#twsttheory

Fae Biology: Is Malleus a baby?

The short answer: Malleus is already like a late teenager or young adult in his body, mind, and how he acts (around 17-18 human years old), even though dragon fae society treats anyone under 200-300 as a "baby" or "hatchling." He won't suddenly become "old" in human terms when he hits 1000—he'll just be seen as a full grown-up in fae eyes. Becoming king "soon" is totally fine because he's already mature enough to rule, even if elders still call him a kid. It's like two layers: real biological/mental maturity vs. how super-old fae view the young ones.

Let's start with his real age and growth. Malleus is 178 years old right now. The most common fan way to compare this (and it fits what the game hints) is the 1:10 rule: 1 fae year feels like about 10 human years for maturity. So divide 178 by 10, and you get roughly 17.8—basically 18 in human years. This matches how he looks, thinks, and behaves: tall, powerful, smart about magic, lonely but wise, and dealing with teen-like feelings (like wanting friends but scaring people away). His body is fully grown—no baby dragon features left. He walks, talks, uses huge magic, and goes to school like the other third-years. In real biology terms, his cells, brain, and muscles have developed to adult level already. Magic keeps him looking young forever (no wrinkles or gray hair), so he stays in that prime "young adult" stage for centuries.

But here's where it gets tricky: older fae like Lilia still call him a "child," "hatchling," or "young one." Why? Because for dragon fae, childhood lasts way longer. Lilia says dragon fae are considered hatchlings (like babies) at 200 years old, teens at 500, and full adults at 1000. So at 178, Malleus hasn't even hit the 200-year "baby" mark yet in their eyes. It's not that he's actually a toddler—it's cultural and social. The oldest fae (who live 1000+ years) see anyone under 200-300 as super young, like how your grandma might still call a 20-year-old "the baby of the family" even if you're driving a car and have a job. Biologically and mentally, Malleus is way past baby stage—he's a late teen/young adult. Socially in Briar Valley, he's still "the little prince" to the elders. Both things are true at once, and the game uses this to make him feel lonely and out of place.

Now, will he be "old" like a 200-year-old human when he reaches fae adulthood at 1000? No way. At 1000 fae years, using the same 1:10 idea, he'd be like 100 in human years—but that's not how it works for fae. They don't age like us. Magic slows everything down so much that they stay looking and feeling young for almost their whole life. At 1000, Malleus will be a full adult in fae terms (strong, wise, ready for big responsibilities), but he'll still look like a handsome 18-20 year old guy. No gray hair, no aches, no "old man" vibes. Fading (getting weaker) only starts much later, like for Lilia at 700 (who gave up lifespan to hatch Malleus). So 1000 is more like human "legal adult" age—ready to rule, marry, lead—but the body stays prime forever-ish. In biology terms, their cells repair super well with magic, so aging is mostly "fading" of power, not breaking down like human bodies do after 70-80.

About becoming king "soon"—yes, they're okay with an "adolescent" ruling, but he's not really one. In fae society, especially for dragon royals, maturity isn't tied to a number like 1000. It's about being ready:strong magic, good judgment, and bloodline. Malleus already has insane power (one of the top mages), he's smart, and the throne is his by right. "Soon" probably means in the next few decades or centuries—nothing urgent in fae time. Humans might see 178 as too young to rule a country, but fae time moves slow. Think of it like some old human kingdoms where princes ruled at 16-18 because they were ready, even if elders still babied them. Malleus is treated like a kid by Lilia and others because dragon fae childhood is centuries long, but he's capable of king stuff now. No one's saying "wait till you're 1000"—he's already leading Diasomnia and handling big threats.

Why design it this way? It fits the story's themes. Malleus feels like a teen (lonely, wanting friends, big emotions), but society sees him as a baby dragon because fae lives are so long. It makes him relatable—he's powerful but still growing emotionally, like a human teen. And it explains why he clings to Lilia and the group: they treat him like family, not just a "hatchling." In biology, it's like animals with super long lives (tortoises or elephants) where "young" lasts decades, but they're functional adults much earlier. Dragon fae just stretch that out with magic.

Fae lands were stolen by their own neighboring countries banding together under Henrick. Immediately afterward, “an endless series of wars broke out over resources.”

Almost as if they had intentionally united under a weak leader (Henrick) to overthrow a strong one (Maleanor), intending from the start to take the Fae lands for themselves once she was gone.

In a flashback a fairy says, “our enemies are closing in and the Dawn Knight has fallen,” but who exactly were those “enemies”?

The same countries that had been their allies against Maleanor?

It was a fascinating example of history repeating itself: neighboring countries coming together against a common “enemy,” first Maleanor and then Henrick, the very person who had led them against Maleanor in the first place.

And this is not the first time we have heard of this in Twst:

Eliza’s grandparents explain that their neighbors, too, betrayed them, attacking their kingdom without warning.

