Frieren: The Commencement of the First Class Mage Exam as the Elven Mage Convenes with her New Team

The 18th episode of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End aired on January 12, 2024, at 11:30 pm JST on NTV in Japan. In this episode, the elven mage and her companions, Fern and Stark, arrived at Aüberst to take part in the First Class Mage Selection exam. Despite not being able to be on the same team, Frieren and Fern found capable mages to face the challenges of the first round of the exam. This latest episode marked the start of the First Class Mage Exam arc in Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe's fantasy manga.

Once again, Madhouse Studios has done a fabulous job of capturing the exhilarating moments from the manga and bringing them to life in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18 highlights: The mages apply for the exam at Aüberst

Episode 18 of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End opened with the arrival of the elven mage and her companions in the Kuhl region, as they set out to reach the City of Aüberst and take part in the First Class Mage Selection Exam. Given the distance between Kuhl and Aüberst, the group made the decision to travel by coach.

The exam results showcased the limited number of successful candidates, causing Fern to doubt her own abilities. Meanwhile, Frieren displayed a lack of enthusiasm for the entire situation.

Frieren sulking in the episode (Image via Madhouse Studios)

They still required someone to acquire the certification of a First Class Mage in order to gain access to the Northern Plateau. With the area teeming with dangerous creatures, only a proficient mage could hope to navigate it unharmed.

In episode 18 of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, it was disclosed that despite the elven mage's millennia of experience, she had been defeated 11 times by mages with lower mana, six of whom were human. This meant that her success in the First Class Mage selection exam was not assured.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18: Kraft returns and meets Ubel, a candidate for The First Class Mage Exam

Ubel, as seen in the episode (Image via Madhouse Studios)

In another location, a young mage girl was ambushed by bandits who were intent on stealing her valuable belongings. Just then, in episode 18 of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the elven monk Kraft arrived to rescue the mage. However, it was later discovered that she (Ubel) had actually killed several bandits on her own.

It soon became clear that the people Kraft had attempted to rescue were actually the bandits. The elven monk informed Ubel that he was also an adventurer and inquired if she was headed to Aüberst. The young mage then disclosed that she was on her way to take the First Class Mage Exam.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18: The elven mage and Fern enroll their names for the exam

Frieren and Fern, as seen in the episode (Image via Madhouse)

The group arrived at Aüberst after their lengthy journey and headed to the Continental Magic Association to register for the upcoming First Class Mage Exam, scheduled to take place in two months and only occurring once every three years.

In order to qualify for the exam, candidates must be at least a fifth-class mage. Fortunately, Fern met this requirement as a third-class mage, and Frieren had her Holy Emblem.

Frieren and Fern after enrolling their names (Image via Madhouse Studios)

Following their enrollment, the episode depicts Frieren and Fern diligently utilizing the two months to train and ready themselves for the examination. They dedicate their time to studying grimoires at the library and honing their magical skills through practice.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18: The first round of exams begins

At last, the moment came when the Exam Proctor called out the names of the candidates and organized the 57 mages into 19 groups, each comprising three mages. Frieren was grouped with Lawine and Kanne, while Fern was paired with Ubel and Land.

The Proctor for the First Class Mage Exam, Genau, disclosed the guidelines for the initial examination, taking place in the natural habitat of the Stille bird species. The task required contestants to successfully capture one of these birds in a cage before sunset the following day, with all team members present at the time of submission.

In addition, if anyone were to leave the examination area, they would be immediately disqualified. Despite being a simple task, Frieren encountered difficulties as her teammates constantly argued with each other. Following a brief introduction, the elven mage's party decided to search for the bird.

Frieren and her teammates, as shown in the episode (Image via Madhouse Studios)

Lawine and Kanne skillfully demonstrated their coordinated magic near a pond to capture the bird inside the ice before it could break through and escape. In episode 18 of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, it was revealed that Stille was an incredibly strong and fast bird, requiring the elven mage and her group to devise a proper strategy. Frieren was impressed by Lawine and Kanne's earlier feat and believed they had a chance to pass the first test.

In episode 18 of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Kanne falls victim to a terrifying bird attack. This shocking event leads her to cry out for help from Lawine, only to be saved by Frieren who captures the monstrous bird. The episode also unveils the close bond between Kanne and Lawine, with Lawine always being there to guide and support her.

Thanks to her, the mage realized that she was capable of achieving anything as long as she had some momentum. This revelation prompted Frieren to reminisce about a shared moment with others in the past.

The episode concluded with Kanne alerting the elven mage to something intriguing she had noticed. After a brief moment of consideration, Frieren felt confident they could easily capture the elusive Stille bird.

Keep up with more anime news and manga updates as 2024 progresses.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the highly anticipated First Class Mage Exam arc finally come to life in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18. The episode sets the stage for an intense journey as Frieren and her new team, including the intriguing candidate Ubel, apply for the challenging test. The animation and storytelling in this episode are top-notch, capturing the exhilarating moments from the manga and bringing them to life.

I particularly enjoyed the character development in this episode. Frieren's lack of enthusiasm for the exam and her sulking moments add depth to her character, making her more relatable and endearing. The revelation that she has been defeated 11 times by mages with lower mana adds an element of vulnerability to her character, making her journey all the more compelling. The introduction of Ubel, a young mage girl with a mysterious past, also adds an exciting new dynamic to the story. Her encounter with Kraft and her subsequent rescue of him from bandits showcase her strength and independence, making her a character to watch out for in the upcoming exams.