Cole

Biodata

Background

Cole was a second-year student at Pading Knight Academy and a member of the Warm Sun Squad alongside Rona Yuehui, Ai Fanye, Lada Duona, and Dave Sager. He had secretly loved Rona for years. 11

During the squad's return from its examinations, Dave betrayed the group and arranged for Crimson Ridge Beasts to attack them. After Rona was killed, Cole stayed behind alone, using his scimitars and dagger to delay the beasts so his surviving teammates could escape. 10 23 33

Personality

Cole is fiercely loyal and self-sacrificing. Rona's death leaves him grief-stricken and desperate enough to regard his own survival as unimportant, but he remains focused on protecting his teammates. 10 11

He initially follows Mo Tan out of desperation, then commits himself to Mo after being given hope that Rona's soul can be restored. Cole later accepts the painful truth of Dave's betrayal and channels his grief into exposing the cult. 11 23 42

Abilities & Skills

Rogue Combat

Cole is trained as a rogue and can fight effectively despite being a novice.

• Wields paired scimitars in close combat. 10
• Used a dagger to pin a Crimson Ridge Beast's tail to the ground. 10
• Held off two Crimson Ridge Beasts alone for nearly five minutes while badly wounded and poisoned. 10 11
• His injuries and toxin exposure eventually left him physically exhausted and partially paralyzed. 11

Equipment

• Two scimitars — used while holding off the Crimson Ridge Beasts. 10
• Dagger — used to immobilize a beast by pinning its tail. 10

Relationships

• Rona Yuehui — Warm Sun Squad teammate and the girl Cole secretly loved. Her death drives his actions; Mo Tan preserves her soul in a Soul-Guiding Bottle. 11 23
• Ai Fanye — Warm Sun Squad cleric and fellow survivor. They share grief and a resolve to avenge Rona and Lada. 24 35
• Lada Duona — Warm Sun Squad greatsword wielder who was killed during Dave's betrayal. 11 23
• Dave Sager — Former teammate whose betrayal led to the squad's destruction. Cole publicly confronts him and Lord Lange during the baptism ceremony. 23 42
• Mo Tan — Rescuer and later leader. Cole pledges himself to Mo after Rona's soul is preserved, then follows him after the events in Pato City. 11 45
• Bayes Winger — Cole's uncle and a former vice-captain of the Night Owl Mercenary Group. Bayes fights to protect Cole during the cultists' attack. 40 43
• Ledo — Bayes's longtime partner and an ally who shelters Cole and Ai at the Rotten Rose Tavern. 35 43

Story Role / Major Arcs

Warm Sun Squad Ambush

Cole remains behind with Rona's body after the Warm Sun Squad is ambushed, attempting to buy time for the others to flee. Mo Tan restrains both Crimson Ridge Beasts with Trickster skills and orders Cole to follow him. 10

Rona's Soul

While recovering from his injuries, Cole begs Mo Tan to revive Rona. Mo Tan instead uses the Soul-Guiding Bottle to preserve her soul at 94% integrity, offering Cole a possibility of resurrection contingent on his future actions. Cole responds by pledging his life and loyalty. 11

Investigation of Dave Sager

Cole returns secretly to Pato City and learns from Mo Tan that Dave orchestrated the attack. After meeting Ai, he confirms Lada's death and joins the effort to expose Dave and the cult behind him. 23 24 35

Exposure of the Cult

Cole participates in Mo Tan's plan during Dave's public baptism. He identifies himself before Lord Lange and helps reveal that both Lange and Dave are connected to the cult. Lange subsequently attempts to kill him, only to be stopped by Countess Lesa's magic. 42

Departure from Pato City

After the cult crisis is resolved, Cole chooses to leave Pato City with Ai and follow Mo Tan. Bayes and Ledo ultimately allow the pair to go, and Mo Tan sends them toward Kalan City. 45