7.5: Set Sail

Rafayel: “I’d say the wait was worth it. With winds at about 10 miles per hour, and no big waves, it’s a good day to set sail.”

MC: “Since heading out to sea is a daunting task, shouldn’t we...”

MC: “Use something a little more advanced? Like a speedboat?”

Rafayel: “We’re always cooped up in the house painting stuff. Let’s take the chance to exercise.”

MC: “We’re in the same boat now. It’s time to tell me what’s next.”

Rafayel: “Don’t overthink it. You’re just gonna do what you normally do—fight.”

Rafayel: “That’s Hat Island. It’s having unusual energy fluctuations, and a weird Wanderer appeared.”

MC: “You’re interested in Wanderer?”

Rafayel: “Their Protocores contain an extremely rare material. I need to get my hands on it...”

Rafayel: “I’ll use it to make paint and create some art. As one does.”

MC: “Really? Protocores can be used for painting? I’m not a three-year-old.”

Rafayel: “Weeeird. The island is literally right there. But we’ve been rowing for thirty minutes, and still no signs of land.”

Rafayel: “Are you rowing around in circles?”

MC: “I’m definitely trying to move this boat along, but you keep rowing us back. That explains why we’ve been going in circles.”

Rafayel: “This oar is just being mean!”

Rafayel: “I’m getting tired of this. Can we ditch the boat and swim instead?”

MC: “Oh no, Rafayel, the waves! They’re heading straight for us!”

Rafayel: “Was the weather forecast just slacking off today? Left, left! Hurry!”

MC: “Water is filling the boat. You jinxed us! I guess we really do have to swim to Hat Island!”

Rafayel: “S-steady now. Don’t just flail the oar around. I feel like I’m gonna puke.”

——————————

Rafayel: “I think t hired an assassin instead of a bodyguard... The world is spinning like...”

MC: “Stop mumbling to yourself. If it weren’t for me, we’d still bw in the ocean right now.”

Rafayel: “I’d rather float in the sea than be on land...”

>>No fluctuation detected

MC: “Everything looks okay. I don’t see any Wanderers around.”

Rafayel: “Your skills will bw useful. Let’s go. This island isn’t small and we have a full day ahead of us.”

MC: “You’re fine now? Why are you in a hurry?”

Rafayel: “The mountain. We’ll start there.”

7.6: Spring Excursion

MC: “I don’t see any signs of life... I remember visiting this place as a kid while on a field trip.”

Rafayel: “A field trip? What’s that?”

MC: “You’re never been on one before?”

MC: “Children line up with their bags filled with all sorts of snacks. And of course we wrote a travel log, and...”

Rafayel: “Wow, you were all brave kids to visit places like these. I’m impressed...”

MC: “...More than a decade has passed. Change is inevitable.”

MC: “The reasonance is weak, and the watch isn’t detecting anything... It’s possible Wanderers aren’t involved.”

Rafayel: “Your little watch thing doesn’t seem to work that well. Where’s the coral stone?”

MC: “Huh?”

MC: “So.. what are you planning to use your blood again?”

Rafayel: “Or like you can use your, Evol.”

Rafayel: “The coral stone is from this water. If you notice something weird, it might be tainted with the same kind of Metaflux.”

Rafayel: “Use your Evol to resonate with it. Creating a similar signal might just be good enough to lure them out.”

Rafayel: “Try it?”

MC: “Sending out a signal... Got it.”

MC: “Hmm...”

MC: “The fluctuation is faint. I can barely sense it...”

Rafayel: “Wait wait wait... You could crack open nuts using that much strength. Please don’t destroy my last sample.”

MC: “Then...?”

Rafayel: “You’re not in an arm wrestling match. Let’t do this together.”

Rafayel: “Close your eyes.”

Rafayel: “Focus all your senses on your hands.”

**********

Rafayel: “Well? Can you feel a warm power surging within you?”

MC: “...”

Rafayel: “Everything in this world has a unique, unmatchable frequently. That’s why each life is isolated.”

Rafayel: “But your Evol allows you to change your frequency. You can resonate with others.”

Rafayel: “If you open your heart, you can establish a connection.”

Rafayel: “And share your power.”

MC: “...Really?”

Rafayel: “If you believe.”

MC: “Uh... Ahem!”

Rafayel: “Sorry.”

MC: “Okay, I’ll try it...”

———————————

Rafayel: “!”

Rafayel: “Is it... over?”

MC: “...I guess, yes?”

Rafayel: “Well, that was quite a spectacle.”

MC: “It was your idea. If we don’t catch any fish, is the bait at fault?”

Rafayel: “All right, I guess I was wrong. Tapping into the depths of someone’s Evol isn’t easy.”

Rafayel: “Something reacted.”

MC: “I did a pretty good job, huh. Don’t you think?”

Rafayel: “You’re even better than I expected!”