Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

"So you are going, after all?" Amanda asked as the four of them united at the cafeteria to have breakfast together.

Celestria was silent as she stared at the table. Her heart was turning heavy, passing each moment, as she heard the others conversing.

"I…have to. This is about the relationship between the two realms. And there is a chance for the Vampire Lord to be aware of this curse."

Edric was perplexed, "How in the…oh, so you think because he is an ancient being he might have some idea?" The raven-haired asked, which ushered Alex to add,

"Why? You don't think so?"

Edric chuckled, "Did you hear Andre clearly? The curse was used in a war millennia ago. And sure the Vampire Lord isn't that old, is he?"

Silence descended upon the table after Edric pushed forward a fact which Alex already knew yet he formed some nonsensical belief that maybe through some way…maybe…

"It's not because he wants to know about the curse…he is going there to not let humans become an enemy of the Vampires. And also.." Celestria spoke without lifting her eyes off the table, "My father told him that if Alex doesn't want to be branded as a criminal, he has to go there."

Alex frowned, "How do you know it?"

Amanda gasped, "That means, it's true?"

Celestria refused to look up or answer him.

Alex looked away from the girl before finally, he revealed, "Yes…that's true. I was told that if I go there, I won't be held accountable for…you know what."

Edric was surprised, "I never thought you would be pushed into such a tight spot."

Another session of silence descended upon the table. The situation was severe and there was no one who could help him out this time.

Amanda suddenly heaved a weary sigh, and told them, "In my opinion, you all are worrying for nothing."

Edric glanced at his girlfriend, as he heard her saying, "As Alex has repeatedly said, this cannot be a trap considering the reputation of the Vampire Lord. And if some danger indeed shows up, none of us could have helped him, given we all are weak."

"Hey-" Edric wanted to say something, however, recalling the incident back in the palace and Swortine, he closed his mouth.

Amanda knew she was being rude however, it was the truth.

Looking at Celestria, Amanda added, "Listen Cela…we all are warriors. And it's our destiny to always be surrounded by dangers. You tell me, did Alex scold you even once after he found you in Swortine—taking part in the tournament?"

The blond Princess was taken aback by that question as she glanced at Alex, before shaking her head, "...no."

"That's right because Alex knew that it was a part of our life. Taking risks, and facing dangerous situations is something we cannot escape from."

Celestria bit her lip upon hearing that before she suddenly got up and walked away.

Amanda was rendered speechless as she wanted to follow her, but, "It's okay, Amanda. I will go talk to her." Alex assured her.

The green-haired girl was a little anxious, as she asked, "Did I…say something wrong?"

Alex shook his head, "No…and I believe, Celestria already knows what you just spoke." Heaving a sigh and looking toward the entrance of the common hall from where she left, he added, "...it's just that she couldn't apply common logic when it comes to me."

He was expecting something like this, that's why Alex was hesitant to reveal the news to her. However, considering he had to leave in a few hours, it was futile to hide it from her.

Getting up from the table, he said, "Anyway, see you in the evening."

Edric nodded as they saw Alex walking out of the common hall.

Left alone, Edric turned towards his lover before asking, "Calling me weak so casually….don't you fear that you will hurt my feelings?"

Amanda innocently looked at his boyfriend, before leaning forward and kissing the side of his lips.

Edric was frozen at his place by the sudden intimate act before he heard the girl asking, "Is it okay, now?"

A tinge of blush appeared on Edric's cheeks as he shook his head, "Might need a couple of more."

Amanda grinned, her man is so simple.

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Alex found Celestria sitting under the same tree where he read her a book in the past.

She was sitting while hugging her knees and looking at nothing constant.

"So you have decided to make it a difficult farewell, huh?" Alex spoke as he sat down beside the girl, "I will be worried about you more than my safety if you continue to behave like this."

With tears welling up in her eyes, she looked at him in complaint, before uttering, "You won't even let me feel upset now?"

Alex was taken aback, "I-I didn't…" Celestria turned away from him, not ready to hear his explanation.

Alex hung his head low, before inching closer to the girl.

Wrapping his arms around her shoulder, he inhaled her calming fragrance, allowing his heart to attain some peace, before he whispered,

"You can be upset as long as you want…but before I go, I want to see your smile just for once. It's a good luck charm for me."

Celestria sobbed, "You are lying. You just want to appease me."

Alex chuckled, "Am I caught? But it's a fact though, that I love a smiling Cela."

Celestria glanced at him, her eyes locking into his—trying to find any kind of deceit, but her heart melted at the utmost honesty he held.

Closing her eyes she leaned on him. Letting go of her legs, she rested her head on his shoulder and told him, "I won't smile ever if something happens to you on the other side."

Alex chuckled, "That's another, and very important reason for me to take care of myself."

Celestria couldn't stop herself from smiling this time. It was so easy for him to appease her that she sometimes felt frustrated with herself. However, if her depressed face could have stopped him from going there, then she wouldn't have ever smiled.

That's why she released him from the burden.

"What do you want to do? For the rest of the day, I will be yours."

Celestria jolted upon hearing that before she confirmed, "Really?"

Getting a nod in response, she said, "How about we visit the church? We only went there once and you really loved it the last time."

Alex remembered that there was a church not so far away from the school, so he nodded, "Yeah, why not."

….

It hasn't been over five months since he reincarnated into this world. However, walking around the market like this made him feel nostalgic like he had always been a resident of this world. Your next read is at empire

Since it was morning and classes were going on, there were many students in the market. Surely, the third year and those who skipped classes could be seen around.

Celestria and Alex walked with their hands connected.

Many recognized Alex and whispered to each other, saying,

"Hey…isn't he the same guy who received the honorary award…?"

"And the girl beside him…she is the Princess, right? Are they in a relationship?"

"Damn, that dude went against a Vampire and won. Truly, a protagonist material."

Hearing that last comment, Alex wanted to scoff. He was reincarnated as a stepping stone in this world who was supposed to be dead by now. However, here he was, walking around with the heroine and planning to participate in the tournament in which only a single human was supposed to participate.

However, now, along with the Protagonist, this extra will take part in the contest as well.

"It's peaceful…isn't it?" As they entered the church's main entrance, Celestria sighed in admiration.

There was a small fountain in the middle of the garden and a well-maintained garden on either side of the path. Birds were chirping while sitting at the edges of the fountain. The slow buzzing of insects and butterflies fluttering in the garden provided a very peaceful sensation.

They stepped inside the church, and for a fraction of a second, Alex felt his heart skipping a beat.

He didn't pay attention to it and walked along Celestria to stand before the various sculptures carved on the wall.

There were many sculptures, and Celestria was praying to the Goddess of the Moon, for Alex's safety.

Casually, while moving his gaze around Alex's eyes landed on a specific sculpture. The design wasn't much different from the other Goddesses however, this specific sculpture gained his attention.

He couldn't remove his eyes from her at all.

"You seem interested, child."

Hearing the voice of the man, Alex looked at him and found it was a Priest.

"She is…"

The Priest smilingly responded, "Our mother nature—the Goddess of Beginning, Gaia."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. If you are, let me know in the comments.