Even after Frieren and her apprentice Flamme had left the classroom, the audience remained, savoring the experience, their gazes fixed on the densely packed notes on the blackboard.
"Truly unbelievable."
"Even if I can only manage a wisp of Sunlight Healing, the effect is so strong."
"It's a completely new school of magic. It should be called the Aegis System."
The name, blurted out by a mage, received frequent nods of approval from the crowd.
It was indeed fitting; the aforementioned spells truly specialized in the domain of protection and blessings, a rarity in the magical world and an area largely overlooked.
Previously, such matters were generally left to priests, at most involving powers to dispel negative statuses or resist curses, leaning more towards support and being difficult to popularize.
Now, the three spells Frieren had unveiled were all exceedingly potent, each a top-tier example of its kind right from the start.
Golden Vow handled conventional defense.
Realm of Magic was specifically designed for a mage's burst power.
Sunlight Healing was nothing short of a miracle.
They also bore a clear hallmark: meticulous refinement by their inventor.
In other words, from the very moment of their creation, Frieren had considered their widespread promotion, showing not a single trace of holding anything back.
Perhaps this imagination also endowed the magic with its inclusiveness.
What kind of person could be so selfless and devoted to the public good?
The pure spirit of pioneering magic contained within was truly formidable.
Regaining their senses, they realized it had become too quiet.
Everyone was lost in thought.
Had they forgotten something?
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause thundered through the venue as thousands stood up, clapping vigorously, accompanied by cheers.
Although the person herself likely didn't care in the slightest, they still offered their respect – for a pure and powerful mage.
"Frieren has done me a great service. I will remember this gift."
"These spells are priceless, their value immeasurable, and yet she gave them away? It's somewhat like Serie's style."
"We simply don't understand true powerhouses."
Seated in the front row, Vearn finally felt relieved listening to the numerous praises.
The public class was a resounding success.
Regardless, Frieren's fame now echoed throughout the central regions, and not just for her military achievements.
When the Honorary President was also a great professor who had taught hundreds, if not thousands, her influence became even more terrifying.
There's no shortage of funds now.
At this moment, he saw many prominent nobles expressing their intention to donate, eagerly.
For them, not offering something in return would make them feel too indebted and also subject them to ridicule from their peers.
How could one be stingy when faced with such a generous Mage of the Mythic Age?
Perhaps Frieren had lived in seclusion for too long and didn't realize how precious magic was.
Each spell was an uncirculated secret; finding someone to teach it was a matter of having a price but no market.
Its dissemination was firmly controlled by the apprenticeship system centered around grand mages.
Now, she had opened a window.
The butler beside him couldn't help but sigh, "The realm of these two Presidents is awe-inspiring, but they have undoubtedly infringed upon the interests of many mages?"
Vearn shook his head. "That's where your view is incomplete. Firstly, petty schemes or even battles won't affect them. Secondly, many mages are still hoping to improve. Currently, President Frieren is disseminating magic, greatly increasing the number of apprentices. And President Serie primarily values young, promising mages to take as disciples. They are already supporters of the association."
"...That's true. Could it be they coordinated this?"
"Whether they coordinated or not isn't important. What's crucial is that we're about to get very busy."
Before he finished speaking, numerous nobles approached with smiling faces, greeting him.
In their eyes, they had found the sole channel of communication with Frieren.
After all, unlike Flamme, who also disappeared frequently, this City Lord's schedule was much more stable.
The two parties engaged in friendly pleasantries, introducing each other while discussing matters related to the association, all expressing their willingness to join.
Meanwhile.
Back in her office, Frieren began writing a letter, simultaneously inscribing a magical scroll.
Flamme, following closely behind, plopped down onto a lounge chair with a thud.
She shrugged and sighed, "It was just writing some notes on the blackboard, yet it was so tiring. The stares from those people were too intense; it was like they wanted to tear the magic apart and devour it."
"That kind of state isn't bad."
"Who are you writing to, Master? President Serie?"
"Yes, I need to at least greet her, especially since she's an elder of the same race. I really appreciate the opportunity Serie provided. I should send a gift; she'll probably be pleased."
"How rare. Master used to be so aloof with everyone, let alone bothering with social niceties."
"I'm the President now. I need to consider more things. On a small scale, it's about fulfilling my duties. On a larger scale, it's about popularizing magic."
A certain status implied dedication to a certain cause.
