Chapter 33: Serie's Arrival
Eirik was a bit dejected. Anyone would be after being defeated so easily. It was much worse than losing to Norne. Norne had to use all his strength, and even a few tricks, to beat him. But Rhodes had been in complete control the entire time. That kind of ease was only possible when there was a significant gap in their strength.
"I'm a fool, a real fool. I should have known that if you could injure a demon, you must have some special trick up your sleeve," he said.
Rhodes patted his shoulder in consolation.
Norne walked over, his voice eager. "Rhodes, you can use magic? How is that possible?"
"Hmm... I guess I learned it from someone?" Rhodes answered, a little uncertain. The truth was, aside from what he had learned from Serie, many of his spells had been created through the sheer power of 'I think, therefore it is'. But it was probably best to keep that to himself.
"How? I thought humans couldn't learn magic."
"Er, who told you that?" Rhodes asked, confused. Why did every race in this world seem to assume that humans couldn't learn magic? It was true that it required a certain talent, but that didn't mean that humans were completely devoid of magical ability, like the dwarves. Those were two entirely different things.
"Mr. Kraft said so."
Okay, case closed! That guy was a warrior-monk. At most, he might know a few minor spells. He probably couldn't even learn the most basic light arrow spell. No wonder he thought humans couldn't learn magic.
"Actually, humans do have the talent for magic. It just depends on the individual." Rhodes didn't want to make any definite promises. If it turned out that no one in this village could learn magic, he would look like a fool.
"Is that so," Norne said, his head bowed as if in thought. He was also interested in magic and wanted to ask Rhodes to teach him, but he didn't know how to bring it up. And every race's magic was a closely guarded secret. He had no idea what kind of magic Rhodes used, or if he would be willing to teach it.
But Eirik, as always, was more direct. "In that case, can you teach us magic?" he asked.
It was a blunt question, but Rhodes didn't mind. His original goal had been to teach magic to the humans of this world. He hesitated for a moment. Most of his spells had been taught to him by Serie, elven spells. He wasn't sure if she would be okay with him teaching them to others.
Seeing his hesitation, Norne quickly interjected. "Eirik, don't be rude. A person's magic is their own secret. Have you forgotten what Mr. Kraft told us?"
"But..." Eirik started to protest, but a sharp look from Norne made him swallow his words.
"It's not that I don't want to teach you," Rhodes said. "It's just that my magic is elven magic. I need to ask my partner for her opinion. But don't worry, I have other spells I can teach you." He was definitely going to teach them something. After two days with them, he knew that neither of them were bad people. Norne was careful and meticulous, able to manage things with great efficiency. Eirik was a bit impulsive, but he was easy to talk to and a good person. And they had saved his life. He had to repay that kindness.
"For example," Rhodes said, a small stream of water appearing at his fingertip. The sight made both of them stare with wide eyes. "This is a water-generation spell," he explained.
"That's so convenient," Norne said in amazement. With a spell like that, they would never have to haul water from the river again.
"Is there anything more powerful?" Eirik was clearly not interested in such minor spells. He was probably more like Serie, wanting to learn powerful, destructive magic.
"Eirik, you have to start with the basics. Don't be in such a rush."
"You can start with the basics. I'm a genius!"
"A genius who loses more than he wins?" Norne said with a light laugh.
"Fight me fair and square then! What's the point of using tricks!?" Eirik argued, his face flushing.
Watching them bicker, Rhodes couldn't help but smile. The lighthearted atmosphere momentarily eased his worries about Serie and the others. They should have arrived at the village yesterday. He couldn't help but wonder if something had happened to them.
But in the next moment, a pleasant surprise.
A commotion suddenly erupted at the village gate.
"Norne! Eirik!" a young hunter called out, running towards them. "There are some strangers outside! One of them, a blonde elf, looks pretty scary."
Rhodes's heart leaped. A blonde elf? Could it be...?
He immediately started running towards the gate. Norne and Eirik exchanged a look and quickly followed. From Rhodes's urgent reaction, Norne had already guessed who the strangers were. He, too, felt a surge of excitement. Rhodes had said Mr. Kraft was with them. It had been ten years. He wondered if Kraft would be pleased with their progress.
When they reached the gate, they saw Serie standing outside the fence, her face a cold mask. Kraft and Somme were behind her, talking to the young guards.
"Serie!" Rhodes couldn't help but call out.
The diminutive elf saw him at the same time, and unable to contain her excitement any longer, she ran past the guards and stopped in front of him.
"You fleeting..."
Serie fumbled for the right words. She wanted to scold him for leading the demon away on his own without consulting her. He should have trusted her; she was strong enough. But the words wouldn't come. In the end, she had failed to protect him. If only she had been stronger.
Seeing her hesitation, Rhodes simply pulled her into a tight hug.
"I missed you so much, Serie."
They were sentimental words. A normal girl would have blushed beet red. But Serie was not a normal girl. She looked a little troubled, as if she couldn't understand why he was so emotional, why he was hugging her. This wasn't the tent, after all.
Humans are such difficult creatures to understand, she thought.
But in the end, she didn't push him away. "You idiot," she said softly. "Next time, you should have more faith in me."
"Yes. I know." Sensing the softness in her voice, Rhodes knew she wasn't truly angry. He released her from his embrace and looked at her carefully. Though she still wore her usual proud expression, he could see the undisguised worry in her eyes.
Truly, the little Grand Master is too cute.
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yo guys trying something new for Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter