Full Moon Night (2)

The memorable first episode of Grimoire Tales, "The Dormitory Ghost Uproar," lives up to its name with actual ghosts. The genre suddenly shifts to horror. What seemed like a comfortable, abundant paradise—the dormitory—turns out to be the source of a ghost story that manifests on nights of the full moon.

As the game title includes "Tales," it seems they aimed to pack in episodes of various themes, but the released version ended up a mishmash stew of mixed genres. That did give it some appeal for multiple playthroughs, trying out different concepts. One of the game's strengths.

In a bad way.

The episode kicks off with Iri mentioning the rumor of ghosts in the dormitory.

"I've heard a story."

"There's a rumor that ghosts appear in the first-year dorms."

Iri brings up the rumor circulating in the dormitory, and Kyle picks it up with interest. Then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kyle is the first to encounter the ghost. Anyone who speaks to the ghost gets possessed outright. Normally, possession just leaves you dazed and unable to think straight, but here the ghost is a high-tier undead—a Banshee—so it straight-up takes over the body. The victim? None other than Serin Anette.

In the original story, the strongest freshman of this batch, Serin Anette, gets possessed, sparking a huge uproar. The dormitory cadets band together to fight her and ultimately exorcise the ghost possessing her. That's the canon plot.

Whether I want it or not, the main story has already begun. Proof of that is displayed right before my eyes.

As expected, the tinnitus rang in my ears. I'd hoped I'd get used to it by now, but no such luck. I tapped my ears to shake off the daze and checked the new event that had popped up.

It's unfolding just like the original. I'd tensed up expecting hellish difficulty and random events, but fortunately, none popped. Looks like I can handle this.

"Let's go. Just once."

I gulped down the rest of my energy drink for a doping boost. Before heading out, I tossed the empty can into the trash bin in the corner.

Clang!

Perfect hit, as expected. Then I opened the door.

Time to pick up the protagonist.

Before stopping by Kyle's room, there's someone else I need to wake first. Clearing the main quest solo would be a huge gamble. Even with Esperand training, this episode involves a crowd, so who knows what curveballs might come. I can't handle everything alone as the mentor.

I need someone to take point in case of emergencies—someone stronger in raw power than me, who can hold the front line solidly. And someone who'll come running when I call.

...Sadly, at this point, there's only one candidate.

I stopped in front of a door and quietly pressed the bell.

Something rustled busily inside, followed by a loud crash. Sounded like she'd just rolled out of bed.

Moments later, the door cracked open. Iri peeked out.

"Who is it...?"

"Sorry to wake you this late."

"Wait a sec!"

But before I could say more—

Bang! The door slammed shut.

What the—did I just get door-slammed? As wild thoughts raced, the door opened again. Iri peeked out once more, hair tied back.

"Oh, Shion. Sorry, you startled me..."

"Can't blame you. Hour's pretty late."

"Ehehehe..."

She rubbed her cheek awkwardly, then cautiously looked up.

"So, what's up? Calling so suddenly this late."

"Got something that needs help, and you're the only one I can ask."

"Me...?"

"Yeah, if you're okay with it, mind helping me out for a bit? I'll explain on the way."

Iri looked troubled again, understandably. Showing up past midnight unannounced would startle anyone. In the original, Kyle wakes her instead of me, but who's doing the waking doesn't matter—it's all the same scam.

"Gimme a minute. I'll throw on an outer layer and come out."

"Thanks."

"Sure!"

This time, the door closed slowly and calmly. Rustling sounds followed, and Iri emerged bundled in her outer clothes.

"So, what's going on?"

"That rumor you mentioned. Ghosts in the dorm."

We'd reached Kyle's door. Close enough to arrive quick. I paused and looked at Iri.

"Got a hunch, so I wanna investigate. You're the expert on ghost stories around here, so figured you'd help."

"Uh, that... sure?"

"You're the source. Your sister went through it herself."

"True, but..."

...All of it was just bait to get her out, but no need to say that. I sidled up and pressed the bell. Once wasn't enough, so a couple more times.

No response, no matter how long I waited.

"...He's not asleep, is he?"

Logically, yeah. But for me, this was the reaction I'd hoped for. As Iri said, he shouldn't be asleep—and by now, Kyle should've run into Serin Anette in the dorm hallway. Confirmed: he's not in the dorm.

Next, head to the first floor, link up with Kyle fighting Serin Anette.

Creeeak—

Right then, the door swung open.

"Who... is it?"

Kyle Ivanstair appeared in the crack, scratching his bird's-nest hair. His dopey look shattered my sense of reality for a second.

"Shion...? Why're you here...?"

Kyle yawned lazily, but I couldn't get a word out. Something was wrong. Really wrong.

