Story Reader / Affection / Teddy: Decryptor / Story
The two mechanoids energetically kick open the door, and a noisy wave of music pours out, enveloping you.
You've got the nerve to show your face again, Thunder Sparks!
We're here to beat you this time, Abyssal Ragetide!
Wait, you brought the Gray Raven Commandant?! That's unfair!
Huh? You didn't know? Ever since the Paradise Festival, your name has been buzzing all over Constellia.
Teddy blinks at you, signaling you to refrain from speaking, as she skillfully steps in to separate the nearly fighting mechanoids.
...You've already lost everything in our last bet, even this practice spot. What else do you have left to throw down against us?
How about... we put the Gray Raven Commandant on the line as the wager this time?
Just for a one-time promotion fee... What do you say? It's the Gray Raven Commandant we're talking about here!
Hmm...
Alright! We can give it a try! But we get to set the rules, and it's gonna be a mashup competition again!
The mechanoid named Ragetide erupts into a cackling laugh.
No problem!
Before Kiske can respond, Teddy quickly answers on his behalf.
As per the agreed rules, both parties have a designated preparation period.
Confidently, Abyssal Ragetide strides into their recording studio, as Kiske guides you and Teddy to the room that once belonged to Thunder Sparks.
Oh no... This is not just about a drummer missing this time. We don't even have a full band right now...
I acted too impulsively... Maybe I should go back to being a beat painter...
Your confidence seems to be as fragile as industrial ash...
Sitting upright, Teddy awkwardly presses a few buttons on the instrument keyboard.
Alright, just stay there and don't get in my way.
As if opening a magical realm, she concurrently activates three terminal simulation screens, her hands swiftly typing away and occasionally striking peculiar chords.
Th-this is...
I don't. I just think it looks impressive.
Entering work mode, Teddy's concentration is almost intimidating. She is wholly engrossed in the code flowing across the screens, appearing oblivious to the surrounding environment.
Do you think she would say yes if I offered her some gas-booze?
Regardless of how you perceive it, Teddy doesn't appear to be the type to enjoy something with such an unusual flavor.
Time flies in this cramped recording studio.
It doesn't take long before Abyssal Ragetide comes knocking loudly at the door.
Hey, Thunder Sparks! Are you done?
Of course.
She unplugs the storage device from the terminal, winks at you, and then follows the mechanoid out.
Since this is our turf, we go first this time according to the rules.
He confidently plugs his storage device into the player.
The player erupts with raucous sound waves. The rapid drumbeats and energetic strumming ignite the entire underground music venue to a fever pitch.
Abyssal Ragetide is even stronger this time... Their mashup is so long and covers such a wide range of notes, ugh...
This is bad. We're done for this time...
I was wrong. Seems like industrial ash might just be tougher than your confidence.
I told you. Just leave it all to me.
With the song finished, Ragetide looks triumphantly at Kiske.
So, are you still going to play your track? Or should we just let the Gray Raven Commandant help promote our next concert?
Dammit!
Hold your horses. Wait until we... uh, we Thunder Sparks play our track.
With a somewhat dubious smile, the pink-haired Construct approaches the player.
It's too late to stop her. With that dubious smile, Teddy inserts the storage device into the player.
Get set for our mashup track, a soulful performance sung by the commandant!
Familiar and unmistakable, your own voice starts to play from the speakers.
Huh? No, this isn't work. Just a little synthesis program.
Disassemble, synthesize, and reassemble.
Disassemble the sound, synthesize it, and reassemble it into a new track?!
However it came about, you never expected Teddy would produce a track sung by you in such a short period.
Whoa...!
The Gray Raven Commandant is really something else! You've got to hold a concert here next time!
And just like that, the song has concluded amid the cheers of the crowd.
I can't believe it's personally sung by the Gray Raven Commandant!
But... I still think Abyssal Ragetide has the edge! Your track isn't measuring up to ours in length or breadth...
I didn't say that we only made this one track.
What?!
Keep listening.
Seemingly assured of victory, Teddy switches to another track on the player.
The powerful singing stretches high into the clouds, while the deep resonance reverberates in the abyss, leaving nothing more fluid and harmonious than this piece.
It appears to encompass all musical forms, seamlessly transitioning through different melodies, as all the mechanoids fall silent, captivated by the music.
With the track concluded, the outcome stands clear.
No way. Thunder Sparks couldn't reach such a level...
Cheater! You must be cheating!
Hmm? Do you have any proof?
That high-pitched section and this part... These beats are straight-up impossible to perform!
You must have used some kind of technology...!
Oh? Didn't you use any?
W-we...
Mechanoids can never be good liars.
After Teddy exposes the parts they performed using programmed algorithms one by one, Ragetide finally lower their heads.
We did use... an algorithm program.
If I were to buy it, could you sell me the program you used, Miss Construct?
Sorry, but I refuse.
She casually taps the screen twice, and the little program she just wrote smoothly slips into the recycle bin.
At any rate... you lost.
Where are Thunder Sparks' collections? It's time to return them.
Reluctantly, Abyssal Ragetide admits their defeat. After returning Thunder Sparks' collections and practice spot, the small group of mechanoids slinks out of the area.
You're not mad?
About me using your voice to produce that mashup?
You are certainly not mad, and in the end, it's not that big of a deal.
Upon witnessing her craft such a complex program from scratch in a brief span, you come to realize that you may have underestimated this genius technician before.
There's even more impressive stuff you don't know about.
The pink-haired Construct curls her lips into a nonchalant smile.
...Found it! Thank goodness! They haven't sold it yet!
Kiske delicately retrieves a pair of wireless headphones from the storage room.
I'll transfer the agreed price directly to your account.
She carefully takes the headphones, inspecting their quality.
Wow... These are in pristine condition. This kind of stuff is exclusive to this place, you know.
Here's the extra payment I promised earlier. I traded for it with Little Sam.
The mechanoid presents a mysterious gift box to Teddy before fumblingly taking out something else.
Oh, and... this is a little something special to say thank you. I feel like what I've paid doesn't quite match up to your hard work, so...
I found this in my collections. Kind Construct Lady, you'll find it pretty interesting.
This is...
It's something from well before the Golden Age, back when we traveled across the surface with Cervantes.
I did what I could to restore them and even found a matching little box.
This is for you, kind Construct Lady.
You helped Thunder Sparks, so we thought we would give something back. I hope it makes your day brighter.
