You're there like the wind
Closing your eyes at sunset
I wonder what's on your mind
(Frieren: Beyond Journey's End)
With your eyelids open
Your eyes shone like glass
It faintly smelled like a sunny day
Clear up the sky, let flowers bloom
Bloom and blame it on the sunny sky
Even the rain, when it stops
Will make you shine in the sunlight
Calm the stirring sounds in my heart
We go like the sunny wind
Go on and fly over that cloud
Further and further away
(Episode 18: First-Class Mage Exam)
So that's the largest magic city in the Northern Lands, Äußerst?
It's still pretty far away.
Let's take a coach or something on the way.
Once Mistress Frieren obtain the first-class mage certification,
we can enter the Northern Plateau, right?
I don't think I have to be the one to get the certification, though.
It'll become invalid soon enough for me anyway.
Why don't you get it, Fern?
Don't you know, Mistress Frieren?
Only a few very skilled mage can ever become first-class mage.
It's impossible for someone like me.
I see.
You don't seem very interested.
Might be late for me to ask this now,
but why do we need such an incredible mage to enter the Northern Plateau?
Because the Northern Plateau
has always been full of monsters that use sly magic like the Einsam.
You always need a priest and a skilled mage to enter such a dangerous place.
Still, since now they require people to bring an experienced mage to enter,
that must mean something very serious is happening in the Northern Plateau.
I'll find out more about the exam once we reach Äußerst.
From what Fern said, it seems there will be a combat test.
We will need to prepare for that.
Won't any manner of test be a child's play with your Mana, Mistress Frieren?
Even if you limit yourself, you're still giving off mana like a skilled old mage.
Don't call me an old mage.
Oh geez, you made her sulk.
Isn't calling her an old mage a bit too much?
I'm sorry.
I haven't forgotten about you calling me an old hag either, Stark.
That was so long ago.
Whatever, I'm going to sleep.
Wake me up once we get to Äußerst.
Sheesh...
Actually, never mind.
Huh? What's wrong?
I can only see half the sky.
What?
Let me tell you this, Fern.
A mage's power isn't determined by their mana alone.
Technique, experience, the spell they uses and how they handle it.
Then there's effort and willpower.
Those sound like what warriors need.
And talent.
In my whole life, I have lost 11 times to mages with weaker mana than mine.
Four of them were demons.
One of them was Qual, wasn't it?
One was an elf, just like me.
And the remaining six were humans.
The town in the Graf's domain should be close by, I think.
It sure isn't easy to get to Äußerst.
I guess I'll take a little break.
Nice staff you have there, Missy.
Oh, more bandits?
It was peaceful after Aura was finally slain,
but now there are more of these idiots in return, huh?
Who told you to talk?
Hurry up and gather your...
Bastard!
Take this!
If you wish to live, scram.
Let's get out of here...
Thanks, you saved me.
I'm Übel, a mage.
I'm Kraft, a monk.
Wait, are you an elf?
That's rare, I've never seen one before.
You have the eyes of a killer.
I wasn't trying to save you.
In a nearby forest, I found torn-up corpses of bandits.
It was the work of a mage.
A frightfully skilled one, I might add.
Oh, I see.
Did you come here just to scold me?
No, I'm also an adventurer.
I'm not so thickheaded that I'd criticize you for killing in self-defense.
I was just saving the lives of those before me.
You're a shrewd old man. How boring.
Are you heading to Äußerst?
Yeah, I'm taking the First-Class Mage Exam.
Frieren did mention something about that.
I can't wait to hear about her journey the next time I see her.
The exam will be held in two months.
Do remember that the First-Class Mage Exam only takes place once every three years.
Also, you will need at least a fifth-class mage qualification to enter.
I'm counting on you, Fern.
Mistress Frieren, I can't do this alone.
You'll be fine.
And what would we do if I fail?
The exam only happens once every three years.
Then we'll either hire a first-class mage or get across the sea somehow.
But that would cost a lot of money.
We won't be able to have snacks every day again.
But I don't have any qualifications either...
The holy emblem doesn't count, does it?
