Vil and Effort (pt4)

Vil says he dislikes people who give up before they even begin, and we have several examples of Vil being just as strict with others as he is with himself, telling Jack that he will never grow if he constantly relies on others for guidance and greeting his own new class of first-year students as his first year as housewarden with, “I will not accept half-hearted efforts from our members.”

He also tells the prefect that they need to try to ascertain things for themselves before looking to others for help, and makes a similar comment during Playfulland (“Don’t look to us for guidance. Can’t you think for yourselves?”)

Vil also scolds the prefect during Halloween for failing to control Grim, who steals food off Jade’s plate.

When Vil finds himself in need of members for a studio tour that cannot be cancelled in the Fairest City, he declares that he will be only taking the best of the best.

In order to determine who that is, he says that the students are to simply defeat their rivals: “I care not if it’s a sports showdown, hand-to-hand combat, or a magic duel. Just find some way to prove to me you’re the best.”

Ace rigs the drawing for himself, Azul and Jamil, which Vil says he had suspected all along: “A direct, honest approach is not always the correct one. You played to your strengths, and chose a game you could win, rigged or no. I’d say you passed the test.”

When Ace asks Vil to pick him up a brand-name bag that he, as a celebrity, will have early information on, Vil staunchly refuses, but when Jamil expresses interest in purchasing a leather jacket Vil says that he will point him in the right direction.

Ace asks why Vil didn’t offer something like that when he asked about the bag and Vil responds, “Because you were looking for an easy way out. Something | detest. On the other hand, I love to see someone with a lofty goal who’s not afraid to work for it.”

When Grim is proud of himself for arriving on time during the Tapis Rouge event he asks Vil if he isn’t impressed and Vil responds, “Being on time is the bare minimum I require of you, so…no.”