Chapter 276: Rhodes's Affection
Standing before the window of his—or rather, his and Serie's—room at the top of the Magic Association tower, Rhodes gazed down at the silhouette of the Royal Capital of Ersten.
The journey south was set, but before leaving, he needed to make arrangements.
He had to ensure the Association was handled properly. He thought of his apprentices.
Though, strictly speaking, the only one who could be called his formal apprentice was Flamme.
Ela was more of a half-apprentice he occasionally guided out of respect for Serie.
As for Frieren, she was Flamme's apprentice. Separated by a generation, he hadn't taught her directly.
Besides, her foundation was excellent. Even without his intervention, she was destined to become a legendary mage in the future.
Rhodes extended his senses. Flamme's aura was in her personal laboratory.
What piqued his interest was that she had been frequenting the library recently, frantically looking something up, but for the past few days, she had disappeared completely.
Had she found what she was looking for, or had she hit a bottleneck?
Rhodes moved, appearing outside Flamme's room a moment later. He knocked gently.
Although given his relationship with Flamme, this wasn't strictly necessary, Rhodes wanted to maintain this distance through practical action.
"Come in," Flamme's clear voice sounded from inside.
Rhodes pushed the door open.
Flamme's laboratory was simple and clean. Although there were many magic books and experimental notes, it wasn't piled high like Serie's room.
She was sitting at a desk, a notebook open before her, filled with her handwriting as she calculated some complex magic. seeing Rhodes, a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes before she stood up. "Master Rhodes."
"Mn. Did I disturb you?"
Rhodes walked over, his gaze sweeping over her notes. It was about optimizing mana efficiency—very normal magical research.
"No. Did you need something, Master?" Flamme asked, her tone respectful and maintaining an appropriate distance.
This was exactly what Rhodes hoped to see. Clearly, Flamme was doing very well in this regard.
"Serie and I will be leaving the Association for a while to handle some matters in the Southern Unified Empire," Rhodes stated his purpose directly. "During our absence, the daily affairs of the Association will be left to you and Ela to handle jointly."
Flamme frowned slightly. "I can handle daily affairs, but some decisions, such as mage rank exams—especially Second-Class and the promotion to First-Class—have always been personally judged by Master Serie."
"If a mage applies for an exam during this time, should we postpone it until you return?"
Rhodes pondered for a moment.
The standards for Second and Third-Class Mages were relatively fixed, mainly testing mana capacity, control, spell repertoire, and combat ability.
Although difficult, there was at least a general range. Unlike the First-Class Mage exam, where the content depended entirely on Serie's mood.
"For exams of Second-Class and below, you and Ela can discuss and decide together." Rhodes authorized them. "Refer to past precedents for standards and content, adjusting based on the applicant's specific situation."
"You have observed many times; you should have a good idea."
He paused, then added, "As for the First-Class Mage exam, postpone it for now."
"A batch just finished testing recently. There aren't many left in the Association who meet the criteria, and with the war in the North, many capable mages have gone to provide support."
"There is no rush. We can discuss it when we return."
"Alright, I understand." Flamme nodded in agreement, adding nothing more.
With business concluded, the atmosphere in the laboratory softened slightly.
Rhodes took the opportunity to offer guidance on a few small problems Flamme had encountered in her research.
Flamme listened intently, understanding immediately. It fit her exceptional talent perfectly.
Looking at this apprentice moving steadily forward on the path of magic, Rhodes felt both gratified and indescribably complicated.
He recalled Serie mentioning that Flamme frequently discussed Fusion Magic with her recently.
"How is your research into Fusion Magic going?" Rhodes asked.
Flamme looked up. "It is going okay. Most of the mana rampaging issues have been resolved, but controlling the output freely is still difficult. I am far from achieving true fusion, but Master Serie has given me a lot of inspiration."
"That field is dangerous. Be cautious," Rhodes warned, but didn't stop her.
