Serie Arrives

Erik was a little dejected. Anyone would feel bad after being defeated so easily.

This felt far worse than losing to that guy Norn.

After all, the other side had gone all out and even used little tricks to defeat him, while Rhode had been at ease from beginning to end.

That would not have been possible unless there was a considerable gap in their strength.

"I was a fool, a complete fool. I should have realized that since you could badly injure a Demon Race member, you must have some special method."

Rhode patted his shoulder in consolation.

At that moment, Norn hurried over and asked eagerly, "Rhode, you can actually use magic? How did you do that?"

"Uh, I guess I learned it from someone else?" Rhode answered uncertainly.

Aside from the magic he had learned from Serie, he had created quite a bit himself with the Power of 'I Reckon'.

Still, it was better not to let too many people know about that.

"How could that be? Aren't humans unable to learn magic?"

"Uh, who told you that?"

Rhode was puzzled. Why did every race in this world assume that the Human Race could not learn magic?

While learning magic did require a certain amount of talent, that did not mean humans, like Dwarves, completely lacked magical aptitude.

Those were entirely different matters.

"Mr. Kraft said so."

Okay, case closed!

That guy was a martial monk to begin with. At most, he knew a few minor spells; he might not even be able to learn the most basic Light Arrow.

No wonder he thought humans could not learn magic either.

"Humans do have the talent to learn magic. It just depends on the person."

Rhode did not make any absolute claims.

If no one in this village could learn magic, he would be humiliating himself.

"So that's how it is." Norn lowered his head, though it was unclear what he was doing.

He was actually quite interested in magic too and wanted to ask Rhode to teach him, but when the words reached his lips, he did not know how to say them.

Besides, every race's magic was that race's secret. He did not know what school Rhode's magic belonged to, nor whether Rhode could teach it to him.

But Erik beside him could no longer wait and directly asked, "In that case, Rhode, can you teach us magic?"

It was rather direct, but Rhode did not dislike it. After all, his original goal had been to teach the humans of this world magic.

Still, he hesitated.

Most of the magic he currently used was elven magic taught by Serie, and Rhode was not sure whether Serie would allow him to teach it to outsiders.

Seeing the hesitation on Rhode's face, Norn took the initiative to smooth things over. "Erik, don't ask so carelessly. Everyone's magic is their secret. Did you forget what Mr. Kraft said?"

"But—"

Erik wanted to say more, but under Norn's stern gaze, he swallowed his words.

"It's not that I don't want to teach you. It's just that my magic is from the Elf race, so I need to ask my companion first. But don't worry, I have other magic I can teach you."

Rhode would definitely teach them magic. Over the past two days, he had found that neither of them was bad-hearted.

Norn was careful and cautious, capable of putting everything in order. Erik was somewhat impatient, but easy enough to talk to and a decent person as well.

Besides, just for the kindness of saving his life, Rhode had to repay them.

"For example, I can teach you this if you want to learn."

A small stream of water appeared at Rhode's fingertips, and the miraculous sight made both of them widen their eyes.

"This is Water Generation Magic," Rhode explained.

"This is truly convenient." Norn was full of admiration.

With this magic, they would not have to carry water back from the river every day.

"Isn't there something more powerful?"

Erik was clearly not interested in this sort of minor spell. He was probably the same type as Serie, wanting to learn powerful magic.

"Erik, everything starts from the basics. Don't rush."

"Then start with the basics. I'm a genius, after all!"

"A genius who loses more than he wins?" Norn chuckled.

"If you've got the guts, fight me fair and square! What kind of skill is using petty tricks!?" Erik argued, his face red.

Rhode could not help laughing at the sight of them bickering.

The relaxed atmosphere temporarily eased his worries about Serie and the others.

In theory, they should have arrived at this human village yesterday, yet there had been no sign of them even now. Could something have happened?

But in the next moment, a pleasant surprise arrived.

A commotion suddenly rose from the village entrance.

"Norn! Erik!" A young hunter rushed over. "A few strangers have arrived outside. One of them is a blond elf who looks pretty scary."

Rhode's heart skipped a beat.

A blond elf? Could it be...?

He hurried toward the village entrance, and after exchanging a glance, Norn and Erik quickly followed.

From Rhode's anxious reaction, Norn had already guessed who the strangers outside the village were.

He could not help feeling excited as well. Rhode had said earlier that Mr. Kraft was with their group.

They had not seen each other in ten years. Norn wondered whether Kraft would be satisfied with how much they had grown.

When they hurried to the village entrance, they happened to see Serie standing outside the fence with a cold expression.

Kraft and Som stood behind her, negotiating with the village's young guards.

"Serie!" Rhode could not help calling out.

The little elf saw Rhode at the same time. Unable to restrain her excitement any longer, she ignored the guards' attempts to stop her and jogged over to him.

"You short-lived—"

Serie weighed her words, wanting to complain that he had lured the Demon Race member away alone without discussing it with her. She was strong too; he should have trusted her more. Yet when the words reached her lips, she did not know how to say them.

In the end, she had simply failed to protect him.

If only she could have been stronger.

Taking in Serie's hesitant expression, Rhode merely pulled her into his arms.

"I missed you so much, Serie!"

Those were rather mushy words. Any emotionally normal girl would surely have blushed furiously at that moment.

But Serie was clearly not that type.

Her expression was somewhat troubled, as though she did not understand why Rhode was so excited that he had hugged her. They were not even inside the tent.

Humans truly were difficult creatures to understand.

But in the end, she did not push him away. She merely said softly, "Idiot. Next time, you need to trust me more."

"Mm, I understand."

Sensing the softness in the voice of the person in his arms, Rhode understood that Serie was not truly angry.

He released her and carefully examined the elf girl before him. Although she still wore that proud expression, she could not hide the worry in her eyes.

As expected, the Little Ancestor was just too adorable.