CHAPTER 6

On their way back to the hospital, the two secretaries noticed Daram's silence. He only watched the scenery outside the hover car instead of talking to Hanan. Even the chief of the Water Clan noticed his odd behavior, but as he is a person who doesn't concern himself with others' business, he didn't pry and just left Daram in his thoughts.

When they reached the Health Facility and walked toward Hirayon's room, Daram's expression worsened. He was profoundly frowning, making the people who had seen him murmur in worry. They are contemplating why the Earth Clan chief looked like that, together with the Water clan chief with a deadpan face. They didn't know that was Hanan's everyday look and gossiped more about the two.

The two observant secretaries quickly noticed the expression of the people. Because some are holding their phones, Favian calls one of the knights following them and gives the order to warn everyone to prevent posting anything on Odidily.

With the social media platform, Odidily, the news of the two chiefs having such expressions would quickly spread. Although the group could care less about what the oddities are gossiping about, they can't let them get a hint about Hirayon without confirming his identity.

When the group reached Hirayon's room, the knights they came with went into a guarding position, preventing anyone from approaching the area.

Daram hesitated to open the room. He pondered what would Hanan's reaction would be when he realized Hirayon was not his son. He is convinced that Hirayon can't be Hanan's child because the years don't match up.

"What is it?" Hanan asked when his friend didn't open the door.

Daram was the only one who could open the door as they needed access and permission from the Health Facility to enter Hirayon's room. Favian also didn't bother to do so, as he was always with the chief, the sole person in their territory who could enter anywhere and go wherever he desired.

"Nothing," He said, concentrating Aura in his eyes to use Oddilens.

Almost every technology and machinery in Diwana was connected to Oddilens. Although some can still function without it, for the oddities who were still incapable because of young age or had limited access because of their Oddilens' version, most residents prefer using Oddilens in their daily life for convenience.

When he activated his Oddilens, the plain door in front of him was outlined by white light. A hologram also showed him the list of things he could do at the door.

ROOM 307 - Patient Hirayon

> Bed

> Door

○ Open

○ Close

○ Lock

○ Customize

> Table

> Temperature

> Window

"Oddi, Open the Door," Daram said in his mind.

When the door finally slid open, Daram heard a monotonous voice of a man in his mind, "Door Opened."

After hearing a monotonous, almost robotic voice, Daram was taken aback by the view inside the room.

A peaceful scene welcomed the group. The sun illuminated the room and basked the child sleeping soundly with warm sunlight. It is as if the child did not wail and lost consciousness days ago because of forceful interrogation.

Daram made a barrier first to keep everyone from hearing what would be discussed in the room. "Oddi, create a 10m soundproof barrier around me." Then a transparent dome with a tinge shade of brown quickly expanded from the man, surrounding everyone in the group.

He then motioned for Hanan to take the lead and approach the bed.

When he finally entered and saw Hanan's reaction while staring at Hirayon, he remembered the first time he saw his son. They took a picture of him while holding his newborn baby, and Hanan was looking at Hirayon with that gaze—the look of a father.

Oddities always have a deep connection with their kids because it is not easy to have children. As oddities have potent elemental abilities, their Auras tend to clash, especially if the parents are from two different clans.

This is particularly crucial for mothers who have to give birth. As babies inherit their parents' Auras, the more powerful the parents are, the stronger the baby is. That is why mothers always had to undergo strict supervision to monitor their health and the baby within their wombs.

The higher the rank is, the more difficult and dangerous it is to have a child because of Aura's potency. That is why it is rare for clan chiefs, which are Prime Oddities, to have a child. It takes them years to conceive a baby, and sometimes they decide not to so their partners won't be in danger.

One's birth in Diwana is celebrated because of that reason. Daram's case is especially popular. They did not expect him to have a child as he was a chief. But when it was announced that her wife and baby were safe after labor, everyone in Diwana, specifically the Earth Clan, celebrated and prayed to the deities for their health.

Daram felt his heart get tugged. He could see so much emotion in Hanan's eyes. Surprise, relief, happiness, longing, and warmth. Feelings that he rarely sees in his friend. Witnessing that, he couldn't help but feel helpless.

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Zeno was in a similar but worse situation than him. He was trying his best not to cry and contain his emotions. He came with his chief with few expectations because it wasn't the first time people claimed they had Chief Hanan's child. But seeing Hanan react differently compared to other people, he knows, Hirayon is the chief's son.

He could already hear the whole clan celebrating the arrival of another powerful oddity that could lead the clan. Even though there's no guarantee that Hirayon will be as powerful as his father in the future, the clan would still commemorate his existence as it was difficult for chiefs to have children.

Before Zeno could even wallow in his delight, Daram stepped forward and asked a question that broke the mood.

Daram pulled himself together and asked, "Is he really your son?"

Hanan looked at him. "He is," he answered with certainty. His unwavering eyes made his friend more solemn.

Compared to other children that claimed to be his son before, Hanan could feel an unexplainable emotion toward Hirayon.

"It only takes nine months to give birth to a child, right?" Daram paused and looked at Hirayon, "Is there a case where women have their child in their womb for years?" he questioned.

Zeno and Fabian stilled and stared at Daram with strange eyes. They finally understood why the chief had been acting unusually since earlier. Marin didn't have any contact with other people for twenty-seven years. Hirayon could only be Hanan's child if she and Hanan had met secretly. But they all knew that wasn't the case.

