Nikolai

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Nikolai (尼寇莱)
Alias(es)	Starfaller; “Spiky”; “Troublemaker”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	White Blade Guard; Dragoncloud City
Occupation/Role	Former commander of the White Blade Guard; Grand Duke’s personal guard; combat instructor
First Appearance	Chapter 117 117

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Super-rank	255	Caslan states that Nikolai already possessed combat awareness comparable to the Extreme Realm while still at the super-rank. 255
Apex Realm	361	Identified as the Apex Realm Starfaller during his confrontation with Tales and Ned Monty. 361

Background / History

Nikolai was recruited into the White Blade Guard by Caslan as part of a reserve force personally loyal to the future King Noon. Unlike many guards, he was of low birth and self-taught rather than noble-born. He later fought alongside Noon against Orcs at the Thirty-Eight Sentry Land, earning the reputation of “Starfaller.” 265 379 522

Twelve years before the events in Dragoncloud City, Nikolai killed Horace Starcrest, Tales’s father. He later told the Black Sword that Horace appeared to seek release from his suffering in his final moments. 204

As commander of the White Blade Guard, Nikolai initially moved to seize Tales and bring him to Dragoncloud City. Tales forced him to permit the Starry Sky delegation to enter with dignity, beginning a long and hostile association between them. 118 131

During the Blood Calamity crisis, Nikolai helped direct elite forces and anti-magic weaponry against the Calamity. He was ultimately outmaneuvered by Giza’s substitute body and badly wounded during the ensuing chaos. 175 179 204

Following King Noon’s disappearance, Nikolai distrusted nearly everyone except his Oathsworn brothers. He confronted Kasan over the Dark Chamber’s interference in Prince Suriel’s assassination, then made an undisclosed bargain with her that secured his group’s release from the secret passage. 204 222 223

Nikolai fought his former commander Caslan in the Palace of Heroes armory. Their battle and Caslan’s final revelations forced Nikolai to confront the White Blade Guard’s darker history under Noon; Caslan subsequently died of his wounds. 264 265

After Thelma became Archduchess, Nikolai served among her guards and took responsibility for her protection and training. He also trained Tales in combat, though their lessons remained combative both physically and verbally. 274 289 308

When Ned Monty abducted Tales, Nikolai tracked them from Dragoncloud City to Qiyuan City’s Wasteland. Their confrontation exposed Monty as a long-term spy and former comrade whose betrayal was tied to Prince Suriel’s assassination. Nikolai outmaneuvered and severely burned Monty, but both men were later left injured and defeated by an unknown attacker. 360 363 365 366 371

Appearance

Nikolai is commonly described as pale-faced, with a severe, deadpan expression. Years of combat have left him visibly scarred and prone to carrying old injuries. 204 255 312 362

• Pale complexion, often intensified by blood loss or exhaustion. 175 204 312
• A scarred cheek is visible during his duel with Tales. 362
• Known for a cold expression that rarely softens, except around old comrades such as Monty. 312
• Uses a light arm shield on his left arm in combat. 204

Personality

Nikolai is blunt, intimidating, and intensely duty-driven. He often speaks to Tales with open contempt, yet repeatedly prioritizes the prince’s safety and eventually acknowledges his ability. 131 274 335 336

His loyalty is centered on King Noon, the White Blade Guard, and later the Archduchess rather than on Dragoncloud City’s shifting political factions. He refuses to recognize Charman Lumba as his king and regards the survival of the White Blade Guard as a personal responsibility. 232 335 365

Although initially inclined toward direct force, Nikolai becomes increasingly patient and calculating. During his fight with Monty, he deliberately allows himself to appear vulnerable in order to force the scout into close combat. 361 365

Abilities & Skills

Fate's Bend

Nikolai’s Ending Power lets him store and redistribute force throughout his body, granting him extraordinary control over momentum, posture, and attack direction. 255

