Chapter 367: Expanding the Range of Activity
Although Kurtz allowed Solis to follow him around, his daily life was actually incredibly monotonous. Aside from conducting research, he spent nearly all of his remaining time with the Elf Miss.
If that were all, Solis still might have been able to gradually learn something about human emotions.
Unfortunately, Serie was entirely unwilling to tolerate it.
She simply could not endure having a ghost-like presence lingering nearby during the sweet moments she could spend alone with Kurtz.
Just like now.
Solis stood quietly in the corridor outside Kurtz's room, her calm eyes fixed on the tightly shut door before her.
Only a few seconds earlier, that very door had closed swiftly behind her, cutting her off completely.
After Serie declared in an impatient yet unquestionable tone that there was "important magical research requiring absolute silence today," she had directly used magic to blast Solis out of the room.
Standing outside the entrance, Solis lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
It seemed she would not be able to continue her observations today.
Some instinct deep within her also vaguely warned that continuing to observe the interactions between Kurtz and Serie might prove life-threatening.
So where should she go next?
Kurtz had not fully lifted the restrictions placed upon her, meaning there were very few places she could actually visit.
She could not even enter the Association's Library.
Her only choices were to remain outside the door and wait or return to the basement.
After briefly considering it, Solis ultimately decided to head back underground and see how things looked tomorrow instead.
On her way back to the basement, however, she encountered familiar figures.
Flamme.
Frieren.
And another beautiful woman with pale blonde hair—Olivia.
Flamme held Frieren's small hand as they walked together. Frieren still wore her usual expressionless face, but the slight upward curl at the corner of her lips made it obvious she was in an unusually good mood today.
Unfortunately, the moment she noticed Solis, her good mood disappeared entirely. Her lips immediately flattened into a small pout.
Olivia walked along Flamme's opposite side. The moment she saw Solis, her eyes narrowed slightly as well.
During this period of time, Olivia had also been quietly observing the demon girl. After all, a Demon possessing holy power was something unprecedented in history.
Combined with the fact that Solis entirely lacked the cruelty and cunning normally associated with Demons, perhaps she truly could become an important key to reshaping demon biology in the future—just as Kurtz had once suggested.
Flamme was the first to speak after noticing Solis descending the stairs alone.
Her steps paused slightly, and surprise briefly crossed her face. "Solis? Why are you here? What about Teacher Kurtz...?"
She clearly remembered that Solis had still been together with Teacher Kurtz on the top floor earlier that morning. Why was she suddenly down here alone?
Solis stopped walking and answered honestly. "Lady Serie stated that important magical research requiring complete silence was being conducted today. My continued presence would interfere, so I was told not to disturb them."
Flamme immediately understood.
Teacher Serie had most likely used magical research as an excuse after finally losing patience with Solis constantly acting as a third wheel.
Unexpectedly, the realization allowed Flamme to understand some of her own feelings a little better as well.
She first glanced toward Frieren, whose dislike of Solis was written plainly across her face, then shifted her gaze to Solis's calm, emotionless expression.
A thought suddenly emerged in her mind.
If Solis remained confined within the Association forever, surrounded only by Magicians, magical research, and repetitive daily routines, then perhaps her ability to understand broader human emotions would remain extremely limited.
Since Teacher Kurtz had already allowed her to observe human behavior, perhaps expanding her range of activity to include ordinary human life might also be a worthwhile approach.
Besides, both she and Senior Olivia were present today.
A mere Solis would not be able to cause any trouble in front of them.
Although Olivia appeared gentle and refined, her strength was unfathomable. She was, after all, a legendary figure who had once fought alongside Teacher Kurtz to slay a God.
After reaching her conclusion, Flamme spoke again. "I see. So you're planning to return to the basement now?"
Solis nodded quietly. "Hmm..."
Flamme gently squeezed Frieren's hand. "Frieren, Senior Olivia, and I were planning to head to the market district in the western part of the Imperial Capital to buy a few things. Would you like to come with us?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Frieren's small face immediately darkened. Her emerald eyes filled with resistance as she tugged forcefully on Flamme's hand.
"Flamme, I don't want to go with her!"
Her instinctive sense of discomfort and rejection toward Solis had never weakened. In fact, part of Frieren even felt that if Solis were ever to lose control someday, she would finally have a perfectly legitimate reason to eliminate her.
Olivia also frowned slightly, her gaze shifting toward Flamme with clear questioning. She, too, understood the danger Solis represented.
Even though the girl consistently appeared harmless and obedient, demons were still demons. No one could predict when something might suddenly go wrong.
Faced with Frieren's opposition and Olivia's silent doubts, Flamme did not retreat.
First, she gave Olivia a reassuring look before kneeling to meet Frieren at eye level.
"Frieren," she explained patiently, "Solis is trying to learn. She's trying to understand humans. If she's locked inside the Association forever, she'll never truly learn anything."
"Today, both Senior Olivia and I will be present. Nothing will happen."
"And besides," Flamme added gently, "Master Serie's restrictions are still active. It's impossible for her to attack humans."
Frieren pouted unhappily.
She clearly had little interest in whether Solis would learn to understand humans, but Flamme's calm and patient explanation made it difficult for her to continue refusing outright.
In the end, she simply turned her face away and remained silent in sullen dissatisfaction. That silence was essentially a tacit agreement.
After finally soothing Frieren, Flamme stood back up and turned toward Solis again. "However, Solis, the activity restrictions Teacher Kurtz placed on you—"
"They still exist," Solis interrupted calmly.
"I cannot leave the Association's designated zones. The Imperial Capital lies outside the permitted range."
"I see..."
Flamme fell silent in thought for a moment before finally making a decision. "Wait here for a little while. I'll go ask Teacher Kurtz. If he agrees, perhaps part of those restrictions can be temporarily lifted."
Solis quietly nodded and remained where she stood.
Flamme asked Olivia and Frieren to wait downstairs while she hurried back toward the top floor.
A short while later, she returned holding a silver metal bracelet that emitted faint but unusual magical fluctuations.
"Teacher agreed." Flamme walked over to Solis and showed her the bracelet. "This is a magical suppression tool. Teacher originally intended to have you wear it today so your range of activity could be expanded appropriately. It's just..."
Flamme paused awkwardly for a second. "...he became busy and forgot."
After briefly refining Kurtz's original explanation, she continued. "Once you put this on, all of your magic will be sealed. You'll only retain ordinary physical strength. Furthermore, if you attempt to resist the seal or forcibly break free from its restrictions, it will immediately issue a warning."
Solis's gaze lingered on the bracelet for a moment before she calmly extended her wrist forward.
"Understood."
[End of Chapter]