Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

Nighttime. Shichen lay on a stone bed, occasionally glancing at Serie, who remained seated on the stone throne, unable to hold back a quiet laugh.

Honestly, taunting this arrogant old elf was truly delightful.

Back when he had only seen her through a screen, he thought if he could educate her, he'd definitely treat her like a brat and teach her properly. There was no helping it—her expression was so smug and her lectures so arrogant; any normal person would feel an urge to teach her a lesson.

Though she did indeed have the capital to be so haughty, he wasn't from this world, so he didn't share the same fear or respect people in this world might have upon facing the pinnacle of magic.

Especially because he had nothing to fear. Even the greatest mage, in front of his ability, couldn't do much. His immunity to magic in this world enabled him to come and go freely, acting as he pleased.

However, he remained uncertain about the specifics of this "magic immunity." Did it negate all phenomena caused or produced by magic, or only phenomena conjured entirely by magic?

In simpler terms, if someone used magic to move water from a river or manipulate the earth to attack him, would his immunity still work?

He personally guessed it wouldn't help if water or earth were already there, but if the water or earth were magically created out of thin air, it probably would. In any case, no need to overthink it—tomorrow's bout with Serie would make that clear.

He didn't doubt Serie would try such attacks if she realized ordinary magic wouldn't affect him.

Of course, he definitely wanted to fight Serie—not merely for the Divine Fragment, but more so because she was a conceited old elf who needed some correction.

Having great power doesn't mean she can go around being so arrogant.

Though he knew she was just a "tsundere" type—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted—he still wanted to give her some discipline.

Flamme might think it's fine, knowing Serie is just harsh outside and kind inside, but as a student—and not truly related to Serie—Shichen felt compelled to stand up for Flamme.

They weren't truly kin, just "grandmaster" and "grandstudent" in name. To him, it hardly meant a thing.

The voice in his mind had even told him to "conquer Serie." Clearly she was someone who needed to be taught a lesson.

Shichen glanced once more at Serie, who still seemed sulky, then turned over toward Frieren and got ready for sleep.

Frieren had already nodded off, and she looked utterly worn out. Indeed, they had been on the road so many days, and while she gained little enjoyment, her mental exhaustion was high. Even on a stone bed, she slept quite soundly.

So carefree.

A girl like this—just being by her side put his mind at ease, lifted his spirits. He couldn't help being fond of her.

Unable to attract her through sheer excellence, he could only bank on day-by-day familiarity, slowly letting her rely on him until she couldn't do without him.

Long companionship was the best confession, and Frieren was so out of touch with the world.

With that thought, Shichen shot a final look at Frieren's fair sleeping face, smiled, closed his eyes, and quickly drifted to dreamland.

Noticing that Shichen had simply fallen asleep, Serie turned her head, her expression impassive.

How bold.

For the first time in her life, she had been so plainly rebutted. He was even more insolent than she was.

Not bad—this piqued her desire to teach him a lesson.

No matter how enormous his mana was, equalling hers or close to it, he's only a human. Did he think she would lose? She held within her mind all known human magic!

Though the fact that a human possessed such profound mana surprised her, it mattered little. Now, she just wanted to give him a thorough thrashing first.

If he's going to be arrogant, he'd better have the power to back it up. Between master and grandstudent stands an unbridgeable gap!

…

The next morning, upon opening his eyes, Shichen discovered Frieren had rolled off the stone bed onto the ground.

Even in a place like this, she couldn't keep still while sleeping?

Shichen couldn't help but grin, feeling fully awake. He got up, stretching, walked over, and lifted Frieren's small form back onto the stone bed.

"You're awake," Serie said blandly.

Shichen turned to see her still seated arrogantly on that stone throne. He nodded.

"Morning, Grandmaster."

"You want to select your magic now?"

"Not so fast—gotta make breakfast first. When Frieren wakes up, if there's nothing to eat, she'll be unhappy."

"…You treat her quite kindly," Serie remarked, pursing her lips slightly.

"Of course I do. She's my kouhai."

"…And I am your grandmaster."

"Well, we're not that close. Once we're better acquainted, I'll treat you kindly."

"Ha…" Serie let out another cold chuckle. "Very good, very good."

"Right? I do think I'm quite good," Shichen replied, smiling.

"Your teacher already left," Serie said, ignoring his self-satisfaction.

"She left? Where'd she go?"

"Who knows—some sentimentality, perhaps."

"Oh. Alright, then. I'll go look for some food." Shichen turned and headed toward the exit.

"Wait," Serie called.

"What is it?"

"Where do you plan to find food?"

"There's a forest around here. I'll just grab some random animal."

"How long will that take? Should I help?"

"Grandmaster so thoughtful?"

"Heh—because I'm waiting to fight you."

"Grandmaster's quite impatient." Shichen shook his head with a laugh. "But don't worry, I'll be quick."

"I don't recall teaching Flamme any hunting spells, and around here, it's not so easy."

"Who said I need a spell for that? My own hands suffice."

"Your… hands?" Serie glanced skeptically at his slender arms and hands.

"You wouldn't understand. Actually—do you want to come see?"

"…Me?" Serie pointed at herself, staring at him oddly.

"Is there a problem? Are you not allowed to go outside?"

"…Heh, you're the first who's dared talk to me like this." Serie's expression turned amused, though her aura remained formidable.

"No big deal. You want to see me in action or not?" Shichen offered her a confident smile.

"Excellent. I'll see what your hands can do." Serie walked closer, a cold grin on her face.

"Let's go, then."

"Wait."

She turned to look at him.

"What?"

"No need to walk there."

"No need to walk?"

"Mm. We'll just head straight over." Shichen placed a hand on her shoulder, raising a brow mischievously. The two vanished from where they stood.

"This is…!" Serie exclaimed, eyes wide, staring at the forest before her.

In an instant, the rocky cavern had shifted to a lush grove. She thought she might be hallucinating.

"How about that, Grandmaster?" Shichen said with a smile.

"This is your magic?" Serie stared at him.

"Otherwise? It's not yours, I suppose."

"Your attitude… can't you be more respectful?" She inhaled, trying to compose herself.

"What's to fear? I'm not afraid of you."

"…Fine. This magic—how does it work?"

"It's space magic, and it doesn't belong to this world's system."

"Not of this world's magic? …I see. You're from somewhere else?"

"Exactly. I'm not a native of this world."

Serie went quiet for a moment, then laughed icily. "Hahaha! No wonder. So a human can't naturally possess such colossal mana."

She paused. "And I'm all the more eager to fight you now."

~~~

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