Chapter 16: Nightfall
Night fell.
The campfire crackled, and Rhodes was busy cooking a pot of mushroom soup. Serie sat nearby, the firelight keeping the worst of the insects at bay, allowing her to take off her veiled hood. Her golden hair shimmered in the flickering light. Behind her stood a small tent, just large enough for one person.
"Here," Rhodes said, handing her a bowl of soup. "Try some."
Serie took the wooden bowl and immediately tried to take a large gulp, only to be burned by the scalding liquid. She stuck out her small, pink tongue in surprise.
"Careful, it's hot! Blow on it first," Rhodes quickly advised. Has this child never had soup before? How can she not know such a basic thing?
Having learned her lesson, Serie carefully blew on the soup before taking a sip. "...Delicious," she said. It was a simple assessment, but to Rhodes, it was the highest praise.
Satisfied, he served himself a bowl, took a contented sip, and then asked, "By the way, what do you elves usually eat?"
"Various wild fruits, and some edible plants from time to time." Serie blew gently on the edge of her bowl. "Unlike you, always studying these..." She trailed off. She wanted to say "strange foods," but they were so delicious that the word "strange" didn't seem right.
"Culinary delicacies?" Rhodes finished for her with a smile. The elves of the Great Forest truly lived a hard life. If it were him, he wouldn't have been able to stand it for a single day.
Serie didn't refute him. Instead, she asked, "Do all you humans live like this?"
"More or less. Though I suppose I'm a bit of an anomaly among humans as well. Not many of them are as skilled at inventing delicious food as I am."
Rhodes wasn't boasting. The standard of living for humans in this era, if he were to measure it by the calendar of his old world, was probably equivalent to the year 1000 BCE. A simple, unseasoned meat patty would be considered a gourmet meal. The culinary knowledge from his modern world was a complete game-changer for the food of this primitive era.
"An anomaly as well?" Serie smiled, a distant look in her eyes.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and for a moment, they fell into a comfortable silence.
"Rhodes," Serie suddenly said, "why do you want to teach humans magic?"
The hand holding the soup bowl paused. "I just don't want to see them remain weak."
In this world, every race guarded their magical techniques jealously. They would never teach them to an outsider. He had just been lucky to meet Serie and pique her interest with his [Creation] magic. Otherwise, he never would have learned the unique magic of the elven race. It was clear that if he didn't become a pioneer and let history run its course, it would take an unknown amount of time for humans to learn magic on their own.
"Learning magic is not an easy thing." Serie didn't want to discourage him, but he needed to know the truth. Even among the elves, who were born with a natural talent for magic, not everyone could become a powerful mage. Many elves ended up changing their profession, becoming warrior-monks of a sort.
"It's alright. Miracles can happen. For any race with intelligence, miracles are bound to happen."
"Intelligence and miracles?" Serie seemed to be pondering his words.
"So believe in miracles, Serie. And believe in humanity." There was a strange, knowing quality in Rhodes's voice. He could understand why Serie didn't think much of humanity now. But when the race truly began to show its potential, she would completely change her mind. And with her long lifespan, she would surely live to see that day.
Serie was silent for a moment. "You have a lot of confidence in your kinsmen."
"Of course," Rhodes said without hesitation. "They may have short lifespans, and they may be fragile and small. But it is this finite life that makes them cherish every moment, to strive to live their short lives to the fullest and leave their accomplishments for future generations. And in doing so, they will eventually build a glorious civilization."
"You say it as if you've already seen it."
Rhodes laughed heartily. "Hahaha! That's right. I've seen it in my dreams."
After Serie finished her mushroom soup, Rhodes began to clean the dishes. "You can go to the tent," he said. "I'll keep watch for a while longer." Rhodes had never been an early sleeper, not even in this new world. But compared to the rich nightlife of his old world, his only hobby now was staring blankly at the campfire.
Serie peeked curiously into the tent. It was dark inside, so she cast a small 'Light' spell. The space was small, but for some reason, it gave her a strange sense of security. There was a blanket spread out on the ground.
Serie lay down on the comfortable blanket, but for some reason, she felt a restless itch in her heart. She poked her head out of the tent again.
"What about you tonight?"
"Don't leave such a big opening! The mosquitos will get in," Rhodes quickly warned. A few mosquitos in the warm, enclosed space would instantly turn it into a living hell.
Serie quickly ducked back inside, then pulled the flap open just a crack, only her head visible. "Aren't you coming in?"
"Er, it would be a bit crowded." Rhodes was hesitant. He hadn't considered a two-person situation when he made the tent. He wasn't a superman; he couldn't carry a heavy pack. Everything had to be as simple and light as possible.
"It's fine. I don't mind."
Looking at Serie's calm expression, Rhodes knew her words held no hidden meaning. It was simply the concern of one adventurer for her partner. Nothing more.
"Alright, then."
Rhodes didn't protest further. After extinguishing the fire, he crawled into the tent. The space was so small that they were pressed right up against each other. He felt that if he just raised his arm, he could pull Serie into his embrace.
Should I try it? Rhodes felt he was walking a dangerous path. But you never know if you don't try.
He tentatively reached out and pulled Serie into an embrace. He could smell the fresh, natural scent of her hair.
Serie frowned. "What are you doing? It's too crowded."
"Ahem, I feel a little cold."
"Do you?" Serie was puzzled. She didn't find the weather particularly cold. "It's too tight. It's uncomfortable."
Seeing that Serie had said as much, Rhodes had no choice but to retract his arm. But at least she wasn't angry. That had to be a good sign.
Serie's golden eyes gleamed in the darkness. "Humans are strange creatures." She rolled over, her back to him, unable to understand his earlier action.
Rhodes smiled silently. Listening to the even breathing of the elf beside him, he suddenly thought that this kind of adventure wasn't so bad after all.