Just as Gut's mood was beginning to lift, a familiar magical presence suddenly rushed toward him.
"…That's the mage who picked up on my scan earlier."
Turning in that direction, Gut saw that they were indeed approaching.
At least the guy had good timing—had he shown up just a few minutes earlier, right after Serie's "emotional cold shoulder," Gut wouldn't have needed to charge a punch. One good uppercut might've sent the poor guy straight into orbit.
Now that Gut was in better spirits, he was at least willing to listen. If the guy came over respectfully, maybe he could walk away with both legs intact.
Gut tugged lightly on Serie's sleeve to stop her. He'd handle this first, then they could resume shopping.
Serie looked at him curiously but quickly understood the reason. She, too, sensed the incoming magic signature and decided to stay by her disciple's side. If someone was picking a fight with her student, she had to be present.
Although judging by the magic signature, that person was hardly a threat.
The two stood still, ready to receive the approaching individual. Gut even rolled up one sleeve and began loosening his shoulder.
But when the source of that magical signature emerged from the crowd, both teacher and student froze.
Serie chuckled softly. Gut silently rolled his sleeve back down.
Standing before them… was a little girl, no older than eight or nine—shorter than most staffs carried by full-fledged magic users.
The girl paused and closed her eyes, quietly sensing the space around her. Then she confidently walked up to the tall young man.
She gently tugged on Gut's sleeve and looked up.
"Mister, our teacher told us that mages shouldn't go around using wide-range magical detection in public places."
"Otherwise, other magic users might think you're trying to pick a fight."
"Did you know that?"
Gut stared at her in disbelief. This kid had run all the way across the marketplace just to kindly deliver a warning?
With a sigh, he stood up straight and allowed himself to be chastised by this "little teacher." Then, out of guilt or just resignation, he bought her a stick of candied fruit from a nearby stall.
"Tch. This is so not how I thought this would go."
He expected a hot-headed teenager, not an actual child. And now he was out of money and pride both.
As he watched her munch happily on her candy, Gut felt increasingly cheated.
So, he reached out and lightly bumped her head with his elbow—then ruffled her hair affectionately.
"Mm! Mm!"
The girl nodded with a grin, eyes crinkling in delight. She didn't resist at all—in fact, she looked even cuter now. Gut almost wanted to tuck her into his pocket and take her home.
"Hey little one, are you here at the market all by yourself? It's dangerous without an adult—what if something happened to you?"
"I didn't come alone."
The girl shook her head, candy still in her mouth. "I came with Grandma. She should be here soon."
"I see," Serie commented, glancing toward a certain direction in the crowd. "That magic signature—is your grandmother, isn't it?"
"Huh?"
Gut blinked. He had expanded his detection over almost the entire market, yet he missed another mage?
Sensing his confusion, Serie explained, "You didn't sense her because she's hiding her magic. And… she's quite skilled at it."
"Isn't that right, Granny?"
Serie looked toward the figure now approaching from the crowd—an elderly woman.
Gut's eyes widened. She was already this close and he hadn't sensed her?
And when he saw the woman's face—his expression darkened.
"Kind young man, we meet again," the old woman greeted him warmly.
Gut's face fell.
He recognized her.
This was the same old beggar woman he'd encountered shortly after arriving in Äußerst—a woman he'd suspected of being an undercover Imperial Mage Agent or even a Shadow Operative.
And now she appeared again, here, in this remote town?
There was no way this was coincidence.
"No need to be nervous," the woman said hoarsely, seeing his change in expression. "This is just a chance encounter."
"Don't worry—I normally wouldn't bring family along on actual missions."
Knowing she wasn't exactly welcome, the old woman simply patted her granddaughter on the head and told her to say goodbye. Then the two disappeared back into the crowd.
Watching them vanish into the tide of people, Gut turned to Serie.
"Master, do you think that was really just a coincidence... or was there more to it?"
"It doesn't matter. There's no point in dwelling on it."
Serie waved her hand nonchalantly.
"The human Empire isn't our enemy. When I chose to appear openly again, I was already prepared for the possibility of being watched."
"Master…"
Gut's tone turned somber. After a long pause, he finally asked,
"What if, one day, those same Imperial mages do turn on you? What if they choose to make you their enemy? What would you do then?"
"Oh?"
Serie looked at him with genuine interest. "That's quite the question. An interesting hypothetical."
"If that day ever comes," she said with a faint smile, "I think I'd be glad to face it."
"To test the homework left behind by my disciple—a legacy she etched into the world over a thousand years. That would be a rare opportunity, wouldn't it?"
Gut gave a noncommittal nod.
"I don't think that disciple of yours—the one who dreamed of a world where everyone could use magic—ever imagined that her teacher would be attacked by the very people inspired by her wisdom."
"...Flamme, right?"
Serie's expression stiffened. The usual calm in her features gave way to something more serious.
"I witnessed history unfold with my own eyes," she said slowly. "So none of this surprises me."
"When something is passed down long enough—be it a deed, a person's actions, or even their ideals—it becomes warped."
"But... Flamme is gone."
"Her teacher, however, still lives."
"If that day really does come…"
"Then I will personally take the twisted ideals born from my disciple—and force them back onto the right path."
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Powerstones?
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