**Hyoro Gari (Skel Etal)** is a student at Midgar Academy for Dark Knights and friend to Cid Kagenou. As the second son of Baron Etal, he appears as a plain, tall, and thin figure, usually clad in the academy uniform. Prolonged forced labor under the sun darkens his skin due to gambling debts, though magic later restores it. His Japanese name means "weak and slim," while his English name alludes to homelessness, reflecting his character traits.
Personality-wise, he habitually involves friends in schemes for money or romance, often provoking Cid's anger. A severe gambling addiction defines him, characterized by poor strategies like placing simultaneous bets that consistently plunge him into significant debt. This compulsion drives key plot events, including exploiting friendships to escape financial crises.
His story begins at the academy, where he participates in a bet with Cid and Po, forcing the loser to confess to Princess Alexia Midgar. After Cid loses and unexpectedly begins a relationship with Alexia, jealousy drives Hyoro Gari to reveal the bet's existence to her. Later, he selfishly enters Cid into the Senbatsu tournament without consent. During a visit to Mitsugoshi Co., his attempts to impress an attendant fail as she focuses solely on Cid. Separately, an awkward attempt to gift chocolate to an upper-class student leads to confrontation with her boyfriend.
When terrorists attack the academy and Cid is presumed dead, Hyoro Gari displays genuine anguish, later keeping vigil at Cid's bedside during recovery. His gambling escalates during the Bushin Festival, resulting in crippling debts. Borrowing money from Cid proves insufficient, leading debt collectors to forcibly remove him. To repay obligations, he undertakes grueling labor, including fishing abroad, further darkening his complexion. Ultimately, his inability to settle debts results in enslavement; he is transported to Lawless City for sale as a "buyer's pet."
During the Red Moon Incident, he escapes enslavement with Po's aid and flees to the White Tower district. There, intending to lose his virginity with prostitutes, both he and Po are attacked by ghouls transformed under the red moon's influence. This event concludes his documented arc.