Arc 9Fern's Journey and Sein's Choice

Fern joined Frieren and Lowell on their travels after studying at the Continental United Academy. Their journey took them to Sein's village, where he agreed to accompany them in search of Gorilla Warrior as they traveled toward Aureole.

  • Solitär rescued Ubel and her elder sister from bandits and took them somewhere warm.
  • Heiter took in the orphaned Fern, and Frieren taught her magic before Heiter died.
  • Fern entered the Continental United Academy, where she met Ubel and studied under Frieren.
  • Frieren and Lowell gave Fern butterfly hair ornaments for the tenth anniversary of her apprenticeship.
  • Fern trained with Frieren and Lowell during their travels, and Lowell showed her his illusion spell Tsukuyomi.
  • In a possible timeline, Gwenhild agreed to marry a noble to secure Iris's treatment, but Heiter healed Iris in reality.
  • Lowell and Frieren recruited Sein after Lowell revealed his regrets with Tsukuyomi and Sein's brother urged him to pursue his dream.
  • Sein joined the journey, and the group celebrated Fern's birthday with gifts and desserts.
Chapters 201–225 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 201The Changed Future (3)

Solitär rescued Ubel and her elder sister from a bandit attack, then offered them warm clothes and promised to take them somewhere safe. She dragged the wounded bandits away, leaving the sisters to prepare to go with her.

  • The bandit chief threatened Ubel and her elder sister while his men restrained them in a tailor's shop.
  • Solitär arrived and severed the chief's hand when he reached for her.
  • Solitär used Sword-Controlling Magic to cut the bandits' wrists and ankles, leaving them helpless and terrified.
  • Solitär gave the sisters warm cotton clothes and socks, and Ubel eagerly tried on a pair.
  • Solitär impaled the bandits with mana swords and took them out of the shop, telling the sisters she would take them somewhere warm.

Ch. 202[Possible Timeline] Fern

Fern lost her parents when her village was destroyed, but Heiter rescued her and helped her train as a mage. As Heiter neared death, Fern proved her ability and said goodbye to him before leaving with Frieren.

  • Fern’s parents hid her in a cellar, where she watched them die during an attack; afterward, she buried them and nearly jumped from a cliff.
  • Heiter found Fern at the cliff, took her in, and taught her about the memories and convictions that made life worth continuing.
  • Fern met Frieren, who agreed to teach her magic while translating Heiter’s book, and Heiter asked Frieren to take Fern as her apprentice.
  • Fern trained for years and refused to leave the cliff until she could pierce a distant rock, determined to reassure Heiter before he died.
  • Frieren finished translating the book and learned it contained no magic for eternal life; Heiter revealed that Fern had pierced the rock and asked Frieren to take her along.
  • Heiter said goodbye to Fern, and she promised to remain a good girl; Heiter died.

Ch. 203Taking on an Apprentice

Lowell persuaded Frieren to consider taking an apprentice, and Fern arrived at the Continental United Academy with her family. The chapter ended with Himmel and Ruby welcoming the new students in an unexpectedly playful entrance ceremony.

  • Lowell suggested Frieren take an apprentice who could handle chores and care for her, and Frieren agreed the arrangement sounded fine.
  • Fern traveled to the Continental United Academy with her noble parents after receiving an unexpected acceptance letter.
  • Fern met Ubel and her older sister at the academy entrance, where they said Lord Lowell had recommended them.
  • Himmel and Ruby welcomed the students with joking introductions, while Heiter reassured the astonished families.
  • Himmel and Ruby answered the children’s questions during the ceremony, and Fern watched them with growing curiosity.

Ch. 204Confrontation

Lowell and Frieren watched Aura and Faruzan argue over the courtyard’s magical resonance equipment, but the confrontation became a Duel Disk card game. Faruzan defeated Aura and kept the equipment, while Lowell and Frieren returned to their leisure upstairs.

  • Lowell called Frieren to watch as Aura demanded that Faruzan, Fern, and Ubel give up the equipment, and Faruzan refused.
  • Aura and Faruzan settled their dispute with a Duel Disk card game as Lowell and Frieren watched from upstairs.
  • Faruzan used her cards to block Aura’s opening attack, then Aura later took control of Faruzan’s [Elven Mage Frieren] card with [Dominating Magic].
  • Faruzan activated [Elven Mage Frieren]’s effect to negate [Dominating Magic], then won the duel with an attack that reduced Aura’s LP to zero.
  • Aura left with Will and Lugner, while Faruzan resumed the experiment with Fern and Ubel; Lowell and Frieren went back to relaxing upstairs.

