Antal

CODENAME: Antal

GENDER: Male

AUTHENTICATION: Endfield Industries

DOB: April 10

RACE: Savra

[ORIPATHY INFECTION STATUS]

Oripathy negative, based on medical examination reports.

[INTEGRATED PHYSICAL EXAMINATION]

PHYSIOLOGICAL STRENGTH: Normal

COMBAT SKILL: Standard

TACTICAL ACUMEN: Normal

ORIGINIUM ARTS ASSIMILATION: Outstanding

Operator Antal is a member of Operations Team Z7. He was previously involved in Endfield Industries' Originium machine automation research project. Antal later transferred to the Specialist Tech Division following Operator Akekuri's special recommendations.

Antal never hides his thoughts. When I asked him about his academic background as part of my routine inquiry process, he provided a comprehensive list of courses he took in every semester as well as his academic achievements... Nevertheless, this proves that Antal is passionate about his field of expertise and solemnly responds to various questions.

As I was preparing to conclude the interview, which Antal had extended to nearly three hours, he curiously asked me if I have a humor-appreciation system. He also offered to test the system for me, if I did not mind.

— Martin Marvin Malen, Assistant, HR Division, Endfield Industries

Antal is not as cold or unsociable as he appears. Everyone who actually talked to him would agree with this statement. No one expected this stern-faced dude obsessed with Originium technology and sciences to be equally passionate about lame jokes! Why would this techie tell jokes so bad that one would need to devote all their brain juices and logical reasoning to fathom? Is he doing this to boost his sense of humor? When you look at his expression-less face and realize that he's doing his best to make you laugh, you might also find it difficult to determine why you end up laughing anyway. Is it because of his lame jokes? Or the stark contrast presented by his physical form?

Akekuri, Antal's team captain, has maintained extreme optimism about this quirk: "At least he's sincere. Though there are times when he fails to read the context. For example, he may get a sudden urge to show off his sense of humor in the face of hostility. Unfortunately, the enemies often think otherwise."

To Antal, "being someone interesting" may have become a lifelong pursuit, and he treats everyone as instructors capable of reviewing his performance. It doesn't matter if they are fellow teammates of Op Team Z7 or fellow Endfielders whom he only met once — Antal would humbly seek advice from anyone deemed capable of sharing valuable recommendations.

Recently, Antal placed his antics on hold as a particular individual stepped up to the game and volunteered to offer constant feedback... Hold on. It's voluntary, right? I don't know if there are other people capable of laughing even before Antal finishes his bad jokes. Yes, we're talking about our Endministrator, who would, with the greatest patience, hang out with Antal, and listen to everything he has to say — ranging from eureka moments of inventive ideas to hour-long science lectures that he suddenly initiates when he finds an opportunity to do so. In a particular memorable moment, Antal tried to persuade the Endmin to take off the mask. His excuse was to apply certain mods like a pair of beam-firing eyes... Of course, Akekuri happened to be nearby and she fiercely reprimanded Antal's action. The Operator was forced to write a 6000-word self-examination essay and read it aloud before the Endmin on the following day.

Of course, this punishment was hardly effective to Antal. It would only take a few days before his creative mind starts to formulate other interesting ideas.

DOCUMENT: Operator training logs

If we only look at Antal's current performance in training sessions, I have reasons to believe that he lacks direct combat capabilities.

He is skilled at offering fire support for his teammates with his self-customized staff and orbiters. However, he seldom casts his own Originium Arts.

Perhaps we can continue to monitor his performance in actual field battles.

— An instructor's notes

DOCUMENT: A certain log that requires sufficient authority level

According to reports by members of Operations Team Z7, Antal is exceptionally skilled in Originium Arts. His ability to cast the Arts far exceeds that of other operators in his cohort. When conducting a certain operation, Op Team Z7 members witnessed how Antal, in a crucial moment, positioned himself before the hostage. The operator used his Originium Arts to instantly disintegrate the greatsword swung by the attacking Landbreaker, and saved both himself and the hostage.

