Hi Manx! We're operating under the assumption that these questions are directed at Irene since they're being asked during training, but let us know if that's not the case or if Marina would like to follow up with another staff member.
1) Irene shrugs, telling Marina that Lenore is the only Velvet Room denizen that had been around during the old days and that she and Iason don't know the details of that disastrous trip into the Shadow World. The past doesn't matter much to her and she advises Marina not to dwell on it too much. If she wants to know, though, she should probably ask Lenore, Gladstone, or Voss.
2) Same answer as above, unfortunately! Irene doesn't know anything about Haley Bennington.
3) This Irene does know! She says that manifesting new abilities has less to do with stress and more to do with personal growth since a Persona is a reflection of the inner self. When Persona-users learn new skills in battle, she says, it's often tied to strengthening resolve to protect someone or overcome an obstacle. Unfortunately, this is difficult to reproduce. She says that diligence in training, meditation, or even personal revelation can lead to the same results, though. So just stick with it!
4) Irene says that there are no other elements she's ever seen Persona-users control but that there are some unique skills that they can learn to temporarily increase their magical or physical power and access their elements without summoning their Personas. She thinks they'll be ready for these lessons soon...but not quite yet. However, she'll discuss this and revisiting the light and darkness elements with Lenore. Maybe they'll have another lesson soon!
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1) Irene shrugs, telling Marina that Lenore is the only Velvet Room denizen that had been around during the old days and that she and Iason don't know the details of that disastrous trip into the Shadow World. The past doesn't matter much to her and she advises Marina not to dwell on it too much. If she wants to know, though, she should probably ask Lenore, Gladstone, or Voss.
2) Same answer as above, unfortunately! Irene doesn't know anything about Haley Bennington.
3) This Irene does know! She says that manifesting new abilities has less to do with stress and more to do with personal growth since a Persona is a reflection of the inner self. When Persona-users learn new skills in battle, she says, it's often tied to strengthening resolve to protect someone or overcome an obstacle. Unfortunately, this is difficult to reproduce. She says that diligence in training, meditation, or even personal revelation can lead to the same results, though. So just stick with it!
4) Irene says that there are no other elements she's ever seen Persona-users control but that there are some unique skills that they can learn to temporarily increase their magical or physical power and access their elements without summoning their Personas. She thinks they'll be ready for these lessons soon...but not quite yet. However, she'll discuss this and revisiting the light and darkness elements with Lenore. Maybe they'll have another lesson soon!