With his friends getting started on their accelerated training, Alex created other bodies, visiting his vassals all over the universe.
First on the list were Lord Zol and Lord Mason. These two had been on the move since things settled down several months ago.
From the guidelines received from Alexander, Lord Zol and Mason spearheaded the mission to increase their prowess while exploring the universe, learning from cosmic forces how the fundamental principles of the universe worked.
They fearlessly explored the most dangerous of universal terrains, only making use of Alex's powers when they needed it the most.
Void energy was the master energy of reality. With this energy, there was nothing they couldn't overcome, no cosmic calamity they couldn't push through.
However, it placed an easy-mode tag on any obstacle they faced in the larger universe. To avoid this, they reluctantly utilised their connection with Alexander, opting to use their own abilities to overcome challenges until otherwise.
Alex appeared before the two friends, giving an incomplete narration of his visit to the Supreme One, and then describing what he intended to do. Without hesitation, Lord Zol and Mason agreed.
The plan was simple; Alex would create a time-accelerated domain, incorporating lessons and trials to guide them on speeding up their cultivation.
From time to time, they would exit the domain to test their increased prowess and understanding against selected void creatures Alex would send over.
"Alex…" Lord Zol called out after Alex completed the domain. "What is really going on?" The one-horned was not lost to Alexander's changed demeanour.
He could tell something was pushing this decision Alex made, and while it was good, it felt rushed. After all, Alex was the one who wanted everything to proceed as naturally as possible.
Something had to have changed, and Zol wanted to know what that was.
"It's that obvious, huh?" Alex sighed, closing his eyes for a breather. "What I can tell you now is that… things would get hectic in a few years."
"I see…" Zol nodded with a composed expression. Alex didn't have to say much, but Zol and Mason understood the message, more or less.
'I don't think there's anything capable of scaring Alex…' Mason thought in silence, observing Alexander's expression. 'Unless, of course, …' He recalled what Alex told them about the cause of the multiversal calamity.
"I'll be paying regular visits to check on your progress," Alex said as he prepared to leave. "Contact me if you encounter any problems."
"Mm." Zol and Mason nodded, watching as Alexander's body disappeared from their senses.
Left alone in the void of outer space with their mothership in the back, the two friends exchanged knowing glances before turning to look at the visible outlines of the temporal field that stretched for many kilometres in all directions.
"Let's get the others on board," Zol suggested, receiving a nod in reply. In a flash, both hunters flew towards their ship, leaving a distinct mana trail in their wake.
…..
Alex wasted no time and paid visits to all his vassals spread out in the universe, proposing the same training schedule. None of them disagreed with his arrangements, and they didn't have to.
Of course, the ones who knew him better questioned him about the sudden rush in training. Elina, the Oracle, was one such person who was not afraid to ask.
The Oracle preferred to live on her base, choosing not to interfere with the governments and powers of humanity. She had no desire for governing, and certainly no stomach for power plays and politics.
Naturally, Alex did not tell her the full story, choosing to keep what he knew to himself. There was no point worrying his people about something half a century away.
"Why don't you join me for a cup of tea, Lord Alexander? It's been a while since we've talked." Elina proposed as she made her way towards her receiving chamber, not even waiting for a reply from Alex.
Left with no choice, Alex sighed and followed behind her. Soon, both parties were seated behind a small table as her personal attendants served the beverage.
"Thank you," Alex muttered a soft thanks to the servants, receiving smiles from them and a giggle from the Oracle.
"You're really something else, Lord Alexander," Elina said after the attendants exited the chamber. "You're no different from the person I first met. You haven't changed a bit."
"Hmm…" Alex couldn't say anything as he wasn't sure if that was still the case. With a sip of his tea, he placed the cup down and focused on the Oracle. "How have you been, Miss Tempest?" He decided to begin the conversation with light talk.
"Never better." The Oracle replied with a smile. "You brought peace and calm to our universe, Lord Alexander. This is the greatest gift you've given us all. I doubt there would be anyone claiming to be unhappy."
Alex scoffed at her words. Off the top of his head, he could count several families and organisations who wished they had the power to do whatever they desired had Alex not been around, or even had Alex serving under them.
Elina's smile widened as she understood Alex's reaction. "Those are the minority, Lord Alexander. They are insignificant in the broader scheme of things. That said, I can tell that your desire to speed up our cultivation didn't come from nowhere.
"What is truly going on, Lord Alexander? What troubles you?" Elina asked. "You need to get it off your chest."
Despite talking with Cassandra, Alexander's mood wasn't completely lifted. He was still troubled by the knowledge he carried.
Half a century wasn't nearly enough time. There were a lot of things he still hadn't gotten the chance to do yet. He was…
"I'm scared, Elina." He blurted out as he clenched his jaw and fists, his head lowered slightly. "I've tried putting the thoughts away, but they just keep coming back."
For the first time since Elina had known the Being called Alexander Gray, she saw him break down. Despite everything he had been through and the knowledge he carried, Alex was a child — he was still in his twenties.
"How did things end up like this, Elina?" The Oracle felt her heart tighten at the sight of Alex sharing his innermost thoughts. "How am I supposed to tell my loved ones that reality could cease to exist…?"