StellaSora_DataLua/data/language/en_us/characterarchivecontent.json

{
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10301.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10301.2": "Name: Amber\nBirthday: August 8th\nAffiliation: New Star Guild\nSkills: Detective investigation, locating lost cats\nAddress: Roof of the Lucky Oasis\nExperience: 2 Years\nWeapon: Cat Treat-1911 Dual-Wield\nRate: Contact Iris",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10302.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10302.2": "Visit Monoliths, talk to different people, get a cat.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10303.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10303.2": "Typing Speed\n\nDocument Name: Novians and Monoliths\nWord Count: 1413\nTime: 4:33\nAverage Speed: 310 WPM\nFastest Speed: 352 WPM\nAccuracy: 1413/1413\nRank: 1st\nNickname: CatTreat1911",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10304.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10304.2": "Phone Chat History\n\nNoya: Wow! The shopping mall had this huge cat food ad.\nI wonder if it tastes good. Dying to try it!\nIris: Calm down, will you? Just who the heck eats cat food?\nAmber: That would be me! ^_^\nNoya: Really?\nHow was it?\nAmber: Monolith's cat food had the right texture but no flavor whatsoever.\nUnited Harvest copied Monolith but it tasted as bad as Tawny Nightingale.\nOh, and there was a kind of cat treats very popular in the Ash District. No quality control so it was a real toss up. Do not recommend.\nIris: ... Wow, Amber, you weren't kidding.\nNoya: None of these sounds appetizing. If we encounter strays, let's just share our food with them.\nIris: So basically, Tawny Nightingale is cat food. Isn't it?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10305.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10305.2": "Phone Memos Related to \"Corner\"\n\nComfort Ratings\n1. Trekker Association Hall Beam: Average\nPros: Good for hiding, excellent for scouting.\nCons: The beam is very hard and uncomfortable.\n2. Emor Ash District Waterway Bridge, Second Arch: Poor\nCons: The interior of the arch has an ecosystem of its own, critters and whatnot.\nToo dusty, not recommended as a resting spot. Currently under reconstruction.\n3. Philae United Harvest Campus, Greenhouse Area 2, R&D Department, 3rd Floor, Behind the Landscape Plants: Good\nCons: Often gets noisy when employees slack off by the vending machine.\nPros: This morning, Fuyuka was squatting behind the plants and talking to herself. Next time... I should try to hug her.\n4. Roof of the Lucky Oasis: Perfect\nPros: Very comfortable to the point of being a bit distracting. Prone to fall asleep there.\nMore pros: Iris put a small cushion on the roof just for me. It's got a kitty pattern on it.\n... It's my favorite spot.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10306.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10306.2": "Phone Memos Related to \"Claw Machine\"\n\nClaw Machine Battle Records\n1. vs \"Lord of the Prize Claw\" Nazuna\n109:58\nThat claw machine is really good; the grip of the claw is always very powerful. Yay!\nAfter the match ended, Nazuna was crying and laughing all at the same time. So ... was she happy or not?\n2. vs \"Emor Claw King\" Jackpipi.\n10:0\nThis one's claw is quite useless. You can only throw with it.\nAll I asked was, \"are you sure you're the real Emor Claw King\"?\nJackpipi burst into tears. ... Um, was it something I said?\n3. vs \"Philae Claw Machine Expert\" Mimi\n56:56\nA draw. Ran out of tokens.\nTrue to her name, a real expert.\nWe made a pact to have one final showdown as soon as we get some more spending money.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10307.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10307.2": "My scarf, Noya's teddy bear, and Iris' hat are all sewn by the same hand.\nThey were gifts from Aunt Allie when we left the orphanage. We should treasure them.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10308.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10308.2": "Amber's cat photos are always cute.\n—Firefly\nWhenever I want to find a place to hide,\nI always run into a sleeping Amber or a scouting Chaton.\nSniffle... I'm running out of corners to hide in Philae.\n—Fuyuka",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10309.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10309.2": "Accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nMs. Amber possesses exceptional detective skills, consistently maintaining a 100% satisfaction rate for tracking down lost items.\nInterestingly, when she submitted her CV this time, Ms. Amber actually greeted me of her own volition.\nI suspect this change might be thanks to ==PLAYER_NAME==.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10310.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10310.2": "A rough-looking, handwritten receipt.\n\nMonolith Calendar Year 9██, Calor Month, 8th\nSingle entry into cat cafe (one bag of cat treats included)\nAmount: 5,700 Dorra\n\nThere is a line dribbled on the back of the paper:\nThey're all caged up... They don't look happy at all.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10311.1": "Kingdom of Cats I",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10311.2": "On Amber's birthday,\nshe saved up enough money to treat herself to a cat cafe special in the Emor Ash District.\n\nThat night, Amber had a dream,\nin which she turned into a cat.\n\nAs it turned out, through the eyes of a cat, humans were huge and terrifying creatures.\nThe black cat named Amber tried to control her clumsy limbs as she arched her back, trying to dodge the bustling crowd. Every encounter felt like a brush with death.\nStress made all the fur on her body stand on end. Even if someone did notice this black cat at their feet, they'd probably just mistake her for a stray cat's fur ball—tumbling around the dirty, muddy ground of the Ash District, blown by the winter wind.\n\n\"Chirr, meow. (Come here.)\" \nAmber shook her left ear—after turning into a cat, her hearing had become exceptionally sharp. She pinpointed the cat's call as coming from a pile of abandoned cardboard boxes across the street.\nAll she needed to do was cross the street. Then, perhaps, she would be able to find a companion.\nDespite this, Amber hesitated when she came to the edge of the street. Even though it was only a few human steps away, in the eyes of a cat, the distance seemed impossibly long, like an unbridgeable ravine.\n\nSuddenly, something lifted her up by the scruff of her neck—before she could react, some creature had grabbed her from behind. The powerful gusts from the giants' legs as they walked brushed past her nose, making her whiskers tremble. Amber the cat, who had been flailing her limbs in panic, instantly stopped struggling.\n\"Meow. (Hah.)\"\nA cat's sound came from above, both mocking and comforting at once.\nThe cat who had picked Amber up deftly traversed the street that looked so intimidating to Amber.\n\n\"Meow, purr. (A newbie. Never seen her before.)\"\nSeveral round heads poked out from the shaking cardboard box.\n\"Purr, meow! (Nobody's gonna mess with you, not with us here.)\"\nThe golden head at the bottom meowed twice before a paw pressed it down—a paw which belonged to a purple cat with a tuft of white fur on its forehead.\n\"Meow! Purr... (Don't talk so big, you runt.)\"\nThe cat's words were aimed at her companion, but her narrow pupils were fixed directly on Amber.\n\n\"Meow, meow, purr. (Cat Two, Cat Three, be nice to the newbie.)\"\nThe one who helped Amber finally spoke—she was much larger than the rest of them and seemed to be in charge.\n\"Meow, meow, purr. (I'm not the one in charge here.)\"\nAs if she'd could read Amber's thoughts, the large cat flicked her tail and jumped up to the ruined staircase above the cardboard box.\n...At that moment, Amber realized that even more cats were emerging from the shadows of the stairs, their glowing eyes all fixed on her.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10312.1": "Kingdom of Cats II",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10312.2": "At the top of the staircase, a cat sauntered out.\n\"Meow, meow, purrr. (Newbie, the human world is full of danger. Join our Cat Kingdom Troupe, and we shall keep you safe.)\"\nShe looked down at Amber from above. Her face and ears bore scars big and small from battles.\n\nTroupe... Such a familiar word. Amber tilted her head but couldn't figure out why.\n\"Meow, meow, purr? (So...the long-haired blue cat who brought me here, is she also from the Cat Kingdom?)\" Amber found herself asking in the same language.\n\"Purr, meow! Purr, meow! (Of course, she's the strongest warrior in our kingdom—Cat One!)\"\nUpon hearing her name, the large blue cat emerged from the group and cheerfully waved her paw at Amber.\n\"Meow. (Then, I'll join.)\"\nAmber answered without hesitation.\n\"Meow, meow meow. (Good. From now on, you can call me Boss Cat.)\"\nAround here, the Cat Kingdom Troupe is a vast underground organization of cats.\nCats Two and Three, who Amber had encountered earlier, were also strays picked up by Cat One and raised in the Cat Kingdom's sanctuary for kittens—that cardboard box in the corner, its official name being the \"Cardboard Cat Castle.\"\nNobody had told Amber these strange details, but they came into her head all the same.\n\nAmber shook her head, clearing away these thoughts, and focused on playing with a magical mouse puppet. This was a daily training routine for the warriors of the Cat Kingdom.\n\"Meow meow, meow. (Don't let your limbs grow rusty.)\"\nBoss Cat would remind her warriors daily:\n\"Purr...meow, meow! Meow! Meow meow! (Soon, we'll face a great battle. We shall liberate our brethren at the cafe!)\"\n\nThat's right. The mission: Liberate the cats inside the cat cafe.\nThis was Amber's first mission after she joined the Cat Kingdom. It also served as a test given to her by Cat One the big blue cat after she applied to join her team.\nCat Two was already on the team, but Amber was determined to not fall behind Cat Three, who only ever thought about games. She swatted her paw against the mouse's tail and watched with satisfaction as her ranking rose above Cat Three's.\nTo her surprise, that single act seemed to change more than just the ranking.\nThe entire training ground began to shake. Above the field, a giant, featureless human face appeared.\n\"Purr! Meow meow, meow! Purr! (No! The humans from the cafe have acted first—we've been discovered!)\"\nBoss Cat's voice came to her from afar.\n\nAmber's eyes flew open, her heart pounding as she glanced up at the sky—\nNo human face.\nAnd she...was not a cat.\nAfter all, Amber knew how cats communicate—with glances, scents, and body language instead of \"talking\" back and forth with meows.\nOnly humans spoke.\n\n\"The Cat Kingdom Troupe, the Cardboard Cat Castle, Cats One, Two, Three, and Boss Cat... Was it all just a dream?\"\nThe starlight had no answer for Amber. She closed her eyes, hoping she'd find out the truth someday.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10313.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Cat Treat-1911 Dual-Wield",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10313.2": "Amber remembers the name of these guns: Cat Treat-1911.\nHowever, she has no idea where they came from.\n\nIt seemed that one day, when she woke up, they were already there—spotlessly clean and neatly placed by her pillow.\n\"Cat Treat-1911,\" Amber read out the unfamiliar name as if she'd always known it.\nLoading, aiming, pulling the trigger—it all felt so familiar, as if her muscles knew them better than her mind.\n\n\"I feel like I've forgotten how I came to have these pistols.\"\nAfter the formation of the New Star Guild, Amber said this to her companions.\n\"Knowing they're yours is enough, isn't it?\"\nThe blonde girl answered. Then she pulled Amber away to watch a rare sight—the Shrubshrew migration.\n\n\"It looks like they are made by NGO. Look, the bullets are actually filled with Neo Solution... Oh by the way, whatever you do, don't carry these guns openly in the cities. If someone from the Grace Imperium see them, you'll get fined.\"\nThe girl warned Amber repeatedly with a most grave expression on her face. She didn't stop until Amber promised not to take the guns out.\n\nLater, a new member joined New Star Guild.\nClutching her pistols, Amber asked the same question to the newcomer.\nThe amnesiac newbie was surprisingly at home with the grip and aim of these guns. If not for the inability to use magic, they could undoubtedly become an excellent sharpshooter.\nBut even the \"Boss,\" who was an expert on Artifacts, wasn't sure if this pair of guns was one of them.\n\nAmber didn't let this get her down.\nBecause she'd already found a clue that will lead her to the truth—\nOn the day she met the newcomer, inside Emor City's Ash District market, she'd spotted a mark that resembled the bullet holes made by her Cat Treat-1911.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10701.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10701.2": "Name: Tilia\nBirthday: November 18th\nAffiliation: Imperial Guard\nSkills: Light vehicle driving\nAddress: Slope Apartments 2-3 (Next to the Stargate Inn in Emor City's Ash District)\nExperience: 1 year\nWeapon: Freedom and Glory\nRate: An Imperial Guard is not allowed to moonlight",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10702.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10702.2": "I often need to undertake missions outside the cities, including occasionally ones involving Monoliths. Being a Trekker would make everything easier.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10703.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10703.2": "Interests\n\nPatrolling, helping people, polishing armor.\nCollecting Masked Knights' helmets.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10704.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10704.2": "Awards List\n\nImperial Guard Vehicle Driving Competition: First Place\nImperial Guard Weighted Cross-Country Competition: First Place",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10705.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10705.2": "Code of the Imperial Guard:\n\nLoyal to the Empire, Enforce the law impartially, Uphold justice, Protect the weak...\n(These are only the beginning of a full five pages written by Tilia on this topic.—Iris)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10706.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10706.2": "Aspirations\n\nWhether in novels, stage plays, or folklore, knights share one common trait—they help those in trouble.\nI will do anything to become a knight.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10707.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10707.2": "Imperial Guard Recruitment Test\n\nBasic Written Exam: Passable\nInterview: Average.\nPhysical Fitness Test: Excellent.\nAdaptability Test: Excellent.\n\nComments:\nThe candidate barely passed the written exam and displayed an excessive sense of justice during the interview, which could potentially affect her performance as a guard.\nThe candidate demonstrated excellent weight-bearing ability, running three laps around the city while carrying 50 kilograms of equipment, with all vital signs remaining normal afterward.\nDuring a simulated hostage scenario, the candidate decisively subdued the assailant and rescued the hostages. However, she used an unusual flying kick which resulted in a ligament sprain.\nNo record of family members becoming knights or Grace Imperium employees within the past five generations.\nTaking all of the above into consideration, it is recommended to admit the candidate as a squire.\n—Anonymous",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10708.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10708.2": "A very impressive knight.\nGiven the opportunity, I would love to have another discussion about vehicle driving with her.\n—Noya\n\nWith the ranks of the Imperial Guard, no one embodies the ideals of knighthood better than Tilia does.\nIt is a great irony that she is only a \"squire.\"\n—Kaydoke",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10709.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10709.2": "Extremely accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nThere is an unspoken understanding among Trekker teams: if you encounter danger in The Wilds and hear the sound of a scooter, you must call for help loudly. Before long, just like a page out of a classic novel, a knight will come to your aid.\nThis knight is none other than Miss Tilia. Although her position differs from us Trekkers, she treats us same as any other, and her chivalry is truly admirable.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10710.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10710.2": "The Falcon—Tilia's ride.\nIssued by the Imperial Guard and passed down to Tilia by a retiring knight, this vehicle is said to be 30 years old.\nThanks to Tilia's meticulous care, it looks as good as new, with absolutely no signs of wear and tear.\nWhat's more, according to a Scarlet Sights Media exclusive, this Artifact vehicle has undergone \"special\" modifications at the hands of Tilia's close friend Kaydoke. Kaydoke claims that these changes have made the vehicle better suited to Tilia's style. We look forward to seeing it in full glory someday.\nAlso, our \"When Will Tilia Be Knighted\" lottery continues—interested readers, don't miss out!\n—Scarlet Sights Media Exclusive",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10711.1": "A Knight's Story (Part One)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10711.2": "\"Even here, the sky doesn't look any different—when I look up, I see nothing but shoddy roofs and Monoliths in the horizon.\n\"This is Emor City's Ash District, after all. The view is nothing to write home about. But right now, you should be focusing on your recovery.\"\n\"Mind your own business. You're just a delivery girl. Whether I live or die, what's it to you?\"\n\"You look better when you smile.\"\n\nThe moldy walls, a rickety bed ready to collapse, and the pungent smell of medicine in the air.\nAs a newly-appointed knight squire, Tilia's first job was delivering medicine.\nThe girl named Xenoria was not the friendly sort, but a knight's mission to help others wasn't dependent on the recipient's attitude.\n\n\"The doctor says you're almost fully recovered. Want to go for a ride?\"\n\"Yeah, I can get out of bed and walk now, but that's none of your business—hey!\"\n\nTilia, without waiting for an answer, grabbed Xenoria's hand and they mounted her beloved Lapis Eagle.\nThe two of them sped through fields and woods. Xenoria clutched her hoodie tightly and kept her head down, but she kept glancing at the scenery along the way.\n\n\"Isn't this view nice? I come here often when I have time off!\"\n\"This is too extravagant for someone like me.\"\n\"Extravagant? It's just sightseeing. If you like it, we can come here all the time.\"\n\"Don't you have other work to do?\"\n\"Don't worry. I'm not skipping work—that would go against the spirit of chivalry. Today's my day off.\"\n\"Getting too close to someone like me will only bring you bad luck...\"\n\"What are you talking about? What you have is a physical injury, not some contagious disease. Besides, it's a knight's duty to help those in need.\"\n\nXenoria sighed and said no more.\nThis young squire would soon find out just how much bad luck she would bring.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10712.1": "A Knight's Story (Part Two)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10712.2": "Inside the Ash District, rainwater dripped down from eaves.\nTilia stood alone on a deserted street with a small mountain of weapons piled at her feet.\nJust moments ago, while delivering medicine to Xi, she was surrounded by the largest gang in the Ash District—the Ground Vipers.\nAfter she disarmed dozens of gang members, they retreated, but Xi had also disappeared.\n\n\"Getting too close to someone like me will only bring you bad luck...\"\n\nTilia recalled Xi's words from their ride together.\nAt the time, she hadn't given it much thought.\nAs a knight squire stationed inside the Ash District, Tilia often came across similar sentiments.\nInhabitants of the Ash District were, by definition, unlucky people—the lucky ones had long moved to the well-established Silver or Gold Districts.\nBut still...\n\n\"There are footprints.\"\n\nTilia followed the trail.\nFrom deep inside an alley came faint groans of someone injured.\n\n\"Xi, where are you?\"\n\nShe couldn't believe her eyes.\nSeveral Ground Viper thugs lay unconscious on the ground. Xi sat among them, her head bandage stained with fresh blood.\n\n\"Yo. Looks like I've dragged you into this.\"\n\nXi greeted Tilia weakly.\nThere was a box of medicine by her side.\n\n\"These are meds earmarked for the sick children of the Ash District. Somehow the Ground Vipers heard about it.\"\n\"You safeguarded the medicine...\"\n\"No, I'm not that noble.\"\n\nXi removed her head bandage, revealing a pair of sharp horns.\n\n\"During the scuffle, they noticed these.\"\n\"Xi... You're with the Nocturn Eterna...\"\n\nXi shook her head.\n\n\"Our world is more than Nocturn Eterna, but there's no use explaining it.\nBasically, they found me out. Seeing as my bounty fetches more than these meds, they attacked me instead.\"\n\nClang.\nTilia thrust her spear into the ground and raised her shield.\n\n\"Go ahead and capture me. Better that the bounty on my head goes to you than to those scums.\"\n\nThe shield came rushing toward Xi with a gust of wind. Xi closed her eyes.\nBut the hit never came.\nThe sound of metal clashing echoed behind her.\nXi opened her eyes.\nMore Ground Vipers had surrounded them, but Tilia's shield deflected the attacks raining down from above.\n\n\"To uphold justice and protect the weak. That's the code of the Imperial Guard.\"\n\nShe bashed her shield and sent the thugs flying.\n\n\"The code makes no distinction when it comes to race and affiliation.\"\n\nHer solid armor deflected incoming sharp blades.\n\n\"You safeguarded the medicine and, during my time with you, committed no crime. You're not on the Guard's wanted list.\nIf I were to turn you in as a Nocturn Eterna for the bounty on your head, it would be dishonorable and against the spirit of chivalry.\"\n\"Tilia...\"\n\"Just go. I'm simply fulfilling my duty of maintaining order, and you're just a passerby who did a good deed.\"\n\"I have nowhere to...\"\n\"That's not true. Watch this move.\"\n\nTilia leapt high into the air, executing an aerial flying kick that completely defied human anatomy.\nThe sound of a loud crash exploded inside the alley before it quickly drowned out by the rain.\n\nA month later...\nLying in a hospital bed with her leg in a cast, Tilia received an anonymous letter.\n\n\"Salutations,\nI'm sorry I didn't see the end of your flying kick.\nIn the Masked Knight stories you told me, the hero always used this move when there was no other way out, and it would be the pivotal moment when everything turned.\nThank you for your encouragement. When you leapt, I turned and fled from the city.\nGetting close to someone like me brings bad luck.\nBut you're an exception. Maybe it's because your light is so dazzling that it has cleansed me of my misfortune.\nI'm heading north now. Along the way, I saw a golden little flower covered in star-like fuzz. I've sent it along with this letter. When we meet next time, I hope you will tell me its name.\nYour truly\nA Passerby Citizen\"\n\nTilia smiled and tucked the letter under her pillow. One really shouldn't use that ultimate flying kick too often.Perhaps only the rain will remember her brief encounter with the girl who may or may not be a Nocturn Eterna.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10713.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Freedom and Glory",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10713.2": "A forge located inside Emor's Ash District.\nAn old blacksmith swung his hammer rhythmically, striking the truesteel on the anvil.\nSparks flew from the hammer and steel, landing on his body, but he paid them no heed. He fixed his eyes on the glowing red metal.\n\nThe beginning of this story can be traced back to several months earlier.\nA grand exhibition was being held inside the Imperial Guard's castle.\nThe lance and shield of the legendary knight Brahmante were displayed in the center of the hall.\nIt was the first time in twenty years that these legendary Artifacts were on view.\nHowever, the old blacksmith only shook his head in disappointment.\nHe could tell by a glance that these were counterfeits made barely a week ago—exceptionally crude ones, at that.\n\nJust as the old blacksmith was about to leave this pointless exhibition,\na monster on display broke out of its shoddy iron cage and charged into the crowd.\nThe defenseless audience fled in all directions. The old blacksmith, caught in this surge of panic, was knocked down in front of the beast.\nHe thought he would end up inside the monster's stomach,\nbut an adolescent girl broke through the display case, grabbed Brahmante's supposed lance and shield, and charged toward the monster.\n\nThe crude counterfeits were, of course, no match for the beast. Nevertheless, the girl did not retreat. She tied herself with a rope and leapt from the second floor, delivering a \"knight's flying kick\" to the beast.\nMaybe it was her perfect aim, or maybe the girl's courage stunned the beast. The monster fell to the floor. The chaos ended with only one person injured.\n\nMonths passed. The girl recovered and was duly discharged from the hospital. She polished her armor until it shone brightly and rode her beloved scooter to the old blacksmith's home.\nShe pushed the rustic door open and saw the blacksmith's final masterpiece: a pair of lance and shield made in Brahmante's style but fundamentally unique.\n\n\"Take these,\" the blacksmith said, \"they are made specially for you. Only you are worthy to wield something made in this legendary design. These are not duplicates of Brahmante's—they are yours. Give them a new name.\"\n\"Thank you! Then... I will call them Freedom and Glory. Simple, but far from common!\"\n\nTilia took the lance and shield with her and stepped out of the workshop. She held them high above her head.\nFrom that moment on, Nova's new knight legend began to take shape.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10801.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10801.2": "Name: Kasimira\nBirthday: October 8th\nAffiliation: White Cat Troupe\nSkills: Firearm modification, close-quarters combat, origami\nAddress: Leave a message on the flagpole at the southern entrance of Mirage. I'll find you.\nExperience: Extensive\nWeapon: Catnip-1886\nRate: 12,000 Dorra per hour",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10802.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10802.2": "I will hunt down the traitors and have them answer for my fallen comrades.\n—The handwriting is sharp, bold, and handsome.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10803.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10803.2": "Rules of White Cat Troupe's Third Squad\n\n1. Every squad member has the right to participate in major internal decisions and vote on them. Majority rules. In the event of a tie, the captain's vote counts as two.\n2. Every squad member has the equal right to the spoils. Stealing from comrades or concealing loot is deemed as acts of betrayal.\n3. The individual who contributes the most during a mission will be rewarded with one day of exclusive access to the game room.\n4. White Cat members are prohibited from gambling. First-time offenders will be given an internal warning and will need to submit a statement of reflection. Repeat offenders will be expelled from the squad.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10804.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10804.2": "Services Provided\n\nThe White Cat Troupe provides services including mission escort, security, hostage rescue, wild monster extermination, and special Monolith investigations.\nWe take commission that range from half a day to three months, with fees ranging from 8,000 to hundreds of thousands of Dorra. For details, please consult the troupe's office.\nThe White Cat Troupe is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10805.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10805.2": "Off-Time Personal Interests\n\nIf you need to find me in a hurry, you can go to the bookstore in Mirage and try asking its owner.\nContact? No. It's just that I often buy fashion magazines there. The owner there knows me as a regular customer. If you're lucky and find me there in person, I can even give you a fortune reading for the day.\nTearing up magazines? No way. Well, in a way, I guess. We don't keep a lot of worldly possessions. It's pointless for me to have piles of old magazines around. So I use them to do origami to amuse everyone in between commissions. Would you like one?\n—From a certain audio recording.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10806.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10806.2": "The School of Close-Quarters Combat Techniques\n\nWe have noticed that Kasimira's close-quarters combat techniques seem to show traces of Loong martial arts influence.\nHowever, according to herself, she has never crossed path with the Loong—at least, that's what she believes.\nShe says that she learned her close-quarters combat techniques from the former leader of the White Cat Troupe.\nI speculate that, if we trace back far enough, there might be a link between the White Cat Troupe and a Loong. But as to the specifics, we remain in the dark.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10807.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10807.2": "The Spare Controller\n\nEveryone in the Third Squad loves playing games! Cool, right? Jealous, aren't you? Hah—\nWait, what? It's an open secret? Ugh, that's no fun.\nOf course, Kasimira plays, too. She plays far less than Lanzia-chan and I do. She's always going on about how, as the captain, she must lead by example and not indulge too much. Ugh, it's so annoying. When we all play together, she really enjoys it, too. So why the pretense?\nThere's a secret I want to tell you—Kasimira has a spare controller that's gathering dust. It's in perfect working condition and looks great, but she will not use it. Every time I ask to borrow it, she turns me down. As far as I know, only Lanzia-chan has managed to ever borrow it, and it was just the once.\nAh, Boss, I have a thought—If you ask her for it, she might lend it to you. Why not give it a try?\n—Chaton",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10808.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10808.2": "Finally done!\nI once made a vow that I would one day defeat Kasimira and become White Cat's paramount boss...and that day is today! It's my turn to assess her! gbuiweh;ofbaou;gdfo;acboa8wgdcwow Owowowowowow, my bad, Cap, don't smash my face into the keyboard!\n—Chaton\n\nIn her professional capacity, Kasimira is a diligent and responsible captain. On the personal relationship front, she still owes me something. This is an entirely objective assessment.\n—Lanzia",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10809.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10809.2": "The White Cat Troupe is missing much of its records. In order to verify certain information, we visited a whole lot of places and interviewed a whole lot of people!\nNow, the verdict is in:\nEXTREMELY RELIABLE!<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nI can definitely verify Kasimira's resume, because everyone in the New Star Guild has received an origami creation from her!\n—Noya",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10810.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10810.2": "The game room inside the Monolith is an amazing place.\nThose large arcade machines are not something that can be easily obtained through a single wish, even for trekkers. Only those who have the ability to survive in The Wilds and defeat the Stellaroid can enjoy themselves there.\nTherefore, it's the ultimate hall of fame for gamers. Anyone who can manage to leave their name on the leaderboards there is among the best of the best.\nI was lucky enough to hire a team of Trekkers to escort me there and leave my name on the leaderboard. However, my score was nothing compared to the record holder.\nAlso, the top score on most of the machines in that room belonged to the same name. That name must belong to the god who controls the Monolith's arcade machines.\n—Statement by the president of the Gaming Club of Starlight Academy during an interview with Scarlet Sights Media",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10811.1": "The Releasing",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10811.2": "Only the kids in the reserve force know that Kasimira is very skilled at origami.\nHer members, who aren't as close with her, tend to describe this reserved squad captain as \"repressed.\"\nEven during the Troupe's social events, she is never to be found at the center of action, though one can always spot her standing somewhere not too far away, watching over everyone with a soft smile on her face.\nBut if you try to walk over and talk to her, she would quickly become flustered and tell you to go enjoy yourself.\n\n\"Kasimira... I think she really likes hearing all the gossip,\" said a Troupe member who was working as a makeup artist at the time. \"Last time, Reiran and I were speculating if Nana was having yet another fight with her boyfriend. Captain happened to walk by us and, out of the blue, she said that this time they'd really called it quits. It was scary.\"\n\"All this time we thought she was the kind who didn't care about what went on around her, but she's been paying attention, hasn't she?\"\n\"But for some reason, whenever we try to have a chat with her, she always finds an excuse to wiggle out of it. Kasi can be really sly when it comes to that.\"\n\"Oh, a cat needs to be 'released.' I gotta run. Let's continue this conversation another time.\"\n\nThe troupe is called \"White Cat\" for a reason, because we live alongside a great many cats. Despite a reputation as heartless creatures, after spending enough time with people, cats do learn who always brings them food and whose touch feels best.\nThus, if something happens and one of our member doesn't make it back, the first ones to be informed are their cats.\nThis process is called \"release.\"\nAll White Cat Troupe members carry a special strap to communicate with their teammates during missions. If someone doesn't return, their teammates are responsible for recovering their weapon and strap, even if these items are no longer usable. Be it a piece of string or a scrap of cloth—they must be brought back.\nBecause the remnants can tell the living the name and identity of the deceased.\n\nThese recovered scraps and fragments are placed together, and the cats are brought nearby. Cats have a keen sense of smell and great intuition, thus they will pick up the strap carrying the scent familiar to their \"cohabiters.\"\nThis tells everyone that someone who once shared a bond with that cat will never return.\nMost of the time, even after confirming their human's death, the cats will return to their normal routines. But sometimes there are a few truly loyal ones who take the straps and run off. They will not return no matter how much they are called.\nMaybe they've gone off to find the owner of that item. Who knows?\n\nCan you imagine it? Someone who fed you just yesterday is now gone forever. You will never see them again.\nCan you imagine it? Someone who was chatting and laughing with you just yesterday will never smile or joke again.\n\nPeople instinctively avoid confronting the hard truths, as if pretending they never happened will make them disappear. Feigning ignorance is a valuable survival skill, and those who excel at it can avoid a lot of unnecessary pain.\nBut many people are not good at it, and Kasimira is one of them.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10812.1": "The Journey",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10812.2": "The children discovered Kasimira's secret after one of the release ceremonies.\nAlthough the reserve kids are allowed to feed the Troupe's cats, they remain barred from attending the release ceremonies. This doesn't bother them, though, because around these irregularly held ceremonies, the adults cannot spare them the attention or the time.\nThis represents a rare chance for them to run wild and play freely.\nOnce, when they had planned to go on an adventure by the stream near the Troupe's base, they found Kasimira sitting by the water. She folded colorful square-shaped papers into beautiful little boats with just a few creases.\n\"If we share some of our candy with you, can we have one of your little boats?\"\n\"You caught me at a bad time. I didn't bring extra paper with me. These boats are for my friends. Ask me next time.\"\n\nFriends? Just where are her friends?\nThe children looked around but didn't see anyone else. Still, they accepted her explanation.\n\"Then next time, we'll come ask you for one! Promise?\"\n\nKasimira simply smiled.\nShe placed the little boats into the water, watching as they floated away.\nOne, two, three, four, five.\nIt just so happened that five troupe members hadn't returned this time.\n\nKasimira is a woman of her word. The following afternoon, she brought a stack of paper to the kids. But this time, instead of folding boats, she made paper cranes.\n\"We don't want Paper cranes. Paper boats can float on water, but paper cranes can't fly!\"\n\"How about this then?\"\nWith a few deft movements, the paper transformed into a delicate paper airplane in her hands.\n\"What's this?\"\n\"According to the Monolith's promotional flyer, an 'autonomous aerodynamic model.' But we usually just call it a paper airplane.\"\nKasimira blew gently on the paper airplane's tip and threw it. It wobbled into the air.\n\"Paper airplanes can fly! Paper airplanes are great!\"\nEach kid received a paper airplane and ran off with the loot. That afternoon, colorful paper airplanes soared under the bright blue sky by the stream.\nBut there was a clumsy one who threw her paper airplane into the river by mistake. She asked Kasimira for a replacement:\n\"Kasi, look, when a paper airplane falls into the river, it floats on the water, too.\nSo it's like, in that moment, it also became a paper boat.\"\n\n\"It's not the same thing,\" said Kasimira. \"A paper boat is a paper boat. A paper airplane is a paper airplane. How can you mix them up?\"\n\"Then what's the difference between them? Kasi, tell me!\"\n\"A paper boat can only drift with the current to a place it doesn't know. Eventually it will sink at an unknown place, never to be remembered again.\nThe journeys of the living and the dead are fundamentally different. The journey of the dead ends in remembrance, closure, and eventually becoming forgotten.\nWhereas paper airplanes—and really, you girls—are meant to soar.\n\nNot to sink slowly into murky waters, but to soar far and high into the vast and clear blue sky.\"\n\"In that case, Kasi, can you fold us birds or butterflies? Those are things that can fly, too!\"\nThis was the only thing Kasimira, as a Watcher, could do for them.\n\"Sure can. Promise me that you will fly far away, just like them.\"\n\n\"I need to do something,\" As she gazed at the brilliant sunset reflected in the water, her hands still folding the papers, Kasimira thought to herself.\n\"I'll talk to the other captains again and keep those reserve kids from going on missions just a bit longer.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10813.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Catnip-1886",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.10813.2": "This happened...\nback when Kasimira had just become an official member of White Cat Troupe.\nPeople are prone to being forgetful. From misplacing important documents somewhere to leaving heavy weaponry in a random room inside the Monolith, these mistakes can happen with one simple slip-up.\nThe most absurd thing Kasimira had ever done was leaving her shotgun outside a magazine shop.\n\n\"Very Lucky.\" That's what the newspaper's daily fortune draw read. Surely something good was bound to happen today!\nThus did Kasimira make the mistake of equating \"Very Lucky\" with \"today is a good day to take on a mission inside the Monolith.\" Until she reached the base of the Monolith, patted her waist, and realized \"Wait a second—where's my shotgun?\"\nThis is bad, this is so, so bad. Not only had she lost the tool of her trade, even more importantly, the shotgun—specially modified by the White Cat Troupe—was more important than her life itself! When veterans retired, their weapons were passed down to the new generation. These weapons carried the knowledge, memories, and skills of their previous owners. Any warrior who aspired to leave their mark treated their weapon with utmost care, hoping it would become part of their legacy, passed down forever.\n\"You're the most promising rookie of your class, so I'm entrusting my shotgun to you. It's called Catnip-1886. Remember its name and treat it well.\"\nAlthough all the Troupe's weapons were named after cat-related things, Kasimira couldn't figure out why this particular shotgun was called Catnip.\nBut since her predecessor had made a point of this, the name remained.\n\nAnd now, barely one week into her career as a warrior, the \"most promising rookie\" had no idea where she'd left her shotgun. What a disaster!\nAfter thinking over where she might have left it, Kasimira came to an even more terrible realization:\nThe park, the shopping street, the magazine shop, the snack stall—all of them swarming with civilians.\nJust when she thought things couldn't get any worse!\nWhat if some clueless civilian innocently picked it up?\n\nThere was nothing for it. She had to retrace her steps from that morning and search for the weapon.\nWhile nobody in Mirage would bother to report the White Cat Troupe's weapons as illegal items, inside this chaotic desert city, once something got lost, it stayed that way until you \"buy it back.\"\nKasimira had already prepared for the worst scenario: If she couldn't recover the weapon, she would have to borrow a lot of money from her colleagues, get an advance for several months' worth of pay, and get a new shotgun made.\n\nShe hit the jackpot at the second place she visited.\n\n\"A strange-looking staff? Yeah, I saw it. I didn't put it away, it's on the bench outside.\"\nOn the bench outside? Kasimira replayed the scene outside in her mind. There were a lot of cats playing with each other near the door.\n\"Oh... I know what happened. Come with me.\"\nKasimira followed the owner outside and watched as he dug into the pile of cats, eventually pulling out a shotgun.\n\"You know how it is. Cats love playing with things they've never seen before. You left staff here, and for some reason, all the stray cats in the area came running. They really have a thing for it.\"\n\nWhat's going on? Kasimira sat down inside the shop and disassembled the shotgun that was still new to her. She discovered that its magazine was loaded with not bullets but a bundle of slightly withered catnip leaves.\nAh, so that's why it's called \"Catnip.\" Turns out it had this little trick mechanism.\nIt's impossible to know whether this was her predecessor's own preference or some sort of prank. As she sat on the bench, cats climbed all over her in search of the scent. Kasimira didn't know whether to laugh or cry.\nA Very Lucky day, indeed.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11001.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11001.2": "Name: Firenze\nBirthday: November 16th\nAffiliation: United Harvest\nSkills: Business management, investment actuarial valuation, negotiation and diplomacy, Philae traditional swordsmanship\nAddress: Building 6, Xueshi Ave, Gold District, Philae\nExperience: Less than 1 year\nWeapon: Starlight\nRates: I only accept \"Equity-Based Incentive Compensation\" and do not take commissions",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11002.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11002.2": "The company world has long looked down on the Trekkers as a whole.\nBut as time changes, I believe this industry will once again become the next big thing.\nTo win in the future Trekker boom, one must become a Trekker first.\nEntering an industry lightly without real hands-on experience is a sure way to lose everything.\n—An audio recording copy saved on someone's phone.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11003.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11003.2": "Education\n\nPhilaen Academy – Business Trade – Graduated\nGraduated with excellent academic performance, GPA 4.5/5.0, recipient of four times school scholarships. Served in roles such as a student council officer.\nGrace Light Academy – Unfinished degree",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11004.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11004.2": "Work Experience\n\nIn the year 992, during gap ... was recruited into an internship position at United Harvest.\nThat same year, due to outstanding performance, transitioned from intern to full-time employee, formally joining United Harvest.\nIn 995, promoted to senior management.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11005.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11005.2": "Five-Year Investment Plan\n\nCurrently considering investing in a Monolith-style fast-food restaurant. United Harvest's cafeteria food is truly awful.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11006.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11006.2": "Cover Letter\n\nAs Boss, in addition to subordinates who carry out orders, you also need external alliances.\nYou and I both need an ally.\nI believe our cooperation can be mutually beneficial to a great degree.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11007.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11007.2": "Chair Appreciation\n\nI hold everything in the office to very high standards, especially a comfortable desk chair.\nThat being said, if it's not as comfortable as sitting on your lap, I won't accept it, you know?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11008.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11008.2": "We have followed Lady Firenze for many years. Her wish is our command.\nIn our eyes, Lady Firenze's excellence goes far beyond what has been expressed here. However, since she is only willing to write this much, we shall defer to her own words.\n—Ruby & Sapphire\n\nDid you ask me to write an evaluation of this person expecting me to badmouth her? Because that's all I'm going to do.\nPS: The afternoon tea shop we frequent in the Silver District has changed its menu. Keep up the good work.\n—Nyx\n\nFake. Totally fake. This has to be fake!\nHow could someone that amazing possibly exist in this world? I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it, not even if you beat me to death, unless...\nUnless she can prove it to me by conjuring up money right here, right now, immediately!\nWhat? She's willing to give me a one-on-one investment consultation for free? I'm sorry, I—I really need that...\nPlease! Enlighten me, Miss Firenze!\n—Iris",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11009.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11009.2": "The CV is extremely accurate. Aside from that, there's not much more that can be said.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nThat falls outside the scope of what the Trekker Association is meant to evaluate.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11010.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11010.2": "\"... To become a successful person, the key lies in demanding strictness of oneself and mastering time. Only by holding oneself to machine-like precision and cutting down on daily rest can one squeeze out their full potential...\"\n—Excerpt from the bestselling book, <i>Secrets of Business Success</i>, found on Firenze's desk.\n\nThe title page bears a handwritten note from her: \"This book may teach people how to become elite employees, but it does not necessarily teach them how to become leaders. The latter requires a clear mind, original insight, and an unyielding will. Tempering a person with pressure alone, without thinking about holistic growth, only forges metal that is sharp yet brittle...\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11011.1": "Noble Etiquette 101 (Part One)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11011.2": "\"Can I skip wearing this corset? It's squeezing me so hard I'm about to throw up.\"\n\"Better not. Your violin teacher scolded you just yesterday.\"\n\"Can I ditch her class too? Do I really have to go?\"\n\"Seriously, Firenze. Do you want that course certificate or not?\"\n\nLearning aristocratic etiquette was a popular trend in the Gold District.\nFirenze didn't know when exactly this trend had begun, only that it had been en vogue for many years now.\nIn Nova, nobility titles were just for self-aggrandizement.\nAll the geezers in the United Harvest Senate called themselves nobles, each trying to trace their family trees back hundreds of years—\nEven when they had been nothing more than street vendors before they got into the Senate.\nFirenze didn't know whether her own family fell into that category, but if she wanted to move around in the Senate's social circle, these manners were something she had to learn.\nThe shared consensus of a group of pretentious jerks was still a consensus.\n\nAt first, Firenze didn't think this would be any trouble at all. The phrase \"I can't\" simply did not exist in her vocabulary.\nThen she was harshly reprimanded.\n\"There is no aristocratic bearing in your playing! I will not let you pass my course!\"\nWhat aristocratic bearing actually was, Firenze had no idea.\nIf it came to emotion in performance, she certainly had it; as she played, she followed the music and recalled memories of running through the garden in her childhood.\nBut this kind of feeling was clearly not what the teacher wanted.\n\nPerhaps considering the enormous tuition fee her family paid, the violin teacher softened her tone.\n\"As a child of the nobility with a distinguished name, you were simply born different from those commonplace girls of the Ash District. Your value far exceeds theirs.\nSo you must show correct bearing and let others know your exact value through the music.\"\n\nValue... Firenze let out a sigh.\nShe understood how commodities were valued, but did people have price stickers, too?\nFor parents, how should a child be priced?\nHow should lovebirds price their other half?\nFor a ruler, what price is their underlings?\nOr rather, how should she put a price on other people?\n\nFrom the dark, dilapidated Ash District to the resplendent Gold District, Firenze had walked through them all.\nFrom toddlers, youths, young adults, and the elderly to students, clerks, Trekkers, and managers, Firenze had seen them all.\nDifferent individuals held different understandings of \"price,\" and most people won't even think of calculating the price of human life.\nPerhaps this was the difference between nobles and commoners?\n\nFirenze came to the realization:\nSo-called aristocratic bearing meant treating everything in the world, including oneself, as a commodity, as goods that could be sold at any time.\nThe world of nobles was woven from threads of interest and profit.\nThe amount of the price did not matter; what mattered was that everything had a price tag.\nThere was no loyalty that could not be bought, only prices one could not afford.\n\nBy folding such feelings into her performance, she would meet the teacher's requirements, and she herself would become a noble.\nThinking this, Firenze picked up her bow.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11012.1": "Noble Etiquette 101 (Part Two)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11012.2": "The performance at the noble etiquette curriculum graduation ceremony was the only time Firenze ever messed up. But it was also her favorite performance.\nBefore that, Firenze, already fluent in \"aristocratic bearing,\" had long won her teacher over.\nHer icy gaze and decisive tones swept past the teacher like an actuary running calculations.\nAlthough the final price was not entirely satisfactory, the teacher was ecstatic simply to be \"priced\" by a noble.\nNext, as long as Firenze could earn the approval of company elders at the graduation ceremony, the teacher's price would naturally rise as well.\nWhat the teacher failed to notice was that from that day on, Firenze never picked up the violin again.\n\nOn stage during the graduation ceremony, Firenze was not wearing the required formal dress or corset, nor was she holding a violin.\nDressed in a trench coat, she casually rested a cane across her shoulder, then lifted the bow in the posture of a performance.\n\"Firenze, what are you doing? Where is your violin?\"\nHer violin teacher's face twisted as she hissed low.\nFirenze smiled faintly. She set the bow lightly against the cane, and began her performance.\n\n\"Mr. Obicci, the mercenaries you asked for have been arranged. One hundred seasoned veterans will arrive tomorrow.\"\n\"Didn't expect you to be so efficient. This favor won't be easy to repay. You're ... a Feltro?\"\n\"I'm still continuing with my noble etiquette curriculum. I heard you'll also be attending the graduation ceremony?\"\n\"Hah! I get it. The tedious violin performance they ask for, right? Don't worry. Even if you saw wood on stage, I'll still give you high marks.\"\n\n\"I got your photos back from those Scarlet Sights Witches. Be more careful next time, dear Giovanni.\"\n\"Thank you so much. If photos of me dining with employees of the Grace Imperium had leaked, it would have been a real catastrophe.\"\n\"Then, the graduation ceremony?\"\n\"Of course, of course. My wife is on the judging panel. I'll speak to her.\"\n\n\"Firenze, you finally made it. What did Deepsea Finance say? If that loan can't be secured...\"\n\"I negotiated the interest down by half. The manager over there also needed to meet their lending quota.\"\n\"I... I don't even know how to thank you. You really are a lifesaver.\"\n\"No thanks necessary, Lady Virginia. Just doing my duty. Please remember to attend my graduation ceremony.\"\n\nSkill in performance is honed in everyday practice.\nThe same is true for putting a price tag on others.\nThe ceremony hall was silent. A bow and a cane could not possibly produce elegant music.\nYet the judges put on an air of focus, as though they were mesmerized by a beautiful melody.\nFirenze bowed gracefully. The judges responded with enthusiastic applause, and even the audience joined in clapping.\nTo those who did not understand what was happening, Firenze had probably staged some kind of avant-garde mime.