Original subtitles

ORIGINAL STORY BY KANEHITO YAMADA / TSUKASA ABE

So that's Äußerst, the largest city of magic

in the northern lands?

It's still pretty far from here. We'll have to catch a coach along the way.

29 YEARS FROM THE DEATH OF HIMMEL THE HERO

KÜHL REGION IN THE NORTHERN LANDS

Once Mistress Frieren gets her first-class mage certification there,

we can enter the Northern Plateau.

It doesn't really have to be me who gets the certification.

It'll soon become outdated anyway.

You should get it, Fern.

You don't know, Mistress Frieren?

Out of all the mages out there,

only a small handful of seasoned mages

can become a first-class mage.

I am nowhere near that.

- Is that so? - You seem so uninterested.

I know it's a bit late to ask this,

but why do we need such an amazing mage

to accompany us into the Northern Plateau?

The Northern Plateau has always had

lots of monsters who use cunning spells like the Einsam.

It's always been a dangerous area to cross without a priest and skilled mage.

But the fact that they're

requiring the presence of a valuable, seasoned mage just to pass through,

means there must be something bad happening in the Northern Plateau.

Once we get to Äußerst, we have to look into the exam.

According to Fern, there seems to be a practical exam too.

I'll have to think of a plan.

With your level of mana,

I'm sure you can easily ace any kind of exam.

Even when you're suppressing it,

you have as much mana as a seasoned, elderly mage.

Don't call me an elderly mage.

Oh no, now she's sulking.

Calling her an elderly mage was going a bit too far.

I'm sorry.

Stark, I haven't forgotten about the time you called me, "stinking hag."

That was ages ago.

Whatever, I'm going to sleep.

Wake me up when we get to Äußerst.

Jeez...

Never mind...

Huh? What's wrong?

Half of the sky was covered.

Huh?

Let me tell you this, Fern.

A mage's strength isn't determined based on mana alone.

You must factor in technique, experience, the type of spells, control,

hard work, and guts.

Some of those sound like a warrior.

And finally, talent.

Throughout all the years I've lived,

I've lost against mages with less mana than me 11 times.

Out of which four were demons.

Qual was one of them, right?

One was an elf, like me.

And the remaining six were humans.

The town of the graf's domain should be coming into sight soon.

The road to Äußerst sure is tough.

NORTHERN LANDS OUTSKIRTS OF GRAF GRANAT'S DOMAIN

Maybe I'll take a little break.

Hey girlie, that's a nice staff you've got there.

Oh, what? More thieves?

It finally became peaceful after Aura was killed,

but now we're seeing an increase in people like you.

Who told you to speak?

Hurry up and get your stuff...

How dare you...

If you don't want to die, hurry up and get lost.

Let's go.

Thank you. What a life saver.

I'm Übel, a mage.

I'm Kraft, a warrior monk.

Oh, are you an elf?

How rare. You're the first one I've met.

You have the eyes of a killer.

I didn't do that to save you.

I found the chopped up remains of thieves in a nearby forest.

They were victims of a mage.

And a terrifyingly skilled one at that.

Oh yeah?

Did you come here to lecture me?

No. I am an adventurer like you.

I'm not that narrow-minded to criticize you for killing in self-defense.

I just spared the lives that I could, that's all.

What a sly old man. How boring.

Are you heading to Äußerst?

Yeah, to take the first-class mage exam.

Frieren mentioned something like that too.

I can't wait to hear her stories the next time we meet.

CONTINENTAL MAGIC ASSOCIATION NORTHERN BRANCH

The next exam will be in two months.

The first-class mage exam

takes place once in three years, so please be aware of that.

Also, to qualify for the exam,

you must have at least a fifth-class mage certification.

Fern, good luck.

Mistress Frieren, I can't do this alone.

You can do it.

What happens if I fail?

The exam only happens once in three years.

Then we'll either hire a first-class mage or go by sea.

That will be very costly.

We'll have to cut back on snacks again.

But I'm uncertified.

They won't accept my Holy Emblem, right?

What is up with you and that relic?

You, there...

Can I take a look at that?

Are you planning to take the first-class mage exam?

I guess I'll be taking the exam.

I can't believe there are still people who remember this.

Is that thing actually very valuable?

It's supposed to be, at least.

Frieren, you're not in the Magic Guild, huh?

The organizations that manage mages change so frequently.

It's a bother to keep rejoining each time.

I see.

And plus, I have this.

The Holy Emblem. Amazing, right?

What is this rusty necklace? Do you know?

No idea.

I see.

This was the only thing that could prove that I am a mage.

Frieren,

it's true that we don't know about that necklace.

But we know that you are an amazing mage.

Isn't that enough?

But you'll soon be dead.

Mistress Frieren...

We know that you are an amazing mage, Mistress Frieren.

I guess so.

According to the Continental Magic Association,

mages are generally considered

full-fledged mages from the fifth-class.

Why did you take the third-class exam?

Because that was the earliest exam that was available.

There are 600 mages from the fifth-class and above.

In total, including sixth to ninth-class apprentices, there are only 2000 mages.

Among which 45 are first-class mages.

The first-class exam is held every three years

and only in the northern branch in Äußerst

and the headquarters in the Holy City of Strahl.

A lot of times, nobody passes the exam.

And it's common to have casualties.

It seems pretty difficult.

By the way, the number of mages has really gone down.

There used to be more?

100 years ago, at the height of the Demon King's military offense,

you would come across mages just by walking around town.

Nowadays, you won't see one unless you come to a city of magic.

Well, I guess we should train

for the exam in two months.

We will now begin the first-class mage exam.

FIRST STAGE PROCTOR GENAU, FIRST-CLASS MAGE

We have a talented bunch this year.

