Inside the City Lord's Mansion.
Vearn waited anxiously in the reception hall, unsure if Frieren, with her typically aloof nature, would agree to come to the somewhat bustling manor.
As he waited, he glanced at the invitation in front of him and instructed his butler, "Have the items to be handed over to Lady Frieren prepared. Even if she doesn't accept, the message must be delivered."
"As you command."
Countless people had tried to win over the Mage of the Mythic Age, but they lacked the means.
Originally, her direct disciple, Flamme, might have been a channel, but unfortunately, she was often absent and too adept at making excuses, causing various letters to pile up for the City Lord.
After all, when he was commander, he had some dealings with Frieren, and together they had won the battle that changed the landscape of the central regions.
"There's nothing of much value among these. The only message I truly want to convey is this..."
Vearn took out a letter bearing a staff insignia.
The newly established Mage's Association was widely inviting distinguished individuals from all quarters.
Moreover, Serie's shadow loomed behind it.
He hadn't expected such a legendary figure to instigate this matter.
Had a long-lost spark of interest been rekindled?
Indeed, it could not be taken lightly.
No one could ignore her will.
Similarly, one had to greet another equally formidable figure with utmost diligence.
The manor was certainly lively enough today.
Not only that.
Besides him, there were also envoys from the southern kingdoms, nobles, representatives of organizations, and other figures in the city, all gathered for this grand occasion.
On one hand, it was to visit Commander Vearn, who had gained great renown in high society circles.
On the other, they intended to behold the legendary Mage of the Mythic Age.
Although Frieren was far less active in the spotlight than Serie, her reputation and achievements were irreproachable.
Over the years, her fame had spread far and wide, fermenting further, thanks in no small part to her apprentice's promotion.
Flamme, the foremost prodigy of her generation, was her direct disciple.
"Speaking of which, the flying dragon Caster that ravaged the elven forest and the trade route last time was hunted down thanks to Flamme. However, I haven't had a chance to give her the reward..."
Vearn opened his memorandum.
The butler reminded him, "She returns to the forest after her expeditions. If you want to give her the reward, you should do it soon."
"Geniuses always have their eccentricities."
From an ordinary person's perspective, Flamme seemed a bit of a shut-in.
Clearly, her strength was already sufficient to actively forge a career for herself.
"Lady Frieren must have taught her that; after all, their master-apprentice style is quite similar. Besides, Mage Flamme is still young. If she were forced into service, she'd be considered a child soldier. She's not yet at the point where she needs to fight demons."
"I almost forgot her age!"
After all, she was just a little over ten years old, but her maturity, composure, and formidable strength always made people overlook this fact.
The potential of the human race was fully embodied in Flamme.
Every time they met, her magical power showed further improvement, growing stronger day by day, with no end in sight.
Moreover, her momentum was increasing; she was bound to experience another explosive growth spurt before and after reaching adulthood.
Could it be that Frieren, as her teacher, intended to first raise a disciple capable of standing on her own?
Did even the current standards for mages not meet her expectations?
Cling, cling!
The crisp sound of the carriage arriving at the manor's main gate echoed.
Seeing this, Vearn quickly stood up and hurried forward.
Inside the carriage, Flamme's eyes widened at the sight of the luxurious courtyard.
At the same time, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Master actually accepted the invitation!"
"Because it's about the organization of a Mage's Association. At the very least, it's a platform. You'll definitely have to interact with it in the future, so isn't it better if I check it out first? Besides, they're offering grimoires."
"I thought you'd say that in a few hundred years, nothing would be left of it anyway."
"Correct. So, consider this paving the way for my apprentice. If it weren't for you, responding to the whims of human organizations would be a waste of effort."
Frieren shook her head, bored.
When she was alone, she had experienced periods where humans proclaimed the establishment of such organizations.
She'd hear about one, and by the next time she inquired, it would be gone.
They lacked perseverance.
Opposite her, Flamme sighed, well aware of this part of history.
She herself was like a thread connecting her master to the civilized world.
