Chapter 338: Flamme's Wish
Regarding this, Flamme appeared quite calm. "Someone must be fanning the flames. However, since it involves the Magic Association and the two teachers, their reaction speed would naturally be fast."
She took a sip of tea and continued, "Unless you stay inside the Association's barrier forever, the moment you step onto the streets of the capital, you will inevitably be under the surveillance of countless eyes."
"The only difference is whether these gazes are kind, malicious, or purely curious. Who asked you to be Master Serie's disciples?"
Alvin and the others exchanged glances, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.
They knew perfectly well that since Senior Sister Flamme had said this was a tempering exercise, they definitely couldn't count on her to solve these stalkers. They had to deal with them themselves.
"Regardless, these people monitoring us must be dealt with first." Alvin said in a low voice, quickly starting to think of countermeasures. "We cannot let them track our movements constantly. Otherwise, let alone executing the mission, even our normal actions will be severely restricted."
The group quickly exchanged opinions, and a preliminary plan took shape rapidly.
Wasting no time, they left the restaurant immediately, attempting to shake off or deal with these watchers.
Watching Alvin and the others adjust their state quickly, discuss countermeasures, and then execute decisively, Flamme nodded in satisfaction.
Their initiative was quite good.
However, after Alvin and the others disappeared from the restaurant entrance, Flamme and Frieren remained sitting calmly in their seats, showing no intention of following.
Frieren looked up at her teacher and asked softly, "Master, are we not going with them?"
Flamme shook her head, explaining, "No need. If I am present, those hiding in the dark might be too wary to actually make a move, which would defeat the purpose of the tempering."
"Besides, I have left a mark on each of them. Once they encounter an existence they cannot handle, I can rush over anytime."
Although she said this, Flamme would still maintain a safe distance from them to facilitate intervention at any moment.
Frieren nodded in understanding. Then, she noticed another detail.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the restaurant and the street outside. "Some of the watchers followed Alvin and the others, but some stayed behind, continuing to monitor us."
Flamme wasn't surprised. She could even sense the existences hidden deeper and possessing greater strength.
Clearly, these people placed particular importance on her, Serie's nominal second disciple, and the watchers sent for her were more professional.
"Mn, I feel it. Frieren," Flamme looked at her disciple, "you go back to the Magic Association first. With the barrier set by the teachers, it is currently the safest place in the capital. No matter how bold these people are, they would never dare to attack the Association."
However, Frieren shook her head firmly, rejecting Flamme's suggestion.
"I do not want to go back. I want to stay with Master." She paused, then added, "Also... I want to see what Alvin and the others will do next."
Flamme looked at Frieren's determined eyes, thought for a moment, and ultimately didn't refuse.
"Alright."
Her apprentice, though young in appearance, possessed extraordinary talent and had long reached the level of a high-ranking mage. She was capable of facing most emergencies and dangers and indeed didn't need excessive protection.
Moreover, through their daily interactions over the years, Flamme found herself liking Frieren more and more.
Being with Frieren always brought a sense of comfort.
Admittedly, Flamme had been somewhat puzzled when Master Rhodes and Master Serie suddenly threw Frieren to her for guidance.
Back then, she was still immersed in her own research and her complicated feelings for Master Rhodes, and didn't really want to be distracted by taking care of an apprentice.
But now, she suddenly felt grateful for the two teachers' decision back then.
Frieren's appearance had added a splash of color to her life, allowing her to experience another form of bond and responsibility.
With thoughts surging in her heart, Flamme couldn't help but reach out, gently pulling Frieren into her embrace. Her other hand stroked Frieren's smooth, silver-white hair.
Frieren was slightly stunned by this sudden intimate gesture. She struggled tentatively a couple of times, but although Flamme's movements were gentle, they carried a firmness that allowed no escape.
Seeing resistance was futile, Frieren gave up. Her small body relaxed gradually, and she simply snuggled into her teacher's warm embrace, taking small breaths of the pleasant scent on her.
She also liked Flamme very much.
It was Master Flamme who appeared when she was most helpless, saving her and her village. It was Master Flamme who guided her step by step to become a qualified mage.
To this day, she still remembered the feeling of being carried on Flamme's back for the first time.
It was such a warm and reassuring feeling.
Master Flamme was the most important existence in her life.
A warm silence flowed between the two.
Feeling the reliance of the apprentice in her arms, Flamme was filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. For some reason, she suddenly whispered, "Frieren, actually... I have always had a wish."
Snuggled in her arms, Frieren moved slightly upon hearing this. "What wish? Is it... hoping to stay with Lord Rhodes forever?"
She recalled the complicated, indescribable look in Master Flamme's eyes whenever she stared at Lord Rhodes's back.
She didn't understand that emotion at all.
"Pfft—Cough, cough!"
Flamme nearly choked on Frieren's overly direct and accurate guess. Two blushes flew onto her cheeks instantly, and she denied it hurriedly. "Not that! Don't guess blindly!"
She was a bit annoyed. How did her simple-minded apprentice see the clues? Was she that obvious usually?
But Frieren probably couldn't understand such complex emotions anyway.
Thinking of this, Flamme calmed down slightly and restated the grand wish buried deep in her heart for a long time. "I hope that one day... magic can truly become a power that everyone can learn and use freely."
"Not just nobles, not just those born with magical talent, and not just people like us lucky enough to enter the Magic Association."
"Whether rich or poor, noble or peasant, as long as they harbor curiosity about magic, they should have the opportunity to touch magic, learn magic, and use magic to change their lives, or even—"
"Change this world!!!"
This wish originated from the scenes she saw while traveling the continent in her early years.
Nobles monopolizing knowledge, commoners ignorant and helpless—magic becoming another chasm dividing classes.
But she believed magic shouldn't just be the privilege of a few. It should be the light illuminating the path forward for the entire civilization.
Frieren listened quietly until the end. Although she couldn't fully understand the massive significance contained within this wish, she could feel that her teacher's words were sincere.
She nodded gently, burying her small head back into Flamme's embrace, expressing her support through action.
"I will help you."
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