He knew Flamme was steady by nature, not prone to rashness.
Of course, provided love wasn't involved.
The saying that love makes people lose their minds was absolutely correct.
"I know," Flamme replied.
After a brief silence, Rhodes looked at Flamme, his tone softening. "I have been busy with other things lately and neglected your instruction."
"Is there any magic you want? Or have you encountered a bottleneck you cannot break through? Before I leave, you can ask. Even Divine Strike is fine."
Only he and Serie knew Divine Strike in this world. Even Ela hadn't been taught it.
Perhaps out of guilt, or perhaps out of trust that Flamme wouldn't use it recklessly, Rhodes decided to offer it to her.
He thought Flamme would accept happily—after all, it was the strongest offensive magic in the world. However, Flamme gently shook her head.
"Thank you, Master, but I do not desire any magic for now." Her voice was soft but carried a clear determination. "I have found the direction I want to research deeply. It might be different from the path you walked, Master, but I want to try walking it myself."
These words stunned Rhodes slightly.
He clearly felt that something about Flamme had indeed changed.
She was no longer the little girl following behind him, blindly listening to his and Serie's teachings. She had truly begun to have her own independent magical pursuits.
It was a complex feeling, but fundamentally, it should be a good thing.
However, just as Rhodes thought the conversation was ending, Flamme seemed to suddenly remember something. "Master, if I must say something... I have been interested in the runes of some ancient Life Magic recently."
"I recall some of your early research drafts involved notes in this area?"
Flamme said this because she thought of Carlo.
Since he was trying to decipher the true meaning of Life Magic from Master Rhodes's discarded drafts, she had to help him.
With her previous help, his research had progressed significantly, but true success was still far off.
Flamme wasn't willing to wait that long.
So she decided to help him again. It was helping him, but also helping herself.
She didn't mention Carlo's name, nor did she say it was to help someone else. She simply expressed her interest and hope to see Rhodes's early versions to better understand the essence.
Rhodes was somewhat surprised Flamme was interested in this direction, but didn't think too deeply about it.
In his view, perhaps Flamme wanted to improve her Holy Magic, as that had never been her strongest area.
He wasn't stingy. Light flickered at his fingertips, and a series of complex magical rune formulas floated in the air, displayed before Flamme.
"These were indeed my initial concepts. They are much more complex than what is in modern grimoires. If you are interested, you can research them, but remember not to be rash. Many structures are unstable."
Flamme stared unblinkingly at the flowing runes, imprinting them deeply into her mind.
Her heart beat slightly faster. She could feel that these original formulas were exactly the key parts missing from Carlo's draft.
"Thank you, Master!" Flamme suppressed her excitement and bowed respectfully.
"No problem."
After Flamme quickly copied the runes into her notebook, Rhodes dispersed the magic and checked the time. "That will be all. The Association is in your hands for now."
He turned to leave.
Just as his hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at the red-haired girl still standing there.
Sunlight streamed in from the window, plating her in a soft halo. Rhodes was silent for a moment, then spoke softly.
"Flamme."
"Master?" Flamme looked up.
"I..." Rhodes seemed to weigh his words carefully. "I really like the way you are now. Focused on the path of magic, finding your own way. It is very good."
His tone was sincere, carrying the praise and gratification of a teacher for an outstanding student.
If it were the old Flamme, hearing Master Rhodes say this, she would have been overjoyed, feeling all her efforts had been rewarded and her adoration responded to.
But the current Flamme understood.
She understood that the "like" in Master Rhodes's mouth was the appreciation of an elder for a prized pupil. More cynically, it was the approval of a work of art that met expectations.
It had absolutely nothing to do with romantic love.
In fact, it was because she had put away those unwanted feelings and become sensible that he felt this "liking" and relief.
A sharp sourness and stinging pain erupted in her chest.
Her teeth subconsciously bit her lower lip, hard enough to almost taste blood. Her hands hanging by her sides clenched quietly, nails digging deep into her palms.