The fae were forced off Briarland and holed up in what became Briar Valley, a space that is only a small fraction of what used to be their home.

Eliza did not survive the war, as Maleanor did not, but what of the rest of the country?

Did they, too, retreat to somewhere in order to escape the carnage brought upon them by their neighbors? If so, where did they go?

Eliza's kingdom fell 500 years in the past.

Lilia's dream is 400 years ago.

General Lilia: “A century ago, it was one little sailboat that came ashore at Cape Sunrise…”

Did Eliza’s people fall to their invaders, flee to Briarland and apply the same lessons taught to them by the people who stole their country, becoming the invaders themselves?

(Assuming that Leah is of the royal bloodline, would this make Silver a distant relative of Eliza? 📝)

No, I didn’t forget about you, I swear! 😭 Your question was actually fire and I got completely carried away writing a whole damn analysis (again), discovered some new shit for myself in the process and now I can’t shut up about it. So yeah… enjoy my nonsense. Have fun reading :)

Fae Biology: What exactly is Crowley?

Step 1: His Looks – Do They Line Up with Fae Body Features?

Proof 1: Those pointed ears are a strong fae match. Every fae we've seen has elongated, pointy ears—it's a core biological trait evolved for enhanced sensory input, like picking up magical frequencies, distant sounds, or even emotional "vibrations" (Lilia uses his to detect heartbeats or whispers during Book 7's war scenes, helping him in battles). Crowley's ears poke out clearly under his top hat in official game sprites, promo art, and the anime adaptation—they're not rounded like humans or twisted like some merfolk. This fits fae biology spot-on, as ears help them thrive in isolated, thorny places like Briar Valley by alerting to threats early. Without this, fae wouldn't have survived human invasions 400 years ago.

Proof 2: Glowing gold eyes add to the fae case. Fae eyes often have unique adaptations for low-light or magical vision (Malleus's vertical green slits for predatory night hunting like a dragon, Sebek's sharp gaze for croc-like ambushes in swamps). Crowley's eyes shine a bright yellow-gold behind his mask, which could be a fae "tapetum lucidum" layer (like in cats or wolves, reflecting light for better dark sight—real biology parallel). In darker game scenes, they almost glow, hinting at fae night adaptations. But gold isn't exclusive to fae (some humans or beastmen have odd eyes too), so it's supportive but not proof alone.

Proof 3: His height and build could work for fae. Fae bodies vary wildly by subtype for ecological fits (Malleus at 202cm is towering and imposing like a dragon apex predator, Lilia at 158cm is compact and agile like a bat for cave navigation). Crowley's 191cm puts him in the tall range without being extreme, and his slim, elegant frame suggests fae lightness—mana-infused bones make them flexible and strong without bulk, perfect for quick movements. He dashes around campus in events without sweating, matching fae endurance from their slow, efficient metabolism (like long-lived turtles in real life conserving energy).

Not fae proof: Zero visible animal traits. Fae subtypes always show biological markers tied to their evolution—ridged horns for mana conduction and defense in dragons (Malleus's S-curved ones act like antennae for lightning or curses), sharp fangs for piercing or venom in bats (Lilia's peek out in grins, aiding in nocturnal hunts), or tough scales and jaws for biting in crocodiles (Sebek's enhanced chomp from his mom's side helps in guards duty). Crowley has none of that: no horns bulging under his hat (fans have analyzed every angle of his 3D model in the game—no bumps), no fangs when he yells or laughs, no scales on exposed skin. Instead, his whole vibe is avian—beak-shaped mask, black feathered coat like wings, gold claw rings on gloves, and a crow-headed cane. This doesn't align with fae biology, where animal features are innate and functional (e.g., horns as weapons in Book 7 wars).

Fae traits evolved for survival in specific niches (dragons for highland dominance, bats for dark agility); Crowley's "bird" elements are artificial, like he's covering up or mimicking something. If he were fae, he'd probably show off subtype pride like Malleus does with his horns—hiding them doesn't make sense for a species that values heritage. Plus, skin healing: Fae regenerate fast from mana (Lilia has no scars after centuries of combat), but Crowley avoids injury entirely, so no test. Overall, looks tease fae but lean more toward a bird-hybrid disguise, clashing with pure fae polymorphism.

Step 2: Age and Growth – Is He Aging Like a Fae Would?

Proof 1: He seems timeless, which screams fae longevity. Fae biology features ultra-slow development—roughly 1 fae year equals 10 human years in maturity (Malleus at 178 acts like an 18-year-old with teen angst, Lilia at 700 behaves like a 70-year-old grandpa but with youthful energy from magic cell repair). Crowley drops lines implying he's ancient: in personal vignettes, he claims to have been headmage "for eternity," references the Great Seven (Disney villains as historical figures) like he witnessed their eras, and in Book 7 casually explains fae-human wars (400+ years ago) with insider details, as if he read forbidden scrolls or lived through it. Logical: If fae, his body would still be in prime form at 500-700 years, with mana acting like a youth serum (parallel to real long-lived species like Greenland sharks, slow metabolism prevents breakdown). His boundless energy—fixing magical messes without rest—fits fae efficiency.

