#SebekFacts

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Sebek Info Compilation part 7: Sebek and Lilia

Sebek refers to Lilia by his first name on NA, but in his original dialogue he actually only ever calls him “Lilia-sama”, with Lilia apparently being on a similar level to Malleus from Sebek’s perspective.

Sebek was entrusted to Lilia by his grandfather when he was six years old and has been under his tutelage for the past decade.

He is quick to defend Lilia when he thinks that Lilia is not being paid proper respect, such as when Ace asks them why they led the ghosts to where he was during Phantom Bride.

Sebek scolds Ace for taking “an aggressive tone” with Lilia, insisting that he “learn (his) place”.

Sebek also becomes angry when Eliza rejects Lilia for being too cute, insisting “You’re even cuter than the ghost herself!”.

Sebek scolds Silver for interrupting Lilia when Lilia was speaking with Malleus, and scolds Idia for failing to “smoocharoo” Eliza at Lilia’s request.

Sebek is also an adamant supporter of Lilia’s musical endeavors.

Sebek often references having to survive in the wild with Silver as part of Lilia’s training.

Sebek is also capable of reciting “basic lessons in survival that Lilia was kind enough to teach me”.

During his second birthday vignette we learn that Lilia once took Sebek and Silver out to one of the mountains that border Briar Valley and, without any forewarning, disappeared. He left only basic tools and a note that said, “Let’s Survival ♪”.

Sebek says that, at the time, neither he nor Silver actually had any survivalist experience, whatsoever.

Lilia left the two alone on the mountain to survive as best they could for a week.

Sebek obeys what Lilia says over Silver’s instructions and, in some cases, even over Malleus, such as when he was ordered to apologize to Leona and argued the point with Malleus, but when Lilia follows up with “I think you should do as Malleus says” he responds with “Ah…yes, sir!”.

Sebek, Silver and Malleus all insist that Lilia can be terrifying on Halloween, but when Ace says that “Sebek is just a scaredy-cat” Lilia replies with, “no comment on that” and he has a voice line of “Silver and Sebek used to be scaredy cats, you know. I’d always have to do laundry the morning after Halloween”.

Silver describes scarecrows in a central plaza and Sebek says that “the terrifying part is what Lilia looks like as he dances in the light of the fiery tribute” (Lilia insists he “simply got in touch with (his) inner child and let loose a little.”)

(There are further descriptions of burning scarecrows, dancing in a circle in firelight and giant ogres, which may be in reference to multiple Disney properties such as Night on Bald Mountain, Sleeping Beauty and Nightmare Before Christmas.)

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Sebek Info Compilation part 1: Memory, Strength and Self-Confidence

Sebek has a very good memory. Both Trey and Silver compliment him on having “a good memory for minor details” when he is able to memorize the wording of an invitation and recalls seeing Malleus eating French fries with ketchup. Sebek says, “This is critical information for ensuring that Malleus has a a pleasant daily life!”

During Halloween we see that he is capable of singing part of an obscure opera that he saw only once as a child. He says, “I still remember that song because it gave me such a fright as a child.”

During Vargas Camp Sebek recites information about lanternblossoms and magestones, earning Riddle’s praise. 

Sebek explains that every day he studies until he grows tired and then performs physical training, as “exercise helps to stimulate the brain and improve memory retention!…I can memorize three days’ work of History of Magic material at once.”

Sebek seems to be, physically, very strong, saying that he trains daily so that he may protect Malleus and that, “It is usually my duty to carry large objects in Diasomnia”. During Vargas Camp Riddle comments on Sebek’s brute strength as they set up their tent, when he strides through the mud of a swamp “like it’s not even there” and when he scales a sheer cliff.

Sebek seems very self-confident, particularly during Vargas Camp where he says things like, “I have every confidence in my ability to excel beyond all others!”. Interacting with the player during the event, Grim observes, “There ain’t a tunnel big enough for this guy’s ego”.

Sebek marches into a strange swamp despite Riddle’s warnings, saying, “Spare me your human concerns. I’m not fool enough to let a paltry bog ensnare me”, and argues against abandoning the camp during the Vargas-monster attack as, “that is clearly our worst option…basic deductive reasoning should’ve told you that.”

