Winter Festival (Part Two)

"And you? In the future you can foresee, how far are you from realizing Flamme's dream?"

Suddenly, Serie turned her head, her eyes showing a rare and unusual expression.

This was the first time she had looked directly at Galan since then.

After listening to her explanation, Galan understood that one of the reasons why Serie wanted to establish the Continental Magic Association was to help Flamme fulfill her wish.

She just doesn't want to admit it.

Or perhaps...

There's no longer any value or need to acknowledge this matter.

After all, nowadays, besides Frieren, probably no one else knows about their master-disciple relationship.

"In the future I know, even five- or six-year-old children will have access to magic. Farmers can use magic to aid in cultivation, gardeners can use magic to nurture flowers, and every type of magic has its purpose and is suitable for its users..."

Galan smiled – a genuine smile.

Even he himself only realized Flamme's greatness when he talked about it. Things that seemed commonplace at the time were developed and popularized in such a short period of time when he looked back decades later.

Without Flamme's extensive legacy of magical theories and his promotion of magic, it would likely have taken hundreds of years to achieve this.

"I don't know exactly what constitutes a future where everyone can use magic," after all, the idea of a newborn infant using magic is still unimaginable, but at least I feel that Flamme's efforts for her dream have not been in vain.

"Including what you created"

That's enough, there's no need to say anything more.

Serie suddenly spoke up, interrupting Galan's next words.

Only then did he belatedly realize that he had almost revealed something about the future.

At the current pace, it will take Serie several more years to establish the association. If she were to reveal the outcome directly, who knows what might happen.

"Although I still think her dream is too naive, it's not without its charm as a way to pass the time."

Serie slowly stood up, holding a flower as golden as her hair in her hand. "Human magic, under the tutelage of my foolish disciple, has developed and progressed rapidly in just a few hundred years. To be honest, this is somewhat beyond my expectations, but it is precisely because of this that I have become more interested in humans..."

Is that why you allow the war to continue, hoping to accelerate the progress of human magic?

In the past Galan had always been puzzled by some of Serie's actions, but after seeing her today, he suddenly felt that many things made sense.

But such an approach is far too extreme... yet, it does seem like something Serie would do.

She does possess the power to destroy the Demon King and end the war, but she will not do so.

On one hand, war is her source of pleasure; on the other hand, she believes that only war can truly motivate humanity to develop new forms of magic...

"[The magic of conjuring up soil]"

"[The magic that conjures a flower field]"

Suddenly, Serie waved her hand and pointed at the statue of Flamme.

A small, vibrant field of flowers grew wildly, like upright pine and bamboo. This was not the season when they should have appeared, but thanks to Serie's various magical blessings, these flowers remained unharmed even in the cold wind.

"Look, what boring magic, but she actually likes it so much... Heh..."

Galan didn't hear what Serie was saying at all; his attention was completely drawn to the blooming flower field.

He wasn't a particularly refined person, and he rarely had a hobby of appreciating or growing flowers. But even so, the moment he saw the flower field that Serie had summoned, he still felt a breathtaking beauty.

This wasn't the first time Galan had seen this magic; he had seen Frieren use it before, but the flower fields they summoned were completely different styles.

Compared to the pale blue Blue Moon Grass summoned by Frieren, the flower field summoned by Serie is much more dazzling and golden, full of vitality and life, as if it were a microcosm of that golden age.

However, Galan was more inclined to believe that these were the kinds of flowers that Flamme liked. He didn't know what these flowers were called, but just looking at them made him feel warm inside.

"Serie?"

By the time he realized what was happening, Serie had already vanished.

Along with her, the Barrier surrounding this area also disappeared.

In an instant, he was surrounded by a noisy crowd, his ears filled with shouts and laughter. The previously empty street was now packed with people, some helping to build a bonfire, others discussing the evening's activities. Everyone wore a bright smile, as if the war had long since ended and peace had arrived.

It's a rare holiday, so why don't you join the residents in the festivities? After all, this [Winter Festival] was originally founded by my foolish disciple...

Although Galan could no longer find Serie, her voice still clearly appeared in his mind.

This is really convenient... this [Telepathic Magic]

But was the Winter Festival originally founded by Flamme? I wonder how many people still know this now. At least the boss certainly doesn't know. He used to tell me that the Winter Festival was held because the Goddess would bestow blessings upon people on this day...

"Lia, are you really not planning to prepare any gift for Galan?"

Looking at Lia walking beside her, Amber hesitated for a moment before finally asking.

After all, she had been Galan's disciple for a day, and she still hoped that her master wouldn't suffer emotional setbacks.

Regardless of Lia's attitude, she was certain that Galan liked Lia.

This stems not only from a woman's intuition but also from observations of various details.

Amber thought that on a special night like tonight, Galan would definitely prepare a gift for Lia. If Lia didn't show any appreciation, wouldn't that hurt Galan's feelings?

While Elves may not be particularly sensitive or concerned about such matters, wouldn't this unrequited love with no future be too cruel for Galan?