Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Return, Ho-Oh."

At Shichen's recall, Ho-Oh transformed into mana and returned to Shichen's body.

It remained obedient, showing no dissatisfaction with his casual summoning—after all, it had become his familiar, awakened through Tohru's blood.

Now it was simply a manifestation of mana, not the same god-like being from the Pokémon world.

Thanks to Tohru's exceptional blood—something one could hardly imagine—Ho-Oh awoke fully. Even Chisato's blood had not been enough to awaken the second familiar.

As Ho-Oh returned, Shichen's scarlet eyes returned to their normal brown, and the golden flame mark on his brow slowly faded away.

"How mysterious," watching this, Flamme couldn't help sighing in wonder.

"Just so-so," Frieren wasn't particularly interested.

"The rainbow is already fading away." Flamme looked at the rainbow in the sky that was gradually dissolving, remarking with a hint of regret.

"It's fine," Shichen comforted. "If Master wants to see it again, I can summon it anytime."

"That's all right—seeing a rainbow too often makes it lose meaning."

"That's true… Then let's get to the Space Control Arts."

Without prior approval from Natsuki Minamiya, Shichen felt slightly guilty about freely teaching them, but who knew if they'd even meet again, so it hardly mattered.

Yet after just ten minutes, he realized his worries were unfounded—Flamme and Frieren could not learn Space Control Arts!

Neither could even form a magic array!

In this world, magic centers on imagination, but Shichen didn't think they lacked imagination about space.

He himself could learn it, so why not them?

Perhaps he was just too special, or the differences between worlds were to blame.

Suddenly, he remembered how Natsuki Minamiya had mentioned she couldn't learn the "conjure a Field of Flowers" magic. Maybe the power systems of different worlds weren't mutually compatible. He alone could learn since he was… special?

"No need to brood about it," Flamme noticed Shichen furrowing his brow and patted him gently in consolation.

"But…"

"No buts—if we can't learn it, we can't learn it; maybe we're simply not meant to," Flamme said.

"Master…"

"Cheer up." Flamme gave him a firm pat. "You look more troubled than us, and we're the ones who can't learn it."

"It'd be more convenient if Master and Frieren could've learned it," Shichen explained, disappointed. "Then traveling would be far simpler."

"It's already convenient enough."

"But it's not the same. With space control, you can teleport anywhere you've been, saving a lot of time—Master could come and go more quickly."

"Is that all?" Flamme laughed and shook her head.

"What's wrong?"

"Shichen," Flamme looked at him warmly. "Which do you think is more important: the journey, or the result?"

"Huh? Why ask that?"

"Just answer."

"I think the journey matters more, I suppose…"

"Is that right?" Flamme smiled softly. "If that's how you feel, don't you think the sights along the way are meaningful, too? A person's life is short, so don't disregard the things around you. Enjoy this world's experiences."

"I understand, Master. If you say so…" Shichen decided to let it go.

"That's better—go with the flow, be content with what you have."

"Be content with what I have… Frieren, what about you?" Shichen turned to the silent Frieren.

"I'm fine either way," Frieren calmly replied.

"Really? You're not upset you can't learn Space Control Arts?"

"What's there to regret? You know it, right?"

"Me?"

"Mhm. If we ever need to travel far, you can just take us. You can bring people, yes?"

"Yes, I can bring people…"

"Then that's enough. You're not planning on leaving us behind again, are you?" Frieren stared flatly at him.

"Ah…" Shichen didn't answer.

But his expression had already told her everything.

Frieren's thick eyebrows knitted together. She stood there silently watching him, then turned and walked toward the little cabin.

"Wait—Frieren!" Shichen called, but of course she didn't look back.

"Heh heh, Frieren must really miss the days she had you around," Flamme teased, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"I guess she just misses me cooking meals for her."

"You silly child." Flamme patted Shichen's back with a gentle smile. "Go chase after her and explain properly."

"What about you, Master?"

"You want me to watch over you both? I'm not needed for that. Even though Frieren's lived longer than me, she's still just a little girl at heart. You should spend time caring for her."

"All right."

Shichen quickly ran after Frieren. By the time he reached the little wooden house, she had already gone inside, specifically into her room.

He entered without hesitation. The room was as simple as ever, no different from when he left.

"What do you want?" Frieren sat by the bed, head turned aside, refusing to look at him.

Shichen walked over, seating himself at her side. He gazed at her petite, white face in profile, and a gentle smile surfaced. Although her expression was calm, he sensed a slight displeasure.

In many human relationships, each reunion after separation can strengthen feelings. Frieren, who'd never closely interacted with anyone, had gotten used to Shichen's day-to-day presence—he'd wake her, cook for her, talk to her at every turn.

Even though it was less than a month, constant companionship inevitably affected her. Then he abruptly left without a word, and she remembered it for three months. Now that he was back, she felt conflicted.

And now, he said he would leave again—how could she not be upset? They hadn't even spent much time together yet.

"You're not speaking?" Frieren turned her head to look at him.

"No, I'm just happy."

"Happy about leaving?"

"Of course not." Shichen smiled, shaking his head. "I'm just glad Frieren cares about me."

"Who cares about you?" Frieren retorted, turning away again.

"What's so hard about admitting it? I care a lot about you, after all~" Shichen answered straightforwardly.

"You care about me? Why?"

"Um… because you're cute, because you're fun, because I like you."

"You like me? Why?" Frieren asked, staring at him.

"Is there always a reason for liking someone? I just do." Shichen said.

"You must have a reason, no?"

"Fine, let's say because you're cute."

"I don't consider myself cute."

"But I do."

"In that case, if you like me, why leave? Don't people who like each other want to stay together?"

"That's indeed how it should be… Speaking of which, you only don't want me to leave because you like me, right?" Shichen raised an eyebrow playfully.

"I don't."

"Eh? Really?"

"We've only known each other for how long? Why would I like you that soon?"

"Huh… I was confident in my looks and talents."

"Tch, you're too full of yourself—now I like you even less."

"Cough, and yet you still don't want me to leave." Shichen teased awkwardly.

"We're not total strangers. Naturally I wouldn't want you gone. That's all."

"I see…"

"So why are you leaving?"

"Frieren," Shichen locked eyes with her and said seriously, "actually, I'm not from this world. The reason I'm leaving is because I have important matters to deal with."

"I see," Frieren nodded.

"Huh? That's all? You just believe me?"

"Were you lying?"

"No…"

"Then that's fine."

"You're not worried I might be deceiving you?"

Frieren looked at him calmly. "Is there any point in that?"

"…Now about the danger of this 'important matter'?"

"It shouldn't be dangerous," Shichen shook his head.

"So you'll come back often, right?"

"Certainly. And if the opportunity arises, I'd like to take you to see other worlds too." Shichen said expectantly.

"Take me with you?" Frieren tilted her head, staring at him blankly.

"Yeah. You wouldn't want to?"

"I can consider it."

"Eh—"

~~~

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