Chapter 86 • Epilogue for Ignihyde

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Chapter 85	Book 6 • Chapter 86	Chapter 87

Ramshackle Dorm - Lounge

Ortho

As of today, I, Ortho Shroud, will be transferring to Night Raven College as a freshman in class C. Happy to be here!

WHAT?!

Epel	Ortho...you're an android, right?

Ortho

Yup. The technical term is technomantic humanoid.

Ace	And a humanoid can enroll as a student?!

Crowley

Ahem... Ortho Shroud is not strictly human, as you say. But he is the world's first self-aware technomantic humanoid.

Kalim

He's self-aware? Then that means... Uh.... What DOES that mean?

Ortho

Basically, I possess the same emotions and sense of self that humans do. I've always had an artificial consciousness and personality that were programmed into me... But something—possibly the lightning bolts you all hit me with—permanently altered my on-board technomantic circuitry. Which created a bug inside my core—it gave me a heart.

Kalim

I still don't get it, but this is a big deal, right?

Ortho

Yup. "I don't get it" is a perfect encapsulation of my current state! My brother and I haven't identified the cause of my circuit alterations yet. So since Idia's my creator, I was accepted into the school as his research subject. As things stand, I'm the product of coincidence. But if future research efforts find a way to reproduce what happened to me... It would be a significant contribution to the field of technomantic engineering.

Rook	Magnifique... You are truly a marvel, Ortho. Or should I say... Monsieur Wonder!

Ortho

Monsieur Wonder? Is that me?

Rook	Indeed. Your acquiring a heart is surely no coincidence. It is a wonder brought about by the love you and your brother hold for one another! I'm honored to have borne witness to this beautiful miracle.

Crowley

Many of our students aspire to a career in technomantic engineering, especially in Ignihyde. I'm sure Ortho's presence will be an inspiration to them all. Not to mention... The Shroud family has covered the repair bill for the buildings Styx destroyed, as expected. And they've made substantial contributions towards expanding the school's facilities. So when they asked for Ortho to be formally enrolled as a student, how could I say no?

Jamil & Vil

......

Jamil

Surprise, surprise.

Vil	It's hardly our place to object if it's a win-win for all parties, I suppose.

Crowley

AHEM. Given Ortho's humanoid status, he'll be limited in which exams and classes he can take... But he'll be a Night Raven College freshman, just like [MC] and Grim. I do hope you'll all get along.

Ace	First a direbeast and someone from another world come into our class. Now a humanoid? Are you for real?

Deuce

Haha! I bet there's not another arcane academy in the world that offers this kind of experience.

Epel	Well isn't that somethin'! Ah'll be...

Grim	It doesn't matter who else joins our class! I'll be sittin' pretty at the top of it!

Welcome aboard!

Congrats on getting in!

Ortho

Heheheh. I hope you, me, and my brother can all be friends!

Idia	No, really... S'cool... Just think of me as a bug or something and pretend I'm not here...

Ortho

Come on, Idia! Not this again. Oh, right! We still have to give [MC] and Grim the thing we brought.

Idia	Oh... Yeah. Uh, you guys can have this if you want.

Grim	What's this big box?

Ace	Hey, that's a Wonderlink!

Grim	Okay, and what's that?

Deuce

It's the latest game console. They're so popular, people line up at toy stores to try and snag one whenever a shipment comes in.

Idia

Not for nothin', but I'm p. sure if the troublemakers hadn't put up such a fight... The floors and ceiling wouldn't have gotten those giant holes to start with. But anyway, this is basically a token of apology for you guys having to crash somewhere else while your dorm was being rebuilt. But, uh, if you dont' like it, feel free to sell it to a secondhand shop or put it up for online auction or whatever.

Thanks so much for this!

I'm not gonna sell it, geez...

Ortho

It comes with enough points to buy any 10 games you want from the online store.

Ace	Whoa, really? Now I'm jealous. [MC]!

Ortho

We've already loaded up some of our own recommendations. Go on and try them if they pique your interest.

