Chapter 6 - Reason for RespectPart 1

Ever since I came to this world, I have not left the house.
I am conscious of the fact that I have never left.
I am truly afraid.
If I walk out of the courtyard and see the scenery outside, my past memories
will quickly awaken.
The memories of that day. The pain on the side of my stomach. The piercing
cold from the rain. Regret. Despair. The pain from being run over by the
truck.
All these memories will return to me, as if it had just happened yesterday.
My legs are shivering.
I can look outside from my window or walk to the courtyard with my own
legs.
But I am unable to take another step.
Because I know.
That peaceful scenery of the fields might instantly turn into hell. The
seemingly peaceful sights are unable to accept me.
In my past life, I had countless delusions when I was unable to sleep.
What if Japan suddenly went to war. What if a bishoujo suddenly appeared
and became my neighbor.
If that happened, I would definitely be able to work hard.
I kept deluding myself so as to escape from reality.
I dreamt of it countless times.
In my dream I'm not Superman, and I still possess the same level as anaverage person. And like an
average person, I was able to do what my limits
allowed me to do. I could live by relying on myself.
But I'm going to wake up from this dream.
If I take a step outside this house, I may possibly wake up from this dream.
And when I wake up, I will return to that moment of despair.
That instant when I was drowned by regret.......
No, this isn't a dream.
How can there be such a realistic dream like this.
If you tell me that this is a VRMMORPG, I might still accept it.
This is reality.
I keep convincing myself.
This reality is not a dream.
Even though I understand that it is a fact, I am unable to take a step outside.
No matter how much effort I put into my heart.
I swore to live on earnestly with my lips.
But my body is unable to keep up.
I really want to cry.Part 2
The graduation test is to be held outside the village.
When Roxy told me that, I let out a weak groan of resistance.
[Outside?]
[Yes, outside the village. The horses have been prepared.]
[Can't it be done at home?]
[No.]
[It can't be done......?]
I am completely lost.
My heart knows it. That I have to take a step outside the house gates.
How can I be a hikikomori in this world.
But my body is refusing it. It still distinctly remembers that past event.
On that fateful day in my past life, I was beaten and bruised all over by
delinquents, viciously mocked by them, and my heart was left with huge
psychological damage.
That fateful day when I had no choice, but to shut myself indoors.
[What's wrong?]
[No..... that..... there might be some magical creatures outside.]
[In this area, it's almost impossible to run into magical creatures if you don't
approach the forests. Also, even if we do run into them, I can handle it by
myself since they are weak. In fact, even Rudei can handle them.]
Roxy shows a surprised expression when I keep finding all sorts of excuses
up till now.[Ah, I think I had heard of it before. Rudei, have you never left the house?]
[Mmmm... yes.]
[Are you afraid of it? The horse.]
[I-I'm not afraid of horses or things like that.]
Actually I sort of like it.
I also played <<Debi* horse racing>> .
[1]
[Haha. I'm relieved. You have areas that match your age.]
Roxy got the wrong idea.
But I can't say that I'm afraid of going out.
That is something much more embarrassing than being afraid of horses.
I still have my pride.
A pure scintilla of pride.
I don't want to be looked down by this young girl.
[Oh well, it can't be helped. Here.]
Seeing that I am unwilling to move, Roxy suddenly carries me on her
shoulders.
[Wha!?]
[If you just sit on it, you soon won't be afraid.]
I don't struggle.
My heart is wavering as well, and I'm thinking of just leaving it to her.
Roxy throws me onto the back of the horse.
Then she also climbs up and takes hold of the reins.
The horse patters forward.I simply leave the house in that manner.Part 3
This is my first time outside the courtyard after coming to this world.
Roxy is slowly moving forward in the village.
From time to time, the villagers will throw us unreserved gazes.
No way.
My body is tensing up.
I am still afraid of being looked at.
Especially those mocking and unrestrained gazes.
Surely they wouldn't court trouble with us with mocking words.
They probably wouldn't.
They don't recognize me.
In this world, only the people in that small house know me.
Why are you looking at me.
Stop looking, go back to work......
.......No.
It's not me.
They are looking at Roxy.
Some of them are greeting Roxy.
Ah, that's right.
She has already established her position in this village.
Even though the discrimination against the demon races is quite severe in this
country.And in this rural area, this contrast is even more apparent.
Within a short period of 2 years, she has become a figure who everyone is
willing to greet.
When I think of this point, Roxy's back looks so reliable.
She knows where to go, and they mutually know her.
If I receive any unwanted comments, she will definitely defend me.
Haah, I can't believe that I find this young girl, who peeked at the events in
the master bedroom, to be so reliable.
Thus, my body's tension fades away.
[Kalajav's mood is pretty good. It's feeling happy that Rudei is riding it.]
Kalajav is the horse's name.
Of course, I can't read a horse's mood.
[Is that so.]
I replied nonchalantly as I leaned backwards, the back of my head hitting
Roxy's flat chest.
How comfortable.
What exactly am I afraid of.
This is such a peaceful village. Who will bully me?
[Are you still scared?]
She asks and I shake my head.
I am not afraid of other people's gazes anymore.
[No, I'm fine already.]
[See, it's just like I said.]
My heart has more breathing space.The surroundings enter my eyes.
Fields and houses, like stars in the sky, stretch out into the distance.
The feeling of a village.
I can see a considerable number of people within this huge radius. If they are
more packed up, it might possibly turn into a small town.
If there were windmills, it might possibly let people think of Switzerland.
Ah, there are water mills.
After relaxing, I become conscious of the silence for a while. I have never
experienced this kind of silence when I was with Roxy in the past.
I have never tried to stick so closely to her. Even though it's not unbearable, it
is embarrassing.
So I decide to strike up a conversation.
[Sensei, what does this field grow?]
[It's mainly Asura's wheat, the component for bread. There are also small
amounts of green vegetables and Bardius flowers. Bardius flowers can be
refined into spices in the capital. The rest are ingredients for the dining table.]
[Ah, that's green chili. Sensei is unable to eat that.]
[N-not unable to eat it. I'm just not used to it.]
I ask question after question.
Today, Roxy said that this is the last test.
That is to say, her working as a home tutor is about to end.
Roxy is an impatient person. Since today is the final day, it is possible that
she will leave this house tomorrow.
Today is the last day. Let's talk a bit more.
