The gust of wind hit Alex’s back as he sat in the corridor beside the human kingdom’s palace garden, the warm sunlight sometimes could be felt on his back as it tried to penetrate the black jacket he wore.

He stared toward the front where a closed double door could be seen, then he glanced to his right.

There Katarina stood while leaning against the corridor pillar, her long dark red hair sometimes unraveled by the wind, unfortunately the sunlight could not touch her because it was blocked by the corridor pillar, the denim jacket and jeans she wore looked suitable on her.

Alex scratched his forehead, he spoke together with the chirping birds.

"Where is the short fuse?" Alex clicked his tongue "how can she not show up when her friend is going far away..."

Katarina turned to the left where Alex sat with his back facing the garden "she said she wanted to buy something for the academy..."

Alex supported his cheek with his left palm, he still stared at the closed double door "then where is Ken?..."

Katarina crossed her arms, her foot tapped the floor "yeah....he followed Reva."

Alex clicked his tongue, he shook his head in disbelief "that kid is really serious it seems..." Alex cracked his fingers "...it seems I need to teach him the proper way to approach girls."

Katarina’s expression became disdainful toward Alex, she picked her ear "sounds like someone who never had a romantic relationship..."

Veins appeared on Alex’s forehead, he turned toward Katarina and pointed at her "as if you ever had one?! I think no one would want you if you weren’t a princess..."

Katarina’s face became disbelieving, she who had been leaning on the pillar now fully faced Alex, she pointed at Alex "wow....this person is really rude huh."

Katarina gritted her teeth "I’m already married you know?! In the future!"

Disbelief was drawn on Alex’s face, he glanced at Katarina from her head to her feet "with who?..."

Katarina swallowed her saliva, she covered her mouth and slightly turned her face away.

Alex who saw that immediately nodded in understanding, he sighed and placed both of his arms on his seat.

"Why do you have to lie, damn it. Just say you didn’t have a partner until the end....I understand, I mean for someone like you I’m not surprised, calm down calm down we will change the future..."

Veins once again protruded on Katarina’s forehead, she gritted her teeth when she heard every word that came out of Alex’s mouth, her breathing became ragged, she finally could not hold it anymore.

"Julian!..." Alex stopped speaking and stared at Katarina, their eyes met each other, Katarina stuck out her tongue mockingly "I married Julian!"

Alex’s black eyes narrowed in disbelief, he stroked his chin while Katarina became awkward after revealing a big fact.

Katarina swallowed her saliva, she stuttered while Alex only looked at her "wh-what?! I really married in the future! Unlike you right?"

Katarina kept speaking mockingly toward Alex while Alex only asked her once.

"That means you succeeded in defeating Eve and the many women who liked Julian?...."

Katarina’s body suddenly became stiff after Alex’s question, she did not answer but only nodded, her eyes did not even look into Alex’s eyes.

But Alex still did not believe Katarina’s words, until Katarina spoke again with her stuttering voice "of-of course I defeated them all!..." after her statement, suddenly Katarina hiccuped, she tried to stop her hiccups.

Meanwhile, Alex who saw that only stood frozen, his mind continued imagining wild things that should not be imagined, suddenly something appeared in his mind.

His black eyes widened, he suddenly shouted and stood up while holding both of Katarina’s shoulders "no way!...."

Katarina looked at Alex in confusion, her hiccups had disappeared now, she swallowed her saliva "w-what is impossible?"

Alex’s gaze toward Katarina did not waver, he opened his mouth "you didn’t win alone right? There’s no way you were only one of them?"

Katarina swallowed her saliva, she turned her gaze away from Alex not daring to look at him anymore, she was maybe embarrassed.

Alex only stood frozen looking at Katarina who did not answer and instead avoided him, Alex suddenly grabbed his own hair, he looked possessed, he screamed without sound.

Katarina who saw that did not know what to do.

Suddenly Alex held both of Katarina’s shoulders again, he glanced right and left and whispered to Katarina "why did you want that?! Damn it! How could you share?! You should have self respect!"

Katarina covered half of her face with her dark red hair, she also whispered to Alex "I don’t know, at that time I was too in love, maybe? I really don’t know...."

Alex looked at Katarina with an empty stare, both of his hands still held her shoulders.

Katarina then continued, she still covered half of her face with her dark red hair "I only realized now after becoming more mature....turns out I was very stupid back then, or me in the future....I don’t know which is correct."

Alex sighed, he shook his head, then he stood beside Katarina, he wrapped his arm around Katarina’s shoulder and patted her gently.

"Calm down partner....this time there’s me, I won’t let you fall into the same mud pit again, do you still like him?....damn, you should look for another man, I think that’s the best....how could you want a man like that?"

Alex kept talking while Katarina only looked at him from the side.

Alex then looked to the side, he looked at Katarina who also looked at him "do you want to drink tea? You know? This discussion is important because it also concerns the future of humanity..."

Katarina sighed, she shook her head while pointing at the closed double door "we’re still waiting for Mira..."

One of Alex’s eyebrows raised "right too...."

Alex then sighed, he pulled back his arm that wrapped around Katarina’s back, he walked to sit again while biting his nails, whispers could be heard from him.

"Damn...I can’t wait to hear the full story so I can laugh at and curse you satisfyingly..."

Katarina massaged her forehead hearing Alex’s whispers, the two of them returned to waiting until finally the double door opened.

Four figures came out from inside the room, two of them were the human king and queen who wore their red robes.

Mira also followed them out, her black long pants looked very suitable paired with her black shirt.

One figure also came out, he was Mira’s protector sent by the dragon king.

Alex’s eyes widened when seeing the protector sent for Mira, his mouth slightly opened.

Mira’s companion had a pair of silver dragon horns on top of his head, his black hair contrasted greatly with his horns, as did his orange eyes, his white robe covered his back, his face looked very young around Alex’s age.

But what made Alex frozen was not his young face, but because of his height, he was shorter than Alex.

Alex slightly tilted his body toward Katarina, he whispered to Katarina.

"Is he a dragon? I mean why is he short?"

Katarina almost laughed in disbelief hearing Alex’s question, she also whispered to Alex who still looked at the dragon.

"Can’t dragons be short? Besides he’s still young..."

Alex’s face was still frozen, he immediately moved away from Katarina "ahh is that so?...."

The two of them stood side by side a bit far from the four people who were talking.

The human queen saw Alex and Katarina waiting "do you two want to escort Mira?"

Katarina and Alex nodded, Mira also saw them waiting and then she walked toward Alex and Katarina.

The king and queen looked at Mira’s back going toward Alex and Katarina.

A sigh was heard from the king, he shifted his gaze toward Mira’s dragon guardian, he had to slightly look down.

The human king stretched out his hand which was immediately welcomed by Mira’s dragon guardian.

"I entrust Mira to you, please protect her Marco."

Marco nodded, he raised his head when he had to look at the human king "certainly, human king..."

Marco then looked alternately between the human king and queen, he slightly lowered his head.

"Then we’ll leave first..."

The human king and queen nodded, Marco began walking toward Mira, the four of them slowly walked away in the palace corridor.

The gust of wind hit the king and queen who still stood frozen, the human king combed his dark red hair "Thomas and Rose cannot see Mira become a great child..."

The queen sighed, she rested her cheek on the king’s arm, their hands held each other.

The human king scratched his forehead "after this who are we meeting again?...."

The queen thought for a moment, then she answered the king’s casual question "we have to meet that woman, then escort Katarina, and many other meetings...."

The king looked at the queen, he smiled faintly "then should we do it quickly?..."

The queen nodded in agreement, they finally turned around and walked through the opposite direction from Alex, Katarina, Mira, and Marco.

The four of them walked in the corridor toward the landing platform in the human palace.

Alex still kept staring at Marco’s back who walked in front of the three of them, he still could not believe that Marco was Mira’s dragon guardian.

Mira who saw Alex continuously staring at Marco’s back immediately nudged him, she whispered to Alex.

"Why do you keep staring at him?...."