\nShe was so elegant, and the noble judges were surely professionals; if one heard nothing, it must simply be a lack of appreciation.\nAbove all, everything nobles did was right. After today, cane sales in Philae City would probably be way up for a while.\n\nFirenze's teacher handed her the certificate of attendance. She casually slipped it into her pocket and walked out of the hall.\nIn her own way, she had completed her own valuing process. She had determined the price of everyone present, yet no one could see through her own.\nFirenze did not dislike the way this circle played its game, hypocritical as it may be.\nBecause no matter what the rules were, she would always master them and emerge victorious.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11013.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Starlight",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11013.2": "Generally speaking, every young noble equips themselves with a weapon of refined elegance.\nIt serves as a symbol of status and position. All it needs is tasteful design and dazzling appearance; it does not need to be put into practice.\nAfter all, in this day and age, there are tons of mercenaries who do dirty work for hire and packs of Trekkers who live rough on the road in need of commission fees. Why would a well-dressed, wealthy person still fight with weapons?\nDorra can buy you anything. When fighting is required, all it takes is money.\n\nAnd yet, from a young age, Firenze dreamed of owning a sharp weapon.\nLook at the Trekkers who wander between cities, the knights who move through streets and alleys. They all have their own weapons and, therefore, are masters of their own fate.\nBut Firenze never managed to find a weapon completely to her liking.\nA dagger? She disliked sneaking around and assassinations.\nA whip? She didn't care for weapons that could not subdue an enemy in a single decisive strike.\nA cleaver? Too conspicuous, and far too heavy.\nIt was only much, much later that she found a cane at a secondhand market, perfectly balanced in length and weight.\n\"If you take a piece of wood like that home, won't your parents scold you?\" Nyx asked. She had come along with Firenze.\n\"They won't,\" Firenze replied. \"They'll just think I have good taste, and that I've finally reached the age where I know how to choose luxury goods.\"\nSmiling, Firenze pulled off the head of the cane. Just as she expected, the blade concealed within was hard and razor-sharp, gleaming with an immaculate, flawless light.\nShe liked this weapon, liked the threat and killing intent hidden beneath its beautiful exterior.\nShe thought that perhaps she should use this sword to cut through things far more unyielding. Such as tradition, order, and rules.\nOnly when the moon goes dark can the stars burst forth with dazzling brilliance.\nAnd she was like that star, waiting for the uncertain moment when it would finally be drawn from its sheath.\n\"I shall name this sword ... Starlight.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11101.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11101.2": "Name: Iris\nBirthday: May 1st\nAffiliation: New Star Guild\nSkills: Office work, accounting, inventory management, sales, civil engineering, etc.\nAddress: The Lucky Oasis\nExperience: 1 year\nWeapon: 286 Series Magic Book\nRate: 50,000 Dorra per Monolith Wish commission. Otherwise upon negotiation",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11102.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11102.2": "Make money, pay off my debts, get an offer from a big company.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11103.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11103.2": "Educational Background\n\nGrace Energy Studies (self-taught)\nImperial Emblem (self-taught)\nMonolith Mathematics (self-taught)\nGrace Spells (self-taught)\nSat for the entrance exam of Grace Light Academy, missed the admission cutoff by 1 point.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11104.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11104.2": "Work Experience\n\nYear 995, Sonus Month to Present: Trekker with the New Star Guild\nPerformance Details: Explored 3 Monoliths, acquired 5 Artifacts, completed a total of 20 commissions with a 100% satisfaction rate. \n\nNivis Month to Sonus Month: Senander Accounting Firm of Emor City (Apprentice)\nResponsibilites: Organized documents and assisted bookkeepers in improving work efficiency. Conducted account sampling, drafted confirmation letters, and prepared bookkeeping report drafts.\nReason for Leaving: Firm closed down.\n\nTonitrua Month to Gelu Month: Grace Imperium Emor Soul Stone Store No. 305 (Sales Rep)\nResponsibilities: Assisted customers and provided Soul Stone recharging services. Received 6 perfect attendance awards and was named Employee of the Month 3 times.\nReason for Leaving: Whole shop was closed due to layoff.\n\nClarus Month to Tonitrua Month: Temp Worker\nDid temp work while preparing for Grace Light Academy entrance exam. Did not pass.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11105.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11105.2": "Skills and Certifications\n\nCertified Bookkeeper \nCertified Safety Construction Engineer\nCertified Fire Protection Engineer\nCertified Magical Girl Assistant\nCertified Fortune Teller",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11106.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11106.2": "Hobbies\n\nWhen I have trouble calming down, I would complete a mock exam.\nThe world is complex, but the exam questions are simple. No matter how intricate they are, there is always one—or sometimes several—answers waiting for me at the end.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11107.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11107.2": "About Myself\n\nWhile I may not have extensive experience as a Trekker, I have gained valuable skills through diverse job experiences in various fields.\nPlease consider hiring me if you have an opening.\nI can work for free during probation.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11108.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11108.2": "If you mess up, just go find Iris! She always knows how to fix it.\nOh man, I have caused her so much trouble without even realizing it.\n—Noya\n\nCan always find a new commission or gig just when we run out of budget.\nIris, the logistics wizard of our guild.\n—Amber",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11109.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11109.2": "Accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nFrom our perspective, every organization needs someone like Iris.\nDespite her generally pessimistic outlook, it is often those with such a mindset who prove to be the most resilient when it truly matters.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11110.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11110.2": "...During the admissions process, we came across an unusual applicant.\nOut of the total six exams, this applicant achieved outstanding results in five subjects but was absent for the final exam, leaving their total score one point short of the cutoff.\nIn light of such potential talent, shall we inquire about the reason for their absence?\n\nResponse from the Eye of Grace: The selection process of Grace Light Academy is sacred and its integrity must be maintained without exceptions. Moreover, this may be a sign of Grace at work. When this applicant is truly worthy, they will be seen by the Eye.\n\n—Excerpt from Year 994 Admissions Overview of Grace Light Academy",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11111.1": "The Correct Answers",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11111.2": "\"Given a circle and its circumscribed square, both rotated around their common axis of symmetry, they form a cylinder containing a sphere. Prove that the sphere's volume is two-thirds of the cylinder's volume. Verify the relationship between the lateral surface area of the cylinder and the surface area of the sphere...\"\n\nThe question wasn't all that difficult.\nAfter reading it once, Iris already figured out what she needed to do and quickly started writing.\nAll was quiet inside the Lucky Oasis. Besides the occasional rustling of pages and the scratching of pen on paper, the rhythmic ticking of the clock was the only sound she could hear.\nIris liked it. It stood for precision, for rules, for something that would never disappoint.\nAn hour was sixty minutes, and sixty it would always remain.\n\nThat's why Iris also liked doing exam questions.\nEvery question had a definite answer. In other words, answering them always brought results.\nIf she got it right, the moment she saw the correct answer was a reward in itself.\nIf she got it wrong, the moment she learned something new was also a reward.\nAs long as one put in the effort, one could gain something in return. Could there be anything better or more equitable than that?\n\n\"Use vector methods to prove that if the diagonals of a quadrilateral bisect each other, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.\"\n\nThe next question was a bit harder.\nIris would take photos of books whenever she came across bookstores inside the Monoliths out of habit.\nOf course, one may take nothing out from a Monolith—except for the Artifacts from the Wishing Box.\nBut the Trekkers' memories are not bound by such restrictions.\nNaturally, these randomly collected questions differed wildly in difficulty.\nIris preferred complex questions to simple ones. To her, the process of racking her brain and finally emerging victorious gave her the kind of satisfaction that could not be put into words.\n\n\"An empty water tank takes eight hours to fill and ten hours to drain when full. If the tank is simultaneously being filled and drained, how many hours will it take to fill it?\"\n\nOf course, Iris didn't mind beginner-level questions like this one, either.\nNoya found this one to be a head-scratcher:\"Why would anyone fill and drain a tank at the same time? Isn't that just a waste of water?\"\nIris didn't see it that way.\nIt made perfect sense if you think of water as New Star Guild's budget and the tank as their actual wallet size.\nThe only difference was that the guild's \"tank\" usually drained far faster.\n\nThe alarm clock rang, Iris put down her pen.\nAfter finishing a worksheet pieced together from random photos, she felt calm again. She once more find the courage to face a world full of unanswered questions—or perhaps, questions with no correct answers at all.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11112.1": "Life Consultation",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11112.2": "\"Your job isn't to give practical advice; it's to give the customers a massage.\"\n\"M-massage? I thought I applied to be a fortune teller... I—I don't know how to give massages.\"\n\"I mean metaphorically, you know? Just say something that will make them feel better.\"\n\"Oh, that... Right, that was on the exams.\"\n\"Good, then the booth is yours. I'll come back to check on you tonight.\"\n\"Alright, I'll do my best.\"\n\nThis was a conversation from Iris' pre-Trekker days.\nShe paid a fortune to earn her \"Fortune Teller Certificate\" in the hopes of landing a part-time job.\nThen she rented a dimly lit tent, sat there with a pointy hat on her head, and waited for customers to show up.\n\nOf course, mind-reading magic is real in this world.\nBut no one needs to worry about being mind-read by a random fortune teller.\nThe Grace needed to read someone's mind would be astronomical. No fortune teller would spend the equvalent of a million Dorra just to earn a thousand.\nWhat Iris had learned was a different kind of fortune-telling.\nNo need for cold reading or probing them with questions.\nJust listen to the customer's troubles and offer a few comforting words is enough.\nFor example—\n\"The crystal ball shows that while a door has been closed, God of Grace will soon open a window for you.\"\n\"Your luck will improve next month, so don't be too discouraged.\"\nOr something like—\n\"Your coworker's luck is gradually syncing with yours. Your work relationship will smooth out soon.\"\n\"This is the month when restaurants will prosper; all restaurants will see better business and you won't get laid off.\"\nMost of the people who came to see her weren't looking for actual guidance. They just wanted a bit of comfort to get them through the tough times.\nJust like how Iris, after surviving a month of eating nothing but Tawny Nightingale bread, would reward herself with a cookie.\n\nBefore long, Iris' little fortune-telling booth gained a small following.\nThis was partly because her gentle smile made people feel safe and at ease, and partly because her own life experiences resonated with her visitors, making their own struggles seem less daunting in comparison.\n\nAt one point, Iris thought she might just stick with this gig. \"Iris the Fortune Teller\" had a nice ring to it.\nUntil one day—\n\nShe was called upon to do real \"fortune-telling,\" or rather, a \"life consultation.\"\nIt was a rainy day when the child ran into her tent. She asked Iris if she should continue her studies or start working—and if it's the latter, what kind of job would suit her best.\nFor the first time, Iris could find no answer.\nShe felt like a student who'd been guessing the answers on an exam, able to give the correct response without truly understanding why.\nThe child met her eyes earnestly and carefully laid out a handful of coins as payment.\nIris found that she couldn't rely on her usual tricks to give the answer the customer wanted to hear.\nShe had no answer.\nThus \"Iris the Fortune Teller\" was no more.\nTricks for guessing answers are just that—tricks. To answer the question that is life, one must constantly be seeking from the paths ahead.\nOf course, \"Iris the Trekker\" is a whole other story.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11113.1": "Weapon Anecdote: MagBook S-286",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11113.2": "Iris' first Monolith climb after becoming a Trekker was also the first climb for the New Star Guild since its formation. It went surprisingly well.\nBefore the climb, Iris did her due diligence.\nShe chose a Monolith close to the city border for the guild, which was perfect for testing the Lucky Oasis.\nThis Monolith had already been visited by many Trekkers, so the Trekker Association had detailed records and guides for it. Given these resources, even newbies could get a good sense of what to expect inside just by reading.\nLast and not least, this Monolith was a good place to wish for Artifacts related to \"office work,\" which were highly valued in the cities and could fetch a hefty price.\n\nWith a solid knowledge as the foundation, the climb proceeded smoothly.\nThe fledging guild proceeded with caution. Iris knew what types of Stellaroid might appear in each room and which corners enemies could be lurking. She devised a strict Soularia usage plan for Noya and Amber.\nWhile other new guilds might throw magic spells at Stellaroid like they were free, Iris would calculate which spells would cost them the least amount of Grace Energy while still getting the job done. After all, they had to pay for these with Dorra at the Grace Imperium.\nThanks to her, the trio managed the feat of clearing three Boss rooms in one go. At the Wishing Box, Iris successfully wished for a valuable Artifact known as the External Brain.\n\nAs the name suggests, this Artifact acts like an extra brain for its user.\nBy typing some magical spells on the keyboard, the Artifact would assist the user in many tasks such as calculation and document filing.\nEven high-level executives in the Gold District took pride in owning such a powerful Artifact.\nNoya suggested keeping the External Brain for Iris to use and Amber agreed.\nDuring the climb, Iris never stopped calculating. By end of the climb, she looking worn out.\nAs Noya put it,\"You should keep it for yourself—if nothing else, your hairline would thank you.\"\n\nIn the end, Iris sold this Artifact.\nCompared to the mental strain of calculation, the New Star Guild's budget posed a bigger threat to her hairline.\nAccording to experienced Trekkers, a Trekker's first wish is always the best, because it carries all their desires or grudges from birth. Once wishing becomes as routine as eating or drinking, it becomes much harder to wish for something truly wonderful.\nIris had to consider what she would do if she couldn't successfully wish for an expensive Artifact next time.\nAs for calculations in battle, paper and pen work just as well. She would just have to work harder.\n\nWith the money from selling the External Brain, Iris returned to the Lucky Oasis to find a gift box waiting for her.\nBoth Noya and Amber had chipped in for this gift—a knockoff of the External Brain called 286 Series Magic Book.\nThough its performance was clearly inferior and the special keys had been replaced with magic runes, the way to use it was the same: It needed to be used horizontally.\nThe night, Iris kept complaining about her guild mates' reckless spending.\nYet many years later, even after the Magic Book's performance had become severely outdated, she still treated it with care and used it daily.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11201.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11201.2": "Name: Noya\nBirthday: June 21st\nAffiliation: New Star Guild\nSkills: Anything Trekker or car-related\nAddress: The Lucky Oasis\nExperience: 2 Years\nWeapon: Noname\nRate: 10,000 Dorra... Is that too low? You know what, ask Iris",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11202.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11202.2": "Because I want to pluck a star straight from a Monolith!\n\nWillow: This is not a proper reason that you should put in your CV. Next time, write something like: I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing the free lifestyle out in the wilds with them.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11203.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11203.2": "The Lucky Oasis\n\n\"Nicknamed 'Loxy,' is an RV assembled, in its entirety, by Noya alone.\"\n...That's what the Boss said I should write, but come on, that's not what happened!\nBack then, Iris, Amber, and I pooled every last Dorra we had to get our hands on all the parts needed for 'Loxy.' So really, it was a team effort.\nAll I did was put the engine, steering wheel, seats, axles, chassis, and other scavenged parts together by following my instincts. Somehow, it worked! Hehe.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11204.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11204.2": "The Tamago Pet Scam\n\nStatement from scam victim \"N,\" from the Imperial Guard archives:\n\"The scammer set up a stall near the alley entrance—the third one on the left of the Stargate Inn, inside Emor's Ash District.\"\n\"Yeah, average height, dressed like a Trekker, with a very noticeable scar at the corner of his mouth.\"\n\"He said he was selling the rarest of the rare: a Sherlock Tamago. He said that if you raised the pet inside the egg to level 999, you'd be able to summon it outside the Monolith.\"\n\"Right, that's exactly what I did! I raised it to level 999! But Sherlock never showed up. So the guy was definitely a scammer.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11205.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11205.2": "First Prize, 7th Wilderness Survival Competition\n\nNote: Since Noya has no recollection of this event, this account is written by Willow.\n\nTrekkers love having all sorts of contests, but the Wilderness Survival Competition, hosted by the Trekker Association, is by far the most prestigious of its kind.\nGifted with speed of the puma, strength of the bear, and eyes of the hawk, Noya outlasted all other participants in the Southern Lushwood Jungle, taking first prize. \nWhat's more, during the competition, Noya showcased her exceptional skills on the grill, to the point that the judge from Fenghuang Diner invited her to become an honorary chef.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11206.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11206.2": "BOGO\n\n\"Big sale at the Monolith convenience store! Buy a Potentials Juice and you have a chance to get another one for free!\"\n\nI still remember the day when I saw an ad at Portia's when we were climbing the Monolith.\nIris said we wouldn't be that lucky, but I opened my Pep Pep Juice from the Wishing Box to find a \"BOGO\" on its ring, even though we had no idea where to collect the second bottle.\nThat's why I made a point of taking the empty bottle with me when I left the Monolith. I've kept it by my side as a good luck charm~",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11207.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11207.2": "Treasure Map\n\nThis is the reward from a certain commission.\nAt first I thought I had been scammed with a useless piece of paper.\nBut it was thanks to this treasure map that we were able to find the Boss in the desert.\nSuch a historic moment is definitely going on my resume!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11208.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11208.2": "Oh my gosh, I had no idea Noya had received such a prestigious prize! In that case... It makes sense to increase our commission rate just a little bit, right?\n—Iris\n\nA veteran knight once told me about that Tamago Pet scam. This particular victim actually leveled up a fake tamago all the way to 999. With that kind of determination, they will succeed at anything they set their mind to.\n—Tilia",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11209.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11209.2": "Entirely accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nAnyone who can earn Willow's trust as a Trekker partner does not need to have their resume verified. This is not me slacking off. I have a finite amount of time and I'd rather spend it on more important things.\n—Kinsa",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11210.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11210.2": "One day, while cleaning the Lucky Oasis, Boss stumbled upon a really old film reel. Judging by its worn-out appearance, its owner must have played it over and over.\n\nTitle: Operation: Bearly Possible\nSynopsis:\nFive bears calling themselves the \"Invincible Five\" suddenly appear before the adventurer. The five bears are:\nCaptain Magic Bear Vanessa\nVice-Captain Hammer Bear Caris\nStrategist Illusion Bear Bernadette\nKnight Armor Bear Elsa\nVanguard Axe Bear Ursula\n\"Stop right there, Ku-ma! Not one more step into the dungeon!\" Vanessa warns the adventurer.\n\"Stop, Ku-ku! Stop, Ku-ku!\" Caris echoes the captain's words.\nThe adventurer looks down at the pink plushie bears that barely reach waist height even stacked up. Is this adventure really going to work out?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11211.1": "The Legend of the Twin Stars",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11211.2": "\"The Legend of the Twin Stars\" was a story written by an anonymous author published in Trekker Association's\"Trekker's Story Collection: Year █, Iter Month Edition.\"\nIt's Noya's favorite story. Perhaps it's because one of the main characters' dreams truly spoke to her.\n\nHere's an excerpt:\n\nFlowers, applause, and dazzling flashes of light.\nOn the stage of the medal award ceremony, Galavera almost teared up from the constant flashes. She glanced at Daria, who was standing next to her, with admiration. Her partner was calmly reciting her speech without skipping a beat.\n\nDaria knew this would happen, so she only assigned Galavera one simple task: stand to the side, keep your back straight, and smile.\n\"Of course, don't just stand there like a statue. Hmm, let me think... I'll leave the end of speech to you. You're great at doing mic drops.\"\nDaria leaned down and smoothed the creases out their dresses, making final adjustments before they went on stage.\n\n\"Shouldn't I prepare a something in advance?\" In her mind's eye, Galavera could see the audience at the ceremony—esteemed board members of the companies and organizations sitting in velvet chairs, potential big clients to the guild.\n\"What if I get carried away and end up saying something like I want to pluck the stars out from the sky up there again? I'm always told to not say far-fetched stuff like that because it makes us look unprofessional, then the big business in the Gold District will want nothing to do with us.\"\n\"But Galavera, this dream of yours sounds so romantic. I really like it.\" Her partner didn't see the problem. \"If the captain asks, just say it was from my draft.\"\n\"I'm not gonna have you get blamed for something I said. Hehe, I already know what I'll say!\"\n\nDaria's speech was finally coming to its conclusion. The memory stopped.\n\"Of course, our goal doesn't stop here,\" Daria smiled as she passed the mic to her partner.\nGalavera straightened her back even more. The flashes were on her again. She held back tears and said loudly, clearly, without the microphone. Even those sitting in the back row could hear her every word.\n\"We will be plucking the stars out from the sky next.\"\n\nThe awkward silence lasted a second before the applause broke out.\nThe company's directors made the gesture of clapping, if only to maintain their usual formal decorum.\nThe award ceremony came to an end.\n\nGalavera let out a happy whistled. She'd be dealing with the captain's fury later, after they got off the stage.\nWorst case scenario, she'd get fined again. No, actually, Daria would probably get fined this time, too.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11212.1": "The Fall of the Twin Stars",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11212.2": "\"The Fall of the Twin Stars\" was published in the Trekker Association's\"Trekker's Story Collection: Year █, Gelu Month Edition.\" It was written by an anonymous author.\nIt is the final installment of The Legend of the Twin Stars series as published by the Collection.\nNoya stayed up all night finish reading it, then she asked Iris to write a letter to the editorial team to protest the ending that befell the two main characters.\n\nHere is an excerpt:\nGalavera licked her pale lips. The stones beneath her feet had caught her unaware; she staggered and had to use her sword to steady herself. Daria, who she was carrying on her back, wasn't so lucky. Galavera's stumble had made she slip a little.\nGalavera paused to adjust her stance. She had to make sure that the unconscious Daria wouldn't get injured again.\n\nShe had no idea how long they'd been walking.\nA seasoned Trekker would always try to minimize her presence inside the Monolith, avoiding unnecessary combat with the Stellaroid.\nIt was a race against time.\nShe realized the cloth on her back had grown increasingly wet and sticky, a mixture of her own sweat and Daria's blood.\n\nShe's still breathing. Don't panic.\nGalavera forced herself to stay calm. She felt her partner's heartbeat—weak, slow, hanging on by a thin thread.\nThe wind inside the Monolith carried death's chill, swirling around the two Trekkers.\n\n\"Mm...\"\nA soft groan came from behind her. To Galavera's ears, it sounded like thunder! A sign of life!\n\"Go to the right... There's an Aqua Glopo... You must... stay hydrated...\"\nEven though she could barely string a whole sentence together, Daria was still dutifully guiding her partner's way.\n\n\"You know that no matter how badly I'm injured, I won't die from it! A few weeks of rest and I'll be fine!!\"\nGalavera heard a faint reply by her ear. Daria couldn't keep the pain out from her heavy breathing. \"Mm, but sometimes the body just reacts by itself...\"\n\"Daria, don't fall asleep. Talk to me.\"\n\"Your back is too stiff... No way I can fall asleep...\"\n\"Daria... Daria!!\"\n\nThree days later, Galavera carried Daria out of the Monolith, but they had paid a heavy price.\nDaria had lost one of her legs.\n\nThe Twin Stars shone but for a brief moment above Torina before they fell to earth.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11213.1": "Weapon Tale: Noname",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11213.2": "Legend has it that it was a long sword entirely in emerald green.\nSomeone picked this sword up and, with it, ushered in a new era. \nThe actress walked out of the magical elevator and said to her companions waiting outside:\n\"At last, the mysterious box has been opened... I can tell, this marks the beginning of a new era! The gods have heard our wish.\"\n\nThe performance on stage was coming to its climax.\nOut of the three girls in the audience, only two were still awake.\nOne girl reached out and touched Noya's sword.\n\"Noya's sword looks exactly like the one from the play. You don't think it could really be the legendary sword?\"\n\"Noya bought it at a blacksmith's shop yesterday.\"\n\"So she just bought the same one. Come think of it, she still hasn't named this sword. Do you think naming it would bring good luck?\"\n\n\"Noname.\"\n\"Huh Noya, you're awake?\"\n\"No. She's talking in her sleep.\"\nThat's how this seemingly ordinary long sword got its name.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11301.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11301.2": "Name: Shimiao\nBirthday: July 6th\nAffiliation: Baize Bureau\nSkills: Designing chalkboard displays, creating plans, and overseeing their execution.\nAddress: No. 6 Zhulin Road, Cangwu City\nExperience: 2 years\nWeapon: Shimiao's Miaovelous Sword\nCondition: Will only accept commissions assigned by Baize Bureau",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11302.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11302.2": "I am a secretary at Baize Bureau and there's a Monolith within its jurisdiction. I became a Trekker in order to better understand the Monolith.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11303.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11303.2": "Personal Statement\n\nI am very good at planning and organizing, and I'm confident I can assist you.\nIf needed, I can help you create weekly or monthly plans and ensure you stay on track.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11304.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11304.2": "HR Records\n\nShimiao.\nGraduated from Yanquan Academy and served as class president for three consecutive years. Well-liked by teachers and fellow students.\nHired by Baize Bureau after coming first in both the written exam and interview portions. Currently serves as the office secretary.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11305.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11305.2": "The Shimiao Logs ①\n\nShimiao is amazing at designing chalkboard bulletins. The neighorhood's public notice boards are all her handiwork.\nHowever, she seems to think nothing of it.\nOh, and she always draws a cute little animal in the corners of the chalkboard bulletins.\n—Colleague A at Baize Bureau",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11306.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11306.2": "The Shimiao Logs ②\n\nShimiao likes to stock a wide variety of chili peppers and hot sauces.\nEach jar is carefully labeled with production date, expiration date, place of origin, and some weird symbols that don't make sense.\nIn addition, she also keeps a ton of milk at home. When we ask her why does she buy so much milk, she always end up stammering something about how much she likes drinking milk.\n—Colleague B at Baize Bureau",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11307.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11307.2": "The Shimiao Logs ③\n\nShimiao's multifunction storage box was given to her by a Xuan Shi. It has an interesting name: Shimiao's Miaovelous Sword.\nAlthough Shimiao herself does not seem to approve of the name.\nThere is an even more interesting fact: if she utters the name out loud, she will come across a piece of luck that day. But at the same time, she will lose a certain amount of money; for example, her wallet might get lost or stolen. The amount of money lost seems to correlate with just how big is that piece of luck.\nBecause of this, in order to prevent unpredictable financial losses, Shimiao chooses to believe in the power of the box and avoids calling its name as much as possible.\n—Colleague C at Baize Bureau",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11308.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11308.2": "Hehe, I once again asked Shimiao to write a \"Scientific Mahjong Playing Guide 2.0\" This time, even my Philae friends will be able to learn it!\n—Jinglin\nShe has a very logical and clear way of tackling problems. I'd love to talk with her about how she would approach worksheet questions.\n—Iris",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11309.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11309.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nUnderneath her stern exterior, there is a very adorable side to her. As to what exactly, that is not to be disclosed...for now.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11310.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11310.2": "Anonymous Post: How can I quickly learn to handle spicy food?\nI've tried many tricks, but my spice tolerance hasn't improved much. I'm really frustrated right now.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11311.1": "Fire Safety Routine Inspection Log",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11311.2": "Messis Month, Fire Safety Routine Inspection Log\nInspector: Shimiao\nInspection Area: Second Danmu District Shopping Streets\n\n1st St, Shop No. 3: Clogging the fire passage at the entrance and unauthorized construction. Requested removal within three days. Follow-up inspection is needed to ensure the fire exit remains clear.\n\n1st St, Shop No. 26: The premise lacked fire extinguishers. When requested to equip the shop with an appropriate number based on floor size, the owner initially refused. After two hours of communication and safety education, the owner admitted to poor fire safety awareness and promised to implement rectification measures.\n\n3rd St, Shop No. 93: Severe aging issues were found in Illegally installed lighting wiring. During the removal process, the aged lines ignited on their own, throwing off sparks. Fortunately, it was promptly managed without serious consequences.\n\n4th St, Shop No. 48: The kitchen warehouse stored thirty bottles of liquefied gas. The owner claimed that they were for inflatable balloons but a further inspection revealed that the bottles were full of flammable gas. Due to lack of fire safety measures, the owner was mandatorily required to relocate the bottles.\nFollow-up inspection is required to ensure safety hazards have been eliminated.\n\n7th St, Shop No. 33: No fire safety hazards were detected, but the owner kept insisting something might be non-compliant and asked me to look around some more. Also offered drinks and fruits during the inspection.\nWe may have overlooked petty and trivial matters and a surprise inspection could be arranged in the future. But why did the shop owner keep staring at me?\n\n7th St, Shop No. 61: During the inspection, a young man asked for help finding his lost child. After searching, the child was found asleep in the bamboo basket on the man's back, which he had forgotten about.\n\n8th St, Shop No. 1: Due to a recent fire, the repair process was still on the way. Nearby shops, affected by the fire, actively cooperated with our inspection.\n\n9th St, Shop No. 74: The owner dismantled fire safety equipment and the hydrant without authorization in order to expand the shopfront. We notified relevant authorities and the owner was arrested. The dismantled fire safety facilities will be restored within seven days.\nFollow-up inspection is required.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11312.1": "Sister and Shimiao",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11312.2": "Blood is always thicker than water, and you can never get away from your blood bound sister, especially a wonderful sister.\nEven as a young girl, Shimiao had understood this.\n\nAll of the family's attention was always on her elder sister. For a long time, even Shimiao did the same.\nShimiao's sister was the joy and pride of the family. A model student with a bright personality, She was the embodiment of perfection. Whenever people talked about her parents' daughter, they were always referring to the older one.\nShimiao looked up to her sister, too.\nShe was Shimiao's role model, the kind of person she wanted to be.\nShe wanted to be just as exceptional as her sister.\nA young Shimiao would follow her sister around, telling her about her dreams and goals.\n\nBut over time, Shimiao began to realize that her future wasn't what she had imagined it to be.\nHer sister was always ahead of her, always climbing higher and faster. Always a relentless pursuer, one day she suddenly realized that she couldn't keep up.\nHer hard-earned achievements seemed less impressive next to her sister's, and her efforts felt insignificant in comparison.\nEven though she was always at the top of her class, which was naturally to be expected, because her sister got there first. Anything less felt like falling short and letting her family down.\nThe path she once thought of as a way to catch up with her sister had somehow become a mountain impossible to climb.\nHer sister had become a source of pressure, a peak too high to climb.\n\nBut it wasn't her sister's fault. Deep in Shimiao's heart, she knew that.\nThe sisters were still very close, still could talk about everything and nothing.\nBut there were times, late at night when she was buried in schoolwork, when Shimiao would look out of the window. She would gaze at the moon and wonder what her sister had that she didn't.\n\n\"Well, the real problem lies with the people who keep comparing you two, doesn't it?\"\nOne afternoon, the so-called \"Boss\" looked at Shimiao with a puzzled expression.\n\"You're who you are, and your sister is herself. You're two completely different people. Not to mention you're amazing, too.\"\n\nOh... That is what it is!\nBlood had bound them together; they were alike in some ways, but they were never the same person.\nHer sister is herself, and Shimiao is supposed to be no-one but Shimiao.\nThe cloud in Shimiao's heart had been dispersed, leaving her with a sunny afternoon sky—a scene that she'd never seen before.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11313.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Shimiao's Miaovelous Sword",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11313.2": "Why would a storage box bear such a strange name?\nBy the time Shimiao was asked this question for the 103rd time, she no longer had the patience to explain.\nBut one day it suddenly occurred to her that ever since she had received the thing, she herself had never asked why it bore her name—\n\nIt began with a strange figure who showed up on the streets. She was short in stature, with head of flaming red hair that stood out in the crowd. She carried an enormous calligraphy brush on her back and wandered from block to block. It sounded like she was hawking protection charms of some sort.\nShimiao had seen this oddball twice during her routine patrols. Once she was in front of an Artifacts shop, arguing with the shopkeeper that her painting skills were genius level. Another time, she was sitting at a breakfast stall, asking the owner about a kind of bun that was both savory and sweet.\nHer voice was so loud that Shimiao could hear her every word even from the far end of the alley.\n\nThe third encounter was an accident.\nThe strange girl had set up a little table beneath a bridge, with a sheet of white paper scrawled on in ink brushstrokes laid out on top. She had her eyes closed as she muttered under her breath. Drawn by this unusual sight, Shimiao slowed down to look, and just then the girl opened her eyes, leapt up, and dashed straight toward her.\n\"It's you, Shimiao! I've been looking for you forever!!\"\n\"Eh ... me?\"\nBefore Shimiao could even react, the woman dug into her pack and pulled out a long, cloth-wrapped object. She shoved it into Shimiao's hands. Seeing that Shimiao was still bewildered, she pointed to herself: \"What's with that look? It's me, Chixia! Don't you remember? We used to play together when we were kids!\"\n\"Chixia? Ah...! You're that one from back then!\"\n\"Yes, yes! But I don't have time right now, we'll catch up next time! This is Shimiao's Miaovelous Sword! My Master told me to give it to you! I don't know for sure if you're the right Shimiao... But since the name matches, let's say you are!\"\nShe gave Shimiao no chance to speak. She just said it was a storage tool made by her Master, who had insisted it be given to the right person.\n\"Don't worry, everything my Master makes is great. It'll bring you luck! Bye!\"\nBefore Shimiao could even refuse, Chixia had already packed up and ran off. Shimiao stood there with the sword-shaped storage box in her arms, and by the time she thought to chase after her, the red-haired figure was long gone.\n\nThough it had been entrusted to her by a childhood playmate, Shimiao had no idea what it was for at first.\nA month later, when a palm-sized cockroach appeared in her office, she instinctively grabbed the storage box and flung it at the terrifying creature. The box landed right on it. In that instant, she became convinced—\nShimiao's Miaovelous Sword really did bring her good luck.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11401.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11401.2": "Name: Chaton\nBirthday: August 5th\nAffiliation: White Cat Troupe\nSkills: Sniping, assault tactics, rhythm games\nAddress: Eureka Bar, Mirage\nExperience: There is literally nothing the great Chaton can't do.\nWeapon: Cat Wand: Uncompleted Codex Entry MK I\nRate: 12,000 Dorra per hour (or the equivalent in snacks)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11402.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11402.2": "I am the sole inheritor of the dark power within the White Cat Troupe. My destiny is to be the spark that reignites the White Cat, reclaiming the darkness it lost so long ago!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11403.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11403.2": "Console - Total Playtime\n\n1st Place: The great Chaton (2,408.6 hours)\n2nd Place: Kasimira (1,059.2 hours)\n3rd Place: Benito (986.5 hours)\n...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11404.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11404.2": "Console - Leaderboard\n\n1st Place: Kasimira\n2nd Place: The great Chaton\n...\nBenito: Unranked (Did not meet minimum season requirements)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11405.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11405.2": "Divine Cat Declaration of War\n\nI—in the name of the ancient Meowth God—deliver judgment!\nThe crimson moon hangs high, the gates of blood swing open, and the defeated shall be cast into an abyss of curses—\nEye of the Demon Lord—Unleash! You have nowhere left to hide.\nDescend, World-Ending Light! Burn it all to ash—\nBehold the wrath of the dark power! Tremble before the might of the great Chaton!\n...\n(Willow's Note: We couldn't find a copy of this book anywhere in Emor or the Trekker Association library. It's safe to assume Chaton is the writer herself.)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11406.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11406.2": "White Cat Pendant\n\nA pendant Kasimira gave Chaton during a mission.\nKasimira has a tradition of giving her squad members a lucky charm right before their first major operation.\nChaton's pendant, however, features an incredibly rare purple gemstone set in an intricate metal frame. Seems that it carries a lot of thoughts and expectations from her captain.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11407.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11407.2": "White Cat Troupe - Admission Evaluation\n\nTest Scores:\nMarksmanship: 100\nCombat Skills: 98\nTeamwork: 0\n\nSquad Assessments:\nFirst Squad: The White Cat Troupe doesn't need troublemakers.\nSecond Squad: Incredible accuracy on the range, but her teamwork is non-existent. Pass for now.\nThird Squad: Approved for admission, pending further training.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11408.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11408.2": "Cough up the caramel pudding I left on the table yesterday.\n—Kasimira\n\nHmm... Chaton is a sharpshooter and a skilled gamer. She often comes over to play games with me and Noya, but her sudden movements often startle Inky. That's why Inky hides away whenever Chaton shows up.\n—Amber",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11409.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11409.2": "The CV is extremely accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nSince so many of the White Cat Troupe's records are missing—and because Chaton is notoriously bad at paperwork—we hit a few roadblocks while logging her file. However, after cross-referencing her own stories with details from her guardian, we're confident the information checks out.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11410.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11410.2": "Final Decision on Chaton's Admission\n\nDue to the highly unusual nature of Chaton's weapon and Captain Kasimira's fierce refusal to let us confiscate it, we have reached a compromise:\nChaton is admitted to the White Cat Troupe, overseen by the Third Squad.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11411.1": "Shooting to the Beat",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11411.2": "No one could pinpoint exactly when it started, but Chaton was rarely seen without a pair of headphones hanging around her neck.\nHer playlist was a complete mystery, but her pre-mission ritual wasn't: the moment she set up for a sniper shot, those headphones went on.\nThen, keeping time with the beat, she would squeeze the trigger—one rhythmic shot after another.\n\nDeep in the historic district of Mirage, a dusty warehouse held stacks of wooden crates stamped with the White Cat Troupe's crest. Tucked away inside those boxes was the troupe's entire history.\nBeside the crates lay a few threadbare wool blankets. For a very long time, this was where the troupe's \"reserve members\" actually lived.\nBut being cooped up in a dusty warehouse as a mere trainee bored the newly recruited Chaton out of her mind.\nSo, doing exactly what any curious kid her age would do, she started digging through the crates.\nEventually, at the very bottom of a box labeled \"Musical Artifacts,\" she unearthed a strange little gadget.\nIt looked like a game controller, but it lacked the classic cross-shaped D-pad she'd seen on the ones the older members used.\n\nCuriosity got the better of her, and she started fiddling with it. She quickly figured out that each colored button produced a different note, while the device played a backing melody. If she hit the right button at the exact right moment, it let out an incredibly crisp, satisfying chime.\nChaton stared at the toy, deep in thought, until a sudden realization hit her.\n\"Isn't this just like shooting?\"\n\"You just need to pull the trigger at the perfect moment, right?!\"\n\nShe mastered the game in no time, but a simple toy like that was never going to keep her entertained for long.\nDuring her very first mission to the Monolith with the Third Squad, Chaton ditched her team and made a beeline straight for the arcade.\nFor a Trekker stepping into the Monolith for the first time, it was a wildly dangerous stunt.\nBut that didn't seem to bother Chaton in the slightest.\nAs Kasimira waited anxiously at the entrance, debating whether to charge back in after her, Chaton casually strolled out. Cradled in her arms was a pair of headphones she'd just wished for.\n\nKasimira gave her a blistering scolding, but the rest of the squad was absolutely floored by her raw talent.\nOn her first-ever trip inside, she had not only conquered several arcade machines entirely on her own...\nBut also casually stumbled upon a Wishing Box on her way out, using it to conjure up headphones pre-loaded with all her favorite tunes.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11412.1": "The Origin of the Dark Power",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11412.2": "On that pitch-black night, Mirage was ablaze.\nGunfire and the clash of steel echoed endlessly through the streets.\nTownspeople locked their doors or huddled in basements for safety. Back then, battles of this scale were just another night in Mirage.\nBut the flames and shouting soon drew monsters from the desert. Lured by the scent of blood, they swarmed the town, plunging the battlefield into absolute chaos.\nAs one mercenary band fell back, someone spotted a monster lunging at a child in a narrow alley.\n\nA gunshot cracked through the night.\nThe bullet tore into the beast, shattering it into dust right before the child's eyes.\nThe child looked up at her rescuer. Raised among mercenaries, she knew only one rule: stick with the strong to survive.\nWithout a word, she grabbed the mercenary's sleeve.\nBut with the battlefield in total disarray, no one had the luxury of dragging a kid along. Desperate, the mercenary blurted out a line from a video game he'd played that morning:\n\"Once you unlock your dark power, you can become a sharpshooter and join us!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11413.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Cat Wand: Uncompleted Codex Entry MK Ⅰ",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11413.2": "Years of endless warfare had littered the desert around Mirage with broken weapons and discarded Artifacts.\nOver time, local mercenaries turned this into a business: scavenging these lost weapons from the sands to sell back in town.\nA young Chaton would often tail these squads.\nAfter they finished sweeping an area and moved on, she'd sneak in to collect whatever weapons or spare parts they'd missed.\n\nOnce, while rummaging behind a dune, she startled a monster buried in the sand.\nIt lunged at her, scaring her so badly she ran for her life.\nOver dunes, past rocks and shattered weapons—she dodged desperately through the wasteland.\nBut the hungry beast relentlessly gave chase.\n\nCornered, Chaton ducked into the shadow of a massive boulder.\nAs she paused to catch her breath, her hand brushed against something cold and metallic—a snow-white gun barrel.\nDigging the sand away along the barrel, she soon unearthed a fully intact sniper rifle.\nThe moment her fingers wrapped around the grip, the dormant weapon stirred to life.\nDeep within its chamber, purple energy began to pulse, as if forging a link with her very soul.\nRight then, the monster tracked her scent to her hiding spot, its hulking frame looming over the rock.\nIn a panic, Chaton raised the rifle and pulled the trigger.\nThe shot blasted the monster, instantly disintegrating it into a cloud of dust.\nIt was almost the exact same scene from that fateful night years earlier.\nThe same crack of a gunshot. The same monster. The same fallen enemy.\nChaton stood completely frozen.\nThen, she hugged the rifle tightly to her chest.\n\"Yes! I've finally unlocked my dark power!\"\nShe cheered.\nA brand-new chapter in Chaton's story had just begun, and she dubbed her new weapon the Uncompleted Codex Entry.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11501.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11501.2": "Name: Firefly\nBirthday: May 5th\nAffiliation: Grace Light Academy\nSkills: Combat, Monolith climbing\nAddress: Room 7, 27th Floor, Dormitory Building No. 7, Grace Light Academy, Emor City\nExperience: 1 year\nWeapon: Avalanche\nRate: For commission requests, please contact acting guardian, Canace",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11502.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11502.2": "Huh? I'm a Trekker?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11503.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11503.2": "Interests\n\nFun things, things I have never seen before... And having someone to play with me!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11504.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11504.2": "Self-Introduction\n\nFirefly can take you flying, way up high, and can beat up bad guys...!\nFirefly is super amazing!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11505.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11505.2": "Experiences:\n\nThis week: had so much fun at the Monolith! Last week: had so much fun at the Monolith! The week before last: had so much fun at the Monolith!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11506.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11506.2": "Sherlock Safehouse\n\nMy room has lots and lots of Sherlock plushies, and penguin pajamas, and also... A present from ==PLAYER_NAME==!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11507.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11507.2": "Excerpt from Mission Report\n\nToday, professor had me carry a clay jar and fly back and forth over the fields.\nShe said the powder inside had to be scattered across the farmland so the bad bugs would move away and the crops would grow well.\nI completed it perfectly!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11508.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11508.2": "She always looks at me with those puppy eyes, and it is so cute my heart just melts.\n—Noya\n\nNoya, are you sure that's not her threat level assessment look?\n—Iris\n\nWhat a remarkable child. If only she were willing to come to my lab.\n—Coronis",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11509.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11509.2": "Basically accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nBut could Canace please teach her how to write a proper résumé?\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11510.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11510.2": "Invitation\n\nDo you want to go play at the Monolith? Just the two of us, like before!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11511.1": "The Terrifying Humanoid Weapon",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11511.2": "\"I heard that special-admit student lives here, Room 7 on the 27th floor... Huh? She's not here?\"\n\"Forget it, let's go back. Sneaking up here like this feels kinda like breaking and entering. Besides, she's just a special-admit student, right? If we just wait, we can see her in class later.\"\n\"She's hard to catch during class. You haven't even seen the weapon she has behind her! Ah, looks like she's not here today. Weird, though. She used to be here every day...\"\nWhat the two of them never noticed was that the special-admit student they were talking about—Firefly—had just flown over their heads.\n\n\n\"Today is the weekly sneak-out day!