15 = 28 (2d20)

>>3099992
>>3099994
>>3099995
Looks like Miranda needs some extra training with sticky mana

File: Only Screaming Now.png (185 KB, 500x500)

185 KB PNG

>>3100014
God.
Damnit.

>>3099992
>>3099994
>>3099995

Man you guys suck.

Rolled 18, 16 = 34 (2d20)

>>3100023
I bet I can do it again

>>3100028
Ah! Nice work.

Rolled 16, 20 = 36 (2d20)

>>3100032
Too bad it doesn't count

File: IMG_4205.png (96 KB, 779x376)

96 KB PNG

>>3100037
>>3100028
>>3100014

>>3100043
I don't think I can go higher than that 36 so I'll stop there

>>3100037
Eh to bad the other got in a rush to see if they could get their roll to count. But nothing it can be done about it now.

>>3099982
>>3099992
>>3099994
>>3099995
Gah- you don’t have much of an advantage up here anymore, now- not with you beginning to feel like you’re about to melt apart in the next few minutes if you don’t focus on tensing your muscles. You’re going to have to try and neutralize her own biggest advantage- her aerial mobility. Maybe if you can gum up the works, so to speak…

And you’ve got just the thing for that, no less. Crafting the globule in your right hand, you quickly make to sling on her as she charges you- right when you’re about to release it, however, she darts wide left, and you’re briefly taken aback as it forms more onto your hand than anything else- you sling the globule away where it wobbles through the air briefly before latching onto a point just below Bellbelle, wrapping around just under her pointed legs where she’s carrying the stretchy rope of floor.

You’re forced to dive in order to prevent her loop from encircling you- there’s little upwards motion that you can do without straining yourself too badly for it to be worthwhile. Bellbelle’s quick to pivot down after you- only to suddenly break off before you can try to turn to face her- you’re halfway into doing so when she suddenly releases the her makeshift rope and rockets past you- is she beelining for the floor again? Why?

>Try to blast her out of the air- whatever she’s doing can’t be good.
>Drop to the ground before she gets there and force her to come to you again!
>Use this time to get some distance (and height) and figure out a new plan of attack.
>Other

>>3100191
>Other
Drop to the ground before she gets there and use Sun's Flare

>>3100191
>>Try to blast her out of the air- whatever she’s doing can’t be good.

>>3100191
>Try to blast her out of the air- whatever she’s doing can’t be good.

>>3100191
>Use this time to get some distance (and height) and figure out a new plan of attack.

>Other: More sticky mana

>>3100205
Nah, she is baiting us to go after her. Don't forget that Iris was laser focused on the arena just a couple seconds ago.

>>3100191
>>Try to blast her out of the air- whatever she’s doing can’t be good.

>>3100191
>>Try to blast her out of the air- whatever she’s doing can’t be good.

>>3100191
>>Try to blast her out of the air- whatever she’s doing can’t be good.

>>3100191
Bang bang. Writing!

>>3100191
>>3100209
>>3100211
>>3100241
>>3100249
>>3100251
A quick pivot, an outstretched hand- there’s no way you’re letting her pull off whatever she’s trying to do. You’ll have to keep it as low-powered as you can for now, but as long as she’s knocked out of the sky, you’ll call it good!

You let rip a trio of blasts from your palm; Bellbelle quickly jukes right, but the first one manages to clip her even if the other two whiff, and that causes her flight path to divert to near the edge...is she going to ring out already?

As she impacts just inside the line, the floor indents, its pink hue softly oscillating- did it do that before? Not sure. Regardless, she careens outwards, another, this time slimmer tendril of floor putty in her claws. She raises it up with her, and you think you might have to start dodging again…

But she quickly lets go, and to your astonishment the long, thing spike actually remains in that position, looking for all the world like it’s a long spike with a strange texture on it. She looks behind her with almost a huff, and as she quickly dives for the ground *again* you realize that her ability, when pushed to its limit, goes beyond just making things soft…

You hear a gasp behind you, and you glance back to see Lysan focusing on that impromptu spire, his hand glowing brighter than normal, if useless to you. Did he notice something? As Bellbelle pulls out another ‘spike’, you decide you need to act now. If for no other reason than it’s actually getting exhausting keeping yourself up here with wings that have to work twice as hard for half the result...

Current Mana: 8000/11,000
>Maybe there’s some way that those spikes can get snapped back to their normal state...
>A Light Trap ought to discourage her sudden clayshaping hobby…
>She’s treating it like a trampoline, even...wonder if you can ‘bounce’ her out of it!
>Other

>>3100410
>>She’s treating it like a trampoline, even...wonder if you can ‘bounce’ her out of it!

Boing!

Rolled 37 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

Ignore this roll.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>3100435
...Huh. Alright, ignore this one, too.

>>3100410
>>A Light Trap ought to discourage her sudden clayshaping hobby…


>>3100435
>>3100441
yep, ignoring. totally. for sure.

>>3100410
>She’s treating it like a trampoline, even...wonder if you can ‘bounce’ her out of it!

>>3100435
i can do that.

>>3100410
>A Light Trap ought to discourage her sudden clayshaping hobby…
Glowing hands looks like a sign to me.

>>3100435
>>3100441
Sure. Okay. Will do.

>inb4 that was Lysan trying to do something.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Hm. I'm gonna roll for this.

1- fun bouncy times!
2- claptrap without the clap.

>>3100558
Time for a light trap.