Riddle calls him out on his condescending tone and Sebek defends himself with, “Excuse me? I said nothing that was incorrect. I was merely stating the facts!” (possibly tying into the fan-theory that Sebek is based on the Sword of Truth)

While attacking the mine monster at the end of the event, he insists that he will take out the creature on his own after declaring, “Weaklings, the lot of you. If you cannot muster any valor, then stand back before you get hurt!”

This confidence hurts his credibility in the end, however, when Riddle and Silver will not believe that he fought a monster at all after he describes it as “a complete and utter pushover”. Sebek declares he wants to report back to Malleus and Lilia instead, as “they would give me the benefit of the doubt!”

He has a voice line saying, “I learned all of this in middle school. Briar Valley is superior even in its educational curriculum”, insinuating he performs well in some classes, but he also says he is “not good with subjects like art. I prefer curriculum with clear problems and solutions.”

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Sebek Info Compilation Part 3: Food and Inattentiveness

In two different voice lines Sebek expresses a desire for meat. In his dorm card he says he is never full no matter how much he eats, and that the player and Grim are starting to look delicious.

He says that he joined the Equestrian Club as he “wanted to join a club that involved a practical skill” and “a proper knight belongs on horseback”, but Riddle says that Sebek can yell so loud that he spooks the horses.

Sebek says in a voice line that he saved his appetite for his birthday party by having “only…three extra servings at lunchtime!” Silver also says that Sebek “has a healthy appetite” and Deuce describes him as “such a hearty eater”.

Silver calls Sebek “a bottomless pit” and it seems he has been a heavy eater since he was a child. It is unclear if this is a fae trait or maybe something that is unique to Sebek alone: Lilia says that Sebek is “known throughout Briar Valley for his gargantuan appetite”.

Sebek is described as being “inattentive” by Jamil when Sebek accidentally follows a group of students to Scarabia after the opening ceremonies, as he somehow did not notice that Scarabia was not Diasomnia.

Sebek says that Lilia has also told him that he should be more alert but “I thought I glimpsed Malleus outside, and I was so happy that, well…”

During Halloween Silver realizes that Lilia was not possessed and Rook realizes that Malleus was not, but Sebek did not notice at all.

There are many things that Sebek does not notice during Halloween.

Trey says that Sebek gets “serious tunnel vision” when he’s worked up, saying that he first noticed it when they “were fighting the intruder at Ramshackle”. Sebek also does not seem to realize how uncomfortable he makes Rook with his line of questioning about Rook’s family.

Trey distracts Sebek from the invasive questions by pretending to see a ghost behind a pillar to protect Rook’s privacy. (Later on, Sebek also fails to notice a door that Rook ends up having to point out to him.)

Despite being associated with Lilia since he was six years old Sebek does not recognize Lilia when he delivers the Spectral Soiree invitation to Ramshackle (or that the invitation itself was written by Malleus).

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Sebek Info Compilation Part 2: Family

Sebek says that his grandfather moved to Briar Valley from Sunset Savanna.

Lilia says that Sebek’s grandfather is “hot blooded" and he is “old friends with Sebek’s grandfather”, whose name is Baul.

Sebek says his grandfather lives near their home and he would often visit him by himself or with his siblings and that his grandfather smiling was “a rare sight indeed in the Zigvolt abode."

Sebek also says that his “grandfather was a gallant royal guard who served the king of Briar Valley”.

Sebek says he is proud of his mother, describing her as “an amazing person” who is “highly proficient with magic, which has earned her distinction from a very young age. She’s also strongly principled and unbending in her convictions. I can feel my chest swell with pride every time I see her. What’s more, she has some of the most potent occlusal force in our family—ah, that is, biting strength. It’s a Zigvolt trademark.”

Sebek has less interest in his father, describing him as “just a human” who “runs a small yet busy dental clinic” that he seems to enjoy. He says, “I’ll be the first to admit he’s an odd one. I can’t fathom why Mother chose to wed HIM, of all people…”, but does admit that his father is highly regarded for his skill with dentistry. Sebek says that his mother assists at the clinic but “her work tends to be slopping” as “she’s not particularly suited to work involving minute details. But my father never gets angry with her. They always seem happy working together…I suppose he’s magnanimous, in his own way”.

