During the time Cale wasn't allowed to go out, he once snuck out and that was the time he strode along the plaza in the Capital with the Prince. After that he didn't go out anymore. He was upholding the end of his punishment. Taylor wrote him a letter from time to time and they became good friends in the end. As a result, Cale had started to call him "hyung" as well, as requested (forced) by Taylor. The prince and the king didn't write him a letter after his response which relieved Cale.

The redhead stayed quietly in the estate for months. He reads every newly bought book in the county and sometimes he helps Basen in his studies. He even played with

Lily when he saw fits. At the same time, Cale formulated a lot of plans on how he should take the other ancient powers. That was his goal after his punishment was lifted. He sometimes watched the knights train and he somehow wanted to know how to handle weapons.

Cale also practiced and mastered the usage of his inherited ability, he could now fully control it. He once did it so it wasn't that difficult to master it again. He also discovers a lot of things about his gift. He still does not know the exact name of his gift as it was still blurred in his notes. He also discovered the journal he's using, containing different information about him and his powers and where to find them, actually listed down everything—on its own! He found it convenient as he would discover a lot about himself.

After two months, Cale celebrated his twelfth birthday. He spent his day with his family. The redhead didn't ask for anything grandeur as a present, he just asked his parents for money. A lot of money. He needed the money when he takes the Fire of Destruction. The red dragon, Youna, also came back and he told Cale that he'll be staying by his side even though he will be invisible all the time.

His probation was finally lifted and he could finally continue what he was supposed to be doing. He needed to take the remaining ancient powers. His first target was the Super Rock since it was the nearest. Next would be the Fire of Destruction and lastly would be the Sky Eating Water, which was located in the Eastern Continent.

Cale hopped off his bed and started preparing.

"Youna, are you there?" Cale asked and the red dragon immediately undid his invisibility magic. He was in his human form.

"I'll be going around for several days, will you come with me?" He asked again.

"Of course, human. I'll go wherever you go," he answered.

Cale smiled and immediately took out his copy so he could go out freely.

"Ron," Cale called, then the butler entered his room. His eyes widened when he saw two Cales in front of him and another stranger in his bedroom. He frowned.

"Young Master?"

"Ah, this is my copy. I will be going out for a while to play, Ron. And this is Youna, he will be coming with me so you don't have to worry," Cale confidently answered.

"Yes, you don't have to worry about him. I will make sure he won't get hurt," Youna added. Ron sighed and touched his forehead.

"Young Master, I don't know where you found this young man but I cannot leave you alone," Ron finally responded. Youna transformed back into his dragon form which made Ron even more surprised.

"Are you convinced now? With this mighty dragon's protection, he won't get hurt," Youna replied. Cale just shook his head. He doesn't have any intention of revealing the dragon but he just did it on his own accord.

"So, Ron, can you let me? Don't tell this to my father. Also, I will leave this copy of mine so they won't suspect I am gone," Cale interjected.

Ron couldn't help but be worried. He didn't know what his puppy Young Master was planning and the redhead doesn't have any intention of disclosing it.

"I'll be picking up some things and will come back once I get all of them," Cale kept trying to convince the old man.

"Your probation has just ended and as soon as it was lifted you're off to somewhere already. I don't know what I should do with you, Young Master," Ron sounded upset. Cale shivered at his old butler's tone. The redhead then hugged Ron. He will use his beauty (charm) to appeal to the old man.

"Let me go just this time, once I retrieved everything I'll be back, hm?" Cale used the nicest tone of his voice he could ever sound and he flashed his most innocent face he could ever make. Ron tightly closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose.

It was super effective.

"Alright, just this once Young Master," Ron replied after contemplating for at least ten minutes.

Cale cheered internally. He didn't want to show how happy he was. The redhead then explains where he will be going so Ron knows, of course he didn't tell about Eastern continent and the ancient powers he will retrieve. Ron just thought that Cale will just play and will do some sightseeing. The redhead also promised he won't be using his powers as it always tires him out.

Ron saw them off. The red dragon and Cale teleported to the Forest of Darkness.

The ambiance was quite eerie and it spooked Cale out. He never had a chance to enter the Forest of Darkness before. Although he had seen his other dimension's self reside here. Youna and Cale strode around, there were a lot of monsters lurking and attacking them. The red dragon easily fended and killed them off. They have been walking for a long time until they have reached a wide swamp. It was dark and murky. One could easily tell this lake was poisonous.

"Human, I can sense something I am familiar with here," Youna spoke. Cale tilted his head.

"What do you mean?"

