Chapter 161 - The Problem with Being a High Half-Elf

"Until we resolve your situation, we’re all technically committing a crime,” Adrihna said. “So don’t draw any attention to yourself. Don’t create any incidents that could put you in the middle of a mess, as we’re working on resolving your diplomatic issue.”

I thought over what I needed to do. I had no intention of causing trouble, but now, understanding the seriousness of it all, I definitely wouldn't consider revealing my elements.

“Any suspicion that could reveal your identity directly impacts me as well, especially if they find out I’ve been covering for you,” Victoria added.

“I understand the gravity of the situation,” I replied. “I’ll avoid anything that might attract attention.”

Victoria smiled, ruffling my hair with a touch of relief. “Now that we’ve addressed the first crime I’m committing, we need to tackle the second.”

“What? How many crimes am I committing just by existing?” I asked, surprised.

“Your Special Eyes, Nathan,” Adrihna replied. “Hiding the fact that you have Special Eyes is a crime in the human kingdom. You might not face severe punishment as the bearer, but the issue is that the director would again be violating the law of neutrality, which could even lead to the death penalty for her.”

I looked at Victoria, stunned. “Why are you risking so much? Literally putting your neck on the line for me.”

“Because I have friends within the high elf nobility,” she responded. “I knew that kid Haiten before he even officially became king. Besides, the elf kingdom doesn’t enslave demi-humans like in parts of the human kingdom, nor do they engage in racist practices.”

“The human kingdom is racist toward you?” I asked, intrigued.

Victoria sighed before responding. “Let’s just say they tolerate us, but to some humans, we’re treated like animals. In certain places, there’s no difference between us and the intelligent animals they can domesticate. Our species avoids moving freely through the human kingdom because we know the risks. Even the elves prefer to avoid certain areas. There’s a human trafficking market there... and we, as other species, are seen as high-value commodities.”

As I listened, memories from the past flooded my mind. I recalled a time when a noble tried to kidnap Kinue. I also remembered numerous missions marked by similar cruelties.

I’ve dealt with human trafficking within our territory. We always had to act before they crossed the border since it wasn’t a crime in other territories. If they took people to another duchy, we couldn’t mobilize military forces, and by the time we got authorization, the victim would already be gone.

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I analyze the complex situation among the kingdoms, and it’s truly delicate.

Maybe that’s why it’s so essential to require high-ranking nobles to spend five years in this academy alongside other races—to prevent people in positions of power from wanting to dominate others at some point.

“Now I better understand why this academy exists.”

Professor Adrihna approached me. “In the demi-human and elf kingdoms, there’s no trafficking or prejudice that views another species as inferior. Although the demi-human kingdom may have territorial disputes due to beastly genes, we high elves don’t consider ourselves superior to other elves since we all embrace the same culture. You could say we’re proud, but it’s more a pride in our existence, as we’re so few left,” Adrihna explained.

I find myself in a very complex situation, one that could deeply affect my family in the human kingdom.

"Why don't we just let my origins remain forgotten? I could simply stay quiet about being descended from high elves," I suggested, trying to simplify the problem.

Adrihna and Victoria exchanged glances. "Let's just say it's important to preserve the memory of that ancestor of yours," Adrihna replied. "Ignoring your heritage is also considered a crime in the elven kingdom… especially since you inherited the silver hair..."

I rolled my eyes, joking, "How many crimes are we committing here? I think I've lost count."

Victoria chuckled. "We're not done yet, kid. I've got another blade over my neck. Add one more crime to the list."

"What crime?" I asked, curious.

She got comfortable in her chair, and Adrihna explained, "There are strict rules about marriages between nobles of different species, Nathan. You are a political noble of two kingdoms. Now, what do you think the third kingdom would think? If someone suspects a blood alliance between two kingdoms, the third one will feel threatened. That's why any matrimonial bond between nobles of different realms has to be done openly, with several documented approvals and limitations, especially when it involves political nobility. These laws exist to prevent alliances that could destabilize the balance between kingdoms."

I processed the information. "But I'm just a noble, not someone with royal weight in any kingdom," I argued, trying to grasp the magnitude of the situation.

Adrihna and Victoria shared a look of silent agreement. "These rules apply to any noble, Nathan," Adrihna clarified. "Your situation is extremely delicate. With your silver hair and magical talent, it's essential to keep all of this hidden until your position is settled."

I nodded, realizing the gravity of my situation, but I hadn't anticipated just how deep the problem ran.

Then there are the Celestial Eyes and that little monster sleeping in my room...

"Cheer up, kid!" Victoria encouraged with a reassuring smile, propping her feet on the desk. "When we get through all this diplomacy, we’ll laugh about it."

"Besides the two of us, there's one more person at the academy who knows about your situation," Adrihna revealed. She paused, and I could tell she wasn’t talking about Chloe or Kinue. "It’s Saintess Tiffania Brawen. Like you, she’s from the high elf nobility and is the daughter of a duke. She understands the complexity of your lineage and is aware of the situation surrounding your hair. The king shared this information with the headmistress and her so you could have some support at the academy. But regarding your talents with elven elements, only the director, the king, and I are in the know."

"That makes sense, at least. And now I know that all of this will pass once my diplomatic status is resolved," I said.

Headmistress Victoria nodded, relaxing in her chair. "Soon, all of this will just be a memory. But until then… avoid attracting unnecessary attention," she warned, with a serious look.