“Didn’t the Sesung Guildmaster and his son accompany you?”

That was the first question as we entered the nearby French Hunter Association. Most of the staff who looked at us wore the same curious expression. I evasively replied and rented a well-soundproofed meeting room in the association to assess the situation—and it was absurd.

At first, the headlines had called him merely “the awakened boy resembling the Sesung Guildmaster,” but over time they crept past the line. By dawn they were proclaiming, “The hidden son of the Sesung Guildmaster! Who is his mother? New aristocrat, prince of the upper hunter world! Are awakening stats hereditary? Literally golden blood!” They’d outright declared that Seong Hyunjae was Gyeol’s father.

Why don’t they consider him a relative? Is it simply because at Seong Hyunjae’s age, a child could only be Gyeol’s size? Outwardly maybe, though in truth he was less than a year old.

“Gyeol, you don’t have to do anything you dislike.”

Of course, if Gyeol and Seong Hyunjae were okay with it, being recognized as the Sesung Guildmaster’s son would be the easiest and safest route. For Gyeol to integrate into human society…

Though he had a human form, could speak, and possessed high intellect, he was still a fairy dragon, a monster. People who recoiled at different ethnicities were still common; with a different species, rejection was inevitable.

Yet hiding Gyeol’s true identity and masquerading him forever as human wasn’t simple either. If discovered later, all the time we’d spent would come crashing down in fierce criticism. But if we claimed he was Seong Hyunjae’s son, the chance of exposing Gyeol’s monster nature would vanish. Even if someone presented irrefutable proof, what could they do? Everyone would say, “The boy who looks exactly like the established social figure must be his son.” We could just claim special-skill interference in any genetic test.

“In truth, even as things stand now, there’s no problem.”

Though branding him heir to the Sesung Guild was tempting for Gyeol’s safety and peaceful life, it would only happen when Gyeol wished it. Seong Hyunjae’s consent would also be needed, but judging by his attitude thus far, he likely wouldn’t refuse. …Still, I’d ask before stamping it.

“Gyeol.”

At my call, Gyeol shifted into his boy form. Lowering my eyes to meet his, I said,

“You want to live like Dad, right? Like Uncle or Auntie or other people.”

Though he’d faithfully pretended dumb as a fairy dragon until now, every time he directly helped me take the lead, he looked genuinely joyful.

“As a regular child, not a fairy dragon.”

“…Yes.”

Gyeol nodded softly.

“You were born to help Dad.”

“No, Gyeol. Being born isn’t for someone else. Of course, Dad once thought that. But whatever reason you were born, your life is your own. That applies to everyone in the world.”

No one can live another’s life or demand they live it. Even if someone carries on another’s goals, it’s still their own life and deeds.

“So listen carefully. If you accept Seong Hyunjae’s help, you can settle in more easily.”

I calmly explained the advantages of going to the Sesung Guild. Gyeol, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked,

“It’d be easy for Dad too, right?”

“Don’t think about Dad right now. Think about what you want, what’s in your heart.”

“…I…”

His small voice hesitated and continued.

“I think I’d be a bit sad if you stopped being my dad.”

“I’ll always be your dad, but outwardly it’ll be hard to say.”

That couldn’t be helped.

“If you remain Dad’s son, what happens?”

“Dad will adopt you. I’ll need to agree with Seong Hyunjae first, but without outright denying the rumors, I’ll push the story that you’re his relative.”

Officially announcing “Gyeol is Seong Hyunjae’s relative, a human” could boomerang later. It’d be lying about an inhuman being. But people believing leaked rumors wasn’t our fault. Resistance might arise, but it’d be better than active deception.

“Legally, I’ll delay the procedures until you’re of age. Even then, it won’t be an issue.”

He’s not from Korea; we can fudge the nationality story for now. If it truly fails, we’ll move to a more accommodating country. Upper awakener families often overlooked such matters anyway.

“And I’ll found a kindergarten—and if needed, an elementary, middle, and high school. I’ll specialize in awakened children.”

As long as the world persisted and awakeners continued to be born—children like Yuhyun or Riette—there’d always be those unusual kids. I’d also heard of children awakened young by accidents who never received proper education or care. A child stronger than adults is hard to manage, even for good parents. Some associations help them, but no systematic facilities existed.

“Even if it comes out later that you’re not human, I’ll minimize issues. And so your younger siblings can attend too.”

So they’d be accepted as normal social members. It might look overprotective, but Gyeol and the other two monsters weren’t at fault for their births. Bad habits can be taught away, but innate nature needn’t be overcome by effort alone.

Overcoming nationality, race, environment, impairment—many do it admirably, but ideally, no one should have to struggle against circumstances they didn’t choose. Especially children.

Creating such a society is harder than individual effort, but fortunately I had the means. I’d just inherited a sizable fortune.

“…Won’t it be hard for you, Dad?”

“No. And you’ll have siblings. Seong Hyunjae’s help just makes your life safer and easier.”

Gyeol nodded again, looking me squarely as he answered,

“Then, Dad, I want to stay with you and my siblings.”

“All right. Let’s do that.”

I’d need to start with a kindergarten. I’ll say Gyeol is six or seven. On TV he looked a bit older, but clearly Western. And thinking of Seong Hyunjae’s build, larger than Korean kids. I’ll put Black Dragon at Gyeol’s age, and the little one at around five.

I rose and looked at Director Song.

“You’ll keep this quiet, right?”

“There’s no reason to oppose child protection. And.”

Director Song’s gaze turned to Gyeol.

“I honestly see him as a child.”

“Everyone is human: you, my sister, Seong Hyunjae and Riette, the other S-ranks.”

If he lives humanly, he’s human. I first contacted Mr. Vantes. He agreed to help at once. He’d contact Seong Hyunjae too. We’d ambiguously deny the father-son rumor and let the relative story circulate.

“If we announce plans for an awakened-child education facility, it won’t seem odd for me to care for Gyeol. I’ll have to act friendly with Seong Hyunjae again.”

No choice. Being close made it natural for me to take in Seong Hyunjae’s relative. And I’d hate for the top S-rank to be accused of abandoning kin. I’d gently hint at my adoption intentions once I’d grown attached.

“Sir, may I ask about the other child? Is he like you? Or surely not another ‘uncle from Sesung’? Or someone else?”

“Uh… well…”

He glanced hesitantly at Yuhyun.

“The one resembling Yuhyun, I’d say.”

“Whoa, really?!”

“Uh… that’s a bit awkward…”

The little one I could just call mine, but Yuhyun is barely twenty or twenty-one.

“Yuhyun, you could get weird rumors.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, Black Dragon I can just say is mine. People do resemble uncles or grandfathers. It’s common. At least we’re siblings.”

Should I dye Black Dragon’s hair like the little one’s? People’d think they shared a mother. Yerim gave me a sympathetic look.

“Mister, if you do that you’ll really end up married.”

“…I gave up on marriage long ago. Having the kids is enough.”

You don’t need marriage for a family. Many forms exist.

“But after Sesung uncle and you and Han Yuhyun, how about a kid looking like Hyunah or Mr. Song?”

“What are you talking about? None yet.”

“None yet?”

“Well, you never know how life turns out…”

Who knew it’d become like this? Yuhyun shot me a disgruntled look.

“…Bro.”

“Of course impossible! It’d be rude to Hyunah or Director Song. Seong Hyunjae found it amusing, and Yuhyun you’re my brother so I’d overlook it, but not them.”

No reason to block their marriage. More pressing was worrying about the little one’s monster transformation skill. The little one couldn’t maintain human form long… I called him over. A round fluff bounced onto the table.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep