Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Episode 28) – It Would Be Embarrassing When We Met Again
The remaining mages discover whether they passed or failed the First-class Mage exam while Frieren uses her time to stock up on grimoires. Either way, it’s the end of this chapter as they continue their journey to Ende!
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Episode 28) – It Would Be Embarrassing When We Met Again
What happened?
Fern was the first mage to pass the final test, but she was soon followed by Denken, Ubel, Land, Wirbel, and Methode. Serie was surprised by the quality of the mages in this exam, however, not content with just failing Frieren, she banned her from entering any of the Magic Association’s buildings for the next one thousand years… That excluded Frieren from attending Fern’s ceremony where she would receive the spell of her choice. Not that she really cared. She was sure Fern would do the right thing. While they waited, they were approached by Lernen who believed that his only way to live up to Serie’s hopes was to be the mage who killed Frieren.
He attacked, demanding a duel, however, she blocked most of his attacks and then let one hit her shoulder before telling him that it would be a waste of their time. She recalled her meeting with Serie and how she revealed that she didn’t regret any of her students even though none reached her heights, which seems like an odd expectation from a near-immortal teaching those with a mortal lifespan. Lernen realises that he too has been at fault with his inability to express his feelings to Serie. He watched Frieren and Stark walk away with Fern once she had returned from her presentation.
Previously, Denken had treated Fern and Stark to tea and biscuits along with Laufen. Stark was initially quite abrupt but quickly apologised and changed his tune when he learned that Denken is an imperial mage. Denken told him not to worry and that he was happy to spend his money this way. He had no children nor grandchildren since his wife died when he was twenty, not long before he was able to make the move to the capital, which would have probably saved her. At least now, he could visit her grave once more.
While Frieren had been buying up all the grimoires she could find, she witnessed Wirbel helping a lady who dropped her basket of fruit. He then asked Wirbel why she didn’t help and then went on to explain how he became a mage because of Himmel’s visit to his village where the elders would talk about how he helped them move boxes or did odd jobs. That was more important than the big battles the party had fought. Once his village was attacked by demons, he understood that it mattered to the people there because it impacted their lives. So, he promised himself that he would help those that needed it whenever he could. Frieren was pleased that Himmel’s ideals lived on and could change the world. Finally, it was time to leave on their journey to Ende but not before getting to say some quick goodbyes to those they’d met. They also learned that Fern asked Serie for a spell to clean and clothes. Frieren was pleased.
What did you think?
So, handing someone like Serie the power to decide who should be considered a First-class mage is a massive error that will come back to bite someone in the near future. Seeing her getting giddy about Wirbel saying that he didn’t have a favourite spell as magic was a tool for killing and he neither liked it nor loved it was incredibly telling. She is so dead set in her ways that she cannot evolve to the world around her. She liked the mages that sized her up when they entered before realising they didn’t have a chance. If you could make her feel strong, then you had a good chance of passing. I do think she passed Ubel because she saw her as an actual threat, which was interesting. Anyhow, unelected people should not be making these sorts of decisions, especially when there is no end to their role or their life. I’d say good riddance, but I feel like she will continue to push her values onto the magical association.
I loved that Frieren really had the last laugh when Fern asked for a spell to clean clothes. That would have been hilarious to see and would have only been better had Frieren been there to see it happen. One thing that I think is worth noting is how much of an influence Himmel has had on the world in his short lifespan compared to Serie. While she seems to want to keep things a certain way, he sought to change the world with small deeds that changed people’s lives in small ways. He has left a lasting impression whereas Serie is almost anonymous by comparison.
It showed us that with Wirbel’s acts and even the way Denken thanked Frieren for reminding him why he loved magic. However, the scenes with Stark as they left the city really drove that home. He made an impact on countless lives in that city by simply being nice and helpful, and taking the time to listen and engage with people. He does that everywhere he goes which is probably something he picked up from Eisen who no doubt took on Himmel’s ideals. It just goes to show that you don’t need to defeat the Demon King to change the world.
Episode highlights
Other posts in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – The Journey’s End
- Episode 2 – It Didn’t Have to Be Magic…
- Episode 3 – Killing Magic
- Episode 4 – The Land Where Souls Rest
- Episode 5 – Phantoms of the Dead
- Episode 6 – The Hero of the Village
- Episode 7 – Like a Fairy Tale
- Episode 8 – Frieren the Slayer
- Episode 9 – Aura the Guillotine
- Episode 10 – A Powerful Mage
- Episode 11 – Winter in the Northern Lands
- Episode 12 – A Real Hero
- Episode 13 – Aversion to One’s Own Kind
- Episode 14 – Privilege of the Young
- Episode 15 – Smells Like Trouble
- Episode 16 – Long-Lived Friends
- Episode 17 – Take Care
- Episode 18 – First-Class Mage Exam
- Episode 19 – Well-Laid Plans
- Episode 20 – Necessary Killing
- Episode 21 – The World of Magic
- Episode 22 – Future Enemies
- Episode 23 – Conquering the Labyrinth
- Episode 24 – Perfect Replicas
- Episode 25 – A Fatal Vulnerability
- Episode 26 – The Height of Magic
- Episode 27 – An Era of Humans
- Episode 28 – It Would Be Embarrassing When We Met Again
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Oooh, it suddenly hit me while reading this: Serie’s is revered for her power and her current influence, but it is a distant, abstract reverence. Himmel is revered much more personally, not for his power, but for his kindness, his everyday deeds. The contrast is striking when once you see it.
I also love how Frieren does not care about Serie’s judgment of her as first class or whatever. Everyone knows she was the most powerful and capable mage there, but Serie refused to pass her simply because of her own attitude. Frieren was only ever taking the tests to be recognized as first class – a made-up distinction that is ultimately without its own merit – as a means to help her journey northward. That was the beginning, middle, and end of her concern with it. Now Fern has passed, they can be on their way, and they got something actually practical out of it as well. All in all, a good deal, but not an essential one to her.
The real kicker is that most of humanity credits Flamme with bringing magic to their world. She was the one who travelled the world putting the protective barriers over cities and teaching the nobles how to operate them, not Serie. There’s a clear message about how impacting individual’s lives is more rewarding than seeking power and influence, and I think Denken realised that during his time with Frieren, too. I also feel like that was the point of Wirbel’s discussion with Frieren… and then we saw it with Stark. Himmel started a movement that has grown since his life ended. Serie is still alive and hasn’t changed a thing. In fact, she seems to oppose it entirely.
Who is to say that Frieren doesn’t have the greater mastery of magic over Serie? Though, most of the spells she knows are ones Serie considers useless.
Very sad the season is over. Wonderful anime like Apothecary and Frieren gone for a while. OTOH there are several oldies returning that I am eagerly waiting on.
No one, other than Serie, but then we can’t trust her. I think I mentioned a while back about how these mundane “useless” spells are the ones that have the greatest opportunity to change lives. Imagine is everyone could clean their clothes with a spell or knew a spell to make their pots and pans sparkle. That’s far more useful then being able to throw dirt or water at one another.
It really is sad. It’s been a wonderful season to follow for half a year. Thanks for reminding me about the Apothecary Diaries. Also, I’m looking forward to a number of the new shows airing this coming season.