Chapter 33: Serie's Arrival
Eric felt dejected; after all, anyone would feel bad being defeated so easily.
This hurt more than losing to Norn. After all, Norn had to use his full strength and even some tricks to beat him, while Kurtz had remained at ease the entire time.
The casual way he'd deflected every attack, like swatting away insects, stung more than Eric wanted to admit.
If the power gap weren't so big, it wouldn't be like this.
"I am such an idiot. I should have realized that since you could severely injure a demon, you must have some special powers."
Looking at Eric sitting sulking on the ground, Kurtz walked forward and comforted him. "Your strength is very great; you just lack experience fighting against magicians."
Kurtz patted his shoulder. "Most people wouldn't have broken free from those vines at all."
The gesture was simple, but Eric felt some of the tension ease from his shoulders.
At this moment, Norn quickly walked over and eagerly asked, "Kurtz, you can actually use magic? How did you do that?"
"Uh... I learned it from someone?" Kurtz replied with some uncertainty.
The main reason was that, besides what Serie taught him, most of the spells came from his [Creation] or, as he calls it, 'I think therefore I am' power.
A cheat ability that would probably break every magical theory in this world if anyone knew about it.
However, it was better not to let more people know about this.
"How can that be? Aren't humans unable to learn magic?"
"Uh, who told you that?"
Kurtz felt confused; why did all the races in this world assume humans couldn't learn magic?
It was like they'd all collectively agreed on some fundamental truth that wasn't true.
While learning magic indeed required some talent, it didn't mean that humans, like dwarves, completely lacked magical ability. Those were two completely different things.
"Mr. Kraft said so."
Kurtz hit his head with his fist. 'Of course, it's him, who else? Okay, case closed!'
That guy started as an elf warrior; at most, he knew a few spells. His talent lay in being a warrior, not a mage.
Not to mention, no race that could use magic would have tried to communicate with humans, who were just weak little animals to them, forget about the effort of teaching magic.
"Actually, humans also have the talent to learn magic, but it still depends on the individual."
Kurtz didn't speak in absolutes. What if there wasn't a single person in this village who could learn magic? Then he would contradict himself.
'Just imagining that scene, with all of them looking at me, gives me second-hand embarrassment.'
"There's actually such a thing." Norn lowered his head, fidgeting with something in his hands.
He was very interested in magic and wanted to ask Kurtz to teach him, but the words got stuck in his throat. The careful way he avoided eye contact made his desire painfully obvious.
Moreover, he knew from Mr. Kraft that each race guarded their magic as their best-kept secret, and the same was true for any individual mage as well.
Norn didn't know from whom Kurtz had learned magic, and with how things were outside, it wouldn't be surprising if Kurtz wasn't allowed to teach magic.
Norn, deep in thought, considered all possibilities.
But Eric couldn't wait any longer and directly asked, "Since that's the case, Kurtz, can you teach us magic?"
It was a bit direct, but Kurtz didn't dislike it; after all, his original goal was to teach humans in this world how to use magic.
However, he felt hesitant.
Because his main spells were Elven spells taught by Serie, Kurtz wasn't sure if Serie would allow him to teach them to outsiders.
She might be… okay with it, given her rebellious nature against elven traditions, not to mention, she knew his wish to teach humans magic, and she never opposed it.
'But again, it would be better to ask her once before doing anything.'
Seeing the hesitation on Kurtz's face, Norn spoke up to help, "Eric, don't ask such things. Everyone's magic is their secret. Have you forgotten what Mr. Kraft said?"
"But..."
Eric still wanted to say something, but under Norn's stern gaze, he swallowed it back. The disappointment in his eyes was hard to miss.
"Actually, it's not that I don't want to teach, but most of my magic knowledge comes from my elf partner, so I need to consult her first. But don't worry, I have other spells I can teach you."
Kurtz would definitely teach them magic. Through their interactions over the past two days, he found that these two people were good-hearted.
Norn was meticulous and cautious, able to handle everything in an orderly manner, while Eric, though a bit impulsive, was still easy to talk to and a good person.
Moreover, just for the kindness of saving his life, Kurtz would repay them.
"For example, this. If you want to learn, I can teach you."
A small stream of water appeared at Kurtz's fingertip, crystal clear and perfectly controlled. The two stared wide-eyed at this wondrous sight, their faces reflecting the dancing light of the water.
