Chapter 273: Flamme, Who Takes Care of Serie
However, upon careful reflection, a First-Class Mage leaving the Association wasn't something incomprehensible.
After all, having obtained the Association's highest-grade mage certification and receiving the magic they desired from Lady Serie, there was indeed no necessity to remain.
Of course, unless the man before him wished to hold an important position within the Association.
Linn revealed a surprised expression. "Mr. Carlo, you really don't care about the situation on the continent at all!"
"Something big has happened in the North."
"The demon army launched a sudden, massive invasion. It is said they have already destroyed several human cities. Only the last one is still struggling to hold on."
"Because it happened so suddenly, the news hasn't spread completely yet. But at least here in the central continent, everyone knows. It won't take long to spread everywhere."
"Right now, the Kingdom of Ersten and the Saint Katiya Magic Academy have joined forces. They are urgently deploying mages to provide support."
"Although the Association hasn't officially mobilized yet, many powerful mages are already preparing to go voluntarily. I also intend to contribute my strength."
Carlo listened, dumbfounded. For him, this news was indeed sudden. "D-Demons invaded? Is it that serious?"
Similar events had happened in the past, but for both the Kingdom of Ersten and the Saint Katiya Magic Academy to join forces simultaneously... one could imagine just how severe the situation had become.
"It seems you really didn't know." Linn smiled helplessly. "The news is currently being controlled to some extent to avoid widespread panic, but they probably can't hide it for much longer."
"How about it, Mr. Carlo? Interested in going North to take a look? I heard the fighting over there is very intense."
He asked casually; Carlo didn't look like combat personnel anyway.
Carlo immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. "No, no! I am better at theoretical research. I don't have powerful strength like you. In fact, Second-Class Mage is already my limit."
He had self-awareness.
Although with his talent, if he started researching offensive magic now and accumulated decades of experience and mana, passing the First-Class Mage exam was possible.
But Carlo had no intention of doing so.
He had already decided to devote his life's energy to researching Lord Rhodes's draft.
"I understand." Linn nodded. "Research-oriented talents like you are also very important. Without you, many grimoires wouldn't be passed down."
"Saint Katiya has many similar mages. I heard one of them is very famous. If Lady Serie's exams weren't entirely skewed towards actual combat, he probably would have joined our Association long ago."
"Speaking of which, I count as an outlier in the exams too. I only know defense and absolutely no offensive magic."
Linn laughed somewhat self-deprecatingly at the end.
Fortunately, Lady Serie had kept her promise and given him the magic he had always wanted.
He had initially thought that given her discerning eye and pursuit of individual magical strength, she would detest a defense-only mage like him.
Just then, a crisp voice interjected. "Mr. Carlo, long time no see. Has there been any progress in your research?"
The two turned their heads. Flamme was walking over, holding a thick book, a gentle smile on her face as she greeted Carlo first.
She seemed to have just returned from outside; a sizeable satchel hung from her waist.
"Miss Flamme." Carlo responded hurriedly. "I am still working hard. I have some clues, but I haven't broken through the key points yet."
Linn looked at the unfamiliar red-haired woman, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
He noticed there was no rank badge on Flamme's robe. Yet, anyone appearing on this library floor should be at least a Second-Class Mage.
Moreover, he had some impression of this woman. She seemed to appear in the library frequently, and he had seen her from afar.
Back then, because of the distance and lack of acquaintance, Linn had assumed she was also a Second-Class Mage. But now, seeing no corresponding badge on her, he felt it was strange.
Flamme keenly sensed Linn's confusion and actively smiled to explain. "Hello, I am Flamme, an apprentice of Master Serie. I didn't participate in the rank exams. Master Serie said... I temporarily do not need those badges to prove anything."
Her tone was flat, as if stating something very natural.
In reality, with her current strength, only Rhodes and Serie on the entire continent could reliably defeat her. Even Ela couldn't beat Flamme anymore.
Hearing this, Linn was instantly filled with awe.
Serie's apprentice!
This identity alone represented everything.
He spoke immediately. "I see. My apologies, Miss Flamme."
He thought to himself, As expected of the Elven Saint's disciple. Truly extraordinary.
Flamme smiled and turned her gaze to the topic Linn had been discussing. "Were you just talking about the demons in the North?"
Her expression grew slightly graver. Clearly, she knew about it too.
"Yes," Linn nodded. "The situation seems very unoptimistic. I am preparing to go support them."
Flamme sighed softly, her eyes somewhat complicated.
Recently, Master Serie had been working her to the bone—running errands, handling miscellaneous tasks, even guiding students on her behalf. Her attitude was also much stricter and colder than before.
But Flamme knew in her heart that her teacher didn't truly hate her.
Perhaps she was just purely angry. After all, Flamme had tried to steal her man. If it were anyone else, being beaten to death on the spot would have been a mercy.
As time passed, Flamme had matured, no longer the hot-headed girl she was back then.
Therefore, whenever she thought about how she had actually used that incomplete Forbidden Spell against Master Serie, Flamme felt deep regret and shame.
Regardless of the reason, that was not an action an apprentice should take against a teacher.
She would rather her teacher punish her severely, or even beat her up. That would make her feel much better.
Furthermore, Master Rhodes had been elusive recently, like a divine dragon showing its head but not its tail. She didn't know what he was busy with.
Originally, the tasks of taking care of Master Serie's diet, daily life, and handling trivial matters were basically Rhodes's responsibility. Now that he was missing, these burdens naturally fell onto Flamme's shoulders.
As for Ela and Frieren... it was good enough if those two could take care of themselves.
Flamme's thoughts drifted far away, but Linn's voice pulled her back to reality. "...So, although it is dangerous, I feel that as a mage, I have a responsibility to contribute my strength to the front lines."
Flamme nodded, but her gaze involuntarily drifted out the window toward the North. A vague premonition of unease rose in her heart.
Undercurrents surged in the Southern Empire, demons were making a comeback in the North, and her two teachers seemed to be hiding secrets of their own.
And right now, perhaps all she could do was handle the Association's affairs well and continue to improve herself.
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