He says his father is a “strange man who chooses to live in Briar Valley despite being magically deficient. Whenever my siblings and I use magic, he gushes, ‘Wow, that’s so cool!’. It’s downright off-putting. He buys me sweets and snacks I never asked for and is always bending my ear about this and that. The man never lets his smile fade, no matter what I say to him. He defies comprehension. From what I hear, my mother met my father at a dental clinic and was so taken with his talent and personality that she courted him quite ardently. There were many among her peers who opposed her marriage to a human, but she didn’t let that deter her in the slightest. Certainly she must have seen SOMETHING in him.”

In his second birthday vignette Sebek says that Trey reminds him of his father for how they both wear glasses and they have a similar air about them. No matter what he says to Trey or to his father, neither of them seem to take his comments personally. (Possibly a reference to when Sebek called Trey’s hobby of tooth-brushing “bizarre”.)

Sebek says that nature reminds him of his home and that he used to go camping with his family, catching fish at the riverside.

It seems that where they live now is in a different location from his human father’s hometown, as he references traveling there as a child and seeing an opera.

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Sebek Info Compilation part 6: Riddle (pt2)

Silver assures Riddle that “Diasomnia’s teachings have nothing do with this. Sebek is…a special case. Surely I wasn’t that bad.”

Sebek insists, “I will not be reprimanded by you, Silver! Indeed, I have done nothing wrong…If you have some sort of complaint, then state it!”

Riddle says that while he understand that “every dorm has its own customs and ways of thinking” Sebek will need to adhere to the ideology of the equestrian club if he is to join and obey upperclassmen, and Sebek vows “to obey any orders, within reason”.

Riddle says that he sees Sebek takes riding seriously, and Sebek explains that this is because riding “is an essential skill if I am to serve under Malleus”.

Sebek insists upon seeing the other club members’ skills before deciding to join the club, as “If I am to make myself maximally useful to Malleus, I would be better served by weight training than riding with a bunch of amateurs”.

Sebek submits his entry application for the club immediately after seeing Riddle’s riding abilities.

Much like Trey observed during Halloween, Riddle says that he sees Sebek is “single-minded and straight as an arrow”.

For Sebek's birthday Riddle gifts him with "a special horseback riding lesson". Sebek says, "That's a rare thing indeed, and it made for a fine birthday memory."

Sebek is one of few students (maybe the only student, besides Grim and Leona?) on the main cast that we see get collared by Riddle’s unique magic, after he threatens a nearby student with “a display of magical might” for talking nearby.

Riddle explains, “You will not do anything that beings disgrace to our club. Consider this a learning opportunity, Sebek. I’ll teach you how to behave toward those who are not in Diasomnia.”

Riddle takes Sebek down again during Beanfest, eliminating him with what Riddle describes as not even “a pre-teatime workout”.

Riddle praises Sebek during Vargas Camp for scaling a cliff for a lanternblossom, but expresses exasperation at Sebek’s response of “That is exactly to be expected of any guardian of Malleus!”

During the Vargas-monster attack at the camp we see Riddle sacrifice himself to save Sebek, to which Sebek responds with “I never asked him to do any such thing!…his assistance was unneeded and unwanted!”

We see Sebek seem somewhat unsettled by his inability to “easily protect one or two weak humans”.

When Ruggie suggests abandoning the camp to save themselves Sebek refuses to “leave Riddle to his fate…”, but quickly follows this with “If I were to turn my back on ANY enemy and flee, I would be the most pathetic excuse for a guardsman that ever lived!”, once again tying his convictions back to Malleus with, “I cannot bring shame upon Malleus’ name!”

At the end of the event Riddle compliments Sebek on his conduct.

Sebek responds with “Don’t hold me to your human standards. The outcome with inevitable by my own criteria….What you did was also worthy of merit, as far as human deeds go…thank you for saving me.” Riddle says, “I still can’t tell when you’re being sincere.”

Moved by the exchange, Silver says it would be nice if Sebek “could be so forthright with everyone”.

