A/N: Quick update before we begin!
I've decided to make some changes to Lian's character and abilities. Rather than having him as a shadow of Kyorin, I want Lian to stand fully on his own—unique and distinct.
Lian's Resonance ability as a Threnodian is called Impermanence—Ender of Materialism and Subduer of Energy. As a Resonator, his ability is Harmonics—Performer of Resonant Melodies. (Originally belonged to DEVA)
To reflect this, I'm redefining Lian's element from Havoc to Spectro—the power to bind photons and manipulate light and information (per Wuthering Waves lore).
But Lian's Spectro is more advanced than most. He doesn't just bind light; he binds resonance states themselves, collapsing infinite possibilities into one harmonized reality.
Instead of destroying targets outright, his attacks resolve their existence by aligning conflicting resonance patterns—making enemies vanish as if they never existed.
Simple metaphor: "Others shatter glass; Lian makes the glass never exist."
This fits Lian's nature as a master of subtlety and control, shaping reality by playing the "right note" rather than breaking it.
Also, a change in weapons: his male form wields a bow, while his female form uses a giant axe. (There's a reason for this choice—*cough, pic here)
What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
***
The pale light of lit lanterns glowed inside the secret room as Lian and Changli were concluding their negotiations.
"I will be heading toward the Norfall Barrens at first light tomorrow," Lian announced, setting down her teacup with a soft clink.
Changli, seated across from her, gave a small nod, then produced a Resonance Registry File book from her Terminal — the standardized documentation used to catalog Resonators' capabilities.
Her tone was measured, carrying an air of quiet authority. "Before you leave, I'll need you to provide us with a copy of your Resonance Forte Evaluation."
Lian glanced at the document and gave a small shake of her head. "There's no need for that," she replied plainly. "I don't have an Evaluation Report."
Changli's eyes narrowed faintly, her expression thoughtful rather than skeptical. "That's unusual," she remarked, her voice calm but probing.
"A Forte Evaluation is typically conducted as soon as Resonators awaken. For someone of your identity," Changli pointed. "I would have expected your evaluation to have been completed long ago."
Lian smiled lightly, as though anticipating the question. "I awakened only around ten months ago," she explained, "but even before that, I possessed a unique condition. My body could interact with Resonance long before my actual awakening."
She paused, her gaze steady and unflinching. "In simple terms, I've been accumulating strength since birth. The awakening merely allowed me to break past an unknown bottleneck I couldn't cross before."
Changli studied her intently, her fingers steepled as she weighed the explanation. While she remained cautious, Lian's composed demeanor and clear articulation left little room for immediate doubt.
"Very well," Changli said at last, setting the file aside. "I'll have the lab conduct your evaluation as a formality. It's important to ensure all records are in order."
Raising her hand slightly, she tapped her Terminal. Moments later, Sanhua entered the room with her usual grace. "Miss Counselor," she greeted.
"Assist Lian with her Forte Evaluation," Changli instructed, her tone professional yet firm. "Ensure the lab completes all necessary records before her departure."
"As you wish." Sanhua turned toward Lian, bowing her head slightly. "If you would follow me, Miss Lian."
"Lian is fine," Lian answered softly.
"Understood, Lian. Please follow me," Sanhua said with her usual composed grace.
Lian stood, giving Changli a small, polite nod before following Sanhua down the marble corridor.
As the pair disappeared into the hallway, Changli watched them go, her fingers idly tapping against the polished surface of her desk. Though Lian's explanation was unconventional, it was not implausible.
'A unique condition, hmm?' Changli mused, her gaze drifting to her own flame scarred hand. 'Well, I'll let the results speak for themselves.'
***
The afternoon sun hung high above Huaxu Academy, casting warm golden light across the campus and stretching long shadows beneath the ornate gates. Rover, Yangyang, and Chixia approached the entrance, their footsteps muffled by the soft stone path.