Alex glanced at Mira, he also whispered to her "is he a dragon?"

Mira’s expression showed confusion, she could not believe what Alex said, while Katarina on Mira’s right slightly chuckled.

Mira then whispered to Alex "of course he’s a dragon, can’t you see the horns on top of his head?"

Alex’s black eyes narrowed staring at Marco’s silver horns "if it’s only horns, demons also have horns..."

Katarina covered her mouth, she almost laughed loudly hearing Alex’s whisper.

Meanwhile Marco suddenly stopped which made the three of them also stop, Marco then turned around, his purple eyes looked at Alex.

"Just ask the person directly, human. why are you talking behind my back?"

Alex chuckled awkwardly, he immediately approached Marco and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"I’m Alex Sander..."

Alex then walked together with Marco, they began walking away from Katarina and Mira who could only stand frozen seeing Alex confidently socializing with a dragon, they finally followed Alex and Marco until the flying platform.

The gust of wind hit the four of them, Alex’s black jacket swayed strongly as did Katarina’s denim jacket.

The sun felt closer above the human palace flying platform, the bright blue sky also looked clearer.

Alex and Katarina stood facing Mira near the magical helicopter ready to accompany her on her journey.

Mira hugged Katarina as her farewell, their hair kept unraveling due to the wind gusts, the noisy sound from the magical helicopter engine did not make Mira silent, she spoke near Katarina’s ear.

"Thank you Rina...thank you for everything..." Mira’s golden eyes slowly closed "thank you for believing in me..."

Katarina nodded on Mira’s shoulder, she patted Mira’s shoulder, a faint smile carved on her face "you have to stay strong....your path will be difficult. If you can’t solve it alone, just come back. I will help you..."

Mira nodded on Katarina’s shoulder, her sigh sounded relieved, she released her hug from Katarina and looked at her, she wiped the tears that accidentally came out, but this time a smile was carved on her face, she held Katarina’s hand.

"I will definitely succeed...."

Katarina nodded several times as her response, she also smiled at Mira.

Mira then shifted her gaze toward Alex.

Alex smiled faintly and stretched out his hand for a handshake "good luck Mira the-" before Alex succeeded in finishing his words, Mira grabbed Alex’s hand, she quickly pulled Alex’s hand and immediately hugged Alex which made Alex’s black eyes widen.

Mira spoke quickly without giving Alex a chance to process what happened, even Katarina who saw it was also shocked.

"Thank you for saving me..."

Mira immediately released her hug from Alex, she immediately turned around, and climbed the magical helicopter stairs, the noisy sound of the magical helicopter engine successfully disguised Mira’s heartbeat that almost exploded.

Mira left Alex and Katarina frozen, but when she almost entered the magical helicopter, her steps stopped, she turned around and smiled at Alex and Katarina, her eyes also smiled.

Mira slightly shouted at the two of them "send my regards to Julian, Eve, Arthur, and the others!"

Mira then opened her eyes, her golden eyes seemed directed at Alex, she opened her mouth and spoke without sound.

Alex who saw that tilted his head, he followed Mira’s lip movements "don’t forget our bet?..."

Mira then immediately turned around entering the magical helicopter, she immediately sat inside without looking back again, she covered her face with both of her palms, her heart beat rapidly uncontrollably, she felt happiness that should not appear in a farewell.

She kept being like that while the magical helicopter slowly took off and flew high into the bright sky.

Its wind gust hit Alex and Katarina, they followed the direction of the magical helicopter that slowly moved away.

Katarina then approached Alex, she placed her elbow on Alex’s left shoulder "I think instead of worrying about me, it’s better you focus on yourself..."

Alex turned to the left where Katarina was "what do you mean?..."

Katarina sighed, she almost laughed freely on the platform, she looked at Alex "did you never have a relationship in your old world?"

Alex fell silent for a moment he thought then answered while looking at Katarina "I did, but only short term relationships....three months I think."

Katarina’s lips opened and closed several times, she could not say anything over what she just heard from Alex, she took a deep breath and cursed Alex while pinching his ear "damn! How dare someone like you advise someone already married!"

