There’s been an anonymous bounty posted on the academy’s bulletin board detailing the search for The Ultimate Sword of Ultimate Heroism. Apparently, it’s been hidden somewhere in the monastery. The mysterious benefactor makes great emphasis on the fact that they deliberately hid it, as is willing to offer a generous reward for any who ‘complete their trial.’
To receive training for the very reason she’s come to Fodlan is a rare and promising opportunity.
The ability to search, to take on this swordperson’s quest and get ever so slightly better at finding what is lost... That means a great deal to Larcei. If she hones her skills, does this sort of thing enough, then who knows? Maybe mother will fall right into her lap.
But as she stands before the bounty board, reading this poorly-scribbled request, the growing crowd around her becomes hard to ignore. Two turns of her head tell her that their eyes are all locked on the same prize as hers: The Ultimate Sword of Ultimate Heroism. Competition’s starting to look stiff, with all sorts of eager students and grizzled knights cropping up to get a look at the mission details. As the mob thickens, it almost becomes a fight to read, Larcei herself having to push and shove to skim the last few details... And then it stops. As though they were split in two by the stroke of a sword, they part. Larcei spins around to locate a root cause, and there she is:
She is a princess from Isaach, but even Larcei knows of her academy’s archbishop. Her presence is iridescent, combining lapidary mannerisms with legendary appearances. If Larcei had to describe it, it’d be like seeing one of the Twelve Crusaders in the flesh, irregardless of her belief in the goddess Sothis. Shock forces her jaw wide open, while awe has her feet carrying her to the side.
But of the forces that control her, curiosity pushes hardest.
It bids her to speak, to put that opened mouth to use and seek out a potential partner. With Rhea by her side, Larcei has more than a leg up on her competitors. “Um, hi!” she starts, with a small wave to draw attention, “Are you checking out the latest mission? ‘Says something about an ultimate sword hidden in the monastery. I bet you know this place like the back of your hand...”
“But if you’re looking for a sword, you might want my help.” In spite of the way she nearly fangirled earlier, the raven-haired manages to wear confidence in her smile. Though she wants to work with Rhea, she knows, deep down, that she is also a valuable asset here. Not once has Larcei forgotten a sword, managing to track down even those misplaced by her brother and cousin in a pinch back home. Weapons are her lifeblood, the art of the sword her bread and butter. In her own mind, there’s nobody more fit for the task.
“Swords are a huge part of my culture, you see. I know how they think, where they’d be... I even have some ideas for this particular case I’ve been thinkin’ of trying out-- Er, with your permission, of course!”