>>3100410
Something that’s immediately noticeable as she dive again to pull up another spike- she has to temporarily blind herself, barring Iris’s communication. You might be able to use that! It’s going to have to be fast, though- and as you see her dart past you, you realize that that’s got to be your best moment!

You quickly visualize the area in your head to cover, and almost as soon as she hits the ‘hardwood’, you have a circle of energy planted right center of her target area. There’s a moment of suspense- you don’t dare look back to see Iris’s expression right now- but suddenly there’s a burst of light and a shrill screech as the trap goes off, and Bellbelle is practically spat up by the hole she herself had made, tumbling through the air.

It’s by this time you feel yourself forced to land- she’s not done yet, and you’re going to need to conserve your remaining strength. As you alight on the ground as quickly as you can, you can tell that it is indeed pretty soft- it’s almost like standing in mud, or maybe a very very soft and pliant bed. You’re going to have to move carefully, although you notice that the pink oscillation is still happening, and faster this time.

Bellbelle finishes tumbling through the air, catching herself mid-fall as her wings flutter unevenly. “T-that was...that was quite underhanded!” She seems a bit miffed, but she’s got to know this IS a fight, right? You can only shrug.

A huff, and she picks up a wide swath of floor, spreading her long legs as wide as they can go and spearing them into the ground- and suddenly YANKS it forward, a wave of floorboard coming towards you with the cause covered well behind it.

>Counter-wave!
>Maybe you get over it if you time it right…
>Go for the edge of the arena!
>Other

I'm finishing this fight tonight.

>>3100655
>Maybe you get over it if you time it right…

>>3100655
>>Counter-wave!
Time to show we can do more than just dodge.

>>3100655
>Counter-wave

Now that i think about it. Jumping in a soft floor will lessen how strong we can jump do to the soft floor

>>3100655
>>Counter-wave!
We do NOT want to get caught in this. We need to even try to stop its movement towards us.

>>3100655
>>Counter-wave!

File: Styles & Vedder 4.jpg (2.86 MB, 3840x2160)

2.86 MB JPG

>>3100655
>Counter-wave!
Nice for you to use my picture for the OP Handler.

>>3100723
>Miranda with glasses

HNNNNGGG!!

Rolled 94 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

Counter-wave it is! Lemme just...do this.

>>3100751
Ahhhh... I feel as though this does not bode well.

>>3100751
oof

File: 1390109025021.jpg (19 KB, 251x251)

19 KB JPG

>>3100751

>>3100751
Well she was covering herself she obviously moved away from behind the thing and got close enough to land a hit on us.

We should congradulate her beside Markus summon Bellbelle was the only summon to actually hit us. Although i think the deertaur also counts.

>>3100655
>>3100678
>>3100694
>>3100696
>>3100704
>>3100723
No other choice if you want to keep some aspect of the field to yourself! You’re going to have take a page out of her book!

Grippling your own handfuls of floor, you heave...and them slam it down with force, causing a floor wave of your own to careen towards hers.

There’s only a few scant moments before they collide- and as they cancel each other out (a bit too close to you for comfort), there’s a strange undulation from the result, the wave somehow reaching nearly double its height before almost folding in on itself...and causing Bellbelle to get whipped forward inadvertently. Or at least-

You’re forced to dodge, although despite the fact, you feel an all-too solid impact on your lower side that sends you sprawling to the pliant ground- as you scramble to get up, you notice that Bellbelle is similarly disoriented and on the floor, the both of you exceptionally close to the area borderline. You’re closer to Iris’s end than Lysan’s; you can see her sweating out the corner of your eye... but you can still hear him shout your name in alarm. “We got this! Watch your feet!”

You glance down, but nothing except the pinkness stabilizing a bit, the oscillation slow. This could be the opening that you need, although if she gets back up quick enough, then it could spell disaster for you, to-

“Gehk!” Suddenly, as you manage to get to a knee, you lurch to your side- for some reason your hip isn’t quite...moving like you want it to. Like it’s too...squishy. Crap, she had enough sense to still do that? Still, you can move, and she’s still trying to flutter upright...

>Try to get distance- no need to risk the situation further!
>She’s too disoriented; a quick nudge and you can ring her out here!
>Can you get her to surrender, you wonder…
>Other

>>3100859
>>Try to get distance- no need to risk the situation further!
Those two are pretty good at misdirection, so better to play it safe.

>>3100859
Maybe an energy channel can burn off the effect? Either way it'll hurt her if she gets in to touch again

>>3100859
>>She’s too disoriented; a quick nudge and you can ring her out here!

>>3100859
>>She’s too disoriented; a quick nudge and you can ring her out here!
We're coming apart, we need to end this now.

>>3100859
>>She’s too disoriented; a quick nudge and you can ring her out here!

Rolled 8 + 3 (1d10 + 3)

>>3100859

Hopefully, we'll end it thus.

>>3100947
That's actually supposed to be a minus, I forgot that this site is stupid.

At any rate, writing.

>>3100947
oooooof

If it becomes a problem I'm honestly considering using a flux wave. We don't need to double tap but girl, you're not the only one who can cause status effects

>>3100989
Flux wave is kinda hard to control, we'd risk out-of-ring effects, though if this doesn't get her out I'm up for an escalation.

>>3100859
>>3100895
>>3100901
>>3100914
Damnit, no. You’re already feeling the effects of her abilities- you can’t let her take any kind of advantage from that. Pushing yourself up, you realize that it’s going to have to come down to a burst of speed- while you can’t use your body as you’d like, it at least will still follow basic orders. But it all comes down to…now!

