What separates kids from adults? This episode perfectly shows this as Fern & Stark have an argument. This episode illustrates that Sein offers some adult wisdom to help these 2 out. Of course the reason Fern went to Sein before Frieren is interesting. Especially considering they are the same gender. Part of it has to do with the fact she grew up with Heiter as a father figure. But Frieren is experiencing new emotions on her own, so I imagined Fern doesn’t feel like going to her is suitable.
Still, I love what Heiter says in the flashback. The first is that it is the job of the adults to guide the kids, as he calls it, emotional support. Kids will make mistakes, and that is when the adults come in. Though his remark about pretending to be an adult is on point because no adult truly knows what it means to be an adult. Every adult is figuring things out each day. But it is the striving to be the ideal adult, but you do so by pretending you know what you are doing. Even if you will make mistakes along the way.
The 2nd half of the episode was fun because you clearly can see Fern has feelings for Stark. Though, to also add, it is interesting that the ring that Himmel bought Fern matches the bracelet that Stark got for Fern. I think it is clear that at least when they both bought it, Frieren & Stark didn’t realize what it meant. Because of this, I think it is a clear implication of Himmel’s feelings for Frieren when we consider Fern has clear feelings for Stark. As this episode wants to point out the parallel in the relationships.
This episode adapted chapters 29 and 30. That final scene was so beautifully animated that it gave a lot more romantic vibes than it did in the manga.