[Possible Timeline] Fern

[Perhaps existing spacetime]

Fern was the child of a minor noble family that had fallen from Southern Lands.

Her family's decline was not due to power struggles, but rather to something more direct: her small kingdom was instantly destroyed by the power of the "Rebellious Witch" Minusi. When she was four years old, she narrowly escaped the calamity because she was traveling with her parents.

She had a round face, and her almond-shaped eyes had a childlike quality. Her short, dark purple hair was inherited from her mother. She often wore white or light-colored dresses, simple in style, paired with small black leather shoes. It wasn't that she didn't want to dress up, but most of her family's possessions had been lost with her homeland. Fortunately, she didn't have any aristocratic airs.

The parents were gentle and kind, rare examples of approachable nobles. After the tragedy, they used their meager savings to settle in a relatively remote village, hoping to escape the chaos of war.

She was polite, always speaking with respect, and possessed a maturity beyond her years. She was also content, for compared to those who had passed away, being alive was already a blessing.

The parents got along well with the villagers. One day, a magician who could capture images passed by and froze a moment of Fern and her parents in time, making it into a simple hanging photo box necklace. Fern treasured it very much. When her parents went out to work, she would open the photo box and look at it quietly, hoping for their return.

She knew the culprit who destroyed everything her parents had was a mage, but it was also a mage who left her this precious memento. Occasionally, Fern would wonder if she should become a mage herself. Her parents had treated her so well, and she always wanted to meet their expectations. Of course, whether she became a mage or a warrior didn't matter; she just wanted her parents to be proud of her.

Since Mom and Dad lost everything, Fern will become their new source of comfort.

However, before she could realize this wish, she lost the opportunity to do so.

That day, Fern was hidden away by her parents in the dimly lit cellar. She wanted to ask something, but her mother gently put a finger to her lips. "Shh..."

She knew she needed to be quiet, so she kept her mouth tightly shut, but her almond-shaped eyes were filled with fear, helplessness, and confusion.

Why would anyone want to destroy our village?

She didn't know the answer; she could only watch helplessly through the crack as her parents were easily taken away by the light arrows that fell from the sky.

She was in so much pain she felt like she was suffocating, but she remembered her mother's words: Good children don't cry, they have to be strong... And you must stay here for a whole day and night, and you're not allowed to come out...

She'll listen. It's only a day and a night, not a long time. It's just watching her parents' figures gradually lose their warmth...

Time is passing so slowly.

Finally, it was completely dark.

It slowly brightened up again.

Fern felt it was still a bit dark.

My parents' bodies have already grown cold.

Fern is usually very obedient to her parents, loves cleanliness, pays attention to her appearance, and is a well-behaved child.

But this time, she couldn't be obedient. She had to dig a grave for her parents and give them a proper burial.

So tired...

The grave was dug, and little Fern's face was covered in mud and grime. She laboriously erected the simple tombstone.

So, what about now?

Fern looked around; apart from herself, there was no other living thing in the village.

How can I survive?

Why live on?

I'm too tired to think about it anymore.

Anyway, nobody in the world needs Fern anymore.

She walked to the edge of a cliff not far from the village. The cliff wasn't high, only about a hundred meters. Her mother used to bring her here often to see the scenery. She took one last look at the smiles of her parents and herself in the photo box, and then closed her eyes.

"I think it would be a great pity for you to die now," a voice said.

She turned around and saw an old man with white hair, dressed as a monk, holding a wine bottle.

"Pity?"

"That was a long time ago." The monk gazed into the distance. "I lost an old friend. He was different from me; he was upright and frank, and he would never turn a blind eye to someone in trouble. If he had survived instead of me, he could have saved so many people."

"I'm different from him, so I originally planned to live the rest of my life honestly. But at one point, I suddenly realized something. If I were to die like this, all the beliefs, courage, and friendship I learned from him would be wasted..."

"And those precious memories will disappear from this world with me."

"If you also have precious memories in your heart, it would be such a pity to die now."

