Beyond M-Eclipse: Easy Mode LIVE

———Karra———

“It’s still kinda awkward, ain’t it?” Kenni pointed out. Indeed, despite finding a way to get some fun outside of just simply talking, the two classes are still at an impasse of sorts. Obviously it’s not really a problem in the long run, it’s not like we despise each other or have the need to be super duper friendly. It’s just that right now it kinda feels like a problem, even if it’s not a big deal. “I’d really like to maybe smack their heads in or something, maybe they’ll make them speak up a little more.”

“They still seem to be in shock for the most part. Even if they are starting to converse with us, they’re probably still basking in the sheer absurdity of the opening act.” Orrel chimed in to explain their perspective. I think that much is easy enough to figure out.

“Hmm… It’s not very fun that they stay stunted like that. They need to be a bit more stimulated so I can get some good reaction out of them.” Can’t she stop saying weird things for now?

“Can you just… Haaah… Whatever.” I don’t think I have the energy to argue with her right now. “Say, Orrel. I heard you ran into some trouble on the weekends? I wasn’t really filled in on the details.”

“That? We simply explored an abandoned facility and hightailed it out of there… Can you actually do something with the evidence?” Hm? What evidence is he talking about?

“What in the world did you record?” I asked, getting a bad feeling creeping in.

“Take a look for yourself.” He said before pulling out his phone and showing the images and videos… Okay, this looks like some analoge horror stuff, is that accurate?

“The heck are…” I don’t really know what to make of this. Maybe Wiina knows something about this? “Can you share it with me? I can contact someone that should know something about it.”

“Hmm… Very well then.” He replied, trusting me enough with it. He sent it to me quickly with no pauses. “Don’t worry about rushing things. I won’t know what to do with it anyway.”

“Okay.” I said with a nod. This is probably something to worry about at a later date, so let’s go back to the earlier conversation. “Hopefully they won’t spaced out once we land on the floating island. It is a place with monsters and all… One strong enough to rip Kenni’s arm off.”

“Yeah that shit was crazy.” Kenni said, not sounding even a little bit bothered. “They’re real strong, not as much as that other place, of course.”

“...I hope you don’t talk about that to the other class. Can’t imagine what their reactions would be like.” Orrel chimed in. Yeah, as if they don’t have enough to think over already…

———Lynda———

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap* *Click* *Click*

“Gah!” How am I losing to this musclehead!?

“Another win.” Emmie said, sounding almost bored. This freaking…

“How the heck are you so good at this?” I asked, feeling pretty damn confused. I thought she was all about fighting and stuff?

“Who knows? I guess I simply have a knack for this. Not to mention, it’s not as if this game is that complex.” She answered, her tone flat and bored.

“Not the best of answers…” I couldn’t help but mutter. “Haaa… Sorry, I’ll take a break.”

I didn’t bother to listen to her reply, if she even has one. I walked over to the nearby sofa where Glery is waiting for me.

“Are you alright?” Glery asked once she noticed me.

“Nothing major. Just lost way too many games.” I said, trying to not sound bitter. “What about you?”

“I’m content with just relaxing here.” She answered. Certainly not much going on on her end.

“I see.” I said, my mind still full of a lot of things to think about. “...I couldn’t imagine what would happen if I jumped while this airship was still moving.”

“Huh?” She seems quite confused at my sudden statement.

“Sorry. Just trying to say everything I’m thinking about. Like, when did they create something like this? How does it all work? I’m no nerd like Kroin, but this kind of thing doesn’t exist without something crazy happening, right?” I said, vocalizing some curiosity. “I’m still overwhelmed. I’m sure you are as well.”

“Well, yeah. I don’t think any of us can take all of this and be unfazed.” She reaffirms my reaction. “Still, at least it’s nothing bad. It’s… kinda nice. This sort of fantastical vehicle.”

“I got you there. It does feel a bit impractical though.” I’m probably far from the best person to ask about what is and isn’t practical, but I’d imagine that a better plane would’ve worked just fine for this, maybe even a bit faster.

“Hey! You two! Care to join us for a big game there?” Trener suddenly walked over, pointing at a large screen with a bunch of controllers lying around. “It’s not any retro games, it seems to be a bunch of party games. Should be an easy way to pass the time.”

“...Sure.” I know I said I wasn’t gonna play the games for a while, but that was for the one-on-one stuff.

———Jeff———

“Not that I want to ruin your fun, but that’s not how it works.” Gregori said before jumping, not being pushed to the back of the lounge comedically. “Unless this ship does some crazy stuff to its physics nothing is going to happen that might cause anyone to violently fall over and crash into something.”

“It’s not like that’s a smart thing to do either way anyway. This ship should be moving pretty damn fast. We’re talking about a destination in the middle of a large ocean here. It can’t be slow.” Wers chimed in. Just gonna rub it in for me…

“Alright alright, nothing risky. Fine.” Why is it that when Emmie and Kenni do something reckless they don’t get sco… No, I guess Kenni does get a lot of shit, but Emmie sure doesn’t outside of disapproving stares and tiny remarks. “Why did the deck close off? It wasn’t the last time.”