Ch. 205Hot Spring Holiday

Lupa and Linié relaxed together in a hot spring, massaging each other and speaking about their companionship. They returned to the inn and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  • Lupa and Linié soaked in the hot spring and playfully splashed water at each other.
  • Lupa massaged Linié, and they agreed they wanted to keep being good to one another.
  • Linié massaged Lupa, then let the drowsy Lupa rest against her shoulder.
  • Lupa woke, thanked Linié, and left the spring with her.
  • Lupa and Linié returned to their room and fell asleep close together.

Ch. 206Between Master and Disciple

Frieren admitted that she had taken Fern as her disciple partly because she wanted someone to cook for her and help her, after Fern pressed her for the truth. Fern forgave her but demanded dessert as an apology, and the story ended with her making Lowell pay half as well.

  • Fern told Frieren that she studied magic to live up to her parents’ expectations.
  • Fern asked Frieren why she had taken her as a disciple, and Frieren confessed she wanted help with cooking, feeding, and changing clothes.
  • Fern recognized Frieren’s signs of lying and insisted that Frieren buy her dessert as an apology.
  • Fern revealed that Lady Lilisa had told her about Frieren’s hidden money and doubled the dessert demand after Frieren lied again.
  • Fern made Lowell pay half for the treat because he had laughed and failed to stop Frieren from lying.

Ch. 207Report Card

Lowell reviewed the academy’s annual exam rankings, then became suspicious when he saw the advanced student Zandik listed in fourth place. He arranged for Solitär to remove Zandik, and the chapter ended with Lowell and Frieren planning their next market trip.

  • Lowell read the junior and intermediate division rankings, noting Fern, Ubel, Ehre, Edel, and other students.
  • Lowell reviewed the advanced division results, recognized Lupa, Linié, and Wirbel near the top, and noticed Zandik in fourth place.
  • Lowell checked Zandik’s student file and grew wary because the name reminded him of a dangerous figure he knew.
  • The next day, Zandik vanished from the academy, and a notice claimed he had left for long-term field research at the Northern Ruins.
  • Lowell credited Solitär with handling the problem and returned to his work as Frieren asked him to buy magic books and honey pastries.

Ch. 208Camera

In Balum, Fern secretly followed Frieren and Lowell as they searched for dessert, then joined them for a meal celebrating the tenth anniversary of her apprenticeship. The evening ended with Fern accepting butterfly hair ornaments and enjoying dessert, while Lowell and Frieren's attempt to trade gifts for exemption from chores failed.

  • Frieren proposed splitting up to buy supplies, but Fern challenged her claim about buying medicinal herbs and watched her leave with Lowell.
  • Fern followed Frieren to a jewelry shop and then an underground tavern, where the rough-looking adventurers enthusiastically recommended dessert shops.
  • Frieren and Lowell returned to the inn without buying anything, while Fern finished shopping; Frieren then revealed she had moved her secret savings and invited them to dessert.
  • At the terrace dessert shop, Lowell explained that it was the tenth anniversary of Fern becoming Frieren's apprentice, and Frieren and Lowell gave Fern butterfly hair ornaments.
  • Fern discovered a note inside one gift proposing that she excuse Frieren and Lowell from shopping and housework, and Lowell admitted their plan had failed.

Ch. 209Sunrise

Frieren, Fern, and Lowell finished cleaning the coastline and prepared to attend the New Year Festival. At the shore, Frieren admitted she had come to see the sunrise because Fern would enjoy it, and the three watched it together like a family.

  • Frieren read about the origins of Ordinary Attack Magic to Fern, then wondered whether Fern had grown taller than her.
  • Fern woke Frieren and Lowell, got them ready, and dragged them to clean the coast while teasing them about being unreliable and needing her care.
  • Over more than a month, the group cleared the shoreline, buried pirates' remains, and found a treasure chest containing only debris and seaweed.
  • After the cleanup, the Village Chief invited them to the New Year Festival, and Frieren agreed to attend despite Fern's doubts about her waking early.
  • Fern woke Frieren and Lowell before dawn and brought them to the shore, where Frieren embraced them and the three watched the sunrise together.

Ch. 210A Brief Rest on the Journey

During a carriage ride, Frieren fell asleep first on Fern’s lap and then on Lowell’s, easing Lowell’s quiet jealousy. Fern also told Lowell how much she appreciated his help getting her into the academy.

