Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 158: Shocked Serie

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As the competition continued, many participants took their turns. Some were eliminated, while others managed to qualify. However, Ash quickly noticed a pattern.

It was said that Serie relied on intuition to judge, and while intuition did seem to play a role, her decisions clearly depended heavily on personal preference and perceived potential.

Having the strength of a first-Class magician wasn't necessarily the most important factor. If someone's personality and potential impressed her, she would let them pass, even if their skills were lacking. Conversely, if someone had enough strength but their personality clashed with hers, they wouldn't pass. Frieren was a prime example.

After a while, Ash spotted Lawine entering the scene.

Unlike Richter, Lawine wasn't surprised to see Ash there. She simply shook his head, looking slightly exasperated, but didn't comment further, likely due to the gravity of the occasion. Instead, she turned her attention to Serie with a serious expression.

After a brief moment of consideration, Serie nodded in approval. It was clear, however, that what she approved of wasn't Lawine's strength but her potential and character—just as she had done with many of the other candidates who lacked the required skill level.

Is this some kind of mutual sympathy between tsunderes? Ash thought, tempted to comment but holding back for the sake of his wallet.

Next, Fern entered.

The moment she stepped inside, Fern's brows furrowed as she caught sight of Ash.

"...Master Ash? Why are you—" Fern began but trailed off mid-sentence. Her eyes shifted, and she stared intently at a particular spot in the air.

This made Serie, who had initially dismissed her as incompetent, suddenly take notice. Her expression turned serious as she asked sharply, "What did you see?"

"Magic power... it's Fluctuating," Fern muttered, her voice uncertain.

At this, Serie's demeanor changed entirely. She smiled, genuinely pleased for the first time, and said, "Hey… your name is Fren, right? Come and be my apprentice."

It was obvious from her tone that she was more satisfied with Fren than with any other participant so far.

But Fren's response was swift and unexpected.

"Oh? No." Although she hesitated for a split second, she declined firmly and without much thought.

Serie's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her expression softening again. "This is for your benefit. Becoming my apprentice will only help you. I can guide you to a higher realm—a realm no human magician has ever reached."

"Hasn't Master Ash already reached that realm?" Fren asked, raising a brow.

"...Fine," Serie muttered, slightly irritated. "Let's say that, except for Ash, no human has reached it. This is beyond the achievements of the ancestor of human magic, Flamme, who trained on a whim, and even beyond her disciple, Frieren. You could truly become someone extraordinary within your lifetime."

"...In my lifetime?" Fren repeated, sounding unimpressed.

"I can't change the limits of a human lifespan. But with your talent, by the time you're over a hundred years old, you'll almost match Ash's current level of magic."

"Almost? So I'll never catch up in my lifetime?"

The sheer length of time seemed to snuff out Fren's budding interest instantly.

"As I said, a human lifespan has its limits," Serie replied, her tone firm.

"So I'm just going to die before catching up, right? Is there no magic that can grant immortality or at least extend life?" Fren pressed.

"Of course not. If such magic existed, the emperor of the ancient unified empire wouldn't have died. Even a spell to merely prolong life would've been seized and widely used," Serie retorted, clearly annoyed at the question.

But Fren, oblivious to her irritation, furrowed her brows and seized the opportunity to probe further. Speaking to the great magician who was closest to God and mastered nearly all human magic, she asked:

"Doesn't this seem strange? With the current level of magical technology, we can create things that don't naturally exist—even life, like special golems and plants. We have dwarves, elves, and demons as references. Shouldn't we be able to replicate their longevity? Why is there no magic that can extend human life?"

"The world has its own rules. To break this limit, you'd need to surpass the goddess herself," Serie said flatly.

"...Is there any chance for me to learn from you?" Fern asked hesitantly.

"Given the limitations of humans, that is impossible," Serie replied. Hearing her answer, Fern already seemed to have made up her mind. Without hesitation, she said:

"I'm sorry, Lady Serie, but I'm Lady Frieren's disciple."

Serie frowned but quickly turned to Ash, hoping to get some assistance. "Come to think of it, Ash… you know her too, don't you?"

Ash immediately understood her unspoken request to persuade Fern. Smirking, he replied, "Serie, have you forgotten? The child I wanted you to adopt was Fern. But you refused, remember?"

"...It was this child?" Serie looked genuinely stunned by the revelation.

Seeing her reaction, Ash took the opportunity to mock her mercilessly. "Do you regret it now? You should! The child has grown up, and I'm not going to hand her over to you anymore. You really have no vision! Isn't this what you always say? 'The disciple is better than the master.' Well, at least when it comes to judging people, I'm much better than you~"

"Stop spouting nonsense!" Serie snapped, her temper flaring. "I told you and Frieren to get out a long time ago, didn't I? Why are you still here? Get out now!"

Clearly furious, Serie raised her hand, and a strange ball of light materialized instantly.

Before Fern could fully process what was happening, the light shot out with a deafening sonic boom.

Moments later, a thunderous Bang!!! echoed through the sky garden as the light exploded. The force shattered the glass dome atop the tower, sending shards cascading down like glittering rain, illuminated by the setting sun. The surrounding flower beds and plants were obliterated by the shockwave, reduced to dust.

The sudden attack left Fern frozen in shock. Instinctively pulling out her wand, she herself himself to retaliate, her voice shaking with alarm.

"—Lady Serie?! What are you doing?!"

"It's just a greeting. Why are you so nervous?" Serie huffed, her tone petulant, as if she were throwing a tantrum. Despite being the cause of the destruction, she acted as though she were the one being wronged.

A gust of wind swept through the area, dispersing the smoke and dust. As it cleared, Ash's figure emerged, standing unharmed in front of them.

Although his clothes were slightly torn, he didn't appear injured. Dusting himself off casually, he said, "It's fine. I'm used to this one's unstable personality by now. It's just a bit annoying that I couldn't save my clothes."

"Humph… Of course nothing happened. How irritating!" Serie muttered, clearly annoyed that her attack hadn't fazed him.

Seeing that Ash was unharmed, Fern let out a breath of relief. Serie, however, glared at ash, her frustration only growing.

But Ash, paying no mind to her mood, tilted his head back to gaze at the shattered remains of the glass dome, already worrying about the cost of repairs.

Despite her clear displeasure with Fern, Serie's frustrated expression only seemed to amuse Ash, much to her irritation. Her dissatisfaction continued to build, but even so, she ultimately chose to let Fern pass.

Though this decision left her feeling defeated, Serie was not one to abandon her principles. Recognizing Fern's talent, she allowed her to become a first-Class magician and accepted her—begrudgingly—as her nominal disciple.