Sebek tells him to mind his own business.

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Sebek Info Compilation part 4: Sebek and Leona

Sebek has little patience for Leona, threatening to keep Malleus from his sight if Leona does not apologize for Leona referring to him as “Hornster”. Malleus reprimands Sebek for his rudeness and potentially sparking tension between the royal houses.

Lilia says “I think you should do as Malleus says”, and Sebek concedes immediately, with an apology.

Malleus responds, “I am not the one you must say that to”.

Sebek apologies to Leona for his behavior but Leona has seemingly forgotten who he is. This results in a spiral of confusion for Sebek, irked by the thought that Leona has forgotten him but also understanding why someone would consider everyone but Malleus beneath their notice.

Sebek vows to make Leona acknowledge his existence.

They meet again when looking for lantern blossoms, with members of Leona’s group threatening to take a flower first discovered by the Equestrian Club until Leona calls them off.

Sebek decides “that flower will be mine” because “Leona Kingscholar balked at climbing this cliff. I’ll do it myself and triumph over him!”

Sebek succeeds in seizing the lanternblossom and confronts Leona with, “I am the man who plucked the flower you gave up on. Remember that!”

Leona says that Sebek displayed “an impressive level of stupidity” when he “purposely chose the more tiring option” and leaves while Sebek is still speaking, referring to him by name when he does so.

Sebek is delighted by Leona finally acknowledging his existence saying “Never again shall I endure his ignorance of my identity. This is the first step in making him see he’s no match for the fae!”

It is unclear if Leona is aware of the drama that has been unfolding within Sebek’s head throughout the course of the vignette.

Sebek is among the “herbivores” that Leona volunteers to “babysit” during the Spectral Soiree event, but insists he is in no need of Leona’s help.

They also overlap in a vignette where Malleus reprimands Sebek—again—for being rude to Leona.

Ruggie refers to Sebek as “another Draconia fanboy”, and Silver intervenes when Sebek insists on going after Leona—ignoring Malleus’ orders—as, “his discourtesy to Malleus is a crime of the highest order! I cannot allow him to live!”

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Sebek Info Compilation part 5: Riddle (pt1)

Riddle first exposure to Sebek is overhearing Sebek scold his fellow first-years for whispering during the opening ceremonies, saying they need to comport themselves “with dignity” and that their “indecent conduct brings shame down upon all freshmen, myself included! Ceremonies require a certain sobriety. We may yet be callow, but we are all mages in the making. Act like it!”

Impressed by Sebek’s ability to make the other students settle down Riddle says “At least there’s one sensible head in this year’s class. If he ends up in Heartslabyul, I may put him in charge of the freshmen.” Riddle is shocked by the “abrupt character turn” he sees when Sebek is assigned to Diasomnia.

(For the curious: No, Sebek did not say “awww yeah, baby! Woohoo!” in his original dialogue. He gave a stuttering response that is similar to “I-I-I did it!”, “I got in!”, etc. There is a pattern with Sebek of pretending to be wholly confident while, in reality, being very uncertain. His original response sounds more relieved; a rare moment where we see he had actually been worried. This is why the look on his face may seem kind of mismatched with his English line, but mismatched visuals are not unusual on NA.)

During Riddle’s first interaction with Sebek, Sebek accuses him of being “a spy, sent to uncover Diasomnia’s deepest secrets”. Riddle responds with “I mistakenly believed you to be a man of diligence and decorum”.

Riddle also says that “Like all other Diasomnia students, your well-mannered facade belies your supercilious nature”, which Silver follows with “It is because of people like (Sebek) that Diasomnia’s reputation suffers”, which is some fascinating insight into Diasomnia’s reputation at the school.

(For the curious, Sebek refers to Lilia as "Vice Housewarden", "sir" and just "Lilia" on NA, but in his original dialogue he has never referred to him as anything but "Lilia-sama". On NA Sebek calls Malleus by many things including just "Malleus", Housewarden Malleus", "Master", "My Liege" and "Our Lord". In his original dialogue he refers to Malleus as only "Malleus-sama" or "Waka-sama". He explains "Waka-sama" can only be used by Malleus' retainers.)