“Probably because they don’t trust the other class to withstand the wind and any possible accidents that might happen, most likely.” Gregori speculated. “They would probably get blasted off the instant something goes wrong.”

“Huh.” I said, not really sure what else to convey. Just gonna eat the cookie and not say any more.

“On the topic relating to the trip. Does anyone know what is with the teachers lineup?” Sixson asked, crossing his arm with that usually apprehensive expression.

“Simplest answer, it’s the strongest lineup outside of missing the coach. We’re going to a very dangerous territory, this is the one time they shouldn’t skimp out on strong fighters.” Gregori explained. I think we kinda figured that out already. They’re all pretty damn strong. Don’t know about Edea, never saw them fight.

“Speaking of the teachers. Anyone here ever talked to teacher Able? He’s one of the new ones, which is much rarer than new students.” I asked, since I know nothing about him. I heard a bit about teacher Elrik, at least. There’s that exhibition match.

“Nothing on him. It’s not like we’re ever the ones to dig into other people’s personal information.” Gregori said. I mean you don’t have to worded it like that, make it seem like we’re a bunch of creeps. “At least he seems to be acquainted with Elrik, Rico, and Edea.”

“Where did she find all of these friends anyway? It’s not like she’s known to go somewhere for a long time.” I couldn’t help but ask. She holed up in her family’s house most of the time.

“Hell if I know.” Gregori quickly replied. “We’re getting nowhere with those questions. I think it’d probably be better to talk about something else.”

“Or just go do something else aside from talking. I’m thinking about going into that game room.” Wers said before walking off by himself.

…Now this room feels pretty damn empty. Not a lot of people around, and it being extra spacious doesn’t help.

“I’m surprised you didn’t stay in the game room.” Gregori remarked.

“I was never good at video games of any kind. I find sports more fun, personally.” I explained. Also, I want to relax as much as possible on the floating island. Even stuff like video games could take some toll on you if you play for too long.

“I see. Guess it’s the same with him.” He said before taking a glance at Mreak. He sat on the sofa, silently contemplating. For a guy who likes to do marathons, being stuck in a vehicle is probably far from ideal. “Hm? What’s that?”

“What are you… When did this get here?” Both of us walked over to the hologram screen no one else seems to be looking at.

“Hmm… Looks like it is showing the flight path. Nothing too out there. It’s actually quite nice to know the speed at which we’re travelling at.” Gregori commented.

“So we’re about… halfway there?” I said, looking at the straight line aiming for the island. With how it looks on the map, it doesn’t feel like the travel time should be that long. We departed at about eight… twenty? Somewhere along there.

“Looks like it.” Gregori said, looking a bit bored. “I wonder…”

“What are you two doing staring at the screen like that?” Suddenly, Rico walked over and called out to us. “Others are trying to have fun and kill some time. I don’t think either of you are known for sitting around.”

“Maybe this guy is like that, but I know to be patient.” Hey! Don’t say stuff like that!

“Mhm.” She doesn’t seem to really care about that comment. “While I don’t really care how you use your time here, just make sure to not exhaust yourself before we reach the island. If at all possible, we’d like you to at least get a few hits in.”

“Didn’t you already tell us that?” Gregori said while scratching his head.

“Doesn’t matter, as long as you remember that fact.” She nonchalantly replied. “...You know. You guys might be the top students as far as others in the school are concerned, but in terms of a large impact on the world, you are not quite there yet.”

“Where the hell did that come from?” I said, wondering what would warrant that out-of-pocket statement.

“Just something I would like to say. None of you have seen that much struggle compared to the rest of the world, you all got a lot to appreciate. Even with the recent events, you are all living without much to fear.” She explained. “Maybe it’s probably not the best idea to let your class coast along so easily. Of course you are all still very strong and capable, no doubt all of you have multiple good opportunities in the future, but I am someone who has interest in those willing to channel their power to change the world.”

“A bit more profound than I would’ve thought.” Gregori can’t help but say. “What do you know about all that has happened recently anyway?”

“Quite a bit, but you know already that I’m not gonna spoil everything.” She said with a smirk. “You all still have a long way to go…”

“Hey! Rico! You’re not saying weird stuff to them, right?” Suddenly Edea’s voice rang out. I wonder how close they really are…

“Of course not! What do you take me for!?” She replied back, feigning grief.

“Remember that black sword and necklace!?” Edea shouted back.

“What about it!? It led to something interesting right?” She shouted back. Should they be talking about something they’re not gonna tell us?

“You! Split! A child! In half!” Edea said while emphasizing each word.

“One, that’s a terrible way to word it! Second, how am I supposed to know something like that can happen! Third, I wasn’t even there for it! Fourth, she’s a teenager!” Just completely lost on what actually happened here.

“Let’s just ignore the exchanges…” Gregori said, clearly not wanting anything to do with that weird conversation earlier.

“It’s best if you don’t.” Elrik chimes in while Rico walks over to Edea and start to argue some more without being as loud.

Seems like they’ll be going at it for a while…