Chapter 11

Laila's permission was also obtained, but even though I skipped a grade, I couldn't join the class right away. It turned out the class had gone out for an external activity. So, I decided to go home early and was on my way to find Pierre.

‘But this guy is always by the fountain, no matter when I come?’

Despite my curiosity, I excitedly recounted the grandeur I experienced at the educational institution today. This despicable father kept interrupting me or making me dive underwater without stopping.

"What are you so excited about? If you can't control the power of water, you'll be eliminated."

"Wow... Master, your expression is like a gem."

"Gem?"

"Not an insult! You know? Jade, jade."

I repeatedly sat down and stood up while speaking.

"And I'm not that bad, you know? Look. Master, have you ever seen a three-year-old with such endurance? I can probably break a rock soon?"

"Truly remarkable."

Pierre slightly furrowed his brow, looking as if he were seeing something strange.

"To have only physical abilities improve while failing to create water is quite unusual."

That's true. I was also puzzled by this. I could feel my body getting stronger day by day, but I still found it difficult to create water, the most basic ability.

Why is that?

"Don't worry, Master. I won't go around getting beaten up."

"Hmm."

"Huh?"

Pierre muttered something, but I couldn't hear it. He then stood up from his seat.

"Follow me."

"Huh? Where to?"

"I have a task for you."

A task? I tilted my head. This was the first time we had done something other than training since we met.

‘Wow, is this a green light? A dramatic moment for a father and daughter to get closer?’

The fourth episode of the parenting drama!

Could I now see a family that has fallen for 'Daddy'...!

But my expectations were far off the mark.

"Master... What is this?"

Before me was a room in complete disarray.

‘I never thought I would be able to enter here...’

When Pierre told me to follow him, I thought we were going to a nice training ground. Maybe he was going to start more serious training with me.

But the place we arrived at was surprisingly Pierre's residence.

The buildings in the west were generally shabby, but Pierre's building alone shone like a new one.

‘It looked like the only intact house in a nearly collapsing ruin.’

After all, it was a building where someone as strong as the head of the current Whale family lived.

‘Grandma always gave proper rewards to those with power.’

Perhaps Grandma hoped that this would make Pierre feel cramped and return to the main house, but that was out of the question.

Whales are generally stubborn.

Many of them were stubborn to the point of death, and Grandma and Dad were no different.

Anyway, it was good to finally enter the building where my father lived... but...

‘Why am I seeing this scene?’

Pierre not only brought me to his residence but also led me to the best room, which was naturally his bedroom.

Surprisingly, this bedroom was... a complete mess.

It was so messy that I wondered how anyone could live like this!

‘...Didn’t someone in my previous life say that Pierre likes cleanliness?’

I looked around the room with a bewildered expression and then glanced at Pierre.

"Master, is this a pigsty?"

"Disgusting. Comparing me to a land animal."

Ah, Dad, are you also a land animal hater? I suddenly felt a bit closer to you.

I apologized sincerely.

"Sorry, sorry. I was just so shocked... Anyway, what's with this mess? The Doctor Fish kids might think it's food and eat it."

Despite my blunt comments, Pierre didn't get angry. He just said one thing.

"Clean it up."

"Ah, cleaning... What? What do you mean?"

"I said, clean it up."

What is this guy saying?

He's telling me to clean this dirty room?

I looked at the scattered items in the room and then raised my head again.

‘On closer inspection, this... Only his bed is perfectly clean?’

Indeed.

Perhaps the area around Pierre's bed, where he slept and woke up, was clean to an almost unnatural degree. The rest was a complete mess!

"Water power usually comes from a calm mind."

It's a way of saying, 'Do some mental training while cleaning.'

What is this guy saying!

‘He still doesn’t realize I’m three years old. Meditation for a three-year-old? That’s ridiculous.’

Age aside...

"You're lying. Water power is strongest when you want to hit someone."

"You know that well?"

"Of course, I'm smart. Isn't that right? Water power is also related to the emotional state of whales."

"..."

Upon hearing my words, Pierre grabbed his chin and slowly tilted his head.

That... Whenever he makes that face, the training gets longer.

While I was on guard, Dad's lips slowly opened.

"You sometimes... talk as if you know that power very well. As if you've used it before."

"..."

"That's impossible."

It's possible.

In my previous life, I was the best among aquatic creatures.

But I couldn't say that, so I turned my gaze away, pretending to be innocent.

The stronger the power, the sharper the senses.

To divert Pierre's attention, I reached out to the items scattered on the floor.

"So, you're saying I have to organize this?"

"Neatly."

"Neatly?"

"Of course."

"Master, I didn't want to say this, but... is there a separate person who makes the mess and a separate person who cleans it up?"

"Yes."

His confident answer made me quietly lower my hand.

I knew that if I said one more word, I would feel the power of water, as Dad's gaze clearly indicated.

‘This whale must have forgotten that I’m three years old. Definitely!’

I grumbled and picked up the nearest item.

As I was wondering where to put it...

"Use the power of water while organizing."

"Huh?"

"You must have noticed that you unconsciously distribute the power of water to your strength, stamina, and agility."

That's true.

The scratches on the rock and the stamina that doesn't tire after ten laps can only be explained by the use of water power.

But I still can't create water.

"The items here include things that you can't handle with your current strength."

"Right. Master, you really thought it was dirty... I mean, people can be messy."

I felt the familiar pressure and quickly changed my words.

"If awakening is near, the only way to bring it about is to use the power continuously. This is a method other than just running."

Pierre explained that moving and placing items involves using multiple senses. As I listened, a question arose.

"Master, do you..."

Did you deliberately make this room messy to train me?

I soon shook my head.

‘That can’t be.’

Because, after giving the instructions, Pierre went to the bed and sat down lazily, staring out the window as if he didn't care what I did.

As if he had no interest in me at all.

It was a familiar scene.

At the fountain, Pierre would make me run in circles and then take such a posture.

If I watched him quietly, he looked like someone who had no attachment to anything in this world.

As if he could disappear at any moment.

‘Is everyone who is sick and weak like this?’

I have lived four lives, but I have only died once from illness.

That was from a sudden typhoid, so I can't understand the long-term illness and suffering Pierre must have experienced.

"Master, where do I throw away the trash?"

"Over there."

Pierre pointed somewhere without looking at me.

After a while of organizing, I found an item that didn't fit in the room.

A pure white lace handkerchief.

The lace at the end was pink, so it didn't seem to belong to Pierre.

It stood out among the other items.

‘Where should I put this?’

I tilted my head as I held the handkerchief.

Pierre was a better teacher than he appeared.

He didn't like making unnecessary comments during training and would mercilessly extend the running time.

I didn't want to disturb this handsome dad, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"Master, where should I put this?"