Recaps

Methode battled Elder while Ton struggled against Adonis, as Länge and Falsh played cards in a nearby cave. Elder briefly interrupted their game before returning to his fight, and both battles remained unresolved.

• Elder used earth magic to attack Methode, who defended herself and countered while refusing to trust him despite his offer to share the three Stille.
• Ton fought Adonis's vines and pollen with fire magic, but the elf's attacks slowed him and threatened to trap him.
• Länge built a strong Spellcaster field during her card duel with Falsh, though her cards prevented her from attacking for three turns.
• Elder surfaced inside the cave and asked Falsh to switch places, but Falsh explained that the exam rules did not allow it.
• Methode's mana beam struck the cave wall beside Elder, who ducked back underground, while Länge and Falsh continued their card game and Ton and Adonis kept fighting.

After passing the first exam, Frieren hurried back to the inn because she could no longer sense Lowell’s mana. She found him overwhelmed by a severe separation response, and his crying eased once she comforted him.

• Genau announced that seven teams, including Frieren’s, had passed the first exam and that the second exam would take place in three days.
• Frieren told Fern that she could no longer sense Lowell’s mana and hurried with her back to the inn.
• Frieren and Fern found Lowell in their room, where he burst into tears and cried while moving around the room in increasingly strange ways.
• Frieren explained that Lowell’s distress came from being apart from her for more than twenty-four hours and called it “Severe Frieren dependency.”
• Frieren comforted Lowell by patting his back and stroking his hair, and his sobs gradually subsided.

Lichta agreed to guide Duncan and Laufen to a restaurant tied to Duncan’s memories of his wife. Elsewhere, Ubel tested Lanto’s resistance to her magic and left him walking away while she followed, intrigued by him.

• Lichta repaired an old woman’s lamp, accepted her candy, and then met Duncan and Laufen outside his shop.
• Duncan asked Lichta to join him and Laufen for a meal, and Lichta agreed after Duncan explained he was searching for a restaurant he had visited with his wife.
• Ubel restrained Lanto with magic and explained that she could use magic by resonating with people and understanding their thoughts.
• Lanto refused to reveal his past, and Ubel released him, saying she had learned a little more about him.
• Lanto told Ubel not to follow him, but she walked after him and said she liked him.

Duncan, Lichta, and Laufen joined Frieren, Lowell, and Fern for a meal at a restaurant Duncan remembered from fifty years earlier, while the other examiners ate nearby. After the group returned to the inn, they rested peacefully, leaving the story on the first night after the first exam.

• Lichta led Duncan and Laufen into the restaurant, where Duncan recognized its unchanged atmosphere from a visit with his wife fifty years earlier.
• Duncan saw Frieren, Lowell, and Fern sharing a meal, and Frieren explained that Himmel had once helped the restaurant preserve its traditional flavors.
• Duncan ordered familiar dishes, and Laufen eagerly ate while Duncan reminded her to have some vegetables.
• The group finished their meal and walked back to the inn, where Fern and Frieren washed up and Lowell said he hoped to join them for the second exam.
• Fern, Frieren, and Lowell went to sleep, and the first night after the first exam passed quietly.

Frieren bought a book on Transformation Magic and practiced changing her appearance with Lowell’s help. After experimenting with several exaggerated changes, she asked Lowell to make her look the way he liked best, and he restored her to her usual appearance, which she understood was what he preferred.

• Fern let Frieren and Lowell sleep in, then woke them with breakfast by promising Frieren a trip to the magic bookshop.
• Frieren bought a book on Transformation Magic after explaining that she could not learn Lowell’s Demon magic.
• Lowell helped Frieren adjust the spell’s mana circuit, and she first transformed herself into a mix of animal features.
• Lowell demonstrated a perfect transformation into Frieren, then altered Frieren’s height, hair, and figure at her request.
• Fern suggested Frieren ask Lowell to make her look the way he liked best, and Lowell restored her to her usual appearance.
• Frieren looked at her reflection and seemed to understand what Lowell’s choice meant.