Wirbel, a second-class mage, who has been fighting the remnants

of the Demon King's army for many years

as captain of the Northern Magic Corps.

Denken, a second-class mage and an experienced, sly old man

who won a bloodstained power struggle

and became an Imperial Mage.

Fern, a third-class mage,

and the youngest in history to pass the third-class exam

at the top of her class.

However, we also have a problem child.

Übel, a third-class mage,

who killed the first-class mage proctor at the second-class exam two years ago

and was disqualified.

Some other promising candidates are...

Someone over there is emitting mana like a seasoned, elderly mage.

- Who is that? - Who knows.

I will now announce details on the first stage of the exam.

You will battle in parties. All 57 participants

will be put in parties of three

to take this exam.

Now then, we will divide the groups.

A bangle, huh?

There's a number written on it. I guess I'm party number two?

By sending mana into it, you can tell where your party members are.

This is how you can find your party, huh?

What an interesting idea.

Unlike a regular party,

this is an impromptu party with a bunch of eccentric mages,

so it'll be hard to work together.

First impressions are important in these cases.

I'd better try to keep things peaceful.

I can sense the other bangles around here.

Ouch! It's going to rip out!

Don't you dare!

- I'll kill you! - Go ahead.

They're already fighting.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

GROBE BASIN IN THE NORTHERN LANDS FIRST STAGE EXAM LOCATION

I will explain the rules for the first stage of the exam.

Small birds called Stille live within this exam location.

I've given each party one cage.

There are two conditions to pass the first stage.

To have a caged Stille in your possession by sundown tomorrow.

- Get away! - And to have

all party members present.

You are free to do what you want,

but if anyone leaves the exam location,

everyone in their party will immediately become disqualified.

Does he really have to say that after he put up

a powerful barrier that won't even let a speck of dust through?

There's no way out anyway.

They're actually listening to his explanation?

Well then, the first stage of the exam begins now.

- We should think of a strategy first. - Are you stupid?

We can't think of any strategy without finding it first.

They're still fighting.

Why don't we introduce ourselves while we walk?

Also, do rock-paper-scissors to pick who can hold the cage.

I'm Frieren. Nice to meet you.

I'm Lawine, a third-class mage.

I'm Kanne. I'm also a third-class mage.

Lawine and I are childhood friends and we went to the same magic academy.

Do the two of you know anything about Stille?

- No. - Nope.

I know about them, but I've never seen one in real life.

So let's find a Stille and observe it first.

I'm tired.

What a slob.

Let's take a break.

I still have energy, so I'll take a look ahead.

It's safer to stay together.

Shut up. It's not efficient that way.

Are you strong, Lawine?

- More than her. - You want to fight me?

Compared to me?

I wouldn't want to fight you.

I see. Okay, you can go take a look.

- But come back if it gets dangerous. - Okay.

Also, be watchful of the sky.

I know.

Is this party going to be okay?

Frieren, you seem like a teacher.

You must be fit for a leader.

Only because you two are always fighting.

I don't like to take charge.

I'm sorry.

We've always been like this.

By the way, what do you mean by "be watchful of the sky"?

Exactly that.

Are you not good at mana detection?

- Why? - Hey.

- That was fast. - I found a Stille.

Good work, Lawine.

Now, let's observe it and...

Didn't I say to observe it?

- It'll get away. - No.

Good job, Kanne.

That's impressive.

But you should take cover soon.

Huh? Why?

Stilles are extremely sturdy and they can fly at supersonic speed.

That level of restraint is pointless.

- Seriously? It's already out of sight. - We were so close.

To capture it, we have to closely observe it.

We'll set aside this day to just observe the Stille.

Kanne manipulated the water and Lawine froze it.

The timing was perfectly in sync.

What high-level coordination.

That isn't something you can achieve overnight.

I was worried about this group, but it might work out.

Let's follow it right away.

We should check the lake first.

- Why? We should go now. - Oh no...

They're fighting again.

What's this noise? Oh?

Frieren's not here.

I knew it. It's faint, but this is the sound of rain.

But it's not raining.

Oh, is that what it is?

So does that mean...

A monster!

My staff...

Lawine!

Didn't I tell you to be watchful of the sky?

Did you calm down?

Yeah.

You called out Lawine's name.

I thought you hated Lawine.

Yeah...

Right?

Then how are you two able to coordinate so well?

How strange.

I may not seem like it, but I'm a coward.

So a lot of times, I can't do anything in the most crucial moments.

That happened on the first day of flight magic training.

Everyone who left before you are already way over there.

You're above water, so it's not like you'll die.

If you don't have the courage, want me to kick you off?

I hate you, Lawine.

I know that.

You're always saying mean things to me.

I'm the type who feeds off commendation.

Stop joking.

You were spoiled by your dad and mom and look at where that got you.

I'd gladly be nice to you, if that's what it takes for you to fly.

Then say good things about me.

Come on, are you serious?

You're doing your best even though you're really a coward.

It's your good trait.

- Say more. - Huh? Why should I?

You work hard when nobody is looking.

You're attentive and considerate.

More.

You're cute when you smile.

Huh? Gross...

That was close!

So you could fly after all.

I won't be nice to you anymore.

Lawine is rough, but she's a good leader to me.

Thanks to her, I've learned that even frightening things

can turn out okay if I don't overthink it.

By the way, Frieren,

I've realized something interesting.

Will this be useful in any way?

I see.

We might be able to catch a Stille easily.

That's abnormal.

- I'll show you! - You make it sound so easy.

- How immature... - Someone detected it.

- It's time for a battle. - Shut up.

This is the second party's elaborate plan.

Subtitle translation by: Kiko Morita