there are a lot of things going on right now!
Kendal’s ANGER expression, it’s so intense!
Erin shouting for Ali 🙁
Falst’s fear for the lacrima!
and that roast Jolon made to Erin
Pay attention, aspiring writers. This scene is an excellent example of characters with different motivations working together because their needs align at the present moment. It’s also a good example of how, though their needs may align, they aren’t exactly going to do things in lockstep because they have different things they want to focus on in the fight. There’s going to be chaos. Such good writing, Red!
I don’t know why THIS stuck out to me from all the interesting stuff happening on this page, but that fifth panel makes Erin look so… smol. Scrawny. The same way people always look smaller when they try to balance under a huge backpacking backpack, I guess. But I suppose anyone would look small with a huge claw on their back. Still, though. Smol.
Aww, Erin does care for Alinua; though not as much as Kendal does judging by that expression.
Architect of the Stars makes an excellent point, they’re united against Jolon now but there’s no guarantee that if Lion-boi gets the lacrima back he won’t just escape and leave them behind.
The Lolest makes a good point too, if people like Jolon are in the academy who knows what they would do to Erin and the others if give the chance. Did Jolon come to Hilltop so he could do these experiments without detection for the academy higher-ups? Could he even be making the chimeras on the orders or commission of one of the higher-ups?
My prediction: Among the dialogue of future pages Erin will explain why the lacrima can’t cure Falst (maybe to try and cement him to their side), Jolon will clarify that too (maybe even mockingly), and then, with his mind now focused entirely on survival, Falst will use his rock throwing skills to break the lacrima and unleash the magic on Jolon and his chimeras.
Erin: What is your goal here?! What is the point to all this?!
Falst: Seriously? He want’s us dead! What’s the point of knowing-
Kendal: (sharply whispering) Shush! He’s luring him into a monologue!
I mean, it worked before with the Void Dragon so it’s worth a shot, right? Though I think Jolon’s likely the type of villain that’s pragmatic enough to not be distracted by his own exposition.
I just love Jolon saying “I suspect the Academy has been very indulgent with you.” to Erin and then smashing him to the ground.
It reminds me of “AAAAAAAAAH … my hubris…”.
Kendal is going to absolutely murder him now.
But they are at a big disadvantage here, healer down, mage nullified and down, Kendal and Flast are both pretty tanky but it won’t be an easy fight
Anyone notice that Kendal isn’t going for Alinua? Alinua is in the same direction as the lacrima, but Kendal is going the other way. Seems like he is more concerned about his sword
My bets are still on money as Jolon’s motivation. Maybe he feels he has been sidelined by the academy and has a bunch of student loans to pay back. Maybe just greed on it’s own.
Jolon’s word choice: “Indulgent.” It suggests that the Academy didn’t care to fund or follow Jolon’s chimerical experiments whereas they might have indulged Erin, being the Elemental Magus. It’s probable that Jolon was a student or scholar there, but either was dismissed or left to pursue his research in secret. And now he’s here, he’s bitter, and he has Erin at his mercy. Funny how things work out like that.
People can also be indulgent in how much money they spend. If you know what indulgences were in relation to the Roman Catholic Church, you’ll know the word has a monetary denotation as well.
I am quite familiar with the Roman Catholic Church, having been raised in it, yes. Even the church we attended in the run-down town of Rugby was pretty grand. Thankfully I’ve moved beyond that chapter of my life.
Ah, a fellow ex-Christian. My family used to go to a Methodist church that was most likely not as grand. Having become disillusioned with Christianity, I’m now an atheist.
I didn’t mean to contradict your prediction for Jolon motives, only to add to the discussion. But now that I have: how would terrorising this small town with mysterious chimerae yield wealth for Jolon? Is hd going to ‘sell’ his creations in a black market?
Because he treats injured travelers at his clinic; travelers injured by his chimeras. He’s artificially creating more business and revenue for himself.
I did consider that earlier in the comic, but when I went to comment it I thought: “Wait, that’s a terrible thing to say about a medic who saves lives daily. In fact, that’s something that a certain ‘president’ said.” Also, this assumes that Red’s world doesn’t have socialized healthcare like in the UK, but that’s likely considering the stage of civilisation everyone’s at. So yeah, that makes sense. But if still seems like there’s something more. Is Red really going to give us an antagonist with a motivation so one-dimensional as money? Well, maybe.
Plus, Jolon left the academy years before Erin arrived, and I highly doubt a ten-year-old could’ve smoked Jolon in the talent department. It was only after Erin arrived and flaunted his status around to everyone who would listen (and even those who didn’t want to) that he started receiving donations. Wealthy individuals almost always want only more wealth, fame, and power.
