THDK Chapter 5

Chapter 5: I’ll Work Hard on My Magic Training!

Since I now have a teacher, I’m going to give it my all in my magic training!

As Beatrice helped me get dressed, I found myself thinking about Oreole. Nox had said he’d look for him, but I hadn’t heard anything about Oreole since then. For some reason, I felt like I shouldn’t ask about him directly, so I’ve just been waiting and observing.

“I’ve prepared your meal.”

“Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude, but Beatrice just bowed and, as usual, kept our conversation to the bare minimum. Since I’ve been confined to this room, I have no idea what’s happening outside. That’s exactly why I want to get along better with Beatrice, who spends the most time with me.

(I have to work hard to become friends with her!)

Pumping myself up, I sat down in the chair. Nox seems to be busy with work lately and hasn’t been showing up. Eating alone feels kind of lonely, but I keep telling myself it can’t be helped.

I took a small bite of the bread filled with cream and fruit. My appetite was nowhere to be found, and I felt like I might cry. It reminded me of the times I was alone back at the viscount’s house. I told myself I shouldn’t cry over something like this, but my vision started to blur.

(I’m okay… I’m okay…) I chanted in my head, forcing the corners of my mouth into a crescent shape.

“Hey! You here, human?!”

Just as tears were about to spill, a lively male voice burst into the room, and my tears retreated. I turned toward the entrance to see a tanned man with peridot-colored eyes standing there. He approached me as I sat there dumbfounded, giving me an unabashed once-over. After a moment, he let out a small chuckle and sat down in the seat across from me.

“I’d heard about you, but you’re really tiny, huh?”

“Uh… who are you?”

“Name’s Zain. I’m one of the Demon King’s aides, by the way.”

Zain introduced himself while picking at the food. I didn’t know why he was here, but the room suddenly felt livelier, and my loneliness eased a little.

“Um, do you need something from me?”

“Nah, not really. I just came to see what kind of person you are.”

“Oh, I see… Uh, is this place really in demon territory?”

“You didn’t even know that? This is the Demon King’s Castle, standing tall in Ignite, the central city of demon territory.”

So, this really is a place where demons live. I’d suspected as much, so I wasn’t surprised. Still, I couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy. I might never be able to return to human lands. It’s not like I have any special memories or people waiting for me there, but it’s still the land where I was born and raised. It’s hard not to feel a little sad.

“I came to see what you’re like, but you don’t seem like someone I need to be wary of. Hey, can you use magic?”

“Yeah. But… I don’t really like using it in front of people.”

“Huh? Why’s that?”

“I… I can’t control my magic very well…”

When I was living in the forest, it didn’t matter if I couldn’t control it because there was no one around to hurt. But here, with Zain and Beatrice around, I’m scared to use magic. The thought of hurting someone again makes my hands shake.

“Hmm. I don’t like giving tips to potential enemies, but you’re just a kid, so I’ll teach you how to control it.”

“Wait, really?!”

Overjoyed, I leaned forward, and Zain grinned as he agreed.