But I can't find anything interesting to talk about. I can only keep askingthings about the village.
Based on Roxy's descriptions, this village's name is Buina, and it is part of
the northern Asuran Kingdom's Fedoa region.
There are about 30 families here, mainly farmers.
My father Paul, is the delegated knight of this village.
His duty is to observe the farmers' situation, to be the mediator for the
village's quarrels, and to defend the village from magical creatures. Such is
his job.
In other words, a recognized bodyguard of the kingdom.
But even if that's the case, this village has a rotation of youths in charge of
security.
So when Paul finishes his rounds in the morning, he stays at home in the
afternoon.
It's basically a peaceful village, so there's nothing much to do.
As we finished these topics, the fields around us gradually thinned.
I didn't have anything more to ask, and the silence went on for a period of
time.
Approximately another hour passed.
There aren't any fields surrounding us anymore. We have arrived in a
completely untouched grassland area.Part 4
This is the kind of grassland that stretches towards the horizon.
No, at the furthest one can barely see some hints of a mountainous area.
At least this scenery can't be seen in Japan.
It gives me a feeling that there is a place like this in a textbook, like the
Mongolian grasslands.
[It should be fine if we are here.]
Roxy directs the horse to a lone tree and ties the reins onto it.
Then she carries me down from the horse.
We are finally face-to-face.
[I'm going to use the saint ranked water attack magic, Cumulonimbus. This
technique is a magic that creates lightning strikes with violent rain.]
[Yes.]
[Please copy what I do.]
Using a saint ranked water magic.
So it is this. The content of the final test.
Roxy is about to use her biggest spell. If I'm capable of learning it, she will
not have anything more to teach me.
[Because I'm only demonstrating, I'll just maintain the spell for a minute
before dismissing it, and then...... You pass if you can make the rain last for
an hour.]
[Is it because it's a secret technique that you only did it in a deserted
location?]
[No, I'm worried that people will get hurt or the farmers' crops get damaged.]Oh.
It's rain at a natural disaster level?
That's quite amazing.
[I'm starting.]
Roxy raises her hands to the skies.
[Oh great water spirit, the son of the lightning emperor who ascended to the
skies!! Fulfill my wishes, rain down your ferocious blessings, and show me
your strength to this tiny existence! Let your godly hammer strike the anvil,
and demonstrate your authority, and devour the earth with water!! Ah, the
rain!! Destroy and wash everything away!!
『Cumulonimbus!!』]
She chants every word out like an aria.
It lasts over a minute.
The surroundings turn dark immediately when the chanting ends.
A few seconds later..... heavy rain falls from the sky.
Violent winds spring up around us as lightning appeared in the midst of the
dark clouds.
Among the sounds of the waterfall-like rain, streaks of purple lightning ran
through the clouds, causing loud booms.
The electricity in the clouds slowly becomes stronger.
The lightning continues to grow, as if to make the light become stronger.
......It strikes the earth.
Krash!!
And it strikes the tree.
My eardrums are buzzing and my eyes are in spirals.I almost fainted.
[Ah!!]
This is the sound Roxy utters when she makes a mistake.
The clouds disperse in an instant.
The lightning and rain stop.
[Uwawa........]
Roxy face turns green as she ran towards the tree.
I look over in her direction. The horse that we brought has collapsed with
smoke rising from it.
Roxy brings her hand over to the horse and begins chanting.
[Oh merciful mother of gods, please heal this one's wounds, and let him
recover with a healthy body 『EXHealing』.]
Roxy uses the intermediate ranked healing magic in a panic, and after a
while, the horse wakes up.
Looks like it's not dead.
Intermediate ranked healing magic cannot bring the dead back to life.
The horse shows a frightened expression, and Roxy's forehead breaks out
cold sweat.
[Phew, phew........ That was dangerous.]
This horse is the only horse our family has.
Paul takes great care of it everyday, and would sometimes ride it outside far
away with a smile...
Even though it's not a famous breed, it is Paul's long-time companion. One
might even say that his love for the horse is just below his love for Zenith.
Such is the importance of this horse.Of course, Roxy, who has lived with us for 2 years, knows it.
I also know that Roxy witnessed Paul being in a trance while clinging onto
the horse's back and was surprised by it.
[Please, keep this a secret?]
Roxy says in a half-crying voice.
She's a little clumsy.
But she works hard. I also know that she stays up late into the night to
prepare my lessons.
I also know that she doesn't want to be looked down on because of her young
age, and always tries to present herself with dignity.
I really like that appearance.
If there wasn't such a large difference in age, I would like to marry her.
[Don't worry, I won't tell father.]
[Uuuu...... Please do so.]
If only we met at the same age.
[Uuu......]
Even though Roxy is in a half-crying state, she quickly shakes her head, slaps
her cheek, looks at me with a solemn expression.
[Then, please go ahead and try. I will take care of Kalajav.]
The horse still shows an afraid expression and is ready to run away at any
time now, but Roxy clings to it tightly with her body and reins it in.
Even though I feel that she is unable to restrain it, the horse slowly calms
down. Roxy maintains her position and starts chanting something.
And then the the two of them are covered by earthen walls.
A fortress made of earth is completed quickly.This is the advanced ranked earth magic, Earth
Fortress.
With this, it should be fine even if they receive lightning strikes.
Alright, time to start.
Let me think what the chant is.......
[Oh great water spirit, the son of the lightning emperor who ascended to the
skies!! Fulfill my wishes, rain down your ferocious blessings, and show me
your strength to this tiny existence! Let your godly hammer strike the anvil,
and demonstrate your authority, and devour the earth with water!! Ah, the
rain!! Destroy and wash everything away!!
『Cumulonimbus!!』]
I say it all in one shot.
The clouds start to gather.
At the same time, I understood 『Cumulonimbus』.
Creating clouds somewhere in the middle stratosphere along with complex
movements to form storm clouds. It's probably something like that.
If mana isn't poured into the formation, the clouds will stop forming and
dissipate.
(Never mind about the mana, it's too tiring to raise your hands for 1 hour.....)
No, wait.
A magician requires a spirit of creativity and research.
Do you really need to maintain the posture like collecting Genki for an
hour?
[2]
That's right, this is a test.
It isn't about maintaining the same position, but about using melded magic
after creating the clouds to sustain them.I almost fail to think of it. The things I've learned are about
to be used.
