It's been a almost two years now. All i do is walk around, And eat the food they give me. Although the food isn't all that good, it lacks flavor, maybe i'm not used to eating this kind of food. But, I do like the fruits and vegetables.

I ignore my family. since i don't feel anything for them. Anytime they call me by the name Arata. I never react to it since i'm not used to being called by that name. And when they look at my face they sometimes make a troubled expression.

One day we were all sitting in the table eating dinner. Emma was feeding me food, as if i couldn't eat it by myself. Though i didn't like the food. Leon was happily eating his food, And Hanna was eating with a serious expression on her face.

Maybe she's just a serious person. Like me

Then Emma excitedly announced that she was pregnant. Leon probably already knew since he didn't make a big fuss. Plus it's noticeable due to her large stomach. I'd say she's been pregnant for a while now.

"that's great news Emma. hopefully the baby becomes a strong and capable person" Leon said proudly.

Emma smiled happily while rubbing her belly.

"But at least we already have an heir to our family" Leon declared excitedly. "i'll teach him how to use a sword and he will be an excellent swordsman." "You hear that Arata!" he said looking my way.

But like always i ignored him. i didn't even look at him.

A swordsman huh? Not interested. I've never used a sword. And i never had an interest in learning.

Hanna my sister excused herself after that. She doesn't speak to me often. In fact, she always looks like she's mad at me.

"hmm" Leon frowned "what's wrong with you boy, look at me" he said in a curious tone, poking at my arm to get my attention.

"come on Leon don't bother him while he eats, he is still a little boy." Emma said.

"yeah i know, but he does behave strangely. don't you think?" Asked Leon

" . . . " Emma stayed quiet for a minute then said "well he's still a baby." she said, as if trying to convince herself that there was nothing wrong with her precious child.

At first Leon thought there was something wrong with me because i never looked at them when they tried to get my attention. Emma didn't think much of it at first, but as time passed, she too started to realize there was something wrong.

"that's the same excuse you always use regarding this topic." he said. Then Emma made a sullen expression. Leon noticed and said "b-but maybe he will get better, he is still growing after all" he said quickly trying to comfort her. but her expression didn't change. Leon then got up, excusing himself, and spilled water on me.

"hey i'm sorry. I didn't mean to. it was an accident.."he quickly said. But then fell silent as i started at him.

After a long time of ignoring him, i meet his eye. I didn't bother hiding how annoyed i was, as i glared at him. He stared back at me in silence his face full of surprise.

"Hey what's wrong..." Emma was also surprised she fell silent when she saw my expression.

"hey what the hell. why are you looking at me like that?" he said calmly but seriously. "There really is something wrong with you." " Is that why you look so miserable all the time" he said as if expecting an answer.

I realized what i had done. i did it without meaning to, and at the same time a short yelp escaped my lips "ahh" I said surprised.

They both just stared at me in shock. as this was one of the very few times when i would acknowledge them. I was looking back and forth at both of them.

"Emma we should call a doctor. there is definitely something wrong with this child." Leon said breaking the silence.

Emma didn't argue back this time. she just silently nodded.

So they called a doctor, he is expected to arrive sometime in over two months

There isn't any modern technology here, like air conditioning or running water. It's almost like a medieval period. we live in a remote area in a small village called Sahvil. And it would take over a month to get to the closest city of Bryxton.

After that Leon and Emma kept their distance from me. until the doctor arrived. Hanna looked at their strange behavior in confusion. Probably wondering what happened.

I was glad they were keeping their distance. I can finally have some alone time.

The day finally came, the doctor arrived. He sat down on the couch and said "All right, what seems to be the problem."

Leon explained everything to the doctor about my behavior, since i was born to this recent incident. Emma stayed silent for the most part. She had a sad face.

I was sitting by myself in the couch. I didn't pay attention to their conversation because everything i think about and have always been thinking about is my real family. Ever since coming here i have never thought of nothing else.

"Does the boy get started by loud noises, or does he look at you when you call out to him." the doctor said as he inspected me.

"no every time we call out to him it's like he doesn't hear us and ignore us." Leon answered.

After some time of questions and answers. the doctor came to a conclusion.

"is there something wrong with him doctor?" Leon asked, his face unreadable.

"Yes, based on your report, and the way the child acted while i inspected him." " It seems that he is suffering from hearing loss." the doctor said as a matter of facility. Leon and Emma where at a loss for words.

As for me i thought it was funny, they all think i'm deaf. when im actually able to hear loud and clear.

"can it be cured" Leon asked. His face still unreadable.

Emma was still silent, then she turned to look at me with a face of pity and concern.

Seriously. did he seriously ask that. There's no way it can be cured. No one has ever been cured from hearing loss. Especially in this age where there is no modern technology.

