Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

Returning to the stone cave, Frieren did not go lie on the stone bed this time but instead stayed obediently by Shichen's side.

It seemed that Serie's recent "predicament" had truly frightened her.

Serie, on the other hand, did not return to her stone seat. She stood there supporting herself on the seat, gazing at the piles upon piles of magic books, as if she were pondering something.

Shichen guessed she was thinking whether there was some kind of magic that could deal with him.

After all, for someone who had lived so long and was considered the pinnacle of magic to end up getting her bottom smacked—this was such a disgrace, she absolutely could not be at ease with it.

Then again, maybe because she had lived for so long, she was oddly calm about it. Possibly, from her perspective, being spanked wasn't such a big deal?

Shichen did not hear anything from the "voice" in his head, which meant he had not truly "conquered" her yet.

It made sense—just smacking her rear wouldn't easily make her yield. She was definitely still unaccepting.

Still, he had beaten her in a duel. By rights, that should have "conquered" her. So why did it not?

Probably she still wasn't convinced.

Having always been the strongest, losing once so suddenly wouldn't convince her at all.

Well, that was simple: just educate her a few more times.

"Grandmaster, what are you looking at?" Shichen and Frieren walked up to Serie's side.

"Nothing," Serie said without looking at them.

Shichen paid it no mind, and looked toward the mountain of magic books. "All these are magic tomes?"

"Interested?" Serie said indifferently. "You beat me, so read as many as you like."

"No need. I don't really lack for magic."

He turned and looked at Frieren. "Frieren, do you want to learn one or two?"

Frieren shook her head. "Not really interested..."

"Come on," Shichen interrupted, placing a hand atop her head and tousling her hair. "Just pick one or two spells, that's all. It's not like you're forcing her to teach you."

Frieren looked at Shichen quietly and asked, "If I don't pick, are you going to spank me too?"

"That depends," Shichen said.

"Depends on what?"

"On my mood. Probably not right now, but if I recall it some other time, maybe I'll take the opportunity." Shichen grinned mischievously.

"In that case, I'll pick." Frieren had no choice but to give in.

"That's more like it."

"Wait a second! You two are just talking as though I have no say? I never agreed!" Serie protested in annoyance.

"You still think you get a say?" Shichen replied calmly.

"Only you beat me, not Frieren."

"Aren't you still her Grandmaster? Or did you forget what you promised me earlier?"

"One day, I'll get my dignity back," Serie said through gritted teeth.

"Your dignity, your pride? Don't bother. You have no chance," Shichen teased. "Might as well be like Frieren and behave."

"You want me to obey you? Keep dreaming!"

"I'm stronger than you—doesn't that suffice?"

"Hmph, temporarily." Serie once again let out her trademark cold snort.

"Looks like you really aren't convinced," Shichen said with a shake of his head.

"Tch, I'll find a way to handle you."

"You supposedly have all the magic in human history—how will you find it?"

"Then I'll just create my own," Serie announced pridefully.

Shichen eyed her. "She does have that capability… but maybe you don't realize, I barely used half my strength today."

"..." Serie stared at him in silence.

"Just keep trying your best." He casually reached out and patted her head like she was a little kid.

Frieren's head felt different to the touch, while Serie's also had its own feel. Frieren was smaller, while Serie's was rounder. He wondered if messing with it was equally enjoyable.

"What are you doing?" Serie demanded.

"Huh? Is there a problem?"

"You truly don't like me?"

"No."

"Then why are you treating me like you treat Frieren?"

"Well, because you're both petite."

"I don't buy it. You must be too embarrassed to admit."

Shichen rolled his eyes. "Why would I like you?"

"Aren't I a fellow elf, same as Frieren, with extraordinary looks? Isn't that enough?"

"But you're flat."

"...Flat?" Serie followed his gaze downward to her own chest and fell silent.

"You're too flat. How could I like you? One Frieren's enough." Shichen teased.

"Maybe you're into big ones like Flamme's, then? Why is that good?"

"You're not me, so you wouldn't know."

"So you truly don't like me? And I'm inferior to Frieren?"

"At least she's more obedient than you."

Serie blankly stared at Shichen, then let out a light laugh. "Heh, so shallow."

"Anyway, any idea when Master might come back?" Shichen asked.

"How would I know?" Serie snapped, obviously still annoyed.

"Then it looks like we'll be stuck here for a while, which is fine. Grandmaster, please guide us well for the time being," Shichen said, flashing a smile.

Serie: "..."

Over the next two days, Shichen and Frieren remained in the cave. Frieren was by now immersed in studying the magic books, even though at first she resisted. She truly did love magic.

Shichen did not study with her, instead going out each day with Serie to hunt. At first, she refused, but after Shichen pinned her to the stone seat and delivered another smack, she cooperated. Oddly, she did not get embarrassed or furious—just took it calmly. Perhaps that was how the strong handled things.

Finally, on the third day, Flamme returned. The moment she entered and saw Shichen sitting on Serie's stone seat, she froze. And upon noticing Serie lying across Shichen's lap, she looked utterly stunned.

"M-Master, you…? Both of you…?"

"Master, you're back? Where have you been these few days?" Shichen asked cheerfully.

"Mm…just out looking around. It's been so long since I came back here…" Flamme answered absently.

"I see."

"You… and Grandmaster, are…?"

"It's what happens after she lost to me. Don't mind it," Serie replied calmly.

"Is that so…" Flamme wore a perplexed expression.

Though she had foreseen Shichen would defeat her Master, seeing them like this was beyond her imagination. She could only guess at what had happened.

"Master, when are we heading back?" Shichen asked, continuing to stroke Serie's hair.

"Tomorrow, I suppose."

"Great, tomorrow it is. This place is getting dull."

"Didn't you want to read all those magic books?"

"Frieren's had enough. Me too."

"All right… but Shichen, let me ask you something," Flamme said, eyes narrowing.

"Please, go ahead."

"Do you have…some special liking for elves?"

…

The next morning, the three prepared to depart. Serie escorted them to the cave entrance.

Flamme was quite shocked, especially since Serie's attitude toward her had changed drastically overnight. Before, every time she spoke, Serie would mock or needle her—like targeting her. But now she was markedly more gentle.

She had a good idea of the reason. If she'd known earlier, she wouldn't have left.

"All right, Master, we're leaving now," Flamme said, bidding farewell to Serie.

"Mm."

"Grandmaster, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

"Hurry and go," Serie said calmly, waving them away.

Seeing them walk off into the distance, Serie almost couldn't hold back a smile. Then, all of a sudden, a voice reached her ears:

"Grandmaster, wait for me to come back."

"..."

Serie gazed at Shichen's departing figure, contemplating whether to remain in this place. If Flamme hadn't returned, she might have continued being treated like a "pet." The idea of Shichen returning alone again… how could she stand that?

She, the pinnacle of magic, found herself utterly powerless against him. Had the world she lived in always been this weak?

~~~

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