Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine-Chapter 217 - 216- Game

"Are you going back?"

The next morning, Edric and Alex walked side by side, their lovers strolling quietly beside them.

The celebration had gone on longer than expected last night. It stretched past midnight, filled with laughter, chatter, a wide range of delicacies, and even a couple-dance near the end.

Now, as the sun rose gently, they prepared to part ways. Alex had more places to visit, and Edric needed to resume his training.

Edric shook his head. "Not yet. I plan to search for a few unregistered labyrinths."

He wanted to return to the Blood Domain, but he still had unfinished business in the human realm. He intended to make the most of his time here by training. While the monsters in this region weren't especially strong, facing them alone without relying on his transformations could still pose a worthy challenge.

"We also have a birthday to celebrate. You forgot?" Amanda frowned at him.

Alex shook his head. "Of course not. I just figured since we still have ten days, maybe you'd prefer to head back for a while."

Amanda sighed. "You make it sound like we're dying to get away."

Celestria giggled. "I bet if it weren't for training, Amy wouldn't go back to that place at all."

"I like it there, though. It's peaceful," Alex added.

He had always been fond of the mountains—quiet, untouched, and away from people. The Blood Domain gave off the same vibe, which made it his kind of place.

"In the future, build a house there," Edric suggested.

But Alex smiled wryly. "Apart from me, none of the three like it there... So, either I live alone, or no house in the Blood Domain."

Just then, their steps slowed. Everyone sensed someone approaching from the left.

Turning, they saw Professor Jullie and the Headmaster making their way over.

As they reached them, the violet-haired woman spoke first. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes, we are… but would you like to stay here a bit longer?" Alex asked Jullie.

She had attended the celebration last night, meeting many of her old colleagues. Fortunately, none of them noticed the change in her. Even students who once adored her swarmed around her like little chicks, worried and curious about why she had stopped teaching.

She simply told them she was preparing for the trials, as she could be chosen as a warrior. It wasn't the full truth, but it wasn't a lie either.

In her heart, she still wanted to teach. But her new form couldn't withstand long exposure to sunlight, and she no longer felt comfortable staying near children.

Her future was uncertain—but continuing as a professor at Soulforge Academy was no longer an option.

Jullie shook her head softly. "No. They have their duties to fulfill, and I shouldn't burden them. Last night was enough. I've made enough memories to last a few months."

Alex nodded in understanding, then turned to the Headmaster. "Thank you for inviting us, sir—even though we were barely around this year."

Hector smiled and gave a small shake of his head. "What matters is the impact you're leaving on the world."

He stepped closer and rested a firm hand on Alex's shoulder.

"You all carry a heavy role… something that might change the fate of this world. I know my words may not ease that burden, but if there's ever anything I can do to help—anything at all—don't hesitate to ask."

Alex gave a firm nod in response, "Thank you, sir."

°°°°°°°°°

They didn't linger long and soon departed the Academy on foot.

Their destination was Chainedvale, where Jullie might possibly find her new home.

Though, even now, she wasn't certain—should she settle there, or return to the Blood Domain?

As they moved—running at a pace far beyond what any normal human could perceive—Celestria asked in a calm tone,

"Alex… have you thought of any gift yet?"

Alex gave it a moment of thought before replying,

"Not right now, but I know I'll come up with something."

He knew Sarah better than anyone. If he truly focused, he could probably list a dozen things she would love.

Suddenly, Jullie's voice rang out.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Alex!"

At once, everyone stopped mid-run, their movements fluid but sharp.

Alex turned to the left, the direction her voice had come from—alert, instinctively reaching for his senses to scan the area.

"It's… a carriage," Celestria murmured, stepping forward alongside the others.

As they neared, they quickly took in the scene—a single soldier desperately shielding a family of four, while a massive lava ape loomed over them, snarling with rage.

The monster was a towering beast—flames danced atop its head like a burning crown, and its muscular body was covered in thick, crimson fur. Heat rippled from it in waves, scorching the air and turning the ground beneath it black.