[Let me think. I saw it before on television. The process of how clouds
form.....]
There are still some of the clouds that Roxy made earlier.
It's something about how water evaporation spirals up. To create a certain
rising air flow, you need to let the bottom part become warm, or something
like that.
And I need to ensure that the upper section can be quickly cooled down....
When I try to do this, half of my mana is actually taken away.
But if it's done this way, then it should be able to maintain itself for more
than an hour.
While looking at the rainstorm, I enter the fortress made by Roxy with
satisfaction.
Roxy is sitting in the dark corner, her hands holding onto the horse's reins.
She sees me and nods.
[This fortress will disappear after an hour, so you can stop the magic before
then.]
[Okay.]
[Don't worry. Kalajav is fine.]
[Okay.]
[Don't keep saying okay. You need to control the clouds outside seriously for
an hour.]
Hm?
[Do I need to control it?]
[Hm? Did I say something strange?][But is there a need to control it?]
[Of course. saint ranked water magic is also magic. If you don't sustain it
with mana, the wind will blow it away.]
[But I already made it so that it can't be blown away.....?]
[Huh? What.......!?]
Roxy, who seems to have noticed something, runs out of the fortress.
The fortress immediately falls apart.
Hey hey, aren't you going to continue controlling it?
The horse will get buried alive.
[Arara.]
I quickly take over and walk outside.
Roxy stares blankly at the skies.
[.......Is that so, the spiraling tornado will bring the clouds upwards....!!]
The skies are filled with the ever-growing clouds that I created.
I think I did a pretty good job.
I watched a random show in the past that used science to explain the process
behind huge tornadoes.
Even though I can't really remember its contents.
I just tried it relying on my instinct, and in the end I seem to have done it
pretty well.
[Rudei. You pass.]
[Eh? But it hasn't been an hour?]
[There's no need to wait. It's enough if you did this much. But can you make
it disappear?][Ah, yes. Although I need a bit of time.]
I lower the temperature at the bottom part of the storm while increasing the
temperature of the top. Then I create an air flow towards the ground before
finally using wind magic to forcibly blow the clouds away.
Roxy and I are completely soaked by the time I'm done with it.
[Congratulations. The you right now is at the Water-Saint ranked.]
The bishoujo in front of me with water dripping from her fringe announces it
to me with a rarely seen smile.The me who had never achieved anything in life has finally
accomplished
something.
A strange sensation seems to spread across my abdomen.
I know this feeling.
It's a sense of fulfillment.
I finally feel it in this moment, that this is my [First step] after coming to this
world.Part 5
On the second day, Roxy, who hasn't changed in the past 2 years, packs up
her luggage and stands in front of the gates.
My parents didn't change too much either since Roxy came.
I am the only one who has grown taller.
[Roxy, it's fine if you want to continue staying in our home. There are many
things I haven't cooked for you....]
[That's right. Even if your job as a home tutor is over, you have done many
things for us last year. The people from the village will definitely welcome
you.]
My parents are trying to keep Roxy.
Somewhere along the way, Roxy and my parents have become close.
Well, she's always free from the afternoon to the evening. If she did
something every day, she should be able to get a lot of contacts.
A thing unlike a protagonist who has to do a lot of things, otherwise their
stats won't change.
[No. Thank you for saying this, but this situation has let me realize my
weakness. I will tour the world and polish up my magic skills.]
She seems to have received a shock after I caught up with her in rank.
She told me in the past how she hated students surpassing the teacher.
[Is that so. Here, what can I say. My apologies, it seems our son has made
you lose confidence.]
Paul, what the heck are you saying.
[No, this event has made me learned not to be too full of myself. I'm actually
grateful for this.][It's okay to be proud of yourself if you can use saint ranked water magic.]
[I understand that even if you don't rely on that, if you base it on creativity,
then you can come up with even stronger magic.]
Roxy smiles bitterly while stroking my head.
[Rudei. Even though I tried my best, I am unable to teach you at my current
level.]
[This isn't true. Sensei gave me many things.]
[I'm satisfied if you say that..... Ah, right.]
Roxy searches her mantle with her hand and pulls out something tied with a
ribbon.]
[Congrats on your graduation. Because I didn't have time to prepare, take this
and bear with it.]
[This is......?]
[Migurd's protection amulet. If you meet up with a hostile demon, you can
present this with my name and probably communicate better..... probably.]
[I will treat it with care.]
[It's only a possibility. Don't believe in it too much.]
Roxy smiles at the very end and sets off.
I don't know when my tears started flowing.
She really gave me a lot.
Knowledge, experience, technique.......
If I didn't meet up with her, I might still be studying inefficiently with my
hand holding onto the magic textbook.
And most importantly, she brought me out.
To the outside world.Merely that.
Roxy brought me out.
This event carries an important meaning.
Roxy only came to this village for 2 years.
Roxy, who didn't know how to communicate well with others.
As a person from a demon race, Roxy couldn't have been treated well by the
villagers.
It wasn't Paul or Zenith, but Roxy who brought me out to the world. This
important meaning.
She only brought me outside of the village.
But the thought of just taking a step outside the gate was definitely a shadow
within my heart.
And she cured it.
Just passing through the village.
My heart has been released and freed from the darkness.
She didn't have the intention to make me become a better person.
But it is undeniable that she dispelled my heart's shadow.
I took another step outside the gates yesterday when we got drenched.
There is only the ground.
The normal ground.
I'm not shivering.
I can finally walk outside.
She did something no one else had done.
Not even my parents or siblings did it in my past life.She did it.
Taking on the responsibility to give me courage without any rebuke.
She did not do it consciously.
I understand that.
She did it for herself.
I know that.
But I still respect her.
I respect the small girl.
I swear it in my heart to respect her until her figure disappears.
My hands are holding onto the staff and amulet that Roxy gave me.
As well as the various knowledge she taught me.
I suddenly remember.
The panties that hadn't been washed and were stolen from Roxy are still in
my room.
I'm sorry.
Notes
1. A censored reference to the game Japanses Derby.
2. A reference to a Dragon Ball Z attack.Chapter 7 - FriendPart 1
I decided to try going out.
It wasn't easy for Roxy to bring me out. This shouldn't be wasted.
[Dad. Can I go out to play?]
On a particular day, I asked Paul while carrying a botanical encyclopedia.
