Fíliya silently watched Flamme, then, mimicking Flamme's earlier expression, she let out a wry smile.
"Hmm, so what should I do now? Do I need to perform some kind of 'discipleship ceremony' or something? Should I kneel? Or offer you a cup of tea?"
Fíliya scratched her face in embarrassment, then lowered her head to mentally prepare herself for about half a minute.
Finally, she lifted her slightly blushing cheeks and squeezed out a single phrase from between her teeth.
"Flamme… Teacher."
Fíliya's feelings were quite complicated. She never expected that calling someone 'teacher' would be so embarrassing.
Upon hearing Fíliya's address, Flamme immediately took a small step forward and placed her hand on the head of this young person who had pleased her so much.
She patted Fíliya's head back and forth with a look of pure enjoyment, not letting go until Fíliya's expression slowly shifted from initial shyness to indignant anger. Only then did Flamme reluctantly release her.
"Fíliya, you're quite respectful of your teacher, aren't you? If it were that child Frieren, she wouldn't have tolerated it for this long. She would have angrily slapped my hand away long ago."
Flamme said with a grin, folding her arms across her chest.
"Hmph… next time won't be so easy. I'll fight back."
Miss Fíliya said with a straight face, but in Flamme's eyes, this display only made her seem even more adorable.
In response, Fíliya could only shake her head helplessly.
After all, she was usually the one doing the harassing, placing her hands on others and patting them. Today, she finally got a taste of her own medicine.
Hmm, this act of being held and having her head repeatedly patted... previously, that was a privilege reserved exclusively for Miss Sense.
"My apologies. Just think of it as me seeing a cute child and being unable to resist giving her a hug. Don't be angry with an old woman like me."
Flamme continued, and though her words contained an apology, her face showed no trace of remorse.
"Tsk… So what are we going to do next? I haven't received guidance from anyone since graduating from the magic academy... It'll probably take me some time to get used to it."
Fíliya spread her hands helplessly, speaking with great sincerity.
"No rush. As a teacher, I must tailor my instruction to the student. I don't know you well enough yet, and... I also don't know to what extent magic has evolved in this era. Even though I am your teacher, for the time being, it is you, Fíliya, who will need to catch me up. Let me learn more about this current age... Once I'm up to speed, I will guide you with the experience of a Great Mage."
"I understand."
Fíliya nodded repeatedly. She had no doubt about Flamme's abilities. If she could just reverse-instill the history of magical evolution... the new understanding of magical theory that humanity had developed over the years... Flamme would quickly transition from a "Great Mage of a thousand years ago" to a "Great Mage established in the modern era."
And so, the following hours turned into another discussion session where Fíliya and Flamme talked about everything under the sun.
In such passionate and interesting conversations, one tends to lose track of time.
An unknown amount of time passed; in any case, the two Greater Demons maintaining the barrier had long since fallen asleep on the grass.
Only then did the conversation between Fíliya and Flamme have to come to an end.
"Oh? It seems our time is up. The barrier can no longer be maintained."
Flamme calmly observed the changes in her own body. It was gradually fading, and within the span of a few breaths, she had already become somewhat translucent. It was clear her existence was reaching its limit.
"Yes, it's a shame. If Serie were here, we wouldn't be interrupted by something like this... Just when the conversation was getting good."
Fíliya also shook her head with some regret.
"But it's alright. Once those two have recovered, I will find another time to see you, Teacher. And your memory won't be interrupted; I am very confident about that."
Fíliya regained her confidence. After this conversation, which had lasted for who knows how many hours, she had more or less grown accustomed to the title of 'Teacher', no longer feeling the initial shyness and unfamiliarity when saying it.
"Is that so... meaning I have to go back to sleep for a while? What a pity. I wanted to move around a bit more. A miracle like 'coming back from the dead' isn't something just anyone can experience."
Flamme looked at Fíliya with a smile.
"Well, strictly speaking, it's not 'coming back from the dead.' If I went to the Empire and dug up your grave right now, your bones would still be there. You are currently more of a... hmm, a wondrous existence with a personality identical to the original."
Fíliya teased Flamme. She was just this sort of person; she could pretend to be well-behaved at first, but it wouldn't be long before her true nature was revealed, daring to jest with even her own master using such irreverent words.
"Fíliya, you truly are a disciple with a terrible personality."
Flamme complained, puffing her cheeks out a little. But just as she tried to reach out and pinch Fíliya's cheek, her hand completely dissolved into thin air.
Thus, Flamme could only give up on the idea of teaching her unworthy disciple a lesson. Of course, she was only giving up for now, since Fíliya would come to see her again in the future.
"So, when will we meet again?"
Having composed herself, Flamme looked at Fíliya calmly.
"I don't know that either. It depends on when they've rested and replenished their mana. After all, without their help, I can't cast this magic on my own right now... I must say, it's quite interesting. To think I created a spell that I can't even cast by myself. As expected of me, could anyone else do that?"
Fíliya said this in an arrogant tone, while subconsciously glancing at the two sleeping figures. Her gaze then slowly softened.
"By the way, Teacher, could you praise them a little? We wouldn't have been able to meet without them... I really want you to acknowledge my ideals."
"Oh? You want the 'Great Mage Flamme' to let go of her prejudice against the Demon Race? Fíliya, you rebellious disciple... can you really do it?"
Flamme watched her disciple with great interest.
"How will I know if I don't try? This subject is certainly challenging, but the more impossible something seems, the more it fuels my desire to take it on."
In response to Fíliya's words, Flamme simply wore a helpless expression and said nothing more.
"In any case... sleep well, Teacher. I will come see you again as soon as possible."
Fíliya watched the gradually disappearing Flamme with mixed feelings. She was actually a little moved and wanted to embrace her, but unfortunately, all that remained of her was a head hovering in the air; the rest of her body had completely dissipated.
"Then, don't keep me waiting too long, Fíliya. Having already slept for a thousand years, I have no desire to catch up on any more sleep."
With those parting words and a smile, Flamme finally vanished completely from Fíliya's sight.
___
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