Welcome to IDA School!

Aldo, can you do me a small favor?

No problem. What do you need?

So...

Never mind, I've got something urgent to attend to. If anyone asks about me, don't tell them anything.

Hold on! Isuka?

What was that all about?

That girl's outfit looks familiar. Where have I seen it before? Ah, right. That's the IDA School uniform.

......

Huh? Umm... She smiled at me, didn't she?

But... I don't think I know her?

Excuse me! Hey, I'm talking to you!

Y-Yes? Can I help you?

Did you pass by a girl wearing a white uniform around here?

White uniform? N-Nah... Umm, are you a student at IDA School?

Sure I am! I'm the top reporter for IDA School's Newspaper Club, in fact!

Umm... That's nice...

And right now I'm investigating the elusive IDEA organization, shrouded in mystery and very suspicious!

Really? (I sense trouble.)

I know, right! There are all sorts of rumors about them and I've taken it upon myself to ferret out the truth! Come to think of it, you're dressed kind of weird. Is this some sort of historical outfit?

Does it really look so out of place in this period?

Oh! No way... Are you... Are you that famous swordsman?! The one who defeated Galliard? And is dating the girl who works at Ishar's?

Err... I did defeat Galliard but regarding the Ishar girl, I think you got me mixed up with someone else.

Oh wow, can't believe I ran into a celebrity like you! You've got to let me interview you! This isn't a good place though. Please come to my school!

Can I, though? I'm not from around here.

Not a problem! I've got a spare pass for visitors.

Stick it in the elevator card reader and it'll take you to the Cargo Station. The yellow bus goes to my school. You should have no trouble finding it! I'll go ahead since I need to prepare my questions and all that. See you soon!

What have I gotten myself into?

Heh. Your fame saved me there. That girl has been snooping around me and it was almost impossible to shake her off.

Glad to be of help, Isuka... I guessed you'd prefer to avoid her. So, what was the request you mentioned earlier?

About that... It's actually helpful that she gave you a school pass. Let's talk at IDA School. It'll be much easier now that you have access.

Huh? Okay, I guess I'll see you there.

Since I got the pass I might as well use it. Besides, I'd have to go to the school to return it anyway. IDA School, hmm... I've heard this and that about it. I wonder what it's like...

Okay, so I scan the pass here...

Get a move on, Aldo!

What she said.

Yes.

Umm, why are you all crowding in on me?

You're going to IDA School, right? I've always wanted to see it!

You've never been there either? I didn't know.

It's a top class university town in Elzion. You have no idea how lucky you are to have got a pass to get in!

I must see it with my own eyes and compare it with Palsifal Palace's magic classroom! So, do you mind hurrying up?

Uwah! Stop pushing!

Umm... This should do the trick, right?

Oh... It's cram-full of horseless carriages! Is this Elzion's major traffic hub?

The bus which goes to the school departs from here.

This city is huge beyond belief!

Look at all these buses... Going to all sorts of destinations, not just IDA School.

That yellow one is the school bus. Let's take it!

It's this one, right?

Aldo, you're going to stand out like a sore thumb dressed like that. You wouldn't blend in even if they were having a costumed festival...

I reserve my right to personal expression through my attire. I'm going to look for that school reporter.

Oh well, whatever. Good luck, Aldo.

Oh no! I forgot to submit my essay. If I fail, my grandma will go absolutely mental. Later, Aldo! I'm in a rush!

Umm, Foran?!

Make way!

Huh? What's that?

Whoa!

Ouch... Are you okay?

Sorry about that! I'm in a rush to submit my essay! If I fail, my grandma will kill me!

Huh? That's an unusual way to dress. Are you some kind of a performer? Is the costume festival today then?

No, I've come to see umm... The school newspaper reporter.

Ah, okay. I'm in a real hurry. Got to get on the bus asap!

We weren't trying to cut in line!

What's the matter, Aldo? Get on the bus.

Y-Yeah...

The IDA School bus is about to depart.

We had best get on-board.

Let us depart!

So this is IDA School?

Acquiring current coordinates... This is the IDA Entrance Hall.

This huge place is just the entrance?

IDA is a vast university town, divided into several areas accessible via the airtube from here. The school reporter you're after is likely to be found in the High-Grade area.

So we need to find the airtube to the High-Grade area...

Ugh... I don't like airtubes very much...

What are these tubes of which you speak?

Easier if you see it for yourself. Come on, let's go.

Ugh... I'll never get used to those...

Uwah! This isn't very steady!

As always, Aldo has a remarkably unusual way of boarding things.

What a remarkably unusual way of riding the board. That's Aldo with his unorthodox ways!

Got to...keep my...balance... I'll be fine... I'll be fine...

What an extraordinary vehicle! It seems fairly well-suited for balance training and strengthening the core muscles!

Wow, look at that!

So this is a school of magic from the future? It's the size of a palace!

Of course it is. They're using the whole Elzion Plate for this.

Besides classrooms and research labs, there is also a dorm, a shopping mall, and entertainment facilities.

I knew about it, but actually seeing it is a whole different story. It's really impressive!

All right, I've got to find that reporter now. It's going to be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack, but I'll give it a try.

Oh, it's you! Come over here!

I'm kind of lost for words. This place is amazing.

Yup! After all, the best students come here to study and compete with one another... The IDA School is Elzion's finest education facility! By the way, who are your friends?

I'm Amy. I'm a hunter!

Cyrus. A vagabond, wandering wherever my fancy takes me.

I am Riica.

Holy moly! Ishar's famous hunter, a frogman, and a mysterious android to boot?! This is going to be my next big scoop! Please let me interview you all!

What exactly do you want to interview us about?

I'm glad you asked! You see, I'm a relentless hunter myself. Only my quarry is supernatural mysteries! Writing for the school newspaper is just a cover. In reality, I am... A member of the Occult Writers Club!

Occult...Writers Club?

There are lots of bizarre rumors and urban legends in this school. I investigate them and reveal the truth in our occult magazine! You're also the subject of one of those rumors, you know?

What, really?!

Durr! And then there's all the talk about IDEA that I'm also following up on.

There are lots of other strange rumors too! For example... About a dangerous android loitering at the school...

Or about a wall with hands...

Uh...

Okay, the android one is believable, but a wall with hands? That's got to be made up, or some kind of visual trick.

No matter how much time passes, the fascination with the supernatural never dies.

We occult journalists are tasked with checking these rumors out, scoffing at danger, thirsty for the truth! Sometimes we need help, though. So... I volunteer you as a special reporter and honorary member of our club!

What?!

I need someone who can take on the Synth Humans! They might be involved, if my hunch about this latest case is on point...

What case?

There are rumors about a missing student. Not showing up at school in a long time, not seen at the dorm either.

That sounds really serious!

Yes. That's why I'd like your help finding out if it's true.

All right. I'd feel bad about walking away without doing anything now that you told me about it.

So I take it you are accepting the (unpaid) job of special reporter for our club?

Yeah, sure! All right, it will be easier if each of us investigates a different area.

We're done here? Okay then, can we each go our own way?

I've been long interested in this curious city, so I'll be going off to explore it, and collect new valuable data.

As for myself, I should like to take a look at the swordplay classes taught at this magical academy.

Okay. I'm going to have a wander and a look-around too!

Wait a minute, guys. I thought you'd be helping me?

Come on, we were only half-serious. Call us if you need anything.

Half-serious? You're treating this like a field trip, huh? Only, for you it's a trip TO school.

Looks like everyone's jumped ship and you're all on your own! But don't let that put you off. Let me know when you're ready to begin the snooping... I mean, investigation!