It took them one week to finally arrive in the Henituse Territory. Cale spoke with his father about the wolf children they were looking after for a while. Deruth agreed to shelter them as long as someone would look after them. Now, Cale and Deruth were inside his father's office. Like what Deruth told Cale, they have something to talk about.

"Cale, before you went to the Capital I've told you we have something we want to ask you, right?" Deruth started as he looked at his son who was slightly uncomfortable.

Deruth didn't want to do this at first. However, there were a lot of things he didn't know. As a father, he was worried about his son's safety. He almost lost him once and he didn't want that to happen once again. He already lost his first wife, he just didn't want to lose his only son with her.

"Yes, dad. You told me about it," Cale responded. "Dad, I am prepared to tell you what you want to know. But, are you prepared to know the truth?"

Originally, Cale was already planning on telling his father the truth. He was just building the courage to tell him. He was afraid his father would ignore him again. He was scared his father wouldn't look at his path again. Cale couldn't help it, he somehow had trust issues with his father. After all, during his slumber, he was reminded over and over again how his father neglected him all throughout the timelines.

Deruth, on the other hand, wondered what his son meant. Is the truth that he's about to say something so grand? What has his son hiding from him? Even so, he was already prepared to know the truth. He has been watching his son. He knew something was happening before but his own cowardice, avoiding the issue, harmed his son.

"Yes, Cale," Deruth answered. Cale inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He clenched his hand and stared at his father.

"Dad, what I am about to tell you is the truth. It's up to you whether you will believe it or not. Whatever I am about to say may come off as unbelievable but the existence of my powers, Youna and Olienne are enough proof for what I will say," Cale said. Deruth gulped thickly.

"Dad, you already know that I inherited mom's ability to grow and invigorate greenery, right?" Cale asked. Deruth nodded.

"It wasn't the only thing I inherited from her. I also inherited the Blood of Thames, it is a special ability, they call it a gift since it came from the first generation of Thames," Cale continued, clenching his hand on his thighs enough to whiten his knuckles. Cale learned about the truth when he was inside Gaia's library.

"Both mom and I had the gift. However, having two gifts existing at the same time is not permitted by the laws of nature. That is why, the second one who inherited a gift must die," Cale added, closing his eyes tightly as he was recalling the truth.

"Wh-What do you mean?" Deruth asked, his eyes were shaking and his sweat felt cold.

"Dad, I was supposed to die instead of mom," Cale answered. Deruth was beyond shock.

"But mom saved me, to lengthen my lifespan, she made a deal in exchange for her life," Cale's voice was shaking.

"I-I see. Continue," Deruth responded as he sighed. He didn't want to make his son uncomfortable from his reactions. He sat beside his son and he gently rubbed his back to comfort him.

It must have been difficult for Cale to shoulder the things he couldn't control. My son doesn't need a weak and a coward father, I need to be strong for him, Deruth thought as he leaned his head on his son's head.

"I knew about it because I was enlightened about the truth. I cannot disclose their identity because I vowed not to reveal them," Cale said.

"After mom died, my gift finally manifested. I discovered it accidentally when you were away, dad," Cale added. Deruth flinched, he knew what he had done.

"That is also the reason why Uncle Zed and Alver-hyung got acquainted with me. Whenever I felt lonely every night, I would go there to spend my time with them," Cale timidly said as he fidgeted.

Aside from wanting to read inside the Royal Library, another reason why he continued sneaking out and going there was to eliminate the loneliness he felt when his father was gone. Deruth suddenly felt queasy on his stomach. He felt guilty leaving his son alone in their house but he could no longer take back what he had done.

"I'm so sorry, Cale," Deruth softly said as he hugged him.

"It's okay now, dad. I am okay and you told me you won't do it again," Cale smiled.

Deruth asked all the gods what he had done to have an understanding and precious son like him. It's making him feel guilty even more. He understood if Cale made a fuss or rebelled once yet he never did. Cale forgave him, he congratulated him for his new marriage, he accepted and loved his new family, he set an example and gave motivation to his siblings. He never once did something that would make Violan and Basen uncomfortable. He always ensured all of them were happy.

"I promise, Cale. I will never do it again, I'll always be by your side in everything you do. I'll support you in any way I can, just don't hesitate to tell me," Deruth said as he patted his son's head. Cale smiled in response.

Cale continued revealing the truth about his powers. How he saw a precognition of the future. He also said his power was too great for his young body and whenever he used it, he suffered from high fever or long hours of sleep. Cale mentioned he didn't expect the attack in the Henituse Estate three years ago. He revealed that he overused his powers that time and he was really on the verge of dying due to how much recoil his body got from using it. He told his father some things weren't clear and allowed to be said, Deruth understood.

