"My disciple is..."
"Gut."
In the dream, the elf remembered.
But for some reason, as this name appeared, the surrounding environment became somewhat hazy.
So hazy that even the face of this disciple of Frieren before her looked blurred.
"Why is this happening?"
"Never mind, forget it."
Anyway, as Flamme and Body appeared beside her one after another, this abnormal state quickly subsided, and her vision returned to normal.
She could see clearly again, the appearance of this disciple of Frieren.
"You're called... Fern, right?"
"Come be my disciple."
"Eh?"
The human mage before her was obviously stunned for a moment, then became hesitant.
But this time, the disciple's disciple didn't directly refuse the master's master, instead looking around as if searching for someone.
"You're hesitating?"
"Becoming my disciple isn't a bad thing. I can take you to higher realms."
"Even to heights that no mage has ever reached before."
"No... Lady Serie, I'm not trying to refuse."
The magic-robed Fern quickly shook her head, explaining:
"My master is Frieren."
"So I'm thinking, if I agree to become your disciple... I need to ask my teacher's..."
"Don't worry about Frieren."
Thinking of that lazy elf who called her by name directly after passing the examination earlier, I smiled meaningfully.
"You just need to tell me your thoughts."
"As for Frieren's side... let Flamme handle it."
"Is... is that okay?"
Fern was somewhat uncertain, but seeing Frieren's master Flamme nod at her, she gritted her teeth and agreed.
"I'm willing."
"Tsk tsk tsk."
Seeing this scene, I laughed happily.
At the same time, I didn't forget to look toward a corner of the room, where another elf was sitting cross-legged, glaring angrily in this direction.
That expression was just like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away.
Really... interesting.
But Flamme beside me seemed somewhat helpless, saying to me:
"Master, please don't always tease Frieren like this."
"When she gets angry, she's not so easy to coax."
"I remember last time she seemed to cry for two whole days, which really scared me."
"Is that so?" After hearing about this incident, I laughed even louder.
Even her former disciple Fern couldn't help but laugh out loud.
For a moment, the room was filled with joyful atmosphere.
Flamme shook her head helplessly. After laughing twice herself, she walked toward her disciple crouching in the corner.
Fern also seemed to feel somewhat sorry and followed along.
So the two of them flanked Frieren on left and right, comforting their disciple and teacher respectively.
I watched them go with a smile.
Then, I looked at the disciple still standing beside me - Body.
Thanks to the Body Training Method he created, this disciple of mine was robust and strong, standing there more like a warrior than a mage.
And... very young, very spirited.
Not like later in middle age, when his body couldn't withstand the training intensity of the Body Training Method and he forcibly adjusted the cultivation path, resulting in not only failing to continue getting stronger, but also ruining his body.
Always sickly, sitting in a wheelchair, saying nothing.
"Master, what are you thinking about?"
"Why not try practicing the Body Training Method I've researched? With your abilities, you could definitely forge a powerful body."
"That way, even if warriors get close, you wouldn't need to panic."
"I won't practice."
I decisively refused Body's suggestion. "I have no talent for close combat, and..."
"Even if warriors get close, I'm not afraid."
"Why is that, master? Did you develop some extremely defensive magic?"
Body asked somewhat puzzled.
"No need for such trouble."
"Because..."
"By my side, there's someone who inherited your Body Training Method, with physical qualities and limits far superior to yours."
"I see." Body's form dimmed slightly as he scratched his head, then smiled.
"That's wonderful."
"With him by master's side, I don't need to worry anymore."
"And my Body Training Method has been passed down. Indeed, this concept must be correct."
"Hard to say." I shook my head inwardly, thinking to myself.
"This kind of physical training method only worked because it encountered a freak like Gut."
"As for whether it can be passed down, that's really uncertain."
But seeing Body in such high spirits, I didn't want to pour cold water on him.
After all, compared to his future dejection, I preferred this energetic state of his.
"By the way, master."
The enthusiastic Body didn't forget the main business, saying to me:
"Tonight we disciples organized a grand gathering. Everyone made time to come back. You must attend."
"Everyone came back..."
"Good, I'll definitely go."
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the evening gathering.
The gathering was held outdoors, on a mountain ridge blooming with various bright flowers.
Flamme and Fern led the just-pacified disciple/master Frieren to take their seats.
The physically powerful Body single-handedly lifted several wine barrels, showing off his strength to his fellow disciples while promoting his Body Training Method to each of them.
In the distance, those children who died with their spouses in the demons' final counterattack, along with other senior sisters who perished fighting demons, raised their cups in celebration, discussing topics that belonged to girls while occasionally taking bites of the delicious roasted demon meat skewers on the table.
Why only occasionally?
Because they were sitting right next to Gumi.
This girl didn't participate in discussions, just kept her head down eating. And she ate fast and ate a lot, so the food on the table disappeared quickly.
Fortunately, food was supplied quite promptly.
In the kitchen area, quite a few disciples who weren't keen on fighting but enjoyed researching Folk Magic personally participated, using magic to greatly speed up meal preparation.
Really... why did I accept these disciples who weren't enthusiastic about battle and getting stronger?
