SR Bradley (No Rough-Housing Allowed!) “How The Strong Use Their Head” (Grotto Of Truth)

[odorekijin]

★ chapter one
★ chapter two
★ episode
★ home line

chapter one

[Eastern Country—Cavern of Verity]

Shino: 《 Matzâh Sudipas 》

Bradley: (Yawn)... Damn, who the hell’s tryna raise the dead? Some people wanna relax ‘n take it easy here.

Shino: Ha…!

Bradley: Damn it—hey, Eastie laddie boy, whatcha doin’ out here?

Shino: Training. You guys have been lazing around, so I’m killing time instead.

You’re right on time though. I've done everything I could do on my own, so I need someone to train with. You’re free right now, so come give me a hand.

Bradley: Ugh, yer always tryin’ too hard, jeez.

Shino: Obviously. I’ve got to become a powerful wizard who can stand among the military force.

Bradley: Then lemme tell ya something: to be a strong wizard, you also gotta use yer head, got it?

Learnin’ the technique behind savin’ yer strength is as vital as breathin’.

‘Specially when yer in a place packed with magic like this cavern.

Shino: Really?

Bradley: What’s all that trainin’ for if ya dun’ have enough power to fight when shit goes down, huh?

Shino: What do I have to do then?

Bradley: Good question, that’s why the Great Bradley’s here to teach you a special lesson. First, ya gotta lay down, see?

Shino: Like that?

Bradley: Hell, looks like you’ve been doin’ that all yer life. Once ya got that down——

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chapter two

[Eastern Country—Cavern of Verity]

Bradley: Once ya got that down, close yer eyes ‘n imagine the greatest, coolest, ‘n strongest wizard ya know.

Shino: The strongest… and coolest?

Bradley: Yeah, like yer man right here for example. Then you just gotta wait it out.

Shino: Wait? You sure that’s the only way I can save up my power?

Bradley: Yup, definitely. If ya do that, the spirits are gonna feel the presence of the wizard yer thinkin’ of, ‘n they’ll give you more power.

Shino: So that’s how these things work…

Bradley: Trust a guy a li’l, the Bradley ‘s teachin’ ya the ropes here.

(Yawn)... Aight, well dun’ mind if I apply some of that “training” then.

White: Oh dear, to see you both sleeping together so peacefully… An exceptionally rare sight if I say so myself.

Bradley: We ain’t sleepin’, I’m helpin’ the guy with his training.

White: Training?

Shino: Yeah, Bradley told me that the spirits would give me more power if I think of the greatest, coolest, and strongest wizard I know while lying down like this.

White: (Sighs)… You never change, do you? And of all places, you have the audacity to utter such a thing in the Cavern of Verity.

All our Braddykins wants is to laze around; he never intended to give you a proper lesson in the first place!

Shino: What!? So you lied to me?

Bradley: Hahah, get it now, Eastie lad? That’s how a powerful wizard uses his head. Better drill that one into yer brain.

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episode story

“A Practical Lesson On Rhetoric”

[Wizard’s Manor—Dinner Room]

Akira: Bradley, just what happened in the Cavern of Verity? I’ve heard Shino was upset because you lied to him or something, but...

Bradley: Haha, that was no lie, just a strategic gambit.

I mixed some truth with a li’l bit of fiction here ‘n there, y’know, enough for him to believe in a story that’d work fer me in the end.

Akira: O-okay, all right…

(Isn’t that the definition of a lie though…?)

Bradley: Ya dun’ look convinced.

Akira: Ahaha… Is it that obvious?

Bradley: It’s written all over yer face. Lemme teach ya somethin’ too then: sometimes, you gotta pick the right words ‘n make up some sorta story to get whatcha want.

First, you hafta find out what yer opponent’s weakness is, then you can pin down what kinda creed they believe in.

Akira: L-Look for a weakness... Pin down their creed...

Bradley: What’s up, still dun’ get it?

Akira: Hmm, I think I’m too honest for that, and I honestly can’t see myself in a situation where I’d need that kind of rhetorical technique…

Bradley: Aight, gotcha. Then let’s say Central Country wants to kick us outta the Manor tomorrow for some kinda crap we did, what d’ya do?

Akira: That’s vile! Obviously, I’d try to negotiate! I’d tell them how much you all love to live here, and try to talk it through in some way or another!

Bradley: Heh, see? That’s where the Great Bradley’s smooth talkin’ comes in handy. That kinda weapon is vital whenever yer in a clutch to getcha outta trouble, got it?

Akira: Yeah, in that case I guess you’re right――

(Ah, crap! Bradley led me right into his reasoning again...!)

home line

“What’s in that small ass bowl... Cocotte, ay? I dun’ care as long as it’s good, but eatin’ bite-sized portions drives me nuts. …That’s whatcha like about it? When yer feelin’ it, you can be pretty weird too, know that?”

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