"Mm, I'm back."
The instant Fíliya locked eyes with Sense, she immediately waved at her.
Sense didn't look too well at the moment. When she reached Fíliya's side, Fíliya quickly noticed the unmistakable fatigue on her face.
"Were you working overtime last night?"
Fíliya guessed.
"Mm, we've been busy with the First-Class Mage selection lately. So much to do. I was planning to head back and rest..."
Sense said, rubbing her eyes before finally looking at the two beside Fíliya.
"Who are they?"
Sense's tone was calm.
"Friends."
Fíliya's reply was equally brief.
"I see."
Sense nodded, then continued observing them.
She had a very favorable impression of Fern. Sense had good judgment, so she spotted Fern's potential at a glance.
"Looks like we'll finally get some good seedlings this year."
Sense observed Fern for a few seconds before smiling and commenting.
Next, she turned to the elf with the particularly striking hair color.
Sense herself had no illusions or biases about elves, so she simply appraised Frieren with a professional gaze. But upon seeing Frieren's hair color, she paused.
Because she had a child at home who loved history and legends. Through constant exposure while around Fíliya, Sense had memorized quite a bit.
"A white-haired elf... Fíliya... could she be...?"
Sense's tone wasn't entirely certain. After all, the mana Frieren displayed now was roughly that of a seasoned mage—but it was heavily suppressed.
"Mm, that's the one. Frieren, the elven mage from the Hero's Party."
"I see... So what's the situation now? Problem with registration?"
Sense nodded, confirming in her mind that this elf had terrifying proficiency in mana suppression... After all, if she truly was the legendary Frieren, her total mana couldn't possibly be this low.
"Mm, Frieren wants to take the First-Class Mage exam, but as you know, this girl is the type who holes up in one place and accidentally stays for decades, so she has no idea there's a prerequisite."
"But given her level, going through the back shouldn't count as cheating, right? Special talents always get exceptions."
Fíliya said casually, only to have Sense reach out and pinch her cheek.
"You're too blunt. Can't you be a little more tactful?"
Sense looked at her disapprovingly.
"Mm... isn't that just the truth? Beating around the bush is pointless."
Fíliya stubbornly insisted.
Sense had no intention of wasting more breath on Fíliya. She turned directly to the front desk clerk.
"You heard what Fíliya said earlier, right? This Lady Frieren is indeed the legendary figure. I can vouch for it, so register her name."
Sense said softly.
"Mm... of course, no problem... But I'm a bit surprised. That legendary figure... is so petite and cute. I thought she'd have more presence."
The glasses-wearing clerk covered her mouth with one hand, clearly astonished.
"Tch... sorry I lack presence."
Frieren crossed her arms, muttering unhappily.
In any case, Frieren's registration was finally complete.
Once all three names were registered, Sense grabbed the back of Fíliya's collar with her hair.
"Since that's done, come with me, Fíliya."
Sense said, dragging Fíliya toward the door with her hair.
Frieren and Fern could only stand there, exchanging bewildered glances, unsure what to do next.
"Frieren, Fern, catch."
Fíliya made no attempt to resist Sense. She simply pulled her house key from her pocket and tossed it to Frieren.
"Go wander the city. The exam isn't for a few days. I'll be back tonight."
With that, Fíliya vanished from Frieren's sight.
...
Fíliya followed Sense back to Sense's home.
"Mm, no changes at all."
Fíliya sighed upon entering, as everything in Sense's house matched her memory perfectly. Even after two years, nothing had changed.
"Maybe I'm just nostalgic."
Sense said casually, sitting in the chair by the window.
"Mm, were you the one cleaning my house?"
Though she already knew the answer, Fíliya still wanted confirmation.
"Who else? Some idle person?"
Sense rolled her eyes at Fíliya.
"Mm, you're too good to me... I love you to death."
Fíliya said, lunging straight into Sense's arms.
"..."
Sense froze. She hadn't expected Fíliya to express her feelings so directly upon reuniting, so she could only accept the bear hug amid her fluster.
After a short while, Sense slowly pushed Fíliya away, then observed her changes with interest.
"You've grown up."
Sense said.
"Mm? Isn't that normal? I've grown a full two years older."
Fíliya chuckled lightly.
"Not age... I mean, you can stand on your own now... You're probably much stronger than me?"
Sense continued watching Fíliya. After all, Fíliya was practically the opposite of Frieren. Frieren liked suppressing her mana for a low-key life, but Fíliya rarely hid her total mana, so Sense could easily gauge her growth from it.
"In just two years, your mana has become so profound and pure. No wonder Serie values you so highly."
"Mm, mm, praise me more. I love hearing it."
Fíliya's expression was utterly smug, even sitting directly on Sense's lap.
"Mm... that personality flaw hasn't changed... Give you a little sunshine, and you immediately shine."
Sense shook her head helplessly but had no intention of shooing Fíliya off.
"By the way, what were you up to last night? You rarely stay at the Association overnight."
"Mm, it's about the First-Class Mage test. I'm one of the chief examiners this time, in charge of designing the second round."
Sense said slowly.
"Eh? If you're a chief examiner, Sense, can you leak the questions?"
Fíliya grinned mischievously at Sense.
"Wait until you pass the first round."
Sense rolled her eyes again, but this time Fíliya was puzzled.
"Mm? Is the first round that tough?"
"I don't know about others, but for you... it should be pretty hard. After all, it's Serie's [extra test]."
___
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