Slava Korovin holds the clandestine position of chief engineer overseeing spacecraft development for the Republic of Zirnitra’s space program. Officially unnamed and concealed from public records, he operates under the anonymous mantle of “Chief Designer,” mirroring historical counterparts who advanced aerospace technology under politically charged regimes.

Korovin embodies a duality of analytical precision and guarded compassion. He follows orders to equip Irina’s spacecraft with explosives to safeguard classified systems from foreign interception, yet his subdued relief at her successful launch exposes a latent moral conscience. This tension between duty and empathy intensifies when he tacitly authorizes Lev’s unauthorized mission to locate Irina after her crash, defying protocol to prioritize her survival.

He infuses their codenames with personal symbolism: “Lycoris” for Irina, alluding to the flower’s duality of fleeting beauty and resilience, and “Aster” for Lev, evoking starlike guidance and protection. These choices subtly reflect his unspoken investment in their fates beyond their roles as assets.

Background details position him as the architect of Zirnitra’s spacefaring ambitions, navigating political demands while advancing technology through ethically fraught compromises. His professional focus masks unresolved conflicts, particularly regarding Irina’s exploitation as a test subject. Though his personal history remains undisclosed, his actions trace a quiet evolution—from enforcing state mandates to enabling dissent—implying a dawning awareness of individual worth amid systemic dehumanization.