01x09 - The Poor Student and the Exchange Student

[bunniefuu]

[MAG]

So, you see,

within our modern ethics,

much is taboo.

Necromancy's soul cloning,

alchemy's homunculi,

spirit channeling, too.

All are frowned upon.

Out of the examples,

the third is the furthest

out of bounds.

I'm sure many of you

are asking yourselves,

in that case,

why must you learn

about spirit channeling today?

To that I would tell you

to trust your teacher.

It's a valuable study.

Spirit channeling allows you

to get an up-close look

at the soul.

This has contributed

to the development of,

of, uh

I beg you, continue, ma'am.

I'm enthralled,

Professor Maguro.

My name is just Mag

and you should

take proper notes.

Oh, worry not.

It is stored in my mind.

All right.

Then what was the incident

I mentioned that occurred

in the year 722?

An easy one!

The Incident of Railrod

of the Ruestand Kingdom.

He was experimenting

with spirit channeling,

and he lost all control.

His body was a puppet

to the hero he channeled.

-[MACHINA] Huh?

-It was truly a disaster.

The man was so distracted

by his wife's infidelity,

he couldn't concentrate

on his--

Right!

No more, please.

[MALE STUDENT 1]

Infidelity?

[FEMALE STUDENT 1]

Did the professor mention that?

[FEMALE STUDENT 2] He talks

about it like he was there.

[MALE STUDENT 2]

Don't be stupid.

-[chuckles]

-[indistinct chatter]

It's kind of sweet

you're so proud

of your man's yapping.

[HIZUKI]

Uh.

[scraping]

[FEMALE STUDENT 3]

Check it out!

The new exchange students.

-That guy is Veltol, right?

-[HIZUKI] They're so weird.

[FEMALE STUDENT 3]

He's a big-time live streamer!

[MALE STUDENT 3]

I watched him the other day.

[MALE STUDENT 4]

Wait, for real?

[ALBERT]

Lady Hizuki Reynard-Yamada,

gawking?

Have they caught the head

of the Reynard Clan's eye?

Do you wish to befriend

their motley crew?

I fail to see why the heir

of the Heygrams family

would care about that.

Well, I'm a noble after all.

It's my duty to guide

those who lack status.

I really should

put you in your place

and your place

certainly isn't here.

You have no talent for magic,

yet you cling to this school

and take up valuable space

in the corner of the classroom

purely due to

the Three Great Houses.

Calling your family great

is a stretch.

♪

An Electric Town man

and an elf with bad taste

produced a daughter.

You are both a half-elf

and a halfwit.

[thuds]

Oh, dear.

Someone mad?

You can say

whatever you want about me

but bringing my parents into it

is where I draw the line!

[scoffs]

Everything I just stated

was the truth!

You can't be mad

-at facts, can you?

-[VELTOL] Shut up.

Hm?

You are disturbing my enjoyment

of this lovely bowl of udon.

And who are you?

I'm sure you recall

my introduction

from this morning.

And you, little noble?

Please do forgive me.

Veltol, yes?

If you haven't heard,

I'm Albert Heygrams.

Eldest son of the family.

I've heard that name.

'Tis no matter.

Now about my dining,

Udon requires silence to be

eaten with adequate focus.

You ruined that.

My ears are still ringing

with your paltry insults

and hypocritical notions

of nobility,

thus rendering

my udon inedible.

You play pretend

and put yourself out on display

for a bit of cash.

In no world should I be

listening to you.

Oh, so you've watched

my stream then.

Thanks for your contribution

to my ad revenue!

I didn't watch it,

I heard my classmates

talking about it!

You think the eldest son

of the Heygrams family

would waste his time on such--

[VELTOL]

Wait, that name.

I knew I had heard it!

So!

You're a descendant

of Ganfall Heygrams,

aren't you?

Huh?

How do you know my forebear?

I had my suspicions.

He should've been k*lled

but the coward made it out, so.

What are you saying?

What a triumph.

The Battle of Stanbolt.

[chuckles]

He took just one look

and Ganfall was running

with his tail between his legs.

Destiny has quite

the sense of humor

bringing me face-to-face

with his descendant.

This is slander!

-I won't allow such an insult!

-[VELTOL] Ancestry aside.

Mind your arrogance, young man.

How can you berate her

when her talent so obviously

outweighs yours?

We must strive

to know ourselves,

mustn't we?

You claim I'm inferior

to the halfwit?

To the defective head

of the miserable Reynard clan?

As a noble,

it is my responsibility

to teach you commoners

how we operate at this school!

[rustles]

I challenge you to a duel,

transfer!

[HIZUKI]

This feels like overkill.

[TAKAHASHI]

Wassup, wassup!

School's not going

great for you, huh?

Based on the way

I've never seen

anyone get near you,

you must stink.

