Daily Life and a Field of Flowers

In the downstairs lobby, Himmel pushed a glass of milk toward Ruby.

"What are your plans for today?"

"Hmm..." Ruby cupped the glass in both hands, a ring of milk foam around her mouth. "I want to stay home a few more days. Mother said she made some new jam."

Heiter passed by and ruffled her hair.

"Children should spend more time with their families."

"I'm not a child!" Ruby puffed out her cheeks, but didn't move away.

Eisen sat in a corner, polishing his battle-axe. Without looking up, he said, "We're still thirty percent short on travel funds."

"So we need to take a job." Himmel spread out a sheet of parchment bearing the guild's list of monster-slaying commissions. "There's a monster nest in the forest east of town, and water ghouls have appeared in the river to the west. Both pay well."

Ruby leaned over to look, her eyes lighting up.

"I'm coming too!"

"Aren't you supposed to study magic today?" Himmel pointed upstairs.

"I'll study in the afternoon! I'll earn travel money in the morning! Lady Frieren prefers sleeping in the morning anyway!"

She gulped down her milk, jumped off her chair, and ran to the stairs.

"Sister Frieren~ Can I study magic this afternoon instead~?"

A sleepy reply came from upstairs.

"Sure..."

Morning mist hung over the forest east of town.

Himmel walked at the front, his sword already drawn.

Ruby followed half a step behind him, gripping her staff in one hand and half an apple pie from home in the other.

"Quiet," Eisen said in a low voice.

A rustling came from behind the bushes.

Three wolf-shaped monsters emerged.

Ruby quickly swallowed her last bite of pie and pointed her staff forward.

"Wind Blade—"

Before the magic could take shape, Himmel had already moved.

His sword flashed.

Two Goblins fell. The third shrieked and lunged at Ruby.

"Look out!"

Himmel couldn't turn back in time.

Ruby didn't retreat. She swung her staff like a club, striking the Goblin squarely on the knee.

The monster screamed and fell.

She followed up with the simplest blast of mana.

The fight was over.

Himmel looked at her, somewhat surprised.

"You... can fight up close with a staff?"

"Teacher Serie taught me." Ruby wiped the tip of her staff. "She said mages can't be helpless when someone gets close. Though she only taught me the basics."

There was a little pride in her voice.

Heiter chuckled behind them.

"As expected of her disciple."

After clearing out the nest, they passed a patch of wildflowers on the way back.

Ruby stopped.

"What is it?" Himmel asked.

"Those blue flowers... Mother likes them."

She walked over and carefully picked a few.

Himmel stood nearby and waited.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling her hair. She bent her head to choose the flowers, her profile intent.

For a moment, Himmel remembered how his mother had once picked flowers like that in the yard when he was very young.

"Done."

Ruby stood up with the bouquet and noticed Himmel watching her.

"What is it? Is there something on my face?"

"...No."

Himmel looked away and headed onward first.

Ruby tilted her head and followed.

The afternoon magic lesson took place in the inn's backyard.

Frieren sat on a bench with the old book open on her lap.

Ruby stood in the open space, her staff planted beside her.

"Flower Field Magic is essentially a variation of life magic."

Frieren's voice was flat, as though she were stating what the weather was like today.

"It doesn't create flowers. It awakens seeds and accelerates their growth. Your mana needs to be gentle, like watering them."

She raised a finger.

A pale green light glowed at its tip.

The ground trembled. Shoots broke through the soil, unfurled, and bloomed.

In just three seconds, a small field of wildflowers in all colors bloomed around her, two meters across.

Ruby's eyes widened.

"Amazing..."

"Try it." Frieren withdrew her mana, and the flower field quickly withered. "Start with one seed."

Ruby took a flower seed from her pocket—one she had deliberately saved that morning.

She buried the seed in the soil and pressed both hands to the ground.

She closed her eyes.

Mana flowed.

One minute.

Two minutes.

The soil didn't move at all.

A fine sweat appeared on Ruby's forehead.

