Gut spoke while showing Serie a ring in his hand.
Speaking of which, this was something his teacher had given him when recruiting disciples in the Holy Capital, just to save herself some trouble.
Because the ring was inscribed with part of her Barrier Magic formula, not only could he freely enter and exit barriers with this item, but he could also make minor adjustments to already deployed barrier magic.
Serie's original intention was to have Gut use this item to help her maintain the examination environment.
But during their subsequent outdoor journey, she found that leaving her disciples a "key" to open barriers seemed quite convenient too.
Not only did it facilitate night watch rotations, but when disciples needed to temporarily enter or exit barriers, they didn't need to ask for her permission, so she never took the ring back.
But she never expected that a moment of laziness would lead to this current awkward situation.
She really was... slow to realize things.
"Teacher, since senior sister's diary has been completely restored, how about we read it together?"
Looking at the gift in his teacher's hands that had been restored to its original state, Gut made a suggestion.
But Serie's brow furrowed slightly after hearing this, her expression somewhat hesitant.
From her silent demeanor, she obviously wasn't very willing.
Seeing this, Gut had to add more pressure. He stepped forward a few paces, leaned close to the elf's ear and whispered softly:
"Teacher, you wouldn't want this matter to be known by your other disciples, would you?"
Serie: ...
"Are you threatening me?" The elf's expression darkened, magical power slowly stirring within her body.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Gut immediately raised both hands in surrender.
"I'm just somewhat curious about how a legendary great mage like senior sister would spend her daily life, and what kind of content she would record in her diary."
"What could be interesting about Flamme's daily life? Probably just magical research." Serie pursed her lips. "Besides, I'm also a great mage."
"If you have a special fascination with the title Great Mage, observing me would be the same."
"It's different." Gut shook his head in denial.
"How could it be different?" The elf raised an eyebrow, retorting: "In terms of achievements, I'm not inferior to Flamme; in terms of combat power, she's still far from my level."
"But you're too lazy to have the habit of writing a diary."
Serie: ...
The air fell into deathly silence.
After a moment, the elf sighed helplessly, sat down holding her disciple Flamme's diary, and patted the empty space beside her.
"Since you insist on reading it, sit beside me."
"Though I don't think Flamme would write anything interesting."
"As you command."
Gut ignored his teacher's subsequent muttering. After getting permission, he sat down right next to the elf's porcelain-white legs.
Then both focused their attention on the diary's contents.
[A certain year, a certain month, a certain day, weather: sunny]
This should be how diary entries start, right? (That's right, I asked master)
Today, I finally learned Magic of Blooming Flowers. Although I'm tired, I'm very happy.
...
Master stayed in bed again, so cute!
I want to keep one.
...
Later, I learned to teach students following your example.
But do all elves like staying in bed?
...
Although master doesn't seem to like Frieren very much.
But I believe that child is the mage who will usher in the age of peace.
...
Frieren, did she sense that I was getting old?
Perhaps so, since I can no longer hide the white hairs on my head.
...
Temperature dropped suddenly, body feels unwell.
Thinking carefully, I haven't returned to visit master in a long time.
Always thinking I'd go back after some time, after finishing current matters, after passing this milestone.
But thinking this way, unknowingly my duties and position no longer allow me to leave.
Master's voice and appearance, past beautiful memories, have even become a source of fear for me.
Flamme, you really are a heartless person.
...
Today's weather is so nice, I've completed my work.
Even this thick diary, I've written to the last page.
...
Unknowingly, the sunlight outside had become less bright.
As night gradually fell, a "click" sound came from the side room.
The magic-powered lamps uniformly purchased by the association began operating, providing stable and bright light for the room.
But Serie seemed oblivious to this, continuing to flip through the diary in her hands until... she finished the last page.
Then, with the same expression, she closed it and set it aside.
She showed no trace of sadness, nor spoke any words of sentiment.
She just sat there silently, looking at the blooming flowers around her, saying nothing.
Beside her, Gut watched his teacher's demeanor. After hesitating for a few seconds, he moved closer to the elf, letting her lean against him, and whispered softly in her ear:
"Teacher, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
The elf sighed deeply, then straightened up, even her expression returning to normal.
"Just some feelings."
"Indeed, I shouldn't have taken human disciples."
"Teacher..." Gut bit his lip, unsure what to say.
"It's getting late, you should go rest." The elf waved her hand at her disciple, indicating that Gut should leave first.
As for herself, she'd stay among the flowers a while longer.
"Alright."
Gut, who had been silent moments before, suddenly had an idea.
He left obediently at first, but returned again after a few minutes.
Making eye contact with Serie, who was using Repair Magic [Reparo] to restore Flamme's letter.
"Didn't I tell you to leave?"
