Leona and Epel

Epel says that he generally prefers “cool, strong animals like tigers and leopards…” and he would like Leona as an older brother: “He’s pretty much got it all-rugged looks, a cool attitude, and he’s a quick thinker. He looks out for me in Spelldrive Club, too. He’s everything I wish I could be.”

On the subject of his admiration for Leona, Epel explains, “Leona’s a caring kind of guy. He’s a dependable captain during our games, and he gives everyone individual advice when we’re practicing….”

Epel says that, while they do not really overlap much outside of spelldrive practice, the Leona he knows “would point out when I’m about to mess up on my homework, and teach me the right answer… I think.” 

(During NBC Epel asks Leona outright for tutoring and Leona refuses.)

During Spectral Soiree Epel is possessed by a ghost that has him boop Leona on the nose.

Leona’s labwear vignette revolves around him making a potion for Epel and Grim that they spilled when they ran into one another, with Epel providing a running commentary on how the task Leona is trying to accomplish is impossible and why he should give up. (Leona successfully crafts the potion.)

In a vignette he see Epel run physically into Leona due to reading a book as he walked. A Pomefiore student suggests to Rook that they go to “bail (Epel) out before he gets into real trouble,” but Rook points out that such will not be necessary: “This lion has better things to do than get angry at cubs…a king knows how to be magnanimous.”

Epel seems to be the only student who worries when Leona disappears during Vargas Camp, though when it is revealed that he has been stuck in a cabin doing squats Ruggie responds, “Geez, Leona… Way to scare me over nothin’.”

Leona signs up for the Master Chef course both for the class credit and because Epel signed up as well, saying, “Less of a hassle than decidin’ on another elective for myself.”

Later it is revealed that he may have had another motive: during his lesson he sends Epel to pick up his ingredients from the fridge rather than fetching them himself. The chef is shocked by Epel explains, “That’s pretty normal for Leona.”

The chef asks Leona if he really does not care about cooking at all and Leona responds, “Nope, not a bit—no offense. I wouldn’t have even signed up if I hadn’t heard a classmate was taking it,” presumably in reference to Epel.

Epel says “Leona’s (spelldrive) advice is always so helpful! Just wish he was more active at practice to give it,” and we possibly get an example of this in a vignette where Epel asks for help with his passes and Leona responds, “Don’t sweat that stuff. Later.”

After a conversation with Ruggie, Leona explains his reasoning: Epel is one of the best first-year fliers on the team but focusing on other areas will risk his main skill suffering, and passes require such basic magic that his abilities will improve just be going to classes.

During spelldrive practice Epel shows off a new move he has learned as a birthday present for Leona.

Epel says that his goal is to be added to the starting lineup in the spelldrive club,and when Lilia asks if he thinks he has what it takes Epel responds, “Captain Leona seems to! He tells me how well I fly all the time.” Lilia says, “getting compliments out of (Leona) is like getting gold from lead. I’m impressed.”

Epel tells Ace that complaining won’t make things better with Leona, and Leona acts the same way during spelldrive practice as he does during Spectral Soiree: “One time, the Spelldrive Club members ran a hundred laps around the school to build stamina…And Leona spent most of that time lounging under a tree, even though he’s our captain.”

Epel says, “the upside is that Leona pays close attention to all the club members. And his calls during games are always on point,” and if Leona has assigned them a task it is because he knows that they can do it.

After Floyd ties Epel to a tombstone Leona says, “cut the yapping. I take my eyes off you two for one second and you start foolin’ around,” but Ace points out, “you talk like you don’t care, but the first thing you did was untie Epel. You actually look out for your people, don’t you.”