"Something is inside that lake! Also, there's dead mana in the swamp!"

Cale looked at the swamp.

"Stand back, human. I will separate the dead mana and poisonous water so we can see what's inside there."

"Oh, you can put the dead mana here in this special bottle. It won't break no matter how strong the liquid is," Cale said as he handed Youna the bottle. The red dragon nodded even though he was confused. Why would human needs dead mana?

Youna turned into his dragon form which got bigger compared to what Cale saw before. The red dragon flew above and casted a shield over Cale. Youna started gathering up his mana and he wrapped the water with his bright red mana. He began separating the dead mana and the poisonous water. He put all the dead mana inside the bottle Cale had given him.

Cale, who was watching the incredible scene unfold, was in awe. He looked at Youna with a satisfied expression.

That's a dragon for you! Cale praised mentally and clapped his hands.

He then looked down on the swamp and was even more surprised to see large dragon bones beneath it.

The dead mana in the black swamp came from a dead dragon, Cale thought.

A dragon's dead mana. One of the most valuable items in the world. It was even rarer than seeing an actual dragon. When a dragon dies a natural death, they will return to nature. Nothing will remain, not even their blood or bones. But if you see a corpse of a dragon, it could only mean one thing, the dragon either committed suicide or it was killed, hence it will leave its dead mana. Cale shuddered at the thought of a being who's capable of killing a dragon and he had a hunch who could've done that.

One of White Star's minions must've killed this dragon, Cale frowned at the thought.

It was said that a dragon's natural death was the most beautiful death of all. Seeing the remains of a dragon who couldn't even meet its beautiful death made Cale's heart ache. As he believed all creatures, humans or non-humans, deserve to die a beautiful and natural death.

Once everything was over, Youna immediately went to Cale's side and checked his condition. After seeing Cale was unharmed, he handed him the bottle filled with dragon's dead mana. They took a closer look at the dragon bones beneath the swamp. Youna frowned at what he saw, seeing a dragon's remains who was killed angered him.

"We should store these dragon bones," Cale said. Youna just nodded.

Do you know what it means to dominate? A voice suddenly asked. Cale flinched from the voice he heard. He then looked at the place where it came from. His heart ran wild.

Dominating is to take away everything, even the enemy's breath. The voice continued to speak. Cale approached where the voice was coming from.

Do you know the easiest way to take your enemy's breath away? That is fear. Cale flinched once again. His heart continued to beat loudly to the point he couldn't hear anything aside from the voice inside his head.

Fear.

That was something he was familiar with. The fear of losing his family once again, the fear of being alone in a world on a brink of destruction, the fear of being in a vortex of darkness, the fear of getting lost and not finding the way back. He was well-versed in all fear he could feel before.

But right now, what he feared the most was being left alone surrounded by the dead bodies of his people.

"Fear, huh? That's some bullshit," he mumbled.

Hah! That's right! You know it well! It's bullshit! The voice laughed.

As long as I get what I want from my enemies, I am willing to do everything, Cale thought. The redhead touched the crown on its skull.

Use it well, the voice said then a bright light appeared.

I don't need this power but it will be troublesome if some annoying being takes this, I'll just store this in my soul, Cale thought as he felt the [Dominating Aura] being mixed with his [Divine Aura].

Nothing can beat the [Divine Aura], even the Dragon's Fear cannot compare to it.

Youna looked at Cale in shock. He wondered how strong this human was. He wanted to ask but he knew his question would be left unanswered. The red dragon transformed into his human form and leaned on the shorter redhead.

Why does this human's life seem so hard? Youna thought as he rubbed Cale's head.

They continued walking in search of an ancient power until they saw a big boulder with a crack in it. Seeing the gap, big enough for him to fit, they walked inside it. The long, dark cave ended and they were greeted by a large estate. It was a five-story house with a beautiful garden and there were a lot of statues.

There's a human who earned the power of the glutton, the crybaby and the thief? A voice spoke in Cale's mind once again. The red dragon suddenly felt the power of nature around the human.

There's the scent of wood, wind and what's this? A human's power? The power of earth was coming from this whole space, Youna frowned. There were a lot of things the red dragon needed to know of. Most especially about ancient powers.

I lived a very difficult life. I was an orphan at a young age and had to learn how to survive. I remember how my dream was to eat three hearty meals a day and sleep comfortably without worries, the voice continued to speak. Cale was listening to the story of Super Rock. He might not be an orphan but he knew the struggles of trying to survive during tough times. He also knew what it meant to starve. He wasn't an orphan but his solitude before he found his destination was cruel to the point he wanted to give up.

