Minova Guide — Stella Sora

To collect books from Monoliths that can be used for teachings.
Education is the key to revitalizing the Ash District.

Ashwind Clan's Motto:

Help your mates, speak your mind.

How to Join Ashwind Clan?

To join Ashwind Clan, you must meet three criteria:
1. Be loyal.
2. Keep your promises.
3. Love skateboarding.

Ashwind Members Perks:

Bespoke skateboards made by the clan.
Regular skateboarding races with amazing prizes.
Free access to the clan's exclusive library.

Ashwind Members Obligations:

Donate a book that's not in the library annually.
Share your knowledge with other clan members at least once a month.
Protect the neighborhood you live in.

Personal Interests:

Reading shojo manga and trying different lollipops.
※This part of the CV is for Boss's eyes only.

Minova isn't just our captain, she's our lifesaver, and we'll follow her forever!
—Vollara

Developing a district requires stable investment and thriving businesses, not wishful thinking and empty slogans.
—██

Highly accurate.
Minova was an exceptional student at Platinum Academy, earning full-ride scholarships for two years and achieving high scores on the Trekker Qualification Assessment.
Despite her evident potential in both academic and Trekker pursuits, she chose to return to Ash District to contribute to her community. While some may view this as a loss of Trekker talent, it is clear that this path aligns best with her values and aspirations.
On a side note, do not write clan regulations in your CV!
—Willow

Within the shadowy lanes of Emor's Ash District lies the covert Ashwind Clan.
Rumor has it these enigmatic members can breeze through the chaotic streets of Ash District with the swiftness of the wind itself.
What's their secret? Some speculate it's all thanks to their trusty skateboards. In an audacious attempt to uncover the truth, the daring Witches of Scarlet Sights Media took to the skies on broomsticks faster than any skateboard—but alas, they couldn't keep pace!.
Perhaps, Ashwind Clan does possess some ancient magic that turns people into living gusts of wind.
—A report from Scarlet Sights Media. The authenticity is yet to be verified.

The rumble of skateboard wheels on cobblestones mingled with the clash of armor, going from the port all the way to the bustling marketplace.
Minova nimbly hopped over a set of stairs, weaving through a labyrinth of alleys, leaving the Imperial Guard knights far behind.
She knew this place like the back of her hand.
Every shortcut, every hidden nook—she had them all memorized. There was no way she could be caught, unless the Imperial Guard flooded the area with overwhelming numbers.
And if they did...she had a backup plan...

Ten minutes later.
A girl in Platinum Academy uniform and glasses walked right past the Imperial Guard's blockade.
The knights on duty let her through without even setting eyes on her.
After all, how could a quiet, studious girl who was reading as she walked down the street possibly be one of those vile gang members?
Once past the blockade, the girl tucked away her manga and pulled out her phone.
"Vollara, did you make it home?"
"Safe and sound, Cap. How is everything there?"
"Shook them off. Meet you at the usual spot."
Ending the brief call, Minova flashed a smile—one that didn't belong to a student in uniform—and headed toward the deeper, darker center of Ash District.

She rounded corner after corner, took off her shoes, and waded through a stream formed by water dripping under the Waterway.
Finally, Minova returned to her "base."
In the heart of Ash District, beneath the towering Waterway, lies the quietest spot in Emor
—A colorful little house stood in stark contrast among the unoccupied, dilapidated buildings.
The wind vane on the roof creaked in the veering wind.
In the soft afternoon sunlight, birds startled awake, flapping their wings toward the sky.

Months ago, Minova and the Ashwind kids discovered this place.
The house was in complete disrepair; the roof and floors were riddled with holes, letting in enough sunlight into the basement for one to read without a lamp during the day.
Despite its shabby condition, they unanimously decided to turn it into their "base."
The open space in front of the house was perfect for practicing skateboarding, and the nearby bridge piers served as shortcuts to the Waterway above.
The neighboring abandoned buildings offered free bricks and planks for their refurbishment. As for other thing that don't come free, like books, the members found ways to buy them with their part-time salary.
Today, the clan went to the harbor to pick up the books, only to be mistaken by the Imperial Guard as smugglers. The knights chased them for several streets. After Minova volunteered to play a decoy, the gang successfully shook the knights off their tails.

Outside the house, Vollara, Neuvira, and the other Ashwind kids lined up, waiting for Minova's return.
Minova wasn't a fan of formalities, but certain things demanded a sense of ceremony.
She stood under the banner the kids had strung up, took the scissors from Vollara, and cut the red ribbon in half.
With a soft "snip," Ashwind Clan was officially established—It was a crude imitation of the openings of stores and larger corporations in Silver District.
Despite what its name suggested, Ashwind Clan was more like a school and library for the kids.
Holding a "grand" ribbon-cutting ceremony was Minova's idea—to build confidence for Ashwind members, especially those who had been left homeless due to various misfortunes and were often bullied by other gangs.
She wanted them to understand that they don't have to feel inferior to the kids living in Silver District and even Gold District. One day, they too could have everything that the rich kids took for granted.

The ceremony ended in a burst of cheers, but the kids didn't leave. Instead, they busied themselves decorating their new home with wildflowers and homemade natural paints.
Minova's gaze swept over the joyful faces, then turned toward the towering Monolith in the distance.
At this time of day, the Monolith in the city casted a huge shadow over their base.
That's alright, she thought to herself.
One day, she'd take that step and do what most wouldn't even dare imagine.
So for now, she needed to gather more strength.

