Before the Third Exam

Three days later.

The headquarters of the Continental Magic Association, central hall.

The dome is high and far, and sunlight shines through the stained-glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light. The candidates who have passed the second exam have gathered here.

Duncan, Lichta, Laufen, Methode, Länge, Edel, Dunster, Kanne, Rabiñe, Wirbel, Ehre, Scharf, Ubel, Lanto, Elder, Adonis, Frieren, Fern.

They stood in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones. A silence, a mixture of anticipation and tension, filled the air.

Falsh stood below the platform at the front of the hall, his androgynous face revealing no emotion, his gaze behind round-framed glasses calm, dressed in a sharp suit, his voice carrying clearly throughout the hall:

"Please wait a moment, the third exam will begin shortly."

Earlier, inside the association, in a quiet hall.

Serie leaned languidly on a large stone throne, her bare feet crossed. Her eyelids drooped, her gaze falling on the few people standing silently below.

Sense stood at the very front, his long, light brown hair almost touching the ground, his deep blue eyes lowered, and his face expressionless.

Serie's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she spoke slowly.

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

Sense did not respond, remaining as still as a stone statue, not even a strand of hair swaying.

"No talking, huh?" Serie's lips curled into a faint smile, as if she had expected it. "It's always the same. You stay silent whenever you feel things are going your way."

She paused, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of the throne.

"The number of people who passed the second round of testing was unprecedented."

"This exam emphasizes teamwork, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, the current First-Class Mages ' teamwork skills are simply terrible. They're far worse than they were decades ago when the Demon King was still around."

Falsh: "I am truly ashamed."

"No," Serie waved her hand, "Of course, Sense, I know there's nothing wrong with your exam itself. It's just... someone who shouldn't have been there appeared."

Her gaze swept over Falsh, and finally settled on Sense's face.

"The result is that many people who are not capable enough have passed. If the third exam still follows the old format... many people will die. Sense, this doesn't align with your original intention as a 'pacifist,' does it?"

Sense's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

"... Lady Serie." She finally spoke.

"No need to apologize," Serie interrupted her, her tone unreadable. "It's not your fault."

She straightened up slightly.

"This is a special case. I will be the examiner for the third round of testing. I will use a more peaceful method for selection."

Her gaze shifted to Lairen, who stood quietly serving her. He was pouring a steaming cup of black tea and gently placing it on the low table beside her, his movements elegant and precise.

"You've always been the examiner," Serie said casually, picking up her teacup and blowing on it. "No objections, right, Lairen?"

Lairen placed his left hand on his chest and bowed impeccably, his voice gentle and steady. "This isn't the first time Serie has acted willfully."

He raised his eyes, his gaze calm. "You mean Frieren, right? I am not yet qualified to test her. Her immense magical power is comparable to that of Lady Serie."

Serie took a sip of black tea, put down the teacup, and made a soft "click" sound.

"... Is that so?" She raised her eyelids, looking at Lairen with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You think it's Frieren?"

She leaned forward slightly.

"It's not entirely wrong, but you didn't actually watch her exam closely, did you?"

Lairen paused for a moment, then readily admitted, "... Indeed. She concealed her magic power when she registered. I only noticed it by chance. That enormous amount of magic power is comparable to that of Lady Serie."

"Is that so? I see." Serie remained noncommittal, turning her gaze to Falsh. "Falsh, what do you think?"

Falsh replied respectfully, "When I saw her, she wasn't hiding her magic. There were no magical fluctuations under any restrictions... Even if it were possible, it would definitely take a very long time. I don't think it would be of any practical use."

Serie smiled gently.

"Indeed. It's not a very practical technique. To maintain it for a long time, you need years of dedicated practice. If you used that time to do something else, your strength would be several times greater than constantly training your hidden magic."

"So, she's smart. She didn't practice this all the time. That's why Frieren's technique is quite mature for her age."

Her voice lowered, carrying a certain profound meaning.

"However... elves' talents are different from humans'. Their ability to conceal magical power is perfect, even for a short time... If it's just for a moment, causing the opponent to misjudge their strength, they could very well achieve a decisive victory..."

Her gaze returned to Lairen, scrutinizing her.

"You're the third person who could see through her hidden magic at a glance, Lairen."

Then, she looked at Falsh, her tone turning admonish.

"Don't be careless, Falsh. For Demons, magic is their pride. Most of them wouldn't bother hiding their magic when facing a mage. But there are also many Demons... who are not like that."

Falsh bowed. "Yes, Lady Serie."

Lairen lowered her head slightly. "It was just a coincidence. A very accidental chance, I saw a slight fluctuation of magic, nothing more. Frieren's ability to conceal her magic is indeed excellent."

Serie looked at him and suddenly chuckled softly, a hint of teasing and regret in her voice.

"How humble and composed you are, Lairen. Half a century has passed since you became First-Class Mage, yet you still retain that timid young master's demeanor."

As she spoke, she stood up.

Without moving, Sense's long, light brown hair rose gently as if it had a life of its own, silently lifting a magnificent gold floor-length cloak from a nearby clothes rack and draping it over Serie's shoulders.

Serie didn't turn around, but walked straight toward the door, her cloak trailing behind her, shimmering with a dark gold luster.

As she reached the door, she paused slightly, as if talking to herself, her voice clearly reaching Lairen's ears.

"What a pity... to maintain this mindset and exhaust your life... you probably won't have the chance to fight Frieren for the rest of your life."

Her profile appeared somewhat blurred in the light and shadow.

Even if you have a chance to defeat her.

Lairen stood there, head bowed low, the shadows obscuring his expression.

The door slid open silently.

Serie stepped out, her last words fading into the air.

"You remain so unnoticed in peacetime. It's truly a shame you didn't train a human disciple... In the near future, all my hard work will be wasted again."

The gate slowly closed, isolating the inside from the outside.

In the empty corridor, only Serie remained.

She didn't stop walking; her bare feet trod on the cold ground without making a sound.

There was no one around, and immense magical power, like a sleeping ocean, began to silently permeate and manifest around her, making the air in the corridor thick and heavy.

She exhaled softly, her whisper fading into the silence.

"What a pity..."

"In the end, even Lairen couldn't see the fluctuations in my magic power."