Sari's Story

My name is Sari. I'm a phantom.

What kind of phantom? Don't ask, I don't know either.

If I had to be specific, I'd say a phantom extra, I guess?

But this feels natural to me.

I don't need to think. I just repeat what they say and compliment them.

Ugh, talking to myself isn't really my thing.

I wish there was a denizen who would talk to me so I could chime in....

The Phantom Marsh is quiet today. Should I head over to the Elemental Forest?

Ah... I was looking for a deserted place where I could practice acting, and ended up coming to the Elemental Forest.

Hum, hum. Let's start.

Why do you have that name?

Wow! That's really great acting!

Oh...? Who are you?

Uh, huh? Me?

I... I'm just a phantom passing by.

I see. I was practicing acting.

I'm sorry if I bothered you.

You didn't bother me at all!

On the contrary, I'm so glad I get to see this for free.

Never mind me, feel free to continue! Show me what you got!

Oh, okay... I'll show you, then.

Maybe it would be helpful to have an audience, even if it's just one person.

Hum, hum. Even your name is sweet....

Wow, what a beautiful voice!

And its resonance makes my heart ache.

Oh wow, such deep-felt emotions!

You're too generous with your compliments.

I'm so glad you're reacting so sincerely.

I feel a little embarrassed too, but....

I can do more, so please continue!

Uh, uhm. Please give me your pledge of love...!

Oh, that's so touching, I'm about to cry!

If, if not, my heart will....

Awesome!

This is a masterpiece that everyone should watch 10 times each!

Uhm, I'm grateful, but that's too much.

Oops, was my reaction not enough...?

The Elias Best Actress Award is as good as decided!

I'm watching the greatest actress of our time!

Her acting is more beautiful and fragrant than roses...!

P-Please stop....

Uh, huh?

Is my reaction that bad...?

I've never been told that before....

N-No, that's not it.

I'm embarrassed because you're so passionate about it....

Is that what it was?

She's good at acting, and yet she's humble too!

Is this.... the mindset of a lead actress that extras can't understand?

What is happening here?

A beautiful damsel in distress, blushing and embarrassed at a secluded location!

This has the makings of an interesting tale.

Could you let me in on this also?

I, I don't think you'll find this so interesting.

I was just embarrassed for a moment because this kindly phantom praised me too much for my acting.

Embarrassment! That's good!

This is piquing my interest further and further! Please show it to me too. The acting and the praises.

Hehe, great. I'm always ready!

Ahh... this is so embarrassing...

Then... hum, hum.

You may take my heart.

Incredible!

To behold acting of this caliber, I would have no regrets even if I were sent to the Weekend Farm now!

Oh, my....

The audience somehow grew to two... I feel even more embarrassed.

Oho? I think I'm getting some inspiration!

Please react more! More!

More!

This heart-stabbing pain that is love....

What a magnificent performance...!

Er, do you mind if I stop here....?

Please don't stop, keep going!

She's truly serious about her acting!

She's lovely even when she isn't acting!

See how she stands here, with her back so straight!

Ahhhh... Please...!

The angle of her eyelashes is beautiful!

She breathes so gorgeously!

Please stop...!

Are you... are you making fun of me?

Making fun of you? No! I'm only trying to bring out your emotions to the fullest!

My... emotions?

Stories are ultimately about songs about various things that happen in the world...

And what makes things happen in the world are emotions!

It is the extreme emotions that inspire me intensely!

Uhm....

Whoa. The process of how stories are made is really interesting!

I'm so happy that I could be part of such a moment!

*Chuckle* Thank you! I'm grateful for your help.

It was very enjoyable for me too!

The two of you have given me the inspiration for a new story.

The title of that story is...

A Conversation between a Beautiful Actress and a Phantom Extra!

Do look forward to it, you'll hear about it someday.

Whoa! The title alone is so interesting!

I'll give you 5 stars in advance!

Master. There's a letter for you.

Master! Please accept my invitation. - Epica

You can go by yourself, Master. I need to go see Her Majesty.

What do you mean?

Aha. That's probably because of the other guest I invited today.

She's a friend I met while writing this play, and Miss Blanchet gets a little embarrassed around her!

A mysterious and cruel fate has brought us all together, so let's all say hello!

Wow! You're so awesome!

Yes, indeed. Master truly is an awesome person.

Yeah! You look awe-inspiring too!

The mouthpiece of Yggdrasil, who has come to save Elias!

My goodness! You're beyond awesome!

Now that is the fabulous Master of the great Yggdrasil Order!

Simply. Outstanding!

Wow. You asked me to look at your face! Thank you! I'm so touched!

Yes, of course!

Here and there and everywhere!

Okay, sure!

Okay, sure!

... What?

Just... just the two of us...?

Uh, okay... it's a promise!

I'm here....

I hope the Master is a talkative person.

Awkward silences are uncomfortable. Ugh!

Hmm? I haven't seen a phantom like you in the Sprite Kingdom before.

What brings you here?

Uh... I'm Sari....

I've come to see the Master.

Oh, I just saw him.

He was being dragged away by Ner. He probably won't be back for a while.

T-Then, I might not get to see him today?

Yeah. Maybe it's better for you to head back soon rather than waiting?

Thank you! You're such a kind sprite!

Oh...? Are you talking about me?

Of course! You're even caring about a passing phantom like me!

Uhuhu. I'm kind of like that, yeah.

Looking for someone friendly? Look no further than Ashur, the headmistress of the Sprite Kingdom Magic School!

You're the headmistress of a magic school? That's amazing!

R-Really...?!

Yeah, this is how things should be!

Yes, of course! It means you're the strongest in magic!

That, that's right. Ohoho!

Want me to show you some magic?!

