Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 110: Sense: Humans Do Have Their Limits·The Dark Side of the Magic Association

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Normally, when the conversation reached this point and Sense had fallen silent, Ash would have quickly agreed on a time to meet next time, sparing her any further discomfort and neatly ending the topic. However, this time was different.

He needed to exploit internal channels to cheat his way into obtaining a first-Class magician's credentials. After some hesitation, he finally decided to speak.

"…Sense," he called her name tentatively.

"What's wrong?" Sense asked, her calm demeanor unshaken.

"That is to say… ahem…" Ash struggled to find the right words, his hesitation only deepening Sense's confusion. "Are you feeling unwell? Should I go and call the priest over?"

"—No, no!"

Seeing that Sense's legs were slightly off the ground, ready to take flight, Ash quickly reached out, placing a hand on her head and gently pushing her back down.

Although most of the people he knew had eccentric personalities and unconventional ways of thinking that often left him exasperated, he decided not to let it bother him now. Instead, he half-knelt down to bring himself to eye level with Sense and asked in a low voice:

"I need the credentials of a first-Class magician. Can you issue me a certificate directly?"

"A certificate for a first-Class magician?"

"Yes."

"Why do you need it?" Sense blinked her lazy eyes, tilting her head slightly in confusion. Her reaction was entirely natural—Ash's request was, after all, rather strange.

"There are… various reasons. Are you in charge of issuing them this year?" Ash asked, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.

"Yes, but you also know the final decision is made by Lady Serie. I can't…"

Sense's desire to help him was evident, but her lack of confidence in dealing with Serie was equally apparent. Their personalities clashed significantly, making any interaction between them a challenge.

Ash's unusual request only added to her confusion.

In Sense's mind, it should have been very easy for Ash to gain official permission. However, the reality was more complicated.

While Ash occasionally handled matters at the branch when he showed up, he had never officially taken on the role of branch director. He avoided responsibilities like the plague, determined not to entangle himself in the Magic Association's affairs. To him, there was no benefit—only endless trouble.

The title of First-class magician carried additional implications. It marked one as one of Serie's disciples and granted access to certain privileges, including Serie's personal ultimate rewards. But Serie, knowing Ash all too well, understood that he would exploit such a position to claim the magic he desired.

As a result, restrictions were placed on him. Even when he participated in assessments, he was only allowed to act as an examiner occasionally, with the final decisions always resting with Serie.

After a moment of reflection, Ash sighed and said, "…If that's too difficult, just give me any kind of document."

"This is a bit…" Sense hesitated, her calm demeanor faltering slightly.

"After all these years of friendship, you won't even grant me this one favor?" Ash pressed, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"It's not that… It's just that Lady Serie came all the way from the Holy City this time…" Sense's face remained expressionless, but her reluctance was clear. Anything involving Serie was something she wanted no part of.

"Serie? That lazy woman only cares about first-Class magicians. What a hassle…" Ash muttered, though he wasn't particularly surprised.

He knew that obtaining a special anti-counterfeiting seal from Serie under the current circumstances was unrealistic.

Normally, Serie wouldn't care if the certificate was handed over directly. However, if Ash truly wanted it, Serie would deliberately withhold it, if only to amuse herself.

With most people, a little coaxing or persuasion might suffice. But Serie's intuition was unnervingly sharp—practically prophetic. Trying to deceive her was like attempting to outwit someone who already knew your every move. It was an uphill battle, and Ash knew it all too well.

Ash sighed, realizing he had no choice but to turn back to the girl in front of him, who was already showing signs of retreat. "Sense, think of a way," he urged.

"Even if you say that... I will..." Sense stammered, clearly distressed.

"It would definitely be easier for you to handle this than for me! Besides, I've always taken care of you. Now that you've grown up a little, are you going to abandon an old man like me?" Ash teased, though his tone carried a hint of desperation.

Sense's face twisted in discomfort as Ash shook her shoulders, leaving the petite girl dizzy. Despite her disorientation, she stubbornly refused to agree.

"…That's not the case, Master Ash," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "Everything else is fine, but this… this is really beyond my ability. It's impossible for me to do."

"Have you forgotten what you said to me during your test?" Ash countered, his expression turning dramatic as he gestured wildly, even going so far as to beat his chest and stomp his feet. "Has the comfortable life dulled your ambitions to the point where you've forgotten your past determination and abandoned everything?!"

Ash's impassioned speech seemed to ignite the atmosphere, but Sense looked as though she'd swallowed a fly. She replied reluctantly in a low voice, "Of course I remember. At that time, when you attacked me with bad intentions, I said, 'To make the impossible possible, only a first-Class magician can do it. So, I will definitely make the impossible possible.'"

"See? You still remember it, don't you? Then—"

"But now I understand that even a first-class magician has limits," Sense interrupted, her tone steady but resolute.

