Granblue Story Archives

The student council vice president, Patia, confirms the crew's documents and takes them to meet the viceroy-cum-principal, Egans Morris. He comes off as a jolly, passionate educator—not at all what the crew was expecting. Confused by this turn of events, the crew leaves his office without asking about the primal beast.

Magmell Island is the education center of the Istavion Kingdom.

Carrying the identification documents provided by the BLF, the crew sets foot on unfamiliar grounds.

It's not soldiers that greet them, but a girl wearing a school uniform.

???

Welcome to Magmell Island.

Patia

My name is Patia, and I'm the student council vice president of Philos Institute. I'll be giving you a tour of campus.

Patia

As part of the enrollment process, I need to check your identification.

Patia

May I see your documents please?

The girl's request causes Io and Rackam to exchange whispers.

I thought some military goon was gonna check us out.

Rackam

Yeah. She doesn't look that tough to me...

Patia

Um...

Rackam

Oh, papers, right. Sorry.

Rackam

Here you go. Those are for all of us. Let me know if I missed anything.

Rackam keeps his nerves in check as he pulls out the documents and hands them over.

Patia

...

Patia

Okay, everything seems to be in order. Please keep these documents with you. It must have been quite the trip crossing into Oarlyegrande.

Patia returns the papers to Rackam, who secretly sighs with relief.

Rackam

(I was worried our covers would be blown, but looks like we cleared the first hurdle.)

Rackam

(Now we gotta deal with the big boss man. Wonder what kinda guy he is...)

The crew members rummage through the bag given to them by the BLF.

Eugen makes a quip as he looks at the IDs.

Eugen

Call me crazy, but I think Istavion's got trust issues. Places that force this much security on ya ain't exactly fun and invitin'.

Eugen

If they're this paranoid, couldn't they spot a fake ID from an island away?

BLF Member

Fake ones maybe, but these IDs were issued through legal channels. There's nothing to worry about.

BLF Member

We bought them a few years ago from citizens who left the skydom.

Then how come this one has my name on it?

BLF Member

We secretly recruited individuals who matched your age, gender, and race.

BLF Member

Then before they left Oarlyegrande, they legally changed their names to yours.

BLF Member

In Rosetta's case, she'll have to pass as a Human.

BLF Member

Furthermore, the documents show that you'd been traveling in other skydoms up until only a few days ago.

BLF Member

The IDs are foolproof.

...

BLF Member

And before you get any wrong ideas, we made a fair agreement between both parties.

BLF Member

We paid our collaborators a handsome sum and helped them emigrate elsewhere.

BLF Member

They volunteered if that's what concerns you.

Rackam

Er, that's not what sticks out to me.

Rackam

If what you're saying is true, that means you knew all about us years ago.

The man returns Rackam's disbelief with a big grin.

BLF Member

The founder of the Blue Liberation Front has the ability to predict the future.

BLF Member

They spoke of you guys in great detail, as if they'd met you before.

Rackam

(I'm not buyin' that story just yet, but no point in worryin' 'bout it now.)

Rackam

So what do we have to do next?

Patia

Let's go say hello to the principal.

Patia

Then I'll show you to the dormitories. Please carry all your belongings with you.

Patia

That's all I have planned for today. There will be plenty of time tomorrow for any questions or concerns you might have.

Patia

The principal's office is this way. Follow me please.

The crew starts to walk off, but Lyria has her eyes closed in deep concentration.

Lyria

...

Katalina

Do you sense any primal beasts, Lyria?

Lyria

Not exactly. I can feel something, but I have no idea where it's coming from.

Katalina

I see. Then we will have to start looking for a clue to point us in the right direction.

Katalina

Soon we'll be face to face with the island's viceroy—the principal of Philos Institute.

Katalina

That person has nearly as much authority as the True King and is part of the kingdom's upper echelon. We need to be careful how we proceed with our investigation.

Katalina and Lyria break into a light jog in order to catch up with the rest of the group.

Patia knocks on the principal's door.

Patia

Pardon the intrusion. The new faculty and transfer students are here to see you.

???

...!

Patia opens the door to reveal a portly man in the process of stuffing his jowls with a large donut.

???

Hurk! Cough! Wheeze!