Does anyone notice that the snake just got off of Jolan’s shoulder? Potentially to Erin or Alinua? or is that obvious and I’m being dumb? Panel five is when you see it
Oh dang, you know what I just noticed? Two pages ago, (1.10.14) the panther chimera was standing on top of Kendal’s sword. He couldn’t run to get it immediately, since that thing was stalking them from behind. Which means he saw the panther before it slammed Erin. But now that the pretty kitty is busy holding Erin, Kendal may have an opening to get the sword back. Very nice staging. And never letting a moment slack where any character has nothing to do. I never cease to enjoy this quality of writing.
Once again, Erin shows his awesome diversion skills. The bad guys are too busy kicking his magical ass to notice the surprise badass moving in. He truly is the team MVP.
We shall see if I’m wrong, but i don’t think the academy has been very indulgent. I suspect that there is politics involved… and nobody specifically wants to avoid being on the wrong end of the microscope unless you have seen other people be turned into lab rats
Everyone keeps saying that this guy is this worlds version of Shou Tucker but I don’t think he is. Shou Tucker’s main thing that made him a horrible person isn’t that he did experiments on living beings, it’s that he warped his own wife and daughter into horrible creatures that stated that they wanted to die. I’m saying that this guy is doing anything in the ballpark of acceptable, but he’s no Shou Tucker.
I’ve noticed a trend. All of the life mage’s in this series (Except Our main cotton candy elf) have a distinct lack of emotional reaction to murdering people. Funny how some who can control life value it the least.
there are a lot of things going on right now!
Kendal’s ANGER expression, it’s so intense!
Erin shouting for Ali 🙁
Falst’s fear for the lacrima!
and that roast Jolon made to Erin
Jolon’s probably right, though–Erin’s kinda pampered. But yeah, still. Ouch.
And Kendal in the first panel. He looks like he is going to scream at cry at the same time. Dang red, your good
Pay attention, aspiring writers. This scene is an excellent example of characters with different motivations working together because their needs align at the present moment. It’s also a good example of how, though their needs may align, they aren’t exactly going to do things in lockstep because they have different things they want to focus on in the fight. There’s going to be chaos. Such good writing, Red!
its time for the Protagonists to team up, the theme music to start playing, AND LETS GET DANGEROUS!
I’m thinking that Jolon’s chimeras are stronger than the collectors chimeras mainly because THEY FRIGGIN KOED THE POWERHOUSE
*reading this after the Powerhouse trope talk*
I don’t know why THIS stuck out to me from all the interesting stuff happening on this page, but that fifth panel makes Erin look so… smol. Scrawny. The same way people always look smaller when they try to balance under a huge backpacking backpack, I guess. But I suppose anyone would look small with a huge claw on their back. Still, though. Smol.
Erin just learned that talking isn’t a free action
? Red if after Alinua you keep hurting Erin…
Also now I can see the foreshadowing when Erin was talking about power-hungry people at Asera…
Aww, Erin does care for Alinua; though not as much as Kendal does judging by that expression.
Architect of the Stars makes an excellent point, they’re united against Jolon now but there’s no guarantee that if Lion-boi gets the lacrima back he won’t just escape and leave them behind.
The Lolest makes a good point too, if people like Jolon are in the academy who knows what they would do to Erin and the others if give the chance. Did Jolon come to Hilltop so he could do these experiments without detection for the academy higher-ups? Could he even be making the chimeras on the orders or commission of one of the higher-ups?
My prediction: Among the dialogue of future pages Erin will explain why the lacrima can’t cure Falst (maybe to try and cement him to their side), Jolon will clarify that too (maybe even mockingly), and then, with his mind now focused entirely on survival, Falst will use his rock throwing skills to break the lacrima and unleash the magic on Jolon and his chimeras.
Erin: What is your goal here?! What is the point to all this?!
Falst: Seriously? He want’s us dead! What’s the point of knowing-
Kendal: (sharply whispering) Shush! He’s luring him into a monologue!
I mean, it worked before with the Void Dragon so it’s worth a shot, right? Though I think Jolon’s likely the type of villain that’s pragmatic enough to not be distracted by his own exposition.
Hoping Falst gets to be the one to take this ass out.
I’m hoping for Erin while Kendall and Falst join forces to take on the chimeras, but I’ll mostly be happy to see the ass get taken out either way.
I just love Jolon saying “I suspect the Academy has been very indulgent with you.” to Erin and then smashing him to the ground.
It reminds me of “AAAAAAAAAH … my hubris…”.
Kendal is going to absolutely murder him now.
But they are at a big disadvantage here, healer down, mage nullified and down, Kendal and Flast are both pretty tanky but it won’t be an easy fight
This is going to go so well.
After all, what could go wrong?
Please let there be murder if this guy is this world’s version of Shou Tucker.
Yes. Any worlds’ version of Shou Tucker should be murdered. It’s the only was to be sure others are safe from them.
Anyone notice that Kendal isn’t going for Alinua? Alinua is in the same direction as the lacrima, but Kendal is going the other way. Seems like he is more concerned about his sword
I don’t think he’s more concerned about his sword so much as he knows he’ll need it to get his friends out of this mess.
