Schmelman Bach is a young man with long blonde hair and striking red eyes, which bear a strong resemblance to Licht’s. His eyes are usually closed and only open when displaying hostility, a habit that may stem from his childhood trauma, as his mother would beat him whenever he showed his eyes.

During the flashback sequences, Schmelman is seen wearing a United Nations military uniform, indicating his rank as a Major at the time. Following the Abandonment War, his attire changes to a Special Service uniform, reflecting his position as Field Marshal. He is also frequently seen wearing a monocle, though it remains unclear whether he has a vision impairment or if he wears it to conceal an injury sustained during his youth.

In the anime adaptation, Schmelman is depicted with heterochromia, with his eyes normally appearing in different colors. However, when he shows killing intent or becomes enraged, both eyes turn red, further emphasizing his menacing presence.

Schmelman Bach is generally portrayed as a calm and composed individual, rarely allowing his emotions to surface and displaying an adaptable nature in various situations. His demeanor is often accompanied by a gentle smile, giving the impression of a collected and measured figure. However, beneath his seemingly tranquil exterior lies a dangerous and violent nature. Once overtaken by bloodlust, he exhibits extreme brutality, as demonstrated by his murder of his own mother.

During the flashback sequences, Schmelman appears to be a caring and dedicated instructor, displaying genuine concern for the Class A students under his guidance. He goes out of his way to personally train them, showing a strong investment in their growth and survival. His fondness for children is particularly evident in his interactions with Class A, treating them with affection and patience, further complicating his character as both a mentor and a figure of hidden menace.

Unlike the citizens of Althea, Schmelman does not possess a Count, making him an anomaly among his peers. He was one of the first individuals to harness the power of the “Althing” before the Abandonment War and the subsequent formation of Althea. Unlike the Red Barons or the Althean Royal Guard, Schmelman never required Baron Operation Surgery or a Ballot Replica to develop supernatural abilities. Instead, he was born with a natural genetic compatibility that allowed him to synchronize with the Althing’s energies from birth, granting him immense power without artificial augmentation.

As the vessel of the Althing and the source of the seven Red Barons, Schmelman possesses an array of powerful abilities. He is capable of wielding Frost Strike (Kōrigeki / Frozen Strike), which allows him to manipulate ice to the extent that he can freeze flames and bullets, rendering techniques like Alexandrov’s “Blast” and Mizuka’s “Pursuit” ineffective. Additionally, his Flashing Strike (Sengeki) enables him to move faster than light, making him one of the fastest beings in existence. His Blink Strike (Shungeki / Swift Strike) allows him to unsheathe and attack faster than light, much like Tokikaze, making him nearly impossible to counter. He also possesses Heavy Strike (Jūgeki / Crushing Blows), an ability similar to Taketora’s, granting him control over gravity to manipulate both offensive and defensive tactics.

Schmelman can also wield fire-based abilities, as seen with his Blast (Bakugeki / Bombardment), which allows him to generate intense heat capable of incinerating entire objects or individuals through Causinomancy. His Pursuit (Tsuigeki) ability enables him to manipulate attack trajectories, ensuring that his strikes and projectiles always find their mark. Additionally, he possesses Pierce (Shingeki), a telepathic ability similar to Gespenst’s, allowing him to read minds and manipulate consciousness. He uses this skill strategically, such as instructing Gespenst to mute his transmission to prevent the citizens of Althea from discovering his true intentions. Another ability, Conscious Strike (Shikigeki), allows Schmelman to travel through time, similar to Nana; however, unlike her, he pays a heavy price, as each usage weakens his body and reduces his lifespan. By the present timeline, his physical deterioration has rendered him unable to use time travel anymore.

