The Abysmal Territory

[6] What is a Hero?

The morning came and Teiko woke up with Taiya by his side.

It's too early for them to get up so Teiko decided just to stay in bed to not wake Taiya up.

"You're too early, Teiko!" Saki shouted.

"Yeah, it's too early but you're loud as usual, Shany," Teiko replied.

"My name is Saki! Are you really stupid just like what your friend, Reto is saying?" Saki replied.

"I'm just teasing you," Teiko said. 

So her name is Saki, huh? At least I'm close. Teiko thought.

"Hey! You forgot your mind is very open. I also heard the second one you said," Saki said.

"Haha. I also forgot about that, maybe because you freeze the time so my mind was unable to process your name that time," Teiko replied.

"Hmp!" Saki said.

"Anyway, your ability is very overpowered! If you want, you can even rule the whole world," Teiko said.

"Actually, just like any other ability, it has limitations. I can only freeze time in a place I casted as 'home'," Saki said.

"So that forest is your home?" Teiko asked.

"Ding, Dong! Correct! I found this place three months ago. Casting my skill to set it as my home takes half of my stored power and takes one and a half months to finish," Saki said.

"Meaning, you're here even though we opened the portal? I thought this place is so magical that no one would dare to enter it aside from that portal," Teiko said.

"That's actually correct. But that doesn't apply to beings that are ten times as powerful as the creator," Saki said.

"That means you're ten times stronger than the combined power of my mom and my dad?" Teiko asked.

"Of course! That's how powerful a Demigod is," Saki answered.

"A demigod?! That's why you said I'm close when I said you're a God," Teiko said.

"Yup! A being born from the unification of a God and another being - a demigod," Saki replied.

"This means we're not completely safe here. If an evil Demigod decides to come to this place, we're done for," Teiko said.

"Hmm, it's possible. But don't worry, Demigods don't usually invade other Demigod's territory," Saki said.

"That means you will protect this place?" Teiko asked.

"As long as I can, if I can't, I'll just flee so don't be so dependent on me. But then again, the chance of that happening is very close to zero," Saki answered.

“Hmm, if it came to it, I’ll be the one protecting this village,” Teiko said.

“With your current ability, you really think that you could do that?” Saki asked.

“I'll have improved by a lot before that thing happened,” Teiko replied.

“Hey, brother? You’re awake already?” Taiya asked.

“Yup, did I wake you?” Teiko replied.

“Nope. Hey, I want to say something,” Taiya said.

“And what is that? Just say anything,” Teiko asked.

“You don’t need to be strong, you might just hurt yourself. You know that I’m already strong right? I can protect you on my own,” Taiya replied.

“Taiya, I’m fully aware that you’re the strongest student of Dalton-sensei. But I don’t want the part that you’re the one that is protecting me, I wanted it the other way around,” Teiko replied.

“You’re really stupid, brother. You don’t understand me at all,” Taiya said then hugged Teiko.

Teiko noticed that his sister came back to sleep so he didn’t bother replying at all.

“Wow, what a sweet little girl. You’re lucky to have such a younger sister, I’m so sad that she can’t see me and I’m stuck with this i***t,” Saki said.

“Who are you calling ‘i***t’?” Teiko exclaimed.

“I’ll just let you have the benefit of the doubt. Tho since it’s you I don’t think you’ll know,” Saki replied then laughed.

“You’re so irritating,” Teiko said.

A call from outside the tent was called. Teiko realized it was the food that was prepared by other villagers. He carefully got up making sure that he wouldn’t wake Taiya. He got the food and prepared it so as he woke Taiya, the food was already ready.

Before he could wake Taiya, she already woke up.

“What’s that smell? Did the food already delivered here, brother?” Taiya asked.

“Yes, Taiya. I also prepared it so we could eat anytime you wanted,” Teiko replied.

“Really? Thank you, brother!” Taiya said then hugged Teiko.

“She’s really sweet. I’m jealous! From now on you’ll also be my older brother!” Saki said.

“What do you mean older brother? Based on my current information about you, I’m sure that you’re years older than me. And another thing, Taiya would only be my little sister,” Teiko said.

“Pretty please? I’m just jealous of the two of you, just accept it, okay?” Saki insisted.

“Whatever, do what you want!” Teiko replied.

They finished eating and decided to go out of the tent.

“Teiko, Taiya! Good morning to both of you. How are you right now?” the village chief greeted the two.

“Good morning, village chief. We’re already alright now. Thank you for always checking everyone,” Teiko replied.

“And about you Taiya? What do you think?” the villager asked.

“Seeing what our village turned out to be, I realized what Mom and Dad were thinking. So I’m alright now. No need to worry about us anymore, village chief,” Taiya replied.

“That’s good, talk to the elders about what you guys needed. We’re all indebted to your parents so that’s all we could do,” the village chief replied.

“Thank you so much, village chief,” Teiko said.

“By the way, Dalton said that he’ll talk about what a hero is. Make sure to listen to him and don’t be discouraged about what you will learn. Also, I’ll cheer for your mock battle. Just do your best and any result will be acceptable,” the village chief said.

Dalton continued the mock battle for three days and the result was already posted in the training area.

The night before, what Teiko was waiting for came. 

“I’m excited to know what Dalton thought about being a hero,” Teiko said.

“Wow, I’m surprised you’re not downhearted right now,” Saki said.

“Why would I feel that way?” Teiko asked.

“Well, with sixteen people around, you ranked the lowest. You’re even the only one with no wins and your sister beat you after ten seconds and it’s so obvious that she’s holding back,” Saki said.

“It’s really disappointing, but that’s just for two weeks of training. I became aware of my weaknesses, that’s why I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m sure it will motivate me towards my goal” Teiko replied.

I wish you wouldn’t become hopeless after what your teacher will say, but don’t worry, I got you if that thing happened. Saki thought to herself.

The day that Dalton will teach about what is a hero came. Everyone was also looking forward to it.

“Okay, is everyone here already? If we have any absences today, I’ll postpone my lecture for today” Dalton asked.

“Yes, sir! No need to do that. Nine boys, six girls and one stupid Teiko, present!” Reto shouted.

“Hmm.. okay, everyone is here. Reto, I’ll talk with you about your attitude later,” Dalton said.

“Yes, sir!” Reto replied enthusiastically.

“I hope this man is really knowledgeable,” Saki said.

“He’s with my father for a long time so I’m sure he is,” Teiko replied.

“First, I want to ask you, what ability should a hero have?” Dalton asked.

“He should be powerful of course. An ability that could destroy his enemy!” Reto said as he raised his hand.

“Power, huh? Indeed, every hero that I have encountered possessed an immense power. Any other answer?” Dalton said.

Taiya raised her hand. She answered, “A hero should be intelligent. He or she should have the presence of mind.”

“Having great intellect would also be beneficial to a hero. The ability to come up with a solution in the current problem she’s facing. That’s a good thing, but that’s not the thing that I wanted as an answer? Anyone?” Dalton asked.

Everyone tried to answer except Teiko. But no one’s answer made it.

“Teiko? You got anything?” Dalton asked.

“A heart,” Teiko replied.

“Sensei, you shouldn't have asked him. Look at his answer, a heart. Then even a baby could become a hero,” Reto mocked Teiko.

Everyone laughs together with him.

“Everyone, stop. I want to hear him out, please explain your answer,” Dalton said.