Thesis Defense Practice

Thesis Defense Practice is a quest in .
==Steps==
# Go to the House of Daena to practice
==Gameplay Notes==
* The player will proceed to Ending: A Matter of Course under the certain circumstances:
**Ask Layla regarding to the triple-orbit shift calculation. Additionally, the player will grant an 
** Ask her about the quadruple-orbit shift calculation if Layla's Stress Value is reached to 3. However, the player will proceed to that ending even without granting the achievement.
*The player will proceed to Ending: The Stars' Expectation after Layla's consciousness is fully-awakened (which her Stress Value is on maximum level). This ending is caused by the following scenarios:
**If the player asks her relating to the quadruple-orbit shift, regardless of her Stress Value is on 4.
**If the player asks her far from the topic.
==Dialogue==
===Thesis Defense Practice===
;(Upon arriving at House of Deena)
: Layla: This seems like the best spot to do this. We'll need to be quiet so we don't disturb anyone.
: Layla: So here's what will happen during my thesis defense: after I present my thesis, the advisers sitting below will begin to ask questions.
: Layla: Theoretically, I should be able to answer any questions related to my thesis.
: Layla: However, I tend to get really nervous when my advisers look at me, and I end up completely forgetting what I planned to say...
: Layla: That's why I want to rehearse and practice presenting my points in front of someone.
: So I'm playing the role of an academic adviser, right?
: Layla: That's right. You should have gotten the gist of the content in my thesis when I was explaining it earlier. So, ask away.
: Layla: It's okay if your questions are a little off. I'll still treat them as real questions from an adviser and answer seriously.
: Got it. You ready?
: Layla: W—Wait a moment!
: Layla: *deep breaths* Alright, Layla, you got this! You were able to explain everything earlier, so you can do it again...
: Layla: Alright, ask away.
: Can you briefly describe the application of the law of triple-orbit shift calculation?
:: Layla: Sure. The direction of this research is based on the results of previous research. It's about the feasibility of applying my methodologies to the remaining triple-orbit problems.
:: Layla: Umm... based on a sample size of 124 cases, we could only achieve approximately 60 percent accuracy. The results were not reliable enough to be implemented as a law.
:: Layla: You can see the common traits of the erroneous samples on page three... Ah, excuse me, I mean from the starlogs in the appendix.
:: Layla: It's clear that in each of the erroneous samples, one of the stars underwent a significant shift. This means that...
:: Layla: We not only need to limit the number of stars, but we may also need to consider the degree of shift when applying triple-orbit shift algorithms...
:: Layla: Stars with greater shifts are often key in astrology readings. The next step of the research should be, uh... the next step should be to identify the feasible thresholds of shift for applying our calculations.
:;(Proceed to Branch 1)
: Could you talk about quadruple-orbit shift?
:: Layla: Huh? Uh, um...
:: Layla: (I doubt they'd ask about something so irrelevant!)
:: Layla: The differences are considerable and the astrological effects are entirely different... We need to consider how the effects offset and, um...
:: Layla: I'm sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable in that area.
:;(If Stress Value is at 3)
::;(Stress Value +1)
::;(Proceed to Branch 1)
:;(If Stress Value is at 4)
::;(Proceed to Branch 2)
: Do you know about "The Great Machine"?
:: Layla: Huh? No, wh—what is that?
:: Layla: (Is this something that I didn't prepare for at all!? You've gotta be joking!)
:: Layla: I, um... uhh...
:;(If Stress Value is at 3)
::;(Stress Value +1)
:;(Proceed to Branch 2)
====Branch 1====
: Layla: And that's my answer to your question. D—Do you have any other questions?
:
: Layla: Phew... we're finally done.
: Layla: I'm gonna need more practice. I can feel myself getting flustered, and I start to stumble whenever I'm asked questions that I'm unfamiliar with.
: Your presentation could use some work, but I can tell that your logic is sound.
: Layla: Oh, really? You mean it?
: Layla: Hmm, then this practice must be helping. During my first thesis defense, I stood like a statue on the stage, and my palms were covered in sweat. I couldn't get a single word out.
: It seems we've managed to address all the major challenges for you.
: Layla: I didn't even realize it, but you're right. It doesn't seem like there's anything holding me back now.
: Layla: I guess that means I'm capable of completing the thesis all on my own...?
: Layla: I can hardly believe it! Th—This is amazing!
: Layla: Oh, I'm sorry... it's just that I'm really excited. This is the first time this has happened, really! I'm so happy.