Especially that one who used magic to wash plates until they were smoking!
The magic to remove stains from clothes completely was developed by this child originally.
Before dying, she even said she wanted to develop magic to remove stains from trophies...
Really doesn't seem like a mage I would teach.
Never mind, I won't think about these things today.
I stepped forward two paces, stood at the main seat of the banquet and raised my wine cup.
The disciples all stood up, smiling as they raised their cups with me.
I swept my gaze across these familiar faces one by one, engraving this beautiful scene in my heart, then...
I opened my eyes.
Even knowing dreams must end, nothing compares to one real meeting.
Though beautiful dreams are wonderful, so wonderful you don't want to wake up, they ultimately can't compare to one real encounter.
Besides, the previous banquet was still missing one disciple.
As a teacher, I can't play favorites.
"Now? Go out for a drink?"
Making eye contact with the elf who had suddenly opened her eyes, Gut was somewhat confused.
What had his teacher dreamed about - "singing karaoke in a villa"? Why such a request?
The elf got up from the ground.
Seeing that she was still surrounded by flowers, she couldn't help but feel momentarily lost.
Then she returned the pillow to her disciple Gut and continued asking:
"How about it? Want to go out and walk around?"
"Alright, I'll go with you."
...
Time passed quickly, and soon they arrived at their evening gathering.
The gathering location was outdoors, on a mountain ridge blooming with various bright flowers.
Flamme and Fern led the freshly comforted disciple/teacher Frieren to their seats.
The physically robust Body single-handedly carried several wine barrels, demonstrating his strength to fellow disciples while personally promoting his self-created Body Training Method.
Seated far away, disciples who had died fighting demons alongside their spouses celebrated with other senior sisters who had fallen in battle, discussing girls' topics while occasionally tasting the delicious demon meat skewers on the table.
Why only occasionally?
Because they sat next to Gumi.
This girl didn't join conversations, just ate with her head down, and she was both fast and had a big appetite, so the table's food disappeared quickly.
Fortunately, food supplies were quite timely.
In the kitchen area, many disciples uninterested in combat but fascinated by Folk Magic research personally participated, using magic to dramatically accelerate cooking.
Really... why did I originally accept disciples who weren't passionate about fighting and growing stronger?
Especially that one using magic to wash dishes until they smoked!
The Magic to Remove All Stains from Clothing was originally developed by that child.
Before dying, she even mentioned wanting to develop Magic to Remove Stains from Trophies...
Doesn't really seem like a mage I'd train.
Forget it, won't think about this today.
I stepped forward two paces, stood at the banquet's head table and raised my wine cup.
All the disciples stood up too, smiling as they raised cups with me.
I looked across these familiar faces one by one, etching this beautiful scene into my heart, then...
Opened my eyes.
Even knowing dreams must end, nothing compares to one real meeting.
Beautiful dreams are wonderful, so wonderful you don't want to wake, but ultimately can't match one genuine encounter.
Moreover, that previous banquet was still missing one disciple.
As a teacher, I mustn't show favoritism.
"Now? Going out for drinks?"
Looking at the elf who suddenly opened her eyes, Gut was somewhat bewildered.
What had teacher dreamed of that made her want to "go out drinking"? Why this request?
The elf rose from the ground.
Seeing the surrounding flower garden, she felt momentarily disoriented.
Then she returned the pillow to disciple Gut and asked again:
"Going to walk around outside?"
"Good, I'll definitely go."
...
[Äußerst · City Square]
In this era with limited entertainment facilities and relatively mild capitalist exploitation, the streets were particularly quiet late at night.
After all, without festivals, there wasn't much to do at night besides eating and drinking.
Plus people had considerable personal time outside work, so there was no need to postpone everything until evening.
Therefore, even though Gut and Serie had reached the city square that was busiest during the day, they could barely see anyone.
But fortunately, their destination was a tavern.
That was one of the few places in the city that remained lively at night.
After turning several blocks from the city square, they reached the street where various taverns clustered.
Just stepping onto this street, Gut's eyes lit up.
But don't misunderstand - what caught Gut's attention wasn't the hardworking ladies at each establishment's entrance.
Even though they wore relatively cool clothing in this cold winter night to attract customers.
What really made Gut's eyes brighten were the bonfires lit in front of each tavern.
Clusters of dancing flames stretched from street head to tail, creating a unique atmosphere.
Beautiful and providing light while creating relatively warm environments outside the taverns.
Giving the customer-attracting bartender ladies confidence to dress coolly, and providing opportunities for some cold-resistant patrons to drink outdoors even in winter.
But Gut had no masochistic tendencies, so he led his teacher directly through a tavern's wooden door.
Under a barmaid's arrangement, the master-disciple pair headed toward the tavern's back area.
Gut originally wanted to find a window-side table for two.
That way, gazing at dancing flames outside while tasting flowing Fire Wine in their cups would be quite pleasant.
But unexpectedly, just entering the tavern's depths, they encountered a bunch of familiar faces.
