Malik Caesar

Malik Caesar, known in Japan as Malik Caesars (マリク・シザース), is Asbel Lhant's honored and excellent instructor from the Knights' school in Tales of Graces. Asbel seems to look up to him as his "ideal self".

History
While not much of his story or role in the plot has been revealed, Malik is introduced as Asbel's instructor, though it is unknown for how long he has been this; the time is from seven years ago, when Asbel joined the knights, to the present of the story. Judging from the fourth trailer of the game, Malik and Asbel talks about Asbel's will to be a knight, as well as some of his past. On their way back, they meet up with Cheria Barnes, Asbel's childhood friend, who comes with the news that Asbel's father, Aston Lhant, has passed away. At some part of the story, it seems like a new king has replaced Richard's place, and when Malik and Asbel are ready to fight each other in the fourth trailer after an attepted attack on the group, there is a possibility that Malik follows the new king's orders.

Appearance and Personality
As an adult and instructor of the Knights' school, Malik is a disciplined man with honor. He is an adult man who can be both somewhat frank and in composure. He is the mentor of the party, being very mature everyone depends on him and trusts his opinion. He is strong to his beliefs and he does anything to protect them.

Fighting Style
Malik is the main offensive spellcaster of the game, though at first he may look more like a fighter. He handles the traditional Tales spells, lobbing out varying elemental blasts that often cover wide areas and usually deal a lot of damage to the inflicted opponents. While his Burst style is focused on magic, his Assault style is focused on long range attacks using his bladerang, which will always return to him. However, almost all of his Assault artes tend to stay around the area where the bladerang is flung. He is also open to attack until his weapon returns, though he learns skills that have it return more quickly to his hand. He may look fairly solid as a melee character but he is rather fragile, as his defense is really low compared to his high HP.

Relationships
Asbel Lhant - He has a close bond with his student Asbel, who views Malik as the one he would like to be. Malik seems to often give Asbel advices and helps him to become stronger. Malik often regards Asbel as one of the more gifted students in the Academy. His opinion of Asbel solidifies as he travels with him as well, though tries to steer him in the right way when it comes to things Asbel is oblivious to, namely Asbel's relationship to Cheria.

Cheria Barnes - Malik appears to support Cheria feelings for Asbel as he is always questioning Asbel on his relationship with Cheria. When it comes to Malik's quirks however, Cheria has a hard time tolerating the captain though respects him.

Sophie - Sophie refers to Malik by his title of "Captain", mimicking Asbel's use of the same name whenever he talks to Malik as a sign of respect. However Malik often tells tall tales to Sophie who, because of her young and curious mind, takes everything Malik tells her to heart.

Richard - During the childhood arc, it is possible to meet Malik at the Knights Academy. Richard attempts to hide his face, stating that that person knows him, as Malik starts to approach them. Asbel covers for him saying that Richard is really shy and stuff. Malik plays into it but whispers for Richard to be careful. Neither Asbel, Sophie, or Cheria caught onto that. Richard thanks him, in his mind.

.hack//LINK
Malik Caesar, along with Asbel Lhant, appears in a special crossover DVD with the .hack//Roots and .hack//G.U. characters Haseo and Ovan when the game .hack//LINK is preordered in Japan. In addition to this, Malik's costume is available to Ovan within the game itself. Hiroki Touchi, the Japanese voice actor for Malik, shares his voice with Ovan throughout the .hack series.