Click.
The sound of the "Homecoming Signal" echoed.
Flamme's fingers curled slightly as she gently closed the spell book resting on her lap.
The lingering magic that flowed between its yellowed pages quietly dissipated with the soft snap of its spine.
She tucked a strand of light red hair behind her ear and looked toward the doorway.
"You're back—"
The soft, warm tone lingered in the air, and Flamme paused her words appropriately.
Because standing at the entrance was only Agusheed, all alone.
There was no sign of Frieren.
"Where's Frieren?"
Flamme put down the spell book and slowly walked over to Agusheed.
After looking around and not finding any trace of Frieren, she asked in confusion.
"She's still in the castle on the back of the Heavenly Dragon. She locked herself in your room. At least from the looks of it, she didn't want to come down with me."
While answering Flamme's question, Agusheed's fingers paused slightly as he loosened his collar.
"Hmm… did you scold her again?"
Flamme took the jacket that Agusheed was slipping off and casually hung it on the wooden coat rack.
"Just some proper verbal guidance."
Agusheed rolled up his shirt sleeves, the veins on his pale wrists shifting slightly with the movement.
"Besides, it's been a whole year, and she still hasn't grasped the basics of flight magic. She needs a little pressure."
He paused, his steps halting slightly at the kitchen doorway.
"It's… necessary guidance."
Flamme sighed helplessly and gently took hold of Agusheed's arm.
With a bit of exasperation, she said to him:
"You shouldn't be using me as the standard to judge her. That's too harsh for her right now."
Standing at the kitchen entrance, Agusheed replied:
"It's you who have been spoiling her too much, Flamme."
"If she continues like this, it's only a matter of time before she dies at the hands of a Grand Demon due to her lack of skill."
Flamme released his arm and picked up the apron that was neatly placed on the wooden cabinet.
"But she's still just a child. In time, she'll understand."
Agusheed raised his arms, allowing Flamme to wrap the apron around his waist and adjust it.
"And that's exactly why we have to do this. At her age, I had already become a Grand Demon."
"Yet Frieren… she's lived for hundreds of years, and her mentality is still completely immature. She's too naive."
"She doesn't have the 'mindset' that a powerful mage should possess."
"Rather than hoping she will understand one day in the distant future, it's better to let her learn now."
"If she can't understand, then even if she lives for a thousand years, she'll just be a regular mage with a thousand years of magic power."
As Flamme fastened the apron and smoothed out the wrinkles, her eyebrows raised slightly at Agusheed's words.
She placed her hands gently on both sides of his face, smiling as she looked into his always calm eyes.
"Were you just now…worrying about Frieren's future?"
"No. It's only because of you."
"Because of me?"
"If she were to die for some absurd reason, you'd be heartbroken, wouldn't you?"
Love me, love my kin, huh?
Hearing Agusheed's words, Flamme wasn't sure if she should feel happy or disappointed.
But when Agusheed turned and walked into the kitchen, she couldn't help but say something instinctively.
"But you shouldn't have done it today. Did you forget? Today is her…"
Right there, Flamme stopped mid-sentence as if she had just remembered something.
"What is it?"
Hearing her voice suddenly pause, Agusheed looked back at her.
"No… it's nothing."
Flamme shook her head.
A few months ago, she had actually told Agusheed—
That today was Frieren's birthday.
But judging by his reaction, he had clearly forgotten…
Hoping he would prepare a birthday gift for Frieren seemed like wishful thinking.
But it wasn't surprising.
When it came to things that weren't directly important to him, Agusheed was notoriously forgetful.
Fortunately, she had anticipated this and prepared two gifts in advance.
Hmm… she would simply deliver one of them as if it were from Agusheed.
That should help smooth things over between her husband and that stubborn disciple.
"Alright, I'll leave dinner to you as always. I'm going to the Heavenly Dragon to bring Frieren back."
"Make sure she's in a good mood when you bring her back. And tell her that class continues tomorrow."
Agusheed added this last instruction without even turning around.
"Got it—"
Flamme responded softly. As she was halfway out the door, she turned back to Agusheed just to be safe and said:
"Remember to make extra Crystal Pudding."
It was Frieren's favorite dessert.
Yes… if she ate more of it, she might not be so upset.
After reminding Agusheed, Flamme stepped out of the small house.
She then activated her flight magic and soared towards the Heavenly Dragon.
It didn't take long before she landed on its back.
The massive beast turned its head, the scales on its neck refracting a rainbow light that pierced through the clouds.
Its enormous eyes stared at Flamme for a few seconds before returning its gaze forward.
Standing on its shoulder, Flamme chuckled softly.
She reached out and gently stroked the radiant dragon scales.
"Sorry for the trouble… My little one is being stubborn again."
After a brief greeting with the Heavenly Dragon, Flamme walked toward the castle that she and Agusheed had built together.
She stepped onto the stone bricks inside the castle and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
After a few turns, she finally stood at the entrance to her own room.
╮(╯_╰)╭
Knock, knock, knock—
"Frieren, still sulking?"
"Grand Mage Flamme has come to deliver a birthday present."