The World of Magic ｢
Synopsis
Frieren, Kanne, and Lawine struggle with the 13th party over possession of the Stille, but there'll be more surprises in store before their battle, and the first test, reach their conclusion.[1]
Plot
Right after the events of the previous episode, rain falls on the magic barrier that encompasses the test area in the Grobe Basin. A flashback starts with Frieren and Flamme walking through an ancient hall and both kneeling before Serie, who sits on a throne greeting her apprentice.
Back in the present it repeats the last event of the First-Class Mage Exam of the previous episode, with Richter beginning the attack with the spell Bargland, a spell that controls earth, which shook the ground and separated him together with Kanne and Lawine from Frieren and Denken raising a massive mesa-like hill out of the ground. During which the proctors Genau and Sense were shown to be unfazed. Denken tells Frieren that the young are hot-blooded and calls the privilege nonsense. Frieren inquires why he thinks that is. Denken claims that Frieren doesn't have to ask and says that the greatest joy of magic lies in the search for it.
It then cuts back to the flashback to the moment Flamme and Frieren kneeled and Serie, while looking at them, mused how time flies. The apprentice that she raised on a whim has found herself an apprentice of her own. Flamme introduced Frieren to Serie, who commented on how she is an elf like her. She assumed that Frieren was strong, so she claimed that she liked her already. She then asked Frieren to name any spell she desired, and that she would grant it to her. Serie claimed to have the knowledge of practically any grimoire ever written. Serie thought that mages spend their entire lives in the pursuit of magic, and told Frieren to name a spell. Frieren said to her that she didn't need that, and that the pursuit of magic itself is the greatest joy.
Serie then addressed Flamme and told her that this girl was no good and that she lacked ambition. Flamme replied that Frieren would defeat the Demon King one day and that she believed that a mage like her would open the path to a new era of peace. Serie asked Flamme if she implied that she was unable to do so; Flamme told her that warmongers like them could not defeat the Demon King. To drive her point home, she asked Serie if she could even imagine herself living in peace. Serie avoided eye contact after this notion and Flamme called Frieren a mage who belongs in a peaceful era.
Back in the present Frieren agrees with Denken's answer and says that this is how mages ought to be. At the top of the mesa, Lawine attempts to freeze Richter with an unnamed freeze spell, but it is ineffective. While Richter approaches, the thin layer of ice that formed cracks under his feet and Lawine thinks it's because of the difference between their mana. She then attempts to attack him with her spell Nephtear, which hurls arrows of ice at Richter. Richter blocks the arrows with an unnamed defensive spell that creates a shell of earth around him. Calling it weak, Richter then starts his attack, a spell that creates stalagmites that rise from the ground, in the direction of the girls.
Lawine shouts at Kanne, signaling her to defend them and the orange-haired mage casts defensive magic. After the attack, Richter tells them that they made a huge show and that he more or less knows their capabilities. During a consecutive try of Nephtear it is again blocked by Richter's earth shell, he describes the pair's magic as ice that lacks lethality and a mage that is useless in a fight without access to water. He mutters to himself and complains that this is nothing but babysitting two brats.
Lawine mockingly thanks him for the insight, adding her observation that Richter loves showing off his fancy magic. She asks Richter if he is sure that he won't run out of mana soon. Richter asks them if they are from the magic school and if their seniors are still teaching them to fight battles of attrition with mostly defensive spells. Kanne asks what he means. Richter says he will give them a lecture on the history of magic. He tells them that the defensive magic that was created to counter Zoltraak provides great resistance to magic itself, but its defensive quality against physical attacks hasn't changed much till now, while creating a hexagonal honeycomb-shaped defensive magic shield in his hand as a demonstration. He adds that there was a clear reason for this: the spell's defense was enough against physical attacks from monsters or warriors, while a creature is shown to attack an unknown mage under a defensive magic shield. While changing the pattern of the hexagonal shape in his hand to more sophisticated forms he comments that aiming at perfection and complicating the spell further would be disadvantageous for its casting speed.
He then puts his hand on the ground, saying the history of magic is one of attacking and defending and that there is a reason modern attack spells involve the control of physical objects. Looking at them he inquires if they understand. Kanne baffled, but sensing something from the ground, looks down and casts defensive magic after Lawine screams at her to do so, but to no avail, the stalagmite Richter conjures smashes through the shield and sends both girls flying for a short distance. Richter standing above the girls laying on the ground, he iterates that his spells overwhelm with high-volume physical attacks and request them to stand down.
They both draw themselves up and Richter calls for a break as he says he does not intend to kill them. Lawine asks if he should be so careless to approach them, adding that sixty percent of a humans body consists of water. Richter unimpressed, comments that the world of magic is of visual imagination and that he thinks they are unable to picture the distribution of water in the body nor remove and manipulate it. He continues that a mage like him is also protected by a high amount of mana and that even if water was present he thinks Kanne would be no threat to him. Lawine sighs and says that not even bluffing works, but she thinks that Richter is lying because if he had been unconcerned he would have beaten them somewhere with water around. Richter doesn't address her remark but instead requests again that they should behave for the time being or as long as it takes Denken to defeat Frieren.
