Raymond Fou Arkin

Raymond is comparatively grounded and sociable. He quickly becomes comfortable talking with Leon and Daniel at the academy welcome party without the status-conscious posturing that characterizes many of their classmates.

He is observant enough to realize early that Leon is the promising first-year student other upperclassmen are discussing. Even so, he treats Leon primarily as a friend rather than as a political asset.

Raymond shares many of the ordinary anxieties facing male Holfort nobles, particularly the pressure to find a marriage partner within a system that heavily favors women of comparable social standing.

Raymond has the standard education and training of a noble academy student, but no unique magical, martial or Lost Item ability is prominently established for him.

His role is grounded in ordinary academy life. This makes him a useful contrast to Leon, whose access to Luxion and repeated promotions quickly place him far outside the experience of most students.

Raymond meets Leon at the academy welcome party together with Daniel. Their conversation establishes an uncomplicated friendship before Leon becomes notorious through his involvement with Angelica, Olivia and the prince's entourage.

Raymond and Daniel remain part of Leon's social circle even as his rank and reputation increase. They provide one of his few connections to the relatively ordinary male students whose concerns originally resembled his own.

Their presence also highlights how quickly Leon stops being the anonymous "mob" he intended to become.

Leon Fou Bartfort is Raymond's friend from the beginning of their academy education. Raymond knows him before the duel and military victories transform his reputation.

Daniel Fou Durland is Raymond's other close academy friend, and the three frequently appear together during ordinary school events.