Cale also told him how he met Youna, Olienne and Eruhaben. Though, he didn't mention he met Olienne in the distant past. Deruth already knew they were dragons when they heard the elementals around Cale the day he fell asleep. He also told him the reason why he went to the Capital as soon as he woke up. He had a precognition seeing Basen gravely injured during the attack in the plaza.

Cale didn't reveal the fact that he ascended. He didn't even mention his time travels and the fact that he came from the future. He also didn't tell about his ancient powers. Deruth quietly listened to his son. Cale couldn't make out what his father was thinking as he told him the truth but his father's expression showed sadness, guilt, and fear.

"I know you are hiding something from me and I didn't expect it to be this grand. Even so, Cale, I want you to avoid using your powers too much. I know you recovered and could finally use your powers freely but we never know," Deruth said.

"Don't worry, Dad. I won't use them unless necessary," Cale responded.

"So, what is the name of your gift?" Deruth asked. Cale hesitated before answering.

"It is Omnipotence, dad," Cale softly said as he hung his head low.

"What does it do?"

"Omnipotence makes impossible things possible," Cale answered. Deruth's eyes widened.

"I can practically do everything with my power but there is one thing I must not do, that is to interfere with fate and bring back the soul of the dead," Cale added.

"Bringing back the soul of the dead is something I must not do. Such a thing is not permitted by the laws of nature and the divine. If I did, the owner of the soul will suffer and they will carry a sin they didn't even do. So negative karma would always follow them to make up for the sin," Cale explained.

"I see. You have a great gift. For your safety, you shouldn't reveal it to anyone," Deruth responded.

"I don't plan on revealing it. I'd get in trouble if it got revealed," Cale paled imagining himself after people learned about his ability.

"Don't worry, Cale. Whatever is said here will never go out," Deruth reassured.

Cale and Deruth conversed for a while. Deruth didn't have any paperwork to do since he already finished it so he could have a quality time with his son. Deruth told Cale what happened during the three years he was asleep. He told him how motivated their knights and mages in becoming strong. He said their knights and mages wanted to make up for their inability to protect him. Cale felt warm from their words since in his first timeline, even the people who were supposed to protect him cursed him for being trash.

Deruth also mentioned the rumor about Cale being a lout was gone after the people of their territory revealed that the redhead didn't act like that. Cale felt his whole world crash upon learning his plan had failed. Deruth learned that the rumor of his son acting a lout came from Cale himself. Ron and the maid told him about it. Seeing his son's reaction made him laugh.

Ah, the amount of his intelligence is the same with his stupidity and denseness, Deruth thought. He wondered why his son was fixated on ruining his reputation.

Why does my son fail to understand that people love him, Deruth sighed.

"Cale, do you hate becoming a Count that much enough to ruin your reputation?" Deruth asked. Cale flinched.

"It's not that, It's just that Basen is competent enough to be the territory's Lord. I want to live freely without being bound to one place," Cale honestly answered. And Basen needs to establish his position to the family so our relatives won't have anything to say!

"Is that why you always disappear before?" Deruth squinted his eyes, judging his son. Cale averted his gaze and Deruth sighed.

"Here we are always wondering and running around the territory looking for you and now I discovered it was you who kept sneaking out," Deruth said as he pinched his son's cheeks.

"Oww," Cale groaned. "I'm sorry."

"Don't ever do that again, if you want to go somewhere you better inform me. I get worried, you know!"

"Yes, dad. I'm sorry," Cale softly said. Deruth sighed once again and patted his son's head.

"Don't hesitate to come to me if you feel troubled or if you want to go out, okay?" Deruth reminded Cale.

"Yes, dad. I won't do it again," Cale responded and smiled.

Deruth dismissed Cale and he stayed inside his office. He sat and leaned on his chair as he massaged his forehead.

Cale has been carrying those secrets all by himself. If only I didn't leave him here alone, maybe my son would trust me into telling me what was going on at the moment his gift manifested. When I asked him before, he was always reluctant to tell me. I know he was lying to me from time to time. I should've asked him before instead of waiting for him. He was being considerate of me. I failed him, Jour, Deruth thought as he cried silently.

Then, Deruth vowed to give his support to his son. He will do his utmost best in protecting him now he is back. He will watch him closely this time.

That night, Cale slumped on his bed and the three children jumped on his bed too. Youna barged in shouting he wanted to sleep with them too. Sometimes, the red dragon acted childish—well, Youna was still young. The three children proceeded to their places and they drifted off to sleep, leaving Cale and Youna awake.

"Youna," Cale called. The red dragon turned to him.

