Aincrad Codex

Scene 60

Partner Event

PEV 01-04-07 · 35 lines

Iori

Your reputation certainly does you justice, Cal... You were something else up there!

Iori

I bet you could've dealt with that whole fight on your own.

Cal

Hm? Yeah, I guess...

Iori

What's wrong?

Cal

You're not... mad?

Iori

Uh... Mad about what, exactly?

Cal

You know... How strong I am.

Iori

Are you serious? Why would I possibly be mad about that?!

Cal

Huh?

Iori

If anything, your strength proves just how seriously you take the game. That's something to appreciate—not hate.

Cal

Y-You really mean that?!

Iori

Sure do. But it raises the question... Why'd you accept Argo's invite in the first place?

Iori

There's probably a whole list of things you could be doing instead. What are you after?

Cal

Haha, honestly... I was just looking to get some practice in.

Iori

Practice? For someone of your skill, I'm pretty sure these fights won't help at all.

Cal

No, that's not what I mean. More like I was hoping to—how can I put this? I wanted to, y'know, practice working with others...

Iori

You mean, other players?

Cal

Yeah. You see, I might get a chance to play with my brother.

Cal

I was planning on asking him to join me for the official release.

Cal

But I was worried I wouldn't be able to help a beginner properly.

Iori

By beginner, you mean your brother, right?

Cal

Yep. He's not exactly what you'd call a gamer.

Cal

I just... really want him to give this one a chance.

Cal

Which is why I'm trying to learn how to make the game fun for players just starting out.

Iori

I see.

Iori

Wait—hold on a sec!

Iori

Is my takeaway from all that supposed to be that you consider me a newbie?!

Cal

Haha... Well, not at understanding subtext, it seems.

Cal

I'm kidding! That's not what I was getting at. I just... thought we might work well together.

Cal

I had a good feeling.

Iori

Let's go with that. In any case, I get it now—you're doing all this for your brother.

Iori

You know what I think? If you really want your bro to enjoy the game, you need to enjoy it to the fullest first.

Cal

I do?

Iori

Trust me—you're not doing yourself any favors holding back.

Cal

Thanks. I think I needed to hear that—especially before this beta comes to an end.