Looking at Lernen "sleeping" sprawled on the table, Hafka siblings chatting happily with Denken, Zenn huddled in a corner clutching fruit juice, and Ross sitting with a stern face saying little, Gut fell silent...
Äußerst really was small - running into them like this.
While Gut marveled at the coincidence, Serie had already seated herself at this drinking table.
Seeing this, Gut could only grab a chair and join in.
Fortunately this table was large enough that even squeezing in two more people didn't feel crowded.
After seeing the newcomer was Serie, Denken's reaction was undoubtedly the strongest among everyone.
After all, strictly speaking, only he was an outsider at this table.
"Ah!"
Facing Serie's sudden appearance at night, Denken was truly at a loss for words.
He'd been drinking quite comfortably with association staff just moments ago, never expecting such an awkward encounter.
After one more sip of wine, he immediately got up and prepared to leave.
In the tavern, seeing their teacher taking a seat at someone else's table.
The two men looking at her helplessly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Looking at others drinking and chatting merrily under dim lighting while they sat somewhat stiffly at their table - this really wasn't how they'd expected things to go.
What were his teacher's intentions?
"Wait, wait."
Hearing the elf's cold summons, Gut sighed with relief.
In the end, after these developments, he could provide some mediation for this awkward situation.
But unfortunately, in situations requiring him to play peacekeeper, his old friend Lernen was drunk again.
Unlike deliberately getting him drunk during today's negotiations, this time Denken genuinely hoped his friend was awake.
But fortunately, after sitting down, Lady Serie didn't make things difficult for him, and Hafka, who had been chatting enthusiastically, drew the elf's attention with his words.
"Teacher, senior brother, you actually came."
"Earlier Senior Brother Lernen said when he went to call you, he waited a long time but got no response."
"Hmm?"
Both Gut and Serie were stunned after hearing this.
But the elf reacted first, remembering that when restoring Flamme's diary, she didn't want to be seen or heard by others, so the barrier she set up was both light-proof and sound-proof.
And after Gut entered, she never lifted her barrier.
It seemed Lernen's timing was unlucky - either she was absorbed in Flamme's diary contents, or already asleep, so she didn't respond.
And Gut didn't have full barrier permissions, so he couldn't sense activity outside the barrier, leaving Lernen to make a wasted trip.
"So tonight is Lernen's drinking gathering?"
"Yes." Hafka nodded. "Senior Brother Lernen said there's a tradition among fellow disciples."
"Whenever teacher has new disciples join, everyone gets invited for an evening gathering."
"This tavern was also chosen by Senior Brother Lernen."
"I see."
Gut's eyes flashed with understanding.
Tonight's gathering might not be coincidence, but inevitable.
Because originally, he was the one who led Lernen to this tavern.
"Well then." The elf took a new cup from the server and opened a bottle to fill it.
"Since we're all gathered, let's drink together."
"Cheers!"
Everyone at the table raised their cups, especially Denken, who felt much more relaxed hearing Serie's attitude.
After all, he'd just rejected this magical world legend's invitation twice at noon.
Even as an imperial envoy, Denken still felt somewhat uneasy.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
Because of Gut and Serie's addition as "newcomers,"
The nearly finished drinking session got a second wind.
Fortunately Serie's alcohol tolerance wasn't great, or rather, the elf hadn't come tonight to get drunk.
Even knowing dreams must end, nothing compares to one real meeting.
What Serie wanted more was to "meet" with her disciple Gut.
Now, having drunk wine and met people.
In her slightly tipsy state, it was the perfect time to end the gathering.
And the people at the table were all smart enough not to force her to stay when Serie indicated she was leaving.
Instead, they politely saw the master-disciple pair to the tavern entrance.
"Teacher, Teacher, you're really amazing tonight."
"You came out specifically just to have a drink with me, wait for me to return from the Empire."
"Hmm?"
Gut looked at Serie with some confusion.
But the elf didn't explain further, having already taken Flamme's diary out of storage and opened it under starlight.
And Gut approached, sitting beside his teacher again - one more experience wouldn't hurt.
What really made Serie laugh softly was something else entirely.
"So, tonight isn't Lernen's organized gathering?"
"Yes." Hafka had replied earlier.
"Actually we have a new system."
"Every time there are new disciples joining, everyone gets invited to gather at night as a celebration."
"This tavern was also chosen by Senior Brother Lernen."
"That makes sense."
Gut nodded understandingly.
Tonight's gathering was indeed no coincidence.
"Alright." The elf raised a fresh glass and poured herself wine.
"Since we're all here, let's toast together."
"Cheers!"
The table erupted in celebration, particularly Denken who felt enormous relief at Serie's accommodating attitude.
Having twice rejected the magical legend's offers earlier, even as an imperial representative, he'd been quite anxious.
Thankfully everything worked out.
With Gut and Serie joining as "newcomers," the winding-down party got new life.
Luckily Serie couldn't drink much, or perhaps the elf came tonight not to get drunk.
Even knowing dreams must end, nothing compares to one real meeting.
Serie wanted most to "meet" with disciple Gut.
Having now drunk and socialized, in her pleasantly buzzed state, it was time to wrap things up.