Chapter 308: Legend of Kraft
"My name is Flamme," Flamme said, then, after a moment's thought, she blurted out another, more impressive title with deliberate emphasis: "I am a student of Teacher Serie."
"So that's how it is!" The dwarf king's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh with enthusiasm. "I had long heard that the elven saint had taken on a human disciple. I never imagined it was you. No wonder you possess such great power; you are a disciple of that being."
Hector became even more enthusiastic, his voice rising with excitement. "Lady Serie's reputation is renowned even among us dwarves, not to mention that my ancestor was King Somo, who was a former companion of Lady Serie. It's quite an amazing coincidence. I wonder... will Lady Serie personally take action this time?"
He looked at Flamme with some anticipation, hope blazing in his eyes.
Everything will be all right as long as the elven saint, Serie, is willing to intervene.
Flamme's heart stirred slightly, but she remained calm on the surface and shook her head carefully. "I don't know what the teacher is thinking. She has always been unpredictable...her decisions follow no clear pattern."
She skillfully avoided giving a direct answer, instead changing the subject with practiced ease. "Your Majesty, I have come here to find a human mage named Carlo, who may be at the front lines. Have you heard of him?"
King Hector stroked his proud, fiery red beard and shook his head regretfully. "Carlo? I don't remember him. The frontline personnel are a mixed bunch, with casualties and transfers every day. Finding a specific person isn't easy. However, I will give orders to keep an eye out for him."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After thanking him with genuine gratitude, Flamme declined the dwarf king's invitation to the banquet and left directly.
She just wanted to find Carlo as soon as possible and didn't want to linger.
Moreover, judging by the time, Kurtz and Teacher Serie have probably already returned to the Magic Association. When they find that I am not there, they will likely come to the front lines to see me.
She had to cover it up completely before it came to light.
However, on her way back, a figure appeared silently in front of her and blocked her path.
He was an elf man.
He had a neat head of short green hair, a resolute face, and it was impossible to tell his exact age, but his eyes held a sense of vicissitude that only a long period of time could bring...centuries, perhaps more.
The other person was dressed in a simple, easy-to-move monk-style robe, without any fancy accessories or armor, yet by standing there, he gave people an unshakable sense of absolute stability.
He didn't emit any external energy fluctuations, yet Flamme instinctively felt immense pressure bearing down on her like a mountain.
Clearly, the opponent was a mighty warrior, perhaps the most formidable she had ever encountered, after her teachers.
What shocked Flamme even more was that she recognized the face, or rather, she recognized the record of the person she had stumbled upon while searching for knowledge about the mythical era, and the appearance matched the legendary figure almost exactly.
Kraft!
The legendary Kraft. He was the second hero to save the world, following the first god-slayer, Kurtz.
The opponent personally killed the first Demon King Asmodeus, eliminating once and for all the possibility of the demon race reigniting the war.
A living legend who has vanished from the annals of human history!
What's he doing here? And why is he stopping me?
Flamme instantly became alert, her magic flowing silently within her in preparation. This legendary warrior was undoubtedly the nemesis of a mage like herself.
Especially at such close range, Flamme didn't even have time to react and deploy defensive magic if he chose to attack.
However, she remained outwardly calm and asked carefully, "And who are you, sir?"
Kraft calmly observed Flamme, studying her with patient intensity.
Just now, after learning that demons surrounded the vanguard army, he took the initiative to lead his men to deal with it, but he didn't expect to be a step too late. Most of the demons had already been dealt with by Flamme.
Meanwhile, Kraft also took notice of Flamme's combat performance and fighting style.
He saw a familiar feeling in it, something that stirred old memories.
Kraft spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice carrying the weight of ages: "My name is Kraft. I have no ill intentions in stopping you." He paused, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.
"However, from your fighting style just now, and the magical aura flowing around you, I sensed a very familiar trace. It's very similar to the style of two of my old friends."
Flamme's heart skipped a beat!
Two old friends?
Given Kraft's age and status, the old friend he mentioned... Flamme almost instantly thought of her two teachers, Serie and Kurtz.
She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and tentatively asked, her voice steady despite her racing thoughts: "The old friend you mentioned, could it be Teacher Serie, and...?"
"Oh, so you do know Serie after all." Kraft's face showed a hint of understanding, and he admitted it directly.
"That's right, it's her and him. Judging from your magic techniques and some of the details and habits in the battle just now, you must be Serie's disciple, right? She actually took a human disciple? That's more than a bit of a surprise to me."
He was indeed surprised by this revelation.
In his memory, although Serie was powerful, she did not have much special affection for humans or even her fellow elves, and strongly preferred to be alone.
In his memory, the only one who could stay by Serie's side, in human form, was Kurtz.
Now that the other person is no longer alive, Serie has started taking humans as apprentices, and such outstanding ones at that. This is not something the Serie he knew would do.
Flamme thought to herself, carefully choosing her words: I am not only a disciple of Teacher Serie, but also a disciple of Teacher Kurtz!
But she dared not utter Kurtz's name, especially in the presence of this legendary figure from Kurtz's time, whose relationship with her was unclear.
She could only go along with what the other person said and, carefully, admit, "Yes, I am a disciple of Teacher Serie."
Upon hearing Flamme's confirmation, Kraft's eyes filled with even more emotion, a complex mix of wonder and sorrow: "So that's how it is. I never imagined she had already taken on a disciple, and a human one at that. It's been a thousand years since I last saw her, a thousand years of separation."
There was a hint of profound melancholy in his tone, the weariness of ages.
For an elf's long lifespan, a thousand years may not seem like much, but for an elf like Kraft, who has experienced turbulent times and even "understood" human emotions to some extent, a thousand years of isolation is a long enough period of time to weigh heavily on the soul.
Seeing this, Flamme took the initiative to offer what comfort she could. "Teacher Serie is doing well. She has now founded the Continental Magic Association in the capital of El, dedicated to spreading magical knowledge and training magicians."
"Founded a magic association? Spread knowledge?" Kraft's face showed apparent astonishment and disbelief upon hearing this, and he frowned deeply. "This doesn't seem like something she would do."
This is more like Kurtz's style.
Could it be that Serie is trying to learn from the other person's methods? But isn't it a bit too late?
Moreover, in his memory, Serie preferred studying magic and spending time with Kurtz. Even when Kurtz was teaching Norn and Eric magic, Serie just watched from the sidelines and didn't interfere.
He looked closely at Flamme, confirming that she didn't seem to be lying, and finally could only sigh softly, with a hint of self-mockery and relief, and whispered:
"Perhaps even she has changed. Indeed, a thousand years is enough to change many things, and even elves are no exception to that truth."
[End of Chapter]