Lowell took Frieren and Fern to a luxurious hot spring inn, where they enjoyed dinner and split up for the baths. In the men's bath, Lowell met Elder, while Frieren amused herself by boasting to Fern about her thousand years of hot-spring experience.

• Lowell brought Frieren and Fern to Oysast's most luxurious hot spring inn and revealed that he had booked a month in advance.
• Lowell and Elder met in the men's bath, where Elder reminded Lowell that he served Yūren, who served Solitär, and admitted he had secretly entered using earth magic.
• Frieren and Fern relaxed in the women's bath while Fern praised Frieren's enjoyment of the hot springs.
• Frieren used bluffing magic to stage a dramatic entrance and declared that she was a mage who had soaked in hot springs for over a thousand years.
• Fern indulgently called Frieren the most amazing, and Frieren happily sank back into the water.

On Lowell’s birthday, Fern asked Frieren for ideas for a present and learned about the gifts Lowell had given her over the centuries. Frieren suggested a Clothes-Dissolving Potion, which Fern used on Frieren before leaving to find a different present.

• Lowell charged the hot spring bill to the North Country Bank under Himmel the Hero’s name, and Frieren told Fern it was his birthday.
• Fern sent Lowell out so she and Frieren could discuss a birthday present, then asked what he liked and what Frieren usually gave him.
• Frieren described her tradition of making Lowell hamburger steak and showed Fern many keepsakes from his past birthday gifts.
• Frieren proposed giving Lowell a Clothes-Dissolving Potion, so Fern poured it over Frieren and dissolved her clothes.
• Fern left to find Lowell a different present while Frieren wrapped herself in a blanket and lamented her ruined clothes.

Lowell and Frieren got dressed at the inn and talked about his birthday while Fern went out to find him a present. Frieren gave him a playful kick and a kiss, then she and Lowell set out to find Fern and buy ingredients for hamburger steak.

• Lowell gave Frieren clothes, and she dressed in a simple white dress she had worn long ago in the village.
• Frieren told Lowell that Fern had gone out to find him a birthday present, delighting him.
• Frieren offered Lowell a different birthday present, then kicked him as a playful reward and kissed him.
• Lowell told Frieren he liked the kiss, and they left to find Fern and buy hamburger steak ingredients.

Kanne, Rabiñe, Frieren, Fern, and Lowell spent a day together in Oysast before receiving notice that Sense would examine them in the next round. The chapter ended with the friends celebrating Lowell’s birthday as night fell over the city.

• Kanne and Rabiñe wandered through Oysast, met Frieren, Fern, and Lowell, and later joined them at the inn, where Kanne gave Frieren cookies as thanks for helping them catch a Stille.
• Fern received the next-exam notice naming Sense, and Rabiñe explained that none of the candidates had passed Sense’s previous four exams.
• Letters announcing the next exam reached the other examinees, while Sense told Genau she would not let candidates die and criticized his approach to the first exam.
• Wirbel and Scharf left Stoltz to fight a Lion Boar after receiving their letters, but Stoltz defeated it, and the three later shared its roasted meat.
• Kanne and Rabiñe traded embarrassing childhood stories and wrestled while Frieren and Fern ate cookies, and Lowell treasured the wooden pendant Fern had given him for his birthday.

Sense explained that the second exam required the examinees to reach the deepest part of the Ruined King's Tomb, an unconquered labyrinth. She gave each examinee a golem bottle for emergencies and declared the exam underway.

• Sense told the examinees that anyone who reached the tomb's deepest part would pass, and that she would make the journey too without helping them.
• Bly questioned whether the exam would fail everyone, but Dunster stopped him from continuing.
• Sense gave each examinee a bottle containing a golem that could carry them out of the labyrinth if they broke it.
• Sense explained that using a golem meant failing and that the bottles would break automatically at dawn to end the exam and rescue anyone incapacitated.
• Sense stepped aside and announced the start of the second exam.