Kids around this age will run off to unknown places in the blink of an eye.
Even though I won't go very far away, not telling someone will make my
parents worry.
[Outside? To play? Not in the courtyard?]
[Yes.]
[O-ohh. Of course.]
He easily agrees.
[Come to think of it, there wasn't really any personal time given to you. We
made arbitrary decisions to let you learn magic and sword techniques at the
same time, but playing is also important for a child.]
[I'm grateful to have met a great teacher.]
I actually thought Paul was a very strict person in regards to education, but in
reality he has a tender side to his thinking.
I even considered the possibility of being requested to train my sword
techniques for the entire day. What a waste of my efforts.
Even though he's a person who belongs to the instinctive side, he's not the "if
there's a will, there's a way" type.
[Come to think of it, you actually want to go outside, hm. I always felt your
body was weak in the past. Time passes by really quickly.][Did you consider my body to be weak?]
This is the first time I've heard of it. I haven't caught any illnesses.
[Because you didn't cry at all when you were young.]
[Is that so. Well, isn't it good there's nothing wrong? You raised a cute and
robust kid, heh.]
I show a funny face to Paul, and he smiles wryly at me.
[You're actually making me worry when you're not acting like a kid.]
[Which part are you unsatisfied with when your eldest son is reliable?]
[No, nothing really.]
[It's okay if you educated me with an unsatisfied expression to become a
worthy successor to the Greyrat family.]
[I can say without pride that your dad is a wild child who only thinks of
flipping girls' skirts all day long.]
[Flipping skirts hmm?]
This world also has it?
This guy, actually saying that he's a wild child.
[If you want to be worthy of the Greyrat's name, bring a girlfriend back.]
What? We're that type of family?
Aren't we protecting the borders? Aren't we lower ranked nobility?
There aren't any formalities or anything? No, in any case we're only lower
ranked. Then let it be that way.
[I got it. Then, I'll go to the village to find a place where I can flip skirts.]
[Ah, you must treat girls nicely. Also, don't be haughty because you're strong
and capable of using magic. The strength of a male doesn't exist for the
purpose of putting on airs.]Oh, that was well said.
Indeed, indeed, I really want to let my past brothers listen to that too.
That's right, just using brute force to do things is pointless.
Paul said it very well. I'm also a logical person.
[I understand Dad. The purpose of being strong is to act cool in front of
girls!]
[......... No, it's not like that.]
Eh? The topic isn't going towards that direction?
Oops. Hehe.
[I'm just kidding. It exists to protect the weak right?]
[Mmmm, that's right.]
As we finish talking about this, I place the botanical encyclopedia under my
arm and stick the rod Roxy gave to me on my waist. As I prepare to depart, I
suddenly remember something and turn my head.
[Ahh, that's right. Dad, I will go out from time to time in the future, but I'll
tell someone if I go out and I won't miss my daily sword and magic practice.
I'll come back before dusk and I won't go to dangerous places.]
[Ah....... Hoh.]
I'll make things clear just in case.
Paul suddenly becomes speechless.
Actually, these are supposed to be your lines right?
[Well, I'm heading out.]
[................Be careful on the road.]
Just like that, I walk out of the gate.Part 2
After a few days.
The outside isn't scary. It's smooth. I even manage to cheerfully greet the
people who pass by.
Everyone knows me too. Paul and Zenith's kid. Roxy's disciple.
I'll introduce myself to the people I meet for the first time. I'll say hello to the
people I meet the second time. Everyone replies to me with a smile on their
face too.
It has been such a long time since I felt so relaxed.
More than half of the reason for this is due to Paul and Zenith's fame. The
rest is thanks to Roxy.
These are basically Roxy's efforts.
I'll take good care of the divine artifact (panties).Part 3
Well now.
The goal of going out is to rely on my own feet and memorize the
surroundings' geography.
If I memorize it, I won't be lost even if I suddenly get chased out from home.
At the same time, I wanted to investigate the plants.
Incidentally, I have the botanical encyclopedia and I can identify what's
edible and what's not, as well as differentiate between medicinal and
poisonous plants...... It's good to identify them.
That way, even if I'm chased out from home I won't get hungry.
Roxy just gave me a rough idea about the village plants, wheat, vegetables,
and ingredients for creating perfume.
The ingredient for creating the perfume are flowers from the plant named
Bardius, which resembles lavender.
A faint purplish color, and also edible.
With emphasis on eye-catching plants, I compare the plants I see with the
botanical encyclopedia.
But the village isn't very big, so there aren't many varieties of plants.
After a few days, my routes have become broader, and I started moving in the
direction to the forest.
There are many types of plants in the forest.
[Based on rumors, it is more dangerous inside the forest because mana tends
to gather there easily.]
The areas where mana tends to gather easily will have a higher chance of
creating magical creatures.This is because creatures will undergo sudden changes due to the mana.
Though I don't know why mana gathers inside the forest easily.
But this area has very few magical creatures here since the village will hunt
them periodically, making it safer.
Magical Creature Hunting is exactly as the words mean.
Every month, knights, hunters, and the self-patrolling team of men will go
out in full force to enter the forest and clear them out.
But it is said that deep inside the forest, there might be the possibility of a
fearsome magical creature.
Even though I know magic and have some form of fighting strength, I'm still
a NEET who has never fought before.
I can't be arrogant.
I don't have actual combat experience. It would be terrible if I made a mistake
because of complacency.
I have seen a lot of people dying like that................ in manga.
Also, I'm not a hot-blooded person. I feel that avoiding fights is the best.
If I see any creature, I'll run to Paul and report it.
I'll do just that.
I climb up a small hill as I think.
There's a huge solitary tree that stands high above.
It's the biggest tree around here.
I am planning to check out what sort of trees here are the biggest.
And at this moment.
[Demons shouldn't stay here!]
The voice carries along with the wind.It reminds me of a hated memory.
The kind that made stay home as a NEET.
As well as the nightmarish time when I had the nickname, "Uncircumcised
Dong".
And this voice greatly resembles the voice that used to call me that.
Clearly distinct voices belonging to bullies.
[Get lost!!]
[Eat this!]
[I managed to hit!]
I take a look over and find the field that turned into a marsh-like area from
the recent rainy days.
In the field, I see 3 mud-covered kids throwing mud at a small boy.
[You get 10 points if you hit the head!]
