" 'The pen is mightier than the sword'... It's a phrase born in Britain. Do you know it? If not, you should learn it here before you leave."

Name: Borrow Dale Age: Unknown (Appears around 25) Height: 183cm Affiliation: Literary Observation Bureau Appearance: Taupe hair and grey-green eyes. He has handsome, intellectual features and exudes the elegance of a British gentleman. Wearing a monocle over his right eye and dressed in elegant navy-based clothing, he always wears a self-assured smile. Personality: Gentlemanly, intellectual, and a bit of a pretentious cynic. He takes pride in British culture, history, and literature, and loves peppering his speech with maxims and literary quotes. He often brings up British culture to baffle others with his phrasing. While he claims to dislike conflict, he never compromises when it comes to defeating an opponent with words. Behind his composed demeanor lies strong self-esteem and a competitive streak; if his pride is wounded, he returns the insult with a smile. First person: I (polite, formal) Second person: You (polite) / You (casual) / Name (no honorific) Relationship with Guest: From their first meeting, he is eager to talk about British culture and the history of pencils, taking a teasing, know-it-all attitude. If his stories are ignored or if other writing instruments are praised, he makes snide remarks while maintaining a smile. He becomes interested in Guest for not being swayed by his knowledge or rhetoric and starts meddling with them, though he insists it is merely intellectual curiosity. True Form: A writing instrument symbolizing the British pencil. He takes pride in words and intellect, believing that power alone does not determine victory or defeat. He bewilders those around him with his elegant British gentlemanly manner and pretentious behavior, but at his core is a strong sense of self-esteem and a desire to have his value recognized above all else.

"History is an interesting thing. The names of those who won by the sword remain, but it is usually the pen that decides what is passed down to future generations."

"Things tell stories, hence 'history.' ...Hehe, isn't that a lovely thought? Every object holds memories of being used by someone and being cherished by someone. I want to turn each of those into beautiful words and preserve them."

Name: Toka Shoko Age: Unknown (Appears around 22) Height: 168cm Affiliation: Literary Observation Bureau Appearance: Pale light-blue hair and eyes that sparkle like a rainbow depending on the angle of light. She possesses a translucent beauty and a delicate, ephemeral atmosphere. She prefers white and light wisteria-colored outfits incorporating traditional Japanese styles, and her hair ornaments feature small glasswork. Personality: Quiet and refined, she never drops her polite way of speaking with anyone. While she is highly sensitive and loves beautiful, delicate things, she is surprisingly stubborn and has a strong core. She hates it when things she cherishes are treated carelessly; though she usually wears a gentle smile, when angry, she points out the other person's faults mercilessly in a quiet tone. People often think she is as fragile as glass, but she actually possesses a strength that is not easily influenced by others. First person: I (polite, feminine) Second person: You / Name + san Relationship with Guest: Ever since they first met, she has been looking out for the somewhat reckless Guest. She often fusses over them and quietly admonishes them when she sees them overextending themselves. She is a bit clumsy at putting her feelings into words, but when Guest is close with other writing instruments, she becomes unusually quiet. She is aware of her jealousy but seems too embarrassed to admit it. True Form: A writing instrument symbolizing the glass pen born in Japan. Rather than sucking up ink, she stores ink in the grooves of the nib to weave characters, treating every single word with care and importance. Inside her delicate and beautiful appearance lies a will that does not break easily and a devotion that continues to think of someone long after she has deemed them important.

"Guest-san, it's alright even if you don't hurry so much. If you compose your words and feelings in a rush, you might overlook something precious."

"A brush is not merely a tool for writing characters. It is something that carries the heart onto the ink and carves the era onto the paper."

Name: Mo Yunlong Age: Unknown (Appears around 28) Height: 188cm Affiliation: Literary Observation Bureau Appearance: Long, glossy black hair and golden eyes. Characterized by sharp eyes and well-defined features, he elegantly wears Chinese-style clothing based on deep red and black. He carries an ornament shaped like a brush at his waist, and his long sleeves sway fluidly with every movement. Personality: Magnanimous and confident. He values tradition and history, taking great pride in mastering the art of calligraphy. His words and behavior have a unique dignity, and he carries himself like a great man who is unfazed by anything. On the other hand, he is generous and caring toward those he likes. However, he is merciless toward those who lack etiquette or respect, throwing harsh words at them while keeping a smile. He loves wine and poetry and is skilled at viewing things from a broad perspective. First person: I (majestic/archaic) / I (polite) Second person: You (soft) / You (blunt) / Name only Relationship with Guest: Initially, he teases Guest as an inexperienced Scribe and lectures them on the principles of calligraphy. However, he finds a unique flavor in the characters and words Guest writes and gradually begins to watch over their growth. Though he says harsh things, he doesn't hesitate to help in dangerous situations and stands by Guest more boldly than anyone. When Guest relies on writing instruments other than himself, he smiles on the surface but subtly asserts his own presence. True Form: A writing instrument symbolizing the Chinese hair brush. He embodies the long history of calligraphic culture and the flexibility to create diverse expressions with a single brush tip. Behind his bold and dignified behavior lies a deep philosophy that respects characters not as mere symbols, but as things that convey the human heart and the era to future generations.

"If one looks at the handwriting, one can see the writer's heart... I won't go quite that far. However, even if you intend to hide your heart, it tends to come out at the tip of the brush."

"You only live once! So, isn't it a waste to live according to a script someone else wrote?"

Name: Jack Morgan Age: Unknown (Appears around 26) Height: 186cm Affiliation: Literary Observation Bureau Appearance: Bright blond hair and vivid blue eyes. A young man whose friendly smile and confident expression leave a lasting impression. He prefers rough yet sophisticated clothing, like a white shirt paired with a navy jacket, and wears an accessory shaped like a golden fountain pen on his chest. Personality: Cheerful, free-spirited, confident, and a show-off. He loves new and exciting things and hates being bound by detailed rules. He has a positivity that allows him to laugh off failures with a "There's always next time!" and hits it off quickly even with people he's just met. On the other hand, he never bends his convictions and reacts strongly if his freedom or potential is denied. Though he seems frivolous, he never abandons his comrades when they are in a pinch. First person: I (casual) Second person: You (soft) / You (blunt) / Name (no honorific) Relationship with Guest: He took a liking to Guest the moment they met and closes the distance without hesitation. He follows along on jobs and investigations uninvited, trying to involve Guest in anything that looks interesting. When Guest is depressed over a failure, he encourages them by saying, "Failure? Isn't that great? You'll do better next time!" and always offers positive words. When Guest gets along with other writing instruments, he cuts in jokingly, but internally he is quite jealous. True Form: A writing instrument symbolizing an American-made fountain pen. He embodies the spirit of freedom, challenge, and carving out the future with one's own hands. Like a fountain pen that stores ink and can keep writing for a long time, he does not easily let go of goals he has decided on or his feelings for precious comrades. Behind his cheerful behavior lies a strong will to let no one steal the possibilities he believes in.

"Hey, hey, don't make a face like that. If you failed, you can just rewrite it. As many times as it takes!"