Riddle and Change

When asked what he aspires to be in the future Riddle says, “A…medical mage, I suppose,” saying that his parents have been raising to become one since he was young, but since enrolling at NRC he has started to question his future. Riddle explains, “l’ve taken an interest in the legal profession. I’ve started reading books about judicial topics as well. Before coming to Night Raven College, I never would’ve imagined myself entertaining the idea of a career path outside of medical magic. I’m rather amazed by the development, honestly.”

Trey says that RIddle’s parents were famous medical mages, his mother was especially talented, “and she really wanted Riddle to live up to her legacy.”

When Riddle tells Azul that going into the same field as his parents had been his original plan but now he is uncertain, Azul recommend that he “just get licensed in every field that interests (him)”: “You could easily be a doctor, a judge, a lawyer…even a magic marshal or part of the Arcane Response Unit.”

Later Azul tells him, “One has to make sacrifices to make their dreams a reality,” which seems to resonate with Riddle (“Making sacrifices for your dreams, huh…”).

At the conclusion of the Lantern Event Riddle reflects, “A dream you can’t help dreaming even when it’s against the rules. A longing so powerful it drives you to action. I wonder if the day will ever come when I encounter something that turns my prior life upside-down like that…”

Epel tells Riddle that he doesn’t have to follow his parents’ rules now that he is at NRC, “This is your chance to let loose and have fun!,” and Riddle responds, “That’s not a bad idea. I’ll consider it.”

Riddle seems to intend to leave his “home and dorm behind” one day and live alone, and would like to learn how to cool for himself: “It makes sense to get a head start on living independently.”

When asked where he would go if he could go anywhere with flight magic, Riddle says he would like to go to a farm he once visited as a child where his classmates were able to eat ice cream but he did not, as his mother had forbidden it. Vil says, “So you’d go to that farm and back in one day, with your mother none the wiser, is that it? Hah, how splendid! A secret snack run. Night Raven College has certainly had an influence on you.” Riddle responds, “That’s not…! Actually, I must admit, you are quite right about that.” 

Riddle also has a voice line about trying fast food for the very first time.

Riddle’s wardrobe also seems to be changing as a result of his enrollment at NRC: he tells Rook about a time he had gone into town with the members of the Equestrian Club in his gym uniform for school because he owned no other clothing casual enough for the trip.

Riddle says that he then went shopping with Cater and Ace for more casual clothing items, which he intends to wear should he “have occasion to go out with school friends again.”

In the prologue Riddle uses his unique magic on Grim for breaking the Queen of Hearts’ rule again cats being brought to formal affairs, seemingly ignoring Grim’s argument that he is not a cate, but during Tsumsted Riddle tells his tsum that Grim is not in violation of any rules by being in attendance at a tea party, as, “Grim is a direbeast, not a cat.”

Riddle schools Lock, Shock and Barrel for using a bathtub as a vehicle during the first NBC event, but when they argue otherwise Riddle asks, “How are bathtubs defined here, exactly?” After receiving an explanation Riddle changes his mind, and apologizes: “I was operating under a misapprehension regarding bathtubs. I correct my statement. Riding one is acceptable.”

Jamil is surprised, but Lock observes, “You’re actually a pretty reasonable guy.” Shock follows with, “You seemed super stuck-up at first, but you really understand where we’re coming from. Who knew you were so nice?,” and invites him to join them.

Riddle says, “After going around with you, l’ve learned that you have an order all your own. It seems I’ve been overly narrow-minded. I have much more to learn about this city before I can teach you about orderly conduct.”

During Book 6 Riddle initially ignores Azul’s insistence that they exercise caution when attacking phantom-occupied cages in Tartarus, even when there is a risk of attacking a cage containing a person, and mocking him for worrying for nothing.

Later, however, Riddle says that Azul is right to use targeted strikes to conserve magic, and says he will be following Azul’s example (Azul: “I can’t fathom what brought about this change of heart, but if it helps you reexamine your conduct, I’ll take it”).

Riddle refers to Floyd’s nickname for him of “Goldfish” as derogatory, but Floyd’s mother assures him that being “tiny and red” are not the only thing that goldfish are known for, saying, “The goldfish people keep in their homes are small, but when they’re left to grow in the wild, I hear some can grow into giants.” (Riddle: “So goldfish have room to grow…”)

After Riddle excuses himself from the investigation of Book 2 to ensure that no one is breaking rules at Heartsalbyul in his absence Grim comments, “I thought you’d rounded out some, but nope, you’re as square as ever,” but Riddle insists, “Th-that’s not true! I assure you that l’ve become much more lenient about enforcing the rules.”

Cater agrees, saying, “He really has. He’s way nicer than before. And we all appreciate that Riddle diligence.”

Trey also refers to enforcement of the Queen of Hearts’ rules becoming more lax since “the incident,” in what is possibly a reference to Riddle’s overblot, and Ace almost comments “It really seemed like Riddle’s mellowed out a little lately,” though he says “So much for that” after Riddle refuses to let him skip class for Playfulland.

