Approximately 200 years ago.

A child of the devil race rummaged through a dumpster, searching for any scraps which he could get ahold of.

This child had horns which were barely poking out of his head, and his fangs were so small that they didn't even peek out from his mouth.

"Oh.... it looks like we're going to be eating good tonight."

Pulling out an apple which had been half eaten, with brown spots covering the exposed fruit and bruises covering the part which was not exposed, this demon wiped the apple off on the rags which he wore, licking his lips with satisfaction.

"I'm sure they'll be happy when I come back with this."

Jumping down from the dumpster, the boy took off.

He rushed through the alleyway, turning a corner only to be stopped by a large demonic man who was folding his arms with a grim expression.

"Rummaging through the garbage like the rat you are?"

Blocking the only path, this devil stood firm without budging, intent on stopping the boy from heading any further.

"It decreases the land value of this area just having rats like you around who are rummaging through the trash. How many times have you been told this?"

Grabbing the apple in the boys hand, the man threw it to the side so that it splattered as it hit the dumpster.

"I'm getting sick of your games, boy. We don't need your kind around here. Go back to the slums where you're from and stop picking out of our trash."

Biting his lip, the boy looked down with frustration as he walked off.

Within the city of devils at this time, there were three sectors.

The upper class, middle class, and lower class sectors.

The upper class lived like nobles with mansions and as many servants as one could count.

The middle class sector resembled a bustling city, with shops and restaurants abound. These people usually lived in residential districts which were separated from their workplaces.

The alleyway which the boy currently walked through was one such place, behind a local shop.

And then there were the slums.

"Alright, I..... won't come back."

"You had better not. The store owner is getting less customers because of your kind sticking your dirty hands in our trash."

Running off, the boy held a disappointed expression as he rushed through the city.

As he ran through the alleyways, the buildings became closer and closer to one another, and the height of the buildings increased.

Within this city of darkness, the light of the sun did not reach.

As he rushed through the alleyways, the number of demons which he passed increased.

Many were laid out in the streets, asleep.

Almost all of them were thin beyond comprehension, and the clothes they wore could barely even be considered rags.

Soon, the boy came across an open area which had a number of tentlike structures which had been built from various cloth and wood scraps.

People lined the area, lying all over the place. Not a single person moved, for doing so would merely be a wasteful expenditure of energy.

"Why did you go out, Huberos? You'll just tire yourself out and need to eat more."

A thin old demon made this statement while barely opening one eye.

"If I can't find anything to eat, then I'll starve anyways. I'd rather tire myself out and find nothing than sit here and do nothing.", the boy responded.

"We can live a good while without food if we just sit here. Don't bother going out all the time. Just go out when you need to."

"I....."

The boy clenched a fist.

"I can't live like that. With that mindset, you've just been sitting here in this place all your life."

"And I'm still alive, no?"

"But you've never gone anywhere. You've never done anything. And now you're so old that you rely on others to bring you food."

"Hey hey, when you're older you'll rely on others to take care of you as well. That isn't anything to be ashamed of."

"Of course it is!!! How pathetic is it to not even be able to take care of yourself!?"

Realizing that he had raised his voice, the boy quickly changed his expression.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. I just...."

"I get it. You're frustrated. You want to become.... something more than this. Right?"

The man grabbed a bottle next to him, turning it all the way upside down as the last few drops of golden liquid dripped into his mouth.

"Ah..... looks like we're all out of this too. Better see if someone else has any."

"You rely on drink to forget about your situation, old man. And yet you tell me to merely sit back and become like you? I cannot do that."

"Did going out today get you anywhere?"

The man stood up slowly, hitting the boy right where it hurt.

"Perhaps it put you in a worse spot than before?"

The man read the boy like a book, causing the child to avert his eyes in shame.

"But.... if you never do anything, you'll never get anywhere. If you're scared of taking a risk, then you'll never get a reward. And that's why you've sat here all your life doing nothing. You've never risked anything, and you've never gained anything."

The boy looked up, walking past the man with resolve.