Proof 2: No signs of "fading" yet. In fae biology, aging hits as "fading" when mana depletes (Lilia's case in Book 7: weakening spells, fatigue from war trauma and overuse, like a battery running low after centuries). Crowley shows zero slowdown—he's hyperactive, organizing events like the Spelldrive tournament in Book 2 or the VDC in Book 5 without complaints. If fae, he could be mid-lifespan (300-500 years, equivalent to human 30-50), pre-fading stage.

Proof 3: He knows too much old lore. In Book 8's early chapters (tournament prep with special classes like mazes and Spelldrive), he mentions "Wish Pieces" (artifacts like the enchanted rose or glass slipper that alter history) with expert ease, tying into fae ancient magic. Fae brains have expanded lobes for retaining centuries of knowledge (like how Lilia recalls war tactics perfectly).

Not fae proof: Dodges personal age reveals. When students like Ace grill him in vignettes ("How old are you really?"), he laughs it off or changes topics—fae like Lilia proudly flex their age (700 years as a badge of experience). Logical: Fae biology links longevity to status (longer life = more mana wisdom); hiding it doesn't fit their proud, community-minded evolution (wars forged group bonds). No family mentions either—fae have deep lineages (Malleus's royal dragon egg traditions, Sebek's crocodile heritage from mom). Crowley acts rootless, no Briar Valley ties or subtype stories.

Fae growth requires emotional investment (love for hatching eggs or raising young); his isolation suggests a species without that biological need, like solitary birds in real life (ravens live alone often). In Book 8, he uncovers RSA holding Meleanor's cup (a fae artifact), but treats it like a collector's item, not personal history.

Step 3: Magic and Powers – Fae Innate or Something Craftier?

Proof 1: Effortless spells scream fae innate magic. Fae magic is biological—mana circulates like a second bloodstream, allowing casts without props (unlike humans needing gems). Crowley whips up barriers on the fly (protects from Riddle's overblot rampage in Book 1), ignites finger flames casually, and deploys his "lash of love" whip to restrain or seal magic (like in training vignettes). This matches fae efficiency: mana as an organ, evolved for quick survival spells (Malleus summons thorns from imagination, Lilia reverses attacks mid-battle). In Book 6's Ignihyde arc, he navigates STYX's underworld tech (tied to ancient fae-like portals), hinting at deep mana reserves.

Proof 2: World-bending summons. Fae can warp reality with emotions (Malleus's Book 7 overblot traps the world in dreams, drawing from loneliness). Crowley "summons" Yuu from our world via the Dark Mirror in the Prologue, claiming it's an "accident," but the mirror obeys him like a tool (it scans souls but reports to him first). Logical: Fae biology handles massive mana loads (dragon fire from oxygen-rich lungs, bat ultrasonics from vocal sacs); if fae, cross-dimensional pulls fit, especially with Book 8's Wish Pieces (artifacts that bend fate, like fae curses).

Proof 3: Blot handling teases fae tolerance. Fae bodies detox blot passively (slow accumulation from long lives, like lactic acid in muscles but magical). Crowley appears after every overblot (Books 1-7 bosses), collecting remnants perhaps (fan theories from wiki: blot stones for experiments). In Book 8, blot ties to "taboo" magic like executioner spells; if fae, his system could store it without snapping.

Not fae proof: Lacks a unique magic signature. Fae spells are personal, tied to biology (Malleus's "Fae of Maleficence" thorns channel through horns, Sebek's lightning bursts from croc jaws like electric eels). Crowley's are basic and tool-like—whips from cane, fire from fingers—no emotional twist or subtype flavor. He freaks out during overblots (hides in Book 5's Pomefiore chaos), unlike fae who confront them (Lilia battles Malleus head-on). Logical: Fae biology buffers blot with emotional homeostasis (long lives build resistance); Crowley's panic suggests a weaker, non-fae system. Huge clue: He fully shape-shifts to a bird in the anime opening and manga—fae enhance forms (Lilia adds bat wings), not total transforms. That's beastman territory (partial shifts like Ruggie's hyena laugh) or spirit lore.

Crowley's twisted from Diablo (Maleficent's raven in Sleeping Beauty)—a loyal bird spy who turns to stone but revives, mirroring how Crowley "revives" situations post-overblot. Real raven biology: intelligent, tool-using (crows solve puzzles with sticks), fits his lock-picking in Book 3 better than fae elegant casts.

Step 4: Behavior and Mind – Fae Pride or Bird Sneakiness?

