Azul and Riddle

Azul and Riddle overlap in an early vignette where Azul asks if Riddle is not going to check his exam results and Riddle refuses, saying, “What would be the point, when the results are always the same?”

Azul says, “I thought you may have slipped for once, but I see you aren’t one to be underestimated,” and this comes up again in Book 6, when Azul concedes to Riddle leading one of the teams to Tartarus, as, “Riddle has far better grades than me in both the classroom and in the field.”

The revelation that Azul has been trying to beat his grades comes as a surprise to Riddle, who says the thought had never crossed his mind.

Azul responds, “That’s quite the insult, you know. I have remained consistently in the top 10! Are you saying that I am not a worthy rival?,” and Riddle confirms, saying that Azul is involved in far too many things outside of academics to challenge him: “

You might get perfect scores on tests if you gave your studies your full attention. But you don’t. You spend your valuable time and knowledge doing analysis and crafting guides that help others get better grades. Meanwhile, I’ve devoted all my time to academics and magic for as long as I can remember. And you expect to outscore me? That, as you say, is quite the insult.”

Azul says he did not mean it as an insult and “Doesn’t everyone want to go for the top spot?,” which Riddle calls commendable, though he adds that even if Azul did focus solely on his studies, they would both be in the top spot, together.

During the descent into Tartarus Riddle repeatedly insists on protecting Azul, to his annoyance. Riddle says he cannot risk Azul getting injured and Azul responds, “Don’t patronize me. I can take a few hits.” 

Later Azul comments on leaving “the star student to safeguard his far less capable peer,” and while Riddle points out that he never said that Azul is incapable, he is then injured while protected Azul from a phantom. Riddle explains, “I simply cannot allow you to sustain any heavy injuries,” but Azul insists that he is not so weak as to require Riddle’s protection.

Riddle responds, “Why are you getting so worked up? It’s unlike you,” and Azul yells back, “I just want you to stop treating me like dead weight!…You and I are equals here. So I don’t want to hear any more of your high-handed orders!”

Azul seems profoundly annoyed by Riddle’s attitude (“Don’t get hurt. What kind of weakling does he think I am?!”), leading Riddle to realize that there has been a misunderstanding.

Riddle explains that he is actually protecting the rules: as it is illegal to practice medicine on someone under the influence of a transformation potion, treating any injuries that Azul sustains would be breaking the law, “And that must be avoided at all costs! Hence, I cannot let any injury befall you. It’s that simple.”

Azul laughs aloud at this revelation, saying he had been convinced that Riddle thought he was a weakling. (Riddle: “I explicitly said I knew you could fight! Why wouldn’t you take me at my word?!” – Azul: “Your absurd adherence to the rules isn’t intuitive to most other people.” – Riddle: “It’s not absurd! It’s literally the law!”)

Azul teases Riddle in Book 6 for failing at a video game (“So there IS something you’re bad at”), winning thee game immediately afterwards himself and saying, “Riddle was kind enough to go first and provide an EXCELLENT tutorial.” 

Riddle asks for access to the game on a mini-monitor to practice until he is able to win and Azul responds, “As the first of us to achieve that feat, I could offer you some pointers for a reasonable price.”

After Riddle practices enough to win a game Azul says it was “all thanks to (his) patient and humble advice, of course,” and, “I understand the entertainment value of game playthroughs much better now. The way Riddle would scream when he got hit right before he was about to clear the stage, oh, I can hear it now…heh heh heh!”

Idia describes Azul and Riddle as polar opposites, with Riddle using spells “like he’s in hyperdrive” while Azul is “a relatively slow caster, but he’s got precision and control.”

Azul chooses to team with Riddle for the descent into Tartarus in order to avoid Leona and they experience friction from the start, with Riddle running ahead on his own while Azul tries to move more slowly and assess their situation. While Azul argues “there’s a fine line between bravery and recklessness,” Riddle counters with, “There’s also a fine line between caution and cowardice.”

Later, however, Riddle concedes that Azul’s method of using targeted strikes to conserve his magi is the correct method, saying that he will try to follow Azul’s example.

Azul creates an ice barricade to stall the titan that they battle with, instructing Riddle to wield the thunder spear, but Riddle asks for Azul’s help and they work together to defeat it, afterwards sharing what seems to be a high five in celebration.

Afterwards Azul admits that he is “completely worn out,” and asks Riddle to “indulge (him) in some conversation” while they go through the phantom cages.

Soon after Azul saves Riddle via a barrier spell, but when Riddle thanks him he responds with, “It only worked out because you’re so predictable. Your monotonous-ah, that is, your guileless disposition saved us both.”