"Why? Are you giving up without even trying?"

"Because… getting something from Lady Serie without her consent is beyond human capability. I may be a first-class magician, but I am still human," Sense replied, her voice tinged with resignation.

"Don't say such discouraging things, Sense! Show me your courage as a human again! Believe in me, who believes in you!" Ash tried to rally her, his voice filled with determination.

But despite his spirited encouragement, Sense remained resistant. Before Ash could launch into another round of persuasion, a sharp female voice interrupted them from behind.

"—Master Ash! What are you doing?!"

Fern, who had been climbing the stairs alongside Frieren, saw Ash shaking Sense by the shoulders as if forcing her to do something. Alarmed, she quickened her pace and shouted as she approached.

Before Ash could turn around, Fern reached his side and grabbed his hand mid-motion, glaring at him angrily.

"I was wondering why you ran off so suddenly! I didn't expect… you'd be bullying a child here!" she accused.

"No, this isn't bullying!" Ash waved his hands defensively, but Sense, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, tilted her head in confusion. "…A child? Are you talking about me?" she muttered quietly.

"Then what are you doing?" fern demanded, her gaze sharp as if conducting an interrogation.

"I'm asking Sense for help," Ash replied truthfully.

Sense, however, didn't hesitate to emphasize her stance. "…No matter what you say, this is something I can't do. Please don't put me in such a difficult position."

"Don't say that. Giving up before trying isn't your style. I just hope you can—"

Before Ash could finish, Frieren, who had been quietly observing, interjected. "—Forcing someone to do something they can't is bullying. By the way… I didn't expect you to have acquaintances in the Magic City."

"Let's not argue about whether it's bullying or not," Ash said, deflecting the accusation. "Besides, if we're talking about acquaintances, you've got some too."

"Me? This kid? No… I don't know her at all," Frieren replied, furrowing her brows.

Her gaze shifted to Sense, scrutinizing her closely. She could sense the girl's strength, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall ever meeting her.

Ash quickly realized the issue—Frieren wasn't aware that Serie was present. However, explaining the situation seemed troublesome, so he decided to let her discover it on her own.

Sense, meanwhile, remained steadfast in her refusal. After repeated attempts to persuade her, Ash finally gave up on taking shortcuts. With a resigned sigh, he turned and began walking toward the counter in silence.

Before he had taken more than two steps, Fern placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression unreadable. "Wait a minute, Master Ash. You haven't apologized to this child yet."

"Yes, yes… I'm sorry, Sense," Ash said helplessly, glancing back at the petite magician. "I'll treat you to a meal later when I have time."

Sense shook her head slightly, her expression softening. "Don't worry about it… If anything, I'm the one who should apologize for not being able to help."

"What a good child," Frieren remarked, her tone carrying a hint of reproach. "Unlike someone else."

Ash pretended not to hear her comment and continued toward the counter. However, as he had anticipated, the teller was a young clerk he didn't recognize.

Unfamiliar with Ash and unwilling to bend the rules, the clerk handled the situation impartially. "I'm sorry, but you don't meet the qualifications," she said, her tone polite but firm.

"Is there really no way?" Fern interjected, clearly frustrated. "Can't we make some sort of compromise? What if these two demonstrate their abilities? They're both incredibly skilled—easily on par with first-Class magicians!"

The teller, much like Sense before her, looked helpless. "I'm sorry, but that's not something I have the authority to approve…"

Before the clerk could finish, Sense, who had not yet left, stepped forward.

"Let them participate," she said calmly.

"S-Master Sense?" The clerk's eyes widened in surprise.

"Isn't my word enough?" Sense asked, her tone composed yet commanding.

"Of course! If you say so, we can absolutely make special arrangements!" The nervous clerk quickly agreed, fumbling to register their information.

With no one else around to contest the decision, it wasn't difficult for Sense to use her influence. However, the situation left Fern visibly stunned.

"…This world is so corrupt," Ash suddenly declared, his voice dripping with mock disdain. "The Magic Association relies on connections! One day, I'll tear apart this hypocritical, shady system!"

Fern stared at him, bewildered by his sudden outburst. Meanwhile, Sense looked equally confused, her expression caught between shock and disbelief.

If there really was a conspiracy, Sense thought, Ash would be the prime culprit. For him to say such things now… was he planning to tear himself apart?

Even Frieren was taken aback. "Aren't you the one using connections right now? And you're criticizing yourself?"

"No, no, you misunderstand," Ash replied, feigning seriousness. "I don't want to do this, but I have to set a good example for Fern. What if she starts thinking about shortcuts all the time?"

His words carried a certain conviction, but the timing made it difficult to take him seriously. "Let's consider this a special circumstance. I may be using the backdoor temporarily, but I swear I'll expose this shady system someday!"