\"\nFirefly did not dislike her daily life. The town had houses that kept her dry and warm, and there was hot food to eat. But it did not have any \"friends\" who would play with her. Aside from Canace, everyone turned and walked away the moment they saw her.\nIt was so boring...\nShe flew out past the city and over the river. The world below gradually turned green, and she picked a forest with a pretty shape and dropped down into it.\nIt was still a little way from the Monolith, but there were plenty of monsters along the way.\nMaybe they would be willing to play hide-and-seek with her, Firefly thought.\nWhen she landed, she stepped on something soft.\nIt was a stuffed toy caked in mud and dirty water. Beneath all that grime, it was a pink teddy bear.\nFirefly picked it up and looked around, but there was no sign of any Trekker nearby.\n\"Did you get separated from your friend?\"\nHolding the grimy pink bear in her arms, Firefly went from one monster to the next, asking after its owner.\n\"Do you know who dropped this?\"\n\"I'm not trying to play with you. I'm looking for the little bear's friend!\"\n\"Have you seen... Ah, it ran away...\"\n...\nBy the time it started getting dark, the pink bear still had not found its owner.\n\"The sun's going down. Professor said I have to be back before dark.\"\nFirefly crouched by the river and gave the pink bear a bath. Then she brought it back to the academy and set it by the window in her room to dry.\n\"Tomorrow, let's go to the Monolith and ask others.\"\n\"Tomorrow... How am I going to sneak out?\"\n\"When will I make a friend who'll play with me?\"\nClutching a penguin plushie in her arms, Firefly stared at the little bear's shadow on the windowsill and drifted off to sleep.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11512.1": "First Encounter",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11512.2": "Canace could never quite put her feelings for Firefly into words. She could not explain why she had chosen to get involved, or why she had fought so hard to save the girl.\nPerhaps it was simply because she saw a reflection of her former self, who had once lost her freedom.\n\n\"This... Fly!\"\nFirefly had only just learned a few words. Sitting in the corner, she pointed at her remote cannons and then at Canace, gesturing with great seriousness as she tried to make herself understood.\n\"Up! High! Together!\"\n\"You!\"\nCanace studied her earnest little face, trying to work out what she meant. Firefly kept gesturing for a while, then seemed to realize Canace still did not understand. She got to her feet, grabbed Canace's hand, and tried to lift her up into the air. But she was still too small to carry an adult. The cannons behind her bobbed up and down, unsteady in the air, like a firefly beating its wings as hard as it could.\nSo that was what she had meant. She wanted to take Canace flying with her.\nCanace laughed and stroked her hair.\n\"You're still little, Firefly. You're not strong enough yet. Eat plenty, and one day you'll be able to carry me with you.\"\nFirefly tilted her head, not looking as though she had fully understood. Long sentences were still difficult for her. But she could tell from Canace's voice that she was being gentle, and she nodded very seriously.\nA few days later, screams started ringing out all over campus. By the time Canace arrived, Firefly was flying low over the training field like a hawk diving on prey, swooping down to snatch up the younger children.\nThen she spotted Canace in the distance. Grabbing hold of a little girl, she flew straight over to her, her face bright with anticipation, plainly waiting to be praised: look, I can pick someone up and fly with them now!\n\nIt seemed she had gotten the wrong idea....",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11513.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Avalanche",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11513.2": "That weapon looked cold and cruel to anyone who laid eyes on it. The price of wielding it was so immense that, no matter how many people tried, none could use it. Even the best-trained soldiers and the academy's finest elites buckled under its pressure.\n\nThen the girl appeared. She reached out and laid a hand on it, nothing more than a curious touch. But the instant her palm made contact, the \"device\" lit up. It split into four parts, circled above her head a few times, then came to rest behind her. It was a gift she had been born with—more than that, it felt like fate.\n\n\"... New friend?\"\nThe girl spun around where she stood, trying to face this sudden new \"friend,\" but she was like a kitten chasing its own tail, never quite able to catch it.\nAfter turning around a few times, she gave up. It felt pretty nice, really, having this friend stay behind her all the time.\n\"Well, let us play together from now on...!\"\nHer \"friend\" responded to that thought. The girl's feet slowly lifted from the ground until she was floating in the air.\nThen the four pillar-like \"wings\" swung forward at once, unleashing a torrent of heat fierce enough to destroy anything in its path.\nThe girl laughed happily in mid-air.\n\n\"This is so fun!\"\n She was still too young to understand what this weapon would one day bring her...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11601.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11601.2": "Name: Ridge\nBirthday: September 22nd\nAffiliation: United Harvest\nSkills: Digging cellars, planting crops, breeding new varieties\nAddress: United Harvest, Philae City, South Sector, Greenhouse No. 6\nExperience: Less than one year\nWeapon: United Industrial – Prototype 205 Multifunction Shovel\nRates: Confidential due to company regulations",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11602.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11602.2": "Looking for better farm tools and inspiration to cultivate new crops",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11603.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11603.2": "The Greenhouse Manager\n\nThe greenhouse Ridge manages is a facility where United Harvest grows experimental new plants.\nAs the company rapidly shifted its research direction, the poor transition process and chaotic management left many greenhouses half-idle. As one of the few managers still at her post, Ridge continues to keep her greenhouse running normally.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11604.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11604.2": "Digging, Hoarding, Breeding\nDuring work breaks, Ridge plants her own fruits and vegetables in forgotten corners of the greenhouses, storing them away in the cellars she digs herself.\nShe pays little attention to anything else—but when it comes to \"her living space\" and \"her food storage,\" she never yields an inch.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11605.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11605.2": "Do Not Touch\n\nA sign posted in the corner of the greenhouse—\n\"Please DO NOT TOUCH the plants without permission, or you'll be treated as a thief!\"\n(It comes with a simple line-drawn warning sign: a stick figure with a shovel about to drop on its head.)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11606.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11606.2": "A Secluded Sanctuary\n\nIt turned out Ridge didn't even know about what has been happening in the company, thought that might be a bad thing. She wasn't gossiping about me and Firenze like everyone else. Her little greenhouse is just so isolated from the rest of the world.\nCome think of it, growing her own crops here is probably a violation of company policy... But then again, so is me napping here. Guess I'll keep her secret.\nP.S. Her fruit tastes way better than the cafeteria's, and sometimes she even gives some to me to take home.\n—Nyx, while talking about Ridge",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11607.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11607.2": "Change? I don't know\n\nRidge hasn't noticed anything unusual in the company—same offices, same facilities, and the employees are still busy with work.\nThe only thing she finds strange is that ██████████████████████████, they've even started granting her research funding again. The last time she got funding was when she first joined.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11608.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11608.2": "\"It's getting hard to find fresh, tasty produce in Philae City's markets, and importing from other cities is just too expensive! If not for Ridge, I really don't know what we'd do.\"\n—Jinglin\n\n\"Technically, taking company resources for personal farming is against the rules. But her crops ... they remind me of what United Harvest used to be. I'll let it slide.\"\n—Firenze\n\n\"Napping in the greenhouse is super comfortable. Every morning I can clock in, then sneak back here for a nap without being late. Waking up to Ridge's fruit is a nice bonus... If only I can avoid running into those rampaging plants.\"\n—Nyx",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11609.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11609.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nAlthough there are few people to verify her history, the intel collected so far supports Ridge's stated resume.\nHer instinct for food storage and the crops she breeds through variety improvement will no doubt make her an invaluable force in logistics.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11610.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11610.2": "Assessment of Greenhouse Operations\n\nIn light of current company finances, a review of non-core departments was conducted. Findings regarding several greenhouses are as follows:\n\nThough many have lacked direct funding for a long time, they remain in good working order and have successfully bred several new varieties. Considering their potential commercial value and the minimal cost to maintain them, the Review Committee has decided as follows:\nSome greenhouses will retain their current staffing and will not be dismantled at this time.\n\nEffective immediately.\nUnited Harvest Resource Optimization Committee\n\nYear 994, █/█",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11611.1": "Notes on Cultivation of New Varieties",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11611.2": "Sonus Month, 3rd——\nToday I opened up a small new test plot to plant a batch of magically altered corn.\n\nClarus Month, 5th——\nA whole month has passed, and Corn No. 8 still shows no signs of life...\nDid the seed lose its vitality? Maybe I should dig it up tomorrow to check.\n... Or maybe I'll just wait a few more days.\n\nClarus Month, 21st——\nLast night I dreamed that Corn No. 8 sprouted. To my surprise, when I woke up this morning, it really had!\nA month and a half has passed; I thought it had gone bad!\nFrom today on, you're no longer Corn No. 8. I shall call you \"Dream Corn!\"\n\nFloris Month, 13th——\nThe first batch of sprouted corn has already started to flower!\nDream Corn hasn't bloomed yet, but its growth is astonishing. It's already taller than the rest.\n\nFloris Month, 29th——\nThe other corn has all finished pollinating one after another.\nWhy hasn't Dream Corn bloomed yet? I worry because the rain season will come next month.\n\nPluvia Month, 24th——\nDream Corn still hasn't bloomed.\nI noticed cracks in the greenhouse roof and reported it to the company. I wonder if anyone will come fix it.\nFor now, I'll just reinforce it with some planks.\n\nPluvia Month, 26th——\nThe planks I fixed ended up giving way, and a lot of rainwater flooded in.\nCorn 1 through 5 suffered badly and probably won't make it.\nNumbers 6 and 7, as well as Dream Corn, look fine for now; I've set up drainage and rain shielding.\n\nPluvia Month, 27th——\nI can't believe it! Dream Corn has finally bloomed! And it's producing more flowers than all the others!\nSadly, Corn 6 and 7 have died, too... Now Dream Corn is the only one left standing.\n\nCalor Month, 4th——\nDream Corn is thriving and has already started producing ears.\nBut... can it really handle this much weight?\n\nMessis Month, 8th——\nDream Corn's ears have grown ginormous, so heavy that the stalks are bending.\nI hammered in three wooden posts around it, and they're just barely holding the whole thing up.\n\nMessis Month, 22nd——\nDream Corn's ears are so massive that a single ear needs a whole wooden cart to carry it!\n\nMessis Month, 3rd——\nToday Shrubshrew and Boss came by, and Boss suggested we roast the corn.\nBut as soon as we held Dream Corn above the fire, it exploded!\nThankfully no one was hurt, but ... is Dream Corn actually Bomb Corn?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11612.1": "Memories of Famine",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11612.2": "That summer, the rainstorms came with unusual fury. It was as if the sky above Philae City had been torn open. On the seventh day, the endless downpour burst through the levees, and the murky floodwaters devoured the fields on both sides of the river like a wild beast.\nThen the saturated earth could no longer hold the weight of the mountains—mudslides carrying boulders and splintered trees buried the terraced fields near the highlands completely.\n\nThe disaster statistics for Philae City were cold and merciless: 83% of the plains' farmland wiped out, 62% of mountain fields destroyed, and the city's total grain output cut by 76% in a single season.\n\nHunger arrived faster than anyone expected.\n\nThe city quickly enacted an emergency food rationing system, but the scales of distribution were tipped from the start.\nIn the Gold District, tables were filled with soft white bread and aged wine still; \nin the Silver District, residents could received coarse black bread padded with bran, though in portions half the usual size; \nand in the Ash District, people clutched a handful ration slips, queuing outside United Harvest's grain storehouses for a daily allotment of 200 grams of moldy old rice.\n\n\"Please, just one more piece! My children haven't eaten in two days...\"\n\"Want extra grain? Sure—twelve times the market price, cash only!\"\n\nUnited Harvest's storehouses held three years' worth of reserves, more than enough to see the entire city through the disaster. Yet instead of opening their storehouses for relief, they took the chance to buy up ruined farmland outside the city for pennies, and sell the reserves at staggering markups.\n\nThe gentlemen of the Gold District scoffed at the soaring prices, Silver District families tightened their belts, while those in the Ash District struggled on the edge of hunger and despair. If not for some farmers secretly sharing the food hidden in their cellars with their neighbors, the streets of Ash District would have been littered with countless frozen corpses that winter.\n\nIt was in those days that Ridge developed her fierce obsession with food. She would never forget that single memory: a creaking wooden cart slowly rolling in, piled high with golden, fluffy loaves of bread, steaming with the rich aroma of wheat under the noonday sun.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11613.1": "Weapon Anecdote: United Industrial - Prototype 205 Multifunction Shovel",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11613.2": "Developed by \"United Industrial,\" a subsidiary of United Harvest, the original goal was to create the \"ultimate farming tool\"—a single implement that combined digging, chopping, defense, and even cooking functions, gradually replacing traditional tools and ultimately monopolizing the agricultural equipment market.\n\nHowever, during development, the engineers slowly strayed from that original vision...\n\nThe multi-purpose shovel Ridge holds is the 205th prototype, and the most outrageous one yet: built for high strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. It can dig pits, chop wood, serve as a weapon, act as a shield, work as a frying pan, and even fire bombs... In short, there's nothing this shovel can't do.\n\nUnfortunately, production of the 205 prototype was soon halted due to its excessive unit cost. Yet somehow, this particular shovel has remained in Ridge's hands.\n\nPerhaps... It's simply because Ridge was too easily overlooked.\n—After all, ever since the shovel was handed over to Ridge for test, apart from a few perfunctory \"How's it working?\" from developers in the first few days, no one ever followed up.\nNot even a single feedback entry was updated in the project files.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11701.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11701.2": "Name: Jinglin\nBirthday: May 10th\nAffiliation: Fenghuang Diner\nSkills: Bookkeeping, serving customers, channeling lightning\nAddress: 8 Aswan Street, Philae\nExperience: 2 Years\nWeapon: Thunder God's Grasp\nRates: Rate for gathering seasonal ingredients negotiable; 60,000 Dorra per month for bookkeeping",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11702.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11702.2": "To find rare ingredients and create exciting new dishes.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11703.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11703.2": "Job Title\n\nManager at Huaijing Restaurant\nDuties include reception, handling payment, waitressing, singing birthday songs for guests...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11704.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11704.2": "Career Highlights\n\nAfter I became the manager, Huaijing Restaurant made it to Philae's \"Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants\" list and even won the \"Outstanding Business of the Year\" award.\nThat said, this success wouldn't have been possible without the whole team!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11705.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11705.2": "Career Objectives\n\nTo make Huaijing Restaurant bigger and better, so everyone can enjoy great food and have a blast!\nAlso... I want to grow up and become a truly remarkable person!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11706.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11706.2": "Hobbies\n\nPlaying Mahjong and chatting with customers.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11707.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11707.2": "About Me\n\nTaste the warmth of home, right here at Huaijing... Oops, I just quoted the restaurant's slogan!\nAnyway, whether I'm managing the restaurant or working as a Trekker, you can count on me to deliver!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11708.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11708.2": "While gathering feedback for \"Cangwu Residents\" Dining Experience Survey,\" I noticed many locals mentioned Jing's Bistro in Philae. I hope that Cangwu's restaurants will take a page from Huajing's playbook and focus on their food quality and customer service.\nDespite her young age, Jinglin has already earned so much praise for her eatery. It must have taken a lot of effort on her part. I am very proud of her as a friend.\n—Shimiao, Office Secretary, Baize Bureau",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11709.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11709.2": "Fairly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nInterestingly, Jinglin broke two of my stereotypes about Loong people: number one, they have an insatiable love for spicy food, and number two, they're all Mahjong pros... The sweet dishes at Huaijing are absolutely delicious, and playing Mahjong with Jinglin can be quite enjoyable.\nAfter an eight-round losing streak, Jinglin tried her best to wear a smiling face, but her tail? It was twisted into a knot. Still a kid after all.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11710.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11710.2": "Great News! Jing's Bistro is celebrating its anniversary!!!\nAll customers will receive a complimentary seasonal dessert: Plum Rolls.\nWe invite both new and returning guests to join us for a delightful dining experience! We can't wait to see you.\n—Jinglin, Manager of Jing's Bistro",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11711.1": "Jinglin's Shift Log (Part One)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11711.2": "Year 994 of the Monolith Calendar, Sonus Month, 2nd\n\nToday is my first day as acting manager of Huaijing!\nMom gave me this beautiful new notebook, and from now on, I'm the one keeping the shift logs.\nShe told me, \"The first step is always the hardest.\" and asked me to make the first page look extra neat...\nOops, I made a small mistake there. I hope it won't be a problem.\nI'm sure we'll have plenty of customers today! Here's to a great start!\n\n\nYear 994 of the Monolith Calendar, Sonus Month, 10th\n\nMiaomiao left yesterday. She said she was heading home to care for her parents, but I know the real reason—she found a new job at the restaurant down the street.\nI didn't want her to go, but business has been so slow lately, and I barely managed to scrape together enough to pay her wages for last month... I feel terrible about it.\nThere are several new chain restaurants opening around town, all under the \"United Harvest\" brand. I sneaked over to check them out, and the lines outside were huge! I saw Aunty Lan and her family there. I can't believe it! She's always been a fan of our sweet lotus root, but now she's heading to those places instead...\n\nI can't tell Mom though, or she'll insist on leaving the hospital. The doctor says she needs to rest and recover.\nThe weather's great, but we're still not getting any customers...\n\n\nYear 994 of the Monolith Calendar, Floris Month, 2nd\n\nCustomer Feedback for Today:\nFrom two young women (Philae residents, never tried Loong cuisine before):\nThe Sweet and Sour Ribs are overdone and mushy.\nThe Braised Seitan has a strong soy sauce flavor.\nThe homemade yogurt is good—sweet and refreshing.\n\nFrom a couple in their 50s (Philae residents, fans of Loong cuisine):\nThe Velvety Fish Broth is good, but has a slight fishy odor. Could use some improvement.\nThe dishes here are sweeter than what they're used to at other Loong restaurants.\n\nThe promotion events on the shopping street nearby drew quite a large crowd. I took the opportunity to invite some of the shoppers to stop by and share their thoughts on our food.\nNow I see where we went wrong... Most people aren't used to traditional Loong flavors!\nLooks like the Restaurant Survival Guide is spot on: gathering feedback really helps us improve our dishes.\n\nNext up: convincing Grandpa Qin to tweak his recipes.\nUgh, just thinking about it gives me a headache. This is going to be harder than taking the toughest math worksheets...\nI might need to talk to Mom first...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11712.1": "Jinglin's Shift Log (Part Two)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11712.2": "Year 994 of the Monolith Calendar, Floris Month, 13th\n\nAs expected, Grandpa Qin was furious about my idea—he almost turned purple! He kept shouting, \"These recipes have been passed down for generations; there's no need to change them!\"\nMom says he's been a chef for decades, so it's hard for him to change his ways. We'll need to take a more subtle approach.\n\nSigh... Mom figured out. I promised her that the business would be back on track by the time she gets out of the hospital.\nTo help, I've been handing out flyers around the neighborhood to bring in a few customers. I'm also considering running a special promotion. I noticed that those \"United Harvest\" restaurants have membership cards. Maybe we could try something like that too...\nCan't believe how fast time is flying by. Before I know it, it's already evening. But honestly, I don't mind the busyness at all.\n\n\nYear 994 of the Monolith Calendar, Floris Month, 27th\n\nGrandpa Qin finally agreed!\nAfter a lot of persistence on my part, he reluctantly agreed to help me gather customer feedback and hear what they had to say in person.\nSometimes, he was really upset by the negative reviews—he nearly got into an argument with one of the customers! But when someone praised his cooking, he was so thrilled and wanted to share his secret recipes with everyone. Thankfully, Weiji stopped him before he could reveal too much.\nMom was right: Grandpa Qin is a chef who takes his work seriously. What he always wants is for every customer to have a satisfying meal.\n\nToday, he came to me and said that he finally understood what the customers wanted and was ready to make some changes.\nI can tell he really wants more people to enjoy his cooking and fall in love with Loong cuisine.\nOnce we close for the night, I'm going to share the good news with Mom! Business is picking up, and I know things are going to get better from here on out!\n\n\nYear 994 of the Monolith Calendar, Pluvia Month, 1st\n\nI'm too excited to sleep, so I thought I'd jot down a few thoughts to mark this moment.\nAs I was going through the previous shift logs, I realized it's already been over six months since I started.\nThis is supposed to be a notebook of \"shift logs,\" but I turned it into a diary book with my bits and pieces.\nMom finally came home from the hospital last week, and I kept my promise! Now she can stop worrying about the restaurant and get her well-deserved rest.\nI've also been busy with renovations. I put the money I'd saved to good use, getting a new signage and giving the dining hall a makeover. Plus, I even got Grandpa Qin the cooking tools he'd always wanted.\nAll our tables are booked for tomorrow, and we'll be welcoming customers with a fresh new look!\nI'm so excited. I bet Mom felt the same way when she took over the restaurant.\n\nToday has been great. Tomorrow will be even better. And the day after that? Even better still!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11713.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Thunder God's Grasp",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11713.2": "I had seen the little girl for three days in a row now.\nAs usual, she came during the hottest hours of the day, her patched-up crossbody bag swinging up and down as she bounced along.\nShe lied down under my shade, pulled out a picture book from her bag, and started flipping through it happily.\n\nAs a tree that had long stopped worrying the passing of time, I'd grown used to people spending time on their own beneath my branches.\nWhen the little girl began sharing her tiny little concern, she sounded really like a chirping birdling.\n\"I really wish I could use spell now. Why can't I cast it?\"\n\"Mom said I have it in me, I'm just too young for this.\"\n\"I just want to grow up already.\"\nAs an experienced listener, I had an urge to tell her that adulthood only brought bigger problems.\nBut from her furrowed brows, I could tell she was genuinely upset.\n\nSometimes, people treat me, a majestic tree, as a substitute for God.\nThey would come to me with their troubles or wishes, in exchange of a piece of comfort—we both know they are fooling themselves.\nUnlike true gods, I couldn't grant wishes, but thankfully, no one ever got angry at me when their wishes went unfulfilled.\nWhen this little girl laid out a bunch of colorful snacks at my roots and clasped her hands in prayer, I knew exactly what she was doing.\n\"Please, grant me the ability to cast spell!\"\nBoom!\nA loud thunderclap echoed in response. She picked the worst possible time—the storm was about to break.\n\"Ah! Does that mean yes?\"\nStrangely, she didn't cover her ears or flinch like the others.\n\"I have to go! Mom's waiting for me at home! See you tomorrow!\"\nShe waved me goodbye and ran into the rain, her bag held tightly against her chest.\nI wanted to stop her, but I couldn't.\n\nBoom!\nA bolt of lightning struck right where she stood.\n\"Ahhh!!!\"\nIf only I were a real god...\n\"Wh-what's going on?\"\nA golden beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping her. She wasn't hurt at all! Instead, the lightning spiraled around her like bees circling a flower.\nI have never seen anything like it in my lifetime!\nShe raised her hand, a flash of lightning came from her fingertip, sending the startled birds away.\n\"My wish...came true!\"\n\"I can't wait to tell Mom about this!\"\nI watched her, crackling with thunder energy, disappearing into the rain.\n\nA year later, I saw her again.\nShe seems to live in a very, very distant place, and her time here each year is only a brief couple of weeks.\nShe still came to me sharing her worries, though the topics had changed.\n\"I can't control my power. I keep shattering the lightbulbs at the restaurant.\"\n\"My friends are avoiding me. Even the stray dogs on the street keep their distance. Everyone's scared of being zapped.\"\nHer brow was still furrowed, and her tail flicked nervously, crackling with tiny sparks.\n\n\"With these gloves, I can control the lightning!\"\nShe held up a pair of black gloves that looked surprisingly ordinary.\n\"Mom had them made by a skilled Xuan Shi. They're amazing, like a switch that lets me control the lightning.\"\n\"I can make it stronger...or weaker...\"\n\"And they have this super cool name: 'Thunder God's Grasp.' The Xuan Shi came up with it himself!\"\n...\nShe went on explaining the details, but I couldn't quite follow. I just swayed my leaves in response.\nFor once, I believe I truly played the role of a god.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11801.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11801.2": "Name: Coronis\nBirthday: October 15th\nAffiliation: Freelance Trekker\nSkills: Medical treatment, dissection, medical research\nAddress: Philae City\nExperience: 2 years\nWeapon: Charon\nRate: 500 Dorra for a clinic appointment; Trekker commission rates negotiable",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11802.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11802.2": "There are some fascinating medical instruments and rare medicines among the Monolith Artifacts. Unfortunately, most Trekkers can't even recognize them, let alone make the right wish. So, I have no choice but to get them myself.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11803.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11803.2": "Hobbies\n\nPreparing specimens, collecting pharmaceutical materials, and gathering abnormal biological tissue",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11804.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11804.2": "Specialty\n\nThere's no illness I can't cure, as long as you're willing to pay the price~",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11805.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11805.2": "Success Cases\n\nBuilt a custom Neo Solution-powered exoskeleton for a completely paralyzed patient, helping him stand and walk again.\nRescued a Trekker suffering from heart failure by using Artifacts with magic.\nGave my own eye an upgrade. (※: This part is for Boss' eyes only.)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11806.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11806.2": "Potion Development Journal\n\nI recently brewed a potion to improve one's sleep. It works wonders, as long as the dosage is strictly controlled.\nA few merchants caught wind of it and came offering a high price for the formula. I rejected them politely with my Charon in hand.\nFor overdose prevention, patients will have to come by my clinic for a freshly mixed dose.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11807.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11807.2": "Volunteers Needed\n\nSeeking daring individuals for my head transplant research. Survival is not guaranteed, but if you've ever wanted a new body, come knock on my door!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11808.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11808.2": "She's the Devil in White! Absolutely terrifying! Don't ask me how I know—you're better off not knowing!\n—Noya\n\nShe's actually really kind. She gave me these cute medical patches, and they made all the pain go away!\n—Firefly",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11809.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11809.2": "Pretty accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nShe does have a habit of saying some nerve-wracking things, but if you're dealing with a tough-to-treat condition, she's absolutely the one to go to.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11810.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11810.2": "Treatment Record for Patient No. ███\n\nName: ████\nAge: ██\n█ Month, █ Day: Two days post-suturing, the wounds are healing surprisingly fast. The patient's resilience is exceptional—definitely a subject of interest for further study.\n█ Month, █ Day: External wounds have almost fully healed, but the patient's vital signs are still below average. Bed rest for several days is recommended.\n...\n█ Month, █ Day: Before discharge, I drew three vials of venous blood from the patient. Analysis confirmed ██████. Follow-up monitoring is necessary.\n\nCoronis dropped this record on Lucky Oasis. The remaining pages are completely blacked out. Boss, you should drop in and return this to her.\n—Iris",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11811.1": "High Expenditure",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11811.2": "\"How did I go over budget again last month? Why? I've been charging patients properly, haven't I?\"\nCoronis sighs in distress.\n\"Maybe Boss was right... I really should start keeping track of everything. Ugh, fine. I'll give it a try next week.\"\n\nMonday\nPatient with a common cold: Earned 3,000 Dorra.\nPatient with a severe bacterial infection. Unable to afford an amputation, paid with the severed leg.\nBought specimen preservation fluid: Spent 50,000 Dorra.\nPurchased glass jars for specimens: Spent 5,500 Dorra.\nTuesday\nHouse call day: Spent 6,500 Dorra on transportation.\nChanged bandages for a patient with a bone fracture: Earned 18,000 Dorra.\nChild with a high fever: Earned 23,500 Dorra.\nVisited the Rare Finds Market: Spent 80,000 Dorra on three insect specimens (displayed with their host plants) and 35,000 Dorra on potion ingredients.\nWednesday\nPatient attacked by a wild monster: Charged 150,000 Dorra. The family couldn't afford the full payment, so we've agreed on an installment plan.\nPatient who accidentally consumed Cutie Cap mushrooms and experienced some fascinating hallucinations. After negotiating, he agreed to participate as a research subject to cover his treatment costs. He'll take several small doses of the mushroom over time so I can study its effects.\nThursday\nClimbed the Monolith in need of some new pharmaceutical materials, I also took on an Artifact collection commission: Earned 100,000 Dorra.\nOn the way, I helped an injured Trekker and treated him: Charged 150,000 Dorra, but he couldn't remember his payment code due to memory loss. Instead, he handed over a box of mysterious pain-relieving medicine he had wished from the Monolith.\nFriday\nPaid last month's Neo Solution bill: 40,000 Dorra.\nBroke my workbench while crafting a new specimen: Spent 10,000 Dorra for repairs.\nPatient with a common cold: Earned 13,000 Dorra (Pills inc.).\nTurned away a patient with an elbow dislocation, and ended up compensating him 20,000 Dorra.\nSaturday\nRemoved a foreign object in surgery: Earned 150,000 Dorra, plus 20,000 Dorra for confidentiality.\nAdmitted a patient who can only sing (suspected neurological condition) for research: Estimated treatment and hospital fees of 2,000,000 Dorra, with a 36-month payment plan.\nPatient with persistent hiccups, she cured herself after getting startled by one of my specimens. No charge.\nMaintenance of my prosthetic eye: Spent 20,000 Dorra.\nSunday\nDay off.\n\nTotal Weekly Income: 116,056 Dorra\n\"Heh, looks like the clinic's running pretty well. I'll buy that specimen I've had my eye on in a bit.\"\nWith a smile, Coronis tosses the book into the trash.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11812.1": "Who—or what—is Coronis?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11812.2": "Coronis isn't human!\nIn the neighborhood where Coronis often makes house calls, her true identity is a popular topic among the town kids.\nThey like to sneakily follow her, whispering wild speculations about who—or what—she really is, each trying to back up their claims with \"a valid proof.\"\n\n\"She's the Grim Reaper!\"\nThe only kid who's ever stepped foot inside Coronis' clinic swears there's a mysterious little room filled with strange animal specimens and even human bones. And hanging on the wall is a huge scythe. \"That must be the Grim Reaper's weapon!\"\n\n\"She's a homunculus!\"\nOne kid who received her treatment insists, \"I had a close look at it while she was checking me out! One of her eyes is totally mechanical. It glows blue light! And sometimes, instead of saying she's eating, she says she's recharging. That's what a robot would say!\"\n\n\"She's a monster that eats human meat!\"\nOne kid who once followed Coronis out of curiosity says, \"I saw her talking to this really sick guy, and she told him she'd waive his treatment fee if he gave her his leg!\"\n\"Later, I saw that same leg in her clinic—in a jar! She's totally pickling it to eat later!\"\n\n\"She's the grim reaper, and a possible grave robber!\"\nA new girl, who overhears the conversation, chimes in. She says she's heard the adults around town call Coronis the Devil in White.\" What if she's some kind of legendary figure, like a subordinate of the Tyrant in fairy tales?\nBut then...\nShe remembers the adults talking about Coronis' huge scythe, which isn't just any regular weapon—they say she dug it up from underground. If it came from six feet under... Maybe she's robbing graves! That would make sense, right?\n\nThe kids argue with each other passionately, completely oblivious to the white figure approaching them.\n\"If you're that curious, why not come to my clinic and find out?\"\nCoronis speaks up suddenly, watching as the kids freeze and then scatter like startled birds, shrieking in unison.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11813.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Charon",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11813.2": "People with horns sometimes appear in Nova. They are from Nocturn Eterna, a notorious group bent on destroying the Monolith.\nShe had once been caught up in an incident caused by Nocturn Eterna, experiencing firsthand the devastation they brought; and yet, she had also received the kindness of one of its members—the kind that had changed her entire life.\nNow, the very girl who had once saved her collapsed at her feet. Coronis looked down at the horned girl lying before her:\nThe wound in her abdomen was deep, her organs seemed to be spilling out, the blood loss already critical—she was close to death.\nSo Coronis, with considerable effort, dragged the heavily injured Nocturn Eterna girl back to her home. Out of the faintest sense of repaying a debt, she treated and bandaged the girl's wounds.\n\nThe girl stubbornly clung to life and, after several days in a coma, escaped death's grasp. When Coronis was changing her bandages, the girl lay in bed gazing up at her in pure admiration.\n\"You're incredible! I was split clean in two, and you still managed to patch me back together!\"\n\"You flatter me. Honestly, I didn't think I could.\" Coronis pressed a vial of strangely colored medicine into her hand. \"Since you refused to die, then do your best to live.\"\n\nThe girl remained in Coronis's clinic for over a month before finally recovering enough to leave.\nThey bonded almost instantly, as if they had known each other for ages. The horned girl spoke freely about her past—her life in Nocturn Eterna and the stories of her adventures. Coronis listened with quiet interest. She did not judge, she was simply intrigued by the unknown.\nWhen she left, the girl said that the gift of life could never truly be repaid, but if circumstances allowed, she would one day send Coronis a gift worthy of that grace.\nCoronis thought little of it. What she had done was already a fair exchange. Yet fifteen months after the girl's departure, an anonymous package arrived at the clinic. Inside was a pitch-black scythe and a single strange line:\n\"Without a proper weapon, how can a healer wrest lives from the Death?\"\n—The girl had sent her thank-you present, after all.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11901.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11901.2": "Name: Nanoha\nBirthday: April 20th\nAffiliation: Goodwind Homecare\nSkills: Housekeeping, dessert making\nAddress: Unknown\nExperience: Unknown\nWeapon: Solar Arashi\nRate: 500,000 Dorra per hour for housekeeping services",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11902.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11902.2": "At the order of Goodwind Homecare.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11903.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11903.2": "Certifications\n\nGoodwind Elite Ninja\nNova Culinary & Pastry Master Certification",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11904.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11904.2": "Housekeeping Services\n\nHousehold cleaning, home organization, and dessert making",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11905.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11905.2": "Ninja Services\n\nGathering intelligence, investigating ██, and neutralizing ██",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11906.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11906.2": "Combat Experience\n\nParticipated in a total of █ missions while employed at Goodwind Homecare.\nAverage enemies defeated per mission: █\r\nAverage assists per mission: █\r\nOverall contribution: █",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11907.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11907.2": "Career Objectives\n\nHone my skills and find ██.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11908.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11908.2": "An interesting girl... If she were to drop her guard, she'd be even more endearing.\n—Coronis\n\nHer vibe is...complicated.\n—Amber",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11909.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11909.2": "Hmm... Should I put \"mostly accurate\" or \"insufficient info\"?<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nTechnically, this is an incomplete resume, but since Nanoha is with Goodwind Homecare, we may make some exceptions.\nOne thing we know for sure: Nanoha makes wonderful cakes, highly recommended.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11910.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11910.2": "A Folded Drawing\n\nDate Archived: Monolith Calendar Year █, █ Month, █ Day\nBelonging to:  ██ \nCondition: Partially Damaged\nConfidentiality Level: 3\n\nThe sketch appears to be the work of a child, based on its style.\nIts significance is currently unclear, archived for safekeeping.\n—Goodwind Homecare Archives",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11911.1": "Hollow Flowers I",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11911.2": "It was Nanoha's first day running the pastry shop. Even before dawn, she was already hustling, her busy figure moving swiftly from corner to corner.\n\nThere was so much to take care of: preparing the ingredients, cleaning and setting up the dining area... Every little detail had to be perfect.\nThe dough had to rise for just the right amount of time. Not a speck of dust should be found between the tiles. The tables had to be evenly spaced. The couch pillows needed to be fluffed up. All these little details were to ensure the best guest experience.\nNow everything was in place, she allowed herself a quiet sigh of relief, and then carefully placed the freshly cut sunflowers into the tall vase on the counter.\n\nIt was still early spring, with a lingering chill in the air. Droplets of water clung to the sunflower petals, quivering as if they might fall at any moment. Nanoha slipped off her gloves and lightly brushed them, feeling the coolness seep into her fingertips.\nFor a moment, an unsettling sense of familiarity washed over her.\nFor a ninja, \"déjà vu\" was a dangerous feeling. She needed to pinpoint exactly where it was coming from.\nBut for now, she chose to let it go. There were more pressing matters at hand.\n\nAs the morning mist began to lift, Nanoha pushed open the door. The wind and sunlight brushed past her as she flipped the wooden sign from \"Closed\" to \"Open.\"\n\"...Will anyone actually show up?\"\nShe couldn't help but feel a little nervous, as if she was sent back in time, to the very day of her junior ninja exam. She had waited all day, from sunrise to sunset, thinking it was some sort of special patient test. It was only later that she found out the Elite Ninjas who were supposed to be her examiners had been sent on an emergency mission.\n\nShe stood at the door, waiting patiently. Soon, the street began to come alive. The first customer appeared, followed by a second, then a third.\nShe got used to move around the kitchen and dining area, gracefully maneuvering around the food displays and stacks of plates and cups, carrying the warm, mouthwatering aromas. Adults praised her for her attention to detail, and children were drawn to her gentle nature. She cherished every \"see you next time,\"—each one planting a small seed of hope in her heart.\n\nThe sunflowers in the vase were replaced every day, swaying bright yellow petals gently on the clean counter.\nShe tended to them with care, even though their beauty would fade by day's end.\nShe had been waiting for someone...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11912.1": "Hollow Flowers II",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11912.2": "As the days went by, the pastry shop's business continued to thrive. In the rare moments of quiet, Nanoha felt an unexpected sense of belonging, as if she were always meant to be here.\nShe wasn't one to ask for much, never daring to dream beyond the basics. But in these peaceful moments, a desire quietly began to stir within her, slowly growing like whipped cream.\n\"If only that day would come...\"\n\n\"Ah!!\"\nA cheering little girl, flailing her arms around, accidentally knocked over her dessert. The melting cherry ice cream spilled everywhere.\n\"It's okay. Let me clean it.\"\nNanoha smiled and calmed the flustered child, then started cleaning up the mess.\n\"Sis, your gloves...they've got some jam on them.\"\nNanoha looked down at her gloves, the white satin now marked with a few dark red stains. A memory suddenly surfaced. Now she understood why she'd felt that strange sense of familiarity when touching the droplets on the sunflower petals earlier.\nEver since her first mission, she'd started wearing gloves. Because she couldn't stand the feel of someone else's blood on her skin.\n\nDing—\nThe wind chime by the door jingled as another customer walked in.\n\"Welcome! How can I-\"\n\"I'll have the special plum wine with agar jelly, please.\"\nThe customer smiled at her. At last, the person she'd been waiting for arrived.\n\nThe night was far from over. In a quiet, unremarkable alley, silence hung thick in the air. Someone would never speak again.\nScattering sunflower petals on the ground had already lost their bright color. A short figure was patiently picking them up, as if performing a final tribute.\n\"Are you going to clean up every petal? You and your master are very much alike in many ways.\"\nA female figure sat on the wall, swinging her legs idly. She held up a special-shaped shuriken to the moonlight, admiring it.\nIt was her first time working with Nanoha, and the quiet, reserved younger ninja was a bit of a mystery to her.\n\"You ever heard? For ninjas, a full moon is a bad omen. Guess we were lucky tonight.\"\n\"Yeah, I had my first mission on the night of the full moon.\"\n\"Really? How did that go?\"\n\nNanoha didn't respond. She carefully picked up the last petal, ensuring no trace was left behind, then turned toward the woman sitting under the moonlight.\n\"Can we go now?\"\n\"Yeah, sure. I'm starving. Let's grab a late-night snack.\"\n\n\"By the way...why don't you just stay and run the shop? I think you'd be better at it than me. This mission has worn me out. I'm ready to retire.\"\n\"...You know the shop is an important contact point to the organization, right? We can't just change the person in charge without permission.\"\n\"Don't be so serious. I was just joking.\"\n\nThat day would never come...\nNanoha knew, deep down, after that full moon night, her dream had already slipped away.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11913.1": "Weapon Tale: Solar Arashi",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.11913.2": "In life, there are things that arouse fond memories of the past: The warmth of a winter hearth. A tattered child's drawing.\nThe shock of the first hit. The bandage freshly washed. The figure that slips away by the window.\nThe first sunflower seed, ripened. The stem, strong and tall.\nThe night when the petals fall.\n\n\"...Thirteen, fourteen.\"\n\"Nanoha, what are you counting?\"\n\"...\"\n\"If you're counting the seeds in the sunflower, then I suppose you're not wasting your time.\"\n\"In this bright sunlight, observing every detail of the target is part of the training too.\"\n\"I understand, Master.\"\n\"Go rest now. Come back in the afternoon.\"\n\"Yes, Master.\"\n\"This winter's especially cold. I wonder if these sunflowers will make it to spring.\"\n\"...Don't look so down. If they die, we'll just plant more.\"\n\"...It's not the same.\"\n\"What's the difference? Let me ask you, does it matter which one of us get sent to the shadow?\"\n\"Goodwind ninjas must complete our missions. If one falls, we simply replace them, just like replacing a wilted flower.\"\n\"I understand, Master.\"\n\"Alright, let's head inside. Make me some hot tea, and have some yourself.\"\n\n\"What's this you're drawing? A shuriken? Or a sunflower?\"\n\"It's...a shuriken in the shape of a sunflower.\"\n\"Mm... I like the creativity.\"\n\"Still, a unique weapon like that could easily make you an obvious target to the enemies.\"\n\"...But I want to be remembered.\"\n\"Think about that once you've made it to the top.\"\n\n\"Miss Nanoha, based on your custom design, we should have a prototype ready in about a week.\"\n\"Once it's ready, please come by to test it. We'll only proceed with production when you greenlight it.\"\n\"This is a special perk reserved for the Goodwind elite.\"\n\"Thank you.\"\n\"If I may ask, is the design for this shuriken inspired by a flower?\"\n\"Yes, it's sunflower.\"\n\"I see. 'Solar Arashi.' That's a beautiful name.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12001.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12001.2": "Name: Canace\nBirthday: January 22nd\nAffiliation: Grace Light Academy\nSkills: Teaching, specializing in Grace Energy-related subjects\nAddress: Teacher's Office, Building 3, Grace Light Academy, Emor City\nExperience: Not disclosed\nWeapon: Laurel Bracelet of the Starless Night\nRate: Not disclosed",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12002.1": "Reason for Becoming a Teacher",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12002.2": "To help each student find and pursue their own path.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12003.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12003.2": "Personal Experience\n\nGraduated from Starlight Academy and currently teaching there.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12004.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12004.2": "Personal Achievements\n\nDuring my time at Starlight Academy, I was awarded the title of \"Top Star Student\" for three consecutive years.\nAfter joining the faculty, I was promoted to professor in recognition of my outstanding contributions to researches on Grace Energy and Stellnanite Veins.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12005.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12005.2": "Key Publications\n\n\"The Conduction of Grace Energy Across Various Mediums\"\nThis paper explores the varying Grace Energy conductivity across different mediums as well as methods to improve it. It has been cited over 1,000 times within three years after publication.\n\n\"The Hypothesis on the Geographic Influence of Magic\"\nThis paper explains how, on the continent of Nova, the use of magic at the same level can produce different effects depending on geographic differences and unique environments, and on this basis proposes a hypothesis.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12006.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12006.2": "Other Notable Publications\n\n\"On the Concept of Wish from a Trekker's Perspective\"\n\"The Current State and Future Trends of Grace Substitutes Research\"\n\"Exploring the Management of Monoliths in Cities\"\n\"A Guide to Edible Wild Plants in Nova\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12007.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12007.2": "Awards & Recognition\n\n1st Place in Starlight Academy's \"Most Popular Teacher\" Poll (Unofficial)\n1st Place in Starlight Academy's \"Most Feared Teacher\" Poll (Unofficial)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12008.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12008.2": "Canace is great; Being her student is not.\n—Firefly\n\nShe's published numerous papers, led several projects, and earned lifelong recognition.\nYet, after all that, she chose a career as a university professor over a prestigious position at the Eye of Grace.\nHonestly, she might be the most perplexing student I've ever taught.\n—Professor Zosimos, Department of Elements, Grace Light Academy",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12009.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12009.2": "Fairly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nSurveys from Starlight Academy graduates indicate that most of Canace's students respect and admire her. She frequently incorporates Trekker-related topics into her lessons, always with a positive perspective.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12010.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12010.2": "Investigation Halted.\n\nDuring our background check on Canace, we faced significant interference and warnings from the Grace Imperium.\nSuch reaction only confirms that the details of her \"year-long absence\" are highly classified even within the Grace Imperium.\nBased on her published research, it's clear that Canace has accumulated substantial Trekker experience. However, her unwillingness to discuss this raises concerns.\nGiven the missing details about her background, we advise caution in further dealings with her.<sprite name=\"acrchives_falsified_richtext\">\n—███, Trekker Association",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12011.1": "The One with No Last Name",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12011.2": "\"From today onward, you may no longer call yourself a Metonia.