19 The Chiefs Opinion (2/2)

Even though it was magical in its own right, at the end of the day, at least, in this case, the Healer had said that it all came down to Edmond's will to survive.

And in that department, Edmond hadn't disappointed.

After making sure that the solution was still moving, the Chief took a seat on the opposite side of the bed and looked at the 18-year old and the dog admonishingly.

”You two are responsible for this. Even if not completely, you do have a part in it. If he had died, it would partly have been on you. And because of that, you should have felt regret and anger.”

Huh? Really?

With a puzzled expression, Aaron pondered on the Chief's words for a few moments before replying.

”Why? I already told him to be careful, and that I'm not responsible if he dies. All we have is a mutual agreement, like when a Spike-Tailed Beaver partners with a Razer-Tooth Squirrel to fight off a predator when going after a spot with food. The two fight together, but if one is careless and ends up dying, the other goes ahead without any remorse.”

This example made the Chief feel flabbergasted.

He realized that telling what he wanted to say normally wouldn't have any effect. This guy had grown up in a terrifying world where power and survival was everything. He had probably led a simple life where emotions like these didn't figure much into his life.

So, the Chief thought for a moment, and finally hit on an idea.

”Look, Aaron. That might be so with Teras, but humans are different. Humans feel compassion, love, respect, and a host of other emotions. I've heard people say that in this age, Teras feel them, too, just like us, but I've never seen a Tera like that yet. Let me put it to you in simple terms. Even in the forest, a family is everything to a Tera, right? It would do anything to protect its family?”

Of course! Was that even a question?

Aaron simply nodded, while the Chief continued.

”We humans are one big family. That is how we survive in this world. We help each other. We care for each other. We strive to grow better, together. This is also why the World Government set up the Path to the Stars: so that it could give a Path for all humans to grow stronger without greedily desiring power only for itself. Look, Aaron. I don't know if Teras are also capable of thinking like this, and I don't care. All I know is that if a human dies, I would feel regret and sadness, as it means that even if that human was my enemy or someone I didn't like, at the end of the day, the human race lost a soldier who could have done a lot to fight back against the Teras. Some might argue otherwise, but this is my opinion. You can take it or leave it. My advice is this: even though you grew up in the jungle, you should understand that you are among your own species now. Do not think of other humans in the same way in which you think about random Teras. Your outlook needs to change. I can only say this much. The rest…you should learn by yourself. Observe. Think. Reflect. But above all, grow.”

Leaving these words, the Chief left the room.

However, Aaron's sight remained on the spot where the Chief had been sitting while he tried to understand what he had just been told.

Humans were all…one big family?

One big family.

Big family.

Family.

This word stayed in his mind, and as he looked at Edmond, he tried to feel something like what the Chief had said.

He failed, as it just didn't make sense to him that he had to care for this useless guy whom he had known for a single day.

Still, Aaron didn't give up. He stopped attempts to make him feel something, but he did continue to think on the Chief's words.

Yet, he was constantly interrupted by Woof, who kept sending thoughts of food to his mind, which made Aaron sigh and get up to find Mrs. Ernst for more buns.

However, just as he was about to leave, he felt a hand grab hold of his.

It was Edmond, who looked straight into his eyes and exclaimed weakly:

”I'm not pathetic!”