It seems that Riddle once struggled to walk in heels until receiving advice from Vil, and when they dance together during Spectral Soiree he says, “I’ll consider it a win that | was able to show you I can dance in heels…After all, one can’t let a poor impression go uncorrected indefinitely.” Vil responds, “And here I thought you’d mellowed out considerably since those days. I suppose some things never change.”

Ace says that the current Riddle “still beats the way (he was) before.”

At the Unbirthday Party that follows his overblot Riddle asks if there is a dormouse asleep in a teapot, only to interrupt himself and say, “I suppose it’s fine either way.” Trey follows with, “Not everything has to change completely, you know. Let’s try to set the bar at ‘it’s great if it’s this way,’ not ‘it absolutely has to be this way,’” and Riddle agrees. 

Upon discovering an unpainted rose in the garden the other characters begin to panic, but Riddle says, “I suppose I can overlook one or two missed roses,” only to reveal that he expects everyone to work together to pain them. 

(This solution is unique to the version of the story from the game: in the manga and anime adaptation Riddle colors the roses red by himself, while in the novel he paints them together with Cater.)

After it is revealed that Riddle fell for Trey’s prank and added oyster sauce to the tart he made to earn Ace’s forgives Riddle responds, “I truly am a fool,” possibly in contrast to Ace calling him a fool earlier on in the story, and also comes up when Riddle confront the overblotted version of himself in Book 7.

During the Stitch event Riddle shares that he has never played in the ocean before and decides it “might be a good experience.” He seems to enjoy it immensely, saying, “The moment when I first managed to stand up on my board was amazing, and I even saw a whole school of fish in a particularly large wave! They were all so tiny, and they waved hello when we made eye contact.”

Floyd says the fish “ain’t that smart” and he might’ve been imagining it, and Riddle responds, “Was I? I’ll have to look up what kind of fish those were when we get back to school.”

After revealing that he is unfamiliar with popular trends but then refusing to let Ace tell him about Cater’s famous phone case design, Riddle reflects, “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to look into it a little.”

During Riddle’s dream of Book 7 Ortho asks if the members of his band are always quitting because of his “abysmally low EQ and lack of any desire to learn or grow as a person?,” while Ace calls him out for “not making even the slightest effort to listen to what they’re saying.”

Later Riddle accuses overblotted self of never making “the slightest effort to listen to the people around you,” only to reflect, “That’s the problem with you–no, with me. That’s why I went down the wrong path and became a self-righteous tyrant.”

Riddle does seem to making efforts to change himself and listen to those around him: when asked what he learned from the Master Chef event he says, “Even beyond cooking, there are plenty of things in this world beyond the limited aggregate of my experience. Today was a good reminder to stay humble.”

When Lilia recommends that he try “walking down a hot street, eating shaved ice saturated with syrup” Riddle is at first surprised (“Walking while eating? Goodness…”), but then says, “I suppose if the occasion ever arises,” and that Lilia has shared much in the way of life experience that one can’t get from books, saying, “It’s been very educational for me.”

Riddle is not pleased by Ortho and Ruggie’s commentary after he reveals that he is unfamiliar with movies and novels (“Why are you both ganging up on me? This is none of your business!”), claiming that there is “no point in bothering with stories that have no lesson to learn.”

They talk to him about treasure hunts and puzzles, with Ortho shining a light down a well to give him a surprise. Not realizing that the “hunt” had been orchestrated by Ortho, Riddle is delighted, and changing his mind. Riddle declares, “Treasure hunting truly is a delight,” and that he will be reading the stories that Ortho and Ruggie recommended.

Riddle is at first reluctant to join in a dance during the Eternity Float event, but concedes as, “they do say when in a foreign land, do as the locals do..” Afterwards he says, “I had reservations about such lively dancing at first, but after trying it, it wasn’t so bad after all,” and, “The dancing was embarrassing, but it was surprisingly fun once I tried it.”

Riddle also attempts a puppet show.

During the Lantern Event Riddle is so impressed with Jack’s painting skills that he reflects, “Perhaps I should spend more time looking at things other than textbooks and encyclopedias as well…”

During the Stitch Event Riddle is surprised when Ace dives headfirst into sand during a game of Beach Flags (“Getting covered in sand is supposed to be FUN?”), but when Lilia convinces him that it is mandatory, he agrees to try. The final round comes down to Riddle and Jack as the final competitors, whose Lilia announces as “the red sovereign of Heartslabyul, who somehow survived every elimination despite his inability to dive into the sand!”

Riddle is able to beat Jack through a combination of Jack being surprised by hermit crabs and diving headfirst into the sand. Ace observes, “Look at him jumping for joy all covered in sand. The other Heartslabyul guys wouldn’t believe their eyes if they saw him now.”

Riddle confesses he is “in unfamiliar territory when it comes to leisure or recreation” to Lilia, who teaches him about a “resort” set up. Afterward Riddle says, “Now I understand. Spending time in a place like this would work wonders for easing one’s mind.” (Jack: “And that’s something you could REALLY use.”)

Riddle has a voice on how experiencing Fleur City firsthand showed him certain things that are different from what he read, and, “That’s what travel is all about.”