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odorekijinchapter one
[North Country—Cavern]
Bradley: …
Akira: ...Hm?
Cain: Akira? What’s wrong?
Akira: Oh, Cain! Um, I just saw Bradley disappearing deep into the cavern all by himself, so...
He was hurt pretty badly just a moment ago, so I don’t know if it’s really a good idea to let him go off on his own…
Cain: Bradley? That’s kinda worrisome, I’ll give you that. Plus, we’re not entirely safe from something still lurking around here…
Akira: Right...! I think I’ll go after him, just to make sure.
Cain: Hold on a sec, I can't let you head off alone. I'll accompany you.
[North Country—Deeper in the Cavern]
Bradley: …
Bradley: ...Hey, you two over there: just how long d’ya think yer gonna tail me?
Cain & Akira: …!
Cain: So you noticed us, huh…
Bradley: Just who do ya take me, the Bradley Bain, for? You bunch can’t pull that trick on me, ‘specially when yer this damn bad at shuttin’ up.
Akira: We weren’t really following you, you know… Look, you’re still injured, and I was worried that something could have happened, and…
Bradley: ‘Injured?’ What, y’think that teeny-weeny scratch is gonna bring me to my knees, huh?
Akira: B-Bradley! If you keep this up, you’ll actually lose your arm!
Bradley: Ah—nah, it ain’t gonna fall off from a li’l swing-swung.
Cain: Are you sure you’re doin’ okay, moving an open wound around so much?
Bradley: Ugh, you bunch sure dun’ know when to zip it… < Adnopotensum >
Akira: Woah, amazing…!
Bradley: See, I’m still crushin’ it.
Cain: Incredible, you really are fine... You Northern Wizards are always so reliable.
Not only with our battle earlier, but the way you hunted that wyvern down too… That was something worth witnessing first-hand. There’s a lot I could learn just by following your example.
Bradley: Heh, yer pretty good at winnin’ me over with that sweet-talk, ay?
Finding hidden treasures will make ya feel the same way, trust me. I dun’ mind givin’ ya some special training if you wanna know my methods.
Cain: You sure? I’d love to learn the ropes from you directly!
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chapter two
[North Country—Deep in the Cavern]
Bradley: We should be fine ‘round here, since it’s all nice and ‘n open.
Cain: So, what’s my first lesson gonna be?
Bradley: Ya really thought that this man right here was gonna teach ya with books ‘n shit? Hah, yer funny. Ya want my skills? Watch ‘n learn first before ya get t’ stealing my skills.
Cain: I see...
Akira: What you mean is that… you two are going to fight? Like, a real battle?
Bradley: Bingo. Y’can use whatever ya want too: weapons, magic, just go for it. A’right, show me whatcha got.
Cain: Understood, I’ll make sure to push myself to best steal those techniques from you.
As soon as he drew his sword, Cain’s smile vanished. The air around them quickly grew tense, each on guard for the first strike.
Akira: (I hope he’s… going to be okay. I don’t want either of them to get hurt…)
Cain: Hi-yah…!
Bradley: Nice sharp sword ya got there, ‘n I’ve got nothin’ to say to yer determination or will ta take me out. …But how about this?
Akira: …Wai-!?
Cain: …gh!
Bradley: Don’tcha dare back off now!
Akira: W-woah!
(Is, is that… I mean, I am definitely being held at gunpoint right now, aren’t I…!?)
Cain: You coward, that’s unfair! Don’t bring Akira into this!
Bradley: Nothin’ in this world says we oughta play by the rules there, O l’il’ goody-goody Sir Knight, capiche? (1)
If ya keep bein’ a damn bonehead ‘n dun’ come at me right now, I’ll squash their head like a tomato.
Cain: Ngh...!
Akira: Bradley...! Why… Why all this...
Bradley: He's a guy used to battling the ‘knightly way,’ with honor and all that shit, but cheatin’s new to him.
He’s gotta learn that some of us use dirty tricks too, it’ll do him good.
Cain: Akira…!
Bradley: What’s up, Cain?
Pissin’ yer pants over there? Afraid that sword of yers is gonna make our li’l Sage’s head roll? Is this all the Great Central Knight is capable of?
Cain: …
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chapter three
[North Country—Deep in the Cavern]
Cain: …Akira, I won’t let you get hurt. < Gladius Procella >
Akira: (Woah, sand is rising from the ground! I can’t see a thing...!)
