Code: ASSIMILATE

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 16/40
Mp: 44/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10 --> 11 --> 12 --> 13
Int: 12
Spr: 10 --> 11 --> 12 --> 13

Silver casts Fire Mana Burst on Malacrass!
(Damage: 100% Int x 3/Effect: Burn 50%/Element: Fire)

Though both of the trolls had attacked him, Silver's eyes stayed dead locked on the chieftain as they had been doing. Clenching his hand into a fist he almost punched the troll right next to him, only to have three balls of fire fly from his closed hand. Each ball of fire exploded, Silver jumping away and taking a couple of steps to reach his new destination.

Silver moves to G6!

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 16/40
Mp: 38/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10 --> 11 --> 12 --> 13
Int: 12
Spr: 10 --> 11 --> 12 --> 13

Kuori moves to cell H-5

Now it was this Troll's turn. Kuori did the same thing as with the other Troll, walking up to him and electrocuting him until he fell limp. Although, he was still conscious, and would no doubt fight again.

Kuori uses Electrocute on Daakara. 12 Lightning INT Dmg per hit, 3 hits
ENG: 73/100
-------------------------------------
Malacrass takes 63 damage
HP: 17/80

Daakara is Burned

Kuori is storing energy
Undiscovered Energies: 3

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (S) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) (D) (K) ( ) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Enemy Phase

Daakara moves to cell H-4

Daakara uses Finishing: Rampage on Silver

Silver takes 24 damage.
HP: -8/40

Daakara takes 20 damage from Burn
HP: -3/80

Daakara K.O.

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (S) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) (D) (K) ( ) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Victory!

Loot:
Credits x8000
Flask of Mojo x2
Chunk of Iron x1
Black Steel x1

EXP:
Amani Berserker K.O. x2: +16
No items used: +2
No Finishings used: +3
Player Character K.O. x1: -1
----------------------
Total: 20 (10 for Silver)
Indomitable Gladiator: +10
----------------------
Final Total: 30 (20 fro Silver)

Kuori
EXP: 25/36 -> 55/36
Level up! 3 Stat Points and 1 Skill Point gained
EXP: 19/36

Silver
EXP: 6/36 -> 26/36
EXP: 26/36

Achievements earned:

Indomitable Gladiator - Win the battle with only either Kuori or Silver still standing. (10 Points)

Kuori took a deep breath and went to help Silver up. Now with the two bear riders gone, the chieftain seemed to be the only one left that was strong enough. And he knew it, for the Troll immediately stood up and grabbed one of the torches on the walls, throwing it into the pit and watching it set ablaze. Then Zul'jin jumped down to the arena, with his wooden totemic staff in hand.

"Let's play a game mon. Every minute dat joo don't beat me, one of me followers will cut one of dem ropes. So in five minutes, da friends of yours will fall and be incinerated to death." Zul'jin said.

The second the troll started to talk, Silver was standing wiping his blood away, fiery determination setting in. Fire literally dancing at his finger tips he was about to throw a couple fireball at the chieftain immediately. But he couldn't with Kuori holding onto him the way she was. He might misfire and cause a bigger problem than what they currently had.

"Bring it."

File X3-03
Location: Zul'Aman; Proving Grounds
Objective: Defeat Boss in 10 turns
Defeat: Party is Defeated OR Turn 10 passes

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (S) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) ( ) (K) ( ) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Spoiler:

Player Phase 1

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 40/40
Mp: 55/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10
Int: 12
Spr: 10

Silver casts Water Mana Swirl on Zul'Jin!
(Damage: 100% Int/Effect: Wet 50%/Element: Water)

Breaking away from Kuori's grip instantly after the troll readied himself, Silver began to focus on that same fiery mana from before. He was just about to strike when he stopped short as if thinking it over. He would need to get closer to utilize the move, and it would be a problem if the troll king could hit him immediately. So instead he flicked his wrist, a ball of water proceeding to drop, swirl, and engulf the foul creature.

Silver moves to H6!

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 40/40
Mp: 50/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10
Int: 12
Spr: 10

Kuori moves to cell F-5

Kuori walked forward, making a blockade using herself and the two pillars around her in order to protect Silver. She then held out her hands, and two streams of flames shot out. Burning the chieftain's skin.

Kuori uses Flamethrower on Zul'jin. 17 Fire ATK Dmg
ENG: 75/100
-------------------------------------
Zul'jin takes 22 damage
HP: 178/200

Zul'jin is Wet

Zul'jin avoids Burn

Kuori is storing energy
Undiscovered Energies: 1

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) (K) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) (S) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Enemy Phase

Zul'jin uses Aspect of the Serpent

Zul'jin moves to cell E-6

Zul'jin uses Viper Sting on Kuori
MP: 195/200

Kuori takes 1 damage
HP: 64/65

Kuori avoids Poison

Zul'jin is Wet for 2 more turns

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) (K) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) (S) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Spoiler:

Player Phase 2

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 40/40
Mp: 50/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10
Int: 12
Spr: 10


Silver moves to G5!