At the Ruined King's Tomb, Ton rejected Duncan’s plan to cooperate and several examinees entered separate passages, while Duncan organized the rest into a group. The group entered the far-right passage together, with Sense joining them but refusing to help.

• Duncan proposed that the examinees split up to inspect the labyrinth’s four entrances, but Ton accused him of wanting to use others as expendable scouts and went alone.
• Elder entered the second passage, followed by Adonis, while Lanto took the third passage and Ubel followed him despite his objections.
• Duncan asked the remaining examinees to let him lead; Frieren declined to lead and agreed to help, and the group chose to explore together for safety.
• Sense joined the group, saying she would neither cause trouble nor help, while Rabiñe told Kanne that her brothers’ expedition to the tomb had been canceled and later wiped out.
• Duncan led the group into the far-right entrance, followed by the other examinees, Frieren, Fern, Kanne, Rabiñe, and Sense.

Duncan led the group through the labyrinth, where Frieren identified a trap and the party defeated three gargoyles while he unlocked a stone door. Inside the next area, Duncan stopped when he saw Laufen standing before him.

• Duncan warned the group about a hidden floor trap, and Frieren directed them away from a trapped passage at a three-way junction.
• Duncan examined the magic lock on a stone door as Laufen spotted three gargoyles emerging from the ceiling.
• Laufen, Lichta, Kanne, Rabiñe, Länge, Methode, Bly, Dunster, Fern, Wirbel, and Ehre worked together to defeat the gargoyles.
• Duncan unlocked the stone door, and the group entered the area beyond it.
• Duncan stopped when he saw Laufen standing in front of him.

After defeating a stone replica of Laufen, the group realized that the Ruined King's Tomb’s replication magic could copy more than appearances. Moving walls split the party and forced them into a stone chamber, where a replica of Elder launched a surprise attack.

• The group defeated the stone replica of Laufen, which crumbled into gray powder, and Duncan concluded that the magic had copied her abilities and memories.
• Methode warned that several replicas working together could pose a serious threat, and the passage walls began closing in on the group.
• Duncan and Lichta slowed the walls long enough for the group to retreat into a larger stone chamber, then Lichta escaped as the walls slammed together.
• A stone replica of Elder emerged from the joined rock walls and fired a barrage of mana-reinforced earth and stone into the chamber.
• Duncan, Methode, and Länge raised overlapping barriers as Duncan assigned the others to suppress the replica, protect Edel, and watch for further copies.

Genau explained the Water-Mirror Demon’s ability to create perfect replicas and why the Ruined King’s Tomb was chosen for the exam. After Frieren’s group defeated the replicas of Wirbel, Ehre, and Scharf, Frieren remained troubled, and Fern opened a passage through the wall so they could reach Duncan’s party.

• Genau told Falsh that the Water-Mirror Demon read intruders’ memories and created replicas matching their abilities, and that the labyrinth tested teamwork and self-analysis.
• Frieren’s group defeated the replicas of Wirbel, Ehre, and Scharf, whose skills and fighting styles closely matched the originals.
• Fern noticed Frieren was lost in thought and offered to break through the thick wall separating them from Duncan’s party.
• Frieren agreed, and Fern blasted a clean, person-sized opening through the rock wall.
• The group passed through the opening to meet Duncan and the others while Sense silently watched Frieren.

Frieren's group found that Duncan's party had left the stone chamber and followed them deeper into the labyrinth. As Duncan's party advanced, they discussed the limits of modern magic in confined spaces and the abilities revealed in their fight with the replicas.

• Frieren's group examined the empty chamber, found faint mana traces leading deeper, and followed Duncan's party.
• Duncan said labyrinths restricted modern mages because powerful spells could harm companions or trigger cave-ins, and Lichta stressed the need for a team.
• Duncan asked Edel about her Mental Magic, and she explained that the replica of Elder seemed to have no mind for her voice to affect.
• Laufen noted that Methode's Goddess Magic had healed her, and Methode said her magic might be different from that of other priests.
• Duncan's party continued through the passage in silence.

