Year six of life in the Imperial Capital, year-end—
During the annual New Year's dinner—
Flamme stood up amidst the surprised gazes of her husband and disciple.
With hands confidently on her hips, she spiritedly announced her plans for the winter break.
"Traveling?"
Agusheed cast his gaze at Flamme, who hadn't consulted him about this plan at all.
He strongly suspected this idea had just popped into her head.
Meanwhile, Frieren, busy stuffing her face, didn't hold back either.
After popping the last raspberry into her mouth, she questioned bluntly:
"Flamme, you totally just made that up, didn't you…"
The silver-haired elf stared at her unreliable teacher, ears twitching in light exasperation.
"Stupid disciple, how dare you question the great mage Flamme's decision—"
"It's decided. You lose your break. You'll be studying magic even while traveling!"
After casually laying down her punishment for Frieren, Flamme shifted her gaze to her silent husband.
"Agusheed, do you agree?"
Putting down his fork and knife, Agusheed replied quietly:
"I'll go along with you."
Frieren, now seething with resentment after losing her break, threw Agusheed a look of disdain.
She pouted and muttered:
"There you go again, Agusheed…"
"Are you sure you're not just a golem that follows 100% of Flamme's commands?"
But Agusheed didn't even look up, ignoring her jab entirely.
"Ugh… so lame…"
Grumbling under her breath, Frieren puffed her cheeks in protest.
When she saw the couple quietly starting to discuss their destination—
She finally slammed the table and stood up.
"I protest!"
Her silver hair swayed with her dramatic motion.
"Flamme, this is totally unreasonable! You're stealing my break without permission!"
"Objection overruled."
Flamme smiled cheerfully, tapping Frieren on the forehead.
"That's what you get for doubting your teacher's authority."
"One more word and I'll have Agusheed call Livaile to eat you."
The moment Flamme mentioned Livaile—
Frieren, who had been fuming, immediately deflated.
Like a kitten caught in the rain, she slumped back into her chair, dejected.
Even so, she continued mumbling inaudibly under her breath.
Agusheed watched the teacher-disciple bickering and allowed himself a faint smile.
He sipped his tea as Flamme eagerly spread out the map to plan their route.
"How about the central-northern Etwas Mountains?"
"This season is perfect for hot springs!"
Flamme's finger traced along the map as she made her first suggestion.
"The Aureole Dragon doesn't like the weather there. It'll be unhappy."
Agusheed rejected the idea calmly.
"Then how about the Granz Strait to the south? I remember the coastline there is super pretty!"
"You leveled a mountain during monster clean-up there. I doubt we'll be welcome."
"Right… then—"
"..."
Frieren rested her chin in her hands, watching the two exchange suggestions.
Until Flamme's finger paused over a spot on the map—Voll Basin.
"Oh, how about here?"
Her eyes lit up with nostalgic joy.
"Voll Basin—if I remember right, we once built a little cabin there during our downtime."
Agusheed's movements briefly paused. His gaze landed on the familiar name.
Voll Basin…
He remembered it vividly.
It was where he and Flamme had met in their youth and lived together for a time.
A cabin nestled deep within the forest.
A small flower field out front, rustling softly in the evening breeze.
"Alright…"
This time, Agusheed didn't object. His voice was even gentler than before.
Frieren, always observant, noticed the subtle change in atmosphere.
Detective Frieren tilted her head, glanced at her "parents," and asked curiously:
"You two lived there?"
"No duh. Why else would we have built a cabin?"
Flamme rubbed Frieren's head, her eyes tinged with fondness.
"Not only did we live there—that's where I met Agusheed."
Frieren blinked, suddenly more interested in this trip.
"Well…"
Drawing out her words, she turned her head with a reluctant expression:
"Since you're both so set on it, I guess I'll go too."
So, the living room now held this scene—
At the table, Agusheed cleared the remains of the New Year's meal.
Flamme, pointing to her hand-drawn and cherished parchment map—
Planned a travel route.
Frieren leaned over the edge of the table, chin on her hand, feigning reluctance—
But her eyes kept flicking toward parts of the map she'd never seen.
"If it's Voll Basin… we can take this route."
Flamme's fingertip slid along the mountain ridges.
"At the Aureole Dragon's full speed, we'll get there in less than ten days."
Agusheed had no complaints. And this time, neither did Frieren.
She simply raised her little hand and timidly asked:
"Um… since we're already traveling, can I get my break back?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
Flamme chuckled, pinching her cheek.
"Because teacher loves you."
Frieren swatted her hand away and pouted in a corner.
Seeing her sulk again, Flamme only smiled.
She ruffled her disciple's fluffy white hair and clapped her hands, as if remembering something:
"Oh right!"
"I nearly forgot. There are still some strange spells I collected in the attic of that cabin…"
Frieren's ears perked up. She tilted her head.
"Seriously?"
"When has the great mage Flamme ever lied to her adorable, foolish disciple…"
Frieren gave a reluctant hum like, "That won't win me over", then hopped off the sofa.
She scurried into the kitchen for food.
"Agusheed, also—"
Her words stopped as soon as she entered.
She found Agusheed standing silently at the window, having finished tidying up.
"Um… Agusheed?"
She called softly.
"There are some raspberries in the left cupboard. Take them if you're hungry."
Though he answered plainly, Frieren didn't move.
She stepped forward—
And through the reflection in the window, she saw a rare, gentle expression on Agusheed's face.
It was the first time she had seen such softness on the usually stoic man.
Which made her even more curious about the cabin they spoke of.
"Voll Basin… are you really looking forward to going back?"
Her words made Agusheed lift his gaze slightly.
Just then, a snowflake lightly touched the glass in front of him.
Pure, pristine—stirring countless thoughts.
Agusheed's eyes passed through it, seeing far beyond.
And he gave his disciple a quiet, simple answer—
"...Yeah."