The exploration of the Fountain Spring Secret Realm finally reached its conclusion.
Only some finishing touches remained before this unexpected journey could be wrapped up perfectly.
"Teacher, let's go back and deal with the water sources that were directed into the Laboratory."
After all, the water was mixed with traces of Magic Potions. If left unattended, Gut still felt a bit concerned.
Serie turned back to look at the passage behind them and shook her head without any interest, indicating it wasn't necessary.
"Huh?" Gut was somewhat surprised by her response. "Is it really okay to just leave that spring water there? I already shattered the stone that sealed the passage, and if it starts flowing out again..."
"Actually, Serie's approach isn't problematic at all."
To Gut's surprise, it was Frieren who spoke up, taking the initiative to explain for Serie. "The vast majority of Magic Potions are inherently unstable."
"Or rather, maintaining relative stability is already considered quite good for most of them."
"These Magic Potions are difficult to store safely outside of specific containers. Even in dark and damp underground conditions, they can't last long."
"The spring water leak that Milliarde encountered happened shortly after the Magic Potions were shattered."
"The potion's active ingredients were still fairly abundant, and those lighter components floated to the water's surface, making the effect stronger. She had no choice but to take drastic measures and seal it back up."
"But now, more than a thousand years have passed."
"The small amounts of Magic Potion mixed into the spring water have long since been consumed and decomposed over time."
"What remains in the spring now—causing it to glow faintly and carry a trace of toxicity—are simply some raw materials of the potion with more stable properties."
"They still have some toxicity, but in such a diluted form, it's incredibly weak—at most, it would just cause someone to have a few days of an upset stomach."
"So even if more of it leaks out, it won't have any major impact."
"And what's more, in an environment exposed to sunlight, these components wouldn't last long anyway."
Frieren's explanation was perfectly reasonable—clear and detailed.
However, the fact that she took the initiative to explain for Serie was quite unusual. Not just for Gut—even Serie herself couldn't help but take a second look.
Weren't these two elves always at odds with each other? How come Frieren suddenly started defending Serie?
As expected, Frieren's next words answered the confusion in everyone's mind.
"Serie, it seems your ability to educate your disciples still has a lot of shortcomings, especially in the area of basic magic knowledge."
Facing Frieren's sharp rebuke, Serie's lips curled into a smile. She didn't bother explaining that she had only taken Gut in as a disciple not long ago. Instead, she directly agreed with Frieren's statement and continued smoothly:
"Indeed, my ability to teach as a mentor is still lacking, especially when it comes to instilling the principle of respecting one's master. In that regard, I've done terribly."
"Wouldn't you agree, my disciple's disciple?"
"Serie, you're so despicable."
Hearing Serie press down on her with seniority, Frieren, who was immediately suppressed, had no way to argue back. She just ate the loss in silence, muttering about how Serie won unfairly.
But speaking of respecting one's master...
Serie glanced at her disciple Gut, who was standing by her side, his eyes wandering who knows where.
It seemed that besides teaching him basic magic knowledge, she would need to start instilling the values of respecting one's master soon.
"Well, I still feel a bit uneasy about that spring water," Himmel suddenly said, glancing at the defeated elf beside him.
"Frieren, would you mind going back with me? If we're going to deal with that spring water, we'll still need the strength of a magic user."
"Hmm? Alright."
Without much hesitation, Frieren nodded in agreement to Himmel's invitation.
"I... I also want to..."
Off to the side, the oblivious Mut raised his hand, wanting to join them.
But fortunately, before Mut could finish speaking, Gut swiftly covered his mouth and pulled him back.
"Mmm-mmm-mmm—"
Mut struggled a bit, but when he saw his idol Himmel purposely ignore him, and then saw the look in Gut's eyes, he finally understood.
After all, as the young master of a noble family, Mut still had some sense of social awareness.
He had been a bit clueless before only because he had never expected his idol Himmel to harbor such feelings for the elf mage in the group.
After all, they were of different races, and now Himmel looked like a seasoned warrior while Frieren still maintained the image of a young girl. The contrast was so stark that Mut had never even considered the possibility.
But now, he finally understood.
When Himmel and Frieren re-entered the passageway, Mut thanked Gut for stopping him.
Gut looked at his reaction and knew that Mut had already grasped the nature of Himmel's feelings.
That was good—at least he didn't have to explain it himself.
...
Inside the underground Secret Storage Room.
Traveling alongside Himmel once again, Frieren took the initiative to speak up after they stepped onto the stairs leading back to the Laboratory.
"Hey, Himmel."
"Hmm? What's up?" The Hero gazed at the elf with gentle eyes, giving her his full attention.
"I just did the math and realized..."
"Without knowing it, the time we've spent apart is already longer than the time we traveled together."
"After we deal with the spring water, do you want to travel with me again? Without a warrior as a companion, there are still some troublesome things during travel."
The invitation from the elf made the Hero pause in his tracks.
This unexpected reunion had already brought him immense joy, and now Frieren's invitation further shook his plans for the future.
But...
Himmel ultimately shook his head and refused Frieren's invitation.
"I'm sorry, Frieren."
"I still have one last thing to take care of with my remaining years. I can't join you."
"I see..."
Frieren's voice carried a hint of regret. "Looks like the next time we meet will be during the Half-Century Meteor Shower."
"Yeah. Last time in the Royal Capital, you said next time you'd take us to a place where we could see the stars even more clearly."
"I'm really looking forward to that day. I'll wait until then."
"Frieren, on that day, don't be late."
"I promise."
...
Some time later.
When Frieren and Himmel returned after dealing with the spring water, they found Serie lounging comfortably under the shade of a tree while Gut stood behind her, massaging her shoulders.
"What... is this..."
Himmel seemed confused, instinctively glancing at Frieren's long ears, feeling a bit itchy in his hands.
But Frieren, unlike him, had no reservations about speaking bluntly to Serie.
"Really living the good life, aren't you, Serie?"
"You didn't take in a disciple just to enjoy their pampering, did you?"
"Mind your business."
With her eyes still closed, Serie responded calmly, "This is my disciple's act of respect towards me."
"When you have your own disciple, you'll understand."
"Tch," Frieren scoffed, clearly displeased. "Who would be as lazy as you, shamelessly enjoying the service of their disciple?"
"If I ever become a teacher, I definitely won't—"