(゜-゜) Frieren: I Pick on Those Weaker Than Me
"..."
As she spoke, Frieren saw how out of their depth the two looked. She seemed to remember something, then added with a sigh:
"Actually..."
"Compared to her, the little girl you saw last night—the one called Annie—is far more skilled at controlling her mana."
At the mention of Annie, Frieren's usually even tone seemed to carry a rare, subtle hint of something—perhaps admiration, or maybe respect.
Only Frieren herself could say for sure.
"You have no idea..."
"She can completely restrain her mana. Even when she's doing something strenuous, or casting powerful spells, you can barely sense even the slightest trace of mana leaking from her."
"She looks just like an ordinary little girl. It's incredibly deceptive."
"Maybe that's what true mastery over mana looks like?"
"Compared to her, I'm nowhere close."
Frieren was being completely honest. There was no exaggeration or anything else behind her words.
"Huh?"
Nearby, Kanne heard that unpleasant name again—the name of the hateful little girl who had slaughtered the iron meteor bird and roasted it last night—and the corner of her mouth twitched.
Then, unable to hide her indignation and resentment, she retorted:
"I don't believe it!"
"That awful little brat you're talking about is really that good?"
"Come on, that can't be true!"
But Frieren nodded, her answer utterly certain. Then, with rare seriousness, she remarked:
"Kanne, Lawine, remember this."
"If we make it through this stage today, and there are team or individual competition events in the later rounds..."
"You'd better pray you don't run into her too early."
"She could be your most reliable, most powerful teammate, but at the same time, she would also be..."
"Your most terrifying opponent."
She turned to Kanne and Lawine and offered them this warning.