Otherwise, Frieren would probably prefer to research magic until the end of time, occasionally revealing her skills during major crises, and beyond that, history would likely not remember her.
But this time, she finally had a chance for change, because the person creating the association was also an elf – the oldest known elf, in fact.
In a way, Serie was probably the oldest being in the world.
When the carriage stopped, Vearn was there to greet them respectfully.
He stood at the very front, flanked by his butler and eldest son, with a line of servants behind them.
A red carpet extended from their feet to the entrance hall.
The reception was quite grand.
Due to the victory in the last defensive battle, Vearn's power and influence had risen significantly, yet he hadn't forgotten who had brought it about.
Thus, he showed utmost respect, just as he had when they first met.
"It's been a long time, Lady Frieren, Lady Flamme. Thank you for gracing us with your presence."
"Greetings."
The red-haired girl returned the greeting skillfully.
After all, she had seen many similar attempts at ingratiation and hospitality during their activities in cities, and had helped her master deflect numerous trivial matters.
"I'm mainly interested in the grimoires. And you said Serie founded it?"
"Indeed. Let's go inside and discuss the details."
After they reached the reception hall, servants brought tea and refreshments, steaming and at the perfect temperature, clearly prepared well in advance.
Although they hadn't known beforehand that the master and apprentice would suddenly arrive in the city, they had managed to display full courtesy in their haste.
Seated in the main position, Vearn gestured for his attendants to present piles of grimoires.
Some time had passed since Frieren was last granted the privilege of freely borrowing books, and new items had been acquired during this period.
She immediately began to flip through them, oblivious to her surroundings, and the City Lord, accustomed to this, continued his introduction:
"The great victory at Northwind Fortress has made even the most pedantic kingdoms consider popularizing magic on a large scale, thus greatly increasing the number of personnel involved. Coincidentally, Serie, in the magic city of Äußerst, began to gather people and establish the framework for an association. With her prestige and power, she quickly guided the organization's expansion. The demands of war stimulated the association's development, and many mages joined, while others received invitations..."
Gradually, Frieren put down the grimoire.
Listening carefully, she realized this group was more serious than before.
After all, in the past, there hadn't been such a significant threat as the demon war.
Now, humans had enough motivation to desperately develop magical technology.
If they weren't serious, they would genuinely lose their lives.
It was no wonder the association was flourishing, especially with Serie's endorsement.
So this senior is the type to engage with the world?
Or is she simply looking for amusement?
Speculating on others' motives wasn't her style.
The crucial point was how well the organization was run.
If the foundation was good, she could easily lend her support.
"Lady Frieren, I hear this letter is from Lady Serie herself. Please take a look."
Vearn solemnly handed it over with both hands.
In his view, this was an epic intersection of two Mages of the Mythic Age; they shouldn't have had any connection before.
She opened it. There was only one line:
"I am quite serious about the association. I will not let it disappear easily. We can discuss the rest when we meet."
After expressing her attitude, she made no further persuasion, ending with a vague invitation...
Very much in the style of the elven race, and indeed, she understood the concerns of elves.
Her presence added a degree of stability.
Additionally, the letter came with a Grand Mage's insignia.
No.
It was of a higher tier, a strange design that even Frieren wasn't very familiar with.
"My lady, that represents the Honorary President. Although this title has been established, no one currently holds it. Only Lady Serie bears the title of true President. If you accept, then all levels of the organization will have their corresponding personnel, and the structure will be complete."
"I accept."
Vearn had thought it would take some persuasion, but he hadn't expected her to nod after just a glance at the letter.
There couldn't have been many words, right?
Was this some elven understanding?
In any case, it was much easier to handle.
Next, he just needed to explain a few more things and have Frieren sign.
He continued, "Currently, the association's governance is relatively hands-off. Everyone does their own thing, as long as basic rules are maintained. Also, various regions will offer conveniences like passage and tax exemptions. However, some contributions are required in return. Of course, there are no special demands on the President..."
"Indeed, there are some contributions to be made. Benefits can't be received for free. I will transfer some special magic to the association."
