Astgenne the Lightchaser

[Code Name] Astgenne

[Gender] Female

[Combat Experience] 2 Years

[Place of Birth] Columbia

[Date of Birth] Jul 10

[Race] Liberi

[Height] 166cm

[Infection Status]

Confirmed Infected by medical examination.

[Physical Strength] Normal

[Mobility] Standard

[Physical Resilience] Standard

[Tactical Acumen] Standard

[Combat Skill] Standard

[Originium Arts Assimilation] Standard

Elena Urbica, PhD, is a researcher from Rhine Lab's Energy Section, and currently their team leader at the Kjerag Observation Station. One of the primary investigators of the Kjerag Catastrophe.

Imaging tests show the indistinct outlines of internal organs, obscured by abnormal shadows. Originium granules detected in the circulatory system. The subject is confirmed to be infected with Oripathy.

[Cell-Originium Assimilation] 6%

Originium crystals have begun to appear on Astgenne's lower right leg.

[Blood Originium-Crystal Density] 0.24u/L

Isolated Originium crystals have appeared on the surface of Astgenne's body, in the shape of a four-pointed star. Symptoms are currently under control via medication.

Comparative analysis indicates significant difference in blood sample data obtained from Astgenne and Astesia. The chance of sympathetic Oripathy deterioration is deemed minimal. Please note that this document is to be archived under confidential files for reference.

—A Medical Department Operator

Astgenne spent a lot of time by herself during her time away from Rhine Lab (officially 'on dispatch'). Her sister, who lives in the adjacent dorm, said that such free time was a rarity for her.

The Rhodes Island work schedule, while not particularly relaxed by ordinary standards, is practically a vacation compared to the endless grind of lab work.

Relaxed, free, different.

Looking back, Astgenne realized that she had never stopped running, not since she repaired her first astrolabe and discovered the gap between her and the ideal daughter the Urbica family desired.

During her time at the Urbica home, she was obsessed with anything that might prove her worth, from school grades to competition results. She had no lofty ambitions—she was merely one of countless teenagers trying to prove themselves to their stubborn parents. And like all the others, her efforts were fruitless, but she did not let herself be troubled for long, as the new environment of university life had occupied her full attention. She devoted herself to science with religious fervor, and soon her talent and diligence caught people's attention, successfully earning an internship at Rhine Lab.

When did lofty goals become the sun above her head? She found herself lost in the maze of her thoughts. Her sun had gone out, like an insect breeder turning off the insectarium's ultraviolet lamp. She lost sight of the final goal of her marathon, and the meaning of her existence.

Could this be... an opportunity for a fresh start?

Life is free, and there are plenty of people on Rhodes Island who have found a second life. Some have abandoned their old names and found their true self during reclusion, while others stride bravely forward towards a new life, carrying the burden of their past. Seeing them made Astgenne realize that she, too, was standing at a crossroads, expanding her horizons.

A few days later, she received a registered letter from Carolin, a senior researcher from Rhine Lab with whom she had only a passing acquaintance. There was no lengthy introduction or postcard in the envelope, only the summary of a project proposal with the Rhine Lab stamp on it, describing plans to survey the sky and geology of Kjerag.

Astgenne quickly realized it was an invitation. She did not know why Carolin had chosen to contact her, but it took her little time to come to a decision.

She had made many choices before: between astrology and science, between obeying expectations and being true to her heart, leaving and staying, business and knowledge, resistance and apathy... She had always been firm. She seized a single thread in the chaos of her thoughts. She had always walked the same path in every decision, every time her horizons were expanded.

The white unknown of the Snow Realm awaited the young Liberi. She pressed the 'Send' button, submitting her application to Rhine Lab's mailbox.

[Personal Research Log]

Date: Week 1 in Kjerag

Project Status: Preparation phase

Recorded by: Elena

The dormitories and final check of the experiment supplies are complete, and we finally received permission to go into the field. Since most of us are unfamiliar with the local environment, Karlan Trade has arranged a guide for us, and they will help us with surveying and basic mapping within a month. Looks like they're very much on top of things.

The people in town are quite friendly to us, but residents of smaller villages prefer to keep their distance. Will this have a negative impact on our surveying efforts? Perhaps I could talk to them and help them understand that we don't have any ill intentions.

Date: Week 3 in Kjerag

Project Status: Initial survey

Recorded by: Elena

The work of Energy Team Leader has been easier than I expected. The people selected for the Kjerag project are the best and brightest: everyone is smart, motivated, and efficient. Besides, the exceptional nature of the project means that there are no receptions and conferences to deal with, other than internal meetings at the station. Sometime it feels... just the same as the old days.