Proof 1: Tricky deals and hoarding vibe fae folklore. Fae biology includes sharp minds for survival pacts (Azul's contracts echo octopus fae merchant deals, but fae love binding words). Crowley hoards shiny gems (cries over school budget in vignettes), blackmails for luxuries (steals Fairy Gala outfits for himself), and twists "help" (lets Yuu stay but delays sending home). This matches fae emotional biology: they play games from loneliness or pride (Malleus hides invites out of fear).

Proof 2: Deep lore knowledge. In Book 7's fae wars and Book 8's special classes (e.g., arcane drills with mazes), he explains artifacts like the Briar Valley stone (Silver's ring) or Princess Glow cup with pro-level detail, like a fae scholar. Fae brains evolve for vast memory storage (neural plasticity from centuries).

Proof 3: Masked emotions. Fae hide vulnerabilities (Sebek's loud loyalty covers identity issues from half-human blood). Crowley's over-the-top drama and literal mask might conceal fae isolation—he's always in his office alone, no close ties shown.

Not fae proof: Rough with animals, comic goofiness. Fae bond deeply with nature (Silver attracts birds from fae blessing, Lilia cooks with mana-sensed ingredients). Crowley yanks Trein's cat Lucius by the tail in vignettes—like a bird's instinctive fear of feline predators (real ravens flee cats). He's slapstick funny (dramatic cries, work-shirking), clashing with fae elegance or intensity (even playful Lilia has a serious war vet side). Diasomnia (pure fae dorm) treats him like an outsider—no "kin" recognition (fae biology includes shared sensory cues like mana scents or vibes).

Fae minds evolve for group loyalty and emotional depth (wars built alliances); Crowley's self-serving sneakiness fits solitary bird evolution (ravens hoard food alone, use deception). Deep think: His lock-picking with gadgets (Book 3) echoes real crow intelligence—using tools for problems, not raw fae mana bursts.

Step 5: Story Hints and Deeper Clues – Piecing the Puzzle

Proof 1: Mirror mastery. The Dark Mirror sorts souls for dorms, but Crowley commands it (overrides for Yuu in Prologue, mirror "speaks" to him like a boss). Fae control elements biologically (Malleus warps dreams via thorny curses). Book 8 hints mirrors link to Wish Pieces (fate-altering items from Disney like the magic lamp); if fae, he'd wield them as ancient kin.

Proof 2: Overblot involvement. He arrives post-overblot every time (Books 1-7), perhaps harvesting blot (Tumblr theories: blot fuels artificial artifacts). Fae biology tolerates blot (passive detox from longevity); if fae, he'd experiment safely.

Proof 3: Mickey connection. In Book 7 dreams, Mickey Mouse chats with Yuu through a mirror—Crowley's office has the same type. Disney nod: Ravens as messengers in tales (like in Cinderella or Snow White).

If fae, why not direct fae magic for cross-world talks?

Not fae proof: No Briar Valley customs. Fae speak archaic/fancy (Malleus calls humans "child of man"), Crowley is modern and casual. In Book 8's tournament prep, he pushes NRC (villain school) vs RSA (hero school), (HELP IM HAVING mlp FLASHBACKS WITH THIS SHIT) but fae hold grudges from human wars— if fae, he'd be more biased or reveal ties. Anime/manga bird form: Flies as a full crow—fae enhance (Sebek's lightning form amps croc traits), not complete morph.

Crowley's name and design twist "Crow" from various villains, but core is Diablo (Maleficent's raven)—a non-fae pet who spies and endures curses.

Step 6: Big Theories with Extra Proofs and Deeper Analysis – What Might He Really Be?

Theory A: Raven Beastman (Strongest Fit).

Proof: Avian design (beak mask, feathers, claws) hides animal parts like beastmen do (Leona covers lion tail sometimes). Full bird shift in anime (beastmen transform partially, like Jack's wolf mode in events). Cat hate (vignettes) mirrors bird prey instinct; lock-picking (Book 3) like crow tool use (real ravens bend wires for food). Disney: Diablo raven spies for Maleficent, turns to stone but revives—Crowley "revives" post-crisis situations. Logical biology: Beastmen evolve animal-human mixes for niches (Savanaclaw lions for savanna strength); raven type would be smart, aerial scouts—fits his info-gathering (overblot watching). My thoughts: Not fae because no slow growth or emotional blot ties—beastmen age human-like (Leona 20 acts 20), matching Crowley's mid-age energy without fading. Game theme: Beastmen represent wild instincts; Crowley's sneakiness flips fae nobility, building to a reveal where he's manipulating for beastman goals (maybe revenge on fae from wars?).

Theory B: Malleus's Dad Raverne (Fan Favorite with Twists).

Proof: Book 7 flashbacks—Raverne vanishes in war, has pointy ears, black hair, gold-ish eyes like Crowley. Fans theorize time travel or disguise (mask hides dragon horns?). Book 8's Briar stone (Silver's ring) and cup tie to royal fae lost items. Logical: Dragon fae biology (long life, big mana) fits if hiding to protect Malleus. My thoughts: But Raverne was a peaceful diplomat loving humans; Crowley's selfish schemes don't match. Fae biology needs family bonds (love for egg hatching); abandoning Malleus contradicts that emotional core. If true, it deepens themes—fae's long lives lead to hidden regrets.

