Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

*Click*

Jullie shut the door and locked herself inside the room.

Although Akron and Alex seemed to be wanting to say something, she wasn't ready to listen.

The reason: she failed to control her hunger.

When Natasha asked her to consume Alex's blood, only the bare minimum, Jullie thought that she would be able to do it.

After all, she was able to throw the leopard away somehow as well, and she has been retaining her sanity for the past four days.

However, she was wrong. So utterly wrong.

The moment, her tastebuds reunited with her favorite blood, Jullie forgot the meaning of the word restraint.

She just ..couldn't stop herself from feeding on his blood. Her desperation was far more severe than a person who was lost in a desert and finally found an oasis.

She was restless, almost like it was the last meal offered to her before her execution.

Everyone around them was astonished to see the generally calm and collected woman so hurried and desperate about something.

In the end, Natasha had to separate her from Alex before the boy could have lost consciousness.

Once Jullie realized what she had done, she didn't wait to hear from anyone and returned castle.

"It's all gone...she will never be the same person..." Akron muttered with his head leaning down.

The pain in the man's voice depicted the sorrow he was feeling right now.

Edric glanced at Alex and he could see that his friend was quite guilty about the situation.

Heaving a sigh, the black-haired youth voiced, "But we can't lose hope, sir Akron. Although no one wanted this to happen, we cannot turn away from reality and let our thoughts make the Professor even more depressed."

Draping his hand on Alex's shoulder, Edric said, "And you. Stop making that face. I know, Sir know that you did your best to save her. And trust me, Sir Akron would rather have a Vampire sister rather than a dead sister."

Although he sounded harsh and blunt what Edric said was true.

Akron heaved a sigh as he turned toward Alex before voicing, "Thank you...for being there for her." The dwarf knew it would be unfair to blame him. He could tell that the boy blames himself for what happened to Jullie.

And even though Akron was unhappy about Jullie's situation, he could not say anything to anyone since it was her who chose to come here. No one forced her.

"So...should we return?" Edric asked. They need to be there by the morning before Amanda and Celestria wake up.

Alex was about to nod since Jullie needed some time alone now, so he didn't want to bother her.

However, before he could have nodded, someone called out, "Can I have a minute?"

Alex glanced at the girl, with his brows raised.

Natasha didn't wait to let him say another word before making her way outside of the castle.

'Sbe must want to ask about her father.' On that thought, Alex told the other two to wait for a bit before he followed the woman.

"Umm, you two can rest in the guest room?" Angelina suggested.

°°°°°°

Alex followed the woman until they were near the entrance of the castle.

Natasha had her arms crossed over her chest as she kept looking forward.

Alex stood on the other side, leaning on the wall, as he asked, "You want to know about him?"

Natasha remained silent for a moment, before asking, "....can you hear his voice?"

Alex nodded, "He recently got in my contact."

Natasha clenched her fist, as she turned toward him and asked, "...can he hear my voice?"

[I can respond to you as well.]

Suddenly, a black mark appeared on Alex's face and above his head. His eyes began shining brighter than ruby and his found sounded more shrill than before.

Natasha's eyes widened...she could not forget that voice.

"F-Father..."

[You have grown quite well. And you inherited a pure-blood Vampire's blood, I assume.]

Natasha wasn't a vampire by birth. Rather, she inherited the powers and blood of the current Vampire Monarch's late wife.

As the daughter of the Devourer, she has the ability. And since the late wife of the Monarch was on the verge of death at that time, Natasha accepted the legacy.

"I-I...I can't..." Tears welled up in her eyes. She has yearned to hear that voice...to meet him once again. For so many years, she regretted ever wishing to be detached from him. The only entity whom she ever came to understand at such a deep level.

[You are the only one who is still alive and remembers my existence. And that makes me quite happy.]

The curse spoke. All those children he gave birth to either died or their memories were altered, so they antagonized the Curse.

Natasha was the only one who felt empathy toward her father and was still alive.

"W-Were you trapped in this body...what can I do to liberate you?" Natasha suddenly asked while wiping her eyes.

There were no Gods in this realm, which means her father could live a free life as he wanted.

However,

[No. My liberation would allow them to freely intervene in the mortal realm. And that...would be devastating.]

The Curse was an immortal existence. It was a law that if an immortal entity has shown activity in the mortal plane, then the other immortals can also intervene.

And if that happens, the planet would be obliterated without gaining the chance to participate in the trials.

Natasha took a few deep breaths before she asked, "So...you will always be...bound with him?"

[I am not bound to him, I am him now, Natasha. I am a part of Alex. Alone, I couldn't have existed, so in a way, he has provided me with shelter.]

Natasha sobbed, "But father-"

Alex stepped forward and cupped her face,

[Don't show such sentiment for me. I don't deserve your tears.]

He has only seen people looking at him with disgust and horror in the past. That's why seeing those tears...the emotions he only received from his mother, pained him.

Natasha lowered her gaze as she asked, "So...you have decided to become one with Alex..."

[Yes, and don't ask him to let me talk to you often, okay?]

While patting her head, he told her.
Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire

Natasha nodded, "I understand." And as an obedient daughter, she nodded in understanding.

Soon the dark marks disappeared from his face, and Alex asked, "Had a good time?" He still was petting her. Her hair felt quite good to touch.

"Mm-mm." She nodded, with a soft smile elevating the edges of her lips.

Alex didn't try his luck and backed off before asking, "Can I rely on you with Professor Jullie?"

Natasha wiped her tears before giving him a serious answer, "I can, but don't expect me to release for another month. She needs to get through a few trials."

Alex raised his hands, "You are the boss. Keep her as long as you deem right."

They didn't stay there for long. Once Alex returned, he collected the two and got into a carriage.

Once they crossed the border, Akron got off the carriage, since they weren't returning to the same destination.

He has already arranged something to return to the Capital.

Standing before Alex, the dwarf voiced, "Thank you...for whatever you did for her. And I apologize for how I talked back then."

Alex shook his head, "It's okay. I can understand." With a grin stretching his lips, he poked the man's shoulder, as he said, "And you are paying me back with that sword anyways. So no need to feel thankful."

Akron snarled, "You will still get charged for that abomination." With a 'hmph' the man turned away and walked towards his carriage.

Once he was gone, Alex climbed the driver's seat and heard Edric say, "You really have some sick connection."

Alex shrugged, "Benefits of being strong."

Edric scoffed, "Such narcissism. If only Amanda had heard it."

Alex chuckled, she surely would have something that would have silenced him.

As they were returning to the academy, Edric asked something in an unnaturally serious tone, "Hey, Alex...why do I feel something ominous about to happen?"

Alex raised his brows, "Hmm? What's this so suddenly?"

Edric shook his head, "I don't know...just a gut feeling. So many important people suddenly becoming alive, the Saintess' warning...and all...just makes me feel that something is about to happen-"

Edric paused, and so did the carriage.

Everything went still as suddenly a green orb appeared in the sky.

Alex's mouth parted agape seeing the orb, as he muttered under his breath,

'The Decree Descendent this early....'

The message from the Gods....the notice about the incoming Tournament.

The contest which would decide the fate of the world and change everything.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. The Decree is finally here. We are moving toward the end of the story~~~