Serie's Arrival

Erik was somewhat dejected—after all, anyone would feel awful being defeated so effortlessly.

This was far more painful than losing to that bastard Norn.

At least Norn had to go all out and even resort to underhanded tricks to beat him, while Rhode had handled the whole thing with ease.

If the gap in strength weren't so vast, it wouldn't have turned out like this.

"I'm such a fool, really. I should've realized that if you could severely wound the Demon Race, you must have some special means."

Rhode patted him on the shoulder to console him.

Just then, Norn hurried over and asked impatiently, "Rhode, you can actually use magic? How did you manage that?"

"Hmm, I guess I learned it from someone?" Rhode replied uncertainly.

The thing was, aside from what Serie had taught him, a lot of his magic was something he'd created himself using the Power of 'I Reckon'.

But it was best not to let too many people know about that.

"How is that possible? Can't humans learn magic?"

"Uh, who told you that?"

Rhode was a bit puzzled. Why did every race in this world seem to assume humans couldn't learn magic?

Sure, learning magic required some talent, but that didn't mean humans were like Dwarves, completely devoid of magical aptitude.

Those were two entirely different things.

"Mr. Kraft said so."

Okay, case closed!

That guy was a monk at heart, barely capable of a few minor spells—he probably couldn't even learn the most basic Light Arrow.

No wonder he thought humans couldn't learn magic either.

"Actually, humans do have the talent for learning magic, but it depends on the person."

Rhode didn't say it outright.

If it turned out no one in this village could learn magic, he'd be slapping himself in the face.

"So that's how it is." Norn lowered his head, lost in thought.

He was actually quite interested in magic and wanted to ask Rhode to teach him, but the words stuck in his throat, and he didn't know how to say it.

Besides, every race's magic was a closely guarded secret. He wasn't sure what school Rhode's magic belonged to, or whether it could be taught to him.

But Erik couldn't wait any longer and blurted out, "In that case, Rhode, can you teach us magic?"

It was a bit direct, but Rhode didn't mind—after all, his original goal was to let the humans of this world learn magic.

Still, he hesitated.

Because most of his current magic was Elven spells taught by Serie, and he wasn't sure if Serie would allow him to pass them on to outsiders.

Seeing Rhode's hesitation, Norn stepped in to smooth things over: "Erik, don't ask rashly. Everyone's magic is their own secret. Have you forgotten what Mr. Kraft said?"

"But—"

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

"It's not that I don't want to teach you, but my magic is from the Elf race. I need to ask my companion's opinion first. Don't worry, though—I have other magic I can teach you."

Rhode was definitely going to teach them magic. From the past couple of days together, he could tell these two had good hearts.

Norn was meticulous and cautious, handling everything in an orderly fashion, while Erik, though a bit impatient, was reasonable and a decent guy.

Besides, just for the debt of gratitude he owed them for saving his life, Rhode had to repay them.

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

A small stream of water appeared at Rhode's fingertip, and the two stared wide-eyed at the miraculous sight.

"This is Water Generation Magic," Rhode explained.

"How convenient," Norn marveled.

With this kind of magic, they wouldn't have to trek to the river every day to fetch water.

"Got anything more powerful?"

Erik clearly wasn't interested in such a minor spell. He was probably on the same wavelength as Serie, wanting to learn something with devastating force.

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

"Then start from the basics! I'm a genius!"

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

"Say that to my face fair and square! What's with the cheap tricks!?" Erik's face flushed red as he argued.

Watching the two bicker, Rhode couldn't help but laugh.

This lighthearted atmosphere temporarily eased the worry in his heart about Serie and the others.

After all, in theory, they should have reached this human village yesterday, but there was still no sign of them. Could something have gone wrong?

But the next moment, surprise arrived.

A sudden commotion came from the village entrance.

"Norn! Erik!" A young hunter rushed over. "Some strangers are here. One of them is a blonde elf, and he looks pretty scary."

Rhode's heart leaped.

A blonde elf? Could it be...

He hurried toward the village entrance. Norn and Erik exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

From how anxious Rhode was, Norn had already guessed who the strangers outside the village were.

He felt a surge of excitement too. After all, Rhode had said before that Mr. Kraft was in their group.

It had been ten years since they last met. Would Kraft be satisfied with how much they had grown?

When they reached the village entrance, they saw Serie standing cold-faced outside the fence.

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

"Serie!" Rhode couldn't help calling out.

The petite elf spotted him at the same time. Unable to hold back her excitement, she ignored the guards' attempts to stop her and trotted over to him.

"You short-lived—"

Serie hesitated, searching for words. She wanted to complain that he hadn't consulted her back then, that he had lured the Demon Race away alone. She was strong, after all—he should have trusted her more. But the words stuck in her throat.

In the end, it was her fault for failing to protect him.

If only she had been stronger.

Seeing Serie's hesitation, Rhode pulled her into his arms.

"I missed you so much, Serie."

A cheesy line like that would have made any normal young maiden blush.

But Serie clearly wasn't that type.

She looked troubled, as if she didn't understand why Rhode was so emotional that he held her in his arms. It wasn't like they were in a tent.

Humans were such hard-to-understand creatures.

Still, she didn't push him away. She only said softly, "Idiot. Next time, you should trust me a little more."

"Yeah, I know."

Sensing the softening in her tone, Rhode understood that Serie wasn't truly angry.

He let go and carefully studied the elf girl before him. Though she still wore that haughty expression, the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

Sure enough, the Little Ancestor was just too adorable.