Atlasia Hermes

> When do you think people die? When they are shot through the heart by the bullet of a pistol? Maybe when they are ravaged by an incurable disease? No... It’s when they're forgotten.
>
> Negotiating with Raul Lukman for Marine Orica's memories.

**Atlasia Siris Hermes** (ヘルメス・シリス・アトラシア, *Hermes Siris Atlasia*?), also known by his clandestine pseudonym and sorcerer moniker **Mercury**, is one of the few people who had stumbled upon the original twelve grimoires. A failing writer heading to rock bottom, is now one of the most influential sorcerers within the moonlit world.

## Appearance

Hermes is a handsome man with short blond hair, blue eyes, and light skin. His hair is often slicked back to varying degrees, depending on the occasion. He is quite tall, with a slim athletic build. His exact age is unknown, although his history and appearance point to him being in his late twenties or early thirties.

When Hermes is outside, he often wears a light green three-piece suit with a red tie. When at home, he usually wears a plain T-shirt with long black pants.

## Personality

Atlasia Hermes is, at his core, a dedicated and loving man. He devotes himself to those he cares for, going so far as to sacrifice his own life for them; as a result of this devotion, he is careful with whom he grants his deep trust to. He frequently tries to shield his loved ones from danger by taking their struggles onto himself and often becomes extremely self-deprecating when he is unable to push through said struggles alone.

This self-deprecation is a recurring pattern of behavior. For all that he loves others, he is extremely harsh on himself, being insecure and having very low self-esteem and self-worth. He used to perceive himself as perpetually alone and struggled with recognizing when people genuinely cared for and looked up to him, although he has become better at this since the beginning of the scenarios. Where he used to repress his emotions, he has become more emotionally expressive. He is usually quite casual when he speaks to others, but when he's shocked or nervous, he has a tendency to speak formally.

He is somewhat self-conscious about his image and how he's perceived, though less so when he's going by a pseudonym. In early scenarios, he pretended to be ruthless and cold-blooded. As time passes, he tends towards an image of someone who is polite and put-together, and who always has a plan. In fact, he does tend to plan ahead for most situations. However, he often develops tunnel vision, failing to consider outside factors playing into and altering his situation. He is notably bad at improvisation and takes some time to get back on his feet when faced with setbacks, having minor emotional breakdowns at particularly shocking situations.

Nonetheless, he is immensely dedicated to his goals, seen when he surpasses even death in order to reach the end of the scenarios. This translates into occasional bouts of stubbornness and singlemindedness.

## Background

After experiencing the unfortunate loss of his job as a writer, Hermes found himself at a crossroads in his life. Seeking a fresh start, he decided to pay a visit to his sister's house, hoping to find solace and perhaps a new employment opportunity. Little did he know that this encounter would lead him down an unexpected path intertwined with magic and mystery.

Upon arriving at his sister's home, Hermes was introduced to his nephew, Waver Mackenzie, a young and imaginative individual who had recently stumbled upon an intriguing artifact known as grimoire #2. Initially perceiving Waver as a chuunibyou, a term often used to describe individuals with an overactive imagination, Hermes couldn't help but be captivated by the boundless realms of possibility that his nephew's mind seemed to explore. Curiosity fueled Hermes, urging him to delve deeper into Waver's newfound world of wonders.

Intrigued by the mysteries concealed within the grimoire, Hermes felt drawn to its contents. As he delved into the ancient pages of the First Apocryphon, something extraordinary occurred within him. His diligent reading and innate connection with the written word awakened dormant abilities deep within his being. The "Eye of Insight," a mystical power that granted him heightened perception and the ability to discern hidden truths, emerged within Hermes. This newfound sight allowed him to perceive the world in a way that surpassed ordinary human comprehension.

Accompanying the awakening of the "Eye of Insight," Hermes also found himself granted the enigmatic power known as the "Grasp of Enigma." This ability bestowed upon him a profound understanding of secrets, puzzles, and enigmas that would leave others baffled. It was as if the grimoire had unlocked a doorway to the esoteric knowledge and mysteries of the universe, allowing Hermes to navigate and manipulate them with unparalleled finesse.