Beyond his supernatural abilities, Schmelman possesses extraordinary physical attributes, making him one of the most formidable characters in Plunderer. His superhuman strength is stated to surpass Taketora, the physically strongest of the seven Red Barons, implying that Schmelman can easily overpower him and withstand his attacks without difficulty. His superhuman speed allows him to outpace most individuals effortlessly, as demonstrated when he was able to attend to every Class A student simultaneously, personally training them in various weapons and fighting styles. According to Gespenst, Schmelman’s speed enables him to keep up with Licht’s “Flash” ability while also outdrawing Tokikaze’s “Blink” slashes with ease.

However, his most dangerous trait is his superhuman reflexes, considered his greatest and most monstrous ability. Gespenst states that this ability is what makes Schmelman invincible, as it allows him to instantly react to any attack before it lands. While training Class A, he was able to correct every student’s stance, positioning, and movements in real-time, creating the illusion that time itself had stopped from his perspective. His reflexes are so advanced that not even the other Red Barons combined could defeat him, and only Licht possesses the speed necessary to challenge him in battle. Even then, Licht would require the support of all six other Barons just to stand a chance against him.

Schmelman is not only a powerful combatant but also a master strategist and manipulator. He is an expert actor, having successfully deceived the world into believing he was emotionless and broken since the creation of Althea. This deception allowed him to fool Firenda, who believed her torture had genuinely shattered his mind. He later used this façade to convince the world that he was “The World’s Enemy,” ensuring that Althea’s citizens would see him as a villain. His combat mastery is undeniable, as he is able to easily overpower elite fighters such as Jail and Lyne in close-quarters combat.

As an instructor, Schmelman is a highly skilled teacher, personally overseeing the training of Class A. He demonstrated the ability to immediately identify the most suitable combat style and weapon for each student, making him a master of multiple forms of combat. His mastery of swordsmanship is evident, as he was able to outdraw Tokikaze, a naturally gifted swordsman, even before the latter underwent the Baron transformation. He personally trained Licht, Saki, Tokikaze, and another unnamed Class A student in different sword styles, each wielding a unique weapon such as an Odachi, Katana, and Saber. Additionally, he displayed expertise in spearmanship, training warriors such as Genji, Kyouhei, and Kyouka in polearm combat.

His versatility extends beyond melee combat, as he is also a master marksman, particularly skilled with handguns. He trained Asumi in archery, helping her achieve an advanced level of proficiency. Furthermore, he demonstrated skill with blunt weapons, having trained a Class A student in bat combat, a skill later passed down to her clone. As a master of hand-to-hand combat, Schmelman was able to defeat powerful soldiers like Jail, Gespenst, and Lyne effortlessly. His analytical abilities in battle were evident when he was able to identify and correct the weaknesses in Lyne’s kick-based martial arts after only a single fight.

Schmelman’s overwhelming abilities, combined with his unparalleled combat experience and strategic mind, make him one of the strongest characters in Plunderer. His speed, reflexes, and combat mastery render him virtually unstoppable, and his deception and manipulation skills allow him to influence events on a global scale. As the original source of the seven Red Barons, he possesses power that surpasses each of them individually. Even Licht, his most formidable opponent, requires the combined strength of all six other Barons just to have a sliver of a chance at victory.

Licht Bach (Sakai Rihito)
His greatest creation and ultimate enemy. Licht rejects Schmelman’s ideology, leading to their final battle for the future of Alcia.

Sakai Tokikaze
Another one of Schmelman’s warriors, manipulated into a tragic fate.

Firenda
The one responsible for creating the clone of Schmelman, suggesting that even his existence was not entirely under his control.

The Red Barons
All of them are Schmelman’s creations, making him both their father figure and their greatest adversary.

The Government & Military
His ideals continue to shape Alcia’s ruling structure, making him the unseen hand behind many of the world’s greatest conflicts.

Schmelman Bach’s influence extends far beyond his own existence, shaping the entire world of Plunderer through his ideals, experiments, and ultimate manipulation of fate. His complex role as a creator, manipulator, and final antagonist makes him one of the most enigmatic and terrifying figures in the series. Whether seen as a genius, a monster, or the ultimate architect of the world’s suffering, Schmelman remains the defining force that the heroes must ultimately overcome to claim their own destiny.