The agent, who was once hailed as a prodigious sorcerer, has unfortunately exhibited a series of failed magical abilities in recent times. This unexpected downturn in proficiency has perplexed both the magical community and the general public, as the agent was renowned for their exceptional mastery of the arcane arts. In the past, their spells and enchantments were awe-inspiring, captivating spectators and inspiring aspiring magic practitioners across the land. However, a string of underwhelming and unsuccessful attempts to perform spells has cast doubt on the agent's once-celebrated reputation. Speculation and theories abound as to the cause of these failed magical abilities. Some believe that the agent's powers were merely a facade, an illusion created through their charismatic personality and clever use of misdirection.
Before it seems like this is nothing but a cheap jab at popular modern isekai stories, the same criticisms can absolutely be levelled at Wataru and Ryu Knight, which absolutely foreground game logic (Wataru having the hero have to fight seven “level bosses” to ascend to the top of a mountain). But my point stands, I think, that a fantasy parody coming from someone with extensive knowledge of the fantasy genre from various sources, who both plays and knows RPGs as well as other media, and who has clearly much passion for world-building is going to be a well-informed and well-grounded parody. Parody that does not come from love of the thing being mocked is often at best insincere and at worse generally patronising.
A relatively low-key story about the heroes trying to help an old woman see her favourite flower has a sweet ending where they all do the right thing for the grandmother and granddaughter leading to a pretty good payoff for a running gag about a loose snake , while the resolution of a My Fair Lady -esque story about the party rogue being confused for a servant-girl who is the object of a nobleman s love is cute and again has the heroes doing the wrong things for the right reasons. The hero, a permanently broke, often drunk lecherous student mage accidentally ends up the subject of a prophecy after trying to sneak into a convent to pursue a beautiful nun.
Some believe that the agent's powers were merely a facade, an illusion created through their charismatic personality and clever use of misdirection. Others suggest that it could be the consequence of a curse or hex placed upon the agent, causing their inherent magical abilities to wither away. Despite the numerous hypotheses, the true cause remains a mystery.
[Where I Watch] Rune Soldier (anime) (1 Viewer)
[Where I Watch] seems to be kind of a tradition on this board, so I thought I'd try my hand at it.
Rune Soldier is a 24-episode anime based off of someone's D&D campaign (like Record of Lodoss War). Unlike RoLW (which I've never seen), it's intended to be funny. I'm dubious about this claim. Here we go. *hits play*
Introductory Theme Sequence:
There’s a girl – she’s cute, and sitting on top of something medieval, when a woman in white waves to her from below and suddenly Sitting Girl handily jumps what appears to be three million stories to land gracefully and hug her.
Okay, I’m going out on a limb and guessing that Sitting Girl is the Thief. Woman in white is the Healer.
There’s a redhead. She’s really tall, she carries a really big sword, and she’s showing off really big cleavage. This is Fighter!
And then there’s the blue-haired boy. Is he the leader? Goblins jump out of the hill he’s standing on and attack all of them, so we may NEVER KNOW.
Ack! NPC montage scene! Singing nurses! Elves! No Elvis.
Combat sequence confirms all my guesses (although Healer could still be a White Mage). Bishie-Boy uses his fists, so he might be the Monk? Is this recent enough for there to be Monks? Is it old enough for there to be Monks? Man, this new edition stuff confuses me.
After the fight, Bishie-Boy pulls out a club, the women stare at it adoringly, and then it sparkles with white light and flowers bloom everywhere. If there’s no innuendo here I’ll eat my hat. Ah, Bishie-Boy – why must your class be as indeterminable as your gender?
Thief has a remarkably deep voice for a young woman. Fighter, obviously, has an even deeper voice. No stereotyping here, folks.
Also, the voice acting? It’s terrible. Just terrible. I’m listening to the dub, for clarification, so the original may be much better. That said, after a while the terrible dubbing starts to blend with the barrage of clichés to…um…I’m not selling anyone on this show, am I?
HAH! Healer is a cleric. And her name is…Melissa? >.
Thief is swarmed by hookers! They’re after the Bishie! He’s obnoxious – and accidentally depantses Thief. Thief kicks his ass – Bishie leaves the encounter with the line, “Second time tonight.”
Oh, now Fighter’s turn for a solo scene. She’s not swarmed by hookers…unless those guys with mohawks…? Oh no. They’re muggers.
Thug #2: “We could settle this with steel, if you happen to be packing any.”
Dude. Thug #2. She’s got a sword bigger than your torso. It’s strapped to her back (if only, perhaps, to counterbalance what lonely animators strapped to her front). Did your vision problems drive you to a life of crime?