Theory C: Overblot Spirit or Created Being.

Proof: Always at overblots, maybe feeds on blot (Reddit: blot stones for Wish Pieces in Book 8, turning curses to power). No family hints—perhaps blot-made like phantoms (ink monsters). Disney: Ravens as death omens (Snow White crow scares queen). Logical: Not fae biology—no subtype or growth; spirits are eternal without fading. My thoughts: Fits game villain twist—Crowley as "final boss" collecting blot for world reset, paralleling fae overblots but as a non-biological entity. Themes: Magic's cost without fae emotional buffers.

Theory D: Human Mage with Tricks.

Proof: Dodges past, uses gadget-like magic (cane whip). Ears could be fake (illusion spell). But short human life doesn't fit his old knowledge. Logical: Human biology weak to blot—he'd overblot easy, but doesn't. My thoughts: Weak theory—game hints supernatural origin.

My Final Guess: Not Fae, He's a Raven Beastman (or Bird-Like Spirit).

Why? Fae clues (ears, magic) are too generic—pointy ears show on non-fae mages (like Trein or Crewel sometimes in art). Bird proofs stack higher: Design, full shift, crow intelligence, Disney Diablo inspo (loyal spy enduring curses).

Biology deep dive: Fae need love/community (emotional hatching, war alliances); Crowley's isolation and tool smarts mirror real raven evolution—solitary, problem-solving birds with 20-30 year lives (TWST beastmen extend that). Not fitting fae slow fade or subtype pride.

Hello hello! Thank you for this question! 🍩🦁🐙

"Ruggie would have overblotted in Book 2 but Leona shouldered Ruggie's blot to save him" is a popular fan theory! ^^

For background: Ruggie used a lot of magic throughout Book 2, culminating in that potion from Azul that enabled him to overcome his own magical limitations, which sounds like it should be a big deal for blot accumulation (there is no reference in the game, manga or novel to the potion also sending Ruggie's blot to Leona: it only enhances his magic).

But Ruggie never seems to suffer any consequences to his physical or mental health while Leona, one of the objectively most powerful characters in the game, overblots after using his unique magic just once.

And we see Leona use King’s Roar a lot more during Book 6 in much more physically challenging conditions, while simultaneously being limited by the blot escaping the Underworld, all after using the thunder spear three times (twice by himself alone, while Riddle and Vil both received help each time).

This is often tied back into the theories that

1) there is a time loop happening where everyone is reliving the same incidents over and over again

2) Leona is aware of the loop to some degree: he may have already experienced a scenario where Ruggie overblotted and has been taking on Ruggie’s blot in every loop since then in order to keep it from happening again.

Looking at Ruggie’s backstory, all the effort he put into Book 2 and why, and how badly he was hurt when Leona crushed his dreams, Ruggie seems to have experienced just as much trauma and uses just as much magic (if not more, since his gets enhanced) as any of the others, and using their unique magics on too many people at once is exactly what led to overblot for Riddle, Azul and Jamil. These contemplations seems to be the main foundation for the theory, but that is all there is!

I have not been able to find any references to "mages can shoulder other people's blot" being canon, for example, so the entire process is possibly a fan-made invention that does not actually appear in the game, manga or novels (at this time 👀), with no confirmation that that is actually what happened. But it is interesting to think about ^^

Hello hello! Thank you for this question! 🐦‍⬛

How suspicious Crowley is may depend upon whether or not you suspect he is actually competent but pretending he isn’t in order to distract from his intentions, or if you suspect he is exactly as incompetent (if not more) as he is presenting himself to be :> 

(the following is not meant to be definitive proof of anything, just some screenshots of the support that there is rumored to be for this theory! Only fan-based speculation~ 📝 )

And it is important to keep in mind is one of the game’s themes, stated explicitly by Malleus in the main story: “Sometimes, what you see with your eyes is the complete opposite of the truth.”

Malleus was describing gargoyles at the time but this also applies to most, if not every character in the game, including Crowley, who has been named “disastrous” with a word being pronounced as “beloved” (more here ↓)

An interesting point of Crowley’s suspiciousness is how his words generally do not match his actions—or do they?—and it seems like he is not trying to hide it—or is he?

Approaching this from the angle of “We cannot believe anything that Crowley says,” things get very complex very quickly:

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Point 1: The Prefect

For example, in Book 4 Crowley makes a point of both claiming that he is still trying to find a way home for the prefect but also describing what he claims are certainly not his “refined and indulgent” vacation plans.

What are we supposed to believe? 📝

・Crowley is not trying to find a way home for the prefect, but pretending he is? ・Crowley is trying to find a way home for the prefect, but pretending he is not? ・Crowley is going on vacation but pretending he isn’t? ・Crowley isn’t going on vacation but he wants people to believe that he is, possibly to distract from where he is actually going and what he will be doing there?