Grim	Oo, oo, [MC]! I wanna play somethin' right now!

Ortho

Then Idia and I will hook it up. We all might as well help you break it in!

Crowley

I believe that's my cue to exit. You wouldn't believe the amount of paperwork that's piled up in my absence. ...Oh, and Grim?

Grim

Mrah?

Crowley

How have you felt since coming back from the Island of Woe?

Grim	Hm? I ain't been feeling bad, I'll tell ya that. In fact, I feel downright great! My hospital exams didn't turn up anything wrong either. I've got grit for days! These other dudes got nothin' on me.

Crowley

I heard you received cutting-edge blot treatments at Styx HQ. I was worried for a little while there, but... I'm truly glad that you—ah, that is, ALL of you—made it back to the school safe and sound. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Grim	What was THAT about? The headmage sure is a real weirdo.

Ortho

Okay, everything's good to go!

Vil	Well, well. I see you included all the retro games we played on the Island of Woe.

Ortho

Eheheh. I thought it'd be nice to play 'em together again.

Vil	You know, at the time, we were the ones playing. You two didn't even pick up a controller.

Idia	Well, yeah. We've already cleared everything in those games on hard mode, even the secret stages and hidden bosses.

Vil	Hmm. In that case, might you provide us with a gameplay demonstration today?

Ace	Good idea. It's faster to watch someone else than play through a tutorial.

Grim	I wanna see this Star Rogue game. It looks the coolest outta all of 'em.

Ortho

In that case, how about we get Idia to do a no-death run on Meteor Mode? It's even harder than hard mode.

Idia	Really? I dunno, it wouldn't be very useful for them...

Ortho

But a regular playthrough wouldn't be very entertaining either. You should give them the kind of demonstration only you can provide! Let's get this started!

TWISTUNE

Twistune Dialogue - Play for a Crowd!
Twistune Start
Ace	Dang. It's so old-school, but the opening video's kinda rad!
Ortho	Right?! The game's over 10 years old, but it still holds up... Um, Idia? Your heart rate's exceeding 90 BPM. Are you nervous?
Idia	How could I NOT be? I've never played with a whole crowd watching me!
Vil	Can you really pull off a no-death run like this, Idia? If you want to bow out with grace, now's the time.
Idia	Ex-CUSE me? I could do this blindfolded! Just you watch!
After Phase 1
Pass Epel Whoa! Right out the gate, the enemies are shooting a stream of lasers! Vil And Idia is weaving smoothly through it all. Not bad. Ortho See? You hear that, Idia? Vil Schoenheit gave you a compliment! Idia Please. If you think THIS is impressive, you haven't seen anything yet. The early part of Meteor Mode is baby stuff. Here's where the real action starts! Fail Kalim AHH! They're firing a mega-ton of lasers at you! Can you avoid all that?! Deuce AAAH! Dodge, Idia, dodge! Idia Guys, the yelling is a WEE BIT distracting! Ortho Heh heh. Is it? You're still playing just fine. Here comes the hard part, by the way. Pay attention so you don't miss what my brother can do!
After Phase 2
Pass Ortho Last up is the boss. The laser fire's even more intense here. But Idia can handle it, no sweat! Jamil You actually got to this point without dying? ...That's impressive. Rook You press boldly onward, unflinching in the face of a breathtaking challenge. Marvelous! Your video game prowess is a wonder to behold! Idia Whee hee hee... Are you sure I'm good, and it's not just that you all suck? Ortho Don't listen to him. He's tickled pink. Keep the compliments coming, guys! Fail Ace Wow. All you gotta do now is beat the boss, huh. Ace Wait, look out! Enemy on your right! Idia Yeah, nice try, Ace. You think you can psych me out with a fake warning? Not happening! It'll take more than cheap tricks to get me! Grim If you lose after all this big talk, you're gonna look like a total chump. Idia Oof... Low blow, Grim. Could you PLEASE not jinx me? Ortho You've totally got this, Idia! Chin up and focus on the screen. It's time for the final battle!

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