3 weeks have passed after Rudy's first exposure outdoors. He is no longer the child who constantly fidgets looking outside. The instinctual fears that shackled Rudy are long gone, now replaced by someone happily playing along with kids his age.

As his teacher, the laughter, the smiles, and the tears of his student, Rudy, became her finest work. Her greatest achievement. A true breakthrough for him.

To her, "One small step is what it takes to endure the entire race".

Roxy's mind hovered over the days of Rudy's sudden exposure. Exposed to the pleasures this world offers. He is so young, yet he has seen something his age shouldn't have.

When Rudy's masturbatory actions were brought to light, Roxy knew what actions to take. She remembered something her teacher once told her, "When someone lets go of a bad habit, it creates a void in their heart. Fill up that void with something that will benefit them in the future".

Sensing Rudy's loneliness as he spends all of his time at home gave her an idea. "Why not introduce him outside". The thought filled her with hope.

Rudy is here now, she managed to do it.

Now, all that mattered was the sounds of children along with Rudy as well.

She has succeeded, in being his mentor, and also his protector.

Although she succeeded, her paycheck remained the same. "I'm not paid enough for this".

Rudy made new friends, Catherine and Gerald. He invited them home and played teachers, all while teaching them magic he learned from Roxy.

It was challenging but still pursued.

One day, when Rudy was playing teachers, Paul called him.

"Hey Rudy, do you want to go with me? We're going to meet a friend and his kid", Paul said as he came through the door.

Rudy stood from his seat and frantically said yes, "Can my friends come too?", hoping to lighten the mood.

"I don't mind as long as you respect them and their house", Paul replied with a smile.

Rudy and the two others trailed the path. Each of them burst into laughter as they made their jokes.

By the time they arrived, Rudy couldn't wait.

The house wasn't as large as theirs. It was humble, located at a nearby tree. There, Rudy saw a man with long pointed ears, a striking semblance towards the elf race from her teacher's lesson. Both exchanged glances and greeted Paul as his comrade. Clasping their hands together tightly and tapping each other's back.

Laws looked into Paul's gaze "Thank you for saving me from that boar", he smiled proudly at him.

Paul grinned as he let go of the handshake, "Laws, this is my child Rudy. He's a good kid", he said proudly.

Laws, looked at Rudy nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. He can see his excitement in meeting new people. Along with Rudy are 2 other kids. He would often see them outdoors and thought that this time would be different for Sylphiette.

Paul nudged him "Rudy say hello" as he looked out the corner of his eye

"H-Hello", Rudy stuttered as he held Paul's hand tighter.

Catherine and Gerald soon followed, "Hello, sir", they said with a grin

Rudy greeted Laws with a heartfelt smile. He stepped forward, determined to make a good first impression of him. But as his foot landed at an unnoticed rock, his excitement turned into alarm as he fell, hitting his face flat on the ground.

The sight startled everyone. Catherine and Gerald's eyes widened as his face hit the ground with a sharp smack. "Rudy", they said in unison, rushing to his side to help him up.

As he sat, the sharp sting of his fall brought tears rushing to his eyes. A soft sound escaped his throat, but before he could stop it, sobs wracked his body.

Paul reacted, "Rudy, are you okay!", he crouched to his side. Rudy's clothes were stained with a bit of dirt.

Rudy shook his head as he continued crying. Paul noticed a small scratch on his cheek, and he gently lifted him up his arms. "Shhhh", Paul tried to comfort Rudy. "It's alright—it's alright. You're a brave kid Rudy. It's just a little scratch".

Everyone's eyes went wide as the scene unfolded. Laws, who was quietly observing offered them hospitality, "Come inside, you're all welcome" he motioned his hands towards the house.

As they walked, Paul carefully brushed off the dirt on Rudy's shirt. His father wiped his tears with his callused thumb. Roughened from constant sword fighting, now gently used on a child.

Rudy, still crying and sniffling cleaned his snot with the collar of his shirt as they went inside. His friends, Catherine, and Gerald too were following.

"Make yourself comfortable", Laws said, wiping down the chairs. "I'm sorry if it's not much, you can sit anywhere you like".