"yes, it certainly can be" the doctor said. "but my healing magic is not advanced enough to cure the boy. you'll need to find some one with a higher level of healing magic. there are very few people in the world capable of that. good luck finding one. And one to listen to your request."

huh? Healing? Magic?

"cant you at least try?" Leon asked

"I told you my skills are limited" the doctor answered.

"please, just this once."Leon looked desperate.

the doctor sighed "very well, but as i told you before this will change nothing."He then walked in front of me raised his hand and a green glow came out and surrounded me. suddenly i felt better. My body felt lighter, and healthier. The green glow subsided. Until it disappeared.

I started at him dumbfounded.

What was that? magic? healing magic? is there magic in this world? can i use it too?

The doctor laughed at my face expression "What's wrong boy you never seen magic" he then went silent "ohh right you cant hear anything."

Leon payed the doctor for his service, and thanked him. Afterwards he walked the doctor out the door, and said his goodbyes.

The house went silent.

"what will we do with the boy now, maybe leave him at an orphanage?" my father said aloud.

"what are you saying? you can't be serious. he's our son i won't abandon him." Emma argued, with tear filled eyes.

"HES A FAILURE!" Leon snapped "he's not going to accomplish a damn thing in life. he's defective!!"

"NO. I WONT LET YOU SEND MY SON AWAY!"Emma said, with tears running down her face

"he's just a waste of space, there is no reason for him to stay here." Leon said annoyed

This was the first time i've heard them raise their voices. Leon is usually so happy, always wearing a goofy smile. And making silly jokes whenever the mood was down. This is a completely different side of him.

And Emma who is always so kind and caring, with her soft and calming voice. You would never think that she would be capable of raise her voice like this.

They continued yelling at each other, but i wasn't listening to them. I was still dumbfounded by what happened earlier. I can still feel it faintly that green glow. the way it flowed around and inside my body.

I walked away from the living room to a more quiet setting. So that i wouldn't forget this feeling. because it is a feeling i've never experienced before so it'll be hard to forget. After a while, their yelling stoped. I started walking back to the living room. On the way i passed Leon.

"Worthless child" he mumbled under his breath. As he walked past me to his room.

I saw Emma crying in the living room. I kind of felt guilty since it is my fault that this all happened. I walked up to her, and tugged at her arm. We looked at each other. Then i jumped on her and stretched my little arms as far back as i could behind her back. She accepted my embrace, and returned the hug. She than began to cry again.

"thank you" she whispered.

I did feel guilty for what happened, But i just discovered something to keep me occupied. So now i couldn't leave. Leon has a study room and there are various books. maybe i can find one and learn more about magic.

As i relaxed my arms i slowly let go of her, she did the same. Her crying stopped. she looked at me straight in the eyes, which were still red. she then patted my head, and massaged my face.

"i love you" she said aloud, her voice sounded sentimental and sad.

My eyes felt wet. Am i crying? I reached with my hand up to wipe the tears, but before i could. Emma. Her hand wiped the tears, and gave me a warm smile.

No. Not Emma. My mother

I gave her a smile. My mother then got up and headed to her room.

Out of the corner of my eye i saw Hanna and i followed her to her room. I opened the door and saw her sitting on a chair in front of a desk at the corner of the room. She seemed to have been waiting for me. i slowly walked in, and she signaled at me to seat on the opposite side of her.

"I overheard the conversation with the doctor." "and the only reason i can tell you this is because i know you can't hear it." she said in a calming tone.

i just looked at her pretending i didn't know what she was saying, but keeping my facial expression serious. So she'd know that i was taking this matter seriously.

"I have also been deemed a failure by father" she said cutting straight to the point. "just because i'm a girl he thinks there's nothing i would be good at. apart from house cleaning." she said disappointingly.

"But i've always wanted to live up to his expectations. for him to recognize me." she paused

"Then time passed and i never did anything to get his attention." "But i was also ready. ready to do something."

"but then you were born. he immediately recognized you saying you'll be the next heir to our family. and placed his expectations on you."

"so i grew to hate you, because that's what i have always wanted."

" but i didn't completely hate you you're still my brother and i care about you."

"then he snapped after finding out of your condition calling you a failure as well" she said as if taking pity on me.

"at that moment i realized that he was the real failure. failure as a father. he tossed his kids aside that didn't meet his expectations"

"mother has a child on the way, father will probably toss the baby aside like he did with us."

"Well that's all, you can leave now" signaling with her hand to go away, i got up and left her room.

Well now i understand why she acted harsh towards me for some time, as well as her serious demeanor. She also kept a distance from Leon as if she wasn't worthy to be next to him. Leon also kept his distance from Hanna. I've seen them talk before but not in real conversations, but now both me and my sister have realized what an ass hole Leon really is.

I was thinking of the recent events while walking down the hall, making my way to Leon's study.

it's time to learn some magic.