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A typical day of an Akumachi-Kirijo high-school student consists of attending seven fifty-minute periods of classes, with breaks of recess and lunch in between. Homeroom is conducted at the start and end of each day. Students rarely move from their classrooms, unless it is required to go to other parts of the academy such as science labs or sports grounds. You, the Fool of the 22nd Century, are currently attending a riveting session of double mathematics. Although the term ‘mathematics’ is a slight misnomer, because that would imply that you were not being taught algorithmic applications in relation computing models.

Mind you, it isn’t exactly a bad thing. You might even deign to refer it as necessary, given how vividly expansive the market for new and improved technology was these days. Smartphones and holograms in major cities were as omnipresent as the oxygen in the air.

“…determinism in mathematics refers to models in which outcomes are determined through relationships among states and events, without any room for random variation…”

You listen and scribble down notes of circles and alphanumeric character and the rules that link them both. Yet your concentration is waxing and waning. Part of your thought process is drifting elsewhere, impeding your ability to correctly draw a 3-state DFA with an alphabet of the first four integers.

Akikazu Osaragi, the blonde boy who blew up in the school library. Has a shady history with the student council president, shouts and swears a lot, physically strong and frightening enough to send two innocent girls running for their lives. In short, first impressions aren’t great. Additionally, you picked up his wallet in the fashion in which a war-torn soldier would gingerly lift up an ambiguously-charged IDE.

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You wonder what his reaction is going to be. Will he accept this as a misunderstanding and leave you alone? Or will he yell and beat the crap out of you? You scan the rows and columns of bodies. Not a single head sprouts messy blonde hair. When he snarled that he was ‘out of here’, you hadn’t thought he meant it literally.

“…a non-deterministic finite state automaton, or NFA if you will, has the same power as a DFA. There is a method of converting NFAs to DFAs, but you shall learn it in your third year…”

The wallet rests in your blazer pocket, the Macca and plastic cards within untouched. Veleis-sensei organizes exercises. You partner up with Takauji and tackle them with gusto. The lessons continue beneath the orange-red skies…

[3:55 pm, 6-Apr-2129 (THURSDAY)]

“And thus concludes the afternoon homeroom. See you all tomorrow, class of 5-3.” Veleis-sensei concludes her speech with a small smile. Not a moment later, the piercing wails of the end-of-day bell shrieks through the air, sending the majority of the class rising from their seats. Sighs of relief are exhaled, laptops are folded shut and chairs are slid across the enamel floors. Chatter bursts free like the lid of Pandora’s box. The once still classroom is transformed into a blanket of youthful noise.

“Let’s go to Synth Central for a bit…”

“Another day down, whew!”

“Time for fencing club, I guess…”

You pack your books away and stand up. You reach into your blazer pocket and withdraw Akikazu’s wallet. This is undoubtedly a gap in the crossroads of your life. Seriously, what is that Osaragi guy’s deal? Why is he so damn aggressive? Well, once you return his wallet, you won’t interact with him for a while. Probably not for months and months.

Anyway, what will you do now?

>Go to the student council room and see if you can find Eriko Ozaki.
>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.
>Ask Takauji for more information about Akikazu.
>Hand the wallet over to lost property.
>Custom option.

>>41484133
>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>Custom option.
Put extra money into the wallet to confuse him when he counts to make sure we didn't steal anything. Not much, just a few hundred Macca.

>>41484133
>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.
SOCIAL LINKS

>>41484133
>>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>Ask Takauji for more information about Akikazu.
>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484181
To what end?

>>41484133
>>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

>>41484133
>Go to the student council room and see if you can find Eriko Ozaki
I have to know how much of this math you just bullshit on the spot.

>>41484234
I just think it would be funny.

>>41484181
And then wink and slyly suggest we'd appreciate his gratitude. Now that's how you max social links.

>>41484257
>Putting your own money in someone elses wallet
>when they might never check it
>when they might check it and say nothing
>for a laugh
Fucking rich people.

>>41484181
Backing.

>>41484288
Or get the shit kicked out of you.

http://strawpoll.me/5004440
Just linking this here.

>>41484181
Against this.

>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

Okay, moderately sized list of stuff to go through.
Character sheet has been added: http://pastebin.com/7K1f7ma5
Persona list has been added. There's a bunch of information on there; make sure your read it. It basically covers the new way Personas will be statted in this quest. http://pastebin.com/ny5aPLq2

Mechanics pastebin has updated. I have posted the points necessary to reach the next level of each of the social stats.

Apart from that, it's now time to begin writing!

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>>41484427
>all these people who don't want HBQ to come back

>>41484454
I just want more persona quest.

>>41484436
>Slime
>Development Potential E
Welp, there goes the plan to turn slime into anything respectable.

>>41484533
Most of our personas are going to have shitty development potential. Just got to get better ones instead of improve old ones.

>>41484454
it's kinda boring to be honest

Feeling kind of dumb here, but I can't seem to find the character sheet. The link's just sending me to the Spells and Skills document, I don't see it in there, and clicking on Thorn's profile isn't getting me anything other than the Skills and Spells and Mechanics pastes. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

>>41484749
Whoops I accidentally pasted the wrong link. This is the one you're looking for.
http://pastebin.com/N2d0bABv

>>41484781
Ah. Thanks, Thorn.

>>41484621
Personally I find this quest to be much more dull, and I just can't bring myself to be invested in the characters here. Doesn't mean I want Thorn to stop running it, though.

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>>41484454
I in no way shamelessly posted this in a persona thread hoping to get votes from the persona crowd.

>>41484926
Yeah, SoL in long bursts just doesn't work in these kinds of things.

>>41484976
Isnt persona like 60% slice of life?

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>>Akikazu will likely come back. Try and find him.

For a brief, idiotic moment you contemplate on keeping the wallet and leaving the student body none the wiser. Then you remember the way Akikazu Osaragi had threatened those girls and decide that, no, you definitely don’t want be on the receiving end of anything similar. You have a nagging sensation that whatever Persona this guy wields could easily pound Ippon-Datara into the dust and use the remains as cat chow.

Yeah, best let this train of thought depart from the station without much fuss. You consider your other options. Go and seek the Student Council President? Sounds good, except you don’t exactly know where the student council room is. Ask Takauji or anyone else for information? Would that be of any use? A truckload of drama surrounds Akikazu Osaragi and you sure as hell ain’t ready to dive straight into the muck. At least, not until you’ve gotten the hang of events around Akumachi-Kirijo.

So you opt to search for yourself. This is symbolic or some shit. Like, the path of the Hermit is one of solitude and introspection. Only you aren’t just a Hermit, no?

You search. It is an excuse to wander around the school more, and you are damn well aware of that.

And search.

Time ticks away. You spot an array of colorful hairdos, but none are blonde or spiky enough.

…

You pop into the cafeteria. It’s closed. There a couple of girls lounging around the back area, giggling at a laptop screen. You leave.

Resume.

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Walk.

Survey.

Nope, no sign of the guy anywhere. This could be the time to give up and hand over the wallet to the front desk. You collapse on a bench in the front courtyard and exhale. The front gate is visible to you in all its secured, metallic and archaic glory. Behind it, trucks zoom past and traffic lights flash green.

“…curse them…”

Why are you doing this? What reason is there to search for a boy you have never had a proper conversation with? One who is practically a delinquent, in fact.

“Stupid ass thugs. Slowing me down for that…?”