Lurching forward, your steps are uneven, tottering even, to some- but they’re still quick and you still have strength to put behind them. The world nearly moves in slow motion- you can see Iris’s eyes go wide as she sees what you’re trying to do, and Bellbelle lifting up her head to finally clear through the fuzz of the impact- you’ve got to strike!

Her eyes...do something, you’re not sure what, and your arm nearly goes to rubber...but it DOES latch onto her own arm, and she immediately realizes what you’re trying to do as she drops down to the ground. You still have the strength to pull, however, and your body has yet to be clay; your arm becomes whip-like, slinging around but once, a tendril of the floor still connected to her legs. The portion seems to push you forward, edging you towards the line as well. That’s not quite enough, though; your fingers still follow your mind’s order to release, and with surprisingly little fanfare, the spritely and clever moth is flung over the arena edge- only by a foot or so, true... but over it was.

“AND THAT’S IT! THE MATCH’S WINNER IS LYSAN FAIRVIEWWWWW!” The crowd erupts- it was a short match, you think (or maybe that’s the adrenaline talking) but it was certainly fierce.

(cont.)

>>3101054
“Oh...oh dear.” Bellbelle mourns as the mana link disappears between the two, and Iris immediately drops to her rear, cradling her head. That immediately catches the moth’s attention, fluttering over to her summoner. “Oh dear! Miss, are you alright?”

“My heeaaddd…” she groans. “Owwwowowowow…” She flops to her side as she curls up in pain- you can see small tears out of her eyes, even.

Although speaking of pain and other feelings...you can already feel your body returning to normal. Indeed, it seems like the massive deformations Bellbelle caused to the gym floor are slowly reverting themselves- at least in shape. There seem to be some holes that aren’t fixed, but otherwise it’s comforting to know it’s not permanent.

Not that Lysan seems to care with the way he’s running over. “Iris! Kyria! Bellbelle! Are you all okay?”

“For...certain definitions of the word,” Bellbelle allows, wincing as she lands on the floor. “Perhaps if you could help Miss Iris to her seat?” He immediately nods as he picks her up, allowing her to rest on his shoulder as he helps walk her to her seat. Well, that was nice of him, at leas- “Miss Kyria?” Hm?

When you look at her, she’s...well, you’re not sure. She looks like she wants to be mad, but has a hard time of it. “I...thank you for your efforts today. You were an...honorable foe considering your level of power. Mostly.” She looks away at this, and you get the distinct sense she’s feeling a bit pouty.

> “You’re honestly pretty good. I’m impressed at the ways you applied your power.” No reason to not cool her off a bit.
> “Well, I had to get more clever than I usually do, but thanks.” You just hope it was clever enough to win.
> “I had to hold back a fair bit, but it was some really nice mental exercise.” Might as well be direct.
> Other

>>3101057
Give her a mana crystal, the pain is mana depletion isn't it


> “I had to hold back a fair bit, but it was some really nice mental exercise.” Might as well be direct.

>My powers are meant to kill, serious non-lethal battles are not my forte. You were a very dangerous opponent in this context

>>3101057
>> “Well, I had to get more clever than I usually do, but thanks.” You just hope it was clever enough to win.

I still hope we get a chance to show off what we can really do before we leave. We've had to keep the kid gloves on for one reason or another this whole mission.

>>3101057
>> “You’re honestly pretty good. I’m impressed at the ways you applied your power.” No reason to not cool her off a bit.

bellbelle truly is creative with how she uses her limited variety of powers. Heck she almost caused us to lose even when we were mostly trying to win without using overwhelming powers.

>>3101057
>“You’re honestly pretty good. I’m impressed at the ways you applied your power.” No reason to not cool her off a bit.
>>3101067
Nonono, summoners give summons mama, not the other way around. And we are not even linked, how risque!

>>3101117
It's just an energy potato

Give it on the sly

File: 1444686365371.jpg (23 KB, 364x329)

23 KB JPG

>>3101057
>"You're pretty good."

>>3101132
I mean, if they could believe frosty when he whined about our flaming sword then I don't see why we can't have brought other amazing tools from the apocalypse. What are they going to do, tell us that we're lying?

>>3101164
>>3101132
"its a magical fruit that grows on the stream. Very elusive, but easy to find when you know where to look."

>>3101057
>>3101067
>>3101100
>>3101117
“You’re honestly pretty good. I’m impressed at the ways you applied your power,” you admit to her. Besides, she looks like she could use an emotional pickmeup. “I’m not used to fighting under conditions like this, but I you were a dangerous opponent in this context. Being able to squeeze every possibility out of your abilities is pretty commendable.”

You’re not sure if it’s a blush, perse, but her antennae quiver a bit and she rubs her face. “O-oh. Thank you. Although I’m sure you were holding back, but...I do appreciate the statement a great deal.” Looking towards her summoner, she giggles a bit. “To think, she and I can say now we’ve faced a Level 4 Summon and actually did alright against it…”

“That might help you, yes…” you can see that already there’s a number of people talking in the stands, even as she gets assisted by medical personnel and Lysan at her seat. Several individuals that look like they’re rather important, too, taking notes.

Well, that’d be nice for them. Now, though, your part is just about over. You just need to sit and watch the last match...Lucas vs. Delilah.

Well. If you want to. Honestly, at this point you could probably do as you like and no one would complain.

