Chapter 27 – The Right to Speak
"Ugh… already the fifth month…" Frieren muttered under her breath, sitting cross-legged in the center of a weathered circle drawn into the dirt. "Looks like mana suppression is even harder than I thought."
Ever since her first day of training—ever since the Meteorite Bird had vanished from sight at the speed of light—she hadn't seen a single one since.
Sometimes, when the dawn wind was still, she thought she could hear faint chirps echoing through the forest, teasingly distant.
"Elias isn't just messing with me, is he?" she grumbled, puffing out her cheeks.
"Don't tell me I've spent months here and haven't improved at all…"
Her long white ears drooped, mirroring her mood.
Just then, a faint fluttering noise brushed through the still air in front of her.
"(⊙ω⊙)…!"
Frieren's ears perked straight up like a startled rabbit's. Her golden eyes darted toward the source.
Through the gaps in the branches, a faint shadow flickered between the leaves—then, with a light whoosh, a small brown bird hopped into the clearing.
It's here…!
The Meteorite Bird!
Her heart hammered in her chest. She didn't even dare to breathe.
Steady, she told herself, forcing her mana to settle deep within her body, not a trace escaping.
Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she locked onto the bird, silently whispering in her mind—
Come on… just a little closer…
The Meteorite Bird hopped around in the grass, pecking here and there—
but didn't approach.
Frieren's shoulders tensed.
Why won't you move…? Come on, you stupid bird…
And then—miraculously—it lifted one tiny foot and hopped one step closer.
Frieren's heart skipped a beat.
It's coming! It's coming!!
Her entire body trembled with anticipation, and it took all her willpower not to leap up and grab the thing.
Step by step, it came nearer.
Ten steps… fifteen…
"Yes, yes, that's it! Just a little more…!" she thought, eyes blazing.
Now, only three meters separated them—barely two adult strides.
Just a little closer and—
"—Hahaha! So you're a magic apprentice training out here, eh?"
BANG!
The sudden, booming laughter shattered the quiet.
The Meteorite Bird bolted, disappearing faster than sight—leaving behind a faint puff of dust and a trail of heartbreak.
Frieren froze in place, face blank, neck stiffly creaking as she turned toward the voice.
Standing at the edge of the clearing was an elderly man in a gray robe, long beard swaying as he chuckled warmly.
"Well now," he said with amused eyes, "an elf, no less."
Frieren: «(-ι_-)»
Expression blank, she stood, walked woodenly toward him, and—without hesitation—grabbed his beard in both hands.
"Hey, old man! Who even are you?! Why do you show up out of nowhere just to ruin my training?! Haven't you ever seen a mage before?! Do you know how badly you messed things up for me?!"
The old man merely looked at her, unflustered, his gaze calm as still water.
"Such a temper," he said evenly. "Your understanding of mana is as shallow as your patience."
Frieren blinked, loosening her grip.
"Wait… what? Understanding of mana? You mean—you're a mage too?"
The old man's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. He clasped his hands behind his back and turned away.
"At your current level," he said quietly, "you don't yet have the right to speak with me."
And with that, he slowly walked away, leaving Frieren standing dumbfounded in the wind.
«(ᇂ_ᇂ|||)»
"…What the heck does that mean?!"
Muttering, she took a deep breath and sat back down in the circle.
"So close…" she sighed. "Alright then. One more try. I'll just stay late today… Elias won't yell at me for that."
–––
Meanwhile, back in the village, Elias was sitting comfortably in the newly opened café, savoring the rare taste of peaceful leisure—
blissfully unaware of the chaos his disciple was about to stumble into next.
Ah… sunlight, soft breeze, the perfect cup of coffee…
And best of all—no white-haired elf bouncing around in front of me.
Elias leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes in quiet bliss.
"Aivis… so this is what you meant by happiness, huh?"
He chuckled softly. "I remember now… I finally remember everything."
The days without Frieren at home—those were the days I'd forgotten what peace truly felt like!
Just then, a timid voice broke through his paradise.
"Um… Lord Elias, could you please help me with something?"
The smile on Elias's face froze. His eyes narrowed coldly as he turned toward the small boy standing beside the table—
clutching a small wooden box to his chest.
He exhaled heavily.
Great. Another random request.
Of all times, Frieren had to be gone.
As much as he hated to admit it, that little elf was actually useful for handling this kind of nuisance.
He glanced back at his coffee. Then, with an inward sigh, said flatly:
"I'm not in the mood right now. Whatever it is, wait until Frieren returns tonight. Ask her for help."
At that, the boy's fingers tightened around the box until his knuckles turned red.
"But… but it's urgent! If we wait until nightfall, it might be too late!"
Tears welled in the boy's eyes. His voice trembled.
Elias pressed his fingers to his temple. Of course. Crying. Why did they always cry?
He shut his eyes and drew a long breath through his nose.
Spare me, please. Must every quiet moment die like this?
"…Fine." He finally opened his eyes, resigned.
"Tell me what's wrong. Quickly. Let's make this fast."
The boy's tears instantly vanished, replaced with desperate hope.
"Thank you, Lord Elias! Please—please save my best friend, Saori!"
"…What?"
Elias frowned, his expression tightening.
With my barrier protecting this village, how could a child even be in danger?
"Was she taken by monsters? Or kidnapped by bandits?"
The boy shook his head. "Saori… she's right here."
Elias blinked. Then his eyes darted toward the wooden box.
Don't tell me… this child's friend… is already dead?
The boy gently lifted the lid.
(´-ι_-｀)
(´-ι_-｀)
(ᇂ_ᇂ|||)
Inside lay a tiny, motionless hamster—its body stiff and lifeless.
Elias stared at it for several seconds, speechless.
"…So your best friend, Saori… is a hamster?"
The boy nodded earnestly, his face sincere.
"Yes. When I woke up this morning, she wasn't moving anymore."
"I want you to use magic to bring her back to life!"
Silence hung between them.
Then Elias exhaled slowly, his expression hardening back to its usual cold composure.
"Impossible."
"What—what do you mean?!" the boy stammered, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Everyone in the village says you're the strongest mage! That you can do anything!"
Elias chuckled—a hollow, humorless sound.
"Heh… Magic never goes beyond imagination, boy. And it never crosses the line between life and death."
"Life is life. Death is death. Even the strongest sorcerer cannot undo that boundary."
"I'm sorry… but that's the truth of this world."
The boy stood frozen, clutching the tiny box to his chest, tears trembling in his eyes.
His lips quivered as he stared at Elias—the man who'd just shattered the last fragile thread of his hope.
And then—
"…How cruel of you, Elias."
The voice was calm. Mature. Measured.
But to Elias's trained senses, it carried something else—something cold and sharp beneath the surface.
A faint killing intent.
His expression changed instantly.
That tone… that aura…
It had been a long time since he'd heard it, but there was no mistaking it.
So she's back…
"Flamme."