Entry #11

Experiment #0 has been progressing very well in its growth. His lessons with Casia have made his magic stronger than I anticipated and my lessons in a general history of this world and the Demon Territory were going very well. While he struggled with self-defense and melee combat, I'm confident he could inherit my home and research I would leave behind once I pass this world.

However, one thing that I noticed was his creativity and the concepts he came up with once he shared his ideas with me. Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical about his ideas, yet I felt like he was able to make them a reality once he mastered some [Talents] within him. Plus, that hot and cold shower piqued my interest for different reasons.

Oh, right. I think I should stop this ambiguity or I would be rude when he starts reading my journal in an event he would truly continue where I started.

I decided to start treating him as my own son starting today. I know this was a gift from the Goddess herself, yet I was skeptical and suspicious of his appearance in the Demon Territory. However, as I saw through Casia's powers, I saw a fragile soul inside the insane exterior of this boy.

I know that he is still mentally well, but I know in my heart that forcing him to be better is not the right way to recover.

At the very least, I should give him proper love and care as his surrogate father if my health can linger longer. I may not be a father material, but I hope Casia might have better luck on his end.

Of course, that means I should give Experiment #0 a proper name very soon...

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I was speechless. The black dragon who almost killed me... The very same one who stood tall above me...

Was now a human man offering me a tray of biscuits on my desk. Seriously, did he not mention this before? I mean, he never turned into a human when we arrived at the house and he was mostly stuck outside tending the garden of Shadow Lavender and herbs. Just staring at his yellow eyes in his pale face still creeped me out.

"Is something the matter, Fledgling?" Casia asked in his slightly baritone voice.

I quickly shook my head when he turned his attention to me. "I-It's nothing. It's just that I recalled that you mostly stay in your dragon form."

"Oh, that. While I was strong in my dragon form, it was a bit annoying when I can't enter buildings without destroying them by accident. It's thanks to the former owner that I got this human body so I can travel around more easily. Don't you remember?"

Huh? Okay, my memories were a bit fuzzy right now, but he didn't mention all of that before. Or was I misremembering them?

"Right, I forgot about your condition. Either way, just don't think about it too much. Right now, didn't you promise that we're going to work on your magic today?"

Did I?

...l...

Oh, right. I did promise. Right after I met the owner. I wanted to learn more spells, so I should focus on that first. I don't know why I wanted to, but I shouldn't think too much about it.

"Alright. I'm still used to this, so go easy on me, okay?"

Casia chuckled in response. Ugh... I don't like it when he does that. "Don't worry. We'll do much more than that."

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After I dressed up, I was outside the house once more as I stood in the garden with Casia. Looking at him right now, I still felt a little uneasy seeing him in his human form compared to his dragon form. Despite this, we did the usual such as learning spells with my current affinity, working on my aim (no thanks to my broken glasses), and mastering spells that I already know thanks to my ring.

But just as we moved on to my next lesson, I still recalled one of the lessons Casia taught me.

"Hey, Casia. I was wondering about the [Sentient Demons] lesson you gave me," I spoke up while I sat down right beside Casia. "The current owner is a demon, right? Then is he a higher-ranked demon like his master?"

Higher-ranked. I recalled that they were called [Shadow Demons] and they were a type of demon who was two steps closer to becoming a Demon Lord.

"I wish that was the case. Unfortunately, he's a Demi-Fiend like any demon in villages and lower-class cities in kingdoms. He was born with an unusually low amount of mana, yet has a monstrous appetite for Mana Crystals and Hearts."

Whoa, I didn't know the owner was a big eater when it came to crystals. I wonder if it's the same with normal food. I knew that sentient ones can eat them with no problem, mostly for leisure, I think.

"Is he currently learning magic like me?" I asked next.

"Yes. While he is now the owner of the former's house, he is still a student in terms of magic. You can tell how difficult I have to split my time between you and the owner."

I chuckled sheepishly. Probably my fault for his complications with our magic lessons right now. Still, I wish the owner would come out once in a while so we could learn together. I don't know why, but he felt like a pseudo-brother to me.

"Well, enough talk. We should start focusing on the lesson right now. I hope you rested enough because I'm going to teach you more about the elemental relationship between the 7 elements."

He has a point. I need to learn more about magic. I don't know if it's for survival in the Demon Territory or this world in general since I mostly wanted lessons because of my [Demon Knowledge]. But I had a sudden urge to learn more about them. About this world. About magic. About myself. So I decided to stop thinking and start listening to Casia's next lesson.

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The Goddess of Darkness.

Some say she was a witch born who was left over from the creation of this world.

Others say she was formerly a Goddess who turned her back to the light.

