Alhaitham is a character from HoYoverse’s game Genshin Impact and its related works. He is a scholar of the “Knowledge” faction, one of the six major schools of the Sumeru Academia, and currently serves as the secretary of the Academia. He has previously held the position of acting sage and possesses remarkable wisdom and talent, leading a free and unrestrained life that makes him difficult for most people to find.
Background
A capable person who keeps a low profile for too long is often assumed to have hidden identities and motives. Alhaitham himself is a strong rebuttal to this dull notion: he is exceptional but merely an ordinary employee of the Academia, enjoying a stable job and quality property in Sumeru, living a relaxed and carefree life. Sometimes, people can’t even find the current secretary of the Academia in the corresponding office. At most, they know his name is Alhaitham and that he should be present during work hours. The reality is that no one knows where the secretary has gone; they can only place documents and files on his desk. Alhaitham is very satisfied with this arrangement. He could be at home, at the library, or anywhere else—just not where people expect him to be. He must ensure that others cannot predict what he will do and when, so he can freely engage in what he wants to do.
Appearance and Attire
Alhaitham has short ash-gray hair, with a prominent tuft sticking up and bangs that partially cover his left eye. His gaze is deep, resembling the twinkling stars in the night sky, seemingly holding the secrets of the universe. This depth mirrors the subtle sense of time captured in the Alhaitham perfume released by Genshin Impact. He wears a high-neck, form-fitting vest layered with a half-cape that is blue on the inside and black on the outside. The cape, resembling a coat, is adorned with intricate decorations and patterns, featuring a feather-like trim. His hands are clad in black fingerless long gloves, with golden rings of infinite designs at the top. His lower half is dressed in fitted dark green pants and black-gold pointed long boots, which have fan-shaped decorations resembling window lattice at the top.
Alhaitham wears gold-green headphones, with the cable running down his right shoulder and connecting to a teal waist bag. Perhaps due to the close color match between the waist bag and his outfit, people often fail to realize that it isn’t just a wide belt. The bag holds only a few personal items: keys, a book he’s currently reading, and a portable music player that pairs with the headphones. This music player was handmade by him when he first became secretary, connecting to the matching headphones via a cable of the same color. It is sometimes used to play music and at other times serves solely for noise cancellation.
Personality Traits
In “Genshin Impact,” each character is endowed with unique personality traits and captivating charm, which is one of the reasons for its popularity among players. The game features not only a meticulously designed storyline but also exquisite merchandise, particularly the Genshin hoodies that cleverly blend game elements with fashion trends, allowing you to feel the warmth of Teyvat even in the cold winter, embarking on a wonderful adventure together.
Alhaitham is perhaps the easiest yet hardest person to communicate with in the Academia. He disregards irrelevant factors and ignores flattery, only following the most practical logic and regulations in his work.
From a young age, he has been exceptionally gifted and achieved outstanding academic results, making him a steady top student. In an environment like Sumeru that values academics, his career development is undoubtedly smooth. He easily secured the position of secretary, enjoying a job with good pay and light responsibilities, giving him ample time and energy to read, reflect on life, understand human nature, and also have time to work out.
The common stereotype is that a top student is just a bookworm, weak and frail. However, true scholars, like ordinary people, understand the importance of a solid physical foundation. They also recognize that a strong and robust physique can deter and intimidate would-be wrongdoers.
There’s a common prejudice that a powerful person will inevitably do bad things and become a villain, which doesn’t apply to someone as upright as Alhaitham. While this narrative may add dramatic tension in films and TV shows, it’s rare in real life. Even if someone were to become a villain, there would likely be a tragic backstory that fuels their hatred for the injustices of the world, prompting them to overturn existing rules for personal gain. However, from Alhaitham’s character design perspective, his life has been quite smooth, without any deep-seated grudges. He can leisurely enjoy a 9-to-5 life, with no worries about his basic needs, so why would he oppose others or hide in dark corners to commit evil deeds?
Observing more, thinking deeply, and taking action—these principles were taught to him by his parents and teachers from a young age. Alhaitham simply embodies these teachings to the fullest, making his ability to read situations a natural skill. His insistence on his own views and beliefs, even to the point of breaking rules, stems from his confidence and stubbornness, which are a result of his smooth development journey. He challenges rules because he understands that all human-made regulations exist for a reason. For example, the prohibition against stealing divine knowledge is in place because ordinary people may go mad if they come into contact with it. He dares to take it because, first, no one knows, and second, he believes he can control himself and avoid harm. A relatable example is the confidence many minors feel when accessing adult content.
Overall, Alhaitham is a person with unique charm and a steadfast personality.