Patia

A-are you okay, sir?

???

I'm—cough—fine... Let this be a lesson to you: always chew before swallowing...

After recovering from his coughing fit, the man once again turns his attention to the crew.

???

I'm sorry you had to see that.

Egans

Egans Morris. It's a pleasure to finally meet you all.

Egans offers his hand up for a handshake, much to the bewilderment of the crew.

(This guy is the island's viceroy?)

Vyrn

(He couldn't be more different from the True King if he tried.)

Egans

Hm? Is something the matter?

Patia

Principal Morris...

Patia

Anyone would hesitate to shake hands with someone who's holding a donut.

Egans

Ah! Where are my manners?

He looks back and forth between the donut in his hand and his desk in a fit of desperation.

Egans

Would you allow me to polish this off real quick? It was the last one, so I tossed the bag.

Eugen

Uh, sure. Be my guest.

Egans

Golly, is my face red. All right, you, down the hatch!

Egans drops the donut into his waiting maw with mischievous glee.

Patia

Lunch period is over, Principal Morris.

Patia

Please don't tell me you were too busy with meetings to eat again.

Egans

Ah, no, not exactly... I know I took a step back from teaching duty...

Egans

But how could I say no to students who couldn't understand their history lesson!

Patia

...

The crew whisper among themselves during the exchange between Patia and the principal.

Vyrn

So... is that guy really part of the True King's gang?

Katalina

He... should be...

Dialogue Option

Seems like a swell guy.

Lyria

Yeah. I feel like he wouldn't even raise his voice if he got mad.

Dialogue Option

I think we could get along.

Lyria

Mm-hm. He might even help us if we explain the situation...

Rackam

The only thing we can say for sure is he's not what we expected.

Rosetta

Probably because he has no idea who we really are.

Rosetta taps her chin in thought.

Rosetta

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're also the viceroy of Magmell Island, yes?

Egans

Oh, botheration! I concede that His Majesty did grant me such a title.

Egans

But in my heart of hearts I'm an educator. I'd rather be giving advice than be a vice anything.

Egans

I've made it my life's work to send high-caliber students out into the world. That's my job, and I'm darn proud of it.

Egans's welcoming exuberance runs contrary to the crew's preconceptions.

Egans

Now I do believe I've prattled on long enough about myself.

Egans

As educators, your focus is on the students. And as students, your focus is on academics. I have the utmost confidence in all of you.

Egans

A transskydom voyage is tiring to say the least. Patia, please show everyone to their rooms.

Patia

Will do. Well then, are we all set? Are there any other questions you'd like to ask before we go?

The opportunity to ask about the primal beast doesn't present itself, so the crew exits the office.

Their term at Philos Institute is off to a confusing start.

The crew go about their daily school routines while trying to find information about the primal beast without drawing suspicion. They gather after school to share info, but their findings are scant. Io is too preoccupied by the thought of hanging out with kids her age, so the adults encourage her, Gran, and Lyria to enjoy their time at school. Everyone agrees to meet up that night to continue investigating.

Rackam

When an updraft is conceived in this manner, you get this type of cloud formation.

Rackam

Cloud motion is influenced by the air currents circulating from within the cloud, and um...

Rackam

Well, take a look at the charts in the textbook after class, and you'll see what I mean.

Rackam

Any questions so far?

A hand shoots up from one of Rackam's students.

Ooh! Ooh!

Rackam

...

Rackam

Yes, Io?

So the winds near the edges of an island have nothing to do with how a cloud moves?

Rackam

Huh? That, uh... It's, you know... Like—

Rackam is mercifully saved by the bell.

Rackam

Whoops, class is over, folks. Don't forget to review your notes.

Rackam quickly slips out of the room, thanking his chiming savior.

After a long day of classes, the crew gathers in an empty classroom to exchange information.

Eugen

I snooped around durin' class hours but came up empty 'bout the primal beast's whereabouts.

Rosetta

No luck on my end either.

Rosetta

I haven't spent much time with the students or faculty yet, but I saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Rackam

The teachers probably know about as much as we do: nada.

Katalina

Everyone here seems to know that the primal beasts offer their protection as part of the kingdom's infrastructure.

Katalina

But anything more detailed than that appears to be restricted to certain people, which matches what the resistance member told us.