Later on Azul encourages Riddle to get licensed in every field that interests him, saying, “And it would be extremely convenient-ah, I mean, reassuring-to have a very-licensed friend whom I could call on in a pinch.” Riddle responds, “…You and I are friends?,” but Azul says, “After going through all this, I wouldn’t accept any other label. What else would you call people who challenge each other and share their future dreams?”

Azul tells Riddle, “I’ve yielded the vanguard position to you for now, but I have no intention of relaxing on the back lines indefinitely. One moment of inattention, and you might find me giving the valedictorian speech at graduation,” and Riddle responds, “I’ll continue to stand at the fore as long as I’m in school-and after it as well. I won’t lose to anyone, ever. Not even you.” (Azul: “We’ll see how long that smug attitude lasts.”)

While investigating a lower level of Tartarus Riddle is nearly attacked by a phantom, giving us Azul’s one of only instance of referring to Riddle without an honorific as he saves Riddle with a magical attack. Immediately after, Azul refers that he had known the phantom was tracking them and used Riddle as bait.

After attacking another phantom Azul tells Riddle that he “certainly wouldn’t want to take a fully-powered attack from (him),” and Riddle says, “I’m glad working together has shown you how capable I truly am.” Azul responds, “It’s like you said…this experience is far from a waste.”

After their attack on Ortho and an overblotted Idia Riddle’s hair goes white and he falls unconscious. Azul bows out of the battle and takes them both to safety while Jamil and Azul reflect on how Riddle likely exhausted his magic while Azul held back, which ultimately saved them both. Jamil observes, “(Azul) probably knew Riddle would exhaust his reserves the moment they decided to stay down there.”

When they return to campus Azul’s immediate respond is to check in on Mostro Lounge but Riddle interrupts him, insisting that he visits the nurse’s office, first. When Cater tells Riddle, “I thought you’d turned into an old geezer or something,” Riddle responds, “Yes, well… If not for Azul’s quick thinking, that might’ve happened to me as well.”

Azul and Riddle’s earliest interaction is during the prologue, where Azul asks Riddle to see to Grim and then compliments Riddle’s unique magic, saying, “I’ve just GOT to have it-ah, I mean, I’ve just got to have respect for it.” In Book 3 Deuce says that, after learning that he made a contract with Azul, Riddle made him write lines as punishment.

Azul and Riddle overlap during Beanfest where we learn that Riddle was unknowingly a key player in Azul being able to acquire the various pieces of special equipment that he’d wanted for the game: when Vargas suggested removing the most important piece of equipment in the game Riddle intervened, insisting that the it remain in play to even the odds for all students.

Not wanting to be in debt to Riddle for his role in his plan Azul does not take advantage of an opportunity to capture him and Deuce, though he does immediately send Jack to capture them instead (the attack is interrupted by Vil, and Riddle is later captured by Trey).

During Spectral Soiree Azul becomes possessed by a ghost that has him acting uncharacteristically lazy, saying, “If we’re goin’ to the same place anyway, why do more than just eat and sleep? All you need is a comfy bed..” to which Riddle responds, “Azul may be a rotten schemer who constantly tries to prey on the people around him, but he always puts forth an unstinting effort. That’s the one thing I respect about him!,” and, “I considered him someone worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with me! And yet…”

After Azul returns to himself he does not believe he was possessed in the first place and so, to prove it, Ortho plays a recording of his possession, up to and including Riddle’s dramatic declaration. 

Azul observes, “That’s QUITE the thing to hear. This will undoubtedly come in handy later. Thank you ever so much.” Riddle responds, “I blame the ghosts for all the mortification I’ve suffered here.”

Azul and Riddle share common ground during Book 6 when they both refuse to sign STYX’s NDA without reading it through and asking “nitpicky questions about each point,” and they are also of the same opinion during the Stitch event, agreeing to surrender Stitch to Gantu.

Later on Lilia encourages them both to dance on the beach, despite their mutual reluctance. Riddle tells Azul, “It’s okay to stumble. Just relax and let me be the lead,” but Azul responds, “You sound so confident for someone with such choppy, stilted motions,” though he does join in, saying, “I’m not terribly accustomed to dancing on land, but l’m fairly certain I at least have a better sense of rhythm than you.”

The following day Azul expresses frustration with his inability to maintain his balance on a surfboard but Riddle assures him, “Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll figure it out on your own time with or without advice,” and invites Azul to the beach with him and the rest of Heartslabyul.