Awesome / Eight Intertwined

• The lead-up to the climax of the introductory arc sets the stage for the rest of the novelization showing what the travelers are capable of when they can get beyond their individual flaws; Ophilia decides, with very little practical training, to enter the Cave of Origin and retrieve the Lanthorn and Ember in Lianna's place. She understands what she's doing is outright heretical and dangerous, and is honestly scared of what she could end up encountering within, but powers on anyway because she cannot bear to see her family suffer and torn apart by Lianna's desire to look after Josef. Despite being utterly terrified of the Guardian of the First Flame, Ophilia only takes a moment to compose herself before engaging with the massive stone golem head on. Nothing will stop her warpath to aid her family in its time of need.
• Tressa sticking it out with the merchant in Victors Hollow who basically extorts her. Despite Therion constantly trying to tempt her to give in and just steal the map she's after, Tressa never once balks under the pressure. She notes that the chain of deals she had to take part in to get the map left her with half her winnings from the tournament depleted, but finds it all to be Worth It because she proved her moral philosophy regarding merchantry and honesty correct. As if to reward her for her diligence, the merchant she trades with to get the map finally softens up a bit, and admits that Tressa truly has the makings of a wonderful merchant given just how devoted she is to the ideal.
• The fight with Albus is a back-and-forth between the Right Wing of the Crow and the protagonists that establishes the craftiness of both sides. Albus, recognizing the strength in numbers his opponent had and wanting to battle Primrose on her own, had most of the guards ignore the party as they neared his chamber so that he could have his guards swarm his location if the battle started to turn against him. The party is able to quickly adapt by using their magic creatively, with Cyrus using an ice wall on the door into the chamber they are fighting Albus in to create a murder nest for H'aanit and Tressa to occupy, which Olberic supports by using his earth magic to generate cover for the two archers.