A peaceful routine is what life is all about.
Upon returning from her long journey, Frieren performed her customary major cleanup, taking the opportunity to check on the laboratory's progress, the maintenance and reinforcement of the barriers, and the performance of the Water Mirror Demon. These activities alone were no simple matter.
Additionally, she was frequently dragged off for drinks by Miliardel, or would go to the underground treasury to reinforce it and investigate potential threats, always maintaining the highest state of security.
However, for her, these tasks were second nature, a part of her daily life.
Flamme had gone home the very day she arrived in town.
She also settled down at the Northern Fortress, preparing plans for a new branch and maintaining contact with headquarters according to a plan left by Zanne. She had been entrusted with a great responsibility and would be visibly busy from now on.
Even so, it didn't stop her from returning every so often; after all, the distance between the two locations was no issue for Flight Magic.
When asked how she was settling in, Flamme replied, "It's more convenient to live in a room at the Association."
She had made her decision. At the same time, she needed to accelerate her mastery over the use of curses. After all, her grasp of Diagold and Paradise-Guiding was only superficial, far from the strength of the Seven Sages of Destruction. Furthermore, the demons focused only on destructive power, neglecting versatility—a shortcoming she had to overcome.
Morning.
Her childhood friend and neighbor, who passed by the gate every day, waved at the silver-haired girl watering the plants in the garden, remarking:
"The kid's back, but she's not staying home. Her wings have hardened, I see."
Miliardel had to admit that Flamme brought a homely atmosphere. Still, it was fine for her to travel back and forth, as she herself had become just as busy.
"Staying at the Northern Fortress, she has Wien to teach her some management experience. That's something I can't do."
Frieren was happy to see it. It wasn't that she was clueless about management, but the administrative affairs she usually handled were either specialized magical issues for the Association or simplified policy decisions for The Lands Between. It couldn't compare to the accumulated experience of an old commander.
With Flamme's talent and rate of progress, she would certainly need management experience.
She and Serie were, in fact, both inclined toward academic research. Their expertise was magic, and they had no desire to manage miscellaneous affairs. Ultimately, such tasks had to be handled by suitable apprentices.
It could be considered training for the girl's abilities.
As long as she wasn't overwhelmingly busy, broadening her horizons could also make a mage stronger.
Besides, for her young age, Flamme certainly didn't lack combat experience.
For instance, back at headquarters, she had constantly fought against various mages. In terms of experience in interpersonal combat, she was likely on par with a shadow warrior—a probable result of Serie's training.
One can never be too wary of others.
In a sense, Frieren was the one with the least real-world experience fighting humans. That was why, when forced into such situations, she showed no mercy. After all, unfamiliarity meant less room for error, which is why her demon foes always ended up being relentlessly assaulted until death.
After a while, the silver-haired girl put away her watering can.
"I've finished tidying everything up since I got back. I'll be going to the branch to teach for the next few days. If you need anything, find me at the Northern Fortress."
"Don't worry, I can handle anything that's not a life-or-death battle myself."
Miliardel waved and departed with brisk strides. She was just as busy these days, as the collaboration with the Continental Magic Association's headquarters was involved and required careful planning.
If necessary, she might make a trip to headquarters herself.
But the journey was long, so that was a matter for later. It was more convenient to use the fastest possible familiar for messaging.
According to her, the mage in charge of liaison at headquarters was Zanne. The two of them were advancing the plan together, responsible for the grand-strategic planning, while implementation would be up to Serie and Flamme.
It's the other way around.
Our Magic Association is increasingly developing a tradition of "the president does nothing."
Adhering to her professional spirit, Frieren set off for the Northern Fortress that very day, arriving by noon thanks to the acceleration of Flight Magic.
Upon reaching a small town on the outskirts of the district, she entered Flamme's perception range. The girl had also trained her large-scale, detailed senses and immediately notified her colleagues to prepare a welcome.
As expected, a crowd had gathered.
"If you have any magical questions or backlogged official duties, feel free to bring them to me."
This statement made everyone even happier. For the scribes, the piled-up documents that only the Vice-President had the authority to decide on could finally be processed. For the mages, simply having the chance to consult her was a stroke of immense luck.
Although she was a recluse like Serie, Frieren always conducted public lectures that weren't limited to high-level mages. Anyone who managed to attend was sure to profit.
"I heard you taught the people from the Empire a harsh lesson at headquarters."
"I know Barke. He's not one to yield easily. For him to be so compliant, he must have gotten beaten up."