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Point 2: Manipulation

Crowley’s manipulation is so obvious (examples provided: Book 2, Book 3, Glorious Masquerade) that Ace even comments in-game on how Grim is “a born sucker” for letting Crowley bribe him into stoking the fireplaces during the winter holiday.

Crowley describes the job as a task “so critical, the very survival of Night Raven College hinges upon it,” and this critical task is then performed by the Ramshackle ghosts without needing Grim or the prefect at all.

Which asks the question, why didn’t he just go to the ghosts already employed by the school in the first place?

In the novel, Yuuya asks himself a similar question about the spelldrive team situation: 

‘But we do not have enough players to make a team, do we? That is what Professor Crewel said.’ ‘By my authority as headmage, I will simply work something out.’ Yuuya’s concern has been dismissed in an instant. If it is as simple as that, it seems as though he should have just considered including Ramshackle Dorm from the start. Yuuya finds this suspicious but Grim does not seem to care, bouncing about in pure joy and making dust fly from the sofa that they only just cleaned.

Towards the end of Book 4 Jamil reveals that he had been using Grim and the prefect to enrage the Scarabia students to the point of ousting Kalim.

Jamil's failure resulted in his overblot, but he wouldn’t have been able to make the attempt if the prefect and Grim didn’t happen to be in the cafeteria and seeing to the fires, which they wouldn’t have been if Crowley hadn’t assigned them a task so simple that could have been easily done by anybody else.

Which ties back into the “Crowley is causing the overblots?” Theory.

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Point 3: The Dark Mirror

It is possible that Crowley has sole control of the dark mirror, and this asks a lot of questions. It was only introduced to NRC 100 years ago: did Crowley bring it in himself, replacing NRC’s previous method for selecting students with one that he controls?

More details about this possibility here: The Ramshackle Theory

Also here: The Loop Theory (aka, NRC’s Blastcycle Club)

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Point 4: Character Inspiration

There are fan theories that Crowley was based on Maleficent’s bird in Sleeping Beauty or the Evil Queen’s bird in Snow White, or possibly both, and both characters fill roles of observers/spies.

While those characters were working for other people pulling the strings behind the scenes Twst’s characters are almost never one-to-one recreations of existing Disney characters. Far more often they are combinations of various sources, so being based on a character who spies for someone else does not automatically mean that Crowley must be doing so as well.

But if someone wants to go in the direction of “Crowley is just acting on someone else’s behalf,” their claim would not be so farfetched, as we know there is supposedly someone out there to whom Crowley supposedly defers: NRC’s chairman.

(Whether the Chairman actually exists or is a diversion created by Crowley so that he can defer responsibility is another question 📝)

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Point 5: Money

Explained in more detail in an earlier post, Crowley’s supposed love of money is inconsistent.

Is he actually interested in donations to the school from Idia and Kalim’s parents, or is that a part of his ruse to make himself seem incompetent, so that suspicious students will dismiss him for being simply money-hungry and useless and therefore not a threat?

More here ↓

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Point 6: Timing

Crowley only appears on-scene the first two of the first six overblots, expressing delight over Riddle regaining consciousness in Book 1 and presumably being fetched by Lilia in Book 2.

But he was actually on-site for the entire process of Riddle’s overblot and intentionally left, not returning until it was over. And while Lilia left to fetch him at the start of Leona’s overblot, Crowley did not appear until the issue was concluded.

Very curious for someone who is claiming to run the school as diligently as he can, but also impossible to prove that it was on purpose: he was evacuating students to safety in Book 1, and Lilia is so notoriously poor at finding people/things that it is listed in his profile, so it was possibly not Crowley’s fault at all that he was too late to intervene in Book 2.

The fact that Riddle sent Lilia, who may be the one character who struggles with finding things, is another interesting coincidence 📝

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Point 7: Grim

Crowley expresses curiosity in “a black, stone-like object” after Leona’s overblot, but when no one mentions having seen it he dismisses the matter instantly.

At the end of Book 6 Crowley seems curiously intrigued by Grim’s health, saying, “I'm truly glad that you —ah, that is, ALL of you — made it back to the school safe and sound” in a way that is so suspicious that even Grim notices.

Crowley’s interest in the stone in Book 2: was he making sure that Grim had found it? Did he want Grim to eat it?

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Point 8: Toboso Yana

Yana is the author of the main story (in addition to being the creative director for the entire game), and anyone familiar with Yana’s other work is likely aware of one of her favorite things to do: have a character present themselves as incompetent, only to reveal that they are actually very, very good at what they do, oftentimes with an overarching plan that was only made possible by how no one thought to suspect them until it was too late.

Fae Biology: Does fae magic or how long they live change if they're male or female?