  • Frieren dozed off against Fern, then settled with her head in Fern’s lap despite Fern’s attempt to wake her.
  • Lowell asked Fern whether Frieren was a good master, and Fern praised Frieren’s generosity and recalled how Lowell had secured her free admission to the Continental United Academy.
  • Lowell explained that the academy used a flattering public story to attract noble donors while also educating orphans and commoners.
  • Frieren woke and moved from Fern’s lap to Lowell’s, then fell asleep again as Lowell’s displeasure gave way to warmth.

Ch. 211The Phantom

Lowell, Frieren, and Fern encountered a Phantom Demon that showed Lowell Freya and Frieren Flamme, while Fern saw no illusion. They captured the demon so Lowell could bring it back to the academy, then continued toward town for dessert.

  • Lowell and Frieren spoke with illusions of Freya and Flamme while Fern maintained a defensive spell against the Phantom Demon's attacks.
  • Frieren advised Fern to use more mana-efficient defenses, and Fern said she saw no illusion in front of her.
  • Lowell decided to capture the Phantom Demon and bring it to the academy as a possible illusion-based attraction.
  • Fern destroyed the illusions with Ordinary Attack Magic, exposing the Phantom Demon's true form.
  • Lowell subdued the Phantom Demon with a Dominating Stone Ring, and the three set off toward town to find dessert and arrange its delivery to the academy.

Ch. 212Side story: Gwenhild (Part 1)

Gwenhild, the Golden Knight of Lotharn, treasured her growing affection for Aidan and her warm family life until she learned that her mother Iris had incurable Crystal Disease. Desperate to pay for treatment, Gwenhild took extra night patrols and discovered that the church’s treatment costs and its mistreatment of her father had stripped him of his dignity.

  • Gwenhild received a handmade stone bracelet and a heartfelt note from Aidan, whose kindness and free-spirited ways had begun to soften her reserve.
  • Gwenhild returned from a fifteen-day bandit-clearing campaign to find Torin alone at home with a letter diagnosing Iris with incurable Crystal Disease.
  • Gwenhild transferred to the permanent city guard and took grueling night patrols to earn more money for Iris’s costly holy water.
  • Gwenhild overheard neighbors say Torin kept watch outside the infirmary and had been kicked up by a church knight when he tried to rest.
  • Gwenhild looked toward the cathedral, seeing its dawn-lit spire as cold as iron.

Ch. 213Side story: Gwenhild (Part 2)

Gwenhild endured the church and nobles’ exploitation to keep her mother alive, and in a possible timeline without Heiter, she sacrificed her hair and freedom to secure treatment. In reality, Heiter cured Iris’s Crystal Disease, leaving Gwenhild able to look forward to visiting Aidan for his birthday.

  • Torin restrained Gwenhild and explained that church knights were harassing him to pressure her into accepting a noble suitor, while Iris’s treatment depended on the church.
  • Gwenhild took low-paying jobs, fell behind on holy water, and sold her golden hair, but the money covered only three months of treatment.
  • Gwenhild agreed to marry the finance minister’s nephew after he demanded that she kneel outside his residence, and her family’s care was restored.
  • Aidan received a conch recording of Gwenhild’s apologies and farewell from a possible timeline without Heiter.
  • In reality, Heiter healed Iris’s Crystal Disease, and Gwenhild thanked him and resolved to visit Aidan for his birthday.

Ch. 214Practical Combat

Lowell, Frieren, and Fern investigated a Lion Boar threatening a village, and Lowell and Frieren used its attack to test Fern’s reactions. Frieren and Lowell taught Fern how to handle the monster’s defenses, and Fern agreed to face it again and try to bring back roast Lion Boar for dinner.

  • A village woman thanked Lowell for Lupa and Linié’s past rescue and told him a Lion Boar had been ruining the crops.
  • Fern attacked the Lion Boar with Ordinary Attack Magic, but its tough hide barely took damage.
  • When the enraged Lion Boar charged, Lowell carried Frieren away and left Fern to deal with it; Fern escaped after being chased through the forest.
  • Lowell explained that he had staged his retreat as a test, and Frieren advised Fern to use flight, stay calm, and look for weaknesses.
  • Frieren explained how Fern could compress Ordinary Attack Magic and target vulnerable spots, while Lowell praised Fern’s speed and combat ability.
  • Fern agreed to try again and promised to do her best to bring back roast Lion Boar for dinner.

Ch. 215Butterfly Wings

Frieren, Fern, and Lowell continued their journey after a leisurely breakfast and discussed how Lowell’s interventions had altered events involving Aura’s former subordinates and several noblemen’s sons. Fern reflected that Lowell’s students had quietly saved many people and changed tragedies across the continent, and Lowell agreed as they walked on.

