Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 109.5: Finally Arrived in the Magic City·Legal Loli Sense

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Even though Frieren often found Ash rude and overly casual, she couldn't deny that his actions were beyond reproach

But that was indeed his way of showing care. While his actions might not always seem appropriate or delicate, it would also be unfair to completely dismiss them, wouldn't it?

As Frieren thought this through, she realized she wanted to have a proper conversation with him. However, now wasn't the right time. Pushing aside her dissatisfaction and feeling a faint, almost imperceptible sense of shame, she turned her head to look at the wall beside her. In a voice barely audible, she said, "Um… Ash."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"…Thanks."

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?" Ash, still holding the medicine in his hand, looked at her with genuine confusion.

It had been 80 years since the last time something like this happened, and even he couldn't easily connect the dots. In his mind, Frieren wasn't someone prone to sentimentality or thoughtful gestures—though, admittedly, he wasn't entirely sure if that impression was accurate.

For Frieren, however, it hadn't been that long. Although she knew Ash didn't understand what she meant, she had no intention of explaining. Instead, she muttered softly, almost to herself, "Don't worry about it. And… I'm sorry."

"Wait, what? You're apologizing and thanking me all of a sudden? Now I'm a little panicked. Did you eat some poisonous mushrooms during your lunch break?"

"…Hey!"

His absurd speculation annoyed Frieren, and she instinctively mimicked Fern's occasional habit of kicking people when upset. She raised her leg and kicked him lightly on the calf.

"Why are you attacking me all of a sudden? I'll have you know, I'm a firm believer in equality between men and women—"

"Feminism? I get it! But can I kick you later?"

"Ha… Huh?"

Ash's train of thought was completely derailed, leaving him bewildered. Frieren, not bothering to explain, snatched the medicine from his hands. She turned her attention to Fern, who was equally puzzled, and began feeding her the medicine.

"I'll handle this. You just do what you did before. It's a bit embarrassing, but… it works."

"…What happened before?"

Frieren's unusually strange behavior left Ash scratching his head in confusion, but he eventually pieced together what she was referring to.

Even though he still didn't fully understand, he decided to let it go for now. Instead, he warmed his hands with hot water, then gently held Fern's small hand with one hand while using the other to pat her head softly.

"Master Ash… I'm not a child anymore," Fern said shyly, her cheeks flushing as she obediently swallowed the bitter medicine. Despite her compliance, her expression carried a hint of resistance.

"I know, but you still feel uneasy at times like this, don't you?"

"That's true… but…" Fern hesitated, ready to assert her independence again. However, Ash spoke first, his voice softer now, as he stroked her hand gently.

"If the day ever comes when I feel uneasy, I hope you'll hold my hand the same way. Even adults need comfort sometimes."

"That… makes sense, I guess? Then, is it a promise?"

Hearing this, Fern felt a wave of warmth spread through her heart. Any lingering resistance melted away. Her tense body relaxed, and her expression softened into a weak but genuine smile.

With Ash's approval, Frieren carefully brought the potion to Fern's lips. fern unconsciously closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment and simply enjoying the gentle caress.

Even as the high fever continued to assault her body, a comforting warmth blossomed in her heart. It felt as though all her pain and worries had been swept away, leaving only this pure and serene emotion flowing within her.

For a fleeting moment, she almost didn't want to recover.

"…Is this a family of three: father, mother, and daughter?"

Ubel stood nearby, watching Ash and Frieren as they tended to Fern. Her expression was peculiar, her tone carrying more than a hint of amusement.

It wasn't entirely a joke; the scene before her truly resembled a happy family of three.

Hearing this, the trio exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts. Though they all had complaints about Ubel's untimely remark, they decided to ignore her for now, unwilling to disrupt the atmosphere.

---

After a day of rest and a full night's sleep, Fern awoke the next evening, the sky outside bathed in the warm hues of a gorgeous sunset.

Sitting up slowly, she stretched, feeling new vitality coursing through her body. A deep sense of happiness and satisfaction welled up within her.

