6 6 Fifth Son

Minutes after Ernesto finished drawing Ndulou's blood, the mages and physicians said their goodbyes as they finished gathering and organizing the tools used to examine him.

"We'll be leaving, young master," 

"We will immediately get young master Ndulou once we confirm everythi–"

"Just get the fuck out!"

They respectfully said goodbye while bowing, but Ernesto rudely cut off their words as he impatiently sent them off.

Ndulou clicked his tongue while he thought, "This punk does not know how to talk to the elderly, but why are they being respectful to me, though?" 

Ndulou did not realize that he had spoken his mind, causing Ernesto to also click his tongue.

"Clueless bastard,"

Ernesto lay face down on the couch beside the window.

Ndulou noticed the exhaustion in his eyes but still asked, "I know I got cursed and was missing for a month, but will you please explain how I ended up like this or why I was missing? Why can't I remember anything? I feel like the luncheon with the young masters was just about an hour ago."

Ernesto was lying face down, but his frowning face was looking at Ndulou. His gaze was sharp, but Ndulou continued his curious question. "I need a detailed explanation since I am the one involved. Am I right, sir?"

Ernesto thought that Nudlou loved to bombard him with questions without waiting for a response. 'Why can't he just ask me one at a time, so I can answer them one by one?'

"Haaaaaaa—"

Ernesto let out a long sigh full of exhaustion before calling "Kuya" Ndulou again. Instantly, Ndulou flinched at the sudden, weird call, while Ernesto pushed his body up and sat down comfortably.

No other young master will sit comfortably like him. He was sitting in Indian style. It was not elegant and not according to noble etiquette to sit like that, but he still looks graceful.

"A month ago, hmmmn, how was I treating you a month ago?"

Ndulou narrowed his gaze toward Ernesto, thinking he was trying to divert the topic.

"Young master, please don't change our topic."

"I'm not changing our topic; just answer my question first,"

"..."

Ndulou cannot respond. He was full of uncertainty.

"Okay, fine. I know you don't trust me." Ernesto removed his loosely tied ponytail and tied it up higher and neater. He then gathered a little portion of mana in his hand and sent it off to the ceiling. "That's noise cancellation magic; no one will hear us from the outside."

Ndulou was stunned. "You can now use that level of magic?" 

He only knew that Ernesto was blessed with mana, but he had not officially entered the magic academy, nor had he had any early training. If he did, it should already be known around the territory.

"I don't have any proper training, but I currently have the same level as Blaze Magician." Ernesto explained but Ndulou does not seem shocked. His expression was filled with distrust instead.

Ernesto chuckled, which caused Ndulou to glare at him.

"Oh, sorry. You look funny,"

Ernesto's face twitched from trying so hard to hide his laughter.

Ndulou frowned and made a fake cough. "Young master, can I hit you just once?"

Ernesto finally stopped and looked serious again.

"Do you believe in regression?"

"Regression? The one who travels space and time?"

He nodded. "Yes..

"No, magic has limits. It is not possible to manipulate time. magic, alchemy, and divinity. Not all powers can manipulate time. Everything needs equivalent matter to offer for it to materialize."

Ernesto smiled brightly at Ndulou's answer. He somewhat feels proud of Ndulou's serious response.

"You're right, those things cannot manipulate time." He nodded in agreement. "But you know what? There is one power that can manipulate time."

Ndulou wonders why this conversation keeps going on, but he had become more interested.

"Is there?" he tried to think again. He thought maybe black magic, but black magic needs an equivalent exchange too. Demonic powers have the same principles as divine powers, so neither of the two can regress someone.

Dragons cannot do that either.

No other race can do so.

Perhaps the giants can do it!

But giants are most likely myths or legends. No one can confirm their existence yet, but giants are said to be stronger than dragons.

Ndulou keeps thinking, but he cannot figure it out.

Ernesto observed Ndulou first, then slowly pointed his fingers to the ceiling with a smile.

"gods can do it."

Ndulou immediately agreed with Ernesto.

"You are right! I almost missed that part! If it's the gods, they really can manipulate time!" He jolted up and down while sitting on the bed. He excitedly replied to Ernesto, because it was not the answer he was thinking of.

"But what's with regression? Why the sudden talk about the power to manipulate time?"

Ernesto proudly pointed his finger to himself and declared, "Because I am a regressor," but Ndulou's frown became worse.

"Young master, I only asked for a detailed explanation. I am not playing games with you."

"I know. I know, I know it is hard to believe, but I am telling the truth. I know the future. It's the memory of the future I experienced." Ernesto has a gloomy smile as he recalls his dark past.

"Whatever!" 

Ndulou gave up, turned his back to Ernesto, and lay down sideways.

The smile on Ernesto's lips faded, and a serious tone was heard.

"It's the truth."

Ndulou's back felt chilly from the voice, but he chose not to face forward again. He thought of asking the Marquis instead, since the Marquis wanted to talk to him later. It is better to converse with someone who will not play around with him.

Ernesto jumped off the couch and walked toward the bed. He got close to Ndulou and touched his hair. Ernesto softly played his fingers over the short, rose gold hair of Ndulou as he shared, "In the future that I experienced, your hair was not lively like this."

Ernesto observed Ndulou with a sad expression. He really likes the appearance of Ndulou now.

The Ndulou that he has grown accustomed to in the future has long, straight hair that was whiter than snow; his hair makes him look sicker because of his natural pale skin. He likes the much brighter, shorter rose gold hair of Ndulou. It complements his dark red eyes, which look pure now instead of the vicious red eyes that he saw in the future.

"Why? Did my future self have a lot of dead hairs?" Ndulou sounds grumpy and does not seem to believe what Ernesto was saying yet.

Ernesto chuckled.

Ndulou closed his eyes while still lying sideways, while Ernesto was at the back of him, leisurely sitting and playing with his hair.

Ndulou felt weird, but he also felt somewhat relaxed.

"No, but your hair became all white at a young age. They said it was because of stress."

Ndulou's eyes slightly flinched but stayed shut.

"Yeah, yeah, maybe it's because of you."

Ndulou was being sarcastic, not knowing that Ernesto had become dejected about it.

"Yes, it's my fault. I am sorry."