Beep—
A sharp beep cut through the quiet. Chixia's Terminal chimed, its screen lighting up with an incoming call. She paused, glancing down at the device.
"Oh, wait a sec, someone's looking for me," she said, her brow knitting in mild surprise as she answered.
A brief silence followed, broken by Chixia's quick, concerned response. "Yeah... What! When did he disappear? Don't worry. It's alright. I'll be right there."
She ended the call, letting out a quick breath. "Duty calls! Oops, almost forgot. Can't be late!" Chixia flashed an apologetic grin at her companions.
"Sorry, Rover, Yangyang. I've gotta head off for my shift. I'll join you right after I'm done, alright?" She adjusted her Terminal, already preparing to leave.
"If you need me, just shout my name, and I, the Jinzhou Speedster, will be there in a sec." She gave a playful salute with a grin.
Rover called after her, "Ma Xiaofang!"
Chixia spun around, cheeks puffed in mock indignation. "STOP! STOP! Don't call me that!"
She shook her head, a reluctant smile forming. "Anyway, I've gotta go. You guys okay on your own? Give me a heads-up when there's any updates."
Yangyang waved her off. "Sure, go do your thing. Don't worry, I'm staying with him."
As Chixia hurried away, Yangyang nudged Rover gently. "Rover, let's go inside."
They stepped through the academy's grand entrance, the cool air inside a welcome contrast to the lingering afternoon warmth.
Yangyang glanced at her Terminal, tapping the screen with a hint of impatience. "Baizhi hasn't replied to my message. She's probably busy in her lab."
She slowed, her gaze catching on a figure ahead. A man with vivid red hair and glasses stood near the corridor, his posture composed and professional. The Tacet Mark on his right chest glimmered, red crystalline scales trailing down his arm like a dragon's hide.
Yangyang leaned closer to Rover, lowering her voice. "Over there must be Mr. Mortefi from the Department of Safety. Baizhi once mentioned him before..."
She hesitated, watching as Mortefi spoke with two other men, his expression unreadable. "He might be able to help us get in touch with Baizhi, but, erm... it seems we've caught him at a bad time."
Regardless, Yangyang knew he could be extremely helpful for Rover, so she made up her mind.
"Anyway... Let's try asking him, shall we?" she suggested.
They approached Mortefi, who gazed back over his shoulder as he addressed the two, "What. You need something?"
His gaze lingered on Yangyang's Terminal, recognizing the Jinzhou patroller emblem, but when his eyes fell on Rover, they narrowed slightly as he spoke, his tone flat, "And you are?"
Rover instinctively took a step back, feeling the weight of Mortefi's scrutiny. "That was scary," he whispered.
Mortefi's demeanor softened for a moment, the intensity in his eyes dimming as he looked away, trying to be less intimidating. "…My apologies. Did I startle you?"
"We're here for Baizhi," Rover replied.
Yangyang stepped forward, her tone polite but earnest. "Mr. Mortefi, please pardon our intrusion. We are friends of Baizhi, and we're here to look for her."
Mortefi inclined his head slightly. "I see. I hope I didn't cause any offense earlier."
Yangyang shook her head. "Not at all, it was us who bothered you."
"Baizhi should be in the Data Analysis Room. I'll go tell her you're here," Mortefi said, turning to leave.
"Thank you, sir," Yangyang replied.
With a nod, Mortefi strode down the corridor, his red crystalline arm catching the dim lights of the hall.
As he disappeared from view, Yangyang turned to Rover, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "This is Mortefi, a renowned figure in the Department of Safety.
"He was born in the New Federation, and he joined the Huaxu Academy a few years ago. I heard his talent is truly impressive." She added.
"People say he is a bit scary at first glance, but he's actually quite kindhearted once you get to know him…" Yangyang explained hoping to ease Rover's earlier fright.
"Chixia told me he's quite popular with the kids." She added, as she said, " Children have been pestering him for all kinds of fancy toys, and he's always open to their requests."
Rover nodded, finding the researcher far more approachable than he'd first appeared, despite his stern demeanor.
