Chapter 271: Flamme, Who Takes Care of Serie
But upon closer reflection, it's not entirely incomprehensible that a first-level mage would leave the association.
After all, the other party has already obtained the highest-level mage certificate from the association. It has also obtained the magic they wanted from Lady Serie, so there is really no need for them to stay in the association any longer.
Of course, if the man in front of you wants to hold an important position in the association, that's another story.
Ryder looked surprised, his eyes widening slightly. "Mr. Carlo, you really don't care about the situation on the mainland at all!"
He leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to convey urgency. "Something big has happened in the north. The demon army suddenly launched a massive attack, reportedly destroying several human cities, leaving only one struggling to hold on."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle. "Because the incident happened so suddenly, the news hasn't spread completely yet, but at least the central government of the mainland already knows about it, and it shouldn't be long before it spreads throughout the entire mainland."
His voice became more deliberate. "The Kingdom of El and the Saint Katia Magic Academy have now joined forces and are urgently dispatching mages to provide support. Although the association hasn't officially mobilized yet, many powerful mages are already preparing to go voluntarily."
He straightened, his own resolve evident in his posture. "I also plan to do my part."
Carlo was stunned, his entire frame stiffening. This news came as a complete shock to him. "The demons, the demons have invaded? Is it that serious?"
He pushed his glasses up nervously, searching Ryder's face for confirmation. Similar incidents have occurred before, but the fact that the Kingdom of El and the Saint Katia Magic Academy have joined forces at the same time shows just how serious the situation is.
"It seems you really don't know." Ryder smiled helplessly, shaking his head. "The news is currently being controlled to some extent to avoid causing widespread panic, but I don't think it can be kept secret for long."
He tilted his head slightly, studying Carlo with curiosity mixed with concern. "So, Mr. Carlo, would you be interested in going up north together? I've heard the fighting there is quite fierce."
He was just asking casually; judging from Carlo's appearance and demeanor, he didn't seem like a combatant.
Carlo immediately shook his head vigorously, his entire body recoiling from the suggestion. "No, no! I'm better at theoretical research. I don't have your strength. In fact, being a second-level mage is my limit."
He pushed his glasses up again, a nervous habit. He is very self-aware. Although with his talent, if he were to start studying offensive magic now and accumulate decades of experience and magical power, he might still be able to pass the Level 1 Mage exam, but Carlo didn't intend to do that.
He straightened slightly, his voice becoming more resolute. "I have decided to dedicate my life to studying Kurtz's manuscripts."
"I understand." Ryder nodded, his expression showing genuine acceptance rather than disappointment. "Research talents like you are also very important. Without you, many magic books would not have been passed down."
He turned slightly, his gaze becoming distant as he recalled something. "There are quite a few similar mages in Saint Katia. I heard that one of them is very famous. If it weren't for the fact that Lady Serie's assessments were all focused on practical combat, he probably would have come to our association long ago."
He turned back to Carlo with a self-deprecating smile. "To be honest, I'm quite an oddball in this assessment; I only know how to defend and don't know any offensive magic at all."
He gave a quiet laugh at the end, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Fortunately, Lady Serie kept her promise and gave me the magic I had always wanted."
"I had assumed that with that person's discerning eye and pursuit of individual strength among mages, they would dislike a mage like myself who only knew how to defend."
Just then, a clear voice interrupted their conversation. "Mr. Carlo, long time no see. Has your research made any progress?"
The two turned around, and Carlo's face brightened immediately.
Flamme walked over with a thick book cradled carefully in her arms, a gentle smile gracing her face as she greeted Carlo first.
She seemed to have just come back from outside, as she had a rather large package hanging from her waist. Her movements showed the weariness of someone managing multiple responsibilities.
"Miss Flamme," Carlo quickly replied, his enthusiasm evident. "We're still working on it. We've made some progress, but we haven't broken through the key point yet."
Ryder looked at the unfamiliar red-haired woman before him, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. He noticed that there were no rank badges on Flamme's mage robes, but anyone who could appear in this level of the library should at least be a second-level mage.
Moreover, he had some impression of this woman; she seemed to appear in the library often, and he had seen her from afar. At that time, because they were far apart and didn't know each other, Ryder thought the other person was also a level two mage.
But now that he saw that the other person didn't have the corresponding badge, he suddenly felt a little strange.
Flamme keenly sensed Ryder's confusion and proactively explained with a smile. Her tone was warm but carried an undercurrent of quiet authority. "Hello, I am Flamme, and I am a student of Teacher Serie. I did not participate in the ranking assessment. Teacher Serie said... I don't need those badges to prove anything for the time being."
Her tone was flat, as if she were talking about something very natural. In fact, with her current strength, only Kurtz and Serie can reliably defeat her across the entire continent. Even Ayla can no longer beat Flamme.
Upon hearing this, Ryder was immediately filled with respect. His entire posture shifted, straightening with deference.
Serie's disciple! This identity itself represents everything.
He immediately said, bowing slightly, "I see. My apologies, Miss Flamme." He thought to himself, As expected of that elven saint's disciple, she is indeed extraordinary.
Flamme smiled and turned her gaze to Ryder's previous topic. Her expression became slightly more serious, clearly indicating that she was aware of the matter. "Were you talking about the Northern Demons just now?"
"Yes," Ryder nodded, his voice steady despite the weight of the topic. "The situation seems very bad, and I'm preparing to go and provide support."
Flamme sighed softly, her entire frame seeming to settle under an invisible burden. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions that flickered across her face like shadows.
During this period, she was bossed around by Teacher Serie, running errands, handling miscellaneous tasks, and even instructing students on her behalf. Moreover, the teacher's attitude was much stricter and colder than before.
But Flamme knew in her heart that her teacher did not really dislike her. Perhaps she was just angry.
After all, she had been competing with the other person for a man. If it were anyone else, they would be lucky if they hadn't been beaten to death on the spot.
As time went by, Flamme matured and was no longer the impulsive young girl she once was.
Therefore, the thought that she had used that unfinished forbidden spell on her teacher, Serie, filled Flamme with deep regret and shame.
Whatever the reason, that was not something a disciple should do to her teacher. She would rather the teacher give her a severe punishment or even beat her, as that would make her feel much better.
Moreover, Kurtz has been elusive lately, and it's unclear what he's been up to.
She shifted the package on her waist, her movements showing practiced efficiency, worn down by repetition.
Initially, the task of overseeing Lady Serie's daily life and handling trivial matters was primarily the responsibility of Kurtz. Now that he has disappeared, these burdens naturally fall on Flamme's shoulders.
As for Ayla and Frieren, she allowed herself a wry internal smile, they're lucky if they can even take care of themselves.
As Flamme's thoughts drifted, a weariness settling into the depths of her gaze, Ryder's voice pulled her back to reality. "...So, although it's dangerous, I feel it's my responsibility as a mage to go to the front lines and contribute my strength."
Flamme nodded, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the window. She turned to look north, her red eyes reflecting the distant light. A vague sense of unease rose in her heart, settling there like a stone in still water.
The empire in the south is in turmoil, the demons in the north are making a comeback, and her two teachers seem to be hiding their own secrets.
She stood silently for a long moment, her reflection in the window showing a young woman bearing far more weight than her years should allow.
At this moment, all she can do is take care of the association's affairs and continue to improve herself. She straightened her shoulders deliberately, as if physically supporting the burden she carried, and turned back to face her companions with a composed expression.
[End of Chapter]
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