Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 156: The face-to-face transaction

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Originally, Fern was a little worried, but Frieren herself wasn't worried at all. After all, she was still in the safest place in the world.

Serie crouched beside the flower bed, staring blankly at the flower buds that had no business blooming in this northern country. Meanwhile, Ash lounged on a rocking chair beside her, reading a book as though nothing had happened.

Even Frieren could tell that the rocking chair, completely out of place in the elegant sky garden, had obviously been dragged in carelessly. Judging by the situation, it was definitely Ash's doing.

This overly relaxed appearance twisted her expression as if she'd just swallowed a fly. "While everyone else in the world was worried about you being late, why are you here looking so comfortable?"

"Reading? Isn't it obvious?" Ash replied without even looking up.

"You know that's not what I'm asking… Are you the examiner this time too?"

"Don't mind me. Didn't they just say outside that Serie is the examiner? So just treat me as a guide. Focus on her instead." Without sparing her a glance, Ash raised his foot and pointed toward Serie, who was still squatting beside the flower bed.

As soon as he pointed, a strange black light flashed, and several defensive spells materialized around his foot.

There was no loud explosion or dazzling light—just the sound of defensive magic shattering. The attack and defense were over in an instant.

Ash made sure his foot was unharmed, but the bricks and stones beneath him had turned to dust when the light disappeared.

This scene caused Frieren's expression to shift from initial confusion to a complicated emotion, and she even sighed unconsciously.

"…A thousand years have passed, and your relationship is still as good as ever."

"How did you know that? Isn't this supposed to be an exam?" Serie's gaze was cold. "But… what are you doing here? I offered to give you 'privileges' before, but you refused."

"Because magic is only fun when you explore it yourself," Frieren responded without hesitation, giving the same answer she had a thousand years ago.

Faced with such a disciple, Serie didn't hold back. She snorted coldly and ordered her to leave. "…Someone like you doesn't deserve to be a first-class magician. You've been dull from the beginning. You're unqualified. Go back."

"Is that so?" Frieren didn't get angry. She simply nodded in silence, giving Ash, who was still absorbed in his book, a deep look before turning to leave.

But Ash, unable to remain still, put down his book, looked up, and called after her.

"—Wait a moment, Frieren."

"What? Are you going to plead for me? Forget it." Frieren stopped in her tracks.

"Why would I plead for you? It's useless anyway. But if you change your attitude a little and give me the privileges, I'll repay you." He paused before continuing, "I'll treat you to a big meal when we get back. Even in the most dangerous situations, I'll stand by you when Fern lectures you. I'll even tie her up and make sure all her anger is directed at me!"

His tone was casual, but his words carried the weight of his unique charm, as though he were presenting Frieren with a special deal.

Hearing this, Serie sneered and was about to mock him for thinking his promises could compare to her privileges.

However...

"...You said that? I've recorded it!" Frieren suddenly turned around, pulling out a magic recording device from seemingly nowhere, and said seriously, "If you don't keep your promise, I'll tell everyone that you touched Kanne's belly."

"I won't break my promise this time. Even if you spout something weird again, I'll never pretend not to know you."

"...?? What are you even talking about? When have I ever said anything weird?"

Frieren's genuinely puzzled expression made Ash cover his face and shake his head.

Because... at this point, he didn't even want to explain. This person, utterly lacking in self-awareness, hadn't changed in all these years. Saying anything more felt both futile and impolite.

The two of them struck their odd deal, and Serie, who had been standing nearby, naturally overheard every word.

The privilege they were casually discussing was one that all magicians on the continent dreamed of and were even willing to risk their lives for. Yet, here it was, bartered under such strange conditions.

This made Serie's face turn nearly blue with anger.

"...What's wrong with you two? Are you joking?"

But Frieren, noticing Serie's trembling hands accidentally plucking petals from the flowers beside her, still couldn't figure out the source of her anger. She asked blankly, "Why are you mad?"

"I don't know... menopause—" Before Ash could finish, Serie's glare forced him to awkwardly correct himself. "...I mean, maybe she just doesn't like you."

Though Frieren looked troubled for a moment, she quickly brushed it off. After all, the animosity between them had lasted for years. Without much concern, she turned back to Serie, her expression blank as though she were reciting something memorized, and said emotionlessly:

"If I think about it carefully, I actually regret refusing back then. So now, I want that privilege."

"...Do you take me for a fool? Or do you think I enjoy being taken advantage of?"

"I just want to pass my exam and get what I deserve."

"I told you, you're not qualified."

"Really?" Frieren nodded calmly, then turned to Ash. "...What should we do?"

"...Don't look at me right now. You should be angry," Ash replied.

"Okay. Serie, give me a valid reason, or I'll get angry."

At Ash's urging, Frieren actually tried to look angry, glaring at Serie with exaggerated effort.

"I should be the one to be angry!" Serie snapped, laughing incredulously at their antics. But after taking a long breath to calm herself, she relented. "...Fine. I'll give you a chance, Frieren. Tell me, what kind of magic do you like?"

"I think it is—" Ash began to speak, but Serie waved her hand sharply, cutting him off.

"—Shut up."

The ground instantly erupted, bricks and stones flying as golden light burst out. But Ash, stepping firmly on the ground, sent lightning colliding with the magic, canceling it out. He frowned at the destruction left behind.

"...How rude. The materials here are obviously very expensive..."

"I don't care about you," Serie snapped, ignoring him. She turned back to Frieren, her gaze silently urging her to hurry up.

This prompted Frieren to answer bluntly, "The magic of the flower field."

"The magic I learned from Flamme... it's still useless and dull—completely unqualified," Serie declared without hesitation.

"...."

Even though this was her master's favorite magic, the one she had taught her before her death, Frieren didn't get angry at Serie's harsh words.

Instead, she remained silent, exchanged a helpless look with Ash, and then turned around to leave.

After all, Serie was her elder, and Frieren had long grown used to this kind of treatment. Or perhaps it was because Serie had the same attitude even when delivering Flamme's suicide note—dismissing her favorite magic, ideals, and dreams as unworthy, even going so far as to call them revolting.

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Mission: "The Power Stones Ascent"

Objective: Climb as high as possible in the power ranking system and maintain the spot for a week.

Rewards:

Rank 1-5: 3 chapters a day

Rank 6-12: 2 chapters a day

Rank 13-20: 4 extra chapters

Punishment: If we fail to reach at least the top 20, you'll only get 1 chapter a day.

Current Ranking: 1-5