You look up and see a blonde-haired figure stomping up the pathway to the front building, hands in pockets and mouth in a tight, aggravated frown. Speak of the devil, mythological and tarot-like. It’s Akikazu Osaragi. He’s muttering under his breath, glaring daggers in the direction of the library.

“Can’t believe I dropped my wallet. Don’t want another lecture from Eriko, dammit!”

You stand up. How will you approach this?

>Call him over.
>Walk up to him and block his path.
>Watch him silently.
>Toss the wallet in his direction.
>Custom option.

>>41485017
>Toss the wallet in his direction.
"I GOT YOUR BACK BRO"

>>41485017
>>Call him over.

>>41485017

>Call him over.

>>41485017
>>Call him over.

>>41485017
>Call him over, waving the wallet.
''Hey, I think it's yours, isn't it?''

>>41485017
>>Call him over.
Was looking for you, you dropped your wallet.

>>41485017
>Call him over.

>>41485017
>Toss the wallet in his direction.

>>41485017
>Call him over.

>>41485017
>>Call him over.
I found your wallet, Here you go.

>>41485017
>Call him over.

>>41484995
We need that slice of life to grind our stats anyway.

>>41485017
>Knock the guy out from behind while he's weak
>When he wakes up, pretend we helped save him from thugs who snuck up on him
social link master

>>41485017
>Call him over.

>>41484976
The SoL is a lot less boring than the combat and gamey bits.

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>>41485116
What could possibly go wrong?

>>41485164
It's not boring, it just feels repetitive and drawn-out somehow.

>>41485017
>Call him over.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7CQdCvosTQ

>>Call him over.

You’ve never been great at talking with people. Withdrawn, isolated, moody…all those adjectives could apply to your past self. It got better in the first year of high school, but you were never able to make more than a few casual acquaintances. But this is a simple exchange. Communicating with Akikazu Osaragi should be easy enough.

You gulp nervously and prepare to open your mouth.

“H-hey!”

The solitary word bursts free from the tip of your tongue. It is quickly swallowed, chewed up and spat out by the noise emitting from the city in the background.

Akikazu has not heard you. He strides forward, still snarling at an unknown foe.

Try again.

“Uh, you’re Akikazu Osaragi, aren’t you?”

This catches his attention. He turns to stare at you.

“What of it?” He says, irritated.

“Um…”

>I found your wallet.
>Say nothing, just give the wallet back to him.
>Did you drop anything in the library?
>Nice to meet you.
>Custom option.

>>41485513
>Nice to meet you.
>I found your wallet.

>>41485513
>Say nothing, just give the wallet back to him.

>>41485513
>>I found your wallet.

>>41485513
>>I found your wallet.

>>41485513
>I found your wallet.
>Nice to meet you.

>>41485513
>I found your wallet

>>41485513
>I found your wallet.
>Nice to meet you.

>>41485513
>Nice to meet you.
>I found your wallet.

>>41485513
>Nice to meet you.
>I found your wallet.

>>41485513
>I found your wallet.

>>41485513
>Nice to meet you.
>I found your wallet.

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>>I found your wallet.

You take the item from your blazer and display it on your open palm. Akikazu’s eye widen at the sight.

“You, uh, dropped this in the library after your outburst. Thought I should hand it back in person.”

“What the…” Akikazu begins, his eyes narrowing. “Give me that.”

He’s fast. In an instant, he’s closed the distance between you and snatched the wallet out of your hands. He riffles through the various sections, drawing out Macca bills and inspecting the multicolored plastic cards. After a while, he shove the object back into his own pockets and looks up at you.

This time though, he doesn’t seem nearly as pissed. “…why didn’t you give this to lost property? Or the student council president for that matter?”

…

>I thought this would be more polite.
>Don’t know where any of them are.
>Are you complaining?
>I want to get to know my classmates more.
>Custom option.

>>41485889
>I thought this would be more polite.
and
>Don’t know where any of them are.
Cause I'm new here. Got my persona just before this year started.

>>41485889
>>I thought this would be more polite.

>>41485889
>Don’t know where any of them are.
>Are you complaining?

>>41485889
>>I thought this would be more polite.
>>Don’t know where any of them are.

>>41485889
>Don’t know where any of them are.

>>41485889
>Don’t know where any of them are.
I thought you wouldn't like having to deal with the student council

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This is how I imagine this quest will end.

>>41485889
>I thought this would be more polite.
Plus:
>Don't know where any of them are.

I'm new but I've seen what happens when you get close to the student council president...

>>41485889
>I figured you'd get it sooner this way

>>41485889
>I thought this would be more polite.

>>41485889
>Hermit

>>41485889
>>Don’t know where any of them are.

>>41485889
>Custom option.
"I was going to if I couldn't find you. Thought you might like it back sooner, though."

>>41485889
Eh, just did it.

>>41485889
>Don’t know where any of them are.

>>41485889
>I thought this would be more polite.

>>41485889
Only somewhat related but apparently if you find someones drivers licence you can just drop it in a post box and the postal service will deliver it to them.

>>41485889
>>Don’t know where any of them are.

It's the honest answer.

>>41485889
>Don’t know where any of them are.

Is there really any reason why you don't allow multiple choices to be picked? I mean you allow write-ins. It's not like people couldn't just make one that includes those choices.

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>>I thought this would be more polite.

“…you for real?” Akikazu says, raising an eyebrow. “You’re a weird one, whatever your name is…”

The same could apply to you, you privately mumble.

“Well, I was going to if I couldn’t find you.” You mutter. “I don’t know where the student council is, though. Or the lost property. Thought you might want your wallet back sooner.”

“Don’t think I’ve ever seen you around.” Akikazu says, observing you up and down. His mouth is still flat and there’s a hint of suspicion within his tone. “You new here?”

“Yeah.”

“There’s a map you can access from the student portal, you know.” He says. “Sheesh, you really are newbie…”

“Oh…”

“…”

Akikazu seems to be contemplating something. You watch him think. Awkwardness is beginning to seep into the air. He doesn’t appear thankful, but at least he doesn’t look pumped to start decking someone in the face.

“Fine.” He snaps. “Come with me.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t like leaving my debts hanging out in the open for too long.” He says, short and to the point. “That’s about it. Let’s go.”

With that, he turns around and heads in the direction of the school gate.

Will you follow Akikazu Osaragi?
>Yes
>No

>>41486508
>Yes

>>41486508
Nobody ever repays me when I do things out of the goodness of my heart. Dicks.

>>41486508
Fine but if go missing, I'll haunt your forever.

>>41486508
>Yes

>>41486508
>>Yes

>>41486508
>Yes

>>41486508
>>Yes

>>41486508
>>Yes

>>41486508
>Yes
10/10 decisions

>>41486508
>>Yes

>>41486508
>Yes

>>41486508
>Yes

>>41486508
Why would we say no?

>>41486508
>Yes

>>41484436
>http://pastebin.com/ny5aPLq2
>physical skills cost vitality
PLEASE tell me the passive that heals a fraction of the physical damage you deal exists. Or that the hp cost at least applies to enemies, as well.

>>41487236
Makes sense though, punching things hurts your hands.

>>41487327
Which is all well and good, until you realize that shadows and even enemy persona users don't have this problem.

>>41487327
But its your punch ghost that uses them.

>>41487425
Not to mention the physical skills involve your persona using them, some with weapons.

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>>Yes

It’s not like you have anything else to do today. Martial arts club is out—that’s going to take place tomorrow. Shrugging your shoulders, you follow Akikazu.