"I had a fight with someone."
Minova could never forget that scene in her lifetime.
She was just ten years old when she struck someone for the first time.
Her opponent was a girl her age, wearing an Imperial Guard helmet.
She didn't know the girl, but she couldn't stand the way she talked about the kids from Ash District.
Going on about—
"If you're going the wrong way, trying harder just makes it worse."
Everyone in Ash District was working hard. What was wrong with that?
Minova found her face behind the helmet incredibly annoying.
The moment Minova's tiny fist landed on the girl's face, she felt a burning pain on her own face too.
The opponent hit her harder—because she was wearing metal gauntlets.
The first taste of violence taught Minova one thing
—Violence only leads to more violence.
However, the overwhelming rage already made her lost her nerves. All she could think about was where to the next punch.

"I ran."
Minova didn't lose the fight. On the contrary, even with the protection of that ill-fitting armor, Minova had caused more damage than she'd received.
She ran away because she thought about her hard-earned chance to study in Platinum Academy.
If the conflict with the daughter of an Imperial Guard employee escalated, she would get herself expelled from school and fail her parents.
It seemed, in Emor, even violence is a privilege reserved for the wealthy.
Too afraid to go home, she wandered aimlessly around the Waterway until sundown. She huddled in a corner, head buried deep in her knees, as if in this way no one could see her.
She was wrong...

"Hey, that's my spot."
The girl from earlier, bruised and angry, stood in front of Minova.
Minova recognized her instantly, but this time, she wasn't wearing her armor. It looked like she didn't plan on "recognizing" Minova either.

"Whatever."
Minova scooched over to make room for the girl, but didn't leave.
She wasn't looking for another fight, but she didn't want to give up the spot either. It would make her feel...defeated.
Fortunately, the space was spacious enough for two—or rather, the girls were both too small and skinny.
Anyway, the girls sat curled up in the corner, shoulder against shoulder.

"Looks like you had a fight with someone."
"Yeah."
"Funny, I did too."
"Did you win?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Then I won too."
"How?"
"I made her hurt worse than I am. How about you?"
"Well, I made her run away."

The two girls exchanged glances, then quickly turned heads away.
Minova noticed the wounds on the other girl's hands, they weren't any better than hers.
Like the other armor pieces, the gauntlets didn't fit right.
For every punch the girl delivered, she was hitting a piece of iron.
It turned out they were both pretending to be tough.

"Next time, I'll win again."
"Same here."
"You're bluffing. Put this on your cuts if you're so tough!"
"What's that? Water?"
"Ointment. Bet you're too scared to use it."
"I'm not scared. Come on, pour it on this napkin and rub it on."
"Whoever cries is a coward!"
"Try me!"

That day, the girls never cared to ask for the other's name.
They both thought that whoever asked first would lose the battle. They figured they'd have more fights in the days to come and eventually get to know each other.
Little did they know that their next showdown would come much late than they'd expected.

The wind chimes at the entrance tinkled as a girl dressed in Platinum Academy uniform entered the café.
"Sorry, we're closing."
The waitress, wearing a cat ear headband, bowed and apologized.

"Can I get an ' Afternoon Death,' extra owl?"
"Right this way."
The waitress deftly pressed a hidden button, and the bathroom door swung open.
The wall with the floor-length mirror slid open, revealing a staircase leading down.
Behind her, the waitress swiftly closed the bathroom door.
The girl sighed, pulling a paper envelope from her backpack, and descended the stairs.

"Lanzia, I brought you some sweets."
"Ah, Minova, you're here.
Just put them on the table... oh, wait, no room, put them on the floor then."
White Cat's workshop, no—Lanzia's workshop, was messy as always.
But despite that, she was the best mechanic in Ash District.

"How's it going recently? Been busy?"
"Yeah, Bean's father broke his leg at work, so I made him a wheelchair."
"I know, I am here on behalf of the Bean's family. Here, a thank-you gift from them."
Minova put the paper envelope in Lanzia's hands.
Lanzia had a rare kindness in Emor City, which was why Ashwind Clan allowed her to open a shop in the neighborhood.
"Wow, it's Fenghuang Diner's malt candy! The best ever candy you can find! Only in the City of a Thousand Monoliths!"
And her childlike innocence... Minova added silently to herself.

"Ah, right, you're not here just to chat, are you?
What's broken this time?"
Lanzia eagerly popped the candy into her mouth and mumbled.
Minova put down the backpack nearly half her height, unzipped it, revealing her bat and skateboard inside.
"Whoa... that is some real damage."
"Ground Viper remnants tried to sneak attack during the nighttime. I fended them off with my bat and skateboard. So... Can you still fix them?"
"Well, it's doable. But..."
Lanzia picked up the bat to examine the damage. The surface of the bat was battered and shattered. The dents and scratches reflected the lamplight shone on them, as if recounting the proud fights it had endured.
"If it were a regular bat, no problem. But this one is a Monolith Artifact, yeah? I don't know if I can get similar materials any sooner."
"Use regular materials then."
"Are you sure? It won't look the same then. You've said that the skateboard and the bat are your best partners, didn't you? Even went as far as to pick out a name 'Syougi Ketsu' from your favorite manga to name them."
"How the hell did you know that? ...Ugh! Whatever! If you tell anyone, you'll be in for it, Miss!"
"Hey, we White Cat Troupe are mercenaries. Discretion is kind of our thing.""Of course, I treasure them, but...I also need them to protect everyone. What's the point of making them just look cool?"
"Heh, I like that answer. Leave it to me. By the way, would you like to try my NGO arms? I promise you, it beats a bat in close range."
"Thanks, but I'm broke."

Minova waved goodbye, and left the café.
"If you can't feel the weapon with your own hands in combat, how can you channel your resolve into it?"
Above her, the starry sky swirled quietly, just like the oil painting she came across in Monolith that inspired her to create an iconic skateboard trick.