Hiri

Biodata

Appearance

• Distinctive features: An elderly man with a bulbous red nose and eyes that crinkle when he smiles 1.
• Usual clothing: Introduced wearing a faded old coat while carrying water for Wharton’s morning wash 1.
• Later appearance: By Wharton’s graduation six years later, his back is slightly hunched and his white hair has grown sparse. He wears his best clothes for the ceremony 14.

Personality

Hiri is affectionate and patient with the Baruch children. He washes and dresses Wharton gently, sweetens his oatmeal with honey, and indulges his unusually early interest in reading and writing. When Wharton’s hand becomes sore from practice, Hiri takes away the slate and encourages him to rest 1.

His attachment to the household is openly emotional. He cries with happiness when Wharton qualifies to cultivate the Dragonblood Secret Codex and again when Linley’s financial support reaches the family. After Hogg’s death, he continues setting two places at the dining table despite living alone 11 16.

Hiri’s protectiveness can lead him to conceal painful information. He avoids telling Wharton that Hogg has died, repeatedly diverting questions during their journey home. Later, he pleads with Wharton not to follow Linley into danger, but accepts his decision and asks that both brothers return safely 15 16.

Abilities & Skills

Household Management and Caretaking

• Prepares meals, cleans the manor, dusts the library, and trims plants 1 2 10.
• Oversees the children’s washing, clothing, bedtime, and daily supervision 1 2.
• Prepares traveling food, including meat pies for Linley and dried meat for Wharton 10 12.
• Keeps Wharton’s room clean during his six-year absence at O’Brien Academy 16.

Teaching

• Teaches Wharton character recognition, pronunciation, writing, and nursery rhymes 1 2.
• Uses illustrated books to introduce magical beasts and the geography of the continent’s major countries 1 9.
• Helps Wharton access more difficult library books on magical beasts, medicinal herbs, and minerals with Hogg’s permission 10.

Tailoring

• Prepares Wharton’s sixth-birthday clothes, noted for their tight stitching despite ordinary fabric 11.
• Personally makes a dark-blue graduation outfit with the Baruch Clan emblem embroidered in silver thread on the cuffs 14.

History

Caring for Wharton

Hiri is already serving the declining Baruch household when Wharton awakens with memories of another life. At Hogg’s direction, he gives the child reading lessons. His illustrated magical-beast book and writing slate provide the activities through which Wharton first discovers his skill panel; Hiri notices the boy’s unusual concentration but does not perceive the panel 1.

As Wharton begins secretly exercising, Hiri continues supervising his courtyard play and morning lessons. Wharton hides his training behind ruined walls and pretends to be looking for bugs when Hiri comes to find him 2.

The Disasters in Wushan Town

During the Velocidragon mage’s battle, Hiri shelters Wharton in the kitchen cellar, then leaves to help outside. After the fighting subsides, he returns in torn, dusty clothes and lifts Wharton out 3.

When Rudy and Tyrone fight above Wushan Town the following day, Hiri again carries Wharton to the cellar before going to search for Linley. Linley subsequently rescues Wharton and is injured protecting him from falling debris. Hiri fetches clean cloth and water at Hogg’s urgent request 4.

The Brothers’ Education

Hiri helps see Linley off for his academy test and later prepares food for his departure to the Ernst Institute. Remaining at the manor, he continues Wharton’s lessons and assists his expanding library studies 7 10.

He anxiously awaits Wharton’s sixth-birthday bloodline test and prepares a celebratory lunch after its success. Six years later, he attends Wharton’s early graduation from O’Brien Academy and presents his handmade clan outfit 11 14.

Hogg’s Death and the Journey Home

Hiri accompanies Wharton home from Chiyan City while concealing that Hogg died three months earlier. His evasive answers arouse Wharton’s suspicions, and Wharton learns the truth independently from an innkeeper. At the manor gates, Hiri finally breaks down and tells him 15.

After Wharton reads Linley’s letter and investigates Hogg’s death, Hiri tries to stop him from traveling to Fenlai City. Wharton instead entrusts the family home to him. Hiri accepts through tears and sees him off the next morning 16.

Fenlai City

Hiri later appears at the brothers’ Fenlai residence, where he advises Wharton not to interrupt the busy Linley and continues preparing their meals. On the day before their attack on Clayde, he goes to an estate outside the city, ostensibly to buy festival supplies; Wharton describes this as getting out of the way 18 19 20.

Relationships

• Wharton Baruch — His young charge and pupil, who affectionately calls him “Grandpa Hiri.” Wharton later entrusts the manor to him and asks him to take care of himself before leaving for Fenlai 1 16.
• Hogg Baruch — His employer and the household’s master. Hiri follows his instructions concerning the children and grieves deeply after his death 1 4 15.
• Linley Baruch — The household’s elder young master. Hiri celebrates his acceptance into the Ernst Institute, prepares provisions for his departure, and is moved to tears by the money he sends home 9 10 11.

Notable Quotes

“Young Master, you must... you must be careful. Find Young Master Linley... and both of you... stay safe.” 16