[ Astute. But a living archive would have to be, surely. ]

You are on the mark, impressively so. Yes, his companions have - through contact with him - awakened to Archetypes of their own. None of them are scholars that would be able to take over the duties I have thus-far performed, but they are steadfast allies and valuable friends for certain.

I do not doubt that they are standing at his side without faltering.

[ ... so if VA meant to cheer him up, they actually did a remarkably good job?? ]