  • Frieren woke early after Lowell fell from her shoulder, and Fern rewarded her by feeding her breakfast while Lowell massaged her shoulders.
  • Fern asked whether Frieren was a First-Class Mage, and Frieren admitted she had avoided certification because she did not want to see Serie.
  • Lowell explained that he, Frieren, and Himmel had helped defend the Graf Granat territory from Aura’s Undead Army and preserved the fallen soldiers’ bodies for burial.
  • Lowell said he had taken Linié and Aura away from Aura’s forces, while Draht remained behind and was later killed by the Earl’s son.
  • Lowell explained that his students and other interventions had changed events, including Wirbel helping save Lord Alden’s son and gaining support for fighting Demons.
  • Fern said Lowell’s students had saved people and prevented tragedies in places they had never visited, and Lowell agreed as the three continued along the forest path.

Ch. 216Mental Magic

Lowell tested his new Tsukuyomi mental magic on Fern, trapping her in a convincing illusion before revealing that Frieren had been unaffected because of her resistance to mental magic. The episode ended with Frieren agreeing to teach Fern basic defenses when they reached the next town.

  • Fern told Frieren that winter was approaching, but refused to pause their journey for several months because they had limited travel funds.
  • Lowell asked Fern to test his new spell, Tsukuyomi, which he had developed after reflecting on Grausam catching him off guard.
  • Fern initially noticed nothing unusual, but Lowell revealed that the deserted town and Frieren’s disappearance were illusions.
  • Lowell changed Fern’s surroundings from the inn to the wilderness and the Continental United Academy library, then restored the inn scene.
  • Frieren explained that her strong resistance to mental magic had kept her safe, and agreed to teach Fern basic defensive techniques in the next town.

Ch. 217The Mountain Cabin

Lowell, Frieren, and Fern sought shelter from a mountain snowstorm and found a cabin occupied by the elf warrior monk Kraft. They warmed themselves by the fire and introduced themselves, leaving the storm still raging outside.

  • Lowell, Frieren, and Fern struggled through the snow while Frieren admitted she had lost her way and last visited the area eighty years earlier.
  • The trio found a cabin, where Frieren opened the door on Kraft exercising shirtless; Fern called him a pervert and tried to leave.
  • Kraft noticed Frieren was an elf, and the group went inside to warm up by the fire Fern lit.
  • Kraft introduced himself as a warrior monk and explained that his flame had gone out while crossing the mountains.
  • Lowell revealed that he was a former Demon King and told Kraft he knew of his reputation and the Proof of the Holy Staff.

Ch. 218Hesitation

Frieren hesitated to rescue a monk trapped in a swamp because his hand was dirty, then pulled him out after remembering the right spell. The group accompanied him to his village, where Fern promised Frieren a stern talking-to.

  • The monk told Frieren about his childhood dream of becoming an adventurer and his regret at not joining his friend ten years earlier.
  • The monk sank deeper into a bottomless swamp while Frieren delayed rescuing him because his muddy hand put her off.
  • Fern and Lowell arrived, and Frieren used a spell to pull the monk safely from the swamp.
  • The group followed the monk to his village as its residents prepared for the harvest festival.
  • Fern apologized for Frieren's behavior and promised to reprimand her, leaving Frieren dreading the lecture.

Ch. 219Sein

Lowell, Fern, and Frieren settled into the village inn, where Lowell explained the limits of his alternate space and Fern scolded Frieren over wasteful cooking. At the church, they found Sein’s brother warning a poisoned villager that it was too late to save him, just before Sein emerged and complained about his brother’s absurdly tiny washbasin.

  • Sein invited Lowell, Fern, and Frieren to visit him after they settled into the village inn.
  • Lowell explained that ordinary people could not safely remain in his alternate space because its aura eroded their life force.
  • Fern suggested trapping a powerful enemy in the space, but Lowell said it was impractical and could risk the treasures and supplies inside.
  • Fern insisted on washing the old bedding by hand and reminded Frieren of the meat she had ruined with fire magic.
  • At the church, Sein’s brother told a bitten villager that the poison would soon liquefy his brain and that treatment was too late.
  • Sein came out of the inner room holding a miniature washbasin and complained about his brother’s excessive thrift as he noticed the others.

Ch. 220A Little Push

Sein healed a villager and helped prepare for the harvest festival while his brother, the priest, explained that Sein had once dreamed of becoming an adventurer. Frieren and Lowell agreed to recruit him after the priest dangled the prospect of a spell that flipped pancakes unattended.