Before long, Baizhi appeared, a research vial in hand. "There you are. The data we collected in the Gorges of Spirits has been submitted for analysis. We should have the results by the end of the day," she announced.
She turned to Rover. "I've also prepared the equipment for your physical examinations," Baizhi added, then glanced between them. "Did you make any discoveries during your visit to City Hall?"
Rover produced the tokens he had received, recounting the events and explaining how Sanhua, acting on behalf of the magistrate, had entrusted them to him.
The tokens were a candy known as a sugar pearl, a miniature sundial, a leaf with an odd color, and a mangosteen fruit.
Rover explained that these were like tokens—clues that might help him, though there were many hypotheses as to their meaning.
None seemed conclusive, as Baizhi remarked, "These three tokens can be tested at my branch's laboratory—Branch of Remnant Studies." She pointed at the sundial. "This miniature sundial will require radiographic testing, though."
"To access the necessary equipment, we'll need to file a request with one of the Tacetite Studies branches," Baizhi suggested.
"Tacetite... that's the field Mortefi specializes in, isn't it?" Rover asked.
Baizhi nodded. "Yes, Mortefi is the head of the Branch of Tacetite Weaponry within the Department of Safety."
She excused herself for a moment. Soon after, Baizhi returned with Mortefi.
Mortefi glanced at the group, his tone brisk. "Give me the items to be tested. If there's anything else I should know, let me know now."
"You may retrieve your items in twenty minutes, and the analysis report will be ready five minutes after that. Take a right, and you'll find me in the testing room," he said, swift and to the point.
Rover handed over the tokens as Mortefi examined them, his brow furrowing. "I don't see anything special with these items." He paused, pointing at the sugar pearl. "Speaking of this sugar pearl... Did you all have these as children?"
Mortefi considered for a moment. "I don't think I've ever had anything like this in my childhood." He mindlessly uttered.
Rover looked up, his keen senses catching on to something. "Mr. Mortefi, I heard you weren't raised in Huanglong?"
Mortefi shook his head. "No. I'm from the New Federation." He paused, catching on to Rover's implication. "You mean this sugar pearl might be unique to Huanglong?"
Rover nodded. "I believe so."
Yangyang chimed in, "I remember a nurse giving me a candy like that."
Mortefi's gaze sharpened. "So, sugar pearls like this were distributed at hospitals? Perhaps..."
Baizhi interjected, "The sugar pearl might be a type of medicine. Its sweet taste would've made it more palatable to children."
Mortefi turned to her. "Ms. Baizhi, as a Huanglong local working at the Academy, I suppose you already have an idea what it is?"
Baizhi replied coolly, "I have my theory, but it still needs verification. I wouldn't claim any solid answers before confirming the chemical composition with reliable data."
Mortefi nodded. "Seconded. Let's find out through actual testing, then."
Just then, a lab researcher entered and handed Mortefi a report file. Mortefi's eyes narrowed as he read the cover:
Resonance Evaluation Report
Time of Evaluation: Year XXX, Today's date
Resonator Name: Da Lian [Confidential]
[Resonance Assessment RA1002-L]
Mortefi brows lifted subtly as he reached the section describing Lian's Resonance graph: "z = z² + c" — a Mandelbrot set equation that momentarily caught him off-guard.
The analysis spoke of harmonized complex patterns, collapsing infinite possibilities into unified outcomes.
For a fleeting moment, awe—or perhaps concern—flashed in Mortefi's eyes before his usual stoicism returned.
Without comment, he closed the file, securing it under his arm. Turning to the group with professional detachment, he said, "I'll begin testing now. Results will be ready shortly."
With that, he strode toward the lab, leaving the others exchanging uncertain glances.
"Let's proceed with the physical assessment, shall we?" Baizhi suggested.
To be continued...
***
A/N: The Act I: First Resonance is the most boring act imo in the whole game. Well, I will be done by next chapter so that's a w.