Serie

At night.

In front of a barbecue stall on the street.

"Mmm~ Chew."

Fern was slicing the skewers in his hands with both hands.

Seeing that it was getting late and that Fern seemed less angry than before, Stark noticed that it was getting late and that Philon seemed to have calmed down.

He then said, "Fern, it's about time we went back."

After finishing their skewers, Fern and Stark set off on their way back to the hotel.

En route.

Feeling much better, Fern said softly:

"Lady Frieren completely misunderstands my thoughts."

Stark blurted out, "I don't understand your thinking either."

Upon hearing this, Fern stopped in his tracks.

He used both hands, expressionless, to punch Stark.

Stark quickly begged for mercy:

"Stop hitting him!!"

Stop taking your anger out on me!

After some playful bickering, Fern's mood improved considerably.

He gave a soft hum and continued walking towards the inn.

Seeing this, Stark breathed a sigh of relief and quickly caught up with Fern.

Seeing that Fern was still somewhat disappointed, he said softly:

"... I think it's also very important to try to understand other people's feelings."

"Frieren has already worked very hard in this regard."

Fern remained silent and did not answer.

Just then, the two passed by Richter's magic shop.

Richter was tidying up his shop when he caught sight of the two people out of the corner of his eye.

He said to Fern

"It's you, from Frieren's side."

Fern nodded subconsciously.

Richter asked with some curiosity, "Are you also Frieren's apprentice?"

Fern pursed his lips, but did not answer the question.

"Isn't that right?"

Stark glanced at the silent Fern beside him and spoke to Richter:

"No, that's right."

"I see," Richter chuckled and said.

"Frieren and Rienta kept me busy all day today."

"But thankfully they didn't buy any new ones. Rienta is really generous!"

"You should cherish it."

After saying that, Richter carried the packed items back into the shop.

Fern had some guesses in his mind.

They quickly returned to the hotel Stark.

Upon opening her bedroom door, Fern saw a magic wand on her bed.

Fern closed the door and picked up the wand from the bed.

"This is my magic wand."

Fern looked at the sleeping Frieren.

She suddenly remembered something Lord Heiter had once told her.

"Frieren is rather oblivious to emotions and feelings, which might cause some difficulties and conflicts in your relationship."

"However, it's not all bad news."

"When difficulties and conflicts arise, Frieren will definitely rack her brains."

There are few teachers in this world better than her.

Just then...

Frieren rolled over and kicked the blankets off quite a bit.

This also interrupted Fern's thoughts.

Fern put down his wand and went to Frieren's bedside.

Cover Frieren with the blanket again.

"It's so dark..."

Hearing Frieren's mutterings, Fern, who was no longer angry, smiled broadly.

Early the next morning.

Inside a hall of the Continental Magic Association.

Serie sat languidly in the main seat.

"Do you know why I'm here, Sense?"

Sense, who had been called out, lowered his head guiltily, not daring to look at Serie.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Serie continued, "You always do this when you're in the wrong."

Seeing that Sense was still keeping his head down, looking like he was accepting the scolding and punishment, Serie didn't press the matter further.

He then said, "Sixteen people passed the second test, which is abnormal; there are too many."

"I don't mind encouraging cooperative assessments, after all, most first -First-Class Mages lack the ability to cooperate."

Falshu spoke up, saying, "I am truly ashamed."

Serie continued, "There's someone among them who's far too strong to be there."

"No, it should be two people."

Lyle poured Serie a cup of hot tea and said softly:

"It's Lady Frieren and her disciple, right?"

Serie rested her chin on her hand, nodded, and said:

"Because of them, there are many people who qualified but lacked the necessary skills."

"Based on the standards of the previous third exam, none of these people would survive."

After saying that, Serie looked at Sense and continued, "Sense, this outcome goes against your principles."

"Even I wouldn't want so many pointless deaths during exams."

"Lady Serie..." Sense was about to say something...

Serie interrupted her, "You don't need to apologize."

"It's all Frieren's fault."

Then, Serie's gaze swept over everyone, and she spoke:

Special circumstances require special handling.

"I will be the chief examiner for the third round of exams."

"I will conduct the selection process peacefully."

After saying that, Serie looked at Lylene, who had finished pouring the tea and returned to her seat below.

He said:

"As is customary, you should be the examiner for the third round of testing, right?"

"You don't have any objections, do you, Lylene?"

Lylene bowed to Serie and said with a hint of helplessness:

"Lady Serie has been throwing tantrums for quite some time now."

"Furthermore, I am not qualified to test Frieren."

"The first time I saw her, I realized she was limiting her magic."

"An immense amount of magical power, even comparable to Lady Serie."

Serie chuckled softly, turned to Falsh, and asked:

"Falshu, did you notice?"

After being suddenly called out, Falshu thought for a moment and then said, "No, I don't really understand what you're talking about."

He then added, "I witnessed Frieren's magic firsthand before the first round of exams, and I don't believe she was under any magical limitation."

"I did not observe the magical fluctuations characteristic of magical limitations on her; no creature with magical power can completely eliminate these fluctuations."

"Even if it were possible, it would inevitably take a very long time."

"I don't think this technology is of any practical use."

Serie picked up the now slightly cooled hot tea and said softly:

"Frieren dedicated her entire life to this technology, which had little practical use."

"To deceive the demons."

Serie took a sip of tea, found it was still a bit hot, and continued:

"Demons are far more sensitive to magic than we or humans. Without innate talent, even a hundred or two hundred years of effort cannot deceive a demon."

"What a waste of time. If I used this time to cultivate, I could probably become several times stronger."

"It's really not worth the loss."

Serie put down the hot tea she had only taken a sip of and added:

"However, this inefficient approach can sometimes leave the opponent vulnerable. In battles between experienced mages, simply misjudging the opponent's magical power can be fatal."

"In fact, given Frieren's age, her skills are not yet fully developed."

"However, she has eliminated quite a few demons using this method so far. Frieren's mastery of magic control is truly unparalleled."

"As far as I know, only the Demon King can see through her suppression of magic at a glance."

After saying that, Serie looked at Lylene: "Until just now, Lylene, you were the second one."

Lylene said softly, "It was just a coincidence. I only saw a slight fluctuation of magic."

"How modest," Serie chuckled and rose from her seat.

He said to Lylene:

"Half a century has passed since you became First-Class Mage, and you're still that timid little boy."

"What a pity."

Sense used his hair to drape a cloak over Serie as she prepared to leave.

Serie walked past Lylene and continued toward the door.

He said:

"Even though I've reached such a level, the shackles of lifespan are getting heavier and heavier."

"You'll probably never be able to fight Frieren in your entire life."

Even if you have a chance to win.

"I really shouldn't have taken a human as my disciple."

As Serie left the room, she murmured softly:

"That's such a shame..."

"Even Lylene couldn't see the flicker of my magic...?"