>Go talk to Iris, see how she’s holding up. Considering Lysan’s there, too…
>Wonder what Millie and Lysan's folks have to say about the match. Might be interesting.
>Might as well see how this next and last lovers’ fight plays out...
>Other

>>3101142
Seconded

>>3101177
>>Might as well see how this next and last lovers’ fight plays out...
Without the ability to really go to town, we need to keep an eye on whoever we'll be presumably fighting in the final match for any tricks or techniques.

>>3101177
>>Go talk to Iris, see how she’s holding up.

Looks like I got a new IP along the way there. I thought iris was close by, so I'm voting again to give her a stone if she needs it.

Alright, seems like I've got no real choice but to cut the run for now. I hope I can run tomorrow, but no promises.

>>3101177
>>Might as well see how this next and last lovers’ fight plays out...

>>3101177
>Go talk to Iris, see how she’s holding up. Considering Lysan’s there, too…
If he dies he doesn't pass. And we don't get paid.

>>3101214
Thanks for running.

>>3101177
>Go talk to Iris, see how she’s holding up. Considering Lysan’s there, too…

>>3101177
>>Might as well see how this next and last lovers’ fight plays out...

>>3101177
>Go talk to Iris, see how she’s holding up. Considering Lysan’s there, too…

>>3101177
>Go talk to Iris, see how she’s holding up. Considering Lysan’s there, too…

>>3101177
I would love to make sure Delilah chews out Lucas for white knighting her, but probably not happening. It'd be interesting to see how well the summoners and summons recover after having fought us, are they still exhausted?

Assuming that Lysan passed the test, are we porting out immediately or seeing if he gets attacked by the Young Maestros?

>>3101736
We made that deal with his sister about guessing where we came from, but otherwise we don't have a reason to stick around after he's confirmed graduated.

>>3101748
There’s nothing on the books about accepting one last side job from Millie. I’ve had some thoughts about us working with her on a raid and getting the clubhouse as payment.

>>3101757
>There’s nothing on the books about accepting one last side job from Millie.
What? It wasn't a job, just a bet.

> I’ve had some thoughts about us working with her on a raid and getting the clubhouse as payment.
While I'm not entirely opposed, that would be an entirely separate contract.

>>3101736
Probably will only go away once it's confirmed he graduated.

>>3101736
We go as soon as when we get paid.

>>3101177
>Wonder what Millie and Lysan's folks have to say about the match. Might be interesting.
It's time for Millie to tell us where she thinks we're from.

>>3101748
I hope Sal doesn't pull us out before we get one last chance to talk to her.

>>3101784
we never get pulled immediately. Seems like we can stay more or less up to a day after we end the mission.

>>3101768
>What? It wasn't a job, just a bet.
I was talking about us accompanying Iris to the Maestro Club party, not that.

>entirely separate contract.
I was working on the idea that any job offered by someone other than our employers while onworld counts as a side job, regardless whether or not the main mission was completed. Just what I assumed, anyway.

>>3101792
>I was working on the idea that any job offered by someone other than our employers while onworld
The difference here is that it would take place after the main job was completed, though I'm not certain either.

Hey lookit that, I'm alive for today. Writing shortly for at least this one.

>>3103104
Yay!!

>>3103104
Hey, welcome back!

File: 1453599009299.png (320 KB, 504x538)

320 KB PNG

>>3103104

Apparently my post is considered spam. Trying to figure out a way to format it.

>>3101177
>>3101224
>>3101235
>>3101293
>>3101504
Might as well see how Iris is holding up- she seemed to be pretty out of it. Still is from the looks of things, considering she’s still cradling her head- at least she’s got ice to dull the pain a bit. Your own summoner seems to be fussing over her, and judging by how Bellbelle’s just scampered past you, he won’t be the only one for a while. As you approach her, you find that she doesn’t even acknowledge you walking up; she’s still too much trying to ignore her throbbing head, most likely. “Teachers said she strained herself too hard,” Lysan mentions when you get close enough. “From what we could get out of her, she was helping holding up Bellbelle’s softening field thing for WAY longer than she should have been. Not to mention she was keeping it in-bounds, otherwise it would’ve spread way too far and they would’ve been disqualified.”

“...worth it…” Iris squeaks out as she shivers in pain, eyes closed tight.

Lysan just sighs, shaking his head. “That kind of mental strain, plus the mana usage she output with keeping Bellbelle going really pushed her to her limits. They’ve even told us that if she doesn’t start to feel better in the next half-hour that she should even get tested for mana depletion and strain.” He looks at her with a concerned expression. "I really hope that's not the case, though."

“Oh, miss...I’m so sorry.” Bellbelle is quick to nuzzle against her summoner, who takes her and cuddles her like a teddy bear, all without opening her eyes.

“S’not your fault…” Iris mutters as she cradles the moth. Well, at least they don't blame each other for it. They're a good duo, really.

>At the very least, you can compliment her determination. She’s quite the fighter.
>Perhaps you can sneak her a crystal...it should be more than enough to help.
>If she’s feeling that bad, perhaps it’s in her best interest to go now. Just to be safe.
>Other

>>3103245
>>At the very least, you can compliment her determination. She’s quite the fighter.

>>3103245
>>Perhaps you can sneak her a crystal...it should be more than enough to help.

"Hold this. Its a nice placebo for moments like this one."

