The *Kriemhild* had visited over a thousand different planets. Based on the branch directives derived from the Dragon Slayer System's core command, the civilizations of each planet were now recorded in the *Kriemhild*'s database.
Among those thousand planets, [humans] were the most numerous life forms.
Of course, on different planets, the definition of [human] varied. Not all races that could generally be called human referred to themselves as [human]. Therefore, the *Kriemhild* and the Dragon Slayer System had their own judgment logic.
For species currently registered in the *Kriemhild*'s database, as long as the similarity to the standard template exceeded 80%, they could be called human. From Ziger's physical examination results, he was undoubtedly human—but not a pure human.
[The following is speculation based on the conclusion—It is likely that several hundred years ago, all humans on this planet underwent a large-scale genetic modification, or engaged in large-scale species hybridization with a non-human species.]
[The descendants thus produced naturally possessed a non-human portion within them. Part of it continued to be inherited through bloodlines, persisting in every person on this planet even today. Depending on each person's physique, some humans exhibit non-human characteristics.]
As she spoke, Brynhildr handed a mirror to Ziger.
[In Lord Ziger's case, it would be your eyes and teeth, correct? Humans in the general sense do not possess slit pupils like yours, nor do they have such sharp teeth from birth.]
"..."
Ziger looked at the reflection in the mirror without a word.
If not for looking in the mirror daily over the past month, and occasionally seeing his reflection when searching for water sources earlier, he might have almost forgotten what he looked like.
Hair a vibrant flame-red. A slightly thin and delicate face. Slit pupils identical to dragons, faintly flickering with flame-like light. Sharp, pointed teeth, including his canines, seemingly capable of tearing through flesh with a single scratch.
[If evidence is needed, Lord Ziger's extraordinary physical abilities can also serve as corroboration.]
[Though that would require you to move to the training room first.]
"...No need."
Putting down the mirror, Ziger sighed. "I always knew I was different from others. Now it's just truly confirmed that I'm an anomaly... The good news is that all humans seem to be anomalies. I'm just a more special anomaly among anomalies."
"How should I put it... It gives me a somewhat relieved feeling."
A harbinger of disaster, a monster.
Anyone connected to him would surely die later.
His foster parents burned to death. The village chief's family who took him in also burned to death. The Dragon Hunter uncle who let him tag along was eaten by a dragon—Precisely because he recognized he wasn't suited to live with people, Ziger actively distanced himself from human settlements.
Add to that the inexplicable ability to control fire and that regenerative ability that likely allowed recovery as long as he wasn't dead—Ziger had long since concluded that, aside from fellow monsters and anomalies like him, there certainly wouldn't be anyone in the world who could accept him.
And now, it turns out all humans are anomalies like him?
This conclusion truly made Ziger's heart, for the first time in a long while, feel a sense of closeness to humans.
"Thank you for telling me these things, Miss Brynhildr."
[You're welcome, Lord Ziger.]
[I also thank you for your cooperation. Originally, as someone who exists to assist you, I should not order you around like this. But out of consideration for your physical safety, I took somewhat intrusive actions. Even if you punished me for it, it would be understandable.]
"Why would I punish you? You did it for my good and because you were worried about me, right?" Ziger smiled. "I don't care much about my body. I won't die anyway. Since Miss Brynhildr would worry about me, then in a sense, aren't we just... uh... complementary roles? That mathematical concept where things together become complete."
[You mean to say my actions and your actions complement each other perfectly?]
"Yeah, that."
[Understood.]
Brynhildr gave a slight bow.
[Since Lord Ziger has such thoughts, I will pay even closer attention to your health going forward—The 53rd contractor's suggestion has been incorporated into the Dragon Slayer System's unified decision-making area. As of today, the action permissions and scope of Support AI Brynhildr have been expanded.]
The second half of her sentence, Brynhildr's voice suddenly became somewhat stiff and emotionless.
(Is the Dragon Slayer System talking now?)
Ziger wasn't surprised. Brynhildr occasionally did this. She mentioned that when she did, the Dragon Slayer System was temporarily taking over her communication and thought modules.
More than that, Ziger was currently more concerned about another matter—
[Skill System Determination: Fire Magic—85% similarity to records in database.]
That line from the examination conclusion made Ziger snap his fingers, causing a small flame to appear at his fingertip.
Magic.
He knew the concept. It was said that every High-Rank Dragon possessed some unique magic. Mid-Rank Dragons could also awaken magic after prolonged growth.
Ziger discovered he could use fire the third time he ate a dragon, also his third dragon hunt. But he never thought of it as magic, since Ziger always considered himself human, and he had never systematically learned magic.
But if it was magic...
(Then wouldn't that shorty Kamui's lightning also be magic?)
Kamui's use of lightning was similar to Ziger's fire; both of them had confirmed it. Their experiences were also very similar...
[Is Lord Ziger concerned about your magic?]
Brynhildr asked.
[If you are, the database contains a vast amount of information related to magic. I can accompany you and translate—You probably can't read the texts from other planets, can you?]
"...Yeah."
Ziger nodded somewhat awkwardly.
In fact, forget texts from other planets, he hadn't even fully mastered the written language of his current planet. Common everyday words were fine, but he truly couldn't remember specialized terms. It was a bit embarrassing to admit.
(But at least I'm more literate than that shorty Kamui! That's good!)
Kamui also barely recognized any characters. Since birth, he had been crawling through piles of human and dragon corpses, with absolutely no chance to learn to read.
In terms of combat prowess, Ziger was probably indeed inferior to Kamui. But in terms of brains, Ziger believed he was much smarter than Kamui!
(Still, now that I think about it...)
(What exactly is [Magic]?)
Looking at the flickering flame on his fingertip, Ziger couldn't help but wonder.