The last time I felt so overwhelmed was all the way back when I found myself as a baby reborn in this world.

In this second childhood I was a prince, so of course I could have any and everything I wished for.

On top of that I was found to be a hero, that means I'm stronger and have more aura than most.

'Bliss' is the perfect word to describe my life, after all, there isn't much to miss from my past life. I lived with my mother after my parents divorced, she was my only family and yet she preferred to spend most of the time at her boyfriend's home.

At school I was close to all but friends with none. In the end, there's really nothing to miss.

The best part was that Aria Angelskind was gone!

After being reborn I came to realize that even though I rejected the idea of 'envying' her, that really was the truth. She could do everything I couldn't and more. No matter how hard I tried, I never reached her.

So when I found out she wasn't around anymore, I couldn't be happier! On top of that, I had natural powers beyond everyone else.

Of course, I'm not dumb enough to leave it at that, I also did everything in my power to improve. That's how I became the Second Strongest Hero out of the six current active heroes.

Again, 'Bliss' was the perfect description of my life.

Until...

...Until I met Mira, a little kid suffering from Aura Putrefaction. The disease has a cure, so when Ayla jumped in promising to get her the medicine, I agreed, after all, the Second Strongest Hero and Prince of the Exousia Archibald Kingdom had enough authority to get his hands on a measly medicine, right?

Wrong.

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When we came back to the village with nothing but pills to slow the effects of the disease.

When Mr. Victor screamed at us.

When his screams pierced through my ears.

When he coughed because his screams hurt his throat.

I could only think of a single thing.

"If she was here..." - Of course, the only person who always managed to do what I never could, only had she been here, Mira would certainly be cured.

In the end I was really right, twice. She cured Mira and proved capable of doing what I can't.

But... I don't feel the way I thought I'd feel...

When I met her at the Barren Lands and saw she had been reincarnated as a demon, even if demons are dangerous, I wasn't scared. Differently from what Elijah thought, the idea of her going on a rampage never even crossed my mind, she wouldn't do that even if the gods forced her to.

What I actually thought was how much I didn't want to deal with her again and how I needed to try even harder to... Why did I feel the need to try harder?

Ah... To satisfy my ego...

I see now. I imagined I'd be mad, enraged even, that in such a short time she managed to get those flowers while I failed to in years. But now?

I'm happy, Mira is getting better, soon enough she'll be cured, how could I be mad? Thanks to Aria, that young girl will live!

"I'm so sorry!" - As I say that, my legs weaken.

"Umm... for what? You didn't do anything deserving of an apology..."

I try to utter something, but nothing comes out. My legs give up, I fall on my knees, sobbing like a baby.

"Eh? Why are you crying?!" - Asks Aria as she looks around.

"Um, sometimes people say sorry while they actually want to say thanks, don't they? Um... Ehem..."

...That's right, I'm grateful to her. In the end there was no need to surpass her, she might be better than me in everything, but in the end her path won't be the same as mine...

"Thank you, for everything" - I say while whipping my tears.

"You're welcome!" - She answers with a large smile, a forced one, but it is still so beautiful.

Aria, I want to walk by your side, learn from you the things I can't do, become a reliable hero capable of keeping his promises. I want you to show me everything you can do, I want to witness all of it until the end of my life!

"It's quite late, we should go back to the inn, wanna help gettin' up?" - She says while lending a hand to me.

Her pretty face in the moonlight, one hand extended towards me, the other fixing the hair that slipped in front of her red eyes, the same person, the same face I used to hate, now I can only describe as...

"Stunning..." - A whisper accidentally comes out of my mouth

"What did you say?"

"Thank you again, Aria" - I finished while grabbing her hand.

"You're welcome again, Cass"

After that we walked back to the inn.