• Can alter a strike’s direction multiple times within a single motion. 255
• Allows sudden shifts in stance, movement, and force that make his attacks difficult to anticipate. 118 255 362
• Enables evasive body movements even while severely injured, including dodging repeated crossbow fire. 364
• Nikolai describes its battlefield form as something that can only be awakened occasionally. 363

Blade of Soul Severing

Nikolai can use the Blade of Soul Severing to create a barrier-like zone that blocks or isolates opponents. 248 365

• Used to seal off pursuing Black Sand soldiers and secure his companions’ escape. 248
• Nikolai states that he can block and isolate roughly a hundred people with it, far below the weapon’s legendary historical feats. 365
• Previously used a technique called Boundary Severance against Giza, though she escaped by switching places with a decoy. 179

Apex Realm Combat

Nikolai is an Apex Realm fighter with exceptional battlefield awareness and close-quarters adaptability. 255 361

• Demonstrated Extreme Realm-level combat awareness even before reaching the Apex Realm. 255
• Is highly proficient in Northern Military Swordsmanship and shield fighting. 118 362
• Can rapidly adapt to unfamiliar weapons, following a White Blade Guard principle of using whatever weapon is available. 264
• Fought Caslan through an armory using axes, halberds, flails, javelins, and other improvised weapons. 264
• Was overwhelmed by Jasmine Lorraine’s “Downpour” dual-sword style despite fighting alongside Justin. 337

Command and Investigation

Nikolai is an experienced commander with strong deductive ability.

• Identified flaws in a patrol squad’s claimed martial-law orders and exposed their suspicious behavior. 192
• Ordered a disciplined withdrawal and defensive formation when violence erupted near Lumba’s post station. 336
• Traced Tales’s escape plan by recognizing unusual paper that could not have originated in the Palace of Heroes or the Northland. 361
• Reconstructed Monty’s involvement in Suriel’s assassination and his infiltration of the White Blade Guard. 363 367

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Blade of Soul Severing — weapon used to isolate enemies and block pursuit. 248 365
• Rising Sun Saber — Legendary Anti-Magic Weaponry capable of producing flame armor and cauterizing wounds. 364 365
• Light arm shield — carried on his left arm during combat. 204
• White Blade Guard war blade — a curved, pale-hilted weapon associated with the Guard’s elite warriors. 118

Relationships

• Tales — Initially his captive and political adversary; later his student and a person whose capability Nikolai reluctantly respects. 118 274 289 337
• Caslan — Former commander and mentor. Nikolai respected him deeply, fought him after learning of his crimes, and was left grieving after Caslan’s death. 255 264 265
• Ned Monty — Former White Blade Guard comrade and close friend. Their reunion turned into a confrontation after Nikolai uncovered Monty’s betrayal. 312 363 365 367
• King Noon — Nikolai’s only acknowledged king and former master. He served as Noon’s trusted guard captain. 166 222 335
• Thelma Walton — The Archduchess whose protection and training Nikolai considers his responsibility. 308 312
• Kasan — Political enemy and leader of the Dark Chamber. Nikolai blamed her organization for obstructing his attempt to stop Suriel’s assassin, but later traded a valuable secret for his group’s freedom. 222 223
• Grivo — Ally during the Blood Calamity crisis; Nikolai fought beside and later rescued the wounded former heavy swordsman. 176 185
• Black Sword — Saved Nikolai after he was wounded. Their conversation revealed Nikolai’s role in Horace Starcrest’s death. 204
• Myrke — Fellow White Blade Guard who shared a silent moment of grief with Nikolai after Caslan’s death. 265

Notable Quotes

“I only have one King. And that is definitely not Charman Lumba.” 335

“A commander must always think one step ahead of others.” 365

Trivia

• Nikolai is not of noble birth and was self-taught before entering the White Blade Guard. 265 522
• Monty calls him “Spiky” and “Troublemaker.” 312 361
• Nikolai’s humor is notably poor; even Monty considers his jokes unfunny. 223 312