[Okay!]
[I got it! I got it!]
Woah. This is really irritating. Bullies spotted. These delinquents feel that it's
fine to do anything to the lower ranked people in society. Buying air guns and
shooting at them. It's clearly stated that you can't shoot at humans. They don't
even treat them as humans.
You can't treat them as humans.
And talking about that small boy, it would be fine if he runs away quickly,
but I don't understand why he's taking his sweet time.
I take another look at him, and finally realize that he's carrying something
like a basket in front of his chest, hugging it to protect it from the mud.
Thus, he's unable to avoid the attacks from the bullies.[He's carrying something!!]
[The demon's treasure!!]
[He must have stolen it from somewhere!!]
[Hitting it gets 100 points!!]
[Steal the treasure!!]
As I run towards the bullying boys, I create a mud ball using magic. The
instant I'm within firing distance, I throw it with all my strength.
[Wah!]
[What's wrong!?]
I hit the face of the one who looks like the leader.
[Ouch, it went into my eyes.]
[What are you doing!!]
[Get lost if it doesn't concern you!!]
[Are you trying to become the ally of the demon races!!]
The target changed to me in an instant.
This is the same no matter what world it is.
[I'm not the ally of the demon races. I'm the ally of the weak.]
I said with pride, but the young boys feel they are standing on justice's side.
[What the heck are you acting cool for!!]
[You're the kid from that knight, right!!]
[The nobles' "young master," hah!!]
Arara, this is bad. My identity has been divulged.
[Do you really think it's good for a knight's kid to do this!!][I'll tell other people the knights have
become allies with the demon races!!]
[Tell our brothers to come now!!]
[Brother!! There's a strange person here!!]
The kids use Call For Allies!
But it isn't effective at all.
However, my legs are trembling!
Gosh, even though it's 3 people on the other side, the fact that my legs went
weak because of the kids' shouting is really too embarrassing.
Is this the result of being bullied into a NEET.......
[S-shut up! You're the worst for bullying 1 person when you have 3!]
They showed a [Huh~?] expression.
A-annoying.
[You're the one who's annoying, what are you shouting for, idiot!!]
Because I'm angry, I throw a ball at them. It misses.
[Idiot!!]
[Where did this guy pick up mud from!!]
[Who cares, just throw back at him!!]
I'm treated with thrice the retaliation. I rely on what Paul had taught and use
my magic to avoid them all elegantly.
[I c-can't hit him!!]
[Why are you evading!!]
Hahaha, it's nothing special if you can't hit me!
They keep throwing for a while, but after realizing they can't hit me, they
stop as if they were finding it boring.[Ah~ahh! This is boring!!]
[Let's go!!]
[I'll tell others that the knight's kid has become an ally of the demon races!!]
We didn't lose. We only got tired of playing.
Leaving this line of argument behind, the 3 brats walk to the other side of the
wheat field.
Success! I won against bullies for the first time in my life!
W-well, it's nothing much to be proud of.
Well, come to think of it, I'm still not good at fighting. It's great that it didn't
turn into a fight.
[Hey, are you alright? Are your things fine?]
In any case, I turn my head back to look at the young boy who was thrown
at......
[Wooah.....]
There's a bishounen who makes people think he's not of the same age.
Hair slightly too long for a child, sculpted-like nose, small cute lips, pointed
chin. His porcelain-like skin ----- along with an expression like a frightened
rabbit, creates an indescribable aesthetic beauty to him.
Damn. If Paul was more of a bishounen, then maybe I would also..........
No, Paul isn't bad. Zenith is also very good-looking.
This face has no problems.
Compared to the previous face that was full of fat cellulose, there's absolutely
no problem.
Definitely, yup.
[Um...... Um.... I'm f-fine....]The young boy shows me a weak expression.
He's almost like a small animal, making people feel like there's a need to
protect it.
This is an instant hook to any shotacon onee-san if they saw him.
But he's dirtied by mud everywhere now.
Mud is everywhere on his clothes. Half of his face is covered with mud, and
his hair has been turned into the color of mud too.
It is a miracle that he managed to protect the basket.
There's no choice.
[Put the things down and kneel beside the drain over there for a while.]
[Eh.....? Eh......?]
Even though he is bewildered, I don't know why he still followed the order.
As if he is unable to go against any orders.
Well, if he was able to go against orders, he would have retaliated just now.
The young boy goes down on all fours and faces toward the drain.
If any shotacon onii-chan saw that, he would have definitely done something
that is illegal..
[Close your eyes.]
I adjust the temperature of the water to appropriate level with fire magic.
I create warm water at around 40 degrees.
And pour it over the young boy.
[Waah!!]
I grab the panicking young boy's neck and wash clean the mud from his hair.
Even though he resisted at the start, after he got used to the temperature, hequietens down.
His clothes...... Well, it's better to wash it at home.
[Alright, this should be enough.]Along with Elf-like long ears, his emerald-colored hair also appear
before
me.
The moment I saw the color, I remember Roxy's words.
[Absolutely do not approach the race with emerald-colored hair.]
Erm?
No, there's something slightly different.
I remember it's.......
[To those with emerald colored hair with a ruby-colored stone on their
forehead, do not approach them.]
Yup, that's right.
I use a handkerchief to carefully wipe the young boy's face.
The race that has a ruby-colored stone on their forehead.
The young boy has a big forehead with a beautiful white color.
OK, it's safe.
He's not from the dangerous Supard race.
[T.... Thanks.....]
I come back to my senses after he thanks me.
Hey, hey, that made me jump a little.
I give conceited advice to him with the slight intent of venting my
embarrassment.
[Hey you. If you don't fight back they will always come after you.]
[I can't win......]
[The most important thing is to have the will to fight back.]
[But they are always bigger kids...... I'm scared of pain......]I see.
If he resists, they will call other people to completely force him into
submission?
This is certainly the same in any world.
Because of Roxy's efforts, the adults accept the demon races, but children are
different.
Sometimes they are incredibly cruel.
If anyone is slightly different, they will reject them.
[It must be hard on you. Because your hair color resembles that of the Supard
race, you got bullied.]
[Are y-you fine with it.....?]
[It's because my teacher is also from a demon race. What race are you from?]
Roxy said the Migurd race is close to the Supard race.
Perhaps he is also something like that.
I ask him with this line of thought, but the young boy shakes his head.
