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Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18 was released on January 12, 2024, at 11:30 pm JST on NTV channel in Japan. The episode saw the elven mage and her party (Fern and Stark) arrive at Aüberst to participate in the First Class Mage Selection exam.
Unfortunately, Frieren and Fern couldn't be on the same team but found reliable mages to tackle the exam's challenging first round. The latest episode officially kicked off 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
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18 began with the elven mage and her party arriving at the Kuhl region to reach the City of Aüberst and participate in the First Class Mage Selection Exam. Since Aüberst was still far from Kuhl, the group decided to take a coach.
The episode revealed that only a selected few could pass the exam. This led Fern to second-guess her chances because she was not confident in her abilities. On the other hand, Frieren was slightly disinterested in the whole affair.
Nevertheless, they needed someone to obtain First Class Mage's certification to enter the Northern Plateau. Since the region was filled with dangerous monsters and demons, one couldn't pass through unscathed without a skilled mage.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18 revealed that even though the elven mage possessed a thousand years' worth of experience, she still lost 11 times to mages with inferior mana, six of whom were humans. As such, she wasn't guaranteed to pass the First Class Mage selection exam.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18: Kraft returns and meets Ubel, a candidate for The First Class Mage Exam
Elsewhere, a group of bandits ambushed a young mage girl to loot her valuables. At that moment, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18 saw Kraft, the elven monk, arriving to save the mage. However, it was later revealed that she (Ubel) had killed a few bandits along the way.
As such, it turned out that the individuals Kraft was trying to save were actually the bandits. The elfen monk told Ubel that he was also an adventurer and asked whether or not she was going to Aüberst. The young mage revealed that she was going 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
After a long journey, the group finally arrived at Aüberst. They went to the Continental Magic Association to enter their names for the exam. It was then revealed that the First Class Mage Exam would begin in two months, which took place once every three years.
Moreover, the minimum criteria to apply was that the candidate would have to be at least a fifth-class mage. Thankfully, Fern was a third-class mage, while Frieren had her Holy Emblem.
The episode then shows Frieren and Fern making the most out of the two months to train and prepare for the examination. They read grimoires at the library and practiced magic in their spare time.
Finally, the day arrived when the Exam Proctor announced the candidates' names and divided 57 mages into a total of 19 groups, with three mages per group. Frieren found Lawine and Kanne in her group, while Fern was put up with Ubel and Land.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18: The first round of exams begins
The Proctor for the First Class Mage Exam, Genau, revealed the rules for the first exam, which was held in the habitat of a specific bird species called Stille. The contestants needed to capture this bird in a cage by sunset a day after, and all the party members had to be present at the time of submission.
Moreover, if anyone were to go outside the exam area, they would immediately get eliminated. While it was a straightforward mission, Frieren faced trouble due to her teammates constantly bickering at each other. After a small introduction, the elven mage's group decided to look for the bird.
After locating one near a pond, Lawine and Kanne demonstrated their coordinated magic to capture the bird inside the ice before it broke through the ice and escaped. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End episode 18 revealed that Stille was an extremely robust bird, and it could fly faster than the speed of light.
As such, the elven mage and her group had to devise a proper strategy. Lawine and Kanne's earlier feat impressed Frieren, and she thought that they had a chance to pass the first test.
Later that night, Kanne was attacked by a monstrous bird. Shocked to her core, she cried out for Lawine's help before Frieren arrived and captured the bird. The episode then revealed Kanne's relationship with Lawine. It was Lawine who always helped Kanne, showing her the right directions.
Thanks to her, the mage learned that she could do anything as long as she could find some momentum. This revelation made Frieren think about a moment she shared with Frieren and others in the past.
The episode ended with Kanne informing the elven mage that she noticed something interesting. Frieren thought momentarily and felt they might catch the Stille bird easily.
Keep up with more anime news and manga updates as 2024 progresses.
