Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

[Distance: 101/200]

[Weight: 300/300]

Alex was now feeling tired. Quite a lot.

He had to increase the weight after he reached seventy or so miles, but the Curse didn't elevate his supply of power at all.

Well, Alex knew that he was indeed receiving help from the Curse, allowing him to weave through the dense forest and traverse miles of barren land—something he could never have managed on his own.

His physical abilities have been enhanced for sure but it wasn't enough. Now, his speed has decreased a lot, and with this pace, he won't make it in time.

From wherever he passed some stains of his sweat were left behind for seconds before they disappeared.

His whole body was soaked in his sweat and his hair was sticking to his face. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

"Damn...*Huff*....I need a break..." Alex muttered as he finally stopped for the first time after leaving the academy.

*Dhak*

Resting the tree log on the side and the bag full of stones on the other, he sat down on the roadside on a way marker (the small stone on which the distance to the next city is engraved).

Removing the anklet and bracelets, he asked, "Are you really supporting me or is it just fake marks and hollow mental support."

[Along the path, I sometimes pull away to not let you become completely dependent on me. Although these powers are now yours, if you become too reliant on a single resource, you will meet a dead end at some point.]

Alex huffed—just saying whatever he wanted to torture him.

Alex hasn't felt this much tired in a while now. This was actually nostalgic since when Hachi was training him, he also never allowed Ceaser to take breaks and always elevated the burden on his body once he got comfortable with a certain challenge.

Taking out some water and the lunch Celestria packed for him, Alex sat down on the ground and slowly began eating.

Since there was no one to chat with, he asked the Curse, "Do you remember anything about your previous hosts?"

[Not much—they all were boring individuals. I never got the chance to share their consciousness because of their relatively safe life.]

Alex hummed, "What about me? Since I gave you the thrill, why didn't you get in my contact, in the last life?"

[You were doing just fine and I never felt it much interesting to be involved in regular murders and all.]

"But that's what you usually do. Devour people. Shouldn't my work have made you curious?"

[...although my existence revolves around consuming things and leaving nothing behind, I actually don't enjoy it. Not anymore after I realized what I caused my mother.]

The casual demeanor disappeared once the Curse mentioned his mother.

Alex sighed, his back leaning against the waymarker, as he said, "Don't you want to meet her again?"

The only emotion he has ever felt from the curse until now was regret and deep sorrow whenever he mentioned anything about Gaia.

The Curse has lived for so many years and has been suppressed for such a long time that he has forgotten all his hatred and anger towards the upper Gods.

However, the feelings of regret still remain.

Alex didn't receive any answer, nor did he push the Curse to speak.

He finished the lunch and mounted the log after cuffing himself.

Once he was done, he found the dark marking appearing on his face—this time, an inverted moon on his forehead as well.

"Extra help? Well, thanks for it." Reenergized and provided with some extra help, Alex resumed his journey.

°°°°°°°°

Inside the carriage, Celestria was sitting beside Professor Elara and the headmaster on the other side.

They have been traveling for the past six hours and it would take another four to five hours to reach the destination.

However, since they were in a hurry Hector didn't ask the driver to stop and requested the two ladies to have lunch in the moving carriage.

Naturally, they didn't show reluctance since they both knew the severity of the matter.

The Message from Heavens. A matter which has shaken up the core of the planet

Hector has received some intel about several noble houses taking action and fortifying their defenses. They already have been warned by the Saintess, so they were prepared.

There was a high chance that the noble houses of the major nations might be moving toward the Cathedral already.

During the summit, the Supreme Saintess made the announcement of a danger incoming, so now, in everyone's eyes she was the only source to know what they should be expecting and how they can prepare.

'We have been talking lightly...' Hector heaved a sigh as he finished drinking the warm beverage before handing the cup back to the lady sitting across from him

"Do you want some rice cake, sir?" Celestria asked.

The older one shook his head with a soft smile, "I am full." As Celestria resumed eating, Hector asked,

"You didn't inform your family about the attack back in the town?" Considering how caring her family members are, they would have surely contacted Hector or might have visited the academy to meet their little princess, if only they had been informed about the incident involving Cristina.

Celestria smiled in defeat as she uttered, "Involving them in everything concerning me and my safety seems like I would be troubling them. In the first place, when I joined the Soulforge Academy I knew the journey won't be easy and comfortable."

Hector was guilty of what they had to face, but what she said was true.

The path she chose for herself—despite having the option to spend a smooth life as a Princess—surely would be thorny and full of dangers.

Not to talk about, the partner she has chosen for herself always remains surrounded by unexpected and unprecedented dangers.

The rest of the journey mostly went in silence.

Although Celestria appeared serene to the other two, her mind was actually engaged in thinking about several things—and most of them were related to Alex.

The revelation of the Curse's integration rang a very wrong bell in her head. However, considering what they might need to face, Alex cannot decline the help of the Curse either.

'Is there any way I can help him...' At times of dead end, the only person she can rely on is a certain Saintess.

Although Celestria didn't like to take her rival's help, this concerned Alex's safety, and for that Celestria can forget about her pride and lower her head before Sarah.

'I hope you have an answer....'

°°°°°°°

[Four hours later]

The sun was nearing the horizon as the carriage finally entered the small town which shares the same perimeter as the Cathedral.

"Woah..." Celestria has come here once in the past, but she was too occupied with a task in hand that's why she didn't focus on how majestic the place was.

As she looked out from her carriage, the grand cathedral rose before her like a vision from a dream. Its towering spires touched the sky, shining under the golden sunlight.

Statues of robed figures stood guard along the path, their stone faces watching over all who approached. Waterfalls cascaded down the cliffs behind, their mist creating a soft glow around the cathedral's tall, gleaming gates.

The entrance, framed by massive pillars, seemed to whisper of ancient power and wisdom. As the carriage moved closer, the air felt heavy with mystery, and Celestria knew she was about to step into a place of great importance.

"It mesmerizes me every time, even though I grew up here…" Elara spoke followed by a sigh as she, as well, looked at the biggest church in the human realm.

Hector narrowed his eyes, as he voiced, "There is a crowd surrounding the main entrance."

He could see several carriages, horses, and people around the main entrance of the church and the knights from Grimland protecting the church and keeping the people away.

Most of them were from noble families, and some of them were from other realms as well.

Soon their carriage came to a pause, about a hundred meters away from the church gate, because it was too crowded to proceed any further.

"I don't think we would be able to meet her…" Elara spoke as she stepped down from the carriage and looked at the gathering.

Hector had the same feeling. He could see that even the Duke of the Nation was present there but wasn't allowed to go inside.

"Cela?" Suddenly, a voice called out making Celestria turn on her feet—only to find a familiar person standing there.

"Brother James…." A smile bloomed on her face upon seeing her eldest brother and the crown Prince here.

The other two greeted the Prince as well, before James asked, "What are you doing here?"

Celestria answered, "Alex was invited by the Supreme Saintess, so I just tagged along."

James' expression turned grim for a moment, but then his smile returned as he said, "But I don't think he would be able to meet her today. After all, Her Holiness is attending some special guests today."

Hector's brows elevated, "Who they can be, Your Highness?"

James, with a sigh, added, "The Vampire Monarch appeared before the Cathedral in the morning. He is currently inside with Father and a few other important figures."

Rubbing the back of his head, the blond one added, "This situation is quite nerve-wracking for everyone, it seems."

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.