Halfway to the front gate, your phone beeps. Celeste has sent you a text message. It reads: ‘sorry takashi-kun, i have fencing club today. see you later, then!’

This is what you reply: ‘No worries. I’m busy anyway.’

Then you run forward to catch up with Akikazu. He glances over his shoulder, but doesn’t say anything.

Akikazu leads you through the throngs of Silver Town. He crosses the road towards a small shopping strip located not too far from the bulk of the academy. You notice quite a few students laughing and joking around the various stores there. Even the most high-class area of the city isn’t exempt from the scourge of the convenience store chain.

He drags you toward a ramen store. The interior is smoky and warm. The scent of broth and meat drifts through the air. You hear the oh-so-recognizable sounds of slurping and chopsticks clanking together. Yes, this is the type of homely restaurant your sister would take you to on her days off. Beats an expensive diner, that’s for sure.

“Come on.” Akikazu takes you to the front counter. “Two bowls of pork ramen please. Make it quick.”

“Okay, Osaragi-kun!” Comes the reply from the bearded, grizzly-like chef. “Take a seat and I’ll have it ready in no time!”

“Thanks.”

You and Osaragi sit at a nearby table, waiting in silence. You’ve seen photos of old ramen shops, with wooden benches and ancient stoves. Everything is made of biodegradable plastic and metal these days. That isn’t going to change anytime soon, unless the forests of the world quadruple in capacity overnight.

“Order up!”

The ramen is served. The two of you unwrap disposable chopsticks and eat.

>>41487425
>>41487432
>>41487454
Well fuck me then.

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This…

This is… really, really good. You’ve never tasted ramen so delicious in your entire life. The broth is rich, the tare is punchy, the noodles are richly textured and to top it off the condiments complement everything so damn well. Your mouth suddenly springs to a life on its own! You devour and devour, your tastebuds desperate for more the heavenly noodles. Alas, all things must come to a close and soon the bowl is empty, save for a few dregs of soup and seaweed.

You eat those too.

>Your UNDERSTANDING has increased by 2 points!
>Level up! Congratulations! Your UNDERSTANDING is now Average!

Akikazu wipes the sides of his mouth with a napkin. You feel the urge to say something. What will you do?

>Thanks.
>Take out money to pay for the meal.
>Let’s come back next time.
>Ask him why he brought you here.
>Custom option.

>>41487464
>That isn’t going to change anytime soon, unless the forests of the world quadruple in capacity overnight.
>not just using dia on trees to make them regrow.

>>41487529
>Thanks.
I feel like he'd respond best to terseness.

>>41487529
>>Thanks.

>>41487529
>>Thanks.

>>41487529
>>Thanks.
>that was really good.

>>41487529
>Thanks.
"This place is great"

>>41487529
>Thanks.

>>41487529
>Thanks.
>Take out money to pay for the meal

>>41487529
>Thanks.

>>41487529
>Thanks.
>Let’s come back next time.
>Custom option.
Mention AETHER, tell him to call us if there's anything like that floating around.

>>41487529
>Take on the equivalent of the Mega Beef Bowl Challenge
only real choice here

>>41487529
>Thanks

>>41487529
>Let’s come back next time.

>>41487529
>Thanks.
>Take out money to pay for the meal.

>>41487529
Since you're so helpful sempai, I've got this rouge program on my phone, Aether. Any idea how to get it off?

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>>41487944

>>41487529
>Thanks
Also dont take out money, he's trying to pay us back for the wallet. He'd probably get pissed if we try to pay

>>41487529
>Thanks.

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>>Thanks.

“What.” Akikazu says.

“That was delicious.” You say, grinning a little. “I’ve never had such good ramen before. I’m definitely gonna remember this place.”

Akikazu looks down at his bowl. “It’s…nothing.” He growls. With that, a s if trying to escape conversation, he stands up and moves toward the front counter.

“Here.” He says to the lady at the desk. “3000 Macca.”

“Hey!” You stand up from your seat and run over to him. “I can pay too.”

“No you can’t.” Akikazu snarls. “Sit back down.”

You attempt to argue, as your mother has ingrained the knowledge that you should always pay for your own meals. Unfortunately, Akikazu’s shuts down each one of your tries like a Ziodyne straight to the heart. Causing a commotion inside this small restaurant isn’t going to get you anywhere. Your resign and let Akikazu finish treating you to ramen…

You exit. The sky is growing dark. Your stomach is full of soup and noodles, so none of your sister’s cooking for you tonight.

“We’re even now.” Akikazu states. “Got that?”

You nod. “Yeah.”

“Good. Later, then. You shouldn't come and talk to me for a while.” Without waving goodbye or any form of farewell gesture, he takes off across the pavement.

“Wait.” You call out, part of you not entirely sure of what you’re doing. This time, your voice is loud enough. Akikazu swivels his head around.

“What do you want?”

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“I’m Takashi Wakui.” You say. “Uh, nice to meet you. Thanks for treating me today.”

Akikazu steps forward, as if disbelieving his ears. He gives you that familiar, curious and inquisitive. The two of you lock eyes for a moment. Then Akikazu shakes his head.

“You’ve most likely heard this from every motherfucker in the academy, but I’m Akikazu Osaragi. Just because we’re classmates doesn’t mean you should get chummy with me, okay.” He says. Yet, there’s not a trace of enmity or disgust in his voice. In fact, he seems almost…elated? “See you later, Wakui.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

Akikazu doesn’t opt to reply. He jogs off into the distance, towards the masses of towering buildings and packed roads.

You check your phone. It’s about time you went home, lest your sister inquire about your whereabouts…

…!

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“I am thou…thou art I…”

“Thou hast established a new bond…”

“It brings thee closer towards the ultimate reward…”

“Thou shalt be blessed when wielding Personas of the Hanged Man Arcana…”

>The Akikazu Osaragi Social Link has been created. It is now at level 1!

>>41488579
Hanged man. Huh. Fitting.
Taking bets on how long for him to show up in Aether

>>41488616
By the end of the week, at least. Maybe after Takauji's trip through there.

>>41488616
pretty sure he's next so not long

>>41488579
Hm, I was expecting Devil or Tower.

>>41488616
>Fitting
What does this particular arcana signify?

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>>41488691
He isn't that bad.

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“Welcome back!” Shizuka’s familiar voice rings through the air the moment you step through the door. “Dinner’s almost ready, Takashi. Go and wash your hands.”

“Uh, yeah. About that…” You mutter. “I kinda ate out with someone today. Sorry, nee-san. Should’ve sent you a text.”

“Oh, really?” Shizuka doesn’t seem annoyed at you. Instead, her face lights up. “Was it a friend? Did you make some already?”

You wince. “I wouldn’t exactly call him a friend. But he was nice enough to treat me to ramen, so…”

“Kyaah! That’s sounds like a new friend to me! Takashi, you should catch up with him. Treat him to croissants at the local café!”

“He’d probably belt me in the guts if I tried, nee-san…”

Shizuka winds up eating most of the food. You sit with her anyway, picking up a few pieces of fried pork and popping them into your mouth. She brings up a pot of vegetable soup and you accept with much anticipation.

“Hey nee-san.”

“What is it, Takashi?” Shizuka looks up from her white rice.

You hesitate. “What do you think of my new school?”

Shizuka pauses. Her usual smile fades. She rests her chopsticks against the side of the plastic bowl and faces you. “Why do you ask?”

“I…you’ve never said anything about Akumachi-Kirijo. I just wanted your opinion, that’s all.” You say. “Are you okay with it?”