\"\nMy mother sat at the center of the family council. She was the most accomplished woman in the history of the Metonia family, someone I had always admired since childhood. That she presided over this meeting herself could only mean the Metonia family had sacrificed no small share of its interests in order to ransom me back...\nShe looked at me with apologetic eyes—an expression almost never seen on her face. Yet in the end, she said nothing more. She got up and left her seat without so much as a backward glance. A servant immediately stepped forward to help her change coats, preparing her for the next meeting.\nFor as long as I could remember, I had only ever seen my mother at such times. She was always hurrying from one meeting to the next, as though her schedule of councils and boardrooms were endless.\nOnly after the sound of her heels faded into the distance did the others at the table finally exhale in relief.\nMy older brother, already lined with wrinkles despite his youth, let out half a sigh, but swallowed the rest when Famia, my older sister, shot him a glare.\nAmong us siblings, Famia was considered the one most likely to inherit our mother's position, though she herself always claimed that I should be the one to take that seat.\nI, however, had no interest in my mother's position.\n\nWhen I had packed the last of my belongings and walked out of the Metonia estate alone, a gaunt-faced man stood waiting by the iron gate.\nHe was my father, a well-known businessman in Nova. Born in the Ash District, he had, through sheer determination and by marrying into the Metonia family, became a man of consequence in Emor's Gold District.\nAll these years, my father had seldom spoken to us. I never knew what he was truly thinking. Only that, unlike my mother who valued results above all else, he cared more about the direction at the start.\nI thought he was about to say something, but he just handed me a book.\n\"The Fundamentals of Grace Energy.\"\nI recognized it at once. It was the birthday gift I had begged my parents for when I was a child. But now, I had turned my back on it.\n\"Since you chose this path for yourself, see it through to the end.\"\nLeaving those words behind, he turned and walked away, just as my mother had.\nRight on cue, the rain began to fall. The butler arrived with my luggage, wrapped in waterproof cloth. He explained that Father had personally given the instructions, since most of it was out of print rare books that could easily ruined by water.\n\"Miss, please understand. Mistress and Master, they...\"\nThe lines on the butler's forehead deepened. Ever since my incident, he had followed my parents everywhere as they tried to get me out. No doubt he, too, had endured a difficult time.\n\"It's all right. I understand. To protect me and the family, they had no other choice.\"\n\nFrom the carriage window I watched the Metonia estate recede into the distance. Taking out the Grace Light Academy employment registration form, I filled in the blank for \"Full Name\" with—\nCanace·No family name.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12012.1": "Looking Back on the Path I Took",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12012.2": "Before officially becoming a teacher, I spent some time interning in a small, remote town.\nThe school there was soon to be shut down, and the students there were the first class I ever taught—and I was their last teacher.\nThe reason for the school closure was simple: it couldn't collect enough tuition fees.\nIn Nova, education is a luxury.\nIn a way, a teacher like me is no different from an Artifact salesperson in a shop...\n\n\"Ah, I knew I'd find you here, Ms. Canace.\"\n\nJuno pushed open the door to the rooftop, greeted me like an old friend, and gave me a polite bow.\nShe was the class president. With only a five-year age gap between us, we were more like friends than teacher and student.\n\n\"The graduation ceremony is about to start. Aren't you coming down, Ms. Canace?\"\n\"I need a moment... I'm feeling a bit...\"\n\nI tugged at the hem of the suit I'd found in the Monolith.\nI felt uneasy about the upcoming ceremony.\nThis wasn't a traditional graduation—it was more of a forced graduation due to the school shutting down.\nFacing the imminent graduation, the graduates had only finished half of the semester.\nI couldn't stop the school from closing, but I still felt I hadn't done enough for my students.\n\n\"Wow, is that the formal suit in the Monolith?\"\n\nJuno noticed my unusual outfit and circled around me in excitement.\nIt was indeed the formal wear popular in the Gold District.\nWhen I left home, my older sister packed it for me, but I never got a chance to wear it.\n\n\"The premium stuff from the Monolith! How does it feel? Is it really as comfortable as people say?\"\n\"It's tight and hard to move in it, not comfortable at all.\"\n\"I see! This is the first time I've seen you in a suit, Ms. Canace.\"\n\"Well... There are still lessons I haven't covered this semester. Sorry about that.\"\n\"Don't worry! You've already taught us the most important lesson.\"\n\nI gave her a confused look.\nAfter hearing about the school closure, I handed out the remaining lesson plans and textbooks. But that didn't count as completing the lessons, right?\n\n\"The most important lesson is this.\"\n\nJuno pointed at my suit.\n\n\"This?\"\n\"Yeah, before you came, we thought Emor was this intimidating place, and the people there seemed to know so much more.\nWe thought we could never catch up, no matter how hard we tried.\nThen you came, and we learned that people from Emor are just like us...\nAnd I just find out now that they wear these really uncomfortable clothes.\"\n\"I don't think that's much of a compliment.\"\n\"What? No, I really mean it. Everyone in class likes you, Ms. Canace. You've given us confidence we didn't have.\"\n\"Well... I never realized I could do that.\"\n\"Yeah, now we know we're just like everyone else, and there's nothing to be afraid of. Anyway, everyone's waiting for you in the hall. Let's go.\"\n\nTo quote a book from the Monolith: In any group of three, one of them can always teach me something.\nI guess teaching these students helped me gain new insights as well.\nJuno gently pushed me forward, a teacher who had learned just as much, toward my first \"graduation\" in life.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12013.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Laurel Bracelet of the Starless Night",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12013.2": "Soft whimpers of a young girl emanated from the pitch-black cell.\nCurled up in the cold corner of the stone-walled room, she clutched tightly to memento from her adventure.\nIt was a bracelet made from calcified laurel leaves.\n\nThe coldness was gnawing at her senses while darkness was stripping away her will.\nAll she could do was silently repeating her defense in the trial.\n\"It'll be fine. If I just play dumb, I can get away with this.\"\n\"Everything will be okay. Once my parents step in, I'll be out of here soon.\"\nBut memories intruded and the past flashed before her eyes once again.\n\nOne could not have both freedom and stability. Longings for the Wilds made her sneak out to a Monolith outside the city.\nShe saw climbing the Monolith as a kind of graduation celebration.\n\n\"Everyone wants to climb higher, but few stop to notice what's beneath their feet.\"\n\nThe girl descended into the Abyss, witnessing sights no one had ever seen before.\nThe Monoliths, the continents, and the very planet itself.\nShe realized that the true history of the world and its forgotten memories was beyond anything Novians could ever imagine.\nOnce she took that first step, she could never accept living in a glass house of ignorance.\n\nShe weaved a bracelet out of tree branches to symbolize her will.\nShe longed to reveal the truth to the world. and that obsession drove her to force her frail body back along the path she had come.\nThere the memories came to an abrupt end, followed by events too terrible to speak of.\n\nA beam of light cut through the darkness of the cell.\nThrough the doorway, the young girl saw her parents and the figures of the Grace Imperium outside.\nDuring the trial, she lied. This was a first for her, as she had always been taught to speak the truth.\nCanace held firm onto the belief that silence would not last forever, those who sought knowledge would one day unearth the truth.\nShe carried that secret on her back and began to walk her lonely path.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12301.2": "Name: Ann\nBirthday: June 1st\nAffiliation: Eaze Village Scout Squad (Self-formed)\nSkills: Scouting\nAddress: Eaze Village\nExperience: None\nWeapon: Coco (Definitely not a weapon)\nRates: Accepting apples for small tasks, watermelons for bigger ones",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12302.1": "Reason for Becoming the Scout Squad Captain",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12302.2": "The Scout Squad used to be a big, bustling group, but over time, everyone moved away. Now it's just me, Coco, and Bubble holding down the fort.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12303.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12303.2": "My Special Magic to Make You Smile\n\nFeeling bad?\nI will draw you a sun to brighten your day~",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12304.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12304.2": "Things I'm Not Good At\n\nPeeling onions, staying up late, studying, and saying goodbye to my closest friends.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12305.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12305.2": "My Important Companions\n\nBubble is the fastest in the Ponpon Fish Village. She can carry me all the way to the treetops.\nCoco can instantly become super bulky and breathe fire. She can even whip up warm porridge to make me feel better when I'm sick!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12306.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12306.2": "Scout Squad Responsibilities\n\nWe help the villagers, patrol the forest, and keep an eye out for monsters.\nEach team member has a unique role, and as long as you care about the village, you're considered an honorary member of the Scout Squad.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12307.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12307.2": "About Me\n\nI don't remember who my parents are. Villagers told me, a few years ago, Coco brought me to the village.\nI have asked Coco about it, but she only responds with \"wuf.\" Strange—she usually understands me just fine.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12308.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12308.2": "She'll always be the little sunshine of Eaze Village.\n—Chief of the Village\n\nThe little sister helped me so much and she climbs trees faster than I do!\n—Teresa",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12309.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12309.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nRegardless of her age, Ann has already managed to rally the help of two companions and protect the village in her own way.\nHer unique perspective of nature and creatures is also impressive, showing the potential to become an excellent Trekker.\nThat said, before she gets too caught up in her \"adventures,\" she needs to catch up on the homework she's missed.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12310.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12310.2": "Excerpt from a paper on Firefangs study\n\nFluflas are known for their exceptional hearing and natural bond with animals. However, little is understood about their interactions with monsters like Firefangs.\nThe Firefang is a fierce, fire-breathing creature. Its innate pride makes it nearly impossible to tame.\nThat said, Coco, Ann's Firefang companion, is a unique case. Not only has she formed a strong bond with Ann, but she has also picked up abilities that are uncommon for her kind. This makes Coco an intriguing subject for further study.\n—From a paper archived at Eye of Grace",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12311.1": "The Legend of the Sun Knight (Part One)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12311.2": "One day, a terrible curse struck the peaceful village without warning.\nThe curse made the sky lose its memory, so it wept endlessly, its tears flooding the fields.\nThe curse also made the clouds sick. They turned dark and heavy, and their pain was spread to the wheat crops, causing them to bend.\n\nThe villagers laboring in the fields turned to the sage for help, asking how they could lift the curse.\nThe wheat still clung to life, but the villagers were drained, their bodies and spirits worn thin by the curse.\nThe sage stroked his beard thoughtfully and told the villagers that only the legendary Sun Knight could awaken the slumbering sun, whose light would break the curse.\nThe villagers asked eagerly, \"Where can we find the Sun Knight?\"\nThis time, the sage simply shook his head, offering no answer.\n\nAs a matter of fact, the Sun Knight was already on her way.\nWrapped in a magic cloak to shield her from the cold, she ventured deep into the damp forest.\nThis was her domain, and she knew every creature that called it home. In return, these creatures adored her. The fluffy-tailed nut identifiers and the flying singers eagerly guided her along the way.\n\nThe Sun Knight was on a quest to collect the materials needed to awaken the sun.\nShe gathered handfuls of royal poinciana petals, a large basket of marigold buds, and some tasty onions and purple sweet potatoes—everything packed into a big bag.\nBut no, she wasn't planning to wake the sun with a feast!\nShe also collected spider webs, madder roots, and a barrel of tree sap.\nCarefully, she loaded the heavy bag onto the back of her most trusted companion, Lady Firefang, and brought them all back to her secret hideout.\nIn a large pot, the ingredients simmered for hours, turning into precious liquid by the time the piles of firewood disappeared. What had once been a heap of materials was now stored in several small jars.\nThe Sun Knight packed the jars carefully, borrowed a few strands of Lady Firefang's beautiful fur, and made her way toward the \"tower\" in the village.\n\nShe squeezed through the crack in the wall and climbed the steps to the top.\nBelow, Lady Firefang stood, her gaze fixed on the Sun Knight as she ascended.\nThe ritual to awaken the sun began.\nThe magical fluid from the jars was poured onto the tower, painting it with golden and fiery-red hues. As the warm colors spread, the sky seemed to recall its memory. The warm hues also healed the clouds, and sunlight returned to the village.\nBut the remnants of the curse clung to the Sun Knight. No one knew where she went after that.\nAs for when the Sun Knight would return... Well, that's a different story.\n\n\"Big Bo, don't you think the windmill in the village is lovely?\"\n\"It is! But what's that on it? Is that...an orange?\"\n\"It's the sun! The color's faded from the rain.\"\n\"I see, you were working on this the other day.\"\n\"Yeah. The rainy season was so annoying. But the sun I painted brought smiles to everyone in the village.\"\n\"So, that's how you caught a cold?\"\n\"Achoo! It's nothing, really! I'll be fine in a couple of days. Please, Big Bo, don't buy me any medicine. I really don't want to drink that bitter stuff again.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12312.1": "The Legend of the Sun Knight (Part Two)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12312.2": "Another day, the capricious queen of winter, along with her loyal servants of wind and snow, swept through the village.\nWhen dawn broke, the villagers awoke to find Lady Firefang's paw prints near a broken fence.\nDisturbed, they sought the sage's counsel, hoping for a fair judgement.\nThe sage, stroking his beard, gazed solemnly toward the forest. \"The just Sun Knight will uncover the truth.\"\n\nOnce again, the Sun Knight put on her cold-immune magical cloak and stepped into the frozen forest alone.\nThe snowstorm casted unease among the forest creatures, but the Sun Knight returned to her domain undeterred. No cheers of welcome greeted her, but she was determined to help those in need.\nShe carefully placed five pine nuts—forgotten treasures of the fluffy-tailed nut identifiers—at their door.\nShe gently returned three bird eggs—cherished offspring of the flying singers—to their nest.\nAnd then, she spotted a set of paw prints—no, not just any paw prints—these were the tracks of Lady Firefang!\n\nThe Sun Knight quickened her pace, following the trail deeper into the forest.\nThrough the wind and snow, she saw Lady Firefang up ahead. She was close now—just a few steps away from getting the answer she needed.\nBut as she drew near, a sense of shiver crept over her. The figure before her wasn't Lady Firefang at all—it was a vicious wolf, who looked strikingly similar to her.\nHe wore the disguise of Lady Firefang, hoping to deceive the villagers and break their trust in her.\nJust as the Sun Knight moved to confront him, the biting wind and snow suddenly numbed her limbs.\nAt the critical moment, the real Lady Firefang appeared and engaged in the fight, shielding the Sun Knight behind her.\n\nThe battle soon ended, as the wolf stood no chance against Lady Firefang. But in a final act of desperation, he grabbed Lady Firefang and pulled her down the mountainside with him.\nThe Sun Knight quickly called on the creatures of the forest. They brought spruces, ivy vines, and a large, elastic mushroom.\nTogether, they crafted a sled to ride over the snow.\nWithout hesitation, the Sun Knight jumped onto the sled and sped down the mountain.\n\nIn a quiet cave, she found Lady Firefang, injured but still breathing. \"Hold on, my friend.\" the Sun Knight said gently. She reached into her pouch and pulled out two strange stones.\nClick. Clack. The melodious sounds summoned a fire spirit. It appeared in a flash of flames, offering warmth.\n\"This isn't enough.\" the Sun Knight murmured, draping her enchanted cloak over Lady Firefang to protect her from the cold.\nThe fire spirit danced through the night. Finally, the long, bitter night ended.\n\nSoon after, the sage led the villagers to the cave. When they learned the truth, their concerns were resolved. However, the Sun Knight, still recovering from her illness, became even weaker.\nDetermined to care for her, Lady Firefang began to learn the villagers' ways of living...\n\n\"No matter how many times I see it, I still can't believe Coco can cook!\"\n\"Heh, impressive, isn't it?\"\n\"Yeah. Coco is impressive! Unlike Ann...\"\n\"That's not true! I... I can cook too! I'll show you, Big Bo!\"\n\"Hold on! Did you just pour the entire bag of salt in there!?\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12313.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Golden Wheat Flag",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12313.2": "\"Ann, we're here! Hey! What are you doing on the floor?\"\n\"Hey, guys! The flag by the village gate got a hole in it, and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.\"\n\"I know! Dad says this is called 'crafting.' They have crafting lessons every day in Philae schools!\"\nLying on the flag that had been blown off from the flag post by the strong winds the night before, the Flufla girl turned her head to welcome the two members of the Scout Squad.\n\"Ann, why not add something to it that's unique to our Eaze Village...or Ponpon Fish Village? That way, everyone will recognize it right away!\"\n\"Something unique to Ponpon Fish Village... Hmm! I know what I can do! Thanks, Ya!\"\n\"Pfft, I thought you were making a battle flag! You know, like the one the standard bearer of Imperial Guard holds.\"\n\"They will wave it like this, see? This way, everybody is going to look at you!\"\n\"That's so cool! I want one too! But I don't know how to make it...\"\n\"Ann, don't listen to him. Even without a flag, Coco will still follow your orders.\"\n\"I see! Once I fix the flag, we can put it back together!\"\n\"Ah... About that...\"\n\"Ann, I hate to tell you this, but we're moving to Philae soon...\"\n\"Phil-lay? Is that a nearby village? That's okay! With Coco around, she can take me to visit you every day!\"\n\"It's not like that, Ann... We are moving to...\"\nThe two gave Ann her first lesson in farewells, and her mood was as low as her floppy ears.\n\n\"Do you think it was the right thing to tell her? I still remember the sad look on her face that day...\"\nOn the moving carriage, the girl spoke regretfully to the boy beside her.\n\"It beats let her discover it for herself. And stop sticking your head out the window, it's dangerous.\"\n\"I think...I see something strange in the wheat field.\"\n\"There are some strangely tall stalks, and they're moving towards us.\"\n\"Impossible, you must be seeing things...\"\nThe boy leaned out of the window, and as sunlight swept across the wheat field, he saw a girl on the back of a Firefang. In the golden wheat waves, she was waving a flag made of wheat stalks in the air.\n\"Nalan! Ya! Look, I made this really cool wheat flag!\"\n\"When I become the captain of the Scout Squad, I'll carry it with me everywhere!\"\n\"I'll hang it high at the village gate, so you will see it when you come back!\"\nThe Flufla girl could no longer hear her friends' responses as the carriage carried them away. She stopped and looked at their waving goodbye silhouettes gradually disappearing into the horizon.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12501.2": "Name: Freesia\nBirthday: September 9th\nAffiliation: Post Haste\nSkills: Dueling, cycling, handling lawsuits\nAddress: No. 9 Tenth Street, Port Bellin\nExperience: 1 year\nWeapon: Reason's Edge\nRate: Contact Donna at Post Haste for details",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12502.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12502.2": "To advocate the unheard, to fortify my body, and to push my limits—this is what being a Courier Trekker means to me.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12503.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12503.2": "Education\n\nGoldfinch Academy of Excellence: Graduated Summa Cum Laude",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12504.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12504.2": "Awards\n\nBellin Star of the Year Medal\nSecond Place, Bellin Lake Circuit Cycling Race\nBest Stamina Award, Bellin Port Marble Tournament",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12505.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12505.2": "Hobbies\n\nReading, dueling, and enjoying tea",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12506.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12506.2": "Courier Services\n\nStandard Services: Local delivery of letters, newspapers, and packages\nCustom Services: Oversized package delivery and intercity mail\nReminder: Custom services must be booked in advance",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12507.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12507.2": "Self-Assessment\n\nAs a novice, I'm still far behind those seasoned Trekkers in both knowledge and practical experience.\nIt takes me seventeen strikes to knock out a wild boar, and I've yet to complete the \"30 Days on Hardtacks\" challenge...\nTo bridge these gaps, I am diligently learning from the best: absorbing tales from veteran adventurers, engaging in marble duels with children, sampling every snack available, and refining my skills in Artifact repair.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12508.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12508.2": "It took me quite a bit of effort to convince Freesia not to list \"eating snacks\" as one of her hobbies...\nAnyway, don't let her cold, distant vibe throw you off. Spend some time with her and you'll see there's more to her than meets the eye!\n—Donna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12509.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12509.2": "Totally accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nFreesia's capabilities far exceed what she listed in her CV—it seems she may have somewhat missed the point when detailing her achievements\nOut of curiosity, I dug deeper and discovered that the \"Bellin Star of the Year Medal\" is actually awarded to the person who defeats the most wandering wild boars in town each year... It's hard to imagine what this young lady has gone through to earn that.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12510.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12510.2": "An excerpt from an old news article.\n\nExclusive! Poitou Family Advocate Disappears!\nSources reveal that an advocate from the Poitou family, who previously assaulted an attendee in court, has now gone missing. Her law firm has received several anonymous letters demanding a public apology.\nAs of now, the Poitou family has not issued any statement regarding the situation...\n—The Voice of Port Goldfinch",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12511.1": "The Search for Meaning",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12511.2": "\"Based on the company's current situation, we've outlined the following proposals...\"\n\"You had made some solid plans, but...\"\nAs the conversation went on, the conference room was filled with tedious contract term explanations and convoluted legal jargons. Freesia sat at the large table, diligently noting every word her esteemed clients said, as she always did.\nEven though most of the time they repeated questions that had already been answered several times or made unreasonable demands, she remained composed.\n\n\"... You were zoning out during the meeting, weren't you?\"\nFreesia, who had been sorting her files, was startled. She had assumed her mentor, preoccupied with dealing with the difficult clients, would pay less attention to her. But to her surprise, the seasoned advocate saw it all.\nAfter admitting her lapse, Freesia couldn't help but ask a question that had been on her mind.\n\"This is our third meeting with this company. Why are they so slow in giving us an answer? Why do they keep sending different representatives to hear the same proposals?\"\n\"Good question. Consider it a standard procedure. The larger the company, the more complex its internal structure.\"\n\"We need to gather feedback from all sides and tailor a proposal that satisfies the group with the final say.\"\n\"With all due respect, I think this approach slows down the process.\"\n\"That's not our concern. As advocates, our job is to fulfill the client's needs.\"\n\"... I understand. Thank you for explaining.\"\n\n\nThe afternoon sunlight poured through the window, offering an invitation to nap. Even though Freesia maintained a healthy routine, she still felt her eyelids growing heavy. She looked out the window.\nIt was the perfect weather for practicing dueling techniques outdoors.\nHow long has it been since she last felt an adrenaline rush?\nWhen she vowed to become an advocate, she thought she was stepping into a new \"dueling arena,\" just as the respected ancestors of her family had done.\nShe longed for simple, direct fights, but reality was different from what she wanted.\n\n\n\"... Thank you. See you tomorrow.\"\nAfter saying goodbye to her mentor, Freesia stepped out of the imposing building, feeling unusually tired.\n\"Excuse me, miss... Are you an advocate?\"\nA couple approached her, interrupting her thoughts. They were dressed in simple clothes, looking both anxious and earnest.\nFreesia nodded seriously.\n\"Yes, how can I help you?\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12512.1": "A New Beginning",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12512.2": "\"I will not ask you to drop this case, but given your lack of experience and the defendant's strong background, a lost case is almost certain.\"\n\"And, as expected, I'll be the one representing the defendant.\"\n\"... You're fully aware of the harm he's caused. Why would you still defend him?\"\n\"Because I'm his personal legal counselor. As an advocate, my duty is to provide legal service to my clients, and I won't be swayed by anything else.\"\nHer mentor's resolute response shattered the last shreds of Freesia's idealism.\n\"... You are the senior I respect most in this field, but even if I have to take an opponent like you on, I won't back down.\"\n\"Besides, I think I still have a shot at winning.\"\n\n\nThe rain began to let up, a knock on the door broke the silence.\n\"Come in.\"\n\"It's fine, I'll just stand here. I don't want to stain your carpet with my wet shoes.\"\n\"I'm here to say goodbye. I'm quitting the firm... I don't think I can be a competent advocate.\"\n\"Don't be afraid of failure. You can always learn from your mistakes and start fresh. You have a lot of potential, so don't give up on yourself.\"\n\"But I've been thinking... If being an advocate means only fighting for the powerful, even at the expense of the common people, who else will stand up for justice?\"\n\"Society has its own rules. You shouldn't question them until you have the power to change them.\"\n\"And remember, you became an advocate only because you are a Poitou...\"\n\n\n\"... Freesia! Freesia! What are you reading?\"\nA nimble girl leaned over curiously, her shadow falling on the book pages.\n\"Whoa, so many words! I don't understand any of this...\"\n\"Haha, the books Freesia reads are too deep for us.\"\nThe orange-haired girl, who had been stitching a piece of clothing, squeezed herself into the already tight space on the couch. The three girls huddled together, chatting.\n\"I was just flipping through it... The bookstore owner gave me a few bestsellers.\"\n\"As thanks for your help in dealing with those ruffians last time, right? They had threatened to raise her rent more than once.\"\n\"I remember! Then Freesia said a bunch of legal things I didn't understand, and those people were absolutely stunned.\"\n\"When Freesia talks about legal stuff, she's a totally different person.\"\n\"Now that Freesia's getting some recognition in the neighborhood, I wonder if Post Haste will land a big job soon...\"\n...\n\n\"Now, I've started to understand the meaning of that period of my life.\"\nThough it came later than expected, Freesia could finally feel proud of her former identity as an advocate.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12513.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Reason's Edge",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12513.2": "What does it take to become the undefeated champion of duels?\n\"Courage,\" \"Tenacity,\" and \"Justice...\"\nThese were her deadliest weapons, her most loyal followers.\nWith them, she ensured that promises were met and disputes were settled.\n\"Courage\" was a dark silver dagger laced with poison, capable of striking down enemies with lethal precision in the blink of an eye.\n\"Tenacity\" was forged from rhino bones and crimson rocks, able to shatter any defense as if it were glass.\n\"Justice\" was a lance, its tip sharp enough to pierce the sky, its gleaming edge often the last an enemy would ever see.\nIn her arsenal, weapons were named after various virtues. Among them, an unwieldy great axe was left unattended, waiting for its master to choose it.\nBut she didn't need \"Reason.\"\nShe had always charged forward with reckless abandon.\n\nHowever, even the undefeated champion would eventually fall.\n\"Impulsiveness is your downfall.\"\n\"Never ignore the power of reason.\"\nThis was the comment she received.\nAfter that, she vanished, and not soon after, the tradition of dueling.\nThe once-glorious weapons and their legends were sealed in the memories, forgotten by all.\n\nA hundred years later, a young girl, fleeing in desperation, stumbled upon the arsenal.\nHer presence brought a renewed sense of purpose to those forgotten weapons.\nBut unlike the legendary duelist before her, this girl was inexperienced and lacked confidence.\nShe wandered past the weapons that had once witnessed epic battles, searching for one to help her deal with the difficulties ahead.\n\"Hmm... You're the one.\"\n\"I need more reason.\"\nHeld in her hand, the great obsidian axe seemed to come alive.\nDeep inside the disheartened girl, the axe felt her courage, tenacity, and justice.\nIt also recognized her fiery passion, the same passion that its previous master had a century ago.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12601.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12601.2": "Name: Flora\nBirthday: September 9th\nAffiliation: Ozora Production\nSkills: Magic performances\nAddress: Southern Forest, near Flavio\nExperience: above 3 years\nWeapon: Phoenix Wand\nRates: Appearance fee: 5 million Dorra. For business collaborations, please contact me in advance to discuss the details.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12602.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12602.2": "To tour with OpenSky Agency artists, bringing joy to audiences while recruiting and mentoring performers and help them become star artists.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12603.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12603.2": "About OpenSky Agency\n\nOpenSky Agency is a newly established agency that broke away from the traditional model of securing performance opportunities with one city at a time. Instead, it operates with complete flexibility, touring and performing regularly across Nova.\nScope of services include: magic performances, stage plays, talent training, and Monolith exploration.\nPermanent address: Southern Forest, near Flavio\nOffice Number: 62442",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12604.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12604.2": "About Magic Performances\n\nMagic performances involve creating visual wonders using magical powers, which requires the performer to possess exceptional magical skills.\nThe origins of magic performances are unclear, but available records suggest that the practice dates back centuries, possibly even a thousand years.\nThe founding figure of modern magic art is known as the \"Clockmaker's Apprentice.\" He was the first to combine traditional magic tricks with acrobatics and other theatrical illusions, bringing the folk practice to the nobility and transforming it into an art form.\nHowever, due to various historical reasons, magic performances gradually lost its appeal among the general public. A few years ago, Celine Robert, the last direct descendant of the Clockmaker's Apprentice, passed away in Flavio, marking the end of an era for this art form.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12605.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12605.2": "Career Highlights\n\nPreviously signed to a 15-year contract with Scarlet Sights Media's Radiant Promotion.\nHas starred in 32 films (9 as the leading actress), 15 stage plays, and 48 live performances.\n\nAwards:\nBest Newcomer Award, 26th Flavio Film Festival\nBest Actress Award, 26th Flavio Film Festival\nLifetime Achievement Award, 27th Flavio Film Festival",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12606.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12606.2": "Signature Magic Performance Techniques\n\nI've refined traditional magic tricks, using a wand to expertly control magical powers.\nWith exquisite magic props and my graceful dance moves, I put on a spectacular visual feast of magic show entirely on my own.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12607.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12607.2": "A Lavish Costume\n\nAfter inheriting the legacy of a Magician Maximus, I recreated her iconic stage costume from her youth as a tribute, adding a few personal touches.\nHowever, I found myself overwhelmed by the weight of her legacy. But with time and practice, I managed to step into her shoes and embrace the responsibility it carried.\n\nThat's the story we tell the public. The truth is Miss Flora had no idea how to put the costume on.\n—Fannie, Assistant at Ozora Production",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12608.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12608.2": "I've heard about Miss Flora's accomplishments as an actress in Flavio. Unfortunately, I couldn't travel there, so I could only watch her work on a projector Artifact. I often wonder when she'll return to Flavio to resume her actress career again.\n—Aobelle\n\nWe deeply regret that Miss Befana, or rather Miss Flora, has left the film industry. While Radiant Promotion has officially severed ties with her, we promise that the honors and awards she earned will not be revoked.\n—Flavio Film Association",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12609.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12609.2": "Highly questionable.<sprite name=\"acrchives_falsified_richtext\">\nMiss Flora, a skilled magician, always demonstrates excellent social skills, reflecting her background in the entertainment industry. However, the rumors about her, both on the media and in the industry, cannot be ignored.\nThe opinions about her seem poles apart, which has led us to doubt the authenticity of her resume.\nRather than a typical resume, we see this more as an invitation letter. If you're lucky enough to receive it, think of it as Flora inviting you to join her on stage for a magic performance.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12610.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12610.2": "About the Contract Dispute Between Miss Befana and Radiant Promotion\n\nFrom records in Flavio Archives:\nMiss Befana filed a lawsuit against her employer, Radiant Promotion, citing its inhumane working conditions, inadequate pay, and failure to provide career development opportunities aligned with her goals.\nBefore a verdict was reached, the dispute between Miss Befana and Radiant Promotion drew significant public attention in Flavio, with many other artists coming forward to expose similar exploitative practices by talent agencies and entertainment companies.\nThe case was ultimately settled with Miss Befana agreeing to pay the penalties for breach of contract. As one SSM reporter stated, \"Although Miss Befana lost the case, she has sparked the fight against the unfair contract terms of artists.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12611.1": "A Featureless Face in the Mirror",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12611.2": "When did she first start noticing it?\n\nPerhaps it was the moment the applause faded, the spotlights dimmed, and the curtains fell.\nFlora stood at the center of the stage, bowing still, until the darkness completely enveloped her.\nA beam of light broke through from behind as one staff from Radiant Promotion approached, reminding her of her meeting with the producers. She nodded.\nBefore the meeting, she wanted to check her makeup, only to discover that her heavy, ornate gown had no pocket to hold a compact mirror. No matter. As a celebrated star, all she needed was her ever-present smile.\nThe meeting went smoothly. Flora secured another film project, a victory for both herself and the company.\nOnce the staff was gone, she went to the bathroom to remove her makeup. The cold water washed away her makeup, erasing the traces of her stage persona. The sound of unfamiliar footsteps drew near.\n\"Miss Flora? Still here? It's been a long day, hasn't it?\"\n\"I'm fine, thank you. Just need to remove my makeup before leaving.\"\nFlora replied in a perfect manner, though she neither knew the speaker nor cared to.\n\"But...you look weary. Are you alright?\"\nWhere did that come from? Had her perfect mask slipped off?\nFlora slowly raised her eyes to the mirror in front of her.\nIn the reflection, her face had no features.\n\n\"Ah!\"\nFlora jolted awake, realizing she was in the back seat of a luxury limo speeding into the night streets in Flavio. Her agent sat beside her.\n\"What's wrong, my superstar? Still not used to riding in a high-end Artifact car?\"\nFlora offered a tired smile and shook her head, her gaze drifting to the neon-lit cityscape outside the window. It occurred to her that she didn't even like this city.\nAt night, the streets of Flavio were teeming with drunken office workers, underground idols who were rushing to their next part-time jobs with their stage makeups, and art-pursuing talents who were forced to trade everything they had in a bet-on agreement for their long-overdue opportunities.\nEveryone seemed to be caught in a cycle, siphoning joy from each other's struggles.\n\"Stop looking at those losers. Focus on what you have—talent and better access to resources.\"\nFlora stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the view outside. In the blurry background, she caught a glimpse of a familiar red-haired girl, her figure fading into the night.\n\"Ma'am... I think...\"\n\n\"Don't even think about quitting. There's no going back now.\"\n\nSuddenly, the car screeched to a sudden halt. Flora instinctively braced herself, her heart started racing.\nShe looked around in shaken silence, she realized that everyone—both inside and outside the car—was staring directly at her.\nThey were all faceless versions of herself.\n\nKnocks at the door broke the silence, followed by a concerned voice from the other side of the door.\nA cool breeze slipped through the cracked window of the old hotel, sending a chill to the figure hunched at the desk.\nFlora finally woke from the nightmares that felt disturbingly close to reality.\n\"Flora, Are you alright? We are going to the rehearsal for the show booked by the House of Trekkers' Affairs.\"\n\"Ah...yes! Six shows in six consecutive days are just a warm-up for a Magician Maximus.\"\nFlora rubbed her temples to collect her thoughts. She rose up from the chair, placing the unfinished book back on the shelf. Routinely, she put on her performance attire, as if nothing had changed in the past decades.\nBefore leaving, she paused in front of the mirror, summoning the courage to look at her own reflection.\n\nWhen did she first start noticing it?\nThe realization that she barely recognized herself in the mirror.\n\n\"Miss Flora, perhaps we should...postpone the show. Everyone is worried about your health.\"\nNo response. Inside the quite room, only the crying of summer cicadas from afar could be heard.\nAfter a moment, the door creaked open. The familiar, ever-confident magician emerged once again.\n\"Nonsense. In OpenSky, the show must go on!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12612.1": "The Fiery Butterfly",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12612.2": "A little girl, like a frightened kitten, shuffling through the bustling crowd, calling out for her mother.\nWhen she was about to fall, a pair of hands, showing the marks of time, supported her.\n\"Goodness, I thought you were one of those red-haired Wood Rats! Turns out you're a little girl.\"\nThe girl looked up, an old lady in elegant gown was standing before her. She quickly wiped off the tear streaks on her face and thanked the woman in a proper manner.\n\"Did you get separated from your mother? Do you need help to find her?\"\n\"Mother... She...she's no longer with me. I came to Emor with my father.\"\n\"Oh... I didn't mean it, dear.\"\nThe girl shook her head, feeling the familiar twitch in her nose as tears threatened to fall again.\n\"Thank you, but I really must go now.\"\n\"Not so fast, little one. Check what's in your pocket.\"\n\"Huh?\" The girl fumbled through her pocket, pulling out one handkerchief after another, as if her pocket were a bottomless treasure chest. Each handkerchief had the name Celine Robert embroidered on it.\n\"Oh my, sorry! I'm getting old and forgetful. Your handkerchief is right here.\"\nThe woman pulled out the handkerchief that belonged to the girl from her own pocket and knelt down to gently wipe away the girl's tears.\nBut as she did, a drop of tear evaporated, transforming into a butterfly with fiery wings.\n\"Wow, that's amazing! What was that?\"\n\"This, my dear, is a magic trick.\"\n\"Magic trick? I've only heard of magic spell... What's the difference?\"\nAs the old woman spoke of the history of magic tricks, her fingers flickering, countless handkerchiefs seemed to come to life. They fluttered together like paper dolls holding hands, finally settling on her shoulder.\nFrom folk magic to the Clockmaker's Apprentice, from grand magic performances to Flavio, the girl was attracted to the tales of the past and forgot her sorrow.\n\"Listen closely. There are many types of magic tricks, but whether grand or simple, their essence is the same—to bring joy to the audience.\"\n\"I want to learn magic tricks! Everyone in Emor always looks so sad!\"\n\"Shh! Don't say that loud again, Okay?\" The old woman panicked a bit, covering the girl's mouth. Making sure no one had paid any attention, she sighed in relief.\nThe girl found her flustered reaction amusing, laughed at her. The woman chuckled at herself, too.\n\"You laughed! Does that mean I've grasped the essence?\"\n\"Aren't you a clever one? When you're older, come find me in Flavio, and I'll teach you properly.\"\n\"I will! Don't go back on your word!\"\nAt that moment, the girl caught a glimpse of appreciation in the woman's eyes—something she had never seen before. The woman smiled softly, gently ruffled the girl's hair, and slowly rose to her feet.\nThen, just like magic, she vanished into the crowd, as mysteriously as she had appeared.\nAll that remained was the fiery butterfly on girl's fingertip, fluttering its wings, guiding her home.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12613.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Phoenix Wand",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12613.2": "\"Please, tell me how to make magic props!\"\n\"Get lost.\"\n\nThe door slammed shut, and the momentum sent raindrops against Flora's face.\nAbove her, the dim light flickered on a sign that read: Garrod's Magic Prop Shop—CLOSE DOWN. The sign swayed helplessly in the downpour.\nFlora stood there, unwilling to leave. Minutes later, the elderly man reappeared with a grumpy face, tossing a pile of books and materials at her.\nWith another slam of the door, the meeting between Flora and Nova's last magic prop maker came to an abrupt end.\n\nFlora set up a makeshift shelter on a nearby hill, immersing herself in the study of magic props day and night.\nIn later days, she would look back and joke about herself, \"I must've looked like a witch from a picture book back then.\"\n\nFlora was working on a tool designed to control magic power—a small, convenient device, much like a conductor's baton, but capable of channeling the power and coalescing it into a physical form.\nShe sent the idea to Master Garrod, but his response was nothing short of scorn.\n\"For generations, magicians have honed their skills in isolation, trying to control magic with their own hands. Magic props are just tools. What you're trying to do goes against tradition!\"\n\"But sticking to tradition won't revive magic tricks.\"\nFlora replied with a single sentence before she set off to gather the three essential components for her wand: the body, a magical stone, and the core.\nShe didn't need Garrod's approval—a word of advice will be enough to shed the light. Just like her magic performances, interacting with the audience was a mere distraction. What truly mattered was the show itself.\n\nWhen Garrod received Flora's latest letter, he was surprised to learn that she had already gathered the materials for the wand's body and the magic stone, and was still working hard to find the right core.\nHe couldn't imagine how a celebrated star from Flavio city had managed to journey across mountains and valleys in search of magic conducting material that were rare-finds even in the black market.\nLater, the bedridden Garrod, bored and restless, began flipping through old newspapers from a year ago—he found his answer. No matter which one he picked up, the headline was the same: \"Famous Actress Befana Breaks Away with Radiant Promotion, Plans to Go Solo!\"\n\nGarrod froze. Slowly, he reached into his drawer and pulled out a finely crafted wooden box. Inside was a crimson feather, a gift from his old partner, Celine Robert, given to him over a decade ago, right after she made it around the world and back.\nThe feather was said to come from a mysterious creature. Some legends claimed it was a monster, while others described it as a divine beast. In all accounts, however, there was one thing in common: whenever the creature dies, it will reborn through fire.\nGarrod wrote a brief letter to Flora, the last one he would ever send. He told her to use the feather as the core for her wand, and promised to see the debut of the wand once it was done.\n\nBut on the day they were supposed to meet, Garrod never showed up. Instead, Flora was greeted only by a torrential downpour.\nShortly after, Garrod's eldest son arrived to inform Flora that the old man was dying.\nFlora fell silent. She stared out at the storm for a moment and left the showroom. Against the warnings of the others, she began her ascent up the hill. Alone atop the hill, she bowed silently as if acknowledging an invisible audience, and then drew her Phoenix Wand...\n\nDown in the cottage at the foot of the hill, Garrod lay on his deathbed, sustained only by a medical Artifact.\nIn the last minute of his life, he turned his head toward the hill. In the distance, he saw a flickering red light—a flame, just like the first magic trick performed by his partner magician. It was a simple fire trick.\nThe familiar burning flame would take him toward her in the afterlife.\nSurrounded by his family, Garrod passed away. That same day, countless people reported seeing a firebird, its wings ablaze, break through the dark clouds and soar into the boundless blue sky.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12701.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12701.2": "Name: Teresa\nBirthday: February 21st\nAffiliation: Post Haste\nSkills: Rock climbing, treasure hunting, Artifact repairing\nAddress: No. 9 Tenth Street, Port Bellin\nExperience: 1-2 years\nWeapon: Gram\nRate: 10,000 Dorra per hour for Monolith exploration, plus all the loot~",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12702.1": "Reason for Becoming a Courier",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12702.2": "Whether the letters bring good news or bad news, they must be delivered to those who are eagerly waiting.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12703.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12703.2": "The Most Dangerous Place\n\nThe second-hand Artifact shop in Port Sailstead.\nI once brought in some treasure I had found. The moment I stepped in, they accused me of trying to mess up their business and kicked me out.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12704.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12704.2": "Fishbone Signs\n\nI developed a code system using fishbone signs to represent different information.\nThe head and tail indicate where I'm heading and where I've come from.\nThe number of bones shows the distance from the starting point to the sign.\nThe size of the fish eye reflects the level of danger nearby.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12705.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12705.2": "Survival Skills\n\nWhen I'm thirsty, I can always find dew. When I'm hungry, there are berries to eat. And if I get hurt, the Wilds offers healing herbs.\nMy dad once told me, \"When you're out in the wilderness and run out of supplies, just look around. Resources are everywhere.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12706.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12706.2": "Discovery of a New Path\n\nShortly after I arrived in Port Sailstead, I found a tunnel on the outskirts and shared the information with the Trekker Association.\nThey had a hot debate about whether it was built during the war or formed by shifting tides.\nI couldn't care less about that. What mattered was that I had a shortcut for delivering letters.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12707.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12707.2": "Concerns\n\nMore than two thirds of the treasures I find only need a little repair and renovation to be useful again.\nThese items were meant to serve their purpose longer, but instead, they're abandoned in the Wilds. It feels wrong to leave them like that.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12708.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12708.2": "She's a bit of a handful, but you can always count on her.\n—Freesia\n\nBefore I met Teresa, she was already in the mailing business. You could say she's a senior to me.\nBut she doesn't act like one at all. In fact, she has this way of making people want to look out for her. Heh~\n—Donna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12709.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12709.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nTeresa had already been working as a courier in several cities long before Post Haste was founded. In addition to delivering letters, she is more than qualified for any other tasks, from monster hunting to tracking down missing cats.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12710.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12710.2": "Monolith Keeper's Report\n\nI used to be a keeper at a Monolith out in the Wilds.\nOne day, someone fired a flare gun from the forest. It was so bright that I thought someone was casting Fireball.\nWhen I got there, I found Teresa stuck in a tree, fainting from hunger.\nI knew her father well, so I told him about this incident with his daughter.\nHis response was an odd one: \"At least she's not stuck on a cliff this time.\"\nI was a bit drunk when he said this, so maybe I misheard.\nBut I'd say their father-daughter relation is unique in its own way.\n—A member of the Trekker Association",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12711.1": "Carefully-stored Treasures",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12711.2": "It is an old, yellowed book, its margins filled with notes that contain the wisdom of its previous owner.\nThe notes describe scenes from the snow-covered peaks of the Northern Isles to the barren wilderness of the West.\nFrom the vast southern plains to the ancient, mysterious cities of the East.\nWe have no idea if the book's original owner achieved their goals, but the value of these notes has long surpassed that of the book itself.\nOver time, the book was passed from hand to hand, until it found a young girl, who set off on her own adventure because of it.\n\nIt is a rare scale, taken from the first creature Teresa defeated using Gram.\nIt was a gigantic Draklisk, whose scales were so valuable that any knowledgeable merchant would pay a high price to get their hands on them.\nBut Teresa didn't care about that. It was shiny and beautiful, so she kept it for herself.