Arondight(Phantom of the School ver.) (Myrmidon 4★)/Character Quest

Item drop (Episode 3): 4★ Courage Tag

Bonus (Episode 3): Title: "Arondight's Ghost"

## Transcript

### Episode 1: Accursed Ghosts!

**Arondight:** People fear the unknown. As such, from time immemorial those who sought it out were extolled as heroes.

**Arondight:** However, facing the unknown unprepared is extremely dangerous. Bravery and recklessness are two sides of the same coin.

**Arondight:** That is why the most important thing to remember when planning a battle is "know thy enemy."

*An intriguing point, but they had strayed from the real topic.*

*Arondight had asked the commander to the library to talk about something much more pitiable.*

**Arondight:** The ones threatening me must not be forgiven!

**Arondight:** Those accursed ghosts!

*Arondight had entered a contest to test her courage, which revealed the surprising fact that she was afraid of ghosts.*

**Arondight:** Why am I afraid of ghosts? Because I do not understand them.

**Arondight:** If I can come to know and understand them, I will no longer be afraid!

**Arondight:** It's okay...I can get through this. I am not afraid of any ghosts!

*Arondight tried to convince herself.*

*She looked at a stack of books.*

### Episode 2: It Starts With a Picture Book

*She had gathered scary stories, old and new, from all over the world.*

**Arondight:** Who do they think they're kidding trying to scare people with this?

*He held up a book with a cute little ghost on the cover.*

*It was a picture book for children!*

**Arondight:** The story about a woman slowly transforming into a faceless ghost is worth reading.

**Arondight:** And the one about the ghost counting plates... And the monk who's ears were ripped off... Those were all pretty good.

*She had been reading some classic ghost stories.*

**Arondight:** Heehee... I've come up with a plan to counteract the ghosts...

*Her hand trembled as she gripped the book and the commander wondered if someone should put a stop to this.*

**Arondight:** I'm going to read this one next: "True Tales of Real Ghosts."

*The commander had a feeling she would not be able to handle that.*

**Arondight:** ...

**Arondight:** ...?! ...?!

**Arondight:** Hah-haha-ha...

*As the commander watched, the blood drained from Arondight's face.*

*As expected, she slammed the book shut, bringing an end to her research.*

* Question 1
* Question 2
* Question 3
*Don't force yourself.*
**Arondight:** I-I'm not forcing myself! Not at all!

*Which one was the scariest?*
**Arondight:** Let's stop talking about it.

*Will you be okay going to the bathroom by yourself?*
**Arondight:** I-I'm not a baby!

**Arondight:** I gathered these scary stories for knowledge.

**Arondight:** Simply reading them won't make a ghost appear. I'm not scared.

**Arondight:** At least...that's what I thought...

*Arondight's eyes filled with tears.*

### Episode 2: Bitty Brave

**Arondight:** Ohhh... I should never have read those books!

*There was no trace of Arondight's usual tough self.*

**Arondight:** I think it will be some time before I'll be able to walk home alone or even go to the bathroom after dark!

*The commander assured her that they could walk home together. And they would find someone to escort her to the bathroom.*

**Arondight:** I thought anything could be overcome if you kept working on it diligently.

**Arondight:** I thought even ghosts could be conquered...

* Question 1
* Question 2
* Question 3
*Everyone is afraid of something.*
**Arondight:** Everyone?

*Accepting your weaknesses is part of being brave.*
**Arondight:** Accepting that you have weaknesses is important...

*You can call on me whenever you're scared.*
**Arondight:** Th-Then you'd have to stay with me 24/7...

**Arondight:** You mean it's normal that I'm afraid of something?

**Arondight:** The courage to acknowledge your own weakness and the strength to accept it. I've discovered a new facet of myself.

**Arondight:** I'm going to name these feelings, "Bitty Brave"!

*That was the moment she discovered a new skill.*

**Arondight:** I may be afraid of ghosts, but that's nothing to be ashamed of!

**Arondight:** I couldn't get over my fear, but I still feel much better about it!

*Suddenly, the sound of an explosion shook the air.*

**Arondight:** Eek!

*Arondight clapped her hands over her ears and dropped to the ground just as a firework bloomed outside the window behind her.*

**Arondight:** Fireworks? Oh, I thought it was a ghost. Aha-hahaha...

**Arondight:** Um, Commander? You heard me yelp, didn't you?

*Arondight looked mortified.*

**Arondight:** I never wanted you to see me acting so pitiful.

### Episode 3: Phantom Blade

**Arondight:** I had completely forgotten about the fireworks tonight.

*They had a surprisingly good view of the fireworks from the library window. It was like their own secret spot.*

**Arondight:** The fireworks are really pretty. There's beauty in their boldness and their fleeting existence.

*Arondight had regained her composure and was acting like her usual, studious self again.*

**Arondight:** That alone should be enough to make fireworks enjoyable, but I feel like there's something even more special about them.

* Question 1
* Question 2
* Question 3
*The way the "boom" reaches your ears after you see them?*
**Arondight:** That timing is exquisite.

*The anticipation you feel when you're waiting for them?*
**Arondight:** The wait does add a certain something.

*The way they disappear so quickly?*
**Arondight:** Finding beauty is impermanence.

**Arondight:** A beautiful flower made of light that quickly withers and fades.

**Arondight:** A brilliant flower that blooms only for an instant. The very picture of impermanence.

**Arondight:** In that moment of contradictions...I've seen the essence of the sword.

**Arondight:** "Phantom Blade." I can see it--a momentary flower drawn by the tip of a blade.

*In that moment, she had awakened to a new skill.*

**Arondight:** All that aside...I just realized no one else is here!

*It was not until now that Arondight and the commander saw they alone were watching the fireworks.*

**Arondight:** No, it doesn't bother me. This is just kind of...you know...

*Unable to stand the tension in the air, the commander pulled a random book from a nearby shelf.*

**Arondight:** I've been meaning to ask you something...

**Arondight:** What do you think of...?

*The booming fireworks drowned out the most important part of her question.*

*Assuming she was asking about the book in hand, the commander answered.*

*A distant voice announced that the next round of fireworks would be the last.*

**Arondight:** The fireworks are ending. We should probably be heading home.

**Arondight:** A walk home in the dark...I'm really glad you're here, Commander.

*Arondight seemed to be recalling the scary stories she read.*

**Arondight:** Everyone gets scared of the school building after hours, right? There's just no way around that.

**Arondight:** Scary things are scary. You just have to accept it.

*Arondight's feelings had definitely changed. The commander was relieved.*

**Arondight:** I'm done studying scary stories. My way of thinking about it has changed, so it's only a matter of time until I conquer this fear.

*She looked confident and the commander really wanted to praise her for her progress today.*

*Hoping to reward her growth and her ceaseless efforts, the commander took something out of a book.*

**Arondight:** Isn't that your bookmark, Commander?

**Arondight:** You're giving it to me? Are you sure?

*Arondight had not gotten over her aversion yet. That would still take some time.*

**Arondight:** You'll walk me home every night until I can conquer the ghosts?!

**Arondight:** \*Eh-hem\*

**Arondight:** I appreciate the offer and I will accept.

**Arondight:** As long as you realize--just in case--what will happen if I can't overcome my fear.

**Arondight:** In that event...

**Arondight:** You'll have to walk me home from school every day until I graduate!