Seeing her disciple repair the cracks in the letter until it was like new, Serie held it in her hand, somewhat irritably questioning the returning Gut.
And Gut, having again caught the elf in the act, could only smile. At this moment, it was better not to tease his teacher.
"What are you hiding behind your back? Take it out and show me."
Since Gut had already seen her with the diary, there was no point hiding this too. Breaking the pot, Serie noticed Gut's hands behind his back and proactively asked.
Gut took this opportunity to bring out the pillow he'd just gotten from the association staff.
"A... pillow?"
Serie looked at her disciple's item with a strange expression, asking puzzledly:
"Why did you bring a pillow here?"
Hearing the elf's question, Gut calmly took out the Good Dream Pillow item and began explaining to Serie.
"Teacher, this is a magical artifact I just obtained that has a relaxing effect on the mind."
"Could you help me test it?"
As Gut spoke, he activated the Good Dream Pillow item, adding a Good Dream effect to the pillow he'd brought.
"Another item from another world..."
Seeing the "magical artifact" glowing in her disciple's hands, Serie's eyes narrowed slightly, roughly guessing something.
But since Gut had brought it out, it showed his good intentions.
He was probably worried about her emotional state and wanted to use the item to help her relax.
So Serie didn't question it further. After taking the pillow from Gut's hands, she lay down among the flowers using it.
As for why she wasn't worried about any anomalies in the pillow's magic?
First, regarding Gut, Serie had complete trust and didn't believe this disciple would harm her.
Second, at the level of her consciousness, she had already deployed extremely comprehensive defensive spells.
Whether it was mind control magic with known casting principles, or curses with unknown principles, she could defend against or reflect them.
Therefore, Serie lay down very peacefully.
She even patted the pillow a few times to achieve her preferred fluffiness, then spread Flamme's diary over her stomach, closed her eyes, and let her thoughts gradually slow.
But the elf always felt something was missing.
After a moment, Serie opened her eyes and instructed her disciple beside her: "Gut, come massage my ears."
"Just massaging the ears?"
"Exactly, I just experienced Flamme's technique."
"Teacher..." Gut looked somewhat speechless, then asked: "Don't you think that request is a bit inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? You've done this countless times before." Seeing her disciple's expression, Serie felt puzzled.
At this time, would the ancient special service count as daily life?
"Alright."
Following his teacher's instructions, Gut used her favorite massage style.
In the previous calm atmosphere, combined with Gut's service bringing soft voices and the Repair Magic [Reparo] fixing the beautiful handwriting in Flamme's letter, Serie gradually relaxed.
"Can't you massage faster?"
Looking at her disciple's gentle massage technique, Serie asked with some dissatisfaction.
"After all, your practical experience isn't as rich as mine."
Gut responded with a small voice, wanting to maintain the current atmosphere, but also not wanting to upset his teacher's mood.
"Actually, teacher, don't be too hard on our practical skills. After all, senior sister's technique back then wasn't necessarily better than ours."
"Hmm?"
Serie was puzzled, then asked: "Aside from techniques in massage, what else could there be?"
"Actually, it depends on the person."
"Really?" Gut nodded seriously. "Up to now, senior sister and your coexistence time should have been longer."
"This is true, but..."
"Flamme was more face-saving than you."
"That child at most secretly touched me when I was sleeping, or gently pinched during the brief moments when waking me up, unlike you who regularly requests massages for me."
Gut: ...
After a moment of silence, Gut finally thought of a direction for counterattack.
So he slightly increased the pressure, getting his teacher's attention before returning to normal, and said:
"Actually, senior sister's technique might not have remained unchanged."
"After all, Senior Sister Flamme had... other elves outside!"
Serie: ...
The elf turned her face toward the pillow, apparently wanting to end this topic.
And having gotten even in this exchange, Gut naturally complied with his teacher's wishes, tactfully dropping the subject.
For a time, the association's side room became quiet again, with only two breathing sounds and the subtle friction of ear massage.
Watching his teacher's relaxed brow and gentle, calm breathing under his service, Gut slowed his movements even more.
Just as Gut thought he was about to hear Serie's soft snoring, he heard his teacher speak again.
But this time, she carried strong drowsiness, even speaking intermittently.
"Gut... I remember you said before... you could live a long time, right?"
"That's right, teacher."
"Then... live a few more days."
[Ding!]
A gentle, crisp sound suddenly came from nearby.
Gut startled, initially thinking the system had suddenly triggered some notification.
But after calming down and calling up the system interface, he found no message notifications.
Thinking carefully, that notification sound seemed different from the system's and came from outside.
Recalling the sound's direction, Gut searched and found that the notification came from his temporarily set-aside item - the Good Dream Pillow.
Picking it up, he saw it was an item notification that someone under the Good Dream effect had successfully triggered a beautiful dream from the future.
