camp vargas ~the happening returns~ 1-3 "work hard and get it done"

[mandytl]

 

 

Location: Mirror Chamber

— The first day of Camp Vargas, morning.

Idia: …Sighhhhhhh….

Azul: Please don’t sigh like that, Idia-san. Your attitude is just going to bring us down with you.

Ortho: He’s been like this ever since yesterday. His vital signs are OK, but his stress levels are elevated.

I should get going since I’m in the Film Research Club. Don’t try to skip out on this, Nii-san.

It’s just, you’re going camping! This is your chance to make friends in the Board Games Club.

I’ll be rooting for you!

Idia: Ahhh! Don’t leave me, Ortho…! I can’t do this camping thing on my own!!

Azul: Do something at least. He who does not work, neither shall he eat.

Jade: Now, now. There’s no need to be so pessimistic.

When I brought this up with Floyd again, he said he had fun.

Idia: Uhm, well… I…

Swsh…

Idia (Tablet): … Jade-shi. Can we really trust Floyd-shi’s concept of fun?

Jade: Of course. As his very own blood relative, I can assure it.

Lilia: The day is finally upon us. Did you make sure to prepare, Kalim?

Kalim: I’m ready and raring to go! Jamil packed everything for me.

These are antacids, right? I also have ointment, disinfectant, band-aids, and... what were these again?

Cater: That’s Jamil for you; he’s always got it together, cramming your backpack with stuff you only use in an emergency.

Lilia: Why, preparation is 80% of the journey. Malleus was also poring over the guidebook this morning, just in case.

But that’s exactly what caused him to forget our meeting time. He would’ve missed out entirely if I hadn't noticed. Right?

Malleus: You’ve been more than helpful, Lilia. It would’ve been a pity to be fully prepared but not go.

Ortho: I’m counting on you for these three days, Vil Schoenheit-san!

Vil: Likewise, dear. You exude composure and reliability.

See the Board Games Club and the Pop Music Club? It's full of potatoes who’re too preoccupied with being miserable or a riot.

Rook: Such is the case, Vil. It’s undoubtedly a major occasion for them.

I’m eager to see what breathtaking beauty is waiting just around the corner myself. How about you, Trey-kun?

Trey: Hahah… As long as I can avoid having to transfer, I'm good. I’ll do my best to avoid coming off as lazy.

Having said that, the fact that we have to wear our gym clothes implies we’ll be moving around a lot.

Vargas: Good. Looks like everyone’s here.

Now, let’s head out to the campsite!

O Dark Mirror! Show us the way to our destination!

Location: Dwarfs’ Mine - Silent Woods

Jade: Huh, phew… It smells terrific out here.

Forest as far as the eye can see. Massive mountains on all sides. What a prime location.

Trey: Oh, yeah… I’m pretty sure this is where Ace and Deuce were sent after they broke that chandelier.

Cater: Yep. I remember them saying a monster attacked them back then too.

Kalim: It does kinda feel like something will lunge at us from a dark corner…

Rustlerustle!

Kalim: … Whoa! It’s actually happening?!

???: Heeeey!

Lilia: For a monster, that voice is surprisingly recognizable.

Cater: Huh? That silhouette belongs to…

Grim: What took you guys so long?! I’m not gonna wait for ya forever!

> Good morning!

> We waited for you a while there!

Kalim: Grim, and Yuu! What’re you guys doing here?

Grim: We’re in charge of recordin’ this trip, duh.

Crowley: Their job is to document your progress while you’re tackling those challenges with the Ghost Camera.

When I left them to their devices last time, they took some very decent shots.

Cater: Nice! Let’s snap one right now. C’mon, Vil-kun. Selfie time! ♪

Vil: I’ll pass. After all, you’re just going to up it to Magicam later, aren’t you?

Crowley: And much like the last time, I've enlisted the aid of the mine's ghosts throughout your stay.

Ghosts: How’s it going~.

Vargas: Good. Now that all the competitors have assembled…

We can commence with “Camp Vargas”.

But before we begin…

Here’s where I’ll be collecting those smartphones and magical pens. Hand them over to the Headmaster.

Cater: Wh-Whaaaa?! How’m I gonna snap any pics if you take my phone?! 

Kalim: We can’t look stuff up on the Internet? I don’t even know the first thing about camping.