Rosetta

How about Io and the others? Did you pick up any rumors or stories from the students?

Not really. I heard some kids talking about ghosts and stuff.

But, like, no one seems to know what the primal beast actually looks like.

Eugen

Do ya get the feelin' that this skydom doesn't take primals all too seriously?

The room goes quiet while the crew mulls over the lack of leads.

Lyria

Maybe asking the principal is the best thing to do after all...

Katalina

It's a big risk to take. No matter how friendly he acts, he's still in cahoots with the True King.

Rackam

Let's file that option away as plan Z for when our cover gets blown.

Vyrn

In that case, we gotta keep sniffin' around for clues.

Vyrn

On the plus side, Gran and Lyria are handlin' student life pretty well.

Vyrn

Where's the harm in stayin' in school for a bit longer?

Rackam is the only one who frowns.

Rackam

You guys might be okay with it, but I don't think I'm cut out for this "teaching" thing.

Rackam

Why couldn't I have been a janitor like Eugen?

Eugen

Hahaha! Have a li'l faith in yourself. There's oodles of knowledge in that noodle of yours.

Rackam

That's what you think. I'm gettin' by regurgitatin' the stuff written in the textbook.

Rackam

Thanks to that, I made a dumb mistake that Io kindly brought to the class's attention.

...

Vyrn

Hm? Why are you squirming?

Oh, am I?

Rosetta

Are you not feeling well? School must be draining since everything's new to you.

No, it's not that...

Io blushes as she explains why she can't sit still.

One of my classmates asked me if I wanted to go check out a student club...

Rosetta

Ah, I see...

Rosetta

Haha, that's wonderful. Fitting in is very helpful if we want to expand our investigation.

Katalina

Rosetta makes a good point. Our efforts will be for nothing if we draw suspicion.

Eugen

Let's take our time on this. Can't expect to wrap everything up in a day. It'll do us good to recharge.

The crew members are happy for Io and encourage the girl to take part in extracurriculars.

Rackam

This is probably a good time to switch gears.

Rackam

Askin' random people who don't know anything isn't productive, so we'll have to do everything ourselves.

Rackam

Let's meet up again tonight in the main building to resume investigating.

Okay. Thanks, everyone. I'd better get going now.

Vyrn

Have fun! Try not to cause a scene!

I'll be fine! Anyway, see you guys tonight!

Io happily skips out the door.

Rosetta

Normally I'd be against taking a relaxed attitude in this situation, but I think this school could be good for her.

Katalina

True, it's hard to find a better place with so many peers her age.

Katalina

A rare opportunity such as this shouldn't be squandered. That applies to you two as well, Lyria and Gran.

Lyria

Got it!

They break up for the time being, promising to gather again after the sun goes down.

However, they'll soon discover that this is no ordinary school.

Gran, Vyrn, Lyria, and Io gather at the dorm entrance, preparing to sneak out during the night, when a classmate informs them that going outside after lights out is a violation of school policy and therefore impossible. They're determined to leave anyway, but the door won't budge despite not being locked. Suddenly all the lights go out, and the crew members lose consciousness.

The crew plans to sneak into a school building after dark.

Gran, Vyrn, Lyria, and Io gather in the entranceway of the student dormitory as planned.

Vyrn

Sweet! Everyone's here! Now let's hightail it to the meeting spot!

Lyria

Katalina and the others are waiting outside the entrance of the main building.

I know complaining won't change anything, but getting split up is so annoying.

Why couldn't they stick all the teachers and students in the same dorm?

Vyrn

Because it'd be a logistical nightmare?

Vyrn

There's students from your age up to Gran's age and older, right?

Vyrn

So if most of Istavion's kids are in this school... That's a lot of kids.

Well, duh, it sounds unrealistic when you put it that way...

But at least let me room with Lyria...

I'm glad I made new friends, but I don't wanna accidentally say anything that'll expose our secret.

Lyria

Wherever we go, we have to be careful about what we say—

Classmate 1

Oh, wassup? It's the new transfer. What're you doing out here this late?

Classmate 1

Wait, Lyria's with you too? And you are?

Um, I'm Io. I just transferred here as a first-year student.

