In the end.
Sayidat still took the magic he wanted.
Through Teacher Serie's use of Transfer Magic, she transferred her memories and insights regarding that magic to Sayidat.
As he had stated, the Empire's soldier did not linger for even a moment.
Though dusk was approaching, his figure soon vanished into the city of Oysaster, rushing without pause toward the Empire's northernmost reaches.
Outside the great hall, Guter watched Sayidat's departing figure, while his junior disciple Lairn had appeared behind him at some point.
"Senior Brother, I remember who that man was."
"Hm?" Guter turned to look at Lairn, his face filled with confusion.
"That man, Sayidat."
"Duncan once mentioned him to me. He said Sayidat was a Hero of Battle on the Empire's Border. But like me, he did not understand the ways of the world. Even though he devoted his whole life to that place, he received no promotion or recognition beyond medals."
"Is that so? He doesn't understand the ways of the world? Then why didn't I notice it just now? When he made his request to Teacher Serie, his statement and conduct were both quite outstanding."
Lairn fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"Perhaps it was sincerity."
"Sayidat may not understand the ways of the world, but he sincerely speaks every thought in his heart."
"And Duncan has always been exceptionally accurate in his judgment of people. I believe him."
"Is that so."
"Sincerely speaking every thought in his heart."
Meanwhile, inside the great hall.
"Come here."
Serie beckoned to Gumi, who was still seated below the dais, calling her over.
"Teacher..."
Gumi stood beside Serie with her head lowered, her breathing slightly hurried.
"Come, rest your head here."
Serie lowered her crossed legs, sat properly in her chair, and patted her lap, signaling Gumi to come closer.
"Mm."
Gumi nodded with her head lowered, then crouched beside the chair and rested her face-down head against her teacher's lap, quietly sobbing.
Serie said nothing. She merely gently stroked her disciple's hair and brushed away a few crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
Unlike Frieren, who still only vaguely understood human emotions, Serie had spent the long river of history living alongside and parting with countless disciples. She was able to empathize with humans.
After Sayidat finished speaking those words filled with emotion, how could her disciple Gumi, also a survivor whose homeland had been slaughtered by Demons, not remember the past?
The warmth of being with family, the joy of playing with friends—those memories had been so beautiful. Yet the sight of her homeland's destruction, of family and friends being slaughtered before her eyes, was just as cold whenever she recalled it.
Every warm memory became another piece of cold fuel for the flames of revenge.
Only when the towering inferno could consume the Demons from those memories, when the lives and blood of Demons were used to honor the dead of their homeland, could survivors like Gumi truly cast off the burden in their hearts.
Serie remained silent, continuing to stroke Gumi's hair. Looking at her disciple's casually tended hair, Serie could not help but smile. She then took off her own hair tie and fastened it around Gumi's hair.
However, while braiding her hair, Serie's hands suddenly paused. Then she continued.
"Honestly, whether she's carrying hatred for Demons in her heart or quietly accumulating mana, why is even this child's hair texture so much like Flamme's..."
"Never mind."
Before you continue