I turned the page.
[The Defined World: The Empire]
Amidst the stiff academic terminology, an intriguing content caught my eye. It was a story about the absolute laws that form the foundation of a world called the Empire.
“A class society centered around nobility, where magic is equivalent to status.”
According to the paper, dealing with magic in the Empire was neither a matter of talent nor effort.
It was a right and privilege passed down solely through noble bloodlines. Only nobles could be born with magical powers, and they were nobles from the moment of their birth.
Those who were not so fortunate remained commoners forever.
And at the very bottom were the beastmen.
They could not use magic at all, but depending on their species, they possessed powerful physical abilities and animal-like senses.
Life in the Empire was entirely tailored to the convenience and centrality of the nobility. The nobles found the beastmen’s savage strength useful, yet despised them for being filthy.
Beastmen were not citizens. They were merely useful tools.
The strong beastmen served as cannon fodder in battle, or fought in arenas as gladiatorial slaves for the nobles’ amusement.
Agile and keen-sensed species became assassins or served as close servants. Some, like Luna or Alice, with their beautiful appearances…
…even became the entertainment for the nobles’ nights.
Beastmen could never become nobles. The nobility despised them, and the beastmen hated such nobles in turn.
They were thoroughly exploited as mere tools.
However, after the mutation began, the situation changed slightly.
“Well, that’s true.”
I nodded my head. The gap between nobles and beastmen?
I didn’t feel it directly, as here on Earth, the status or titles of the Empire held no real meaning.
Of course, the superior magic rooted in noble bloodlines was still powerful. I heard many hunters sought their advice.
But the role of hunters, who protect humanity, started to regard the beastmen’s transcendental physical abilities as equally admirable talent.
Ultimately, everything was restructured according to skill.
The cruel class society of the Empire, which had lasted for centuries, collapsed so futilely here on Earth… this was the content of the paper.
A clear and logically grounded analysis based on evidence. It was a good paper.
Yet, as I closed the last page, one curiosity arose.
The paper stated:
“Beastmen cannot use magic.”
Biological limitations, not talent.
But Luna was undoubtedly a beastman. Though somewhat clumsy, she used magic.
It was a completely contradictory story.
What was this?
I fell into contemplation.
However, there was nothing more I could understand at this point.
I closed the paper. To break my train of thought, I began to reorganize the scattered documents on my desk. It was time to tidy up and venture into the real internet rabbit hole…
“… Oh?”
The pristine white papers I received from the association today, still smelling of fresh ink.
Among the pile, which was certainly only white paper, a yellowed sheet cleverly stuck out.
“…….”
It was made of the same material as that chilling consultation log from last time.
Could this be…?
I swallowed dryly and carefully pulled the paper with trembling hands. A faded title written as if someone pressed down on a pen caught my eye.
[Alien Type: Beastman. A Brief Consideration of Its Ecology.]
Fortunately, this title seemed a bit more normal. Judging by the handwriting and sentence structure, it appeared to be the same person as last time.
[Before the paper, all processes were based on actual records…]
I thought the author of the paper was a consultant… but maybe not. The overview of the document seemed closer to that of a third-party observer analyzing interesting cases rather than records from a consulting session.
I turned the first page. However, contrary to my expectations, this document also took the form of a consultation record.
[Case 1-A: In-depth consultation record of Hunter K, who is struggling to establish a relationship with an alien species (beastman)]
[Consulting Client K (C-class Hunter) was receiving continuous consultations for chronic depression and intermittent panic disorder.]
Up to this point, it was a typical case. I continued to shift my gaze downward.
[13th Session]
[Consulting Client K]: (in a bright and lively voice) Teacher, I think I’m starting to be okay! These days, I’m really, truly happy. I never expected such a blessing to come into my life. I don’t think I need to come to see you anymore.
[Consultant]: I’m truly glad to hear that, K. Your expression is much brighter than before. But whenever you feel like it, the door is open, so please don’t hesitate to come back.
