>>6056471Even so, you try to act natural so they think you're just an average outside human, just because those are rare doesn't mean they don't exist. It seems like it's working, and the rune on your backpack helps with that, since the stereotype seems to be that no one from the human city would ever bother learning magic, not that the stereotype is really inaccurate, you're just an odd case.
Once you reach the inn, you ask for a drink and a room. Weirdly enough most people inside don't seem to care about you, but the red-skinned innkeeper does get curious.
"Strange to see a human in these parts. Where are you travelling to?"
You take a sip of your beer, it's strong but not unbearable. "School for the magically challenged," you answer. "I'll only stay here for the night."
He raises an eyebrow, "Unusual, but I'm sure you have your reasons. It just so happens the demon boy over here is also going there, he's been asking around for directions, maybe you could travel with him, that'd make the road safer."
You scoff, "Wouldn't travel with a demon make things more dangerous?"
"If he was a woman I'd agree, but male demons are pushover, and he's no exception. But hey, it's your life."
You look back at the demon boy, and it's true that he doesn't look that imposing. You've heard that the demon society was a matriarchy, but you never really looked into what the guys were like, since it's usually the women you'll see outside. The waiter says something to the demon boy, and he looks back to you. Did the waiter hear your conversation from all the way there?
Wait, no, the innkeeper and the waiter are the same person, they're Anbees. Anbees are a weird race, but basically, they always birth two people at once, and those two people share thoughts and knowledge, the main difference being that one is more emotional and the other more logical. Generally two Anbees are considered the same person, even if they can both act in very different ways, it's the equivalent of having two different inside voices, you suppose.
Anyway, the demon boy is going back to staring at his empty glass mug and you'd feel bad leaving him hanging now that he knows you're both going the same way, so you sit next to him and ask him if he needs help.
"Uhm, it's just, he said that you were also going to the same school as me, and I'm not very good with directions, so if it's not too much to ask..."
You shrug, "Yeah, I know where it is, even if I've never been there myself. I have a map."
His face lights up, "T-Thank you! I was just stressing over this and, if I was late, I just- I just don't know what I'd do!"
You're pretty sure the school is fine with being late a day or two, it would just leave a bad impression. You just nod at him as you take another sip of your beer, you're getting used to the taste already.
