The offer had been simple. Serie had laid it out in that calm, measured tone that made everything sound reasonable, even when it was clearly insane. Participate in the exam. Make Frieren lose her mind by any means necessary. Ragebait the ancient elf until she snapped. That was the plan in normal words.
Subaru had stared at Serie for a long moment, her mind racing. She had already stated that Frieren did not particularly like her, that the elf had attacked her on sight, that there was a history of violence between her and that boy. Serie had simply waved her hand, dismissing the concern. She would kill Subaru, she said, if the demon did not comply.
So Subaru was here, standing in the middle of a hall full of mages who were staring at her like she was a monster that had wandered into their midst. Stuck between the jealousy war of two ancient women. Serie and Frieren, two mages with centuries of history and a mutual dislike that seemed to have no end. And Subaru was the pawn they were using to play their game.
It is so annoying, she thought. I did not ask to be here. I did not ask to be a demon. I did not ask to be caught between two grumpy old women who have been fighting for longer than most civilizations have existed. I just wanted to find answers. I just wanted to go home.
But at least Serie had guaranteed her safety, provided she complied. If she followed the rules, if she participated in the exam, if she made Frieren's life difficult, she would survive. That was the deal.
Now, they wanted every participant to know that she was a demon. The turban was gone, her horns exposed, her nature revealed to the entire hall. Subaru felt the weight of their stares, the suspicion and fear and curiosity that radiated from every corner of the room. She wanted to disappear. She wanted to run. But she could not.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for familiar faces. She saw Übel leaning against a wall, her green hair bright against the stone, her expression smug. Übel wiggled her eyebrows at Subaru, a gesture that was somehow both teasing and threatening. Subaru felt a bead of sweat roll down her forehead.
Of course she is here, Subaru thought. Of course she is enjoying this. She probably planned this somehow. She probably knew this would happen.
Then the attack came.
"Zoltraak."
The word was sharp, cold, filled with killing intent. A beam of light shot across the hall, fast and precise, aimed directly at Subaru's heart. She had no time to think, no time to move. Her body tensed, her eyes widened, and she was one step away from jumping through the window.
Before the light could hit her, a mana shield appeared before her. The barrier was shimmering, translucent, and the beam struck it and dissipated, scattering into harmless sparks. Lernen stepped forward, his staff raised, his expression calm.
Subaru let out a breath she did not know she had been holding. Lernen, she noted. The old man who had interrogated her. The old man who had broken her bones. And now he was saving her.
"How can you let it join the exams?" Frieren's voice was cold, cutting through the murmur of the crowd. Her eyes were fixed on Subaru, her expression murderous. "This demon is extremely dangerous. It must die."
Sense, the proctor, replied in her usual flat monotone. "It was the command of Serie-sama."
Frieren's jaw tightened. "I refuse to join this exam."
Genau stepped forward, his voice firm. "You cannot bring violence into this hall. Otherwise, you will face consequences."
Lernen nodded. "It is fine if you want to leave, though you will miss the opportunity."
Frieren stared at Subaru. Her gaze was filled with fury, cold and sharp as a blade. Subaru flinched, her body shrinking back. She could feel the hatred radiating from the elf, the promise of violence that hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Then Frieren's shoulders relaxed, just slightly. Her voice was flat, controlled. "...Fine."
Subaru's heart was pounding. Her hands were shaking. She forced herself to stand still, to meet the elf's gaze, to not look away.
Genau clapped his hands together. "Great. Let the first phase begin!"