>>3103245
>>At the very least, you can compliment her determination. She’s quite the fighter.
She'll recover better and stronger with no problems, so no need to interfere. Besides, I wouldn't want people to even see what a mana crystal is.

>>3103245
>At the very least, you can compliment her determination. She’s quite the fighter.

>>3103245
>At the very least, you can compliment her determination. She’s quite the fighter.

i would offer a heal but that is obviously the effect of her using too much mana. So a heal wouldn't be effective and i'm really against the idea of giving a crystal

>>3103253
Supportin'.
Although I wonder if we should ask lysan on whether we should help.

>>3103245
>Perhaps you can sneak her a crystal...it should be more than enough to help.

>>3103245
We're just playing the honorable demon here today, huh?

Writing.

>>3103303
We just want to get payed.

>>3103307
pretty much this. no need to do anything to ruin our payday.

>>3103245
>>3103248
>>3103253
>>3103255
>>3103258
“If that was you keeping all of that up, then I have to admit, I’m impressed,” you offer. She doesn’t quite get her head all the way up, but she makes a game attempt to look you in the eye as you continue. “That kind of determination will do a lot for you later in life. You’re a real fighter.”

You can see her grin beneath her hair as you pat her shoulder- and then you hear the ringing announcement. “DELILAH STONE VS. LUCAS FULLBRIGHT!”

Turning to see them both march up, you’re surprised at how Delilah looks- surprisingly determined. Lucas looks...odd. You’re not sure how. Regardless, both summons look a bit worse for wear- although the good ‘King’ clearly is walking gingerly, still trying to recover from your own gentle ministrations. The centaur is less so, but you can see a few muscles here and there tense involuntarily, likely recounting recent injuries. Considering how both of them control the field, maybe you can manage guess-

“H-hey…” Hm? Turning back to Iris, you notice she’s managed to lift her head a bit, although her hair is well and frazzled. Despite that? She’s still got a smile on. “S-so...what’d you think we could do better?”

You raise an eyebrow. “Wrong? You’re asking for critique now, of all times?”

She shrugs. “Got nothing else to do…”

Fair. “Alright, then...I won’t say there was nothing you could’ve done better, but there were a few things I think gave me an advantage...”

You end up spending the majority of the fight between Delilah and Lucas going over your own…

>roll 2d20, best of three!

Rolled 14, 4 = 18 (2d20)

>>3103367

Rolled 3, 16 = 19 (2d20)

>>3103367

Rolled 7, 18 = 25 (2d20)

>>3103367

Rolled 20, 15 = 35 (2d20)

>>3103367

Not bad!

Someone's a smart cookie. Mostly.

>>3103367
By the time you’re done, the fight is just about over, the floor is covering in fog and ice...but it’s the centaur, Sir Barrlius, that stands tall at the end, the fight having come down to a concession- he hadn’t been able to knock the knight-king out of the ring or unconscious just yet- but he had managed to debilitate him so that he couldn’t move. In the end...the knight had conceded the fight, although you couldn’t help but notice that he did so with far less umbrage than you might’ve expected. Barrlius even offers a hand to help the summon up, and he takes it in good nature.

You’re impressed that she pulled it off, honestly, but you’re glad- after Lucas had inadvertently talked down her skills, you’d been interested to see if she was going to do anything about it aside from a minor chewing out. But this? Much better. Lucas, for his part, seems...embarrassed, but not exceptionally so, while Delilah at least looks giddy, if tired.

“THE WINNER IS DELILAH STONE!” Fantastic. The crowd claps and cheers as per normal, and now…

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE! WITH THIS, THE FINAL JUDGEMENT OF THE SAINT PLENAIR’S SCHOOL FOR THE MAGICALLY INCLINED TEST OF MIGHT WILL NOW COMMENCE!” Huh. So that’s it? No final match- even if it’s two people that would be fighting for a second time?

As the people wait eagerly, you look around to see Millie eyeing you carefully- less in a distrustful manner, more like she’s puzzling something out. Lysan’s parents, on the other hand, seem hopeful as the proctors talk things over between themselves. The remaining students themselves- Lysan, Iris, Delilah, and Lucas- all seem nervous...well, perhaps not Iris, who’s mostly combating her fatigue and depletion.

However, after several minutes, Ms. Tandal finally stands up, as the principle gives her the floor. “Ladies and gentlemen.” Her voice is, as always, loud, strong, and commanding of respect. “This has been a most interesting Test of Might. A bit more exciting than usual, one might say.” Huh...she tried to crack a joke? “However, the testing is now complete. All who can fight have fought to our satisfaction. It is at this time, however I should inform all present!” She looks over at the four summoners, with something approaching pride. “We have decided that you, who have reached this last round, have all passed.”

There’s a gasp from practically everyone, as cheers go up and Lysan and the rest look around in shocked surprise. “Wait...so did we all win?” Iris mutters as she winces.

After a minute or two, Tandal motions for the audience to quiet down,to let her continue speaking. “You have all done well, and shown grit, ingenuity, and bravery to a degree that satisfies each and every last one of us. However! There IS one grand winner- one who proved that, through their drive, their bond with their summon, and their own mental acuity, they were worthy of being the WINNER of the Test of Might. And that winner is...”

(cont.)

Hmmm... I'm going to guess the winner is NOT Lysan, simply due to how his summon won most of the time via overwhelming might more than any planning or control from him. But that doesn't matter anymore since he passed! Woot! Time to get paid!

