Joel

## Description

Joel is Grayson's best friend whom he met while they were training to become knights. He left his previous station in Avari to be a second valet to Roy and Sherry on the Isle of Colde. (It's unclear if this new appointment is official since Joel never provides proof and Roy, Sherry, and Grayson don't verify it.) He is a mundane, but he is able to use magic due to a cursed magical artifact, an armband. He also has another magical artifact which is a ring that requires life force to use. Animals also seem to feel uneasy around him which might be due to the cursed artifacts he wears. It is stated that Joel has a deep hatred of thaumaturges which also includes his masters Roy and Sherry.

After MC broke the cursed artifact that Joel put on Grayson, Joel fainted from the shock of losing his cursed artifact. Roy them bound him using magic and forcibly sent him back to Invidia to be sentenced for his crimes; he avoids execution thanks to Roy speaking on his behalf. In Book 2 of Grayson's Consort Route, Grayson mentions that Joel avoided execution and is currently imprisoned inside an Invidian jail. However, Grayson says that his crimes were very severe so it's unknown if he will ever be released from prison.

The other characters believe he came to possess these cursed/magical artifacts through his connections as a mercenary through the Saligian equivalent of the black market.

In Book 2 of Grayson's Route, Joel shows up with the knights and helps Grayson defeat Horace. Joel stated that he received a pardon from King Kalus for the information he provided and because Grayson and MC trusted him.

## History

Joel suddenly appears on the Isle of Colde to the surprise of Grayson, Roy, and Sherry. He claimed that he came here to be Roy and Sherry's valet (It's unclear if this new appointment is official since Joel never provides proof and Roy, Sherry, and Grayson don't verify it). Grayson is surprised that Joel can now use magic as he was also a mundane. As Joel acts as Roy and Sherry's valet, he continuously shows off his new abilities in Grayson's face and makes it seem like he's going to completely take over Grayson's job as a valet. It turns out that Joel was able to use magic due to a cursed armband artifact which drains him of his sanity and life force. Grayson tries to convince Joel to discard it, but he instead coerces Grayson into using it. When Grayson notices he can't remove the armband, Joel tells him it's a cursed artifact designed to drain the wearer of their sanity and life force. Once Grayson was dead, Joel intended to use said life force to enable him to use his own magical artifact, a ring, longer. It is unknown how many other people Joel killed in this way, but his knowledge of how the items work imply this isn't the first time he's used them. His rampage was induced by a deep hatred of thaumaturges, including his charges. When MC breaks the armband, Joel is stunned and is easily apprehended. Joel is sent back to Invidia and sentenced for his crimes; he avoids executions thanks to Roy speaking on his behalf. The other characters believe he came to possess these cursed/magical artifacts through his connects as a mercenary on the Saligian equivalent of the black market.

## Personality

Joel was a bright and friendly person. But, he developed an inferiority complex over his lack of magic which led to him using cursed artifact. Through the use of the cursed artifacts, his personality became twisted. Joel also shows great disdain towards thaumaturges as they were born being able to use magic.

## Relationships

### Grayson Hotz

Grayson and Joel met when they were training to be knights. They sparred often and shared small rooms while traveling. They'd often share stories and drinks. Grayson recalls that Joel was a mundane like him, so he was surprised when MC stated that Joel used magic. Joel rubs his new abilities in Grayson's face and makes other comments for the sake of hurting Grayson's feelings. It turned out that the source of his magic is a magical artifact, an armband. Magical artifacts tend to warp the mundanes that use them, so Grayson tries to convince Joel to discard it. Instead, Joel gives the magical artifact to Grayson and coerces Grayson into using it. When Grayson notices he can't remove the armband, Joel tells him it's a cursed artifact designed to drain the wearer of their sanity and life force.

Joel mentions that Grayson was the one who requested a pardon for him from the king.

### MC

Joel is a mundane, but when he meets MC, he's capable of magic. He is stunned when MC is able to break his cursed armband artifact and is apprehended afterwards.

### MC's Cat

MC's cat hated being anywhere in the vicinity of Joel. His hair would stand up when he got close to Joel.

### Rio Voleri

Rio can't explain it, but there's something about Joel that makes him uncomfortable.

### Thoma

Thoma stated that he felt uncomfortable being around Joel for some reason.