Chapter 374: Speaking My Words to You
Outside the main entrance of the Magic Association in the early morning, the air was somewhat chilly. The Imperial Capital had not yet awakened from its slumber, with only a few scattered sounds echoing through the streets.
Flamme stood at the entrance with her back to the Magic Association tower, which she knew like the back of her hand.
The morning breeze stirred the tips of her red hair and the hem of her white mage robe. She turned her head to look at the towering structure before her, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
This was her home.
Not a family manor linked by human bloodlines, but the place where she had studied and poured countless amounts of effort and emotion.
Every brick and tile, every blade of grass and tree, carried her memories.
On the roof was the small garden that Teacher Serie occasionally tended to. On the middle floors was her own research lab. On the ground floor was the training ground where she had taught countless mages. And on the very top floor was that room belonging solely to Teacher Kurtz...
In every corner, her traces remained, as did the figures of those two people.
Leaving this place to head for the Heavenly Divine Kingdom, forgotten by history, meant she would never be able to return. It meant bidding a final farewell to all of this.
Her chest ached, as if gripped tightly by a hand. Along with the pain came a massive sense of reluctance, nearly causing the resolve she had worked so hard to build to collapse once more.
She involuntarily took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging thoughts.
"Flamme."
Olivia's gentle voice came from beside her.
This senior stood quietly by her side, her long golden hair tied in a simple ponytail. The broad wings representing her identity as a member of the Skywing Clan rested at her waist, looking as if they could take flight at any moment.
"If you..." Olivia's voice carried a hint of persuasion, "Change your mind now, it's still not too late."
"You can continue to stay here. You don't have to leave with me right now. The gates of the Heavenly Divine Kingdom will always be open to you at any time. It won't be too late to come when your time is near."
This was the second and final time Olivia made this suggestion. She could see how deep Flamme's reluctance was and how painful her struggle felt. As a being with a long lifespan, much like the elf race, her understanding of human emotions was far deeper than that of most elves.
Flamme's body trembled slightly, as if she were considering Olivia's proposal.
To stay... to stay in this place where Teacher Kurtz was, even if it was just to accompany him as usual, even if it was only for these last few years...
The temptation was too great. But in the end, she shook her head.
"No, Senior. I've already said my goodbyes to Teacher Kurtz and arranged everything that needed to be handed over." She paused, as if trying to convince herself. "I finally... made up my mind. If I turn back now, I'm afraid I'll never have the courage to leave again."
She had finally managed to say goodbye, finally forced herself to turn around and walk out that door.
If she backed down now, all the mental preparation she had done and all the painful choices she had made would become meaningless.
She feared she would grow weak, become attached, and eventually turn into the very thing she least wanted to be... someone in need of others' pity.
Olivia remained silent for a moment. No longer offering comfort, she instead asked about another person she cared about.
"What about Frieren? What did you say to her?"
At the mention of Frieren, a bitter smile appeared on Flamme's face.
"That child..." she said softly, Frieren's usually expressionless little face appearing before her eyes, "she seems to believe in some tiny possibility."
"She thinks it's just a matter of waiting for a while. That after a few hundred years, she'll see me again. It's only a slightly longer wait." She remembered going to say goodbye to Frieren last night. When the elf girl heard her words, there wasn't much sadness in her emerald eyes. Instead, she remained very calm.
She had simply nodded and said, "I understand. Master Flamme, be careful on your way. I will wait... wait for you to come back, forever and ever."
That tone made it seem as if Flamme were only going on a slightly longer journey, rather than facing a final parting.
Clearly, Frieren believed.
Believed that Teacher Kurtz would eventually find a way. Believed that hope was hidden behind that modified Solidification Magic. Believed that a miracle would happen. Because belief required no reason.
That simplicity made Flamme feel both touched and amused. After all, she could not fully believe it herself.
It wasn't that she doubted Teacher Kurtz's ability, but rather that she didn't believe fate would be so generous, or that she would be lucky enough to share in a miracle that transcended the laws of nature.
More deeply, she feared that if that miracle truly descended, she would no longer be able to restrain those feelings buried in her heart.
Naturally, she wouldn't tell Olivia these complex thoughts. Some feelings simply could not be spoken aloud.
Once more, she took a deep look at the Magic Association tower behind her, its silhouette gradually becoming clearer beneath the brightening dawn. She would carve all of this deep into the recesses of her memory and carry it with her to that place of eternal slumber.
Just as she finally steeled her resolve and prepared to turn around and say "Let's go" to Olivia
...
"Flamme."
A calm voice came from behind her.
Flamme's body stiffened instantly, and she could hardly believe her ears. That familiar voice—how was it possible?
She whipped her head around.
In the morning light, Kurtz stood not far away, looking at her.
"T-Teacher Kurtz?" Flamme's voice came out dry and uneven. She forced herself to calm down quickly, trying to find a reasonable explanation. "W-Why are you here? Senior Olivia and I just... happened to run into each other, and it just so happens... we're both heading in the same direction..."
Her speaking speed unconsciously quickened as she tried to hide her panic, while secretly praying that Kurtz wouldn't look too deeply into it.
However, Kurtz simply looked at her quietly, his expression making it clear he was not convinced.
Ignoring her explanation full of holes, he spoke directly. "You plan to follow Olivia back to the Heavenly Divine Kingdom and activate the Solidification Magic there, plunging yourself into an eternal slumber at the end of your life. Right, Flamme?"
The expression on Flamme's face froze instantly, and her forced composure crumbled.
Why? How did Teacher Kurtz know?
Her gaze involuntarily shifted toward Olivia, who stood nearby. Olivia met her gaze, apology visible in her eyes as she nodded slightly.
"I told Kurtz, Flamme."
Just as she thought. Or rather, it was the expected outcome.
Aside from Olivia, the only one who could have informed Teacher Kurtz was that child, Frieren.
It turned out her plan to leave quietly had never truly been hidden from the people who cared about her. The farewell she thought was secret had long since been full of holes in their eyes.
So now, what should she do?
Should she speak of her reluctance? Should she say her final goodbye properly? Or should she take this final opportunity to confess her love once again?
But all of that suddenly seemed unimportant.
She lowered her head, avoiding both Kurtz's gaze and Olivia's apologetic eyes. All her words dissolved into silence as surging emotions swallowed them whole beneath her lowered face.
Just then, she felt Teacher Kurtz approaching. Carrying a familiar and reassuring scent.
Kurtz didn't say anything further. He simply walked up to Flamme, reached out, and gently tilted her lowered face up. The movement was natural, yet entirely unexpected.
Flamme was forced to look up and meet his gaze. She wanted to say something, but all her emotions were restrained by the composure she had maintained for decades.
And he, too, wanted to say something. He wanted to finally speak the words he had carried for all these years.
Olivia quietly stepped away and soon disappeared, leaving the two of them alone.
[End of Chapter]