  • Sein healed a villager who had been poisoned by insects, and the grateful man left a few copper coins as payment.
  • Lowell explained the Balassa-Samuelson effect as he discussed how the village could sell its local specialties farther afield.
  • The priest told Frieren and Lowell that Sein had dreamed of becoming an adventurer but had settled into a life like his own, and asked them to take Sein along.
  • Lowell said Sein might need a reason to leave, while Frieren initially dismissed recruiting him as too troublesome.
  • The priest mentioned an old spell that made pancakes flip themselves, prompting Frieren to hurry off with Lowell and Fern to get Sein to join them.

Ch. 221A Game of Cards

As the village prepared for its harvest festival, Lowell approached Sein, who was gambling with villagers, and asked him to become an adventurer. Sein refused because he had a reason to stay, then challenged Lowell to a card game, promising to consider the offer if he lost.

  • Sein invited Lowell to join his card game, but Fern dragged Fern and Frieren away, saying they should avoid gamblers.
  • Lowell reassured Fern that Sein’s gambling was a minor flaw and then approached Sein after Fern and Frieren left for the inn.
  • Lowell asked Sein to leave the village and become an adventurer, but Sein refused because he had a reason to stay.
  • Sein proposed that he would consider Lowell’s offer if Lowell beat him at cards.
  • Lowell accepted the challenge and picked up a card.

Ch. 222The Wager

Lowell challenged Sein to a card game and won, but Sein still refused to join the adventurers, saying they were too dazzling for him. Lowell returned to the inn with Frieren and Fern, deciding they would stay a few more days for the Harvest Festival.

  • Frieren asked Fern why she disliked gambling, and a distant wail drew them to the square.
  • Frieren and Fern found Sein, the Village Chief, and another villager sitting in their underwear after losing their clothes to Lowell.
  • Lowell gave the men their clothes back and asked Sein to join their adventure after winning the wager.
  • Sein declined, saying he could not join the dazzling adventurers and that Lowell did not need a half-baked priest.
  • Lowell left with Frieren and Fern and decided they would remain in the village for the Harvest Festival.

Ch. 223Setting Out

Lowell and his companions persuaded Sein to confront his regrets and leave his village in search of Gorilla Warrior. Sein set out with them after the harvest festival, while the group continued toward Lowell’s goal of visiting Aureole.

  • Lowell explained to Fern why he chose not to rely on Future Prediction, and Fern questioned Frieren about calling him Master.
  • After repeated attempts to recruit Sein failed, Lowell used Tsukuyomi to reveal Sein’s regrets about missing Gorilla Warrior and his brother’s sacrifices.
  • Sein’s brother confronted him, insisting he pursue his own dream and ordering him not to return until he became a great adventurer.
  • Lowell encouraged Sein to seize the present, and Sein agreed to travel with the group after the harvest festival.
  • Sein left the village with Lowell, Frieren, and Fern to search for Gorilla Warrior, while the group planned to visit Aureole.

Ch. 224Displeasure

Fern celebrated her birthday with Frieren, Lowell, and Sein as they traveled, and the group stopped in a border town to find her presents. Fern was pleased with Sein’s bag and Lowell’s bracelet, but Frieren’s attempt to give her a monster skull left Frieren searching for another gift.

  • Fern hummed cheerfully because it was her birthday, and she reproached Frieren for forgetting the date.
  • Sein said he had not planned to buy Fern a present, so Fern repeatedly kicked his shin until he promised to get her something.
  • The group reached a border town, where Sein gave Fern an embroidered bag and Lowell gave her a purple bracelet.
  • Frieren claimed she had prepared Fern’s birthday gift long ago, then pulled a huge monster skull from her leather case.
  • Fern silently disapproved of the skull, and Frieren put it away and asked whether she should think of something else.

Ch. 225Desserts

Frieren celebrated Fern’s birthday with a white dress and took her and the others to a dessert shop, where Sein questioned her relationship with Lowell. The group returned to the inn after Frieren surprised Fern with a kiss, leaving Fern flustered and Sein bemused.

  • Frieren gave Fern a white lace-trimmed dress for her birthday, and the four visited Aino’s dessert shop.
  • Fern, Frieren, and Lowell enjoyed desserts while Sein settled for a tart and then ordered a sundae.
  • Sein questioned why Frieren and Lowell seemed less affectionate than lovers, and Lowell said he was a Demon who loved spending time with Frieren.
  • Fern returned and heard Lowell’s confession, then sat close beside Frieren with an arm around hers.
  • On the walk back to the inn, Frieren blew Fern a kiss, leaving Fern blushing and Sein complaining about their childish antics.
Arc 9 of 19
Arc 9 of 19