"This is Water Generation Magic," Kurtz explained.
"This is truly convenient," Norn exclaimed, his practical mind already racing with possibilities.
With this kind of magic, they wouldn't have to go to the river to fetch water every day. The daily trek with heavy buckets could become a thing of the past.
"Is there anything more powerful?"
Eric wasn't interested in such minor spells; he probably had the same mindset as Serie, wanting to learn powerful magic. The hunger for strength burned in his eyes like a flame.
"Eric, everything has to start from the basics. Don't be too hasty."
"Then you start from the basics, I'm surely a genius at magic!"
"A genius who loses more than he wins?" Norn chuckled lightly.
"If you're capable, fight fair and square. Why play with dirty tricks?!" Eric argued, his face flushed.
Watching the two bicker, Kurtz chuckled softly. Their friendship reminded him of his friend from school and college days, this kind of easy camaraderie, something he had lost as time went on and adult life took over.
This relaxed atmosphere temporarily eased his worry for Serie and her group. The knot of anxiety in his chest loosened just a little.
After all, theoretically, they should have arrived at this human village yesterday, but they hadn't appeared until now.
Could something have happened? The possibilities gnawed at him despite his attempts to stay calm.
However, the next moment, a surprise arrived.
A commotion suddenly erupted at the village entrance.
"Norn! Eric!" A young hunter ran over in a hurry, breathing hard from his sprint, "There are some strangers outside, and one golden-haired Elf who looks quite intimidating."
Kurtz's heart skipped a beat.
Golden-haired Elf? Could it be...
Kurtz immediately ran off towards the village entrance. Norn and Eric exchanged glances and quickly followed, their footsteps echoing behind him.
From Kurtz's anxious reaction, Norn had already guessed who the strangers outside the village were. He, too, became a little excited, as Kurtz had mentioned earlier that Mr. Kraft was also in their group.
After ten years apart, he wondered if Kraft would be satisfied with their current growth.
As the group hurried to the village entrance, they first saw Serie standing outside the fence with a cold expression.
Even at a distance, her cold presence was unmistakable, that particular combination of elegance and barely contained impatience that was uniquely hers.
Kraft and Somo stood behind her, talking with the young guards from the village. The guards were happy to meet Kraft again.
But that happiness was overshadowed by Serie's cold aura, making them nervous because they didn't know how to handle the situation.
"Serie!" Kurtz couldn't help but call out.
The petite Elf also saw Kurtz at the same time he called her, and could no longer suppress the relief flooding through her.
Disregarding the guards in front of her, she ran to him, her usual composure cracking just slightly.
"You short-lived..."
Serie deliberated her words, wanting to complain that he hadn't discussed it with her and had led the demons away by himself, even though she was powerful and he should have trusted her more.
But the words got stuck in her throat.
Ultimately, she had failed to protect him. The thought tasted bitter.
If only she could be stronger.
Looking at Serie's hesitant expression, so unlike her usual confidence, Kurtz pulled her into a hug.
"I missed you so much, Serie!"
Such cheesy words would definitely make a normal girl blush right now.
But Serie was not a normal girl.
Her expression looked troubled, seemingly not understanding why Kurtz was so excited as to hold her in his arms, when this wasn't even in the tent.
The public display of affection left her slightly bewildered.
'Humans are truly a difficult species to understand.'
But in the end, she didn't push him away, only softly said, "Idiot, next time you should trust me more."
"Mm, I know."
Noticing the softening tone of the person in his arms, Kurtz also understood that Serie wasn't truly angry. The tension he'd been carrying for days finally began to dissolve.
He released his embrace, but not fully, as his arms remained on her shoulders, and carefully examined the Elf maiden in front of him.
She still bore that same proud and aloof expression, but the worry in her eyes couldn't be concealed.
Dark circles shadowed her features; she hadn't been sleeping well either.
Sure enough, his little master Serie was truly adorable when she worried about him.
____________
Check out the Patreon for advanced chapters right now:
👉 patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU
_______________
Frieren: My Master Serie Don't Know How to Love ~: 40+ Ch.
Warhammer 40K: The Emperor's Raven: 45+ Ch.
Marvel 1919: Rise of an Empire: 100+ Ch.
1960: My Uncle is the Director of the FBI: 65+ Ch.