Looking around, she noticed the two most important people in her life sitting quietly nearby, immersed in their books.

An indescribable warmth filled her heart. For a moment, she felt an urge to either run away or throw herself into their arms and hold them tightly.

"Are you feeling better now?" Ash's voice broke her reverie as he looked up from his book and walked over to her. He placed a hand on her forehead to check her temperature, then, as if unsure, reached over and pressed his hand against Frieren's forehead.

"…Why are you checking mine too?" Frieren asked, her tone tinged with mild annoyance, though she didn't resist.

"Well, since you're both girls, your body temperatures should be about the same. It's just for comparison… seems fine, right?"

"Yes! I've fully recovered. Thank you, Lady Frieren, Master Ash," Fern said, her voice filled with gratitude. Despite an overwhelming urge to express her emotions more openly, she restrained herself, offering a perfect smile instead.

"That's good," Frieren replied with a smile of her own.

Ash, meanwhile, gently stroked Fern's head, his tone a mix of affection and concern. "Still, you should rest a bit longer. The assessment for first-class magicians is still some time away."

"—But you can already sign up. By the way, I've signed up myself," Ubel chimed in from her seat, crossing her legs. "It's better to get it done early."

"In that case, You should go sign up first. As for me, I feel like my body will fall apart if I stay in bed any longer," Fern said as she moved her hands, stretching. Midway through, she paused and looked at Ash and Frieren with a hint of worry. "Master Ash, Lady Frieren… you didn't secretly sign up without telling me, did you?"

"Why do you sound like a parent worried about their child going to school alone?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course I'd be worried! And… when I went to the magic academy before, Master Ash only escorted me once."

As she recalled the memory, Fern felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration. She glanced at Ash and softly complained, "At the time, I was really scared!"

"Ash," Frieren interjected, her gaze sharp as she stared at him.

The accusatory looks from both of them hit Ash like a long-overdue boomerang. Clutching his stomach as if nursing a sudden ache, he sighed. "You didn't tell me back then! How was I supposed to know you'd be scared? Alright, alright, I admit it's my fault… but—"

"But what? Are you trying to come up with more excuses?" Frieren's voice turned stern, her gaze unwavering.

"How could I? I'm not avoiding signing up or anything. It's just… to take the exam, you need to be at least a level-five magician, and I don't have the qualifications yet."

"Now that you mention it… I don't have the qualifications either." Ash's statement left Frieren momentarily stunned. She then turned her attention to Fern. "Fern, you'll have to go by yourself. At this point, it's up to you or Ubel. As long as one of you succeeds, we can still head north."

"No! Lady Frieren, I can't do it alone! And Ubel might fail too!"

"You can do it."

"No! If I fail, the next opportunity won't come for another three years!"

"Then we'll hire a first-Class magician. We're not qualified anyway."

"No! That means we'll have to go without snacks again! If it comes to that, we can still rely on Lord Ash. Doesn't he know some influential people in this country?"

fern, who was particularly obsessed with desserts, refused to compromise on this matter. She grabbed Frieren, whose face was full of reluctance, and turned to Ash, who looked ready to jump out of the window to escape. With a frown, Fern asked, "Master Ash… What are you doing? Why are you so resistant to taking the assessment?"

"I'm not resisting the assessment; I'm just a little…"

"Enough! Come here! We're going to the Magic Association together!"

Before Ash could finish his explanation, Fern strode forward, grabbed his hand, and began pulling him along. With one hand holding Ash and the other gripping Frieren, he dragged them both toward the Magic Association.

Ubel, who had been lounging in a chair and observing the chaos with amusement, watched the trio leave with a gloating expression. She sighed inwardly, "It feels like the roles have reversed again. These guys… they're getting more and more entertaining."

---

Magic City, Core Area

The Magic Association branch occupied an expansive piece of land, its entrance marked by a grand staircase that led visitors into a hall reminiscent of an ancient temple.

Behind the hall stood a flawless, pure-white tower, its spire piercing the sky like a guardian's sword. This striking structure added to the grandeur of the complex and symbolized the endless pursuit of magical knowledge.