The project goes well, and the proposal of firing high-energy particle beams at the Starpod to observe the response seems feasible, though there are still issues with energy supply that need to be resolved.

Time to get back to work.

Date: Week 4 in Kjerag

Project Status: Initial survey

Recorded by: Elena

The guide's work is done, and we have maps of the surrounding area and some of the remote regions. Turns out Kjerag doesn't have a publicly available map of the nation... I'd heard from Muelsyse about the local religious institution's monopoly on knowledge, but I didn't think it went so far as to deny access to maps.

I'm on the night shift with Carolin this week. She was the one who reminded me to submit my application as soon as the project started recruiting. I should thank her. Maybe I should buy her lunch?

Date: Week 6 in Kjerag

Project Status: Seeking supplemental energy source

Recorded by: Elena

I've been running scans with my team for energy sources in the nearby villages and valleys, but we haven't found any reliable local source yet. Perhaps we should cast the net wider.

The children in the villages speak Kjeragi with a slight rural accent, which I have some difficulty understanding. They are very curious and ask a lot of questions, most of which I didn't really understand. I should ask the Karlan Trade liaison later. There's no doubt, however, that they loved the candies I brought. I should bring some more flavors next time.

Date: Week 7 in Kjerag

Project Status: Seeking supplemental energy source

Recorded by: Elena

A village has extended an invitation for us to enter. I was surprised because their mayor had previously opposed outsiders. After we completed our survey, she invited us to eat at her house and drew symbols on our hands with snow before muttering something in prayer. I did not hear what she said, but finally she told us that Kjeragandr had told her that we were friends of Kjerag and could be trusted.

This was a happy development, though we failed to find any new energy source. However, after reviewing the recent survey data and comparing it with those from other centrum countries, I believe I've identified an unusual, subtle energy fluctuation unique to Kjerag that can be observed across its entire territory.

Could it be some kind of underground vein?

Date: Week 8 in Kjerag

Project Status: Seeking supplemental energy source

Recorded by: Elena

No new discoveries from energy surveys, and analysis of the unusual energy fluctuation was inconclusive.

My Kjeragi is getting better by the day, though. I'm now able to converse fluently with most of the villagers, and we've obtained permission to enter more villages. Some locals have even come over to share their homemade cheese and jerky with us. They're delicious.

The mayor from my previous entry invited us to visit her village again in a few weeks for her young daughter's birthday banquet. I should get a present from the souvenir shop in town. And I still haven't invited Carolin to lunch yet... need to remember to do it after tonight's shift.

The Kjerag Catastrophe struck quickly, but the incident ended surprisingly quietly. Just as in previous incidents, the new snowfall covers everything, leaving behind a blank slate for a new chapter.

Nothing has changed, yet everything has changed, like new life slowly being nurtured in the soil beneath the white snow, awaiting the call of spring.

Astgenne's life did not change much after deciphering those cryptic words. She continued to do experiments, write reports, study through the night, work her shifts, organize documents, and attend meetings. Just like Kjerag, however, some changes always occur behind the scenes.

[Anonymous Research Report (Excerpts)]

Regrettably, my 'Originium hypothesis' could not be verified even after careful analysis and a second survey.

Everything I'm seeing runs contrary to what I thought I knew. As shown in video attachment 09, we heard the sound of heartbeats, saw strange patterns wriggle on the rock, and detected biological signals from what should have been an inorganic object. The only entity of such size known to Terran lore is the...

[From Astgenne's personal audio recorder: Audio Log 29100129]

'Feranmut. That's the only possible explanation, and the only direction for further study.

'...It sounds absurd. I have no idea if I'm right, so I wasn't sure what to title the research report. As I delved into the secrets of Kjerag, however, my knowledge, my understanding, everything I've accumulated up to this point, served to eliminate all other possibilities, except a Feranmut.'

(Silence)

(Sound of pressing a button, audio recorder beeping)

'But sometimes... I can't help but fear this vast unknown.

'No one in Columbia has done any systematic research into this.

'Safety comes from experience, from being able to make it back to the shore. But this is a vast, endless ocean, and every step we take takes us deeper into the unknown.'

(Silence)

'Enya was right...

'But how can a scientist fear the unknown?'

A new research direction requires the support of a vast repository of both theory and empirical data. It is no small task to strip away the trappings of occultism and retrieve an undeniable truth which, however, is unprovable. Right now, she had no results, no sponsorship, and no team, only a heart that yearned for the truth—

And a twin sister who always has her back.