"Master Ash," Fern said, her voice tinged with exasperation, "you're standing in the headquarters of the Magic Association. Aren't you worried about offending someone by saying that?"

"Offend them? Good!" Ash retorted, his tone theatrical.

"In a normal story, behavior like yours would guarantee a character's untimely demise," Fern muttered, looking genuinely concerned. "Please don't make such reckless statements again!"

As she spoke, she turned around to thank and apologize to Sense, only to find the girl had disappeared after bowing politely to Ash.

"That kid… wouldn't they have already asked someone to assassinate Lord Ash?" Fern murmured, a hint of worry in her voice. She couldn't help but recall a story she had read not long ago, where similar events led to an untimely demise.

Frieren shook her head gently. "No, that child didn't seem angry. To be honest, I don't fully understand it, but there was no hostility."

"Not angry?" Fern asked, puzzled.

"No," Frieren confirmed with certainty, which brought Fern some relief. She then turned to Ash with a stern expression. "Master Ash! You must never say such things again. Do you understand?"

Ash sighed dramatically. "It really saddens me that the child has grown up enough to understand such things."

"I'm not a little kid!" Fern retorted. "By the way, Master Ash, the next time we meet that person, you'll be very polite. You'll thank them properly and then apologize!"

"Uh... sure," Ash muttered, unsure of how to respond.

"And you can't bully others—absolutely not! You have to be polite! After all… that child must be the daughter or granddaughter of some big shot in the Magic Association, right?"

"For the last time, I wasn't bullying anyone," Ash said, exasperated.

The situation had clearly been misunderstood by both sides, leaving Ash distressed. Nonetheless, he nodded silently and turned back to the clerk, who was still watching him with a mix of uncertainty and unease. With a resigned sigh, he wrote his name on the registration document, feeling more frustrated about having to take the exam than anything else.

---

After leaving the Magic Association, the group began to part ways.

Fern, upon learning that the house she used to live in hadn't been sold by Ash, decided to move back to her hometown. Not only did she feel nostalgic, but she also believed it would save on accommodation costs.

Before returning, however, Fern planned to buy cleaning supplies. Years of neglect would have left the house in disrepair. Frieren, reluctantly dragged along, was tasked with helping clean up, and Fern intended to bring Ubel later for extra assistance.

Ash, wanting to avoid revealing that he had occasionally returned to the house in secret, found an excuse to separate from the group and quietly head home first.

---

When Ash arrived at his house, he was surprised to find an unexpected guest waiting for him.

Sense, who had left the Magic Association earlier, was standing in front of his door. She looked serene, like a lazy kitten basking in the sun, her gaze fixed on the clouds above. The stillness of the scene was almost surreal—so much so that even a bird perched atop her head didn't disturb her.

Ash frowned in confusion at the sight. Quietly approaching, he accidentally startled the bird, which flew away in a flutter of wings. Leaning forward slightly and resting his hands on his knees, he asked, "Sense... what are you doing here?"

"Hmm? What am I doing?" Sense blinked slowly, her long lashes fluttering like a butterfly's wings.

"No… Why do you seem like you have no idea what I'm talking about?"

"You said you'd treat me to a meal later, didn't you?" Sense tilted her head slightly, her expression as innocent as a curious bird. "Did I remember it wrong?"

"...I did say that," Ash admitted, rubbing his temple with a sigh. "But... never mind. Let me ask you this—has anyone ever invited you to a meal before?"

"Yes," Sense replied promptly.

"Have you ever gone?"

"No."

"...I see."

Ash muttered to himself, his thoughts swirling. Are geniuses like her just missing something fundamental? Or is it that their focus on one area leaves them lacking in others?

As the youngest and most powerful first-Class magician in history, Sense's magical talent was undeniable. But when it came to interpersonal relationships, she seemed... too straightforward, almost naïve.

Although this shouldn't be considered a disadvantage—after all, being powerful enough as a magician is the greatest advantage—there were still moments where her peculiarities stood out.

"Don't you have any money?" Sense asked, noticing Ash seemed troubled by something. Without hesitation, she silently handed over her purse. "I have some with me. You can use mine."

"...If I use your money, it's not really my treat, is it?" Ash replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't mind," Sense said simply.

There was no trace of pretense or insincerity in her tone. It was clear she genuinely didn't care about material possessions.

This attitude made sense considering her background. Before becoming a first-level magician, Sense had come from a very wealthy family. She had never placed much value on money, as it was something she'd always had in abundance.

Ash suddenly realized something about her. She wasn't just a prodigious magician; she was the epitome of a life winner—a textbook example of someone who was wealthy, powerful, and privileged. Well, perhaps "beautiful" wasn't the right word. In her case, she was more of a "rich and powerful loli."

While she might not be the first choice for those who preferred a more mature companion, she was undoubtedly the ideal person to rely on if one wanted to avoid working hard.