Her experiences with 'game magic' had taught Frieren that one must see things through, or at least maintain a certain level of engagement, to witness more wonders.
Acting according to a certain role wasn't a constraint, at least not in the eyes of short-lived races.
For elves, who possessed lifespans like heaven and earth, it was merely finding something to do for a period.
In a blink of an eye, seas would turn into mulberry fields anyway.
Of course, it was mainly because she had accumulated experience in the Lands Between.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to handle the association's affairs.
If she were still some Undead, Ashen One, or Hunter, she definitely wouldn't be able to cope with the political work of the association.
In the foreseeable future, it would flourish, and there would be plenty to keep her busy.
"Actually, I suddenly thought... am I just creating more troublesome chores for myself by doing this?"
"You won't." Flamme crossed her arms in front of her chest in a 'no' gesture.
From her perspective, as long as her master focused on the association's affairs, she herself would have more time for activities and wouldn't be lost in that strange dream magic, sleeping day and night, only waking once every ten days or half a month.
It was too lonely, very boring.
Frieren, with a faint smile, naturally saw through the red-haired girl's thoughts.
"Don't worry, I'll wake up frequently, whether it's to check your magic progress or to handle association matters."
"There will definitely be occasional long periods of slumber, but you don't need to be anxious. Usually, you should visit the association more often and make friends. Don't be a shut-in like me."
After all, the changes in the Lands Between were not something she could control.
Since there had been significant progress on topics like the absorption of Scarlet Rot and the expanded application of flower field magic, it was indeed time to return there.
That place also had endeavors worthy of her exhausting mental energy.
Frieren believed that land was more real than any of the past worlds she had experienced, and it also intersected with some old grudges.
Knock, knock!
Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded.
Vearn walked in, looking weary, and greeted her, "President, are you busy?"
"Of course, but it's fine. Go ahead and speak. The organization has just started; there should be many things to worry about. I won't find it bothersome." She had already put away the letter she had written.
"Some nobles wish to entrust their talented juniors to your guidance..."
"I am Master's only disciple!"
Before he could finish, Flamme preemptively objected, her intense emotions causing her to release her mana suppression.
A pillar of mana, like a raging torrent, poured down, almost blowing the roof off.
Older mages in the distance couldn't help but look over.
It was a familiar mana fluctuation, from that direct disciple who had acted as a teaching assistant.
So, this was how exaggerated it was?
She had already condensed the aura of a powerhouse.
The imposing commander was so frightened he instantly recoiled.
Even after countless battles, he almost couldn't withstand this pressure.
Flamme had always trained according to the standards for confronting world-class opponents; the aura forged from a Lord of Cinder was no simple matter.
"Silence." Frieren's gaze flickered between the red-haired girl and Vearn for an instant.
"Lord Vearn, she's still young. Don't take it to heart. I apologize on her behalf."
"It's alright. I've been neglecting my training for too long."
As he wiped the sweat from his brow, Flamme, who had been glared at fiercely by her master, retreated to the side, looking aggrieved, but her faint, oppressive aura remained locked on its target.
Quite cute.
Only at times like this did she behave like a child, barely over ten years old, just tall and well-developed for her age.
However, what Frieren saw as cute was, in others' eyes, an unattainable level; she had already demonstrated a strength that left her peers in the dust.
"Getting back to business, you didn't agree to take on young masters and misses for me out of consideration for connections, did you?"
"Absolutely not." Vearn's lips twitched as he glanced at Flamme.
Back on the battlefield, she was a timid child, but now she was practically a magical beast.
The killing intent accumulated from eradicating countless monsters was not to be underestimated.
He dared not provoke her.
If a child beat him black and blue, where could he even go to reason?
Complain to her guardian?
Didn't Frieren, as her master, already state it? She's just a child.
If he retaliated, then Flamme would indeed have grounds for argument: she was a mage who ranked among the top three in the known world.
"I solemnly declare one thing: I will not take any more disciples. Firstly, I don't have the spare time. Secondly, you wouldn't be able to keep up with my pace, because Flamme and I usually research and progress together."
Hearing this, the red-haired girl proudly puffed out her chest and smiled.
Those people who just want to leech off the fame of being a disciple of a Mage of the Mythic Age think they're worthy?
Not everyone can be a research workhorse.
Frieren looked at Flamme's expression with a conflicted face.
What's gotten into this child?
Surely no one finds satisfaction in arduous research tasks?
Except for myself, of course.
