Rio Karasuki

"Words of gratitude are not enough for the greatest kindness you have bestowed upon my unworthy self. If ever a danger shall befall upon the spirit folk, I vow to assist you as your sworn friend — with my entire being."

- Rio's verbal pledge to Spirit Folk's elder

Rio (リオ) is an orphaned child that lived in the slums of the Beltram Kingdom capital. He's actually the reincarnation of Amakawa Haruto who died due to an unfortunate accident in Japan. His most striking feature is his black hair which is extremely rare among the population and his androgynous looks which were a combination of his features from his previous and current life making him the most distinguishable amongst the orphans. He has sworn to take a revenge on his mother’s murderer but his fate changed drastically after he awakened to his previous life’s memories as Amakawa Haruto. Their personalities merged into one with Haruto and Rio sharing control over the body and mind.

Afterward in a sudden turn of event, he got dragged on a kidnapping incident where he somehow saved the kidnapped princess, As a reward, he was allowed to enroll in the Bertram Kingdom Royal Institute, only to get himself involved in their political disputes, Later, due to false accusation, he became a fugitive before graduation and forced to escape the country

He goes far east to his parent motherland where he tried to find his roots and arrange his personality mess, later on, he return back to the west with a new identity by using his previous life name Haruto Amakawa (アマカワ ハルト), aiming to take his revenge over his parents enemies.

Appearance
As Rio, he had an appearance than reminiscing his previous life, with black eyes and black hair, slender build, yet firm, there's a bunch of old scars on his body from the time he lived in the slum, but it's start fading along the years.

As his second persona Haruto, he has a grey asymmetrical hair that's longer on the right side of his face, sharp face, strong and serious eyes, he give a calm and collected air around him, sometimes feeling dangerous but also somehow gave a safe feeling.

Background
Rio was born from two immigrant parent that came to the kingdom from far away east of Yagumo Region, his father named Zen, was an adventurer and he died before Rio can even remember his face, he was then raised alone by his mother Ayame, though their black hair often gave them trouble, her mother's positivity, gentleness and love enabled him to grow up peacefully, until his mother was murdered by Lucius who was someone that they trusted, Rio at the time had just reached the age of 5 years old, was thrown into the slums losing everything he had, he then swore to take revenge on the man that took everything from him, and managed to survive the slum life, until 2 years later, one faithful morning, Rio got his previous life memories back.

Story
Rio has lived a portion of his life in Bertram as an orphan in the slums. Since awakening to Haruto's memories, things have only gotten harder. As a beneficiary of the King of Bertram, Rio was educated in the royal academy despite a lack of peerage.

After the false accusation of attempted murder of Flora Bertram, Rio left for Yagumo, the region his parents emigrated from. With Latifa, his failed assassin, he ventured into Seirei no Tami, the land of the beastfolk. Later revealed Latifa is the elder's great-granddaughter, as a reward for saving Latifa Rio asked to learn spirit arts and he met the high level spirit dryad who told him that he is contractor upper class spirit, Rio grew into the strongest spirit user in that time. At the moment, reis using a black wyvern to attack the village before it caused turmoil Rio killed the black wyvern and the dwarves made an armor set from the leather of the Black Wyvern. Before he left the village the elder give him a reward, slydora gave him Time-Space Chache, Dominic gave him a weapon and set of armor, also a large number of medicines.

After leaving, he continued his journey to Yagumo. He traveled from village to village seeking information on his parents when the elder of one knew who he was. This woman claimed to be his father's mother but refused to discuss his parents more because she was not in the right position to reveal the truth behind Rio's parents. Rio lived much like any other villager under his grandmother's care while aiding the village in hunting and farming.