“Hmm…am I okay with it?” Shizuka repeats. “Yes, I am fine with Akumachi-Kirijo. I agree with kaa-san. I think she made the right choice sending you here. You need every advantage you can get in today’s workforce, Takashi. Now that I’m grown-up, I can see that I was something of an anomaly.”

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>>41489140
You alive, Thorn?

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“But to tell you the truth, when kaa-san first announced your transfer, I was apprehensive.” Shizuka continues. “I didn’t hate the idea, but it didn’t sit well with me.”

“Why?”

“As I kid, I…well..I didn’t get along with the Kirijo students. I thought they were too snobbish and arrogant, always thinking too highly of themselves. And I especially detested the way some of them treated non-wielders. Daisuke and the rest agreed with me.” Her face darkens and the usual lighthearted, playful and almost absentminded tone is gone.

“They mocked me, didn’t they? I remember. For not having the potential for a Persona.”

“Yes. And I was so, so furious. I think, at one point, I truly hated the academy. It was childish of me, but I didn’t care. I was glad to smack them down at the tournament and smash their pride to bits. The looks on their faces was priceless.” Shizuka takes a swig of canned coffee and grins.

“Not that it ended up going anywhere. When I entered the anti-Shadow Operatives, I was partnered up with a lot of Akumachi-Kirijo graduates. They were nice people. Most of them treated me with respect. I learned that the views of the minority are not equivalent to those of the majority.”

“I see. So nee-san, you don’t hate Akumachi-Kirijo anymore?”

Shizuka chuckles. “Takashi, that ‘hate’ of mine disappeared the moment I joined the anti-Shadow Operatives. Heh, as a grown-up, a lot of the things I did in the past seem so silly. Although, there are some things I still would like to do…”

“Like read me bedtime stories?” You say, dreading the answer.

“Exactly! You’d have to suddenly de-age yourself, though. I know I've said this a million times, but you were so cute as a seven-year old!”

“Ugh…”

>>41489826
>Study in your room.

>>41489826
>Study in your room.
Got to level that Intelligence.

>>41489826
>Head outside.
If reading an h-doujin gave us that many points, then maybe the outside isn't so bad.

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“I wonder what prompted such a serious discussion, Takashi. Normally you’ve so quiet. Wait!” Shizuka’s face brightened again, like the morning sun. “You were worried about your nee-san, weren’t you?”

“No I wasn’t.” You say, a little too quickly for your tastes. Shizuka doesn’t miss this. At all. Which is characteristic of her.

“Hahaha, your face is red. You should know by now that you can’t hide anything from your older sister. I’ve been around since the day you were born!”

“Shut up…”

Nevertheless, Shizuka’s words surface memories into your mind. Recollections of bullying and ignorance. You live in a society divided between those who can summon Personas and those who can’t. Though the mainstream media frequently states that both are treated fairly in the National Empire of Japan, the gap segregating the two classes is as plain as day. Those who cannot summon demons from within their soul are doomed to suffer in life, shrouded beneath a dark cloud of missed opportunities and passive-aggressive condemnations. You were once part of this invisible lower class, something that your mother despaired over.

Now, you have a Persona and suddenly been catapulted up into the upper echelons of society. Should you feel relieved? It would be a lie to say that part of you isn’t. You just wish it hadn’t occurred in the most horrendous and terrible way you can imagine.

[7:00 pm, 6-Apr-2129 (THURSDAY)]

Dinner continues. Eventually, Shizuka leaves for work. You have the rest of the night to pass. What will you do?

>Study in your room.
>Watch television.
>Browse the Internet.
>Head outside.
>Custom option.

>>41489875
>>Head outside.

>>41489875
>Browse the Internet

>>41489875
>Study in your room.

>>41489875
>Study in your room.

>>41489826
>Study in your room.

>>41489875
>>Head outside.

>>41489875
>Head outside.

>>41489875
>Head outside

>>41489875
>Head outside

>>41489875
>>Study in your room.

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>>Study in your room.

Maybe you won’t go outside. The teachers are school have been merciless, giving you a sizeable amount of homework on the first day. Best make a start on it. It won’t suddenly vanish into the air…

As you open your textbook, you glance forlornly at your computer. The hibernation light flashes cheekily at you, like a courtesan hiding behind a translucent silk curtain. The desire to switch it on and spend hours of your time online is overpowering.

You close your eyes, count to ten and wait for the urge to go away. You take out your books and pacer and begin…

“Draw a state transition table of this NFA…”

“Simplify this equation…”

“Calculate angle c of this triangle…”

Math passes by easily enough. You then groan and tackle English.

“Please write a short story about any pets you may have had, maximum one hundred and fifty words.”

Yeah, screw this.

...

You don't actually do that.

>Your INTELLIGENCE has increased by 3 points!

After studying for a couple of hours, you relax by browsing the Internet. There are a wide variety of videos to watch and articles to read. You get an inkling that doing so may increase your CHARISMA, UNDERSTANDING, INTELLIGENCE or WILLPOWER, depending on what avenue you take. It’s too late now though. Drowsiness is forming in your mind. Time to go to sleep…

So in p4 do you get better stats if you fuse higher level versions of the same persona?

>>41490535
Time for the Velvet Squatters to bug us about our new Social Links?

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<chocolat_orange> hey!
<chocolat_orange> takashi-kun!
<THE_FIRST> Hi Celeste
<THE_FIRST> What’s up?
<chocolat_orange> oh nothing much
<chocolat_orange> how as your day?
<THE_FIRST> Alright
<THE_FIRST> Nothing much happened
<THE_FIRST> How was fencing practice?
<chocolat_orange> good!
<chocolat_orange> it feels great to pick up the sword. my clubmates are pretty friendly, too.
<chocolat_orange> but i was just thinking about things and wanted your opinion
<THE_FIRST> About what?
<THE_FIRST> Is it sweets again?
<THE_FIRST> I bet its about sweets
<THE_FIRST> Holy hell how much more chocolate are you going to consume
<chocolat_orange> hahaha nope :P
<chocolat_orange> i wouldn’t mind talking to you about the several different types of kit-kats through
<THE_FIRST> I’ll pass thanks
<chocolat_orange> aww…that’s a shame. oh well.
<chocolat_orange> i was pondering something different
<chocolat_orange> it’s about aether
<chocolat_orange> sorry, AETHER
<THE_FIRST> …
<THE_FIRST> What about it?
<chocolat_orange> i was wondering whether or not we should do something about the blackened void. maybe, i dunno, explore it a little?
<THE_FIRST> Why?
<THE_FIRST> I don’t think there’s much of a point
<chocolat_orange> i mean, it is there and we are its players
<chocolat_orange> it’s been far too long to brush it off as a dream
<chocolat_orange> it’s not like i want to force you. i just kinda thought we might have some responsibility
<THE_FIRST> Responsibility, huh?
<chocolat_orange> aren’t players supposed to beat the game?
<chocolat_orange> i haven’t really gotten into the video game scene but i do know there are a lot of really massive ones and aether is kinda like that
<chocolat_orange> so shouldn’t we try and do our best there?
<THE_FIRST> I think I know what you mean, Celeste
<THE_FIRST> You gotta remember though
<THE_FIRST> I’m not exactly too hot about returning to a place full of Shadows

