Endless Journey: Infinite Realms

Chapter 24 Wassup!

Alex and Alina went back to Clint's house silently, with their faces housing a cloudy expression that made both Natasha and Clint worried.

Once Alex was inside the house, Alina hastily left the place.

She never once looked back as she walked away.

"That girl…" Clint shook his head as he realized what Alina did.

Clint knew all about the matter of Alina's sister and Alina's current master.

Clint also knew how much of a madman Alina's master was, and the lengths that he can do with that mind of his

If he could do it, Clint would have already gone out of his way to whoop Alina's master to solve her problems.

But Clint cannot due to his restrictions.

"Alina must have wanted Alex to distance himself with her." Clint said as he saw Alex entering the attic. "Logically speaking, what she did was right, since Alex will just be in more danger if he gets closer with her, but…"

"But Alina looks affected by her decision." Natasha said as she remembered Alina's expression earlier.

"Sigh, I thought that we could set those two up as lovebirds… It seems like fate really is not in store for them." Natasha said as she arranged a flower vase.

"Well, there is still a chance that Alina will change her mind." Clint said as he suddenly talked to Alex, who was in the attic.

"Oi Alex, did Alina said something about training you more?"

"Alina said that she will continue to fight against me every day until her departure day." Alex's reply sounded subdued but also tense. "She also said that I have to use those days on my advantage."

"See?" Clint said to Natasha as he pointed at the attic. "If Alina will continue to visit here for the next 7 days, her mind might still change."

"That is if Alex makes the effort to change her mind." Natasha replied as she casted a doubtful look at the attic. "But seeing Alex right now, it seems like that will not be the case."

Clint did not give any answer in return, as he felt that Natasha was right.

*****************

"Well, that was awkward." Asteria hesitantly said as she glanced at Alex.

Alex had been quiet at the return journey, and he still stayed quiet here inside the attic.

Asteria did not like what she was seeing, so she attempted to talk with Alex right now.

"Are you… really fine with what Alina told you to do? "Asteria inquired as she tilted her head. "That's a Bonus Mission wasted!"

In regards to Asteria's question, the only thing that Alex gave her was a small shake of his head.

"I… have plans regarding that."

"Plans?" Asteria scoffed as she thought that Alex might have been bluffing.

"Are you sure about that? You have a plan to destroy the World Diagram, save the people from its repercussions, and help Alina, all in just 15 days? That is really impressive, if your plan really exists."

"I have been making research earlier." Alex said as he let out a sigh. "At those research materials, I can somehow see that the World Diagram… is not really how it is portrayed in reality."

"Oh, so you believe those crackpot conspiracy theories in Feddit?" Asteria snickered as she remembered Alex surfing the net earlier in his free time.

"Huh? What is wrong on making my research on Feddit?" Alex retorted as he seemed to be offended. "That website is a free site where everyone can post their opinion!"

"But I saw one post in Feddit saying that the World Diagram is a captured space whale, and that it wants to turn every Esper into Unicorns..." Asteria said as she watched Alex cringe. "That is a crackpot theory, and you know that the other theories in Feddit are crackpot too."

"That theory of course is fake!" Alex retorted as he tried to somehow justify himself. "But there are some reliable opinions posted in Feddit about the World Diagram, and I just pieced them all together to make my plan."

"Oh, and are you inclined to share your plan to me?" Asteria said as she stared at Alex.

"Nope, I won't be telling it to you for now." Alex said as he smirked at Asteria. "After all, even if you know about it, I am sure that you cannot do anything to improve it. Besides, it will be better for you to just watch me perform my plan."

"Hmph fine!" Asteir mumbled as she crossed her arms angrily. "But let me clarify something first. Are you interested in Alina?"

"Oh yes, I am indeed interested with her." Alex replied quickly.

"Oh, you don't have to deny it anymo- what? You just admitted it that quickly?" Asteria spluttered out after she heard Alex's reply. "Weren't you scared and wary of her earlier?"

"I am still scared and wary of her now." Alex replied calmly. "However, after staying with her for the past 2 days, you can say that I gradually grew to like Alina."

"2 days. You just interacted with her for 2 days, and you say that you are already interested with her." Asteria monotonously muttered as she stared at Alex. "Isn't that a little too fast?"

"If you like a person, it doesn't matter how long it took. If you like a person, then you like that person. Just as simple as that." Alex replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I think your viewpoint is really… carefree…" Asteria hesitantly replied. But that hesitation of her disappeared as she smirkingly asked Alex,

"Do you think that Alina's view of you is just as carefree as you?"

"Well, why should it matter?" Alex replied with a hint of sadness in his voice. "Even if there is a small chance that she likes me, it will be also terminated once I leave this world for my next mission."

"That is the cruel truth of being a Traveler." Asteria said as she gave Alex a pitying look. "No matter what bonds you make in a world, that bonds will also disappear once you go to another world…"

Alex visibly shook after hearing this, even though it looked like he had already prepared himself to hear this.

Alex then took a deep shuddering breath as he asked Asteria,

"Is it… possible for me to return to this world in the future, even when I am on a different world?"

"It is possible traveler." Asteria replied quickly. "As long as you have enough lifespan to pay for it. Although the price for that will be astronomical. Like, super astronomical."

"Its always about the lifespan. Seems like the Endless Monarch really loves to suck our essences…"

"...…"

"....."

Asteria let out a cough, as she tried her best to forget what Alex just said.

"Alex, I feel that you still have another question." Asteria said as she observed Alex's face. "Ask it to me now."

"… I don't want to ask it right now." Alex replied as he seemed to have retreated.

Asteria frowned, as she knew exactly the question that Alex wanted to ask right now.

If Alex was not keen on asking the question right now, it just means that he's still not prepared for its answer.

Since Alex is thinking that way, then Asteria will respect his decision and just wait for his move to ask the question.

"Well, I will still be around you for the following days, so you can ask me that question of yours whenever you feel like it." Asteria said as she landed on Alex's shoulder.

"Oh, and you owe me 5 jars of honey tomorrow."

"Yes, yes." Alex said as he plopped down on the bed.

"..."

Clint's house that night was silent, as if it was punctuating the heavy feelings of its occupants.

*******************

6 days later.

The following days for Alex were literally and figuratively hell.

He has to endure the physical battering unleashed to him by Alina, while he also has to struggle with the extremely awkward atmosphere between him and Alina.

Alina's mood seems to be same as Alex too, as she was letting out the 'f**k-off' aura around her.

It seems like the only one enjoying the whole situation was Asteria, who brayed like a mule everytime Alex was pounded into the ground, and who also giggled like a young lady when Alex's and Alina's bodies sometimes tangle on the floor.

"Now, this is the reason I became a Guide." Asteria commented as she trotted around Alex, who was leaning against the wall.

"...."

Today is the last day that Alina will stay in the Dragon Esper City.

She will set out for the World Diagram tomorrow, and just like what she promised Alex, she will bring him with her.

"With your current power right now, as long as you do not act careless, then you will not be in any real danger." Alina commented as she left the training room. "Rest up, and we will set out tomorrow."

"Yes mam." Alex replied as he looked at her departing back.

Alex looked like he wanted to say some words to Alina, but he stopped himself as he headed for the bathroom.

***************

1 day later.

Clint stared at Alina and Alex, who are both sitting in front of him.

Clint had his mouth set into a hard line, as if he was struggling to find the right words to say.

"Sigh, since I know that you two have made up your minds about this, then I will respect your decisions." Clint said with his eyes closed.

"However, I wish that you two, especially you Alex, will act more careful. You should know about the risk in your life."

"I will remember it Master." Alex replied with his head bowed.

"I do not know why you want to see the World Diagram, but make sure that you will not do anything to mess up things there." Clint warned Alex as he gave him the best 'you should behave' look that he can give to Alex.

"…Ok." Alex replied with his eyes averted.

Clint tried to ignore Alex's suspicious answer as he looked at Alina.

Clint's lips trembled for a second, before he said,

"Alina, you may not feel like it, but my family will always be here for you. If you ever feel tired or overwhelmed, then you are welcome to visit us anytime."

"Thank you, Uncle." Alina replied quietly. "I will make sure to visit again."

"Ok."

Clint looked at Alex as if he was about to say something more, but the sound of the doorbell interrupted him.

Natasha ushered in the guest, and what Alex saw made Asteria laugh.

The visitor was someone that Alex had already seen before, although their first encounter was via a hologram.

The guest sported the same handsome look that Alex saw in the hologram, and just like what Alex has suspected, this guy's body is ripped.

"So I guess this guy will be your ride towards the World Diagram." Clint grunted as his eyes raked all over the guest's body.

"Oh yes, Sir Jackal. I will be Miss Alina's service towards the World Diagram." The guest said as he gave a respectful bow to Clint.

"Let me introduce myself to those who do not know me." The guest said as his eyes bore down on Alex.

"I am Lord Gallius of the World Esper Organization, and I am under their orders to bring Miss Alina to the World Diagram."

"Well wassup blondie." Alex replied casually. "Does your neck hurt a lot? Coz I imagine they will, with all that super straight pose that you are doing."

"....."