Duncan’s group was ambushed by the Sense replica, whose mana-infused hair nearly killed Bly and overwhelmed their defenses. After escaping the attack, Duncan decided they would confront Sense and then search for Frieren and the others.

• Sense’s hair struck from above and pierced Bly’s chest before Duncan’s shield stopped the attack.
• Methode failed to heal Bly, so he crushed his bottle and his golem carried him away from the fight.
• Sense’s hair attacked the shield from multiple angles and targeted its weak points, forcing Duncan to plan an escape.
• Duncan coordinated a counterattack with Methode, Länge, and Dunster while Lichta raised a massive rock wall, allowing the group to flee deeper into the labyrinth.
• After the group reached a safe corner, Duncan decided they would face Sense and then find Frieren and the others.

Ubel and the wounded Lanto were trapped in a passage by a duplicate Ubel holding Lanto’s escape-Golem bottle. Ubel left her own bottle with Lanto and charged the duplicate to retrieve his.

• Ubel and Lanto reached a dead end while the duplicate Ubel waited nearby with Lanto’s bottle.
• Lanto reasoned that the duplicate could not talk or smile and was waiting for him to weaken from blood loss.
• Ubel asked whether Lanto was the original, but he gave her no clear answer.
• Ubel offered Lanto her own escape-Golem bottle and told him to wait while she recovered his.
• Ubel rushed at the duplicate, aiming her wand at its throat, and their close combat began.

Ubel fought her replica in the labyrinth passage and let it restrain her until Lanto arrived and broke its line of sight. After learning that Ubel had staged the danger to make him come, Lanto asked whether she could resonate with him, and Ubel led him onward.

• Ubel fought her replica, testing its abilities and looking for an opening to use Gaze Restraint Magic.
• Ubel stopped herself from casting the spell, and the replica immobilized her with Gaze Restraint Magic and aimed its staff at her neck.
• Lanto fired Ordinary Attack Magic at the replica, blocking its view of Ubel long enough for her to break free and destroy it.
• Ubel found that the bottle the replica had held was fake and told Lanto she had expected him to come because he had left her escape-golem bottle untouched.
• Lanto asked if Ubel could now resonate with him, and Ubel smiled and led him deeper into the passage.

After Duncan and his companions defeat the cooperating replicas of Sense and Adonis, they assess the danger and decide to press deeper into the dungeon. Duncan leads the group onward, warning that their next enemies may know their abilities and tactics better than they do.

• Sense and Adonis crumble into ash after Duncan and his companions defeat them, and Duncan notes that the replicas can cooperate.
• Duncan warns the group that the replicas can conceal their mana and urges everyone to watch for ambushes with their eyes and ears as well as their mana sense.
• Laufen asks whether Duncan can continue fighting, and he explains that the battle relied on tactics but admits he is winded from running.
• Duncan decides the group should move deeper into the dungeon before more replicas surround them, and Methode agrees.
• Duncan leads the group into the passage, reminding them to stay alert and trust their companions without relying solely on mana sensing.

In the dungeon, Sense asked Fern why she continued pursuing magic, and Fern said she liked seeing Frieren happy. Frieren was swallowed by a Mimic while pursuing a supposed spellbook, then emerged covered in slime and said she had hardly ever been alone in her thousand years.

• Frieren admired old magical junk while Sense asked Fern why she pursued magic, and Fern said she enjoyed seeing Frieren happy.
• Kanne returned from scouting and reported that she and Rabiñe had found no secret passages.
• Fern detected that the last treasure chest was a Mimic, but Frieren insisted it might contain a rare spellbook and opened it.
• The Mimic swallowed Frieren, and Fern tried unsuccessfully to pull her free before Frieren advised her to push instead.
• The Mimic spat Frieren out, Kanne washed off the slime, and Frieren told Fern she had hardly ever been alone for a thousand years.