The hole in the sky above Trimounts attracted many astrologists and esoteric scholars from near and far, giving Astesia more opportunities to support her sister in academia.

However, while her skill as bibliography consultant is beyond doubt, in a field like astrology that places great importance on lineage and tradition, there are certain secrets and documents that are off-limits to someone of her age and limited experience.

When she shared her concerns with her younger sister, Astgenne gave a surprising answer as she organized her notes with a piece of toast in her mouth:

'Let's have Mr. Urbica do his part, then.'

Seeing her sister's hand freeze in mid-air, still holding a butter knife, Astgenne realized that some explanation was in order.

'I'm not saying I forgive him. There are some walls that time and family ties will never break down, even if he's my dad.

'But I also understand that there's more to him than just that stern, stubborn man I remember.

'I'd like to talk to Mr. Urbica, the scholar who's receptive to change and rebukes those clinging to obsolete ideas, not the dad who robbed me of my dreams.'

Astesia said nothing, only looking at her sister with a gaze that was both understanding and deeply moved. It made Astgenne feel a little embarrassed, and she looked away.

'What do you need me to do, Genne? Set up a meeting?'

'Mm... yeah. The more people around, the better, so he won't be able to throw a fit.'

'Just like last time?'

'Just like last time.' Astgenne recalled the time she attended a meeting dressed in her sister's clothes, and added, 'But this time, I'll be going as myself—Elena Urbica.'

'Sure.'

Astrological Research Association, one week later

Francois Urbica was reading a summary of the previous conference session in the public lounge. The hole in the sky of Trimounts was just a window to the heavens, not the heavens themselves, but everyone had their gazes fixated upon it, a fact that he found most tiresome.

'May I have a few minutes, Father?'

Suppressing his irritation, he instructed Astesia to continue, in his usual calm tone.

'My 'colleague' here would like to discuss a potential partnership with you.'

'Nice to meet you, Mr. Urbica. I am Elena Urbica from Rhine Lab. To get straight to the point, I can offer you the latest star charts and star trail data observed by the Kjerag Station as part of a long-term data-sharing agreement.

'Here is a sample for your perusal, both the raw data and the adjusted based on the Trimounts gap.'

This was the second time Francois had seen his rebellious younger daughter recently. Last time, she had dressed up as her sister, putting on a clumsy farce in full view of everyone. What was she up to this time?

He could have tossed the documents back at Elena in a fit of anger, but his dignity as a scholar would not allow him to do so. He took the documents and began reading them.

With every paragraph, every page, he could feel his irritation fade away, as thoughts began to connect themselves in his mind.

And the one who brought all this was—he looked up at his younger daughter—his own flesh and blood, one who was every bit as obstinate as him, who has defied him for half of her life.

Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes. He did not even react to his assistant's reminder that his next meeting was about to start.

Finally, Francois Urbica made the largest concession he had ever made:

'What do you want?'

(Humming of machinery)

'Recording complete... same as usual...'

(Sound of typing with the occasional rustling of pen on paper)

(Sound of chair moving)

(Sound of water boiling and pouring)

'...Nothing better than a cup of joe for an all-nighter. The amount of feedback data is decreasing. Looks like another slow night.

'Good thing I brought...'

(Humming of machinery)

(Pages rustling)

(Pages rustling and paper falling on the ground)

'What's this?

'Oh, it's from Sia... That's right, I brought this book from home. When did she slip this note inside? When I left home to go to college?'

(Humming of machinery)

(Low humming song with the rustling of pen on paper)

'Damn, I can barely remember...'

'Guess I should pay attention next time I go down the mountain...'

—Rhine Lab Y-02-22031-01/Night Shift Log

[An Old Note]

I don't know when you'll read this, Genne, but I know when you do, you must be somewhere by yourself, tormented by loneliness. Am I right?

You've always been different from the rest of the family. When I realized it, I tried divining our fate for the first time. The stars told me that my little sister is a free fowlbeast who will fly out of the many cages around her and see the rest of the land.

It's an amazing thing, and I'm proud of you. But as I write these words, I can't help but wonder... Where are you now? It must be a very different place, where you'll see different sights, meet different people, enjoy different food, and listen to different languages and songs... yes, songs.

Go out and enjoy life, make friends, write down the songs you hear, and bring back your favorite one. Consider it a prize for me, for guessing your thoughts.

I hope your loneliness will fade away when you finally stumble across this note. If it's still by your side, I hope you won't forget that I always think of you, just as you think of me.

Love, Astesia Urbica