>>6337142>>6336732>>6336542>>6336579>>6336532A human? You don't think you've ever talked to one outside the city. You know a few of them existed, but you didn't realize one was living right next to the school. His file is pretty empty. He settled in this town years ago, for reasons he didn't disclose. He rarely ever leaves his house, and it doesn't look like he committed any crime, he's only kept under watch due to the fear of human tech he brings with him, in other words, guns.
It doesn't look like he has an official job, and due to the weird high trust system this town has, he's not forced to pay any taxes and is still given just enough food to get by. This doesn't mean contributing nothing is looked at kindly, and he's still forced to help with some public services every month so someone more useful doesn't take his place.
His house is as small and ran down as you'd expect. Stone lasts a while, but a lot of the runes and other basic magic amenities of other buildings are starting to erode, which means they're not being maintained. You straighten your back, and knock.
No answer. You knock again.
...
"Hello? Can I talk to you? It's kind of important."
Finally, the door opens. Maybe he's used to ignore knocks. The man looks a bit older than you, but not by much, maybe in his early thirties. In fact, if not for the blonde hair, you two would be pretty alike. "What is it. I've already done my contribution this month-" his eyes go wide when he sees you. "Are you- No, there's no way, are you human?"
"Yeah, got into the magic school year about a year ago. Do you mind if I come in?"
He looks reluctant, but lets you in nonetheless. "Okay, I guess I can trust another human with that much. I think someone mentioned you, but only to put me down. 'that human can do so much with magic, why can't you?' kind of deal," he says with spite.
"Right, sorry about that. Have you tried the Mana Up method, it's pretty-"
"Yes, I've fucking tried the Mana Up method. Pretty sure I have more mana than you even, but it still feels like I run out of it after an hour of practice. I don't even LIKE magic, but this stuff's everywhere, and every time I try to help I'm being told I'm sloppy with the- I don't know, mana flow or something. Whatever."
"Have you... considered joining the magic school?"
"No, I don't WANT to do magic. I'm not even supposed to- Can you tell me why you're here already?"