Vargas: Suck it up! You’re to overcome these challenges with brains and brawn alone!!

Grim: Don’t you worry none. We’ll snap plenty of pictures for ya.

Cater: But this was the perfect chance for meee to take them… 

Idia (Tablet): This is why I can’t stand extroverts… like you need a picture of every little thing.

Vargas: Hm? A student with a tablet. Consider it confiscated!

Idia: Wha?! Th-This can’t get worse… Three days without my tablet outside’s like being stuck grinding a dungeon while F2P.

Rook: It's one thing to confiscate our phones, but seizing our pens is distressing.

Trey: Yeah. We’ll have to watch it when it comes to blot. 

Vargas: Precisely!

“Blot”... —a powerful and dangerous toxin that spreads whenever we use magic.

The magic gem in your pen routinely absorbs that for you.

Not having your pen with you means...

A mage will start accumulating the blot directly into both their mind and body whenever they use magic.

Not only does your own unique magic generate quite a lot of blot, but even the slightest amount of other magic will pile up and become a heavy burden.

Crowley: Not to worry. You can have them alllll back once Camp Vargas is over and done with.

Lilia: What’s the matter? None of you heard these details from someone in a sports club? Aren’t there members in your dorm?

Trey: About that… “Describe what the training camp is like to you in advance? That’s cheating!”

“Vargas-sensei worked hard on these challenges. Don’t do anything to undermine the intent of his event!”

—is what Riddle said.

Cater: Ace-chan and the others just laughed at us and said, “Suffer like we did!”. 

Trey: Yeah… Sounded pleased about it, too. That's why I’ve had a bad feeling about this.

Lilia: I see. Then it seems most saw their refusal to divulge the details as a little chance at revenge.

Azul: That punk…!

Jade: I expected nothing less from Floyd. He knows exactly how to enjoy camping.

Vil: The entire time, Epel was grinning at me. I thought, if that’s how you want to be, so be it, and didn’t ask him anything.

Malleus: Rest assured, neither Lilia and I know much about these challenges, though Sebek and Silver wished to tell us.

Lilia: That’d simply spoil the fun. We should ALL share in this thrilling, heart-pounding camping adventure together!

Trey: And here I’m hoping it’s neither thrilling or heart-pounding…

Vargas: Now, let’s mosey on over to the campsite and set up those tents. Follow me so you won’t get lost!

Crowley I’ll be heading back to campus then. We’ll reconvene here again on the last day.

Good luck out there~!

Location: Dwarfs’ Mine - Campsite

Vargas: Here we are. This is where you’ll be sleeping for the next three days.

Before we get to the real meat of this trip, I need you to set up your tents.

We brought plenty of tents that fit up to two people, so grab as many as you need and get busy.

Vil: We have to do it ourselves? This is more authentic than I expected.

Vargas: Your time limit is 60 minutes. Those who think they’re going to take a while, jot that down.

It’s absolutely vital that you have a secure camping environment in order to defend yourself and to rest your overworked muscles.

Take into account the strong sunshine, the fresh air, or whether you should set up in the shade… or find a flat area that provides a comfortable sleep.

Discuss your plans amongst your clubmates. I’ve already got tools put aside for you, so take them if you need them.

The best tent setups will win a prize to utilize in future challenges.

It’s not everyday that I hand out something for free. Work hard and get it done!

Azul: A prize, you say. I wonder what it could be.

Idia: Literally who cares. It’s probably just a dumbbell. 

Trey: “Utilize in future challenges” must mean, whatever it is, it’s a tool we can use to our advantage.

Rook: My, aren’t we curious. Are you aiming for the victor’s seat?

Trey: No, no, not at all. I'm not cut out to be a winner.

Jade: I envy you all for having someone to chat to, given I’m by myself.

Vargas: Hmm. Normally I’d tell you to quit your whining, but that’d be unfair in this case. So…

I give you special permission to partner up with another club! Naturally, one that I've chosen for you.

Mountain Loves’ Club, the Gargoyle Studies Club… and Ortho Shroud.

Come see me after you’ve set up your tent. Got it?!

Ortho: Uhm, me too? But why…?

Vargas: Now… —begin!

> Time to start documenting.

> Guess we should go see how everyone’s doing.

Grim: Right! Let’s take a peek at each of ‘em.