Fern gripped the photo box tightly in his hand.

The monk's Heiter, and his deceased friend was named Himmel, who was said to be a great hero who had saved the world.

Heiter adopted Fern. At first, he still drank frequently and often told Fern that "alcohol is the best medicine." Although Fern didn't understand, she felt that what Lord Heiter said must make sense, but she herself did not want to drink.

They moved to a peaceful residence near the Royal Capital, where the surrounding monsters had long been cleared away. Fern was even able to go into the forest to gather herbs; despite her young age, she was very capable.

Heiter said she had a great talent for magic, and made her a wooden staff by hand, teaching her some basic magic. The staff wasn't very valuable, but Fern slept with it and the photo box every night.

One day, she encountered a silver-haired elf with pointed ears in the forest. The elf was looking around, looking troubled.

"Excuse me, hello. What are you looking for?" Fern asked as she stepped forward. A large, eye-catching red ribbon was tied behind her head in a bow, which Heiter had styled for her, seemingly to give her a more playful and lively look.

Although it still carries a hint of world-weariness, it's increasingly moving towards a cool and cute look.

"Uh..." the elf sized her up, "I'm looking for someone named Heiter..."

"Really? Then you're a guest. Please come with me," Fern replied politely, leading the elf home.

The elf's Frieren, a friend of Mr. Heiter, a very powerful magician who looks very young but is actually quite old.

Fern stood on tiptoe and placed the basket full of fruits, vegetables and herbs on the kitchen counter, then served tea to Heiter and the guests.

"You're still alive, you drunkard monk," Frieren said.

"Haha, it's not easy to die a carefree death," Heiter laughed.

"I bought some wine, intending to offer it at your grave. Would you like a glass?"

"I've quit drinking."

"Really? That's unexpected. But I don't think the Goddess will forgive you no matter how well you act now."

"Hahaha..."

Who is that child?

"Her name was Fern, and she lost her parents in the war in the Southern Lands..."

"This is so unlike you. I don't think you're the kind of person who'd be happy to help others, you're not Himmel."

"Hmm... Is there anything I can do for you this time, Frieren?"

"No, I was just passing through on my way to the Royal Capital purchases. I try to see acquaintances during my travels, since I Heiter you a lot of favors. I'm here to repay them before you die."

"A favor? That's perfect, Frieren. I have a favor to ask of you." Heiter took a sip of tea. "Could you take on a disciple? Fern has the potential to become an excellent mage... Could you bring her along on your travels?"

Fern was standing on a small wooden stool, chopping vegetables in front of a stove that was much taller than her. Hearing this, she paused for a moment, then continued chopping silently.

"I'm sorry, Heiter, this won't do. She'll be a burden. You know how high the mortality rate is for apprentice mages. I can't let the child my friend entrusted to me be in danger."

"Hearing you say that, I'm relieved... Well then, let's change the subject. Frieren, I have a magic book by the sage Ewig here, which is said to contain lost magic for resurrection and immortality. Could you please help me translate the ancient text on it?"

"Hmm, that's easy to say, but I remember you said you weren't afraid of death?"

"Well... that was just me pretending to be carefree. The other thing is, I'm more afraid of death than before. And even if I can't avoid dying, I want to live a little bit longer, even if it's just a tiny bit..."

"You drunkard monk, you'd live longer if you didn't drink."

"So you gave it up... haha. Also, could you teach Fern magic during your breaks from translating?"

"Alright, if that's all there is to it, then it doesn't matter."

"Ah, there you are. It's been so hard to find you." Frieren, with a head full of leaves, emerged from the bushes and found Fern standing on the edge of a cliff.

"Lady Frieren went to quite a bit of trouble to find me. Mr. Heiter said I have a weak presence, which is a great talent for a mage," Fern replied emotionlessly. "That's really a good thing."

"Is that so?" Frieren thought to herself. Indeed, even face to face, she could hardly sense the magical fluctuations emanating from Fern. She had already laid a solid foundation as a mage. At this age, without a mage master, just how much effort had she put in?