[whispering]

She smells fine.

The other students don't like

that they allowed a failure

like me

into their precious school.

[TAKAHASHI]

Huh?

You're a failure?

My grades are

pretty good surprisingly.

Thing is, I can't use magic.

Whoa, really?

Then why would you go

to a school for magic?

-[grunts]

-Uh,

sorry.

It's fine.

I'm used to it.

Trust me.

I have my reasons.

[TAKAHASHI]

Hm?

[MACHINA]

Moving along.

I'm surprised

they permit duels here.

[HIZUKI]

That's our school.

It prides itself

on turning out mages

who are combat-ready

rather than bookish.

You need to convince

a teacher to officiate,

but if that minor

stipulation is met,

then duels are encouraged.

[footsteps approaching]

Professor Mag has it rough.

She's too nice to say no.

[MAG]

I implore you to make it quick.

Our lunch break will be over

any minute.

[VELTOL]

Pardon me, then.

Enemy of Heygrams!

[HIZUKI]

Hm?

[VELTOL]

You! Was it, Hijiki!

Huh?

Hizuki, not Hijiki!

You really think that

I'm named after seaweed?

Do try to limit your blinking.

You will want to see

every moment

of this brilliance.

My victory is imminent.

You presume

you've already beat me?

That is very naive.

Since this is your first day,

allow me to educate you.

We are graded

based on our mana,

our mana release,

mana manipulation,

and mana reserves.

I'm the only student

at this school

who has received

an A plus rating in all three.

In other words,

you can't compete

with my skills!

No one here has

the capacity to defeat me!

That's hard to believe.

Now I haven't met

every student yet,

but in terms of mana reserves

the woman you were

ridiculing at lunch

should rank

leagues above yourself.

-Catch that?

-Yeah but he's wrong.

The last time my mana reserves

were evaluated I got an F.

Well, then

your school's manner of testing

is inaccurate.

For

whatever Lord Veltol says

is the truth.

He is never wrong.

What's her deal?

Does she like to call him Lord?

Or do I need

to find the counselor?

Nah. That's just

how our Machy rolls.

After all the talking

you've done,

I hope you back it up.

Does the bite match the bark?

I would like to show you,

but then I would be

down a peer.

To keep things fair.

I shall plant myself.

Frolic about, but I'll win

without taking a step.

-Hm.

-[indistinct chatter]

It's clear that you just

want to have an excuse

for when I destroy you.

[VELTOL] I'm far too mature

to scamper around

but feel no need

to restrict your style.

[ALBERT] You should see

what I'm made of

before you insult me.

[VELTOL]

Calm down, young man.

Let us begin with an oath.

[ALBERT]

What do you propose?

[VELTOL]

The terms are

if I lose or even take a step,

I will do anything

that you ask of me.

However, if I win

without moving from here,

you will stop bothering

that woman for good.

-Huh?

-[VELTOL] In the classroom

and anywhere else.

But why?

The way you went after her

was so unpleasant

that it spoiled my noodles.

What say you?

Very well.

To erase the half-wit

from my life is a meager cost.

You're the one

who suggested this deal.

Don't break it.

Oath, not a deal.

You're highborn.

As such, you must surely

know what that entails.

Yes, of course.

I swear this oath of yours

upon my name.

You have Albert Heygrams' word.

You should try to stop him

if you think he'd listen.

Albert is strong.

I don't like the guy

but he's not at the head

of the class by accident.

Please, don't be concerned.

Believe me.

Albert doesn't stand

a fraction of a chance.

After our man Velly gives him

a little razzle dazzle,

this duel will be

one for the books!

Under the supervision

of Professor Mag Rosanta,

you two shall be permitted

to duel on school property.

At this time, I ask each party

to state their name.

I'm the Heygrams' eldest son.

My name is Albert Heygrams.

And, I,

Demon Lord live-streamer,

the glorious

Veltol Velvet Velsvalt.

Begin!

♪

-Come, all creation--

-Oh, Albert.

Why must you disappoint us so?

Huh?

[VELTOL] Do you expect

that little mana trick

to tickle me?

You mustn't allow

your arrogance

to hold back your potential.

Attack with your full might

like you wish to rip me

from my soul.

Don't blame me

for what happens!

♪

Settle down, boys!

A duel should be

a learning experience

and you can't learn anything

if you're dead!

No, this is good.

Don't interfere,

Professor Maguro.

I'm just teaching

your student a lesson.

It sounds like he's getting

a real kick outta this.

My Lord hasn't had

a traditional

magic duel in ages.

I don't get you, guys.

You're crazy.

Come, all creation

to fill the skies.

I take arrow's form

to defeat my foe!

An incantation!

How lovely!

It has been eons too long!

Hey!

You better run!

Do you wanna die

on your first day?

