As the sun peeked through the blinds, I thought about what to do, when I remembered there was a book, different from the spell book, in my bag. I took it out to see what it was about. The book was filled with information about all the countries in the world. Comparing the map, I found out I was in Otril, a Kingdom of humans, more specifically, the town of Matlock. Through reading, I found out that the reason I didn't see anyone of a different race is the fact that people here believe that humans are a "superior" race, and often kill or enslave anyone that isn't a human. That belief comes from an older king, who despised other races after a group of demihumans killed his son. His death prompted the king to issue a royal decree, banning all non-human races from the kingdom. That decision was backed by their priest, which made it so that after many generations, the hatred towards other races became part of their religion. It was the only kingdom with four different nations allied against it. As I read, my mind wandered back to the woman from the guild.
Jack: Since she's an adventurer, does that mean she's someone's slave?
After I read the book, I put on my shoes and went down to eat breakfast. While eating, I began planning what to do next. Another extermination quest was out of the question, since I knew now I'm not sleeping. The gathering quests were also tricky, since there was a possibility I would get attacked by monsters. Before going on a different task, I should probably learn how to fight. After finishing my meal, I got up and headed to the spot I had seen the day before. Inside the training grounds, I met the guild master, an older-looking guy with a clean-shaven head and a scar across his cheek. He told me he was a retired adventurer, which was easy to see from his muscular form. I asked him to help me out with learning basic fighting skills.
Guild master: No problem! It will cost you one gold a week, but since you're part of my guild, I'll lower it to seventy silver, how about that?
After paying him for the first week, I went to the armor shop, where I wondered what to buy. Since I'm using the daggers the gods gave me, I would have to be protected, but also stay nimble. I decided on a chestplate and a set of vambraces. After finishing my shopping, I went for a quick walk, where I saw the catgirl I met at the guild. It was easy to see the book was right; with each step she took, more people seemed to look at her with disgust and hatred. As she walked on the street, different adventurers kept walking into her, pushing her hard with each step. Her tail was between her legs, indicating she was feeling anxious. In the book, it was said that slaves were marked with a sigil on their wrist, so I tried looking, but it seemed she didn't have anything like that. I walked to the town square for some light shopping, where I found out she also went. As soon as the merchants noticed her race, they refused to sell her anything. I walked around, buying food, spare clothes, a blanket, and some camping equipment, when I saw the girl try to sit down on the bench. Before she could, she collapsed near it. Some people seemed worried at first, but after they saw her ears and tail, they grinned and walked away. I felt like I couldn't just stand and do nothing, so I rushed over and placed her down on the bench, checking her vitals, when I heard her weak voice.
Woman: Need... Food.
Just then, her stomach growled loud enough that I'm sure people outside the town heard it. I quickly took some bread I bought, ripped it in half, and gave it to her.
Jack: Here, this should help you out a bit.
When she saw food, the woman quickly grabbed it, sniffing for poison before devouring it. As she ate, I gave her some water to drink so that she wouldn't choke on the food. After eating, she seemed calm, but her tail told me she's still anxious. Before I could say anything, she asked me a question.
Woman: Why'd you do it?
Jack: Huh?
Woman: Why did you save me? You know I'm a demihuman, right? My race is hated in this country, but you still helped me; that's why I want to know why you did it.
Jack: Why did I do it? Well, even if you're a different race, you're still a person. While most people here might think differently, I believe that you deserve to be treated the same way as anyone else: with respect.
She seemed satisfied with that answer, her tail moving to stand tall; a sign of her happiness. Before we parted ways, I gave her some more food to eat, and she insisted on paying me for it. As the week flew by, I was trained by the guild master to learn the basics of using my weapons. Every day after the training, I met up with the woman and helped her out by buying her food and water. As we talked, she told me more about herself. Her name is Chie, and she comes from the kingdom of Hoskaria, where she lived with her parents until five years ago, when she was captured by slave merchants and her entire family was sold off to some rich guy to work as his servants. After three years, her family made enough money to buy her freedom, so she became an adventurer to make some quick money and save the rest of her family. Unfortunately for her, since she's a demihuman, the guild won't let her take any well-paying quests, and they refuse to let her rank up. On my last day, I told her about my goal to journey far from this city, and she looked at me with something akin to sadness.
Chie: So you're really leaving? Do you think you'll ever come back?