Classmate 1

Gotcha, gotcha. I'm a third-year, so feel free to ask this cool upperclassman anything you don't get.

Classmate 1

Speaking of which, you guys know it's almost time for lights out, right? Might wanna start heading back to your rooms.

Lyria

Um, I forgot my journal in class, so I was on my way to get it real quick.

Classmate 1

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Classmate 1

What, no one told you about the boy who died at school and now haunts the campus every night?

Lyria

A gh-ghost?

Dialogue Option

Quit scaring Lyria. Or else.

Classmate 1

Geez, chill out. It was just a joke.

Dialogue Option

Yawn. Ghosts aren't scary.

Classmate 1

Psh... Thanks a lot, ya wet blanket.

The student sulks for a bit, then puts his failed attempt at humor behind him.

Classmate 1

What I meant to say was leaving the dorms at night is a violation of school policy, whether you have a good reason or not. Your journal can wait till tomorrow.

Lyria

But I know where it is. I'll be back before anyone knows...

Vyrn

Hey, how 'bout this?

Vyrn

If it's dangerous to be out at night, then Gran oughta go with her. Sound good?

Classmate 1

It's not that it's dangerous; it's a violation of school policy. No one's allowed outside at night.

Vyrn

Fine, you've made your point. But as long as you don't tell on us...

Classmate 1

Who said anything about snitching? I'm just saying going outside is impossible.

Impossible? Do they lock the doors or something?

Classmate 1

No. Again, going out at night is a violation. That's why you can't leave the building.

Well, what if we don't care about breaking the rule?

Classmate 1

Um... A violation is still a violation...

Classmate 1

Suit yourselves. I'm not staying here for lights out. Later.

The student disappears down the dorm's hallway, shaking his head.

Meanwhile a small figure has been watching the conversation unfold from the shadows.

???

...

Unaware they're being watched, Gran and company rush straight for the door.

Vyrn

We'd better hurry! The others are probably worried sick!

Let's not get spotted again, or else we'll be even more late.

Io's entire body smacks into the door and comes to a halt.

Huh? The door won't budge. But he said it wasn't locked...

Gran slams a shoulder against the door, but it doesn't even creak.

Vyrn

What's goin' on? It opened perfectly fine this mornin'...

Lyria

Hey, I think I just felt a primal—

A clock above the entrance signals that it's time for lights out.

Vyrn

Ack! Where'd all the lights—

The crew black out just as quickly as the lights in the hallway.

"Institute standard twenty-four: all students and staff are required to be in bed after lights out. Any other activity is prohibited."

Gran, Vyrn, Lyria, and Io gather the next morning to recount what had happened to them at night. According to their roommates, the crew members had returned to their own rooms just after lights out. Lyria remembers feeling the presence of a primal beast prior to losing consciousness, and they resolve to tell Katalina and the others.

Gran and Vyrn wake up in their beds the next morning.

Dialogue Option

Was it all a dream?

Vyrn

Weren't we trying to leave the dorms last night? How did we end up here?

Classmate 1

Rise and shine, sleepyheads. Better get ready, or you'll miss breakfast.

Vyrn

Hey, do you remember what time we came back to the room last night?

Classmate 1

Last night? Just after lights out, I think.

Classmate 1

Not sure. I was half asleep by then.

Dialogue Option

I don't remember that.

Classmate 1

Well, I don't know what else to tell ya. When it's lights out, you sleep. That's school policy.

Gran leaves the room with more questions than answers. Io and Lyria are already waiting outside the dorm building.

Gran! Do you remember anything about last night? Like what time we went back to our rooms?

Lyria

Io and I can't remember anything that happened after lights out.

Lyria

When we woke up this morning, we were in our own rooms under the covers.

Vyrn

Same thing happened to us. Our roommate said we came back to the room on our own.

Vyrn

But neither of us remembers ever doing that.

Lyria

There is one thing though...

Lyria

I'm certain I felt the presence of a primal beast right before I passed out.

This news alarms the others.

Vyrn

Then it wasn't us crashin' from classes or whatever. There was a trick to it.

I think we're starting to see what makes this island different from the others...

Gran and company find it difficult to explain the mystery of last night's excursion.

The adults need to hear this, but first the students can't be late for morning classes.