Frieren: Serie's Apprentice

[Strahl · Langyi Magic Tool Shop]

After choosing the staff, the young attendant noted Serie's customization request and led the master and disciple back to the front of the shop.

At the counter, the store manager, who was serving another customer, noticed the staff Gut was holding and instantly realized a major sale was incoming.

He cast his niece an encouraging glance and sped up handling the customer at hand.

Even in the Holy Capital, transactions involving magic staves aren't particularly common in tool shops. Including those low-end models for apprentice mages, monthly sales usually number just in the teens.

Most of the business came from serving ordinary folk.

For example, selling and repairing magical appliances for everyday use—like enchanted lighting—or selling magic potions such as insect repellents, detergents, or fever reducers, which were practical and highly effective for civilians.

Hence, most of the customers in the shop were common townspeople.

After handing a bottle of insect repellent and cooling oil to a customer and collecting the coins, the shopkeeper bowed slightly and turned to Gut and Serie.

"Apologies for the wait, esteemed guests."

He accepted the heavy staff from Gut, picked up pen and paper, and wrote a long, hefty price on a bill, which he passed to the two.

Gut merely glanced at it and couldn't help but gasp—it was a small fortune. Based on his daily "Do One Good Deed" system reward rate, he'd have to make installment payments for a long while… that is, if the shop even offered that option.

Unlike her disciple, Serie remained calm upon seeing the figure. Familiar with the market, she had already estimated the value of the staff when choosing it.

The store's price was fair, even generous.

Serie took a look, then pushed the bill back. "We have customization requests. The staff will remain in-store until complete. As per custom, we'll pay half upfront as a deposit."

"I see. No problem at all."

The shopkeeper nodded and rewrote the invoice.

Then, his niece returned to relay the customization details.

"You want to request Master Roni to work again?"

At this, the storekeeper looked slightly troubled.

Although their collaboration with Roni had always been pleasant, the dwarf craftsman was aging and semi-retired. Even if they reached out, there was no guarantee he'd agree.

"Uncle…"

The girl leaned closer and whispered, "The customer said just to tell Master Roni her name."

"Oh?" The shopkeeper looked over at Serie.

Before his niece could speak, Serie herself said, "Serie."

She handed over the signed bill.

The storekeeper froze for a moment before realizing what the name meant.

Without exaggeration, this was the highest peak among human mages, the longest river.

He immediately bowed lower, returned the invoice with both hands, and respectfully said, "My apologies for not recognizing you. Please, this bill is void. All your purchases here require no deposit."

"Take it," Serie replied. "That's standard practice."

"Understood."

No more argument. The storekeeper complied strictly with Serie's instructions.

"I will notify Master Roni of your request at once."

With business settled, the shopkeeper asked a personal favor.

"Lady Serie, I suspect you came to Strahl for matters concerning the Central Magic Association. With two days left until the new king's coronation, would you honor our family banquet with your presence? My father would love to see you again."

"Langyi…"

Serie recalled a face similar to the shopkeeper's—once a nervous youth just starting his shop, now a grown man with his own apprentices.

"No."

Serie shook her head. "I haven't even visited the current state of the Magic Association's headquarters here. I'll be busy."

"That is unfortunate."

Though disappointed, the shopkeeper remained courteous and saw the pair out.

As they left, Serie turned back. "Langyi's staves are still of high quality. Maintain that, and I'll return."

"We'll be waiting for your next visit."

Watching the two disappear around the corner, the shopkeeper returned to his father's store.

He thought to himself: he'd share Serie's compliment at the banquet—it would bring his father joy for a long time.

The smile lingered on his face, especially as he saw his niece patiently helping an elderly customer with a magical lamp.

Later, in a room at a Holy Capital inn…

"Mm~ slower, that's too much…"

"Yes, like that…"

"Feels… so good…"

Serie lay flat on the bed, her pale, slender legs bare, enjoying her disciple's massage.

The muscle ache from walking all afternoon faded under Gut's touch.

Aside from the physical comfort, Serie felt another, deeper satisfaction.

Where did her disciple even get this spell book? Not only was the magic useful, but its theoretical approach was revolutionary—an entirely new path.

If it proved functional through practice, it could be terrifying.

Such unexplained spells were once known as Curses.

Unable to grasp their nature, defensive spells were ineffective against them.

Traditionally, only powerful demons—like the Seven Calamities' Macht of the Golden Land—could wield them.

But now…

As Serie continued reading, her expression grew increasingly grave.

Because this theory—might just work.

She snapped the book shut and asked, "Where did you get this spell book?"

Seeing her rare seriousness, Gut reluctantly released her feet and replied, "I really can't say, teacher."

"I see."

Serie wasn't surprised. She continued, "Then tell me—besides you and me, has anyone else seen this book?"

"Uhh…"

Gut hesitated.

"It's just a quirky domestic-use spell, nothing serious, right?"

"It is serious," Serie declared, rising and conjuring a powerful, intricate barrier to shield them from all eavesdropping.

"Gut, do you know where the human magic system comes from?"

"Yes—from mimicking the demons' natural sorcery."

"Correct," Serie confirmed.

"Except for Goddess Magic, our system is essentially an inferior copy of what demons do by instinct."

"But this spell book's author has created a whole new system. Meaning—spells cast from this theory are undefendable, even to demons. Curses."

Gut gulped.

"But it's only one spell—Reparo…"

He stopped.

Because developing magic is hard for most, but not for Serie.

She confirmed it herself: "The hard part is imagination and knowledge. I lack neither."

"So answer me: is anyone else aware of this spell book?"

Staring into those sharp, golden eyes, Gut caved.

"No. No one else knows of it but us."

"Good."

The wards faded. Gut went for a drink—only to find his body frozen!

Serie, now wielding a slipper, delivered a few satisfying spanks.

"Ow!"

"Didn't you say only if I didn't answer?"

"Disrespecting your teacher deserves it."

"きもちいい(kimochi~ii)!"

Serie stopped mid-spank, worried she might've awakened a strange tendency.

When she tried the slipper on herself, she realized it was soft enough not to hurt anyone. Yet…

"Keep going, teacher?"

"I'm afraid you'd like that."

Chuckling, Gut left.

Alone again, Serie's smile faded. She stared at the slim book.

"Magic from beyond this world… intriguing."

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Powerstones?

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