And a minority say that she was a cunning manipulator who turned many species against each other.

Regardless of these contradicting origins, there were some facts many demons and some species accepted.

She was the one who brought demons and monsters into the world.

She was the one who created darkness.

And she was the one who introduced hardships into the world.

Because of this, religion was formed in the country of Demons.

Believing that without hardships, there is no growth.

So for this world and the demons to grow, they must overcome them and learn from their past. So they could evolve and grow as people.

So regardless of what anyone says about the Goddess, one thing was clear.

She was the one who ended the world's stagnation.

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Why...

"As you can see, most elements have a cause-and-effect when they make contact with each other..."

Why am I feeling so lethargic?

"Let's go with other examples beyond Fire and Darkness."

Why do I feel like I'm dying from my waning strength?

"As I said from my previous lesson, Earth is strong against Wind, but it is weak against..."

Now that I think about it, did I eat breakfast earlier? Or drink anything for that matter?

"Then there is Nature, which is strong against..."

Dammit, I couldn't focus on an empty stomach.

"Lastly, there is Light, which is s- Huh?"

I couldn't...keep my eyes open for long!

"F...e...g...in.g..?!"

I'm too...hungry...

"...e...l...g!!!"

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Whe...

Where am I?

I found myself in a dark void. I tried looking around, but I couldn't find anyone in this void. I don't know if I'm walking around or saw my limbs or myself.

I kept wandering around. Trying to find any signs of life here.

Until I saw a familiar robe. A robe that belonged to a man that I have never seen his face lately.

I wanted to approach him. To try calling out to him. To reach out to him.

But when I did, I noticed his mouth under his hood, trying to tell me something.

I felt like I'm losing consciousness again. But I slowly realized what he was trying to say. The message he left me as the world around me turned to pure black once more.

"Do not be afraid of what you really are."

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"Fledgling!"

I gasped in shock and stood up with my eyes snapped open. I looked around and realized I was now inside the lounge of the house, except I was in Casia's arms as he stared at me with a frown and yellow eyes gazing at me.

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"Oh, that the Goddess, you're alright! You almost gave me a scare back there."

I groaned as I slowly got up. "W-What happened to me back there?"

"You suddenly fainted in the middle of our lesson. I was worried, so I have to stop my lecture and take you back inside for you to rest."

Oh, right. I did remember that, mostly from the sudden loss of my strength. And I think I know why it happened.

"I-I'm okay, Casia... Don't worry about me," I answered while I tried to get up. Although, my strength and stomach might have said the opposite. "Actually, I take back what I said. Ugh... Did I eat breakfast this morning?"

I was hoping I might have slipped my mind about it. But Casia responded with his head shaking. "You simply followed me after you woke up and dressed up for your magic lesson. Honestly, I was a bit concerned since you haven't eaten anything for the past week."

Past week?! How the hell did I even survive a week without any food anyway?!

I quickly shook my head. I couldn't lose my head over this. There has to be a logical explanation for why I missed some meals for the...

Rumble...

Ugh... I'm too hungry to think right now. I need something to eat before I could move on. "Is there anything from the pantry and garden that I can eat, Casia? Fruit would suffice for now."

As soon as I said this, Casia frowned at this while he stared at me. "About that... The pantry is empty at the moment and the next food supply won't arrive in my lair until tomorrow. As for the garden, most of the edible fruits and herbs are still growing and the next harvest is estimated to be next week."

My heart almost stopped when I heard this. Next week?! No! I would die of starvation or malnutrition by then!

"Don't fuck with me! Can you try hunting some monsters or animals nearby?!" I demanded as I became desperate. "You can hunt as a dragon, right?!"

"Grrr... I wish, but remember where we are right now! Finding a deer or a wild boar in the Demon Territory is like a needle in a haystack! It would be impossible for me to leave unless I want the kingdoms to panic over a Drago Nox suddenly appearing outside of the territory! Please, Fledgling. You're not in the right mindset to think. Please calm down before we can act accordingly."

Oh... I felt like I wanted to eat something now. But Casia was right. My hunger was driving me crazy and if I couldn't calm down, I would do something that I would regret for the rest of my life! Yet, I'm so hungry! I need to eat something! Anything to satisfy my hunger!

...y...al...

That voice... I couldn't hear clearly, but I know somebody whispered a word in my ear. And then, something caught my eye. Something shone inside Casia's pant pocket. Something enticing. Something...delicious...

I couldn't take it anymore!

I tackled Casia without any thought in my head. I don't know why, but I'm too hungry to think. I'm too thirsty to find any reason why I attacked Casia like that.

"F-Fledgling! W-What in Umbaria's name are you doing?!"

I was wondering the same thing, yet I was too focused to listen. Instead, I quickly snatched the shiny items out of Casia's pocket. They were Mana Crystals, the very same ones he showed to me during one of his lessons. I don't know why I stole them from Casia. Yet, looking at them was very entrancing to my eyes. Enough for me to keep them. Enough for me to stare at them.

Enough for me to eat them.

I couldn't resist it anymore. I opened my mouth and put all of the Mana Crystals in. They were tough to chew since they were real crystals to the point they might break my teeth. But I was too hungry to notice it. Instead, I noticed these crystals seemed to have a variety of tastes the moment my tongue made contact with them. Some of them tasted sweet while others were a mix of bitter and sour. I wish I could enjoy this taste, but I didn't want to lose my teeth chewing all of them.

So I swallowed all of them. The moment that I did, most of my strength suddenly came back and my hunger suddenly disappeared. I stood up, noticing I was able to move normally again. It's as if eating those crystals restored most of my strength. Not only that, my rational side came back as I realized what I did to Casia.

"I'm so sorry, Casia!" I apologized as I helped the dragon up to his feet. "I didn't know what was I thinking. I...I was so hungry and I noticed your crystals and..."

"Calm down, calm down, young Fledgling! I forgive you," Casia answered once he was up as he dusted his clothes afterward. "I'm just surprised you managed to scarf those crystals in one bite. Are you okay?"

I sighed as I checked my body one more time. "I think so... In fact, eating those crystals somehow regained my strength and satisfied my hunger."

Saying that out loud made me sound like I'm a crazy old man. Yet doing all of that made me question what was logical to this world or not. I thought eating crystals was not normal for me. And yet...

Anyways, I shook off those thoughts for now and said, "Anyways, I'm so sorry for eating your Mana Crystals. They seemed very important to you."

"That's okay, Fledgling. There were several Mana Crystal mines nearby and I have a few more back in my lair. I'm just surprised you managed to eat them and recover your strength like that."

"Y-Yeah..." He was right. I was able to stand up and walk without any issues. "But I still feel like something isn't right about th- ARGH!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through my hands. I looked at them and I feel like the colors in my face start to fade as I saw what was happening to them. My nails slowly turned black as they start to glow longer. Sharper. Dangerous.

As the pain receded, my nails were gone. Rather, they were replaced by black claws reminiscent of wolves, dogs, and bears.

This wasn't right. I felt like eating crystals was not what a normal human would do. Having black claws wasn't normal for a human. All of these weren't normal!

Now that I thought about it, I recalled that memory with Umbaria and still reeling from my thoughtless stunt, I made a realization.

"Casia, am I human?"

The moment I turned to him, his expression changed to shock as he said, "W-What did you say?"

"Am I human?" I repeated. "I know humans aren't supposed to eat the Mana Crystals directly. And I managed to eat all of the elemental ones in one gulp. Not only that, there is no way my hunger disappears when I ate them as a human! That's not normal for me! So answer me this, Casia! Am I human or not?!"

This thought never came to my mind until now. I was hoping it wasn't the case. Yet I never had a sudden urge to eat Mana Crystals until now. More importantly, I slowly realized my memories didn't add up after I seemingly arrived here in the Demon Territory without any reason. I tried to recall how I got here, but all I got was a migraine. I need confirmation. It doesn't matter if it's a reassurance or not, but...

"Oh... So you already noticed, huh? Honestly, I wish I could continue, but I have to follow the master's wishes."

What? Did he already know about my state?

"What do you mean, Casia? I need a proper answer right now!" I demanded. "Are you working with the goddess and the owner against me?! What did you do to me?!"

But he only responded with a mix of a growl and sigh. "If you truly wish for answers, I suggest you should turn to the current owner."

"The...current owner?"

"I want to be honest. I have nothing against you. Rather, I see you as my second pupil that I'm proud to see you grow. I have no intention of manipulating you for my own gain. However, what I'm about to ask you is for your own good. The truth you're about to see will be harsh, but I will be on your side until the end."

Casia... I wish I could believe you, but...

"But don't take my word. The owner is in his lab located in the basement of this house." Casia handed me an old key from his pocket. "Do you remember the door at the end of the hallway there? That's where he is. There, you will know everything. Just promise me that you won't throw away your trust in us afterward."

I...couldn't answer that. I wish I could trust him, but at this point, I don't know anymore.

Still, I accepted the key and walked past Casia. I wish I could leave without a word. But I couldn't.

"I wish I can't. You're like a real father to me," I said. "Please don't be like that bastard once I'm done there."

