Background
Foster father

Sara Valestein admiring her foster father, Captain Valestein.
Sara grew up in an environment where she understood that her birthplace had fallen into ruin and that jaegers, who brought in foreign money to support the people, were considered heroes.
Admiring her foster father, she decided to follow in his footsteps by joining the Juvenile Jaeger Squad (少年猟兵隊) at the age of 10.
After three years of heavy training, Sara was deemed experienced enough to be invited into the main squad. This was the first time she participated in actual combat. She later described her time there - continuous fighting covered in blood and gunpowder smoke - as "hell".
Before long she earned herself the nickname of Purple Lightning, the jaeger girl.
Proxy war in Erebonia

Young Sara Valestein during combat.
At the age of 18, Sara had grown to the rank of company commander when she received a mission to participate in a proxy war between a noble family and a large enterprise in a remote region of Erebonia.
Their opponents were the jaeger corps Nidhoggr. Although the Northern Jaegers were heading toward victory, the situation threatened the lives of citizens in the neighbourhood and as they worked to ensure their safety, Nidhoggr struck back.

Captain Valestein dying in the arms of Sara Valestein.
Driven into a corner, the Northern Jaeger's supreme commander, Captain Valestein, jumped into battle and saved them from the perilous situation.
He was mortally wounded and told Sara with his last breath: "You know, right? This is what being a jaeger is. Please think again whether this really is the path you want to follow." Sara concluded she had never been suited for the jaeger life at all.
As Captain Valestein passed away in her arm, she screamed and lost her consciousness.
Return to North Ambria
She regained her consciousness in a camp of the Imperial Army of Erebonia, where she was treated by Second Lieutenant Beatrix of the medical battalion, who were sent to the region to review the damages caused by the jaegers. Lieutenant Colonel Neithardt and Lieutenant Colonel Mueller Vander were also there.
Learning that her comrades had already returned to North Ambria, Sara fled the camp without a word of gratitude and follow their trails. When she returned home, she received a warm welcome from her comrades and the citizens.
Although they had lost their supreme commander, they received an enormous amount of mira from the nobles they were fighting for so they knew no one had to starve to death in the upcoming winter.
Bracer Guild
Although relieved, Sara cried over the situation that they had to spill the blood of innocent neighbouring nations to feed their poor homeland. That is when she decided to quit the Northern Jaegers and left North Ambria. She joined the Bracer Guild, where her experience in battle quickly earned her the A-rank and a steady income.
She would send the money, earned without bloodshed, back to North Ambria.
Character Notes
Trails of Cold Steel
Instructor Sara Valestein, Instructor (Combat, Practical Skills)
Class VII's homeroom teacher. More than a little slovenly, and is often seen drinking in the early afternoon.
- Odd Friendship She seems to be acquainted with Micht at the pawn shop, and they both seem to know one another's backgrounds.
- Former Bracer: She was formerly an A-rank bracer belonging to the guild in Heimdallr. Was known as 'Purple Lightning.'
- Comrade: She becomes a little sentimental on the anniversary of a comrade's death, but it doesn't seem that they were a bracer...
Gallery
Trails of Cold Steel |
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Trails of Cold Steel II |
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Sara's S-Craft cut-in. Sara's menu bust artwork. Sara's full-body menu art. Sara and Fie Claussell during a flashback in the ending. |
Sen no Kiseki III |
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Sara's full-body art. Sara's bust. A screenshot featuring Sara and Fie Claussell. A screenshot of Sara. A screenshot of Sara having drinks with Rean Schwarzer. A screenshot of Sara. A screenshot of Sara with Fie Claussell. Young Sara admiring Captain Valestein. Young Sara participating in combat. Captain Valestein dying in Sara's arms. |
Trivia
- Her last name is shared with Valestein Castle from the Falcom game Ys: The Oath in Felghana.
- Sara's bonding trophy in Trails of Cold Steel is titled "Hot for Teacher".
- Sara's bonding trophy in Trails of Cold Steel II is titled "Worth the Wait".
- Sara's love for dandy men comes from her foster father, Captain Valestein. Every year, she drinks on the anniversary of his death.