Chapter 43

Privilege is the forty-third chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Summary
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Laufen escapes with the stolen Stille using her magic. At the same time, at a high vantage point within the barrier, Genau takes tea with the proctor of the second exam, Sense. Genau believes luck and strength to be important qualities for mages to possess, and he and Sense argue over their philosophies for exams. Meanwhile, Denken and Richter move to fight the Second Party. Denken recognizes that Frieren is the Mage of the Hero Party and wishes to challenge her. Richter is surprised that Denken is not after the "privilege" bestowed by the Great Mage Serie, who can grant any magic that one desires, but states nonetheless that he will kill Lawine and Kanne. However, Denken tells him that will not be necessary as he will crush Frieren. Richter then separates the battlefield using earth manipulation magic, and the Second and Thirteenth Parties prepare to face off. Alone with Frieren, Denken says that the pursuit of magic is what brings the greatest joy, which reminds Frieren of a previous meeting with Serie where Frieren rejected Serie's "privilege" for the same reason. This lead Flamme to declare that Frieren, as a mage of a peaceful era, would be able to defeat the Demon King. Reminded of her master's words, Frieren affirms that the joy of pursuing magic is what it truly means to be a mage.

Plot Details
Right after the events of last chapter, Laufen is currently hiding from Frieren and the others. Laufen uses her magic to escape, around the same time Frieren detects her.

Genau is within the barrier having tea with Sense. Sense remarks that’s it’s rather comfortable in the barrier despite the rain. The fact that Sense is the proctor for the second exam comes into Genau’s mind, and let’s Sense know. Sense tells Genau that it seems that he’s once again responsible for the deaths of many promising candidates. Genau calls this nonsense, telling her that anyone that gets killed wasn’t promising. He also adds that this is what makes first class mages more valuable. Nonetheless, Sense calls Genau malicious. She can’t believe that Genau would select a creature that can’t be detected by mana for the exam, while adding that whether you catch one depends on luck. Genau tells her that luck is part of one's strength aswell. He also claims that one of the parties didn’t need luck to catch the stille. Genau then shares to Sense that sunset is in three hours, meaning that the battles will get more intense. Sense asks him who does he think will win, Genau tells her that he believes that a third of them will remain. He then adds that he believes that Denken will be among those who pass, since he's almost as capable as a first class mage. Sense claims that Denken is only interested in money and power and questions why an old man like him would participate now. She claims that he is after the privilege. Genau tells her that Denken must have his reasons for attending the exam now.

Frieren's party are facing off with Denken and Richter. Frieren asks them if the spell that Laufen just used was 'Jilwer', which lets you move at high speeds. She also adds that it's a folk spell that belongs to a mountain tribe in the southern lands. Denken confirms that it is. Frieren then tells them that they should have just stayed hidden, and that Laufen could have stolen and stille and run away alone. Denken tells her that Laufen is still a novice, and has left to many traces of her mana. He believes that Frieren could track her down easily. Denken then guesses that Frieren must find it rather troublesome being held up by them. Frieren admits to it. She then asks if he knows who she is. Denken tells her that there isn't a single mage in his generation that hasn't heard her name, and that even though this was his first time seeing her in person, he was sure of it the moment he saw her. Denken claims that she is Frieren of the Hero Party.In the background,Kanne asks if Frieren is famous, Lawine tells her that Frieren is legendary. She tells Kanne that she thought she could be Frieren. Frieren questions them, that even with the knowledge of her identity, they chose to confront her directly. She asks them if them if they have been snooping around the whole time, and that she expected them to make a dirtier move. Richter disagrees, telling her that what they are about to do is dirty enough. He then reveals that, while Frieren will fight Denken, he will kill of one of Kanne or Lawine. Frieren calmly says that it makes sense, since they'd be unable to pass if they lost a party member, so they'd have to resign. Kanne jokingly tells Richter that, that sounds fun daring him to do it. Denken tells Richter not to do that, and that they just need to hold them off. Richter expected Denken to be more ruthless. Richter claims, that since Denken is an imperial mage, that he has likely eliminated his fare share of opponents. Denken responds to him by saying that he doesnt think that being a first class mage is worth someone's life. Frieren tells him that they at least agree on something.

Richter calls Frieren hopeless, questioning why did she decide to take this test without knowing about the privilege. Frieren is confused by this. Richter talks about the Great mage Serie, who founded the continental mage association more than half a century ago to reign over humanity's mages. He tells her that she still seeks out accomplished mages from the war against the demon king. He tells her that Serie offers a special privelage to anyone who holds the position of a first class mage, that she would bestow upon them a single spell that they desire. He compares Serie to a living grimoire who knows every spell known to humanity, so she is like a mage that is the closest comparison to the goddess. He compares having any spell you desire granted to you as having your dream come true. He then tells her that people are simple minded creatures, and that it leads all of the first class mages to become inhuman monsters. Frieren tells him he understands now. Denken calls that ridiculous. Richter calls Denken part of the minority that doesn't care.

Richter then signals Denken for them to begin. Richter asks Denken to keep Frieren occupied for a minute, which he claims is enough time for him to kill the other two. Denken tells Richter to just put them to sleep for a few hours. Richter, with a face of disapproval, calls him an old fool. Richter then begins the attack with the spell Balgrant, which separates Frieren from the rest. Now alone, Denken tells Frieren that the young are too hot-blooded and that he couldn’t care less for the privilege. Frieren asks why he thinks that. Denken tells her that the pursuit of magic itself is the greatest joy.

It then cuts to a flashback of Frieren, Flamme and Serie. Flamme and Frieren are kneeling before Serie. Serie, while looking at them, recalls how time flies. The apprentice that she raised on a whim has found herself an apprentice of her own. Flamme introduces Frieren to Serie, who comments on how she is an elf like her. She assumes that Frieren is strong, so she claims that she likes her already. She then asks Frieren to name any spell she desires, and that she’ll grant it to her. Serie claims to have the knowledge on practically any grimoire ever written. Serie tells her that mages spend their entire lives in pursuit of magic, and for Frieren to name a spell. Frieren tells her that she doesn’t need that, and that the pursuit of magic itself is the greatest joy. Serie tells Flamme that this girl is no good, and that she lacks ambition. Flamme tells her that Frieren will defeat the demon king one day, and that she believes that a mage like her will open the path to a new era of peace. Serie asks Flamme if she thinks that she can’t defeat the demon king. Flamme tells her that someone looking for a fight cannot defeat the demon king. Flamme adds that they can’t achieve that. She asks Serie if she can even imagine herself living in peace. Flamme then calls Frieren a mage who belongs in a peaceful era.

It then cuts back to the present. Frieren and Denken are about to start their battle. Responding to what Denken said earlier, Frieren says that’s what she likes to hear and that’s how mages should be.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Laufen
 * Frieren
 * Lawine
 * Kanne
 * Genau
 * Sense
 * Denken
 * Richter
 * Serie
 * Flamme

Locations

 * Grube Basin

Battles

 * Frieren, Kanne, & Lawine vs. Denken & Richter
 * Frieren vs. Denken
 * Kanne & Lawine vs. Richter

Events

 * Laufen escapes with the Stille
 * Genau and Sense observe the examination grounds
 * Richter raises a plateau in the Grube Basin

Spells

 * High Speed Movement Magic: Sylwehr
 * Earth Manipulation Magic: Balgrant

New Tools Used

 * Denken's Staff

Chapter Notes

 * Richter does not use a staff when casting magic