The Heretic Scientist

Geez, that screwy scientist is never going to amount to anything. I wish he'd give up on those pipe dreams of his and actually do some useful research.

Pipe dreams? What kind of research is he doing right now?

You won't believe this, but he's trying to harness the power of nature, without Xeno Prisma!

Oh, really?

I keep telling him he'll never do it.

Where can we find him?

Uh, I think he's performing experiments somewhere in Xeno-Domain.

Using the power of nature without Xeno Prisma...

Do you want to go talk to him, Sevyn?

Nah, it's okay. He's probably the same as those blockhead teachers back at IDA.

Are you sure? I kinda feel sorry for him, the way he's being ostracized. And isn't this kind of research of interest to you?

Maybe a little...

There's no harm in just going and talking to him a little, right?

Hm... A shaman should always respect the opinion of his allies.

What's that, some kind of old saying?

It's part of the moral code passed down in my family. I never really thought about it much until now. Maybe I should give it a try. Like you say, there's no harm in it.

You agree with me, then? Let's head for Xeno-Domain.

Yaaargh! Somebody! Anybody, please, help meee!

Sevyn, do you think...

Yeah, this is the scientist we're looking for. Urgh, what a pain.

You there! What did you do just now? What was that power? Are you using some special Xeno Prisma? Or have you harnessed it in some new way? Can you do that again? Just once, please!

Hey, get out of my face!

Sevyn here can tap into the elements without using any Xeno Prisma.

Unbelievable! No Xeno Prisma at all? I've dedicated my life to finding a way to do that. Is it true? You're not pulling my leg?

Yeah, it's true. I'm a shaman.

A shaman! I've read about your kind. Sure enough, the histories say they could freely wield the elements! You're a descendant of that clan? I can't believe my luck! This must be destiny. Your whole life has been leading up to this meeting!

I dunno about that... I'm flattered you're so happy to meet me, though.

We heard you're researching spirit magic, is that right?

Indeed! I am the only one courageous enough to engage in such innovative research!

We might be able to help you with that.

You can? That's wonderful! I'd love to have you on board!

Hey Aldo, I don't know about helping this guy...

Don't be shy. We've come all this way, we may as well give it a try, right?

Urgh...fine, when you put it that way. I guess we can stay a little longer.

Thank you! To begin with, I'd like you to battle one of my robots to collect some data!

You want us to fight right here?

No no, not here, in the Industrial Sector. I'll go on ahead and get things set up! I promise it won't take long!

He's, uh...real enthusiastic, huh?

Well, there's no backing out now. Let's go meet him in the Industrial Sector.

Thank you for coming, my dear friends! This is the battle data robot. If you can defeat it, that will bring me one step closer to understanding your shamanic abilities! How exciting!

Sounds simple enough. Let's get started.

Oh, but we can't! Not yet! The robot's not online yet.

Well switch it on. What's the hold up?

Uh, you see... it's out of power.

I thought you had everything ready for us. Is there a problem here?

Well now, this is awkward, but... I have so little funding for my work, I can't afford to power this robot.

So this is just a hunk of metal and wires?

What are we supposed to do now?

I was hoping you could help with this, too.

If you release the energy recharge circuit over in the Research Sector, that should solve everything.

You want us to do it?

There's not a lot we can do otherwise. Let's give it a try.

You're too soft, Aldo. But if you're going to go anyway, I guess I'll come with you.

This thing looks like it'll guzzle a lot of energy. Is your budget going to stretch that far?

Don't you worry about that. If I can solve the mystery of your powers, I'll become rich and famous in the blink of an eye! The energy bills may be high, but I'll be able to settle them later.

Hm...if you say so. I've got a bad feeling about this...

Everything'll work out somehow. Research Sector, here we come!

That recharge circuit thing should be around here somewhere. Do you know how to work it, Sevyn?

I'm not great with technology, to be honest. But I'll take a look.

I think we just push this thing here, and...

It's working! Nice going.

I am an IDA student, after all. I took some engineering classes...for a while.

Should we head back?

Yeah. The energy should be flowing from here into the area below us. That scientist worries me, though.

Why? What's wrong with him?

I don't trust him. If he learns to control the elements, what do you think he'd use that power for?

Now you mention it, he never told us that. But he is a scientist. I figure he just wants to make the world a better place.

It'd be nice if he did, but that's not the vibe I get from him...

Yeah, me neither... But we shouldn't condemn him just on a hunch. How about we watch him some more and see what happens?

I guess that's not a bad idea.

Okay, we'd better get back to him in the Industrial Sector.

Welcome back, my friends! The energy is flowing splendidly! The battle data robot is up and running!

So now we just have to fight this thing, right?

Yes! Don't hold back, hit it with all the elemental magic you've got!

Got it. Stand back, here we go!

Wow! Amazing! Your shamanic power is just like in the legends!

That's right. Wielding the power of nature directly without any help from prisma is no problem for a shaman.

Heh heh heh! This will advance my research by leaps and bounds! No one will look down on me now. I'll be the greatest scientist in all Elzion! Kah ha ha! I'll be rich! I might even get married!

Huh, in a way it's refreshing he's so honest about his desires...

Looks like my hunch was right. Well, whatever. We'll be going now. Good luck with your research.

What? Wait a minute! You can't leave yet!

You don't need us anymore, right? That robot should have all the data you need.

No, no, you can't go! You need to get inside one of my robots!

Huh? Why would I do that?

I'll have you use your power from within the robotic suit. Then everyone will believe Prisma-less elemental technology is a viable option!

Wait...what?

Don't worry, there'll be a toilet inside and I'll pass you food whenever you want. I promise you'll be comfortable, and it'll only take, oh...say a year? That should be enough for me to prove myself to the community and get my funding.

We're done here, Aldo.

Yeah. Let's get out of here.

Wait! Where are you going? I'll make it worth your while! We'll split everything, 60/40!

Okay, fine, 40/60! That's more than fair, right? Right?! Please, this is all for the sake of science!

Sorry about that, Sevyn.

I shouldn't have convinced you to help him without thinking it all through.

It wasn't your fault. Besides, I had fun showing you a taste of my real power. And you were suitably impressed.

Sevyn...

Hey, don't read too much into it.

I mean, I know I'm great. I'm a freakin' genius, after all. But you're the only one I've ever cared about actually proving that to.

Wow, really? Thanks, man.

What do you say we go grab a bite to eat in Elzion? My treat! Come on, pal!

You've always got to take things a step too far. But I kind of like that about you.