Rhodes and Serie's kiss showed no sign of ending. Flam had no intention of watching any longer.
Her mana had recovered just enough to allow her to stand.
Taking advantage of the fact that the two were distracted, Flam dragged her heavy legs and slowly walked away, searching the forest for the aura of Ela and Frieren.
Fortunately, having sensed the calming of the mana storm, those two were already on their way back. Flam didn't have to walk far before she encountered them.
"Ela... Frieren..." she called out hoarsely, barely keeping herself upright by leaning against a large tree.
When Ela saw Flam's face, pale as paper, her expression shifted instantly.
"Flam?" She rushed forward to support her. "How did you end up like this!?"
As soon as the battle between Flam and Serie had escalated, Ela had dragged Frieren away from the sparring zone. When the sky itself began to warp from the intensity of the magic, she had run even further.
From the mont Flam proposed the duel, Ela had sensed sothing was wrong. She had wanted to stop it, but a single glare from Master Serie had forced her into silence.
Later, as the battle intensified, there was no opportunity to intervene. She could only pin her hopes on Lord Rhodes.
Now, looking at Flam... had Lord Rhodes failed to stop them? Or was it already over?
"What was that terrifying commotion just now? Did Master Serie actually use a high-ranking offensive spell?" Ela asked rapidly.
Although she and Frieren had hidden far away, the terrifying pressure before the two world-destroying mana signatures collided had been unmistakable.
Frieren also looked at Flam. A very faint trace of worry appeared in her eyes, though her eternally stoic expression made it hard to detect.
Flam leaned on Ela, shaking her head wearily. "It is fine. It is over." She paused, then added, "I just... lost the duel, that is all."
"A duel!?" Ela asked in disbelief. "What kind of duel creates a disturbance like that? That was a clash of Forbidden-level magic! Thank the Goddess Lord Rhodes stepped in ti..."
She stopped halfway through her sentence.
Because there had been more than one source of Forbidden-level magic. She had assud at first that one of them was Rhodes intervening.
But if it wasn't...
A shocking hypothesis flashed through her mind.
Has my junior sister reached the point where she can cast Forbidden Magic?
But what on earth did she do to make Master Serie angry enough to use a spell of that magnitude against her?
Ela sucked in a cold breath, completely baffled.
However, seeing Flam's pale profile, she chose not to press further. Instead, she supported the girl gently. "Alright, alright, let's not talk about it. You have severe mana exhaustion. You need rest. Co, sit down over here."
She carefully helped Flam to a patch of clean grass and sat her down. Then, rummaging through her travel bag, she produced a mana recovery potion and handed it to her.
Flam did not refuse. She took the potion and drank it in small sips.
The bitter liquid was swallowed along with her feelings, disappearing into nothingness like a bursting bubble.
Frieren leaned in closer. "Are you alright? Flam."
Seeing the concern in the elven girl's eyes, a trace of warmth injected itself into the bottom of Flam's heart.
She forced a smile. "Thank you. I am fine. I just need so ti to recover."
Ela sat beside her and sighed. "You really are reckless. That is Master Serie, you know..."
There was no bla in her tone, only lingering fear and helplessness.
Ela didn't know why Flam had suddenly challenged Master Serie, especially in such a radical manner.
Flam lowered her head, looking at her still-trembling hands. "I know," she whispered. "I overestimated myself."
Her voice carried little emotion. "But I do not regret it."
Ela looked at her, opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing. She simply patted Flam on the head in comfort.
Flam lowered her head again and closed her eyes, beginning to ditate to restore her mana.
No one knew that beneath her calm exterior, a persistent thought had been buried deep in her heart like a seed.
Live.
Find a way to transcend the limits of mortality with a mortal body.
Even if it was impossible, she would search for it!
anwhile, in the scorched clearing.
The long kiss finally ended.
Serie was breathing slightly harder than usual. Her clear golden eyes were now covered with a misty sheen, and her cheeks were flushed crimson.
She seed to haven't fully recovered from the suddenness of the kiss, her hand still subconsciously gripping Rhodes's clothes.
Rhodes pulled back slightly. Seeing Serie with that alluring flush on her face, he had to force down the urge to kiss her again.
"Do you understand now?" Rhodes's voice carried a lingering trace of passion. "That is my answer."
Serie blinked. She seed to want to say sothing, but found her thoughts were a tangled ss.
Her heart was beating very fast, and the heat in her face was abnormal.
"...Mn."
In the end, she only managed a vague syllable in response.
An imnse sense of satisfaction and security wrapped around her, making her temporarily too lazy to think about complex issues.
As long as this man was by her side, it was enough.
Rhodes smiled at her rare docility. He couldn't resist pecking her on the lips one more ti before finally letting her go.
Serie subconsciously touched her lips, where the sensation still lingered.
She looked up at Rhodes. Her gaze swept over the dried blood at the corner of his mouth, and her brow furrowed.
She reached out, her fingertips glowing with the light of healing magic, and gently brushed over the wound.
Rhodes didn't move, letting her heal him.
Seeing her focused expression, the shadow of self-bla in his heart seed to be dispelled by her gentle action.
"Next ti..." Serie withdrew her hand, staring at him seriously. Her voice had regained so of its usual coolness, but there was sothing else in it now. "Do not do such a stupid thing."
Rhodes knew she was referring to him punching himself.
He smiled, neither agreeing nor arguing. Instead, he said, "Then you must also promise . Next ti, do not spar with your apprentice to the point of using Forbidden Magic."
Serie pursed her lips, offering a silent acquiescence.
The atmosphere between them beca slightly subtle.
The paper window that had separated them for a thousand years had been thoroughly pierced. It brought not only intimacy but also a trace of unfamiliarity that required them to re-adapt and redefine their relationship.
"Let us go find Ela and the others," Rhodes said, breaking the silence first. "Flam is hurt badly. She needs care. And..." He paused and sighed. "We also need to have a good talk about what to do next."
Serie nodded.
~~~
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