"They aren't anything dangerous, are they? Others might not be able to master them."
At this point, Vearn couldn't help but think of the blooming crimson flowers, almost shivering.
Besides that, the renowned Thunder of Ruin, Glintblade Phalanx, Pillar of Angelic Light, and others were all large-scale, high-damage types, and certainly difficult to master.
Just hearing the names of the spells from Flamme sounded terrifying.
"Rest assured, it's just healing-type magic."
In fact, the most stable and widely applicable magic Frieren had was healing-related.
She had researched it the most extensively in her early years, striving to make it usable by all elves, with popularization as her development goal.
The rest were too niche, or even fraught with danger.
"Speaking of which, I myself have also joined the Mage's Association. So, allow me to represent the local branch in welcoming you, President Frieren."
"Mm."
Flamme's eyes lit up. "So Master is now the President? You suddenly have the title of a great figure! You don't know, do you? This is equivalent to the status of a top-tier noble."
"It's a small matter. As long as you study diligently in the future, becoming president won't be a problem for you either."
"The President is Lady Serie."
"She won't be willing to stay in that position forever. After ten years or so, she'll probably get bored and claim to retire and slack off."
Frieren had never actually met Serie and didn't know her well, but she knew elves all too well.
Moreover, there were already rumors that this President was taking on disciples, likely scouting for geniuses.
Unfortunately, no matter how talented they were, they couldn't compare to Flamme's aptitude.
This child was naturally gifted, and with her upbringing, she was an absolute prodigy for the ages.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on the silver-haired girl's face.
At least in terms of teaching disciples, she had surpassed Senior Serie.
No matter what genius you find, they couldn't compare to the sole inheritor who had integrated so many of my research achievements.
"Since I'm the President, do I have the authority to allow new members to join directly?"
"Of course."
"Lord Vearn, I believe Flamme already possesses the strength of a mage. There's no need for extra assessment; her track record is sufficient. I trust you've all witnessed Flamme's performance."
"She is quite active. Some veteran mages have been defeated by her in spars, not to mention she has hunted so many magical beasts."
"So, you, as the local branch head, also agree?"
"I couldn't ask for more."
The two of them had arranged everything for Flamme so clearly that she herself was still dazed.
Was it that simple?
Alright, she'd consider it as the association being loosely managed for now.
But it also meant she would be busier.
If she treated it as a quest platform, it could indeed serve as a form of training.
She was happy to take care of nearby requests.
An impromptu invitation ended so smoothly.
Neither party was one to dawdle, and the registration documents were processed in a few strokes.
As Frieren's apprentice, Flamme had officially made her debut in the magical world.
Vearn solemnly presented an insignia.
He welcomed it with open arms.
This meant the defensive situation around the fortress would further improve; one more mage meant one more convenience.
As for the elf, he couldn't count on her.
She was often elusive, like a divine dragon showing its head but not its tail.
Appearing once every three to five years was considered frequent.
"Really!"
Flamme, who had never dreamed of obtaining a mage qualification so quickly, felt it was surreal.
She had thought there would be some cumbersome certification process.
Was it this easy?
She gradually understood why her master had accepted the invitation to be president.
She was indeed paving the way.
Vearn, seeing this, was also willing to go with the flow, especially since the capabilities of this successor were evident to all.
In the future, she would undoubtedly ascend to a grander stage.
The City Lord cleared his throat and said, "Since you have accepted the position, you should meet some of my colleagues. Many of them have come specifically to meet you and have been waiting for a long time. I hope Lady Frieren can spare some time..."
"Of course. It's useful for accumulating connections for the association, isn't it?"
When she was a free agent, it didn't matter.
Now that there was an organization with an elven compatriot and an apprentice, it was naturally worth helping out.
Seeing that things were progressing smoothly and Frieren was willing to cooperate, Vearn immediately summoned the noble representatives who were present.
After all, they had originally been invited to a public banquet.
Now that everyone was here, it was a good opportunity to make an acquaintance and allow the association to extend its influence towards the central regions.
