Monsters called Nemesis bring disaster.
The only ones who can fight these dangerous foes are the sorcerers.
However, the sorcerers are considered tainted beings and feared by most.
Seth left Alma, who raised him,
to set off on a journey to find Radiant.
Meanwhile, the world begins to move in a new direction.
What will he see at the end of his journey?
Hey!
Are you the Alma who sent for help retrieving some remains?
I'm Doc, the authority on Nemesis research!
Researcher Doc
Captain Dragunov, we will soon enter the airspace indicated by the report.
What shall we do with the sorcerer we captured?
What choice do we have but to take her with us until we reach home?
Inquisition Captain Dragunov
Yes, sir.
My goodness...
A sorcerer, eh?
A Meeting in the Sky -Encounter-
"A Meeting in the Sky."
Man, this island's really in the middle of nowhere.
It took ages to find it.
I called you three days ago.
Honestly, that's the problem with you Artemis people.
Huh? But I sent out my assistant to meet with you first.
A little redhead! Didn't she come here?
I've never seen anyone like that.
Don't give me stupid excuses.
Did she get lost again?
Huh?
Oh, just talking to myself...
So, by the way, as for my travel expenses...
You get a reward if you bring back the Nemesis remains, don't you?
Did you think I didn't know that, you little miser?
C-Curses! The hag knew!
Huh?
Well, let's get those remains before the Inquisition finds us, shall we?
It's already been three days.
I hope Seth's doing all right.
Titan Punch!
This kid's using some weird technique! Be careful!
Why do I have to get arrested?!
What's this kid's deal?
What about you guys?! What's with this ship?!
You wanna fight me, you jerks?!
What's all the commotion?
Think you can beat me with sheer numbers?
This kid crashed into the ship, sir!
I could take out all you guys with a single punch!
What?
H-Hey! Quit poking me!
He crossed into our ship's course.
And don't push me!
He seemed suspicious, so we tried to interrogate him, and...
Hey, quit it! Quit poking me!
And quit pushing me!
He started to fight, huh?
Quit pushing, I said!
Darn it!
I told you! I'm just not that good
with a broom yet!
You're a sorcerer, then?
That's right!
I'm Seth the sorcerer.
I'm still in training, though.
Are you an idiot?
What'd you say?!
Only idiots call people idiots! Alma said so!
Is he really that ignorant?
It seems word of our laws hasn't reached the hinterlands yet.
Yes, sir.
Boy, you used magic in our presence.
If, after that, you can show us no identification or permit,
we have no choice but to arrest you.
I didn't do anything wrong!
But you might later.
What?!
I'm sorry, but that's the law now.
We are Inquisitors, and it's our job to enforce that law throughout the land.
But that's...
Apprehend him!
Sir!
Hey!
Hey! That's my stuff!
C'mon, give it back! Give it back, I said!
This dumb cage can't withstand my magic!
Titan Punch!
Ow!
Huh?
I can't gather Fantasia.
What's going on?
It's a black silver cage, designed to block out Fantasia.
We specialize in dealing with your type.
Did you think we wouldn't be prepared?
What are you gonna do with me?!
You'll spend ten years in the capital dungeon.
What—
But then I won't be able to look for Radiant!
Radiant?
It's a fairy tale told among sorcerers.
They say it's where the Nemesis come from.
Boy, do you think such a place really exists?
It does!
I'm gonna go there and crush all the Nemesis!
He wants to escape so badly, he'll say anything.
Huh?!
No, he really is just an idiot.
Who are you calling an idiot?! Only idiots call—
You've already said that.
Listen, boy. I'm telling you this for your own good.
That word is taboo. You don't want to go around saying it too loudly.
Don't add to your crimes by saying any more than necessary.
What do you mean, my crimes?
That's enough. Just behave.
Excuse me.
Is it true that sorcerers are cursed?
That's exactly why we Inquisitors are cracking down on them!
That's right. Those who survive contact with a Nemesis
receive its curse upon their bodies.
A curse that taints them and makes all others despise them.
That's what it means to acquire the ability to use magic.
What are you talking about?! Sorcerers aren't like that at all!
Hey! Wait!
Listen to me!
Hey, darn you!
Wait! Wait, I said!
Hey!
I'm in trouble.
