Natalia is from an old money family. They own a lot of businesses around the world, so she travels a lot. Sergio is her bodyguard and also confidant- they're the same age and go to the same school. Natalia first met Ian when he joined her school after his parents died. The two didn't hit it off right away- with Natalia asking him "are you smart, or just rich?" and when Ian didn't understand right away she said "I guess you're just rich". Later she saw how good his hand writing was, and the two had a friendly rivalry for a few weeks. Eventually they got closer, and now the three of them are like peas in a pod.

Sergio's family have worked for Natalia's family for generations. He's known Natalia all his life, and the two are practically like siblings. He wears his hair long because his girlfriend said it looked cute one time, and he's kept it long since. Natalia and Ian have never met her, and are skeptical she's even real, but she is. Sergio and Ian have a close bond- kickstarted by Ian's bond with Natalia. The three are rarely apart. Sergio is normally very serious and blunt, but can't resist acting silly around Ian to freak him out or make him laugh- such as cracking open an egg and swallowing it raw, to Ian's disgust.

Basilio is an alchemist who also runs a bookshop, where he also lives. He's got a brother, who lives in another country. He never married (confirmed bachelor, hint hint). He found out that Ian's foster family wasn't treating him right so he went over to their house and got Ian's stuff, and had some words with them. Ian was surprised but totally for it. Basilio is a gruff, grumpy old man, but he treats Ian well and takes great care of him- is pretty much Ian's father figure at this point.

Roderich supposedly died one night, when he and Ian lived with their foster family. Ian always assumed their foster father had done it, because of the way the man spoke, the way he had physically fought with Roderich that night, the way Roderich shoo'd Ian out of the room... It lined up. Ian was never told otherwise, and in fact his foster father alluded to it himself. It isn't until the current events of the story, when Ian goes on a fun trip with Natalia, Sergio, and Mick, that he runs into his brother and discovers the truth. Well, sort of. Roderich isn't very forthcoming about the details, and is being secretive. Though, he is apologetic, and did miss Ian. Ian is very upset and feels his brother has betrayed him. The trip ends, and Roderich does not join Ian, staying right where he is.

Mick is a rich kid- new money. His dad owns a large pharmaceutical company. Mick enters the friend group's picture when he meets Natalia on a trip and they start dating. Ian and Mick don't get along- Mick thinks Ian is overstepping boundaries (he's not Natalia's brother or anything, so he shouldn't be so protective), and Ian thinks Mick is a pretentious prick. Mick and Natalia last a few months, but ultimately they break up. They stay good friends however, no bad blood between them. Mick starts hanging around Ian one way or another, and decides actually they're friends now, to Ian's bewilderment. Eventually they do become good friends, the turning point being after Roderich's betrayal, and Mick is the one who witnessed an exchange between them, so he's the first to comfort Ian right away. A while later they end up in love and confess to each other- and shortly after Ian gets possessed by a demon he was messing with and Mick, in a desperate attempt to save him, transfers the possession into himself (he didn't know if he could exorcise the demon without hurting Ian) and trust that Ian will know how to fix things. Ian does. However, after Mick is saved, when he sees the black marks on Ian's arms, he feels guilty. Things are now a little awkward between them- they already confessed feelings for each other, but now they've both done something reckless and ill-advised, and they feel guilty and self-conscious. So they're relationship took a step backwards.