Chapter 378: The Same Feelings
At the top of the Magic Association tower, inside the living room that belonged to the two of them, the atmosphere was somewhat stagnant.
It had taken Rhodes quite a bit of effort to barely explain the causes and consequences of Flamme's departure to Serie.
He naturally omitted Flamme's deeply buried feelings, only emphasizing her wish not to become a burden and not to make her two teachers worry.
Serie sat on the soft divan by the window, hugging her knees, her chin resting on them. Her golden hair was draped messily, and her gaze was a bit vacant, staring fixedly out the window in the direction Flamme had left—or rather, the direction of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Her lips were pursed slightly, corners turned down. Her exquisite face had "I am unhappy" written all over it.
Rhodes walked over, sat beside her, and reached out to hug her, but she avoided him subtly.
"What is wrong?" Rhodes called her softly.
"...Mmph." The elf lady responded muffledly, still not looking at him.
"Angry?" Rhodes knew she wasn't angry at him, but mostly sulking due to the reluctance of Flamme's sudden departure.
"No." Serie denied it, but her tone betrayed her.
She was silent for a moment before finally turning her head to look at Rhodes. "I am just... a little sad. I watched that child Flamme grow up; she is my best disciple." Her voice lowered. "Although sometimes... well, she is a bit headache-inducing, she has always worked so hard, always stayed by our side. Now that she has left just like that... it feels empty."
She paused, her gaze lingering on Rhodes's face. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Her lips moved, but she didn't speak, just looked out the window again.
Rhodes watched her hesitant appearance, waiting patiently.
He knew Serie's temper. She couldn't hold back words; she would ask sooner or later.
Sure enough, after a while, Serie turned her head again.
"Rhodes..."
"Mn?"
"If... I mean if, your research really succeeds, is it possible... to let others gain a lifespan like yours?"
She stopped there, staring intently at Rhodes.
Rhodes understood inwardly.
He knew Serie too well.
The elf lady seemingly guarded against Flamme constantly, but deep down, her love and master-disciple affection for Flamme were definitely no less than his.
"You mean," Rhodes took over her words, "if my research succeeds, help extend Flamme's lifespan, or even grant her a long life too?"
Serie's eyes widened slightly, then she nodded, admitting his guess.
She cared about Flamme too. She didn't want the red-haired girl she had taught personally, whom she had watched walk out of the ruins, to be annihilated in time just like that.
Rhodes looked at her, suddenly feeling a teasing impulse. "Oh? My elf lady, are you really not afraid... that one day Flamme will regroup and try to steal your man again?!"
Sure enough, Serie's expression changed instantly. First turning red, then pursing her lips tightly and glaring at him. After a long while, she muttered in a small voice, "...I believe in you anyway."
She believed in Rhodes, believed in his feelings for her, believed in the bond they had built over a thousand years, and believed... Rhodes could handle all this.
This trust was built on her deep understanding of him, even though her heart still felt a bit sour.
Rhodes's heart softened, and the teasing thought vanished instantly.
He said no more, reaching out directly to scoop the still-sulking Serie up, letting her sit on his lap, circling her in his arms like hugging a big body pillow.
"Let go of me!"
Serie struggled symbolically, but used no strength. Soon she leaned against his chest, though her cheeks were still puffed.
Rhodes lowered his head, rubbing his chin against the top of her soft hair, then spoke slowly. "Regarding Flamme... actually, I have a plan."
Serie's ears perked up immediately. She turned around in his arms, looking up at his face. "Plan? What plan? Why didn't you tell me sooner!"
"Because I was afraid you wouldn't agree, so I didn't dare tell you." Rhodes explained. "Now that I know you share the same thoughts as me, I dare to say it."
"Same thoughts? What exactly are you planning?" Serie pressed.
Rhodes told Serie everything—about his guarantee to Flamme, and the theory he had experimented with during his research that part of his power could be transferred to another, theoretically granting them a long life.
Of course, to ensure Flamme could last until then, he had also modified the Stasis Magic in advance and given it to Frieren.
"You... you actually did so much behind my back!"
Serie realized, feeling both moved and annoyed. She couldn't help but punch Rhodes's chest. The force wasn't heavy or light, carrying a coquettish anger. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Making me worry and feel sad for nothing!"
Rhodes caught her hand hurriedly, comforting her. "My fault. I was just afraid you would oppose it. After all, I really didn't want to see Flamme leave us just like that."
Serie glared at him, but her eyes reddened slightly.
Like Rhodes, she had long regarded Flamme as her closest family. Thus, she understood Rhodes's concerns, but that didn't stop her from wanting to punch him twice to vent her anger.
After fussing for a while, Serie's emotions calmed down slowly, and she leaned back into his embrace.
She was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Then... are you confident now? About this plan."
Rhodes mused, "I can't say I am confident. But at least, I left a hope. Compared to doing nothing... this is the best arrangement currently possible. The rest depends on whether I can walk to the end of that difficult path."
Serie nodded, saying no more.
She believed in Rhodes, believed in his ability. This belief was the cornerstone of their thousand-year companionship.
Suddenly, she remembered something else. She looked up at Rhodes's still-young face and asked, "By the way, is the life force of this body of yours almost at its limit too? Is it... time to prepare for the Reincarnation Magic?"
Rhodes was somewhat surprised she brought this up suddenly, but then understood.
After all, Serie always paid attention to his condition.
He nodded. "Mn. It is indeed time. This should be my last reincarnation ritual."
"Last time?" Serie felt some expectation, but also reluctance.
Every reincarnation meant a short separation and certain uncertainty.
"Yes." Rhodes confirmed. "My research has made some key progress. Therefore, the new body I shape for myself this time is expected to have a lifespan of at least three hundred years."
"This time is enough for me to complete the research at hand thoroughly and find that definite path."
He paused, his tone carrying a trace of apology. "However, correspondingly, because I need to integrate the latest research results, this reincarnation ritual will be more complex than any previous one, and the time required will be longer."
"Preliminary estimate... it might take several decades to completely finish the fusion and stabilization of the soul and the new body."
Decades. For humans, it was half a lifetime. Even for other races, it was a considerable time.
For Serie...
"I am truly sorry to leave you for so long, Serie."
Contrary to his expectations, Serie just nodded calmly, then reached out, gently stroking his cheek.
"Just a few decades. For an elf, it is not long. Compared to the time ahead, waiting these few decades is nothing."
She leaned into his embrace, pressing her face against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"I will be here, guarding the Association, waiting for you."
She had experienced waiting several times over this millennium. This time was just slightly longer.
Rhodes tightened his arms, hugging her closer, and lowered his head to kiss the top of her hair.
"Mn. Wait for me to come back."
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