William spent the rest of his vacation time hanging out with his family while monitoring the situation outside through his subordinates. The days passed in a comfortable rhythm, filled with laughter, warmth, and the simple joys of being with loved ones.

During the mornings, William would spar with Rose, helping her refine her control over her [Flame Dancer] aspect. Her progress was remarkable, and William felt a sense of pride as he watched his sister's skills flourish. They spent hours training in the family's expansive garden, surrounded by vibrant flowers and birds chirping.

William helped his mother prepare dinner in the afternoons despite her initial refusal. Surprisingly, he was a good cook. His father still had duties to fulfill, so the time they spent together couldn't be said to be much.

There was still a hint of distrust in Malcolm's eyes, but William knew it was better than ruining everything he had built so far. He just slowly tried mending their relationship.

One evening, as the family gathered for dinner, the atmosphere was warm. The aroma of the meal William and Leona had prepared filled the dining room, creating a cozy ambiance. Rose chattered excitedly about her training sessions, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"William is an amazing teacher, Mother! You should have seen the new moves he showed me today."

Rose exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Leona smiled warmly at her children, her eyes filled with pride.

"It's wonderful to see you both spending time together. Family bonds are important. If only Adam hadn't gotten a royal order from the emperor, he too would have enjoyed this moment."

William glanced at those words, meeting his father's gaze. He knew well that the excuse Adam had used wouldn't fool a battle-hardened warrior like their father. However, to his surprise, his father didn't say anything or try to correct Leona.

Rose smiled brightly, relishing the food in front of her. She wasn't eating correctly or ladylike, but no one cared. Their family wasn't a noble family from the start, and they wouldn't change themselves to fit in with the others.

Malcolm, who had been silent for most of the meal, finally spoke up.

"William, I would like to talk to you after. I'll wait for you in the study."

William's heart skipped a beat at his father's words. He nodded, trying to hide his nervousness.

"Of course, Father. I'll be there shortly."

The rest of dinner passed in a blur for William. Despite the warmth and laughter around the table, his mind was preoccupied with the upcoming conversation. What did Malcolm want to discuss? Was it about the past, or perhaps something more pressing?

After dinner, William excused himself and made his way to the study. The room was filled with the scent of old books and leather, a comforting yet imposing atmosphere. Malcolm was already there, standing by the window, looking out into the night.

William cleared his throat.

"Father, you wanted to speak with me?"

William said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

Malcolm turned to face him, his expression severe but not unkind.

"William, come sit with me."

William sat across from his father, feeling the moment's weight.

Malcolm began, his voice measured.

"How was Adam? I'm sure you've met him. Otherwise, you would have spent a large chunk of your vacation away from home. I know you have many things on your mind; however, I want to spend some time with my son, the son who would not care about anything else and not let his mind wander. The son who innocently and excitedly called my name."

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Taking a short break, Malcolm sighed heavily, rubbing his glabbela.

"Ever since the kidnapping incident, you've changed, William. Sometimes you act exactly like you did before but at times… it's as if I'm looking at an old, cold, and calculating general who has gone through countless battles."

"Father…"

"I've been battling myself every night, haunted by the thought that my son had gone through something that he doesn't wish to tell me, his father. He learned magic, mastered swordsmanship in a short time, entered the most prestigious magic academy, and talks to those stronger than him as if he is their equal, even though he is clearly nothing but a young child with no experience."

William felt a lump form in his throat as he listened to his father's words. The weight of the truth he had carried for so long pressed heavily upon him. He had always known this moment would come, but he hadn't prepared for it to be so soon or intense.

"Father…"

William began, his voice tinged with sorrow. He didn't know how to continue, nor how to explain himself. He had no excuses, and his father was way too sharp to notice the discrepancies in his excuses.

"It's fine. I know you won't tell me; I just wanted to express my thoughts. It's been three years, and I've slowly gotten used to the new you. However, I still doubt that you're truly my son."

William clenched his fists tightly at those words, tears slowly gathering in his eyes. It had been a while since he last cried. He thought he was careful, but it was obvious that his loved one would feel betrayed and even doubt him. It was a surprise no one else had caught on.

There was only one solution to his issue: telling the truth to his father, but that was also easier said than done. He had already brought about massive changes that completely altered the timeline.

However, a sense of greed to tell his family the truth always eats him away. He is a regressor, someone who returns to the past, someone who has experienced the end of Roia. He has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and he is scared that he will mess everything up.

William took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. He knew his father deserved the truth, but it was a truth that carried weight and complexity far beyond anything he had ever shared.

"Father, there's something you need to know," William began, his voice trembling slightly. "It's not easy to explain and even harder to believe."

Malcolm's gaze remained fixed on William, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Rather than explaining the situation, I think it would be better if I showed you."

Saying so, William moved his finger, creating an intricate spell after roughly a minute. Just like he had shown Thrain, he also showed a fragment of his past life, the William Virtu of the previous timeline, and his life experience all the way up to his end.

The room dimmed as the spell took hold, and an ethereal mist filled the air, swirling around William and Malcolm. Images began to form within the mist, playing out like scenes from a forgotten dream. Malcolm watched in stunned silence as his son's life unfolded in another timeline before him.

He saw a younger William, who had lost his family, protecting Rose with all his might. He witnessed his rise in political power and the start of the war. He witnessed the tragedies, the loss, and the eventual end of Roia. Malcolm's eyes widened in shock and sorrow as he saw the suffering his son had endured. The vision culminated in the desperate act that had brought William back to this point in time, a last-ditch effort to change the fate of his doomed world.

His regression was obviously by accident, and Malcolm could recognize that. The time crystal being in William's possession was something he couldn't comprehend.

When the vision ended, the mist dissipated, leaving father and son in the dimly lit study. Malcolm's face was pale, his eyes reflecting the depth of the emotions he was experiencing. He took a deep breath, trying to process what he had just seen.

"William… is this true?"

Malcolm asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

William nodded, tears streaming down his face. He felt relieved. Although he had exposed himself, the weight of responsibility he felt had considerably lessened. He once again felt like he was a child being scolded for doing something he shouldn't have.

He knew that his hormones played a big part in his current state since he was going through puberty, but he obviously had some deeply rooted emotions that sprung out at this moment.

He had tried to dissociate, but it was impossible for him to do so thanks to his incredible memory. He was cursed to remember everything that had happened to him.

Malcolm reached out and placed a comforting hand on William's shoulder. The expression on his face was a mix of pain, pride, and overwhelming compassion.

"My son," Malcolm began, his voice breaking, "I cannot imagine the burden you have carried. You have faced unimaginable horrors and shouldered responsibilities. I am so sorry you had to go through this alone."

William, still fighting back tears, shook his head.

"Father, I couldn't tell anyone. I was afraid of what might happen, of the changes I might cause. But... I couldn't bear the thought of losing you all again."

Malcolm pulled William into a tight embrace.

"You did what you thought was best, and for that, I am proud of you. You have shown incredible strength and resilience. But remember, you are not alone now. We are here with you, and we will face whatever comes together."

William felt a profound sense of relief wash over him. For so long, he had been carrying the weight of his past life alone, and now, for the first time, he felt a sense of relief.