My bets are still on money as Jolon’s motivation. Maybe he feels he has been sidelined by the academy and has a bunch of student loans to pay back. Maybe just greed on it’s own.
Yesss! I have a feeling we’re right!
Jolon’s word choice: “Indulgent.” It suggests that the Academy didn’t care to fund or follow Jolon’s chimerical experiments whereas they might have indulged Erin, being the Elemental Magus. It’s probable that Jolon was a student or scholar there, but either was dismissed or left to pursue his research in secret. And now he’s here, he’s bitter, and he has Erin at his mercy. Funny how things work out like that.
People can also be indulgent in how much money they spend. If you know what indulgences were in relation to the Roman Catholic Church, you’ll know the word has a monetary denotation as well.
I am quite familiar with the Roman Catholic Church, having been raised in it, yes. Even the church we attended in the run-down town of Rugby was pretty grand. Thankfully I’ve moved beyond that chapter of my life.
Ah, a fellow ex-Christian. My family used to go to a Methodist church that was most likely not as grand. Having become disillusioned with Christianity, I’m now an atheist.
Me too. If general dislike of organised religion didn’t kill my belief in God, A-level Philosophy did.
I didn’t mean to contradict your prediction for Jolon motives, only to add to the discussion. But now that I have: how would terrorising this small town with mysterious chimerae yield wealth for Jolon? Is hd going to ‘sell’ his creations in a black market?
Because he treats injured travelers at his clinic; travelers injured by his chimeras. He’s artificially creating more business and revenue for himself.
I did consider that earlier in the comic, but when I went to comment it I thought: “Wait, that’s a terrible thing to say about a medic who saves lives daily. In fact, that’s something that a certain ‘president’ said.” Also, this assumes that Red’s world doesn’t have socialized healthcare like in the UK, but that’s likely considering the stage of civilisation everyone’s at. So yeah, that makes sense. But if still seems like there’s something more. Is Red really going to give us an antagonist with a motivation so one-dimensional as money? Well, maybe.
Plus, Jolon left the academy years before Erin arrived, and I highly doubt a ten-year-old could’ve smoked Jolon in the talent department. It was only after Erin arrived and flaunted his status around to everyone who would listen (and even those who didn’t want to) that he started receiving donations. Wealthy individuals almost always want only more wealth, fame, and power.
I didn’t mean they directly interacted, just that Jolon resents the status an Elemental Magus is born with instead of working for.
Does anyone notice that the snake just got off of Jolan’s shoulder? Potentially to Erin or Alinua? or is that obvious and I’m being dumb? Panel five is when you see it
*Panel six, actually
NO NO NO
NOT MY BOI
OUR BOI
*Void Dragon withers the chimera to nothing*
*Soviet anthem starts playing in Erin’s brain*
Erin: “Dude, what the hell? Is this really the time? What even is that?”
Void Dragon: “Something a petty mortal like you could never comprehend.” *deep snickering*
I was busy being devastated on my other self’s behalf and then y’all came in with THIS
OUR boi *russian athem plays*
Oh. Oh no. I’ve binged up to the current release. Damn.
My sympathies. At least this comic is updated very regularly.
Eh, my money’s on the werewhatsis and the godbod
The godbod. Holy shit, that’s the most hilarious nickname Alinua could’ve thought up for him pre-Kendaling.
Oh god. Is Alinua going to get up? Please, please get up.
Oh dang, you know what I just noticed? Two pages ago, (1.10.14) the panther chimera was standing on top of Kendal’s sword. He couldn’t run to get it immediately, since that thing was stalking them from behind. Which means he saw the panther before it slammed Erin. But now that the pretty kitty is busy holding Erin, Kendal may have an opening to get the sword back. Very nice staging. And never letting a moment slack where any character has nothing to do. I never cease to enjoy this quality of writing.
Once again, Erin shows his awesome diversion skills. The bad guys are too busy kicking his magical ass to notice the surprise badass moving in. He truly is the team MVP.
We shall see if I’m wrong, but i don’t think the academy has been very indulgent. I suspect that there is politics involved… and nobody specifically wants to avoid being on the wrong end of the microscope unless you have seen other people be turned into lab rats
TL;DR: Hubris mcFloof is pinned to the ground by an angry chimera lion, which made Chimera dad happy.
Everyone keeps saying that this guy is this worlds version of Shou Tucker but I don’t think he is. Shou Tucker’s main thing that made him a horrible person isn’t that he did experiments on living beings, it’s that he warped his own wife and daughter into horrible creatures that stated that they wanted to die. I’m saying that this guy is doing anything in the ballpark of acceptable, but he’s no Shou Tucker.
Alt text: getting sick of the keep-away game, I see?
I’ve noticed a trend. All of the life mage’s in this series (Except Our main cotton candy elf) have a distinct lack of emotional reaction to murdering people. Funny how some who can control life value it the least.
Image source: goal