Unlike most Ascenders, Verlaine's ascension ability has a unique expression and functionality, as seen in the hound-like creature accompanying her. The hound Monday is not a real animal or a man-made companion robot but an extension of Verlaine's ability. Her companion. This uniqueness leads to some issues — she is destined not to blend in with ordinary people and lacks common ground with most Ascenders. However, her lively and cheerful personality seems unaffected. According to her, it's all because of the precious friends by her side.
Derive
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Draw
Control
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Guard
Reverb
Verlaine was born and raised in a refugee camp outside a Bonfire City, an environment where supplies were hard to come by and people lived from hand to mouth. Yet, unlike the majority of transients, Verlaine's parents still believed in wonderful stories and mystical legends in spite of their less-than-stellar lives, and they generously told them all to her while she was a child. As time passed, the other children close in age to Verlaine would gather around to play and tell stories that they heard or made up. One of them, who was chummiest with her, was her neighbor's child Polaris.
After befriending heaps of new people, Verlaine regularly went on exploration trips with them all. Adults who work and hunt tirelessly to make ends meet wouldn't interfere too much with the children's playful explorations, and the places the children could go mostly weren't too far from their site, usually just spots like pre-Solstice ruins or the forest outside the camp.
Moreover, Verlaine had a "secret weapon" taken from her parents' hometown—a hanging decoration that sparkled like a magic treasure. Based on her parents' story, this treasure was made from solidified dragon scales and could emit light to protect its owner in times of peril. Verlaine was a firm believer of this, and she even seemed to have led her pals away from danger a couple of times, though obviously, the adults were not informed; it was a secret only between her and her friends.
The truth behind the story is, in fact, beyond simple: That "treasure" was purely a very common kind of ore from the Mundus Empire, used to aid young Ascenders in practicing the control of their newly awakened ascension abilities. There wasn't actually any danger prevention or protection function at all.
One day, the children left camp for an exploration trip and encountered danger, but as Verlaine and friends faced the Chaos Remain rushing out from the cave, the only thing she remembered was that Polaris was right next to her. She wasn't afraid at all.
When Verlaine awoke again, she was already back at camp. Her parents, who had been staying by her bedside, were virtually over the moon to see her regain consciousness. They then decided to tell her the truth about everything, such as how they escaped from the Mundus Empire to get here, that treasure, and the dangers of the outside world.
However, there was only one thing on Verlaine's mind: Where is Polaris? Although the adults refused to answer that question, while listening to bedtime stories every night, she still kept wishing inwardly that Polaris would someday return, and they could go explore together again.
Not long after, when Verlaine woke up from dreamland, she caught sight of a large dog, which looked like it either wore armor or simply had a head of black, fluffy fur, sleeping soundly by her bedside. She recalled her parents' bedtime story about how "a knight became a large dog after death, then turned into a giant tree, and ultimately transformed into a breeze, forever accompanying his friend."
As for why the hound's name is "Monday," that will be a story for another day.
As Verlaine matured, she made the decision to embark on a journey. Her parents did not oppose her choice but emphasized the importance of staying safe. After reassuring them of her return, she set out with her loyal hound.
In the Empire's standards, Verlaine is already a skilled mage, although her mastery of certain spells is still developing. However, by surface standards, she is considered only a novice with ascension abilities that need improvement in both stability and duration. Undeterred by this, Verlaine believes that wielding her ascension abilities to progress and delve into new adventures is the essence of her journey.
"But when you went abroad, Verlaine, you registered three members..."
"Oh, right! It's me, Millie, and Reeva, isn't it?"
"Yes, so where are Millie and Reeva? I've never met them and couldn't find their records in the conductor's room."
"Well... I'm not entirely sure either! But as soon as they arrive, I'll inform you! We'll all be working for you, so don't worry!"
With a bright smile, Verlaine casually explained the whereabouts of her partners. From her casual conversation, it appears she knows the locations of her separated companions—a foodie and another mage. It seems she is not as alone on her journey as she might seem. Moreover, Monday serves as her loyal partner on the Eternal.
