Ramshackle[]
MC[]
They initially had little to no interaction, mainly because they are in separate classes.
While preparing for SDC during Book 5, the group (Vil, Ace, Deuce, Epel, Kalim, Jamil, and Rook) stayed at the Ramshackle Dorm for practice. It was at this point they started to interact more, though they remained something more akin to a civil manager-idol relationship than friends.
Following the competition, the two continued to become closer, especially when the Ramshackle Dorm was yet again destroyed in Book 6: Epel offered them a place to stay at Pomefiore, and together they chased after Rook to save the others at S.T.Y.X. Working and traveling together, causing their relationship to grow more as friends to the point Epel awakened his Signature Spell in an attempt to protect them from danger.
Grim[]
Epel and Grim have a good relationship, and Grim tends to get along with Epel better than he does with many of the other first year students. Epel has a number of qualities that Grim actually likes, and the two of them are always shown to be on good terms with each other.
Heartslabyul[]
Riddle Rosehearts[]
Epel doesn't share many interactions with Riddle throughout the main story, though they do attend a social event at Noble Bell College together.
They proved to be a good team while working together to defeat the firelotuses, but when Riddle was too exhausted to continue, Epel casted his Signature Spell on Riddle so he could rest while protecting him.
Ace Trappola[]
Epel and Ace share a small conversation when they sneak out of orientation together. Epel is notably meek, and he refuses to talk more with Ace. [1]
Aside from this, though, they do not interact much overall, being in different classes, but they end up in the same group for SDC under Vil's guidance. Even while preparing for the competition together, though, Ace does not interact much with Epel and, in turn, doesn't have the same level of closeness with him as Epel and Deuce.
Overall, they have a neutral relationship: neither harbors ill will toward one another, but they are not close in any notable way either. Epel promises Ace flying lessons for his birthday at Ace’s request. [2]
Deuce Spade[]
Deuce initially thought Epel was frail and aloof, but came to realize the two had much more in common than at first glance. He is empathetic towards Epel's struggles to achieve his goals, as he himself feels like he's barely making progress towards being an honor student no matter how hard he tries.
His seeing himself in Epel led to an excursion to the beach together, where Deuce encouraged him to vent by yelling to the beach after being reprimanded by Vil. Since then, the two have become closer, what with sharing similar hobbies and interests in fashion (they struck up a conversation about how being able to embroider a powerful animal like a dragon or tiger onto the PE uniforms would make them look much cooler) and blastcycles.
Trey Clover[]
Although they interacted very little, being from different year, dorm, and clubs; Epel has a positive view of Trey, in particular to the chats he had with Ace and Deuce.
Epel interviews Trey for his second birthday vignette, giving him a black cap with patches and embroidery that he went shopping for with Deuce.
Cater Diamond[]
Cater seems to view Epel as a cammable subject for Magicam, having invited him on a couple of occasions to places like Mostro Lounge to have a shoot, though Epel turns him down.
Savanaclaw[]
Leona Kingscholar[]
Leona is Epel's club captain in the Spelldrive club.
Though Leona sometimes treats Epel with annoyance and roughness—as evidenced when he threw Epel over his shoulder to make a voice changing potion for him and Grim—it's also the case Leona sees Epel as a valuable asset in Spelldrive, vouching for his flying skills.
Epel seems to respect Leona for his strength, intelligence, and quick thinking, as he is able to give advice to individuals during club meets. He even goes as far to say in a birthday interview that if there was anyone who he'd want as a brother (excluding those from his own dorm), he'd choose Leona.
Ruggie Bucchi[]
They are in the Spelldrive club together, though beyond that, not much of note about their relationship is known at this point, if there is any. They attended a social event together at Noble Bell College, but throughout its duration they mostly operated separately.
During the same event, though, Ruggie did vouch for Epel's skills as a club-mate, saying Leona, the Spelldrive club captain, would do the same. This implies Ruggie views Epel as a reliable teammate. Furthermore, during Camp Vargas, too, Ruggie stated Epel was "pretty good" at setting up a tent.
Jack Howl[]
Epel and Jack are classmates in class 1B, and he seems to respect Jack in the same way he respects and looks up to anyone who is tough and strong.
Octavinelle[]
Azul Ashengrotto[]
The two don't seem particularly close, but Azul does express he does not think of Epel as one who thinks things through after spending the day with him in Fleur City.
Jade Leech[]
Jade, of his own volition and interest in Mount Moln (located near Epel's hometown), decided to participate in Harveston Sledathon with Epel upon overhearing his conversation. It's there that Epel learned more about Jade, expressing pleasant surprise at his ability to play the flute.
Epel expressed distaste at Jade's tendency to find any advantageous roundabout way around the written rules of the Sledathon. Aside from this, though, they seemed to share a friendly relationship as they prepared for the event together and toured around Harveston.
Floyd Leech[]
Epel overall seems to respect Floyd due to his strength, and he's happy Floyd doesn't see him as cute like many others do. That said, he doesn't seem to think as highly of him in terms of personality.
During Beanfest, Floyd took Epel under his wing. At first, Epel was very distrustful toward Floyd, and they got into an argument when Floyd called Epel a weakling, but eventually he relented when Floyd actually covered for him, though not without venting. In spite of Epel's angry remarks and much to his chagrin, Floyd found this interesting.
