A Game of Dreams and Magic

Check it out! It's the Sword of Light. These things are super rare. Awesome, right?

That's so cool! I wish I had one.

It's nice to see children having fun. I wonder what kind of games they play in this era?

Well, I got the Flame Spell exclusive to Kappa District residents! This can blaze through any enemy, watch!

Whoa! What in the? That's some powerful magic for kids to be throwing around!

Are you okay, mister? This isn't real magic. It's a game, Dream Magic 6. The latest expansion just came out and it...is...shweet! The magic's just smoke and mirrors. It's totally safe.

Wow, that's amazing. It looked just like the real thing.

That's DM6 for ya. Everything's been upgraded!

Oh! It says a rare hunt just spawned in Gamma District. Let's go join it!

Smell ya later!

What a bunch of dimwits...

Oh, hey. Are you playing that DM thing, too?

I wouldn't be caught dead playing that! Kiddie games are a waste of time. I don't need them anymore.

Huh?

Looks like a magazine. It's called...Famitsu, "DM6 Special Edition." That's the game those kids were playing, I guess?

That boy said he didn't play games anymore... Weird. But if this is his, I'd better find him and give it back.

Hey, kid. Did you drop this issue of Famitsu back there?

Huh? Ah!

This is yours, right?

Nuh-uh! No, it's definitely not mine!

Really? 'Cuz I'm pretty sure I saw you drop it.

How many times I gotta tell you? I don't need dumb games anymore!

You don't "need" them?

Look, the mag's not mine, all right? I'm not like those losers who spend all day playing video games!

Tomo! What are you doing here?

......

I was worried. Don't go wandering off on your own, okay?

Shut up, Dad! I'll do what I want!

Tomo!

Urgh...

Was that your son, sir? Can you give this book back to him? He dropped it, but he keeps saying it's not his...

Oh, Famitsu, huh? Sounds like he's still being stubborn.

Is something wrong? He gets really defensive when you try to talk about games.

Yeah, I guess he would...

Tell you what, meet me in this district's tavern, and I'll tell you all about it. Who knows, you may be able to help.

Sure, I'll see you there.

Thanks for coming. Barkeep, give this guy one on me.

Wait a second!

Aw, don't be such a partypooper.

These are real sweet and refreshing. Drink up!

......

Don't worry. Anyone can drink it.

So...about Tomo. He and I originally came from another island, thousands of miles from here. I had to move to Elzion because of my work. That's when the trouble started. Tomo had a friend he always used to play with in our hometown. But they got into a fight right before we moved and never got the chance to make up. Apparently it had something to do with which of them was best at DM.

DM... I've seen other kids playing that game. It looks like they enjoy it a lot.

You know kids, they can get really into things. But neither of them were willing to back down, and now here we are. Ever since then Tomo's started saying he hates games. I'm starting to worry...

If he doesn't like them anymore, why did he have that magazine?

Oh, the copy of Famitsu? That's mine. I gave it to Tomo after I finished reading it. I thought looking at the Dream Magic 6 tips might get him interested again.

Not a bad idea...

Say, fella, you think you could talk to Tomo? He might open up to you. Things between him and me haven't been great since we moved.

I don't want one bad experience to make him want to close himself off from the world.

Sure, I'll do whatever I can. He's probably still in Gamma District right now.

Oh... Those are the kids who were playing Dream Magic earlier.

Hi again, mister. Whassup?

What are you guys doing?

We're looking for a rare monster. This one's got some amazing drops!

Wow, this monster is all part of the game? It looks so real...

Oh no, we're not gonna make it...

Aw man, time's up!

Huh? Time?

Rare monsters run away after a set amount of time. Now we'll have to wait a while until it respawns.

But it always appears in the same place, so we can grind a little and come back later.

That Rapid Mauler's way stronger than I thought it'd be.

Rapid Mauler?!

Tomo. Fancy seeing you here.

Here to play DM too, Tomo?

Leave him alone. He's always talking about how he doesn't game anymore, like he's better than us or something.

Th-That's right! Who cares about dumb old DM?

What are you even doing here, then? C'mon, guys. Let's roll.

Wait for me!

......

Hey, have you really quit DM for good?

That's none of your business.

Your dad told me about the fight you and your friend had. Want to talk about it?

......

I used to get in fights all the time when I was your age. I'd dig my heels in and refuse to apologize, but I always felt bad about it. Games are meant to be fun. If you take them too seriously, you lose sight of that. Losing a friend is much worse than losing a game, if you ask me. I can't even remember how many times I won or lost against my friends. But I do remember the fun we had playing. The games you kids play are a little different, but you can see what I'm getting at, right?

I...

What caused this fight in the first place?