[.....I don't know.]
Hmm, you don't know?
Perhaps it's because of his age?
[What's your father's race?]
[...... He's half-human, half-elf.]
[How about your mother?]
[Human, but she has a little of a beast race lineage......]
Half elf and 1/4 of a beast race lineage?
That is why he has this kind of hair.....?When I am thinking it through, the young boy's eyes fill
with tears.
[......So, even though my father says...... I'm not from a demon race...... but,
my hair color, is different from my father and mother's....]
I comfort him by stroking his head.
But it's also a big problem if the hair color is different.
There's the possibility of his mother committing adultery with another guy.
[The only difference is the hair color?]
[...... My ears, are longer than father's.....]
[I see....]
Green haired, long-ear magical races....... it could be possible that anywhere
has that.
Hmm, even though I don't want to ask too much about another person's
home, I'm also a bullied child, so it's best to help him. It's too sad if he gets
bullied just because of his hair color.
The fact I got bullied is partly my fault.
But this young boy is different. Reincarnating and then relying on himself is
impossible.
He has been pelted with mud because his hair color is slightly green since
birth.
Uuuu..... just thinking of that makes me frightened enough to pee.
[Is your father nice to you?]
[........ Yes. Even though he's scary when he's angry, he won't get angry if I
listen to him.]
[Is that so. How about your mother?]
[She's very gentle.]Hoh. From his voice, his parents are very loving toward him.
No, you can't really be clear about these things.
[Alright, let's go.]
[.....Go, go where?]
[I'll follow you.]
Following the kid will allow me to see his parents. It's super logical.
[.......W-why do you want to follow me?]
[Well you see, those guys might come back. Let me escort you. Are you
going back? Or do you want to send this basket somewhere?]
[I'm sending food..... to father....]
His father is half-elf?
When it comes to elves in story books, they are long-lived, solitary, and
arrogant to other races. They are well-versed in archery and magic, especially
water and wind magic. With bona fide long ears.
According to Roxy, [Basically the description fits, but they aren't really a
race that's closed off.]
Just as expected, are the elves beautiful in appearance? No, elves being
beautiful is merely Japanese imagination. In Western games, they are frail-
looking and don't really look that pretty. There are some cultural differences
in our countries.
Although, from looking at this boy, one would know that his parents must be
a striking combination of charm.
[May I ask....... why are you protecting me?]
The young boy stutters, with his actions seemingly raising a desire to protect
him.
[Because my father says it's a must to be an ally of the weak.][But...... you will get shunned by
others.]
That's true.
If I help bullied people, I'll get bullied too ---- A common thing.
[Then how about you play with me. From today onward, we're friends.]
[Eh!?]
So let's form a tag-team, yeah.
Chain bullying usually happens after the helped party betrays its benefactor.
The person who got help should take up responsibility and be grateful to the
person who helped. Although the circumstances around this boy are different,
there's a more deep-rooted reason to his bullying. I doubt he will betray me
and join in the bullying.
[Ah, do you need to help with housework?]
[N-no.]
I also need to listen to his opinions, but he shakes his head with a weak
expression.
His expression is just too amazing. He will absolutely hook onee-chans with
shotacon tendencies.
Well this idea is pretty good.
He will definitely be very popular among the girls with his face. Then, if I'm
with him, anyone who's left over might take notice of me. Even though my
face isn't anything special, if we two guys stand together, we will look like a
quality catch.
Any girls who are not so confident will change their target to me.
I prefer them over the girls brimming with confidence.
It should work. Girls will move together with uglier ones to accentuate their
beauty. I'm the opposite.
[Syl...ph-----]He quietly whispers, but I didn't really hear the latter half of it. Sylph, huh.
[It's a great name. Just like the spirit of the wind.]
As I say it, Sylph blushes and nods.Part 4
Sylph's dad is also a bishounen.
Long pointed ears, shining golden hair, and a little body without muscles. He
doesn't stain the reputation of a "Half-elf" in the slightest, and as a male he
inherited the good points of the elves and the human race.
He's standing on the top of the watch tower, his hand holding a bow while
overseeing the forest.
[Dad, this, bento......]
[Ah, I'm always troubling you, Luffy. You didn't get bullied today?]
[No, someone helped me.]
Introduced by his eyes, I make a simple greeting.
Luffy is his nickname huh. Why is there a feeling that he will suddenly
extend his limbs?
[1]
If Sylph was so optimistic, he might not have been bullied.
[I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Rudeus Greyrat.]
[Greyrat..... You're Paul's family?]
[Yes. Paul is my father.]
[Ohh, I heard of you. You're really a polite child. Oh, my apologies. I'm
Rawls. I'm usually hunting in the forest.]
According to him, this watch tower is meant to observe if any magical
creatures come from the forest. It is manned 24 hours a day, patrolled by the
men of the village. Paul also takes the shift, so Rawls has met up with him
before, and the two of them have discussed their children with each other.
[Our child appears this way because she resembles our ancestors a little.
Please get along well with this child.][Of course. Even if Sylph is from the Supard race, my attitude
will not
change. I swear upon my father's name.]
After hearing that, Rawls utters a voice of admiration.
[You understand about honor at such a young age....... I'm envious of Paul
having such an excellent child.]
[Being excellent when one is young does not mean that one will continue to
be excellent. It's not too late if you want to be envious. You can wait until
Sylph grows up.]
I also comfort Sylph at the same time.
[I see..... You're exactly as Paul described.]
[.......What did father say?]
[He says he loses confidence as a father when he converses with you.]
[Is that so. Well, I will do some wrong things from now on so he can give me
a sermon.]
The corner of my sleeves is pulled as I'm talking about this. When I look
back, I see that Sylph is lowering his head while pulling on my sleeves. Is it
too boring for a child when adults are talking?
[Rawls-san. Can we play for a little while?]
[Ah, of course. But don't approach the forest.]
It isn't really necessary for this point to be said......
But it's probably insufficient.
[There's a really big tree up on the hill when we came here. We will play over
there, and I'll bring Sylph back before the sun sets. But if you don't see us
when you return home, then the possibility of us being in some form of
trouble is very high, so please search for us then.]
[Ah...... Hah.]
Well this is a world without handphones. Reports, communications anddiscussions must be held up.
There is no possible way to completely avoid accidents. It is imperative to
immediately take corrective actions.