"Exactly! The Association can't be pushed around by a few ambitious schemers."
"...It wasn't that dramatic."
Frieren did her best to clarify, but in everyone's eyes, the two Mages of the Mythical Era had made a grand show of force, leaving the Imperial envoys with no choice but to retreat.
In reality, there was another key reason: the turmoil in the magical kingdom of Sareytania. Unfortunately, this part was classified information.
The Empire probably had to just grit its teeth and accept it by now.
"We can discuss those minor details later. This time, I've brought new magic." The silver-haired girl broke into a smile. "You've probably already heard, it's research on curses. Since I've already lectured on it at headquarters, I certainly can't leave out my hometown."
"Hooray!"
Of course, everyone would welcome a gift from a Mage of the Mythical Era with open arms.
"Flamme, same as always, you'll be my teaching assistant. I'll go into more detail this time, since I've collected many new case studies."
"Master, you can leave it to me."
The red-haired girl agreed with confidence. Although she had a preliminary grasp of the subject, profound knowledge couldn't be thoroughly understood in a single hearing. In front of Frieren, she was still a naive student.
Even after being completely analyzed, it didn't mean curses were no longer powerful. There was still a long road ahead.
For example, Curse Reversal Magic was known in the world, but it took a hundred years to learn. Without using Knowledge Transfer Magic to forcibly implant the information, one could never master it in a lifetime.
To get back on topic, the group had now arrived at the classroom.
Everyone knew the routine and took their seats. A major advantage of the Northern Fortress branch was the chance to see a Mage of the Mythical Era appear, and if she was in the mood, even start a class. The trip was never in vain.
As usual, Flamme prepared to write on the board, recalling a host of magical formulas as she picked up the chalk.
She had basically memorized them all.
Looking at Frieren, she was, as expected, empty-handed, without even a lesson plan. Having taught the material once, she could lecture completely from memory.
At her master's level, teaching ordinary magic was as effortless as chatting, and even curses were no exception. It made one wonder if she possessed the talent of "magic that can analyze magic."
As she pondered, she saw Frieren snap her fingers, and an environment of a field of flowers enveloped them.
"Let us begin now."
For Flamme, this was the most pleasant of times.
Frieren was mentally prepared for a continuous cycle of lecturing and office work, but she hadn't expected the workload to increase so dramatically.
According to her secretary, "With more personnel in the Magic Association, there's more work." It was no wonder; a large organization is indeed difficult to manage. Setting aside her experiences in different worlds, there was a living example right beside her:
Ever since her business became a success, Miliardel had less time for drinking.
So be it.
In any case, she had already planned to handle the long-accumulated affairs and get everything in order before her slumber.
Thanks to Frieren's diligent work, resolving everything wasn't difficult, nor did it interfere with her teaching. In fact, because the people at the Northern Fortress were familiar with her style, the course was completed in just five days.
"...And that is all. We'll end it here."
"For the rest, you can just try practicing according to my formulas. Don't be in a rush to master it; some insight into the fundamental knowledge will be more useful to you."
Having said that, the silver-haired girl dusted the chalk from her hands and left with her usual decisiveness.
There was no point in elaborating further.
Although the Magic Association was dedicated to popularizing basic knowledge to allow more people to master magic, when it came to the level of curses, it wasn't something that could be managed through sheer hard work.
Flamme could learn two curse-level spells in seven days.
Some mages had attended her comprehensive lectures at both headquarters and the branch, yet had only managed to grasp mental protection; their talent had reached its limit. Luckily, she had found a genius apprentice back then, otherwise, she wouldn't have this much passion.
As Frieren's work came to a close, the Association's branch returned to a state of stable operation.
The key focus was expansion.
Unlike the Empire's desire to annex territories and expand its military, the Association's goal lay in the domain of knowledge, aiming to cultivate as many mages as possible.
Since things were progressively getting on track, she had no reason to linger.
After concluding her duties as Vice-President, Frieren left. That day, a familiar scene of many people seeing her off unfolded:
Most of the mages from the branch had gathered, waving goodbye. By now, the news of her impending slumber had long since spread—a result of her letting it circulate instead of maintaining secrecy. With the town as bustling as it was, it would have been impossible to hide it for long. It was better to just admit it frankly.
The weakness lies right here.
Any enemy who thinks they can seize this opportunity should go ahead and try.
