Rossweise's cheeks flushed a bright pink as she quickly snatched the bunny ears from Noah's head.
"This... this is not a toy. You mustn't just put on things without thinking," she said, her voice tinged with flustered embarrassment.
"Okay, Mom. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now," Noah said, stepping out of the closet as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
She stood up straight, her steps slow and deliberate. It was as if being caught hiding in her parents' closet was an everyday occurrence, no different from eating breakfast.
She had only taken a few steps before her feet left the floor.
Her small tail twitched slightly as she turned her head to see her father holding her up effortlessly with one hand.
"Good evening, Dad," she said, her voice completely flat.
"Noah, you know you're terrible at pretending, right? That's more Muen's specialty," Leon said, raising a single eyebrow.
"…"
Noah let out a resigned breath and stopped struggling. "Alright, Dad. Since you've caught me, will you tell me why you were looking for me so desperately?"
As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward her father's pocket.
After spending so much time with the ancestor, Noah had developed a slight sensitivity to the Primordial Force.
With the ancestor's warning fresh in her mind, she knew an object radiating that specific energy was in her father's pocket.
Leon carefully set her down on the floor.
Now that they were all together, it was time to address the important matter.
Leon looked at Rossweise. She gave him a small, encouraging nod, signaling for him to proceed.
He nodded back, then bent down so he was at eye level with his daughter.
"Noah, let me ask you directly. After you returned from the ruins in the Far North, did you feel anything unusual inside your body?"
Leon's question was blunt, with no preamble.
Noah didn't flinch. She knew her parents well enough to understand they must have already pieced some of it together. They wanted to confirm their suspicions, and there was no point in hiding anymore.
In her mind, the ancestor's voice was calm but firm.
"Noah, if you answer truthfully, they will discover me. Your father carries a crystal that resonates with my energy. I don't know who gave it to him, but its purpose is to find me."
The ancestor paused, her tone growing heavier. "But I trust your father's intentions. He fights the Ultimate Fear, just as I do. Still, before revealing everything, I needed to be certain he wouldn't interfere with my recovery. It is essential for the final battle."
"That time is near, Noah. Your father is worthy of trust, and his strength is great. Telling your parents the truth now is the right path."
Noah took a deep, steadying breath and nodded inwardly.
She met her father's gaze and answered, "Yes, Dad. When I first came back, I kept having the same dream, over and over. It was about the ancient war between the dragons."
"I felt a strange power inside me. Later, I understood it was the Primordial Force. Thankfully, Mom helped me learn to control and release it."
"After that, my body felt normal again."
Leon listened intently, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he pressed further,
"And what do you know about the Primordial Dragon King, Noah? The one you were named for?"
"Yes, Dad. The Primordial Dragon King Noah was an ancient hero. She ended the dragon civil war."
"That's correct. When you were in the Far North ruins, you accidentally entered her resting place. There, you tried to stop Constantine from stealing the power within the statue, right?"
"Yes, Dad."
"Good," Leon said, his voice growing solemn. "What I'm about to tell you might be frightening, but I need you to stay calm."
"I will, Dad," Noah promised, bracing herself.
Leon's face became utterly serious. "The statue you saw didn't just contain Noah's power. It also held her... soul."
"Soul?" Noah tilted her head slightly.
"Yes. Her spirit."
"Wait... you mean like energy?"
"No, not energy. A real soul," Leon explained, moving his hands as if shaping something ethereal. "It's... um... like air, it has no weight, it's here one moment and can be gone the next!"
"Oh... so like a balloon?"
"…"
Rossweise muffled a laugh beside him. Leon shot her a look of mild annoyance.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said, a smile playing on her lips. "I just thought of something happy."
"Something happy like what?"
"That I possess the Primordial Force."
"Pfft—" Noah couldn't hold back a snort of laughter.
Leon turned his confused gaze back to his eldest daughter. "And what are you laughing at?"
Noah quickly schooled her features. "Nothing, Dad. It's just... I have the Primordial Force, too."
Leon's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? You have the Primordial Force?!"
"Yes, Dad," Noah said, her voice steady now. "But not the kind Mom taught me to heal with. My Primordial Force comes from... the soul you just mentioned."
Leon drew a sharp, surprised breath.
"It happened at the ruins," Noah continued. "I tried to stop Constantine from taking the statue's power. But in the process, the Primordial Dragon King's soul entered my mind."
"The dreams I had? They were her memories."
"Even when I suggested we go to Sky City for that tournament to win the reward crystal... it was for her. It helps her recover her strength faster."
Noah paused, looking at her stunned parents.
"And in the battle in the Demonic Moonlit Forest, when I protected Helena and waited for you to arrive, Dad... it was only possible because of her help."
Leon and Rossweise were silent, processing everything she had revealed.
"My body shows no ill effects," Noah added, hoping to reassure them. "In fact, I've learned so much from her. She was supposed to awaken much later to face a great enemy. But because of Constantine's actions, her soul now needs my body to recuperate."
Finally, Leon spoke, his voice calm and gentle.
"Why didn't you tell us before?"
"At first, I was scared and didn't know what to do. She told me that her enemy's followers are everywhere. If they found her, they would stop at nothing to kill her," Noah explained, her eyes dropping to the floor. "I didn't want to put you or Mom in danger."
Leon nodded slowly. "I understand. Wanting to protect your family is a brave thing."
Noah's eyes lit up. "You mean that, Dad?"
"Of course. You were cautious and clever. I'm proud of you, Noah."
"Thank you, Dad."
Leon placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "No matter what happens, you will always be our brilliant daughter."
Noah's cheeks flushed with a hint of shy pride. "I don't want to be brilliant, Dad. I just want to be better than you."
Leon: "…"
Rossweise let out a soft, musical laugh. "You taught her well, dear."
Noah straightened up suddenly. "Oh, Mom, Dad."
Rossweise bent down beside her. "What is it, my dear?"
Noah pointed to her own temple. "She has something she wants to say to you."