Chapter 5: The Essence of a WarriorMinor spoilers

The trial has only 5 deployment slots. Bring Io to reach the mechanisms quickly, while keeping a healer in the party. Activate both devices within ten turns. If the War Elephant blocks the route, lure it down and send Io around it. Heal before running for the mechanisms and equip the temple Blessings you need on the preparation screen. Do not wait until a heavy hit leaves Rewind as your only option. Once both devices are active, the ten-turn limit disappears. Clear enemies with the Zanbato afterward. If Io can keep attacking, you do not need to wait for everyone to regroup before finishing.

Change class and bring medicine before accepting the challenge#

Once Certification Exams unlock, you can change Dietrich to Gladiator before accepting the challenge-letter tutorial. Accepting it sends you to a dungeon; other units who have not changed class cannot immediately return to town to do so. Gladiator raises his Strength growth from 45 to 55, with an HP growth of 60.

Before challenging Borges the Vampire, give Dietrich a Vulnerary. He needs to heal himself in the duel.

Against Aguirre the Hawk Slayer next, you can start by waiting in brush for him to approach, but use medicine promptly if poisoned. He can also enter brush and make your attacks miss. Do not gamble on a critical kill when HP is low. Survive first, or a non-critical hit will leave you defeated.

Recruit Io to reach the mechanisms#

During free time, check Io's recruitment availability at Renown 3. Negotiate once your relationship is high enough. Recruitment costs 800G, and he joins at level 20 with his own mount. His speed makes him useful for the trial's devices even if you do not plan to develop him.

Reach Darknight Ridge before planning other activities#

This chapter's free time comes before the trial. Visit the main-story destination, Darknight Ridge, first and confirm that it is marked as reached, then plan your remaining activities. Travel consumes time too. Arriving exactly when the deadline falls still counts as late.

Bring healing and equip Blessings before deploying#

Reserve one of your five slots for healing. Heal Io before he separates to reach the mechanisms. War Elephant attacks hurt, so check whether he can survive along the route as well as whether he can reach the destination.

If you need temple Blessings as an emergency option, equip them on the preparation screen. Unlocked Blessings must still be equipped to bring them into battle. If you charge ahead and take two hits, activate damage reduction instead of continuing to force your way through.

Lure the War Elephant away before rushing the devices#

Focus your opening advance on the two devices. Waiting in place will not solve the ten-turn limit. The War Elephant moves and may occupy your travel route, so do not plan as though it will remain on its starting tile.

Dietrich's movement Blaze Art can cover extra distance toward a device. You do not have to rely only on normal movement.

Approach 1: Lure it away and take the middle. Have an ally draw the blocking War Elephant downward, then send Io around through the center to the device.

Approach 2: Circle above to reach the right side. After using a movement ability to get beside a device, check whether you can actually operate it. If not, you may be stuck taking several rounds of attacks. Instead, circle above and rush toward the right on turn 8, leaving time to operate the device next turn.

Activating both devices removes the time limit#

After completing both devices, check the updated victory condition. The ten-turn limit is gone, so you no longer need to rush the remaining enemies. Switch to the Zanbato to clear them rather than making risky charges to save time.

Keep attacking with Io if he can survive#

If Io can survive the enemy in front of him, he can remain on the front line and keep dealing damage. If one hit removes a life bar, there is no need to stop just to wait for the rest of the party. Confirm that the enemy cannot kill him before continuing and finishing the fight.

Specialty Certification Exams unlock after the trial, letting you organize your next class changes.

Objective and unlocks#

Return to the Dietrich route walkthrough · Next chapter: Instinct and Reason