Listening to Fern's promise, Nozomi's heart suddenly burned with anticipation.
"Fern, you really mean everything? Anything's possible?"
The purple-haired magician met his gaze, her violet eyes shimmering with certainty. "Of course. A true magician never makes promises lightly. Once we give our word, we follow through—no matter what."
Seeing her determined expression, Nozomi couldn't help but let out a breath, half-sigh, half-chuckle. "You and Frieren… you two are really close."
"Naturally," Fern answered softly, her gaze drifting for a moment as memories flickered behind her eyes. "Lady Frieren raised me. Ever since I was little, I've been by her side. She's not just my teacher or guardian… she's my only family."
Nozomi's smile softened. "And now?"
Fern huffed lightly and rolled her eyes. "Now? Well… Mr. Nozomi is also a part of my family. That is—if you can convince Lady Frieren to stay… and marry you."
Nozomi blinked, then nodded seriously. "Challenge accepted. I'll do everything I can."
Fern smirked, giving him a playful little shove. "Then go. Please make Lady Frieren smile."
Taking a deep breath, Nozomi opened the door quietly and stepped inside. The room was still and serene. There, seated in an armchair by the window, was Frieren, her silver twin ponytails cascading like starlight down her shoulders.
Nozomi walked slowly, his footsteps soft. Coming up behind her, he reached out and gently pressed a finger against her temple.
"Ah... nnh…"
Frieren let out a soft, surprised sound and closed her eyes, her posture relaxing instantly under his touch.
Nozomi's lips curved upward. "You really let your guard down around me, huh? What if I were an assassin sneaking up behind you?"
Her voice, calm and laced with lazy amusement, answered him. "I felt no malice."
"I'm an elf magician, remember? I sensed you the moment you touched the door. Besides... the magic in you has grown stronger and denser. You shine like a beacon to my senses."
Nozomi chuckled, even as his fingers worked skillfully along her temple. "So, I have no secrets in front of Frieren, huh? That's kind of discouraging."
Frieren opened one eye and gave him a sleepy glare. "Hmph, just keep massaging. It feels nice."
She leaned her head slightly to the side, guiding his touch, her silver hair brushing against his cheek like strands of silk.
"You're still a mystery to me, Nozomi," she murmured. "That bizarre treasure chest you carry, your uncanny adaptation to the blood of the dragon, your steady control despite the risks of dragonification…"
He stilled slightly. "You've already studied me, haven't you? I'm like a lab specimen to you."
"Obviously," she said matter-of-factly. "You're not like the humans here. There's something... different in your essence."
"And what exactly is this 'dragonification' you mentioned?"
Frieren let out a slow breath, speaking with quiet clarity. "In our world, when ordinary beings are suddenly infused with the dragon's magic, they're overwhelmed. Their minds collapse. Their bodies warp. They become puppets, vessels of cursed power."
"Fern avoided this because she was born with magical aptitude. Her body could gradually adapt. But you? You absorbed it instantly. Your body and soul didn't just endure it—they claimed it. If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I'd say it was impossible."
Nozomi paused, then smirked. "So… based on your professional diagnosis, could I transform into a dragon now if I really pushed myself?"
Frieren let out a long-suffering sigh as he cupped her face and gently rubbed it with his palms.
Frieren's cheeks were soft and warm, pleasantly squishy under Nozomi's gentle touch. As he playfully squished her face between his hands, Frieren sighed with a lazy expression but gave him a mock-glare full of tsundere energy.
"Don't be naughty," she muttered, puffing out her cheeks. "My face is going to turn into mochi at this rate."
Nozomi chuckled. "Heh, but mochi Frieren sounds kind of cute."
She gave him a side glance, clearly unamused, but secretly enjoying the attention.
"So," Nozomi began, slowly withdrawing his hands, "since you sensed Fern and I outside the door... did you happen to overhear our little conversation?"
Frieren blinked innocently. "Nope. I'm an elf magician, not an eavesdropping spirit. Just because I have long ears doesn't mean I use them like that."
She tilted her head, smiling like a cat that just knocked over a vase.
"Magic perception is one thing," she added. "But I don't go poking around in private conversations."
Nozomi pouted. She was totally lying!
But… if she refused to admit it, he wasn't going to press the issue and dig his own grave.
He changed the subject, pressing gently on her slender shoulders. "Miss Frieren, let's get down to it. I heard you've been... kind of down lately?"
Frieren blinked. "What? Who said that—was it Fern?"
"Yup, she told me herself. Isn't it true?"
The silver-haired elf immediately shook her head, twin tails swaying. "N-no! I'm not depressed. Not even a little!"
Nozomi squinted. "Then what do you call slumping in a chair, staring blankly at the ceiling like you just watched a tragedy anime marathon? Fern said she mentioned a certain 'hero' and you went all silent. So… was he someone special to you?"
Frieren looked at him with wide eyes. It clicked. Ah—he's jealous?
After spending time browsing Earth's internet, Frieren had learned enough to recognize it.
She found it… strangely adorable.
After thinking it through, she replied with a soft expression: "He was special. He invited me to join his party on the journey to defeat the Demon King."
"But I didn't truly understand him or anyone in the group. I was always aloof, living carefree. I thought that because I was an elf with a long lifespan, it was pointless to form lasting bonds with humans."
Her voice grew quieter.
"I've been running from that truth."
She then noticed the subtle change in Nozomi's face—his lowered gaze, the faint shadow over his expression.
"Why do you look so gloomy?" she asked, tilting her head.
Nozomi sighed dramatically. "Because no matter what I do, I'll never beat a dead guy in your heart. I mean, if I could travel through time, I'd go back and steal you away myself! The hero wouldn't stand a chance!"
His words, filled with both humor and sincerity, caught Frieren off guard.
Then, she burst into laughter.
"You're such an idiot, Nozomi," she giggled, eyes sparkling. "What are you even jealous of?"
She leaned in, her gaze tender.
"Maybe I only came to understand the hero's feelings for me in the ten years after he passed... but he can never compare to you."
Her cheeks turned a faint pink.
"You're the first man to treat me the way you do. You're... irreplaceable."
"So stop sulking. I wasn't brooding because of the hero."
"I've just finally completed my card magic research. I condensed every spell I know into magic cards. And now, I wanted to slack off for a while, back to being the lazy elf magician you know and love."
Nozomi blinked. "So… no tragic mourning arc?"
"Nope. Just post-project burnout."
She leaned back lazily into the chair again. "Though, if you're offering comfort, I won't say no..."