Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

The petite young girl opened her eyes, revealing a pair of emerald irises. Her face was calm as she gazed at Shichen, as if she didn't really see him, then quietly closed her eyes again.

"Hey! Is that really your reaction upon seeing your senpai?"

Shichen strode over, displeased, and unceremoniously ruffled her silvery hair. It was incredibly smooth and sleek, exactly as he remembered.

Once again, the petite, snow-like girl opened her eyes, fending off his hand. In a calm tone, she asked, "And you are...?"

"Cut it out!" Shichen flicked her forehead lightly.

"Ouch...!" Unable to help wincing, she raised her hand to cover her forehead, gazing up at him in annoyance.

"Heh heh~ Long time no see, Frieren," Shichen chuckled softly and looked at her gently.

"It's about time you came back." Frieren pouted, evidently displeased.

"This is my home, of course I'd come back," Shichen retorted with a laugh.

"You were gone so long, I thought..." Frieren paused. Her voice dropped. "I thought you might have run off."

"Why would I run off?" Shichen couldn't help rubbing her head once again, messing her fine silver hair into disarray.

"You can't learn magic," Frieren said, hesitating a bit but stating it plainly.

"Doesn't mean I'd flee because of that." Shichen shook his head with a smile. "And without me around, can you really eat properly? Even your hair isn't tied up anymore."

Using one finger, he lifted a loose strand of her silver hair, twirling it like a silver ring—albeit a bit thick.

"No one else is here, so why bother? It's a waste of time."

Frieren remained calm, watching him play with her hair. He'd always had a particular fondness for it, and even now that he'd returned after so long, it hadn't changed.

Was her hair really that much fun to touch?

Why did he keep patting her head?

"Isn't Master here?" Shichen asked.

"She doesn't manage her hair either, just kinda puts it up."

"You shouldn't learn bad habits from her—only the good ones." Shichen spoke with resigned exasperation.

"You're slandering Flamme. I'll report that to her later and have her teach you a lesson."

"Call her 'Master'!" Shichen flicked her forehead again, annoyed. "And call me 'senpai'!"

"No way. You left without a word all that time. Then you come back and bully me again!"

Frieren puffed her cheeks and turned away in anger.

But turning her head tugged on the lock of hair Shichen was twirling, and she grimaced.

"Ow—"

"Sorry, sorry." Shichen quickly let go of her hair.

"Now I'm really mad." Frieren's tone was flat, her expression unchanged, which actually made it more unnerving.

"My fault, I'm sorry. I'll make something delicious for you, how about that?" Shichen squatted so he was at her eye level.

"...Still rabbit meat?" Frieren swallowed, looking suspiciously at him.

"Of course not—I'll fix you a feast with no rabbit meat." He laughed.

"Really?"

"Cross my heart!" Shichen raised his hand in a mock oath.

"All right, I guess I'll forgive you for now," she said softly.

"Why can't you just trust your senpai?" Once again, he patted her head—so small, easily fitting in one hand, and her hair so smooth he could hardly stop touching it.

"You left without a word. Why should I trust you?"

"I'm sorry, that's my fault. Won't happen again." He apologized sincerely.

"Hmph." Frieren snorted, half accepting.

Shichen could tell what was on her mind and asked, "So how long have I been gone?"

"As if you don't know?" Frieren countered.

"I wasn't keeping track."

"Ninety-one days."

"Three months, then." Shichen smiled and eyed her mischievously. "You can remember that precisely—did you miss me?"

"Keep dreaming." Frieren rolled her eyes.

"Heh heh, I get it, you're shy, right? Why hide?"

"Can you not be so full of yourself?"

"Well, I missed you too!"

"You... why so late, then?" Frieren pressed.

"Well, can't you sense it yourself?" Shichen opened his arms wide, corners of his mouth turned up.

"What sense—Wait, your magic!" Frieren finally noticed the overwhelming mana within Shichen's body. She hadn't noticed it at first.

"What happened? Didn't Master say your mana perception's supposed to be active all the time?" Shichen teased, tapping her head lightly.

"I was using it all along!" Frieren knocked his hand aside in defense.

"Then why didn't you notice right away?"

"I don't need your interference!"

"Haha~ I see. Because you're so happy to see me back, right?"

"Yet you claim you didn't miss me—caught you lying," Shichen added teasingly.

"Where did you get so much mana anyway?" Frieren changed the subject.

"That's the reason I left. Now, just like you, I can use magic."

"Is that so? That's good." Frieren stared at him, a slight nod.

"Aren't you curious how I got it?"

"No need. As long as you have mana now."

Frieren recalled how Shichen had envied her before, a sorrowful yet envious look on his face. Compared to the prideful expression he wore now, it was night and day.

"I'm really strong now, you sure you don't want to ask me more?"

"Not interested. I'm hungry, go make me something to eat."

Frieren didn't seem curious at all that his mana dwarfed hers. They weren't enemies, so no point competing.

"Ugh, so my cooking is the only thing that interests you?" Shichen grumbled, pinching her soft pale cheeks.

Frieren stayed silent, calmly staring at him until he had pressed and pinched a few times before asking, "Well, are you going to make me that feast? You said no rabbit meat, remember?"

"Fine, fine," Shichen let go of her cheeks unwillingly and gave a small laugh, heading toward the little house. "By the way, is Master here?"

"She left this morning."

"Any idea when she'll be back?"

"Today, yeah. She's been with me recently."

"I see, then I'll prepare plenty of food."

"Wait a second. There's no ingredients in the kitchen."

"Huh?" Shichen stopped in his tracks and looked back at her.

Frieren gazed back quietly.

"So how am I supposed to cook, then?"

"You can figure that out yourself. Or maybe you were lying to me?"

"Heh heh, joking. Gathering ingredients shouldn't be a problem for me."

At that, Shichen stepped back up to her. "I'll show you something neat."

With that, he snapped his fingers. Instantly a magic circle formed under his feet, slowly rising to envelop him.

"All right, I'll be back soon."

With the disappearance of the magic circle, Shichen likewise vanished from view, leaving behind only that parting remark.

Frieren, for once, looked surprised, dumbfounded at the spot he had stood. That was a magic she didn't know, something she'd never seen, and one she couldn't understand.

Magic really was so fascinating—fascinating enough for her to thoroughly enjoy it.

Frieren smiled softly to herself, marveling at magic's wonders—and at the fact Shichen really could use it now.

~~~

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