"No, this is more than enough". Paul said, gently lowering Rudy into the chair. "Sit there for a bit".

As Rudy sat, Catherine stepped in.

Catherine, one of Rudy's friends says "Hey Rudy", she said in her soft, high-pitched voice. "Don't cry anymore, it's just a little fall", without hesitation, she threw her small arms toward Rudy, giving him a big hug.

Rudy felt her warm body wrapping around him tighter and tighter. It wasn't suffocating but comforting. Rudy didn't move. It reminded him of his times with his mother, Zenith, would scoop him up whenever he stumbles. He clung to that memory and hoped her warmth would last a little longer.

"Mrs. Zenith can use healing magic on you.", Catherine said eagerly, her voice lifting and uplifting as she said it. "Don't cry anymore, it will be fine", she pulled her hug tighter before pulling back.

Rudy nodded, Catherine gently grabbed the hem of his shirt and wiped away his tears. His cries had weakened, but he continued to sniffle.

Catherine smiled after seeing him calm down "See, it doesn't hurt anymore".

Gerald just stood there frozen, unable to grasp the situation. His mind raced as Catherine comforted him. "Rudy is crying, what do I do?"

Gerald fidgeted as he thought of ways to comfort Rudy.

He tried but it came awkwardly, "Hey Rudy—Rudy", an attempt to grab his attention.

Without thinking too much, he ran outside, grabbed a rock, and hurried back inside. "Uhm, do you want a rock", he smiled awkwardly "I can punish the rock for being mean", he playfully punched the rock.

Rudy and Catherine looked at him dumbfounded. Gerald's mind went haywire "What did I just do?"

Before he could process it, Rudy despite trying to act like he was crying suddenly stifled a laugh. Rudy's giggle lightened the mood and Catherine followed.

Seeing his attempt work, Gerald continued. They continued to laugh as Gerald tried to "punish" the rock, he even stepped on it and threw it outside. "I have avenged you", he declared.

Paul who was sitting in a corner smiled as well, clearly acknowledging Gerald's goofiness.

As their laughter filled the house, Paul motioned them to lower their voice. "Remember, you're at someone's house. Respect it", he exchanged glances with Gerald with a stern look.

Gerald's eyes immediately widened and silenced himself.

They looked at each other as they stopped laughing. Rudy, still trying his best to hold back his laughter.

After what seemed like an eternity had passed, a girl went out of her room.

She resembled his father, her long ears that he got from him.

Rudy, Catherine, and Gerald were all dumbfounded. They exchanged glances at the small girl clutching her father. Her gaze hardened on her. Their minds swirled, trying to make sense of everything. Myths and legends existed about such striking features.

Her Green Hair

Is she a Superd? They wondered in unison, unable to hide their growing unease.

Her mind raced seeing others here. She hugged her father's leg as she tried to hide. Sylphy's heart skipped a beat—memories of her past came flooding, the dark days when she would be cast out, which happened to be her very first memory. Her first mark in this life.

Her mind hovered over the days she was thrown out because she was a "Superd".

Her hoodie became her best friend—a friend she could seek refuge. To hide her hair, her fears and her currently growing unease. Her green hair peeked through the small opening of her hoodie. She could not hide her green hair forever.

Rudy too was scared, but a feeling inside gnawed him. It was not terror or anxiety. As he looked into her eyes, it told him everything. Her eyes spoke stories—stories of pain, difficulties, discrimination, and the growing unease inside her. Rudy saw this not as a weakness but as a chance—A chance for connection, a chance to be her friend.

Gerald's unease grew, his eyes darted toward everyone as he stood beside Rudy. His small hands clutched the chair in terror, turning white from the pressure.

Paul broke the silence after seeing their reaction "She may have green hair but trust me, she's not a Superd", he looked at the corner of their eyes. Their eyes locked wide towards the green-haired girl.

Rudy stood up, still sniffling. A smile plastered on his face. Catherine was nice to him, so it's his turn to be nice to someone. He fought the urge to sniffle as he looked at her. Trying to impress a girl whose eyes told everything. In an atmosphere where his friends were unusually tense, his smile stood out the most.

Rudy broke the silence, "Hello. My name is Rudy, I'm four", an effort to uplift the atmosphere.

Amazed by Rudy's bravery, Laws told Sylphy "Say hi to him".

The words Sylphy wishes to say got stuck in her throat, tangled by the web of her bitter memories. She took a deep breath and steeled herself as she looked down, "Hello Rudy. I'm Sylphiette, I'm four", barely a whisper.

Rudy's heart welled, not because of her green hair, "Hello, it's nice to meet you Sylphiette".

Rudy's kindness was infectious, a wave of relief washed over her, not once had she thought this day would come. She smiled—albeit weakly, but her feelings were genuine.

Catherine looked at Rudy at the corner of his eyes, his lack of fear fueled by his growing curiosity.

Catherine's mind was racing, different thoughts swirling in her head. Looking at Rudy so fearless, she too was compelled.

"Hello, Sylphiette. I'm Catherine, I'm six", she said with a nervous grin

Gerald followed too, "Hi Sylphiette. I'm Gerald, I'm five"

Laws and Paul couldn't hide their surprised grin

Sylphy's father who was just waiting for things to fall into place was stunned at Rudy's camaraderie. Rudy's friendly and fearless atmosphere invited both Gerald and Catherine to introduce themselves.

Laws gently crouched towards Sylphy's eye level, "Sylphiette, why don't you play with them?", his voice laced with a cheerful tone. "They won't hurt you. If they did, tell me". He gestured towards Rudy, who had been offering his hand to her.

Laws, eager to see her daughter finally have her first friend motioned her to come to them. Sylphy hesitated, unsure that it would go the way she expected. She slowly nodded and walked towards the group.

She hesitated for a moment, her whole body was feeling chilly as he walked towards them with her head down.

Paul with a serious face said, "Rudy, Gerald, Catherine. Remember to not bully her, alright?". He reminded them "If someone teases her, drive them away. Especially you, Rudy".

All of them nodded, "Alright", Catherine said.

Laws watched them leave. His heart swelled with gratitude. He had never thought the day would come when Sylphy would be playing games like a little kid. Not only did Paul save him from the boar attack but also gave his child another chance. A chance to feel the world's goodness.

Out of nowhere, Paul said, "That's my boy", his smirk turned into a huge grin, he was bursting with pride.

By the time the sun went down. Sylphy's entire being changed. Once cautious around strangers now held an atmosphere of gratitude and calmness as she trailed her path back home.

Deep in her mind, she said "I wish tomorrow will be the same."

But also, another question plagued her. "Why are you so friendly to me?", as she and Rudy walked.

No one has offered her kindness. Not until this day.

She looked at him with wonder. She felt her heartbeat through her chest. Each second passing felt like an eternity. She tried to talk but no sound came.

She closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. She almost wished to keep the questions herself. She mustered all the courage, as she said, "Rudy… does my hair not scare you?", out of nowhere as she looked down, avoiding his gaze.

Rudy looked at her, the way her eyes spoke which seemed like an endless fear. How her eyes lingered, reflecting her past experience. The way it avoided his eyes. It told everything, Rudy.

They stopped walking. Rudy paused for a moment, his eyes softening. The fear in her eyes spoke volumes, "It's because my teacher has weird hair too" he said, giving her a reassuring back tap. "Also, Dad told me to be nice to everyone, especially you".

Her question was answered, yet she felt as though a twinge of guilt was brewing inside her. Something that told her that she could have kept it herself. "Sorry for asking", barely letting out a whisper. To her, the way she asked was like a heavy burden not only to her but to Rudy as well.

Yet, in Sylphy's heart, a new, foreign emotion is boiling inside her. For the first time in her life outside of their home, someone valued her. Not from a parent, from a family member, but from a stranger. Like Rudy.

For the first time in a long while, a warmth in her chest spread rapidly throughout her entire body. Wrapping each vein in an array of comfort. The people Rudy brought in, the kids she called Catherine and Gerald.

For the first time, they weren't afraid of her. They weren't pushing her away. But now—just now, she hoped that maybe this time would be different.

My Wattpad name is Gregg Wuhan (Bread_Eater18)

Bread_Eater18