>>3103479
“IRIS ZOIBLE!” Huh? You look over to the girl in question, who has an utterly shocked look on her face as the crowd erupts in cheers.

Wow.

You...weren’t quite expecting that, admittedly. Although...well...you suppose it does make sense. Doesn’t mean you don’t feel like you failed, though. It’s a bitter feeling, especially considering you won.

At least Lysan seems happy for her. His parents, as well, are clapping in good sport. Might just be happy their son passed at all.

>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.
>Even though she lost, they chose her? Hm. You see some reasons why, but...you still want to hear it from them. Just for ease of mind.
>You’ll be fine. But you DO need a bit of air. Well. A bit more air, that is. Gah.
>Other

>>3103503
>>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.
Heh, I knew it. But yeah, the job is done and it's time to get paid!

>>3103503
>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.
Miranda doesn't strike me as a prideful sort.

>>3103503
>>Even though she lost, they chose her? Hm. You see some reasons why, but...you still want to hear it from them. Just for ease of mind.
>Congradulate Bellbelle for winning the tournament. She won it fair and square.

I’d like to see if that proctor with the knights was working with those preppies to mess with the results.

>>3103503
>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.
Anything but think about what it would be like to have such a connection.

>>3103503
>>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.

No need to start drama

>>3103503
>Even though she lost, they chose her? Hm. You see some reasons why, but...you still want to hear it from them. Just for ease of mind.

We aren't contesting the issue, just looking for what areas we could improve in.

>>3103507
She's definitely prideful. That's one of her big things, being proud of her professionalism. Also of winning, which she's used to. And not being jerked around, she's gotten pissy about that before too.

>>3103503
>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.
I can see why she was chosen for the best.

>>3103503
>Even though she lost, they chose her? Hm. You see some reasons why, but...you still want to hear it from them. Just for ease of mind.

>>3103503
>>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.

She won by good sportsmanship.

>>3103507
>Miranda doesn't strike me as a prideful sort.
But she does feel bitter about not winning.
>Doesn’t mean you don’t feel like you failed, though. It’s a bitter feeling, especially considering you won.

>>3103503
>>Even though she lost, they chose her? Hm. You see some reasons why, but...you still want to hear it from them. Just for ease of mind.
Good for her, but I want to know why we didn't win. Be careful not to show anger or jealousy; they did properly pass all off us.

>>3103503
>>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.

People really don't want to do sidequests or stick around for any extra loot, do they.

>>3103755
It's too late now. We were on a strict deadline for this mission and doing side shit would've jeopardised it plus we likely wouldn't have had enough time to solve anything.

Now sal can and will bring us back any second

>>3103771
>We were on a strict deadline for this mission and doing side shit would've jeopardised it
Yeah, I can agree with not doing sidequests during the main mission when we're on a strict timetable like this one.
But now that the main mission is over, we have more leeway to stick around and finish unfinished business, but people want to jump out immediately.

>>3103771
>We were on a strict deadline for this mission
Not really,its just that we only had one real "free" day and we decided to go to the fair with lychen and his family"

>>3103806
We won't get immediately teleported. Remember the robot world? Lorelei stayed there half a day just to mess around with some kid.

>>3103816
>We won't get immediately teleported.
That completely depends on the whims of Sal and if he'll listen. Every other time it's been instant as soon as we checked the payment.

>>3103830
I just want to grab the plate and the orb from this world. And maybe keep the ring we found with the trapped summon to ourselfs

>>3103503
>Well...he still passed overall, which means your job was done, regardless. Leave it alone, leave them alone, and you can see about payment soon enough.
>though you feel a bit bitter about losing
Also
>Congratulate Belbelly for winning the tournament.

>>3103806
>But now that the main mission is over, we have more leeway to stick around and finish unfinished business, but people want to jump out immediately.
We don't hang around after missions unless we have something specific we want to wrap up, same as every other mission. "Help with investigation of unrelated business for not-the-client" doesn't count.

>>3103830
We declare the mission done and request a teleport. Sal doesn't beam us out without asking.

>>3103837
Those ring a bell, but I can't recall the specifics. Grabbing something specific like that is perfectly reasonable.

>>3103956
The plate is the one that amplify mana but at the cost of your sanity and it my cause some other aillments i forget at the moment, but i do remember it was something about mana burn.

The orb is the one from the carnival which allows to hold mutiple mana sources. I want to grab it to inspire Owlia in fusing the sigils and the crystals since the orb is basicaly a crystal ball with sigil like crafts around it.

Owlua was also working in a reactive armour that could absorv the mana from the ambient and become more though as it addepted to the enviroment and she had a hard time to have something to siphon the ambient mana with the armour.

The ring was the cat eye ring we got from one of the books we got and as we scaned we found out there was a mana construct inside it.

>>3103956
>Grabbing something specific like that is perfectly reasonable.
Except it won't happen because people want to leave immediately.

>>3103503
>You’ll be fine. But you DO need a bit of air. Well. A bit more air, that is. Gah.

Maybe we can get to talk to Millie and give her Sal's card in case she wants to summon us to help her with a investigation.

>>3103978
Could always request those itens as a way to low the amount they will pay to us. The plate at least must be quite valuable there is always those power hungry people who would pay a lot for something like it.

>>3103978
No, anons don't want to go on a side mission, there's a difference. If we've been talking about doing something reasonable, we usually get a vote before leaving.

It's late, but I'm determined. Writing.

>>3105192
Cool!

