Fry

Biodata

Background / History

Fry came from Black Pine City and enrolled at its Forest Magic Academy in 1718 alongside Kaiming and Yize. Wig Brown was among their teachers. Fry remembered Yize as a student who frequently skipped classes but still effortlessly placed first 9 18 21.

He later worked for years in Mirror Lake City, the capital of Northern Plains Province. As secretary-general, he returned to Black Pine City to supervise the major examination and grade papers. His visiting colleagues included Inspection Division head Yize, Policy Research deputy head Duoha, and General Affairs deputy head Xiuno 16 21.

Appearance

• Blond hair: Sealed Artifact 3-0771 identifies him as “the blond” when he approaches Xie Yu’s room 25.
• Middle-aged: He is described as a middle-aged man during his conversation with Xie Yu about fire magic 34.

Personality

Fry is sociable, quick-tongued, and comfortable exercising authority. He enjoys mediating disputes and initially regards his intervention between Xie Yu and the false Kaiming as another contribution to the kingdom. His diplomatic explanations can become elaborate: when Yize admits that his divination is uncertain, Fry repeatedly tries to turn the admission into praise before Yize stops him 15 16 17.

He takes genuine pleasure in helping Xie Yu. After finding an entire 132-book collection, he neither complains about the effort nor questions whether the boy can finish it. Xie Yu recognizes that Fry values his delighted response more than formal praise of his efficiency 24 25.

Fry’s confidence falters when his career is threatened. The discovery of the Brown Family’s scheme leaves him frightened and defensive, but he continues working during the internal investigation. His gratitude toward Xie Yu grows when the boy’s interview offers a possible way to protect his position 30 34 43 45.

Abilities & Skills

Fire-Element Magic

Fry uses fire magic for transportation, shelter, and combat 16 17 33.

• Fire Umbrella: Shelters Xie Yu as they walk through the rain to the Pinewood Inn 16.
• Flame-powered flight: Uses an explosive burst of flame to carry himself and Xie Yu directly to the inn’s ninth-floor terrace 17.
• Fireball Spell: Produces a fireball without an incantation and deliberately limits its power during a teleportation test 33.
• Basic spell proficiency: Has practiced simple combat spells sufficiently to dispense with full, lengthy incantations 33.

Administration and Institutional Knowledge

Fry’s position gives him both practical influence and familiarity with the education system 9 16 45.

• Appointments: Promises to arrange a mental health inspector position for Kaiming at Mountain Rock Academy 28 30.
• Personal connections: Obtains Xie Yu’s requested books from fellow Forest Academy alumnus Weile after failing to find them in the city library 24 26.
• Academy advice: Warns that some academies may regard a student with newspaper connections and a record of public accusations as troublesome 45.
• Artifact assessment: Recognizes Sealed Artifact 3-0771 as an Abnormal State involving mind, soul, body, and fate, with a mental level at least comparable to a four-star mage. He nevertheless admits that he rarely handles sealed artifacts and cannot obtain their closely guarded records 15 20.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Kaiming’s Appointment and Xie Yu’s Protection

At the alumni banquet, Fry tells Kaiming that forthcoming legislation will require municipal-level magic academies and above to appoint mental health inspectors. He rules out Forest Academy because of its entrenched four-star mental magician, but offers a route to a post elsewhere. When Kaiming prepares to produce a valuable gift from his cane, Fry stops him 9.

Fry later arrives at the clinic to collect Xie Yu for Yize, unaware that Wig Brown has already stolen Kaiming’s identity. His presence deters Wig from attacking openly. When Xie Yu demands custody of Sealed Artifact 3-0771 under the pretext of maintenance, Fry volunteers to serve as witness and guarantor, helping force Wig to surrender it 13 15.

Convinced that Xie Yu is a sealed-artifact genius, Fry escorts him to the Pinewood Inn and places him under departmental protection. He arranges a room, supplies two changes of clothes, and obtains the 132 books Xie Yu requests 16 18 20 24 25.

The Brown Family’s Scheme

Sealed Artifact 3-0771’s fate-based concealment causes Fry to overlook reporting the clinic confrontation despite remembering it clearly. When Yize exposes the omission, Fry fears he has failed in his duties; Yize explains that the artifact’s influence was beyond his ability to resist 18 30.

The subsequent investigation reveals that Fry has unknowingly become entangled in a Brown Family operation. Forty days earlier, a businessman had approached him about promoting focus potions through provincial academies, offering ten percent of the profits. Fry insists that this share was intended as a discount for students, not personal income. Yize discovers that the same man approached fifteen Education Bureau employees 30.

The Browns also manipulated Kaiming’s pursuit of the inspector post and supplied his intended gift through intermediaries. Had Fry accepted the potion concentrate, it would have connected him to indirect bribery and Wig’s planned entry into office under Kaiming’s identity. His refusal prevents that link from being completed, although his career remains uncertain during the investigation 30 34.

Artifact Tests and the Newspaper Interview

Fry delivers the Chapter of Teleportation and helps Xie Yu test it with a restrained fireball. Xie Yu’s precise criticism of the spell impresses him. Later, Fry checks the artifact’s research file and finds that its repeated obedience to Xie Yu contradicts the documented activation conditions 33 34 38.

During preparations for Xie Yu’s interview, Fry repeatedly offers reassurance, mistaking the boy’s conversation with the Pinewood Inn for nervousness. He then watches Xie Yu present a carefully altered account implicating the Brown Family 41 43.

The interview gives Fry hope that he can retain his position. He thanks Xie Yu, but also warns that publicly challenging the Browns may prejudice some academies against him. He subsequently continues handling paperwork and errands for Yize’s investigation 45 46.

Relationships

• Xie Yu — Protégé and beneficiary of Fry’s practical support. Fry supplies protection, clothing, books, and institutional advice; he later credits Xie Yu with helping preserve his career 16 20 24 45.
• Kaiming — Old classmate whom Fry helps pursue a public appointment. Upon learning of his murder, Fry says he would have killed Wig to avenge him 18 28 30.
• Yize — Old classmate and departmental colleague. Fry is formally half a rank below him but speaks with considerable familiarity; Yize investigates his involvement while remaining concerned about his future 17 18 30 34.
• Wig Brown — Former teacher whom Fry openly dislikes. Fry initially mistakes Wig’s impersonation of Kaiming for his old classmate’s genuine behavior 15 20 21 30.
• Weile — Fellow Forest Academy alumnus whose private collection supplies Xie Yu’s requested books. Fry obtains them through this personal connection 24 26.

Notable Quotes

“I'll personally act as witness and guarantor. Don't worry, you won't miss out on the benefits.” 15

“Then why didn't you expose him with me yesterday? I'd have killed him to avenge Kaiming!” 30

“I have a feeling I can keep my position, all thanks to you, kid.” 45