\n\nIt is a set of rusty keys, along with an undelivered letter.\nThe letter and keys were from an elderly man, his trembling palms were calloused from years of hard labor.\nFollowing the vague address, Teresa traveled to a city, only to learn that the recipient had lost his business and become a Trekker. The man was desperately exploring the Monolith in the hope of making up for the money he had lost.\nWhen Teresa found him, he was lost deep inside a Monolith. After she rescued him, he refused the letter and wouldn't speak of the old man. Instead, he left the keys to Teresa as extra payment for her trouble.\nTeresa never opened the letter, nor did she try to find the lock the keys might open. She simply kept them safe.\nShe believed that while the letter couldn't be delivered today, it might still reach its recipient in the future.\n\nThe \"treasures\" Teresa collected have occupied an entire room in Post Haste.\nIt is a room neither Donna nor Freesia ever set foot in.\nTeresa believes that regardless of their worth, these items will eventually play a part in her plan.\n\n\"Teresa~ Dinner's ready! Hurry, or Freesia will eat it all!\"\n\"Overruled. Donna always sneaks extra bites under the excuse of 'Tasting.'\"\n\nThe routine quarrel comes from downstairs.\nTeresa carefully locks the door. Before she can set her plan in motion, her treasures have to rest just a little longer.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12712.1": "A Letter Received Two Years Later",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12712.2": "Dear Teresa,\n\nAs I write this letter, I am sitting by the window, watching you leave.\n\nTonight marks the first time you've left home as a Trekker, leaving the city and stepping into the Wilds. My colleagues suggested I follow you to keep you safe. But I believe humans are born with two legs for a reason—to walk independently on our own path. I shouldn't be a crutch to you as you take your first steps, and honestly, I don't think you'd be happy if I did.\n\nBeing a courier is a noble calling. You deliver messages across the land, helping people remain connected. I'm proud of the path you've chosen, but what fills me with even more pride is your courage to step into the vast wilderness and explore a world full of new possibilities.\n\nThe skills I taught you will be more than enough for you to handle the challenges in the Wilds, so I'm not worried about your safety. What I do feel is regret. I've missed too many important moments in your life—your childhood, your first day of school, the moment you became a courier. A good father should have been there for all of those moments.\n\nAnd I owe your mother an apology, too. When I was younger, I was so focused on chasing my dreams that I rarely stopped to appreciate the people who supported me. Your mother sacrificed so much for me, and it wasn't until much later that I truly understood what love really meant.\n\nThe best decision I ever made in my life was finding this beautiful hill, building a little house for our family, and then having you.\n\nNow that I'm old, I can finally use the time I have left to make up for you two. To say I'm not worried about you would be a lie. But I believe you'll meet people who share your passions. With good friends by your side, there's no challenge you can't overcome.\n\nI've left a gift for you. It is hidden in the ancient ruins beneath the cave where you used to play as a child. Just be careful—there is a clutch of Draklisks residing in the area, so it's best to bring something to draw them away.\n\nWith love,\n\nYour Father\n\nWhen Teresa was going through her old things, she came across the geography book her father had insisted she take with her in her first Trekker trip. She had read it so many times that she never bothered to open it. And inside the book was the letter, left unopened for two years.\n\nNow, Teresa understood the awkward smile on her father's face the night she returned with Gram.\r\n\r\nThat is the reason why you need a courier to properly deliver the letter to its right recipient...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12713.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Gram",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.12713.2": "Once upon a time, there was a legendary Trekker who wielded a great sword to hunt down monsters.\nShe traveled far and wide. With the great sword in hand, she carved out paths through the Wilds and connected the Cities.\nDespite her heroic deeds, her name was eventually forgotten—and that was exactly how she wanted it.\nAfter all, roads are meant to be walked, not admired.\n\n\"Is that it?\"\n\nTeresa pouted, frustrated that the story ended so underwhelmingly.\nBut that was all the context inscribed on the broken stone tablet she was reading.\n\n\"Huh, it doesn't have your name in it.\"\n\nNeither an archaeologist, nor a history buff, Teresa just wanted to find the name of the broken sword she had stumbled upon in the ruins.\n\n\"Grrraargh...\"\n\nA growl echoed from above.\nA giant Draklisk crouched above the stone tablet, its bloody-red tongue flicking in and out, its pale yellow eyes locked onto Teresa.\n\n\"This sword isn't yours, is it? You can't even hold it with your claws.\"\n\nTeresa paused for a moment, making sure she wasn't snatching the belonging of the Draklisk. Confident that she hadn't, she puffed out her chest.\n\n\"Finders keepers! I found it first!\"\n\"Hey, why are you attacking me? Fine, if you want a fight, you've got it.\"\n\nThe Draklisk's claws scraped against the sword, sending sparks flying.\nClearly, the monster cared more about filling its stomach than getting back the piece of metal it used as a pillow.\nHowever, as anyone knows, a hungry monster doesn't stand a chance against someone who was full of vitality after a good meal.\nAnd lucky for Teresa, she'd had a hearty meal prepared by her mom before heading out.\n\nAnd so, the sword earned a new name after a good fight.\nAs Teresa walked out of the ruins, carrying her prize—a perfect Draklisk scale—she had already decided on its name.\n\n\"Sword of Destruction or Draklisk Slayer... Nah, I think 'Gram' suits it better!\"\n\nThen she thought about how she'd tell today's adventure to her mom. She was so focused that she completely missed the fishbone marks she'd left on the trees.\n\n\"Strange... Is this the path I came from?\"\n\"Eh, whatever. I will inspect the surrounding on that tree first.\"\n\nAnd with that, another story began...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13001.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13001.2": "Name: Donna\nBirthday: October 9th\nAffiliation: Post Haste\nSkills: Communication, Sewing\nAddress: No. 9, Tenth Street, Port Bellin\nExperience: 3 Years\nWeapon: Domina\nRates: 500 Dorra for standard mail; Intercity services negotiable.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13002.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13002.2": "Every letter carries the sender's feelings; they shouldn't be left lying silent in a mailbox.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13003.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13003.2": "The Road to Emor City\n\nIf you follow the coastline east to Port Goldfinch, then head north along the river, it's currently the fastest mail route from Sailstead to Emor City!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13004.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13004.2": "Personal Interests\n\nSewing.\nI can make any outfit, so long as it's adorable!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13005.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13005.2": "Rock Climbing\n\nI was born in a small town perched on top of a tall cliff.\nWhen I was little, I secretly climbed down a 300-meter cliff by myself, making it all the way to the bottom. Pretty impressive, right?\nOf course, when I got home I was grounded for a week. It was during that week that I learned how to use a bow.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13006.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13006.2": "Favorite Food\n\nGrape nectar and snake-orchid juice are both delicious.\nBut my favorite is anything I eat together with Boss~\nNote: This part of the CV is for Boss's eyes only.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13007.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13007.2": "Post Haste Is Looking for Temp Staff\n\nJob Description: Hand out flyers at the end-of-month grand market in a special Post Haste promotional outfit~\nWorking Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.\nPay: 15,000 Dorra per day",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13008.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13008.2": "Donna is the unbelievably cute and super competent leader of Post Haste. Well, according to herself, anyway.\n—Freesia\nI like the food Donna cooks. It's delicious!\n—Teresa",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13009.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13009.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nA girl full of ideas and initiative. Although she spends most of her time on the road delivering letters and taking on odd jobs, she'll also venture into the Monolith if it's for a commission.\nIf you want to go for a cuter image, you can commission her as well. I'm sure Donna will be happy to design a new look for you.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13010.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13010.2": "Post Haste Flyer\n\nLimited Time Offer!\nFrom now until the end of the month, enjoy 20% off all delivery fees at Post Haste!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13011.1": "Donna's Day",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13011.2": "Early morning, 7:50 a.m.\nShrieking and generally making a ruckus, Donna slung her bag over her shoulders and rushed out of Post Haste.\nA few days earlier, she had arranged with Mrs. Yorl from town to pick up some letters for delivery before the market opened.\nBad news: she had overslept by an hour.\nGood news: five minutes later, she managed to hop onto a carriage heading to the market.\n\nMorning, 9:00 a.m.\nDonna reached Mrs. Yorl's house just before she left and collected the letters that needed to be sent, along with a pie Mrs. Yorl had baked that morning.\nShe thanked the woman, watched her leave, finished the pie in her hands, and set off on the day's work.\n\nFirst stop: the dessert shop next to Goodwind Homecare.\nNot long ago, the shop owner mentioned to Donna that she wished customers could enjoy their desserts at home. Donna suggested an idea: customers could contact the shop through the communication Artifact, and Post Haste would handle delivery and collect payment on the shop's behalf.\nThat way, the owner would only need to pay a small delivery fee to have desserts brought straight to customers' homes.\nThe owner loved the idea, and today was the day they signed the contract. Donna brought the documents and established the partnership officially with the dessert shop.\n\nNoon, 12:00 p.m.\nDonna received a message from Freesia saying Post Haste had run out of tissues and asking her to pick some up on the way back.\n\nAfter lunch, as Donna passed by the tailor's shop, Mrs. Vincent pulled her inside. She explained that her youngest daughter, Lily, admired Donna and her friends' free-roaming lifestyle and wanted to know if she could join Post Haste.\nDonna, thrilled, was left speechless when she met Lily—a five-year-old girl clutching a toy car and insisting she wanted to go on adventures with Donna.\n\"Well... When you grow strong enough to carry one of our delivery boxes, come find us at Post Haste!\"\nAfter calming the little girl down, Donna left the tailor shop.\nShe stopped to collect a few letters waiting to be sent, then headed to the Trekker Association to pick up Post Haste's delivery subsidy for last month.\n\nAfternoon, 3:00 p.m.\nDonna's bag was now filled with the letters she had collected in the day. In her left hand were the spoils from her shopping excursion at the market, and in her right hand a small cake the dessert shop owner had given them. Suddenly, a faint melody drifted through her mind—the sound from a strange Artifact she had encountered not long ago. She vaguely remembered the beginning going something like...\n\"Children at your feet...\"\nHow did the rest go again?\n\nEvening, 6:00 p.m.\nDonna returned to Post Haste just before dinner, loaded down with bags.\n\"I'm wiped out—I knew it, I should have waited till you two are free so we can go into town together—!\"\nFreesia took the things from her and said gently, \"Thank you. You've worked so hard. We made dinner...\"\n\"Huh...?\"\n\"But Teresa said we were short on time and kicked me out of the kitchen.\"\nSoon, Teresa's voice came from the kitchen. The girls sat down together for the meal, trading the stories of their day.\n\nNight, 11:00 p.m.\nIn the quiet of the night, after running around all day, Donna lay in bed and looked at the large box of letters neatly stacked beside it, thinking about Post Haste's plans for the days ahead.\n\"There seem to be quite a lot of letters bound for Emor... Maybe we should make a trip there next week...\"\nThe blueprint of the future remained unfinished as Donna drifted off to sleep.\nTomorrow would be another day.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13012.1": "The Letter Carrier Girl",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13012.2": "\"On that day, I found my journey and purpose.\"\n\nAt first, Trekkers would often see the girl who delivered letters at the headquarters of the Trekker Association.\nShe carried a longbow on her back and sifted through the delivery commissions, picking out old letters that had remained undelivered for years. Then, she would disappear for a while.\nWhen she showed up again, her bag would be empty, and she would be rummaging through a new stack of letters.\nShe said her name was Donna, and that she was a courier.\n\nA courier?\nWhy would somebody keep running around just to deliver letters? Most Trekkers found this incomprehensible.\nBut whenever someone asked her, Donna would always smile and explain... Or rather, try to sell the idea.\n\"Sure, Trekkers usually take along letters they can deliver on the way. But the unlucky out-of-the-way letters just sit there forever.\"\n\"Every letter carries the sender's feelings. I don't think they should be left lying silent in a mailbox, so...\"\n\"Do you want to team up? I'm sure more and more people will soon take part in this great cause!\"\n\nMost of the time, Donna received nothing more than polite smiles.\nAfter all, the commission fee for delivering letters was meager. Who would go all their way for such a tiny reward?\nDonna understood the difficulties, but she wasn't discouraged by them.\nSome things simply had to be done.\nIt's a big world, and somewhere along the way, she was bound to meet companions willing to walk the same road with her.\n\nNow here comes Donna the courier again, rummaging through the delivery commissions. Hm? What's that she's putting up on the notice board?\n\"Grand opening of Post Haste! From snowy peaks to rainforests, you write, and we deliver—we will make sure every mail reaches its recipient!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13013.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Domina",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13013.2": "\"Do you really think she'll like bows? What if she grows up like you and ends up obsessed with close-quarters combat?\"\n\"That doesn't really matter. What matters is that this bow has been blessed by Lady Luck. It's a blessing of love. Whether Donna grows up liking bows or not, as long as she carries it, I'm sure she'll find the happiness meant for her.\"\n\"Right you are.\"\nThis baby girl was born of love and hope. Surely Lady Luck would watch over her as well.\nWith that thought in their hearts, the young parents carved their wishes into the limbs of the bow.\n\n\"To our beloved Domina. May the Goddess grant you her blessing and protection.\"\n\n\"I've made up my mind! I... I want to become a Trekker, too!\"\n\"I'm gonna be like that courier, carrying all those feelings and thoughts that haven't been able to reach their recipients.\"\nTears still hadn't dried from the girl's face. She clutched the yellowed letter in her hand and gave voice to her dream.\nThe determination in her gaze shone just as brightly as it had when her mother once decided to set out on her own journey.\n\n\"You really are their daughter.\"\nThe woman who had raised her all these years sighed softly and took a cloth-wrapped object from a dust-covered chest.\n\"This belonged to your parents.\"\n\"They once said that if the day came when you chose to become a Trekker as well, I should give it to you.\"\n\nLayer by layer, the wrappings came undone. The red longbow, marked by the passage of time, rested in its little owner's hands.\nYears had blurred the engraving on the bow's limbs, leaving only a few faint letters that could still be made out.\n\"Domina? Is that this bow's name?\"\nThe girl traced the worn letters with her fingers, gently running her hand along the bow.\nThis was something her parents had once used. Their love had reached her across time. In the instant she took the bow into her hands, it became like a warm spring breeze, lingering quietly around her.\n\nThis was the story before her journey began. The beginning of her faith.\nA girl born from love and hope set out on the road that belonged to her.\n\"Thank you for taking care of me all this time.\"\n\"Donna, setting off!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13201.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13201.2": "Name: Minova\nBirthday: Date missing\nAffiliation: Ashwind Clan\nSkills: Vehicle repair, skateboarding, hand-to-hand combat\nAddress: Under the Waterway in Emor City, Ash District\nExperience: Challenged four or five Monoliths and reached final level each time in the past year\nWeapon: Syougi Ketsu\nRates: Ashwind Clan internal commissions only",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13202.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13202.2": "To collect books from Monoliths that can be used for teachings.\nEducation is the key to revitalizing the Ash District.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13203.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13203.2": "Ashwind Clan's Motto:\n\nHelp your mates, speak your mind.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13204.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13204.2": "How to Join Ashwind Clan?\n\nTo join Ashwind Clan, you must meet three criteria:\n1. Be loyal.\n2. Keep your promises.\n3. Love skateboarding.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13205.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13205.2": "Ashwind Members Perks:\n\nBespoke skateboards made by the clan.\nRegular skateboarding races with amazing prizes.\nFree access to the clan's exclusive library.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13206.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13206.2": "Ashwind Members Obligations:\n\nDonate a book that's not in the library annually.\nShare your knowledge with other clan members at least once a month.\nProtect the neighborhood you live in.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13207.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13207.2": "Personal Interests:\n\nReading shojo manga and trying different lollipops.\n※This part of the CV is for Boss's eyes only.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13208.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13208.2": "Minova isn't just our captain, she's our lifesaver, and we'll follow her forever!\n—Vollara\n\nDeveloping a district requires stable investment and thriving businesses, not wishful thinking and empty slogans.\n—██",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13209.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13209.2": "Highly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nMinova was an exceptional student at Platinum Academy, earning full-ride scholarships for two years and achieving high scores on the Trekker Qualification Assessment.\nDespite her evident potential in both academic and Trekker pursuits, she chose to return to Ash District to contribute to her community. While some may view this as a loss of Trekker talent, it is clear that this path aligns best with her values and aspirations.\nOn a side note, do not write clan regulations in your CV!\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13210.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13210.2": "Within the shadowy lanes of Emor's Ash District lies the covert Ashwind Clan.\nRumor has it these enigmatic members can breeze through the chaotic streets of Ash District with the swiftness of the wind itself.\nWhat's their secret? Some speculate it's all thanks to their trusty skateboards. In an audacious attempt to uncover the truth, the daring Witches of Scarlet Sights Media took to the skies on broomsticks faster than any skateboard—but alas, they couldn't keep pace!.\nPerhaps, Ashwind Clan does possess some ancient magic that turns people into living gusts of wind.\n—A report from Scarlet Sights Media. The authenticity is yet to be verified.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13211.1": "A Nest for the Legless Birds",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13211.2": "The rumble of skateboard wheels on cobblestones mingled with the clash of armor, going from the port all the way to the bustling marketplace.\nMinova nimbly hopped over a set of stairs, weaving through a labyrinth of alleys, leaving the Imperial Guard knights far behind.\nShe knew this place like the back of her hand.\nEvery shortcut, every hidden nook—she had them all memorized. There was no way she could be caught, unless the Imperial Guard flooded the area with overwhelming numbers.\nAnd if they did...she had a backup plan...\n\nTen minutes later.\nA girl in Platinum Academy uniform and glasses walked right past the Imperial Guard's blockade.\nThe knights on duty let her through without even setting eyes on her.\nAfter all, how could a quiet, studious girl who was reading as she walked down the street possibly be one of those vile gang members?\nOnce past the blockade, the girl tucked away her manga and pulled out her phone.\n\"Vollara, did you make it home?\"\n\"Safe and sound, Cap. How is everything there?\"\n\"Shook them off. Meet you at the usual spot.\"\nEnding the brief call, Minova flashed a smile—one that didn't belong to a student in uniform—and headed toward the deeper, darker center of Ash District.\n\nShe rounded corner after corner, took off her shoes, and waded through a stream formed by water dripping under the Waterway.\nFinally, Minova returned to her \"base.\"\nIn the heart of Ash District, beneath the towering Waterway, lies the quietest spot in Emor\n—A colorful little house stood in stark contrast among the unoccupied, dilapidated buildings.\nThe wind vane on the roof creaked in the veering wind.\nIn the soft afternoon sunlight, birds startled awake, flapping their wings toward the sky.\n\nMonths ago, Minova and the Ashwind kids discovered this place.\nThe house was in complete disrepair; the roof and floors were riddled with holes, letting in enough sunlight into the basement for one to read without a lamp during the day.\nDespite its shabby condition, they unanimously decided to turn it into their \"base.\"\nThe open space in front of the house was perfect for practicing skateboarding, and the nearby bridge piers served as shortcuts to the Waterway above.\nThe neighboring abandoned buildings offered free bricks and planks for their refurbishment. As for other thing that don't come free, like books, the members found ways to buy them with their part-time salary.\nToday, the clan went to the harbor to pick up the books, only to be mistaken by the Imperial Guard as smugglers. The knights chased them for several streets. After Minova volunteered to play a decoy, the gang successfully shook the knights off their tails.\n\nOutside the house, Vollara, Neuvira, and the other Ashwind kids lined up, waiting for Minova's return.\nMinova wasn't a fan of formalities, but certain things demanded a sense of ceremony.\nShe stood under the banner the kids had strung up, took the scissors from Vollara, and cut the red ribbon in half.\nWith a soft \"snip,\" Ashwind Clan was officially established—It was a crude imitation of the openings of stores and larger corporations in Silver District.\nDespite what its name suggested, Ashwind Clan was more like a school and library for the kids.\nHolding a \"grand\" ribbon-cutting ceremony was Minova's idea—to build confidence for Ashwind members, especially those who had been left homeless due to various misfortunes and were often bullied by other gangs.\nShe wanted them to understand that they don't have to feel inferior to the kids living in Silver District and even Gold District. One day, they too could have everything that the rich kids took for granted.\n\nThe ceremony ended in a burst of cheers, but the kids didn't leave. Instead, they busied themselves decorating their new home with wildflowers and homemade natural paints.\nMinova's gaze swept over the joyful faces, then turned toward the towering Monolith in the distance.\nAt this time of day, the Monolith in the city casted a huge shadow over their base.\nThat's alright, she thought to herself.\nOne day, she'd take that step and do what most wouldn't even dare imagine.\nSo for now, she needed to gather more strength.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13212.1": "The Waterway Memories",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13212.2": "\"I had a fight with someone.\"\nMinova could never forget that scene in her lifetime.\nShe was just ten years old when she struck someone for the first time.\nHer opponent was a girl her age, wearing an Imperial Guard helmet.\nShe didn't know the girl, but she couldn't stand the way she talked about the kids from Ash District.\nGoing on about—\n\"If you're going the wrong way, trying harder just makes it worse.\"\nEveryone in Ash District was working hard. What was wrong with that?\nMinova found her face behind the helmet incredibly annoying.\nThe moment Minova's tiny fist landed on the girl's face, she felt a burning pain on her own face too.\nThe opponent hit her harder—because she was wearing metal gauntlets.\nThe first taste of violence taught Minova one thing\n—Violence only leads to more violence.\nHowever, the overwhelming rage already made her lost her nerves. All she could think about was where to the next punch.\n\n\"I ran.\"\nMinova didn't lose the fight. On the contrary, even with the protection of that ill-fitting armor, Minova had caused more damage than she'd received.\nShe ran away because she thought about her hard-earned chance to study in Platinum Academy.\nIf the conflict with the daughter of an Imperial Guard employee escalated, she would get herself expelled from school and fail her parents.\nIt seemed, in Emor, even violence is a privilege reserved for the wealthy.\nToo afraid to go home, she wandered aimlessly around the Waterway until sundown. She huddled in a corner, head buried deep in her knees, as if in this way no one could see her.\nShe was wrong...\n\n\"Hey, that's my spot.\"\nThe girl from earlier, bruised and angry, stood in front of Minova.\nMinova recognized her instantly, but this time, she wasn't wearing her armor. It looked like she didn't plan on \"recognizing\" Minova either.\n\n\"Whatever.\"\nMinova scooched over to make room for the girl, but didn't leave.\nShe wasn't looking for another fight, but she didn't want to give up the spot either. It would make her feel...defeated.\nFortunately, the space was spacious enough for two—or rather, the girls were both too small and skinny.\nAnyway, the girls sat curled up in the corner, shoulder against shoulder.\n\n\"Looks like you had a fight with someone.\"\n\"Yeah.\"\n\"Funny, I did too.\"\n\"Did you win?\"\n\"Yeah, of course.\"\n\"Then I won too.\"\n\"How?\"\n\"I made her hurt worse than I am. How about you?\"\n\"Well, I made her run away.\"\n\nThe two girls exchanged glances, then quickly turned heads away.\nMinova noticed the wounds on the other girl's hands, they weren't any better than hers.\nLike the other armor pieces, the gauntlets didn't fit right.\nFor every punch the girl delivered, she was hitting a piece of iron.\nIt turned out they were both pretending to be tough.\n\n\"Next time, I'll win again.\"\n\"Same here.\"\n\"You're bluffing. Put this on your cuts if you're so tough!\"\n\"What's that? Water?\"\n\"Ointment. Bet you're too scared to use it.\"\n\"I'm not scared. Come on, pour it on this napkin and rub it on.\"\n\"Whoever cries is a coward!\"\n\"Try me!\"\n\nThat day, the girls never cared to ask for the other's name.\nThey both thought that whoever asked first would lose the battle. They figured they'd have more fights in the days to come and eventually get to know each other.\nLittle did they know that their next showdown would come much late than they'd expected.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13213.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Syougi Ketsu",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13213.2": "The wind chimes at the entrance tinkled as a girl dressed in Platinum Academy uniform entered the café.\n\"Sorry, we're closing.\"\nThe waitress, wearing a cat ear headband, bowed and apologized.\n\n\"Can I get an ' Afternoon Death,' extra owl?\"\n\"Right this way.\"\nThe waitress deftly pressed a hidden button, and the bathroom door swung open.\nThe wall with the floor-length mirror slid open, revealing a staircase leading down.\nBehind her, the waitress swiftly closed the bathroom door.\nThe girl sighed, pulling a paper envelope from her backpack, and descended the stairs.\n\n\"Lanzia, I brought you some sweets.\"\n\"Ah, Minova, you're here.\nJust put them on the table... oh, wait, no room, put them on the floor then.\"\nWhite Cat's workshop, no—Lanzia's workshop, was messy as always.\nBut despite that, she was the best mechanic in Ash District.\n\n\"How's it going recently? Been busy?\"\n\"Yeah, Bean's father broke his leg at work, so I made him a wheelchair.\"\n\"I know, I am here on behalf of the Bean's family. Here, a thank-you gift from them.\"\nMinova put the paper envelope in Lanzia's hands.\nLanzia had a rare kindness in Emor City, which was why Ashwind Clan allowed her to open a shop in the neighborhood.\n\"Wow, it's Fenghuang Diner's malt candy! The best ever candy you can find! Only in the City of a Thousand Monoliths!\"\nAnd her childlike innocence... Minova added silently to herself.\n\n\"Ah, right, you're not here just to chat, are you?\nWhat's broken this time?\"\nLanzia eagerly popped the candy into her mouth and mumbled.\nMinova put down the backpack nearly half her height, unzipped it, revealing her bat and skateboard inside.\n\"Whoa... that is some real damage.\"\n\"Ground Viper remnants tried to sneak attack during the nighttime. I fended them off with my bat and skateboard. So... Can you still fix them?\"\n\"Well, it's doable. But...\"\nLanzia picked up the bat to examine the damage. The surface of the bat was battered and shattered. The dents and scratches reflected the lamplight shone on them, as if recounting the proud fights it had endured.\n\"If it were a regular bat, no problem. But this one is a Monolith Artifact, yeah? I don't know if I can get similar materials any sooner.\"\n\"Use regular materials then.\"\n\"Are you sure? It won't look the same then. You've said that the skateboard and the bat are your best partners, didn't you? Even went as far as to pick out a name 'Syougi Ketsu' from your favorite manga to name them.\"\n\"How the hell did you know that? ...Ugh! Whatever! If you tell anyone, you'll be in for it, Miss!\"\n\"Hey, we White Cat Troupe are mercenaries. Discretion is kind of our thing.\"\"Of course, I treasure them, but...I also need them to protect everyone. What's the point of making them just look cool?\"\n\"Heh, I like that answer. Leave it to me. By the way, would you like to try my NGO arms? I promise you, it beats a bat in close range.\"\n\"Thanks, but I'm broke.\"\n\nMinova waved goodbye, and left the café.\n\"If you can't feel the weapon with your own hands in combat, how can you channel your resolve into it?\"\nAbove her, the starry sky swirled quietly, just like the oil painting she came across in Monolith that inspired her to create an iconic skateboard trick.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13301.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13301.2": "Name: Nazuka\nBirthday: June 17th\nAffiliation: ■■ Guild\nSkills: Wilderness adventuring, monster hunting, Monolith climbing, paperwork\nAddress: ■■ Guild Camp, Eastern Forest, Philae Outskirts\nExperience: Three years\nWeapon: Timeless Grace\nRates: Commissions may be sent to the ■■ Guild. For exclusive commissions, please contact me directly for details.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13301.3": "Name: Nazuka\nBirthday: June 17th\nAffiliation: Petal Bloom Guild\nSkills: Wilderness adventuring, monster hunting, Monolith climbing, paperwork\nAddress: Petal Bloom Guild Camp, Eastern Forest, Philae Outskirts\nExperience: Three years\nWeapon: Timeless Grace\nRates: Commissions may be sent to the Petal Bloom Guild. For exclusive commissions, please contact me directly for details.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13302.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13302.2": "I want to change the Trekker profession so that every Trekker can pursue the work they love with both security and dignity.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13303.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13303.2": "Monolith Calendar, Year 996 – United Harvest Internal Investigation Report\n\n...After the Trekker Association withdrew from the area, the Trekker industry in Philae fell into a brief period of disorder. It remains unclear what role CEO Darcia played during this process.\n—\"Report on the Current Situation in Philae,\" p.24\n...\nThe motive behind Philae branch's issuance of large-scale commissions to Trekkers remains a mystery... It is highly possible that an advance agreement was made with the renowned Trekker Nazuka and her newly formed team—Nazuka being the one who recently completed one of the Three Grand Commissions.\n—\"Report on the Current Situation in Philae,\" p.26",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13304.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13304.2": "Monolith Calendar, Year 996 – Philae Weekly, Issue 350\n\nFollowing the completion of the Three Grand Commissions, renowned Trekker Nazuka, who once led the monster-hunting campaigns, shows no sign of slowing down. Working alongside Petal Bloom, she's maintaining the Trekker camps, pushing deeper into the Monolith, and preparing for the return of the Trekker Association.\nBut can she truly take on such weighty responsibility? Some remain skeptical. Can this rising star of the Trekkers perform another miracle? Philae Weekly will be following her closely.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13305.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13305.2": "Guild Meeting Notes\n\nNazuka specializes in using magic to shape the battlefield—supporting her allies, hindering her enemies, and turning the tide with clever tactics. Her adaptable style lets her stay in control no matter how the fight unfolds.\nIt's brains, not brawn, that make the difference. Her way of fighting proves it. Got that, everyone?\nCatching up to her won't be easy, but she's the best example we could ask for. Not everyone's born with talent, but steady progress and growth—that's what lasts.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13306.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13306.2": "Street Interview – Trekker\n\n\"The person I respect most? That's gotta be Nazuka... Look, I'm not trying to suck up or anything, the name just came out naturally.\"\n\"I used to be part of her hunting party. Every morning when I woke up, she'd already be back from patrol; every night before I fell asleep, light would still be coming out from her tent...\nWhen she led us in battle, she was always the first to charge. Anyone would think she's amazing, right?\nSome say she's a bit too amazing, to the point of being intimidating. But honestly, she's pretty easy to talk to once you get to know her...\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13307.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13307.2": "Trekker's Handbook, Third Edition Chief Editor: Nazuka\n\n...\nExcerpt from Wilderness Survival Techniques—How to Get Water:\nNatural Sources: Look for nearby streams, lakes, or the roots of plants.\nPurification Method: Make a filter bag using cloth, sand, and charcoal; boil the water for 3–5 minutes.\n...\nExcerpt from Wilderness Survival Techniques—How to Build a Shelter:\nSite Selection Principles: Choose a leeward high ground, away from dead trees or cliffs.\n...\nExcerpt from Wilderness Survival Techniques—How to Get Food:\nUse bottle traps to catch small fish, use snares to capture small animals. For detailed instructions on how to make these, refer to the section \"How to Set Up a Trap.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13308.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13308.2": "Miss Nazuka is the ideal Trekker. She is my role model.\n—Fuyuka\n\nPerfect Trekker, terrible friend.\n—Nazuna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13308.3": "Miss Nazuka is the ideal Trekker. She is my role model.\n—Fuyuka\n\nAs a Trekker, she's perfect. As a friend ... she's not bad.\n—Nazuna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13309.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13309.2": "Verified.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nWhether as a Trekker or as a leader, she has always given others an impression of perfection.\nHowever, that very \"perfection\" may itself be a source of pressure—not only for those around her, but for her as well.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13310.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13310.2": "Note\n\nThis resume does not appear to have been submitted by the individual in question.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13310.3": "Follow-up\n\nMy apologies. Nazuna submitted this resume on my behalf. By the time I found out, it had already reached you.\nI hope this doesn't give you the impression that I'm a braggart.\nWe know each other well enough by now, so if there's anything you'd like to know, please feel free to ask.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13311.1": "The Determination",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13311.2": "It happened before Nazuka had made up her mind to form a hunting party.\n...\n\"Hey, long time no see, Lady Nazuka. Out here surveying monster activity in the forest again?\"\n\"... You know me?\"\n\"Of course. I see you often. Always busy from dawn till dusk, rescuing people from rampaging monsters... Your name's been spreading fast lately, you know?\"\nThe stranger introduced himself.\n\"You saved me, and I came to thank you. Here is my token of gratitude.\"\n\"No, there's no need. Keep it for yourself. Times have been hard for Trekkers lately.\"\n\"Haha.\" He gave a weary smile. \"That's true. That's why I also came to say goodbye. I'm leaving Philae to try my luck elsewhere.\"\n\"Ah...\"\n\"Our last hunt failed. The camp has been run over by monsters again and again... A Trekker at my level just can't get by in Philae anymore.\"\nNazuka stayed silent.\n\"Goodbye, Lady Nazuka. You're not like me. You are strong and unwavering. I truly hope you'll succeed.\"\n\nNazuka didn't try to stop him. But on that day, she remembered why she had wanted to become a Trekker in the first place—and she knew, at last, what she needed to do next.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13312.1": "Excerpt from Nazuka's Hunting Party Journal",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13312.2": "05:00\nNo beast attacks last night. A shortage of arrows at the west sentry post. Discovered a new recruit mixing up different salves. A group training session needs to be scheduled soon.\n...\n07:30\nFound several of the older tents torn during patrol. Inspection showed no quality issues. The material's simply aged, as they're leftovers from the Trekker Association's old stock. Add spare tents to the next supply order.\n...\n08:30\nThe procurement team got into a dispute with city merchants. After mediation, the conflict was resolved for now. A contingency plan should be prepared to prevent similar incidents.\n...\n10:00\nThe scout team completed a preliminary map of monster distribution within the hunting zone.\n...\n14:00\nA sudden downpour flooded the camp. Fortunately, our waterproofing and drainage measures held up well.\n...\n15:00\nThe rain hasn't let up. Ordered everyone to remain in camp except for those on patrol duty.\n...\n22:00\nPost-storm inspection revealed three blocked drainage channels. They are now cleared.\n...\n23:50\nNight watch rotation complete. Time to rest. Tomorrow will be even busier.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13313.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Timeless Grace",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13313.2": "After careful thought and consideration, Nazuka chose the staff as her weapon.\n\nOf course, she had a natural gift for large-scale magic, but that was only the foundation. If she wanted, she could have chosen a sword, a bow, or a spear instead. She simply picked the one weapon that best suited her way of fighting.\nThe windmill head design of her staff was a beautiful coincidence—it reminded her of the past. She never had any particular hobbies; her mind was always on how to improve the lives of Trekkers. She was an idealist who always looked forward.\n\nEven so, there was one thing that truly fascinated her: she loved to watch the endless turning of windmills and waterwheels. In her hometown Philae, the City of Water, that sight was everywhere, and to her, it was the most beautiful of all.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13401.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13401.2": "Name: Fuyuka\nBirthday: January 31st\nAffiliation: Petal Bloom\nSkills: Boxing, handicraft\nAddress: Petal Bloom Camp, Eastern Forest, Philae Outskirts\nExperience: One year\nWeapon: Protection\nRates: Please contact Miss Kaede",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13402.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13402.2": "I'm looking to escape the ordinary and set out on adventures with friends.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13403.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13403.2": "Work Preference\n\nI feel most at ease when I'm alone. If there are commissions that can be completed solo, please do consider me.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13404.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13404.2": "Team Role\n\nMy gauntlets can break through obstacles.\nSo I guess my role is ... the cleaner, I guess?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13405.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13405.2": "Tips for Easing Tension\n\nWhen I'm nervous, I just close my eyes and cover my ears.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13406.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13406.2": "Trekker Hero\n\nThe infamous \"The Big Three\" of Philae have now all met their end. It was Fuyuka who played the key role in the demise of the \"Spirit of Brutality.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13407.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13407.2": "What's in a Name\n\nWhen I first saw the name \"Petal Bloom,\" even as a clueless newcomer, I felt an inexplicable sense of belonging... If there is such a thing as \"destiny\" in this world, I suppose it must be something like that.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13408.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13408.2": "She brought that extra spark of energy and oomph into our world.\n—Kaede\n\nWho is Fuyuka? She's the sweetest junior, the Trekker with the most potential, and the most dependable guild leader. Of course, just as importantly, she's got an amazing mentor in me.\n—Nazuna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13409.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13409.2": "Extremely accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nAlthough Fuyuka has always claimed that her motives for becoming a Trekker were ordinary, and that she isn't very good at socializing, her actual achievements in the field have earned recognition from the company, the association, and fellow Trekkers alike.\nShe is without a doubt Philae's star trekker.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13410.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13410.2": "You ask me why I quit being an assassin?\nWell, lost my nerve, didn't I?\nA year ago, I took a job in Philae.\nThe job went smoothly. But when I was covering my tracks at the end, a girl just showed up out of nowhere, without a sound.\nShe was carrying a pair of massive gauntlets, big enough to crush me with a single punch.\nThe fact that she could sneak up on me with such a gigantic weapon was clearly her way of warning me.\nIf I hadn't gotten the message, I probably wouldn't be alive to give you this interview.\nIn the end, as I ran away, that girl even kept apologizing to me.\nNever judge a book by its cover...\n—Excerpt from Crime Scene: The Retired Assassin, published by Scarlet Sights Media",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13411.1": "Winter's Feather",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13411.2": "A white-tailed titmouse landed in the snowy forest.\nHere there were no predators, no others of its kind. No one would challenge it for the seeds and frozen insects buried beneath the snow.\nBut the white-tail was not happy. It lifted its head toward the falling snow.\nPairs of shapes passed over the white treetops—\nBrown-feathers, flying free, side by side, together.\n\nThe white-tail could not understand the brown-feathers' way of life.\nWhite-tails only gather in pairs in order to hatch their eggs.\nFood was scarce, gathering in groups only meant less for each bird.\nLuckily, the brown-feathers didn't care for the forest. They were only passing through.\nThe white-tail tucked its head under its wing and enjoyed the tranquility of being alone.\n\nBut the sound of wings did not fade.\nCurious, the white-tail followed the sound and found two injured brown-feathers hiding in a thicket.\nTheir feathers were darker, their wings broader.\nBut on this white winter day, they were far too visible—\nunlike the white-tail, who could vanish from its predators' sight simply by keeping still in the snow.\nThe brown-feathers struggled to build a nest from dead branches that were covert enough for both of them, but with their wings broken, they couldn't reach far for materials.\nThe white-tail slipped away; after all, its path was different from theirs.\nStill, in the days that followed, whenever it passed by, it would drop a twig or two without thinking.\n\nThis year's blizzard was the fiercest the white-tail had ever seen.\nThough used to flying through wind and snow, at last it lost its way, its wings frostbitten.\nAs the white-tail closed its eyes, it thought of the two brown-feathers, and wondered if their nest could weather the storm.\nBy the time the white-tail opened its eyes again,\nit had its answer.\nThe white-tail found itself inside a nest—set up inside the thicket, big enough for three birds. The two brown-feathers' wounds had nearly healed. They had put the white-tail in the middle of the nest, shielding it from the icy storm.\nFrom the look of it, the nest had been built from the start with room for more than themselves.\n\nYears later, a human girl asked the forest birds: why do two kinds of birds with different habits spend the winter together in Philae?\nThe young white-tail and the brown-feathers told her this story.\nThe human girl tilted her head, lost in thought.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13412.1": "Where the Shooting Star Fell",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13412.2": "The sun was setting, and Fuyuka sat on a swing in the park with a form in her hands.\nIt was the Employment Preference Form that her school had handed out.\nIn Philae, most students dreamed of joining United Harvest.\nGreenhouse work was considered the worst, loaders sometimes could get out of the office, and researchers were the most enviable—at least, that was the common view.\n\nFuyuka used to think the same way.\nShe thought of herself as perfectly ordinary: going to school like everybody else, growing up like everybody else, then finding a job and one day growing old.\nNormally she would have already filled in one of the popular choices and handed in the form.\nBut...\nThis year was different.\nCompared to the previous years, United Harvest's job openings had been slashed by half, and even the greenhouse posts that no one used to want were now high demand.\nFuyuka wasn't good at competing with others, nor did she want to.\nSo she didn't know what to write on the form.\n\"If only I had someone to talk to...\" Just as thought occurred to her, a classmate walked up to her.\n\"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.\"\nFuyuka fidgeted with her hands, not knowing how to respond to the warm greeting.\n\"You're so slow! We might not get the best spot for watching the meteor shower.\"\nThere was someone behind Fuyuka—another classmate. The two girls walked off together, laughing as they headed toward the school.\nFuyuka quietly pulled back the hand she had half raised and sat back down on the swing.\n\"Good thing I didn't say anything... Haha, hahaha.\"\nThe cold wind scattered leaves at her feet. Only the swing creaked in reply.\n\n\"Are you lonely, miss~?\"\nA raspy voice suddenly came from behind.\nAn old woman stood there with a crystal ball in her hands.\n\"Hehehe... Do you want to alter your destiny?\"\nFuyuka nodded quickly.\nBut the woman didn't go on. She only repeated herself.\n\"Hehehe... do you want to alter your destiny? Destiny will give hints to those who truly want it.\"\nShe put emphasis on the words \"truly want it.\"\n\nFuyuka understood; she pulled some money from her wallet to show that yes, she truly wanted it.\nThe old woman rubbed the crystal ball theatrically.\n\"The direction where the meteors fall—that is your future.\"\n\"Meteors?\"\nFuyuka looked up. The shower streaked across the sky, falling in every direction.\n\"So... Which direction is it really?\"\nShe tried to make some more sense out of the fortune reading, but before she knew it, the old woman had already disappeared.\n\"Hmm... What do meteors all have in common?\"\nFuyuka stared at the sky and thought hard. The strange encounter with the old woman must have been a sign.\n\"Ah, I see now.\"\nAs far as she could tell, all the meteors were falling beyond the city limits of Philae.\nFuyuka picked up her pen and put down \"Trekker\" on the form.\nA job beyond the city walls—in other words, a Trekker.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13413.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Protection",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13413.2": "This story happened before Fuyuka became a Trekker.\nOn winter in Philae, a night of strong winds had downed many trees.\nAt dawn, Fuyuka went into the forest to check on her friends who lived in the trees.\n\n\"Hey you, girlie... Can you give me a hand...?\"\n\"Eek! A tree! A tree's talking...!?\"\n\"Trees could evolve eons and eons and still never develop a language system. Of course it's a person talking!\"\n\nA girl covered in tools was pinned beneath a fallen tree, looking quite miserable.\nHer tools were all tangled up in the branches, and there was no way she could free herself on her own.\n\n\"I—I see, I'll get you out of there right away.\"\n\nFuyuka lifted the trunk and pulled the girl free.\n\n\"Wow! You lifted that tree with just one hand!\"\n\nThe girl held Fuyuka's hand as if she had just drawn a rare Artifact from a wishing ritual.\nFuyuka was never good at dealing with people, and now she was even more nervous. She trembled like a frightened little rabbit, trying to pull her hand back.\n\n\"Then ... Could you try this for me?\"\n\nThe girl dug out a pair of smoke-belching metal gauntlets from the roots of the tree.\n\n\"These are my newest creation. They're kind of big, hehe.\nActually, they're also pretty heavy. I just tried them myself, but my grip strength wasn't up for the job, and I ended up smashing a tree.\"\n\nAfter some quick adjustments, the girl cheerfully slipped the gauntlets onto Fuyuka's hands despite her obvious confusion.\n\n\"Just throw a punch. Think of it as helping me test them. I'll pay you.\"\n\"O-okay... But please stand back, far back...\"\n\nFuyuka threw a serious punch upwards into the air.\nA fierce shockwave blasted through the air.\nWhen the heat wave finally faded, the girl peeked out from behind a tree, with a strand of singed hair around her face.\n\n\"Hey—are you, are you alright!?\"\n\"I'm fine... and so is this little one. The gust from your punch just knocked it out of the tree.\"\n\nFuyuka opened her hand. It held a bird's egg, still perfectly intact.\n\n\"In-incredible. You can control these gauntlets' power with so much precision.\"\n\nThe girl's jaw dropped in amazement. Over Fuyuka's protests, she insisted on giving the gauntlets to her.\n\n\"Weapons belong in the hands of those who can master them.\"\n\nAfter thanking her repeatedly, Fuyuka carefully cradled the gauntlets and set off for home.\nMeanwhile, the girl glanced at the data device in her hand—it was sputtering black smoke from overload. She gave a wry smile and pulled out her phone.\n\n\"Suspend Project Titan-Hand for now. Our design works, but it takes a very particular kind of person to use it.\nWhat? You mean the prototype?\nIt already went bam-bam. Just put the expenses on my tab.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13501.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13501.2": "Name: Mistique\nBirthday: November 8th\nAffiliation: Scarlet Sights Media\nSkills: News gathering, flying, photography, floor sweeping (with broomstick)\nAddress: Traveling from place to place. For news tips, please visit the Scarlet Sights Beacon\nExperience: 3 years\nWeapon: Dread Comet\nRates: Willing to trade a good lead with one Monolith commission",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13502.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13502.2": "You'll never find a good lead in a cubicle.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13503.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13503.2": "Mistique's Everyday Carry\n\nA magical broomstick.\nA recorder Artifact and a camera Artifact.