If given, Hugh wants to imprison Reece in a jar so it will not fly away and leave him.

It was so vicious and disturbing that Reece will probably faint and go paler than he already is if he hears Hugh's thoughts and plans about him.

Besides, Daniel was right, Hugh will take the bait if it is Reece. A small and fragile pink fairy who anyone could probably kill with a finger.

"... Thanks."

Honestly, he was not grateful at all.

"I could kill, but I do not know about my father's side of the family."

Azure then declared nonchalantly and without warning.

"Hugh, I am a snake mutant."

'Huh?'

It was so random. And there was no hesitation in his voice when he revealed his secret.

Reece, on the other hand, was confused as to why he was saying something so obvious.

Nevertheless, before he could even think about it, he heard a loud gasp coming from someone beside him. It was coming from none other than Hugh Ibrahim.

The lion mutant then said while stuttering.

"... Snake... mutant? A mutant... you...?"

Hugh's pupils were shaking as he asks Azure if he heard him right.

"You were... what?"

The mutant's voice was now louder than ever.

'Huh?'

Reece was very confused on the inside but still acts indifferently outside. He doesn't even have any reaction and just continually watches.

"I am a snake mutant."

'What is going on? He did not tell Hugh he was a snake mutant?'

[Obviously.]

'I did not know?'

[You did not bother to ask.]

'I didn't? Ah, I didn't.'

It then came to his mind that he really did not ask anything about Hugh nor how intimate the two mutant's relationship is as he was not interested.

Also, Reece did not ask because he thought it was only natural that Hugh was aware that Azure was also a mutant since they both are very close to each other. But it was very surprising that Azure did not say anything until now.

"A... mutant. Like me...? There is another one...!"

Hugh was now mumbling to himself but everyone inside the room could still hear him.

'Why are they close in the first place?'

How could Hugh get close to Azure without thinking of the possibility that Azure was only getting close to him for dirty reasons?

"Ha... hahaha! Ahaha!"

Hugh started to laugh with a twisted expression.

It was very scary that Reece immediately moves away from Hugh into a corner where no one could see him. He doesn't trust Azure so he would rather stay away from both of them instead of using Azure as a shield.

Hugh began to laugh like a crazy maniac that the guards outside heard this and began to slam the floor with its huge bird-like feet. It made the entire tree where the house was hanging shook.

"You disgusting mutant! Shut the fuck up or I won't feed you again for an entire week!"

Typically, most birds can only survive for a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 5 days without taking water and food for the given duration of time. However, as Hugh was a lion mutant, he can make it to at least a week or two consuming nothing.

Also, it depends on how strong or healthy one's condition was.

"Hahaha!"

But, the brown bird's word did not reach the Lion Mutant Hugh's ears as he continued to laugh maniacally.

Azure step in at that moment.

"It is alright. Since he looks like he was having fun."

The bluebird Azure has an odd expression on his face. As if he was telling the brown-colored bird that he likes watching the Lion Mutant Hugh Ibrahim laughing like he had gone crazy.

The guard must have understood it that he back away after a nod.

How and what did he understand? Pleasure.

Usually, birds, as one of the lowest existence in the entire world, have this peculiar mannerism of gaining pleasure while watching a creature that belongs to a powerful species go crazy in madness.

It was because they are weak and that this is the only rare opportunity to trample the strong at least once in their lifetime.

That is why the guard did not say anything anymore or have a suspicion since he understood what Azure was trying to make him understand.

"Hahaha...! Haha... Hmmm."

After laughing for quite some time, Hugh has now calmed down but is still smiling twistedly.

"Killing? Who are? My family? Who cares?"

Hugh covered his mouth as he looks at both Azure and Reece, who are quietly looking at him, and resumes what he is saying.

"Let us destroy them!"

Hugh was not angry. In fact, he was overjoyed that he could not stop smiling.

'There was another one!'

He thought.

'Someone like me!'

There was another one who was like him in their tribe. He is not alone anymore! This is the greatest joy he had ever tasted since he was locked up by his family.

Just like that, Hugh Ibrahim agreed to the plan and is only waiting for the day he will be freed from that dirty, shabby, and scary room.

***

Right after the talk, Azure has to leave as his time has exceeded 6 hours, which is not applicable anymore so he has to leave. But Reece decided to stay.

