Ortho and Riddle

During Fairy Gala IF, Riddle compliments Ortho on his technological prowess and Ortho says, “If I solve this problem, I’ll basically be a campus hero!,” possibly tying back to book 6 and original-Ortho and Idia’s childhood appreciation for heroes and adventures.

Ortho confides in Riddle that the Fairy Gala IF event is the first time that anyone has ever needed him instead of his brother: “I came to this school as one of Idia’s technomatic gadgets. I was no different than a PC or a blastcycle. And I was going to leave with Idia once he graduated…I didn’t think there was anywhere else I should be. I believed the best place for me was wherever my brother was. I had it in my head that being with Idia was the best possible option—or rather, it was the ONLY option. It’s different now, though. I’ve been recognized as a person rather than a gadget.”

Ortho explains how he finds things like “meaningless chitchat” with the other students, getting yelled at by a teacher for cutting class (“nobody ever cared when I was in class or not before”) and scolded by Riddle to be engaging and novel.

“I never knew it would be so nice to be treated as Ortho Shroud—an individual person. Happiness, delight, pride…I’ve known what those words meant for years, but now I think I finally understand them.”

Riddle responds, “I’m sure your housewarden is proud to have another exceptional student in his dorm. And I’m glad to study alongside you, Ortho Shroud.”