But she endured it in the end.
All the turbulence in her heart was forcibly suppressed back into the depths of her eyes.
Flamme lowered her head slightly, avoiding Rhodes's gaze, and answered in the steadiest voice possible, "It is my honor as a disciple to receive Master's approval."
Rhodes seemed unaware of her momentary anomaly—or perhaps he chose not to notice. He nodded and finally turned to leave.
The door closed gently.
Only Flamme remained in the laboratory.
She maintained her head-bowed posture, unmoving for a long time.
Her clenched fists slowly loosened, the crescent-moon indentations on her palms clearly visible.
She raised her head. Her eyes were calm, but deep within lay a profound obsession.
It doesn't matter.
As long as I have these...
Carlo, do not disappoint me.
She sincerely hoped that the mage, whose persistence bordered on stupidity, could use this key to open the door to the unknown domain.
For his wish, and for her own liberation and proof.
Meanwhile, Rhodes found Ela.
The blonde elven girl looked travel-worn. She had just returned from a trip to the Elven Kingdom via teleportation to research the Holy Sword Estorion for Rhodes.
The door to her room wasn't closed. Ela was sitting at her desk, organizing the materials in her hand with intense focus.
"Lord Rhodes!" Seeing Rhodes appear, Ela stood up immediately. "I was just about to look for you."
"I came to see how your progress is." Rhodes's gaze fell on the materials in her hand. "And to tell you that Serie and I will be leaving the Association soon to head south for some business."
"South? To that Unified Empire?" Ela had obviously heard rumors from various channels and made the connection instantly. "Is it because of their recent abnormal movements?"
"Something like that." Rhodes didn't elaborate, instead asking, "What about you? Any discoveries?"
At the mention of this, Ela's spirit lifted immediately. She picked up the materials, her tone excited. "Lord Rhodes, you won't believe it. In the library of the Elven Kingdom, I actually found records regarding Estorion!"
Rhodes's heart moved, and he immediately took the documents.
The text was in extremely ancient Elvish, mixed with even older symbols, but Ela had thoughtfully provided translations underneath, making it easy to read.
"These records are very vague, more like fragments of stories pieced together," Ela explained from the side. "It mentions that the Hero's Sword, Estorion, was not born in the Mythical Era, but had already appeared in the even more distant Primordial Era."
She pointed to a extremely crude map. "Moreover, it mentions a general direction. Somewhere in a 'Sunken Land' in the South."
"Although the place names here have long been lost, by cross-referencing with other data, we can deduce a rough area."
Rhodes carefully examined the information and the blurry map. Although there were still no precise coordinates, this was undoubtedly a huge breakthrough.
It narrowed the search range from the entire continent to a specific region in the South—which happened to be in the same direction as his upcoming journey.
"Well done, Ela!" Rhodes praised sincerely. "You have worked hard."
Receiving Rhodes's affirmation, Ela nodded heavily, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"However, Master, if you and Lady Serie are going to the Southern Empire, please be careful," Ela said with concern.
"Mn, I know. While we are gone, everything in the Association is left to you and Flamme, including mage exams. Unless it is for First-Class, you two can decide."
"I understand."
"By the way, I heard from Serie last time that you wanted to go to the northern battlefield?"
"Mmh-hmm. I haven't fought in a long time. My magical skills feel rusty."
Looking at Ela's eagerness for battle, Rhodes couldn't help but smile. As expected of a disciple taught by Serie.
However, the threat of the demons in the North was not a negligible issue.
"Endure it for a bit longer. We will discuss the demons in the North after Serie and I return."
"Okay!" Ela nodded vigorously.
Rhodes knew he had to clarify the Southern Empire's plot and find the Hero's Sword as quickly as possible so he could head North with peace of mind.
But this time, Serie would be with him.
The road ahead was unknown. He had to protect her well. He absolutely could not let her step into that prophesied future.
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