I...I felt bad because I lost a PVP match. So I hoarded the materials for a spear my friend wanted to make...

He got mad at you, huh?

We promised we'd always share our loot between the two of us. I broke our promise...it's my fault.

I've got to apologize, don't I? In fact... I want to. It's just like Rad said. "DM is all about the bonds between you and your friends."

Rad?

He's a character in Dream Magic. He teaches you how to play and stuff.

I see... How are you going to get in touch, though? Your old friend lives pretty far away. Are you going to write him a letter?

Who writes letters anymore? I'll just message him. But I can't take back what I did, or give him the materials I kept from him...

Hey, those guys were fighting a Rapid Mauler, weren't they? That drops the same items my friend needed for his spear. I've got to beat that monster! But it's so strong, I'd never defeat it all on my own... What should I do?

......

If you can't beat it alone, I think you know what you have to do.

......

C'mon, let's go find those other kids.

How do we beat the Mauler?

I can't find any good strategies...

Hi, guys.

Hello again, mister. What's up?

About that game of yours...

Yeah?

Tomo here has something to say to you all.

What? Me?!

You want to beat that monster, right? You'll have a much better chance if you join forces with some friends.

I...I guess, but...

Oooh, Mr Fancy-pants Tomo's in the house. What do you want? Come to make fun of us again?

I can't do this...

You can't let it end like this, Tomo.

I...

Welcome to the world of Dream Magic! Lots of new friends are waiting for you!

Friends...

It takes courage to find new allies, but you'll be fine! You're never alone. Don't be afraid, go forth into this magical world together! Always start by saying...

...Thanks, mister.

What's with you?

I'm sorry I've been such a jerk! I had a fight with one of my DM friends, and I lashed out... Ever since I moved here...I've really wanted to play with you guys!

I understand if you don't want to be friends... But please, give me a chance!

What should we do?

Did you really mean all that?

Yes!

Okay, then welcome to the team. Let's beat that Rapid Mauler together!

Yeah! Come on!

Nice work, Tomo.

That thing was totally OP. Doesn't it have any weak points?

Hey, do you still have that Famitsu?

Got it right here.

This has got tips for all the rare monsters. It's gotta have something on the Rapid Mauler!

Awesome! Let's draw up an attack plan and go take it on.

Do you want in, mister?

Huh? Can I? I don't think I'd be very good at these "video games..."

We can register you as a guest for this one battle. Come on, it'll be fun.

Okay, sure.

Registration complete! We're gonna talk strategy a little more, so meet us at the place where the Rapid Mauler spawns.

You got it. See you there.

It should show up soon...

Here it is!

We'll handle defense and debuffing. Tomo, you take the offensive!

Got it!

Mister, you can concentrate on attacking with Tomo. Go nuts on that Mauler! You're registered as a guest in our party. Just treat this like a real battle.

Okay!

Finish it, Tomo!

Hiyaaah!

We did it!

Wait...something's not right.

Is this what I think it is?

A Flame Mauler...

This is Rapid Mauler's evolved form. I've never seen one before...

We're almost out of Dream Points!

Flame Maulers have insane defense against physical attacks. We won't stand a chance against it if we can't use magic!

Shoot, we were so close, too...

Cast Wicked Nitro!

Dad?!

I was a Dream Magic player back when it first came out. In DM1, the Flame Mauler was the strongest monster in the game. But it had one big weakness. The Wicked Nitro spell can nullify its shield and make it vulnerable to attacks. This was a highly-desired piece of gaming trivia in my day.

We've got nothing to lose. Let's try it!

Wow, it worked!

It's now or never. You ready, Tomo?

You'll help us, right, mister?

Yeah! This is getting interesting.

I'll register you as my guest!

Cool.

It's over...

It's over...

We did it! We owned that Flame Mauler!

Good going, Tomo.

Sure!

Do you have the materials you need now?

Yeah. Now I can apologize properly and make it up to my friend.

So that's what this was all about. I thought it was weird that you started playing again all of a sudden.

Dad... I'm sorry. I lost sight of what's really important.

Don't you worry about it, son. Just try not to forget again, okay?

Sure!

Hey... Do you play Dream Magic?

Yeah...

(Always start by saying...)

Hi, I'm Tomo. Do you want to be allies?

What's up, Tomo?

Oh, nothing! I'm fine.

I'm glad you made some new friends. Go have some fun together. The time you spend with friends is a treasure worth more than anything.

Just make it home for dinner, okay?

What'll we do next?

Tomo, have you beat the Endroid?

Not yet. It's too strong for me...

Tell us about what monsters you've beaten. We might learn something new!

Sure!

Thanks, mister.

You're welcome.

The games themselves might change, but what's really important is the same, no matter how old you are.