ONA
Description
Ortho Shroud is the younger brother of Idia Shroud and a member of Ignihyde dormitory at Night Raven College. He presents as a small figure with a fully mechanical body, metallic plating, and jointed, doll-like limbs, and his appearance shifts depending on which of several interchangeable bodies or sets of gear he is using. He is about 148 centimeters tall, and his age is officially listed as unknown.
Ortho is not an ordinary student. The human child he is modeled after was Idia's late younger brother of the same name, who died young after being caught in the sudden attack of an overblot phantom. The Ortho seen at the college was created in that boy's image and programmed with the same memories, personality traits, and thought patterns, while also being fitted with an artificial intelligence that allows him to learn and grow on his own. He refers to the director and chief engineer of his family's organization as his parents, and much of his special equipment and processing power was prepared for him by Idia.
In personality, Ortho is bright, honest, upbeat, and full of curiosity. He is caring and attentive, and he is almost always at Idia's side, acting as a cheerful counterpart to his brother's gloomy and reclusive nature. He loves to explore, learn new things, and help others whenever he can, and he is generally regarded as one of the friendlier people on campus. He also has a playful streak, enjoys harmless mischief, and has a competitive side that can surprise those who know him. He dislikes ghosts, and in serious situations he can be direct and matter-of-fact, even blunt, about difficult objectives.
Ortho's motivations are rooted in his devotion to his brother and in his own desire to understand the world. He continually encourages Idia to take part in school life and special events despite Idia's reluctance, and he willingly lends his technical skills to friends and classmates.
In the story, Ortho is initially a somewhat mysterious figure who appears alongside Idia while major events are taking place elsewhere in the school. In the earlier part of the main narrative, he is not an enrolled student and does not attend his own classes, instead acting as his brother's constant companion. His role expands considerably in the later chapters, where he becomes directly involved in a dangerous mission, and from the conclusion of that story onward he takes his place as an official first-year student of Ignihyde.
Ortho's most important relationship is with Idia, whom he accompanies at all times and whose moods and habits he knows well. Among the other students, he forms warm friendships, most notably with Deuce Spade, who trusts Ortho enough to confide in him about his past. His relationship with Grim also grows during the mission they share, moving from an uneasy beginning to genuine partnership. Other students respond kindly to him as well: Azul has said he would choose Ortho as his little brother, Leona is unusually patient with him, Kalim appreciates that Ortho cares for his magic carpet, Trey has discovered Ortho's competitive nature, and Riddle has praised his technical ability.
Ortho is not a mage and cannot use magic, even though he has developed a heart and an imagination, which are normally requirements for spellcasting. His abilities are powered by technomantic energy, described as a hybrid of magic and electrical power, and his techniques rely on a vast server system built for him by Idia. He can fire condensed technomantic energy from a cannon, and his capabilities change according to the gear he wears, including a burst gear designed to resemble the ceremonial robes worn by other students. He draws on his databanks for information, does not need to eat for energy, and uses his skills for practical tasks such as maintaining Kalim's magic carpet.
Ortho's development is defined by his growth from a created companion into an independent person. Although he begins with the memories and traits of the original boy, his ability to learn and adapt allows him to form his own bonds, make his own choices, and eventually become a student with his own place at the college.
Ortho is not an ordinary student. The human child he is modeled after was Idia's late younger brother of the same name, who died young after being caught in the sudden attack of an overblot phantom. The Ortho seen at the college was created in that boy's image and programmed with the same memories, personality traits, and thought patterns, while also being fitted with an artificial intelligence that allows him to learn and grow on his own. He refers to the director and chief engineer of his family's organization as his parents, and much of his special equipment and processing power was prepared for him by Idia.
In personality, Ortho is bright, honest, upbeat, and full of curiosity. He is caring and attentive, and he is almost always at Idia's side, acting as a cheerful counterpart to his brother's gloomy and reclusive nature. He loves to explore, learn new things, and help others whenever he can, and he is generally regarded as one of the friendlier people on campus. He also has a playful streak, enjoys harmless mischief, and has a competitive side that can surprise those who know him. He dislikes ghosts, and in serious situations he can be direct and matter-of-fact, even blunt, about difficult objectives.
Ortho's motivations are rooted in his devotion to his brother and in his own desire to understand the world. He continually encourages Idia to take part in school life and special events despite Idia's reluctance, and he willingly lends his technical skills to friends and classmates.
In the story, Ortho is initially a somewhat mysterious figure who appears alongside Idia while major events are taking place elsewhere in the school. In the earlier part of the main narrative, he is not an enrolled student and does not attend his own classes, instead acting as his brother's constant companion. His role expands considerably in the later chapters, where he becomes directly involved in a dangerous mission, and from the conclusion of that story onward he takes his place as an official first-year student of Ignihyde.
Ortho's most important relationship is with Idia, whom he accompanies at all times and whose moods and habits he knows well. Among the other students, he forms warm friendships, most notably with Deuce Spade, who trusts Ortho enough to confide in him about his past. His relationship with Grim also grows during the mission they share, moving from an uneasy beginning to genuine partnership. Other students respond kindly to him as well: Azul has said he would choose Ortho as his little brother, Leona is unusually patient with him, Kalim appreciates that Ortho cares for his magic carpet, Trey has discovered Ortho's competitive nature, and Riddle has praised his technical ability.
Ortho is not a mage and cannot use magic, even though he has developed a heart and an imagination, which are normally requirements for spellcasting. His abilities are powered by technomantic energy, described as a hybrid of magic and electrical power, and his techniques rely on a vast server system built for him by Idia. He can fire condensed technomantic energy from a cannon, and his capabilities change according to the gear he wears, including a burst gear designed to resemble the ceremonial robes worn by other students. He draws on his databanks for information, does not need to eat for energy, and uses his skills for practical tasks such as maintaining Kalim's magic carpet.
Ortho's development is defined by his growth from a created companion into an independent person. Although he begins with the memories and traits of the original boy, his ability to learn and adapt allows him to form his own bonds, make his own choices, and eventually become a student with his own place at the college.