Seeing the troll take on the aspect of what appeared to be a snake, he was quick to take a couple steps towards Kuori. He wasn't afraid of the troll, but he wasn't going to be stupid and get hurt. He was careless last battle and he paid for that, so now it was time to smarten up and deal with it tactically. Pounding his fist into the nearby pillar, three balls of fire exploded on the troll.

Silver casts Fire Mana Burst on Zul'Jin!
(Damage: 100% Int x 3/Effect: Burn 50%/Element: Fire)

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 40/40
Mp: 44/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10
Int: 12
Spr: 10

Kuori restores ENG
ENG: 90/100

Kuori moves to cell E-5

The android girl took a few steps forward again, and turned to the oversized snake that just bit her. She placed a palm on the body of the serpent, and through the moisture on its scales sent shock after shock of electricity through him.

Kuori uses Electrocute on Zul'jin. 17 Fire ATK Dmg
ENG: 68/100
-------------------------------------
Zul'jin takes 78 damage
HP: 100/200

Zul'jin avoids Burn

Zul'jin takes on the Aspect of the Bear

Kuori is storing energy
Undiscovered Energies: 2

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (K) (Z) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) (S) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Enemy Phase

Zul'jin uses Lacerate on Kuori
MP: 183/200

Kuori takes 10 damage
HP: 54/65

Healing to Kuori is halved

As the chieftain changed into the second form, a large brown bear, one minute had passed since the beginning of the encounter, and one of the five pieces of rope were cut from the cage, loosening the already unstable wooden cage even more.

"Hurry, if joo want to save dem friends of yours."

While Kuori was distracted by the cage, she felt something nearly rip open her gut. The chieftain had used that time to swipe at her with his claw then run off.

Zul'jin moves to cell F-7

Zul'jin is Wet for 1 more turn

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (K) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) (Z) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) (S) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Spoiler:

Player Phase 3

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 40/40
Mp: 44/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10
Int: 12
Spr: 10


Silver moves to F5!

Silver took another couple steps to the side as the Troll transformed into a large bear, much like the ones the previous trolls had ridden. That didn't stop him from unleashing the same attack on the troll, his hand smashing into the pillar again.

Silver casts Fire Mana Burst on Zul'Jin!
(Damage: 100% Int x 3/Effect: Burn 50%/Element: Fire)

Silver *Mini Mana* *Defensive Mana*
Hp: 40/40
Mp: 38/55
Atk: 1
Def: 10
Int: 12
Spr: 10

Kuori restores ENG
ENG: 83/100

Kuori moves to cell E-7

And yet again Kuori gave chase to the chieftain, now being another oversized animal, a bear.

Kuori uses Electrocute on Zul'jin. 13 Lightning INT Dmg per hit, 2 hits
ENG: 63/100
-------------------------------------
Zul'jin takes 102 damage
HP: -2/200

Zul'jin K.O.

(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) A
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) B
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) C
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) ( ) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) D
(w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (K) ( ) (w) E
(w) ( ) ( ) (p) (S) (p) ( ) ( ) (w) F
(w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) G
(t) (w) (w) ( ) ( ) ( ) (w) (w) (t) H
(t) (t) (w) (w) (w) (w) (w) (t) (t) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Victory!

Loot:
Credits x5000
Flask of Mojo x1
The Gods of Zul'Aman x1

EXP:
Amani Bloodrinker K.O. x1: +18
No items used: +2
No Finishings used: +3
No Player Character K.O.: +2
----------------------
Total: 25

Kuori
EXP: 19/36 -> 44/36
Level up! Promotion
EXP: 8/54

Silver
EXP: 26/36 -> 51/36
Level up! 3 Stat Points and 1 Skill Point gained
EXP: 15/36

Achievements earned:

N/A
------------------------------------
As Zul'jin fell to the ground, he broke out in a loud laughter which echoed throughout the arena. It was obvious he had a trump card left, and it was a very dirty one. For his underling immediately cut the remaining four pieces of rope suspending the cage, allowing it to fall into the firepit without any remorse for the two prisoners inside.

"No!"

As the troll cut the four remaining ropes, Silver felt his heart race. The sight of his friend falling to the flames killed him for some reason. But there was nothing he could do to stop it, his magic wasn't advanced enough to do something like save them. Stopping as he reached the second two pillars, he continued to watch in horror as the cage fell.

