Hartia
Name: Hartia (ハーテｨア)
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Height:
Weight:
Race: Sorcerer
Blood Type: B
Constellation:
Hometown: Taphrem
Also Known As: The Black Tiger
Specialties:
Hobbies: Being Second
First Featured: Stray Journey: "Beast, Answer My Call"
Related Characters:
Azalie (Classmate)
Childman Powderfield (Master)
Comicron (Classmate)
Forte (Classmate)
Korgon (Classmate)
Leticia (Classmate)
Orphen (Classmate)
A powerful sorcerer from the Tower of Fang. As a member of the Childman Class he must've been highly ranked in the tower's students, and he shows his loyalty time and time again by trying to help his Teacher whenever he needs it. Unfortunately, he's often caught in the middle when it comes to the Tower and his runaway friends.
Personality
Hartia tends to follow the submissive role, beaten up by his classmates and generally ending up with the short end of the stick when it comes to their shenanigans. He loves his friends, however, and tries to help them wherever he can. Unfortunately he's often restricted by the rules, and isn't willing to go very far out of bounds to help them.
In spite of his well meaning attempts, he's also not unknown to say things that are completely out of hand, or outright inconsiderate. He gets upset easily, and he doesn't always react in the best manner.
Part of this stems from his affinity for acting. Hartia frequently tries to deceive those around him to reach his goal, though in his defense, these goals are usually perceived to be the best option for everyone. Usually those of non-violence.
History
Tower of Fang Days:
Hartia trained as a member of the Childman Class at the Tower of Fang. He was one of several students, but in spite of his talent, he never achieved top rank in the class because Orphen (then Krylancelo) stood in his way. This wasn't necessarily because he was a worse sorcerer. In fact, Orphen himself recognized that Hartia was as good, if not better than him, but that for some reason, his grades were always poor.
Azalie's Funeral:
Krylancelo leaving the Tower of Fang was a huge ordeal, and it was Hartia that tried to stop him. He begged his friend not to make this mistake, realizing what trouble he could be in if he really took up arms against his teacher. In the end, he wasn't able to convince him.
The Damsel's Orisons:
Years later, he found himself working at the Totokanta Branch of the Continental Sorcerer Alliance. He recounted that his grades started to fall after Orphen left the tower, as he no longer had a rival to compete with. Though he admitted that he was in a go-nowhere job, he tried to implore Orphen to join the Tower again. He claimed that he could undoubtedly join back as at least a teacher's assistant. He failed again to convince his friend, and when that meeting ended, he put on some false aggression to show that he'd now lost that friend.
This behavior was a farse. He joined Childman's endeavor to kill the Bloody August, and tried to convince Orphen not to defy them. In the end, he got stuck chasing Orphen through the woods to retrieve the Sword of Baldanders. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise; everyone on the battlefield besides Childman (actually Azalie in Childman's body) died to the beast. Hartia was the only other survivor.
The Black Tiger!
"I am the assassin who lives in the dark! As the embodiment of fear and night terrors, I've made a covenant with the night, and hide my face by day. The Nightmare Blood, Black Tiger!"
The Black Tiger... Hartia's alter ego! This unusual character became reality when Hartia used the disguise to attack Orphen at the Everlasting household, and again when he confronted Cleao at the diner. He thought it was a clever disguise, but Orphen saw right through it.
In terms of description, the Black Tiger dresses all in black, riding atop a pitch-black bull. The mask he wears only has holes for the eyes, and he wears a crimson cape.
Much to his disdain, Dortin mistook his name for a type of shrimp. Since then, his enthusiastic alter ego has been called "Shrimp Man" which has triggered some outright murderous reactions. Would that perhaps make him a rabid fanboy?
Assorted Facts
Assets:
• Although this isn't elaborated on, the Black Tiger's scythe is noted to be unusual, capable of reflecting spells.
Abilities:
• Before leaving the Tower, Hartia was implied to be the second most likely to become a court sorcerer.
The Black Tiger:
• The Black Tiger rides on a large black bull, which he can summon with magic.
• The Bull's name in the anime is Coraline (English) or Carolina (Japanese).
• In the original anime, the Black Tiger was based on a story book (comic book?) character.
Sorcery & Skills
Training Under Childman:
Hartia is a black magic sorcerer, and a pretty strong one. He's known for using fire based magic, but having trained under Childman, he undoubtedly has stronger spells. Though he was appointed as Forte's assistant by Childman, this was an intentionally poor choice, as Hartia liked to show off way too much to be an assistant.
"Dark!"
Surrounds the target in utter darkness, to a point that no light can pass through. This spell isn't typically a large one, and running a few steps is usually enough to get out of it. Hartia is noted to cast it with better capability, however, so that it isn't as easily avoided.
Flames!
This spell creates a torrent of fire.
"Lightning!"
Self explanatory, a powerful lightning bolt created from magic.
Anime Appearance
Story Differences:
Hartia's role is quite similar in the anime. His story diverges when he finds out (by discovering Lai frozen) that Azalie has taken over Childman's body. At this point, she attacks him as well, only, he manages to escape. He warns Orphen about what's going on, and gives Cleao the last piece of the puzzle needed to use the Sword of Baldanders.
Concept Art
Features
Prominent Features:
- Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (Anime)
- Reckless Arc (Books)
- Stray Journey (Books)
- Majutsushi Orphen: Stray Journey (Manga)
- Majutsushi Orphen: The Origin Project (Manga)
- Orphen (Manga)
All Features:
- Stray Journey: 1 "Beast, Answer My Call!" (Prominent Character)
- Successor of Razor Edge (Art Book)