Riddle and Ortho

After their adventure during Spectral Soiree Riddle tells his team, Ortho and Ruggie, “Our journey has hammered home how much more there is for me to learn. Since you both taught me so many new things today, I shall offer to lead you in a dance!” Ruggie excuses himself to eat, instead, and Riddle responds, “I believe it’s just you and me, Ortho. Here, give me your hand.”

Riddle visits the Fairy Gala IF group during their preparations for the event and, seeing Ortho encourage the other students to rest while he continues to work, Riddle goes to speak with him. Riddle shares with Ortho how the other students have been praising him and compliments both his “incredible technological prowess” and “fine attitude.”

Ortho explains how the event is his first time being needed and recognized as a person, saying, “I’d also never cut class and gotten yelled at by a teacher before now.”

Riddle responds, “Moving forward, you have to know that unexcused absences are unacceptable” and Oath says, “You know, even you scolding me is very novel to me…I never knew it would be so nice to be treated as Ortho Shroud—an individual person.”

Riddle tells Ortho that speaking with him has piqued his interest in technomantic engineering and he might look into books on the subject, as, “I can hardly let myself be outdone by an underclassman.”

Ortho responds, “An underclassman, huh…” and Riddle follows with, “I can hardly call you a robot any longer. Truly, you exemplify Ignihyde’s spirit of diligence. 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.”

When it is revealed that Idia summoned Riddle to help him stand against Malleus in Book 7, a worried Ortho responds, “If Idia’s got Riddle as backup, there might be some hope after all!”