Even though there is good national security in this country, one wouldn't
know what sort of dangers are lurking.
Amidst Rawls' stunned gaze, we walk towards the big tree in the hills.
[Well what should we play?]
[D-don't know...... I never played with f-friends before......]
Sylph seems to be hesitating about the "friends" issue. He probably didn't
have any friends before.
How sad. Even though I don't have friends now either.
[Hmm. Come to think of it, I'm also one who has stayed indoors until now.
What shall we play?]
Sylph fidgets with his hands and looks up to me by raising his head.
I'm about the same height as he is, but he's bending his body while raising his
head to look at me.
[Erm, why do you change between I (BOKU) and I (ORE) from time to
time?]
[Hm? Ahh. It's impolite if you don't change your speech accordingly to match
the person's position. It's necessary to use polite speech towards someone
with a higher position.]
[Polite speech?]
[2]
[It is what I did earlier.]
[Hrm?]
He doesn't seem to understand, but this is something that one will slowly
learn.This is how one becomes an adult.
[Instead of this, about that earlier, teach me.]
[That earlier?]
Sylph blinks and uses his hands to explain.
[The hot water that gushes out from your hands, and the hot wind that blows.
That.]
[Ah--. That.]
The magic that I used to wash off the mud from him.
[Is it hard?]
[Even though it's hard, if you practice, anyone can do it..... probably.]
The recent capacity of mana has increased so much that I don't know how
much I have. Plus I'm not sure about the average mana capacity of the people
here.
Although, it is just using fire magic to heat up water. If it's not using
voiceless incantations to create instant hot water, then anyone is probably
able to replicate it using melded magic. So it should be fine. Probably.
[Alright. From today onward we will have special training!!]
Sylph and I played like this until dark.Part 5
When I reach home, I find Paul in a bad mood.
He's showing off an angry expression. Both of his hands are on his waist as
he's standing in the veranda.
Hm, did I screw something up? If I think about it, there's only the divine
artifact that I carefully kept (panties) but had been discovered.......
[Dad, I'm home.]
[Do you know why I'm angry?]
[No.]
Pretend that I don't know. If the pa..... divine artifact isn't actually discovered,
then I'm digging my own grave.
[Just earlier, Mrs. Ada came to look for me. It seems that you hit her kid
Somar.]
Ada, Somar. Who?
I begin to think of the names that I have never heard before.
Basically, I only greeted others in this village.
Announce my own name and the other people will say theirs too. Are there
any among them who's named Ada? Feels like yes and no......
Hm? Wait.
[Is it about today?]
[Yes.]
I met Sylph, Rawls, and the 3 brats today.
That means Somar is one of the 3 brats?[I didn't hit him. I only threw mud.]
[Do you remember what I said earlier?]
[Being strong isn't for the purpose of being cool?]
[That's right.]
Oh hoh.
I see. Come to think of it, those guys said they would announce that I had
become the ally of the demon races.
I'm not sure what sort of lies they hit me with, but in any case, they're
directed at me.
[I'm not sure what sort of rumors dad heard.....]
[No!! If you did something wrong, you must first apologize!!]
I get scolded hard.
I'm not sure what he heard, but he doesn't seem to suspect it.
What a pain. In this situation, even if I say that I helped Sylph because they
were bullying him, it will sound a lie.
But I can only start from the beginning.
[Actually, I was walking on my way.....]
[Don't find excuses!!]
Paul's getting more and more impatient. Never mind lies, even my
explanations won't get through.
Even though it's okay to say sorry first, I don't think it's good for Paul.
I don't want my younger brother or sister to meet such unfair treatment either.
This style of education is not okay.
[.......][What's the matter, why are you being quiet?]
[Because anything I say is an excuse for you to scold me.]
[What did you say!?]
Paul looks at me in fury.
[Getting angry and forcing a child to apologize before saying anything, it
really makes me envious that the adults' methods are so convenient and easy.]
[Rudi!!]
Paa, my face receives a fiery strike.
I got hit.
But that is to be expected. Provoking someone will certainly mean getting hit.
Of course it will happen.
So I stood firmly. I haven't been hit for nearly 20 years......
No, I was beaten all over when I left the house, so that's 5 years.
[Father, I have done everything I can to be a good child. I have never
betrayed my parents' lessons, and I have accomplished things with all my
efforts.]
[That has nothing to do with today, right?]
Paul didn't expect to hit me.
He's obviously in confusion.
Well, that's good.
[No, it has everything to do with it. I have worked hard to gain father's trust
and to have a peace of mind, yet father doesn't listen to any of my
explanations, trusts someone whom I have never met blindly, and then yells
at me before finally hitting me.]
[But that kid Somar really did get hurt......]He did?
That isn't something I did. Did he do it to himself?
He might have done an accident faker stunt.......
But in any case, it's such a pity. I'm the one with justice on my side.
It isn't a lie about falling down by accident.
[Even if he got hurt because of me, I will not apologize. Since I have not
betrayed Father's lessons, I can even raise my chest up to say that it was done
by me.]
[......Wait, what exactly happened?]
Oh, are you finally interested? Well, that's your decision to not listen.
[Didn't you refuse to hear any excuses?]
As I counter with my question, Paul displays a pained expression. It seems he
needs another push.
[Don't worry father. I will act as if I didn't see 3 people hitting a defenseless
person. I might as well join them to make it 4 versus 1. I will even announce
everywhere that bullying the weak is Greyrat's proud lessons. Then when I
grow up, I'll leave home and not call myself a Greyrat anymore. Disregarding
that kind of violence in both verbal and physical abuse, and continuing to
allow it to happen, makes me feel ashamed to call myself a Greyrat.]
Paul becomes speechless.
His face turns green and then red, as if he is very conflicted.
Is he angry? Or does he need another push?
Give it up Paul. I'm a 20+ year old guy who has constantly found excuses to
situations one couldn't win. If there's the slightest opening, I can debate
things to a draw.
Plus I'm completely in the right.
You simply don't have any chance of winning.[......... I'm sorry. It's father's mistake. Tell me about
it.]
Paul lowers his head to me.
That's right. Pointless insistence will only make both parties unhappy.
If you're wrong, just apologize. This is for the best.
As my mood lightens up, I state things in detail to explain the incident.