As the cage fell, the bard inside, who had remained completely silent, held up an instrument, a lute, and began to play a tune. The tune was played in perfect tempo, and not a note was missed, and as soon as they fell into the pit of flames, the bard climbed out, with not even a burn mark on him. Then reached his hand out to Serenity, who also had no visible signs of being harmed in the least by the engulfing flames.

"Let's go back. Your friends are waiting."

"Yeah."

Serenity smiled with a large grin, relieved that the fire hadn't killed them both. Taking his hand, she too climbed from the fire, still smiling, her gaze focused on her friends. Leading the bard over to them her smile dropped for a moment, and she quickly stood in the space between them.

"This mission was a misunderstanding. He's not going to harm us."

Kuori blinked. Misunderstanding? Really now? Serenity was now telling them that this bard who is wanted for assault and battery was innocent. How did that work? Kuori stared at the two of them for a while, then sighed, turning to Silver.

"What do you say Silv? Do we trust him?" Kuori asked, still a bit skeptical of this.

"I don't know..."

Silver was relieved when the two were completely safe, more like ecstatic that their ally hadn't gotten burned to death. But when Serenity said: "The mission's a misunderstanding." he was thrown off guard. How could it possibly be a misunderstanding? The bard had attacked and knocked out Noon, there was physical evidence of that.

But what bothered Silver was the fact that Serenity had said it. If he had heard the bard say the same thing, he would never have believed it. But he doubted that their own ally would lie to them. Turning to Silver he shrugged his shoulders, looking a little uncomfortable. But he lowered his shoulder after a moment, looking back to Serenity for only a second before speaking.

"... But we do trust Serenity right?"

"I suppose..." Kuori replied with a sigh.

It was true, Serenity was after all, someone working for DSoED. There's no way she would lie to her own friends about this matter. Still, being the careful person she was, Kuori decided to believe the bard meant no har, for now, and made a mental note to keep an eye on him.

"So, then waht's your name?" Kuori asked.

The bard's mouth opened as if to answer, but no sound came out.

"Excuse me?"

"Kee."

Silver turned to Serenity, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"His name is Kee."

At this, Silver's eyebrow raised even more in complete and total confusion. How did Serenity know his name? Especially when the boy didn't even speak, much less taunt them by moving his lips. Looking to Kuori for only a moment he turned back still surprised.

Kuori tilted her head and looked at the boy bard skeptically, how did Serenity already know his name? Especially since Kuori could tell that the boy couldn't speak. The way his mouth moved, there must've been something wrong with the boy, maybe he was mute. Because during the whole time that she's met the boy, he has not even made one sound, not even one of pain as he fell down into the fire pit.

"Kee huh? What a strange name." Kuori said, "Well, any idea with what to do with him then? If we take him back to the city he's still going to be chaged for assault and battery, no matter what we say."

"We could ask Noon if there's any type of magic that can change physical appearance..."

Silver mused slightly offering an actual option, not totally focused on actually doing it. He wasn't sure if there was such a magic, but he doubted such a thing would work for them. Turning to Serenity, his look asked for her view on the topic, only to find gears turning in her head.

"If not we could always leave him with DSoED."

Kuori laughed quietly to herself at Silver's idea. Was there even such a thing as an appearance changing magic spell? Kuori didn't think it was likely. There probably never was and never will be such a magic in the world. And as for Serenity's idea, Kuori sighed. It was viable, but if he had to be kept in DSoED's laboratory and never allowed to leave, it wasn't much different from being imprisoned. Kuori thought for a moment herself, then remembered something she saw earlier.

"What if we help out the city in exchange for granting Kee pardon for the 'accident'?" Kuori suggested, "I heard that the army is short on soldiers recently, so that seems like a good oppertunity."

Silver pondered the thought of help servicing the city, it seemed familiar as well, like something he had read. Would it really work? He couldn't remember from what little remained buried in his subconcious. Sighing, he figured they'd have to go with it, it was far better than the other ideas anyway.

"Better than our other ideas..."

With the decision made, the group headed back to the city to report their mission. Although the authorities were quite skeptical of this boy meaning no ill intentions, they gave the group the reward anyway for at least bringing the boy back.

