Danmachi: I Reincarnated as Frieren
####
Chapter 1 – Grow up and become an amazing man.
I won't be following the original danmachi story at all, be warned. I've also made changes to the world to try something new. The characters and the world remain practically the same, the biggest changes being the creation of the world tree and the change in the race of the elves.
####
It was 2AM, and the restaurant was about to close.
"Isaac, are the last dishes ready?"
"Almost done. Blake, is the sauce ready?!" I shouted.
"Yes, Chef!" Blake replied.
Then, after a few more minutes of pressure in the kitchen, the shift was finally over. I took off my hat and apron, walked over to the kitchen sink, and washed my sweaty face.
"Good work, Chef."
"Good work, Blake."
"Good work, Chef."
"Good work, Nicole."
The cooks started saying their goodbyes, and the waiters began cleaning the tables. I looked at the mess in the kitchen, then at the clock. "I need to let Kate know I might not come home tonight…"
I grabbed my smartphone and called Kate.
"Baby?"
"Did I wake you?"
"No, no. I was putting Noah to sleep," Kate replied.
"I see…" I felt a pang of guilt for not being there with her.
"Are you sleeping at the restaurant again tonight?" she asked, sounding a little sad.
"Don't worry. I'm heading home in five minutes." I looked at the dirty dishes and the mess, then decided to leave it for tomorrow. Since the restaurant opens 1PM, it should be fine.
"Hurry home. I already miss you," Kate said. She sounded sleepy, so I said goodbye and hung up, letting her rest. Then, I stepped out and spoke to the waitstaff.
I told them I was heading out and left the keys with the manager to lock up.
I reached the parking lot and got into my car.
Then, I looked at the photo of my son. A beautiful blonde boy, just like his mother. I couldn't help but smile like a fool as I started the engine.
Just the thought of getting home, kissing my son, and lying next to my wife made all the fatigue fade away.
"Yaaawn~~" I let out a big yawn.
Then, I began the drive home.
The restaurant wasn't far—just a twenty-minute drive.
"Damn, I'm so sleepy," I muttered while searching for caffeine pills in one of the compartments. The streets were empty, so I didn't feel in danger.
But suddenly—
"Shit!"
I felt a violent impact at the front of the car.
The windshield shattered, smeared with blood. I didn't know if it was human or animal—but it was blood.
I lost control of the car. I gripped the steering wheel. I slammed the brakes as hard as I could and tried to keep the car on the road, but I failed. I held my breath as I saw the car heading toward a building by the roadside.
I didn't even have time to see what it was.
A house? A restaurant? Maybe a roadside motel?
Then, a brutal impact shook my entire body. A deafening sound, followed by excruciating pain. It all happened in seconds.
When the noise faded into a haunting silence, I opened my eyes. The pain was unbearable. I tried to move, but couldn't.
Then I looked down.
A metal rod had pierced through my torso. I grabbed it with trembling hands as my vision turned red.
Blood was pouring from my head, streaming down my face.
It mixed with tears as I saw the state of my hands.
I don't know how it happened, but I had lost almost all of my fingers. They had been chopped off. The blood was gushing out non-stop, and I started to feel dizzy.
"Noah... Noah..." I kept repeating my son's name, even though it hurt to speak.
I couldn't breathe. Every time I tried, I choked and coughed up blood. My vision blurred more and more. "Noah…" I whispered again, looking at the photo.
Even though my car was totaled, the photo was still there, intact. It was just a little dusty.
Tears continued streaming down my face as I heard voices outside.
The corner of my lips curled into a faint smile as I lifted one of my mangled fingers toward the photo and drew a heart.
As darkness crept in and I feel death approaching, I wished over and over in my mind that my family would be okay without me.
'I hope Noah grows up to be an incredible man.'
####
I felt like I was floating in water. Calm. It was a warm, comforting place—like I was being embraced by something magical.
Everything around me was dark. Even with my eyes open, I couldn't see anything.
And I couldn't move my body.
'Scary… but pleasant…' Thinking was all I could do.
'Noah… Kate… Noah… Kate…'
'Pleasant…'
'So pleasant…'
I didn't know how long had passed, but it felt like I would never wake up.
'So this is what happens after death?'
'There's nothing?'
'Just darkness?'
'Am I going to stay here forever?'
Just as I thought that, I saw something in the distance.