He was approached by a vassal of the Karatsuki Empire. He was then informed of the situation involving his parents. His mother Ayame was a former second princess of the kingdom and his father Zen was a rising star warrior who charged as her guard. Karasuki Kingdom have long conflict again Rokuren Kindom, in that time at that time, the Rokuren kingdom sent a ceasefire proposal to Karasuki kingdom and celebrated it in Royal Capital of Karasuki Kindom ,The ceasefire agreement also passed nicely; later the prince was supposed to go back to his home country without any incident. But, the evening of that day, someone kidnapped Ayame. The culprit was the assistant of the Rokuren kingdom’s prince, who belonged to an opposing side to the ceasefire agreement. Zen who was protecting Ayame from the back splendidly, managed to capture that person. Though some circumstances were omitted, having been trained to commit suicide with an unknown ability, that person was dead.The next day, while the Karasuki kingdom side asked for explanation of this matter, the Rokuren kingdom prince was angry with reason that his assistant was brutally murdered. Despite the fact that their opponent is the one who’s starting all of this event, due the sudden death of the culprit, Karasuki kingdom side decided to treat this case with caution. But, the Rokuren kingdom’s prince wouldn’t give a care about it, and made a fuss of himself going all the way to the enemy kingdom, only to be betrayed like that. The negotiations of both kingdoms were going down the drain, just like that, the situation was almost forced the breaking of the ceasefire agreement.The Rokuren kingdom prince made another point to fix the ceasefire agreement,The execution of Zen, who personally killed his assistant, and a demand for Ayame. Hamura as a king pretending to accept Rokuren kingdom prince's demand and secretly attempted to attack the Rokuren kingdom. With a scale which couldn’t be sniffed out by the Rokuren kingdom and the opposing domestic nobles, picking the most elite amongst the samurai organisation’s fighters to dispatch them without being found by the Rokuren kingdom. Karasuki Kingdom successes defeated Rokuren Kingdom make them vassal state of the Karasuki kingdom, but they made a blunder by deceiving their citizens,

After staying for a while in Karasuki, he decided to leave and go meet the Spirit Folks, he met Sara and other, that their shocked Rio become more mature than before. He meet Latifa and having bathed together, he told her that he going to stralh region to meet his benefactor, she warned him to be careful.

Rio later going to Bertram kingdom to meet Seria, in his journey he reunites again with Miharu who was summoned with the heroes. He saves her from the slave trader and brings them to the Spirit Folk, they accepted Miharu group and made a welcome party. In a short time Rio's contracted spirit has awakened and slept beside him (naked), it had made Miharu shocked, later Rio had to explain the situation.

Relationships
Celia Claire

Celia was Rio's teacher and his only companion when he was studying in Bertram Royal Academy. During his stay in academy, she would help him whenever she could and Rio would do the same for her. For instance, on the first day of school, she taught him how to read numbers after knowing that he could not read nor write numbers. On the other hand, Rio would help to clean up her laboratory, prepare tea and snack for their tea break and organize her research material (although, Rio helped because he couldn't tolerate Celia's messy room). She gradually fallen in love with Rio and only found out after Rio decided to leave the country when he was framed for attempted murder towards the royalty. When Rio returned to Bertram kingdom to visit her, he found out that Celia was forced to hold a political wedding with Charles Arbour as his seventh wife. Rio saved her by kidnapping her in front of all the guests and Charles Arbour.

During her stay with Rio In Rock House, Seria learn how to perceive magic power and some fundamental in spirit magic.

When Rio come back from evening party in Galurk kingdom, he offered her to help her meet her parents (volume 11).

Celia is currently in the midst of going to the Resistance along with the 1st Princess, Christina and her royal guard. (volume 12)

Ayase Miharu

Ayase Miharu is Amakawa Haruto (Rio's previous incarnation)'s 1st love and childhood friend. In volume 4, the reincarnated Haruto, Rio, found Miharu and co. In the forest. Rio was confused of how to interact with her again as his moral values were different from those when he was Amakawa Haruto. He also detested the idea of involving Miharu and those he holds dear into his revenge toward Lucius. This stemmed from the fact that he felt guilty of killing people despite being necessary. Hence, he felt that he is not qualified to be close to her nor is he qualified to attain happiness.

Later, Aisia bestowed a dream upon Miharu, a dream about Haruto after they separated and Rio before they reunited again. This spurred Mahiru to approach Rio more aggressively compared to her usual shy/timid personality). Aisia also warned Miharu that Rio is kind but cowardly person as he doesn't want people he loves to enter his life because he may end up hurting them.