Below that, as expected, there was a red scribble.
[The client has recently developed a romantic relationship with a fellow beastman in the same guild. The positive attachment relationship has acted as a positive variable for his underlying conditions (depression, panic disorder), resulting in an improvement of symptoms.]
It’s a story that happens quite often. Healing heart-related issues through people. There’s little treatment as effective as romance, if it’s possible.
Of course, when that relationship ends, the backlash will be double.
Up to here, it’s a perfect happy ending. A model consultation closure that could be included in textbooks.
However, sadly, if it had ended like this, this paper would not have been written.
[14th Session]
[Consultant]: It’s been a while, K. However… your expression isn’t good. Is something the matter?
[Consulting Client K]: (after a long silence, managing to speak) …Teacher.
[Consultant]: Yes, what is it?
[Consulting Client K]: I… I still love her. That feeling hasn’t changed. She is my lifesaver and my everything. But… but, Teacher. I can’t endure it any longer.
[Consultant]: You can’t endure it? Could you explain that specifically?
And the next record was… quite shocking.
[Consulting Client K]: When that time comes, she… she desires me for days on end. And when that time ends… with a nonchalant face, she kisses me on the lips and kindly asks why I look so tired. I… I now fear looking at that innocent face.
[Consultant]: (long silence)
Beneath his desperate plea, there was inevitably another red annotation.
[Observation Record: Consulting Client K appeared to be extremely weakened. Dark circles were heavy under his eyes, and even in the brief moment when the door opened, his legs trembled, exposing obvious physical limitations.]
[Conclusion: The biggest variable in the relationship with the alien species, the beastman, was not cultural differences or language barriers. It was the instinct manifestation period that periodically visits beastmen. Contrary to expectations that it might be similar to animals, during this time, beastmen are dominated by their unique instincts. It was determined that the consulting client, a C-class hunter, was unable to cope with the desires of the beastman due to his physical limitations.]
“…….”
I could not close my mouth, which had dropped open.
What did I just see?
I assumed it would be a conflict that arose from cultural differences. However, this consultation dealt with a more primal issue. In the end, the consultant recommended that the client muster the courage to have a sincere conversation.
And the result of that is preserved in the record of the next session.
[15th Session Consultation Record Excerpt]
[Consultant]: It’s been a while, K. Your complexion is… different from before. So… how did the conversation go?
[Consulting Client K]: (after a long silence) …No. But… I learned everything.
[Consulting Client K]: I found out that the instinct, which I had suffered so much about with her… was actually her desperately suppressing herself for me. So… it was just the tip of the iceberg. (bitter laugh) And she told me. She is a cat beastman. Other beastmen… especially rabbit beastmen… have instincts much stronger than theirs, making it incomparable.
[Consulting Client K]: So I just want to embrace her with love… because she was also considering me.
[Conclusion: After realizing the partner’s consideration, Consulting Client K decided to overcome the biological gap between species with love. However, this is a precarious conclusion. Especially considering that the partner belongs to a category with weaker instincts (cat) beastmen, the relationship between different species clearly indicates a fundamental limitation.]
I stared blankly and closed the document.
And I turned to the last page. This time, hoping it would be dubious research data left behind by an ambiguous researcher.
But.
The red label saying [Unverifiable Evidence] which I had been waiting for did not exist.
It was merely paper that bore the traces of time. In other words, it was not a hidden record.
– Ding!
At that moment, a sharp alarm sound broke the silence, interrupting my thoughts.
Turning my head, I saw a notification window on the computer monitor.
Someone had applied online for a consultation tomorrow morning at this hour.
I mechanically moved the mouse, still in a daze.
According to regulations, I could check the personal information of the target hunter in advance.
– Click.
As I clicked the mouse, a familiar face appeared on the screen. The official profile photo of the Union Guild.
A cold expression staring straight ahead, in the appearance of an S-class hunter.
There was.
“…….”
A white rabbit, the very one I had been researching so fervently just moments ago.