However, I realized I was given a power from Heaven and that was the time I decided to use it for good. That's why I always help other people. I never once regretted my decision to fight for people, the voice added. Cale was reminded about those gifted people who fought for the well-being of others.

But there is one thing I have regretted. I chose to stay and protect the weak, even when I knew my friends were in danger. As a result, they died one by one.

That is why I collected their belongings and stored them here. In the end, I passed on before I could give my friends' belongings to their successors.

Though, I am happy I protected this land.

Protecting others by sacrificing himself was a noble act indeed. But Cale wasn't the type to do that. He will fight for himself, for the future he wanted and for the people he cared for. He couldn't sacrifice himself to people he doesn't even know.

Cale looked around the area and started walking towards the five-story villa.

"This place is great," Cale smiled at how luxurious everything was.

Ahem, I'm not a materialistic person but I didn't want my friends' successors to come to a shabby place, the voice sounded flustered as he didn't want to appear materialistic. Cale softly laughed.

"I see, this place is indeed great," Cale reiterated. The place was even more luxurious compared to their house. He continued walking, with the red dragon quietly following him. Then he spotted an ominous looking stone with chains and a seemingly talisman around it.

"What's that?"

There is a sad truth about this place.

When I was still alive, I've seen monsters there that don't belong here but in the Eastern continent.

I discovered the truth when I entered this cave. There is a path in there that connects the Eastern and Western continents which made the monsters crossover.

As a result, they mutated, became violent, and became even stronger. The profound voice spoke once again. Cale could now connect the dots as to why the monsters in the Forest of Darkness were quite different from any other monsters in the Western continent.

So they really came from the Eastern Continent, Cale sighed as he brushed his hair back.

But that path would not let any other being through it. Only the monsters could.

My friends and I were unable to decipher its mystery. All we could do was barricade it from both sides and I am responsible for protecting the Western entrance.

The seal is strong and could last for 100,000 years. Only someone capable of breaking the seal could undo it or if it reached its appointed time.

Cale closely examined the ominous rock and couldn't help but shiver. It was a scary rock.

The ancient time was only 10,000 years ago. We still have some time, right? Cale thought as he remembered the ancient dragon. He wished Eruhaben could help him decipher this rock.

He stepped back and proceeded to the villa's entrance. He could see that the place was spacious. He knew he could do everything he wanted if this ancient power let him use this place.

He entered the villa and was in awe of its extravagant interior. The place was great even though this place was over a thousand years old. He could see a variety of sculptures. He stepped on the stairs, he saw lots of empty rooms and a beautiful terrace on the second floor. He then continued walking on the third floor and opened the doors one by one from the farthest wing.

He could see weapons, jewels, records, and many more. This must be the belongings of his friends, Cale thought as he continued admiring the goodness of the ancient power.

He continued walking on the fourth floor and there was nothing there so he walked to the fifth floor. There was only one room there, it had a study, a bedroom and an office which was connected without any walls.

Cale saw an altar much taller than him.

Super rock? He saw smaller rocks.

That is my power. Do you wish to gain my power? The voice asked.

"Yes," Cale answered.

Then chew it! Cale almost choked on his own saliva.

My power is easy to earn but it only activates when you are protecting something. I want my power to be used for justice!

"Who wouldn't, right? Especially if you have greater power and it could be passed on, you want your power to be used for good only," Cale smiled. He crouched down and picked a rock and began to chew it. He felt awkward at first since he didn't imagine he would be chewing rocks.

Cale felt some vibrations on his feet before the power started to rise up. The owner of the ancient power started to speak once again:

My power is something anybody could have. However, my power could only be used for certain situations.

The voice started to sound like it was getting further away.

Guard. Protect. Sacrifice yourself.

That is the power of earth that gave its everything to lifeforms that exist upon it.

Cale finally gained the [Super Rock].

The redhead met up with the red dragon who was waiting for him outside the villa. The dragon couldn't help but frown as he couldn't sense any power again from him.

"This place is ours now, you can come here if you want. Also, tell Eruhaben about that stone over there," Cale said. Youna nodded as he felt strange around that rock.

Cale and Youna rested for a while, then they teleported to the Ten Fingers Mountain to gain the [Fire of Destruction].

Once they got there, he found the pig sculpture in one of the seemingly fingers of the mountain. The lava was there surrounding the pig sculpture. But the fire wasn't active yet, it didn't burn anything yet. It just continued to surround the pig sculpture.

Do I really have to throw money to gain this power? Cale thought.

