Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Alex understood a few things after talking to Andre; his curse was something that needed to be suppressed. Someone who was responsible for the Curse's origination was the one who gave Solaris the orders to seal the Curse.

However, since Solaris and his people were involved in a war, they used the Curse—the Devourer, for their benefit. After all, the Curse has the ability to not only instantly cease the existence of a being by consuming their grimoire, but also adopt a fragment of their powers.

And until the Curse continued to eat, its hunger and strength continued to grow.

Once the war was settled, Solaris deemed that the Curse had absorbed more than necessary and its hunger might now harm the Gods. As such, they followed the original orders and sealed the curse, and suppressed its powers.

"Through ages, you have been reincarnating into different bodies, with a seal placed on you so that you don't remember anything about what you have experienced. However, in your previous life, every time you were pushed near the verge of death, the Seal slowly got undone."

Alex frowned, "That's why I was able to learn those Sword Arts, which was impossible for a human to use?"

Andre nodded, "That's a mythical art that our friend Hachi invented all by himself." There was a sense of pride in his voice.

Alex heaved a sigh, "I can tell how passionate he was about them…to the point where my leniency gave him a minor heart stroke a few times."

Andre laughed, "He is quite sensitive about it."

The laugh slowly died down, and the conversation reached a standstill for a few moments.

Alex turned towards Andre before asking, "Can you help me? I know Solaris is going to attack me again and again….to get rid of me. And because of that, the people around me would be in danger."

Andre shook his head, "He cannot send forces after you. You would probably face something like that feral beast or this one…" He suddenly extended his hand, and the dead body of an enshrouded being appeared, hanging down his huge hand, "...other than that, you won't be facing any godly beings because of their restrictions. "

Alex was startled, "What was that?"

Andre shrugged, "Another servant of Solaris who came to slaughter you. I took care of him because he might have been a little too much for your friends."

Alex clenched his fists. This Sun God was hell-bent on erasing his existence before the Trials.

Andre turned towards the boy, before asking, "I cannot keep you here since I have been forbidden. However, can I help you achieve something that might allow you to ward off any danger by yourself?"

Ignoring the 'forbidden' part for now, Alex asked, "What?"

Andre grinned, "I can help you control that Curse."

"...!" Alex's eyes widened hearing that, "Can you really do that?" In his understanding, he has never found something so impulsive and aggressive like the Curse.

True, he has somehow managed to utilize the Curse to his benefit without harming anyone on his side. However, those two times, he was barely keeping the reins in his hands.

He knew a slight slip up, and the Curse would take over his consciousness, and….after that, only chaos awaited.

Andre nodded, "I can help you distribute the power of the Curse into small fragments. Each time you get into battle or feel the desperation of power, one fragment would unlock. However, don't go out of your way to find trouble, since your body would take some time to absorb that vast amount of energy."

Alex exhaled a weary sigh, "Unlike how others perceive me, I still pursue a peaceful life. So you don't need to be worried."

Andre chuckled, "Yeah, sure. I have heard that before. Now go in and spend some time with them. We will begin the ritual tonight, and you guys need to leave right after that."

Alex was startled, however, before he could have asked why the sudden notice to evacuate, Andre disappeared.

—---*------

Inside the cabin, Amanda and Sarah were cooking food. Celestria and Rebecca had no experience so they were cleaning the place. Meanwhile, Edric was resting on the rocking chair with a blissful expression on his face.

"How embarrassing to let the ladies do all the work." Alex spat, bringing the movement of the chair to a sudden pause.

Edric lifted his left eyelid before uttering, "At least I wasn't lying on the bed and making them all take care of me."

Alex gave him a thumbs up, "Got it. Enjoy the rest, young master."

Edric smirked in triumph as Alex moved toward the kitchen.

Looking at Sarah moving the spatula while wearing an apron, he couldn't stop himself from hugging her from behind, "Hi."

Sarah smiled, "How did the talk go?"

"...same, mysterious stories. However, I have discerned a few things."

Amanda, who just walked in, was startled to see them like this.

Heaving a long sigh, she said, "At least have some control in front of me."

Alex glanced at her, "Is this the way to talk to your brother-in-law?"

Amanda rolled her eyes, "You have become shameless." She stopped looking and after placing the vegetables on the counter, she began dicing them up.

Alex asked, "What did you say to Lord Lockwood before leaving?"

Alex told them that he was going for a hunt with the others, almost seven days ago. But considering after he left, his daughter also departed in a rush,

"He already knows everything. We sent him a letter." Amanda responded, her expression turning stiff.

Alex raised his brows, "Does he know…that I infiltrated the Capital?"

Sarah responded this time, "He knows…it was my mistake. And now, he might be a little angry."

'Oh…' Now he realized why the Lockwood sisters were a little gloomy. They were scolded by their father.

After a moment of pause, he said, "We need to leave tonight, so how about we all go together and apologize to my father-in-law?"

"Before that," Suddenly Rebecca entered the kitchen and narrowed her eyes, seeing how close they were. However, she didn't say anything about it, and continued, "...you need to return to the Academy. Celestria received this letter in the morning."

She handed him the letter on which the seal of the Soulforge Academy and the signature of the headmaster were highlighted.

Alex frowned, as he took the letter. Unfolding the parchment, he read,

[Student Alex,

This is the Headmaster of Soulforge Academy, requesting you to return to the Academy as soon as possible. The day after tomorrow, there will be someone arriving at the academy to take you to the Blood Domain.

It is an invitation from the Vampire Sovereign. He wants your presence in the Blood Domain.

Rejecting or not responding to the invitation might result in something undesirable, so I wish you return as soon as you can.]

"..." What the hell does the Vampire Sovereign want from him now?

"It must be related to that Vampire Duke you defeated back then." Rebecca voiced, "Are you planning to go there? I am against it, just so you know."

Alex heaved a sigh and thought for a moment. His chances to participate in the Ascension Trials heavily depend on his relationship with powerful figures around the world.

He recently had killed one of the three great leaders of the human faction, which surely could create some problems during the selection.

Now that the Vampire Monarch has extended a hand of friendship, there could be no better way to uplift his reputation.

"You are going, after all." Rebecca crossed her arms, "You do know that Allen is still alive right?"

Sarah added, "And that is his domain. I agree with Rebecca, this is very dangerous."

Alex shook his head, "You don't understand it; the Vampire Sovereign could have killed me for offending his subordinate by now if he really wanted to. He isn't some cheap mastermind who would first invite someone and then trap them."

Amanda argued, "But even so…it's someone else targeting you, not the Vampire Supreme."

Alex assured them, "Until I am the ancient one's guest, I won't get attacked, I know. On the other hand, rejecting his proposal surely could cause me and the headmaster, severely, don't you all think?" Discover hidden tales at empire

Silence descended in the kitchen after that. Everyone was aware of the power and authority of the Vampire Supreme. And considering how seldom he has ever shown interest in anyone, Alex's presence in the Blood Domain becomes more so necessary.

Suddenly, a fifth person entered the kitchen, with a cowboy hat on his head. Leaning on the doorframe in style, he stated, "Y'all no need to worry, I will be going-"

"No." Amanda flatly denied.

"But Amand-" Edric tried to argue.

"No, means, no." With another rejection and looking into her eyes, Edric could tell that further argument might lead to major conflict. So he tactically retreated.

—-------**----------

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment/PS/GT.