In the Disney game Twisted Wonderland, the answer from what we know is no—there's no big difference based on gender. It's more about what kind of fae they are, like dragon type or bat type.

First, let's talk about lifespan—how many years fae live. In Twisted Wonderland, fae live super long compared to humans, but it depends on their type, not if they're a boy or girl. For example, dragon fae (like Malleus, a guy, and his mom Maleanor, a girl) both live over 1,000 years. The game says dragon fae are still like babies at 200 years old, teens at 500, and full adults at 1,000. Malleus is 178 years old and acts like an 18-year-old human, while Maleanor was a grown-up mom who fought in wars with the same long life ahead of her if she hadn't died in battle. No hint that girl dragons live shorter or longer than boy ones. Bat fae, like Lilia (a guy), live about 1,000 years too, but he starts "fading" (getting weaker and losing magic) around 700 because of his type and all the fights he's been in, not because he's male. If there was a girl bat fae, she'd fade the same way—it's like how in real animals, turtles live long no matter if they're male or female; it's the species that sets the clock.

Why no gender difference? Biologically, think of fae bodies like long-living animals where boys and girls age the same. In real biology, some bugs or fish have girls living longer, but for big animals like elephants or whales, it's pretty even. Fae seem like that— their long lives come from slow body changes, like cells fixing themselves better with magic. Magic acts like a battery that keeps them young, and both genders have the same battery size based on type. Dragon fae have bigger batteries (longer lives) because they're tough predators, evolved in thorny places like Briar Valley. Bat fae have smaller ones for quick flying and hiding in caves. Stress from wars (like in Book 7) drains the battery faster for anyone, guy or girl. Fans on sites like Reddit guess fae age 10 times slower than humans (1 fae year feels like 10 human years), so Malleus at 178 is like 18, and Lilia at 700 is like 70. But again, no split for boys vs. girls—it's the same math for both.

Now, magic—does it work different for male or female fae? Nope, the game shows it's the same. Fae are born with magic inside them, like it's part of their blood or bones. It's not learned like human magic; it's natural, like how birds are born knowing how to fly. Maleanor, a female dragon fae, had huge magic—she turned into a full dragon, shot fire, and cursed whole groups of humans in the war. She's as strong as any male dragon would be, maybe even more because she was a queen. Lilia, a male bat fae, flips spells around and flies, but his power comes from being a general, not being a guy. Malleus, her son (a guy), is one of the top mages ever, but that's from his dragon blood, not gender. The game calls all fae "mages," no old words like "witch" for girls or "wizard" for boys anymore—that stuff is from way back in the wars, over 400 years ago.

Biologically, why equal? Magic in fae is like a body system, same as hearts or lungs. Both genders have the same "mana tubes" running through them, carrying magic like blood carries oxygen. In real biology, think of electric eels—males and females both make shocks the same way; it's not stronger in one. Fae magic grows with age and practice for everyone. Girls like Maleanor use it for big fights or making eggs (she gave magic to Malleus's egg to help him hatch), while guys like Lilia use it for battles or raising kids (he sang and gave love-magic to hatch Malleus). No weaker side—it's even. If there was a difference, evolution in Briar Valley would make it show: during wars with humans, both male and female fae fought hard, so strong magic survived in both. Weak magic in one gender would die out, but it didn't.

What about mixed fae, like half-human? This is where lifespan gets shorter, but still not by gender. Sebek (a guy) is half crocodile fae (from his mom, a girl) and half human (from his dad). Fans think he'll live 200-500 years—longer than humans (80 years) but shorter than full fae (1,000+). He grew up at the same speed as Silver (a human boy), not super slow like Malleus. If there was a half-fae girl, she'd have the same mixed life—it's the half-blood that cuts it short, like mixing dog breeds where pups live medium length. Magic might be a bit weaker too, but again, same for boys and girls.

Digging deeper, why does the game do it this way? Twisted Wonderland flips Disney tales, like Maleficent (a strong female villain) inspiring Malleus, so it keeps power equal. Biologically, it makes sense for a species like fae: in a tough world with wars and magic blot (that bad ink from too much power), equal strength in both genders helps them survive. If girls had weaker magic, fae might have lost wars; if boys lived shorter, who'd protect eggs? It's balanced for the group. But it adds sad stuff: all fae, guy or girl, outlive humans, so love stories with outsiders end in heartbreak. Like if a fae girl falls for a human guy, she watches him age fast while she stays young—same if it's a fae guy and human girl.

When child-Idia sees “Subject ROS-3367A,” the creature that he accidentally releases when he shuts down STYX's security, he doesn’t call it a phantom.

He calls it a monster.

When asked about his family Grim responds, "I remember wakin' up hungry and alone. It was real cold. I was waitin' out there for someone to come get me for ages. What happened after that again? It's all so foggy..."

There is also a theory that the chimera in the opening scene of the game is an Overblotted Grim.

Comparing the sound of the growls...

