"Now then..."

'What the hell do I do!?'

He does not have a single idea of how to create a hero!

In fact, he does not know where to start!

[...]

Daniel was disappointed, but he could not blame Reece as this idiot is more of an idiot.

[What do you think should you do to fix his twisted personality? He is not the type to trust someone, more or less, save them. You just happen to be too adorable to refuse.]

'Thanks...'

Sighing, Reece pondered on what is the best solution to this dilemma.

'I think his personality comes first.'

When he first saw Hugh Ibrahim, Reece believes that he was the type to kill someone he does not like. Or ignore them. Communication will be hard if he continued to act this way, which is why Reece has to first fix his personality.

'Let me console him.'

"Hugh, listen."

Hugh stops smiling as he looks down at Reece who was sitting on his palm.

"A hero saves lives, even if they are stranger, even if you don't know them, even if you hate them, because that's what makes you a hero in the first place. Because you save lives without being bias to those you only care for."

The lion mutant, who was listening, frowned at his words.

"Reece."

He cut Reece of before he could continue.

Reece flinches at the cold voice calling his name.

"... Yes?"

"I... will not hesitate to save my fellow mutants."

Hugh was dead set on that. He will become their hero, and he will never change his mind.

"However, if you are suggesting me to save those pathetic losers who trample us just for a simple reason that they hate us, I am afraid I could not do so."

It was a strong and determined response coming from the child, the lion mutant, Hugh Ibrahim.

"I am very sorry if I am making this difficult for you."

It made Reece flinches again.

'Ahem.'

For a moment, Hugh's eyes look extremely cold and deadly.

'This, no good.'

He was aware to an extent that others do not despise mutants. It always depends on their race and beliefs. It is not right to loathe someone who is not of your race and does not hate your existence.

'I am still inexperienced in guidance, let us not panic.'

Coughing, Reece continued, but his tone was more gentle than usual. Though he probably never notice the slight change.

"Ah, no. That is not what I am trying to say."

Reece sighs and touches his forehead before continuing.

"I was merely informing you that that is what it takes to be a hero. It is that qualification before you got entitled you a hero in the first place. Because you save others' lives. Not because I wanted you to save those you despise."

Looking back to Hugh, Reece has a serious expression.

"I will not force you, remember that."

Hugh lowers his head as he slightly nodded. This was the first time he saw Reece got this serious. He was a bit intimidating.

"... I trust Reece."

"Good. Ahem."

Going back to normal, Reece began his counseling with Hugh. It was very hard as Hugh always have a say in whatever Reece said to him.

"Me? You want me to become a genuinely good person? Oh my, that is a bit hard..."

"Selfless? Hmmm, let me think about it."

"I told you, I will not risk my life to save those I hate!"

"You want me to have companions...? No! I only need my older brother and Reece! Everybody else is useless and ugly!"

"Ugh."

Everything that Reece said, Hugh is always hesitating!

"Let's calm down, shall we?"

It was a dull voice with a dull face coming from the beautiful pink fairy, Reece.

"O, oh! I am sorry."

"Can't—"

"...?"

'Can't he just shut up and listens!?'

Veins are popping out in Reece's hands, face, and neck. Hugh must have noticed it as he was glancing at Reece several times before finally opening his mouth to speak.

"Ah, Uhm... Reece, are you mad?"

"No way."

"Ah! Thank goodness."

Reece sat on Hugh's palm as he massages his head.

'Haaa...'

Lion Mutant Hugh observes Reece massaging his head before asking the fairy the question he always has in his mind and is bothering him for the past days.

"Reece, why do you want to help me and my older brother, Azure?"

He doesn't get it. Reece was a higher existence and is respected by every animal. He is also powerful, especially in the forest. But why is he risking his status and life just to save two mutants he does not even know?

Of course, there is a possibility that Reece has been observing them for the past years, so he might have some knowledge about their situation. But it still hard to believe he will risk everything just to free strangers.

On the other hand, Reece was taken aback by the sudden question. Although slight, there was a doubt in Hugh's voice coupled with his curious sharp pupils.

"Why...?"

'Because it is my job!'

But he could never say that or he will be dead. Reece entered a serious mood to think of a better excuse that this child will naturally believe and will not doubt him anymore.

"I don't know?"

It was the most honest answer Reece could give.

"I mean, do I need a reason to save someone?"

For Reece, of course, a reason is needed.

After all, he hates doing something without any benefit for his side. Saving a total stranger named Hugh and Azure, is already making his head hurt, but he has to since it is the only possible solution for his dream of resting in peace.

"..."

Hugh did not answer.

Yet, his mouth was slightly open and shaking slightly. However, Reece did not notice that slight development.

The fairy stares at Hugh, who he thought has a blank expression on his face, as he scratched his head.

'I think a reason is really needed?'

"I mean, I am scared of death and punishment that may befall me, but who cares? Will they truly punish me for saving the ones suffering? Isn't that too unfair for the both of us?"

He was slightly panicking and flustered when he was talking.

"And isn't it what they wanted? Peace without evil."

This action paired with Reece's words touch, Hugh. He thought that there was warmth in his heart for a moment that he only feels with his older brother, Azure, who has been there for him his whole life.

In truth, however, Reece was talking about Chaos and not the Elven people. Still, Hugh naturally does not know that so he was slightly touched that Reece was willing to break the World Trees will just to save them.

'He asks me to destroy the evil and revive the good after all.'

Hugh was silent before he began to smile.

"I see."

It was a very short response that made Reece scared.

'Why smile with a short but matured response!?'

He does not get Hugh's response. The reason why he was scared.

***

It only took 4 hours of counseling as the sun was quite early today, so Reece has no choice but to leave.

While flying back to Azure, who is probably awake by now, Reece notices the redbird Acting Chief Russell in his human form silently walking.

'...? Where did he go so early in the morning?'

Now that Reece thought about it, he never saw the redbird going back to his house after leaving the red house. He even senses his presence going farther away from the center of the tribe but he simply did not pay much attention to it because he was too busy.

Later, when he was at the center, he jumps high and landed on the tree where the Chief's house is hanging before quietly going inside the Chief's house.

'And why the Chief's house? Is it time for the good to be handed to him?'

He was contemplating whether to go now or meet Azure before it leaves for his job. And as a food hunter, the bluebird is rarely in the tribe.

[Do not worry.]

'Okay... Whatever.'

Shrugging, Reece looks away as he flies faster.

He found Azure in his favorite tree sitting elegantly as he waited for Reece to come closer. There was also a slight smile on his beautiful face.

"How is it?"

Azure was probably asking about the emergency alarms as he did not know Reece visited Lion Mutant Hugh Ibrahim.

Reece first makes himself comfortable in Azure's knee as he looks up and answered with a white lie.

"I manage to dismantle every emergency alarm. We should be fine for half a day on the day of our coup."

Only for half a day.

Even if no one escapes on the day of the attack, there is still a high chance that animals nearby can smell the blood spilled on earth.

Most animals have enhanced smell after all. Especially those who belong to species that are most sensitive to smell. And their smell now is probably 100 times better than the animals of the Earth.

"That is reassuring coming from a fairy. Good work, sir Reece."

For some reason, Reece felt like Azure is sucking up to him, which is why he has goosebumps all over his body.

'Nah. I am just being delusional. There is no way.'

As both he and Azure already decided to stop acting and only work for each other's benefits. They are not trying to build a deeper relationship as they, fortunately for Reece, have to part ways.

"I did work hard. Thanks."

Reece was smug for someone who actually did nothing but flies around as ordered, yet who cares?

"Yes, of course, you've worked very hard."

"Hmm. How about you?"

"Oh."

Azure snuck in his hand in the small hole in the tree as he took out a dirt piece of clothing. There was ink in it. It was obviously the map Azure have drawn for Reece and Hugh.

"Here, I have it done an hour ago."

"Hmm? Thanks—"

"Ah."

"Ah."

Reece and Azure both said as they look at each other eyes.

The bluebird tried to give it to Reece, however, Reece's hand is too small to even carry it.