Like I said back then, what is with that antique?
Excuse me.
Can I take a look at that?
Are you wishing to take the first-class exam?
Seems like I can participate, after all.
I didn't expect someone to still know about this.
Is that thing that amazing?
It should be.
So you're not a part of any magic guild, Frieren?
The organizations that govern magic change too frequently.
It's a pain to keep joining new ones.
Besides, I already have this.
The Holy Emblem. Are you impressed?
What's with this rusty necklace?
- You know about it? - Not at all.
I see...
This is the only proof that I'm a mage, though.
Frieren.
It's true that we don't know about that necklace,
but we do know that you're an incredible mage.
Isn't that enough?
But it won't take long before you die.
Mistress Frieren.
We do know that you are an incredible mage.
Right.
According to the Continental Magic Association's regulations,
It seems that when you're a fifth-class mage,
you're generally considered a full-fledged mage.
Why did you take the third-class exam, Fern?
Because that was the one with the earliest exam date at the time.
There are 600 mages that qualifies as fifth-class or higher.
If you include apprentices from sixth to ninth-class, that only totals to 2,000.
Among them, 45 are first-class mages.
The first-class exams are held once every three years
at the northern branch of Äußerst
and the headquarters in the holy city of Strahl.
There are many times when not a single person passed.
Casualties in the exam are also considered commonplace.
It seems rather difficult.
That said, there sure are a lot less mages nowadays.
Were there a lot more in the past?
Back a century ago when the Demon King's army was on the offensive,
you'll easily pass by mages just from walking in any town.
Nowadays, you won't see one unless you're in a magic town like this.
Now, since we have two months, why don't we do some intensive training?
We will now begin the First-Class Mage Exam.
It seems like we have a lot of promising examinees this year.
We have the captain of the Northern Magic Corps that have been fighting
against the remnants of the Demon King's army for many years,
Wirbel the second-class mage.
Then there's the man who became the Imperial mage
after a violent power struggle,
the sly old fox, Denken the second-class mage.
There's also the youngest-ever mage
to achieve the highest possible score on the third-class exam,
Fern the third-class mage.
That said, I see a troublemaker as well.
The one that was disqualified in the exam two years ago
for killing the first-class mage examiner,
Übel the third-class mage.
The other promising ones are...
There's someone giving off mana like an experienced old mage...
Who is that?
No idea.
I will now announce the details of the first exam.
It will be a team battle.
There are 57 of you here in total.
You will take the exam in groups of three.
Now, I will divide your teams.
A bracelet, huh?
There's a number written on it.
I guess that means I'm in the second party.
If I put mana into it, I can sense the location of my team members.
So that's how we'll identify our party members.
I have to say, they're doing this in an interesting way.
Doing it with a normal party is one thing,
but an impromptu party random strangers, all of them being mages,
would have a hard time working together.
First impressions are important for this kind of stuff.
I'll need to be careful and not cause any trouble.
The bracelet is leading me over here...
Ow ow ow ow ow!
You're ripping them off! Stop messing with me!
I'll kill you!
Try it, then.
They're already fighting...
Looking forward to working with you.
Me too.
I will explain the specific rules of the first exam.
This region is the habitat of the Stille, a small bird.
I have distributed a cage to each party.
There are two conditions you must meet to pass the first exam.
You must have a Stille inside your cage at sunset tomorrow.
And at that time, all your party members must be present.
In general, you are free to move around,
but if anyone goes outside the exam area,
then their whole party will immediately be disqualified.
That's a funny thing to say despite putting up a barrier so powerful
not even dust can pass through.
There's no way for us to leave.
So you're actually listening...
We will now begin the first exam.
We should come up with a plan first!
Are you stupid? How can we even make a plan before we find that bird?
They're still fighting...
For now, why don't we introduce ourselves as we walk?
And please decide who gets to carry the cage by rock-paper-scissors.
I'm Frieren, nice to meet you.
Lawine, third-class mage.
I'm Kanne, also a third-class mage.
Lawine and I grew up together, and we graduated from the same magic academy.