\nNotebook and pen for shorthand.\nOne small cactus.\nAnd two summons: the most adorable Pumpka and the utterly ordinary Lanterna.\n—Pumpka",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13504.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13504.2": "Chasing News Tips\n\n Mistique dispatches her summons to sift through the city's whispers.\nAfterall, the first hints of hidden truths are often found in rumors on the streets.\nIn this regard, it's Lanterna who truly shines, uncovering leads five times more than any other summon.\nObviously, everyone should learn from Lanterna.\n—Lanterna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13505.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13505.2": "The Behaviors of Mistique: An Observation\n\nMistique is a fearsome witch.\nShe'll do whatever it takes to uncover the truth.\nWhile working on a feature about Trekkers, she signed up for commission tasks from the Trekker Association and roamed around the Wilds for months.\nWhen investigating a case of illegal mining, she disguised herself as a miner, wearing ankle cuffs and working underground for weeks.\nHer relentless determination sends shivers down even my ethereal spine.\nA kind reminder to whoever is reading this: whatever you do, never, ever disobey Mistress Mistique!\n—Lanterna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13506.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13506.2": "Mistique's \"Cooking\" Skills\n\nAs honorable summons to Mistress Mistique, we cannot allow ourselves to be as crude and unrefined as common summoned beings.\nOur palates are reserved for only the finest, most thrilling, and exceptional pieces of news, which is why we pledge our undying loyalty to Mistress Mistique!\nHer every story carries the ghastly and exquisite taste of undeniable truth, no matter its flavor.\n—Pumpka",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13507.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13507.2": "Notes from the Summons\n\n\"This is Lanterna, thank you for reading up to this section.\"\n\"This is Pumpka! Puka!\"\n\"Will you stop with the random catchphrases? You are not in an anime!\"\n\"And that's why Mistress Mistique prefers me over your 'no-nonsense' attitude!\"\n\"Hah! You wish, pumpkin head. Mistress Mistique's all for hard work, not a glib tongue.\"\n\"Well, it's a glib tongue that gets people and ghosts alike to talk!\"\n—Lanterna & Pumpka",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13508.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13508.2": "I've written mine already. Why ask me to write it again? Mistique didn't tell me about this part.\n—Lanterna\n\nI enjoy Mistique's articles. Her reports are factual, concise, and packed with practical information. They've helped me plenty during my hunt for the Nocturn Eterna.\n—Wraith",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13509.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13509.2": "Highly suspicious!<sprite name=\"acrchives_falsified_richtext\">\nMistique, DO NOT ask your summons write the resume for you!\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13510.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13510.2": "Two Key Principles of being a Witch in SSM\n1. Choose a GOOD TOPIC. Each day, thousands of stories emerge across Nova, but only the most fascinating ones—or those closest to the hearts of the readers—are worth telling.\n2. Be There in Person. Even what you see with your own eyes might not be the full truth. Never rely on secondhand accounts. Always cross-check and confirm a lead with multiple sources.\n\n—The outlines in juvenile but neat handwriting on this page have been crossed out. On the side, there is a scrawled comment read: \"Liars, all of them. \" Despite this, Mistique still carries the notebook with her everyday.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13511.1": "The Witch, the Legend, the Mistique I",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13511.2": "\"A boring story isn't worth telling, and a boring life isn't worth living.\"\nThat said, can anyone truly live a life to their fullest? Full of excitement, never a dull moment?\n\nPerhaps that's why people have invented countless ways to pass the time, with the most universal and enduring one being gossip.\nCity folks and Trekkers in the Cities and the Wilds, men and women, young and old—are always gossiping—exchanging information, forging bonds, and injecting a bit of fun into an otherwise uneventful day.\nBut when the rumors become outrageous, unfounded tall tales—especially ones about you—things quickly become less entertaining.\n\"Give her a photo, and she'll spin a story out of thin air.\"\"From the rise and fall of cities to a local shrubshrew's first handstand, she knows everything.\"\"That's right, she's the legend of Scarlet Sights Media: Mistique.\"\nMistique had no idea how things got to this point.\nWhen she left Flavio, she was just an unremarkable novice witch.\nBut when she returned after some time spent in Emor and Philae, urban legends about her were zipping around faster than her broomstick.\nIn those urban legends, she became the pillar of Scarlet Sights Media, a witch without equal, Nova's once and future best!\n\nThat's a bit...over the top.\n\nMistique once read a line scribbled on a wall in the Monolith: The author is dead.\n—It means what you wish to convey is almost never the same as what others interpret. Also, the real you is never the same with the version of you in others' minds. These differences are probably bigger than that between a person and a banana.\nFor this reason, Mistique cares nothing about these whimsical stories.\nShe is open to opinions, praise or criticism alike. If she's doing her job well, she'll keep at it; if she's doing poorly, she'll improve next time.\n\nBut this only applies to gossips based in some truth.\nThe intentions behind a gossip can vary—they might be deliberate or accidental, malicious or well-meaning. Casual gossip is one thing, baseless slander and malicious flattery, however, are another matter entirely.\nBut truth to be told, it's easier to track down the culprits behind a crime than trace the origin of a gossip. Afterall, word of mouth is the easiest way to pass on information, accuracy not considered. What begins as \"Monolith\" may very well end up as \"Marmalade,\" and even that isn't the most ridiculous answer.\n\nSo, faced with this web of whispers, Mistique devised a solution—one that is quintessentially \"Mistique.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13512.1": "The Witch, the Legend, the Mistique II",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13512.2": "\"EXTRA! EXTRA! Mistique the Legend Witch breaks her broom in Philae, descends a big fire, and burns down 30% of United Harvest's factories!\"\n\"BREAKING NEWS! Mistique the Legend Witch allegedly strikes a secret deal with the Tyrant—some citizens demand her immediate arrest!\"\n\"SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT! Scarlet Sights Media Trio of Witches become a Quartet—Guess Who's Joining?!\"\n\nMistique firmly believes: interesting things will always triumph over dullness.\nA rumor only becomes popular when it's entertaining.\nBut she also understands that familiarity breeds contempt; no matter how thrilling something might seem, constant exposure can lead to feelings of boredom and annoyance.\n\nSo she spread even more outrageous, self-made gossips about herself.\nWhen the \"Legendary Witch Mistique\" made headline once in a while, readers were thrilled.\nBut once they were bombarded with Mistique's exploits nonstop, frustration and apathy grew quickly.\n\nAlthough Mistique's planted rumors seemed random and slapdash at first glance, they were well-directed tittle-tattles.\nEvery day, she donned a cloak and a pair of sunglasses, sending her summons across the city to monitor the reach and impact of her fabricated stories.\n\nDay One: Everyone was abuzz about whether witches and Tyrant are of the same ilk.\nDay Three: Debates flared as someone presented a formula \"proving\" Mistique couldn't have demolished so many factories unless she weighed as much as a Spellbound Golem.\nDay Five: The hot topic among the Flavio citizens was United Harvest's poor employee benefits and its possible connection with their tree bark-taste bread.\n\nMistique was delighted. Why? Because no one cared about the \"Trio of Witches.\" anymore\nMore precisely, those who usually reveled in discussing the three witches had completely skirted the topic.\nIt was as though they purposely avoided to touch on this topic.\n\nShe narrowed her eyes as she gazed toward Flavio's perpetually foggy city center.\n\n\"Looks like I've stumbled upon something big again.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13513.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Dread Comet",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.13513.2": "Ash District Residents travel on foot.\nSilver District residents travel by public Artifacts.\nGold District residents tend to have Artifacts of their own.\nBut the Witches are different.\nThey alone ride brooms and fly across the sky.\n\nWhat people outside Scarlet Sight don't know is that their Witches' training program includes \"long-distance running.\"\n\"Whenever an event occurs, at least three Witches, ten bystanders, and a hundred onlookers will gather. Only the fastest Witch can get the first-hand scoop.\"\nSo, when brooms are no help, running becomes the best alternative.\nMistique does not want to run.\nShe skipped every single long-distance running class and barely scraped by the exam.\nIn her view, instead of training her legs, it was better to train her broom.\nA well-trained broomstick, in her opinion, should be capable of flying, navigating, accelerating on its own, and—ideally—drafting the article for her.\n\nStill, Mistique removed the last item from her wish list before getting someone to modify her broom.\nAfter all, if a broom can write news articles by itself, what do SSM need her for?\nShe had to spend three months of her salary, but Mistique did obtain her new broom from the Neo Grace Organization—the Dread Comet.\nThe manual read: As long as it's fed the right fuel, the Dread Comet could fly faster than its counterparts.\nAnd the fuel it needed perfectly aligned with Mistique's job: news reports, lots and lots of them.\nSimply feed it a roll of finished articles, and the broom could fly faster and steadier than ever before; Mistique could even write while airborne.\nOf course, the catch was that Mistique had to keep writing non-stop, every day of the week.\nNaturally, the manual was nonsense. A broom has no mouth—how could it eat articles? It was only a little joke left for Mistique.\nBut Mistique accepted this \"design\" with pleasure.\nShe would ride the Dread Comet through the streets and alleys, and keep on writing.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14001.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14001.2": "Name: Sparkla\nBirthday: July 26th\nAffiliation: Neo Grace Organization\nSkills: Inventing, Modding\nAddress: Private Workshop (Classified)\nExperience: Under a year\nWeapon: Rabbit Pie\nRates: Vary by commission",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14002.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14002.2": "To field-test the Tyrant Pie. The Monolith makes for the ultimate proving ground.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14003.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14003.2": "Grace Imperium Wanted Poster\n\nWanted for immediate apprehension in connection with a major illegal Neo smuggling ring:\nName: Sparkla\nGender: ???\nAge: ???\nHeight: ???\nDescription: Female. Travels with a hat-wearing rabbit.\nCharges: Trafficking Neo equipment\nIncident Date: Joyous Day, Sonus Month, 996\nLocation: Port Goldfinch\nWARNING: Suspect is highly dangerous and presumed armed with NGO weaponry. Do not approach or attempt capture.\nBounty:\n5,000,000 Dorra for intel leading directly to an Imperial Guard arrest.\n10,000,000 Dorra for the direct capture and delivery of the suspect.\n\nImperial Guard",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14004.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14004.2": "Tech Exchange Group Chat\n\nLeona: Where is she where is she where is she?!\nBloc: Right here, right here!\nLeona: Not you!\nBloc: Wow, guess I don't matter then?\nLeona: I don't want you!!!\nLeona: Where's Sparkla?! Sparkla!\nBloc: Did she block you again?\nLeona: Duh.\nLeona: Why else would we even make this group?\nLeona: It's literally just to track her down whenever she blocks us.\nLeona: So where is she?!\nBloc: You know she doesn't read group chats.\nLeona: ... Then what is the point of this chat?\nBloc: So the two blacklisted can comfort each other.\nLeona: Wait, you got blocked too?\nBloc: Ding ding ding! Give the genius a prize!\nLeona: Quit the snark!!!!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14005.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14005.2": "Rabbit Pie Maintenance Log\n\nStructural Integrity: Bolts tight, no cracked welds. Optimal condition.\nLubrication: Running smoothly. Zero jamming.\nPending Add-on: Text recognition module.\nPending Upgrade: Artillery bombardment mode.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14006.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14006.2": "Metal Monster Witness Report\n\nIt happened near the Behemoth Mountains. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me, because there ain't no way a metal beast like that actually exists...\nIt dropped straight out of the sky and spat a person right out!\nAnd the person was just as weird.\nShe was sitting in a chair with wheels, and had these hat-wearing rabbits following her around.\nThe rabbits were doing laundry and hanging up blankets like they actually understood human speech...\nI didn't linger for long. That whole bunch was just plain freaky...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14007.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14007.2": "Invention Catalog\n\nMetal Prosthetic: Custom build. At the client's strict insistence, the umbrella, flower-watering, and extending features were completely scrapped.\nGauntlets: Custom weaponry. The client demanded an exterior design that screamed explosive, sharp aggression.\nAlarm Clock: Built for a student. Agreed with the client that failing to hit snooze in time triggers a self-destruct sequence. (Explosives supplied by Leona.)\n...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14008.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14008.2": "Sparkla? A total genius, just like me! But if I absolutely had to rank us ... then in mechanical R&D, she might just barely, slightly edge me out. Just a tiny bit, okay?!\n—Leona\n\nNext time we meet, I definitely need to ask Sparkla about hooking Loxy up with some amphibious upgrades! Oh, and I watched that Stella Drama she recommended—the one where cars turn into people... You think Loxy could pull that off someday? Hehe.\n—Noya",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14009.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14009.2": "Basically accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\n\nThe only issue is a dead contact number. Please update this to an active line as soon as possible.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14010.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14010.2": "Library Checkout Card\n\nTitle: The ■■■ Fairy Tales\nAuthor: Anonymous\nCall Number: I536.8\nDate Borrowed: Sep 3, Year ■■■\nDue Date: Sep 17, Year ■■■\nBorrower: S\nDate Returned: Sep 9, Year ■■■\nNotes: /",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14011.1": "The Bubble Princess",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14011.2": "\"Far out in the ocean, the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflowers and as clear as the purest glass. But it is terribly deep...\"\n\"... The Ocean King had six beautiful daughters. The youngest princess loved hearing stories about the human world above more than anything else...\"\n\nHer mother's soft voice was slowly lulling little Sparkla to sleep. Still, the girl fought to keep her eyes open, slurring her words as she pressed on. \"Mommy, is the youngest princess pretty? And ... why does she like the human world so much?\"\n\"Of course she is. The book says her skin was soft as a rose petal, and her eyes as clear as the deep blue sea.\"\n\"As for why she liked the human world? Probably because it's so, so far away from her home. It's only natural for her to be curious.\"\n\"Just like you, my sweetheart. Aren't you always wondering if giant whales live up in the sky? Hehe.\"\n\"Then... Then I hope the youngest princess gets a chance ... to visit the land someday... Zzz... Zzz...\"\nBefore her mother could whisper goodnight, little Sparkla had already drifted off into a deep slumber.\n\n\"Waaah... Why did the little mermaid trade her voice just to become human? And... And her feet hurt so badly...\"\nThe next day, Sparkla pestered her mother to finish the story, only to be struck by a devastating plot twist.\nAlthough the little mermaid was finally a part of the human world, she paid a terrible price for it.\n\"Oh my, why are we crying?\" Her mother rushed to comfort her, but nothing could stop the tears rolling down the little girl's cheeks.\nSparkla sniffled. \"No, we can't let the little mermaid suffer like that. What if she didn't have to walk? Or ... what if she could live on land feeling completely free? Mommy, I want to build a little moving chair for her! Oh, wait! What about a giant moving fish tank...?\" Muttering ideas to herself, she haphazardly scrubbed the tears from her face and sprinted eagerly back into the house.\n\"Hey now... Go wash your face first...\" Her mother held back a chuckle, not the least bit upset. She simply slipped a bookmark onto the page. Seeing her daughter bounce back to her energetic self was all that mattered.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14012.1": "Alicia's Underground Adventure",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14012.2": "While organizing her bookshelf, Sparkla noticed a bookmark lying on the floor.\nIt featured a drawing of an unfamiliar ocean, with a bright splash of color breaking the surface that looked exactly like a fish's tail.\nA memory struck Sparkla—this was the bookmark her mother had made for her when she was little. She remembered wanting to build a moving chair for the little mermaid back then, never imagining she'd eventually be the one using it. Of course, basic mobility wasn't enough for her; she had tricked it out with plenty of upgrades. As if on cue, two mechanical arms extended from the back of her wheelchair, nimbly plucking a book from the very top shelf.\n\n\"Let's go with this one today. The stall owner said it's from a fresh batch of fairy tales recently unearthed from the Monolith.\"\n\"Let's see here... Alicia's Underground Adventure?\"\n\"Alicia was sitting by the riverbank when she suddenly spotted a white rabbit in a waistcoat scurrying past with a pocket watch. Stranger still, the rabbit was muttering to itself, 'Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!'\"\nSparkla eagerly flipped the page, only to be completely captivated by the illustration. Oh dear! Oh dear! This Mr. Rabbit, dressed to the nines in a suit and top hat with eyes sparkling like rubies, looked incredibly similar to the snow rabbit her father had built for her years ago!\nI have to invent something for him. Anything to help him escape his personal hell of perpetual tardiness!\n\nSo, in her dreams that night, Sparkla found herself with a suited rabbit of her very own, who whisked her away to the Six O'Clock Tech Exchange.\nIt was the exact convention she had always dreamed of—no loudmouthed Leona, no troublemaking Bloc. Just a lovely cat lady and an enthusiastic puppy plushie. In this peaceful haven, she could finally focus on modifying a scooter exclusively for Mr. Rabbit, seamlessly blending high-speed traversal with a built-in baking function.\nWhen she woke up, Sparkla spent a long while basking in the afterglow of her sweet dream. Staring at her empty bedside, a sudden stroke of genius hit her: the suited rabbit from the story would look perfectly at home right here in her room.\nFor the next month, Sparkla's workshop abruptly halted all incoming commissions. As for how to explain this sudden hiatus to her clients? Well, she'd just leave that headache to Bloc.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14013.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Rabbit Pie",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14013.2": "Exactly a month after Sparkla stopped taking orders, Bloc and Leona showed up at her workshop.\n\"What is your deal?! You take a whole month off, and all your orders are now my responsibility?! I've been doing the work of two and haven't slept in four days... My brain is squeezed dry of inspiration!\"\nThe moment they walked in, Leona drifted toward Sparkla's room like a zombie. \"I'm gonna crash for five... Aah! What the heck is that?!\"\nBloc peeked in from behind her. \"Oh? Is this what you've been working on all month? What do you call it?\"\n\"Watch your pronouns. It's a 'she.' She is my butler, Rabbit Pie.\" Sparkla hauled Leona out of the room and lovingly adjusted Rabbit Pie's hat. Leona's terrified flailing had knocked it completely askew, as it dangles at the robot's neck. \"I guess she's passably cute, but that name is a tad tacky,\" Leona remarked with a hint of disdain. Still, she couldn't resist running a curious hand over the mechanical rabbit. \"Wow, you hid this joint mechanism pretty well...\"\n\"Hands off. Did you just mock my naming? Rabbit Pie, put Leona on the blacklist. She is permanently banned from my room.\"\nRabbit Pie gave a slow, deliberate nod.\n\"Hey, hey, you tyrant!\" Following its master's orders, the mechanical rabbit gave Leona absolutely no room to argue, forcefully shoving her several meters down the hall.\nLeona sulked on the sidelines for a moment before her eyes suddenly narrowed. She just realized something crucial. \"Wait a minute... You didn't manually input any commands just now! No way... Does this thing already have voice recognition?! That's insane... Quick, walk me through your entire design process!\"\n\nSeeing that the other two had completely forgotten she even existed and scurried straight to the invention room, Bloc simply made herself at home. She expertly retrieved a bag of tea she had left in the cabinet last time and began brewing herself a pot.\n\"My, my, I can already picture a blissful future where I fall asleep on a giant pile of Dorra... Ohohoho...\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14101.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14101.2": "Name: Chixia\nBirthday: April 10th\nAffiliation: Yunji Studio\nSkills: Talisman drawing, fire spitting\nPrimary Residence: I spend four months a year in Cangwu City\nTrekker Experience: 2 years\nPreferred Weapon: The Art of Fire\nRate: Protective talismans are 20,000 Dorra each",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14102.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14102.2": "It's part of my Xuan Shi training!\nTotally not just me trying to find a way to be braver!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14103.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14103.2": "Hobbies\n\nPainting and calligraphy are also part of talisman making, thus she studies them seriously.\nAfter a few years of practice, her painting and calligraphy skills are much like her talisman work, and she's very proud of it.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14104.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14104.2": "Fire Incident Log\n\nWithin the first month of receiving her weapon from her master, she triggered four fire alarms at the temple.\nThough she was duly warned by the fire department not to play with fire and admitted her mistakes sincerely, she still occasionally sets things on fire by accident.\nShe has gotten pretty good at putting them out before they spread.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14105.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14105.2": "A Commission from the Master\n\nWhen she made up her mind to become a Trekker and explore Nova, Chixia received her very first commission from her master.\nShe was asked to deliver \"Shimiao's Miaovelous Sword\" to its rightful owner. Although her master never said who that owner was, she soon found a girl who matched this unusual name.\n\"How could Shimiao not be the rightful owner of the 'Shimiao's Miaovelous Sword'! If I were mistaken, then ... ah, anyway, there's no way I could be wrong!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14106.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14106.2": "Top Apprentice\n\nThe temple was holding a contest to name the Top Apprentice of the year. All one had to do was hanging a candidate's name tag on the nomination board, and whoever got the most nominations would win.\nBut when Chixia checked the board, her name was nowhere to be found on it. That night, she wrote twenty nomination tags herself and hung them up.\nThe next day, her master caught her and made her copy twenty practice scrolls, saying she couldn't go out until they were finished. To this day, Chixia still doesn't understand why her punishment was doing calligraphy.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14107.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14107.2": "The Five Urban Legends of Cangwu City\n\n1. The Mysterious Footsteps—Every Wednesday, at midnight, clear footsteps can be heard on the top floor of Yanquan Academy. They start from the east side and walk to the west, exactly forty-nine steps in total.\n2. The Wandering Wooden Beast—It's said that during heavy rain in Cangwu City, a driver-less wooden ox-drawn carriage roams the streets. Many have claimed to see it—old, creaky, and nearly falling apart, it moves slowly down Central Avenue toward the Divine Tree before vanishing into the downpour.\n3. The Enclave Restaurant—Located on a deserted island to the south of the city, this place only appears when the tide rises past a certain alert level. It looks like a ruined wooden house soaked in seawater, covered in coral and seaweed. A fallen sign out front reads \"The Enclave Restaurant.\" Though no one's inside, the sound of a lively banquet can be heard from within.\n4. Dragon's Cry During the Damp Season—During the damp, foggy season, flashes of lightning are sometimes accompanied by a deep, echoing sound. The Loong call this sound \"Dragon's Cry.\" Oddly, whenever it's heard, strange dragon-shaped ink blots appear on paper somewhere in the region.\n5. The Roach-Serpent—According to a local folk tale: \"A string of cockroaches, head to tail, form a serpent. Seeing it is a bad omen. At best, you'll lose money; at worst, you'll suffer bloodshed.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14108.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14108.2": "A super cool-looking girl...! We don't get to see each other often, but she's a really good friend of mine.\n—Shimiao\nEvery time I run into her, there's always some wild gossip waiting. It's like she's a natural-born headline magnet!\n—Mistique",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14109.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14109.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\n\nBut she really should be more careful when it comes to using fire. Hopefully her guardian can keep a closer watch on that.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14110.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14110.2": "Anonymous Help Request\n\nI heard there's actually a five-clawed golden dragon sleeping beneath our temple. When it snores, its breath turns into damp air, and the sound shakes the mountains. That's why you can sometimes hear the \"dragon's cry\" on foggy days near the temple.\nBut an older apprentice told me that's all made up. She said that there are actually zombies kept under the temple and only the master knows about it.\nSo... Would anyone be willing to escort me to evening training at the temple tomorrow night?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14111.1": "Fireborne",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14111.2": "Fire is bright. It brings light and warmth.\n\nOne night at the temple, Chixia tugged on an older apprentice's sleeve, saying she'd learned a new fire spell and wanted to show it off.\nShe snuffed out all the candles and lanterns in the room, leaving only one candle on the table, standing three meters away. She wasn't holding any talismans, nor did she bring the writing brush/flamethrower her master had given her. Her senior, already familiar with how these things usually went, quietly fetched two buckets of water.\nChixia didn't mind. She ran through the hand seals her master had taught her earlier, adding a little personal flair she'd been working on. As she chanted under her breath, sparks flickered at her fingertips. The flame leapt up, curling like a vine, blossoming into a glowing flame flower.\n\"See? Pretty cool, right?\"\nChixia said proudly, hands on her hips.\nUnfortunately, before she could finish bragging, the flame flower didn't burn out like she expected. Instead of simply lighting the candle on the table, the flame started crawling across the room like overgrown ivy.\n\"Eh?? Ehhhhh!! Why's it out of control again?! It worked perfectly when I practiced it this afternoon—!!\"\nChixia's senior, clearly used to this, only shook her head and grabbed the water buckets. With a practiced splash, she doused all the flames. Chixia herself also got a good soak.\n\"...Thanks you.\"\n\"It's fine. You're doing great, Chixia.\"\n\"Waaah, you're the best... A-aachoo!\" She sniffled as a breeze rolled in through the window. Still dripping, she held out her hands again, ready to summon another flame. \"I'll make a small fire to warm up and dry myself.\"\n\"...We're out of water. Just go get changed.\"\n\"You don't trust me at all!!\"\n\"I didn't say that.\"\n\"You laughed! I saw it! You were totally laughing at me!!\"\n\nFire always burns bright and hot—dangerous, yet full of light and warmth.\nBut for Chixia, it's the gift she was born with.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14112.1": "Timid but Curious",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14112.2": "Shifting shadows outside the window, the hushed whispers from the forest, lamps that go out for no reason, and that ever-present feeling of being watched...\nThose were the things that haunted Chixia's childhood dreams.\nBut what were they, really?\nChildren are often full of fear, yet at the same time, they can't help being drawn to the unknown.\nWho was casting that shadow at the window? Who was crying out in the dark?\nLittle Chixia would hide under her blanket, believing it to be her invincible magical shield. She would tremulously peek out from a tiny gap and watch for the strange and mysterious things of the night.\n\n\"Your little one has such bright, clear eyes.\"\nA wandering Xuan Shi had just returned from her travels and was passing through a village when a rowdy child ran straight into her.\nThe tiny girl fell backward onto the ground and looked up with big, watery eyes. She locked gazes with the Xuan Shi and immediately burst into tears.\n\"There's a monster!!\"\nShe ran home crying, face smeared like a tear-streaked kitten. To this day, her master still teases her about that first meeting.\nMaybe because she was too young at the time, Chixia remembers none of it.\nAnd she refuses to believe it. \"No way I was that scared! Master's totally making it up just to mess with me!\"\nShe always gets flustered like that.\nThe master shakes her head with a sigh but also a smile.\nA child blessed with talent like that. What kind of world does she see through those bright, clear eyes?\nAnd after witnessing so many frightening things, how does she still manage to stay curious to this world?\n\nOf course, Chixia has no idea what her master is thinking.\nShe's currently lying on the floor, copying a picture of a fire phoenix from her sketchbook, convinced this will finally be her first masterpiece.\n\nSo full of confidence, and yet so adorably timid.\nHer master looks at the sketch—a scrawny, featherless bird more chick than phoenix—and smiles, shaking her head.\nWhat an interesting child she is.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14113.1": "Weapon Anecdote: The Art of Fire",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14113.2": "\"Chixia's really in tune with fire.\"\nThat's what her master used to say all the time back when Chixia first started training under her.\nBut after a while, once Chixia began learning how to draw talismans, that line changed to:\n\"Chixia's talismans are...quite unique.\"\n\"Quite unique\" had to mean really good, right?\nSitting in a pile of messy scrolls, Chixia admired her latest creation. She happily rolled it up and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper to start anew.\n\"Huh? Where's my brush? Wasn't it here just a second ago??\"\nOne day, after she managed to lose a total of eight brushes in a single day, her master's most frequent line became:\n\"How is it that you lost your brush again?\"\n\n\"If you're always this scatterbrained, what will you do if you lose your brush out in the Wilds or during a Monolith trek? How will you fight then?\"\nChixia got the lecture again today.\nShe pouted, wanting to argue, but she knew her master was right.\nHer Xuan skills weren't the best. Despite being in tune with fire, her fireballs are never quite right. They either fizzle out mid-air or they get too big and nearly exploded in her face.\nBut she is good at drawing talismans! As long as she has a brush in hand, even her biggest blunders could be fixed in no time!\n\"If only there was a way to make the brush easier to spot... Then I'd stop losing it!\"\nShe mutters to herself while sitting on the temple steps, only to yelp the next moment when a loose notebook whacks her on the head.\n\"Oww! Who hit me?!\"\n\"You think making your brush more visible means you won't lose it?\"\nShe turns and sees her master standing right behind her.\n\"Well, yeah! I mean, if the brush were th~~is big, there's no way I'd lose it!\" Chixia holds out her arms dramatically, only to quickly shrink back under her master's cold stare. \"I, I was just babbling... I've been reflecting really seriously on your teachings today, master...\"\nHer master gives her a wordless sidelong glance.\nA few days later, as the sun begins to set, Chixia is summoned to the courtyard. There, her master hands her a brush that's nearly as tall as she is.\n\n\"Wh—what's this?!\"\n\"Didn't you say you'd stop losing your brush if it was big enough?\" her master gives her a look. \"The other end's got a support module. With it, you should be able to properly use your fire spells.\"\n\"Master...\"\n\"What?\"\n\"You're the bestest master ever!\"\n\"...Cut the flattery. Give your new weapon a proper name and bring it to the temple tomorrow. I'll teach you how to use it.\"\n\"Name it? Easy!\"\nChixia thinks about it long and hard, flipping through the handful of storybooks she'd read, until she finally finds the perfect name for her very special weapon—\n\"I got it! I shall call it... The Art of Fire!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14201.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14201.2": "Name: Cosette\nBirthday: May 2nd\nAffiliation: ███\nSkills: Undercover, disguise, Monolith climbing\nResidence: Emor City\nExperience: 1 Year\nWeapon: Steel Claw\nRates: Unknown/A tasty drink (To be confirmed)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14202.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14202.2": "I'll do anything to be useful to Lady Aeloria!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14203.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14203.2": "Hobbies\n\nTasting various drinks, no matter how strange the flavor is.\nI would even go out of my way to find those peculiar flavors, like cilantro juice.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14204.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14204.2": "File\n\nBecause she never learned the magic of hiding her horns, Cosette sawed them off herself.\nBut Bayans' horns, whether shed or broken, grow back like fingernails. To keep herself horn-less, Cosette has to regularly use a file to grind the new growth smooth.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14205.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14205.2": "Emor Living Guide\n\n1. Always Keep your Soul Stone with you. All your personal information is stored in it.\n2. The Grace Imperium Office opens from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you encounter difficulties, feel free to seek assistance there.\n3. Avoid being seen by the Imperial Guard. They are ████████.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14206.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14206.2": "Fridge Inventory\n\n3 days ago: counted 17 bottles, 4 orange flavors, 7 sodas, 2 cartons of yogurt, and 4 discounted mixed juices from the convenience store.\nThe day before yesterday: picked one before heading out in the morning and drank another at night.\nYesterday: picked one in the morning, brought back two in the evening.\nToday: forgot to take one when going out, drank a soda after coming back.\nThere should be 15 bottles left in the fridge now...\nBut why are there 18 bottles?! When did two malt drinks get in there?!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14207.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14207.2": "Mission Log\n\nToday I was tailing Boss, but I got too caught up watching and walked straight into a pole, blowing my cover...\nToday I planned to kidnap Boss with a rope and fashioned a lasso for that purpose. But before I could even throw it, I tripped over the rope myself and fell flat...\nToday I planned to lure Boss into the Monolith, but then I passed by the supermarket and saw their soda was half off, so the mission's on hold for now. Please don't be mad, Lady Aeloria...\nToday I successfully broke into New Star Guild's RV, but they were in the middle of eating... And had drinks I've never seen before...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14208.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14208.2": "Where on earth does she keep finding those spicy drinks? And every time it's a different brand?! Still... they're surprisingly good...\n—Minova\n\nI don't understand, every time we meet, she keeps staring at me. I can tell there's no malice in it, but still...\n—Amber",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14209.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14209.2": "... Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\n\nBut has ██████ really run out of people? To send such an innocent, naïve child to be a \"fixer?\" Or was the kid just tricked into believing she was actually carrying out a mission...?\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14210.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14210.2": "Help\n\nI recently got a cilantro-flavored yogurt by chance. Does anyone know where I can buy it? I've checked every mall, but no luck!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14211.1": "The Fridge",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14211.2": "Cosette has a small fridge in her room.\nIt's tucked away in the corner, behind the wardrobe, and covered with a small curtain. The door is decorated with various cute magnets and a tiny memo board, with a doodle of flowers that Cosette had drawn.\n\nEach morning, before heading out, Cosette opens the fridge and picks her \"reward\" for the day from the neatly stacked bottles inside.\nYesterday, she had coconut flavor fruit milk.\nToday, a bitter tea to balance things out.\nTomorrow?\nBy tomorrow, the fridge will be one-third empty—Time to restock!\n\nWhere there are \"rewards,\" there are also \"punishments.\"\nOnce, when she didn't execute her mission perfectly, Cosette reflected on the failure at bedtime and \"punished\" herself by not having any \"reward\" drinks for a whole week.\nIn the following days, the fridge remained untouched.\nOne week later, she opened the fridge and discovered that last week's fresh milk had turned sour. Cosette took a sip, then added sugar to make it taste just the way she liked it.\nThat night, Cosette almost vomited her guts out. That's when she learned from the doctor that fridge couldn't keep things fresh indefinitely; when milk turned sour, it didn't magically become yogurt. Cosette watched tearfully as the doctor threw away all the expired drinks that she cherished too much to drink.\"You can't get those cilantro-flavored yogurt anymore... And that's my last case...\"\"It expired two months ago; it should've been in the waste bin long ago.\"\n\nThe fridge was almost empty, time to replenish her stock.\nCosette picked up a pen and wrote a memo on the board:\"Yogurt and milk only last a week, don't buy too much.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14212.1": "Before I am a Novian",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14212.2": "What kind of place is Nova?\n\nThe atmosphere within Nocturn Eterna has been restive lately. Everyone seems on edge. The other girls told Cosette that there was a big plan in the works and it could change the future for all Bayans.\n—A chance to bring a better life to everyone.\nWhat would a better life look like? The girls chatter excitedly about their dreams for the future: proper homes, a warm and cozy room with hearty meals in the cold winter. They've heard of something called cake—soft, sweet, and fragrant—and they wonder what it would be like to taste even a single bite...\nCosette trails in the line behind Aeloria, glancing curiously around. She isn't really interested in what the others are talking about. She doesn't feel much sense of belonging to Nocturn Eterna. What she cares about is Aeloria's mission, and whether there's something she can do to help.\n\nTo Cosette, the people of Nocturn Eterna aren't much different from those of her old village.\nUnder the guise of taking in orphans, they brought Cosette and a dozen other children away, promising food, shelter, even education. In reality, they shut the children in a cramped room, giving them just enough to stay alive, with no freedom of movement, let alone \"education.\"\nCosette spent an entire winter in that tiny room. After that, people began to show up, taking away children one by one. In the end, only Cosette remained.\nThe guards didn't bother to hide their chatter: children deemed useless would be sent back to their villages. Cosette overheard them but thought going back didn't sound so bad. At least there, she could still rummage freely through the trash piles.\n\nAnd it was on that very day that Aeloria appeared.\nShe took Cosette in, gave her food and clothing, a place to stay, meals that filled her belly. She even taught her to read and how to use magic.\nThus when Aeloria received a new mission, Cosette looked up at her, full with expectation.\n\"Is there anything I can do to help? No matter what it is, I'll give it my all!\"\nAeloria's expression grew complicated, and in the end she sighed.\n\"Then come with me to the continent of Nova. As a Sleeper, you'll blend into Novian society and remain hidden until I summon you.\" \n\"But before that, you must learn the magic that conceals your horns.\"\nCosette's eyes gleamed with confidence.\n\"I'll succeed for sure, Lady Aeloria!\"\n\nThe journey from Baya to Nova is a blur in Cosette's memory—perhaps from excitement, perhaps from nervousness. By the time she comes to her senses, her group of Sleepers has already scaled a cliffside waterfall and reached a dense forest.\nStanding on this land, Cosette sees green stretching in every direction, all of it brimming with life. The breeze stirs, insects and birds sing together—a sight and sound unknown in Baya.\nShe turns back to glance at the waterfall behind her, its torrents leaping into the unseen depths below.\nSo this is what Nova's world is like.\nCosette lingers quietly for a while, then she shoulders her backpack. With a map in hand and her mission ahead, she steps forward into an entirely new adventure.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14213.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Steel Claw",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14213.2": "\"So hungry... Will I be able to find food today?\" she thought.\nIn the night sky, a full moon hanging high, casting silver light over the ruined village. There was little sign of life in sight.\n\"Days ago, a house on the back side of the village collapsed.\"\nCosette, light-headed from hunger, vaguely remembered a group of beggars talking about it earlier that day. She thought about it briefly: there might still be food left in the building. Maybe she could find something within the ruins...\nThus she gathered her energy and headed toward the north of the village.\nUnfortunately, her hope was quickly dashed. It was a small village, and by the time Cosette arrived at the collapsed house, it had already been thoroughly searched. Forget food—even corpses might have already been cleared away.\nShe sighed, sat down by the crumbled walls, letting out another long, heavy sigh. She hadn't found anything to eat in the last two days. A loud growl from her belly echoed in the silence of the night.\n\n\"Hey, are you hungry?\"\nA lively voice came from behind her. Cosette quickly lifted her head to find another dirty, scruffy girl perched on a half-broken wall, staring down at her.\n\"Your stomach's growling so loud. If you're that hungry... Here, take this.\"\nThe girl rummaged through her equally filthy pack and pulls out two flatbreads, handing them to Cosette. They were dry and hard, no telling how long they've been kept.\nCosette froze for a second. Then instinct took over because survival came first. She devoured one of the flatbreads in just a few bites, nearly choking on the rock-hard crust.\nThe girl laughed at the sight of her scarfing everything down, then handed her a water bag. Seeing how young Cosette was, she eventually gave her two more small bread rolls.\n\"Keep them. This village is almost deserted. Before you go hungry again, you'd better move on.\"\n\"If I take your food... What about you?\"\n\"I'll meet up with my partner before dawn, so don't worry about me... Don't look at me like that. I can't take you with me. We're about to do something dangerous. Might even die.\"\n\"Eh?\"\nThe girl pointed up at the sky. The moonlight bathed her in a shimmering glow.\n\"They say in the sky there's a paradise, with clean water and endless food. If we can find it, maybe we'll never have to starve again.\"\n\"But how could people ever reach the sky?\"\nThe girl didn't answer. When she left, she told Cosette that she hoped someday Cosette could leave this wretched place behind.\n\nThe encounter with the girl was but a brief interlude in Cosette's life. Cosette's good fortune did not last.\nShe didn't manage to leave the decaying village before the next hunger struck. And the next day, her bread rolls were taken by other hungry kids in the village.\nIn a place like this, there were all too many orphans like her.\n\n\"If... if I couldn't even hold onto the kindness that others showed me, then how could I ever repay them...?\"\nThe setting sun stretched her shadow long and crooked across the trash piles.\nAt that moment, she spotted a metal object half-buried under garbage bags. She stared at it for a long time before finally dragging it out with effort.\n—It was a steel claw.\nToo large and too heavy for the girl as she was then. Yet, as if guided by fate, she wiped the grime away. In the last light of sunset, she dragged it with both hands and walked out of the dump.\nIf she had a weapon—if she had strength—then one day...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14301.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14301.2": "Name: Wraith\nBirthday: December 24th\nAffiliation: Sentinel of Dawn\nSkills: Weapon Evaluation, Equipment Modification\nAddress: Confidential\nExperience: Not disclosed\nWeapon: Bayonet Zero Alter\nRate: Part-time work is generally not allowed",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14302.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14302.2": "\"I will root out every trace of Nocturn Eterna in Nova.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14302.3": "\"I will unveil the truth hidden behind all this.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14303.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14303.2": "Reputation\n\nDespite her rank in the Sentinel of Dawn, Wraith operates with complete autonomy.\nShe is a fixture in the Trekker community, earning her quite a reputation.\nRumor has it she hails from a long-abandoned city of the Northern City.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14304.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14304.2": "Commission Standards\n\n1. Always open to Nocturn Eterna-related commissions. Willing to cover operational costs.\n2. Priority given to commissions paying in weapon crafting or enhancement materials.\n3. Available for weapon and gear testing. Minimal or no fee required.\n- All other requests are subject to daily availability.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14305.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14305.2": "Collaboration Feedback\n\n\"Wraith? It's weird how humble she is for someone so famous. She barely speaks and charges next to nothing. What is going on in that head of hers?\"\n\"She's a powerhouse, but her memory's odd. She forgets faces and names instantly, yet recalls every weapon spec we carry by heart.\"\n\"Catch her on a break, and she's always in the corner with an ice cream. Never the same flavor twice, either!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14306.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14306.2": "The Weapon Guide\n\nTrekkers can now pick up a free combat guide at the Trekker Association. It's packed with weapon specs, maintenance tips, and matchup data against major monsters and Stellaroids.\nWraith authored and edited the guide herself. Willow, who handles the printing and publishing, was happy to help. She believes this project gives Wraith a much-needed break from her obsession with the Nocturn Eterna.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14307.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14307.2": "Field Work Application\n\nRequest Type: Field Duty\nDuration: 2 Weeks\nReason: I'm craving the ice cream back in the City of a Thousand Monoliths. I need to find that nostalgic flavor again.\n\nTimestamp: 15:30\nStatus: REJECTED\nComment: Who has the gall to use an excuse like that to slack off?\n\nTimestamp: 15:45\nStatus: APPROVED\nComment: My apologies, Lady Wraith. I didn't see the name.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14308.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14308.2": "She's tough and definitely marches to her own beat. Usually quiet, but get her started on gun mods and she won't shut up. Interesting character.\n— Kasimira\n\nA little lamb from the North. I've been dying to test her skills in a duel, but she scampers off the moment I get close. Hehe, adorable.\n— Gerie",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14309.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14309.2": "The CV is extremely accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nStraightforward, diligent, efficient, and a bit \"unique.\" That is the consensus on Wraith.\nWhen asked why a Sentinel of Dawn spends so much time with Trekkers, she admits it is purely to gather intel on Nocturn Eterna. Even knowing this, people place their trust in her.\n— Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14310.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14310.2": "The Anti-Nocturn-Eterna Ace\n\nCombat simulations reveal that Wraith anticipates events two seconds before they happen. This isn't magic. It's a \"superpower\" forged from relentless training, acute observation, and god-like reflexes.\nThis ability gives her a massive edge against the unknown, making her our best asset against the Nocturn Eterna.\n— Combat Evaluation Division, Sentinel of Dawn",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14311.1": "\"Snow\" in a Strange Land",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14311.2": "Wraith wanders the streets of the City of a Thousand Monoliths, fresh off a commission and mulling over how to \"reward\" herself.\nShe doesn't really \"get\" leisure. She is simply mimicking the traditions of her clan: the post-hunt feast. Back home, food is an offering to comrades, family, and glory.\nBut here, all Wraith can manage is a small, symbolic gesture.\n\"Hey, look. It's Wraith.\"\n\"She must be on a job. I wonder who could possibly order someone like her around.\"\nWraith ignores the whispers trailing her. She has dealt with these staring eyes since the day she arrived in the city.\nStill, their gossip triggers a memory—her very first \"commission\" here.\n\nBack then, she was a stranger plagued by bizarre rumors and suspicious glares. Worse, she was constantly worrying about where her next meal would come from.\nTrust is currency among Trekkers, and a foreign face has no value. The city air felt more suffocating than any northern blizzard, and sure enough, she couldn't land a single job.\nJust as she was contemplating a grim future, a girl's cry pierced the air. Wraith looked up to see a red balloon drifting skyward.\nInstinct took over. She scaled the wall in a blur, leaped from the roof, and snatched the balloon mid-air. The crowd below applauded, assuming it was a street performance.\nBefore the girl could even react, this silver-haired stranger was already standing in front of her, balloon in hand.\n\n\"Here. Don't lose it again. Bye.\"\n\"Please wait!\"\nThe girl stopped her, offering a thank-you gift: a round, white dessert.\n\"What is this? White... Cold... Is it snow?\"\n\"It's ice cream! I'm out of allowance money, but please take this. Thanks for saving my balloon.\"\n\"My apologies, but I haven't fallen low enough to eat ice and snow. In my homeland, only a failed hunter would resort to eating...\"\n\"You... You don't like it? I-I'm sorry...\"\n\"Ugh, no! I didn't mean that! Don't cry! Look, I'm eating it, okay?\"\nWraith took a cautious bite. Beyond the nostalgic chill, a rich, creamy sweetness flooded her mouth. A faint flush rose on her cheeks.\n\"This! What is this? It's so sweet... Is the local 'snow' always like this?\"\n\"I told you, it's called ice cream! But I'm glad you like it.\"\n\"Thank you. I have never seen anything this magical back home. I will remember its name.\"\n\"Um... Can I have another one?\"\n\"Wow, you really love ice cream. Alright, I'll tell you a secret...\"\n\n\"Miss? Have you decided on your order?\"\nThe server's question snaps her back to reality. Without realizing it, her search for a \"reward\" has led her straight to this familiar shop.