OH! I feel something I am familiar with! The pig sculpture spoke. The redhead flinched.

Do these ancient powers know one another? Cale thought as he reached his spatial bag and started throwing his money.

Cale had a lot of money as he had received them during his twelfth birthday, even his so-called Uncle Zed gave him a three golden plaque which he exchanged for money.

OOH! I didn't expect for someone like you to appear! The voice which sounded crazy spoke once again.

Cale continued throwing money into the lava but the gold and silver coins didn't reach the lava, it floated to create a path.

Youna was shocked. He didn't know why Cale was throwing money like this. He could see all the gold and silver coins flying and falling like snow towards the lava. His eyes were shaking while looking at Cale.

Yes! Keep throwing money! I haven't seen anybody other than my crazy friend waste money like this! The voice sounded crazy and happy.

Ugh, such weird trials, Cale thought as he continued scooping a handful of money on his hands and threw it like it was dirt. But somehow this is refreshing.

HAHAHAHAHA, both Cale and the owner of ancient power were laughing. Youna found it weird and thought that the redhead might have become crazy.

Money! Let me smell more money! I wanted to be able to throw away money like trash like this too! But those damn bastards stole all my money! It continued to shout in Cale's mind. Cale continued laughing as he trailed down the path created by money while he's throwing the money away.

I didn't do anything this crazy in my past life! This is fun and refreshing! Cale laughed.

Cale was about to spend a total of five billion gold and silver coins to gain the power. He kept throwing it as if he had gone crazy. The pig sculpture began to glow.

Cale grew tired of throwing money, his arms began to sore. So he took out his bag and poured all the money allocated for this ancient power.

Oh! You wonderful being! The voice started to shake. He didn't expect someone as crazy as this to appear.

The pig sculpture was shining even brighter. A sizzling could be heard and red vapor started to rise. The Indestructible Shield activated and its wings covered Cale's body.

Cale continued pouring all the money until he reached the pig sculpture in the middle of the pit.

I approve of you! You have the right attitude to gain this power! If it is someone like you, you will be able to overcome every obstacle in your way! The owner of the ancient power had approved of Cale and he was beckoned to touch the sculpture but the redhead continued pouring money. He wasn't done yet, he hasn't poured half of the money he brought.

The sound of money clicking as it streamed down Cale's bag could be heard which made the owner of ancient power speechless.

M-My goodness! I've never seen such a crazy person before! The owner of the ancient power couldn't hide his admiration anymore. He was overjoyed. The sculpture began to vibrate even more which made the peak shake.

Cale's arms started to hurt from all the throwing so he poured the money faster which made the owner of the ancient power speechless.

Finally, all the money was gone. Cale looked at the glowing pig sculpture as well as the red vapor surrounding it.

I approve of you, I debated it for a while since you have my friends' powers.

There are no normal people who owned ancient powers. Here you go! Take it! Destroy everything! Of course, the money is mine. The owner of the ancient power started to float towards Cale.

Ooh! I finally earned four out of five. Only one left! Cale cheered in his mind.

Cale's hand touched the vapor but it didn't hurt him one bit. A mix of gold and red light rushed toward him.

Use this to melt everything in your way. You will survive through the pain, that was the last thing he said before Cale had completely absorbed him.

Cale closed his eyes as he tried to feel the ancient powers in him. He now has the wood, wind, earth, fire, and a human's power.

With the combination of my gift, I could do anything as I wished for these powers. It won't just be limited to their raw powers, I could enhance them, Cale thought as the lava completely disappeared from the pit.

Cale walked back towards Youna who was waiting for him.

"You're done, right?" Youna asked.

"Yep, we should go back to the underground villa to rest," Cale answered and that was the cue for the red dragon to teleport back to the Super Rock Villa.

Unbeknownst to Cale, a group of Elves saw them. They tremble by the appearance of a great and mighty being, even though the dragon had taken a different appearance, their presence won't change. They were just supposed to check the sudden occurrence of lava on the pit from one of the fingers in Ten Finger Mountain. They didn't expect to meet such a great existence and as a result, they couldn't help but be curious about the red head child who seems to be receiving the protection of a dragon. Youna noticed them but he decided not to tell Cale about them.

Once they had arrived in the underground villa, Cale went to clean himself and Youna contacted Eruhaben.

Youna told him about the strange stone pillar in the villa, he also told him the coordinates so he could go there. After Cale took a bath, they ate the food he had bought earlier.

Cale claimed the fifth floor as his and Youna settled in one of the rooms below his. They rested and will continue their little adventure the next day.

TBC ...