Persona 3 begins on April 7, 2009, with the protagonist transferring to Gekkoukan High School and moving into a dorm in the city. After learning his ability to summon a Persona, he is asked to join SEES and is eventually elected as leader in combat. Additional members join SEES over time, all students attending Gekkoukan: Junpei, who had only recently discovered his ability to summon a Persona; Akihiko, whose arm injury prevented him from fighting; and Fuuka, who replaces Mitsuru as the team's support member. After awakening to his Persona ability, the protagonist is transported to the Velvet Room, which its proprietor, Igor, says is a realm between "dream and reality."[19] Igor explains to him that his Persona ability is special: he is the only member of SEES capable of wielding multiple Personas in battle. In-game, the Velvet Room is where the player may fuse two or more Personas to create a new one. Igor also encourages the protagonist to meet people and form bonds with them, known as social links. According to Igor, the power of his social links will determine his potential in combat.