In the meantime, Frieren and Denken are engaged both using flying magic in combat. Fireren casts multiple beams of offensive magic that homing in and follow Denken while he makes evasive maneuvers. The old mage thinks that he can not sustain this battle and she will eventually exhaust his mana like that. He lands on the ground and apologizes in advance for what he is about to do. He then casts Waldgose: Tornado Winds engulfing the elf and on top of it Wind becomes Hellfire: Daosdorg creating a flaming whirlwind.
The blaze of fire bumps into the magic barrier surrounding the test area, which astonishes Kanne and Lawine and prompts Richter to ask what the decrepit old man is doing. Even the proctors take a look. Genau comments that the old man fights rather sensational. Asked by Sense if the barrier will hold Genau reveals that it will because it was erected by the Great Mage Serie. Sense while refilling her cup, notes that somebody has been analyzing the barrier, which began the day before. Genau is intrigued, but thinks such an endeavor is a waste of time and asks Sense if she thinks that there would be a mage in the world that surpasses Serie.
The scene cuts back to Denken watching his creation, but as it comes to an end Frieren outlasts the attempt in a hemisphere of defensive magic around her. On another try, Denken casts Lights of Judgement: Catastravia to break the magic shield with the barrage that upon hitting it creates large explosions. During the continous volley, he is distracted by a single counterattack of offensive magic he has to block shifting his focus and it leaves an opening for Frieren to close the distance. At point-blank Frieren casts Zoltraak which produces a path of desolation and Denken is blasted to the ground.
When Frieren approaches him, Denken draws himself up and says that he is finished as he is out of mana. In disbelief, he can not fathom that she used only ordinary combat magic until the end and compares his fight just now to a practice session for a novice mage. Denken tells the elf that he is surprised that there was someone who surpassed his high level. Frieren requests where Laufen hides, but Denken is uncooperative. The elf steps on Denken, and proclaims loudly that she thinks Laufen is nearby and she will kill the teammate, if she doesn't give back the Stille. However Denken adjures the young mage to not do as requested.
Laufen behind a tree thinks to herself that Denken was beaten by Frieren, who apparently is a far better mage then herself; no better than Denken and thinks that the elf underestimates them. Denken requests Laufen to stay hidden and don't use Jilwer, but disregarding the elders words, she casts the high-speed movement spell to flee with the teammate and gets caught by Frieren in the attempt. Denken calls Laufen an inexperienced fool and Fireren takes back the Stille.
When both are bound to a tree with three strings of unnamed restraint magic not shortly after, Denken tells Laufen that she didn't intend to kill him, but the young mage replies that she at least would have made him suffer. Denken says but they would have won this way, which prompts Laufen to ask why he is so desperate to become a first-class mage as he is already in possession of wealth, influence and everything else one could think of. Denken recalls a sight of his homeland and tells her that it is located deep in the Northern Plateau and he wants to visit a grave, but because the demons are acting up a prerequisite to go there is to be a first-class mage. Denken then asks Frieren if she shouldn't help the kids and expresses that perhaps it is too late since Richter will kill them before he faces the elf. However, Frieren says they will be fine and adds that she just finished analyzing the barrier.
On top of the mesa, Richter says to himself that he did not expected from Denken to lose and tells the female mages that the time of babysitting is over. Now with the intent to kill, Richter creates stalagmites, with a big one blocking Lawine's Nephtear ice shards and that tumbles in their direction with both girls escaping it narrowly sprinting sideways. Lawine on the ground comments that they won't last another minute.
Back at the tree, Laufen asks what Frieren means by analyzing the barrier. Denken in admiration says don't tell me, while Frieren performs a casting sequence that breaks the barrier. With green magical sparks that form various geometrical patterns a cone of light extends upwards and the barrier shatters.
While it happens, Sense addresses Genau with his name, who tells it is impossible, saying even if the world would turn upside down, but she comments says that it is breaking. Upon seeing it himself, he inquires the other proctor who that elf is and Sense replies that according to the list of test takers her name is Frieren. Genau recognizes the name as the mage who traveled with the party of heroes. Sense then adds that she apparently had a Holy Emblem too, which Genau comments that she is the last Great Mage. It cuts to Serie sitting on the throne in her ancient hall, who utters that Frieren did it now, greeting her in such a way after a millennium has passed. She notes to herself that it is why she can't quite being a mage when in the world of magic sometimes things get turned upside down.
At the tree, Denken can not believe Frieren destroyed the barrier and asked why she would do so by Laufen, Frieren answers that she felt sorry for Kanne and that magic should be free. Denken recalls that Kanne could manipulate water and Frieren replies that magic is a world of visualization. She asks if he can imagine defeating a mage who controls water in the rain and asserts that she herself would be unable, which should be the same for Richter.
