18 Everlasting Promise

3rd POV:

Alex opened his eye to find himself... in a peculiar place. He's currently in a beautiful yet strange place, a grassland without an end.

Alex stood up and took a few steps before he could hear someone saying something to him.

"You shouldn't be here." A soothing female voice said.

Alex turned around to find a beautiful woman with golden eyes and golden hair floating in the air with silky white wings on her back.

He remembered something, he was fighting Colossal Golem to the end and falling to his death but he heard a voice, now the voice is in front of him.

"Who... are you?" Alex asked.

The calm face on the woman's face can be seen, she shook her head as if she was feeling tired.

"It's not the time for you to find out who I am but what matter the most is..." There was a moment of silence, "You aren't supposed to be here."

"I don't know why am I here... But who are you? Why you can speak in my head?"

"I already said this a moment ago but you aren't ready to find out who I am but let me give you words that you need to remember." Out of thin air, the woman summoned a red apple.

"What do you mean?" Alex asked in confusion.

"Alexander Leywin... The world may not move for you but you will move the world itself to create a place for yourself."

Alex suddenly felt some dizziness, he wanted to ask more questions but he couldn't say anything. Confusion was on his mind as he tried to understand the true meaning of the words.

"Let us meet again, Alexander Leywin. When you have decided whether you are Alastair or Alexander."

The look of surprise on Alex's face as the woman said his previous life's name but ultimately nodded... Maybe she was the answer to his reincarnation but he could only wait until the right time has come.

Alex closed his eye to greet darkness once more.

* * *

Alex weakly opened his eyes. The sight of a girl with black hair made Alex smile, but soon shook his head.

He didn't know why he was happy to see Kathyln; maybe they had become closer, but Alex felt embarrassed. Of course, to an adult mind, being flustered because of a child is kind of embarrassing.

"How long have I fainted?" Alex asked. He noticed that he was laying on Kathyln's lap again.

"... 10 minutes, you fainted for 10 minutes." Kathyln's face has some sadness on it.

He noticed that his body doesn't have any wounds on it, it felt like his body has completely healed but in return, he is pretty exhausted.

"Did I made you worry?" When Alex realized it, he couldn't help but feel guilty.

He knew how traumatizing it is to see someone dying and he almost made Kathyln traumatized. He doesn't want to make anyone worry by being strong, yet he failed to do so.

"... Yes, you stupid. I thought you were gonna die... I feel like I'm gonna lost you and I don't want that." Kathyln's tears fell to Alex's face as she tried to cover her face.

Alex widened his eyes. He feels this pain again when he sees Kathyln crying. Guilt washed him over.

He sat up and turned around his body to face Kathyln. He hugged Kathyln as he tried to apologize.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't want to make you worry. I just want you to be safe."

"Then what about yourself? Do you care for yourself? You are stupid... An idiot."

Alex bitterly smile, "Yeah, you are right. I am an idiot, I thought that I'm smart but the price I paid that I lost my left eye is because I'm stupid. Now, I almost die in front of you... I really am stupid...Maybe I shouldn't have brought you here, I am stupid to bring Princess-"

"Stop saying that! I hate that! People always think they are at fault because of my selfishness. I wanted you to view me as Kathy! Not as a princess, but as a friend, I care about you and you care about me. After all, isn't that what friends are for? To share a burden together."

It felt like a slap to the face. Alex didn't understand Kathyln's feelings. He isn't smart, but he isn't an idiot. It's just that he always focused on one thing and forgot the rest. Just like his master once said.

'Maybe master is right, I may be smart than regular kids but in the end, I am just a fool.' Alex thought.

"I'm sorry, I promise that I won't blame myself and in return, I'll share my burden with you no matter how heavy it is." Alex sighed and let go of Kathyln.

"You promise?" Kathyln's eyes lit up.

"I promise." Alex nodded.

"Then pinky swear!"

They locked their pinkies together and an eternal promise has been made. That will last for a long time.

Even if Alex's burdens in the future are heavy, Kathyln will share the burden because of a promise that will last forever even if the world is on the verge of ruin.

* * *

Lucy's POV: (3rd POV)

A young boy with mahogany-colored hair and brown eyes bowed his head to Lucy. She smiled at the presence of the Prince of Sapin. She was sitting on a chair as she drank her usual green tea.

"What bring you here, child." Lucy nonchalantly said. There is no respect for the Prince but Curtis is already used to it.

(A/N: People addressed Lucy as a Master as she is one of the strongest mages to show sign of respect)

"Master Lucy, have you seen my sister?" Curtis, The Prince of Sapin inquired.

"Don't be so tense with me and for your information, I do not see your sister but I see that you aren't here only for your sister, right?" Lucy lied about Kathyln.

"I-I apologized, I just think that you could spar with me."

Lucy chuckled, "Spar, heh... Do you think of me as a stepping stone, child?"

Suddenly, the atmosphere became heavy. Curtis felt heavy on his shoulder as he doesn't dare to look into Lucy's eyes.

"Now, now. How about you do me a favor instead? Let's see... Once you reach the last stage of orange core, find me and I'll spar with you. It won't be fair for you to fight me when you're still this young."

Curtis' eyes widened and lit up.

"Then, I'll make sure to find you once I become one!"

"That's a good spirit to have but don't make me wait too long, child."

"Huh? Is Master Lucy retiring?" Curtis asked, feeling confused.

"Maybe? But for now, the time isn't up yet." Lucy said vaguely.

"You may have heard this but I reckon that you knew my disciple, yes?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, I have heard that Master Lucy has a disciple." Curtis nodded.

"His name is Alexander Leywin, I hope that you will become a good friend with him. He is a talented kid but sometimes, he is a lonely person who need friends and I'm sure you will love to know him." Lucy smiled.

"I see, I hope that I'll get along with your disciple." Curtis said. He indeed felt interested in Alex to some degree when he heard about Lucy's disciple.

"I'm sure you'll do." Lucy stared out of the window, staring at the forest as a faint smile formed on her face.

- To Be Continued

(A/N: A bit shorter than usual.

Who is the woman? If some of you people who read my old version of The Greatest, some of you know the woman as a Lucifer, the outsider being aka Angel.

But some will change about Lucifer and no, she won't show up in Volume 2 even though it is called Voice of Light.

The next chapter is the final chapter of this volume, I swear.

Sorry it's a bit more emotional than usual)