Cain: Hah...!
Akira: …!
Cain launched attack after attacks, yet none of them landed on me.
I could hear the wall behind us collapsing from the repetitive impacts and, eventually, the cloud of dust dissipated enough for me to look around...
Cain: What just...
Akira: Bradley… disappeared?
Bradley: Hell yeah, I fuckin’ knew there was some more to dig out ‘round here.
Cain: Bradley!?
Akira: Just when did you get up there?
Bradley: When the sand came up, but anyway, this…
Bradley: This is a pile of treasure if I’ve seen one, better than I expected. No wonder that bullet hit hollow.
Cain: Bradley, you... You made me attack once you had realized treasure was hidden there, didn’t you?
Cain: Ugh, I... I seriously took the bait and fell for it, huh.
Bradley: Dun’ get all worked up ‘bout it. Foggin’ up the area with sand ‘n messin’ with my eyes? That was a pretty good strat.
Cain: Haha, and yet I couldn’t even leave a scratch on you.
But I feel like I got something useful out of that fight anyway, thanks to you.
Bradley: Pretty good lesson, ay? If ya bring in some of that sweet tuition of yers, I can letcha take a look at my techniques ‘n stuff again.
Cain: Alright, next time I need your help, I’ll bring you some fried chicken.
…On one condition! Don’t involve Akira in this again, please.
Akira: Cain… Thank you, but I’m completely fine.
Bradley was only playing pretend for your training too, and—
Bradley: …
Bradley: < Adnopotesum >
Cain & Akira: …!
???: GRRrrr…!
Akira: (...! Does that mean… that he just saved us...?)
Phew… That, that scared me... I thought you were about to kill me…
Bradley: Thought I was gonna put a bullet right through yer head, ay? Haha, that’s the spirit. So be it, I’ll spare yer life fer now.
Bradley: Drill this in yer pure, goody two-shoes heart, O Master Sage: I am, and always will be, a dangerous wizard from the Northern Country. (1)
NOTES
(1) Bradley uses 賢者サマ (kenja-sama ; “Master Sage”) where the sama is in katakana, instead of the usual 賢者様 in Kanji. It is worth noting that Bradley rarely calls Akira by their entire title, rather using “Sage” instead. I used his emphasis on sama in katakana to amplify the rarity of its usage, the sarcasm and the warning behind his words.
The same instance happens earlier in the story, when applied to Cain, calling him 騎士サマ. ↑
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episode story
[Wizards’ Manor—Dinig Room]
Akira: Speaking of Walpurgisnacht, they organize a feast for wizards every year on the Magic Mountain of Northern Country, but I’ve never heard your thoughts on it, Bradley!
Bradley: That feast, huh... The party itself isn’t bad, but the guys bowin’ down ta Figaro? Yeah, they got piss-poor taste.
I dun’ know ‘bout you, but I’d never feel right lickin’ that shady guy’s shoes for advice and shit. You ain’t ever gonna catch me doin’ that.
Akira: I… see...
Well, aside from Figaro, you’re someone people go to for your advice rather than the other way around, right?
You’re a powerful wizard and, like Figaro, I feel like you could be a guide for others.
Bradley: Then why don’tcha give it a try? If ya need somethin’, I’m listenin’.
Akira: Me? Hmmm... Well, I haven't been exercising enough these days, so if you have a good workout for me…
Bradley: Heh, that’s easy-peasy.
Bradley: Go to the kitchen ‘n grab somethin’ to eat. Trust me, you'll get a nice workout out of Nero huntin’ ya down through the Manor with a knife to mince ya.
Akira: Excuse me, what.
Bradley: I guess ya could go beat Mithra’s ass too...
Akira: I’d like something a little bit more my pace, if you don’t mind...!!
Bradley: Can’t believe yer bein’ so picky, ugh…
Aight, it is what it is. I’m goin’ out for a bit, follow me.
Akira: (Am I about to face the harsh Northern-way of working out...!?)
Bradley: I’m plannin’ on trainin’ our Sir Central Knight for a bit, ‘n I’m gonna work you to the bone too, while I’m at it.
Akira: B-Boss…!
home line
Bradley: “Yeah, we wizards use our magic, 'n what of it? I'm proud of the power I've gained by grittin' my teeth, 'n you should be too, Sage. Y’oughta be proud of the moments that’cha felt helpless, proud of your failures, proud of all the shit you've went through up 'til now. It’s what makes you you.”
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