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<chocolat_orange> you can’t deny it there was fun in it. it was like riding a really fast rollercoaster!
<chocolat_orange> and we handled the shadows perfectly fine
<THE_FIRST> Okay, you’ve got me there
<THE_FIRST> I admit it was fun for a bit
<THE_FIRST> Summoning my Persona was the biggest rush I had ever felt
<THE_FIRST> Nevertheless still not keen on going back
<THE_FIRST> Especially where you got kidnapped and nearly killed by a mob of diseased elves
<chocolat_orange> yeah i know :(
<chocolat_orange> i was wondering about that too. sort of a black mark isn’t it?
<chocolat_orange> but you came to rescue me, so it worked out in the end :)
<THE_FIRST> Maybe but AETHER is still dangerous
<THE_FIRST> I’m content with relaxing with a while
<THE_FIRST> And do you know how I got my Wild Card powers?
<THE_FIRST> When I entered the game, I was trapped to a dissecting table and had a glowy blue liquid injected into my vein
<THE_FIRST> I have no bloody clue what that shit was but it tortured me to the point of near death
<THE_FIRST> Fuck thinking about it is giving me the creeps
<chocolat_orange> oh my gosh
<chocolat_orange> that’s terrible D:
<chocolat_orange> why would something like that happen to you?
<chocolat_orange> i’m sorry, takashi-kun
<THE_FIRST> You don’t have anything to apologize for
<THE_FIRST> It’s not like you did anything
<THE_FIRST> Look I understand that all things have a purpose
<THE_FIRST> Like how games start with a tutorial and eventually have an end
<THE_FIRST> And yeah you’re right there’s a genre of games AETHER might be based off
<THE_FIRST> They’re called open-world games and usually have a large number of NPCs, quests and loot
<chocolat_orange> you mean like minecraft 4? i played that a lot as a little girl
<THE_FIRST> That’s more a building toy simulation than the game I’m talking about
<THE_FIRST> Getting off topic though
<THE_FIRST> Open-world games are lengthy as hell and require a player’s full attention

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<THE_FIRST> Usually they don’t try and kill you
<THE_FIRST> But AETHER hasn’t sent us any notifications or mission to do
<THE_FIRST> The only reason I went in into the Blackened Void on both accounts was because I was forced to
<chocolat_orange> to save my life
<chocolat_orange> that was nice of you :)
<THE_FIRST> Bit of an understatement don’t you think?
<chocolat_orange> sooo
<chocolat_orange> are you saying that you want to avoid AETHER as much as possible?
<THE_FIRST> I think we’re already past that stage
<THE_FIRST> AETHER is a fucking electromagnet to our phones
<THE_FIRST> I get what you are saying, Celeste
<THE_FIRST> You want to explore the Blackened Void
<THE_FIRST> Part of the idea does appeal but I think we should focus on schoolwork
<THE_FIRST> We don’t have any obligation to go back to the Blackened Void right now and English is killing me
<THE_FIRST> Shouldn’t go rushing in there without at least some sort of preparation
<THE_FIRST> And screw it
<THE_FIRST> We deserve a break from all this craziness
<THE_FIRST> So that’s it
<chocolat_orange> mmmm
<chocolat_orange> okay. i understand.
<chocolat_orange> i think i need more carefully about my intentions
<THE_FIRST> Look I’ll think about it
<THE_FIRST> Maybe we can use the Shadows there are as moving targets for practice or something
<THE_FIRST> Whatever I’m tired right now
<THE_FIRST> Sorry
<chocolat_orange> :)
<chocolat_orange> goodnight, takashi-kun!
<THE_FIRST> Goodnight

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>>41490660
>minecraft 4
>they made more than one

>>41490731
Who knows? maybe they dropped the cube graphics and blocks?
Who am I kidding. Microsoft made it.

>>41490629
I want to grind shadows for better purse owners anyway.

>>41490731
>>41490971
>Minecraft 2, double the cube resolution, quadruple the cubes, half the content!

>Minecraft 3, featuring the new HEXUBES!

>Minecraft 4, we finally bought out Starbound 1.4 and abused their team edition!

>>41491090
>we finally bought out Starbound 1.4 and abused their team edition!
No, please. Anything but them!

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[8:00 pm, 7-Apr-2129 (FRIDAY)]

Morning arrives.

You proceed through the usual routine. Celeste looks particularly pleased with herself today. She’s whistling what appears to be the American national anthem in a happy tune and there’s a prominent skip in her step. Her skirt is bouncing up and down. You stare at her, wondering if you should point out that practically nobody skips in this day and age.

“What are you so happy for?” You ask.

She giggles. “Isn’t it obvious, Takashi-kun?”

“Your favourite football team won?”

“Nope! I’m not interested in ball sports.”

“Something good came in the mail?”

“Still cold.”

“You ate too much candy and are now sugar high?”

“Close, but no! I thought it was obvious.”

“I don’t.”

“It’s Friday, duh!” Celeste smiles. “The weekend is just around the corner. Don’t you get excited by that?”

You blink, perplexed. “Celeste, what the hell are you talking about?”

“What do you mean?”

“This country has a six day school week. Did you forget?”

"Excuse me?"

"Check your timetable."

Celeste skids to a halt and gapes at you. The shock and subsequent realization is a lightning cloud forming above her brain, before commencing a heavy downpour of disappointment and reluctance. This time, she moves forward with the air of a child whose favourite toy had been yanked away.

“Ah, right. Japanese students study on Saturdays.” She mutters, gloomily. “I really did forget. Silly me, huh?”

“Do Americans really have Saturdays and Sundays off?”

“They do. And it’s great! How do you Japanese survive a six-day school week?”

“We don’t. We’re all walking zombies. The moment we enter middle school, we become skeletons in meat sacks, slowly drudging towards the horizon.”

“Ha ha, very funny Takashi-kun…”

>Your CHARISMA has increased by 2 points!

>>41491268
>Her skirt is bouncing up and down
>Summon Pixie to sneak down and tell us what color her panties are

>>41491435
And then a bunch of men in black kidnap and experiment on us.

>BAD END HUEHUEHUE

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[1:10 pm, 7-Apr-2129 (FRIDAY)]
Only one lesson in Akumachi-Kirijo Academy for the Supernaturally Talented is separated via talent, rather than class. That is the subject of Persona Manipulation. The students are divided up into groups determined by the rank on their Persona license and set to work. The goal is to develop their potential for future use. Battles are conducted, simulations are run and the anatomy of Shadows is studied.

You are gathered in a section of the Battlegrounds with thirty something students. None of them look particularly enthusiastic. You can’t blame them.

“Now kids, I know you are all ranked E, but that is no reason you shouldn’t go forward with spirit.” The teacher, one Kawano-sensei with a calm disposition and thick dark hair, speaks. “I was the lowest of the low in my youth. But I persisted with my training and eventually developed into a B-rank, and then reached A-rank. It is not impossible. You just need perseverance.”

“Sensei, weren’t you arrested once before?” Some kid raises his hand.

“That’s another matter entirely.” Kawano-sensei replies.

He then lectures you all about the sorts of activities you will be doing in this semester, information about the hard light labs and mock fights. He then goes on to explain about Shadows.

“Hmm…this would be a good point to check if you’ve been keeping up with the news. You there! Wakui!”

You blink and snap to attention. “Y-yes sensei?”

“Can you tell me the most powerful known Shadow in existence?”

That’s…! You struggle and rack your brain for an answer. You were only recently awakened to your Persona, and thus never bothered to engage with the Persona-user community. Only they would think such a question would be easy. What’s the answer? You think you might’ve heard it on television before…

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>41491706

>>41491718
Fuck dude, nice one.

