TETHYS ARCHIVES
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Resonance Evaluation Report
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Evaluation Basis: [Resonance Assessment 1617-G]
According to Resonator Aalto's reports, there was a rare occurrence of heavy fog on the day of his birth. Aalto's Tacet Mark is located on the left side of his neck. Other than gaining the ability to briefly transform into a mist-like form, no significant physical changes have been observed in Aalto's body after his Awakening.
Resonator Aalto excels in the art of camouflage and transformation, often assuming an elusive and fluctuating physical state, akin to the characteristics of mist. Further tests conducted to ascertain the properties of the mist he conjures yielded inconclusive results.
The Resonance Spectrum Pattern of Aalto matches our known Spectrum Patterns of fog. Strong Syntony Reactions have been observed during testing, confirming the connection between fog and Aalto's Awakening.
Additionally, analysis of test samples has revealed a non-convergent Rabelle's Curve with a noticeable periodic waveform, which classifies Aalto as a Congenital Resonator.
Researcher's Annotation: As stated in the report, this Resonator is cunning and a master of disguises, thus rendering the credibility of his recounts questionable.
Annotation to the annotation: As a broker honoring integrity. I, Aalto, solemnly swear that the recount I presented is 100% truth. Nothing more, nothing less.
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Overclock Diagnostic Report
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Resonator Aalto's waveform graph shows displays stable elliptical fluctuations in the Time Domain with no abnormal patterns. Upon examination, all results fall within normal parameters.
In terms of Resonant Criticality, Resonator Aalto ranks at a moderate level with high stability, resulting in a low risk of Overclocking.
Resonator Aalto disappeared halfway through the Overclock diagnosis, thus no Overclock history records were obtained.
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(JEFF'S POV)
| Jinzhou Streets |
Me, Rover, Yangyang, and Chixia sprinted through the narrow streets.
That slippery bastard.
Then, through the haze, we saw a silhouette formed out of swirling mist.
It stood unnervingly still, posed in a ridiculous way arms stretched wide, like some overdramatic bird about to take flight.
Rover slowed beside me, her eyes narrowing. "Is that… supposed to be him?"
The fog glimmered faintly under the lanterns. I squinted. "...Did he leave it here to mock us?"
She let out a breathy laugh that wasn't quite amused. "It's working."
The mist shimmered again, reshaping into a message scrawled midair curling letters made entirely of fog:
"We value integrity and quality above all else! New customers enjoy 20% off!"
Chixia groaned loudly, throwing up her hands. "Ugh! What is this? A sale announcement? Is he mocking us?"
Her messy hair whipped as she turned, already choosing a direction. "I'll go down that way toward the Patrol Station! I know these streets like the back of my hand!"
"Be careful," I called out but she was already gone.
Rover and I pushed forward. Another mist figure appeared at the next corner, standing tall with arms open as though waiting for a hug.
The absurdity of it almost made me laugh, if it weren't so infuriating.
Rover tilted her head, lips twitching. "I can't tell if he's taunting us or sending us a message."
"Knowing Aalto," I muttered, "probably both."
Above the figure floated another fog-written line:
"Fate brings us together; may our friendship endure forever!"
Yangyang caught up, panting slightly, her expression shifting between exasperation and disbelief. "Here's another split in the road. I'll check the square. You two take the other side."
I nodded, and just like that, she was gone
The street quieted again until it was just me and Rover.
She turned to me, brushing her hair from her cheek. "Guess it's just the two of us again."
"Yeah," I said slowly, scanning the alleys ahead. "But I've got a feeling that's intentional."
Before she could ask what I meant, the mist shifted once more coalescing into another mocking sculpture.
This one had its hands lifted, fingers curved into a heart. The fog pulsed with faint luminescence, as if laughing at us.
Rover folded her arms, unimpressed. "Really?"
I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "He's enjoying this way too much."
A final message appeared, the fog curling into words that hovered in front of us:
"Patience, please — the answer is right around the corner!"
Rover's eyes widened. "The gaps between each figure… they're shrinking."
She pointed toward a narrow alley where the mist thickened, swirling like a beckoning hand. "Over there, at the end of that alley! Let's go, Jeff!"
Her hand caught my wrist before I could even respond and we bolted down the alley.
The fog parted like a curtain as Rover and I slowed to a stop, our boots skidding slightly on the floor.
There he was — Aalto — standing at the edge of the plaza, mist coiling lazily around his shoulders like a living thing.
His half-smile was infuriatingly calm, his hands tucked casually into his pockets as though we hadn't been chasing him across half of Jinzhou.
"...Ha," he exhaled, that grin widening. "Now you're here."
Rover stepped forward, "You have nowhere to run."
I leveled my gaze at him, my voice low. "Where are you going to run off to this time?"