>>3103503
>>3103505
>>3103507
>>3103522
>>3103523
>>3103586
>>3103614
>>3103753
As annoying as the feeling is...when it comes down to it, you did what he asked of you- you passed the Test of Might, and with it, the Final Examination for Lysan’s summoner career. It may not have gone absolutely perfectly, but it went well enough. At this point, you can let the issue lie, you suppose. Iris is crying with joy, and although she still cradles her head, she’s smiling as her family surrounds and hugs her, and you can see a number of individuals approaching her, begging to talk ‘for just a moment’, apparently heedless of her injuries. Seems like she’s rapidly become the toast of the town.

As for Lysan? He’s watching from outside the massive circle she’s made, clearly content to just watch from a distance.

After a large portion of the crowd has filed out (Iris fortunately was able to beg off, citing her injury), Lysan and his family, along with yourself, are finally leaving; Millie having had her department perform a last sweep of the premises and found nothing out of the ordinary, and Lysan having reconnected with his parents in the meantime- they had nothing but love to give to their son for his performance- and a decent portion of that was thrown your way, as well, citing your ‘boldness’. You’d simply nodded your acceptance. Millie had offered an oddly sympathetic smile, but hadn’t said anything.

They’d driven home, and as they stand on the front steps, Lysan looks to you. “So...thanks a ton. Even if we didn’t technically win, we won, y’know!”

“True,” you offer. “So, then, as for…” how did Millie put it, again? “The agreement of our bond.”

“Gah, that,” Millie barks as she steps up to you. “And here I’d hoped you’d have decided that you didn’t need it as much after a good fight or three.”

“Nonsense,” you say easily.

“Right...although I guess I could’ve figured. Considering you feel a pull towards money.” Oh? You lift an eyebrow in curiosity, as she continues. “Well, considering your circumstances.”

“Circumstances?” Lysan’s parents echo. In stereo, too. Impressive.

Millie nods. “Yeah. I think I’ve figured out why you’re so money hungry. Did some research last night and before we showed up here.”

For a minute, you’d thought she’d forgotten. “Then by all means, make your guess,” you offer.

(cont.)

>>3105294
“Because you need it. Or at least, you feel like you need it.” she answers confidently. “My guess is that you were a mercenary in your life; you did dirty work for pay, and you were really good at it. I’m not so sold on what that Lucas kid’s summon said, but I DO think you were around back then- and probably a major force. For who, I’m not sure- probably the elves, if they were a real thing.” Interesting so far. “Either way, I think you were supposed to get paid, and someone stiffed you. You either tried to exact payment from your masters, or went into some big battle with bad gear that you would’ve been able to pay to improve otherwise. You bit it...and now you want money because you feel it helps you survive, somehow.”

Hmmm. Well, not the most accurate assessment, obviously, but the end summation is…

> “A bit too far off.” You’re not letting her know anything.
> “About as accurate as you can get.” And that means you’re going to have to call Sal…

>>3105296
>> “About as accurate as you can get.” And that means you’re going to have to call Sal…
Oh sure, that's totally true. Yup.
Now hurry it up with the payment please.

>>3105296
> “About as accurate as you can get.” And that means you’re going to have to call Sal…

>>3105296
> “About as accurate as you can get.” And that means you’re going to have to call Sal…

Does that mean that Sal gonna appear as a elf to Millie. That would be really funny. Although we don't know how Lysan got the summoning contract.

>>3105296
>> “About as accurate as you can get.” And that means you’re going to have to call Sal…
Not too bad. The history is completely wrong, but the personality is pretty decent for our professional attitude. I'm looking forward to seeing her reaction to figuring out what we really are when she talks to Sal though.

>>3105296
Handler can we drop at the end confirming that elfs were real? We did read the Grey Codex and i just want to see Millie and her parents face after it.

That'll do. Now onto important matters.

>>3105296
>>3105302
>>3105304
>>3105320
You snort. “I guess that’s about as accurate as you can get without seeing inside my head,” you admit.

“Hah! Knew it,” she crows. “So, then, I know money attracts you. But the surefire way to get your attention and have you agree to a binding- considering that it’s illegal to offer sacrifice?”

‘Iiiiinteresting way of getting potential repeat business! Buuuuuut, not one I haven’t dealt with before! Just reach into your goodiebag there, and you’ll find a niiiiiice little token of appreciation for her to use during her summoning!’ You do so, and sure enough, it’s a silver coin, about the size of your palm…

...and it’s got an engraving of Sal’s glasses on the front. Because of course. On the back, at least, is just his name. “Use this while you’re summoning with a decent amount of money, and I’ll be there. Obviously, the more you can suggest to me, the better, but...”

“Not allowed. Speaking of that…” she grimaces as she pockets the coin. “His bond with you was because he suggested he’d be willing to offer money, then? So how much are you taking?”

You name your price, translated. And her and her parents’ jaw promptly drops. “Y-you’ve got to be kidding me! That’s at whole year’s salary!” Huh. She must make good money, then. “Dangit, Ly!”

“I, uh...sorry!?” Lysan’s flailing at the moment- he can’t exactly say ‘yeah, I knew this was coming’. “Can we pay it?”

Lysan’s mother lets out a huff of astonishment. “Well...hmph. Honey?”

She turns to her husband, who also shakes his head in disbelief. “I...well, I won’t say it’s impossible, but it’ll take a bit for us to get out of the banker. We don’t have that kind of money just laying around.”

