TV-Series
Description
Excel, whose real name is Maria, is the human contractee of Steiner, a high-ranking Tera Guardian from the German High-Council. Her background is rooted in tragedy; she was born as the elder daughter of a wealthy warlord and had a younger brother named Klaus. After her parents passed away, Excel took over the duties of leading their fiefdom until her brother could come of age. This life ended when a village under her care was attacked and set on fire by rogue Alter Egos. During the attack, Klaus was killed. While mourning her brother's death, Steiner appeared and offered her a contract, promising to become stronger so that they could together seek vengeance for the slaughtered villagers.
In terms of personality, Excel is typically calm, collected, and mature, often appearing bored during battles due to her extensive experience as a veteran contractee. She possesses keen insight and exudes confidence in her abilities and her century-long partnership with Steiner. Despite this composed exterior, she has a fragile side, particularly regarding Steiner, showing visible worry and distress when he is harmed. She has little tolerance for insolence and can be direct, occasionally reminding others not to judge by appearances, a point underscored by her own childlike form. A unique aspect of her demeanor is her tendency to be engrossed in playing a video game on a handheld console, often responding to Steiner without looking up. Despite a somewhat aloof front, she demonstrates refined politeness and can be surprisingly warm, even developing a romantic interest in Keita Ibuki, which she expresses with a kiss.
Excel's primary motivation is initially vengeance for her brother's death, which drives her to form her original contract. Over a century, this evolves into a deep bond of loyalty and partnership with Steiner. When Steiner is later killed in battle, her motivation shifts to avenging his death, leading her to form a new contract with Mikami Houjou to gain the power necessary to confront his killer. Her role in the story is that of an experienced and powerful ally turned investigator. She and Steiner arrive in Japan on a mission from the Noble Ones to investigate an imbalance in the Tera, which leads them to the main characters, Kuro and Keita. Initially, they serve as formidable antagonists who test the protagonists' strength, but they eventually become key allies who provide crucial information about the larger conflict.
Excel's key relationships are central to her character. Her bond with Steiner is the most significant; they have over a hundred years of fighting experience together. Though Steiner was the one who initially approached her, Excel often takes the lead in their partnership, with Steiner respecting her decisions. Their relationship has deep romantic undertones, highlighted by Steiner giving her a ring with a green pearl to commemorate their centennial anniversary of being together. After his death, her relationship with Mikami is pragmatic yet symbiotic. She contracts with Mikami for revenge, while Mikami agrees for a fee and due to a shared sense of loss, as she also lost her partner. When Steiner dies, Excel's body begins to rapidly age as her century of life catches up with her, and it is Mikami who forms a new contract with her to save her life. Throughout the story, she also develops a notable dynamic with Keita and Kuro, initially dismissing them as "kids" but later offering Keita a protective ring and showing him affection.
Excel undergoes significant development, primarily driven by loss. After witnessing her brother's death as a child, she hardened herself to become a warrior seeking vengeance. The most profound change occurs after Steiner's death at the hands of Reishin. She is rescued by one of Steiner's clones but is left emotionally devastated. The trauma is so severe that she loses a leg and initially seals her memories of Steiner to cope with the pain. Upon regaining her memories, she transforms from a composed partner into a desperate avenger willing to form a new contract for the sole purpose of revenge. However, her journey also includes learning to move forward, as a vision of Steiner encourages her to live.
Excel possesses several notable abilities. She can sense the flow and balance of Tera in an environment, which allows her to track disturbances and other supernatural beings. Her primary combat tools are combat accessories known as "thousands." The most prominent is the Hexa Ring, which she wears to create a powerful defensive shield called the Hexa Shield or Hexa Wall. This shield can block powerful attacks and, after being upgraded, can be cast anywhere to absorb and reflect enemy attacks. An unusual but critical aspect of her abilities is a physical mutation caused by her first contract with Steiner, which dramatically slows her aging and physical growth, resulting in her permanent childlike appearance despite being over a century old. This mutation also has a downside; when that contract was broken by Steiner's death, her body's old age caught up with her instantly, nearly killing her.
In terms of personality, Excel is typically calm, collected, and mature, often appearing bored during battles due to her extensive experience as a veteran contractee. She possesses keen insight and exudes confidence in her abilities and her century-long partnership with Steiner. Despite this composed exterior, she has a fragile side, particularly regarding Steiner, showing visible worry and distress when he is harmed. She has little tolerance for insolence and can be direct, occasionally reminding others not to judge by appearances, a point underscored by her own childlike form. A unique aspect of her demeanor is her tendency to be engrossed in playing a video game on a handheld console, often responding to Steiner without looking up. Despite a somewhat aloof front, she demonstrates refined politeness and can be surprisingly warm, even developing a romantic interest in Keita Ibuki, which she expresses with a kiss.
Excel's primary motivation is initially vengeance for her brother's death, which drives her to form her original contract. Over a century, this evolves into a deep bond of loyalty and partnership with Steiner. When Steiner is later killed in battle, her motivation shifts to avenging his death, leading her to form a new contract with Mikami Houjou to gain the power necessary to confront his killer. Her role in the story is that of an experienced and powerful ally turned investigator. She and Steiner arrive in Japan on a mission from the Noble Ones to investigate an imbalance in the Tera, which leads them to the main characters, Kuro and Keita. Initially, they serve as formidable antagonists who test the protagonists' strength, but they eventually become key allies who provide crucial information about the larger conflict.
Excel's key relationships are central to her character. Her bond with Steiner is the most significant; they have over a hundred years of fighting experience together. Though Steiner was the one who initially approached her, Excel often takes the lead in their partnership, with Steiner respecting her decisions. Their relationship has deep romantic undertones, highlighted by Steiner giving her a ring with a green pearl to commemorate their centennial anniversary of being together. After his death, her relationship with Mikami is pragmatic yet symbiotic. She contracts with Mikami for revenge, while Mikami agrees for a fee and due to a shared sense of loss, as she also lost her partner. When Steiner dies, Excel's body begins to rapidly age as her century of life catches up with her, and it is Mikami who forms a new contract with her to save her life. Throughout the story, she also develops a notable dynamic with Keita and Kuro, initially dismissing them as "kids" but later offering Keita a protective ring and showing him affection.
Excel undergoes significant development, primarily driven by loss. After witnessing her brother's death as a child, she hardened herself to become a warrior seeking vengeance. The most profound change occurs after Steiner's death at the hands of Reishin. She is rescued by one of Steiner's clones but is left emotionally devastated. The trauma is so severe that she loses a leg and initially seals her memories of Steiner to cope with the pain. Upon regaining her memories, she transforms from a composed partner into a desperate avenger willing to form a new contract for the sole purpose of revenge. However, her journey also includes learning to move forward, as a vision of Steiner encourages her to live.
Excel possesses several notable abilities. She can sense the flow and balance of Tera in an environment, which allows her to track disturbances and other supernatural beings. Her primary combat tools are combat accessories known as "thousands." The most prominent is the Hexa Ring, which she wears to create a powerful defensive shield called the Hexa Shield or Hexa Wall. This shield can block powerful attacks and, after being upgraded, can be cast anywhere to absorb and reflect enemy attacks. An unusual but critical aspect of her abilities is a physical mutation caused by her first contract with Steiner, which dramatically slows her aging and physical growth, resulting in her permanent childlike appearance despite being over a century old. This mutation also has a downside; when that contract was broken by Steiner's death, her body's old age caught up with her instantly, nearly killing her.