I heard voices as I climbed up the hill. 3 kids were throwing mud from the
wheat field. After I threw mud at them twice and quarreled with them, they
left after insulting us with a few lines. After that, I used magic to wash the
kid clean and played with him.
Something like that.
[Then if there's a need to apologize, Somar should do it to Sylph first. It's
easy for the wounds on a body to heal quickly, but it isn't for something done
to the mind.]
[.....You're right. It's father's fault. I'm sorry.]
Paul lowers his shoulders in defeat.
I remember what Rawls said earlier today when I see him this way.
[He seems to lose his confidence as a father when he converses with you.]
It might be possible that Paul is trying to teach me a lesson to show his side
as a father.
Well, he only fails this once.
[There's no need to apologize. If you feel that I did something wrong, please
scold me without reservations, but please listen to my explanations. Even if it
doesn't explain enough or sounds like an excuse, I would have something that
I want to say. Please try to understand my thoughts.]
[Aah. I will take notice of it, but I don't think that you will actually make
mistakes.....]
[Then treat it as an educational experience and use it on my future siblings.][......Let's do that.]
Paul's expression is completely full of defeat and self-mockery.
Did I overdo it? Losing to a 5 years old kid. Mmm. I would be shocked too if
it was me.
This guy is still very young for a father.
[Come to think of it, father, how old are you?]
[Hm? 24 years old, what's the matter?]
[I see.]
Having me at 19 years old?
Even though I don't know the average marrying age, if he's commonly having
to face magical creatures or wars, it's kind of appropriate to marry at 19?
A guy who's younger than me, marrying someone, and having to worry about
his child's education. Honestly, which part of the 34 year-old me who's
jobless, homeless, achievement-less, actually wins compared to him......
Oh forget it.
[Father, can I bring Sylph here to play next time?]
[Eh? Ahh, of course.]
I enter the house as I'm satisfied with his reply.
It is good that Paul doesn't discriminate against the demon races.Part 6
Paul
My son got angry.
He, who has never expressed himself much before, has a quiet fury within
him now.
How did things end up like this?
The incident happened this afternoon when Mrs. Ada came to our home to
make a huge fuss.
She brought her child Somar, who has been touted as a horrible brat by
others, and the corners of his eyes are bruised. As a swordsman, I had enough
experience to see that it was the sign of being beaten.
Mrs. Ada wasn't very clear, but in any case my son has hit Somar.
Hearing this, I am actually relieved.
It was probably Rudi wanting to join Somar and company to play.
But my son is different from other children. He's a Water-Saint ranked
magician at his young age.
He must have arrogantly said something and got into a fight after being
rebutted.
Although my son is honest and smart, he still resembles a child in some
areas.
Mrs. Ada makes it seem like a great deal, but that's just a kids' quarrel. Based
on what I see, that injury wouldn't leave a scar.I'll finish things with a few lines of scolding.
Children will surely quarrel, but Rudi is more powerful than any other child.
Besides being a disciple of the young Water-Saint ranked magician Roxy,
he's also taught by me and trained his body since he was 3 years old.
It would have been a one-sided affair.
It should be okay if it's only today, but if he gets too emotional, he might
overdo things.
Plus, Rudi's so smart that he should be able to solve things without hitting
Somar.
I must teach him that fighting is a lack of thinking things through, and he
needs to consider the aftermath before acting.
I need to be stricter here.
But things didn't turn out the way I envisioned.
My son didn't intend to apologize at all.
Never mind about him apologizing, he's even looking at me like he's looking
at a bug.
Maybe from my son's point of view, it's a fight against numbers, but he needs
to realize that the stronger you are, the more you need to be conscious of your
own strength.
Furthermore, he even injured someone. In any case, I'll let him apologize.
He's really clever. Maybe he can't accept it for now, but he will find an
answer by himself sooner or later.
While I thought of that and used a harder tone to scold him, he refuted me
with a few sarcastic remarks.
I lost my temper to his provocation and hit him.
Even though I wanted to teach him that the strong need to be conscious of
their own strength and not use violence against the weak.I actually did it first.
I was wrong earlier, but I am on the side as an educator so I can't apologize.
Teaching someone not to do what I just did - this argument simply doesn't
hold water.
While I'm incoherent, my son went on to state he has done nothing wrong and
said if it's not okay, he will leave this home.
I nearly said the words, "then get lost", but I restrained myself.
I have to restrain myself at this moment.
I was the one who originally couldn't bear my home's formal rules and my
strict father's rebukes, before finally having a huge quarrel and leaving home.
I inherited my father's blood. Inherited that stubborn, rigid father's blood.
Rudeus is the same.
Looking at this stubborn part, Rudeus is indeed my child.
That day, when I was told to leave immediately, I couldn't find a way out and
really left home. Rudeus would probably leave too. Even though he said he
will only leave after growing up, if I told him to leave, he would definitely
leave immediately. We are alike in this aspect.
It seems that father fell sick not long after I left and died. I heard that he
terribly regretted that day's quarrel.
And to this incident, I blamed myself.
No, to be clear about this, I was drowning in regret.
And right now, if I told Rudeus to leave, he would surely do so, and I would
regret this.
Both of us would regret this.
Endure it. I must learn from experience.
Also, didn't I decide it then? I won't become like my father.[..........I'm sorry. It's father's fault. Please
tell me.]
I naturally apologized.
And Rudeus's expression also relaxes, and he explains it lightly.
Based on what he said, he incidentally saw Rawls' kid being bullied, so he
helped that kid.
There wasn't any beating. He only threw mud, and there wasn't a fight at all.
If what he said is true, then what Rudeus did is indeed something for him to
be proud of. But instead of praising him, I didn't listen to his explanations and
hit him.
Ahh, I remember now.
I had experiences like this when I was young. Father didn't listen to me and
only pointed at my weakness. I was unhappy every time over this.
What a failure. What's with, "It's a must to educate him"?
Hah........
Rudeus didn't blame me, and even consoled me at the end. What an amazing
son. Is this really my son......... No, even among the people who Zenith might
have had an affair with, there wasn't anyone who was so brilliant.
Uuu, is my seed that good......
Rather than saying I'm proud, I think my stomach is hurting.
[Father, can I bring Sylph over?]
[Ah? Ahh, sure.]
But I think I should be happy over my son's first friend.
Notes
1. A reference to the One Piece character.2. TL: Keigo.