Wistoria: Wand and Sword (杖と剣のウィストリア)

You know the setting sun?

They say that it's at the end of a long tunnel.

You have to overcome all sorts of dangers,

so we'll have to learn lots of magic to be prepared.

When you talked about your dreams, your eyes glittered like jewels.

You were so blindingly brilliant, and I was hopelessly weak.

Elfie, I know you'll be able to make it.

But me...

Even so...

Will, it won't do if you're not with me!

If you won't be there, then there's no point!

So... let's go together.

It's been five years since then.

And now, I'm headed to where you are.

Episode 18 The First Bloom

Noble Quarter, High-End Clothier Les Aile

The principles of wisdom, attunement, and scholarship...

are held in high esteem by Rigarden Magical Academy,

and only those who embody all three

are permitted to wear the mark of high mages, the colorless Gloria.

They look wonderful on you.

Tenth Proprietor of the Lesaile Boutique Brandtal les Aile

To have overseen the robes you will wear as you take flight into your futures...

is quite an honor.

They're so light and easy to move in!

And to think they're resistant to magic, too!

The academy cloaks were magnificent defensive equipment,

but these are clearly superior.

Mages really do excel in crafting such things.

They're even perfectly tailored.

Just like the previous proprietor, you do good work, Brandtal.

I'm honored, Master Sion.

My apologies they were not ready until the day you set out for the tower.

It's not your fault.

With what happened at Terminalia, everyone's been set back.

So this is the special garb for ascending the tower, is it?

Julius, what's wrong?

You've seemed kind of down for a while now.

Shut up! Just leave me alone!

Colette, you...

You detestable lord of destruction!

I-I'm sorry!

I'm so very sorry!

It's no trouble at all. Please, just leave everything as it is.

I'm sorry!

Julius really is acting strangely, isn't he?

Colette, have you been scouted by the tower?

I did receive a letter from the earth faction some time ago.

For me, the lightning faction. For Wignall, the elves.

For Sion, fire. We've all been scouted.

Only Julius hasn't received an offer.

That's what's bothering him.

And now, the finishing touch...

Our shop has had the privilege

of preparing more than a few Gloria for those setting out for the tower.

May the protection of the Mage Queen be with you.

By the way, what happened to Will?

I haven't seen him.

If you're referring to Mister Serfort, he visited our shop prior to you.

He seemed to be in quite a hurry and left quickly.

Right now, I'm sure he's...

with Mister Donnan!

Slumland Street Donnan's Forge

Look, Will.

Your new sword.

I took your broken Moria blade, added a Wist gem, and reforged it.

It'll cut through magic just like it always did,

and it can amplify the magic stored in the gems around the capital.

I guess you'd call it Wist-set silver.

Wist-set silver...

I was confident in your last sword too, and you went and broke it!

Your monstrous strength is enough to shame a dwarf!

I'm sorry, Mister Donnan.

Thank you. Um, how much do I owe you?

I don't need your money. This is thanks for saving all of us.

What?

Do your best out there, sword-wizard.

It may be the tower, but go run riot!

Yes, sir!

Hey, there he is!

Will! Are you ready?

Yeah. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Well then, let's go!

To the tower!

Looks like the fifty of you are here, right?

All those brand-new Gloria are blinding me!

We're severely shorthanded right now, so I'll be the only one attending you,

but I'll do the job right, so don't you worry!

Is she really a high mage?

Well then, it looks like you're all raring to go,

so why don't we get right to it?

Welcome to a paradise of research and a strict hell,

my new little fledglings!

It's thanks to you that I made it this far, Rosty.

I'm on my way, Elfie!

What is this place?

There's nothing here.

Access...

Clairie Serah.

Gate Unlock.

The ceiling's opening up!

That's not all.

This is...

The floor we're standing on is moving.

No, it's rising!

Whoa! This is amazing!

Tower, First Floor: Colorless Garden

A white... No, a colorless city?

There's a sky! And a horizon! There's even light!

Rose, you'll fall!

E-Even the castle is floating.

This can't be real, can it? Are we really inside the tower?

Behold the first floor of the tower, the Colorless Garden!

When outsiders talk about the Upper Institute,

they're generally referring to the facilities on this level.

It supports the tower from the bottom up, providing the foundation for life here.

It's also an academic center for researching and developing new magic.

Only those acknowledged by the academy may enter here.

For mages, it is a realm of glory!

I'm so happy for us!

Whether you become permanent residents here or not is up to you.

Well, let's go!

You're all today's special guests!

Everyone's waiting at the hall for the ceremony!

Wignall, are the light and sky here...

Yes.

No doubt elven illusion magic.

Likely very advanced, at that.

This is amazing!

Will, look! Look!

So many people are wearing the same Gloria we are!

There's a morrie garden! All those magical herbs!

And is that a testing site for magical creatures over there?

This really is the front line of magical research!

It's a little late, but this really makes me feel like I've become a high mage!

Yeah.

It truly is like a dream.

And...

they even have a crêpe shop!

Owen Sique...

Lisolde Dua!

Algiz!

Five of them?

Knights never go back on their word. Also, I don't require any change.

Hey! What are you doing, Lihanna?!

We're in the middle of the tower entrance ceremony right now!

This is no time to be eating, is it?

Come on! Let's go!

I see Lihanna's just the same as always.

Indeed, that voracious appetite of hers...

At this point, it's almost refreshing.

You're right.

Don't get too excited, laggard.

The tower isn't the bright, friendly place you take it for.

What do you mean?

He's right. The way the high mages are staring at us feels kind of...

Blast it! So the rumors were true?

At this rate, we'll also...

The Gate of Pruning

Here we are!

Now, go right on in!

The Pruning Ceremonial Hall

This is the ceremonial hall?

There's earth,

wind,

darkness...

Mages from each of the factions are here?

Somehow...

The way they're looking at us feels a little scary.

Director of the Upper Institute & Head of the Colorless Faction Kreutz Harlon

That's...

Magia Vander Albis Vina Five Supreme Wands, Icemaiden's Wand & Head of the Ice Faction Elfaria Albis Serfort

Magia Vander Thorzeus Fasce Five Supreme Wands, Lightning Lord's Wand & Head of the Lightning Faction Zeo Thorzeus Reinbolt

Magia Vander Incindia Barham Five Supreme Wands, Flame Emperor's Wand & Head of the Fire Faction Cariot Incindia Wiseman

Magia Vander Elleaf Canaan Five Supreme Wands, Sacred Elf's Wand & Head of the Elf Faction Ellenor Ljos Alf

Ellenor!