Katarina kept twisting Alex’s ear until it turned red, Alex’s screams even became the center of attention for the magical helicopter pilots who were inspecting their units.

Katarina’s pinching stopped when a white light appeared blinding the platform from behind them.

Katarina and Alex immediately turned around but they found nothing, even the pilots did not feel the blinding white light.

Alex who held his reddened ear asked Katarina in an annoyed tone "what was that? You felt it right? White light..."

Katarina only stood frozen, she massaged her forehead trying to remember something, she felt something familiar from the white light they just felt.

Her blue eyes widened when she remembered something, she immediately ran and told Alex to follow her.

Alex who knew nothing only followed her, the two of them re-entered the palace building, they kept running aimlessly, Alex kept asking Katarina but Katarina only answered to keep following her.

The two of them kept searching for something in rooms usually used as meeting places, Katarina opened several room doors but all she saw were empty rooms, the two of them kept searching for something only Katarina knew.

Until finally Katarina stopped at the edge of one of the palace gardens, her ragged breathing did not make her lose focus while staring at a figure walking in the open corridor beside the garden.

That figure wore a black robe covering the entire body, Katarina could only see the side part of the body, the figure walked using a black cane as support.

That figure was greeted warmly several times by servants, they guided and helped the figure to reach the destination.

Katarina combed her dark red hair slightly wet due to sweat, while Alex only alternated looking at Katarina and the cane-using figure several times.

"Who is that? Do you know?..."

Katarina looked at Alex, she sighed and nodded, Katarina then walked to sit on one of the garden benches facing the corridor, Alex followed and sat beside her, they calmed themselves after running around the palace.

Silence enveloped the two of them, Katarina bit her finger, she was thinking hard alone.

Alex who saw that immediately nudged her which made Katarina look at Alex.

"What are you thinking? Don’t keep it alone damn it! Now we are in the same boat....just say what you’re thinking."

Katarina swallowed her saliva, she scratched her head, then pointed toward the corridor where the cane figure had walked.

"She is my father’s messenger..."

Alex nodded several times "that’s a bit strange to have a messenger who seemingly doesn’t know directions..."

Katarina scratched her forehead, she sighed trying to hold her emotions while Alex spoke again "then what does it have to do with us? I mean there’s no connection right?"

Katarina sighed tiredly, she leaned her back on the hard garden bench backrest, she looked at Alex "do you still remember when my father said bone of malakar would be moved to the dwarf territory?"

Alex nodded several times, while Katarina continued again "I think my father will send bone of malakar under her supervision..."

Alex opened his mouth several times he wanted to speak but held it back, but in the end he managed to speak "she will deliver bone of malakar? You know? Even we who could see got beaten badly when attacked while carrying that damn artifact....then-"

Katarina stopped Alex before Alex managed to finish his words, she looked at Alex "listen....I know that woman, she is a great woman, but what disturbs me is her identity..."

Katarina sighed, she massaged her forehead "I only found out in the future that she wasn’t an ordinary woman...she is a phoenix."

Alex only stood frozen silent, he slightly tilted his head trying to digest what he heard, but eventually he gave up.

"It seems before you mention terms or species, it’s better you explain what a phoenix is, I don’t know anything you know?...."

Katarina scratched her cheek, she realized her mistake, she pointed again toward the corridor passed by the phoenix.

"You already met dragons right?" Alex nodded, Katarina spoke again "you still remember the leak in the north right?" Alex nodded again, but this time his feeling was bad, Katarina continued without caring "well, phoenixes are the same group as them..."

The gust of wind hit the two of them amid the increasingly hot sunlight "a phoenix is a mystical creature just like leak and dragons."

One of Alex’s eyebrows raised, he stroked his chin, his expression showed confusion "if phoenixes are that great why does she become a messenger..."

Katarina nodded several times agreeing with Alex’s words, she then looked at Alex.

"This is what I know yeah. I mean, I also don’t know completely. But, phoenixes are like leak. they come from the territory beyond the silent mountains..."

Alex listened to Katarina’s words carefully, he heard it like a fairy tale.

