Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 86: Epilogue for Ignihyde

Ortho happily says, "As of today, I, Ortho Shroud, will be transferring to Night Raven College as a freshman in class C. Happy to be here!"

Everyone in the room exclaims in shock, "WHAT?!"

Epel soon asks, still surprised, "Ortho...you're an android, right?

"Yup. The technical term is technomantic humanoid," Ortho answers.

"And a humanoid can enroll as a student?!" Ace questions.

Soon, Crowley interferes, "Ahem... Ortho Shroud is not strictly human, as you say. But he is the world's first self-aware technomantic humanoid.

"He's self-aware? Then that means... Uh..." Kalim says, surprised. But soon asks, "What DOES that mean?"

"Basically, I possess the same emotions and sense of self that humans do," Ortho says. "I've always had an artificial consciousness and personality that were programmed into me... But something— possibly the lightning bolts you all hit me with-permanently altered my on-board technomantic circuitry. Which created a bug inside my core— it gave me a heart."

And Kalim says, "I still don't get it, but this is a big deal, right?

"Yup. 'I don't get it' is a perfect encapsulation of my current state!" Ortho says. "My brother and I haven't identified the cause of my circuit alterations yet. So since Idia's my creator, I was accepted into the school as his research subject. As things stand, I'm the product of coincidence. But if future research efforts find a way to reproduce what happened to me... It would be a significant contribution to the field of technomantic engineering."

"Magnifique... You are truly a marvel, Ortho," Rook says, very impressed, "Or should I say... Monsieur Wonder!"

"Monsieur Wonder? Is that me?" Ortho asks.

"Indeed," Rook answers, "Your acquiring a heart is surely no coincidence. It is a wonder brought about by the love you and your brother hold for one another! I'm honored to have borne witness to this beautiful miracle."

Then Crowley says, "Many of our students aspire to a career in technomantic engineering, especially in Ignihyde. I'm sure Ortho's presence will be an inspiration to them all. Not to mention... The Shroud family has covered the repair bill for the buildings Styx destroyed, as expected. And they've made substantial contributions toward expanding the school's facilities. So when they asked for Ortho to be formally enrolled as a student, how could I say no?"

Vil, Jami, and Jasper remain silent after that.

"Surprise, surprise," Jamil says.

"It's hardly our place to object if it's a win-win for all parties, I suppose," Vil adds.

"No kidding," Jasper says, rolling his eyes.

Soon, Crowley responds, "AHEM. Given Ortho's humanoid status, he'll be limited in which exams and classes he can take... But he'll be a Night Raven College freshman, just like Briar and the others. I do hope you'll all get along."

Ace smiles, "First a direbeast. Then a girl who was transported from another world and uh, vice versa, who turns out to be an endangered species and a princess. A living doll, and twin dwarf beastmen. A little fairy. Now a humanoid? Are you for real?"

Deuce laughs, "Haha! I bet there's not another arcane academy in the world that offers this kind of experience."

"Well isn't that somethin'! Ah'll be..." Epel says, surprised.

Then Grim says, " It doesn't matter who else joins our class! I'll be sittin' pretty at the top of it!"

"Still, congrats on getting in Ortho!" Tanzanite says.