"I told my dad about my powers and the things we've been doing. Not everything, though," Cale said.

"Is that so? How did he react?" Youna asked.

"He accepted and understood me. I thought he would ignore and avoid me again since mom died because of me. If I knew dad would be like this, I shouldn't have kept him in the dark, I made him worried," Cale answered as he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. Youna quietly laughed at Cale.

"Cale-human, everybody gets worried about someone they cared for and loved. I learned about that before we met when I was growing up. Why can't you see it?" Youna asked, not expecting an answer.

I wonder what happened in your first life that made you think like this? After pampering the people around you with care, love and support, do you think others won't do the same to you? Youna thought.

The red dragon always felt the affection people hold for Cale. It was obvious after all, so he did not understand why the red-haired human didn't see or feel it. He was the receiving end of that love. Cale definitely knew how to give affection but it seems he did not know how to perceive them. 

The next day, Cale received a call from Paseton. He was requesting for them to meet, so he agreed and told the whale they should meet after lunch. Cale went to his father's office to ask permission to go out. Youna and Raon will be coming with him. The cat children will be left on Hans' care. Deruth told the redhead he will give his pocket money to Hans.

After a while, Hans gave Cale the check and they all went off. They teleported near the place where Cale got the Sound of the Wind.

"Cale!" Paseton happily called. Whitira and Archie were with him. The two whales looked happy seeing the redhead.

"Paseton! Whitira-noona ... and Archie," Cale responded to them. Youna scowled at Archie. Whitira hugged the redhead which surprised the latter yet he hugged her back. Archie patted Cale's head.

"Dang! You didn't grow an inch!" Archie teased as he measured Cale's height.

Cale was actually shorter compared to his height when he was eighteen. His height when he was fifteen remained the same until now. Even his appearance was that of a fifteen year old. He already knew why but he didn't want anyone making fun of him because of it.

"Youna, Archie looked bored. Why don't you play with him for a while?" Cale asked as he smirked.

"Gladly, Cale!" Youna laughed as he launched Archie to the sea.

Archie reverted back to his beast form and flicked water on Youna with his tail. Then, he turned to his human form again and launched his spear on Youna which he immediately deflected.

"Don't get hurt!" Cale waved his hand as he made the two invisible so the people on the shore won't be surprised to see and hear a whale and a dragon playing around.

"Why is hyung so willing?" Raon asked Cale.

"Well, Youna likes Archie. He likes to throw him around," Cale laughed. Raon smiled and proceeded to record their fight.

"What did Archie do to you to have Youna-nim act like that?" Whitira asked.

"Maybe Youna was still holding a grudge against him. Archie once threw me to a horde of monsters inside the Forest of Darkness," Cale answered, then the atmosphere around Whitira and Paseton became cold.

"Hmm? Is that so?" Whitira responded as her eyes darkened.

"Yeah? It's not important, it's in the past. So why did you call me here?" Cale asked, the two whale siblings looked at one another and nodded.

"Well, I heard from Paseton you saved him," Whitira answered. "If not for you, Cale, my brother would've died. My father is actually inviting you to have a meal with us."

"I'd gladly save a friend any time. What happened back then? Why were you injured like that? Did you fight with a mermaid?" Cale turned to Paseton.

"Yes, he fought off against a merfolk. We have been fighting for years and Paseton have found the reason how and why they suddenly got stronger," Whitira answered instead of her brother.

"The reason why they were chasing after me was because I accidentally found their source," Paseton followed.

"Where is it?"

"In the Eastern Continent, one of the people who allied with the merfolk told them their source came from the continent," Paseton answered. Cale contemplated for a while.

"Merfolks belong to the dark attribute people. The reason why they suddenly got stronger is probably because these people you spoke of have been supplying them dead mana to boost their strength," Cale said. The two whales nodded in agreement.

"I'll look into it. It'll be bad if those humans misunderstood your intentions. I know sea folks are not allowed to interfere with the matters of the land, the same with us," Cale added.

"But Cale, you just woke up. You shouldn't overdo it," Whitira worriedly responded.

"Don't worry, I have people who will help me. I'll give you an update regarding that and as much as possible I want to eliminate the source of their dead mana," Cale reassured. Both whale siblings embraced the small redhead which surprised Cale.

"You are such a kind person, Cale," Paseton said.

"If ever you're tired dealing with people, you can come to our tribe. We will welcome you with open arms," Whitira added. Cale chuckled.

"Alright, I'll keep that in mind," Cale grinned.

When Youna, Raon and Archie came back, the killer whale looked incredibly battered, tired and in a mess. Whitira and Paseton approached Archie as they patted his shoulder and whispered something in his ears that sent shivers down his spine.

//TBC ...