She also says that if Miharu wants to come to Haruto's side once more there is one opportunity to do so, when he revealed his true identity and told her not run away if that opportunity came. Thanks to Satsuki who give Haruto advice he can accept himself and Miharu once again. She later tells Sendou Takahisa that she is fell in love with Haruto as his past and as Rio, Takahisa attempts to kidnap Miharu but Rio came and saved her.

Sendou Aki

Haruto's little sister, she later hated Haruto because he made his mother cry and can't keep his promises. She treat Miharu like her own sister and is very mad because Miharu choose to stay beside Rio than follow her to St.Stella kingdom.She joined Takahisa to kidnap Miharu but failed and Satsuki give her a sermon, princess Liliana then took her to St.Stella kingdom.

Sendou Masato

Haruto's little step brother, he treats Rio like his own brother. He is Amakawa Haruto's mother's son with Sendou Takahisa's father. In rock house he trains with a sword under the guidance of Rio, he the follows his brother Takahisa to St.Stella kingdom.

Aisia

Aisia is Rio's contracted spirit, she is willing to do anything for the sake of Haruto's happiness. Rio knows that he is an upper class spirit after he met the Spirit of the giant tree, Dryad.

Flora Beltram

Due to his past history in the Beltram kingdom (false charge against him) Rio is extremely wary of Flora. At the same time he has no grudge to princess Flora as she knows she did not frame him in the outdoor drill, he hoped to never meet with her (volume 7). Flora is the first one from the Beltram kingdom to recognize Rio despite his disguise. During the academy era, Flora was sad seeing the treatment Rio received from the nobles and always wanted to talk to him. Flora has great admiration for Rio.

Christina Beltram

Rio first meet with princess Christina in the slum as she was searching for her abducted sister Flora. The princess did not know how to interact with common people and slaps him because she believe he kidnap her sister. During the academy time she avoid to talk to him and she doesn't oppose to frame him for the outdoor drill. Rio meet with her at the banquet in the Garlac kingdom presenting the hero Satsuki, despite being watched by the Arbour faction, she secretly thanked him for saving her sister in Amande. After, Rio meet with her again as he accompanies Celia in Cleia. Christina has escaped the Arbour faction and asked him help her for going to Rodania. Seeing the trust between Rio and Celia, she suspects Haruto Amakawa to be Rio, suspicion confirmed by Reiss later.

Latifa

Latifa was at first ennemy of Rio. Duke Huguenot has enslaved and train her to be a merciless assassin by enchaining her with a collar of submission. Fortunately for her, Rio was too strong for her : he vanquished her and put off the collar. Latifa decided to follow Rio in his journey, despite being freed she declared to be alone is more scary than to be a slave. She become his adptive little sister and extremely attached to Rio. Rio decided to cross the borders between the strahl region and wildness just to let her meet the spirits folks. It is strongly implied that she has romantic feelings for Rio (also due to her past as Suzune in Japan), and she is very jealous of other girls when they interact with Rio (Miharu/Alma/Ouphia/Sara....)

Liselotte Cretia

Rio meets Liselotte for the first time in Amande, shortly after escaping Beltram kingdom. Liselotte has just begun the soon well known Rikka guild firm. She uses the pseudo "Lotte" and she is very impressed by Rio's knowledge in tea leave and his mental calculating capacity. 4 years later they meet again as she return from Celia 's wedding and Rio going to Amande with aishia and Celia. Rio save the carriage (Flora/Roanna/Hiroaki/Liselotte) from the attack of three minotaurs. Rio at the time is searching for the heroes summoned into the strahl region and decided to save Liselotte to approach her. Soon after they have a close friendship (enough for Hiroaki to be jealous), sharing their past life as japanese. It is Liselotte who permits the reunion between Satsuki and Miharu (also the Sendo siblings).