Do the two of you know anything about the Stille?
- No. - I don't.
I have some knowledge of them, but I've never seen them myself.
Let's find one and observe it first.
I'm so tired...
How embarrassing.
Let's take a short break, shall we?
I can still walk, so I'll scout ahead.
It's safer to stick together.
Shut up, that's just inefficient.
Are you strong, Lawine?
Stronger than this kid, for sure.
Bring it on, jerk.
And compared to me?
I wouldn't want to fight you.
I see.
Sure, go take a look.
Make sure to come back if there's any danger.
Sure.
And be wary of the sky.
I know.
I'm worried about this party...
Frieren, you're like a teacher.
I think you'd make a good leader.
I only lead because you two are fighting all the time.
Not because I wanted to.
Sorry, we've always been like this.
By the way, what do you mean by being wary of the sky?
Exactly what it sounds like.
Are you bad at sensing mana?
Why do you ask?
Hey.
That was quick.
I found the Stille.
Well done, Lawine.
Now, let's carefully observe it and...
I said we're only going to observe it...
It's going to get away.
No.
Good job, Kanne.
Oh, not bad.
But I suggest you two take cover now.
What? Why?
The Stille is extremely sturdy and can fly faster than the speed of sound.
That kind of restraint is meaningless.
Seriously? I can't even see it anymore.
We almost got it.
We need to observe it properly to catch it.
We'll spend this full day observing the Stille.
Kanne manipulated water while Lawine froze it.
They're in sync and have perfect timing.
It was a high level of coordination.
It's not something one could achieve in a day.
I was worried at first, but maybe with their skills...
Let's chase after it right away.
We should check the area around the lake instead!
No good, they're already fighting again.
I think I heard something...
Huh?
Frieren's not here...
I knew it. It sounds like rain, but it's so faint.
It's not even raining, so how...?
Oh, so that's it.
That means probably...
A monster!
My staff...
L-Lawine...
I told you to be wary of the sky, didn't I?
Are you okay now?
Yeah...
You called out for Lawine.
Didn't you hate her?
I guess so.
Right.
So how come you two can coordinate so well together?
I'm curious.
To be honest, I'm actually a coward.
I often freeze up at important moments.
It also happened during my first flight magic training.
The other guys are already so far away, you know?
It's just water down there. You won't die.
If you don't have the courage for it, how about I just kick you off?
I hate you.
I know.
You always say mean things to me.
I'm the type that grows with praise, you know?
You have to be kidding.
This is the result of Mummy and Daddy spoiling you when you were growing up.
If praises can help you fly, then I would've spoiled you.
Then say good things about me.
Come on, you're seriously saying that?
You try really hard even though you're actually a coward.
That's your good point.
Tell me more.
What? Why would I?!
You put in a lot of effort in secret.
You pay attention to other people, and you're considerate.
More.
You're cute when you laugh.
What? Gross.
That was close...
See? You can fly after all.
I'm not going to be nice to you anymore.
Lawine might seem rough, but she does pull me in the right direction.
Thanks to her, I've learned that as long as I got a momentum,
then anything is possible, even if I'm scared.
By the way, Frieren.
I noticed something interesting.
We might be able to use it for something.
I see.
We might be able to catch the Stille easily.
And I'm alright (I'll be alright)
Yeah, I hear you (I care about you)
The wind teases this hair That's longer now
There's meaning in everything
Even the days that came to a halt
Now that I finally understand I've caught up to you
See, things that couldn't have been
Seen if it weren't for these eyes
Why? They begin to overflow
I won't ask to see you, so at least
Let me remember the past, just for today
So, if we were to meet again
No more hesitations I'd choose the present
Anytime, anywhere, yah (Wherever you are)
Anytime, anywhere (Smile for me)
I'll be there (Close your eyes, and I'll always be there)
Even if there are no absolutes
I'm always aware of your thoughts
Those tears will be alright Dawn will surely break
I'm whispering our lullaby for you To come back home
- This is abnormal. - Come on, let's fight.
- Someone has detected me. - Shut it, you.
This is a well-laid plan by the second party.