...Starting with why Kyle was here. The guy who shouldn't be in his room—why's he coming out of it? Then what about Serin Anette?

Questions piled up, but no answers came.

Kyle still seemed half-asleep, groggy. Must've been deep in slumber.

"...Serin Anette?"

"Serin? She stepped out earlier... Huh?"

Something clicked; he rubbed his eyes.

"Come to think of it, back at the cafeteria—"

Aaaahhh!

A scream cut him off out of nowhere. Kyle and I whipped toward the hallway. Source: first floor.

Doors flew open down the hall. The scream had roused everyone. Chaos was probably erupting downstairs too.

Good reaction. Proof Arsen has plenty of upright cadets.

Yeah, up to here, fine.

"What the—"

But Serin Anette, you can't pop out of the dorm too. From her being fine when she should've been possessed, to Kyle—who was supposed to fight her—being fast asleep. If I hadn't woken him, he'd have slept till morning.

And now some unknown scream from the first floor.

Something's wrong. Like I said, really wrong.

Wondering if I'd missed something, I checked the main quest—

"Shion, watch out! Something from the floor!"

The floor rippled, and translucent hands burst out. Iri jumped to dodge ones snagging at her ankles. Kyle was startled too.

The hands carpeted the hallway. Cadets who'd come out at the commotion were all caught in the ghost uproar.

"W-what is this? What the hell?"

"I told you! Ghosts! Didn't think there'd be this many... Gah!"

"Uwaaak! Urk!"

Some cadets screamed, others flailed as ankles were grabbed. One hooked toward my foot too.

Squelch—

I ground the hand aiming for my ankle underfoot. The translucent thing, with physical force despite its form, dissolved away.

A message popped up simultaneously.

Yeah, now that's hellish. I'd wondered why it was going so smoothly.

Suddenly, my body heated up faintly. Thought it was my imagination—nope. An aura flared briefly, enveloping me.

The message faded. I slowly clenched and unclenched my left hand. Similar to buffs from Esperand training, but distinctly different. Like turning into a cat—whole body light as air.

I reloaded my Glock and took position in the hall center.

......Banshee. Mana waves. Spirits.

From those three words: the possessed cadet is female. Banshees can't enter males. Only female cadets are targets.

Plus, the Banshee's unleashing rough mana waves. Means the host has deep magic knowledge.

And finally, spirits. Plain mana waves? I'd shrug it off— even canon Serin Anette caused them when possessed. Back then, the dorm filled with chill, icicles on the ceiling. But now? Totally different.

Reacting to mana waves aren't beasts or people—spirits.

Yeah. Those will-o'-the-wisps plastered to the windows? Forest spirits dwelling in Arsen's woods.

"What're you doing!"

"Snap out of it! Hey!"

As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. Dodging rampant ghosts is bad enough. Now cadets are attacking each other.

Ankles snagged and possessed simultaneously. The boss-tier Banshee targets females ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only, but these rank-and-file ghosts possess regardless of gender—thanks to the sudden event buff.

Mass possessions happening. Drag this attrition out, and all cadets go down.

"Serin Anette."

I grabbed Serin Anette's shoulder. She flinched and turned, but I spoke calmly. In crises, stay colder. First rule of Esperand mental training: always maintain composure.

"First, throw up ice walls. Thick enough to seal the dorm—no one in or out."

"What? Trapping everyone inside ties our hands too!"

"Look."

I pointed ahead with my index. Cadets brawling everywhere. Possessions skyrocketing.

"Against ghosts, we can only stall. Best we do is knock out hosts—but ghosts just hop to the next body."

Subdue one cadet? Ghost slips out, latches onto another. Vicious cycle, possessions mounting.

Other dorms probably same mess. Here we have named protagonists like Serin and Kyle holding out, but elsewhere? Not so much.

So, quarantine Shanellia Hall as a stopgap—limit enemies.

Full moon's peak; Arsen's flooded with yin energy. Ghosts can roam anywhere. Possess a sleeping professor? Game over for us cadets.

"One escapes this dorm, it'll spread like zombies outside."

"Like zombies... you mean..."

Serin looked skeptical. Can't explain A-to-Z now, so I flashed my cred: Sion Illeionhart, entrance exam #2—trust ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me.

"Understood."

"Thanks."

Serin stepped back, eyes closed. Frost gathered on her gripped spear. Cadets swarmed around us naturally. Somehow, Iri and I were back-to-back.

"Shion, what now?"

Wish I had a clear answer, but no clue what's optimal. One certainty: situation worsens over time.

Banshee host—quest calls her "Unlucky Cadet," but obvious who. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Keywords: female. Magic expert. Spirits raging.

One match in current Arsen: Lara Steelhiden. The one who should've fought the Banshee with Kyle.

Worst-case scenario.