"...but they did not come with violence like leak, they crossed the silent mountains peacefully..."

Katarina scratched her eyebrow her body slightly faced Alex "if I remember correctly, the first dragon king allowed them to stay in our territory with the payment of seven requests they had to grant..."

Katarina looked at the bright blue sky, clouds slowly moved along with the wind hitting them "I think the leaders used one of those requests to bring bone of malakar to the north and maybe also to kill leak..."

Katarina looked at Alex who now slightly leaned his body forward "of course that will happen during the expedition to close the gap...they added phoenix for security and killers when leak appear blocking them."

Alex stroked his chin, he leaned on the hard garden bench backrest "but isn’t that excessive? I mean, your father and the dwarf king can match leak right? Why waste that request?"

Katarina sighed, she combed her dark red hair illuminated by sunlight "I think it’s because of dark side."

Katarina looked at Alex "when you died and were saved by saint Azara, I negotiated with saint Azara to get her hair as demon energy potion material..."

"I gave the return payment in the form of dark side headquarters information that I knew from the future...."

Alex exclaimed in admiration hearing Katarina "wow you spread many seeds huh?..."

Katarina raised both of her shoulders "it’s all to build a better stage..."

Katarina continued her conversation again "basically, it seems they got information regarding dark side connected with leak..."

Katarina rested her neck on the hard bench backrest "so yeah, the leaders want to finish it quickly maybe? Of course by summoning phoenix as assistance..."

Silence enveloped the two of them, Alex tilted his head "isn’t that good? I mean we don’t need to get headaches over those monsters. I don’t want to face monsters like that..."

Katarina chuckled, she licked her lips while looking at the sky "of course it’s good if they succeed..."

Alex sighed tiredly after hearing too much information "then help them with information. I mean that’s the only thing we can do, we have to make them succeed..."

Katarina nodded several times "I’m also thinking the same thing.." she then sat upright again and took out a piece of paper, an envelope, and a pen.

Katarina started writing something, Alex also looked at Katarina’s writing, he was more amazed by Katarina’s beautiful writing than the information inside it that he did not really understand.

Alex suddenly thought of something, he glanced at Katarina who was still writing "was the future before not like this?..."

Katarina suddenly stopped writing, she looked at Alex then sighed "no..."

"In the old future, dark side succeeded in taking bone of malakar, that caused chaos, the south was forced to change their position from defending to attacking to get bone of malakar back..."

Alex swallowed his saliva and Katarina continued again "and when leak appeared, chaos happened in every territory. Stability was disturbed...and we all failed."

The gust of wind hit the two of them, the letter written by Katarina was almost carried away by the wind but Katarina managed to hold it, she nodded several times "in the end dark side succeeded in using bone of malakar to make the gap wider, monsters descended from the silent mountains like a tsunami, yeah....we first year students were forced to join the war since then."

Katarina continued writing her letter, Alex only watched her "everything could be passed when the dragon king intervened and added with everyone’s efforts, stability was finally regained with the price of countless lives..."

Alex’s goosebumps rose, he remembered again their first journey while searching for the flower of life and death.

"So...by sending Sahir, you succeeded in avoiding us from all those possibilities?"

Katarina stopped writing, she thought for a moment and nodded carelessly "maybe?"

Alex’s black eyes widened, he suddenly stood up and grabbed his own hair, he screamed silently again, he felt frustrated with Katarina’s indifference.

Katarina who saw Alex becoming wild sighed "what are you doing?"

Alex looked at Katarina with fiery eyes, he bit his nails "I...I can’t hold my mouth from showing you off to the world!" Alex’s breath became ragged "I mean, you have saved the world! Everyone should know!"

Katarina massaged her forehead, she felt dizzy after writing and seeing Alex become wild "I haven’t saved the world...the world is still in danger."

Katarina pointed at Alex "besides, you and the others also helped, you anomaly who has holy energy also helped a lot..."

Alex slowly smiled, he looked at the sky and sat again beside Katarina, his smile did not disappear from his face.

Katarina did not care about him anymore, she continued writing her letter.