Vales

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Vales (瓦莱斯)
Species/Race	Half-elf
Gender	Male
Age	24 166
Affiliation	Zeliel's adventuring party
Occupation/Role	Ranger
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Lower-Level Ranger	20	Identified as a lower-level ranger while joining Marcus and Zeliel's Slime Extermination Quest. 20
Intermediate Ranger	39	Breaks through by successfully fusing battle qi with an arrow; his battle aura manifests the lightning attribute, producing a projectile capable of piercing a tree trunk and leaving lightning-charred damage. 39

Background / History

Vales was born in Cloudsleep Valley to a pure-blooded elven mother of relatively high clan status and an absent human father. He never met his father, whose identity was obscured by conflicting rumors; Vales regards him as an irresponsible man who abandoned him and his mother. 313

His mixed heritage made him an outcast among the elves. Other children avoided him, while adults treated his human features, hair, eyes, and uneven ears as insults to elven blood. His mother defended him whenever she could, but her protection could not change the clan's prejudice. 313

After leaving Cloudsleep Valley, Vales found that humans saw only “an elf,” while pure-blooded elves regarded him with contempt. This left him feeling that he belonged to neither group. Zeliel later points out that Vales instinctively refers to humans as “us,” suggesting that he already identifies with humanity. 313

By the beginning of the story, Vales is an experienced ranger traveling with Marcus, Gray, and Zeliel on commissions around Graywood Forest and Blackstone Town. 1 20

Appearance

Vales has refined, delicate half-elven features and a stern, ascetic bearing that makes him appear unapproachable. His elven ancestry is most visible in his slightly pointed ears. 1 35

• Long light-brown hair, usually tied into a loose low ponytail with two self-woven braids. 492
• Chestnut eyes. 313
• Slightly pointed ears with a rounded outline, unlike the longer and sharper ears of a pure-blooded elf. 308
• Muscular arms and upper body developed through years of archery and combat training. 97 492
• Usually carries a longbow and wears light protective gear suited to mobility. 20 369

Personality

Vales is reserved, stern, and often blunt. He dislikes Gray's womanizing, partly because it reminds him of the father who abandoned him and his mother. His guarded demeanor originates less from arrogance than from a lifetime of exclusion and loneliness. 1 313

Despite his cold exterior, Vales is conscientious and compassionate. He treats Gray's wounds even while dismissing any talk of being owed, tends Aidi's injuries with exceptional care, and gives the young elf money after learning they share a homeland. 9 312

He is cautious in dangerous situations and often voices practical concerns when others become reckless. However, he will take decisive action when innocent people may be harmed, such as killing a fleeing bandit to prevent further victims. 166 303

Abilities & Skills

Archery

Vales is a highly skilled ranger whose primary role is ranged support, target elimination, and battlefield coverage.

• Accurately supports his party from range, picking off threats attacking Marcus and Gray. 2 77
• Uses Thunder Arrow, an arrow infused with lightning battle aura, for powerful piercing and explosive attacks. 46 150
• Struck a Dreadclaw Bear hard enough to blast a basin-sized hole through its shoulder blade. 371
• Coordinated with Zeliel to target the One-Eyed Troll's eye and to execute a combined Flame Breath–Thunder Arrow detonation against the Thorn Behemoth. 149 323
• His attacks can be disrupted by severe wind interference, as shown against the Lion Beast Queen's Wind Barrier. 424

Lightning Battle Aura

After advancing to Intermediate Ranger, Vales awakens lightning-attribute battle aura rather than the wind attribute he expected.

• Enhances arrows with destructive lightning, increasing their penetration and explosive force. 39 284
• Can channel battle aura into melee weapons, allowing his scimitar to cut through skeleton defenses. 237 241
• Developed Flower-Scattering Arrow, a dispersed lightning attack that creates large-scale chain-lightning effects against groups. 381 382
• His Flower-Scattering Arrow is highly effective against dense enemy formations but cannot protect an excessively wide battlefield alone. 382
• He has not yet reached advanced intermediate rank, though his new battle-aura control brings him closer to that threshold. 384

Perception & Fieldcraft

Vales possesses keen senses befitting an elven ranger.

• Often detects changes in the battlefield before the others and reacts quickly to threats. 24 237
• Detected a skeleton ambush in the catacombs before it could fully unfold. 237
• Elven rangers are noted for exceptional dynamic vision and perception, traits Vales identifies as a racial strength. 312

Close-Quarters Combat

Though specialized in archery, Vales can defend himself effectively when forced into melee.

• Uses a curved sword or scimitar enhanced with lightning battle aura against close enemies. 22 237
• Demonstrated strong unarmed combat against Marcus, overwhelming the vanguard with punches, kicks, elbows, and combinations. 97
• Can fluidly evade attacks through agile movement, including a backbend dodge and rapid repositioning. 237

Field Treatment

Vales has practical experience treating injuries in the field.

• Removed iron fragments from Gray's wound and disinfected it with Firethroat Wine despite Gray's protests. 9
• Carefully cleaned Aidi's corrosive wounds after the young elf was injured by a mucus creature. 312

Equipment

• Moon Tip — Vales's longbow; used alongside his lightning battle aura. 237
• Longbow and quiver — his standard ranger equipment. 20
• Curved sword / scimitar — carried for close-range fighting. 22 241
• Modified Glass Arrowheads — fitted with black tungsten-steel chisels to improve penetration against armored targets. 349
• Reinforced leather armor and chainmail undershirt — upgraded protection for the Third-Floor Ruins expedition. 369

Relationships

• Zeliel — Teammate and frequent combat partner. Vales recognizes Zeliel's talent early and coordinates closely with him in battles against magical enemies. 40 46 323
• Gray — Initially contentious due to Gray's womanizing, but the two repeatedly protect one another in battle. Gray later apologizes for underestimating Vales's combat ability. 1 237
• Marcus — Party leader and trusted companion. Vales reluctantly shoots Marcus during his breakthrough attempt, ultimately helping him become an intermediate warrior. 97 98
• Aidi — A pure-blooded elf from Cloudsleep Valley. Vales tends his wounds, gives him money, and is relieved to learn that his own family is safe. 312 328
• Vales's mother — A pure-blooded elf who defended him against discrimination within their clan; Vales speaks of her with clear affection. 313
• Vales's father — An absent human father whom Vales has never met and deeply resents. 1 313

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Graywood Forest commissions — Begins as the party's ranger during wolf-hunting missions, providing accurate ranged support and treating Gray after the Mist Demon battle. 1 2 9
• Intermediate Ranger breakthrough — Draws inspiration from the Giant-winged Bat's wind-wrapped bone spikes and masters the fusion of battle qi and arrows, awakening lightning battle aura. 35 39
• Goblin and catacomb expeditions — Coordinates with Zeliel against the White-Haired Goblin, saves Gray during a skeleton ambush, and proves his ability to fight effectively even without room for archery. 46 237 241
• Ancient Forest Town and Cloudsleep Valley — Faces direct prejudice from a pure-blooded elf, reconnects with Aidi, and finally learns that his mother and clan remain well in Cloudsleep Valley. 308 312 313
• Third-Floor Ruins — Develops Flower-Scattering Arrow while defending against the Old Remains, creating a large-area lightning technique that helps hold the enemy swarm back. 381 382
• Later travels — Continues traveling with the party toward Silverpine City, balancing Gray's enthusiasm for constant change with his own preference for a quiet, settled life. 465 468

Notable Quotes

“Even if there's no reward, doing good is never wrong.” — Vales 484