## Abilities

Hermes, a grade 6 sorcerer, is widely recognized for his exceptional combat abilities, particularly as a skilled marksman. His proficiency with firearms is unparalleled, making him an expert marksman who prefers engaging his opponents from long range. Even while fending off multiple adversaries in close-quarters combat, Hermes can effortlessly dispatch three enemies with his precise shooting, all while simultaneously engaging others in melee combat. His animus-infused bullets allow him to strike opponents at point-blank range, dealing devastating blows. Notably, Hermes exhibits remarkable accuracy when using his signature revolver from a considerable distance. During a critical moment in the Culling Game, he saved Nagi by swiftly incapacitating the powerful phantasmal known as Pseudo-Lariat with a single shot to the temple from a remarkable distance.

However, Hermes's abilities extend far beyond his marksmanship. He possesses a brilliant tactical intellect that is widely regarded as genius-level. His mind operates with astonishing clarity and speed, and he possesses an almost photographic memory. Hermes can effortlessly memorize vast amounts of information, such as the names and dietary habits of over 200 birds with a mere glance at a list. His memory recall is so impressive that he can recognize individuals, like Raul, from among a group of potential Oracle candidates. It is even said that he has read every book in a library, a testament to his insatiable thirst for knowledge.

In combat, Hermes consistently demonstrates his ingenuity and resourcefulness. He is quick to adapt and employs unconventional strategies to gain an advantage over his adversaries. For instance, he cleverly uses flour as a smokescreen to disorient and confuse a gang during a fight. His keen eye for detail enables him to easily spot a fake ID without difficulty. Even during his childhood, Hermes exhibited a remarkable level of ingenuity when playing war games with his friends. He devised tactics like constructing bucket traps and rubber band guns, effectively turning the tide of battle when his side was facing defeat.

One of Hermes's standout qualities is his ability to remain calm and composed even in the heat of battle. He possesses exceptional analytical skills, allowing him to discern the intricacies of complex situations swiftly. In a particularly challenging encounter, Hermes found himself trapped within an enemy reality marble. Despite the intense pressure and unfamiliar circumstances, he managed to decipher the specific conditions of the marble after experiencing them only a few times. Moreover, he astutely identified the marble's vulnerability—the fact that the Smallpox Deity could only target one person at a time—and devised a counterattack strategy accordingly. By leveraging his intellect in combination with his combat skills, Hermes flawlessly executed his plans, ultimately overcoming and defeating a superior-ranked opponent.

Furthermore, Hermes's creativity knows no bounds. He frequently devises innovative and unorthodox methods to gain the upper hand in combat, even against sorcerers of higher ranks. For example, he harnesses the abilities of his birds, utilizing them as surveillance cameras to gather valuable information from almost any location they can access. Moreover, he can employ his avian companions offensively through techniques like Bird Strike, effectively turning them into weapons on the battlefield.

### Sorcery

One of the remarkable aspects of Hermes's abilities is his prodigious magical energy. Initially born as a non-sorcerer, he lived much of his life without access to the supernatural arts. However, his fate took a turn when he stumbled upon one of Raul's grimoires, which bestowed upon him the potential to develop an Innate Technique. Through dedicated study and practice, Hermes unlocked tremendous levels of cursed energy, surpassing many other participants in the Culling Game. His soul technique proved to be exceptionally powerful, allowing him to make a name for himself among sorcerers. With a deep understanding of magical energy, Hermes became proficient in animus reinforcement. Through this mastery, he imbued his attacks with amplified animus, resulting in devastatingly powerful strikes. In a display of his immense power, Hermes unleashed a reinforced attack that sent Hazenoki hurtling through several buildings, showcasing the sheer force he could unleash with his magical energy.

Additionally, Hermes possesses a unique and awe-inspiring Innate Technique known as **Military Avian** (鳥類兵装, *Chōrui Heisō*, lit. "Bird-Based Armament"?). This ability grants him unparalleled control over every avian creature classified under Class Aves, essentially granting him dominion over an army of approximately 9,000 different bird species. To exert control over a bird, Hermes infuses them with a minuscule amount of animus, forging a spiritual connection between their souls and his own. This allows him to manipulate multiple birds simultaneously, even from a considerable distance. Furthermore, he can synchronize his senses with the birds, enabling him to gather information and conduct surveillance with remarkable precision and range. The birds under Hermes's command become unwaveringly obedient once imbued with his animus, making them not only ideal for reconnaissance but also formidable assets in combat. While utilizing Bird Union offensively, Hermes can direct his feathered allies to attack opponents, even if it means sacrificing the birds themselves. However, it should be noted that employing this technique on sentient beings requires a significantly larger amount of animus, and even then, individuals of considerable strength can potentially break free from its control.

## Trivia

* The image for the character is of Twilight from *Spy × Family*.