The affectionate interaction between master and apprentice made Vearn understand that he shouldn't get any presumptuous ideas about their relationship being particularly close.
"My apologies, I overstepped. I will help you decline all of them."
"It's not good to give them the cold shoulder either, especially since we need those nobles' money." The silver-haired girl changed her tune. "How about this: I'll hold irregular public classes in the future, but with limited numbers. You'll be responsible for screening."
"Understood."
The two exchanged a meaningful glance.
She left enough room for 'rent-seeking with power' so Vearn could line his own pockets.
It was just a matter of giving a few lectures, and it could also help cultivate Flamme's abilities.
There was no need to explain these adult calculations to the child.
As long as Flamme knew that she would receive a very generous bonus each time she acted as a teaching assistant, enough to subsidize household expenses, that was sufficient.
They continued to discuss some detailed procedures, finally settling the matters.
Their conversation had little to do with magic, mostly revolving around the operation and development of the association.
The core concept was singular: "make money," constantly attract investment, and first expand their territory through extensive development.
Flamme, of course, wasn't interested in this part and busied herself organizing notes and writing lesson plans.
After all, according to the agreement reached by her master, the two of them would irregularly impart magical knowledge to the nobles in the future.
Only she knew that Frieren never prepared lesson plans.
It was always a style of acting on whim, letting her genius thoughts roam freely.
Only someone long accustomed to her ways could understand.
So, if actual teaching was required, she just needed to supplement the details to prevent the apprentices from being completely lost.
The public class came to an end.
The preceding series of groundwork had catapulted the Northwind Fortress Mage's Association branch to top-tier status.
Magic itself was the best advertisement.
Among the spells, Sunlight Healing, in particular, was hailed as the most powerful healing magic of the current age.
Because, following Frieren's subsequent publication of specialized research reports, people discovered that its effects weren't limited to promoting regeneration and dispelling negative statuses; it could also purify souls.
With this, Necrotic enemies were no longer a concern.
Unsurprisingly, people flocked to it.
What should have been a place for mages to register and conduct activities together also took on tasks of academic discussion and educational popularization, subtly breaking the traditional system centered around mages and their apprentices.
But they reveled in it.
Even at the level of a mage, they aspired to advance further to grand mage, and even to leave their names in the annals of history.
One could imagine that the association in Northwind Fortress became a benchmark.
Frieren then discovered a way to slack off: publishing a research report also counted as half a class.
And it simultaneously served as teaching material, which was very convenient.
Serie, far away at the headquarters, also took an interest, publishing her insights on curse-type magic.
Although the two hadn't met, they had already begun corresponding by letter.
Clearly, Serie strongly supported the association's growth.
She hadn't expected that a momentary interest would lead to the discovery of such talent.
The elven race indeed produced remarkable figures out of the blue from time to time.
They cooperated pleasantly.
Even from a great distance apart, they supported each other through their actions.
In comparison, Flamme also became much busier.
Especially after Frieren's declaration, "I will only take one disciple," her status rose even higher.
It was clear this girl held an irreplaceable position, and thus many people tried to curry favor through her.
It was a mixed bag, and she learned a lot from the experience, but she came through it all unscathed.
During this period, Flamme undertook small commissions like exterminating monsters with some other mages, making many colleagues.
Among them, there were indeed pure mages with whom she could discuss academics.
Unfortunately, communication wasn't smooth, because only through interaction did she realize her own magic system was of a completely different style, full of peculiar research – she was already taking after her master.
"Since that's the case, I shouldn't just focus on how to learn magic, but also research how to make it learnable by more people, just like Master simplifies magic."
She couldn't bring herself to praise Frieren's teaching level.
But when it came to the popularization of magic, she was definitely a subversive innovator.
Thus, master and apprentice once again returned to theoretical research, specializing in magic, too lazy to bother with the twists and turns of the association.
Even if they were momentarily immersed, they would always return.
A week later.
After many days, Vearn once again came to the office, only to see Frieren packing her luggage.
On the other side, Flamme was magically moving crates of wine; according to their agreement, she had to treat Sister Milliarde.
"Lord Vearn, I'm leaving this place to you. We're returning to the elf village."
"So suddenly?"
"Just returning to my main job. I am a researcher, and my apprentice hasn't yet grown to the point where she can stand on her own. She cannot become impure too early."
The silver-haired girl's tone brooked no argument.
Though it seemed sudden, it was likely planned long ago.
Vearn nodded sincerely. "Then, until next time."
_____
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