Everyone always treats me like a bread-lover... I haven't been treated like this in a long time, and this feels exhilarating!

If you could, I'd really appreciate it!

*Chuckle* Let's start with something simple...

Ta-da! The magic of drawing bread with flames in the sky!

Wow! That's incredible!

And voila! The magic of stacking flour bags 3 meters high!

So cool!

Next up is....

Oh... whoa. I haven't used so much magic in a long time.

It was so much fun because your reactions were fantastic!

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Ah. Did I talk too much by myself? Did you say your name was Sari? Tell me about yourself too!

A-About me...?

I, I don't have much to tell you.

Why? You can tell me what you like, or show me what you're good at like what I did, no?

Just relax and take it easy!

I, I still don't really....

Wait. Am I making you uncomfortable? I'm sorry. It's been so long since I've had a denizen who didn't treat me like a bread-lover.

No, that's not it.

I'm just... not used to talking first.

It was hard to talk about myself all of a sudden.

Hmm... I see.

Aha, I have an idea!

I'll invite you to my bakery... I mean, to my magic school!

Wow! Thank you so much!

... Wait. Is this another personal invitation just for me?

I've been chiming in my way through comfortably up until now, so why do I keep getting into these difficult situations now?!

Ta-da! This is my bake... I mean, magic school!

Wow, a magic school! It's really cool!

Yeah! A magic school!

Here, I'll teach you the magic of carbs that will help you speak your heart honestly!

The magic of... carbs!

Its principle is simple.

You eat this bread and talk about how you feel.

If you practice speaking while feeling good from eating the bread, you'll be able to speak more comfortably!

Wow! You're amazing!

Let's start with this plain rye bread that's not too flavorful.

How is it?

It's really good!

Haha. Of course! I'm the one who baked it.

... That isn't what I meant to say!

I mean, how do you feel after eating it?

Uh... well....

Ashur! I'm here!

Hmm? What's this? I've never seen this bread before.

*Nom Nom Nom*

It's not sweet! It's tough! It's tasteless!

W-What are you doing?! Don't throw bread!

Bring me the sweet, soft bread I always eat!

This is too much... This is really too much...!

Even a phantom I've never seen before said it's delicious!

You eat my bread all the time without even paying for it... I can't stand it anymore!

No bread for you today!

No bread...

For me today...?

How dare you! How insolent!

Give me bread!

Holy! What a loud voice!

What...?

I mean, you sound very loud and healthy...?

Did, did I say something wrong?

Pfft... haha....

Eeek! You're making fun of me, right?!

Yikes! Your Majesty! Stop breaking things!

My bread!! Don't throw my bread!

Wooow. You're so strong!

*ROOAAR*

Phew... we barely managed to escape.

Our queen gets stronger the more she loses her mind and becomes stupid.

At a time like this, it's best to avoid her rather than provoking her.

Hmm? When did you pick up that bread?

Sari didn't answer, but took a bite of the rye bread.

Mmm... I think I can tell you now what this bread feels like.

This is what tear-soaked bread tastes like....

That's right.... The bread soaked with my tears, baked while being exploited by the Queen... *Sob*

Oh. Speaking of which, you talked about your thoughts without asking first?

Ah....

How strange... the words came out naturally.

Yes, my sincerity baked into the bread must've reached you, Sari!

If you can continue to feel what other denizens really think when you say something...

It'll be easier for you to speak your mind too! What do you say?

... Yes! Thank you!

Welcome! It's my pleasure to see you!

Thank you for accepting my humble invitation today.

A friend of mine is doing a magic show, and she insisted on inviting you when I told her about you, Sari.

Wow! Thank you so much for inviting me!

A magic show is all about the audience's reactions.

Since I'm here by invitation, I'll give it my all!

Alright. Nice to meet you all.

Aren't you curious about how this performance tonight... will affect our fate?

I'll begin the show with a simple fortune telling with a coin.

Wow! The coin vanishing magic! Amazing!

Next up is....

It's so fascinating!

And....

How the heck do you do that?!

Last but not least....

I'm so curious! I want to know the secret!

The guest over there. Do you want to know the secret?

Huh? Me... me...?

Since you seem very curious, I'll make it an exception and tell you, Mademoiselle.

Okay then, up on stage, please.

Eh? Oh, no. There's no need for... wait a minute!

Right. It's time for an encore performance with the audience.

All eyes are on me... Arrgh!

This deck of cards in my hand includes cards with mallows, candy, chocolate, and cupcakes drawn on them.

Now, Phantom Mademoiselle, pick a card at random and guess its picture and number.

Uh... ah... that's....

Boo, what's holding you up? Make a guess!

Uh... then this card is... Chocolate 9?

Ta-da! Chocolate 9, it's the correct answer!

Whoaaa! That's amazing!

What, what happened there...?

Okay, Mademoiselle. Let's keep going.

Then the third card is Cupcake 7...?

Cupcake 7! Correct again!

T-This is Mallow 2! Candy 1! Chocolate 5!

Bravo! She got all of them right!

She must be a magic genius!

You're amazing, Phantom! Wow!

Come again next time!

T-Thank you, everyone...!

Hey, magician? About that card magic you did earlier....

How the heck did you do that? All the cards came out as I guessed.

*Chuckle* Mon Ami, the magic I showed you wasn't card magic.

It's a magic that turns you into the protagonist.

Magic that turns you into the protagonist...? You mean I was the protagonist?

Well, it depends on how you want it to be, Mon Ami.

But don't you think there might be a protagonist out there somewhere... who's playing the role of an extra?

A protagonist who plays the role of an extra....

*Chuckle* It may even be your own story, Mon Ami.

And playing the role of a magician who awakens the protagonist... could be mine.

So that's... the story of you and me.

Okay. It was a really, really fun magic.

Thank you!