Chapter 376: Words Spoken Only to You
In the chill of early morning outside the main gate of the Magic Association, the capital had not yet fully awakened from darkness, and only scattered noises could be heard.
Flamme stood at the gate, her back to the towering Association structure she knew so well.
The morning breeze ruffled the ends of her red hair and the hem of her white mage robe. She turned her head, looking at the towering structure, her hands clenching tightly in front of her.
This was her home.
Not a family residence connected by blood, but the place where she had studied and poured countless efforts and emotions into.
Every brick and tile, every blade of grass and tree, carried her memories.
The small garden on the roof occasionally tended by Master Serie; her own research room on the middle floor; the training grounds where she had taught countless mages on the lower floor; and the room on the very top floor belonging solely to Master Rhodes...
Her traces, and the figures of those two people, remained in every corner.
Leaving here, heading to the Heavenly Kingdom forgotten by history, meant she would never return. It meant a complete farewell to all of this.
Her chest ached, as if gripped tightly by a hand. Along with the pain came immense reluctance, almost causing the resolve she had painstakingly built to collapse again.
She took a deep involuntary breath, trying to suppress these surging thoughts.
"Flamme."
Olivia's gentle voice came from beside her.
The senior stood quietly next to her, golden hair tied in a simple ponytail. Her broad wings, symbolizing her identity as a Sky-Winged, hung by her waist, looking ready to soar at any moment.
"If you..." Olivia's voice carried a hint of persuasion. "Change your mind now, it is not too late."
"You can continue to stay here. You do not have to leave with me now. The gates of the Heavenly Kingdom are open for you at any time. It won't be too late to come when your time is truly near."
This was the second, and last time, Olivia offered this suggestion.
She could see how deep Flamme's reluctance was, how painful her struggle.
As an existence possessing a long life like the elves, Olivia's understanding of human emotions was far profounder than the elves'.
Flamme's body trembled, as if pondering Olivia's proposal.
Stay... stay in this place where Master Rhodes was, even if just accompanying him as usual, even if only for the last few years...
The temptation was immense.
But she ultimately shook her head.
"No need, Senior. I have already said goodbye to Master Rhodes and arranged the handover." She paused, as if convincing herself. "It was hard enough... to make up my mind. If I turn back now, I fear... I will never have the courage to leave again."
It had been so hard to say that goodbye, so hard to force herself to turn around and walk out that door.
If she retreated now, all the psychological preparation, all the painful choices she had made would be in vain.
She was afraid she would be weak, would crave, would eventually become the existence she least wanted to be—one needing the pity of others.
Olivia was silent for a moment, stopping her persuasion. Instead, she asked about another person she cared about. "What about Frieren? What did you tell her?"
At the mention of Frieren, a bitter smile appeared on Flamme's face.
"That child..." she whispered, Frieren's usually expressionless face seemingly appearing before her eyes. "She seems to believe in some tiny possibility."
"She thinks it is just a matter of waiting for a while. A few hundred years later, she will see me again. It is just... waiting a bit longer."
She recalled when she went to say goodbye to Frieren last night. After hearing her words, there wasn't much sadness in the elf girl's emerald eyes; instead, she was very calm.
She had simply nodded and said, "I understand. Master Flamme, be careful on the road. I will wait... wait for you to come back forever."
That tone was as if Flamme were merely going on a slightly longer trip, not leaving forever.
Clearly, Frieren believed.
Believed that Master Rhodes would eventually find a way. Believed that hope lay hidden behind that modified Stasis Magic. Believed that a miracle would happen.
Because belief needs no reason.
This innocence moved Flamme and made her want to laugh.
After all, she couldn't even fully believe it herself.
Not that she didn't trust Master Rhodes's ability, but she didn't trust fate to be so generous. She didn't believe she would be lucky enough to share in a miracle transcending laws.
More deeply, she feared that if that miracle really descended, she would once again be unable to suppress those feelings.
Of course, she wouldn't tell Olivia these complex thoughts; they couldn't be spoken aloud.
She took one last deep look at the Magic Association tower outlined in the brightening sky.
She wanted to carve all of this into the deepest part of her memory, taking it to that place of eternal slumber.
Just as she finally steeled her heart, prepared to turn and say "Let's go" to Olivia—
"Flamme."
A calm voice came from behind her.
Flamme's body went rigid instantly. She almost couldn't believe her ears.
This familiar voice... how is it possible?!
She spun around violently. In the morning light, Rhodes stood not far away, looking at her.
"Mas... Master Rhodes?" Flamme's voice was terribly dry. She forced herself to calm down rapidly, trying to find a reasonable explanation. "Wh-Why are you here? Senior Olivia and I just... happened to meet, and happened to... be going in the same direction..."
Her speech sped up unconsciously, trying to mask her panic, silently praying Rhodes wouldn't probe deeper.
However, Rhodes just looked at her quietly, his eyes showing no sign of being convinced.
Ignoring her explanation full of holes, he spoke directly. "You plan to follow Olivia back to the Heavenly Kingdom, activate Stasis Magic there, and fall into an eternal slumber as the end of your life. Correct, Flamme?"
The expression on Flamme's face froze instantly. The composure she had struggled to maintain collapsed.
Why? How does Master Rhodes know?
Her gaze turned involuntarily to Olivia standing beside her.
Olivia met her gaze, apology in her eyes, and nodded gently. "I told Lord Rhodes, Flamme."
As expected!
Or rather, a result within expectations.
Besides Olivia, only that child Frieren could have told Master Rhodes.
It turned out her plan to leave quietly had failed to deceive anyone from the start.
It turned out her self-perceived secretive farewell was already full of holes in the eyes of those who truly cared about her.
So now, what should I do?
Express the reluctance of eternal parting? Or take this last chance to pour out my love again?
But it seemed... none of it mattered anymore.
She lowered her head, avoiding Rhodes's gaze and Olivia's apologetic look.
All words turned into silence, letting surging emotions swallow them, hidden on her lowered face.
Just then, she felt someone approaching.
Carrying a familiar and reassuring aura.
Rhodes said no more. He simply walked up to Flamme, reached out, and gently lifted her lowered face.
This action was so natural, yet so unexpected.
Flamme was forced to look up and meet his gaze.
She wanted to say something, but all emotions were swallowed by the restraint she had maintained for decades.
And he wanted to say something too. To speak the words of these years to her.
Olivia retreated silently, disappearing quickly, leaving this place to the two of them.
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