: You worked hard to reach this point. You don't need to rely on others anymore.
;(Stress Value −2)
: Layla: Hehe...
: Layla: I'm not sure how to put this... I'm really happy about everything that's happened, but I'm also feeling a little sad.
: Layla: I still don't know anything about the blessing from the stars. Will it never happen again since I don't need its help anymore?
: Layla: It somehow makes me feel a little... lonely.
: Lonely?
: Layla: Yeah, it almost makes the blessing feel like it was just a tool used for my studies, no?
: Layla: But I would really like to discover what the blessing actually is, if I ever get the chance... I want to express my gratitude for it, or better yet, maybe we could be friends!
: Layla: That's basically how I feel about it... Even if I know nothing about the blessing, I could still feel its companionship all along.
: Layla: It's almost like how you helped me — I really cherish and appreciate it. After all, it wouldn't be right to take such "blessings" for granted in our lives.
: I'm sure "it" will also be very happy to know you feel this way.
;(Stress Value −1)
: Layla: That's good. I hope it's a little more satisfied with the way I am now, hehe.
;(Obtain )
;(Proceed Ending: A Matter of Course)
====Branch 2====
: Layla: Uh, about this question... I, umm...
: Layla: I'm sorry, I'm not feeling very well. Everything is... spinning...
: Are you okay!?
;(Stress Value +1)
: Layla: Ugh... Hm?
: Layla: I'm sorry, I haven't been sleeping very well lately. I tend to get dizzy from time to time, but don't worry, I'm fine now.
: Layla: ...
: ...
: Layla: What's wrong?
: I'm waiting for you to answer my question.
: Layla: Oh, sorry! Can you please repeat the question? I didn't hear you clearly just now.
: I don't think it's an issue of whether or not you heard me.
: You speak very differently from the Layla I know.
: Layla: *sigh* Alright, I guess the cat's out of the bag. Of all the times to wake up...
: Layla: You're Layla's friend, right? And from the looks of things, the two of you are preparing for her thesis defense?
: Yep. And you must be the "blessing from the stars."
: Layla: With her long-term sleep deprivation, whenever her anxiety peaks, she loses consciousness and I take over.
: Layla: However, her unpredictable and varying sleep patterns are completely out of my control, so I have to make every second count.
: Layla: There's no one willing to help her here, so I have to step in.
: Layla: I am rather curious about you, though. Why are you trying to help her?
: Well, she's finally decided to face the problems with her thesis head-on, and she's working very hard on it.
: Layla: Really? That's great. You're helping with all the things that I used to do for her.
: Layla: Seems like you've given her a boost of confidence with your encouragement.
: Layla: Now, then... I can't really help her prepare for the thesis defense, so I'll be leaving some notes behind instead. You'll have to give them to her later.
: Layla: Okay, I should get started on those notes. If there's anything you're curious about, you may go ahead and ask now. I can answer you as I write! I'm used to multi-tasking.
: Layla: Oh, and I have to ask a favor. When you give the notes to her later, please don't tell her about my existence.
: Why's that?
: Layla: Hmm, well, she's always been in a fragile state. If she knew that there was another "Layla" who's always taking care of everything...
: Layla: She might feel like everything she's ever worked for is pointless, and that could lead to some demoralizing thoughts.
: Layla: She's a resilient girl, but no matter how resilient she may be, no one can hold up to criticism and torment from themselves.
: Layla: If her condition grows any worse, it's possible that I might cease to exist as well. Then there wouldn't be anyone to help her.
: But she's not doing very well now, either.
: Layla: She's getting better, though, isn't she? It's apparent how hard she's working now.
: Layla: She's my source of knowledge. I'm merely the representation of how she would be if she were rested and healthy.
: Layla: I believe that she's one of the best, even in a place like the Akademiya, where geniuses come by the handful.
: Layla: But growth is a process and shouldn't be rushed. I will always believe in and support her.
: It's good that she has you, or she might've already hit rock bottom.
: Layla: Hahaha, believe me, even if she were to end up at rock bottom, she'd find a way to somehow laugh it off as one of her silly mistakes and climb her way out.
: Layla: That's the kind of person she is.
: Layla: Alright, I've written down all the possible questions that I think the advisers might ask. Next, I'll put together a few words of encouragement for her.
: Layla: I'm not going to sign it, obviously. Oh, and don't forget about our agreement.
;(Obtain )
;(Proceed to Ending: The Stars' Expectation)
===Ending: A Matter of Course ===
===Ending: The Stars' Expectations ===
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