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>>41491718

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>41491706
There's no point to me rolling other than to advance things.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>41491706
>2 20s

>>41491718
>>41491759
What?

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>41491706

Rolled 9 (1d20)

1 GET!

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>>41491759

>>41491718
>>41491759
welp

>>41491759
I stand corrected.

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>>41491718
>>41491759

File: neat.gif (89 KB, 300x243)

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>>41491718
>>41491759

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>>41491759

>>41491759
>>41491718

wtf man, did we just rediscover a long lost Persona?

File: 1435466168769.gif (2.52 MB, 400x225)

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>>41491718
>>41491759
Waiting warmly.

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“Uh, the Reaper!” You bark out. Yes, that’s right. You saw this on a documentary before. “It’s a Shadow that carries two long-barreled revolvers and lurks inside densely populated Shadow areas. It can use forms of magic and will appear if you stay in a danger zone for too long. Its arrival is always signalled by the rattling of chains. Some say that even stronger Shadows exist, such as Death or the Great Father, but none of them have been proven to exist.”

You vomit out the last deluge of the torrent of information and pant. The entire class is staring at you, sensei included. You can feel your cheeks turning crimson and shrink backwards. This may not have been the most logical of ideas…

"Whoa..."

“Man, I didn’t know that…” Some girl whispers.

“This guy is smart. Or was it a fluke?” Another boy mumbles.

“Excellent.” Kawano-sensei claps his hands and smiles. “That is correct, Wakui. The Reaper is indeed the most powerful Shadow known to date. Everything else you said is also true. The Reaper’s primary offensive strategy is to hunt down stragglers and assault them with its firearms or its magic. You kids will most likely not encounter the Reaper, and I hope you never do. Still, it never hurts to be prepared…”

You can feel some members of the class looking at you with respect...

>Your CHARISMA has increased by 5 points!
>Your reputation around Akumachi-Kirijo has increased slightly.

You are then split up into groups and sent to tackle various exercises. Someone familiar walks up to you.

File: 1420016736464.jpg (218 KB, 1274x1129)

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“Hey!” Celeste says. “That was impressive.”

“What are you doing here?” You ask.

She tilts her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Shouldn’t you be a D or C-rank? You awakened your Persona when you were twelve, right?”

Celeste quickly glances off to the side. A red tinge has spread across her expression. “The truth is…”

“Yeah?”

“I slacked off a lot when I was a kid and didn’t practice with Sati. That’s why I’m so weak. I've already forgotten how to do Agilao. Agilao, of all skills!” She grins, and it is both false and nervous. Your gaze is deadpan as a generic piece of kitchenware. Celeste is quick to change tack and motions with her hands. “A-anyway, I’m hoping I can pick up the slack now. I won’t stay an E-rank forever.”

“Uh-huh…”

Anyway, what will you choose to do in this class?

>Hard light labs: Fight Shadows in a hard light simulation.
>Mock battle. Fight one of your own classmates!
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.
>Theory. Study the coursebook.

>>41492356
>Mock battle. Fight one of your own classmates!

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.
This sounds REALLY GOOD for us.

>>41492356
>Hard light labs: Fight Shadows in a hard light simulation.

>>41492356
>>Mock battle. Fight one of your own classmates!
CRASH COURSE!

>>41492356
>>Hard light labs: Fight Shadows in a hard light simulation.

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492356
>>Hard light labs: Fight Shadows in a hard light simulation.

This seems like a potential solution to our immediate problem.

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.
>save macca normally used for weapons and armor
>buy sweets for celeste
>instant waifu
Fucking brilliant.

>>41492356
>>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492356
>>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492468
Is it weird if Celeste seems to me to be more like our Junpei than a primary waifu target?

>>41492356
>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

>>41492709
Of course not she is the magician she will forever be Bro-zoned

>>41492709
Probably will only get a far as friends with benefits, even then we might not go that far.
She's our bruh.

>>41492921
>Probably will only get a far as friends with benefits
That we secretly love.

>>41492946
Nah.

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>>41493011

>>41493034
That picture is cute.

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>>Persona augmentation. Attempt to use your powers without summoning your Persona.

According numerous sources, which is to say your sister and her circle of squadmates, Persona augmentation was hard to master, but gratifying to pull off. You’ve watched movies and videos of warriors doing acts that would seemed impossible a century ago, such as performing a two-handed blade catch, freezing a pond with a touch of a finger or imbuing a katana with almighty power and slicing a tank in half. The trick to Persona augmentation was to store the Persona’s essence not inside a tarot card, but rather inside one’s own body. Apparently, the entire martial art of chi casting was based around this.

“Those who train themselves exclusively in augmentation are referred to as Adepts.” You read aloud. “There are advantages to this, most appealing of which is the ability to cast spells even under the influence of silence...ultimately, it is up to the user to decide which path to follow…”

You glance up from your textbook. “Hey Celeste, can you do this?”

“A little.” Celeste admits. She snaps her fingers and a small fireballs appears in her right palm. The fire sizzles there, not burning her skin in the slightest. “But when I try to throw it…” She jerks her hands upward and the flame dissipates into the air. “You get the idea.”

You look down at the book again. “Don’t healers have to be Adepts? I think Daisuke said something along those lines.”

“Only because it’s easier. It’s like healing spells were tailor made for augmentation.” Celeste says. “So…you going to give it a go?”

“Considering that I am as green as the Amazon rainforest, I don’t have high hopes. Here goes nothing…”

You outstretch your right hand and recall the instructions printed on the manual. Calm yourself, focus. Reach into your soul and transfer the potential there towards your palm. Think about the spell you wish to cast and, if you are a novice, call its name.

“Agi!”

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41493066

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41493066

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>41493066

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Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>41493066
Rollan

>>41492747
>>41492921
>>41492946
>>41493011
>>41493034
Gentlemen, please. We're the Fool. We will let everyone into our heart, and if you consider that to be love, then we love everyone.

But our only true waifu shall be Syoko wait no what the fuck what i meant to type was

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>41493066

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>41493066

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>41493066

>>41493103
FREAKING SAVED.

These rolls man
>>41493103
At least you saved our ass.

>>41493087
>>41493094
>>41493108
>>41493112
>>41493114

Mediocre roll works!

>>41493134
>>41493135

Oh wow, I thought I was the asshole who rolled the two, fuck yeah! I cast Agi without having to bring out our shit Persona.

>>41493175
And I though I rolled the 15, but no one can be perfect... Thanks, bro.

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Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41493066
Does the cric 1 mean we fail regardless of the 15?

>>41493238
first 3 anon

>>41493238
No because the roll is best of three.

>>41493105
Patience, Kazuya. You're Syoko time will be back soon.

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At first, nothing happens. You twitch your fingers. They feel warm, as if you had recently wrapped them between the folds of a hot water bottle. Then a small tint of orange sparks from your palm. More and more jump off and before long a flame the size of a small mandarin orange appears in your hand. It’s smoking gently, the tips dancing in the autumn air.

“Whoa, not bad!” Celeste exclaims. Then the fire dims, leaving behind only smoldering embers. “That’s pretty good for your first try.”

You blink and scrunch up your face. However, your concentration cannot sustain itself for much longer and the remnants of the Agi spell disappear. “Thanks, I guess.”

“Try it again!”

You attempt augmentation and this time a slightly smaller fire appears. You concentrate harder and the flame returns to its original size. Like last time, it only exists for a few seconds before fading away completely.