File X3 Completed, the party recieves the following rewards:

Hi-Potion x1

Mana Drop x1

Elixir x1

5000 Credits

New Recipies learned
--------------------------------------
~Weapon Shop~

N/A

~Academy (Tier 1)~

+ Mana Manipulation - A lesson on the art of changing mana into different forms and efficiently using them. [Increases Silver's weapon INT by 2. 8000 credits]

~Armor Shop~

N/A

~Item Shop~

Potion – Restores 20 HP upon use (500 Credits; Number in Stock: 5)

Herb – Restores 10 MP upon use (400 Credits; Number in Stock: 0)

Antidote – Cures Poison upon use (300 Credits; Number in Stock: 4)

Elixir – Cures any status effect upon use (1000 Credits; Number in Stock: 3)

Yggdrasil Dew – Revives one fallen character with 20% (3000 Credits; Number in Stock: 2)

~Krak Pot~

+ Hi-Potion - Restores 50 HP upon use. [Reagents: Potion x3; 500 Credits]

+ Mana Drop - Restores 20 MP upon use. [Reagents: Herb x3; 400 Credits]

+ Fairy Powder - Restores 20 HP and 10 MP upon use. [Reagents: Potion x2; Herb x2; 700 Credits]

+ Yggdrasil Leaf - Revives one fallen character with 50% max HP upon use. [Reagents: Yggdrasil Dew x3; 5000 Credits]

+ Stimpack - Grants Haste and 20% ATK and INT upon use, user takes 20% max HP damage initially and loses 10% max ATK and INT each turn during the next 5 turns. [Reagents: Potion x2; Herb x2; Antidote x2; Elixir x1; 1500 Credits]

+ Bottle of Mojo - Drink it and see what happens. [Reagents: Elixir x1; Troll Mojo x1; 2000 Credits]

+ SUPERCHARGE - A weapon system designed specifically to harness the energies of electricity while not harming the wearer. [+3 ATK; +2 INT; Lighting element; Weapon; Equippable by Kuori; Reagents: MT-002 Prototype x1; Rusted Arm x1; Electric Conductor x1; 7000 Credits]

+ Academy Uniform - The official boy's uniform of the Magic Academy. [+3 DEF; +3 SPR; +10 MP; Armor; Equippable by Silver; Reagents: Comfortable Clothing x1; Herb x2; Mana Drop x2; 7500 Credits]

+ Ashen Plating - Metal plate armor that, despite its composition and dark color, resist fire and magic fairly well. [+5 DEF; +3 SPR; Half Fire; Armor; Equippable by Kuori; Reagents: Worn Plating x1, Black Steel x5; Chunk of Iron x3; 9000 Credits]

+ Mermaid Tear - A pale blue crystal shaped like a water droplet stranded on a string as a necklace. [+10 MP; Accessory; Equippable by Silver; Reagents: Mana Drop x3; River Water x1; 3000 Credits]

+ Angel's Tear - A chain necklace with three small sapphire-like crystals shaped like water droplets. [+10 MP; +5 MP Regen per turn; Accessory; Equippable by Silver; Reagents: Mermaid Tear x1; Mana Drop x2; 5500 Credits]

+ Voodoo Doll - Strange looking doll said to bring terrible misfortune on whoever's name is written upon its back. [+5 ATK; +5 INT; Curse Effect; Accessory; Equippable by all; Reagents: Troll Mojo x3; Linen Cloth x10; Cotton x1; 10000 Credits]
--------------------------------------
~Town Square~

+ File X3: Wanted: The Elusive Muse [Requirements: N/A; Rewards: Items, ???; TAKEN]

+ File X4: Call to Arms [Requirements: N/A; Rewards: Items; TAKEN]

+ File X5: Masquerade Ball [Requirements: SilverStorm; Rewards: ???]

~DSoED~

N/A

With the party back in the city with some ease, Silver felt the need to go straight to the Magic Academy. But alas, they went ahead and received the reward first, Silver feeling worse as the time passed. But when the party was finally able to do what they wanted, Silver found himself drifting from the party and headed straight to where he had wanted to go. Reaching the academy, he quickly made his way to Noon to explain and get his next lesson done.

Silver learns Mana Manipulation. 8000 credits lost.

Noon smiled and agreed to give Silver the lesson he asked for, despite his own injuries. Although most of them have healed, save of course the broken arm and leg, but that didn't hinder Noon's abilities as an instructor. The lesson this time was on efficiently using mana, which went by rather quickly since Silver could already change his mana into elemental types and use them for attacks. The lesson did help, however, in refining the boy's technique.

After the lesson was over, Noon sat back down at his desk and began sorting out through some paperwork. Even though with his attention focused completely on the sheets of paper in front of him, Noon stopped Silver from leaving.

Silver, you said earlier that the entire situation with the boy was a misunderstanding. But if that were the case, why didn't he say so in the first place?" Noon asked, "When he 'trespassed', I had asked him several times who he was and why he was trespassing. And even though his mouth opened to answer, he didn't utter even a word. Don't you think that's kind of strange?"