I didn't turn back to see Casia's reaction as I left the lounge. But I could guess that he felt somehow disappointed in himself or me. Either way, I simply focus my attention on the room he directed me to. I needed answers now and I'm not gonna rest until I got what I wanted.

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A walk into the basement was a bit uneventful. Yet the moment I stepped down the stairs, I noticed the hallway through it was a bit dark due to a few lamps being lit there. Not only that, but I also noticed that most of them were not like the ones I saw upstairs as they were mostly candles and fire lighting several selected areas on the walls. Now that I saw the basement with my own two eyes, I began to wonder what was the house like before the current owner came into Jekyll's life. More importantly, was this house a bit dark and creepy than I thought it would be?

Regardless, I simply took a deep breath and slowly walked through the hallway without any hesitation. Thankfully, the hallway seemed to be short enough and I noticed there were four doors surrounding me. I wish I could check all of them, but I'm only focused on one door I wanted to enter. And eventually, I managed to reach it at the end of the hallway where the fifth door lies there as Casia said. I don't know what lies beyond that door, but I took a deep breath, unlock the door with the key Casia gave me, and slowly opened it as I quietly entered it.

As I did, my eyes widened to see the interior. Several shelves hung on both sides of the walls with several colored bottled liquids, jars of powders and herbs, and knick-knacks spread all over them along with a wooden table and chair standing right in front of me. For some reason, there was a mirror right beside me, and there several bars of iron and body parts from who-knows-where at the back of the door. And on that chair was the current owner himself, still wearing his cheesy black robe. He turned around and I saw his face still obscured by his hood. I was now cautious around him, knowing he might have something to do with my strange appetite lately.

Of course, the first thing he did after he saw me was take out his paper and showed me a seemingly handwritten message.

"Oh, hello! I didn't notice you coming into my humble abode. This room was supposed to be locked, so I'm guessing you must have got in thanks to Casia, correct?"

I have a good reason to be mad at the owner. I have a good reason to punch the living daylights out of him if he kept avoiding my questions. I have a good reason not to calm down.

But I couldn't. These people treated me as an equal and were willing to give me shelter and information about this world and the demons living here. They told me to trust them, to let go of my perceived suspicions against them. But doing so was hypocrisy on both sides. I don't know who to believe anymore. I don't know what was a truth or a lie. But I know what was the first question I had to let out first.

"Be honest with me, owner. What...the hell did you do to me?"

The owner simply tilted his head as his message magically changed. "I don't follow what you're trying to say."

I'm running my patience thin with his attempts to avoid any questions I threw him. But I have to calm down. Losing it will lose my chance for concrete answers. "I just swallowed several Mana Crystals. And I enjoyed it!"

"So? Is eating crystals normal for you?!"

I growled, trying to keep my cool against this guy. "How's "eating inedible crystals" normal for me?! Heck, how does having my nails transformed into black claws normal?! How is all of this normal?!" I took a deep breath and stopped myself just as I grabbed the owner's shoulders when I tried to make sure he won't get away, fearing I might punch this guy with my newly grown claws even if I wanted to. "I want to trust you and Casia, I really do. But you have to tell me what is happening to me?! What kind of sick magic did you turn me into...whatever I'm turning?!"

I gasped as I'm starting to lose my breath from my questions. But it didn't stop me for a while as I asked a few more.

"Please... I need to know... Why am I here in the Demon Territory? Am I losing my mind? Are you turning me into something I'm not?"

I stared at the man, trying to find any sense in everything that happened to me today. I needed answers and I didn't want him to avoid any more of my questions! I need hope. I need something to answer these illogical changes within me. I need something to make sure I'm still hu-

"What are you talking about? You were never human the moment you woke up."

My eyes widened. I...was never human? What the hell did he mean by that?

And why did he have my voice?

"Well, you might have recovered some of our memories, but not all of the important stuff you need to know now." The owner sighed as I watch him put away his paper on his desk. "At least I have a good excuse to end this tomfoolery right now. You recalled what Umbaria said to you, right? The promise you two made before you were dropped off to your doom?"

I was almost speechless. How did he know about my meeting with the Goddess of Darkness?!

"What does it have to do w-"

"You will have a second chance in this new world. A past identity and history wiped clean from your memories and inner self once you died here. You accepted it, hoping you will able to get that life you deserved after a life of hell there. Well, guess what?"

The owner dropped his hood and the moment I see behind it, my heart nearly stopped.

"You died and got everything you've asked for."

I couldn't say anything else at that point. How could I? Because the man right in front of me, the current master of this house...

"It's just I need one tiny favor from you. Something that I... No, we desired."

That man was me.

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