'The Golden Land? Isn't that a fallen city in the Northern Plateau...? I heard my grandfather talk about it. The entire city, along with a vast area of the surrounding land, was completely turned to gold, right? And a powerful demon on the level of the Seven Sages of Destruction is sealed there... Fíliya, why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?'
'Hmph, hmph. Ehre, your information isn't detailed enough. I'm different. I've read through every single written report at the Association about the Golden Land. It's written in there, you know. To resolve the crisis of the Golden Land, that living deity—Lady Serie—once fought that member of the Seven Sages. But in the end, a group of First-Class Mages sealed the great demon instead of killing it. Why do you think that is?'
'...I don't know.'
Ehre blinked, looking a bit dazed. Weren't we just talking about how to help me get stronger? she thought. How did we get so sidetracked?
'Hmph, hmph. It's simple. I believe it's because Lady Serie couldn't reverse the gold transformation. So, to save everyone who had been turned into gold, she had to ensure the demon wasn't killed. Isn't that fascinating? I used to think that old elf, who's lived for who knows how many years, was omniscient and omnipotent. But now, we can be certain of at least one thing: this 'goddess' doesn't seem to be very good at analyzing other people's magic.'
Ehre's curiosity was finally piqued by Fíliya's explanation, and she pressed on.
'Why do you say that?'
'Hmph, hmph. Because there's no such thing as an 'unsolvable' magic in this world. Therefore, the 'magic to turn all things to gold' must also be reversible. At least, that's what I believe. It's just a shame the road to the Northern Plateau is blocked now. Otherwise, I'd really love to go see that Golden Land.'
Fíliya chuckled lightly, but Ehre was at a loss for words.
She couldn't tell if Fíliya was confident or just conceited.
The 'magic to turn all things to gold'—a spell that gave even Lady Serie a headache and left a group of First-Class Mages helpless—was 'solvable' in Fíliya's eyes...?
But what did this have to do with helping her get stronger? Hadn't Fíliya gone completely off-topic?
A hesitant look crossed Ehre's face. She clearly wanted to remind Fíliya but felt a bit too shy to do so.
'Don't worry. The fact that I brought this up means it's useful for you, Ehre.'
Fíliya gave Ehre a reassuring look before continuing.
'You see, Ehre, so-called 'folk magic'—spells like 'magic to turn brown bread into white bread,' 'magic to turn clear water into milk,' or 'magic to turn green apples into red apples'—these spells that don't seem very useful... what if I told you that, in essence, they are exactly the same as the 'magic to turn all things to gold'?'
Eh?
Fíliya's explanation sent Miss Ehre's thoughts into a brief, stunned silence.
'That's right. The common thread among all these spells is... they change the properties of matter. They all have the exact same effect, yet some are dismissed as unimportant 'folk magic,' while the 'magic to turn all things to gold' is hailed as 'unsolvable.' It's utterly ridiculous.'
Miss Fíliya laughed with abandon, completely forgetting her composure and elegance in that moment.
'It's probably because... folk magic can only affect a specific type of object, but the 'magic to turn all things to gold' can turn everything—including living humans, the Demon Race, all life—into gold... right?'
Ehre ventured, offering her own explanation.
'You're not wrong, but that's just a difference in power level and mastery. I believe that if a genius were to study the 'magic to turn brown bread into white bread' for their entire life, once their understanding of that spell reached its absolute peak, they could definitely... turn a living person into bread, too. The fundamental principle of 'changing the properties of matter' is identical in both.'
'In the world of magic, there are no absolutes, but there are always 'commonalities.' This is what I want to teach you. When you deconstruct a spell and analyze it thoroughly, you will inevitably gain a deeper understanding of all magic of that type.'
'Let me give you another example. You know the 'magic to remove all stains,' right? For a spell used to clean dust off clothes... don't you find it absolutely terrifying?'
Ehre didn't respond immediately, still absorbed in what Fíliya had just said.
She had to admit, Fíliya's words had truly opened a new door for her.
I... I don't think I've ever thought about the essence of magic from this perspective before.
And yet Fíliya... at the same age as her, had already reached such a level of understanding.
So now, she found herself listening to Fíliya's teachings as a student, or perhaps even a disciple.
