"Why do you even need to think about it?" Shichen's shoulders slumped in disappointnt as he asked.
"Why wouldn't I think it over? Why should I go to another world with you? Aren't I just fine staying here?" Frieren retorted.
"That kind of thinking makes you no better than a lazy bum!" Shichen said indignantly, grabbing her small head and ruffling it vigorously, rocking her body side to side in the process.
"Stop shaking like that; I'm getting dizzy," Frieren couldn't bear it, swatting away his hand.
"Where am I forcing you? You're just too delicate."
"I'm older than you."
"What's the point of comparing ages? Dare to compare height and weight?" Shichen smugly squared his shoulders.
"…" Frieren stared at him, expressionless.
"Lost for words, eh?"
"So childish."
"That's called innocence," Shichen retorted with a grin.
"In that case, keep being 'innocent.' I'm going to sleep now. You can leave." Frieren spoke, lying down directly on the bed.
Her head of silver hair spilled across the mattress like a blossoming white lily, dazzling to behold.
"Sleeping in broad daylight? And it's only been 91 days since we last saw each other, yet you've beco so lazy?" Shichen said, looking at her with exasperation.
Frieren ignored him, turning onto her side, back facing him. "Don't bother ."
"I haven't even finished explaining," he said.
"No need, I already know you're leaving, and that you'll co back. The rest doesn't matter."
"…You have no other questions?"
"None. It's not as interesting as looking into magic."
"You really say that…? Then I won't be polite." Shichen threatened.
"Suit yourself." Frieren didn't budge at all.
"You said it!" Shichen declared. He stepped toward Frieren, extending both hands—one toward the crook behind her knees, the other supporting her shoulders.
Gently, he lifted the petite Frieren off the bed.
Frieren felt a light jolt as Shichen gathered her in his arms. She could sense his strength, but showed no sign of panic. Instead, she just looked up at him calmly.
"What are you doing?" Frieren raised her gaze to et his.
"Didn't I say I wouldn't be polite?" Shichen lowered his head, giving her a slight smile.
"Where are you taking ?"
"Outside. Who takes a nap in the middle of the day? You're hardly that old, you know. You're nowhere near elderly."
"If we're talking human years, I'm definitely old," Frieren countered.
"But you're not human—you're an elf. Which makes you a little brat."
"…Hold on tight!" he reminded. Giving a slight toss, Frieren felt gravity shift for a mont, instinctively clutching his neck to keep from falling.
Her delicate arms felt cool against him, prompting Shichen to look down at her, smiling, before striding out of the cabin.
Flam wasn't outside. Shichen glanced around but didn't see her—or sense her presence. She must have gone out again.
"Just look at Master, then look at you. How did you get this lazy?" Shichen started lecturing Frieren.
"Hmph, if I went out all the ti, would you have been able to see the mont you returned today?" Frieren said, voice calm.
"Oh? So you've been waiting for ?"
"No."
"Haha, embarrassed to admit, I see."
"Put down!" Frieren began to struggle.
"Fine, fine." Shichen bent down and gently set her on her feet.
Once Frieren stood steadily, enjoying the solid ground beneath her, she turned to look at him. "So, what is it you want?"
"Teach magic." Shichen smiled faintly.
"Huh?" Frieren blinked.
"What's wrong?"
"Which magic do you want to learn?"
"All of it, of course—anything you know. I didn't get to learn much before because I had no mana. Now I'm going to learn it all."
"Taking on too much could backfire."
"Doesn't matter, we have plenty of ti."
"Right… So, when exactly are you leaving?"
"Not sure. I'll stay for a while. No need to worry about rushing off. Think of it like Master Flam—occasionally going out on a trip."
"I see…" Frieren nodded.
"Not mad anymore?"
"…When was I mad?"
"Then why'd you walk off as soon as I ntioned leaving?" Shichen asked with a grin.
"I was sleepy and wanted to take a nap. Any problem with that?"
"Well okay, let's just say you were really sleepy." Shichen fondly ruffled her head again.
Frieren, annoyed, slapped his hand away. "Don't you still want to teach you magic?"
"Of course!"
"Then show so proper respect."
"What kind of talk is that to your senpai…?"
"Then I won't teach." Frieren turned to walk away.
"All right, all right, I'll listen to you." Shichen quickly held her shoulders in place, surrendering.
He couldn't help but notice her slender shoulders. Frieren was wearing a strappy dress—sothing simple enough to pass for pajamas. The small part of her shoulder he touched felt slightly cool.
He wondered if he might find a chance to offer her a massage as "paynt" for teaching him magic.
All afternoon, Shichen studied magic with Frieren. Though he grasped it quickly, there were so many spells that it would take at least two or three days to learn them all thoroughly.
Frieren taught quite seriously; Shichen could tell she loved magic. He didn't interrupt jokingly, so the session was productive.
By dusk, Flam returned, and Shichen paused his magic lesson.
That night, there was no more barbecued at—they ate a hearty at soup with vegetables. Considering the size and quality of the local fauna and flora, it tasted excellent even with minimal seasoning.
But in the midst of cleaning up afterward, Shichen suddenly realized sothing: he could have used magic to clean, so why was he washing dishes by hand…?
Ah well, sotis a bit of mundane chore work feels nice. It definitely wasn't because he montarily forgot.
Once the chores were done, Shichen left the small cottage, heading to where Frieren and Flam were. Frieren was ditating with eyes closed, while Flam was studying a new spell.
Seeing him co over, Flam looked up.
"Tired of housework already?" she teased with a half-smile.
"More like I'm done with housework," Shichen shrugged. "Master, what spell were you researching earlier?"
"It's a spell that seems to soften soil," Flam replied. "You might think it's trivial, but as I said, every spell has its own significance."
Shichen nodded. "Indeed. It'd be very helpful for villagers tilling the land."
"You've got quite an understanding," Flam said approvingly.
"Certainly more so than Frieren." Shichen glanced at the petite elf still ditating.
Frieren ignored him, eyes still closed.
Flam chuckled. "Don't pick on Frieren—she's still small."
"She's older than both of us combined, Master."
"She's still an elf, not a human."
"Master, you're playing favorites…"
"If I were playing favorites, I wouldn't have waited for you until now," Flam laughed gently.
"Waited for ?"
"Mhm. It's good you've returned, for I plan to take you both to et my master."
~~~
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