Clenching his fist, the boy spoke one last statement as he walked forward.

"I won't become like you."

"Haha..... you have the fire of youth. Who knows? Maybe you'll do something before that fire burns out."

The boy walked through the group of people, all of whom were laying about with dead eyes.

He approached a small tent, which was really just a dirty cloth that had been thrown over some sticks, and entered to see a woman and three children.

The woman was peacefully sitting with two babies in her arms- a boy and a girl, and a boy who was only a toddler was sitting patiently on the ground next to her.

"Brother.... did you bring back any food today?", the boy asked.

"I.... couldn't find anything today. I'm sorry."

With averted eyes, Huberos apologized.

"It's alright, Huberos. You don't have to go out every day like this.", the woman reassured.

"No, I do. Every day that I don't go out is another day that you all can't eat."

"We don't need to eat that often to survive."

With pained expression, Huberos sat down beside the woman.

"But if you're just surviving.... then you aren't living."

It was then that a thin man opened up the tent of the family.

"Hey, there's some fancy guy here who is calling for you, Jafi."

"For me?"

"You'd better hurry up. He looks like one of those noble servants, so if you piss him off....."

"I understand."

The woman stood up, the two babies in her hands.

"Follow me, boys. We're going to see what's going on."

The toddler and Huberos followed their mother through the camp until they reached the entrance, where a man stood in front of a carriage.

He was a demon with an elegant outfit- the suit of a butler. He had a mustache and carried himself with pride, though he was young for a butler. In human years, he appeared to be in his mid 20's.

Approaching the man, the family walked together with their mother.

"I presume you are Jafi, madam?"

"I am. What is going on? Is something wrong?"

"I am here to speak with you regarding..... your eldest son. Is that him right there?"

Huberos stood forward.

"Yes, that's me. Are you here to accuse me of something?"

This cheeky statement produced a chuckle from the man as he held his hand to his mouth.

"Ho ho ho.... not quite. Would you all care to step inside the carriage so that we may speak privately?"

The mother nodded with hesitance, slowly stepping forth.

The man held out his hand, assisting her as she ascended the stairway, allowing everyone to file in before he stepped up himself and closed the door.

"Please, have a seat."

The man sat at a bench across from the five, who sat together on an opposing bench.

"Now then.... to get right to business, Lord Garefol has recently passed away. Unfortunately, his death was due to sudden illness, and his will was yet to be created, given his youth. Furthermore, the Lord had no close relatives, nor was he married or with any children. It took quite some measures to discover you, madam. To put it simply, you are his closest living relative. Therefore, we would like to take your son and raise him as the heir to this noble household. Of course, you are all invited to move in as the new noble family."

The man spoke with care, proposing to the family the offer of a lifetime.

"I am certain that you will accept?", he asked.

The woman closed her eyes with a peaceful smile, looking down at her two babies and then to her other sons.

"I cannot accept. I do not wish to leave this place. Huberos, you have always wished for an opportunity like this. Why don't you take my son with you, and do as you've said? Raise him as a noble. I am sure he will do just fine."

The butler was shocked at the statement of the woman, however even more shocked was Huberos.

"Mother, what are you saying!??! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!!"

"I cannot leave the place of your fathers death."

Putting it blatantly, the woman caressed the two children in her arms with gentleness.

"Please take my son, Sir."

Turning to the boy, the mother smiled kindly.

"Huberos."

Holding the two babies in one arm, his mother then used her free arm to hug her son.

"Do what you need to do."

And with that, the mother stood up.

The toddler followed his mother, waving goodbye to his older brother.

"I'll.... see you later, brother.", he whispered.

Huberos was left in the carriage, faced with the butler.

"Well, Lord Huberos? Will you accept this position? I did not anticipate that your family would have a reason to reject our offer, but surely you will at least agree, no?"

"If I become a Lord..... can I send money to them?"

"Of course."

"Can I.... rebuild these slums?"

"Of course."

"Can I..... do everything that those nobles do?"

"Of course."