The demons, guided by the All-Knowing's years of strategic planning, assembled a squad consisting of the Seven Sages of Destruction and their strongest warrior, yet they were still completely annihilated without killing a single elf. Anyone with malicious intent would have to consider whether they were stronger than them.
If you can't compare to the demon's decapitation squad, you might as well go cool off somewhere. Besides, the defensive level of Elf Town increases daily.
Among them, the number of human mages and dwarven warriors was also growing. In the event of an attack, a well-rounded combat team with no weaknesses could be formed on the spot.
That is why Frieren openly told everyone she was going into a slumber to comprehend magic.
"Vice-President, we will await your return anytime, but please don't overwork yourself."
"You must get proper rest."
"Don't worry about the Association's affairs; you can confidently leave them to us."
She could only nod in response to everyone's enthusiasm. They interpreted her slumber as a high-intensity meditation to devise new magic, which must be incredibly mentally taxing. In reality, it was nothing of the sort; she was going on adventures in another world.
Of course, in terms of danger, it was a step above. But these details were not for outsiders to know. Only two people understood the mechanics of this unique magic of hers.
One was naturally Miliardel, who had hunted beast-men with her twice in Yharnam. The other was Flamme.
At that moment, the red-haired girl squeezed through the crowd, clutching a large bag of experimental materials. Inside were supplies to restock the town's laboratory, as its expenses had always been very high.
"Master, everything is ready."
"Good, let's set off. Goodbye, everyone."
The group from the branch watched reluctantly as the master and apprentice's figures disappeared into the distance.
Although Flamme would surely return after settling her master in, given an elf's nature, it was hard to say how long the slumber would last. Each time could potentially be a human's entire lifetime.
It's no exaggeration to say that the Northern Fortress branch, now second in size only to headquarters, relies on Frieren. Her influence is the true founding capital of this region. At the same time, the protected Elf Town has developed a powerful commercial sector, which in turn nurtures and drives the surrounding areas.
They look forward to their next meeting.
The distance between the two neighboring locations was short. In just half a day, the two arrived at the laboratory and restocked the materials.
Before sleeping, Frieren checked the cultivation progress of things like Spirit Maiden Magic and Scarlet Rot, as well as her most important research on sealing techniques.
She went over everything with Flamme one more time to ensure she knew it by heart. After all, it would be needed as soon as she returned to The Lands Between. At the very least, she had to try and see if it was possible to transfer a small number of people through the Shadow Barrier first.
Only after confirming that all was in order did she return to her cottage.
The decor was still simple and plain, the only difference being that Miliardel was admiring the flowers in the yard today.
"Even if you wait until you get back, look! I've found a magic to keep the room clean!"
"The formula is quite simple, but useful."
"It won't be needed. I'll come to clean Master's place often. I couldn't before because I was studying at the Association headquarters, but I'll be stationed at the branch for this period."
"That's good too."
Miliardel quite liked the lively atmosphere Flamme brought. Since the girl said she would visit often, that was for the best. Otherwise, with her childhood friend gone and herself spending more and more time at the office, the two neighboring houses would feel empty and lifeless.
Unconsciously, everyone had become busy with their own lives.
Even the elves, as a long-lived race, seemed to be slowly changing along with this child's growth.
As she was lost in thought, Frieren pushed open the door, took off her outer coat, and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling as if no one else was there.
"Close the door on your way out."
"You're too carefree. You could at least wait for us to leave before going to sleep."
She exuded an overwhelming sense of security, completely unguarded, and instead displayed an approachable warmth. Only a truly powerful individual could possess such a quality; her strength was the source of her confidence.
The elves' lives had now become more routine, with less of their former free-spiritedness, yet Frieren still retained that rare sense of relaxation.
"Master, is this slumber very important?"
"Not particularly. I need to tackle a troublesome place, but there's no rush. Even if I delay it a bit longer..."
Suddenly, the silver-haired girl subconsciously clutched her head. A single cough brought up blood, a horrifying sight that immediately made Miliardel and Flamme take up defensive positions.
"A mental attack?"
"It could also be a curse. I'm ready to activate the nightmare-overwrite effect."
Frieren calmly wiped the blood from her hand and shook her head, though her bloodless cheeks were still worrying. She rubbed her temples for a moment, thinking, before she finally spoke:
"There's been an attack on the other side. A troublesome enemy. I have to go immediately. You two don't need to worry."
After speaking, the silver-haired girl pulled the covers over herself, turned over, and fell fast asleep.
The two left behind could only look at each other in dismay. What else could they do? They had no choice but to trust her.
____
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