I guess this is why Alma always nagged me to keep my horns hidden.
By the way, Seth, where do you plan to go?
Huh?
That's not an answer.
Well... Up, I guess!
Down, then! Way below the surface!
You need to make your way to a town called Artemis.
Huh? Why?
How do you expect to find Radiant with no clue where to start looking?!
So if I go there, I'll find some clues?
I'm not sure there's anyone who knows.
I'm just saying you'll have a slightly better chance there than anywhere else.
What's there, anyway?
Artemis is a research town where sorcerers gather.
Go there and look for someone named Yaga.
Yaga?
He's one of the most powerful sorcerers around.
Most powerful sorcerer...
Most powerful!
He might know a little something, at least.
Also...
When you arrive in the city, make sure you steer clear of the yellow cat.
She said to find Yaga in this city of sorcerers,
and something about a yellow cat...
What a great nap.
Good morning!
Who's she?!
[Inquisition's Patrol Vessel] Inquisition vessel. Regularly rushes through the sky to crack down on sorcerers.
My name's Seth. What's yours?
I'm Melie.
I was on my way to Island 21 of Pompo Hills,
Sorcerer Melie
but I got lost.
Island 21... That's where I lived!
Wow, what a coincidence!
I was headed there to retrieve a Nemesis!
A Nemesis? Who the heck are you?
I'm a sorcerer. I was sent from Artemis.
From Artemis?!
Yes!
Hey, that's...
This is Mister Boobrie.
Mister Boobrie
Your pet?
More like my friend.
O-Oh...
Melie, you said? So you got caught, too?
Even though you're a sorcerer from Artemis?
I'm still in training, though.
I-I see.
And I got separated from the only person who could prove my identity.
His name is Doc.
Once he comes to get me, I think I'll be okay.
I see.
Hey! Those horns...
They're really cool!
Y-You think so?
Does magic come out of them? Like, in beams?
No!
Oh... That's too bad.
Man, what's with you?! You're so weird!
It's nice to meet you, Seth!
What was that?!
E-Excuse me!
Look! Here's my ID!
See? See?
Look! Look!
Come on, look! Look!
See? It's me!
Right?!
If these Inquisition guys find out I'm carrying Nemesis remains...
Oh! Doc! It's you!
Hey! You came for me!
Melie! What are you doing?!
I told them I was going to retrieve a Nemesis, and they locked me up!
A Nemesis?
Are you with this girl?
No!
Never seen her before in my life!
You know him?
Yeah!
What?!
Lies! I don't know you!
That cargo of yours...
Is it the Nemesis that appeared on Island 21?
Captain...
This saves us the trouble of finding him.
Throw him in a cage, too.
Sir!
What?!
W-Wait!
I just went to clean it up because they asked me to!
Stop!
Please, wait! There's been some mistake!
Also, I have the utmost respect for you fine gentlemen!
Hey, Doc, why are you locked up?
You moron! I'm here because you blabbed!
Who's he?
That's Doc. I'm his assistant.
Hey! Is that why you got caught, too?!
Because you blabbed that you were going to retrieve a Nemesis?!
Well, they asked me.
Trying to rush this job along backfired on me!
What do we do now?
Hey, did you go to Pompo Hills?
Huh? Who are you?
I'm Seth. I'm the one who beat that Nemesis!
Huh?
Are you a sorcerer from Artemis, too?
I'm not a sorcerer! I'm a researcher.
I heard I could get some remains there, so I went to get them.
You want the remains?
Yeah, if they're in good condition, I get a reward.
But!
If it's torn to bits, it's worth nothing!
Well, I wasn't the one who tore it to bits.
My reward...
Why don't you hunt them yourself, then?
Huh?
Why don't you?
Because I don't want to die, obviously.
Taking risks, working hard, getting rocks in my shoes...
I can't stand that sort of thing!
You sorcerers can take care of all that.
Monsters fall from the sky like rain,
and all you sorcerers can do is hunt them down one by one.
That's reality right now.
Yeah, I know it's a monumental task.
It's because you sorcerers can do it that your presence is tolerated.
Are you saying our job never ends?
Yes, I am.
But there is a way!
And what's that?
I'm gonna go destroy Radiant!
Radiant?
