Life as a Noble

Eight years had passed after that shocking revelation.

I still remember the events of that day when I pat the white dog of my current household, Bielly.

I am now eight years old in this new world. I was given a new name: Shion. My new identity became Graize Els Shion, third child of Graize noble family.

"Ah, it's about time... I'll play with you later, Bielly."

As I leave Bielly at the garden, I walk forward to the kitchen.

I should be able to reach there in less than 5 minutes... if only I am not stopped by someone.

"Hey Defect!"

I sigh as I look towards the source of the voice. As expected, I see a fat-looking blonde boy who shouts those words at me.

"How may I help you, Korsch onii-sama?"

I say that while I pretend to smile. It's kind of tiring to do this every time we meet though.

That fat boy dressed in expensive-looking clothes is Graize Els Korsch. The 2nd child of the family which means that he is one of my two older brothers.

We do not look that alike though. My hair is black while his is blonde. It's because we have different mothers. His and our older brother's mother is the 1st wife, Graize Els Lenora while my mother is the 2nd wife, Graize Els Shinotsuki.

I never meet the mother of my brothers though. Because I was told that she passed away before I was born.

"I'm going to show you something interesting today..."

With a grin, Korsch raises his right hand up.

"Water Ball!"

A blue magic circle appears on top of his hand. And then a small ball of water suddenly pops up from that magic circle while still floating in the air.

"Magic huh...." I say that while pretending to be interested.

"That's right. I learned it today. The spell 'Water Ball'."

That fat boy says it with a proud grin.

I don't know what kind of exaggerated praises he got from his tutor. But to be honest, it's no big deal.

Magic, the kind of force that I usually see from fantasy stories, is actually real in this world.

Over the past eight years, I learnt many things about this world. Most of my knowledge came from the family's library. I often came there to study many things to quickly understand the situation I am currently in.

This world's name is Desparia. Despite the different name, it has lots of similarities to Earth. More than 70% of this planet consists of sea. Even the number of days and months are the same. The names are also surprisingly the same, despite having a different language. When it comes to common names like months and days, they pretty much follow the English language. Even the letters are similar to alphabet, making it easier for me to learn the language of this world.

Desparia has four major continents accompanied by smaller islands. The four major continents are named Bramashtra, Elverwad, Wilderystal, and Sanrock.

The Graize family household, my home, is located at Bramashtra Continent, the biggest continent in the world where the Capital City, the central system of Bramashtra government, resides. There is no concept of country here, or rather, only the four major continents are acknowledged as individual governments that ruled its surrounding cities with rightful law. But then again, it's not significant to be called a difference between Earth and this world. Despite having the same name, this system proves that humanity in this world also creates community to protect themselves and become the major race that rules the world.

If I were to provide the difference between Desparia and Earth... I can surely point out 3 differences:

First, fantasy things like magic and monsters exist within this world as a real thing.

Second, there is no concept of different language here. People from all over the world speak the same language no matter what culture they have.

Third, living beings here have similar function of living like having blood and such... but the difference is, some living things have a spiritual existence called astral body.

That astral body is what enables living beings to use magic. In order to use magic, a human would normally use mana as a fuel inside their astral body to cast a spell. Mana is a natural resource of magical energy. By using astral body to process mana, people can use magic as part of their daily life.

However, there are few exceptions. One of them is me, a person who was born without astral body. Not having astral body means that my body does not contain any mana, and thus I am not qualified to use magic.

And that's the reason why Korsch called me defect. People who cannot use magic usually does not have a future. They are treated as a burden even worse than disabled people who can still use magic. That's why the discrimination against people with no ability to use magic is a normal custom around here. Though I'm the only person who cannot use magic around this area so I don't know much about other people that has the same problem as mine.

"That was amazing, onii-sama. Now if you excuse me, I have an urgent matter to do," I say that with a smile and was about to take my leave.

"Wait, that's all you have to say!? This is something that you will never be able to do for the rest of your life!!"

"Yes, I am well aware. That's why I'm going to stop thinking about pointless things like those."

I never turn back as I say that. I really have no time to babysit him. However, he never fails to disappoint me.

"THIS UNGRATEFUL DEFECT!!"

Right after he says that, he throws the water ball at me.

It is an expected outcome. I'm indeed kind enough to greet him but I'm not that stupid to waste my time dealing with him.

Right after I think that, I look at the incoming water ball.

Then the water ball suddenly change its direction to the ground.

*splash!*

"Eh? What...?"

Korsch says that as he is unsure of what happened. Well, it can't be helped. There is no way an amateur magic user like him to be able to understand what happened.

"What's going on here?"

I hear another male's voice which is more mature and dignified. Then I see a blonde prince-like person coming wearing military clothes.

This prince-like person is my eldest brother, Graize Els Millson. He would be what you call a genius. He graduated school at the age of 12 while it's the norm for this world to have kids from noble family to enter formal school at the age of 10 and graduate at the age of 16. In other words, he was a prodigy that able to complete all formal school's programme in only 2 years.

His battle prowess is also top-notch. He works immediately under my father who works as a kingdom's knight. Kingdom is the shape of government in this world. And working as a knight there means that you are strong enough to be chosen by the kingdom, one of the highest-class career you can get.

His behaviour is also praised by people around him. I can say that he is one of few men that I have favourable opinion with, if only...

"Korsch, I told you to stop bullying Shion right? She is your little sister, you know."

Korsch starts to panic. Yeah, he can never stand against our eldest brother. Battle prowess aside, Millson is trusted by everyone except me. If Millson started to talk about this problem, people will most likely believe him and Korsch will be in for trouble.

"N- no... this is... grr! dammit!!!"

Not sure what to say, Korsch chooses to run away instead. Pathetic as ever.

"Wait! Korsch! ... geez.. that guy... Shion, are you okay?"

Millson say that as he approached me and touched my shoulder.

"Yes, I'm alright. Thank you, Millson onii-sama."

"No need to thank me. I'm your older brother after all."

Uwah, he's at it again. Right as he say that, he starts rubbing his hand to my shoulder with weird ways thinking that I do not notice it at all.

That's right, I would have a favourable opinion of him... if only he is not a perverted siscon. I lost count of how many times he tries to peep me while I was bathing. There is also the time when I spotted him holding my clothes. I asked him what he is doing and he always managed to get away with well-prepared excuses.

I really should be careful around him. Time to get away.

"Well then, onii-sama, if you excuse me. I have to go."

"Oh, the usual place, right? Want me to go with you?"

"No, it's alright. Onii-sama is currently preparing for the latest knight mission right? The kingdom is already relying on onii-sama so I don't want to put more burden on top of it."

"Shion...."

"If I really need help, I will surely depends on onii-sama. So please don't worry."

".... understood, I will go back to my office then. Call me if you need anything."

After saying that with a smile, Millson finally leaves.

"... seriously, this is why men are so..."

As I complain with low voice, I head towards the main kitchen building.