The butler responded to each of Huberos questions in the affirmative, nodding with a smile.

"Then.... I'll do it."

And with this, a new Lord was born.

----

"You will be enrolled at the Regalis Academy, where you will be instructed alongside the other noble heirs. The new year will begin a month from now, so until then you will be instructed by myself and the other household servants in the ways of noble life."

The man who had picked Huberos up, Ferdinand, explained this as the carriage made it's way through the city of devils, Regalis.

"I see."

Huberos was filled with thoughts of how his mother and brothers would survive without him around, and was currently looking out the window with concern.

"You need not worry about her. I have never before seen such resolve in someone who has rejected such a generous offer. That can only mean two things, Lord Huberos."

"You call me Lord Huberos, but am I really a Lord? I just met you, and you have no idea if I can actually handle it."

"The fact that you are even considering being unable to handle it shows that you are able to accept and admit your own flaws. It is only when people believe themselves to be perfect that they become prideful and cease to improve themselves, thus falling into a pit of failure."

The man twirled his mustache with a grin as he said this, and Huberos looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"If you were a mere peasant who could not handle it, then without doubt you would be confident beyond belief that you would be able to handle it.", Ferdinand stated with a grin.

"What two things could it mean?"

Ignoring the flow of the conversation, Huberos turned this question on Ferdinand, changing the subject back to the previous topic.

"The first possibility is that she holds the resolve to tackle whatever issue she faces. I may not have lived very long, but I have seen quite a bit. And I can tell you without a doubt, that when one is resolved with such determination.... they will almost certainly find a way to achieve their goals."

Closing his eyes and raising a finger, the butler stopped himself before continuing.

"Ah, and I must clarify that there is a great difference between being overconfident and assuming that one will find a solution, and being resolved to the point where one is willing to go through great ordeals in order to find a solution."

Looking at the boy with firm eyes, the butler spoke with assuredness in his tone.

"I believe with certainty that this is the case for your mother."

"And what is the 2nd possibility?"

Closing his eyes, the man looked to the side speaking in a low tone.

"The 2nd possibility..... if your mother has made her decision, one which goes against all logic, with dedication of that extent..... if it is not that she is resolved to take on whatever issues she faces, then it must mean that she has merely lost her mind."

"Oi."

"Please do not get me wrong, Lord Huberos. I do not believe this is the case in the slightest for your mother. I am only saying that if it is not the first case, then this would be the only explanation."

Huberos nodded, looking back out the window.

"I see."

"You need not worry about her. If it makes you feel any better we could keep watch over her by assigning some men to that area-"

"No. Don't do that. It'll only make the people uncomfortable, as if they're under watch. I don't want that."

With a smile, Ferdinand nodded.

"I see. It would seem that you are already beginning to consider things in the same manner of a Lord."

The carriage trodded through the city in silence for the rest of the journey.

As he traveled through the city, the inner city landscape became that of a high class suburb, which eventually became that of a row of mansions.

"We have arrived."

Stepping up and opening the carriage door for his new Lord, Ferdinand presented the mansion which they had arrived at.

A dark and gothic mansion towered before Huberos, and he was taken aback at the sheer size of the building.

There was a large courtyard with statues of gargoyles and a well trimmed garden, lit by torches in the darkness of the city.

Standing at the front gates were many maids and butlers, and they all bowed with reverence.

"Welcome back, Sir Ferdinand.", they said in unison.

"Might this gentleman be....."

"He is."

Responding to the question of one of the men, Ferdinand stood forth with pride.

"To all of this household, I present before you the closest in line to Lord Garefol, Lord Huberos."

"We are honored to make your acquaintance, Lord Huberos."

The men and women bowed to Huberos, who was unsure how to react.

They treated him like a Lord, and yet he was nothing more than a peasant who had been scooped up off the streets.

'Mother.... if you chose to stay in the streets over this treatment.... then I suppose Ferdinand must be right. Either you know exactly what you're doing, or you're mad.'

Stepping forth with a grin, Huberos came to peace with himself.