Furthermore, there are no others who entered today since most are drunk and tired so Hugh has free time to spare with Reece.

'This is the time I deepen my connection to Hugh.'

After all, he has to understand Hugh more so he will find a way to help him stabilize.

"Hey..."

Reece slowly approaches the smiling Hugh while not removing his stares at the ceiling. He looks crazy.

"Are you happy?"

"Of course!"

Hugh's reply was very fast.

Reece was thankful that Azure left him the token so that their conversation could not be heard outside.

"Why? Because there is someone similar to you?"

The huge smile on Hugh's disappeared.

"Why...? Are you not happy being part of my family?"

His sharp pupil was staring deeply at Reece that made him hesitate but still proceeded.

"Hugh, what is your dream? Not freedom, not acceptance, not love, nor a family. What is your dream?"

The lion mutant was taken aback by the sudden question.

His dream? Hugh was feeling complicated. His only dream was to get love and freedom. But he is to reach them now, so what was his next dream?

'What is it...? What was it?'

"I... do not know."

It was a bitter response.

All his life, he has never even thought of anything but having a happy life with his family and friends. But that impossible dream, he easily achieves them.

Reece flies closer to Hugh but still enough to not be seen outside.

"Saving people."

"Yes...?"

"How about saving your fellow mutants from solitude and despair?"

Hugh was one of the strongest mutants out there. Reece was thinking of making Hugh the hero of the mutants and be loved by them. That way, wouldn't they make a good family?

At that moment, there was a slight glint of happiness in Hugh's eyes. His heart was also beating fast.

"Me?"

'Saving my family of mutants from solitude and despair?'

Could he do it?

Could he make this his next dream after escaping his and Azure's solitude and despair?

"I will help you. I will guide you."

Hugh looks up to the smiling tiny pink fairy without its usual glow. And even with his usual glow missing and with everything dark, Hugh thought Reece looks so bright at the moment.

"You will stay with me?"

Although it was a slightly different answer, Reece did not think much about it as he nodded his adorable head with his pink hair swaying elegantly from his every move.

"Of course. I will be here and guide you to where you should be heading in the future."

It was a confident answer, yet Reece took notice of the sudden chill he felt.

"Your future. You will be a hero."

"Me...? A hero!?"

Hugh was startled and he even shouted.

The guard outside only glance at Hugh before returning to what he was doing.

"That is impossible!"

A hero!

Hugh was well aware of what a hero is as he always heard his grandmother and grandfather talk about it to their youngest grandchildren. Of course, Hugh was not included but he can still hear them talking from his prison room.

A hero is said to be someone who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. They are the ones that can save millions of people and save the world from evil and destruction!

"That is out of the question!"

For Hugh to be a hero!?

Someone like him!

"Reece... I do not deserve such a noble title as I do not have such qualifications! I am so sorry!"

Hugh looks like he was about to cry. He looks so pitiful that one would accuse Reece of bullying a 12-year-old lion if someone witnesses this scene.

'This will be hard.'

Nevertheless, Reece was getting a major headache.

'Well, he is still a child. Children tend to be hard to handle.'

Reece nodded to motivate himself.

'They are strong right? The mutants.'

[Naturally. Almost all of them are above average in both raw strength and ability as they possessed two different types of blood. They are bound to have something unique and powerful with them.]

Mutants, after all, are very rare since both the other and the baby normally die because of the clash of their blood from two different species. They are 'miracle children' so to speak.

'Ahem. It was a good thing I know how to deal with children.'

Reece coughs before speaking up to the trembling mutant who is still so shocked about him being a hero that he had yet close that wide tiger eyes.

"You have it."

"I have...?"

"The qualifications."

"... I do?"

He placed both his hands on his hips as he continued.

"You are strong! Being powerful could save tons of life! Why do you want to waste such rare talent!?"

To deal with children, you just have to shower them with flowers and praises! They will naturally fall for such cheap tricks.

"There is nothing to worry about! This fairy is here to help. Just trust me and you will be fine."

"I trust you!"

It was an immediate response but Reece was satisfied. Now it won't be hard to slowly shape this child as the future hero.

'Whew. I am working very hard.'

Very hard.

Reece's hands have been shaking the whole time thinking about what he will do next if this cheap plan of his did not go well the way he wanted.

[... Congratulations...]

'What are you talking about?'

But Daniel did not say anything anymore