It was an extremely intense moment. Antal would immediately lose his life if he failed to de-weaponize the attacker. However, he himself remained extremely calm throughout the entire incident. Since then, members of Op Team Z7 gained a deeper appreciation of Antal's abilities — Though he was known for being slow when it comes to sensing dangers in the environment or picking up changes in the emotions of other people, he was willing to risk his own life to save others. This revealed Operator Antal to be an extremely kind and courageous individual.

Antal was remarkably humble when his teammates asked him about what he did. Antal replied that he did not perfectly wield his Originium Arts and failed to achieve his grandmother's level of expertise. He claimed the old lady could take apart and reassemble large metal machinery, while disintegrating a Landbreaker's weapon was the most he could do. Antal also mentioned that his grandmother crafted a small staff for him during his childhood to make up for his lack of power.

"Your talent lies elsewhere — That is what my grandmother told me. And I have absolutely faith in her words."

Antal was born in a normal household in the Free City of New Wrankwood. He spent most of his childhood growing up in a household Originium appliance repair shop belonging to his grandmother.

Although Antal lived in a place known for its entertainment industry, he had no interest in the movies or performance industries. Instead, he preferred lying on the table and looking at his grandmother work — Her jobs include repairing a faulty refrigerator and swapping out its Originium starter component, or restoring a television with a shattered screen and severely damaged mainboard to mint conditions... The old repairlady had jobs everyday, but she never neglected her grandson. When she had time, she would personally design and make various toys such as mini sports cars and powered combo-puzzle cubes for the lad. Hence, Antal grew up very much loved and never felt lonely. Years of influence from his grandmother gave Antal an outstanding talent for assembling and taking apart Originium devices. He successfully secured a full scholarship in an academy and chose a major related to applications of Originium automation.

The academy where Antal studied at was known for its conservative atmosphere. The youth, however, was not an adherent to the rules. When his novel inventions failed to acquire the favor of his professors, he chose to continue his project in private. For his academic excellence, Antal became the valedictorian for the graduation ceremony. He mounted his latest invention on his back — an automated Originium-powered robot arm, and enthusiastically used it to wave at the professors who once scoffed at the idea. And then suddenly, the open hand of the robot lowered four of its fingers, save for one that remained still and fully extended.

Although the incident left quite a psychological trauma to members of the academy's administration, Antal was still able to graduate. However, no one in the academy was willing to offer letters of recommendation to his potential employers. Endfield Industries initiated a talent recruitment drive in cities near New Wrankwood a while later. The advanced technologies and pioneering spirit of the company seized Antal by his heart. He then submitted his resume to Endfield. After the interview, Antal was chosen by Operator Akekuri who was setting up an operations team of her own. He later became a formal member of Operations Team Z7.

Oh... I only realized this after special training. The guy is pretty close to a true genius.

— Maze

Pretty close?

— Caster operator in the same training cohort

Grandma:

I have received the package from you. The new Arts Unit is just what I need to support my modified orbiter. I have distributed the other local specialties that came attached with the package. There is no need for you to send these things to me. I have a fixed salary good enough that I have some leftover after purchasing parts for engineering mods every month.

I know you've sent plushes of movie characters, outfits of classic movie stars, and other limited edition movie posters so that I can use these to befriend other individuals. You have been doing this since I was attending the academy — However, those classmates of mine simply stashed the collectibles they received inside their closets and never showed them again. Your following letter told me not to be sad. I really wasn't, grandmother. It is just like what I've told you. Their reactions and responses will not influence my attitude towards them.

My colleagues at Endfield are not like the classmates I have in the academy. The Endfielders never turned me down nor rejected my ideas. Life is here is good, and I enjoy more liberties. There is something else that I intend to tell you. My communication skills have vastly improved thanks to the instructions provided by my Z7 teammates and constant side-by-side training offered by the Endministrator.

You once worried that my personality might start to conflict with my superior, but my current situation proves your worries are unnecessary. Our meetings have been enjoyable and the Endmin happily accepts everything I share. This also explains why I have been writing less to you. You no longer need to be concerned about my lack of friends. It is not about taking and giving, but mutual sincerity to explore and discuss everything about each other... I believe I have completely understood the true meaning of "friendship".

Also, your request for passing on a message to the Endministrator has been carried out by me. The Endmin is enthusiastic and even said that the meeting with you should have taken place much earlier.

Antal