Sousou no Frieren - Vol. 5 Ch. 40 - Bird Capturing Magic

[Thirtyfour]

This entire arc was just to justify Frieren learning more "useless magic".
I want another.

 

[butter_gnome]

I think the Examiners are simply blinded by Hubris. Every one points out how foolish it is to let these high-potential people get killed off in an exam but they're doing that because they really do believe those people are expendable. The Demon King was slayed and now they're confident nothing else in the world could pose a credible existential threat to humanity so just want to consolidate their own power in humanity's hierarchy. We the reader know that something's coming because this is a story and something always happens but these people have gone generations without a major conflict. I very poignant moment could be this exam ending with only like 5 survivors when news arrives of a new Demon King arising, leaving the examiners to look out on the graves of all the potential soldiers they just got killed.

 

[nachtness]

lmao good luck fighting against frieren, little girl

 

[BMokou]

I like that the method Frieren used to get that stille also explain how Fern could get hers that fast, for most of the mages the amount of mana you release shows how powerful you are but these birds are afraid of mana because their natural predators (the huge birds) do release mana too (which is why Frieren told her party to be wary of the sky and asked the brutal one if she had trouble sensing mana), so since Fern's mana can't usually be sensed the stille just let itself be approched enough.

So basically it turned into a battle royale only because most of the mages in that exam are too prideful and lacks the knowledge it takes to get a stille by themselves.

 

[Kazouie]

@ZeeZle If the danger came from the wildlife and environment i would agree. But basically telling them to go ahead and murder each other doesnt seem wise.

Humanity is still beset by demons but if you can't become a first class mage we have absolutely zero use for you so just go and die...

On top of that the whole randomly grouping them up for this is questionable.

@butter_gnome even better maybe if after the madness that is such an exam some of the survivors join up with the demons because humanity hardly seems better.

 

[zigzagzoot]

I really like Denken, the imperial court wizard. He has none of the hubris that weak mages have, and views magic as a means to an end rather than the end itself. He feels like he's the strongest mage in this tournament, with the exception of Frieren. He might even be someone capable of defeating her.

 

[izumabakumatsu]

I got a feeling Denken probably knows Frieren. Probably someone he looks up to in his youth or something

 

[welcome2atlantis]

Agh it cliffed where it was most exciting.

 

[ZeeZle]

@Kazouie This is an optional test known for its difficulty, no one is forced to do it.

And truthfully speaking, if these fellows believe they're cream of the crop worthy of receiving said highest available title that is, again, optional yet can't face the lethal environment in itself, then how the meticulously crafty demons?

And in situations such as these when you're against a demon if you can't fend off the environment and the random threats they pose what then?

This test in itself, I believe at least, tests your absolute ability to deal with the circumstances given to you. Even if you fail but you live you can retake the optional test for first-class mage status again eventually but if you succeed in this most difficult of tests against supposedly similarly skilled opponents in a realistic situation then you are worthy of the title and pedigree that follows.

 

[Kazouie]

@ZeeZle I'm not sure if we're talking past each other here.

As i said, i'm ok with all kinds of environmental hazards and wildlife posing a threat.
I just think it highly irresponsible to have the mages murder each other.

It's as if to find the strongest knights you have them duel to the death. At best a massive waste of potential and resources.

But hey, if the story works for you, more power to you.

 

[MeganeR]

Oh noes dead mages D:

I wonder what's stopping them from just killing each other. Afaik there's no rule against that. I'd thought that Ubel girl would've killed some by now lol

 

[lenovoaxioo]

@BMokou

"So basically it turned into a battle royale only because most of the mages in that exam are too prideful and lacks the knowledge it takes to get a stille by themselves."

Well, Frieren have a literal 'centuries' of experience

 

[andrmnh]

You can kill other examinees, but that one girl had to be disqualified before because she killed an examiner, right? Talk about mismanagement. The people holding the exam are too full of themselves.

 

[magnetsmangadex]

Ugh, I forgot that this series is snorting 'Battle Royale" at the moment.

 

[hori_hoe]

ugh Frieren is so coool. She was seating their hiding her mana and just whooped the Stille

 

[tremor3258]

Stark's default for thinking of Fern has her pouting.

 

[mokonaarappa]

battle taim !!!!

 

[gundulgondrong]

oh no no pepelaugh

 

[pandatime]

old dude might have a point but he is liek so outclassed against.. Frieren

 

[Cicely]

For me it's simple:

Aviators are invaluable and difficult to train, yet to this day you can read about their deaths in training.
There's no guarantee once in the air and that's precisely why they do aerial exercises, taking that risk prepares them.

In Sousou no Frieren, you must be accompanied by a first-class mage just to travel in the North against demons. Simply put, you must prepare to die.
This exam is a certificate that this mage you hired will survive against all odds and escort your party, not the other way around.
Let's remember that nobody force second-class mages to take the test as well.

I remember people talking about how Frieren's age changed the perception of time in this story. The author is doing the same with the balance of power.
The death of a candidate is no doubt a great loss, but certainly not a waste since that's how you make first-class mages; they are the mark of excellence.