\n\"I'll take one Ultra-Creamy Double-Nut Supreme Cross-Star Special, please.\"\nIgnoring the stares around her, Wraith places her order with absolute confidence.\n\"I never expected anyone to actually order the secret menu item... Ahaha...\"\n\"It was the first magic spell I learned in this city.\"\n\"And I ... really like it.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14312.1": "Farewell to the North",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14312.2": "Familiar faces crowded the plaza. Putting aside the fresh grief of lost homes and kin, the people gathered to witness a warrior's birth.\nA young girl emerged from the crowd. Under the community's gaze, the Council pinned a medal of honor to her chest. Her mission: to scale the perilous Behemoth Mountains alone, crossing a deadly frontier to reach the continent's heart.\nA few days ago, she overheard a conversation between the messengers of the Grace Imperium and the councilors: this tragedy was no natural disaster—it was a deliberate act of man.\nTo uncover the truth, she must journey to the City of a Thousand Monoliths and find the very source of all this suffering.\n\"May your soul return to glory.\"\nThe clan chanted their highest blessing in unison before returning to the grim work of rebuilding.\n\n\"May your soul return to glory...\"\nThe girl murmured the words, drifting awake. Outside, a blizzard howled, reminding her she was still at the summit of the Behemoth Mountains. Half a year had already vanished into the snow.\n\"... Out of rations.\"\nShe couldn't afford to sleep. In this demonic realm that had claimed countless warriors, she had to fight for every scrap of survival.\nBy dim candlelight, she unrolled a map. Her finger traced a handwritten note pointing to a crevice in the peaks—a rumored pass leading out of the snow and into the interior of Nova.\nA dull ache flared in her side. That was a \"souvenir\" from a recent battle with an Icefang Beast. She had wanted to claim its fang as a trophy, but the ice beneath her cracked. Faced with a choice, she resolutely chose life.\n\"Coming home empty-handed is usually a joke, but luckily, under the circumstances...\"\nShe applied the last of her salve to the wound.\nA shadow darted across the dark rock wall. Reflexes took over as she snatched a rock lizard from a crevice.\n\"... I can't go back. And I don't need to.\"\nWith a quick snap, she ended it. She struck a flint and prepared her first meal in two days.\n\"Thank you. Your life won't be wasted.\"\nAfter cleaning up, she added another mark to her travel log.\n\nTime blurred. When she finally came to, the hard ice underfoot had given way to soft, damp soil. Smoke rose gently from chimneys on the horizon.\nTrekkers passed by in groups, glancing curiously at her, then adjusted their packs and continued toward the distant Monolith.\nShe stopped at a stream to wash away the grime. Fish darted playfully around her ankles. She studied her reflection: silver-white hair falling past her ears. It seemed the only thing consistent was that color of home.\nIt finally hit her: she had come a very long way.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14313.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Bayonet Zero Alter",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14313.2": "Silence hung over the quiet cemetery on the Silver District outskirts of the City of a Thousand Monolith.\nThe old gravekeeper was up with the sun, as always. Washed and dressed, he headed out to sweep the fallen leaves.\nNearby, a white-haired girl stood before a fresh headstone, clutching a bouquet.\nShe wore a solemn expression in her formal black, looking like she had just bade goodbye to an old friend.\n\"Did they ... have a good life?\"\nThe old man had seen this scene a thousand times. The words of comfort came automatically.\n\"Served my grandfather, scaled snowy peaks, fought off monsters... Lived a life of glory.\"\n\"Grandfather introduced us. We were partners until the end, sworn to crush every villain we met.\"\n\"Sounds like a warrior worth respecting.\"\n\"We were chasing a Nocturn Eterna recently. It took a direct magic hit... Critical damage to its lever-action mechanism.\"\n\"I struggled for a long time, but I've decided to bring it back.\"\n\"My condolences... Wait, what?\"\n\nWraith placed a can of gun oil on the grave.\n\"I used to be able to cock it one-handed. Learned that trick from a Stella Drama.\"\n\"After the battle, I rebuilt it. Even fused it with parts from one of my melee weapons.\"\n\"Shame I can't do that cool reload flip anymore, though.\"\nAs Wraith spoke, she lifted her \"resurrected\" comrade from its case.\n\"It used to be 'Blizzard 987,' after the Monolith Year it was summoned.\"\n\"Now, it has a new name: Bayonet Zero Alter.\"\n\"Alright. Say goodbye to the old you, partner.\"\nWraith stood and walked over to the old man.\n\"Thanks, sir. Weird as it sounds, you're the first person who didn't slip off as I told my story.\"\n\"Let's go, partner. Time to find those guys and get the revenge.\"\n\nThe old man stared at her retreating back, speechless, before finally muttering under his breath.\n\"Kids these days are intense ... in every sense of the word.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14401.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14401.2": "Name: Chitose\nBirthday: November 3rd\nAffiliation: Freelance Trekker\nSkills: Swordsmanship\nAddress: Amekiku Inn\nExperience: Half a year\nWeapon: Her Majesty the Blade\nRates: Food should suffice (rice preferred).",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14402.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14402.2": "Searching for the Wielder",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14402.3": "To become the sharpest blade in all of Nova with Boss as my Wielder",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14403.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14403.2": "The Basic Standard for a Wielder\n\nOne who is not harmed by my aura of edge.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14404.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14404.2": "Parents and Master\n\nThe twin blades on my back are \"Father and Mother,\" while the odachi is \"Master.\"\nMy own strength is still lacking, and I have yet to truly become a worthy blade. Thus I must still rely on their power.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14405.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14405.2": "Amekiku\n\nA once-abandoned traveler's inn on the outskirts of the City of a Thousand Monoliths, later refurbished by Chitose into something resembling a dojo and given the name \"Amekiku.\"\nChitose usually offers conveniences here to passing Trekkers, including but not limited to weather forecasts and tea service.\n—From the words of Trekkers passing through",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14406.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14406.2": "Treasure bag\n\nBesides the three katanas she carries, Chitose's pack holds many other things, bundled together like a treasure bag. When opened, it can even serve as a quilt.\nIt holds: a set of blade maintenance tools, Chitose's daily necessities, a change of clothes, a cloth bag for rice balls, and more.\n\n\"Even in the Wilds, one must not act with abandon; propriety, cleanliness, and restraint must never be neglected.\" —\"Family Rites\", Volume VI (excerpt)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14407.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14407.2": "Blade Maintenance\n\nFirst, remove the hilt and separate the blade;\nThen wipe the blade with a clean cloth to remove old oil and dust;\nNext, use a cloth dipped in blade oil to coat the blade evenly, preventing rust;\nFinally, return the blade to its scabbard, taking care never to leave it in a damp place.\nThis is a task that must be done every day.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14408.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14408.2": "Next time, let's grab a drink together! A new Monolith bubble tea shop just opened in the City of a Thousand Monoliths, and their specialty is really good!\n—Cosette\n\nSo that noble gave up on his plan? Or did the kid manage to escape on her own strength... Interesting. If I get the chance to meet her in the future, I'd like to have a talk with her.\n—██",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14409.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14409.2": "Absolutely accurate!<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\n\nThis is the first time I've met such a powerful Trekker! She can cut down most Stellaroids and monsters without relying on magic!\nThat being said, I always find it a bit difficult to communicate with her... I just hope she doesn't get taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14410.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14410.2": "Shuriken Charm\n\nA charm marked with a shuriken pattern, which Chitose has always worn at her waist as a family heirloom.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14411.1": "The Demon-Slaying Blade",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14411.2": "It is said that in the distant past, a terrifying \"Oni\" once ruled over Windhowl Island.\nIt could peer into human hearts, control their will, and force the people of Matsukawa City to climb the Monolith and offer up their memories as sacrifice.\nTime and again, the islanders chose brave warriors to slay the Oni, but because it could sense all hostility, every challenger was killed before they could act.\nAt last, a swordswoman named Matsuko proposed a plan called \"the human blade\": to temper someone into a being without love, without hate, without heart—thus becoming a pure \"blade\" that the Oni could not perceive.\nThis heartless Blade, stripped of all emotion and distraction, possessed only the will to cut; its speed was nearly divine.\nYet, though the Blade was sharp, it could not choose its target on its own. It needed a \"Wielder\" to guide where the edge would fall.\nOnly when the Blade and its Wielder became of one mind, reaching the state of \"Jinken Hitotsu,\" could the Blade sense the Wielder's intent and act without command.\nIn the end, only a single pair ever achieved this Oneness—and they succeeded in destroying the Oni.\nFrom then on, the tradition of \"human blade\" endured in that land, and families tied to it flourished for a time.\nBut never again did anyone reach that supreme state of Oneness, and so those families declined, leaving only whispers of the tale carried on the wind.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14412.1": "Listening to the Rain",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14412.2": "\"Wow, it's really coming down!\"\n\"There's a pavilion over there! Let's get out of all this rain for a bit!\"\n\nOn Nova, during Tonitrua Month, the weather could turn in an instant. Clear skies in the morning, but by noon the clouds rolled in, and before long a torrential downpour left Trekkers drenched from head to toe.\n\n\"Sorry... Hope we're not intruding...\"\nTwo Trekkers darted into the pavilion, and there they found a young girl quietly polishing her blade.\n\"Not at all. This pavilion was built as a shelter for Trekkers from both wind and rain.\"\nShe rose, poured two cups of hot tea from a small kettle, and offered them to the visitors.\n\n\"Thank you so much!\"\nThe Trekkers accepted gratefully, thanking her again and again.\nShe only gave a small nod before settling back into the corner, wiping her blade once more.\n\n\"Master, do you think we can still make it to Philae on time?\"\n\"If the rain stops before sundown, we should.\"\n\"So ... We'll have to travel by night?\"\n\"Yes. If this letter isn't delivered on time, the pay will be halved.\"\nThe older Trekker frowned at the sheets of rain outside, silently praying for it to ease.\n\nNot long after, the storm seemed to let up, and the misty mountains came back into view.\n\"Come on, let's go!\"\nThe older Trekker urged, quickly packing up.\n\n\"The rain hasn't truly stopped. It'll likely go on for another two or three days.\"\nThe girl set her blade down and looked at them.\n\"How can you tell?\"\n\"If that's true, then we need to leave right now!\"\nBut the moment one of them stepped outside, the rain came crashing down again. Raindrops as big as beans pelted the flagstones, splashing up bursts of spray.\nThe Trekkers froze, looking back at the girl.\n\n\"Even so, I would not recommend traveling in this weather.\"\n\"Why not?\"\n\"To reach Philae you must cross the mountains. In rain like this, the roads grow muddy and the slopes become treacherous. There will be dangers unseen.\"\nThe Trekkers studied her—At her side there was no rain gear, as if in this fickle season she had no fear at all of being suddenly soaked by the rain.\n\n\"There will be strong winds tonight. If you turn back now and explain things to your client, they might be understanding.\"\nHer gaze stayed fixed on the distant peaks, calm and certain.\n\n\"We shall go back.\"\n\"Master? Back to where?\"\n\"Back to where we come from.\"\nRumor has it that on the outskirts of the City of a Thousand Monoliths, there stands an inn called Amekiku.\nIf the girl inside says rain is coming, the skies will open without fail. If she says the winds will rise, then the mountains will surely howl.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14413.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Her Majesty the Blade",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14413.2": "\"Remember, the highest form of swordsmanship is a mind as still as water, occupied by nothing but the cut.\"\n\"Understood, Master.\"\n\"Then... Again.\"\nWith that, the girl slowly slid her blade back into its scabbard and closed her eyes. For an instant, time itself seemed to stand still.\n\"Ha!—\"\nNo one could say exactly when the sword had left its scabbard. A flash of white light tore through the air, leaving a cross-shaped afterimage ahead.\nTo the onlookers, it looked as if she had swung only once, but in truth she had delivered two strikes.\nWithout the aid of magic, to unleash such speed with nothing but flesh and bone was already the very limit of human capability.\nAnd yet—\n\"Not enough! Still not fast enough!\"\n\"Master...\"\n\"That's enough for today.\"\nThe girl quietly picked up the odachi beside her. She traced her fingertips along its edge before she wiped it clean and carefully set it back on the rack.\n\"Are we really going to keep up this charade, my lord?\"\nA faint voice drifted from a small room beside the dojo.\n\"It has been years, and she still can't perform that legendary strike! Was the legend nothing but a lie?\"\n\"Then...?\"\n\"Starting tomorrow, remove all the servants from this hall.\"\n\"Even her 'parents'?\"\n\"I am her 'Master', and I shall no longer be here. Do you really think there's any need to keep the 'parents?'\"\n\"As you command.\"\nFrom that day on, the girl kept watch over the ever-emptier dojo alone. Her \"parents\" and \"master\" never show up again. Her world became nothing but the daily rhythm of sword practice and study.\nYears passed. The roof of the hall began to leak; the wooden floors slowly rotted away.\nUntil one dawn, when the dew was still fresh, she caught her reflection on the cold steel as she wiped her blade—the silence of her \"parents\" and \"master\" had not been punishment for her lack of improvements. Instead, they had already become the \"blade\" in her hands.\nAt last, in the morning fog, the girl shouldered her pack and walked away, disappearing into the distance. She was setting out to find the one person spoken of in legend, the \"Wielder\" who could make her truly become the Blade.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14501.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14501.2": "Name: Otoha\nBirthday: January 14th\nAffiliation: Unknown\nSkills: Ninjutsu, Acting, Reconnaissance\nAddress: Unknown\nExperience: Unknown\nWeapon: Umbrielle\nRates: Accepts only commissions that catch her fancy.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14502.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14502.2": "\"Trekker\" is just one of the many masks I wear.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14503.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14503.2": "Windhowl Island Service Record\n\nBorn in the old Matsukawa sect on Windhowl Island during Goodwind Year ██, Otoha trained under ███ (now deceased).\nThroughout her apprenticeship, she was a model of discipline who never stepped out of line.\nShe earned her Mid-level Ninja rank in Goodwind Year 1150 after passing the official qualification trials.\n—Goodwind Homecare Archives",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14504.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14504.2": "Nova Service Record\n\nOtoha moved to the Nova Continent in Goodwind Year 1153, reporting to the Flavio branch.\nHer standout performance in Operation ███ led to a High-level Ninja promotion and a transfer to the Philae HQ in 1156.\nBy 1159, she was leading Operation ███. Her success there secured her elevation to the ██ rank.\nShe was declared missing in action during Operation ███ in 1161.\n—Goodwind Homecare Archives",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14505.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14505.2": "Discrepancies in Otoha's Disappearance\n\nInvestigation shows that on the night of the incident, Otoha engaged in a violent struggle with Target 003. Upon escaping, the target triggered a concealed explosive that leveled the building.\nThree sets of remains were found. Two belonged to the target's guards, but the third was unidentifiable—save for scraps of Otoha's clothing fused to the skin.\n — Operation ███ Investigation Report\n\nOtoha must have planned all this. She's smarter than that.\n— ███, Leader of Goodwind Homecare",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14506.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14506.2": "Goodwind Homecare: Priority One Apprehension Notice\n\nOn April 21, Goodwind Year 1161, ██ Otoha deserted her post during Operation ███. Evidence strongly suggested she defected to sabotage the organization. All personnel are ordered to report any leads regarding her whereabouts immediately. Anyone found aiding or harboring her will face summary punishment.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14507.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14507.2": "Sighting Reports\n\nCase 1: A witness reported seeing a guild member near the Philae outskirts who looked identical to Otoha. However, follow-up inquiries with the guild leader failed to locate the individual.\nCase 2: During a mission at the Flavio film studios, an operative identified Otoha acting as a lead actress. Although the Flavio branch mobilized instantly, the suspect vanished before they could make an arrest.\nCase 3: One member claimed to see Otoha's reflection in a Monolith boutique window, though this report was dismissed as unreliable.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14508.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14508.2": "Once my Master, always my Master.\n—Nanoha\n\nMy most generous client... Or should I say, patient.\nI'd give anything to dissect the secrets hidden behind that face.\n—Coronis",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14509.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14509.2": "Status: Unverified. <sprite name=\"acrchives_falsified_richtext\">\nGiven Otoha's history as a high-ranking Goodwind operative, we cannot rule out the possibility that her entire file was fabricated as a deep-cover ruse.\nThe rumors about her were wild, to say the least. Part of me wanted to meet her in person, but trouble followed her like a shadow. Best to keep my distance.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14510.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14510.2": "Audio Transcript\n\n\"Master would never turn on us. She's the one who taught me what it truly means to be a Goodwind ninja.\"\n\"I'll cooperate and tell you everything I know, but don't expect me to believe these baseless lies.\"\n\"I wanted her to be alive more than anyone... But I haven't heard a word from her since that day.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14511.1": "The Red Coastline (Part One)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14511.2": "Otoha had long forgotten exactly when she first left Windhowl Island for the mainland.\nHer memories were hazy: the leader barking orders, hastily packing her bags, and trudging through the mud to board the ship. She remembered squeezing into the sweltering, packed lower deck before finally crossing the ocean to the other land.\nThe sun was shining brightly when she finally stepped ashore. She didn't cast a lingering gaze back at her homeland, like some ninjas romanticized in their journals. Instead, she just let the crowd jostle her forward, pulling her bamboo hat low to avoid drawing the guards' attention.\n\"There was no room for sentimentality in a situation like that,\" Otoha remarked. \"I just wanted to survive.\"\nShe was undoubtedly lucky. Before the very next ship could even dock, a massive riot broke out on board. Rumors blamed it on an uneven split of loot or sudden betrayals, but either way, they all died right at the gates of the new world. The raging sea swallowed both their greed and their gold. That day, the sand frothed with dark red bubbles beneath everyone's feet—though it only took a few tides to wash the beach completely clean.\n\nDuring those early days, Otoha drifted between cheap inns with her comrades. What remained of their organization was like a ship with a snapped mast; no one knew if it would ever sail again. As an ordinary mid-level ninja, she had no access to the higher-ups, let alone any clue about their grand schemes.\n\"Who are we taking revenge on? When will we ever get to go home?\"\nHer fellow travelers dwindled. Many found steady jobs or started families with locals. Perhaps that was the real point of crossing the ocean. For the first time, Otoha realized that even the most ironclad rules could crumble. The organization was so starved for cash that anyone wanting out could simply buy their freedom with a few large Dorra bills.\nFaced with reality, all that talk of dignity, honor, and secrecy felt incredibly hollow.\n\nShe went through the most surreal period of her life: no missions, no danger. She often wandered aimlessly around this unfamiliar land. Once, she even spotted in a crowd the noble responsible for the ninjas' exile. He was wearing a sharply tailored suit, his face beaming as he followed a man in a black bird-head cloak into a carriage. He was living the good life.\nShe replayed that moment in her head countless times afterward, mapping out dozens of ways she could have assassinated him right then and there.\nBut she hadn't been given the order, so she couldn't act.\nThat night, she walked down to the beach, slid a dagger from her sleeve, and stared at it in the moonlight for a long time.\nThen, with a forceful swing, she hurled the blade into the sea—dropping an anchor to steady her life in a crumbling world.\n\nYears later, on certain nights, she still thought about that discarded blade. Maybe it had long since sunk to the ocean floor, or maybe a storm had washed it ashore, straight into the hands of some drifter trying their luck by the sea.\nHer own fate remained inextricably tied to that dagger, rising and falling with the tides.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14512.1": "The Red Coastline (Part Two)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14512.2": "The first interview began on a drizzly autumn evening. As Otoha stopped in front of the café, a quick-handed server took her umbrella and held the door open. Across the scattering of customers, Otoha immediately spotted a slim figure. As if sensing her gaze, the figure suddenly turned, offering a smile—both surprised and restrained.\n\nThe rain whispered against the windows. The young girl leaned over the table, scribbling notes at a frantic pace, desperate not to miss a single detail, so excited that even her pen trembled slightly. Otoha waited silently. The dusk deepened, guests exchanged pleasantries as they left, and the café fell into a hush. A server stepped forward and lit a candle at their table.\nShe stared into the flame for a moment, then shyly asked:\n\"Excuse me... Do you... Do you happen to remember me?\"\nThe young girl set down her pen, glancing up with curiosity at what seemed like an attempt to strike up a conversation.\n\"Hm?\" Otoha tilted her head slightly. The server hesitated, realizing that the poised, elegant woman before her was nothing like the quiet junior she had once known.\n\"Sorry, my mistake. I thought you looked familiar at first, but upon a closer look... I must have been wrong.\"\nOtoha smiled politely and gave a small nod, letting the awkward moment pass without a ripple.\n\nThe interview stretched on until closing time. The girl, thoroughly satisfied, snapped her notebook shut. That day's material would be enough to fuel several exciting novels. She thanked Otoha again:\n\"I can't believe you agreed to meet me. You're such a senior figure in the organization, and I'm just a nobody who never even liked training and only ever wanted to hide inside my room and write my stories.\"\n\"Ever since I learned about your story, I've always wanted to meet you. You are a bona fide legend...\"\nOtoha smiled and accepted the praise. She had merely carved out the tip of the iceberg from her past, added a little polish, and the girl accepted it as the full truth. And she remembered why she had agreed to the interview in the first place: the girl reminded her of her young apprentice—thin, stubborn, with the same wild and marvelous ideas swirling in her head.\n\nAfter they said goodbye to each other, Otoha tightened her collar against the chill and walked toward the sea under the moonlight. She had once known this city like the back of her hand, yet now she found herself lost among the new buildings. It was like the server at the café—years ago, they had slept under the same low roof, but now they passed each other like strangers.\nHer appearance had changed. Maybe someday, she thought, she wouldn't even recognize herself.\n\nThe last interview takes place the following spring. Otoha has received the organization's orders and is about to leave for her next assignment. As the interview ends, the girl gives her a deep bow. It's the highest gesture of respect among Goodwind ninjas.\n\"I'll turn your story into a biography. I am no great writer, but I want to record everything down.\"\n\"You're the most amazing ninja I've ever met. Even in the harshest conditions, you never gave up. You climbed all the way to where you are now...\"\nOtoha suddenly feels it wouldn't hurt to speak a little more honestly:\n\"I've read a few autobiographies before. People always cover up their flaws and mistakes, painting themselves as innocent victims of the world.\"\n\"Do you think I'm that kind of person?\"\nThe girl stands frozen, turning Otoha's words over in her mind. Otoha gives her a small wave. It's time to go.\n\nShe turns away. The grass is fresh and green, the birdsong fading away, and the cherry blossoms have already fallen.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14513.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Hidden Moon",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14513.2": "\"Heard the rumors? Some Trekker's been scouring the city for a weaponsmith.\"\n\"Yeah, I heard. Word is that her weapon specs are twenty pages long. One look and the smiths run for the hills. Then again, the payout she's offering is supposed to be just as insane.\"\n\"Makes you wonder what she's trying to build... I'm actually kind of curious.\"\n\nOtoha stood at the fork in the road. She pulled out a scrawled map, double-checked her route, and headed down the narrow path to the right.\nThis was the seventh artisan she'd visited this month. Until now, every smith had politely turned her down the moment she handed over her weapon designs—even with her offering several times the going rate.\nShe wondered how long this one would even bother listening to her.\nSwallowing her doubts, Otoha knocked on the door of the secluded cabin.\n\nTo her surprise, the elderly smith didn't flinch. When he took her twenty-three-page stack of weapon specs, his face actually lit up.\n\"I've been expecting you,\" the old man said, poring over the pages. \"When I heard someone was waving around a ridiculous list of demands looking for a smith, I had to know who it was and what they were trying to make.\"\nOtoha smiled to herself. At least she wasn't shown the door immediately this time.\n\"Then you've probably also heard that money is no object. I only care about one thing: is it actually possible to build this?\"\n\"It looks complicated, but at the end of the day, you just want a gun. Am I right?\"\n\"I don't care about its final shape. If you think it needs to be a gun, then it's a gun.\"\n\"I see. Fair enough.\"\nThe old man chuckled and handed the papers back. Otoha's heart sank. She thought this was another rejection, but then he walked over to his desk.\n\"These notes of yours are all over the place. Grab a seat. Let's figure out what this thing is actually going to look like.\"\n\n...\nOne evening, two months later, Otoha formally thanked the smith and said her goodbyes. The old man just stared at the long parasol in her hands and sighed.\n\"We forge a barrel that beautiful, only for you to hide the whole thing under a parasol canopy.\"\nOtoha had long since figured out the old man's quirks. \"It needs to be hidden precisely because it's so beautiful.\"\n\"Hmph, you always have an answer for everything.\" The old man waved her off. \"I just hope this weapon helps you accomplish whatever you've set out to do.\"\n\"It will. I promise you.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14701.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14701.2": "Name: Caramel\nBirthday: November 11th\nAffiliation: Freelance Trekker\nSkills: Playing Bass\nLocation: Somewhere near Flavio, maybe\nExperience: 2 years\nWeapon: A bass guitar named \"Midas\"\nRate: Snacks are an acceptable form of compensation!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14702.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14702.2": "At the spot closest to the top of the Monolith, one can probably hear the \"voice of the Monolith\" more clearly.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14703.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14703.2": "A message to all listeners:\n\nThank you so much for the love and support; but just to be clear, I can perform solo, no problem.\nAlso: If you're booking me for a gig, feel free to bring some snacks. Thanks!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14704.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14704.2": "Artistic Studies\n\n\"Watching performances is the best way for a musician to learn.\"\nBesides listening to vocal and instrumental shows all over Flavio,\ntuning in to the rhythm of nature—on grassy fields, by the seaside, or in the mountains—can be just as inspiring.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14705.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14705.2": "A verse of lyrics\n\nNo more wandering...through forests and seas/\nNo more doubting...sing loud, sing free\nDreaming, hopes, soul, and song/\nAt the summit, the stars are shining.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14706.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14706.2": "Underground Hollow\n\nOn the western edge of the forest outside Flavio City, deep and rhythmic vibrations often rise through the ground at night. Locals say there's a demon down there who loves to strum steel bars, and most people avoid the area.\n\"Here we are—this is one of my secret hideouts.\"\n\"The hollow gathers up my basslines and sends them right back to me. It's a great listener, you know.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14707.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14707.2": "Questions for the Divine Messengers\n\nCaramel always carries a few hand-drawn badges in her backpack. They are painted from memory with the resemblance of the Divine Messengers.\nDuring her chance encounter with the two Divine Messengers inside the Monolith—beings said to reflect people's deepest wishes—Caramel, sensed their uniqueness: If the staff of the Monolith represent its will... Then getting close to them might be the key to uncovering Monolith's secrets, right?\nUnfortunately, when faced with tough questions like \"What does this melody mean?\" or \"Can you sing?\" even the Divine Messengers seem at a loss for words.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14708.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14708.2": "Hmm-hmm! Quite the pro musician—she could play my theme song after hearing it just once. Not the loudest sound, but surprisingly powerful—!\n—An excited White Cat mercenary\n\nHer stage outfit looks...a little scary, but also kind of cute.\nI think I just found inspiration for my next outfit design!\n—Donna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14709.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14709.2": "A bit suspicious.<sprite name=\"acrchives_falsified_richtext\">\nInvestigation shows that Caramel is often spotted in remote, out-of-the-way places... She doesn't seem like someone chasing fame in Flavio. It's hard to imagine how she makes a living in this city of entertainment.\nOn the other hand, she's got many loyal fans...\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14710.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14710.2": "Ensemble Recruitment\n\nMusicians wanted! My bass blends perfectly with any kind of instrument! Just please keep your volume in check—thanks for your cooperation!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14711.1": "Strings in the Pot",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14711.2": "\"The person I'm most grateful to? That would have to be Miss Caramel.\"\n\"Back then, a few of us students started a band on a whim. We knew next to nothing. Almost everything we learned about performing came from Caramel.\"\n\"Yeah, Caramel's one of the few...very talkative bassists we've met?\"\n\"Every time she showed up at rehearsal, she'd immediately start sharing her thoughts nonstop, from gear setup to show planning.\"\n\"She talked a lot, but everything she said was useful.\"\n\"We learned so much from her.\"\n\"It was thanks to Caramel that I even realized a bassist could do solos.\"\n\"But I heard she rarely shows off those techniques in her performances anymore.\"\n\"Kinda miss that, honestly.\"\n\"Too bad Caramel always went straight home after shows, and we have no photos with her. Otherwise we could've shown those to you.\"\n\"I think it's because she's frugal. After all, living in Flavio is seriously expensive...\"\n\"I heard she even made her own stage outfit.\"\n\"Or maybe Caramel-sensei's taste is just...really unique.\"\n\"There was this one time we went to visit her, and she happened to be cooking. We thought we could score a free meal, but then we saw her boiling steel wire in a pot...\"\n\"It was horrifying. She was tossing in seasoning while it cooked.\"\n\"We figured there was no way we could chew that stuff, so we made an excuse and left.\"\n\"Thinking back... it was probably bass strings.\"\n\"Aren't strings more expensive than noodles?\"\n\"Oh, I got it then. They weren't for eating. Boiling old strings makes them sound almost like new.\"\n\"I see. We thought it was something out of a horror story.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14712.1": "Midas the Long-Eared",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14712.2": "Back when Caramel was a little girl, her father often told her the story of \"Midas the Long-Eared.\"\n\nThe tale perhaps had its origin in a former patrician of Flavio—a man who controlled more than half the city's wealth and manpower, and to whom no one dared say \"no.\"\nA professional flatterer named Midas spent his days and nights praising the patrician's taste. Naturally, he was handsomely rewarded for it.\nWhen the patrician became interested in music, Midas followed suit, never ceasing his praise. Over time, the patrician came to believe he was the finest musician in all the land.\nAs the legend has it, one day, while inspecting a new woodland on the outskirts of the city, the patrician heard the voice of a mountain spirit calling to him. The spirit appeared in human form and said: \"I've heard you are the most skilled musician. Would you care for a contest?\"\nDrunk on Midas's flattery, the patrician gladly accepted. He spared no expense and hosted a lavish banquet in the woods, inviting all of the city's elite. Before everyone's eyes, he picked up his best instrument - the flute - and began to play. As the melody echoed in the air, Midas danced beside him with glee, shouting to his loudest: \"What magnificent music! What magnificent music! You are the finest musician in the world!\"\nAt that moment, the mountain spirit descended like mist. People say that with a mere gesture, he turned a tree branch into a harp's frame and leaves into strings, then he began to play. The sound was like flowing water, like a bird's song, like a breeze, like the moonlight. All those present were awestruck—even the prideful patrician acknowledge the spirit's supreme skill.\nBut just as the award ceremony was about to end the competition on a note of harmony and goodwill, Midas's voice cut through and ruined the moment. He shouted: \"What's wrong with your ears? What's wrong with your judgement? Are you just scared of the mountain spirit's authority? Was the patrician's music not beautiful?\nThe mountain spirit was annoyed and gave a cold laugh. \"Midas,\" he said, \"do not comment on the things you understand nothing about.\"\nThen he raised his hand and Midas's ears suddenly stretched longer than his two arms!\n\"Maybe now you'll hear things more clearly,\" the spirit mocked and vanished like smoke.\nPoor Midas was left with ears longer than anyone else's. And indeed, he did hear more clearly. From that day on, he never praised the patrician's playing again. Instead, he often pointed out its flaws—and rather than punishing him, the patrician rewarded him even more handsomely.\n\"Thank you, Midas,\" the patrician said. \"Thanks to you, I've learned that there's always someone better, always something greater...and that above all, one must speak the truth—especially when it comes to art.\"\n\n\"Is that why our ears are so long, papa?\"\n\"Oh, no, child. But we should learn from Midas the Long-Eared... Especially now, in Flavio, where one's ability to tell the truth matters more than ever.\"\n\"But... Aren't they telling the truth now?\"\nIt might be a long time before Caramel can get this question answered.trings in the Pot",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14713.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Midas",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14713.2": "Flavio wasn't always the city it is today. It was once a place famous for its craftsmanship and spice.\nAfter a new spice source was discovered in the northern forests, the city-state lord hired many workers to help with spice harvesting and transportation. Caramel's parents were among those who joined the rush. As Flufla, they had sharp senses of smell and hearing.\nMore and more people gathered in Flavio, but each's share of the profit pie kept shrinking. Caramel's parents soon turned their eyes to the Monolith—the rapid growth of the city-state, the booming spice trade, and the rise of Scarlet Sights Media presented a prime opportunity for commerce and entertainment to flourish, and the subsequent demand for Artifacts meant that a wave of \"Trekker fever\" would follow.\nAfter becoming Trekkers, Caramel's parents were able to build a stable home life. Then, on Flavio Day of Nebula Month, Caramel was born. She grew up alongside Flavio's expansion, shaped by the influence of her Trekker parents.\nWhen Caramel secretly followed her parents into the Monolith for the first time, she was instantly drawn in by the Monolith's strange, dreamlike sounds. Drumbeats and deep, piercing rhythms flowed into her keen ears from the empty air overhead, the ground beneath her, and every corner around her.\nOne day, after stumbling across a Stella Drama inside the Monolith, Caramel recognized it at last: the deep, entrancing sound that had fascinated her was coming from the instrument held by the person on the screen—an instrument with four thick strings.\nEven so, at the time, she still didn't know what the instrument was called—it looked a little like a guitar, but the sound was far deeper.\nYears later, standing as an established Trekker before the Wishing Box, she could only dig through her hazy memories of those sounds and images, then putting the wish finally into words:\n\"I want to play the sound of the Monolith.\"\nWhen she left the Monolith that day, Caramel was cradling her beloved instrument in her arms. Looking down at it, she remembered a story her father had told her not long ago. She decided she would become a musician who always \"tell the truth.\"\n\"I'll call you Midas.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14901.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14901.2": "Name: Gerie\nBirthday: March 28th\nAffiliation: Grace Imperium\nSkills: Prayer, inquisition, punishment\nAddress: Silver District, Emor Grand Sanctum of Grace\nExperience: Undisclosed\nWeapon: Mercy\nRates: Undisclosed",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14902.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14902.2": "Trekkers, Seekers, Arbiters...\nI care nothing for titles. I seek only powerful opponents.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14903.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14903.2": "Rules of the Devout\n\nPoverty, chastity, obedience—these are the three evangelical counsels.\nClearly, Gerie has no intention of following any of them, yet she relishes playing her part in the Grand Sanctum. Her true purpose perhaps lies buried deep within her deranged mind.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14904.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14904.2": "Overall Aptitude\n\nShe is the Chief Arbiter of the Dusk Arbiters. As such her overall capabilities, including combat prowess, are presumed to be exceptional, well beyond standard classifications, possibly amongst the strongest in Nova.\nBut if combat ability alone were the key, it would contradict both eyewitness accounts and official statements. Gerie must possess other, far more \"terrifying\" abilities...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14905.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14905.2": "Mental Health Evaluation Report\n\n#Emor Mental Health Center\n##Comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment Results\n##Date: NA\n##Total Individual Factor Score\n\nSomatization Score: 3.4 (Moderate)\nAggression Score: 4.2 (Moderate)\nHallucination Score: 5.5 (Severe)\nParanoia Score: 5.1 (Severe)\nAberration Score: 2.5 (Mild)\n\n##Remarks\nIn previous evaluations, the subject's composite scores were consistently around 2.0, indicating mild symptoms with stable emotion.\nThis time, however, her condition has worsened considerably, showing signs of psychological polarization and auditory hallucinations. Subject claims to hear incomprehensible voices. These may be tied to other triggers. Observation in the Containment Ward is recommended.\n\n#For reference only. Not for diagnostic use.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14906.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14906.2": "Looking for Opponents\n\nSeeking individuals worthy of doing battle with me or those who can provide leads for locating them.\nThose who prove their worth will be generously rewarded.\nThis commission is permanently active with no limit on submissions.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14907.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14907.2": "Magic Energy Concentration Analysis Report\n\n\"Sealed ██-████\"\nFollowing administration of a sedative compound for temporary normalization, the subject presented no observable differences from a typical human. Waveform readings showed standard shadow patterns, stable body temperature, and balanced mental state.\nSeveral hours later, shadows intensified significantly, imaging revealed blurred contours, accelerated heart rate, and her body temperature steadily rose.\nUpon reaching the safety threshold, the subject's total magic energy exceeded that of a typical human by ███ times. It is estimated that during combat, injury, or emotional distress conditions, her magic level may still surge to 1,000, potentially peaking at ████ times the baseline—though this would result in irreversible damage.\nBased on projected peak values, it is recommended that the subject release magic energy or take inhibitors at intervals of every █ hours.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14907.3": "Magic Energy Concentration Analysis Report\n\n\"Sealed 14-4000\"\nFollowing administration of a sedative compound for temporary normalization, the subject presented no observable differences from a typical human. Waveform readings showed standard shadow patterns, stable body temperature, and balanced mental state.\nSeveral hours later, shadows intensified significantly, imaging revealed blurred contours, accelerated heart rate, and her body temperature steadily rose.\nUpon reaching the safety threshold, the subject's total magic energy exceeded that of a typical human by 666 times. It is estimated that during combat, injury, or emotional distress conditions, her magic level may still surge to 1,000, potentially peaking at 1530 times the baseline—though this would result in irreversible damage.\nBased on projected peak values, it is recommended that the subject release magic energy or take inhibitors at intervals of every 7 hours.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14908.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14908.2": "A walking storm. A disaster in human form. A monster that knows not the meaning of enough.\n—A legendary Trekker who survived a duel with Gerie\n\nA girl cursed from birth. She is the victim of original sin, yet is still \"greedy\" enough to keep on living.\n—Chief Justice of the Dusk Arbiters",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14909.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14909.2": "Largely accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\n\nThere is almost nothing false in those statements—or rather, the subject shows no desire to conceal her own nature.\nThough parts were provided and edited by the Dusk Arbiters, it aligns with what everyone who's encountered Gerie has said of her: dangerous but pure.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14910.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14910.2": "Dusk Arbiters Shelter Archive\n\n「Subject Name: Gerie」\n「Record No: 013」\nGerie, female, age 8.\nRoutine observation shows the subject to be timid, withdrawn, highly sensitive, and easily frightened.\nIn periods of magic energy surge, she is prone to experience mental instability that manifest as:\nrestlessness, disordered thoughts, and the onset of aggression. This contrasts sharply with her original personality profile.\nAdditionally, it has been observed that excess magic energy severely compromises several physical functions, including:\ndiminished pain perception, decreased vision and hearing, dulled tactile sense, and near-total loss of taste.\nThis is expected to be a lifelong condition, though its potential impact on the subject's survival remains uncertain.\n\nDevelop a method as soon as possible to help the subject release excess magic energy.\n...\n...\n(Verdict from the Great Luminar: Denied. Do not incur unnecessary development costs. Sufficient to keep the subject alive with drugs and ensure only basic motor function.)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14911.1": "Shattered Reflection",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14911.2": "The children clambered over the fence and rushed toward the playground.\nThe boys were always the most excited, scrambling to claim their favorite rides, while the girls held hands with each other and ran to the quieter corners.\nA frail girl straggled behind them. She ran slower than everyone else. After only a few steps, tiny beads of sweat rolled down her thin cheeks.\n\"Sorry, we ran too fast. Want me to pull you along?\"\n\"It's fine... I-I just need a moment to catch my breath...\"\n\nThe others came back for her, reaching out their hands. She did her best to grip theirs in return.\nShe often remembered how, on that summer day, what she saw above wasn't the silver-colored playground equipment but drifting clouds under a boundless blue sky.\n\n\"This is boring. Let's build sandcastles today.\"\n\"Did you bring water? You can't build them without water.\"\n\"Ah! I—I left in a rush and forgot...\"\n\"It's... It's okay. Maybe we can build the sand castles without water...\"\n\nShe crouched down and carefully scooped a handful of sand into her palms. But it sifted through her fingers, carried off by the wind only to fall back into the pit.\nFrustrated, she tried again, but the same thing happened.\n\n\"See? It won't work without water! Let's go fetch some!\"\n\"Wait, don't go...\"\n\"Leave it to us. You stay here. No point for you to follow us.\"\n\"No... Don't leave me alone...\"\n\nShe watched as they left, and a tangled emotion welled up inside her.\nIt was disgust at her own body, but also jealousy at seeing others walking closely.\nIt wasn't the first time she'd been treated differently, and she knew it wouldn't be the last.\nShe had lost count of how many times she'd had this thought. And when that unease pressed too hard against her heart, something long-repressed finally began to break loose.\nShe felt the restlessness take form, swelling, spreading outward from within her until everything around her fell silent.\n\nThe change struck her in a flash...\nBy the time she came to, the world before her was no longer familiar.\nThe trees that once shaded her were laying toppled across the streets,\nthe playground equipment was bent and twisted, jammed into buildings,\nScreams replaced the birds and cicadas, and her friends were nowhere to be found.\nShe lifted her gaze skyward: it was neither blue nor white, but a hue of red that looked almost black.\nNo laughter echoed in the playground anymore, only an incomprehensible noise of chaos.\nThe summer heat grew unbearable, as if it meant to burn everything to ash...\n\nAt last, she began to understand what was happening. She tried to stand, to run, but her body would not move.\nLooking down, she saw the sandy pit had become a scatter of broken stained glass,\nreflecting a twisted world—and her own face, blurred beyond recognition.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14912.1": "Still being Loved",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14912.2": "Gerie opened her eyes, but everything was still pitch-black. She could hear the hum of several Artifacts running at once,\nthen a streak of white light split through the darkness. Grabbing hold of its edge, Gerie used every ounce of strength to pull herself free.\nAt last, she crawled down the altar.\n\nHer bare feet touched the cold floor. The chill she got was enough to make her happy, because it was proof that the excess magic had been purged. The results would only last a week, but for a few days she could feel what it was like to live as an ordinary person.\nWithout even changing into her novice habit, Gerie sprinted toward the Grand Sanctum in her ritual whites. The choir faltered at her sudden intrusion, but Gerie filled her lungs with all the air she could and shouted in her loudest voice—\"Don't mind me! Please continue!\"\nThen she gasped for breath until she nearly passed out.\nShe savored this sensation. After she was taken in by Grace Imperium, she learned her fate and the price she had to pay—a sliver of her freedom, traded for treatment that would keep her alive. Ever since then, she had but a single thought.\n\"As long as I get to live, this isn't so bad.\"\nShe no longer cursed fate, and she gave up trying to trace its causes. She only wanted to experience, as much as possible, what being alive felt like.\n\n\"How many times have I told you? Don't run around in that outfit!\"\nAn elderly woman hauled her up. She wore a nun's robe, but her authority was no less than a bishop's.\n\"S-sorry... Mother, I was just released today...\"\nThe old nun looked over her frail body and sighed.\n\"Never mind. After you eat, remember to come back and clean the chapel. No freeloading allowed if you want to stay here.\"\n\"Mother, what are we eating today?\"\n\"I made you extra-spicy porridge. You can't taste much else, right?\"\n\"No, please... Last time you cut peppers, you were coughing for so long...\"\n\"You've always been a bother, and now you worry about me? Just eat it.\"\nStubborn as ever, Gerie would not just sit and eat the food quietly. She tried to help fetch the knives, only to cut her hand by accident.\nThe old nun stayed calm. She pulled out alcohol and cloth from her pocket to treat the wound, as though she had done so countless times before.\n\"You heal fast and say you don't feel the pain. So you think you're made of iron?\"\nGerie stayed silent. She didn't want to argue. She only watched the old nun's calloused hands carefully cleaning her wound.\nOnly in moments like this could she feel a proper child.\n\n\"You need to learn some life skills. You can't rely on me forever.\"\n\"But you wouldn't let me handle the knives just now... Ah!\"\n\"That's different. The higher-ups only see you as a tool, but someone has to teach you how to live... Let's start with shelling beans.\"\n\"And after the beans? Washing vegetables, baking bread, and, and...\"\n\"One thing at a time. You'll learn everything I teach you, and then you won't need to depend on me anymore.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14913.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Mercy",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.14913.2": "\"This is what you came up with? Are you mocking me!?\"\nIn one of the Dusk Arbiters' chambers, the blacksmith tore Gerie's submitted weapon design into shreds.\nUnbothered, Gerie calmly pulled out another identical set of blueprints from within her novice habit—\nIt was a weapon that could change its form: Able to pass as an iron shovel, yet with a mechanism that split its hollow interior to transform into a retractable chain blade.\n\"You're so heartless. I spent all night on that~\"\n\"Sigh~ Could it be that you actually enjoy breaking what others treasure?\"\n\nHidden blades, poison daggers, throwing knives... The man had overseen the development of countless weapons, and he knew immediately what he was looking at.