It was in part thanks to Floyd sharing his mindset, though, that Epel found more resolve to surpass those currently stronger than himself, i.e. both Vil and Floyd.
Pomefiore[]
Vil Schoenheit[]
Vil is Epel's upperclassman and housewarden in Pomefiore. The two start off on the wrong foot, where Vil defeats Epel in a fight on orientation day: a fight that Epel initiated on the basis of being scolded by Vil for the way he speaks, i.e. using his hometown's accent.
Since enrolling in Pomefiore, it's revealed Epel has challenged Vil multiple times, to be defeated every time, much to Epel's frustration (though Rook expresses this is a normal occurrence). Epel continues to hold some animosity toward Vil throughout their time together training for SDC to the point he takes off in anger and frustration upon clashing with Vil, unable to comprehend Vil's definition of "power" and viewing him as an overbearing leader who tries to force his version of beauty on Epel when he doesn't want it.
This changes, though, when it's revealed Vil promoted products from Harveston, Epel's hometown, on Magicam. This caused a huge boost in sales, and it's with this he understands what Vil had been trying to tell him all along. From here, he shows more respect toward Vil, going so far as taking his words to heart by using his own beauty and charm to his advantage to defeat the laypeople who tried to steal the blastcycle Deuce used to take Epel and himself to the beach.
As the story goes on, though Epel still sometimes views Vil as too harsh or strict, it's shown he grows to care more for Vil, as he was genuinely worried when Vil overblotted and when he was captured by S.T.Y.X. Vil shows the same amount of care as well, expressing happiness when Rook, Epel, and MC came to see him.
Rook Hunt[]
Epel and Rook share something similar to an older-younger brotherly relationship.
Often, when Epel is lost or frustrated on what to do, Rook gives him advice or the push needed in the right direction. This is most evident when Epel first awakens his Signature Spell, where Rook stays close behind Epel to give pointers on casting the spell again. Upon success, he gives Epel a congratulatory hug.
They travel together to the Island of Woe to see Vil when he got abducted. Epel tries to learn more about Rook, but after a certain point, Rook is unwilling to share more about himself, thus keeping his distance while maintaining a friendly relationship.
When scolded by Vil, Epel tries to defend Rook, though he is stopped by him, as he said he was prepared to relinquish his title of Vice Housewarden when he set off for the Island of Woe.
In general, Epel defends Rook and recognizes his abilities both in potions and magic as well as physically. In various events it's often claimed that he's much stronger than his appearance suggests.
Ignihyde[]
Idia Shroud[]
Idia accompanied Epel to Harveston to participate in the Sledathon, in light of how an anime he enjoys, Sled Over Heels, takes place in Harveston.
Epel has to put to words what Idia isn't able to, and he gets taken aback when Idia talks a lot, contrary to his normal quiet persona. As a result, Epel sometimes feels awkward around Idia, though he also tries to include him in events as well.
Diasomnia[]
Malleus Draconia[]
Like a lot of others, Epel has a deep respect that borders on fear toward Malleus.
They briefly interact during their time in Fleur City, though, when Epel helped out a vendor from Harveston haul crates of apples over with magic from a broken buggy. Malleus helps out as well, opting to carry the whole buggy over with magic, surprising Epel.
As thanks, Epel made Malleus an apple and ice cream treat. Enjoying it, Malleus stated that he would like to visit Harveston sometime, to which Epel responds with pride and joy, showing that when it comes to his hometown, he becomes more open and casual, even while interacting with someone he normally respects or fears.
Silver[]
In general they do not interact much, being in different classes, years, and dormitories, but when they do meet they have polite and kind interactions.
Their main interaction in the game seems to be during the Phantom Bride, when Silver goes to Epel to ask about Malleus. Despite being unable to get Malleus to attend the event due to various complications from his status as crown prince, Silver is kind to Epel and allows him to borrow the white horse from the Equestrian Club (of which Silver is a member). Despite being a restless horse, Epel manages to calm him down easily, which surprises Silver. In Beanfest, Epel is impressed by Silver's passionate monologue about capturing Lilia (as opposed to Vil).
Sebek Zigvolt[]
Though the two don't share many interactions, especially in the main story, Epel managed to convince Sebek to participate in The Harveston Sledathon, a race that takes place in his hometown, by insinuating it would be good training. Hence, they worked together and spent time together while preparing for the event.
Despite his original reluctance to go, Sebek expressed interest toward Harveston's culture while listening to Epel and touring around.
Lilia Vanrouge[]
Epel meets Lilia while he was involved in a physical fight with bullies trying to rob him. Seeing that Epel was losing, Lilia intervenes to rescue him despite his protest. Lilia is kind enough to advise him of some “fighting tricks,” and Epel is so impressed with Lilia that he asks if he would be willing to teach him martial arts. Lilia agrees, but only if he felt like it.[3]
While Epel gives almost all the characters apple products, he gives Lilia a jacket embroidered with a tiger. Lilia is Epel's interviewer for his third birthday vignette. Epel is Lilia's judge for Master Chef, where he is baffled by Lilia's utter lack of cooking talent.
At the farewell party in Book 7, Lilia says Epel behaved with dignity and looked great at the SDC, as well as encouraging him to do his best in the future, no matter his physical size.
