Chapter 63: There is more than one person who does not understand emotions
"What incredible magic." After mastering the levitation magic, Kurtz floated in the air, looking at Serie. The sensation of weightlessness felt strange, like standing on nothing while his body insisted gravity should pull him down. "How did you think of creating this?"
"It's not creation, more like improvement."
Serie shook her head, though something flickered in her expression, perhaps annoyance at being credited with more than she'd done.
Her work fell far short of creation; it was miles from Kurtz's ability to conjure ice-attributed magic from nothing.
"Do you remember the race we encountered on that high mountain?"
"Vaguely."
His group had travelled for months, meeting many races along the way. The faces and encounters sometimes blurred together.
Last month, they'd encountered a race living on a high mountain. Those creatures knew a special magic that could reduce their falling speed, not quite flight, but controlled drifting.
Their physiology was remarkable; they could survive with little oxygen, their lungs adapted to thin air that would leave most beings gasping.
These traits let them live high in the mountains, safe from enemies. When they needed to descend, they didn't trek over valleys; they used magic to drift down like falling leaves.
Kurtz had met this race at the mountain's foot and traded magical items for their magic. The negotiation took most of an afternoon; their language was strange, full of clicks and whistles.
Though each race's magic was typically a closely guarded secret, exceptions existed.
Otherwise, there wouldn't have been the incident of trading magic books with the Dwarves.
"I didn't expect you to have been studying this magic all along. I planned to research it later."
Kurtz was interested in this magic but hadn't delved deep, mainly because he had too much to do. Time always felt insufficient.
He had to improve his magical power, study various magics, and write magic books with Norn.
He honestly couldn't spare more time.
"Seems I got ahead this time." Serie's smile held smugness.
Suddenly, Kurtz thought of an idea. He reached out and grasped Serie's wrist: "Come, help me with an experiment."
He wanted to see if this magic could carry people.
Of course, he also had selfish motives, though he didn't examine that thought closely.
"Wait, you—"
Before Serie could react, Kurtz activated his magic, carrying her as they floated skyward. The magic wrapped around them like invisible hands lifting them.
Serie instinctively clutched his arm, her golden hair scattering in the wind. For all her magical prowess, the sudden movement caught her completely off guard.
"Relax," Kurtz's voice carried amusement, "You know levitation magic. You don't have to worry about falling."
Serie looked down at the receding ground, then glared at Kurtz: "You reckless human! At least warn me first!"
Though she knew levitation magic and could float even if Kurtz let go, it happened so suddenly that she felt nervous. Her pulse had quickened, embarrassing for someone of her age and experience.
This short human was becoming more audacious.
"I'm telling you now."
"Nonsense! Who tells someone after they've started? Besides, why this way specifically?"
"Hmm… wanted to try if this magic could carry people?"
Mainly, such beautiful views needed someone to share them with.
Kurtz wasn't a solitary admirer; he preferred sharing scenery with others. Some experiences felt incomplete without a witness.
"Isn't that obvious…" Serie complained, though her grip on his arm hadn't loosened.
Soon, her complaints were interrupted by the scene before them.
As they ascended, distant scenery unfolded like a scroll opening.
Clouds above were gilded by the setting sun, each wisp touched with gold and amber. Distant mountain outlines resembled sleeping dragons, their peaks softened by evening mist. Even farther away, traces of buildings appeared, tiny as toy blocks from this height.
That was their first destination, the ruins of the First Dwarf Kingdom.
The ancestral land of the Dwarves.
Unknown to them, they'd almost arrived. Their journey neared its first milestone.
"So beautiful…" Serie whispered, her voice softer than usual.
This was a sight she'd never seen in hundreds of years.
Just by changing perspective, everything became different. The world she thought she knew had revealed a hidden face.
"I never realised this world could be so beautiful."
Hearing Serie say this, Kurtz frowned.
She really shouldn't say that! Not when she had centuries ahead to discover such beauty.
However, he didn't break the atmosphere; he quietly adjusted his posture, bringing them closer: "It is beautiful. When I think those Skywing Clan guys see this view daily, I'm mad with jealousy."
"Pfft!" Serie chuckled softly, "Even the most beautiful scenery gets boring if you see it daily. Perhaps in their eyes, such beauty is just ordinary."
A gentle breeze swept by, Serie's hair lightly brushing Kurtz's cheek, making him tingle. The strands carried the faint scent of mountain herbs she'd gathered earlier.
Kurtz felt his heart flutter, so he changed the subject: "But the magic consumption is terrifying. Even bringing only you, the consumption increased several times."
"Strange way of putting it," though she wanted to comment on what Kurtz meant by 'only bringing Serie,' she restrained herself, "It's normal, that's how this magic works."
"Then this magic can be improved further."
"Oh?" Serie turned her head, her eyes meeting Kurtz's, which were now very close.
This human had been looking at her from the beginning.
They were so close they could feel each other's breath, warm against the cooling evening air.
Seeing Serie suddenly turn, Kurtz was momentarily stunned. Her fair face and beautiful golden eyes filled his vision, blocking out everything else.
He didn't know why his sight was filled with her image.
"For example, change it so it can fly freely." Kurtz's voice unconsciously softened.
"A perfect idea. I look forward to that day."
"And…"
For some reason, an inexplicable feeling arose in his heart, prompting Kurtz to lean closer, his lips brushing against Serie's ear.
"How about adding a protective shield? To prevent getting too cold from the wind."
Serie's ear tingled from his breath, and she involuntarily trembled. The warmth of his voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
Why was this human so close to her?
Serie couldn't understand Kurtz's reason for this. In her long life, she'd rarely experienced such... proximity with anyone.
However, she didn't move away, only giving a soft "Mm."
Time seemed to slow immensely. The world below continued its rhythm while they floated suspended between earth and sky.
Just then.
"Hey! You two!" Eric's loud voice came from below, "Why did you run up so high?"
The atmosphere shattered instantly, like a soap bubble popping.
Kurtz seemed to wake up, quickly pulling away and coughing lightly suddenly: "Ahem, let's go down!"
He didn't know why he'd made such a gesture. His actions felt foreign, as if someone else had controlled his movements.
Ever since he'd taken Serie skyward, his actions had become more impulsive. The altitude was making him lightheaded, perhaps.
Did he like the Elf Miss in front of him?
Kurtz was unclear about this. The question hung in his mind like the magic that held them aloft, mysterious and without clear answers.
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