> “Fine. I’ll wait. You’ve got until the evening.” You’ve got one or two things you want to do anyway.
> “I like money, but valuables are also acceptable- as long as they’re actually valuable.” You COULD subtract from the total like this.
> “Then we’d best be off then, hm?” You want your cash and out as soon as possible.
>Other

>>3105392
>“I like money, but valuables are also acceptable- as long as they’re actually valuable.” You COULD subtract from the total like this.
>"Or we could divide it up in payments. With a premium, of course"

>>3105392
>> “Fine. I’ll wait. You’ve got until the evening.” You’ve got one or two things you want to do anyway.
A bit of time to get it is fine, since it seems like they CAN pay for it in the end, and that's all that really matters.

Well, unless other people want the items? I mean we could easily give them the idea to let Lysan use some of his own stuff to pay for summoning us, and there's little chance he can refuse with how he has to use his parent's money to pay in the first place. Not sure if they'd be worth it though if it comes out of our pay in the end.

>>3105392
> “I like money, but valuables are also acceptable- as long as they’re actually valuable.” You COULD subtract from the total like this.

The plate and the orb please.

>>3105415
In theory the plate and the orb are his so him giving those itens to us would be more a descent payement.

I'm pretty sure that plate must be really valuable even with the insanity debuff

>>3105392
> “I like money, but valuables are also acceptable- as long as they’re actually valuable.” You COULD subtract from the total like this.

They really, really don't want to default.

>>3105392
>Other
>> “Fine. I’ll wait. You’ve got until the evening. Valuables are also acceptable- as long as they’re actually valuable.” You’ve got one or two things you want to do anyway.
We'' give them time to figure out payment however they like, but I think some anons had a loose end or two they wanted to tie up.

>>3105415
Items taken in lieu of actual currency will just be converted to Motes anyway, unless we've got something specific, like that orb and plate and such.

>>3105432
Wonder if one of the three books we have can be converted to motes. Although i would like to keep the summoning manual and the Grey Codex. The first so Miranda can create her own summons and the second because of the magic tech in it which could inpire Owlia and Cylica to build more neat stuff.

>>3105432
>>3105392
Actually this is a good mix. I wouldn't mind snooping around with that social club.

>>3105445
I would rather not get involved with the club even if we might get a descent loot from scouting it.

I just want the plate and the orb.

>>3105440
>The first so Miranda can create her own summons
Summoning here appears to be directly tied to this world. They are pulled from a sort of afterlife, which won't be plugged into the multiverse. With some luck a proper scan should hopefully indicate if that's true. Failing that, if it's worth a decent chunk of motes, it likely works off-world.
Aslo, that ring with someone inside might act odd it taken from this world, though I'd like to keep it anyway.

>>3105392
>> “Fine. I’ll wait. You’ve got until the evening.” You’ve got one or two things you want to do anyway.
>> “I like money, but valuables are also acceptable- as long as they’re actually valuable.” You COULD subtract from the total like this.
>"I could also take some contraband items you've no doubt filed away from those who would misuse it. It would take them out of circulation on your world, and provide me with items of worth."
>"Also, if you plan on looking into the Maestro Club, I could offer a reduced price on helping you raid the clubhouse if you were to put it up as partial payment. It is a very lovely piece of real estate, after all..."

>>3105445
I'd love to come back to figure out what was going on with those preppies and nab their house as an extra bit of pay...

>>3105457
I want to bully.

>>3105471

Looting is a type of bullying!

>>3105460
i would give Lichen the ring. The boy will need it and if the mana construct is from this world. I mean taking a soul from this world even if it's a summon is breaking our boss words about the "No first born, souls and etc... as payment"

>>3105471
Fuck, that contraband idea is gold too.

We can even only offer a reduced rate for it, with the removal being counted against the value.

>>3105476
eeeh. We only know there is something there. For all we know it could be an animal or something akin those lines and if its a living being, well, we are doing it a favor by not letting it roam in a world that is extremely alien to them.

>>3105471
That last option sounds good.

>>3105478
Oh yeah a renew of the conrract is always possible...but most of the time that involves some increase in payment and Millie is a cop so i don't see her allowing us to loot the place.

>>3105471
>It would take them out of circulation on your world
I like the idea, but she still thinks we came from the normal summoning place, and would thus bring them back next time we're summoned.

>>3105482
It's a mana construct anon. It said so whenw e scaned it. And most mana constructs we see walking around are all summons. Who are the soul of the dead pulled and passed into the stream manifesting in a mana construct body.

>>3105487
manna construct is different from a summon. The name itself implies it and like you said, not all mana constructs are summons.

>>3105496
In this world it's.

>>3105503
So it's fine so long as we don't take it as payment.

Well at least i haven't see any mana construct in this world who aren't summons. Maybe the Deertaur smoke snakes. But i doubt the ring is holding just that inside it.

>>3105508
No wait i just remembered we got the book from Lysan so the ring IS ours. So we aren't breaking any rules since we found the ring inside the book.

>>3105503
not really. we are dealing with old magic here; magic so old that the futuresight can't decipher it completely, which means that it was made before everything went tits up and humans were forced to use summons. Either way, if there is a soul in there, we are the only ones that have any kind of lead on how to open it. Leaving it here will just make whatever its in there forgotten again because nobody knows what the fuck it is. also the ring is ours, so technically we are losing money by leaving it here.

Seems like the overall choice is "I'll wait, then, but valuables are good, too."

Writing!