Being a Student (pt1)

Pre-Book 6 Ortho did not have classes of his own to attend and only attended classes on non-test days, with Idia.

He expresses surprise when he is selected to be Lilia’s interviewer for his second birthday vignette, as he “thought the Magical Birthday Dice chose an interviewer from the student body,” and he did not count at the time.

(His third birthday interview begins with, “Getting interviewed on my birthday while also being a Night Raven College student is a dream come true!”)

Ortho explains, “When I can’t be with (Idia), I take walks on campus and chat with people. I recently visited Professor Trein, and he let me read his books. He also played games with me. That was lots of fun. I’ve never met my grandpa, but if he were here, maybe he’d be like that. The other fun part about visiting Professor Trein is getting to talk with Lucius.”

Before enrolling in class 1-C Ortho says that all he would do in Idia’s classes was “sit next to him and optimize my internal memory…sometimes I take classes with everybody else when the mood strikes. The teachers don’t say anything about it.”

Ortho was also not qualified to participate in Beanfest, so his role in the event is mostly helping Idia relocate a weapon he has designed to the school store under the cover of darkness.

While suspicious of the legality of Idia’s approach he is happy for Idia to be voluntarily taking part in a school activity at all. 

In Book 5 we learn that Idia got permission from the headmage to allow Ortho to attend his classes with him, and in Book 6 Jamil guesses that someone from as prestigious a family as the Shrouds wouldn’t attend school without any aids (much like how he himself serves Kalim), and that that is why Ortho received that special permission. 

Now a “proper student” at the school Ortho is trying a variety of things to gain experience, such as working at the school store.

His new year resolution is to do club activities and school and events in order to “see what else being a student at Night Raven College has to offer.”