OVA
Description
Cless Alvein is the protagonist of his story, a young swordsman from the small village of Toltus. He is the son of Miguel Alvein, a renowned master of a local sword fighting school, and has dedicated himself to the study of this family style since early childhood. At seventeen years old, he stands 170 centimeters tall and is characterized by his blonde hair, brown eyes, and a signature red headband, a keepsake from his father that signifies his status as a student of Alvein-style swordsmanship.
Cless embodies the archetype of a determined and courageous hero, though his personality extends beyond simple bravado. He is often hotheaded and loud, driven by a strong sense of justice and a stubborn belief in his own convictions. At his core, he is a kind and altruistic individual who feels a profound need to help those in need, even when it deviates from his primary mission, and he is fiercely protective of his friends, willing to fight to the death for them. His determination is matched by an impressive work ethic, as demonstrated by his rigorous habit of waking early to practice two thousand sword swings. However, this headstrong nature can also manifest as naivety and a tendency to view complex situations in stark black and white, particularly in his initial quest for vengeance.
The driving force behind Cless's journey is revenge. After returning from a hunt to find his hometown destroyed, his parents murdered, and his best friend's sister dead, he swears an oath to pursue those responsible. His primary motivation is to confront the ancient king Dhaos, the entity he holds accountable for the destruction of his life. This quest for vengeance is highly personal, making Dhaos a berserk button that can cloud his judgment and lead to irrational decisions, such as harshly dismissing a companion who questions the enemy's motives. While his journey begins as a quest for revenge, it evolves as he is thrust into a larger role, being sent back and forth through time to find a way to defeat Dhaos and save the world.
In his role as the central character, Cless is the anchor of the party and the primary physical combatant. The story follows his perspective as he gathers allies, travels through different eras, and confronts the forces of Dhaos. His key relationships are fundamental to his development. His friendship with Chester Burklight is his most significant bond; they are neighbors, hunting companions, and heterogeneous life partners who share a vow of vengeance after their families are killed. Cless is haunted by nightmares of Chester being in danger, reflecting his deep care for his friend. He also forms crucial bonds with Mint Adnade, a gentle healer with whom he is sent into the past and for whom he develops romantic feelings, and Arche Klein, a wild and quirky magician who develops an unrequited affection for him.
Over the course of his adventure, Cless undergoes significant development. While he starts with a rigid, black-and-white morality that paints Dhaos as purely evil, his perspective matures after the final battle. He experiences a form of shellshock, recognizing that the man he defeated was not entirely unjust and that he himself was no better. He comes to understand Dhaos's reasons for his actions, expressing guilt and hesitation about the conflict, a stark contrast to his earlier, more impulsive self. This evolution shows his transition from a boy driven purely by revenge to a man who understands the complexities of morality and justice.
Cless is a highly capable fighter whose abilities are entirely self-derived, making him a Badass Normal. He fights using the Alvein School of Swordsmanship, and though primarily depicted with a sword and shield, he is proficient with a variety of blades, including axes, spears, and halberds. His physical strength, speed, and technique are products of relentless training. In battle, he executes special techniques known as artes, which include staple attacks like Demon Fang, a sword beam that travels along the ground, and Tiger Blade. He can also learn more powerful secret skills that combine two basic artes into a stronger assault, and his most powerful techniques are the Hi-Ougi, or mystic artes, such as Dark Blade. Later in the story, he wields the Eternal Sword, a weapon of plot significance that allows him to perform unique space-time attacks.
Cless embodies the archetype of a determined and courageous hero, though his personality extends beyond simple bravado. He is often hotheaded and loud, driven by a strong sense of justice and a stubborn belief in his own convictions. At his core, he is a kind and altruistic individual who feels a profound need to help those in need, even when it deviates from his primary mission, and he is fiercely protective of his friends, willing to fight to the death for them. His determination is matched by an impressive work ethic, as demonstrated by his rigorous habit of waking early to practice two thousand sword swings. However, this headstrong nature can also manifest as naivety and a tendency to view complex situations in stark black and white, particularly in his initial quest for vengeance.
The driving force behind Cless's journey is revenge. After returning from a hunt to find his hometown destroyed, his parents murdered, and his best friend's sister dead, he swears an oath to pursue those responsible. His primary motivation is to confront the ancient king Dhaos, the entity he holds accountable for the destruction of his life. This quest for vengeance is highly personal, making Dhaos a berserk button that can cloud his judgment and lead to irrational decisions, such as harshly dismissing a companion who questions the enemy's motives. While his journey begins as a quest for revenge, it evolves as he is thrust into a larger role, being sent back and forth through time to find a way to defeat Dhaos and save the world.
In his role as the central character, Cless is the anchor of the party and the primary physical combatant. The story follows his perspective as he gathers allies, travels through different eras, and confronts the forces of Dhaos. His key relationships are fundamental to his development. His friendship with Chester Burklight is his most significant bond; they are neighbors, hunting companions, and heterogeneous life partners who share a vow of vengeance after their families are killed. Cless is haunted by nightmares of Chester being in danger, reflecting his deep care for his friend. He also forms crucial bonds with Mint Adnade, a gentle healer with whom he is sent into the past and for whom he develops romantic feelings, and Arche Klein, a wild and quirky magician who develops an unrequited affection for him.
Over the course of his adventure, Cless undergoes significant development. While he starts with a rigid, black-and-white morality that paints Dhaos as purely evil, his perspective matures after the final battle. He experiences a form of shellshock, recognizing that the man he defeated was not entirely unjust and that he himself was no better. He comes to understand Dhaos's reasons for his actions, expressing guilt and hesitation about the conflict, a stark contrast to his earlier, more impulsive self. This evolution shows his transition from a boy driven purely by revenge to a man who understands the complexities of morality and justice.
Cless is a highly capable fighter whose abilities are entirely self-derived, making him a Badass Normal. He fights using the Alvein School of Swordsmanship, and though primarily depicted with a sword and shield, he is proficient with a variety of blades, including axes, spears, and halberds. His physical strength, speed, and technique are products of relentless training. In battle, he executes special techniques known as artes, which include staple attacks like Demon Fang, a sword beam that travels along the ground, and Tiger Blade. He can also learn more powerful secret skills that combine two basic artes into a stronger assault, and his most powerful techniques are the Hi-Ougi, or mystic artes, such as Dark Blade. Later in the story, he wields the Eternal Sword, a weapon of plot significance that allows him to perform unique space-time attacks.