"Mr. Heiter said that as long as I can break through that rock on the other side, I'll pass." Fern pointed to a huge rock on the cliff face a hundred meters away.

"Oh? Heiter seems to understand that too." Frieren shaded her eyes with her hand and looked around.

"Then..." Fern focused, and a magic circle appeared. A beam of white light shot out from his staff, but it dissipated in mid-air before hitting the rock. "The magic keeps dissipating midway. What should I do?"

"Hmm... this can't be rushed... I'll teach you, the three essential elements of a mage, like this, like this, like this..." Frieren began to explain patiently.

Spring turned to autumn, and in between translating magic books, Frieren continued to teach Fern magic. Frieren was by nature a procrastinator and lazy person, and translating ancient texts was not easy, so one book had been unfinished for a long time.

"It's so cold... Lady Frieren..." Fern rubbed his hands together by the fire.

"Yes..." Frieren also shrank her neck, showing a rare timidity that matched her appearance.

Four years have passed.

"Heiter, it doesn't seem to be in this magic book..." Frieren held the half-translated manuscript, wanting to say something.

Heiter collapsed onto the cold floor without warning.

"Heiter?"

It was dark, and the rain kept falling.

"Frieren, don't make that face. It's a miracle I'm still alive..." Heiter lay weakly on the bed.

"... I will decipher the spellbook as soon as possible."

At the same cliff edge, Frieren, braving the rain, found Fern: "Fern, go back and check on Heiter. He doesn't seem to be doing well. Go and keep him company."

"No, I haven't broken through that rock yet."

"The rock will eventually be breached... that kind of thing..."

"It can't be 'sooner or later'! 'Sooner or later'... Mr. Heiter will die!"

"..." The elf was somewhat taken aback.

"Mr. Heiter saved me and took me in. He would be worried if I couldn't stand on my own before he left, which is why he gave up drinking, hoping to see me... I must become a magician who can put his mind at ease; this is my way of repaying Mr. Heiter."

"... Really? You've remembered everything I taught you, haven't you?"

"Certainly."

Okay, good luck then.

Another year passed, Fern turned ten.

"Heiter, the translation is finished. There's no magic of immortality in Ewig's book." Frieren placed the translated manuscript on Heiter, who was lying in bed.

"Is that so... I knew it." Heiter lay on the bed, looking at Frieren, without any disappointment in his eyes.

"You knew all along, didn't you?"

"Haha... How's that kid Fern? Did he break through the rock?"

"Yes, it was breached, just a few days ago..."

"I see... Hahaha, then she's not a burden anymore, right?"

"..." The elf finally realized that she had said before that "she was a burden," so she couldn't take her as a disciple. "Heiter, you tricked me!"

"Ha... cough cough. Frieren, take Fern with you. Now that she's not a burden anymore... let's leave tonight. I'm dying, and I don't want her to see me like this. Frieren, I'm entrusting Fern to you."

"Pretending to be something you're not..."

"Um...?"

"I said you're just pretending..." The elf's voice choked with emotion, tears falling one by one, "You were clearly ready to say goodbye to her, and she was too, yet you said such things... Saying a proper goodbye to that child, and then creating more memories, that's what you should have done before you died..."

In the kitchen not far away, Fern was still chopping vegetables on a small stool, but he secretly wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

"That's it then. So, Heiter, why did you take in Fern?"

"Hmm, if it were the hero Himmel, he would definitely do that."

"Fern, after I leave, you must always be a good girl, okay? Don't go astray." Heiter gently stroked Fern's hair. "Otherwise, I might turn into a ghost and come looking for you!"

"Really? If I become a bad boy, will Mr. Heiter come back to see me?" Fern looked up and asked innocently, with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"Uh..." Heiter was taken aback, not expecting her to say that, then laughed, "Sorry, I take back what I just said... How about this, as long as Fern continues to be a good child, maybe I'll become a ghost and come see you."

"Okay, fine... Fern will always be a good child."

Heiter is gone.