I've never heard anyone say something so crazy!
That's just a fairy tale.
It doesn't matter what it is! I promised Alma!
Alma?
Hey! Are you that scowly sorcerer's pupil?!
Well, Alma's more like, you know... my mom.
Just what are you?
So, you're going back to Artemis, right?
Take me with you!
How am I supposed to do that when I'm in a cage?
Take me with you! Take me with you!
Huh?
Take me with you! Take me with you!
Mister Boobrie!
Oh!
Hey, way to go!
All right!
Good job, Mister Boobrie!
I can't believe I'm doing something so crazy.
If I get caught, I'm gonna be executed!
What are you grumbling about? Let's get moving!
I know, I know!
Doesn't this just make your heart race?
I feel as though mine's going to stop.
Do we just make a break for Doc's ship now?
I've gotta get my stuff back first.
Not here...
Where's my broom?
Who cares about your stuff, kid? Let's get outta here!
Isn't that your stuff?
Yeah!
Are you nuts?! They'll see you!
I wouldn't care if they saw you alone, but don't get me caught, too!
But without my stuff, I can't...
Hey.
Where are you planning to go?
He found us!
You should have just stayed put and behaved.
No one escapes this eye of mine.
Capture them!
Breaking out of prison is a serious offense.
Who are you to talk?! You stole my stuff!
Oh-ho?
Captain, sir! I've... I've done nothing wrong!
Yeah! This kid threatened me!
Right, Melie?!
Please give us our ship back!
He needs to get to Radiant!
Gah!
Get them.
Titan...
Punch!
Grab my stuff for me!
My ID!
Ow!
Archers, forward!
Shoot!
Repulse!
Defensive magic?
Melie, you're amazing!
Defensive magic is my specialty!
Second volley!
Shoot!
They're shooting at us again!
I don't know that I can keep this up.
What?!
Draw swords!
Seize them!
Seems this is checkmate.
Melie, let me.
Oh, just shut up.
Huh?!
We just gotta knock them all out at once, right?
Ow... What the heck was that all about?
It's her curse.
When Melie's under extreme stress,
her personality does a total 180.
Huh?!
I'll torment you all you want later.
Back off for now, Boobrie.
You're a witch.
Give us our ship back right now.
Or do you wanna be hacked to bits?
In the name of the Inquisition,
I cannot allow a cursed being like you to go free!
Oh, really?
You'd best watch your step, then.
Huh?
Wh-What is this?
Blow away!
Ignis Rumpere!
You scoundrel!
Vice Captain!
Don't let go!
Curse you, witch!
Oh, man... If you do that...
Incredible...
A curse, eh?
This is the problem with you sorcerers.
You never should have revealed your true nature.
"It's a curse," you say? There's no justification for you people.
By this miracle of God...
Sorry, but it's capital punishment for you.
This is awful!
Hey, you!
Don't touch Melie!
No! Don't!
Let's just apologize together!
Titan...
Punch!
Melie, Doc! Let's go!
Hang on tight!
Don't you order me around!
I-I've done... I've done nothing wrong!
Not bad. They certainly got us.
Captain!
The cannon is ready to fire!
Forget it. They're out of range.
If they make it to Artemis, we can't do anything too bold.
And anyway, that boy...
He used magic with his bare hands.
When I get mad, my personality takes a turn.
I see.
That's the trouble with you.
It's why you'll never be a true sorcerer.
Yes, I'm sorry.
That's amazing, Melie!
Huh?
That offensive magic was incredible!
Teach me how to do that!
O-Okay...
Really?! All right!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Ah, but... I normally use only defensive magic.
I wanna learn something cool that hits with a bang! Like a finishing move!
You're so strange.
Hey, hey, Doc! How long till we reach Artemis?
Huh? It's just about to come into view.
So that's Artemis Academy.
The city of sorcerers!
To Be Continued
Next Time
Seth finally arrives at Artemis Academy, the city of sorcerers.
At a glance, it looks like a peaceful, dazzling city,
but in reality, it's a troublesome town where everything comes at a high cost.
After being saddled with a massive debt,
will Seth be able to continue his adventure any further?
Next time on Radiant, A Paradise of Wisdom and Hope."
A Paradise of Wisdom and Hope -Artemis-
End