"You're using too much force." Frieren turned a page. "It's like holding a little bird. Too tight and it dies; too loose and it flies away."

"...Okay."

Ruby took a deep breath and readjusted her mana.

This time, the soil bulged slightly.

A slender shoot emerged shakily, growing ten centimeters tall and forming a bud at its tip.

Then it stopped.

Ruby gritted her teeth and channeled her mana into it, but the bud only swayed, refusing to open.

"That's enough."

Frieren closed her book.

"That's all for today. We'll continue tomorrow."

"Huh? But it hasn't bloomed yet..."

"You can't rush it." Frieren stood up. "Magic takes patience. You've already made a start."

She paused, then added,

"You're faster than I was when I first learned."

Ruby stared for a moment, then broke into a smile.

"Really?"

"Mm."

Frieren turned and walked toward the inn, her white twin tails swaying gently behind her.

"Same time tomorrow."

Lowell returned that evening.

He carried a bag of ingredients and something wrapped in oiled paper that gave off a sweet aroma.

Frieren's nose twitched.

"Honey cake?"

"I passed that old shop just as it came out of the oven."

Lowell set the paper-wrapped package on the table and began sorting the ingredients.

Frieren had already unwrapped it and popped a small piece into her mouth.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Delicious."

"Good."

Lowell sorted the ingredients into the cupboards and casually asked, "How's the magic lesson going?"

"She has talent."

"Compared to you?"

"...About the same."

Frieren picked up another piece of cake and paused for a moment.

"Compared to me back then, she might be more enthusiastic."

Lowell chuckled.

"There's a light in that child's eyes."

A clamor came from outside the window.

Himmel's party had returned. They seemed to have just finished another commission; they were dusty, but their expressions were relaxed.

Ruby was at the front, waving something in her hand.

"Sister Frieren—look—"

She rushed into the inn, holding a little flower in full bloom on her palm.

Its blue petals glimmered faintly in the twilight.

"I tried again just now, and I did it!"

Frieren looked at the flower and nodded.

"Very good."

Just two words.

But Ruby smiled even more happily.

She carefully set the flower on the counter and ran toward the kitchen.

"Mother said she's making stew tonight and told me to invite everyone over! Brother Himmel, Mr. Heiter, and Mr. Eisen are all coming!"

Himmel stood in the doorway, looking a little embarrassed.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

"Not at all! Mother made a whole lot!"

Ruby looked at Frieren and Lowell.

"Are you coming too?"

Frieren looked at Lowell.

Lowell thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"We have something to do. Thank your mother for us."

"All right..."

Ruby was a little disappointed, but soon perked up and pulled Himmel and the others outside.

"Then we'll go on ahead! See you tomorrow—"

Her voice faded into the distance.

The inn fell quiet again.

Frieren finished the last bite of cake and licked her fingers.

"Why didn't you want to go?"

"Too many people. It'd be a hassle." Lowell began washing rice. "Besides, it's better to give the party some time alone together."

"Alone together?"

"To help them grow closer."

Frieren nodded, only half understanding.

She walked to the window and looked toward Ruby's home at the end of the street.

The lights were already on.

"That child," she said suddenly, "looks at Himmel a little like you look at me."

Lowell's hand froze.

"...Is that so?"

"Mm. But not quite the same." Frieren considered her words. "More... bright."

Lowell said nothing.

The sound of running water echoed through the kitchen.

After a long while, he spoke softly.

"Human lives are short, so their feelings are always in a hurry."

Frieren turned around.

"What about you?"

"Me?"

Lowell turned off the tap and dried his hands.

"I have plenty of time."

He walked over to Frieren and joined her in looking out at the deepening night.

"So I can take my time."

Across the street, laughter came from the window of Ruby's home.

It was lively.

Frieren watched for a while, then reached out and took hold of Lowell's sleeve.

"What's for dinner?"

"Something simple. Egg fried rice?"

"Okay."

Night fell completely.

Lights came on one by one, like a sea of stars hanging upside down.