Jack: I doubt it. I spent a whole week watching as people in this country mistreated others for stupid reasons, so I'm probably leaving this kingdom for good.
When I looked at her, Chie seemed hesitant, as if unsure what to do. Then, suddenly, she took a step closer, invading my personal space. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears when she started talking.
Chie: A-are you sure? Do you really want to leave this place? Oh, I know, how about I come with you? Can I? Please?
The mix of her unshed tears and puppy eyes made it impossible to refuse. That's how we started an adventurer's party. Later that afternoon, after I packed all my things and went with Chie to the guild's building to register ourselves as a party, we started our journey towards Hoskaria, the same kingdom where Chie grew up. From what I read, it's a kingdom taking the bigger part of the continent's eastern land, so I made sure to buy a map that'll guide us to the correct place. My initial plan was to ride in carriages from city to city, but every person I asked refused to "waste a seat on a demihuman", so we decided to travel on foot. As we walked, I noticed there weren't a lot of monsters near the road. But, as night drew closer, some weaker monsters started appearing: goblins, great wolves, and even lower cyclops. Once we were a good distance from Matlock, I suggested we set up camp and wait until morning to travel further. While putting up the tent, I noticed Chie was looking around nervously.
Jack: Is something wrong?
She jumped slightly as if she forgot I was there.
Chie: Huh-ah, no, nothing's wrong. Don't worry.
Deciding not to push something she clearly didn't want to talk about, I finished setting up the tent and helped her gather firewood. After we sat down to eat, Chie seemed to calm down for a bit. After we ate, she volunteered to take the first shift of the night watch. When I was getting ready to sleep inside the tent, she sat down, taking out her sword in preparation for attacks. When I woke up, I was once again with the gods, or this time, I was with a goddess. For the past week, each time I fell asleep, I was with either Uxphine or the gods of life and death. The difference was that while with the two gods I sat at a table, when the goddess of magic visited me, we were sitting on a couch. But this time it was different. While I was sitting on one end, she was stretched out on the rest of the couch with her head on my lap.
Uxphine: Hello, child, how are you doing?
Jack: Not bad. What's with the new position?
She stretched, resting one hand under her chin.
Uxphine: I didn't feel like sitting today, so I changed it up a bit.
The same as previous nights, Uxphine was making me try to control my mana.
Uxphine: Remember, the better your control over mana, the more spells you'll be able to use.
I once again repeated the training step she taught me. I focused on feeling the flow of mana, from my legs to the top of my head, before guiding it to my arm. Then, I tried to slowly release the mana in a somewhat stable flow. When I tried it for the first time, my whole mana got out all at once, but thanks to the almost daily training, I was able to make it an almost controlled, slowed flow, with just a few bigger mana bursts.
Uxphine: Looks like you're ready for a new spell.
Before I could say anything, she touched my shoulder, and I was back in the tent. I quickly took out my spell book, flipping through the pages to see what kind of spell I unlocked. My hand stopped when I reached a page that was now covered in legible writing. I got out of the tent, aiming my hand up and saying loudly.
Jack: Fire arrow.
A flame erupted at my fingertips, shooting straight up in the form of a long, straight attack. When it got to a certain height, the spell exploded. That's when I realised it was early in the morning, which meant I slept through the whole night. I looked around to see a startled Chie looking at me. She yawned before speaking.
Chie: Oh, hey, Jack. Good morn-.
She wasn't able to finish before she yawned again.
Jack: Why didn't you wake me up to stand watch?
Chie: I didn't want to disturb you in your sleep. Anyway, we should get going.
Chie tried to stand up, but her exhaustion was clear in the way her legs were shaking.
Jack: Maybe you should take a quick nap before we start walking?
Chie: No way. We'll be just wasting time. Besides, I'm fine, really.
When Chie started walking, she slipped, landing back on her knees. I offered her a hand to help her stand. That's when I came up with an idea.
Jack: How about I just carry you on my back? You'll be able to sleep, and we won't be wasting any time by staying in place.
Chie seemed to think about the idea. After we packed up camp, she gave me her pack and jumped on my back for a piggyback ride. I took my cloak out of my bag and put it on her.
Jack: This way, no one will know you're a demihuman, since your ears and tail are covered.
As I started walking, I felt as her breathing was evening out, slowing as she finally fell asleep. While she slept, Chie let her head rest on my shoulder, and I felt her slightly nuzzling against my neck.