Vil and Effort

Jade says “Vil is strict, both towards himself and others,” while Jamil says he admires how Vil never compromises on anything “but he certainly works people to the bone.”

We get many examples of the importance that Vil places on effort: he refuses to participate in the Wish Upon a Star event, saying, “I have zero respect for anyone who believes in that hoax and wastes their time on it. Hoping for a miracle without putting in the work to make it happen is the epitome of indolence. I make my own miracles. I have no wishes to send to the stars. That’s all there is to it.”

When pressured by Trey to wish for something (Vil: “You make it sound like I’m the bad guy here”), Vil compromises by wishing for Grim, Trey and the prefect to stop nagging him.

Vil explains, “Sometimes, the more capable you become, the harder it gets to endorse yourself,” and tell Deuce, “Spare me the infantile notion that hard work guarantees a reward,” repeating that “The idea that hard work is always rewarded is utter drivel only true in fairy tales.”

Vil says that he loathes instructing those who have no drive to improve and does not believe in doing things halfheartedly: “If you do something, you must do it to perfection.” This comes up again with his tsum, where he reluctantly accepts tsumsitting duty but declares his intention to “see it through to perfection” as he doesn’t want anyone thinking he does things by half-measures.

He says that plenty of people have called him stoic, “But I’m simply putting in the work necessary to achieve my goals. Isn’t that natural?”

Ace asks if there are any spells that can skip self-care routines and Vil explains that magic solutions are temporary: “What I seek is genuine, authentic aesthetic perfection.” Vil emphasizes to both Epel and Ortho that there are no shortcuts to perfection or success.

Vil says that his pursue of perfection is similar to the Fairest Queen who earned the Magic Mirror’s recognition, as she also “gave her utmost effort to achieve her ideals, which is precisely why she was called the fairest one of all…”

Rook sends Trey away to do battle with Vil one-on-one during Beanfest, ultimately beating him. Vil observes, “I played to the fullest of my abilities and still lost. That’s simply how it goes sometimes.”

This comes up again in Playfulland, where Vil attacks his adversaries despite knowing that he is going to lose: “Adversity is where I bloom —more powerfully and beautifully than anyone!”

Lilia says he is surprised by how well Vil and Jack get along and Vil explains, “The ones I disdain are those who put no effort into improving themselves. Muscle mass is of no consequence whatsoever. Anyone who is working towards a goal, no matter what it is, deserves respect.”

Vil says, “Neither beauty nor a healthy body are built in a day. In that sense, Jack and I are alike. We both work continuously to achieve our goals.”

Vil says that he must be sure to experience everything he can, as taking in beauty (such as museum exhibits) allows him to refine his own aesthetic sense, and tells Jack, “Elegance in one’s mannerisms and correct posture requires constant vigilance.”

Vil explains, “By strengthening one’s core and double checking proper movement in the mirror or through videos, good posture and elegance become part of one’s muscle memory, and moving with beauty becomes second nature.”

Vil seems to suspect that Lilia is “someone who can’t be bothered to make any particular effort at anything,” scolding him for presumably staying up all night playing video games. Vil asks why Lilia’s late-night gaming does not seems to adversely effect his skin or grades and asks him for his “precise schedule,” such as when he sleeps and studies, but Lilia evades the question.

Vil insists that “Diet and study are lifestyle choices —they aren’t something one can simply bypass via magic. Both require a vast investment of time and knowledge,” and hints that Lilia might be delegating such things to other people or is “imbibing some sort of potion.”

Lilia disappears without an answer and Vil reveals the motivation behind his pressuring for information: “knowing could very well elevate my beauty to yet another level.”

We see scenes from Vil’s childhood that likely contributed to his strong belief in always putting in the utmost effort: while his father is supportive of his being cast in villain roles it worries Vil, who wants to be able to stay on stage for the happy ending that he has never experienced.

We see Vil being bullied as a child in retribution for his role as a villain on a TV show, and being praised for carrying himself with so much dignity for a 12 year old. But the same film crew guesses that, for all his talent, Vil might never be cast as a hero simply because he is too perfect: “Vil is too special to play the part of a regular teen that viewers can relate to. Without that relatability, I don’t think he’ll ever pull off playing a hero.”

Vil explains that he would do anything to be beautiful, from the most rigorous training to the most tedious hair and skincare treatments, but this same devotion to achieving perfection in order to succeed at his goal of becoming a hero is possibly the same thing trapping him in villain roles.

In his Master Chef course Vil declares his intention to master everything “from cutting methods to using different implements, so I can refine my movements,” and he does not appreciate the suggestion that he should cover up a burnt part of his cake with chocolate coating, saying, “That goes against everything I aesthetically stand for.”

Vil says that he does “every job with the utmost professionalism” and his resolution for the new year is to “continue to put maximum effort” into his studies while pursuing his ideal of beauty and giving it form, following with, “I don’t intend to leave these as mere ‘resolutions,’ either. I will absolutely follow through.”

Vil tells Jamil, “You must never forget to retain a certain boldness in everything you do. Always aim to be sensational. I, personally, would rather die than play it safe.”

Cater comments on seeing all the effort that Vil puts in and Vil responds, “This face was forged from tireless time and passion. Not just my face, either. My mind, my figure, my hair, and my clothes are all practiced, deliberate choices. And every single picture I post is a reflection of those choices.I labor day in and day out through the trends to immortalize the name ‘Vil Schoenheit’…that’s what it means to be a brand.”

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.”

Vil punishes Ace, Deuce and Grim for late-night snacking during the VDC training camp, cursing their food to keep them immobile on the floor until morning.

He asks Ace if it has never occurred to him that he could “try to be a better person” during Ace’s birthday interview, and is strict with his evaluation of his fellow dorm members during Halloween, saying that they need to act more natural.

(Epel: “Our job was to drive out the Magicam Monsters, and we did that, right? You don’t have to be so critical about it.” – Vil: “I suppose you have a point. It worked out well enough, as far as ad-libbing goes.”)

Floyd and Ace comment on Vil “acting odd” during his Halloween vignette and Vil responds, “How rude. I simply cannot stand individuals who rest on their laurels and refuse to put in any effort. You all, on the other hand, were fully eager to learn more about the nuances of Halloween makeup.”

When Ruggie asks Vil for his old clothes, Vil tells him that he first must become someone who will look good wearing them (Ruggie had been intending to sell them).

Vil says that he and Eric did not originally publicize the fact that they are father and son. Eric says, “Vil doesn’t want people to think he’s ‘riding my coattails’” and Vil says that he wants to stand on his own two feet and will not have his hard-earned success dismissed as nepotism.

Vil explains, “I know very well that having been born Eric Venue’s son no doubt shaped my destiny. When I think of the experiences and opportunities it afforded me, I can only be grateful. But I don’t want to be known simply as Eric Venue’s son. I want to be known for who I am: Vil Schoenheit, actor extraordinaire.”

Vil says that that is what he used to think, but he has since relaxed his stance on revealing their relationship because he feels that he has done enough in his career to prove himself. 

Eric explains that he does not use body doubles for stunts or when playing instruments or dancing on screen, and instead takes lessons and trains himself in whatever he needs to do once he has been cast in something. Eric also worked his way up to become a successful actor and producer despite unflattering rumors and made-up scandals, ultimately launching his own production company, so he is now “on top of the whole industry.”

While not stated outright in-game, Eric’s efforts with his career possibly influenced Vil’s own perspective on the importance of doing one’s best in the face of adversity.