Istina

* Artwork
* Portrait

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> I wish to stay here and watch over the children. That is the life I have chosen.
> —**Istina**
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**Istina** (Japanese: イスティナ, *Isutina***?**) is a party character in *Harvestella*. She is a teacher at the orphanage in  Nemea Town.

## Biography

Said to have arrived in Nemea Town only a few years ago, **Istina** is a teacher who lives with the children at the town's orphanage, which she helps run. She spends her days teaching and reading storybooks aloud to the children.

## Appearance

**Istina** is a young woman with long, silver hair and magenta eyes.

## Personality

**Istina** is described as being intellectual, quiet, and rarely displays her emotions openly. She enjoys reading about different places in the world, and is beloved by the townspeople. She is desperate with hiding her past and did not want help the Protagonist until the children convince her to.

## Main Story

Upon meeting the  Protagonist, she must confront the past that she's kept hidden. Istina is formerly known as the Shadow Assassin, a time in her life she aims to forget. She was raised in an organization that began teaching her to kill before she was able to walk. She later escaped by betraying her fellow assassins and fled to Nemea, where she began to work in the orphanage. She would later help raise both Asyl and Tiella, the former of whom speaks of his memories growing up with her fondly. Her exact age is unknown, as is how old she was when she left the assassin life behind her. Her only goal now is to forget her past and help the children grow up to have a better future than the one she had available to her. However, she is not fully able to leave the past behind her and finds herself being pulled into helping the Protagonist investigate the Spring Seaslight and rescue Tiella. She at first refuses to join the Protagonist when they need her help to defeat a powerful monster in the Seaslight, but changes her mind when the children urge her to as they too have formed a bond with Tiella. Following this, she officially joins the Protagonist on their mission.

## Character Story

"**What She Wants to Protect**" is the Character Story for **Istina** in **Harvestella**.

During her story, she must confront the assassin organization she's left behind in order to deal with the rumors that someone else has taken up the mantle of the Shadow Assassin. With the help of a former friend, she learns that the Shadow Assassin is actually a dark doppelganger of herself that was created when she abandoned her old life. After confronting her dark self, they merge together.

## Letters

#### It would be nice to see you again.

I hope you've been keeping well. That was quite the drama Nemea went through, hm?

Once things have settled with you, it'd be nice to see your face at the orphanage. The children have been asking to say hello.

I look forward to seeing you.

#### There's something I'd like to discuss.

Thank you for stopping by earlier. It was nice seeing the children smiling again. It's clear they're still reeling after what happened with Tiella, but hopefully things will return to normal soon...

Oh, that's right. There's something else I'd like to talk to you about. It's rather important, so if you could come back again to the orphanage soon, that would be a big help.

#### I need your help...again...

I'm sorry for always calling on you, but I'm hoping you'd come and speak with me again? It isn't about being head teacher this time, but I'd still like your advice.

Please meet me at Njord Steppe this time, not the orphanage... I'll explain why in person.

I'll be waiting.

#### I got some information.

Apparently, there's been another incident in Argene. It's a good opportunity for us to get a clue on who our attacker could be.

Let's head over there right away.

I'll wait for you in Argene.

#### I need to talk to you.

I never thought I'd meet Rosny again in Argene of all places. I suppose this is punishment for running away from my sins for so long...

Ein, I have something very important I would like to discuss.

Would you come and meet me at the orphanage?

#### About Rosny...

Do you remember Rosny? We met her in Argene. Well, I just received a letter from her saying she wants to speak with me in Shatolla...

It could be a trap, but I can't ignore her request. I'm going to go and meet her, but...would you come with me? If she tries something, I'd feel safer with you there.

I'll see you in Shatolla.

#### She wants to talk about the attacker.

For now, it looks like our goals were aligned with Rosny's, which makes me feel better...but only a little.

She contacted me again. Apparently, she's got something she wants to discuss about the attacker.

She said she will be waiting at the Njord Steppe. Let's go and meet her there.

#### It's time to settle the score.

I heard from Rosny that the shadow has been chased into the Jade Forest. Let's go and meet up with her as soon as possible.

We may finally be able to bring this to an end. I just need your help a little longer.

I'll see you at the Jade Forest!

#### Rosny's true intentions.

Rosny's been in contact again. She says she'll tell us the truth behind what she's been doing. I guess it looks like the organization is still going.

I will continue down the road I've chosen. Rosny, the organization... I'll deal with all of it.

I'm going to meet Rosny at Njord Steppe. Please meet me there.

#### What I'd like to do from now on.

I want to return to the life where I can see the children's smiling faces every day. With that event and Rosny finally dealt with, I think I feel better. But there's still one thing left...

I'd like to speak with you about it, if you don't mind coming to the orphanage.

I look forward to seeing you.

#### I have found my rays of sunshine.

I have walked the road to where I am today totally alone. I always thought that's how I'd continue. But I was wrong. The world is a much warmer place than I thought...

Ein, you helped me to reach this point and come to this realization. For that, I am extremely grateful.

I'm truly glad I met you.

## Gallery

### Artwork

**Istina** Official ArtworkAsyl Sharing a Break Time with Aria and **Istina** in Nemea.
### Screenshots

**Istina** telling the story of *The Princess and the Omen* to the class of children.**Istina** accepting her actions.**Istina** admitting her dark past.**Istina's** Category:Character Stories.
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Heaney, Duncan (August 3, 2022). "Take a fresh look at HARVESTELLA". *Square Enix*. Retrieved August 3, 2022.