Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

"This place… is serene." Amanda sighed, her gaze sweeping over the peaceful town as she and Edric sat on the small terrace of his home.

For Edric, owning a house wasn't anything extraordinary—before joining the academy, he had been an adventurer, traveling from place to place. But this town… this was where he had chosen to stay.

They had arrived earlier today, and Amanda had loved every moment of it.

The light of the setting sun bathed the rooftops, casting long, soft shadows across the cobbled streets. Gentle laughter and quiet conversations drifted up from below, where people gathered at cozy cafés and bakeries, savoring the last warmth of the day.

The air carried the scent of fresh bread and blooming flowers, wrapped in a light breeze that rustled the trees lining the streets. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, their glow reflecting in the windowpanes, making the town look like something out of a dream.

"I know, right?" Edric leaned back, exhaling as he took in the view. "The moment I arrived here, I felt at home."

For years, he had wandered, never staying anywhere for too long. But the first time he set foot in this town, something clicked. He knew—this was where he belonged.

Amanda turned to him, tilting her head slightly, her green eyes shimmering with a warmth she reserved only for him.

"What?" Edric asked, a smile playing on his lips.

She chuckled softly. "The first time I saw you, I never imagined you as a 'family guy.'"

His brow arched in curiosity. "Oh? And what kind of impression did I leave on you, exactly?"

Amanda leaned back, reminiscing. "The first time I saw you, you were fighting some noble kid. I didn't know he was bullying a girl—I only found that out later. So at first, I thought you were the bully."

Edric laughed, shaking his head. "So that's how it was, huh?"

Amanda grinned. "Yeah… you were a mystery to me back then."

Edric glanced at her, the lantern light reflecting in her eyes. "And now?"

She smiled, fingers lightly brushing his. "Now, you're my home."

Edric's eyes widened at her words.

Amanda was the only girl who had ever made him feel this way—restless yet at peace all at once.

She had carved out a place so deep in his heart that she didn't even need words to understand him.

His love for her only grew stronger with each passing day.

And with that love came fear—the fear of losing her.

That was why he pushed himself every single day, working toward a future where no danger could ever reach her.

Once, his goal had been simple: to become strong so no one would have to lose their family the way he had lost his. But now… that goal has evolved. His resolve had only hardened since she had entered his life.

Without a word, he pulled her closer, wrapping her in his arms, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Then, pressing a gentle kiss to her crown, he whispered,

"I love you, Amy."

A soft hum of contentment left her lips as she snuggled against him.

"Mm… I know."

°°°°°°°°

The reception hall buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Nobles, warriors, and dignitaries from across the realm—and even beyond—filled the grand space, their presence turning the night into a vibrant celebration.

The hall itself was a spectacle. Rich, festive colors adorned the walls, while long tables lined with an array of beverages and delicacies ensured no guest went unattended. Waiters weaved through the crowd, refilling glasses and serving plates to those engaged in animated discussions.

It wasn't a formal occasion—just a grand gathering to celebrate the alliance between the Hero of the human domain and the beast realm.

Naturally, Alex had been the center of attention. Dozens had approached him, eager to exchange words, most questioning him about his visit to the Blood Domain and his battle with the Vampire Duke.

But not everyone had chosen to attend. Natasha had remained with Alice, tending to her, while Sarah simply had no interest in such crowded affairs. In truth, it was for the best—the presence of the Saintess would have stirred unnecessary commotion.

Now, after what felt like hours of socializing, Alex finally found a moment of respite. Standing with Celestria and Rebecca, he exhaled in relief.

"Thank you," he murmured as Celestria handed him a glass of wine.

Taking a slow sip, he let the rich liquid soothe his parched throat.

"It's quite crowded… People are so lively," Jullie remarked, swirling the champagne in her glass.

She was dressed in a tailored red wine coat and matching pants over a crisp white shirt, her long hair pulled into a sleek ponytail that added to her mature, commanding presence.

Celestria, in contrast, wore a flowing blue one-piece that reached her ankles, hugging her figure in all the right ways. Her hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, and the light touch of makeup softened her already delicate features, making her look effortlessly stunning.

Alex glanced at them both, appreciating the contrast between their styles. Then, with a small smirk, he took another sip of his wine.

"Where is Rebecca?" Celestria asked, realizing she hadn't seen the vampire in a while.

Alex took a sip of his wine before answering. "Her brother is here. She went to meet him."

It wasn't surprising that someone from the Steelhound clan had come—Eric wasn't just representing his clan but also humanity itself.

Jullie suddenly changed the topic with a question Alex hadn't expected. "Since we're leaving tomorrow, do you plan on stopping by the academy for the farewell celebration?"

The academy was along their route, and the event was scheduled for tomorrow evening.

Alex considered it for a moment before turning to Jullie. "Do you want to come?"

Jullie's composure faltered. "H-How would I—"

"You can conceal your identity," Alex reassured her. "The students and your old friends at the academy wouldn't mind meeting a different Jullie."

Her race had changed, but she was still the same person. Those who had truly cared for her wouldn't reject her existence.

Jullie remained hesitant, uncertainty flickering in her red eyes. But before she could respond, a familiar voice called out.

"Alex… and Celestria?"

They turned to see a red-haired woman approaching, a glass of juice in hand. Her expression was one of genuine surprise.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You joined the celebration without even knowing why it is being held?"

Valarie gave a dismissive huff. "My teacher told me to join the celebration and make connections. She thinks I'm a loner."

"She got that right," Celestria remarked with a teasing smirk.

Valarie shot her a glare but said nothing.

Jullie, watching the exchange with mild amusement, spoke up. "I heard you've been training under your father's friend. How's that going?"

For a moment, Valarie hesitated. This was the first time she was seeing Jullie after her transformation into a vampire, and truth be told, the presence she now radiated was nothing short of overwhelming.

She might have been concealing it well, but Valarie could sense the sheer depth of energy Jullie was suppressing—an ocean of power hidden beneath a calm surface. In the past, Jullie had been approachable, someone Valarie could face without hesitation. But now? Standing before her felt… different. A quiet wariness crept in.

"Valarie?" Celestria's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Snapping back to reality, Valarie quickly responded, "Ah, yeah. It's going well. My new teacher understands me better than I understand myself. She's helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses. I've been growing tremendously over the past month."

It was true—her progress had been staggering. But that didn't erase the frustration she had carried for years.

Ever since Edric had entered her life, she had felt a constant, unspoken pressure. Watching his relentless growth, his refusal to stagnate, had fueled something within her—an internal struggle, a quiet complex she never voiced aloud.

And then there was Alex.

At first, he had seemed like nothing more than a scholar, someone who lived in books rather than battle. But when he started proving otherwise—showing that his mind and body were equally sharp—it had only made things worse.

She gritted her teeth at the memory of it.

She wasn't one to be left behind.

And she wouldn't be.

"Good to hear that," Alex said softly. "I'm happy to see that light in your eyes."

The words hit her harder than she expected, knocking the breath from her lungs. He didn't elaborate, didn't dress it up in flowery language—but somehow, she understood exactly what he meant.

That light…

She had lost it once. Lost herself in resentment, drowning in the bitterness of her own stagnation while jealousy gnawed at her from within. She had spent so long comparing, so long chasing after others' shadows, that she had forgotten to truly move forward.

But now…

Now, she wasn't consumed by those thoughts anymore. Now, she was working—fighting—to change her own fate.

And Alex…

He had played a crucial role in bringing about that change.

Lowering her head, she felt a small, genuine smile bloom on her lips. The warmth of gratitude welled up in her chest, quiet but profound.

"Thank you," she whispered.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.