Eagle: There are arcane skill fluctuations all around here.
It's unusual for there to be so many fluctuations out here in the suburbs.
The idea of a "secret mission" grows ever more convincing in her mind.
Eagle: "Secret mission" ... Maybe that's why there are so many fluctuations.
Eagle: And that's why they keep walking in circles. There's some arcane skill—or maybe an arcane item—that's messing with them.
She murmurs to herself, her head tilted in thought.
Eagle: I can't be sure for now ...
She decides to cast her arcane skill one more time.
She closes her eyes and concentrates hard. She senses a tiny spark of life.
She opens her eyes to find a small, fluffy surprise before her.
Eagle: Huh?
Puppy: Woof! Woof!
Eagle: A puppy? What are you doing here?
Puppy: Woof, woof woof!
The puppy nuzzles her ankle and looks up at her, as if begging for food.
Eagle rummages in her pockets and pulls out a half-eaten granola bar.
Eagle: You're hungry, aren't you? Do you want some of my granola bar? I can give you some.
Puppy: Woof woof!
Eagle: The ground's dirty. Just eat it from my hand. I'll break it up for you.
Eagle: Here you are—Oh!
The puppy devours the bar, turns tail, and leaves.
Puppy: Woof woof!
Eagle: Wait, that's a dead end!
Eagle: Huh?
Eagle: At least, it WAS a dead end ... Is there a gap here that the arcane skill doesn't cover?
Eagle: Or maybe I just didn't spot it before.
Eagle: It's probably just a blind spot. Dog holes are often hard to notice ...
Eagle: Oh, this corner's on my right, so I can use the right-hand rule ...
Eagle: I'm glad I spent the time to learn that one now.
Puppy: whine
The puppy scampers away.
Eagle: Hmm?
She hesitates. What matters more? A puppy, or a mission that isn't hers?
Eagle: Alright. Focus on the mission and find Xavier.
As her father once taught her, "An arcane skill can never perfectly disguise something. There will always be a flaw."
"Observe carefully, and you will find it." She scans the mud, the puddles, and the puppy's footprints.
Eagle: Footprints!
She cheerfully squats down, searching for other useful clues.
Eagle: No other tracks around ...
Eagle: ...
Eagle: Father said there are arcane skills that can remove all kinds of evidence. Maybe Xavier has this skill ...
Eagle: "If you're ever in a situation like that, use your arcane skill. But remember, don't push yourself too hard."
Eagle: I'll try again.
For the third time, she casts her arcane skill.
Scout Manual, Essential Virtues, Article V: "Be humble and prudent. Make rational assumptions."
???: Progress report: 10%.
No need to mention those trivial accidents.
???: Oh no. Don't fall, don't fall, don't—WHOA!
???: Well, there goes attempt number 14. Building the purification equipment has yet again ended in failure. There's not enough space, and the wires buckled under the weight.
???: Let me check the pollution rate before I try again ...
???: Uh-oh. Even if I started the purification process when I was born, I wouldn't see much improvement in the pollution levels using this equipment.
???: Then, why would someone use it? It's simple, yes, but completely useless—like the total opposite of a Goldberg machine!
???: Or maybe they just gave me the wrong equipment.
???: Regardless, it doesn't help me with my problem.
???: And I'm here to solve problems, not create new ones.
???: Right, let's take a closer look at this "latest advancement in Laplace equipment."
???: Oh, you have a nice bearing. I'll just "borrow" that ...
???: Now we're talking.
???: There's still time to save this place.
Eagle: ...?
Eagle: Oh ...!
Her breath quickens.
Eagle: I think I've found something!
The markings of an arcane skill. She follows them into the factory.
She gradually narrows the search as the traces converge to a single location, as if magnetized to it.
This spot doesn't seem to be concealed at all.
Eagle: The fluctuation of an arcane skill. North, behind the 11th pillar from the center.
Eagle: I found it!
???: I hate to say this, but if you don't make it here by sunset, the gas mask will be useless to me.
Operator: My apologies. The Laplace staff member is on the way. We appreciate your patience.
???: ...
He sighs. For a moment, he wants to hang up, but he stops himself.
???: Progress report: I am now suffering from anosmia and will suffocate in one hour.
???: If I'm lucky, I'll feel little pain before I lose consciousness.
???: Seriously, have you thought to confirm whether the staff have been kept out by your own Maze Net?
???: Hello? Huh. They've already hung up.
???: Well, I'll take that as my "get-out-of-jail-free card" to do whatever I want here!
???: Since no one's here yet, does this mean they've invented a truly impenetrable protective tool?
???: If it can't be broken by their own people, then surely it can't be broken by anyone. Absolute safety—what an invention!
???: ...
???: Anyway, maybe it's better they don't come. I can already see them denying my genius suggestions.
???: "Suggestion rejected. Please follow the rules."
???: And I'll say, "Rejection rejected! Please improvise!"
???: Then again, if I AM going to improvise, an assistant would be helpful.
???: Alright, almost there. But I still feel like there's something missing ...
???: Hmm ... What could it be?
Eagle: panting
Eagle: Excuse me ...
???: Maybe ... Hm? Who's that?
Eagle: Sorry to interrupt. Are you Xavier?
