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.
Skull—
What the heck just happened?
My gloves!
What did I tell you?
I got these gloves from Alma.
Boy...
I'll be taking those gloves.
Huh?!
But we're not allowed to use magic without gloves, right?
Obviously. Which is why...
Wh-What the heck are these?!
They've special gloves with black silver woven into the fabric.
"Black silver"?
Black silver prevents one from gathering Fantasia.
In other words, you won't be able to use magic at all.
Quit playing around! I don't need these dumb—
Oh, I forgot to mention.
If you try to take them off, they'll shock you.
Wh-What's the big idea?!
I can't train with these!
As you are now, you aren't worthy of my instruction.
Huh?! What are you saying?!
What was that magic you did during today's training?
I've never seen such crude, careless use of Fantasia!
You gathered Fantasia haphazardly
and ended up ruining your gloves, a sorcerer's most vital tool.
I don't even want to teach someone like that.
What do you mean?
Being able to gather lots of Fantasia just means you're powerful, doesn't it?
What's wrong with that?
What do you hope to achieve just by gaining power?
Huh?
I want to get stronger, so the more power I have, the better, right?
Acquiring power is not a bad thing,
but neither is it a good thing.
True ability lies elsewhere.
Wh-What are you even talking about?
Right now,
you're so focused on pursuing power that you've forgotten something crucial.
Those gloves are not to come off until you find the answer.
And if I take them off?
What do you think?
Expulsion!
What?!
Proof of Strength -Progress-
"Proof of Strength."
What is Yaga's problem, anyway?
I can't use magic with these on!
Oh, dear.
Seth has such a scary look on his face.
He's been like this all day.
Oh, dear...
Hey, you! At least take the time to taste our food!
Harrumph, harrumph!
Sorry.
That Yaga just keeps saying stuff that makes no sense.
"Acquiring power is not a bad thing,
but neither is it a good thing.
No resemblance at all...
True ability lies elsewhere."
Stuff like that.
You know, Yaga is a stubborn old coot,
but he doesn't say things that have no meaning.
Really, Papa?
Indeed.
That doesn't really help me, though.
Hey, you two!
How can you sit there and eat without a care in the world?!
Doc?
You vermin! Are you here to make a pass at my daughter again?! Hmph!
Now, Papa...
Hmph! Welcome.
Welcome, Doc.
Table for one?
Of course it's for one. Silly me.
Would you care for some special herb tea?
Oh, Miss Melba!
Yes, I would love a cup!
Unfortunately, however... I have urgent business today.
What urgent business, Doc?
Master Lord Majesty has...
sent us an invitation!
There is a reason why I've called you all here today.
Do you know what it is?
No...
Not the slightest idea.
Well, you see...
Your debt has soared to unprecedented heights.
Unprecedented?
Indeed.
It is, by far, the highest debt in the history of Artemis Academy!
The highest by far?
That's awesome! Go us!
Yeah!
You think this is something to celebrate?!
That debt's on my head too, you know! And it's all your fault!
Precisely.
I consider all those who live here in Artemis my children,
but even this papa can't clean up all his children's messes.
You will have to be banished.
That would be awful!
What do you want us to do?
Naturally, the best course of action would be to repay your debt in full right now.
But you can't, right?
In that case...
If I could use magic,
this would be done much faster.
I can't let Melie outdo me!
All right!
Hi-yah-yah-yah-yah!
Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep!
Oh, yeah!
I wonder whether Doc is doing all right on his own.
Hang in there... Hang in there, me!
It's all for my beloved Miss Melba!
Doc...
Yes?
Work hard, so we can plan our shining future together!
Miss Melba, for the sake of living a calm life with you, as slow-paced as a snail,
I, Doc, shall work my absolute hardest!
I love you. Marry me.
You're so wonderful! I will!
Miss Melba...
It's starting to look a lot cleaner.
Seth!
I'm done wiping down the walls up top!
Thanks, Melie.
You're welcome!
What could that be?
Huh? What?
What's that?
It seems to be heading toward the service entrance.
Okay, I'm gonna go check it out.
Huh? Seth!
Let's see. It was this way, right?
Hey! Would you hurry it up?!
S-Sorry, Boss!
Still, Boss, I'm impressed you knew where this treasure would be.
My smarts are downright impervious!
Uh, Boss, I think you mean "ingenious."
Right, some people call it that.
Now, let's grab the treasure before the guards—
Hey! What are you guys doing here?
[Black-Silver Gloves] These gloves are made to obstruct magic. Black silver neutralizes Fantasia. For this reason, it is occasionally utilized in cages to capture sorcerers.
Wait, who were you again?
You're still a little smart aleck, I see.
Boys!
Roger!
We are a wandering band of four great thieves!
They call us...
The Bravery Quartet!
Oh! You're the guys from that one time!
You finally remember us, eh?
Didn't Alma capture you guys?
That old hag was a nuisance, all right,
but the village's security was full of holes.
We showed 'em all a glorious escape!
Seth! Is someone there?
Eek! Underwear!
Melie, stay back.
These guys deceive people, then rob them.
They're evil sorcerers.
Now, those are some strong words.
You're here to do something bad again, aren't you?!
Bingo!
There are piles of priceless wares among the treasure hidden here.
We were just going to help ourselves to a few.
Don't be stupid!
Seth, move out of the way!
Meteor Drops!
Melie, you can use offensive magic?
I've been training too, you know!
They're using magic without any gloves or wands?!
What?!
Now it's our turn!
Bravery...
...Missile!
And... Chain!
Repulse!