Sumeragi Satsuki

Rio is searching clues about the heroes for the seke of Miharu and Sendo siblings. After meeting with Satsuki, both of them trust each other to share informations about the strahl regions, the summoning etc... It is implied that she developped feelings for Rio but the latest keep their relationship as curtous as polite as possible. Satsuki help him to make a decision about his dilemna concerning Miharu.

Sayo

Ruri

Saga Komomo

Charlotte Galwark

Lucius L'Orguille

Lucious is the murderer of Rio's parents. After gaining Zen and Ayame's trust, he kills them both just because he does not stand their kindness. He let Rio live because he wants him to become powerful and seeks revenge against him. They meet after the attack in Amande, Lucius kidnaps Flora but is stopped by Rio who cut off his arm. Reiss save him and escaped. On volume 14 happen the last fight : Lucius kidnaps Flora and Christina, but he is unaware that Rio is chasing him. Rio win the battle and burn Lucius's body into ashes. Reflecting upon his act, Rio does not regret seeking revenge.

Martial Arts
Haruto was taught «Ancient Martial Arts» and «Swordsmanship» by his grandfather in his previous life. Later as Rio, he further trains his swordsmanship excelling beyond even royal guards as just a child in Bertram.

Magical Abilities

 * Magic (fake; gained by mimicking the principle of the magic since he never succeeded in the Contract Ceremony)
 * Magic (White/All-rounder Type)
 * Spirit Arts (Rio has a natural affinity for the arts preceding the West's magic arts. This prevent him from fulfilling Contract Ceremonies. Spirit Arts are more versatile.)

Intelligence
In his previous life, Haruto already became a university student before he died. Combined with Rio's knowledge of the new world, Rio is considered multilingual, being able to properly speak Japanese from his past life as Haruto and 3 different languages from the new world, Strahl Region language, Yagumo Region language and Spirit language. Although considered illiterate at first, Rio quickly learned and surpassed his peers in the academy.

Wealth
Rio is filthy rich, he still has some mystic coins from the rewards of saving Flora from kidnapping, he has big amount of Monster Material and Magic Stone from the monster he defeated in his journey in his storage, he had several bases and mansions spread in several countries, and he still has tons of items and recipes he learn in Seirei no Tami like Soap, Liquor, or Potions that if he sell the recipes, he can live a free life just from the recipe of one item. For comparison, annual income of a lower class nobles are only 40 Gold coins.

Jack Of All Trade
He demonstrated versatile of skills throughout the story.
 * Hunting: He possess proficient knowledge, skill, and experience that allows him to hunt prey more proficiently than normal hunters.
 * Farming: In his past life, he helped his grandparent on the farm during his time in the countryside. After his stay at the spirit village, his skill and knowledge grew further on farming as it uses spirit art.
 * Poker Face: He is an expert at hiding his own emotion and expression making him very difficult for others to perceive his thoughts.
 * Carpentry: During his stay at the spirit village, he learned the skill of carpentry to the level of receiving praises.
 * Cooking: Rio retains an average knowledge of Chinese, Western and Italian cuisine from his previous life. He is also taught Tea brewing by Celia.
 * Heavy Drinker: He can handle strong alcohol greater than a average dwarf without getting drunk.
 * Medicine Concocting: Currently, he can concoct simple things like soap and such.
 * Noble Etiquette: Combing his knowledge on manners and greetings from his previous life and his learning of etiquette during his time at Bertram Royal Academy, his ways of conduct became so flawless that everyone thought of him as a noble even though he claimed himself as a commoner.
 * Engineering: He can construct machinery such as water wheels.
 * Magic Tool Crafting: He can creating magic/ spirit tools that can change hair colors and simple detection barriers.
 * Knowledge on Magic Formation: Rio is exposed to the knowledge of magic formation during his time at the Bertram Royal Academy working as Celia's assistant and his knowledge expanded while at the spirit village.

Trivia

 * He is more of Rio with Haruto's memories in LN, while in WN he is Haruto with Rio's memories.
 * The trivia above cannot be considered true. He is not just Haruto, and he is not just Rio either. He is both at the same time, he accepts both names as his own.