Frilian: This Demon Isn't So Cold

"Why are you still living here?"

After glancing at the hotel, which remained unchanged, Carlos looked at Vlamé, the question he had wanted to ask from the very beginning.

"This is caused by many factors..."

After Vlamé's explanation, Carlos understood.

First, the hotel had been providing them with free accommodation for the past five years. Second, because of Celia's presence, the hotel had more guests, and everyone hoped they might get to see her. In fact, they did occasionally see Celia coming down for meals. Third, there were just too many people outside trying to curry favor with them, and there were plenty of free accommodations available, so Vlame simply refused to accept any of them.

As a result, I ended up living here for 5 years.

"Interpersonal relationships are such a hassle," Carlos remarked.

Vlamé even detected a hint of nostalgia in the tone of his voice, and she couldn't help but ask:

"Are you very dissatisfied with life among the demons?"

"If I had to sum up life there in one sentence..." Carlos commented emotionlessly, several faces flashing through his mind, "it's like the fight starts three seconds after you meet them."

Just like her understanding of the demon race, Vlame nodded to herself.

After all, within the demon race, strength is paramount. If it weren't for the Demon King, who stands at the pinnacle of the demon race, suppressing them, they wouldn't even be able to build the fragile social relationships they have today.

"Also, Vlame," Carlos said, looking at Vlame who was deep in thought, "the demons are very strong. You'd better not venture too far into the northern heartland in the future."

How strong is it?

Vlame was still thinking about how to get information about the demons from Carlos, but now the other party has taken the initiative to bring up the topic.

"Without this abundant magical power and the [Return Spell] that Lady Celie taught me, you probably wouldn't have seen me return. The world of magic is truly vast."

【Curse Reversal Magic】, the crystallization of human wisdom in the mythological era, is also the most primitive magic that cannot be explained by magic theory. It can deflect any magic that is recognized as a "curse". Carlos has deeply felt the power of 【Curse Reversal Magic】.

After reminding Vlame to be careful, and then sighing once more, Carlos stepped into the hotel.

"Are you planning to go directly to your master?" Ignoring the gazes cast in their direction by the guests on the first floor, Vlame caught up with Carlos and asked.

"Yes, she didn't refuse my magical detection just now."

It means I don't mind running into them.

Vlame was stunned, because she had not sensed Carlos using magic to detect her at all, even though he was right next to her.

This fact sent chills down Volamey's spine.

Carlos had already gone upstairs.

As soon as I arrived at Celie's room, I heard a voice I hadn't heard in five years:

"Come in."

"Sorry to bother you."

Carlos said briefly and then stepped inside.

In the room, several relatively new-looking magic books were placed on the bed, next to which was Celia sitting cross-legged, her right hand supporting her knee and her chin in a posture familiar to Carlos.

"You really like this gesture."

"Why are you using honorifics with me as soon as you get back?" Celia smiled softly, but didn't dwell on the question. "How was your trip to the demon realm?"

"Not good." Carlos shook his head. "I'm fighting with people every day. There's never a peaceful day."

Celia looked meaningfully into his eyes: "Anything else?"

Carlos and Celia's eyes met in mid-air, and after a moment, Carlos looked away.

"I certainly don't seem like a demon."

"Hahahaha—!"

Celia laughed loudly, slapping the bed hard with her left hand, no longer bothering to maintain her original pose.

Carlos felt a rare sense of embarrassment.

Seria laughed for a very long time. Heaven knows what made her laugh. Aren't elves supposed to be emotionally detached? If an anthropologist who studies elves saw this scene, he would probably be shocked.

"Should I say welcome back to you?" After laughing, Celia belatedly realized that this was the question.

"More than such trivial matters, I'm curious about what kind of relationship we have."

Carlos thought of the question Sylvia had asked him. To be honest, although he had answered it that way at the time, he didn't really know how to explain it to Sylvia.

They were neither disciples nor friends, and calling them enemies would be even more inappropriate.

Celia glanced sideways at Carlos; despite her small stature, she exuded an inexplicable sense of pressure.

"You're very concerned about this issue?"

"After all, people will ask." Carlos said calmly, having already recovered from the awkwardness of the moment.

"Then will you become my disciple?" Celia offered a rather good suggestion. "If it were you, it wouldn't be a waste of my reputation."

"..." Carlos hesitated for a moment before saying, "But if I do that, won't I become Vlame's junior brother?"

"Why did that come to mind first?"

Celia's expression was strange. There were plenty of people outside who wanted to become her apprentices, but Carlos was different. Not only did he not agree immediately, but he also said something that she found completely unreasonable.

"I'm trying my best to keep my mind active," Carlos explained briefly, then offered Celia a suggestion, "When we're out in public, could you say I'm Vlame's senior?"

"If Vlamé agrees, then it's up to you." Celia waved her hand, her face completely indifferent.

"I'll ask her later, and if she agrees, I'll become her apprentice." Carlos nodded. "By the way, if I do become her apprentice, are there any things I should be aware of?"

"You're such a nuisance," Celia said, not answering his question, but instead asking, "Do you remember the time I grabbed you?"

Upon hearing this, Carlos's experience of hiding at the bottom of the river resurfaced in his mind. He didn't quite understand why Celia wanted to bring up that unpleasant past at this moment, but he still replied:

"Of course I remember, what's wrong?"

"Actually, I already noticed you a long time ago. If your behavior hadn't been a bit strange back then, I probably wouldn't have given you a chance to explain," Celia said with a hint of mischievousness.

"So, I should thank myself for joining in the fun?"

"That's the result."

"Wait a minute." Carlos remembered something from what Seria had just said. "You didn't actually make it to save that village, did you?"

"It's hard to say..." Celia stroked her chin. "I've almost forgotten what happened back then, I only remember you and Volamere."

"You probably didn't tell Vlamé about this, did you?"

"She didn't ask." Celia looked at Carlos, whose expression remained unchanged. "Only you would ask me something like this. So, what are your thoughts after hearing my answer?"

"Sometimes knowing too much can make you unhappy." Carlos gave Celia a deep look, then turned and waved. "I'm leaving. After all, I've found my goal, and I need to seize the time to improve myself. I hope you can find yours too."

Carlos left the room.

Hearing the door close, Celia, sitting cross-legged on the bed, sighed softly:

"In the end, you didn't use honorifics again, Carlos."

I've found my goal, in just five years... I'll take some time to travel around after that.