That was close.
Thanks, Melie.
Seth, I've figured out their secret.
I-It's... their underwear!
Underwear?
You're a sharp young lady!
That's right! Our underwear is specially made!
Get this...
They're made from the same material as magic gloves!
The item that makes them sorcerers... is their underwear?
Don't underestimate underwear!
It's the most important piece of clothing a person can own!
This underwear in particular is incredibly comfortable!
And my magic is incredible, too!
Take this! Bravery Bomb!
Meteor Drops!
Did you get them?
Offensive magic isn't my strong suit, but I won't lose!
Sorry, no effect!
Despite how they're dressed, their magic skill is undeniable!
We're honored to accept your praise.
Boss, I think you mean...
That was right, damn it!
More importantly, boy...
You can't use magic now, can you?
It looks like those gloves are made with black silver.
And what if they are?
I'm offering a deal.
Ignore what we're doing here, and I'll get those gloves off for you.
I'll even throw in some nice underwear.
Seth, if you do that...
I'm a man who keeps his word.
I won't make deals with people like you.
Aw, you're no fun.
Believe it or not, I have a pretty high opinion of you.
That punch you used back then was damned impressive.
It actually knocked the great Don Bossman off his feet,
and it even brought down that nasty Nemesis.
Why wouldn't I show respect to a man who managed that?
And that's exactly why I understand how hard this is for you.
I sympathize.
Power is everything in this world.
If you don't have power, stronger people will prey on you.
That's...
But if you have power, you can make everything in life go your way!
You can do what you want!
Of course you'd suffer if someone sealed that off!
Don't talk as if I'm like you guys!
What?
Of course I want power. I want to be strong.
But I'll never use my power in the same pathetic ways that you do!
Seth!
I guess the deal's off, then.
But you're powerless now. What do you expect to achieve?
Even without magic, I can still take you guys out!
Keep talkin', boy!
Let's go, you lot!
Yes, Boss!
Ultimate Bravery...
...Attack!
Too easy.
Our power is just too overwhelming!
What?!
I swear...
I've listened to you pigs oinking long enough.
Melie!
You ought to be roasted like the pigs you are!
Ignis Rumpere!
Tsk... I lost two of them.
Well done, Jiji. Your Bravery Shield is impenetrable!
If I want to take out the bearded hog,
I'll have to do something about that shield first.
Melie, do it again!
Huh? I just said the shield is in the wa—
Jeez... Okay, but don't blame me for whatever happens!
Ignis Rumpere!
Attack all you want, but it'll always turn out the same!
Y-You're kidding! He used the magic explosion to fly?!
Take this!
Alma's specialty: Punishing Axe Kick!
Time for your nap, too.
That went great!
Honestly... One misstep and I would've blown you away, too.
You never mess up, Melie!
Okay, let's round up the underwear bunch before they wake up!
Melie!
Looks like the tables have turned, boy!
Seth!
Come on! If you want to save the girl, give me—
Mister Boobrie!
Wh-What is this thing?!
S-Stop pecking me!
Melie!
Go away!
I can't see.
Get away from me!
Hey!
Oh, no!
Seth!
Stop it!
Seth!
I have to get on my broom!
And if I take them off?
What do you think?
Expulsion!
That doesn't matter right now!
I'm gonna...
Seth...
Melie!
Sorry if I worried you.
Seth!
I'm sorry, Yaga!
I couldn't keep my promise to you.
I-It's not that you think! He tried very hard to keep his word, but...
It's okay, Melie, Boobrie.
I don't regret it.
But...
It's all right. If I'm expelled, I'll just try some other way.
Seth...
What're you getting all excited about?
When did I say you were expelled?
Huh?
B-But I took off the gloves.
Indeed, you failed to carry out my orders.
But just this once, I'll give you a barely-passing grade.
All right!
That's great, Seth!
Boy...
It seems you found the answer.
Yeah!
Fine.
In that case, I'll give you these.
What are they?
I repaired your gloves and modified them into a fingerless design.
Lack of power isn't the only reason you couldn't gather Fantasia.
Huh?
All this time, you have never once gathered Fantasia with gloves on.
You just tried to force the Fantasia surrounding your arms
into your gloves, which ended up dispersing most of it.
But these gloves were from Alma.
Most sorcerers can't use magic without gloves,
which means anyone who can do it bare-handed is considered a heretic.
Keep it up, and you'll draw the attention of some unsavory folks.
You mean Alma intentionally...
They've been patched up a lot.
You were blessed with a fine teacher, boy.
Yeah!
With those new gloves, you can make use of the abilities you were born with.
All right!
W-Wow!
All right, boy! Expect your training to get a lot harsher from now on!
Fine by me!
Well, Yaga, when are we gonna get started?
I'm so glad, Seth.
Calm down, boy! Don't get cocky!
But wait... I feel like we're forgetting something...
What? But I can finally gather Fantasia now!
Oh, well! Right?
The kids captured the thieves for me, just as I planned!
Reducing their debt a bit costs me a lot less than formally deploying the troops.
Boy, I saved a bundle!
Nothing's better than a shaved ice snack after something good has happened!
What... the heck...
am I turning, anyway?!
Seconds, please!
To Be Continued
Next Time
Dragunov's habit of taking things at his own pace stresses out his men.
In the midst of this, his unit receives a message
ordering them to battle a Nemesis that's attacking an island.
In the face of an unexpected truth, Dragunov is forced into a decision.
Next time on Radiant, "Those Who Hunt Heretics."
Those Who Hunt Heretics -Inquisition-
End