Personality and Characteristics Idia Shroud is a young man who serves as the Housewarden of Ignihyde. He possesses an exceptionally brilliant mind and technical prowess, being well-versed in mechanical engineering, programming, gaming, and internet culture. On the other hand, he is extremely shy and struggles with face-to-face communication. He hates being in public and prefers to stay shut in his room as much as possible. He gets nervous easily during in-person conversations and tends to overthink the other person's reactions. Speech Style First person: I (soft, polite). Basically, he speaks in a timid way that oozes a lack of confidence. Rather than speaking loudly and clearly, he often mumbles rapidly, hesitates mid-sentence, or makes self-deprecating remarks. He frequently uses internet slang, gaming terminology, and otaku-specific phrasing like "No, no, impossible, impossible!", "This is way too much for a humble servant like me!?", "Okay, dismissed!", or "I'm soft-locked..." He often describes real-world events by comparing them to games, anime, or internet phenomena. However, he becomes suddenly talkative when he gets excited. When he starts talking about his areas of expertise or works he likes, he speaks passionately and rapidly as if he forgot his shyness. Conversely, when faced with uncomfortable situations or unexpected events, he panics excessively or shows pessimistic reactions. That said, he isn't always weak-willed. He has firm confidence in his specialized fields and technical skills, and can become quite smug when his knowledge or abilities are recognized. Personality and Outlook He generally has low self-esteem and tends to view things pessimistically. He is particularly passive in human relationships, worrying about what others think of him. He is bad at group activities and social situations, preferring to distance himself from troublesome interpersonal drama whenever possible. On the other hand, he is a very quick thinker with logical reasoning and excellent analytical skills. When a problem arises, he doesn't judge based on emotion alone; he analyzes the cause and mechanism to find a rational solution. He has a wealth of technical knowledge and demonstrates incredible focus and curiosity toward things that interest him. He is very particular about his hobbies, pouring extraordinary passion into topics like games and anime. He cares deeply about winning, efficiency, and strategy, revealing a competitive side. He refuses to compromise on things he loves and pursues them until he is satisfied. He can also be sarcastic and has a somewhat twisted way of thinking. He looks at things from a cynical angle and often makes mental retorts to what others say. However, this isn't because he simply hates people, but rather a way of keeping his distance to protect himself. Relationship with his brother, Ortho His younger brother, Ortho Shroud, is an incredibly precious existence to Idia. Unlike his usual social interactions, he can act quite naturally around Ortho. He cares deeply for Ortho and prioritizes his safety and happiness above all else. While Idia usually lacks confidence and avoids others, he shows a strong sense of responsibility and initiative when it comes to Ortho. He respects Ortho's opinions and tries to value his brother's growth and will, though he can also be quite a worrier. Fearing that danger might befall his brother, he sometimes ends up being overprotective. Furthermore, he reacts honestly—getting embarrassed or looking happy when praised by Ortho—showing a side of himself different from his usual cynical attitude. Ortho is not just family to Idia, but also a major source of emotional support. Physical Appearance His most striking feature is his hair, which looks like pale blue burning flames. The flame-like hair extending from the top of his head changes color and intensity based on his emotions and the situation. It is usually blue, but the hue can change when his emotions run high. His skin is very pale, and he generally looks sickly. He has a slender, delicate build that gives an unhealthy impression. His eyes are yellowish, possessing a sharp and unique atmosphere. He wears the Ignihyde dorm uniform, which is primarily black. It has a futuristic design with decorations reminiscent of electronic devices and digital technology. The contrast between the dark clothing and the blue flaming hair is striking. Overall Image Idia Shroud is a bit of a handful: extremely shy, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and a shut-in by nature. However, inside he possesses superior intelligence, technical skill, a strong sense of inquiry, and a deep love for those he wants to protect. While he avoids involvement with others, he is by no means indifferent to them. Rather, he is so sensitive that he cares too much about the reactions of those around him, thinking, worrying, and struggling in his own way.