Now Aether Arrow!

[fires]

♪

[gasps]

[gasps]

[crackling]

My.

And here I was,

suspecting that you were

nothing but talk.

[shatters]

Oooo!

[Hizuki exhales]

Wait?

But how?

That spell was

at full-strength,

and you caught it in your hand!

There's no way!

A fair attempt.

With 200 years

of training or so

you could become a mildly

entertaining opponent.

[grunts]

[VELTOL]

Do not grow despondent.

This was the natural outcome.

You should be happy.

Your control of mana is good

especially for

a mortal of this era.

It's clear your daily training

has paid off.

Ganfall's family tree

has grown strong.

Huh?

Forgive me for my rudeness

about your ancestor.

Now, sir,

allow me to reward you

for your efforts toward magic.

You have earned some respect.

♪

[VELTOL] A taste

of the true essence of magic.

Breathe it in

through every pore!

♪

[fires]

[groans]

[all gasp]

[thuds]

What the

That hurt.

Lord Veltol fired off a mass

of compressed mana.

It is an honor to bask

directly in his power.

Even when wasted on a mortal.

You make it sound simple

but that's not something

your average human

is capable of,

let alone one in high school.

This guy's no ordinary

exchange student.

-[VELTOL] On with it, Maguro.

-Uh?

Announce the winner.

Right!

The winner is

your new classmate,

Veltol Velvet Velsvalt!

[TAKAHASHI] Whoop, whoop!

Show 'em how it's done!

You're the boss, Velly!

Well, then!

Your thoughts, Hijiki?

Dude.

Hi-zu-ki!

My win.

I dedicate it to you.

Sure, uh.

That's great.

Thanks, I guess.

Indeed.

-[HIZUKI] Though.

-Hm?

You guys should really

stay away from me.

Expect misfortune if you don't.

[footsteps receding]

♪

[TAKAHASHI]

I'm still in shock.

I've only ever witnessed

snobby,

little rich boys

in shows before.

His majesty Albert was

my first time ever

meeting one IRL.

His ego is huge.

We all live in the same world,

right?

I don't get why he thinks

he's so dang special.

The culture in Akihabara

has preserved

several components

of Alnaeth's hierarchy.

I can't use my Familia

and I have to wear

this lame uniform.

This place

and its jerk population

are borderline medieval.

Good grief.

I'm just happy I wasn't born

a 100 years ago

when everywhere was like this.

You do know you can

go home at any time, right?

Not a chance.

I'm not jumping ship

till I get eyes on treasure

and treasure in pockets.

That said, if I'm being honest,

this whole

regalia-finding mission

sounds like

one massive beat down.

We don't have anything

resembling a lead.

And if we get in,

there's no promise

the Dark Peer Records

are inside.

How about we speed this baby up

and you two pop open the seal

with some magical oomph,

so we can see what's hiding?

A decent idea,

but keep in mind

the treasury is sealed

with ancient magic.

This sort of seal

is typically designed

to destroy its contents

if it's tampered with.

Your plan is much too risky.

Our only option is

to gather the regalia.

We have an agreement

with the principal

regarding the Blade,

so we're two items short.

A quick search told me

the representative

of Electric Town has the crown.

Korneah Seburd

of the Seburd Clan.

It's all public knowledge.

And the Orb has vanished.

There's nothing

searchable there.

Well, you can't find a treasure

without any clues.

Sounds like we've already

hit a big fat wall.

Oh, no.

I must disagree.

For why though?

Hizuki Ruhnard-Yamada, right?

-Right.

-Why bring that chick up?

-Oh!

-Yes.

Judging by

what Albert said to her,

she's head of the Reynard Clan.

A good ally to have.

They've lost

their symbol of power.

The missing orb must be related

to the ruin that has

seemingly befallen them.

Thus, that woman

is our primary lead.

[TAKAHASHI] So, you challenged

that snot-nosed brat to a duel

just to get Miss Blondie,

keeper of orbs,

on your good side?

The all-powerful Demon Lord

is out here playing 3D chess

while the rest of us

are stuck playing checkers!

[VELTOL]

Oh, no.

That imbecile merely

pissed me off.

[TAKAHASHI]

Whatever you say, man.

-[MACHINA] Don't hit him!

-But you still did a major

solid for our potential lead!

You're so cool

you don't even have to try!

[MACHINA]

I believe we're almost there.

[VELTOL]

What is that up ahead?

I almost forgot!

You've never seen it before,

huh?

I have only had the honor

of visiting once,

but it was truly amazing.

This

This is

Yeah!

Allow me to introduce

the other side of Akihabara!

Magic Town's hot sister.

A city brimming with

pleasure and desire!

♪

Electric Town!

[VELTOL] Even without

sinking into its depths,

you can tell how densely

packed this place is.

