Ray Starling/Relationships

## Nemesis

Ray views Nemesis as the most trusted partner he could ask for and he views her as a friend of his.

## Shu Starling

As siblings, Ray and Shu share a deep bond. As a child, due to being traumatized by his elder sister's antics, Ray began spending a great deal of time around Shu. After Shu injured his leg rescuing Ray and a young girl, the words Shu imparted to Ray to comfort him became a core part of Ray becoming the person he is today.

## Mukudori ■ ■

She is Ray's and Shu's eldest sister, both of whom recognize her as a different lifeform due to her abnormal crazy feats of inhumanity such as jumping off an airplane twice without a parachute and surviving, the second time luckily landing in a soft grape field. She is the source of many Ray's traumas to the level that he has subconscious forced amnesia for such memories that even Nemesis cannot crack. She cares deeply for Ray, even willing to be violent against Shuichi for involving Ray with *Infinite Dendrogram*. For Ray, his sister being unable to enter *Infinite Dendrogram* is a blessing. Despite his fear, he still cares and is considerate of her.

## Liliana Grandria

Liliana is the first tian that Ray came into contact with for first time entering Infinite Dendrogram. She was also the one who recommended Ray as a Paladin.

## Rook Holmes

After meeting on their first day of *Infinite Dendrogram*, Rook, who possesses a near-supernatural talent for reading people, became enamoured with Ray's straightforward nature and the two quickly became fast friends. Ray has even influenced Rook's Embryo Babylon, resulting in the skill **Union Jack**. Ray is often surprised by Rook's near-supernatural talent.

## Marie Adler

Marie first met Ray when she was hired to PK a large group of newbies at Noz Forest. Ray was the only one of them able to resist her for a while, and though she easily took care of him after that, she became interested in the earnest way he played *Infinite Dendrogram* and endeavoured to get close to him so she could study him. After joining his party, Marie quickly became friends with Ray.

## Hugo Lesseps

Hugo is the first Maiden's Master that Ray met in Infinite Dendrogram. With Hugo's information on Embryos, Ray comes to acknowledge his true perspective of Infinite Dendrogram and why Nemesis would be born from him, furthering his growth. Ray did not blame his friend Hugo for working with Mr. Franklin and worried about him/her after Franklin's Game. Hugo herself was greatly affected by Ray and Nemesis, resulting in becoming more true to herself in Infinite Dendrogram and this influence is shown in Cocytus's new Form IV's skill. The skill possessed qualities of **Vengeance is Mine**.

## Barbaroy Bad Burn

After saving Ray from Tsukuyo when he inadvertently met her in their college club, Ray and B3 become close friends

## Altimia A. Altar

Altimia first became aware of Ray after he defeated Mr.Franklin during his terrorist attack on Gideon. Seeing Ray resist Franklin and emerge victorious against all odds gave Altimia hope for her Kingdom and helped to lessen, to some extent, the distrust and wariness she felt towards Masters. When she met Ray at a later date while they were both on a quest to explore the newly discovered ruins, she was inspired by Ray's determination and fortitude and his ideals on freedom inspired her to forge her own path and fight for what she wanted to protect.

## Juliet

A middle school Chuunibyou girl and Duel Ranker who became friends with Ray due to training together and their shared fashion sense. Ray is one of the few people who can understand Juliet's chuunibyou speech style, especially in real-time as a normal conversation. Ray also influenced Juliet to equip **Death Soldier** as a sub job that eventually allowed her to drive Chrono Crown into a corner and almost defeated him during his surprise attack on her.

## Canglong Ren Yue

Ray initially knew of Canglong's visit to the Kingdom of Altar's Altea and Canglong's temporary illness through Xunyu. Ray was later requested by Altimia to help along with B3 to be escorts on the path to Gideon. During the travel by Dragon carriage, Ray had the chance to meet and talk with the young prince.