Verlaine has never set foot on the land of the Empire.
From her parents, she learned about her heritage. Descended from the Inquisitorial Court of the ancient Empire, her bloodline included members gifted with the ability to manipulate dreams. During an upheaval happened decades ago, her parents, belonging to a minor branch of the family, fled the Empire and later gave birth to Verlaine on the surface.
Her parents' stories overflowed with fond memories of their homeland, sparking in Verlaine a profound fascination with the Imperial landscapes. In her dreams, she revisited these scenes repeatedly, almost as if she had experienced them firsthand: crystal-clear lakes, towering trees, and hills adorned with the colors of spring... However, the reasons that compelled her parents to abandon such a beautiful place remained a mystery, considered taboo by the Imperials.
All Imperials around her treated this topic as taboo. It appeared that only the tender and nostalgic tales would reach Verlaine's ears, while the harsh truth behind it had been silenced and concealed.
After meeting her companions Millie and Reeva, both natives of the Empire, Verlaine shared stories of her childhood and her parents' experiences, hoping to uncover what had happened in the Empire. However, her companions' responses left her puzzled—Millie claimed she had never heard of such things, and Reeva mentioned that all books regarding that incident were deemed forbidden even within the Citadel. Amidst a quiet night by the campfire with Monday resting nearby, a scene that should have been comforting, Verlaine felt particularly lost.
That night, a dream left a profound impact on her.
Gazing at her most familiar lake, she spotted Polaris, now grown, waving from a distance under a tree. Upon waking, Polaris' words lingered in her thoughts.
"Look for me, Verlaine. Seek me in your journey..."
Hello, I'm Verlaine. I'm currently on my travels and hitching a ride on this trip!... By the way, are my friends here?
Let me help! Oh, be careful not to break anything in the room, Monday!
Traveling is fun, but occasionally hitching a ride is not bad either. Unfortunately, it costs travel expenses. Ah, I came because I heard I don't need to buy tickets after registering as one of the guard crew!
Magic... ah, better call it ascension ability! I initially learned it from my parents, but after traveling, I've been researching it on my own. I often miss my hits though, but the randomness is quite nice too!
Everyone else's ascension abilities are usually strong sparks or lightning, right? ... Mine is... making people fall asleep, sometimes not completely, so that doesn't count... as an ability, right?
I met people from Night Chains on the train. They know many interesting things. Night Chains Land was actually built on the back of a giant turtle! But, everyone else present said I was being fooled... Is it true?
The most important quality for travelers is to maintain a good mood! As long as you can still smile, you'll be able to regain your strength and set off again. Come on, smile a little, Conductor~
Miss Arcana knows a lot of adventure stories from the Empire... She even knows that story, "My friend turned into a giant tree, then a hunting dog, and forever stayed by my side"... So awesome.
Retreating from battle is very dangerous! I think many people don't think about escaping during battles... But it's okay. Monday and I will help create opportunities for everyone to retreat! Everyone should learn how to flee!
Monday got the name because I like beginnings and dislike endings... But people on the surface seem to prefer Saturdays and Sundays...
I've been moving with the camp since I was a child... I think this kind of lifestyle is interesting! Although it's different from life in the city, you can see many different sceneries, and feel the wind blowing freely...
The Empire huh... because I was born on the surface, I always felt that the Empire is very distant. It's probably an ancestral home? But I've seen it in my dreams! Big trees, beautiful lakes, shining light, and so on!
Can you turn into a motorcycle, Monday? You can't? Hmm... why not... Although you don't have wheels, you look very much like a motorcycle...
I've already decided when to set off next time! But I'll definitely come back to The Eternal. After all, this is also my home!
Okay! Monday, let them see what you've got!
I will protect everyone! Altogether!
Everybody is still keeping up, yeah?
Three, two, one, drop!
Fall, fall, fall, just fall...
(sobs) I'm at my limit...
Monday, run! Wait, wait, wait! Take me with you!
I did a pretty good job, right? I wonder what else we'll encounter next on our journey...