Master and Disciple

Lowell quietly let Levi remain silent for a while, allowing his mind, filled with surprise and confusion, to process the situation.

Then, he patted Levi's still somewhat thin shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of knowing teasing. "Anyway, this is the hero you've been longing for... and his team. What do you think? Isn't he even more... 'lively' than the legends say?"

Ruby her hands on her hips, chin held high in a smug pose, her fiery red curls swaying like leaping flames with her movements.

"Hahaha! What, did you really think we were an old man and woman about to be buried? Didn't expect that, did you! We're forever 18 years old!" She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, stretching out her little hand to make a "you can't do it" gesture, her face beaming with a bright smile that could light up the whole room after a successful prank.

Himmel looked at Levi, who was still not fully recovered from the shock, and smiled gently, her blue eyes carrying a hint of apology and her usual sunny disposition.

"Hahaha... Sorry, did I scare you? Legends always have some fictional elements, and we're not as serious as in those stories. But, I am indeed the hero Himmel, and it's true that I'm handsome, as rumored! Hello, Levi." He stepped forward and extended his hand to Levi.

Levi was flattered and, almost instinctively and with a slight tremor, grasped the hand that had once held the Sacred Sword and defeated the Demon King. The warmth from his palm was firm and powerful, exactly like the hand of a hero he had imagined. "Lord Himmel..."

Himmel maintained her sunny smile and gently squeezed his hand, "What, aren't you going to call me Master? This is the first time Lowell has ever so earnestly asked me to take him on as a disciple. Your talent seems quite extraordinary."

Levi looked up abruptly, meeting Himmel's encouraging gaze. His chest filled with immense joy and excitement, and he nodded vigorously, his voice booming, "Yes, Master!"

Lupa, standing to the side, had a look of empathy in her heterochromatic eyes, as if she saw herself back then, the one who was led onto the path of a warrior; Linié, on the other hand, remained indifferent, quietly eating an apple next to Lupa.

Sitting by the window, Frieren turned a page of her book, commenting indifferently without looking up, "Congratulations. Hopefully, you won't raise another troublesome prankster."

Himmel looked at Frieren helplessly. "Frieren, I'm quite discreet when it comes to education."

Ruby moved closer to Frieren, grabbed her arm, and shook it. "Lady Frieren! Are you talking about me? What's wrong with me?"

Frieren let her be held, her eyes never leaving the book. "It's troublesome everywhere."

Heiter stroked his chin and laughed heartily, "Oh? Himmel has become a master too? This is going to be interesting! Kid, if you get tired from training, you can come find me for a drink... um, juice!" He quickly changed his words, a hint of lingering fear about his past "dark history" flashing across his face.

Eisen nodded steadily and said succinctly, "Yes. Study hard."

Seeing that the apprenticeship was going smoothly, Lowell stopped paying attention to that and naturally walked to the empty seat next to Frieren, sitting down and relaxing in the cushions.

Frieren sensed the movement beside her, but without taking her eyes off the pages of her book, she casually handed him the last small piece of honey-drizzled pastry on the table.

"Want some?"

"Yes." Lowell readily agreed, took the pastry, and ate it in a few bites.

Frieren then turned her head, glanced at him, blinked her emerald eyes, said nothing, and continued reading her book.

Lowell instructed Levi, "Alright, from now on you're Himmel's apprentice. But you don't need to stay by Himmel's side all the time; the academy's curriculum is more systematic and comprehensive. Just come to Himmel for guidance when he comes to the academy. As for the basic training of a warrior," he pointed to the direction of shouts coming from afar outside the window, "Go find Rain or Varos; they are both excellent warriors and will hone your skills."

"Oh, right, and if you happen to run into that purple-haired older sister Demons at the academy who's always 'uh-huh,' remember to be respectful; she's very concerned about her image. Oh, and the same goes for that twin-tailed girl who always calls herself 'senior,' flatter her a bit, and they'll take care of you."

"Huh? Oh..." Levi nodded as if he understood, silently memorizing these "academy survival guides".

During the Demons war decades ago, the dwarf Ransen, as the commander of the empire's Northern Frontier, used his iron body to resist the Demons invasion and led his army to reclaim one-third of the empire's territory. His defenses were impenetrable, and his offensives were so fierce that the Demons were caught in a dilemma. He was once recognized as "Strongest of Humanity warrior".

