Azul and Ace

When asked who he would like to have as a sibling Ace immediately responds, “I’d pick Azul to be my brother!” When asked why Ace explains, “Azul’s all smart and crafty, you know? If we were family, I bet he’d totally help me out with stuff!”

Vil cautions Ace about such an assumption (“I imagine Azul would expect recompense even from family”) but Ace says he is sure that Azul would at least help him with his studies if they were brothers, since “having a brother with bad grades would damage his business reputation.” (Vil: “…You have a point. He might act differently when there’s a risk to his profits.”)

Ace seems impressed by Azul’s business sense, saying he is certain that Azul is making a lot of money and that, if they were brothers, he would get great gifts on his birthday.

Vil asks, “Is money all you see in him?,” and Ace responds, “Look, you and I both know Azul’s gonna have it made in the future, right? Once he graduates, he’s gonna jump right in and start up all sorts of new businesses. He’ll be making even more money then…if I could land a cushy job with his connections, that’d be like the best thing for me!”

When Ace poses this same question to Azul he adds, “Wanna have me as your baby bro?,” but Azul replies, “You wouldn’t be the worst choice, given your quick wit…but you can be a bit rash at times,” and chooses Ortho, instead.

Ace gets Azul a pillow for his birthday (“I just figured something relaxing would be nice for a busy guy like you”), which Azul seems to appreciate (“Interesting, so you chose something that would help alleviate fatigue. That’s rather thoughtful of you”).

Book 3 involves Ace becoming forced to serve Azul until he graduates for failing to fulfill a contract. Ace confronts Azul directly, saying that while he did receive a study guide and achieved a score of over 90 points, as promised, he hadn’t been told that Azul had had provided the same guide to others, making it impossible for him to uphold his end of the deal by being ranked in the school’s top 50 highest achievers.

But Azul responds, “Details such as who made a contract with me, what kind of contract it was, and why it was made…That’s all privileged data. Who am I to divulge someone’s personal information to a third party?”

Ace’s tasks for Azul include “Cleaning Octavinelle Dorm, waiting tables at the lounge, going on grocery runs,” and helping at Mostro Lounge during lunch breaks. 

After having his contract with Azul dissolved in Book 3, Azul reveals a new scheme where potential clients can earn free consultations with him through spending money at Mostro Lounge, and Ace immediately places an order.

When complimenting Vil to his father Ace says, “I think a lot of teachers see him as a housewarden they can count on. Not like some of the others,” and Azul asks, “surely you don’t mean to include me in that latter group…” (Ace: “N-no, no way!”)

When Vil challenges a crowd of students who all want to join him in the Fairest City to defeat their rivals and determine who is the best of the best, Azul proposes “a mutually beneficial alliance” to Jamil and Ace, wherein Ace rigs a lottery that Azul suggests (and Jamil’s encourages) to ensure that all three of them will be able to attend.

Once arriving in the Fairest City, however, Ace finds himself the focus of teasing by both his upperclassmen, saying, “You two sure were in lockstep jumpin’ at the chance to tease me,” and, “How come you only get along when it’s to make fun of me?”

Ace and Azul go shopping together in a vignette, with Ace asking Azul to pick out clothing for him. Azul agrees, with the caveat that he will not be covering any purchases (Ace: “Guess you’re too smart to fall for that trick, huh? Ah well”).

Azul chooses a black blazer with a slim silhouette, a white collared shirt and a striped necktie, saying, “add some center creased slacks and leather shoes, and you’d have no trouble with any dress code.”

Ace describes the outfit as “formal and grown-up” and just what he’d expected from Azul, but it comes to a total of 100,000 madol (1,000 thaumarks).

Ace considers purchasing just the blazer, offering to work shifts at Mostro Lounge to pay for it. Azul responds, “I expect I’ll get my money’s worth out of you, Ace.” (Ace: “…Uh-oh, what have I signed myself up for?”)