It was an Elite-class monster—more than a match for a lone soldier.

"We should help them—" Jullie took a step forward, her voice urgent.

But before she could move, Alex reached out and gently grabbed her wrist.

"Wait," he said, a grin spreading across his lips. "Let's run a little test."

As he spoke, a faint ripple of bloodlust leaked from him—barely noticeable to the others, but unmistakable to the predator ahead.

The lava ape flinched. Its burning eyes snapped toward them, and with a guttural snarl—

"GRRRRR—!"

—it slammed its massive fists into the ground, spiderweb cracks splintering across the scorched earth. A clear warning. It had sensed a new threat—and it was ready to fight.

Jullie and Celestria stared at Alex, perplexed.

The silver-haired man crouched down casually, completely unbothered by the hulking, ten-foot-tall lava ape baring its fangs before them. Without a hint of urgency, he picked up three small stones from the ground.

He handed one to each of them.

"Let's see who can kill that thing with one strike," he said, his tone playful.

Both women blinked, their expressions mirroring the same thought: He can't be serious.

"Are you serious?" Celestria asked, raising an eyebrow.

Alex nodded, his eyes still fixed on the approaching monster. "Yes. Look, it's already charging."

The ape had begun its slow, thunderous advance toward them, each step cracking the scorched earth beneath its feet.

Celestria's instincts kicked in. In a flash, she hurled the stone forward, her fingers glowing as she activated her skill—Sound Funnel.

The air warped around the stone, and in the next instant—

BOOOOOOM—!

The stone vanished, breaking the sound barrier with a sharp, echoing boom.

The lava ape's eyes widened in shock as it suddenly felt something—detaching.

It turned its head to the left.

And saw its left arm sliding off… crashing to the ground seconds later.

Blood hissed into steam as it sizzled against the molten skin. The monster roared in disbelief and pain.

The monster's aura flared, its instincts screaming that hesitation meant death. With a thunderous roar, it lunged forward, massive fists ready to crush anything in its path.

Jullie exhaled a tired sigh, brushing back her hair with a flick of her fingers.

"I can't believe I'm playing this ridiculous game," she muttered, but her eyes sharpened with focus.

As the ape charged, Jullie reeled her arm back. The stone felt weightless in her grip—until she poured her strength into the throw.

A gust of wind exploded outward the moment she released it.

The stone flew like a bullet, and—

BOOOOOOOOOOM—!

It collided with the lava ape's face.

Not pierced. Not dented. Exploded.

The creature's head detonated like a bursting fruit—blood, brain matter, and molten gore raining down in a grotesque splash.

The stunned soldier dropped his weapon and immediately turned to the side, vomiting his breakfast.

Inside the carriage, one person fainted—a child slumped in their mother's arms, and the father lost consciousness mid-scream.

Alex blinked, staring at the mess with a frown of mock disappointment. "…Well, I guess that's your win."

They soon approached the carriage as Celestria provided a potion to the shoulder who took it with his hand trembling.

Jullie went to check on the lady who fainted inside the carriage. Fortunately, she already hid the children behind the curtain so they didn't see the dead body.

Alex helped the man of the family to get a hold of himself as he asked, "Are you okay?"

The man nodded, "Y-Yesh...thank you." Maybe because he was too nervous, he bit his tongue.

Alex rested his hand on the man's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, you are safe now."

The man thanked him again and took the water which Celestria offered.

"Were you going somewhere?" Alex asked once the man calmed down. On the other side Jullie also brought the lady back to her senses.

The man nodded, "I make sculptures...was going to the west." Thankfully, he hired a soldier for security otherwise they wouldn't have survived for this long.

Alex's brows raised, "Sculpture, huh..." A smile formed on his lips. He might have formed the first gift for Sarah.

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A/N:- I guess ten more chapters of peace. Thanks for reading. Thank you for all the support.