"How long has it truly been?"
"Ah, probably another thousand years…"
I was isolated by humans for centuries, living in the forest and gathering my magical ingredients.
Yes, my favourite hobby.
I decided to move a bit, but I wandered for too long.
I saw some… structures towering like a village reborn, but larger. Could it be a growth enchantment?
I want to check it out.
Frieren narrowed her eyes, letting a faint glow gather at her fingertips, just enough magic to stay alert without causing trouble.
I don't recall anything like this existing. Frieren's eyes widened a bit.
"Perhaps my nap stretched a little too far…" she said, a faint smile flickering in her face.
Frieren tilted her head slightly, the way she always did when something puzzled her, as if listening for echoes of magic hidden in the walls.
"Or perhaps not…"
Frieren stepped a deliberate step toward the city. The first thing that met her eyes was a red metal carriage, simply a car.
"What was that?" Frieren said, pointing her staff toward the car.
But the car slipped away with unnatural speed down the road, continuing on its way.
She lowered her staff, but her guard didn't fall.
She tightened her grip on her staff, resisting the urge to cast a simple binding spell, just in case the strange red creature returned.
She blinked twice, grounding herself. "Ah… I see." Then she continued her slow, cautious steps.
Strange noises echoed between the towering structures, unfamiliar and sharp.
Frieren's gaze swept the surroundings, searching for anything remotely magical.
The more she walked, the more she realized she was truly alone in this new era.
Frieren's ears twitched ever so slightly, catching distant hums and rattles that sounded nothing like mana but still buzzed like living things.
"Hey! Over here!"
a voice called out to Frieren.
"A human?" Frieren said as she stared at the figure approaching her.
The man walked up to her, holding a smartphone, something that immediately made her instincts flare.
"Some sort of enchanted tablet?" she wondered, pointing her staff at the man.
The man froze, eyes widening as he took in her cloak, staff, and glowing fingertips.
Frieren tilted her head slightly, unsure if he was a threat or merely a confused local.
A faint shimmer of mana gathered at her palm, ready to burst forth if needed.
The device in his hand lit up suddenly, causing her to take a sharp step back.
The strange slab flared with light, she thought.
Then it vibrated. He held it up and said, "Hello, oh, give me a second. I'll be right there."
Does he talk to himself? Frieren wondered, her gaze never leaving the man.
Frieren's fingers twitched, the mana at her palm pulsing in quiet warning.