DATE A LIVE: Prelude

Chapter II: Magus Trials

A few months have passed since Ike began vigorously training for the Magus trials and slowly had he gained control over his powers given to him by nature.

However, he felt this progress wasn't quite enough, and so he decided to visit an ancient library that was outside the village but not too far from it. Before departing, Ike met up with Elliot, Ellen, and her younger sister Karen. It was a sunny day outside, and everyone wore a smile on their face, except for Ike who wore a face of expectance.

"Hey everyone. How are you all doing?" asked Ike.

"I'm doing good, how about you?" said Elliot in response.

"I'm fine, thanks," responded Ike. Suddenly, the two younger girls spoke up in unison.

"Don't forget us, we're doing good too!" said Ellen and Karen.

"Ah—Sorry. It's just that you're so small that I didn't notice you," said Ike with a smirk on his face.

"Meanie! That's just cause you're an adult! When I'm an adult, I'll be bigger than you!" fumed out Karen while her older sister kept silent.

"All right, I get it. Say, how about we get some ice cream?" teased Ike.

"Yes! I want ice cream!" said Ellen.

"Me too! Race you to it, mister!" said Karen with a mischievous smirk before promptly running off with Ellen closely behind her. Elliot meanwhile watched in amazement in how agile the two girls are, with each of them perfectly shuffling between people and avoiding obstacles in their way.

"Well, we better start walking if we want to catch them in time..." said Elliot who started walking in the direction where the girls ran off.

"Wait, Elliot. Can I talk to you about something before we do that?" said Ike.

Elliot sensed something was off with Ike's voice.

"What is it?" said Elliot to Ike.

"It's about my training. While I'm making progress, it's not quite what I had imagined. I know you can't help me accelerate how fast I learn this stuff, but I had something else in mind," said Ike.

Elliot was suspicious of Ike at this point, so he questioned him.

"This isn't about borrowing some ancient tomes or finding some relics, is it?" said Elliot.

"No—this is about adventuring to an ancient forgotten library filled with knowledge of past magus. And before you decline, just think about what we could potentially find there! All the good that knowledge would accomplish for our people and land..." said Ike with a passionate voice.

But Elliot didn't seem so excited. Instead, he sighed.

"Ike, really? An ancient forgotten library? Where did you even come to learn of this myth?" said Elliot. Ike took a moment to respond.

"I took a good look at the pillars in the centre of the village and noticed their patterns look like a map, which had one point marked on it. And don't worry, I know where this point is. So how about it, Elliot? A good old adventure like in our childhoods... and some potential riches to grab, right?" said Ike.

Elliot seemed to expect a non-serious response, but after Ike said that he seemed unsure of what to make of all this.

"Ike, are you serious with this?" said Elliot.

"Yes, I am," merely responded Ike.

"And where is this library of yours?" asked Elliot, still unsure.

"I'll show you. It's not that far actually," responded Ike with a smile.