"Good morning, everyone. I hope that you will all assist me in learning to act as a noble."

----

A month passed quickly.

Having been instructed by the servants of the household, Huberos quickly picked up how to act as a Lord as if he were a natural.

"Lord Huberos, you are such a fast learner. Even coming from the background of a peasant, I am sure that many will be impressed that you were able to come so far in such a short time."

"The way you worded that phrase would imply that they would be informed that I was a peasant in the first place. Tell me then. When I enter the academy, will there be a significant difference between myself and the other noble children? Will they take note of my background due to my demeanor? Or perhaps that knowledge has already spread throughout the households as a result of gossip and rumors?"

Huberos spoke with one of his maids from a desk as he performed his own household duties- duties which went far beyond that of a mere child.

He was acting as a true Lord of a certain sector of land within the city of Regalis.

"It is not that any rumors have been spread, my Lord. Rather.... how do I say it..... I assume you have not been made aware of the symbol of a strong blood relation to a noble line then?"

"A symbol of strong blood relation? What exactly are you referring to?"

"Lord Huberos, all demons of high ranking within noble lines have large horns and long fangs. Unfortunately, because you are distantly related to Lord Garefol, it will be painfully obvious to the other students within the academy. Even so, that does not mean we will revere you with any less respect. You are our current Lord, and while such a thing would usually be seen as shameful, I hold no shame in considering you to be my master."

"I see. Will my background cause issues and traction among the other students?"

"It.... is a possibility."

"What should I do to avoid such traction?"

Huberos questioned the woman while thinking.

He currently wore an elegant suit and his hair had been nicely styled. It was now long enough to the point where his horns did not even show through, and were completely covered by his hair.

He also now wore glasses, which he had not been able to afford beforehand. Although, he did not need to read in his life as a peasant, and his sight was not so bad to the point where he had any major issues.

"To put it simply, the other noble children will likely view you as.... inferior to themselves. One's ranking and nobility is usually measured by the size of their horns and fangs, therefore they will likely enjoy asserting themselves as higher ranked than yourself."

"How distasteful. They are fools then, who only look to outward features as opposed to skill and class?"

The maid closed her mouth, unable to speak badly of the other nobles lest her own words leave the room.

"Worry not. I will do my best to keep a low profile, if it reduces the number of issues which I face. I will not try to assert myself over anyone else. However, that only applies socially."

"Only socially?"

"Hm? Well of course, if I am better than them in other aspects, then should I bother to hold myself back? Do you know what I believe? I believe that my own background could add to my own skill. Many of these children who are of high noble line are likely to have been pampered their entire lives, fed with a silver spoon so to speak. What about yourself? Have you worked as a maid all your life?"

"I.... have."

"How was Lord Garefol? Was he harsh? Lenient? Hardworking? Lazy? Upright? Stubborn? What type of person was he?"

The maid smiled as Huberos asked this question.

"Lord Garefol was a very kind master. He treated us all with respect and diligence, and you remind me quite of him, Lord Huberos. He was also very young when he took ill, but I believe he had a vision for the direction of this city."

"I see. So he wished to improve things for all as well?"

"Yes."

"Interesting. Then, in the truest sense I have inherited his work. No?"

"I believe so."

"Yet I have experienced the conditions of the slums myself. Therefore, who better would be suited to improve them than myself?"

"Indeed."

Huberos folded his hands after fixing his tie, nodding as he looked forth with a grin.

"Therefore, if my own background allows me to surpass other noble Lords in the skill of running my own domain, who am I to slow down and let them catch up?"

"With such an opinion you are sure to gain enemies, Lord Huberos.... are you certain you wish to go down such a path?"

At the words of the maid, Huberos paused for a moment, thinking to himself.

'Do I care about making enemies?'

The faces of his family appeared in his mind, and Huberos was reminded of their situation.

More than anything, he wanted for them to be able to live happily.

The nobles of this nation had not so much as given a look to the people of the lower class, and Huberos decided to himself that he would change that.

"I do not care about making enemies. I will succeed in my goals.... no matter what."