Valentin's side quest in Code Vein 2 sends you through temporal rifts scattered across the frontier, each containing a boss fight and a mysterious tome. Completing the full questline rewards you with valuable skills and items, including the Somatic Zeal formae and Diamond Dust skill.
Quick answer: Speak to Valentin in MagMell during the 2187: Free Exploration Era after completing Slaying the Hero Josee, then visit four temporal rift locations (Shoreline Cavern, Cultist Altar, Mine Site Northern Cave, and Cult's Hidden Cave), defeat the boss in each, collect the Book of Lost Time, and return to Valentin after each rift.
Unlock requirements for Valentin's request
The questline becomes available after defeating Josee the Blind Hero in the main story. Once that's done, speak to Lavinia in MagMell to make the Bond (time portal) appear near the stained glass in the back of MagMell. Interact with this Bond to travel to the 2187: Free Exploration Era, where Valentin waits at his desk.
Talk to Valentin and select "Catch Up" to begin the request. All objectives must be completed during the Free Exploration Era timeline—you cannot turn in progress or complete tasks in 2277: The Present.
Valentin's Request 1: Shoreline Cavern
Step 1: Travel to MagMell Island and head to the Shoreline Cavern on the southern coast. From the MagMell Island Pier, follow the beach south until you find a path through the rocks leading into the cave.
Step 2: Inside the cavern, interact with the Temporal Rift archway to enter a new dimension. Valentin will explain how these rifts work as you proceed toward the boss door.
Step 3: Defeat the Slaughter Engine Goliath. After the fight, pick up the floating Book of Lost Time I near the door.
Step 4: Touch the monument to exit the rift. Valentin rewards you with Somatic Zeal (a skill that temporarily increases strength and dexterity) and a Restorative Cure consumable. Return to MagMell and speak with Valentin at his desk to discuss the tome.
Valentin's Request 2: Sunken City (Cultist Altar)
Step 1: Travel to the Sunken City and make your way to the Cliffside Ruins northwest of Josee's Outpost. Work through this dungeon until you reach the Plateau Overlooking City mistle.
Step 2: From the mistle, head northeast across the stone bridge to reach a cave leading to the Cultist Altar. Enter the temporal rift inside.
Step 3: Fight the Biosis Clod boss. Target the yellow tentacles jutting from its back to deal damage effectively.
Step 4: Collect the Book of Lost Time II from the floating tome, then touch the monument to return. You receive Scorched Earth as a reward. Speak with Valentin in MagMell to complete this portion.
Valentin's Request 2: Corroded Scar (Mine Site Northern Cave)
Step 1: Head to the northern part of Pioneer Castle and find the mistle at In Front of Command Room. Go west and take the elevators outside.
Step 2: Cross the long bridge, then travel northeast through the mountains following the road. You'll pass through the Corroded Mine before reaching the Mine Site Northern Cave in the northernmost part of the Corroded Scar.
Step 3: Enter the temporal rift and defeat the Queen of the Rift boss.
Step 4: Pick up the Book of Lost Time III and touch the monument. You receive an Ichor Rejuvenative consumable. Return to Valentin to discuss the tome.
Valentin's Request 2: Undead Forest (Cult's Hidden Cave)
Access to the Undead Forest in the past requires completing the Slaying the Hero Holly quest first. Once that's done, you can proceed with this final rift.
Step 1: Travel to Bureau's Castle in the Undead Forest during the 2187: Free Exploration Era. Head north and follow the road around the lake to reach the Cult's Hidden Cave on the eastern side.
Step 2: Enter the temporal rift inside the cave. Instead of a single boss, you'll face three waves of enemies.
Step 3: After defeating all waves, collect the Book of Lost Time IV. Touch the monument to exit and receive the Diamond Dust skill.
Step 4: Return to MagMell and speak with Valentin to browse the final tome together. Upon completion, you receive a Restorative Elixir and the quest ends.
Complete reward list
| Location | Boss | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Cavern | Slaughter Engine Goliath | Somatic Zeal, Restorative Cure |
| Cultist Altar (Sunken City) | Biosis Clod | Scorched Earth |
| Mine Site Northern Cave (Corroded Scar) | Queen of the Rift | Ichor Rejuvenative |
| Cult's Hidden Cave (Undead Forest) | Three enemy waves | Diamond Dust, Restorative Elixir |
Additional items earned throughout the questline include Giant Cyclian Kernel and Pioneer's Concoction. These accumulate as you progress through each rift rather than being tied to specific locations.
Tips for completing the rifts efficiently
Each temporal rift contains a tome that serves as the rift's core. Removing the tome causes the rift to vanish, so always grab it before touching the monument to leave. The monument links back to the real world and serves as your exit point after every boss encounter.
Valentin can accompany you as a partner during these quests, though it's not strictly required. Having him along provides additional dialogue and context about the rifts and their historical significance.
The Undead Forest rift differs from the others by featuring multiple enemy waves instead of a single boss. Prepare for sustained combat rather than a single high-damage encounter. The waves consist of three enemies each, so area-of-effect abilities and crowd control formae help considerably.
Completing Valentin's full questline provides a solid mix of combat skills and healing items. Somatic Zeal's temporary stat boost makes it useful for challenging boss fights elsewhere in the game, while the consumables help sustain longer exploration sessions. The Diamond Dust skill rounds out the rewards with additional offensive options for your build.
