James

James Kent is the NIRV researcher who oversees the AFA's special beast-retrieval lessons. He treats the students' encounters as opportunities to obtain crystals and study valuable Altered traits, bringing him into conflict with Crowley when that research interest places Gary's life at risk. The corpus separately identifies Tom's father as James Green; this article does not merge the two men.

Biography

Research ambition versus student safety

James enters the AFA program after a student team kills its first resurrected beast. He supervises extraction of the creature's crystal, introduces himself as the future overseer of the special lessons, and helps administer NIRV's promised rewards. His attention consistently returns to material NIRV can use: he evaluates requests for exclusive Altered DNA, explains that crystal removal makes beast corpses disintegrate, and watches Gary closely after the student asks for bodies that the company considers worthless. (Chapters 436–439)

During Gary's final lesson, James selects a powerful duplicating beast and insists on continuing after the encounter becomes life-threatening because he wants Gary to reveal the full transformation hidden from NIRV's files. Crowley demands that the test end, but James relies on NIRV's institutional influence and physically blocks intervention. Crowley punches him aside; when Gary survives and displays his werewolf form, James treats the result as vindication rather than reconsidering the risk. (Chapters 599–602)

Gary then consumes the rare crystal awarded from the fight. James reacts to the commercial and research loss by threatening to take him to NIRV and extract it, despite the original reward agreement. Crowley stops him with a second blow that leaves the ordinary human unconscious. NIRV subsequently removes Crowley from the AFA while the professors prevent retaliation against Gary, illustrating the institutional protection behind James even when his own physical power is limited. No later scene establishes James's reassignment or a lasting injury. (Chapters 603–605)

Appearance and personality

James is a NIRV scientist who wears a lab coat and round glasses. He is physically an ordinary human and is knocked unconscious by a single serious hit from the Altered Crowley. (Chapters 436 and 604)

He is observant, acquisitive, and confident in NIRV's authority. James can speak politely when negotiating rewards, but potential scientific value quickly overrides his concern for students or prior promises. His excitement over rare crystals and Gary's hidden biology develops into open obsession during the final lesson.

Powers and abilities

James has no demonstrated Altered form, werewolf physiology, Qi, or supernatural ability.

Beast and Altered research

James has extensive experience with resurrected beasts, crystal extraction, Altered solutions, and the physiological risks of consuming raw crystals. From observation he identifies Gary's exceptional speed, strength, healing, resilience, and transformation versatility, and he knows the three documented outcomes when humans or Altereds consume crystals. His expertise is analytical rather than protective: he cannot personally control a dangerous beast or physically restrain an Altered fighter. (Chapters 436–439 and 599–603)

Institutional authority

As a relatively senior NIRV representative, James directs technical staff, controls access to special lessons, and can influence careers through the company's funding and industry reach. That authority delays Crowley's intervention and contributes to the teacher losing his position. It depends on NIRV's backing; once Crowley accepts the professional consequences, James has no personal counter to his force. (Chapters 599–605)

Relationships

Gary Dem

James sees Gary primarily as a rare research opportunity. Gary's unexplained interest in beast bodies attracts his suspicion, while the hidden transformation and crystal consumption intensify his desire to place the student under NIRV's control.

Crowley

Crowley is the AFA teacher assigned to keep the special lessons safe. James's refusal to stop Gary's test turns their professional disagreement into violence, and NIRV's response costs Crowley his academy career.

Professor Humfree

Professor Humfree mediates between NIRV and the AFA students, including requests that James must approve. Their cooperation is practical, but Humfree's concern for student safety is greater than James's.

Items

James works with NIRV extraction equipment, monitoring systems, and stored beast crystals, but these are organizational assets rather than personal possessions. He has no finalized notable item in the supplied inventory.