So the one experiencing the future dream was... Serie?
Gut looked at his teacher, who was in a dream state under his massage, becoming curious.
Teacher, what kind of scene would you dream of?
Meanwhile, in Serie's dream.
"Unqualified, next one."
At the Continental Magic Association's Äußerst branch side room, she boredly dismissed another candidate who feared her magical reaction and called for the next one to enter.
Outside the door, Frieren nervously prepared to push the door open and face Serie's examination directly.
Just then, a young figure appeared beside Frieren, waving a fist to cheer her on.
Seeing this, Frieren's mood calmed considerably. She said to the young figure: "Don't worry, Teacher Flamme, I'll definitely pass this time."
"Of course." The young Flamme beside her affirmed.
After walking along a path full of flowers and plants, Frieren appeared before her.
"We meet again, Frieren."
"I'll give you another chance. Tell me, what's your favorite magic?"
"Magic that can defeat the great mage Serie."
She was silent for a moment. This was indeed the type of answer she wanted to hear, but why... did it feel somewhat odd coming from Frieren?
Never mind, forget it.
Frieren's abilities were up to standard, and her character had no problems. She was qualified for the title of First-Class Mage.
So she passed Frieren's examination.
Beside them, Flamme came over, placing her hand on Frieren's shoulder and smiling happily.
Seeing this scene made her somewhat happy too, but why did she always feel Flamme's presence... somewhat off?
Forget it, never mind.
"By the way, Serie, I have something to tell you."
The newly passed Frieren was somewhat impertinent, directly calling her by name, though she didn't particularly mind.
Instead, what followed surprised her.
"My disciple Fern - that child will far exceed your imagination."
"The human era has already arrived."
When did Frieren have a disciple? And a human one at that.
As she puzzled over this, a young human mage walked in, staring at her magical power for a long time, unable to move.
"What do you mean 'far exceed my imagination'? This is the same as other candidates."
"Wait, what are you staring at?"
But no matter how she asked about the system interface, she received no answer.
After thinking about it, she realized this was likely something from the outside world.
Returning to the sound's direction, Gut found that the one making the notification was his temporarily set aside item - Good Dream Pillow.
Picking it up to look, it was an item prompt that someone under the Good Dream effect had successfully triggered a beautiful dream from the future.
So that means the one dreaming of the future was... Teacher Serie.
Gut looked toward his teacher, who was in a dream state during his massage, becoming curious.
Teacher, what kind of scene would she dream about?
Meanwhile, in Serie's dream.
"Unqualified, next."
Continental Magic Association, Äußerst branch side room. She boredly sent away another candidate terrified by her magical reaction and called for the next to enter.
Outside the main door, Frieren stood somewhat nervously, preparing to push the door and directly face Serie's examination.
Just then, a young figure appeared beside Frieren, waving a fist to encourage her.
Seeing this, Frieren's mood settled down considerably. She told the young figure: "Don't worry, Teacher Flamme, I'll definitely pass this time."
"Of course." The young Flamme beside her affirmed.
After going around a flower-filled path, Frieren appeared before her.
"We meet again, Frieren."
"I'll give you one more chance. Tell me what your favorite magic is."
"Magic that can defeat Great Mage Serie."
She fell silent for a while. This was indeed the type of answer she wanted to hear, but why... did it feel somewhat discordant coming from Frieren's mouth?
Never mind.
Frieren's ability was adequate, her character was fine - she qualified for First-Class Mage status.
So she passed Frieren's examination.
Nearby, Flamme walked over, placed her hand on Frieren's shoulder, and smiled happily.
She was also happy seeing this, but why did she always feel Flamme's presence was... somewhat off.
Never mind.
"By the way, Serie, I have something to tell you."
The newly qualified Frieren spoke quite familiarly, directly calling her name, though she didn't particularly care.
Rather, her subsequent words surprised her.
"My disciple Fern will far exceed your expectations."
"The human era has already come."
When did Frieren get a disciple? And a human one?
During her confusion, a young human mage entered, staring at her magical power for a long time without moving.
"What exceeds my expectations? This looks the same as other candidates."
"Wait, what are you staring at?"
"Your magical power... is fluctuating."
She was shocked. Since ancient times, there had been only two people among all candidates who could see through her hidden magical state.
The one before her, and also...
Who else was there?
Never mind.
No, this won't do. She had to remember.
That person... that person was...
Outside the dream.
Gut, gently massaging the elf's ears, noticed his teacher's brow had actually furrowed.
"This shouldn't be right. Teacher should be experiencing a beautiful dream. Why would her brow furrow?"
Gut somewhat puzzledly smoothed the wrinkles between Serie's brow, and the elf's dream-like murmur also sounded at this moment.
"My disciple is... Gut."