"Huh? That saying existed a thousand years ago?"
Upon hearing this, Fíliya was also surprised. Although she often heard this phrase in her own era, she never expected it to come from Flamme's mouth.
"Well, that's because I'm the one who summed it up."
Flamme smiled, folding her arms across her chest.
"Is that so."
Fíliya nodded.
"There's no need for me to explain why human magic has developed with a specialization in 'attack and defense,' is there, Fíliya?"
Flamme continued to look into Fíliya's eyes.
"Mhm, of course, it was for the war against the Demon Race... Alright, I completely understand now. After all, if you don't survive, everything else is just empty talk."
"Yes, that's right. Under the threat of the Demon Race, humanity had neither the right nor the spare capacity to let magic blossom in a hundred different directions. They could only continuously iterate on 'offense' and 'defense,' which is how the modern magic system was formed."
"The essentials of modern magic are boiled down to two simple principles: efficient attacks, and... doing everything possible to survive. It's as simple as that."
"The 'modern magic system' may seem to have become narrow, but that was just a necessary compromise."
"As for making magic an 'art of living' again... that is a future one can only dream of in an era of peace. If such an age truly arrives, magic will certainly undergo a new revolution... After all, humanity has never given up on imagination."
Flamme's tone was always filled with conviction about the future, and Fíliya found herself somewhat infected by this sentiment.
"Mm... Teacher, the era you hope for is one where 'everyone can use magic,' right?"
"Naturally."
"Then do you remember that school of 'Magic of Annihilation' I mentioned before? What would you do if you caught their leader?"
Fíliya began to speak to Flamme in a playful tone.
"Then I would first beat him into an idiot, because only an idiot would do such a thing."
The moment the Magic of Annihilation was mentioned, Flamme's expression turned cold, as if she were looking at a member of the Demon Race. After all, how could the founder of human magic possibly allow something like the 'Magic of Annihilation' to happen?
This made Fíliya very satisfied; she really got along well with Flamme, she thought.
Then, mimicking Flamme's expression, she said through gritted teeth. "Exactly! When I get my hands on that guy, I'm going to beat the living crap out of him."
This curse came from the bottom of Miss Fíliya's heart; she truly wanted to twist the mastermind's head off. You'd better hope I don't catch you!
But after hearing Fíliya's impassioned declaration, Flamme revealed a subtle, strained expression and couldn't help but cover her eyes with her hand.
"Fíliya... I've been meaning to say this for a while. You're a good kid in every way, but you're a bit... unladylike. Your choice of words is always so vulgar. Is this the new trend in this era?"
"Uh... not really. It's just me who's vulgar. Everyone else is a good kid."
Fíliya said this without batting an eye.
"I see."
Flamme shook her head helplessly at this, feeling she had deepened her understanding of this new disciple of hers.
After finishing their discussion about magic, the master and disciple began a new topic.
Flamme had already learned about Ordinary Attack Magic from Fíliya. After trying it once, Flamme immediately gave the spell a high evaluation.
"It's simply the perfect means of attack. The mana fluctuation upon casting is minimal, the launch speed is extremely fast, and its power is sufficient... Truly a magic from a thousand years in the future. If we had something like this in my era, human casualties would have been greatly reduced."
With an emotional expression, Flamme tried Ordinary Attack Magic a few more times and then added.
"Both the demon who created this magic and the humans who improved it are incredible geniuses."
Flamme continued to praise Ordinary Attack Magic. Just as she fired a few more shots into the air, she suddenly detected a sense of familiarity within the simple magic formula.
"Frieren?"
Flamme's eyebrow twitched slightly as she murmured with uncertainty.
"Huh? What did you say?"
Fíliya looked at Flamme with a puzzled expression, wondering why Flamme would call out Frieren's name at such an odd moment.
The timing for missing her disciple was a bit too peculiar.
"...Fíliya, you said this magic was originally from the Demon Race and was then improved by humans, right? Who were the humans who improved it?"
Flamme ignored Fíliya's confusion and pressed on with her question.
"I don't know. The books say it was improved over several decades, so it must have been more than one generation, right? Who the hell knows the specific names..."
"Oh, are you thinking that Frieren was involved? That's possible."
"After all, it's recorded that the predecessor to this Ordinary Attack Magic was Killing Magic (Zoltraak), and the creator of Killing Magic, Qual, the Elder Sage of Corruption, was sealed by the Hero's party. Frieren must have seen this magic long ago."
Fíliya quickly gave her analysis.
So that's how it was.
Flamme nodded in relief. That elven disciple she had worried about until the very end had really done it.
Not only did she defeat the Demon King, but afterward, she continued to contribute her efforts to the side of humanity... Where could that child be now?
Given Frieren's personality... she must have started a new journey, right? And she's probably continuing to collect those spells she loves.
Her companions... Fíliya said the defeat of the Demon King was decades ago. In that case, her human companions have likely long since reached the end of their natural lives.
Frieren, if the passage of time cannot change you, then only your companions can.
Have you, by now, grown accustomed to human death? Do you shed tears for the deaths of your companions?
As she thought about Frieren, Flamme realized she had so many things she wanted to confirm.
When she came back to her senses, she saw Fíliya sitting in front of her, looking at her with an annoyed expression, as if blaming her for spacing out.
"My apologies, Fíliya."
Flamme said a bit sheepishly. After all, it was rather unfair to Fíliya for her to be reminiscing about her old disciple right in front of her new one.
"Tch, I don't even have to ask to know what you're thinking, Flamme. I suppose it's true, whether it's a lover or a disciple, the first one always leaves the biggest impression."
Hearing Fíliya say this, Flamme's expression became even more awkward. She hadn't expected this young woman to have such keen observational skills, to understand at a glance why she had drifted off.
"Alright, alright, what can I say, I'm just too beautiful and kind-hearted..."
"Don't worry, Teacher Flamme. When I meet Frieren in the future, I'll find a way for you two to see each other."
"Besides... I'd also like to have a good, long chat with this senior disciple I've never met."
Fíliya said in a lighthearted tone, shrugging her shoulders.
___
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