\nThe weapon Gerie designed had but one purpose—to wound without killing outright.\n\"The Arbiters require missions carried out with efficiency, not someone like you treating battle as entertainment!\"\n\"But I'm like this. And you know that not only do I always finish my missions, I can also extract valuable intel without executing the enemy.\"\nGerie smiled at him with unabashed confidence as she played with her hair.\n\"I'll admit your methods work sometimes. But most of the time, even with targets who didn't matter, you did not strike them down. Which makes all this just excuses for your twisted tastes!\"\n\"Look at this design. Instead of reinforcing it for lethal efficiency, why waste effort on making it transform?\"\n\"Hehe~ But if the fight ends in one stroke, isn't that boring?\"\n\nThe man could hardly believe that someone with a mind as unsound as hers had risen to the position of Chief Arbiter.\nWorse still, he could imagine what damage it would do to his belief if such a frivolous weapon were actually approved.\n\"Enough! The fact that the Chief Justice favors you doesn't mean you can break all the rules. If not for your last assigned weapon being ruined in the endurance test—\"\n\"... Wait, that rampage wasn't an accident? You did it on purpose, just to get the excuse to design something new...\"\n\"There are some things you really shouldn't dig into~ Who knows? If another 'incident' were to happen here, people might just call it one of my little fits~\"\n\"As the most outstanding and authoritative blacksmith here, is getting a nice toy for an Arbiter really too much to ask of you?\"\n\nGerie pushed the door open and stepped out, her face split with a grin she couldn't hide. The novice nun, who had been waiting outside for some time, hurried over and took the design plans from Gerie's hand.\n\"How did it go? Did they approve it?\"\n\"Of course~ Thanks to you helping me design it, all credit to you, little Tessa.\"\n\"No, no! Being able to assist you is already a great honor!\"\n\"It's just... there's one thing I don't understand. Why go through all this trouble? Is it really just so you could 'enjoy' fighting?\"\n\"... Life is too short. The words we want to say, the things we want to do... Most of the time, we never get the chance.\"\n\"One's will to live is the fiercest when death is staring them in the face. That's why I show my enemies mercy, so they can fight for another breath.\"\n\"I... I don't understand...\"\n\"And besides, watching people claw and struggle to live... It makes me so very happy. Fufu~~ Hahaha~~~\"\nLight on her feet, Gerie skipped down the sunset-lit corridor, not caring at all about the stares around her.\nAs Tessa watched her go, she couldn't help but wonder—was Gerie well and truly delirious, as the rumors claimed?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15001.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15001.2": "Name: Laru\nBirthday: August 20th\nAffiliation: Grace Imperium\nSkills: Fishing, Skipping Work\nPrimary Residence: Deep water near the grove outside Emor City\nTrekker Experience: 3 years\nPreferred Weapon: Silver Gull\nRate: Rate negotiable. Accept unique fishing gear.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15002.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15002.2": "Just another assignment from the higher-ups. \nBut hey, once she's inside the Monolith, no one's keeping tabs on her. She can even fake her hours if she wants.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15003.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15003.2": "Hobbies\n\nSkipping work to go fishing. \nShe's in the habit of baiting the waters heavily, and rarely comes back empty-handed, though there have been exceptions.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15004.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15004.2": "Slacking Technique\n\nKeep a serious expression while staring at your work files, and your boss probably won't bother to check whether you're taking notes, doodling, or quietly playing a game of five-in-a-row with yourself. \nIf they do happen to pop over, just grab your pen and quickly scribble over whatever you were doing. Throw on a frustrated face, and boom, you're now \"deep in thought, wrestling with a tough problem.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15005.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15005.2": "Fries, Fries Everywhere\n\nWhere does Laru keep pulling those fries from?\nRumor has it that the first time she ventured into the Monolith, it gifted her a mysterious dimensional pouch—big as a room on the inside, and anything stored in it stays exactly as it was. So she loaded it up with 37,000 bags of fries. That's why she can always whip out a hot, crispy batch; anytime, anywhere.\nYou're wondering if this story's true? That's for you to guess.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15006.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15006.2": "Tackle Treasury\n\nLaru has an entire room at home dedicated to storing her fishing gear collection, which includes, but is by no means limited to:\nHooks, lines, rods, floats, sinkers, bait;\nkeepnets, landing nets, rod stands, fish finders;\ntrolling rods, reels, steel leaders, oversized lures;\nheavy-duty boat rods, heavy-duty trolling rods...\n\nAs for that last pile of stuff... Laru herself is not exactly sure what all those are. She just got them out of the Monolith.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15007.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15007.2": "The \"Guaranteed-to-Succeed Apology Method at Work Place\"\n\n\"As long as you honestly come clean about everything, you'll be forgiven.\"\n\"No matter how big the mess, do this and no one will hold it against you.\"\n\"You'll definitely get to keep your job, no question.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15008.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15008.2": "How does she even do it? She skips work every day but still finishes everything on time.\n—Nyx\n\nShe's an interesting employee. Clearly has the skills to climb higher but insists on drifting through life as some errand-running \"slacker.\" \n—Angie",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15009.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15009.2": "Mostly accurate. <sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\n\nBut next time you skip work and end up in my office, at least bring me something for tea that isn't fries. \n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15010.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15010.2": "Which sounds better: cake-flavored fries or fry-flavored cake? \n\nThat is the question. \n\"Cake flavor\" is kinda vague. Maybe cream cheese fries?\nAs for fry-flavored cake, I guess it would have to be made with potatoes?\nI really want to try both. Offering 50,000 Dorra for the commission. If any cake artists or fry specialists can make it happen, please contact me!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15011.1": "All-Fish Feast",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15011.2": "Laru is always going on about her so-called \"All-Fish Feast\" when she's out fishing.\n\n\"Just wait, tonight's dinner is gonna be an all-fish feast~\"\n\"I could feel it when I cast the line—today's definitely an all-fish feast day.\"\n\"You have no idea. I've been so lucky lately, I'm almost sick of all-fish feasts.\"\n\nSo, what exactly is in an all-fish feast? Sashimi? Steamed, braised, sweet-and-sour fish fillets? Fish balls? Fish head tofu soup?\nLaru just grins at the guesses and says nothing.\n\nToday's another big haul. She struts down the street with an eight-pound fish, bragging to anyone who'll listen, including the horse standing by the road and the dog dozing at the shop door.\nShe hums all the way home. \"Another all-fish feast coming right up.\"\nWhen she gets home, she builds a fire in her backyard with practiced ease. The knife dances in her hands—guts out, scales off, the fish split open and set on a rack like a flying carpet spread wide above the flames.\nShe sprinkles sea salt over the sizzling, golden skin.\n\nBut tonight, no one's around to share the haul. The smell of grilled fish drifts into the night air, luring a stray cat to perch on the wall, drooling.\nLaru generously tears off a chunk of tail and offers it to the kitten.\n\"An all-fish feast just means a feast made entirely of fish, isn't it?\"\n\nShe sits down to enjoy her hard-earned dinner, only to see the cat sniff the fish, paw at it twice, and then walk away.\n\"Huh?! What's gotten into you, you little furball?! Wasting food is a crime!\"\nBut the cat doesn't look back. Clearly, it's decided there's nothing edible here.\n\"Rude... You don't know good food when it's shoved right in front of you. This is Laru's personally caught, personally cooked grilled fish! Fine, more for me... mm—mmph?! Ptui!\"\n\nLaru spits it out, her eyes suddenly widening. She grabs her chopsticks and pokes at the fish's head.\n\"I can't believe I forgot to check... This is a Stinkyfish? You can't eat this!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15012.1": "The Art of Underachieving",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15012.2": "\"If you can already score a 90, why not push a little harder and aim for a perfect score next time?\"\nYoung Laru looked up at her parents' expectant eyes and, for the first time, began to doubt her own excellence.\nShe had the highest score in the entire class. She beat everyone. Her teachers praised her, her parents were proud of her, and everyone around her said she was amazing.\nBut before she even had a chance to feel proud, everyone said the same thing.\n—You'll definitely do even better next time, right?\n—You're so smart, you'll grow up to be someone really impressive, right?\n—These mistakes were just from carelessness. If you focus a bit more, a perfect score is totally within reach, right?\n...\n...\n\nBut I already got first place! Shouldn't you be proud of me?\nShe envied the neighbor girl, who barely scraped by with passing grades but whose parents praised her without hesitation, as if just passing was already something to celebrate.\nWhy?\nLittle Laru didn't understand. She just felt wronged.\n\nLater, as she got older, Laru began to understand.\nShe was too good.\nHer achievements weren't just her own. Her parents, her teachers, everyone around her—they all had a stake in them.\nAnd so, every \"next time\" came with expectation—an endless string of \"next times\" to keep the spotlight burning.\nBut that was exhausting, wasn't it?\nTwelve-year-old Laru leaned against the windowsill. She watched the neighbor girl—her same age—skip out the door, clearly headed off for a picnic with friends.\n\"Must be nice. Just barely pass and never have to deal with anyone's expectations...\"\nThen it hit her. Laru found the perfect solution.\nWhat if she always just barely passed...?\nIf she stayed average, kept her head down, wasn't too good—maybe she could be carefree like that girl too.\nAnd so, at age twelve, Laru discovered her life philosophy.\n\n\"Hello—Ma'am, yes, it's me, Laru. Oh, you said I left early? Actually...I had to meet with a very important client tonight.\n\"Yes, a very important one. They insisted, so I had no choice but to attend... Y-yes, it's all wrapped up now, I'm heading back to the office.\"\nLaru hangs up. The angler next to her shakes their head.\n\"Looks like your slacking time's up.\"\n\"Well, I caught plenty today. Here, take the bucket~\"\nLaru stretches and cheerfully hands over all the fish she caught, then begins packing up.\nThe evening breeze is crisp. She does the math in her head as she walks back.\nAn hour and a half left till the end of the workday. The trip back takes twenty minutes. Today's tasks will take about forty. That still leaves a good thirty minutes to slack off.\n\"Another day, perfectly optimized for slacking~♪\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15013.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Silver Gull",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15013.2": "Grace Imperium is giving all official personnel a full round of weapon maintenance, using better materials and more advanced techniques to significantly boost both performance and lethality.\n\"I bet some bored idiot sweet-talked the Senate into approving the budget, then quietly skimmed a little off the top.\"\nLaru sits on Willow's desk, mechanically munching on fries while glumly staring at her weapon—a lance that used to feel just right in her hands. After this so-called \"maintenance,\" sure, the power's gone up, but thanks to whatever mystery material they forged in, the whole thing is now ridiculously heavy.\n\"There's no way I can use this to fish anymore!!\"\n\"Was the lance ever supposed to be used for fishing in the first place?\"\nWillow doesn't even look up from her paperwork. Laru is a friend who keeps turning up in her office to slack off.\n\"You don't get it...\"\nLaru lets out another sigh.\nAs in every corporation, Grace Imperium has countless pointless rules—one of them being that assigned weapons are considered part of a person's identity. Even if you hate yours, you still have to carry it around.\nWhen Laru first joined Grace Imperium, she immediately picked this lance from the limited options available. It was the perfect size, weight and balance—easy to carry, and if you just tied on some fishing line and a hook, bam: instant fishing rod.\nIt was practically made for her.\nBut now, the lance is way too heavy for fishing. And with how long it is, even carrying it feels like a chore.\nAfter Laru's third dramatic sigh, Willow finally glances up from her work.\n\"Grace Imperium doesn't forbid personal weapon modifications, does it?\"\nThat snaps Laru out of her funk.\n\"You mean...\"\nWillow pulls a blank sheet of paper from her desk, scribbles down a name, and hands it over.\n\"The Trekker Association recently pulled some really strong, lightweight materials from the Monolith. Go ask Horizon if there's any left. If there is, take it to this person at the Starlight Research Institute. She can help you mod it—though you'll have to pay for it yourself.\"\n\"Oooh! You're still the queen of contacts and inside info! I'll bring you fries next time~\"\nLaru takes the note, thanks Willow, and leaves the same way she came—vaulting through the window in a blaze of energy.\n\nHalf a month later, Laru sends someone to deliver Willow a grilled fish and three bags of fries, along with a thank-you note:\n\"My very first catch since I got Silver Gull re-modded~ Enjoy~\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15501.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15501.2": "Name: Shia\nBirthday: August 26th\nAffiliation: Freelance Trekker\nSkills: Fishing, sailing, sea rescue, swimsuit quality inspection\nAddress: 78 Dawn Street, Sailstead\nExperience: Three years\nWeapons: Snow Rabbit & Night Rabbit\nRates: Negotiable / Accept fishing catch",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15502.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15502.2": "My grandma was a kick-ass seafaring Trekker, and I'm gonna be every bit as great as she was!",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15503.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15503.2": "Daughter of the Sea\n\nWhether it's surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, snorkeling or fishing, Shia excels at it all, as if she was born to be a daughter of the sea.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15504.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15504.2": "\"Super Lightweight\"\n\nOnce, after mistakenly taking a delivery from Post Haste, she thought Donna's ale tonic was a new drink Karin had bought. Two sips and she was out like a light for a whole day.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15505.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15505.2": "Making a Living\n\nThere aren't many commissions available for seafaring Trekkers. To make ends meet, she works at the salt fields of Sailstead whenever there's no commission work.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15506.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15506.2": "\"Sun Blocker\"\n\nDespite spending so much time at sea and along the shore, she never tans. Her secret? A special ointment she had wished from the Monolith. Before that, she relied on a homemade \"mud salve,\" a recipe passed down from her grandmother.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15507.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15507.2": "Seafood Mastery\n\nShe's picked up all kinds of unique tricks when it comes to cooking seafood, especially the art of turning one fish into several different dishes. On long voyages, that means she never gets tired of eating the same catch, so she never goes hungry.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15508.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15508.2": "Shia can surf, catch fish, steer an entire ship through a storm, and cook up the most delicious seafood feast in the world. There's nobody better than her on the sea!\nWhat? You're saying my evaluation is \"too biased?\" I'm being totally objective here! \n—Karin \n\nI don't know her that well, but I've heard she can even turn the normally inedible Stinkyfish into a meal. If I ever get the chance, I'd love to learn a thing or two from her.\n—Laru",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15509.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15509.2": "Basically accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nShe wins the surfing competition every year and is quite well-known in Sailstead.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15510.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15510.2": "Handmade Fishing Nets for Sale\n\nWoven entirely by hand, sturdy and durable, decorated with Sailstead's lucky seashells so every voyage ends with plentiful catch~",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15511.1": "The Hug, Part I",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15511.2": "\"Shia, aren't you going home?\"\n\"Not yet, I'll stay a little longer. You guys go on ahead~\"\n\nAfter her friends left for dinner, the moon rose high, and Shia still lingered by the shore, savoring the empty beach. \nShe filled a bucket with tiny crabs, built a sandcastle, and lined up every seashell she had found... Yet even after all this, she still didn't want to go home. \nShe knew it was late, but what was the point of going home? The house was small, but it was always so empty. All week her grandmother had been leaving at dawn and returning late. Right after preparing Shia's meals for the day, she would rush out the door. \nEveryone said her grandmother was the greatest seafaring Trekker in town, but Shia sometimes could find little comfort in that. All the other kids had family doting on them; she only had the sea for a companion. \n\"Anyway, even if I go home late, Grandma won't notice. No matter how late I am, she won't get in until even later.\"\nA defiant Shia decided she wouldn't return until her grandmother came to find her by the shore. She was both eager and uneasy, excited but afraid—would Grandma scold her? Would she be grounded for days? Whatever it was, it had to be better than the silence. \n\nThe night wind stung her eyelids and drowsiness washed over her like the tide. She wandered for a while, then plopped down beneath a giant coconut tree. \nWhen she woke again, dawn was breaking. She rubbed her eyes—she had slept there all night. \nBut Grandma hadn't come home? Before she could get properly angry, she detected the delicious smell of grilled fish. Not far away, someone had set up a small fire and grill; following the scent, Shia saw that familiar figure. \n\"You're up? Go back and wash up. We'll be having breakfast here, by the sea.\"\nShia ate with a knot in her chest. Grandma never asked why she had stayed out, and Shia had no idea when she had found her.\nBut in the week that followed, Grandma didn't set out to sea again. She stayed home every day and did handcraft. \nShia's wish had come true, but it left her rattled.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15512.1": "The Hug, Part II",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15512.2": "\"If you ask me, your grandma's definitely mad. She's waiting for you to apologize first.\"\n\"Yeah, if it were my mom, I'd have been licked already. Your grandma is so nice and patient.\"\n\"She's not patient—she just...\" Shia's voice caught, irritation rising. \"She barely talks to me anyway. I think she just can't be bothered with me, that's why she said nothing.\"\nShe would rather be yelled at, even punished. At least that would mean her grandma cared. Instead, her grandma treated her the same as always and even bought her a new surfboard.\nMore than once, Shia stared at her grandmother's back, wanting to ask what was she really thinking. But it felt like some stubborn contest, and whoever spoke first would lose.\n\n\"But my mom said that your grandma was fixing ships last week. There were some stuff only she could do.\"\n\"You mean the ships that are sailing tomorrow? Our inn's packed with out-of-town Trekkers.\"\n\"My sister's going, too. I don't want her to leave... We're all going to see her off.\"\n\"Take me with you...\"\nSo it was because of the ship repairs? Shia's resentment suddenly evaporated. Come think of it, around this time of the year, the harbor was always at its busiest, of course Grandma would be overwhelmed with work.\nShe regretted it. She shouldn't have picked a fight. But now, what could she do?\n\nThe next morning, Grandma left at dawn again. She was leading the send-off prayers before the ships set sail—the biggest event of the year in town.\nShia followed her in secret. The docks were packed, ships lined in rows, sailors holding their families tight, tears glittering as they said goodbye. Shia's chest tightened.\nShe suddenly realized she had never once really hugged her grandmother. If she couldn't say it out loud, then she would show it. \n\nWhen Grandma finally returned home that night, Shia heard the door creak open. She bolted forward and threw her arms around her grandmother. \n\"I'm sorry, Grandma... I shouldn't have sulked.\"\nShe spilled everything in one breath. And just as she braced for silence, a drop fell onto her hand. \nShe recognized the smell—it was the scent of tears. \n\"Grandma...\"\nThe reply came in an embrace, fierce and wordless, stronger than anything words could hold.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15513.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Rabbits Companion",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15513.2": "People always assume their daily life will go on forever, like the tides that return each day or the sea breeze that never goes away.\nA week after her grandmother passed, Shia found herself restless and nothing could fill the emptiness inside her. She accepted a commission to salvage a long-sunken boat.\nThe client rattled on about the details, but Shia wasn't paying much attention. She just wanted something to do. Diving, sailing, keeping herself busy... Maybe that would wash away the loneliness that clung to her.\n\nAt least the ocean still felt familiar to her. In the dim light beneath the waves, she groped around and searched.\nThe Artifacts granted by wishing at the Monolith came in all shapes and forms, and Shia couldn't even be sure which ones were actually Artifacts, and which were just garbage. She simply kept hauling up whatever she could find, piling it onto her boat until it was filled to the brim. When she returned to port, the client showered her with praises and handed over a generous payment.\nTo cap it all off, she was told that she could keep one Artifact from the dripping wet heap. Shia looked them over and picked a smooth white metal ball.\n\nWould seawater ruin an Artifact?\nShe wasn't sure. She brought it to the Trekker Association headquarters and handed it to Nuz, a tiny girl known for tinkering with strange Artifacts. Nuz's eyes lit up—she'd never seen anything like it—and vanished into her workshop. When Shia finally saw her again, a week had passed. \nThe ball had been polished clean. The moment Shia placed her hand on it, the ball unfolded, like a small rabbit stretching its limbs, floating in the air beside her. Then it began to vibrate.\n\"Eh? Don't tell me I fixed it wrong—\"\nNuz was cut off when something crashed through the glass window. A black rabbit-shaped Artifact shot across the room and landed at Shia's side.\n\"This Artifact... It comes as a pair?\" Shia murmured, staring at the two rabbits. \"This is perfect. This way, they won't get lonely.\"\n\"... Hmm?\"\n\"How much do you charge for repairing this Artifact? I'll also pay for you to replace the window class.\"\n\"Uh—r-right, I'll get you the invoice...\"\nNuz thought the girl in front of her was strange. She'd just been hit with an extra expense, so why did she look so happy?\n\"One white, one black... I'll call you Snow Rabbit and Night Rabbit.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15601.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15601.2": "Name: Nazuna\nBirthday: March 3rd\nAffiliation: Petal Bloom\nSkills: Claw machines, marksmanship\nAddress: Petal Bloom Camp, Eastern Forest, Philae Outskirts\nExperience: Three years\nWeapon: Heartblossom\nRates: Please contact Kaede",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15602.1": "Reason for Becoming a Trekker",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15602.2": "Living a carefree life of doing nothing in particular with guildies.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15603.1": "CV Excerpt 1",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15603.2": "Things She Claims to be Good at & Her Daydreams\n\nIt's got to be claw machines, of course. You've probably heard of my title already, but my next goal is to make the name \"Lord of the Prize Claw\" known all across Philae, then host the very first Philae Claw Machine Tournament in my honor.\nAfter that, I'll take it to all of Nova...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15604.1": "CV Excerpt 2",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15604.2": "Once the \"Star of Trekkers\"\n\nBefore the Trekker Association withdrew from Philae, Nazuna once earned the title of \"Star of Trekkers.\" Newspapers back in the day carried a photo of her alongside Nazuka, Kaede, and others.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15605.1": "CV Excerpt 3",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15605.2": "Combat Skills\n\nWhen training new recruits, Nazuna often stressed that survival and using the environment to outmaneuver enemies should always come first. Beyond that, what left the deepest impression were the \"people skills\" she passed on to them.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15606.1": "CV Excerpt 4",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15606.2": "Troublemaker Reformed\n\nFuyuka is the Petal Bloom's nominal leader, but everyone knows that Kaede is the one keeping things running. To Kaede's eternal headache, she has to deal with a certain someone who is both a slacker and a prankster.\nLately, though, that troublemaker seemed to have reformed herself, perhaps thanks to the influence of their new friend.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15607.1": "CV Excerpt 5",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15607.2": "Inside Intel\n\nOnly recently have people come to realize that during what looked like Nazuna's wasted years after the Trekkers' House pulled out of Philae, she had in fact been secretly gathering intelligence on █████.\nThe information she provided was a great help in ███, though she herself seemed far from satisfied with the results.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15607.3": "Inside Intel\n\nOnly recently have people come to realize that during what looked like Nazuna's wasted years after the Trekkers' House pulled out of Philae, she had in fact been secretly gathering intelligence on monsters.\nThe information she provided was a great help to the monster-hunting operations, though she herself seemed far from satisfied with the results.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15608.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15608.2": "\"Nazuna may look lazy, but she's actually amazing... When she decides to get serious...!\"\n—Fuyuka\n\nAm I really supposed to be writing this? Won't people think I'm being biased? It's fine? ... Alright then... I only have one thing to say: if you can get her to respect you as a person, she'll be the most reliable partner you could ask for.\n—Nazuka",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15609.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15609.2": "Basically accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nThough she comes off as lazy most of the time, every now and then she reveals a hidden sharpness... That's in line with the \"Prize Lord\" image she cultivates.\nIf there's one thing Nazuna excels at, it's being supportive to her allies in battle. She has a keen sense of perception and quick judgment.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15610.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15610.2": "Why aren't there claw machines in the arcade? Yes, of course customers have asked that very question. But all of us old hands know the answer.\nIt's because of her, that weird girl with the green hair...\n\"Lord of the Prize Claw.\" To you it might sound like a joke, but to us it was truly a living nightmare...\n—From an interview with a shopping mall manager in Philae",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15611.1": "Instructor Nazuna",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15611.2": "With the road leading to the Monolith reopens, Trekkers resume their profession and gradually gather once more. The Petal Bloom Guild also gains renown, becoming a model in the hearts of other Trekkers.\nTo help the newcomer Trekkers adapt, the members of Petal Bloom spring into action:\nFuyuka begins leading hunts on the front line; Nazuka teaches theories on facing monsters and sudden emergencies; Kaede helps the Trekkers refine their plans for logistics and material allocation.\n… But Nazuna still spends all her time idling around.\n\n\"Didn't someone claim to have even won an award for being the 'most outstanding Trekker'?\"\n\"Waahh—Nazuka senpai, you aren't mad, are you?\"\n\"Hmph. Meddling isn't my style… If anything, those rookies will never be ready for the field if you all keep over-protecting them like this.\"\n\"Oh dear… We've been so busy for a while, just let Nazuna rest! The rest of us are more than enough to help out.\"\n\nThough Nazuna is full of complaints, she eventually finds something she excels at teaching—\n…\n\"Listen up! The most important thing for a Trekker is to stay alive. Don't ever think running away is a shameful thing to do! Failure still counts as important experience!\"\n\"And remember, your enemies aren't just the monsters of the Wilds or the Stellaroids inside the Monoliths. Some of you hold illusions about this world or your own kind, but those with bad intentions and hidden motives can become your enemies, too. So, learning how to deal with people is essential!\"\n\"Hah? You think that's dishonorable? Don't be ridiculous! It's survival tactics! Stop whining and get it through your head!\"\n...\nHer training might sound unconventional, but the results speak for themselves. Injury rates among the Trekkers who participated in Nazuna's courses are always the lowest, and many people are beginning to see an unexpected side of this girl.\nOf course, for Nazuna herself, this isn't necessarily a good thing.\n\"What? Another guild invited me to be their instructor? No way, absolutely not! Not even for money! I'm already swamped!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15612.1": "The Return of the Lord of the Prize Claw",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15612.2": "\"You're here.\"\n\"You shouldn't have come.\"\n\"But I came anyway.\"\n\"I knew you wouldn't miss this chance—this chance to prove yourself.\"\n\"Your token. Where is it?\"\n\"Right here, right in my hand.\"\n\"Then why not use it?\"\n\"I am waiting for someone.\"\n\"For whom?\"\n\"I am waiting for the true Lord of the Prize Claw to appear.\"\n\"Standing right in front of you.\"\n\"... Hmph, such arrogance.\"\n...\nThe night was dark, and the arcade shrouded in shadow. Two silhouettes stood facing each other, the air drawn tight to the point of suffocation.\nNeither moved first, both keeping a cautious watch on the other's hands and eyes, like seasoned hunters sizing up their prey.\nThen, from somewhere, a cat's cry rang out, shattering the silence of the night—and with it, the tense deadlock.\n\n\"I'm going in! Lord of the Prize Claw, this time I won't lose! I'll take your title for myself!\"\n\"That cat's cry just reminded me: there's always someone stronger, always another mountain taller than the one in front of you. If you keep seeing me as the summit, then your vision has already been clouded by prejudice. You'll never find the reach 'supreme state' of playing.\"\n\"W-what?! You mean there's someone even stronger than you...? Who?\"\n\"Come on then. Beat me, and I'll tell you.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15613.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Heartblossom",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15613.2": "Nazuna's usual weapon of choice is the small crossbow she hides beneath her clothes.\nLike its master, this weapon has no legendary backstory, no mark of a master craftsman. It's just an ordinary crossbow, modified by her own hands and always carefully kept in top condition.\nNazuna wipes it down with a dry cloth and coats it with light oil, cleans the groove with cotton swabs to clear residue and prevent scratches, and treats the wooden stock with beeswax to keep it from cracking—\nA process she repeats day after day.\nFor a girl so notoriously lazy, it is the one thing she never neglects. Rain or shine, whether out on duty or at home, she always insists on doing this task herself. \nShe is always prepared.\n\nThis crossbow is, after all, the weapon that suits her best after much trial and error.\nLacking wrist strength, she relies on mechanisms to compensate; without fast speed, she hones the art of concealment and evasive movement; she has no gift for advanced magic, nor is she naturally strong, so she chooses the path of ranged combat.\nTo safeguard her own life, to hold her ground against fierce enemies...\nAnd to be of use to her companions.\nAny survival strategy is valid, so long as it keeps them all alive together.\n\nEven the most ordinary person can one day shine, letting loose that one arrow at the decisive moment. With that thought, she waits... And keeps waiting...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15801.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15801.2": "Name: Laru\nBirthday: August 20th\nAffiliation: Grace Imperium\nSkills: Fishing, Skipping Work\nPrimary Residence: Near the Deepwater Pool in the grove, outside Emor City\nTrekker Experience: 3 years\nPreferred Weapon: Caribo\nRate: Rate negotiable. Accept unique fishing gear.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15802.1": "The Snowish Festival Work Uniform",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15802.2": "This has been a tradition for only a decade or so.\nPeople say it started one year ago when someone casually suggested, on the eve of the Snowish Festival, that everyone should put on special outfits to make the day feel more festive. A bigshot happened to overhear the idea, and to everyone's surprise, it was put into action and kept over the years. It grew into the Grace Imperium's Snowish Festival custom we have today.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15803.1": "Snowish Festival Secrets (1)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15803.2": "When Laru was little, she couldn't control her light magic, and whenever it got out of hand, her body would glow at the most inconvenient times. Sometimes it was her hands, sometimes her hair, sometimes...\nIt's a part of her childhood she'd rather not think about.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15804.1": "Snowish Festival Secrets (2)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15804.2": "\"The story goes that the Snowish Tree Spirit grants children's wishes because she has to grant a hundred of them within a set time, or she'll turn into a nutcracker toy...\"\nThe first time Laru heard this, she laughed so hard that she actually spat out her fries.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15805.1": "Snowish Festival Secrets (3)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15805.2": "Kids in the Ash District once asked Laru if she'd ever seen the Snowish Tree Spirit when she was little. Laru gave them an animated retelling of the Spirit taking her flying through the night sky, but none of the kids believed her.\n\"The ones who fly on brooms are witches! No way that was the Snowish Tree Spirit!\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15806.1": "Snowish Festival Secrets (4)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15806.2": "Some say they once saw the Snowish Tree Spirit appear at the Port, her magic drawing in a school of glowing fish through the darkness—a scene almost impossibly dreamlike.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15807.1": "Snowish Festival Secrets (5)",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15807.2": "\"Maybe the Snowish Tree Spirit likes fries, too?\"\nEvery child who claims to have seen her says the same thing: Before the Spirit left, she told them she was heading to the Port to get some fries.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15808.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15808.2": "The little girl in that old photo... That was actually Laru, wasn't it?\n—Freesia\n\nWhen we got short-staffed and asked her to help hand out gifts, I was actually worried that she might play hooky like usual. The fact that she could actually be diligent in her work caught me by surprise.—Angie",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15809.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15809.2": "Mostly accurate.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nThis year's Snowish Festival outfit was actually pretty cute. Let's do a repeat next year~\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15810.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15810.2": "The Gift-Delivery Machine\n\nAfter plenty of trial and error, Laru eventually realized that, given the current level of Novian technology, building a truly practical \"gift-delivery machine\" just wasn't possible.\nSo during a Monolith expedition, she made a wish at the Wishing Box, hoping the Monolith's Artifacts would make up for what science couldn't. But at the very moment she made the wish, her mind perhaps drifted back to that \"cannon\" she had tested earlier. So, a burst of brilliant light followed ... and she ended up with another one exactly like the old model...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15811.1": "Gifts",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15811.2": "As the midnight bells rang, the festival's liveliness faded with them. The Snowish Festival was over for another year, and deep winter had settled over the continent.\nAfter a long day, Laru lay down on her bed and let out a slow breath.\n\"This year's Snowish Festival was especially busy...\"\nShe spoke to herself as the day's moments drifted through her mind—the gifts she handed out, the children's bright smiles, and the way their eyes lit up when they saw the \"Snowish Tree Spirit.\"\nAll of it made the work feel worthwhile.\n\nEven so, there was a small gap in her satisfaction.\nIn the rush of handing out presents, she had ended up being the only one who didn't receive any...\nHer eyes fell on the doll sitting on her desk. She turned over, let that faint disappointment slip away, and nudged herself toward sleep. The holiday was over; tomorrow was another work day.\n\nThe next morning, as Laru yawned and got ready to head out, she opened her door—and a small mountain's worth of gifts toppled forward and scattered at her feet. A slip of paper floated down along with the gifts.\nShe picked it up. The handwriting belonged to a colleague she knew well:\n\"After we finished the deliveries last night and went back to the warehouse, we realized there were a bunch of gifts labeled for you. In the chaos before the festival, they got mixed in with the kids' presents. So we brought them over for you overnight!\"\nLaru looked at the gifts filling her doorway. They came from her Grace Imperium colleagues, Boss, Willow, the Post Haste trio, and her fishing buddies...\nBoxes of all shapes and sizes, each carrying someone's well-wishes.\n\nThe last little gap was finally filled.\n\"This really was a wonderful Snowish Festival...\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15812.1": "Dame Laru's Dream",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15812.2": "This ... must be a dream, right?\n\nLaru looked down at her hands. They had no fingers, just smooth wooden shapes like a doll's. Her dress was stiff, her hair a solid carved block.\nOh, and she couldn't even speak!\n\nShe turned her rigid neck. She was basically a wooden toy now. Her joints made a rough clicking sound whenever she moved, like stop-motion animation that kept dropping frames.\n\"Dame, do you have any other orders? Our queen will be arriving soon.\"\nLaru stared in confusion. She tried to ask what was going on, but she still couldn't make a sound. She could only watch as the puppet in front of her tilted its head. Like an NPC whose script had just been triggered, the puppet dutifully launched into an explanation of the game rules.\n\"This is the Kingdom of Fries. The hateful Shrubshrews have taken over our fry fields, and now, we're preparing to drive them out.\"\n\"By the way, Dame, you have a gun on your back. You'll surely be stronger than us footmen carrying swords, so please step up to the front line.\"\nLaru had no way of saying no. She waved her hands in a panic, but the stiff joints moved too slowly, and the soldiers ended up pushing her to the very front.\nJust then, the ground trembled. Before Laru could react, gigantic Shrubshrews charged toward them like runaway trucks.\nHer eyes flew wide. All she wanted was to run.\nNo—no no no no...!!!\n\nMorning light spilled across the window. Laru clutched her blanket tight, her brow furrowed, mumbling under her breath:\n\"Stop it... Don't chew my head... Stupid Shrubshrew... Go away...\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15813.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Caribo",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15813.2": "\"Cracking a whip is basically like casting a fishing rod. You're great at fishing, so you'll definitely be able to learn the whip.\"\n\nA month before the Snowish Festival, Albedo handed Laru a long whip, along with the order to master it as quickly as possible.\nAlbedo explained that the directive came from upper leadership and that Laru had to complete it no matter what. As for why it was so sudden, and why it had to be Laru, no one bothered to tell her.\nLaru took it in stride. After all, baffling instructions from the management were nothing new. She patted her heart, promised she'd get it done, and accepted the whip with exaggerated solemnity. Then she walked out of the office, turned a corner ... and slipped out to go fishing.\n\nBut as the days passed, Laru suddenly realized that in her rush to go fishing that day, she hadn't found out what exactly counted as \"knowing how to use\" the whip.\n\"I mean... I could just use it for fishing, right? If I tie on a float and a hook, it's a little short for regular casting... But it'd be perfect for catching fish in deep wells!\"\nLaru held the whip and started trying to guess what the real purpose of the assignment had been.\nMaybe the next Monolith expedition needed someone who could fight with a whip? But the deadline was the Snowish Festival—did they want a performance?\nAfter thinking it over, her well-honed workplace instincts pointed her to the optimal answer: the whip had to work as a weapon while also looking good for show.\nShe's got it!\n\nBut as the Snowish Festival approached, nothing else was mentioned about the whip. Laru went to check with Albedo, who clearly had forgotten the whole thing.\n\"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Some Senator saw a Snowish Festival-like event in a storybook from the Monolith and wanted to copy it. The idea was to have a few beasts pull a cart and have staff act as coachmen delivering gifts. But they later decided it was way too inefficient, so the plan got dropped.\"\nLaru took three seconds to process this. Then she stared at Albedo blankly. \"... Huh?\"\n\"Anyway, the whip they gave you also came from the Monolith. You can keep it.\"\n\nOh, well.\nLaru told herself.\nEvery employee runs into assignments that appear out of nowhere and disappear just as mysteriously.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15901.1": "Basic Info",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15901.2": "Name: Coronis\nBirthday: October 15th\nAffiliation: Freelance Trekker\nSkills: Medical treatment, dissection, medical research\nAddress: Philae\nExperience: 2 years\nWeapon: Healer's Heart\nRate: 500 Dorra for a clinic appointment; Trekker commission rates negotiable",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15902.1": "Reason for the Cangwu Visit",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15902.2": "Jinglin invited me for a holiday.\nThat said, rumors of unique local fauna in and around Cangwu caught my interest. Investigating them is a strong secondary incentive.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15903.1": "Cangwu Travel Log Ⅰ",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15903.2": "My field observations indicate that prior to the Springseek Festival, the population enters a frenzy of accumulation. They call it \"stocking up,\" which involves procuring food, lanterns, and fresh clothing.\nThe specific targets vary by individual subject. Chixia, for example, hoards nuts. Shimiao gravitates toward confectionery. Jinglin, meanwhile, focuses on biomass for the Springseek feast...",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15904.1": "Cangwu Travel Log Ⅱ",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15904.2": "Loongs are obsessed with fine food.\nTheir first instinct when they come upon new raw materials is to determine their edibility. Even if a specimen is toxic, if the flavor profile is desirable, they will invent ways to remove the poison just to eat it.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15905.1": "Cangwu Travel Log Ⅲ",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15905.2": "I scavenged some fascinating items in the market. Today's find was a doll with a surprisingly complete internal anatomy.\nThe vendor mentioned a local Xuan Shi who specializes in crafting these. I looked into it—turns out it's Chixia's senior.\nIf I were to pay a house call, what would be an appropriate offering? Sugar-roasted chestnuts, perhaps?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15906.1": "Cangwu Travel Log Ⅳ",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15906.2": "This region really does host some peculiar lifeforms. If my schedule permits, they're worth a thorough investigation.",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15907.1": "Cangwu Travel Log Ⅴ",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15907.2": "I was briefed on the Five Great Mysteries of Cangwu before arriving here. Yet, I haven't encountered any supernatural phenomena. Perhaps the festivities drove them into hiding?\nThough, I did spot a flaming Loong in the night sky once. I wonder if that qualifies?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15908.1": "Peer Comments",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15908.2": "Dr. Coronis's diet plan for my mom really worked! She has been glowing lately, and I was only ever charged the initial fee of 500 Dorra. Dr. Coronis is a saint!\n—Jinglin\nShe really is a caring person. If you feel unwell, she's always eager to treat. Though ... the children seem terrified of her. I suspect it's that giant syringe she carries.\n—Shimiao",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15909.1": "TA Feedback",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15909.2": "Verified.<sprite name=\"acrchives_certified_richtext\">\nAlthough, I have to admit, the idea of Coronis taking a vacation without some ulterior motive is surprising.\n—Willow",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15910.1": "Appendix",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15910.2": "[Addendum: The Cave Totem]\nLegend speaks of a lost Loong totem hidden in a nearby cave.\nI located the totem, yet I can't seem to describe its form or sketch it in my notes. Staring at those murals on the rock face, I thought I saw...\nHmm?\nWhat did I see?",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15911.1": "Window Paper-cuts",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15911.2": "According to Jinglin, this Springseek custom was simple: cut designs into red paper and paste them on the window.\n\nCoronis eyed the stack of red paper, perplexed. \"What is the requisite shape for these cutouts?\"\nJinglin dug a book out from the shelf. \"I've got diagrams and tutorials right here if you want them. Usually, people pick symbols of good luck. But honestly? If you're doing it yourself, cut whatever you want.\"\n\"Anything is okay?\"\n\"Mhm! Traditional stuff is still popular, but lots of people just freehand whatever they like now. Is there a pattern you are fond of, Coronis?\"\nPattern I am fond of.\nIt seemed Coronis had never processed such a variable before.\n\"I ... do not know.\"\n\"Then just start snipping! Maybe inspiration will hit once your fingers get moving.\"\nJinglin thrust the paper and scissors into Coronis's hands. Coronis didn't object. Following Jinglin's lead, she folded the paper and made her first tentative cut.\nThe crisp rasp of scissors on paper seemed to trigger something. As she sheared away the empty space, a clear image formed in her head—just as Jinglin predicted.\n\n\"Done! Look, Coronis, I made a bunny for this year!\"\n\"It is cute.\"\n\"What about you?\"\n\"Me?\"\nCoronis unfolded her paper. Resting within the square lattice was a perfectly anatomical human skeleton.\n\"I found myself missing the specimens in my clinic. So, I cut this.\"\n\"... You are really consistent, Coronis. Haha.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15912.1": "Xuan Shi Arts & Medical Science",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15912.2": "Touring the Yunji Retreat, Coronis spotted Chixia just outside the training grounds. The girl was sprawled on the floor, writing something.\n\"Catching up on homework?\"\nCoronis stepped closer, but the question died on her lips. Chixia was surrounded by a chaotic sea of paper, every sheet covered in wild, sweeping glyphs. Definitely not homework.\n\"It's a new talisman design! This genius idea just came to me...\" Chixia looked up, sporting an ink smudge on her cheek. \"Oh, hey! Perfect timing. Wanna see how a spell is created?\"\nCoronis raised an eyebrow. \"Is this standard procedure for developing Xuan Shi arts?\"\n\"Sort of? My Master said something about... Uh, I forget the exact words. But the point is: if I tweak existing talisman and arrays, I might accidentally invent a new move!\"\n\"Sounds like pharmacology. You take an established formula, introduce a new variable, and hope for a breakthrough compound?\"\nChixia nodded furiously. \"Exactly! You get it!\"\n\"Then by all means. Show me this new move.\"\n\"You got it. Just one last stroke here... O Heaven and Earth, Thunder and Fire, heed my command!\"\nChixia slapped the talisman between her palms. Silence followed.\n\"Huh? Weird. I definitely did the hand seal right...\"\nShe tried again. Instantly, the clear blue sky betrayed her. A miniature storm cloud manifested directly overhead, dumping a deluge of rain exclusively on Chixia within a tight one-meter circle.\nSafe in the dry zone just a step away, Coronis studied the phenomenon with genuine surprise. \"... Potent.\"\n\"Gah! No! It's a bust!\"\nCoronis chuckled at the dripping wet figure before her. \"It seems you've synthesized an anomaly instead. Just like medical research, indeed.\"",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15913.1": "Weapon Anecdote: Healer's Heart",
  "CharacterArchiveContent.15913.2": "What should you do with a potion surplus?\nStaring at the cauldron bubbling before her, Coronis faced a new logistical headache: where to store her \"spoils.\"\n\nIt all began with a foraging trip.\nThe forest was a treasure trove of ingredients. Armed with <i>The Grand Compendium of Herbs</i>, Coronis harvested from dawn till dusk, returning to the inn with a basket bursting with herbs.\nThe inn wasn't a clinic, and she lacked her usual equipment—hardly a trouble for Coronis. After a quick word with Shimiao, she raided a local store for kitchenware and rigged up a makeshift extraction system.\nThe plan was routine: process the herbs, and extract the compounds. Unfortunately, she severely miscalculated the yield. By the time she realized her mistake, that single basket of raw herbs had refined into a cauldron brimming with solution.\nCoronis stared at the cauldron.\nShe was technically on vacation, and the few travel vials she had packed were laughably insufficient for this volume.\nShe needed a vessel.\nSomething that could double as storage and a tool for immediate application...\nHer eyes wandered to the desk, landing on a syringe.\nA syringe?\nA thought struck her. If the syringe were simply bigger, it could hold the entire batch for easy access. It was logical. Efficient. The next morning, she asked Jinglin for a referral and tracked down an elderly artisan.\nAmused by her bizarre request, the artisan sketched a blueprint on the spot. \"Come back in three days,\" he told her.\n\nThree days later, Coronis returned with a gift of fruit. The moment the door swung open, it was impossible to miss: a massive syringe dominating the parlor.\n\"A fascinating commission,\" the old man said. \"Take it. It's yours.\"\n\"Payment? I have no use for money. To craft something this unique at my age is reward enough.\"\n\"It needs a name, though. Call it an old man's habit, but a creation feels incomplete without one. I leave that honor to you. So what is it?\"\nCoronis studied the artisan. His white hair framed a face glowing with pride, his eyes reflecting a pure, singular devotion to his craft.\nIn his expression, she saw a mirror of her own younger self—back when she decided to devote her life to medicine.\nThe answer came instinctively.\n\"The Healer's Heart.\""
}