I woke up today and went to check up on the boy. While walking toward his room, I remembered the conversation I had with my father last night.

According to my father, the boy was a half-demon half-human.

So, that's why I felt something off when I used detection magic on him.

Demons.

Although a very rare race, they can sometimes be spotted in the human continents. Demons usually reside in the Demonic continent of【Eograx】, where they migrated centuries ago to counter the discrimination they were facing at that time. In terms of physical appearance, there is little to no difference between a human and a demon.

As such why do they face such discriminating you ask? Simple. Demons have the special ability of being able to control monsters. They, however, compensate this by not being able to use magic as their body can't contain mana.

The human race at that time feared that the demon race could launch an invasion on them. As such, the demons were shunned by society. The demon race tried to negotiate at that time but it leads to no avail. Finally, not being able to take it anymore the demon race migrated to an uninhabited continent, that later came to called as Eograx, where they have now continued to live for centuries.

Although the world now has become very strict regarding such matters and laws related to discrimination have also be put in place; however, day to day discrimination towards them can still be noticed among people.

Information regarding demons is also very little as they don't release much about themselves. However, the Eograx continent is known for its technological advancement the best.

There are a total of 3 continents currently know to man.【Izone】, 【Valinor】and【Eograx】.

The Zariya Kingdom is on the continent of Izone. The Izone continent is mainly known for its production of raw materials(Specifically the Zariya Kingdom) and mass production(Specifically the Elbonia Empire). It the also the largest out of all the three continents.

Valinor is a continent known for its military might, in fact, their military is considered the strongest among all of the other continents. However, they don't have the leeway to attack other countries as they have been in a civil war among themselves for the past 200 years.

Apparently, Valinor has many countries within it. However, none of them is clearly stronger than the other. 200 years ago, one of the countries dreamed of wanting the sole right to govern the entire continent and started a war. In the end, though, they were defeated.

However, this sparked a desire for domination among the other countries as well. Slowly the entire continent was dragged into the continental war and it still hasn't been resolved until now. The continent is also commonly referred to as the 'Mercenary 's Paradise'.

Thinking so, I entered the room and looked around.

「Oh! You woke up.」

I said that as I saw the boy had wakened up and was sitting on his bed.

「...........Yes.」

The boy looked at me and then started looking around, trying to investigate his surroundings.

「Ah! You are at my house right now.」

「I see.....」

After saying so, he lowered his head and stared off at a distance.

「Are you ok?」

I spoke to him.

「Yes. I am now.」

He seems to still be thinking about something. Then, a rumbling sound from his stomach interrupts the conversation.

「Are you hungry?」

「Yeah, yes.」

「That's great! Its almost time for breakfast.」

「....Um, um.」

My words might have overwhelmed him as he was hesitating a bit but in the end,

「Ummm, okay, I will come with you.....」

He replied.

◆◇◆◇◆

[Shu's POV]

「Oh! Ummm, I still haven't thanked you for saving me.」

I quickly thanked the person who had saved my life.

「Nah! It alright. By the way, I haven't introduced my self. I'm Claude Curzon, and you're....?」

「Oh yes, my apologies. My name is 【Shu】.」

I introduced myself as we were heading down to the dining hall.

「Why was Shu in that forest?」

「A lot of things happened and I ended up here while I was wandering around, not caring wherever I go.」

I explained with a bitter smile.

「Is that so....」

After conversing some more, we reached the dining table. While we were having our meal, his family members talked with me too. They seemed like nice people. However, just as the meal was about to be over, I decided to address the issue that had been weighing on my mind since I got here. Suddenly, Claude called out to me again.

「What happened, Shu?」

I looked towards him and then towards all of his family members. Such a warm family. I wish I could have been a part of them. I wish but-

「..I...I am really thankful to all of you for helping me but because I am so thankful, I shall quickly take my leave from here.」

「W-what do you mean?」

A surprised Claude asked. Just as he was about to speak more, his father interrupted him.

「Shu. May I ask the reason you are saying things like that?」

「People will start taking distance from you all if they see you talking with me. Even though not a fully-fledged demon, I still have a part of them within me.」

His father makes a confused look after I say that. He seems to understand my argument too.

Discrimination against demons is deeply rooted. It's also a popular belief among people that demons are of a lower species. It's almost impossible to change because of how deeply it's rooted in common sense. Persuasion won't be easy either. I don't want to bring harm to the only people who helped me when I was down. 

「I don't see a problem with that though.」

His father spoke as if he was stating the obvious.