At that time, the average combat strength of the Demon King's Army was equivalent to that of a modern First-Class Mage, while Ransen moved through the battlefield as if it were empty, accumulating military merits that were recorded in the imperial history.

After the war, Ransen lost power in the power struggle, his achievements were burned and erased, and he became a vagrant on the streets, using the alias "Varos". He lost his historical presence and was even forgotten by the world by his real name.

In his later years, he joined the secret organization Shadow Warriors, becoming codenamed "Varos the Varos," and continued to prove his worth through fighting in the shadows.

In the Shadow Warriors Serie, the Shadow Warrior first swam underwater for twenty minutes in a dark, icy passageway, relying solely on his "presence" to get through. Then, he identified the presence of Falsh, the examiner for the First-Class Mage exam, by listening to the breathing sounds from ten meters away. After giving Falsh a warning and time to react, he easily severed Falsh's arm. If necessary, he could instantly kill Falsh, a skilled First-Class Mage.

At that point in time, Eisen had already admitted that he was "unable to wield the axe," and Eisen had once defeated Ransen. This seems contradictory, but it is not.

Eisen, having "defeated the Demon King and returned home in glory," naturally retired in peace. His muscles had also atrophied somewhat, and as he yearned for peace, he naturally became complacent.

Although Ransen's understanding of honor changed after being defeated by Eisen, he still valued the honor of warriors more than Eisen at heart. Being abandoned by the Empire and losing in the power struggle were his adversities, but in order to prove himself, he maintained his form even better.

In terms of profession, Eisen and Ransen were originally tank warriors, warriors who dominated with physical strength. Eisen admitted that he "couldn't wield an axe," which meant he was "unfit to wear heavy armor." Ransen, on the other hand, was Shadow Warriors who changed into enchanted light armor and transformed into an assassin-type warrior.

Rain was once his second-in-command, abandoned by the Empire earlier than Ransen, and persuaded by Lowell earlier as well.

With Eisen and Rain around, Ransen, forgotten by the Empire, now goes by the Varos and has become Warrior Instructor at the Continental United Academy.

He was so strong that at that time, he bluntly said, "Levi has long surpassed me," but now things are different; he has become Levi's instructor.

Thirty years east of the river, the river flows on.

"Yes! I understand, Lord Lowell!" Levi straightened his back and answered loudly, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

After arranging things for Levi, Lowell turned his gaze to Frieren beside him. Frieren seemed to have just finished a small piece of cake, with a bit of cream still on the corner of her mouth.

She licked her lips, noticing Lowell's gaze. Her emerald eyes turned to him, then to another untouched plate of dessert on the table. She nudged the plate towards him with her fingertips. "Want some more?"

"I want more." Lowell remained unceremonious.

Frieren naturally pushed the plate towards Lowell's side. "Hey."

Lowell took the spoonful, the sweet and silky texture melting on his taste buds. As he ate, his thoughts drifted slightly away.

Well, it has nothing to do with the world's corrective power. Just like how vacant positions will always be filled. Just like how Frieren didn't Himmel's team, but Himmel's team always needed a powerful mage, so Ruby appeared.

So, who will fill the vacancies originally held by Levi and Ransen? Now that things have changed... will the assassination attempt on Serie happen again?

There probably will be some, right?

Thinking about this, Lowell almost felt a sense of anticipation.

At that time, I'd send Himmel, this formidable figure, and Levi, the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Serie, to stand there. I wanted to see who dared to attempt an assassination in front of these two.

He chuckled softly, imagining the dramatic scene that might unfold, and unconsciously rubbed his hands together.

Sunflower seeds, peanuts, and roasted fish slices are ready; when does the show begin?

If it weren't for the fact that we can't Future Sight and can't see the details that far ahead, I'd really like to see how the story unfolds right now.

As for Lupa and Linié... well... even though their strength is no less than Levi's, what's the psychology behind not wanting to send them?

It's like the father doesn't want his daughter to marry off. She's just going to be a guard. Oh well, it's still early anyway.

Seeing the strange, even somewhat "malicious" smile on his face, Frieren casually scooped up a spoonful of pudding and stuffed it directly into his mouth.

Lowell coughed twice, swallowed the pudding, and then gathered his scattered thoughts.

Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, dividing the room into interplay of light and shadow. The young apprentices stood before their idols, their eyes burning with determination; their former companions sat around, laughing and joking as always. Outside, the lively sounds of the academy's students drifted in, full of life.

It was another peaceful and ordinary day, which made it all the more precious.