Not noticing the meaning behind his question, Hanan answered. "I've never heard of a case like that."

"Then... you can't be Hirayon's father," Daram pointed out while watching Hanan's oblivious face. He didn't know if his friend couldn't fathom that fact and was acting clueless, but his reaction was frustrating.

"What, why?"

"Marin was gone for twenty-seven years, and Hirayon is only six. His age doesn't match the last time Marin was with you. Unless you secretly met her, Hirayon can't be your son," Daram asserted. He thought Hanan would act surprised at the realization, but his reaction confused him.

Hanan smirked, "Was that what you were thinking about?"

Daram wanted to punch Hanan here and there. He had been feeling frustrated since earlier, and his reaction pushed him to his limits. That is why he doesn't like dealing with his friend. Because Hanan often looks unbothered and uninterested, his condescending expressions are more aggravating.

He was about to curse Hanan when his friend shifted his attention to the sleeping child. "I thought first that he can't be my child. However, Marin is a powerful oddity capable of using two elements, barrier and time. If anyone can slow one's pregnancy using abilities, it would be Marin."

Chief Daram felt he was stupid for not considering Marin's abilities, "But still, I've never heard of an oddity who used time ability to stop their own pregnancy. Also, using time ability is Aura draining. It is impossible for her to constantly use it for twenty-one years," He reasoned.

Hanan looked at his friend with contemplating eyes, "Maybe you should retire soon. You're getting rusty."

"You!"

Daram's eyes heated in rage. He wasn't a patient person in the first place, so the two secretaries couldn't blame him for snapping. Daram fired an arrow made of compressed hard soil toward Hanan and was already using his ability to coat his fist with hardened soil when Hanan quickly used his ability. Water blasted out from his palm. It stopped the arrow from approaching and eventually surrounded Daram, confining him in a large water orb.

"Chief!" Favian called out in surprise. He knew that most people considered Hanan the second most powerful chief of all clans, but he never knew that he could suppress his chief this fast. He is aware that Daram isn't giving out his all, but he can't help but see Hanan in a different light.

On the other hand, Zeno is trying his best not to burst into a wide smile. He felt proud and honored to have such an exceptional chief. To others, this small fight might be petty and meaningless, but to him, it shows how capable Hanan is.

"Calm down, and let me speak," Hanan said to Daram, who was about to use another ability.

"Do you know anything about the National Treasure that Marin stole?" Hanan asked and removed the water around Daram's head, allowing him to speak.

Daram scowled, "I know nothing."

"Figured," Hanan muttered, bringing back the water when he saw Daram was about to curse him.

"No one really knows what that National treasure can do, but there are a lot of speculations. One of the plausible theories is that the National Treasure is an Aura Stone. Although it was impossible to check since nothing could identify its grade, and no one could extract Aura from it. That treasure existed for thousands of years before people became oddities. It would definitely be filled with Aura."

Hanan removed the water and even dried Daram's clothes and hair. "Are you saying Marin used that treasure and extracted Aura from it?"

"That is the only logical explanation I could think of. We still don't know Marin's purpose, but everything makes sense if the treasure was an Aura Stone," Hanan explained.

"But what you're saying is only a possibility. What if you're wrong?" Daram pushed. He was really skeptical about Hirayon's identity.

"There is still a way we could prove it," Hanan suggested, taking Hirayon's hand. He noticed how thin and bony it was. It also felt hard and had a lot of calluses.

Hanan frowned and stared closely at Hirayon. He was displeased to see how unhealthy and thin he was. There was rage brewing inside him, but he could only blame himself. Even though he wasn't at fault for not knowing Hirayon's existence, he felt like an irresponsible parent.

The three oddities looked at Hanan with flabbergasted expressions, "Are you going to channel your Aura to him?" Daram asked.

He knows it is the only other way, but he is still against Hanan's suggestion. In the olden times, when there was war all over Diwana, many oddities were hurt and in critical condition. Since not many can use their healing abilities yet, parents would channel their Aura to their injured children to help them ease their pain and aid in healing. They later learned that only parents could do that to their children. If an oddity tried to use it on other people, including relatives, they would feel pain because they are basically trying to heal people without the healing ability. It can also bring the child's Aura into a mess, restricting the child from using Aura for years.

"Chief, are you sure about this? The child might be alright since he can't use abilities yet, but I heard the pain could cause one to cry blood," Zeno said worriedly.

The pain that the oddity would feel for channeling Aura to someone else varies depending on the oddity's rank and capabilities. There was even a case where the oddity had to experience pain for two days.

Hanan looked at Zeno, and the latter had no choice but to swallow his worries. Hanan's eyes glimmered in resolve. He is set to use that method to prove to everyone that Hirayon is his son.

Without waiting for anyone's approval, Hanan stared at Hirayon's hand that he was holding and slowly poured his Aura into the small hand. Hanan's silver-blue Aura seeped into Hirayon and started glowing inside the child.

Daram and the two secretaries watched anxiously as Hanan's Aura slowly enveloped the child from his hand to his entire body. He was glowing in silver-blue light that suddenly became brighter until it stopped with a quiet explosion. When they finally regained their eyesight, they saw Hirayon looking cautiously at Hanan, who was looking at him with a soft genuine smile.

"Hello, son..."

R E H I L I Y A