Chapter 231: Misguided Determination
Yes! Elves!
Frieren is an elf! Teacher Serie is an elf too!
Flamme suddenly raised her head, the light in her eyes had already returned.
Just as she had thought, elves are emotionally detached, and their long lifespans have led to a lack of perception and understanding of many fleeting human emotions.
What does a thousand years matter? What does a thousand years of tacit understanding matter?
Do they really have the kind of love they imagine between them?
There shouldn't be any, right?
Even if there were, Teacher Serie wouldn't be able to detect it.
But I am different. I am human, just like Professor Kurtz!
Only I can truly understand Professor Kurtz's "human" side.
Serie may be powerful, and she may have accompanied Kurtz for a thousand years, but does she really understand what love is?
Just like Frieren in front of her, she couldn't understand her own feelings at the moment and could only say meaningless, even counterproductive words of comfort.
In an instant, all the sadness vanished completely, replaced by a determination born from being strongly misled.
She cannot rival Master Serie in terms of power and time, but she can open up an entirely new battlefield.
A realm that only she, Flamme, could enter.
"Frieren, thank you!"
Flamme suddenly grabbed Frieren's hand. Although her words of comfort had no real effect, it was precisely because of Frieren's insensitive remarks that she found a new direction to strive for.
At this moment, a near-mad determination burned in Flamme's eyes. The tear stains from before were still there, but a do-or-die courage completely covered them. "I think I understand completely! I understand where I went wrong, and I understand what I should do!"
Frieren was startled by her sudden and drastic change.
Her hand was gripped so tightly it hurt, and she blinked her big eyes: "What did you understand?"
She had absolutely no idea what strange switch her words had triggered in Flamme.
"I understand where my strengths lie, and I understand how I should fight!"
Flamme released her hand, stood up abruptly, took a deep breath, and said, "Goodnight, Frieren! Thank you again."
After saying that, she quickly lay back down on the bed and closed her eyes tightly, but the violent heaving of her chest showed that her mind was far from calm.
Frieren looked at the overly excited Flamme, her little head filled with big question marks.
Human emotions are a million times more difficult to understand than the most complex magic.
In the end, she decided to give up trying to solve this problem, which was far beyond her comprehension. She turned away and settled back into sleep, leaving Flamme to her restless vigil.
The rising sun dispelled the long night.
However, for Flamme, the night was incredibly long.
She barely slept all night, her mind replaying the scene on the terrace and the fighting spirit that followed, fueled by Frieren's unexpected conversation.
As dawn broke, she quietly got up, trying not to disturb the girl on the bed next to her, though all of this still couldn't escape the gaze of the equally awake girl behind her.
Facing the mirror in the room, she carefully tidied her appearance, running her fingers through her fiery red hair, trying to smooth down the few stray hairs.
The girl in the mirror had dark circles around her eyes from lack of sleep, but her green eyes shone brightly with the determination in her heart.
Flamme had never really dressed up, but when a young girl suddenly started dressing up carefully one day, her intentions were obvious.
Through the mirror, Flamme discovered the gaze that had been fixed on her.
"Hmm? You're awake?" Flamme asked with a hint of apology.
She intended to avoid waking Frieren, but unexpectedly, she still woke her up.
"Hmm! Rather, I didn't sleep much." Frieren yawned, still lying in bed, looking like she had no intention of getting up.
The way Flamme tossed and turned in bed last night kept her awake, too, and now she feels very sleepy.
Therefore, she had no idea what Flamme was thinking at that moment.
Why is she up so early and sitting in front of the mirror fiddling with herself? What is she going to do? Is she going to fight?
"Then you can continue sleeping and don't go out. I'll have someone bring breakfast over later."
"Mm."
Seeing Frieren turn around, Flamme took a deep breath and, like a warrior about to step into battle, pushed open the door.
The corridor was silent, stretching empty before her.
She first approached Lady Serie's door cautiously, like a thief, and put her ear close, holding her breath to listen carefully.
There was no sound from inside.
Very good!
Lady Serie drank so much last night. Given her constitution, even if she doesn't have a real hangover, she will definitely need a long rest to break down all that alcohol.
A secret thrill rose in her heart.
She even went out of her way to find a maid and solemnly instructed her: "Lady Serie discussed important matters with Lord Kurtz very late last night and needs to rest. Unless she wakes up on her own, you must not disturb her."
The maidservant respectfully agreed.
As for Ayla? Actually, she's pretty lazy too, and she's probably still sleeping right now.
Frieren? Ha, that little girl. Before I left, I specifically told her to stay in her room and wait for breakfast to be brought over. She definitely wouldn't come out.
Everything was arranged perfectly.
Now, it's time that belongs only to her and Professor Kurtz!
She practically skipped to Kurtz's door, her pulse quickening with each step.
She raised her hand, intending to push the door open and enter, but at the last moment, she held back and instead knocked on the door rather hastily.
Knock knock knock!
The knocking sound was like the beating of a heart within her.
A short while later, the door opened, and Kurtz appeared in the doorway.
He seemed to have just gotten up; his black hair was slightly messy, and he wore a comfortable robe, with a refreshing mist on his body, indicating he had just washed up.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes when he saw Flamme outside the door.
"Flamme? So early?" His voice was a little hoarse, but to Flamme, it was just right.
Flamme tried to make her smile look natural: "Good morning, teacher. I'd like to have breakfast with you."
Her voice carried a barely perceptible hint of nervousness, which Kurtz noticed but didn't pay much attention to.
He glanced at the end of the corridor: "Where are the others?"
"Them…" Flamme's heart skipped a beat, but she pretended to be relaxed. "Sister Ayla should still be sleeping, and so should Frieren. I'll have someone take breakfast to their rooms later."
Kurtz nodded and then asked naturally, "Where's Serie? She probably hasn't gotten up yet, has she?" He moved towards Serie's room. "I'll go wake her up."
Flamme's smile froze for a moment, almost unable to hold on.
[End of Chapter]
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