"Failed."
The moment the next person stepped in, before he could even process what was happening, he heard that.
And the tone sounded a little cold.
He got so scared he turned around and left on the spot.
He had just caught a glimpse of Serie. He knew who she was, and she was definitely not someone he could deal with.
"Little sister Serie, don't let your feelings get in the way," Frieren teased.
She had stayed behind after all, sitting on Shichen's lap with Serie, one on each side.
Shichen had an arm around each of their waists, looking completely comfortable.
They were both small, and holding them like this felt especially nice.
"Try calling me little sister one more time," Serie snapped, glaring at her.
That damn Frieren was really pushing her luck.
"Don't be so petty." Frieren wasn't scared at all.
"Hmph. Don't forget, I got together with Shichen way earlier than you did," Serie reminded her.
"..." Frieren's expression stiffened.
"So you're the little sister here, got it?" Serie grinned smugly.
"Hmph. Status isn't decided by who did that first," Frieren shot back.
"But I was still first."
"So what?"
"I was first."
"Are you done yet?" Frieren finally snapped.
"You started it."
"Fine, I won't argue with you anymore. A grown-up doesn't stoop to a child's level." Frieren decided to stop. There was no point in the two of them fighting. All it did was hurt both sides.
And right now, she felt like she was the one getting hurt more.
It was all Shichen's fault.
The moment Frieren thought that, she smacked Shichen.
"What was that for?" Shichen had just been happily enjoying their slim waists.
"It's all your fault!" Frieren complained.
"What's all my fault?"
"You still haven't done anything with me."
"Oh, that..." Shichen began.
"What? He still hasn't? Frieren, that's hilarious," Serie burst out laughing.
"Shut up!"
"You're killing me. You little amateur, hahaha!"
"You're so annoying!" Frieren's face darkened.
"Not annoying at all. I'm going to laugh myself to death just to get back at you for bothering me earlier."
"You don't know anything! The reason Shichen hasn't taken things further with me is because he cares about me. He can't bear to, got it?" Frieren argued.
"Don't be ridiculous. It's because you're too small. He's just not interested."
"That's bullshit!"
"You're the one full of shit!"
"...You two are elves. Can you maybe not talk like that?" Shichen cut in, clearly pained.
Listening to them argue like this was too much, even for him.
"What's the problem? There's no one else here," Frieren said, unconcerned.
"If she can say it, then so can I," Serie added immediately.
"You two... are you children?"
One of them had lived for thousands of years, the other for centuries, and yet here they were acting this childish.
"You're the one who likes kids, aren't you?" Frieren shot back.
"That's not true. I don't like kids. I just happen to like women who look young."
"Right, so legal lolis."
"...I'm not into lolis," Shichen denied righteously.
"Hmph. As if we don't know you."
"Exactly," Serie agreed.
"Stop slandering me."
There was no way he was ever going to admit it. Even if he knew it, even if they all knew it, as long as he didn't say it out loud, it didn't count.
"Sigh. You're so full of it."
"And look how tightly you're holding us."
The two of them complained in unison.
"You two are suddenly getting along way too well," Shichen said, looking suspicious.
"That's—hmph."
They both looked at each other, then turned away in perfect sync.
As expected, the best way to get two people who always clashed to get along was to give them a common enemy.
Still, Shichen had no intention of becoming that enemy. Watching them bicker was way more entertaining.
Every time someone came in for the exam, they'd stop arguing. The moment that person left, they'd start up again.
That went on for several rounds, until Übel walked in.
"Passed," Serie said the moment she saw her.
"That's it? I passed already?" Übel sounded surprised.
"Mm." Serie gave a simple nod.
Of course she approved of someone like this. After all, the girl had looked at her and immediately wondered if she could cut her open.
That took guts.
"So I can go?" Übel glanced past Serie at Shichen.
"No rush. Come here," Shichen said, loosening one arm and beckoning to her.
"Is that okay?" Übel glanced at Serie.
"You don't need to worry about those two."
"Oh." Übel quietly walked over behind Shichen.
"Well? I told you you'd be fine, didn't I?" he asked with a smile.
"Mm... this isn't because you had Serie-sama give me special treatment, is it?" Übel asked.
"No," Serie answered before Shichen could.
"Then why?"
"Have a little more confidence. Think about what you were thinking just now."
"I see." Übel understood.
"Is Fern next?" Frieren asked.
"Yes."
"Serie, want to make a bet?"
"What kind of bet?"
"About whether Fern passes."
"Hah. I could just fail her on the spot if I wanted to. How dare you?" Serie sneered.
"Heh, you wouldn't dare. Shichen likes Fern way too much."
"In that case, let's keep it fair. I still don't think that little girl will pass."
"Then are you willing to bet or not?"
"What are the stakes?"
"The loser has to call the winner 'big sister.'"
"That's it?"
"So? Do you dare?"
"Bring it. Like I'm scared of you."
"Good. Don't you dare back out later."
"You're the one who better not back out."
The two of them glared at each other without giving an inch.
A moment later, Fern walked in. She looked so pure and harmless that she hardly seemed threatening at all.
But the moment she saw the scene in the courtyard, she got annoyed.
Frieren and Serie sitting on Shichen's lap was one thing, but why was Übel here too?
"Übel, what are you doing here?"
"Relax. Just wait for the result."
"What result?"
"Your name is Fern, right? Look at me," Serie said.
"Serie-sama." Fern looked at her and blinked.
"You... hm?"
Serie, who had just been thinking there was nothing special about Fern, suddenly realized something was off.
This girl could actually perceive the compressed fluctuations in her mana.
Even the people Serie herself had taught couldn't do that.
No wonder Frieren had wanted to make a bet over her.
There was no way someone this talented could be rejected.
"You pass," Serie said with a nod.
"Huh? What do you mean I pass?" Fern asked blankly.
"The final exam, obviously. Come here," Shichen said with a smile, reaching out to her.
"Shichen-sama!" Fern hurried over.
She immediately hugged him from behind, pressing herself against his back and wrapping her arms around his neck, while throwing Übel a provocative look.
Übel looked back, completely unfazed.
With Fern leaning over him like that, the soft weight on his back made for a pretty intense contrast.
No matter how much he liked the smaller ones, there was no denying the appeal of someone more fully grown.
That wasn't even the same level—it was a whole different dimension. The kind of thing no man could resist.
Especially when he already had two petite girls in his arms, making the contrast even stronger.
Without comparison, there's no damage.
"Hmph. Serie, I won. Time to honor the bet," Frieren said smugly.
"..."
"Oh? Don't tell me you're going to back out?"
"Don't get cocky."
"Hehe. Go on, say it."
"Frieren... big sister…"
~~~
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