"Return, Phoenix King."
As Shichen recalled it, the Phoenix King transformed into magic power and returned to Shichen's body.
It was obedient, showing no dissatisfaction with Shichen's casual summoning, after all, it had become his Familiar, and had been awakened by Thor's blood.
It was now an aggregate of magic power, not a god from the Pokémon world.
One couldn't even imagine how excellent Thor's blood was; even Chisato Nishikigi's blood hadn't awakened a second Familiar.
The Familiar's return caused Shichen's scarlet pupils to revert to their normal brown, and the golden flame mark between his brows slowly faded.
"How amazing," Flamme couldn't help but exclaim, watching this scene.
"Average," Frieren said, not very interested.
"The rainbow is also starting to dissipate," Flamme said with a slight regret, looking at the slowly fading rainbow in the sky.
"It's alright," Shichen comforted her. "If Master wants to see it in the future, I can conjure it up anytime."
"Then forget it. If you see rainbows too often, it loses its charm."
"True… Then let's learn the Space Control Art."
Without Nangong Nayue's permission, Shichen felt a little guilty for presumptuously teaching them the Space Control Art, but since they might not meet again in the future, there was nothing to fear.
However, ten minutes later, he realized he had worried too much.
Flamme and Frieren couldn't learn the Space Control Art!
They couldn't even construct a magic circle!
The magic in this world was primarily imagination-based, and Shichen didn't think their imagination for space was insufficient.
He could learn it, so why couldn't they?
Was it because he was special?
Or was it because of the differences between worlds?
Shichen recalled Nangong Nayue saying that she also couldn't learn the magic that could conjure a field of flowers.
It seemed that power systems from different worlds couldn't be interconnected. It wasn't incomprehensible that he himself could learn it.
"Don't be so sad, it's fine if you can't learn it," Flamme said softly, patting his shoulder when she saw Shichen frowning deeply.
"But…"
3
"No buts. If you can't learn it, then you can't. Maybe we just shouldn't learn it."
"Master…"
4
"Cheer up," Flamme patted him hard.
"Why are you feeling down? It's us who can't learn it."
"If Master and Frieren could learn the Space Control Art, it would be much more convenient," Shichen explained regretfully.
"It's already very convenient."
"It's different. The Space Control Art allows you to move freely to places you've been before, although not over very long distances.
But at least Master could travel back and forth faster."
"Is that all?" Flamme shook her head and chuckled.
"Is there a problem?"
"Shichen," Flamme asked, looking at him gently, "Do you think the process is more important, or the result?"
"Master, why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"Just answer."
"I think the process is more important."
"Is that so?" Flamme smiled. "If that's the case, don't you think the scenery along the way is also very interesting? A person's life is very short, so you can't ignore everything around you. It's also very important to truly experience this world once you've come into it."
"I understand what Master means. Since Master says so, then fine." Shichen had no choice but to give up.
"That's right. Just let nature take its course. Contentment brings happiness."
"Contentment brings happiness… Frieren, how about you?" Shichen asked Frieren, who had been silent.
"I don't care either," Frieren replied indifferently.
"Really? Aren't you sad that you can't learn the Space Control Art?"
"Sad about what? Isn't it enough that you can do it?"
"Me?"
"Yes, anyway, wherever we need to go, you can just take us. You can bring people, right?"
"I can bring people…"
"What? You're not going somewhere again, are you?" Frieren realized something and stared at him expressionlessly.
"Well…" Shichen didn't answer.
But his appearance already explained everything.
Frieren's thick brows furrowed. She quietly looked at Shichen, then turned and walked towards the small cottage.
"Wait… Frieren!" Shichen called out to her, but naturally, she didn't look back.
"Hehe~ Frieren seems very reluctant to be without you."
"I think she's just reluctant to be without my care."
"It's because you cling to her every day, making her used to it. Alright, hurry and catch up to her and explain," Flamme said, patting Shichen's back with a smile.
"What about Master?"
"You still want to manage me? I don't need you to manage me. Although Frieren has lived longer than me, she's still a little girl. You should take good care of her."
"Alright."
Shichen quickened his pace and ran after Frieren.
Frieren returned to the small cottage before Shichen, and she didn't stay outside but entered the house.
Shichen didn't hesitate and followed her into her room.
The room's decor was still as simple as it was when he left.
"What are you doing here?" Frieren sat by the bed, not even looking at him.
Shichen walked over to Frieren and sat beside her. He stared at her delicate, fair profile and slowly smiled. He wondered if it was his imagination, but even though she remained calm, he seemed to sense a slight hint of dissatisfaction from her.
Separation and reunion between people can easily deepen feelings, leading to an awareness of care that wasn't there before.
Frieren had never truly gotten along with anyone, and Shichen had previously clung to her every day, waking her up, cooking for her, and chatting with her constantly.
Even though it was less than a month, the constant companionship must have touched her.
Then, his sudden unannounced departure made her unhappy, causing her to remember it for three months. Upon his return, her emotions fluctuated.
Now that he suddenly said he would leave again, how could Frieren not be angry, especially since they hadn't been reunited for long?
"Not speaking?" Frieren turned to look at him.
"No, I'm just a little happy."
"Leaving makes you that happy?" Frieren frowned.
"Of course not that," Shichen smiled and shook his head. "I just realized that Frieren cares about me so much."
"Who cares about you?" Frieren turned her head away again.
"What's so hard to admit? Look, I care about you very much~" Shichen said honestly.
"Care about me? Why?"
"Hmm… Because you're cute, because you're fun, because I like you."
"Like me? Why?" Frieren couldn't help but turn her head again.
"Why so many whys? I just like you because I want to," Shichen replied with a smile.
"There must be a reason, right?"
"Then, it's because you're very cute."
"I don't want to be thought of as cute."
"I think so, and that's enough."
"Then if you like me, why do you still leave? If you like someone, don't you want to be with them?"
1
"That's true… Speaking of which, if you're reluctant for me to leave, does that mean you like me?" Shichen blinked, asking teasingly.
"No," Frieren said expressionlessly.
"Huh? Really?"
"How long have we known each other? Why would I like you so quickly?"
"Well… because I'm so handsome and so excellent."
"You're too conceited. I like you even less now."
"Ahem, then you're still reluctant to see me go," Shichen retorted awkwardly.
"We're not strangers. Isn't it normal for me to be reluctant when you leave?"
"That's true…"
"So why are you leaving?"
"Frieren," Shichen said seriously, looking into Frieren's eyes. "Actually, I'm not from this world. I'm leaving because I have important matters to attend to."
"Is that so?" Frieren nodded.
"Huh? That's your reaction? You just believe it like that?"
"Are you lying to me then?"
"No, I'm not."
"Then that's fine, isn't it?"
"Are the things you need to do dangerous?" Frieren suddenly asked.
"There shouldn't be any danger," Shichen shook his head.
"Then you'll probably come back often, right?"
"Of course! And if I get the chance, I'd like to take you to see other worlds too," Shichen said with anticipation.
"Take me too?" Frieren tilted her head, looking at him calmly.
"Yes, you don't want to?"
"I can consider it."
"Huh—!"