“I should start practicing too, Takashi-kun. I won’t be left in the dust!” Celeste sits crosslegged on the dusty ground and tries to cast Dia.

You spend the rest of the double period trying to cast Agi without summoning Ippon-Datara. In the end, you manage to increase the size of your flame by a little. Still can't throw it. Maybe you could cast it and smash the palm into somebody's face, burning their eye sockets wide open. A skill as advanced as Pulinpa will have to wait for another day.

>The option to train Persona augmentation has been unlocked. It is only available at night. Doing so will increase your WILLPOWER…

[4:00 pm, 7-Apr-2129 (FRIDAY)]

School has ended. You recall that the martial arts club is on today…

>Study in the library.
>Go to the Velvet Room.
>Go to the martial arts club.
>Wander around the city.
>Custom option.

>>41493699
>>Go to the martial arts club.
LINKS

>>41493699
>Go to the martial arts club.

>>41493699
>Go to the martial arts club.

>skipping club
>ever

>>41493699
>>Go to the martial arts club.

>>41493699
>>Go to the martial arts club.

>>41493699
>Go to the martial arts club.

>>41493699
>Go to the martial arts club.

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>>Go to the martial arts club.

“Where are you going?” Celeste asks. The two of you are walking down the hallway. At the end, you made a sharp turn in the opposite direction.

“Getting change for martial arts club. I don’t want to be late.”

“Oh, okay. We won’t be walking home together, then.” Celeste then smiles. “See you tomorrow, Takashi-kun!”

“Yeah, see you.”

In the stinking change rooms, you switch your blazer and shirt for a black T-shirt and navy blue shorts. That is to say, the Akumachi-Kirijo sports clothes.

“Hey man! You came back. I knew you would.” Takauji bounds up to you the moment you step into the training area. Sweat is running down the sides of his head and he's flashing all his teeth in his smile. “Ready to throw some punches?”

"I suppose so."

"Then let's go!"

He motions you to follow and hauls you over to a section of the mats. You stand in a row with a few other members. Some girls, others boy but all novices in the field of martial arts. They stand to attention, waiting for Takauji to instruct.

“Okay, I’m going to show you all how to do a proper punch. First, widen your stance to 1.5 times your original width. Yeah, that’s good. Keep it up. If you’re right handed, turn your upper body with your hips about a two-thirds to three-quarters turn, pivoting your right leg to the left. If you’re left-handed, it’s obviously the opposite.”

You follow Takauji’s commands. The guy has a way with words, stemming from his sheer enthusiasm. Perhaps there’s more to him than meets the eye…

“Bend lightly at the knees and raise your heels slightly off the ground. Your front vs back weight should be 40 and 60 percent. Don’t slack off, now! Make a loose fist and hold up your right hand about twenty centimeters away from your chin. Now, does this feel uncomfortable?”

“Yes!” Comes the chorus of voices, yours included.

>>41494386
>“Okay, I’m going to show you all how to do a proper punch. First, widen your stance to 1.5 times your original width. Yeah, that’s good. Keep it up. If you’re right handed, turn your upper body with your hips about a two-thirds to three-quarters turn, pivoting your right leg to the left. If you’re left-handed, it’s obviously the opposite.”
And if your ambidextrous?

>>41494443
Alternate as you see fit

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“Of course it does!” Takauji laughs. “All you rookies will start off like this. But with enough practice, you’ll get into the groove of it. To punch, kick off with the back foot. Let all of your weight rest on the front foot. The shift in weight will bring the torso forward. Be aware of your front as you strike forward with your left fist. Make the back of your hand level and pointed slightly down. Get your target with the joint between your pointer and middle fingers. Use the reaction from your arm stretching all the way out to snap your hand back into place. You the snap to make your punches sharper and faster.”

You strike at the air. The blow is as sharp as a blunt pencil and as fast as a sleepy hound. And yet, Takauji seems satisfied, judging from his body language.

“Now let’s repeat. How does sixty strikes sound to you lot?”
You go through the motions about the necessary amount of times. By the end, your arm muscles are as sore, as if they had been bathed in acid. You slump down on the mat and reach for a water bottle. Takauji then sits down. His face is pulsing with heat like yours, but apart from that he doesn’t even seem bushed.

“How ya feeling?” He asks.

“Tired.” You puff out.

“Was it fun?”

“Yeah, sorta. But I’m not very good at it.”

At this reply, Takauji lets out a hoot of amusement and slaps you on the back. “Ah, c’mon man. No-one is born knowing how to punch or kick. That’s why we have to practice.”

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“You’re a good teacher, though.” You remark. “You’ve done this before?”

“Nah. I’m not that perfect. This is my first time.” Takauji admits, snickering. “I was sweating myself last night, thinking I was going to screw up. But it looks like I did an okay job today. What do you think?”

Since there’s a water bottle at your lips, you simply nod in agreement.

“Thanks. So…you decided on what art you’re going to pursue?”

“What do you mean?”

“What kind of martial art are you going to specialize in? Once we get through the basics, you need to choose a style. I mostly do kickboxing, but I can also do karate as well.”

“Uh…”

“I can’t hurt to give it a thought or two. You can always change your mind later.”

You think.

>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well.
>Maybe karate too.
>Chi Casting
>Aikido
>Wrestling
>Anything that helps me fight Shadows.
>Custom option.

>>41494695
>Chi Casting
Didn't Mom say this style could reduce our elemental weaknesses? Seems useful.

>>41494695
>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well.

>>41494695
>>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>>Chi Casting
Time for chi-cannon kicks.

I wonder if we can use them as propulsion.

>>41494695
>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well

>>41494695
>Krav Maga
Stare deeply into his soul.
But chi casting sounds good too...

>>41494695
>Aikido

>>41494695
>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well.

>>41494695
>>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well.

>>41494695
>krav maga

>>41494695
>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well.

>>41494695
>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>>Anything that helps me fight Shadows.

>>41494695
>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well

>>41494695
>Chi Casting

>>41494695
>Krav Maga
Obligatory speshul snowflake tide-pissing vote.

>>41494695
>I think I’ll do kickboxing as well

>>41495223
Krav is a very practical-minded martial art. So, completely inappropriate for /tg/.

>>Chi casting

“Chi casting? Mm, you have to get good at augmentation first.” Takauji mutters. “You sure you’re up for the challenge?”

“My mom recommended it.” You shrug. Rumi Wakui had won awards for her Killing Hands and Quick Strikes. That is until she dropped the martial arts business in favour of regular commercial business. Instead of slamming palms into the chests of humans, she drove metaphorical daggers into the hearts of businessmen. The latter was degrees more terrifying.

“Chi casting is all about combining unarmed combat with magic to cause internal damage, from what I know. In that respect, it’s good for piercing the bodies of Shadows.” Takauji comments. “But man, I’ve heard learning path is less of a curve and more of a steep overarching cliff wall. With mountain goats climbing on it. Hey Takashi, you planning to fight Shadows in the future? Like, go out beyond the city walls with the anti-Shadow Operatives?”

“Sort of?” You say weakly. Actually, you are dancing with Shadows in the present. Kind of. A bit.

You spend the rest of martial arts club chatting and punching...

>Your WILLPOWER has increased by 3 points!

Then you go home, eat dinner and watch your sister exit the house. No doubt she’ll be boarding a bullet train to the city exterior, to meet up with her squad and defend the metropolis from the manifestations of the evils of human hearts. This would no doubt be a gruelling battle, if it weren’t for the invention of automated laser turrets. It was still a job that required finesse and heavy training, especially when the more burly Shadows barged their way past the lasers and towards the walls…

[7:00 pm, 7-Apr-2129 (FRIDAY)]

How will you spend the night?

