Following the last episode’s discussion of the benefits of being a first-class mage, it is interesting that both Frieren & Denken have a similar mindset. That is the greatest joy in magic: searching and discovering it. The show has showcased this for Frieren because she is constantly looking for new grimoires, whether they are fake or authentic.
Still, we see in a flashback where it’s revealed that Flamme’s master is Serie. Still, it is quite interesting that Serie herself was turned off by Frieren’s answer. Though Flamme saying that Serie can’t imagine a peaceful era is rather interesting. There is a link between magic and your imagination. More than likely, Serie could be looking at magic as a tool, and there is a use for it. While Frieren looks at magic in more of a beauty sense, there is more pleasure from Frieren’s viewpoint of magic. There’s a clear clash between these two, and interestingly, it’s a human who creates the connection between these two elves.
Richter’s information drop on the complexity of defensive magic makes a lot of sense. As we know, Fern holds a great skill in activation speed with her offensive magic. Of course, with defending, not only is strength important, but also how quickly it can be activated. As who cares if the defensive spell makes you invincible if the activation time doesn’t come out quick enough? As such, complexity of defensive magic can’t be too complex.
In the match between Frieren & Denken we see a bit of parallel with Fern’s fight with Ehre. Even if Denken used more advanced spells than Frieren, what matters more is quantity over style. It more illustrates the skill gap between them, which shouldn’t be a surprise to us. Though credit should be given to Denken because going up against Frieren is a mountain of a task. We even have Frieren lie much like Fern did, but for her it’s more so a threat. Laufen falls for it easily because, as Denken said, Frieren wouldn’t kill for privilege. Kind of a showcase of Laufen, but you can tell she is a good key.
Interestingly enough, Denken has the same motivation that Frieren & Fern have in becoming a first-class mage. That being the desire to travel and the requirement to go back home is being a first-class mage.
Of course the worry at this point is that Richter will kill the girls. Rather than rescue them, she decides to give them an opportunity to showcase their potential. Frieren breaks the barriers, which draws the attention of Serie and those instructing the exam. The barrier itself restricts magic because magic is a part of nature. As Richter gets to use the terrain to his advantage, the girls don’t have access to water. Wouldn’t it be more fair if both sides got to use magic to their full potential? Of course, if it wasn’t raining, the girls probably would have been defeated, but how nature works isn’t always fair.
Denken’s party still gets a Stille and quite a funny way in how they get it. With Richter and Denken using their fists to beat the party who lost a party member who was killed. Again, we have an even playing field because both sides don’t have mana at this point.
This episode adapted the last fourth of chapter 43 as well as chapters 44 & 45. Animation wise it is clear they saved it more for this episode compared to last episode.