“Killing Magic,” or rather, “Demon-Slaying Magic,” is a common attack spell developed by a famous demon and refined by modern mages.
Its key features are high efficiency, high power, long range, and no elemental attribute – just a pure blast of magical energy.
To Ethan, it was like a “laser cannon.” The first spell Frieren diligently taught him was this one, and Ethan had mastered it.
However, the problem was that among all his similar skills, this spell offered no particular advantage; it was the most straightforward and unpretentious.
It’s natural for men to prefer flashier, cooler moves, but straightforwardness often means efficiency.
So, he still leaned towards using “Killing Magic.” Its non-elemental nature made it more versatile than “Hado.” When facing opponents with high elemental resistance, Killing Magic was far more effective.
Hado’s drawback was its variety, but the effectiveness wasn’t much greater.
After mastering Killing Magic, he decisively chose to replace Hado’s function with it.
In the exam area, the dazzling magic had already faded.
Along with the five-meter-tall golem, the sympathy the onlookers felt for Ethan, who faced a Level 3 golem, also vanished.
What the hell was that sympathy for?
This guy was clearly playing innocent, acting weak… no, that’s not right.
He wasn’t pretending, nor was he provoked.
Everyone was here for the exam, and there was no reason to offend anyone.
Who knew if there were First class mages watching behind these Sixth Class mages?
The torrent of magic instantly annihilated the golem, which would have taken a Third Class mage to defeat, leaving not even a trace.
This was beyond the expectations of everyone present.
And Ethan himself.
He wasn’t just bewildered like the crowd; he wore an expression of “What the hell, did I do that?” Normally, when he cast spells at Frieren, no matter how grand the display, she would effortlessly nullify them, making him misjudge the power of his own magic.
Defensive magic works like that.
For a single hit, 100 defense can block 99 attack power.
Not to mention Frieren could cast defensive spells instantly without limit.
“That’s enough,” Lernen announced sternly as everyone buzzed with discussion.
“The examination process is now complete.
Candidates who passed, please come to the association in three days for the certification ceremony.” Ethan recalled his staff.
Killing Magic was indeed powerful, but he needed to be careful not to miss his target, as it could truly kill someone.
Although, he had never broken through Frieren’s defense with it.
Some candidates wept, others cheered with excitement, and many were already thinking about dinner.
After all, mages were like that.
The magic level certification was just a title; their essential tasks remained unchanged: researching magic, strengthening themselves, and striving for a living.
However, today was different.
For all these mages, whether eliminated or passed, there was a topic of conversation that would last a long time.
First, a First class mage, Lernen, appearing at a Fifth Class mage examination.
Second, the unbelievably powerful Killing Magic used by Candidate Number 144.
Every few years, a candidate would dazzle everyone at the Level 5 mage exam; people were already used to it.
The successful candidates clapped each other on the back.
Someone wealthy even offered to treat everyone to a meal, and Ethan, with his stunning performance, was naturally included in the invitation.
From Fifth class mage onwards, they gained the qualification to be independent from their schools, which also signaled the start of new connections.
These connections were crucial for anyone planning to develop in the vicinity of the royal capital.
Ethan gladly accepted.
After all, it was likely that some of these people would achieve great things in the royal capital in the future.
Even a casual offer of goodwill could benefit Übel, who lived and studied there.
In the evening, after the dinner party, having met a group of noble youths and promising mages, Ethan began his journey back to the wooden cabin.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten Frieren, who was waiting alone (?).
He bought her favorite ingredients, preparing to cook another meal.
Besides being a mage, he was also a warrior with a much larger appetite than mages.
The appetites of that group of mages wouldn’t even be enough to fill a gap.
As for what Frieren liked to eat, he didn’t ask.
It was the result of a year of trial and error with different foods, observing Frieren’s reactions to categorize foods based on her taste.
“Master, I’m home.” At the entrance of the cabin, Ethan, carrying ingredients for dessert, saw Frieren show no reaction.
He added, “I bought materials for Mercury Pudding, okay?” As soon as he finished speaking, Ethan heard hurried footsteps approaching from the kitchen.
“Did I just hear you say you’re making Mercury Pudding?” Frieren, dressed in a chef’s outfit, stood there charmingly, her expression cool, but her words quite eager.
“Ah… yes, I am,” Ethan nodded.
He looked Frieren up and down, taking in her appearance, before expressing surprise.
“Master, what are you doing?” Heaven forbid, this was the first time he had ever seen Frieren cook without being asked… no, had she ever cooked after being specifically asked?
He recalled the past year.
Ah, it seemed so, but that time she hadn’t changed into special clothes.
That one time seemed to be his birthday.
Frieren had made him a large steak, even though he himself didn’t care about the day.
As for a birthday gift… Frieren had given him a box similar to hers, just a different color.
In Frieren’s words, it was best for him, as a warrior, to hide his weapons in the box and not reveal them easily to the world.
Actually, he didn’t yet possess a weapon truly meant for combat, so the box remained empty.
“Eisen said that warriors who worked hard should be rewarded with a large steak,” Frieren said, a charming smile curving her lips.
“This is to congratulate you on passing the exam.
You worked hard, my disciple.” Eisen, the dwarf warrior from the Hero’s party, was still alive and was recognized as the world’s strongest warrior when the Demon King was still alive.
Frieren hadn’t asked him if he passed; she had prepared in advance based on the assumption that he would, which was a testament to her pure trust in Ethan’s abilities.
“Thank you, Master,” Ethan smiled.
That steak, while not the most delicious, was definitely filling.
“Then I’ll make Mercury Pudding too.” “Excellent!
I’ll give you half the kitchen,” Frieren’s eyes lit up.
She stood tall and quickly returned to the kitchen, urging him, “Come on.” “Alright, alright.” Ethan closed the cabin door, shutting out the darkness.
Inside the cabin, a magic lamp cast a warm glow.