Bishie horns in again. He’s not as embarrassing in a fight as I thought he’d be.
Healer’s boss is named… Jenny. Great. I’m digging the Lord of the Rings vibe here. I’ve been told Western names are exotic to the Japanese, but this is just silly.
And where do they find the magician they need? In a bar.
Thief: “We’re a band of professional adventurers!”
Mage: “Wow, really?!”
…it’s the ghosts of all my old campaigns come back to haunt me.
Mage: “So, what you’re saying is, you want me to join you on your adventures?”
Party: (nods unanimously)
Bishie reappears. His name is …Louie?
Cleric: “I’m sorry, Loogie, but…”
Why are the women so insistent on maintaining the gender unanimity? Privacy issues, perhaps? Is society matriarchal?
Bishie: “You won’t find a female mage in this town who isn’t locked up in the library!”
Mage: “Excuse me, I’m going to go lock myself up in the library!” (leaves cheerfully)
…And Bishie fails his first attempt at magic.
Later that evening…
Healer: “I’d like to take this time to perform my Sacred Ritual of Revealing.”
…Gimme that old-time religion…
Okay, no stripping. Apparently, the Ritual of Revealing (snerk) will show Healer the champion she’s destined to serve (mmm, Japanese misogyny, tastes like octopus). She wants a handsome hunk who loves her. I’m betting she gets Bishie.
Hey, the singing nurses are back! You remember them, from the intro sequence, right? Apparently they’re actually church acolytes. Healer is their idol, apparently.
…Healer really wants her champion to be the bastard child of David Bowie and Charlemagne.
Aaand over to Bishie! He’s out of jail! He’s in class! He sucks at class! He punches walls! It hurts! OH THE ANGST!
Apparently he really does suck at magic, and he’s only gotten so far because he’s the headmaster’s adopted son.
Mage: “You’re thinking of those three girls in the bar, aren’t you? There’s something about adventurers. I think it’s the way they’ll do anything for money, and I do mean anything. Those people leave a bad taste in my mouth.”
Bishie decides adventuring could be for him – he’s got no idea where to find Fighter or Thief, but Healer’s gotta be at the temple, right.
Bishie runs into Thief and Fighter, they get into an argument, Thief and Fighter start chasing Bishie around the temple…
Thief’s name is apparently Merrill. I can live with that much better than Melissa.
Fighter is…Genie? Alright then.
And Louie is apparently our titular Rune Soldier.
Thief is swarmed by hookers! They’re after the Bishie! He’s obnoxious – and accidentally depantses Thief. Thief kicks his ass – Bishie leaves the encounter with the line, “Second time tonight.”
The agent's continuous failure to produce magical effects has raised concerns within the magical community. Many question the agent's expertise and skill, wondering if they were truly as capable as previously thought. The agent's supporters argue that perhaps a temporary setback has afflicted them, assuring that their magical abilities will eventually return to their former glory. While disappointment lingers in the air, it is important to remember that even the most skilled practitioners encounter obstacles in their journey. The agent's failed magical abilities should not define their worth or diminish the value of their previous accomplishments. It is a reminder that even those regarded as exceptionally talented individuals can experience setbacks and challenges. Above all, the agent's struggle serves as a lesson in resilience and perseverance. Whether their magical abilities ultimately return or not, the agent can inspire others to continue pursuing their passions, despite setbacks and failures. It is a testament to the unpredictability of life and the need to adapt and grow in the face of adversity. In conclusion, the agent's failed magical abilities have left many perplexed and questioning their once-revered position in the magical community. The cause of their decline remains unknown, and speculation abounds. Nevertheless, their situation serves as a reminder that setbacks can occur to even the most adept individuals and should inspire others to persevere in the face of adversity..
Reviews for "Embracing the unknown: The agent's journey with failed magic"
1. Mary - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Failed magical abilities of the agent." The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The magical abilities that were supposed to be the main focus of the story were barely explored, and the few times they were mentioned, it felt forced and out of place. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward dialogue and unnecessary descriptions. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a satisfying fantasy read.
2. John - 2 stars - "Failed magical abilities of the agent" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The magic system introduced in the book was confusing and poorly explained, making it hard to follow the story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them on any meaningful level. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of dull exposition followed by rushed action scenes. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating read and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to "Failed magical abilities of the agent" as a fan of magical fantasy novels, but I was left disappointed. The plot was meandering and lacked coherence, with too many subplots that didn't add much to the overall story. The protagonist's magical abilities were barely explored, and when they were, it felt like an afterthought. The writing style was also awkward, with clunky dialogue and repetitive phrases. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would advise others to skip it.