Azul’s Power

Describing Azul’s abilities after his evaluation at STYX, Idia says. “Azul’s a relatively slow caster, but he’s got precision and control.”

According to Ortho Azul’s magic pool is not large enough to sustain the wide range of spells that he utilizes, and Idia guesses that that is why Azul is so careful about when he uses them: “Like, he’s banking on his quick thinking to make up for his lack of reserves, or something. And his signature spell requires the use of a magic item, so he can’t use it whenever. Azul’s definitely an ‘always be cautious’ kinda guy.”

Ortho describes Azul’s spell-casting style as “basically the opposite of Riddle Rosehearts’,” and we see a direct comparison between the two while they fight through Tartarus together (Azul: “I could never waste my reserves like that”).

Riddle scolds Azul for being overcautious while Azul argues against “the brute-force option,” but as time goes on Riddle becomes impressed by Azul using targeted strikes to conserve his magic, saying that he will try to follow Azul’s example.

Azul struggles with carrying the thunder spear with his own magic for long, leading to Riddle taking over. 

When asked how old he Wass when he first learned to use magic, Azul explains, “I learned basic things like pulling objects toward myself about when I was eight. Both my grandmother and mother are mages, and they taught me some fundamentals, nut I wasn’t always a keen learner, and my family was more laid-back. They didn’t ask much of me except that I do my homework. I didn’t start studying magic in earnest until around the time I started middle school.”

This is apparently a sensitive point for Azul, who says he “knows how spoiled (he) was” and that he regrets wasting so much: “I resolved to do better, and threw myself into studying everything | could…But it’s frustrating to see so clearly the difference between me and someone who’s worked hard their whole life. If only l’d gotten an earlier start.”

Despite his late start, Azul seems very magically proficient. Crowley says that “the strength of magic is strength of imagination,” and Idia says that the structure of Azul’s dream is “really thorough,” proving that he has “definitely got a strong imagination…Recreating his environment to accommodate his changes covers up any inconsistencies that clash with reality. Or, to put it a better way —this dream is set up to stop paradoxes from arising in the first place.”

Jamil seems impressed by how Azul’s imagination is able to perfectly mimic Floyd “down to the tiniest of details,” and during their fight Jamil observes, “He’s not just enhancing himself. He’s using housewarden-class darkness projections to cover his flanks.”

Later Azul is able to change from his mermaid form into his land form on his own after realizing hat he was having a nightmare, which neither Jade nor Floyd had been able to do (Silver: “Not many people could assess their own situation so calmly when every second counted. I’m impressed, Azul”).

Idia explains, “Azul’s imagination is strong enough to construct a dream far removed from reality without that dream collapsing in on itself.Reconstructing external appearances without support’s gotta be cake for him.”

Ruggie says that while Azul isn’t the kind of person you want to turn to as your first resort he is definitely a capable mage, and after fighting Azul in the VIP room of Mostro Lounge Jack says, “I never knew housewardens were this powerful!”

After Jade explains the complexity of using hypnosis magic Floyd responds, “You gotta have skills and power on par with Azul for that,” so Floyd also seems to hold Azul’s power is high regard. Jade may be similarly impressed by Azul’s magical strength, observing during Book 7, “You blew away nearly 80 percent of that swarm at once… It seems I’ve continued to underestimate your capabilities, Azul.”

Azul impresses even Malleus with his magic by clearing a room of firelotuses during Glorious Masquerade without doing any damage to the surrounding area. Azul explains, “I may not have your magical might, and I certainly can’t wipe out a whole city block of flowers at once…But I’m fairly certain no one has more magical precision than me.”

We see another example of Azul’s magical precision in Book 6 when he refuses to let Riddle use magic on a cage due to the risk of Riddle possibly injuring a person who might be inside, or destroying the ID card they are looking for, magically striking it himself, instead, without damaging the inhabitant (who was a Phantom. Riddle responds, “What excellent control you have. A shame all your worrying was for nothing”).