Back at the mesa, all three look upwards in surprise, with Richter being the first to recollect himself and monologues that he can figure out later what exactly happened. He touches the ground, but his hand gets frozen to it by Lawine, who comments that he is in panic, which disrupts his mana. Richter says that it will just by a bit of time, however over him a massive sphere of water forms and Lawine points out that it was in fact his fear and it is a perfect example of the high-volume physical attack he mentioned. Kanne commands Lawine to not let him get away and she freezes his feet to the ground, while the water mage ends her cast of water manipulation: Reamstroha. The sphere presses down on Richter's defensive magic and while it cracks he says that it is exactly why he hates water, spilling over the top of the mesa in a flood.
As the waterwave reaches the tree Frieren flies away to the top of the mesa where Lawine and Kanne are left. She lands between them and congratulates them on their victory. She wants to leave this place and remarks that the sun sets in about two hours. When Frieren requests that they hide their mana, Lawine replies that they both have none left to conceal. Saying that they had done well, Frieren pats both of their heads, with Kanne chuckling, but Lawine telling her to stop.
Richter in the meantime is washed to the tree and caught by Denken in between his legs. Richter apologizes, but Denken says that it was inevitable. He then attempts to free the bound team member and gives up shortly after remarking he and Denken have no mana left. Denken asks Laufen to undo the binding, but she can't claiming it is too powerful. However, he then requests to bring down the tree instead. No longer restrained, Richter asks what they should do now and Laufen remarks that she has not enough mana left to use Jilwer anymore. Denken addresses them what they would think an Imperial Mage would do in such a situation. Answering himself, he says that they would fight until the end and he proposes to search for signs of battle and track down other parties.
At a cave, Übel calls Fern boring for only casting ordinary offensive magic. Fern replies that she should complain to Frieren. Übel then goes on to say that her master is at fault for her to be soaking wet. As Frieren lights up a small campfire for herself and Land she tells Übel that she intends to do it and adds that her master doesn't restrict what spells she uses outside of combat. Übel remembers that Fern used a spell to catch birds and asks what other magic she can cast. Fern thinks for a short moment and then says that she has a spell that lets you see through clothes. Übel widens the gap between herself and Fern, who tells her that she will not use it. Land interrupts their talk and suggests that Fern shouldn't reveal too much of herself, because he thinks that from the second test onward, they will be competing against each other. Übel concedes, but says that he should open up a bit calling him four-eyes.
From a bush, Denken, Laufen and Richter observe two mages who with one holding onto a caged Stille and the other being depressed have taken cover from the rain under a ledge. Denken comments that they are a defeated party and that they have encountered the corpse of the third member nearby. Richter asks if they should negotiate, but Denken thinks the would not, even though they can not pass the test and he wouldn't do either in the same circumstances. Laufen asks why and Denken responds that it just would not sit right with him. Denken then rise from the bushes, telling Laufen to wait for an opportunity to steal the bird and Richter to follow him. Richter asks with his voice down why they approach them head on as they both have no mana left. Richter moving forward, says that Richter doesn't get it, and points out that they are in the same position. Moving forward Denken removes his cloak and casts fist in the clash with his opponent from the other party.
A montage begins, showing Frieren's group at a campfire with Lawine and Kanne bickering, Fern and Land in the cave near the fire and Übel still keeping her distance, Wirbel carrying Ehre on his back while floating Scharf, Laufen bandaging Denken with a caged Stille besides them and Richter by their side unharmed, a male and a female mage attempting to catch a Stille who has landed on the buttocks of the third teammate and a party with their backs walking past three mages who are seemingly incapacitated.
In the evening near the proctor's tent, Genau says it is time and that the first test has ended now. He adds that six parties, with eighteen individuals, have passed it. While Fern looks towards Frieren, Genau goes on to say that the second test will take place three days from now and that all will be informed of the details later. Frieren looks pleased towards Fern and she expresses a smile, when at last Genau dismisses the examinees.
In a bar in Äußerst, Stark says that it has been two days since they left for the exam and utters that he can stay as late as he wants, because Fern isn't around to get mad at him. He feels so happy that it scars him. The barkeeper comforts him saying, that it sounds like he has it rough.
Characters in Order of Appearance
Locations in Order of Appearance
- Grobe Basin
- Serie's ancient throne hall
- Denken's village in the Weise Region (in flashback)
- Äußerst
Episode Notes
- When Richter explains that defensive magic aimed to be perfect becomes too complex the shapes shown after the hexagonal honeycomb pattern are anime original.
- The anime ommits Frieren's repetition, that she finished analyzing the barrier at the beginning of Chapter 45 and continues the dialogue direcly with Laufen asking: "Analyzing the barrier."
- The two scenes with a Geisel and seemingly a victim in a tree during Richter getting washed in front of Denken and the attempt to undo the binding magic Frieren cast to fixate Laufen and the old man on the tree are not depicted in the manga.
- It could hint at what happened to the third group member, where two are left manaless with a Stille that Denken and Richter defeat in a fist fight. However, these characters do not resemble the fleeing party in the panels of Chapter 40 that the anime didn't adapt in Episode 19.
References
- ↑ Crunchyroll: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Episode 21.
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