Fíliya, seeing the eager curiosity on Ehre's face, felt quite satisfied and continued.
'The first time I learned that spell, I confirmed something. The dust cleaned away by the 'magic to remove all stains'... didn't fall to the ground, nor did it float in the air. Instead... it simply vanished, reduced to nothing.'
'So... doesn't that mean the ultimate form of this magic is actually a 'magic to erase all matter'?'
'Of course, in terms of energy levels, erasing a speck of dust versus destroying and erasing all of existence are worlds apart. But I'm certain that, in essence, these two forms of magic are connected. If an immortal mage were to study this problem endlessly, constantly refining their skill... they might truly be able to create a 'magic to erase all matter.' No, if they could reach that level, the spell could even be called... 'World-Ending Magic'.'
'And so, Ehre.'
As she said this, Fíliya suddenly reached out and, with a tender expression, gently patted Ehre's forehead.
'If you want to explore the profound depths of magic, go learn more 'folk magic.' When you've thoroughly analyzed and understood a single folk spell, your mastery of the magical arts will take a great leap forward.'
'Mmm... I understand. Once we're done here, I'll go back and start studying them.'
Ehre pondered this, then nodded earnestly. Although Fíliya's words had opened up a whole new world for her, the amount of information tonight had been a bit overwhelming. She just felt dizzy now... Yes, her head was throbbing.
'Good. By the way, Ehre, there's no need to tell Wirbel about our conversation today.'
Just as Ehre was about to close her eyes, Fíliya's voice reached her ear.
'Hm? Why...? Oh, do you dislike Wirbel, Fíliya?'
'You've got it all wrong. There's just no need for him to know. I could tell the moment I saw him—he's definitely the type who's had everything taken from him by the Demon Race. The only thing keeping him going is hatred.'
'He's the type who... doesn't care about magic at all and has no desire to explore its profound depths. He sees magic only as a tool for killing and only wants to learn spells that can efficiently slaughter the Demon Race. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that ideal, but if you tried to discuss the path of magic with him, Ehre, it would be like playing a harp to a cow, wouldn't it?'
'Oh... I-I see. I did get that feeling from him, too.'
'Mm, as long as you understand. Let's get some sleep.'
'Mmm... Mmm... '
Ehre murmured, slowly closing her eyes. For some reason, however, she shifted her body slightly, moving a little closer to Fíliya.
'Thank you... Fíliya... Master.'
Ehre muttered the last word under her breath, but unfortunately for her, Miss Fíliya's hearing was always exceptionally sharp at the strangest times. Her interest was immediately piqued, and she shot up into a sitting position.
'Ehre? What did you just call me?'
'I... I didn't say anything.'
Seeing this, Ehre answered guiltily.
'Yes, you did! Come on, I didn't hear it clearly. Quick, say it again.'
Fíliya scrambled up excitedly, threw off the blanket, and straddled Miss Ehre's waist in one swift motion.
'I told you, I didn't say anything... Don't pin me down.'
Ehre's face was so red you could almost squeeze water from it, but her resistance was futile. Fíliya easily pinned her flailing hands to the bed on either side of her head.
'Ehre, you might not know this about me, but when I want something, I see it through to the end, you know? If you don't want to greet the morning in this position, I suggest you surrender.'
Fíliya wore her trademark mischievous grin, her golden eyes fixed on Ehre with great interest.
At first, Ehre stubbornly held Fíliya's gaze.
Then, her will to resist softened, and finally... biting her lip, she gave a look of surrender.
'I... I get it, okay? I'll say it.'
'Fíliya... Master... Are you satisfied now?'
Ehre wore a look of utter exasperation.
'Mhm, satisfied, very satisfied. Time to sleep.'
Fíliya nodded cheerfully at this, then... rolled back to her own spot and fell straight to sleep.
Huh?!?!
Now Ehre was completely baffled... She had thought... there would be a more... dangerous development.
After all, the look on Fíliya's face had been so suggestive, but... it was over just like that?
A hollow feeling began to sprout in Ehre's heart.
'I really... don't understand her at all.'
In the end, all Miss Ehre could do was drift off to sleep, her heart full of exasperation.
_____
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