One of the three master swordsmen of Gaea and a general of Fanelia's army, Balgus served under Van's father in his younger days and later left to travel around Gaea, searching to improve his skills. He met Allen and trained him for a time, but when Van's father died he returned to Fanelia to look after Van and his mother. When Zaibach destroyed Fanelia, he died while saving Van.

Though he perished early in the series he continues to affect the lives of the main characters through his lasting influence as both a mentor to Van and teacher to Allen.

In the 1994 manga he appears in the same role, as a mentor to Van that dies once Fanelia is attacked.