Chapter 375: I Have Come to Say Goodbye
In the laboratory, Rhodes was busy with his research.
Only when a knock sounded, followed by Flamme's voice, did he put down his work.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Flamme appeared at the entrance.
She still wore her neat white mage robe, her red hair meticulous. Her expression was extremely serious, clearly indicating she had something important to say.
"Master Rhodes," her voice seemed steady, as always. "I have come to say goodbye to you."
Goodbye?
Rhodes raised his head, his gaze landing on Flamme's face.
She lowered her eyelids slightly, not looking at him directly, making it impossible to see the myriad thoughts in her eyes. But her straight back and tightly pursed lips revealed a solemnity that couldn't be mistaken.
For a moment, Rhodes felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
This scene... seems familiar?
Oh, right!
Decades ago, there was a similar scene.
That was the first time she left his side to adventure and travel the world. Back then, he had answered her using memories from his past life.
He hadn't expected it to have been so long ago.
Memories of the past surfaced, making Rhodes sigh with emotion.
He remembered when Flamme picked up Frieren during her travels. To save her, Flamme didn't hesitate to storm a holy temple, using the massive mana stored within to open a teleportation gate and send Frieren to him.
Even though she could have just sent him an urgent magical message.
After all, he had left a mark on her long ago and could have opened a portal directly to her location.
However, from Flamme's perspective, such irrational behavior was understandable.
Even an urgent magical message took time to reach him, and Frieren might not have lasted until he arrived.
Then he just happened to encounter the demon army attacking the city...
Realizing his thoughts were drifting, Rhodes hurriedly pulled them back and began to consider the meaning of Flamme's farewell this time.
The current Flamme was arguably the strongest human mage second only to him. Ordinary matters couldn't stump her; she was no longer the little girl needing his rescue.
Temporary departures for dangerous missions weren't uncommon for a mage of her level.
Moreover, Flamme had executed several external missions over the years, so Rhodes didn't suspect anything else for the time being.
"Is that so?" Rhodes dismissed the magic circle in front of him. "What mission is it this time? How long will you be gone? What is the danger rating?"
He habitually asked for details. Although he was confident in his disciple's strength, basic worry was inevitable.
Flamme raised her eyes, meeting Rhodes's gaze.
Her eyes were still clear and bright, like beautiful green cat's eyes. But deep within them, Rhodes seemed to catch something different from before.
"It is not an Association mission, Master." Flamme shook her head gently, her voice remaining calm. "It is some personal business. I need to leave the capital and go to a rather distant place. It might take some time."
Personal business? A long journey?
This answer slightly exceeded Rhodes's expectations.
Flamme's life was almost entirely bound to the Magic Association. Her personal affairs were pitifully few, let alone ones requiring a long journey.
But he didn't probe deeper. Everyone had secrets and personal matters to handle. Even with a relationship as close as his and Flamme's, there was no need to report everything.
"Mn." Rhodes nodded, expressing understanding. "Do you need my help? Or need me to inform Serie?"
"No need to trouble Master Serie," Flamme said immediately, her tone quickening slightly before returning to steady. "Just some small matters; I can handle them myself. I have already handed over the work at the Association to Senior Sister Ela. She will be responsible for it in the future."
Handed over work? Even follow-up arrangements are made?
The strangeness in Rhodes's heart grew slightly.
Why does this sound like she's leaving her last words? But she shouldn't be! According to my calculations, my disciple still has some lifespan left; her time shouldn't be up yet.
However, Olivia had told him not long ago that she wanted to return to the Heavenly Kingdom. Now Flamme was requesting to leave. Was there a connection?
Rhodes remembered Olivia mentioning Flamme's wish to sleep eternally in the Heavenly Kingdom.
"Since you have arranged everything, proceed as planned," Rhodes continued to instruct. "If you encounter trouble you cannot solve, you can contact the Association or me directly at any time."
Ordinary instructions from a teacher to a disciple, carrying concern but maintaining an appropriate distance.
Regardless of what Flamme was thinking, as long as he personally saw Olivia off when she left, he would know everything.
Flamme listened quietly, the glimmer in her eyes seemingly flickering. She nodded gently and responded, "Yes, Master. I will be careful."
Then, as if having completed an important report, her body relaxed almost imperceptibly, only to tense up again immediately.
She looked at Rhodes, her gaze lingering on his face a little longer than usual, as if to imprint the memory of this moment deeply into her mind.
"Then... Master, I will depart now." She bowed slightly, performing a standard etiquette.
Rhodes looked at her lowered red hair and the nape of her fair neck. The sense of déjà vu surfaced again.
Decades ago, she seemed to have bowed like this, then turned and left to embark on her journey.
"Mn." He responded, seemingly not intending to say more.
Flamme straightened up, took one last look at Rhodes, and then turned immediately, walking toward the door.
"Flamme!" As she opened the door to leave, Rhodes called out to her, making her body tremble violently.
Did Master discover it?
She didn't want to clarify her thoughts to Master Rhodes because that would make the atmosphere too heavy and shake her resolve.
Therefore, she chose to say her final goodbye through concealment.
This is fine. This is fine.
"Does Master need something else?" She turned around, trying hard to maintain her expression to avoid revealing any flaws.
Rhodes stared at her seriously without speaking, making Flamme think her thoughts had been exposed completely, before finally speaking: "Goodbye."
Two very plain words, yet they made Flamme's tense body relax instantly.
"Mn. Goodbye, Master."
Flamme sincerely looked forward to seeing her teacher again, even knowing it was impossible.
The door closed silently behind her, isolating her figure completely.
Rhodes stood in place, his gaze still lingering on the closed door, then sighed.
This child... is not good at lying, nor at hiding herself.
Outside the door, the corridor was empty.
Flamme walked further away step by step. Her footsteps echoed in the silence, finally disappearing at the end of the stairs.
She didn't look back.
She wouldn't look back.
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