Chapter 58

Serie's Instincts is the fifty-eighth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Summary
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Serie continues to try to persuade Fern to become her apprentice. However, Fern continues to refuse, and Serie relents and passes her, as she isn't foolish enough to hold back a talented mage. Serie speaks with the remaining candidates and passes Denken, Übel, Land, Wirbel, and Methode. Afterwards, the examinees gather outside the Continental Magic Association either celebrating or commiserating. Denken thanks Frieren for her help, as now he can visit his wife's grave in his hometown. The third stage of the First Class Mage Exam concludes.

Plot Details
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Fern firmly declines Serie's offer, as the latter maintains a grin on her face. Serie persists, assuring Fern that she won't be mistreated and will attain unprecedented heights as a mage. In response to Fern's question about whether her decision will impact her exam results, Serie acknowledges that it might. Despite this, Fern declares herself as Frieren's apprentice, calling forth Frieren's previous instruction not to surrender to Serie's demands, as Fern will pass no matter what since Serie's instincts have consistently been accurate. Serie, unwilling to allow a promising mage to slip through her fingers, concedes that Frieren’s wisdom is correct and allows Fern to pass.

The next examinee to approach Serie is Imperial Mage Denken. Serie acknowledges her familiarity with Denken, and he calmly responds by expressing his honor. Serie mentions that she often hears about Denken, who was once a military mage veteran and is now considered the most authoritative mage of the Northern Countries. Serie confesses that she had hoped to meet a younger, more ambitious Denken, but she has lost interest in the aged mage he has become. Serie retracts her previous statement when she realizes that Denken had envisioned fighting her at first glance, though Denken admits that he resigned from that idea in an instant. Satisfied, Serie decides to pass Denken as she explains that most people wouldn’t even dare to think of fighting her.

Übel is the next candidate to be interviewed by Serie. Serie, seemingly aware of the third-class mage's exploits and incidents, instantly passes Übel. Übel remarks that she hasn't spoken a word yet, to which Serie responds that there is no need. After Übel takes her leave, Land is the next to stand before Serie. An unamused Serie tells Land to not joke around as she calls him a fool who has not taken one step into the examination grounds. Land reveals a second clone behind Serie and claims that it is his real body since he is required to be in the examination grounds to be considered a participant. Seeing through his bluff, Serie correctly assumes that Land’s real body has never left his home village and is enjoying a cup of tea. Land is surprised as even Übel couldn’t tell his clones apart while Serie, impressed with his audacity, passes Land.

Wirbel, Captain of the Northern Magic Corps, is the next examinee, who Serie considers to be the greatest combatant among all of the second-class mages. Serie observes that Wirbel realized that she was an unbeatable enemy at first glance, but not out of fear. Wirbel explains that only a second-class mage would be foolish enough to fight an unwinnable battle, which Serie agrees with. Serie asks what kind of magic Wirbel likes and the latter responds that magic is a tool used to kill with none to like or hate. This response delights Serie and allows Wirbel to pass the exam. The last examinee to be interviewed by Serie is Methode, who stares intently at Serie. Serie asks Methode what she thought while looking at Serie, and Methode replies that she thought Serie was very cute. With this, Serie finds herself amused by the overall batch of examinees and allows Methode to pass.

After the exam, Serie approaches Sense and offers her apologies as the number of new first-class mages turned out to be abundant. Outside the examination grounds, the twelve mages gather. Wirbel consoles the dejected Scharf and Ehre by saying that there is always a next time. Land pleads with Übel to stop following him, while a lonely Kanne sits and contemplates the next exam in three years' time. Meanwhile, Frieren congratulates Fern for passing and pats her head. Denken approaches the two and thanks Frieren for allowing him to get closer to his goals, as he now plans to return to his hometown and visit his wife's cemetery. Frieren responds with a smile.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Fern
 * Serie
 * Frieren (in a flashback)
 * Denken
 * Übel
 * Land
 * Wirbel
 * Methode
 * Sense
 * Scharf
 * Ehre
 * Kanne

Locations

 * Äußerst
 * Northern Continental Magic Association

Events

 * Serie passes Fern, Denken, Übel, Land, Wirbel, and Methode
 * The third stage of the First Class Mage Exam concludes