It's been too long since I met

a proper labyrinth.

How I yearn to conquer it.

I simply must explore.

It's too tempting.

Hold your horses.

This place is no joke.

According to the rumors,

if you get lost in there,

it'll take you a whole day

to work your way

out of its shiny clutches.

So, yeah, at least buy a map

or something

before you hop on in.

-[VELTOL] Right.

-Lucky for you,

today you've got

a beautiful hacker

to lead the way!

I'm practically a local

and I'm

an info gathering genius.

So, fear not!

I'll get you geezers

where you need to go!

[MACHINA]

Which is?

I'm taking you

to the sickest place

to collect intel in this

entire technicolor town!

Welcome home, Master!

We're glad you're back!

Thanks.

Seats for three, please.

Follow me, Masters!

Thank you so much

for requesting me again!

You've touched Mananan's heart!

You're just so hot!

I mean, you're so moe-moe,

Mananan-kuun!

I'm sorry, your kawaii factor

is so off the charts today

that I accidentally

slipped back

into my pre-Mananan lingo

for a second.

We can try to behave ourselves,

but Mananan-kun's epic moe aura

makes it hard

to think straight!

Preach!

Not to question

your pop culture knowledge,

my angel

and not to preemptively

explain my joke,

my darling dearest

but if you don't mind

a quick Shonen reference,

my beloved your moe-moe level

is over 9,000!

This is nice enough,

but question.

What?

Spill it.

I do not mean

to doubt your knowledge

but can we gather

information of substance

in a place like this?

You silly man.

This is just where

you wanna be.

All kinds of people enjoy

partaking in the occasional

maid cafe sesh.

Folks love to confide

in the girlies working here

and the girlies love to gossip.

Thanks to the cozy atmosphere

and the sweet maids,

even your toughest criminals

feel comfortable

spilling their beans here.

If you need intel

in a videogame,

you hit the tavern, right?

In the real word,

maid cafes are pretty much

the same thing.

-They even serve booze.

-I see.

I had mistakenly assumed

that we were on more

of a sightseeing side quest.

-[TAKAHASHI] Hm?

-Sorry.

You dog.

Sightseeing?

This is legit, bro.

The atmosphere

is certainly unique.

It is difficult

to put into words,

but it is surely

something distinct.

Like, uh

Perhaps unique was right.

Jeez, Machy,

you say a whole lot

of nothing sometimes.

Setting atmosphere aside,

are these prices atrociously

high or is it just me?

[TAKAHASHI] Got a brain

in that big white head?

Whatever's gotten into you?

When you come here,

you're essentially paying

to live the freaking dream!

You get treated

to a swarm of cuties

with cute little voices

in maximally cute outfits

waiting on you hand and foot!

That's what you pay extra for!

[OGRES]

Mm-hmm.

We have had plenty of servants.

Never before have we been

asked to pay

for the dream, right?

True.

Though it has been

an awfully long time for me.

Oh, yeah.

I always forget

that you two were

big cheeses in the olden days.

So, you guys got to live out

the dream the organic way.

[VELTOL]

The service here is unusual,

not like

what our servants provided.

Well, in my era

this is what

real maids are like.

Is that true?

Not at all.

[TAKAHASHI] I'm sure

you can control yourselves,

but one of my friends

harassed a maid so much

she told him to stay away.

Guess management heard

'cause he was banned for life

and trust me, you don't

wanna end up like him.

Takahashi,

you need to think about

who you associate with.

She told him to stay away?

Huh.

Is something wrong, My Lord?

Oh, no.

I was just thinking about

what the Reynard girl said.

Something about her farewell

isn't sitting right.

It was quite odd.

She told us to stay away.

We did speak with her

and she made it seem like

her isolation from

the other students

is her own choice.

Interesting.

Given her loner persona,

I think forcing her

to be our friend

would freak her out.

We have loads of time

in the exchange program.

Let's be patient.

We do want

to avoid confrontation.

She seems like

a thoughtful woman.

Even if the orb

weren't an issue,

she's the type of girl

I would very much

like to get along with.

Yeah, same.

Welp! We should

cut the chit chat already!

-I say we call over a maid!

-Takahashi!

We were in the midst

of a serious discu--

Ooo! You can even request

what kind of maid you want!

Sweet.

Hey,

let's have 'em send

the one with the biggest boobs!

Do you ever listen

to a word I say?

Can't you pull the stick

outta your butt for once?

We came all the way out here,

so we might as well

enjoy ourselves!

That was never the plan.

[HIZUKI]

I'm so sorry for the wait!

Go on, Master!

What would you like to

[gasps]

-[VELTOL] Huh.

-Oh, my.

[whimpering]

Yamada

[growls]

[MACHINA] "Akihabara's

Three Great Houses."