The groups continued deeper into the labyrinth after learning that defeated replicas could reappear, while Frieren considered who the labyrinth might be able to replicate. The chapter ended with a presence stirring in a deeper, darker part of the labyrinth.

• Duncan warned that replicas could reappear and urged his group to move faster before they ran out of mana.
• Elder and Adonis continued through another passage, with Adonis sensing faint traces of plant life.
• Lanto and Ubel proceeded through a quiet passage without encountering further danger.
• Fern used a map of the labyrinth to predict that the groups would soon converge near its deepest area.
• Frieren warned that many possible enemies had not appeared and questioned who the labyrinth could replicate, prompting Fern to mention Lord Lowell.
• The groups moved toward the labyrinth’s depths as an unknown presence stirred and sent a tremor through the labyrinth.

Duncan’s group opened the final door of the labyrinth and found a horned figure in black armor sitting on a throne, radiating overwhelming mana. They withdrew and waited for the other teams, while Frieren arrived and confirmed that the figure had appeared.

• Duncan opened the ancient stone door, revealing a vast hall and a horned figure in black armor seated on a throne.
• Lichta questioned why they had sensed no mana before opening the door, and Duncan ordered everyone to retreat from the hall.
• Duncan concluded that the figure had either appeared just before the door opened or was deliberately warning them away, and said it could kill them all if it fought.
• Duncan decided to wait for the other teams and proposed that everyone share their strengths and weaknesses in case they faced clones.
• Frieren’s group and Ubel and Lanto arrived, and Frieren asked whether the figure had appeared; Duncan confirmed that it had.

Lowell joined the examinees and recognized the armored figure in the hall as a copy of his Perfect Warrior magic. Sense refused to pass the examinees, so Lowell reluctantly went to deal with the copy while Frieren prepared to follow alone.

• Lowell arrived and admitted that the armored figure in the hall looked like his Perfect Warrior magic.
• Lowell suggested that Sense pass the examinees because nobody had been hurt, but Sense refused, explaining that other copies would have appeared if he had not been there.
• Sense told Lowell that he had caused the trouble and interfered with her exam.
• Lowell reluctantly volunteered to confront the copy, and Frieren said she would go alone.
• Duncan agreed that the others should stay back and watch for more copies as Lowell approached the throne.

Lowell and Frieren fought the black-armored replica in the hall, with Lowell matching its swordsmanship and Frieren using magic and a frost-parasite magic tool to hinder it. The replica activated glowing red lines across its armor and unleashed a stronger mana presence as Lowell and Frieren prepared to fight more seriously.

• Lowell challenged the throne-bound replica, which vanished into a rapid sword attack and began a close duel with him.
• The replica caught Lowell's sword with its metallic bare hand, and Lowell blasted it with concentrated dark magic, damaging its hand.
• Frieren attacked with Ordinary Attack Magic, then froze the replica's damaged hand with a frost-parasite magic tool.
• Lowell cut the replica's helmet with a flying sword, then met its punch head-on before they exchanged knees and separated.
• Lowell and Frieren agreed to get more serious as the replica activated dark red lines across its armor and its mana grew stronger.

Lowell and Frieren fought the replica of Lowell with an armored stone giant, spells, and coordinated attacks, but the replica survived. After Lowell taunted it, replicas of Frieren and the stone giant appeared, turning the fight into a three-on-three standoff.

• Frieren summoned an Earth Elemental Colossus, and Lowell covered it in black armor to create a Perfect Stone Man Warrior.
• The replica powered itself up and clashed with the armored giant while Frieren disrupted it with spells and Lowell attacked its armor.
• Lowell and Frieren trapped the replica in a coordinated assault, but it escaped at the last moment and remained standing.
• Lowell taunted the battered replica, and a replica of Frieren emerged from the floor and summoned another stone giant.
• The replica of Lowell armored the new giant, leaving both sides with three fighters and prompting Lowell to rue his jinx.