A BLF messenger from the airship provides the crew with identification papers that will grant them entrance onto Magmell Island, the kingdom's regulator of education. Their mission is to neutralize the primal beast that has a pact with the island. They are told to try to get information about the primal from Magmell's viceroy, who also happens to be the principal of the Royal Philos Institute.
The Grandcypher pulls up alongside an airship belonging to the Blue Liberation Front.
A BLF messenger boards the Grandcypher via gangplank and bows at the crew.
BLF Member
Ahoy, good travelers. We had a pool going to see if we could trick you. Most of us lost that bet.
BLF Member
Please excuse the ruse. Considering our antagonistic stance against the government, deceiving the authorities is vital for our survival.
BLF Member
Otherwise we wouldn't need to camouflage our ship as a cloud.
Io
You guys actually made that cloud out of thin air?
BLF Member
Yes, although it requires multiple practitioners of water, wind, and light magic.
Katalina's raises an eyebrow upon hearing this.
Katalina
(When we first arrived in the skydom, the Istavion army hailed us from their airship via our speaking tube despite being some distance away.)
Katalina
(Rather than relying on a primal beast's power, this skydom prioritizes the development of practical magic.)
Katalina
(Assuming they could borrow a primal's power, that power wouldn't necessarily outclass their magic capabilities...)
Rackam
All right, so what's this about? Why stop us before we reach the island?
The messenger's face grows serious.
BLF Member
Istavion's military conducts periodic patrols, so unfortunately I'll have to keep this short.
He presents Rackam with a leather bag.
BLF Member
Take this. We've prepared identification documents for you.
Vyrn
Wait, do we really need IDs?
BLF Member
Yep. Otherwise get ready to spend quality time with the authorities if you can't prove who you are.
The messenger continues while the crew inspects the contents of the bag.
BLF Member
I know you've already heard this before, but every island has a pact with a primal beast. We ask that you render those primals powerless.
BLF Member
As you're well aware, Istavion is a kingdom comprised of seven islands in total.
BLF Member
The documents we took the trouble to obtain are for the island up ahead.
BLF Member
Magmell Island is the sole provider of the kingdom's educational needs, and we're asking you to infiltrate it.
Rosetta
So that island oversees all educational standards.
Rosetta
I take it there are no schools elsewhere in Istavion then?
BLF Member
There are a few private prep-type establishments, but in terms of traditional schooling, Magmell is the only place to go.
BLF Member
It hosts Istavion's one and only school, the Royal Philos Institute.
BLF Member
In any case, you can learn all about the school as you go along.
BLF Member
But the key to facing the island's primal beast lies in the hands of each island's viceroy.
Katalina
Viceroy? Sounds like someone whose authority is just a step down from the True King.
Lyria
Should we investigate the viceroy then?
The messenger nods.
BLF Member
Every citizen knows that the islands making up the kingdom are under the protection of their respective primal beast.
BLF Member
Information pertaining to the nature of those primal beasts, however, is kept in complete secrecy.
BLF Member
So where does that leave us? Well, if anyone knows anything, I'll bet it's the viceroys appointed by the True King himself.
Rackam
Yeah, that makes sense. No faster way to get what we need than by going straight to the top.
BLF Member
They should be out in the open, given their status as representatives of their respective islands.
BLF Member
Magmell's viceroy, for example, moonlights as the institute's principal in addition to his political post.
BLF Member
The IDs will let your crew disembark on the island legally. After that, meeting the principal should be a piece of cake.
Eugen
No need for friendly chitchat if we're kickin' down the front door.
Katalina
Well, before we resort to the hard sell, I prefer we find a peaceful resolution.
Katalina
The last thing we need is to pick a fight as soon as we land, especially in an environment we know nothing about.
As the others discuss possible infiltration plans, Io finds her mind wandering to a different topic.
Io
I never went to school before... I wonder what it's like in there.
Lyria
You know, I've never been to school either.
Rackam
That makes three of us. Family couldn't afford it.
Eugen
Back in my day, ya picked up readin' and writin' while bustin' your back as a merc or skyfarer.
Rosetta
Well, in my case... Hah, you all know already.
Vyrn
Zinkenstill didn't have a school. The villagers taught us everything we know.
After each crew member describes their own educational backgrounds, all heads turn to the last person yet to share.
Katalina
Yes, well, I went through a lot in Albion, as you all know.
Katalina
Thankfully I made many irreplaceable friends, like Vira. People like her made school life worthwhile.
Katalina's fondness for her school days causes the others to wonder how their own school days will shape up.
BLF Member
Posing as students and faculty will allow you to move freely about the island.
BLF Member
We have an operative on the island, though that individual will obviously be undercover.
BLF Member
But I'm sure he'll offer his help.
The resistance member lets out a deep breath.
BLF Member
Once you land on the island, we won't be able to contact anyone aside from the operative.
BLF Member
We're fully aware of the dangers we're asking you to put yourselves in.
BLF Member
So please be extra careful. The viceroy has the people's trust and the True King's blessing.
With that, he quickly leaves the Grandcypher.
The BLF's ship cloaks itself in a cloud once more and flies off, disappearing into the sky.
Gran and company resume their course for Magmell Island with a fresh sense of apprehension.
133: First Bell 