Will it work?
Flamme looked skeptically at her relaxed master.
Then, everyone was pulled away to change into formal attire and have makeup applied, a clear last-minute effort.
She didn't even know noble etiquette.
With the help of the maids, the two changed into elaborate formal wear.
Surprisingly, Frieren was quite adept.
In contrast, as expected, she herself was clumsy.
"Your Ladyship, you just need to cooperate with us."
"Oh, sorry."
Fortunately, the maids were very patient and also took the opportunity to instruct her on some points of etiquette.
As for her master, they didn't need to fuss much.
The silver-haired girl's headdress remained largely unchanged; her hair was simply combed.
A sapphire necklace adorned her swan-like neck, complementing her delicate collarbones.
A night-black gown perfectly outlined her curves, and high heels compensated for some of the height difference, her physique a picture of flawless beauty.
No excessive embellishments were needed; the simplest makeup highlighted her natural beauty.
Truly worthy of the elven race, known for its highest average aesthetic.
What was even more unexpected was how well it all came together.
At this moment, Frieren and her attire were a seamless match, the noble aura hidden beneath her usual weary exterior emerging spontaneously.
The first impression she gave was of someone from an extraordinary background.
But isn't Master practically a village girl?
Flamme's lips twitched.
Whenever she thought she understood her master, the latter would reveal some unusual trait, elusive and unfathomable.
Who knew what a Mage of the Mythic Age had experienced?
It was long buried in the annals of time.
"It's rare for you to be willing to chat with that group. What's the plan?"
"Of course, it's to get them to invest in the Mage's Association. After all, I'm the President now, so I have to take some responsibility."
"That really doesn't sound like your style."
"Correct. Next time, I might not be interested, so I'll use this opportunity to advance the association's development. Broadly speaking, the popularization of magic benefits us all."
Frieren's reasoning was simple: the more people with basic knowledge, the more geniuses could emerge.
Imagine if talent like Flamme's hadn't embarked on the path of magic and had been buried instead.
Wouldn't that be a great pity?
One of the few benefits of war was that it spurred technological advancement.
Since the various kingdoms were willing to push things forward, she might as well participate.
Taking advantage of the demonic threat, she would firmly root magic in people's hearts, even to the point of influencing the form of civilization.
"Understood."
"That expression of yours doesn't look like you understand. Just watch later."
Regarding magic, Flamme possessed a mind beyond her peers, but these profound propositions required accumulated experience.
Slowly, slowly.
Afterward, the two proceeded to the banquet hall.
What greeted them was a lively scene.
Under the light of crystal chandeliers, long tables were laden with delicacies.
Nobles in suits and formal wear mingled, their goblets and wine vessels crossing, laughter erupting from time to time.
Clearly, everyone was very satisfied with today's meeting.
The next moment, their gazes focused.
Anyone would have their attention stolen by Frieren's unique aura.
She naturally stood at the center.
What kind of person possessed such depth and gravitas?
Everyone present was well-versed and experienced, yet they hadn't anticipated the guest of honor to be so special.
People first noticed the silver-haired girl's temperament, and only then did they register her mana – like a blazing sun in the sky, the plume of her power no longer just wafting but spreading across the heavens.
Is it wavering slightly upon closer look?
Or is it an illusion?
Regardless, her actual mana was definitely greater than this terrifying display.
Everyone present combined couldn't compare.
Vearn proactively stepped forward. "President Frieren, allow me to introduce..."
"I am an envoy from the Southern Kingdom."
Only then did everyone snap back to reality—and began to converse.
Some also greeted Flamme, but she quickly excused herself.
Since she couldn't get a word in, she chose to eat, eat, eat.
If nothing else, the food was absolutely wonderful.
Some of the special preparations were unheard of.
The dishes were far superior to the average culinary skill in the elf village, a feast for the senses with fish, lamb, beef, pork, and various other precious ingredients.
She ate to her heart's content; there was plenty of everything.
