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Why is my Brother Gian's body so weak?
Children born between humans and demi-humans, especially those from the Notos United Kingdom, always have some sort of defect.
That's common knowledge in this world.
However, in order to establish better relations with the Notos United Kingdom, Father, as a representative of one of the world's five great powers, welcomed Sophia, the daughter of the elven chieftain, the representative race of the Notos United Kingdom, as a concubine.
And Giancarlo and Giovanni were born.
But as everyone worried, both Giancarlo and Giovanni have problems.
As I saw during the incident in the southern garden the other day, Gian's body is remarkably weak.
He always seems to be in pain and is prone to anemia.
Because he's naturally weak, his immunity is low and he quickly gets sick.
Recently, his hair and skin seem to be getting rough as well.
On the other hand, Giovanni doesn't have any particular physical problems, but he can't use magic, which all elves should be able to use.
For elves, who live in harmony with nature, it's a fatal flaw.
So why does this happen?
Such problems don't occur between members of the same demi-human race.
However, between different demi-human races or between humans and demi-humans, children are always born with some kind of problem.
And the reason is still unknown, making it a social problem.
"By the way, what do you think is the reason, Brother Bertrand?"
"Hmm. It's a difficult problem, but... I suspect that something fundamental about the races is involved."
"Fundamental problem..."
"That's right. The most persuasive theory right now is that humans are an inferior race and demi-humans are a superior race. The body of the inferior race can't withstand the power of the superior race, making them weak. Or, it's the idea that their bodies abandoned their power to protect themselves."
If this was a normal adult, they wouldn't use terms like "inferior race" or "superior race" to a five-year-old.
But Brother Bertrand doesn't treat me like a child in a good way.
"I understand the consideration, but it's somewhat discriminatory."
"Demi-humans have qualities closest to spirits. Humans' ability to use magic depends on individual talent, but all demi-humans except half-breeds can definitely use magic. That's why half-breeds are detested as mixed blood. Because they inherit the characteristics of the superior race, demi-humans, it's said to be especially unlucky."
After hearing that, I thought about the phenomenon myself, but it seems like a simpler problem.
"Since they inherit human traits as well, isn't it natural for their magic to be influenced by talent?"
It's like how if a white person and a black person get married, black skin is a dominant trait, so there's a higher probability of the child being born with brown skin.
So isn't it simply that demi-humans have dominant genes compared to humans, so their physical traits are more likely to appear?
However, dominant and recessive is just a probability that determines which is more likely to appear; it's not always certain.
"Since they're children of humans and demi-humans, shouldn't they inherit traits from both? If whether or not a human can use magic depends on talent, then it wouldn't be strange if a half-breed's magic ability also depends on talent, would it?"
"......Hoh?"
Brother Bertrand amusingly placed his teacup on the table and leaned toward me.
"Assuming that the reason why half-breeds can't use magic is because they were born to humans and inherited human characteristics, making it dependent on talent, how do you explain their weak bodies?"
"I can't know that unless I see the differences in lifestyle between demi-humans and humans. For reference, is the half-breed's lifestyle more human-like or demi-human-like?"
"Demi-human."
"Their eating habits and exercise habits as well?"
"Of course."
If that's the case...
"Malnutrition, perhaps? Or overwork. Or they simply haven't adapted to the temperature."
Elves replenish their nutrients from nature, beastmen from raw meat, and scaled people from water.
Therefore, they don't eat much of the food that normal humans eat.
So, even if the nutrient absorption organs of a child are born more like a human, they may not be able to digest and absorb well and could easily suffer from malnutrition if they continue with the same diet as other demi-humans.
"Malnutrition... So they're not getting enough nutrients needed to move their bodies... Should I try recommending Giancarlo to eat the same food as us?"
"Don't tell me that Gian-nii-sama has been eating the same food as the other elves all this time?"
"That's right."
I couldn't help but sigh at those words.
"Why didn't you realize the possibility of malnutrition in these ten years?"
"I've never even heard the term 'malnutrition' before. But I see, it's a very fitting name. Malnutrition... I'll register it with the medical faculty in your name."
I had already sensed that this world had a low level of scientific knowledge, but if the scientific knowledge is low, then the various medical knowledge based on it is low as well.
I let out a deep sigh.
Come to think of it, all of Gian-nii-sama's symptoms are those of malnutrition.
Fatigue and anemia. Since he doesn't have the basic nutrients to build his body, his hair and skin are bound to become rough.
Why didn't I notice that possibility myself?
"Please let Gian-nii-sama eat meat, fish, and grains right away. Eat rice, eat rice! Eat soybeans, eat soybeans!!"
Thinking about it more closely, his blood doesn't stop easily - isn't that a vitamin deficiency?
Swelling in the legs and numbness in the hands and feet are also symptoms of nutrient deficiency, aren't they?!
"Please give Gian-nii-sama chicken eggs to eat right away!!"
Later, Teacher Cyril told me that he never wanted to see the unmoving eyes and hear the low voice he had never heard before from me ever again.
Honestly, I was sorry.
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