And going back to the theory that the "ROS" from "ROS-3367A" comes from "Queendom of Roses" and Grim was based on Dinah from Alice in Wonderland...

"Hello! Can you please elaborate on the time loop theory in book 2 that you mentioned in the tweet where you talked about your favourite theories?"

I am wary about discussing this theory as there are many others who have put much more thought into it than I have, but I can certainly try with what I was able to find :>

(The information in this thread was combined from here, here, here, and here)

The basic theory is that everything we know is repeating in a loop in an attempt to either stop something from happening or to make something happen.

The game’s tagline of “I will show you a true happy ending” (EN: “Let us show you the real happily-ever-after”) could be insinuating that there have already been less than happy endings, and we may have already seen one: while some theorize that the events of the prologue are showing us what is going to happen in the future, others say that it is both that and something that has already happened.

The theory goes that the battle with the chimera (who may or may not be an overblotted Grim) was lost and everyone (or just the prefect) is sent back to try again, thus the opening lines of the game narrated in Crowley’s voice.

(Note: I would have translated this as “I—they—you—only have a little time left. Whatever you do, don’t let go”, but the situation is so vague that anything is possible.)

(Here is a short comic insinuating that this time loop is Crowley’s unique magic (warning: blood, death, a Yuu design))

This theory seems to be largely inspired by Mickey’s comment that he has seen the same dream three times but he also says “your voice gets clearer and clearer every time.”

Since Mickey also shows up in Books 2 and 3 but we were not able to speak with him, it is possible that this is not actually hinting at two earlier loops, just earlier events within the same timeline. This does not dismiss the time loop theory and might mean that this is Mickey’s first time interacting with the loop, but there have been far more than just two or three timelines.

(This account pretends that Book 7 does not exist yet, so that is about as specific as I can get.)

The theory gets kind of wild with references to STYX’s simulation system, supposed inconsistencies with Ace and Epel, Crowley’s potential connection to STYX, etc, but one thing that everyone seems to agree on is: Leona knows.

Leona is extremely powerful and extremely private.

He has had a number of contracts with Azul who is also a powerful mage, and according to Idia he seems like “the kind of guy who always knows he’s dreaming.”

Yana has confirmed that Idia has a part in Book 7 and, with both him and Leona halfway out of their coffins in promotional art, people are wondering if Leona will be stepping up as well.

We know that Riddle’s current personality is a 180 degree change from original plans and that this change was made pretty far into development, after everything had already been approved.

There are also rumors that Leona’s Book 2 was the original Book 6, looking at older promotional information (Book 2 was originally listed between Ignihyde and Diasomnia on the official website).

It is possible that—much like Riddle’s situation—Yana came up with a better idea than what had originally been decided, and it required shoehorning Leona’s drama into an earlier Book in order to make it work.

This would mean that Book 7 used to have significant space for Leona (there is a pattern of the previous Overblotter having a role in the next Book).

That space may have been rewritten for Idia, but it is also possible that Idia’s role was added separately and a role for Leona remains to some extent, which is why they went out of their way to say that Leona knows when he is in a dream.

Theories vary from “Leona is 100% aware of what is going on, broke free from the loop and he is the only one getting older as he tries to save the world” to “Leona knows something isn’t right but not exactly what.”

The proof that people usually point to is his comment where he is unsurprised by Grim “always” eating black stones (which he shouldn’t know anything about), but the phrasing is so vague that he could just be making the connection between the stones and a potential blot-risk.

Another scene that is often referenced in the “Leona knows” conversation is an interaction with Jamil where he accurately predicts Jamil’s attack on Kalim despite how rarely they interact before Book 6.

There are also the three white chess pieces on the chessboard in Leona’s bedroom that seem to correspond to the only three characters in the game with light cosmic magic: a white rook for Rook, a white knight for Silver and a white pawn for Kalim, whom Leona literally refers to as a pawn piece in chess during Tamashima-Mina (these three chess pieces are also displayed prominently in Leona's first Birthday groovy).

Leona also seems suspicious of Crowley, suspects what really happened in Book 5 and is able to literally sniff out magic, which we have seen no other character capable of doing.

Leona is very perceptive in general: he is suspicious of Lilia in Spectral Soiree, calls him an old man when no other character outside of Diasomnia knows his true age, is the first to figure out that Malleus is pretending to be possessed and is able to tell when someone becomes injured and is trying to hide it in both Book 6 and an event.

This is not proof that Leona knows what is happening, but it may be an argument for why it is likely that he knows more than he is willing to let on.

Some versions of the time loop theory say that the same prefect is being sent back over and over again to try and save everyone (which ties into the game’s opening), while other versions say that this is the prefect’s first time being summoned into a loop that has been going on for a long time without them, in an effort by someone (Crowley?) to change the ending of the story.

While not technically part of the game, the Twst novelization supports the first pattern while the manga series supports the second, with new prefects showing up after the previous prefect presumably fails.