The gateway to this mystical world resembled the door of an ancient castle, adorned with intricate carvings that showcased exceptional craftsmanship and exuded a commanding presence. Every detail radiated an aura of magnificence and authority, leaving no doubt that this was a place of extraordinary significance.

The entire complex was a masterpiece, rivaling even the renowned Holy City Group in splendor. It stood as a testament to the brilliance of magical civilization.

"What a surprise… Is this branch really receiving as much support from the kingdom as the rumors suggest?"

Fern, who had never visited this branch before, couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. She began to believe the rumors of its close ties to the upper echelons of the Kingdom of Ester. Subconsciously, her gaze shifted to Ash.

However, Ash didn't notice Fern's stare. Instead, he looked at the magnificent structure before them, shook his head, and sighed. "She spent a fortune on this place, so of course it looks impressive… It's not her money, after all. Why would she bother being frugal?"

"Why do you sound like it's your money being spent?" Frieren asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Uh… let's just get this over with," Ash muttered, realizing he had said too much. He quickened his pace, stepping onto the stairs and leaving the two behind.

But before he could get far, he almost collided with a familiar figure at the intersection.

The girl before him had extraordinarily long, light blonde hair and emotionless brown-red eyes. Despite her petite stature, she exuded an undeniable presence, one that demanded attention.

The overly long hair gave her a soft and endearing appearance, much like a kitten just waking from a dream. There was a hint of laziness in her demeanor, coupled with an undeniable cuteness that made people want to approach her and tease her gently.

And that was exactly the case. Sense, the loli-like girl dressed in a blue-and-white outfit, hadn't changed at all since Ash first met her. Even after more than ten years, time had left no trace on her.

When Ash first encountered her, she was already a first-class magician. Now, she should undoubtedly be considered a highly experienced one. Yet, her unchanging appearance and demeanor made Ash wonder if there truly existed magic capable of halting time and preserving eternal youth.

When she noticed him, this older girl—who always gave off an impression of silence and innocence—actually widened her eyes in surprise. Rarely, she allowed a faint smile to grace her lips, something others almost never witnessed.

"Master Ash, long time no see... I'm glad to see you."

"Me too, Sense. How have you been lately?" Ash couldn't help but smile at her knowingly, reaching out to ruffle her slightly messy hair.

"Thanks to you, I've been doing fine lately."

Sense narrowed her eyes slightly, appearing somewhat uncomfortable but, surprisingly, didn't avoid his touch. Instead, her face showed only a faint trace of confusion.

This interaction left the passing magicians stunned.

After all, they had never seen this first-class magician—known for being expressionless, taciturn, and aloof—allowing anyone to pat her head. And the one doing it was an unfamiliar man.

---

Since Ash frequently returned to the capital, the Demon King's Castle, or even this branch without notifying Frieren or the others, he would occasionally encounter Sense.

Given their long acquaintance, Ash had come to view her as a slightly silent but undeniably adorable junior.

After all, considering that all first-class magicians were Serie's apprentices, Sense was indeed his junior—and from a much younger generation at that.

Sense herself seemed to accept this dynamic. After all, Ash wasn't just her senior; he had also saved her during a reckless moment of Serie's and had taken good care of her since then.

For these reasons, Sense didn't resist his casual, almost familial behavior. She would even humbly ask for his guidance on magic whenever she had the opportunity.

Now, as Ash ruffled her hair, Sense pulled out a book from somewhere, looking up at him with her calm, brown-red eyes.

"…I couldn't quite understand the formula you proposed last time. If you have time, could you please teach me? Or… are you planning to leave again, like last time?"

"No, no, I definitely have time this time. I plan to stay here longer," Ash replied with a reassuring smile.

"Really? That's… great." sense nodded slightly, her calm expression betraying little emotion.

The conversation ended there. For someone else, the abrupt pause might have felt awkward, but Ash was accustomed to her demeanor.

By now, he understood that Sense wasn't particularly skilled at holding conversations and often struggled to figure out what to say next.