Apology

"Envious? Lady Frieren, humans only live for a few short decades. No matter how brilliantly they bloom, it's only for a fleeting moment!"

Holding a cup of tea, Fern gazed at the stars in the sky, her expression downcast.

"Fern... you've actually thought about these things. You've really grown up!"

Frieren raised a hand and gently stroked Fern's purple hair.

"Lady Frieren, do you think there's a Magic of Eternal Youth in this world?"

As if joking, Fern suddenly brought it up.

It was also the magic she wanted most after giving it careful thought.

"The Magic of Eternal Youth? Not even my teacher Flamme had anything like that!"

Frieren shook her head gently.

"I see!"

Hearing that, Fern's shoulders trembled, and the color gradually drained from her face, leaving her pale.

"But that was a thousand years ago. A thousand years later, if there really is magic in this world that can delay aging, it would surely be created by Serie!"

Unable to bear seeing Fern too upset, Frieren did her best to comfort her.

"Serie, the great elven mage born in the age of myths, the founder of the Continental Magic Association, the teacher of Flamme, the progenitor of human magic, the greatest mage in the world today, a master even the Demon King couldn't hope to match, a magical genius who has lived for thousands of years—it's her!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Fern's eyes. After a moment's thought, she nodded firmly and slowly stood up.

Serie was so powerful that she could be called a legend, and she had lived for many years. If there really was a Magic of Eternal Youth in this world, Serie was bound to have it.

And Flamme was Serie's disciple. Serie must have been heartbroken to see Flamme gradually grow old, too!

Maybe, just maybe...

A thousand years after Flamme's death, Serie really had invented the Magic of Eternal Youth in her memory!

It was entirely possible!

Growing more convinced of her own speculation, the girl showed a flash of determination.

So Dugu Qing would never see her grow old, so her most beautiful self would remain in her beloved's heart.

So she would have no regrets about her youth.

Serie, I'll definitely come to visit you.

Having silently made up her mind, Fern clenched her fist, full of fighting spirit, until her knuckles turned white.

"That's right. Those Grimoires on the history of magic weren't wasted on you."

"With someone like Dugu Qing around, casually creating magic whenever he feels like it, of course I have to work hard too!"

Having pinned her hopes on Serie, Fern regained her liveliness.

"That's true."

Frieren looked at Dugu Qing, who was standing by the railing.

Though he seemed relaxed and unruffled, as if he didn't care about anything,

he was actually the quickest to grasp things and the most talented member of the adventuring party.

At birth, he had received the Goddess's blessing, allowing him to practice the Goddess's magic.

Later, he had gone on to study both swordsmanship and combat magic.

Dual cultivation was no longer enough to describe Dugu Qing. With the Goddess's magic, combat magic, and swordsmanship, he was a true triple cultivator.

He had the makings of a "Great Emperor."

And the magic Dugu Qing had created—energy bullets, Transformation Magic, Cleansing Magic, Sword Flight, aura control, and more—was wondrous and powerful, unlike anything that had ever appeared in the history of magic.

Even across the whole history of magic, it was astounding, in a class of its own.

In the future, he might even create magic that would amaze Serie!

He might accomplish great feats that would surprise even Flamme!

"Oh, right. This is for you."

Frieren took out a box and handed it to Fern.

Fern opened it and saw a silver butterfly-shaped hair ornament.

"Oh! So today is my birthday!"

Fern remembered too. Today was her seventeenth birthday.

Dugu Qing was a little surprised. It was Fern's birthday today, and he hadn't prepared anything at all!

Fern looked at Dugu Qing expectantly. He rummaged around in his pocket and found a small booklet containing a record of Cleansing Magic.

Cleansing Magic was a spell Dugu Qing had created.

It could clear away garbage and remove stains from clothes. The stronger the magic, the wider its range. It should be useful to Fern too!

"Fern, this is for you."

"Thank you."

Fern took the notebook and happily tucked it into her pocket.

"Let's go to sleep!"

Dugu Qing was tired. He returned to his room, bathed, dried his hair, and prepared for bed.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Dugu Qing put on his white patterned pajamas and opened the door with a languid air.

Fern stood outside, looking at Dugu Qing, his fine hair drifting lightly, his features delicate, his skin snow-white, and a deadly glow faintly emanating from his chest.

The weariness deep in her mind slowly dispersed.

A tide of electricity surged through her, like mighty waves crashing against the shore, breaking through the riverbank and sweeping over her whole body.

So, so handsome! So beautiful...

Fern's throat was screaming, her fingers were trembling, and an impulse to rush into Dugu Qing's arms rose within her.

She held herself back again and again, quietly taking deep breaths and using the cold air to suppress the fluttering inside her. At last, she managed to calm down.

"What did you need?"

Dugu Qing yawned and leaned listlessly against the door.

"Dugu Qing... I'm very sorry about today. I followed you."

Fern lightly bit her lip and chose to come clean and apologize.

She bent in a bow, looking solemn, gentle, and adorable.

Dugu Qing smiled mildly.

"I forgive you. But why were you following me?"

Dugu Qing was quite curious. Fern was such an innocent, carefree girl. Why had she followed him instead of going to buy all the pretty clothes out there in the world?

He didn't have anything valuable on him, either!

"That's because when Lady Frieren assigned our tasks, a very happy smile appeared on your face, so..."

Fern looked at Dugu Qing nervously, leaving the most important words unspoken.

"So that's why! Then you must have seen me dancing above the Bamboo Grove!"

"Yes!"

Though she didn't want to admit it, Fern didn't want to hide it from Dugu Qing and leave any rift in her heart.

Dugu Qing touched the hair at his temple. This was why he chose places where no one was around when he danced.

It would be extremely embarrassing if someone he knew saw him.

An artist's brain cells could be possessed by the God of Wine at any moment.

So it was better to be carefree on his own.

He could sing whenever he wanted and dance whenever he wanted.

Hmm~

He missed life in the forest...

"Fern, tell me honestly, how do I usually treat you?"

To keep Fern from telling anyone about his "embarrassing moment" and preserve his aloof image in everyone's eyes,

Dugu Qing gave it his all. He reached out, placed a hand on Fern's fragrant shoulder, and gently held her as he gazed at her tenderly.

He suddenly put his arm around me. Oh my heavens! What is he going to do? Should I stop him?

Fern drew a sharp breath, her body going stiff.

Only after carefully turning Dugu Qing's words over in her mind did she realize it wasn't what she had imagined. Disappointed, she relaxed.

"Extremely well, of course."

Whenever Fern was in danger, Dugu Qing always appeared at once.

When Fern fell ill, Dugu Qing would heal her too, without charging her a single penny.

During their long travels together, the two of them had formed a deep bond.

That went without saying.

"Then don't tell Frieren about my awkward dancing."

"Mm-hmm."

Fern nodded vigorously.

She had finally gotten a secret to share with Dugu Qing. There was no way she would tell anyone else!

Besides, Frieren had reached a high level and was mentally resilient. She probably wouldn't be interested in such a small matter!