「What do you mean!?」

「It's just as I am saying, you said you are not a full demon, right? So that means that you are human too. Why would people discriminate against you?」

「Why are you not getting what I am trying to say! I know that. I know that I am a half-demon half-human.」

My bottled up feelings were coming to surface.

「But what of it? It's not like I can just join you all! You guys wouldn't want me around because........because I am a half breed. I am alone. I am not a human nor a demon. There is no place for me.」

Do they think I didn't try to join others so that I can live with them? I tried. I tried again and again but it didn't work out. When I tried asking the reason, the lady at the orphanage(which was run by the church) replied-

『You're no human......but you are not a demon either. As someone who can't be called one or the other, there is nowhere you belong.』

I tried to reject her words, but she did have a point, I suppose. Neither a human....nor a demon....there is truly no place for me.

What should I do.....? From now on....there is no one I can turn to, I'm on my own. Will I be able to live out the rest of my life like this?

「HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!」

His father started laughing loudly. I looked at him in surprise.

「D-Dad! Why are you laughing? He is crying you know.」

His family members started to apologize to me on his behalf.

「No, no. I am sorry. I wasn't laughing at him but rather at his reason. I thought that he was being polite when he said he wanted to leave but I didn't think he was giving it this much thought.」

His wife quickly added.

「I am sorry, Shu. This man doesn't know how to read the mood. He meant no harm.」

I nodded. Then-

「Comming back to your reason. I can assure you, that's not true. Don't you see? You are both a human and a demon, Shu. Therefore, you are the only person who has a place with both the demons and humans!」

I looked at him in the eye and saw him grinning back at me.

「I promise you, you are not alone. Why don't you join us here? I mean after this little brat saved you, I, as his father has got to take responsibility for his actions after all. I am sure we can help you find your way. Moreover, you are still a child. It will be good for you. It will allow you to stay around, form bonds and grow.」 

Listening to him say that I broke down crying. But this time they were the tears of happiness.

◆◇◆◇◆

[Claude's POV]

Man, the atmosphere got heavy for a second there. When my father started laughing, I almost had a heart attack. Thank god, he actually had a good reason to do so.

I looked at Shu, he was smiling brightly. Till now, whenever I saw him smile, it looked a bit forced. But now it looked genuine. Anyways, after our breakfast was over, it was decided that Shu would be living with us from now on. I got up from my seat and was trying to sneak out until I heard my fathers voice again.

「Speaking of this brat. Claude, come out! It's our lovely bonding time.」

「Y-yeah! About that, I think I am not really feeling up to it right now.*Cough-Cough* Oh boy, I caught a nasty cold! I think resting for a bit will-」

My father grabbed me by my collar and almost dragging me.

「That in itself will be a challenge for you to face! Just imagine how delightful you would feel-」

「No! Spare me, please. In the first place, do I even need to practise swordsmanship anymore now that I can use magic.」

「You must. It will help you at various times, like-」

And he started babbling again. I looked around. I looked toward Karl. When our eyes met-

「Oh, I-I nearly forgot! I need to take care of some paperwork in my father's office. I need to get going now, mother.」

Saying so, he started to leave. I looked at Ralph.

「I-I.....umm.....I need to look after the chickens. I need to get going too.」

「Lair! We have no chickens in our house.」

「I.....that.....I need to take care of the chickens in one of the village's farmer! Yes.」

He too left quickly. Then I looked at Shu. He looked at me.

My face gradually grew into a smile. I looked at his face then of my father. I quickly escaped my father and put my hands on Shu's shoulders.

「W-what!?」

「Shu! I saved your life, didn't I?」

He quickly nodded.

「You see, repaying someone when he helps you is common courtesy, right?」

「Yes.」

「As such, I ask for my repayment now.」

His eyes opened wide as if he wasn't expecting this question. But he quickly became composed and answered.

「Yes. If that's the case then, this life that you saved now belongs to-」

「Listen! The repayment I want is for you to go practise swordsmanship in my place.」

「......excuse me?」

「That right! Just practise instead of me. I shall consider our debt paid.」

He was still confused about what I had just said but I won't give him time to think.

「Dad! Shu wants to learn the 'way of the sword' from you. I think instead of me, a guy who is actually interested should be practising with you.」

「Is that so!」

My father became very excited. He hit his hand on Shu's back and laughed.

「I knew it. Do you really want me to teach you?」

Shu became confused but in the end, he agreed. He and father went out to train. I started to get ready to go to the forest. 

『I'm sorry, Shu! But sometimes sacrifices are needed. You sacrifice shall be remembered.』

I apologised to him silently and got going with my day.