Aalto tilted his head, as if genuinely amused. "Run? No, no, you've got it wrong. We weren't running from you—"
He gestured lazily toward the shadows behind him. "We just wanted to make sure both of you were… alone."
I almost reached for my pistol—then froze.
A small figure peeked out from behind him.
Encore.
Her wide eyes blinked up at us, all innocence and confusion. My hand dropped immediately.
"Be good, please!" she chirped, clutching at Aalto's sleeve. "Encore and Uncle Aalto won't do anything bad to you!"
"What do you want from us?!"
I couldn't help myself. "She just called you uncle again."
Aalto sighed, pressing a hand to his temple like a man cursed with patience. "That's enough, Encore. You're freaking out our precious clients."
Encore puffed out her cheeks, muttering, "Encore just did as Aalto said! Encore's usually a good girl."
"Of course you are," he said, patting her head absently before looking at us with that same infuriating grin. "Don't be scared. We just have a few questions for you."
His tone softened into a mock salesman's pitch.
"Was it your idea to have those two lovely ladies parade around wearing counterfeit Blake Blooms to get our attention? Gotta say — impressive craftsmanship. If I didn't know better, I might've been fooled."
I folded my arms, unimpressed. Rover stayed still but alert, her stance defensive her weight shifted slightly onto one leg, ready for anything.
Aalto went on, ever dramatic. "So, you worked with a plant-type Resonator… interesting."
Encore nodded enthusiastically. "A plant-type Resonator? We know someone like that too, don't we?"
Aalto gave a lazy shrug. "Sure, sure. More than one, actually. Not a big deal."
He stepped closer, eyes glinting with mischief. "So please, tell me… what do you want from the Black Shores?"
I met his gaze head-on. "Why should we tell you?"
He chuckled, low and smooth. "Why? Well…" He leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if I told you we have the information you want most?"
That made Rover hesitate. "Our past… might be related to the Black Shores."
"Oh?" His grin sharpened. "Really now? So that lead was right after all. Especially you."
He lifted a gloved finger and pointed straight at me.
I couldn't stop the smirk curling my lips. "Now you're finally biting the hook."
He laughed. "Not bad, You catch on quick. Like they say here in Huanglong—" He struck a ridiculous pose, hand over heart. "—'The straight hook is for willing fish to bite!' Ta-daa da daah!"
Rover and I both stared at him blankly.
He chuckled anyway. "What, no applause? Anyway, congrats! The people you've been chasing? Standing right in front of you. And because I'm generous, I'll even let you have that intel for free."
Rover's expression hardened. "You're both from the Black Shores?"
Aalto feigned offense. "Aww, not that disappointed look! Are we not what you imagined?"
"Can't say I'm surprised," I muttered.
He smirked wider. "Come on, don't be so cold! You gotta learn to enjoy surprises while they last, or life gets dull."
He raised a finger like a teacher about to make a point. "Now, I know you have a ton of questions, but—hear me out."
He straightened his coat, voice slipping into his salesman rhythm again.
"As you probably know, I'm an information broker. I deal in trades, not charity. You want something from me, you've got to give something in return."
I exchanged a glance with Rover — she didn't like where this was going.
"Relax," Aalto said, waving a hand dismissively. "We just want to make a deal. You come with us to an old, abandoned Court of Savantae facility, help us recover a Resonance Beacon, and in return—" He tapped his temple. "I'll tell you everything I know."
Rover's voice came out cold. "Why should we trust you?"
Aalto placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "Our business is built on integrity and customer satisfaction! Otherwise, how would we qualify as official Consultants of the Black Shores?"
"And if we say no?" I asked.
He smiled — that dangerous, knowing smile. "Then you'll never get another chance to learn more about the Black Shores again. Not in this lifetime, anyway."
He reached into his coat and pulled something out —He tossed it toward me, and I caught it automatically.
"This," he said, "should prove we're serious. You already know what it represents."
"And if you're still skeptical, show it to that plant-savvy young miss you're so fond of. She'll know it's real."
Then, with a wicked gleam in his eye, he added, "Finally… as a last resort."
He looked down at Encore. "Encore, do your cute face. Quick."
"What—wait—" Rover began, but it was too late.
Encore clasped her hands together, eyes wide and watery. "Aww… pwease help us… pretty pweaaase?"
I stared. "It won't work on me."
Rover groaned. "What a dirty move."
Aalto laughed, his voice echoing across the fog. "Look at this poor child, pleading with you! How could anyone with a heart possibly say no? That's it — deal sealed!"
Before we could reply, the mist around him began to rise, curling up like smoke drawn to the moonlight.
"We'll be waiting for you near the Beacon," Aalto's voice drifted through the fog, playful and mocking. "Whining Aix's Mire! And remember—"
Encore's voice chimed faintly behind him. "Come alone, okay?"