Sitting by the dessert table, the red-haired girl ate while surveying the hall, her expression growing increasingly surprised.
She never expected Frieren to be so adept at such social gatherings!
She watched as her master effortlessly chatted with countless nobles she was meeting for the first time, discussing everything under the sun, her face animated, nodding from time to time...
Aren't you a shut-in elf?
Could it be that before I became her apprentice, she traveled extensively?
Sister Milliarde never mentioned it.
Flamme realized another powerful talent her Mage of the Mythic Age master possessed.
She seemed to understand the nobles' ploys very well, easily coaxing them into a daze.
With her keen hearing, she could tell that a considerable number of them intended to invest in and support the association, and the figures were so large they almost made the red-haired girl choke on her food.
Huh?
Could Master be using some kind of hypnosis magic?
But none of the methods for discerning hypnosis matched.
All signs indicated they were perfectly willing, which was even more outrageous.
Either the magic was so profound it left no trace, or Frieren's negotiation skills were comparable to magic.
Just then, Flamme saw a weary Vearn sit down opposite her.
"Your master is truly amazing. Those nobles, whom even I couldn't persuade, are actually willing to support the association. Now we'll have more funding."
He changed the subject, "Did you know that Lady Frieren might have been active during the Mythic Age?"
The red-haired girl shook her head, bewildered.
"One cannot cultivate that kind of temperament without experiencing great storms. It even makes those interacting with her forget the coldness of elves."
"Even if those are just polite social skills, they've reached an extremely high level."
Since that was the case, Vearn felt much more relieved.
He had been puzzling over the association's development work, and now it had suddenly been pushed forward a great deal.
As expected of Lady Frieren, talented in all aspects.
When she had honed these skills was not important; what mattered was that she could help the entire association, and he himself had also gained a title that rose with the tide.
"I think many things are matters Master is unwilling to do or too lazy to do. When she gets serious, she's still incredible."
"One doesn't see the sluggishness of elves in that lady."
"Except for emotions, perhaps."
Despite Frieren's smooth and tactful appearance, her heart was actually as calm as still water.
In her daily life, she wore an indifferent expression, and few things could truly touch her heart.
Anyway, as her apprentice, she couldn't see anything Frieren particularly cared about, other than magical experiments.
Now, she was planning to popularize magic.
There should be some consideration of wanting to observe the effects of her magic after it became widespread; that too was a form of experiment.
Vearn nodded repeatedly. "Truly reliable."
The two chatted while eating.
The banquet soon ended, with everyone having gained something.
Flamme intended to leave early.
She estimated her master, the City Lord, and others would still need to discuss some key topics with the admiring nobles...
However, she herself didn't escape the adulation, because the youngest mage in history had been born.
She was even forced to demonstrate a couple of spells, which immediately drew exclamations of amazement from the crowd.
Moreover, being the foremost genius of her generation, her reputation was already soaring.
They were utterly convinced.
In a few more years of growth, she would be the undisputed top genius, without any qualifiers.
"Human geniuses truly emerge endlessly."
"The demon war seems menacing, but I believe that in time, victory will ultimately belong to us."
"Lady Mage Flamme, I look forward to your guidance in the future."
Seeing this, the red-haired girl had no choice but to respond.
Fortunately, Frieren, noticing the situation, arrived in time to discuss things together, finally sharing the pressure.
So this is how tiring it is?
If I had known, I wouldn't have come.
Just as Flamme was about to slip away, her master grabbed her.
"Watch more, learn more. You'll have to experience it sooner or later anyway. Didn't you claim you wanted to take human magic to new heights?"
"Absolutely."
Her motivation reignited, she was pulled back again, then silently cursed herself for being naive.
How could she be so easily swayed?
A banquet of crucial importance to the history of the Mage's Association was underway.
After this, it would enter a period of rapid expansion, and the main figures involved would naturally become widely renowned, the news gradually fermenting from Northwind Fortress.
But what truly sent shockwaves through the magical world was Frieren's public lecture.
It wasn't just teaching one or two spells, but introducing a new school of magic.
_____
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