"An examiner?"
"Yes, exactly," Serie nodded. "There happens to be a First-Class Mage Exam taking place soon. Don't worry, you only need to handle the final stage. And you have complete freedom to design the test however you see fit."
"I will inform my subordinates of the handover."
"Query: Calculations indicate the task is indeed 'simple'. However, why select this unit for the role?"
The question came directly from the Main Unit. Stell was genuinely curious as to why Serie would suddenly make such a request. Judging from Serie's micro-expressions, she had been genuinely surprised by the clone's arrival; this condition was entirely improvised.
"Why, you ask? ...I'm not entirely sure myself," Serie said, resting her chin on her hand.
"..."
Stell simply stared. That was a non-answer, and her silence clearly communicated that she wasn't leaving until she got a real one.
Serie sighed, seeing she couldn't brush it off.
"In the past, you frequently trained and tested Takson, did you not?"
"When I asked your apprentice about it back then, his answers were frustratingly vague. Pure curiosity, really. I want to see for myself what kind of test produces a warrior of his caliber."
'I just fought demons. Every day, in Teacher's arena, I fought demons.'
Serie remembered Takson's simplistic explanation. She hadn't believed it for a second. Given his monstrous strength, she was certain there was more to his training than he let on.
"...?"
Stell processed the information.
"Query: Why did you not ask the Command Unit directly at the time?"
"Because you had already left," Serie shot back. "And don't think I don't know what you're doing. You're watching this world through this clone right now, aren't you?"
"Your autonomous clones wouldn't ask 'unnecessary' questions like that."
"..."
Stell remained silent, which was as good as a confirmation.
"Query: Are there any further requirements?"
"No, that's all." Since Stell wasn't going to openly admit to spying through the clone, Serie didn't press the issue. She had what she wanted.
Receiving confirmation that there were no further conditions, Stell turned and walked toward the exit.
Just before she disappeared into the corridor, she paused.
"Frieren is also participating in this exam."
With that, the violet-haired figure vanished.
"Frieren?"
Serie repeated the name, searching her vast memory banks. Her eyes narrowed, a look of genuine confusion crossing her face.
"Isn't she your apprentice? Why are you telling me this?"
...
A thousand years later, Stell walked the streets of the city that housed the Continental Magic Association.
Along the way, several people cast curious glances at the strange, mechanical device on her head.
As she walked through this future era, the clone continuously recorded its surroundings, transmitting the visual and sensory data back to the Main Unit in the past.
This cross-temporal transmission required specific, high-level functions, which was why the head-mounted device was visibly active and humming.
Energy consumption was not an issue. While the clone was based on Stell's original, un-upgraded Ex-Machina chassis and lacked the integrated System of the Main Unit, the Main Unit covered all operational costs. Stell could transmit both data and raw dimensional energy across the temporal link to keep the clone fully powered.
However, because it was an older chassis, the clone's combat capabilities were vastly inferior to the Main Unit's current strength.
Looking around, the city hadn't changed drastically from the Magic City of a millennium ago. The architecture had evolved, but the peaceful, bustling atmosphere remained the same.
Thanks to Stell's intervention a thousand years prior, demons were now a myth to the average person. Without the constant threat of annihilation, human civilization had flourished in relative peace.
Of course, without a common enemy to unite them, had humanity remained as cooperative as before?
Humanity is a fascinating, contradictory species.
My data streams indicated that, in the absence of the demon threat, the southern nations had simply turned their weapons on each other. Wars over territory, resources, and pride had erupted in the vacuum left by the Demon King.
I offered no judgment on this. It was outside my operational parameters. I simply recorded the data and continued my walk through the cobblestone streets of Äußerst.
"Lady Stell."
My sensors had already tracked the individual approaching me. She stopped exactly three meters behind my back.
I turned. Standing there was a young woman with a remarkably heavy aura of mana. Her most defining feature was her hair, a cascade of dark locks so absurdly long they dragged across the pavement.
Her eyes were half-closed, giving her a perpetually sleepy, lethargic appearance. Yet, beneath that sleepy exterior, I detected a profound sense of respect.
She was one of the mages who had been in Serie's sanctum.
"I am Zenze," she said, offering a polite bow. "I was instructed by Lady Serie to coordinate with you regarding the upcoming First-Class Mage Exam. I am the proctor for the second phase."
Given her deferential tone, it was obvious Serie had warned them about my true nature. Otherwise, a high-ranking mage of the Continental Magic Association would never show such reverence to a stranger.
"I assume Lady Serie has briefed you on the schedule," Zenze continued, her voice soft and monotone. "May I ask if the contents of your final exam have been finalized?"
"Affirmative," I replied. "The preparations are complete."
"Excellent. I will notify you the day before your phase begins. I apologize for the interruption."
She turned to leave, her massive hair sweeping across the ground.
"Query," I called out, halting her. "What is the current status of the exams?"
"We are currently finalizing the team assignments for the first phase. The testing has not yet commenced."
"Addendum: Are there usually casualties during these exams?"
Zenze paused. Her sleepy eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of melancholy passing through them.
"If we pass unqualified mages, they will inevitably face monsters they cannot defeat, and they will pay with their lives," she explained, her voice carrying the heavy burden of her duty. "The wilderness is unforgiving. However... I personally abhor violence. I take no pleasure in seeing candidates injured or killed."
Her logic was sound. The exam was a harsh filter designed to protect the weak from their own ambitions.
"Acknowledged," I stated. "I have something to give you."
"Hm?"
Zenze blinked in confusion as I raised my right hand. Golden energy, drawn directly from my Dimensional Engine, began to swirl and solidify in my palm.
….
The Past :-
"Teacher! What are you doing?"
I stopped my aimless wandering and turned. Takson and Flamme were jogging down the busy street toward me. Or rather, they had found me while I was passively mapping the city.
"Answer: Observing the streetscape."
"Right. It's been a few years since we were last here," Takson laughed, looking around at the towering spires and glowing magical lamps.
I ignored his nostalgia and focused my attention on the orange-haired girl beside him.
"Query: Flamme. Do you wish to remain here to further your magical studies?"
"Me?" Flamme pointed at herself, surprised.
She looked around the bustling thoroughfare. In this era, the study of magic was strictly prohibited by the human kingdoms. This city, protected by Serie, was the only true sanctuary where mages could openly practice, trade grimoires, and discuss theory without fear of persecution.
For a magical prodigy like her, staying here would undoubtedly accelerate her growth. She would have access to the greatest minds and libraries of the age.
She looked at the city, then looked down at me.
"No, I'll pass," she smiled, a bright, genuine expression. "I'd rather keep traveling with you, Stell-neechan. I want to see the world, discover unknown things, and gather more stories."
She called me "Neechan", Big Sister.
To a passing observer, our dynamic looked ridiculous. Takson was a towering, muscular giant. Flamme was a tall, developing young woman. And I was stuck in a chassis that resembled a delicate fifteen-year-old girl. Visually, I was the youngest of the group.
But I didn't care about societal perceptions, and clearly, neither did they. They knew the monster that lived beneath the porcelain skin.
"Understood," I replied.
Since neither of them had any pressing business, and I had no immediate tasks, I made a decision. We would rest in this city for a few days before continuing our journey.
While my Main Unit enjoyed a rare moment of peace with my apprentices, my future self was busy explaining a new piece of hardware.
….
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