>Study in your room.
>Watch television.
>Browse the Internet.
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.
>Head outside.
>Custom option.

>>41495375
>check in with Celeste
if she's not up to anything
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation

>>41495375
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.
Gotta get swole before AETHER dumps more shit on us again.

>>41495375
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.

>>41495401
Second

>>41495375
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.

>>41495375
>>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.

>>41495401
YEP.

>>41495375
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.
It's good for keeping the personas hidden, but we probably shouldn't show off too many elements. Just having 3 elements implies a relatively high tier persona.

>>41495375
>>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.

>>41495448
>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.

>>41495375
See if Celeste can help us with English

>>41495375
>>Practice Persona augmentation.

>>41495375
>>Practice punching and/or Persona augmentation.

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>>Practise punching and/or Persona augmentation.

“Guess I should review what I learned today.”

The living room is an ideal space for this. In the future you might need to go to the gym or a hard light simulation lab, but best not waste money when you don’t require their services. You sit down on the carpet and try augmentation.

The essence of your Persona is forced into your hand. A small fire is born and flickers into non-existence a few seconds later. You grunt and retry.

Now that you think about it, does the Wild Card have an effect on your Persona augmentation? For example, interference of any sort? You wonder if there’s anything online that might help you. Did the Last Word suffer from any problems? Actually if she did, you won’t know, and neither would Japan or the rest of the world. Kaede Kurusu was said to be notoriously anti-social, even towards the people of her own country. The way she approached the prime minister of the area formerly known as South Korea definitely wasn’t how a diplomat would act…

The Agi spell has only gotten slightly larger. You will have to try again later on…

You switch to punching. This is much more simpler. Your stance is wobbly as Jell-O and your strikes course through the air unnaturally. You persist and manage to get something out of the training…

>Your WILLPOWER has increased by 2!

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You are about to take your pants off when your phone beeps. Curious, you walk over to check.

“Oh, you’re gotta be kidding me…”

>[AETHER beta UPDATE #3]
>Fixed FOV
>Fixed a bug where the Hollow Express would take up to four times as much to travel than intended.
>Fixed an infinite Macca exploit.
>Fixed an exploit that would allow players to enter sectors when they’re not supposed to.
>Adjusted regeneration at bonfires a little.
>Removed remnants of the Estus system.
>Removed all vendors in the Blackened Void (not the ones in the home city)—these will be reworked and implemented at a later date.

>>41495783
>Fixed an infinite Macca exploit.
if only we could have found that

>>41495783
>>Removed all vendors in the Blackened Void (not the ones in the home city)—these will be reworked and implemented at a later date.

FUCK YOU

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There’s also a new notification too…

>[IMMUTABLE] On asfdha9w034hfafpsdhs there will be a 29fjrsahFHDSA*FHWfaf at roughly 3:20 pm. The location will be a side street of District FUSHDFP of Akumachi City.

>>41495689
>Kaede Kurusu was said to be notoriously anti-social
I wonder if she wasn't originally? She had access to the World arcana, that requires a Fool to have all Social Links maxed-out. And once maxed-out, a Social Link is permanent, not being affected by the strength of the relationship that formed it. Maybe something happened to her that cost her all her friendships.

>>41495783
>>41495838
So basically, the AETHER development team (whatever they are) was reading our PMs and decided to correct the whole "it's not like the game is giving us constant updates and quests" thing?

>>41495838
Please don't end, please don't end.

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<THE_FIRST> Hey!
<chocolat_orange> hello? anyone home?
<THE_FIRST> You’re one of AETHER’s players, correct? You have the program, don’t you?
<THE_FIRST> Speak to us!
<chocolat_orange> why are you blanking us out?
<chocolat_orange> that’s not very nice :(
<THE_FIRST> You can read this right?
<THE_FIRST> Wait you haven’t lost your phone, have you?
<THE_FIRST> Dammit you better not have dropped it into a storm drain or something
<THE_FIRST> Hello?
<THE_FIRST> Are the lights on?
<THE_FIRST> Say something dammit

[<THE_THIRD> cannot reply due to not having entered the Blackened Void!]

<THE_FIRST> What the fuck?
<chocolat_orange> takashi-kun are all open-world games like this?
<chocolat_orange> what's the point of having a chat client you can't talk to people with?
<chocolat_orange> >:(
<THE_FIRST> No they aren’t Celeste
<THE_FIRST> This is bullshit!

>>41495783
>>41495783
>Removed remnants of the Estus system.
why do I get the feeling that this is actually really, really important?
Could we have BOTTLED the estus?

>Fixed an exploit that would allow players to enter sectors when they’re not supposed to.

Remnants of the previous Shadow Worlds?

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You go to bed that night in a bad mood. That night, you have a dream about a memory the previous day.
…

>RANK UP!

>The Takauji Koyoura Social Link has reached Level 2!

Now, why would you forget something like that? Too focused on martial arts, perhaps?

>>41495938
>Celeste

Wakui seems like he needs to be more careful in the future.

>>41496009
TAKAUJI PLEASE NO.

>>41496009
>Now, why would you forget something like that? Too focused on martial arts, perhaps?
...

>>41495962
no, the ability to enter new sectors and secure the location before someone falls into it.

Would have gotten us killed if we didn't spend literally all our time grinding.

>>41495938
GUYS it said that player three cant respond right. But can they see the chat? If they can it would be wise to say our name in chat

Oh man this took a while. More than eight hours, in fact. Let’s go through everything slowly, shall we?

This is the tenth thread and something of a milestone. To celebrate, let’s have a completely irrelevant strawpoll! http://strawpoll.me/5040579

Secondly, regarding the strawpoll I posted on twitter (http://strawpoll.me/5004440). Apparently people are divided between dropping Harem Bro Quest in favour of Persona 2129 forever or waiting until the end of year for me to resume. To be honest, I’ve thought about rebooting HBQ, considering it was my first quest and had little original characters. Then again, would people accept any other demon princess mushroom girl?

Thirdly, criticism. If you think I’m doing something wrong, don’t be hesitant to speak up! I want to make this quest as fun as possible, and that includes improving myself. Someone in this thread said my characters were too dull and the combat sections are repetitive. I’ll take that into serious consideration.

Archived thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/41484072/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn
Ask/Fm: ask.fm/TwilightThorn441

Next thread will be next week, same time at 9:30 pm UTC. See you all next week!

>>41496133
Well, I personally don't have any criticisms to make. So instead I shall just say "thanks for running" and "see you next time". Have a nice night, Thorn.

>>41496133
>demon princess mushroom girl
What?

>>41496133
>I’ve thought about rebooting HBQ, considering it was my first quest

You could have had me fooled. You're doing a great job and I look forward to your threads.

>>41496133
I don't see how you could improve combat without investing a significant amount of time and effort, just like with dice rules.

Working closer to SMT/Persona would mean EXPECTING game overs. Not a good idea.

I highly doubt the average player here can handle Combat Chain.

>>41496133
HBQ was my first quest I followed so I don't want it be dropped. Plus it is a fun read to see this crazy crossover

I should be following this quest but been busy

>>41496211
>He doesn't know about Syoko
I pity you

>>41496133
>If you think I’m doing something wrong, don’t be hesitant to speak up! I want to make this quest as fun as possible, and that includes improving myself.
Run more often.