A small white dot—like a star. A single star in an empty sky. That tiny light gave me hope that I wasn't alone in this place.
I smiled—at least, I think I did. I couldn't feel if I had a mouth.
The little light in the distance began to grow closer.
The nearer it came, the warmer I felt, and the better it felt.
When it was just a few meters away, I began to see something.
'Leaves? A tree?'
I saw large green leaves falling. It was as if the glowing orb were a screen showing something.
'What is this?'
Then, the image of a massive tree appeared. A tree so tall, it reached the clouds. Its trunk was as wide as a village. Around it, I could see structures—buildings.
'What is this place?'
Though I didn't recognize it, it felt oddly familiar.
My body began to burn, and then the light engulfed me. As it did, the tree vanished, and everything around me turned blindingly bright. Then—darkness again.
But something was different this time.
I felt like I was lying on something soft, not floating.
And when I tried to open my mouth—I could.
"Hm?" A strange sound escaped, and slowly, my eyes opened.
Above me, I saw the inside of a tree trunk—stretching several meters high. "What is this?" I mumbled, struggling to sit up.
I looked around.
Everywhere I looked, I saw the inside of the trunk.
'Am I… inside a tree?' I stepped out of the wooden coffin and noticed I was high up, but there was a staircase leading downward.
It was incredible—a massive space inside the trunk of a tree.
'Am I dreaming?' I wondered as I descended the stairs.
At the bottom, in front of me, stood a door—massive, easily over five meters tall.
'This is insane.'
I looked back at the stairs leading to the wooden coffin. Inside, there were leaves—that's why it felt soft.
But besides the coffin, there was nothing else.
'Is this really inside a tree?' I asked myself as I wandered around.
As I walked, a sudden sharp pain hit my head.
Memories flooded into my mind.
Memories from thousands of years ago.
'Frieren? My name is Frieren?'
When all the memories had fully entered my mind, something appeared before my eyes:
Name: Frieren
Cultivation: 1st Magic Circle – First Layer
"… What the hell is this?"
The blinding headache became unbearable, and I lost consciousness.
####
Chapter 2 – Panic.
I slowly opened my eyes. I had no idea how much time had passed—since it's illuminated inside the tree, I had no sense of time. I stood up, holding my head, the pain still lingering.
'Those memories.'
My mind had been flooded with years and years of history—the history of an elf… Frieren. 'Frieren, I know her.'
I used to watch anime in my free time. I started back in the '90s and kept watching until 2025, the year that accident happened. I remember a recently released anime where the main character's name is Frieren.
'And I look exactly the same.'
I had received memories from the moment of my birth.
I remember falling from a great height, crashing toward the ground. My body, that of a 12 or 13-year-old girl, landed on a pile of large, soft leaves—the same leaves that were inside that coffin.
I looked toward the staircase.
I remembered the years that passed, remembered living alone for almost three hundred years.
I remembered elves being born from the leaves of a great tree—the same tree I saw before. 'And I'm probably inside that very same tree.'
I remembered how the elves treated me like a queen, and how a village was built around the Great Tree. I personally helped most of them build their homes. A massive civilization grew over the course of more than two hundred years.
And during those 200 years, many elves died—and I suffered greatly. I felt each and every death.
A wave of anguish filled my chest as I recalled every fallen elf, whether by monsters or by humans.
Tears began to roll down my face.
"Each one... I remember every single one of them. Their names, their faces, everything."
And not just the fallen elves—I also remembered the evolution of the world in detail. I watched cities rise, each and every one.
I witnessed all the wars—and even took part in some of them, leading the elves.
I was always on the front lines. Known as the most powerful mage in the world—even by the gods themselves.
Yes, gods.
I remembered the day the gods descended, during the so-called "Era of the Gods." I remembered the founding of Orario, and also the creation of the Dungeon.
I remembered how the world expanded madly.
I remembered the mountains becoming a temporary home for some elves—and I personally took care of that.
But in the end, the village was destroyed.
And years after that happened, I was finally recognized as the Queen of the Elves.
The elves had already consider me their queen, but it wasn't until much later that the gods themselves acknowledged me as such.
And after being named Queen of the Elves, something happened.
Suddenly, I was poisoned by someone unknown.
Days of suffering followed.
Many claimed a god had poisoned me. Or perhaps a god cast some kind of curse upon me.
No one knows the reason behind it.
My body began to deteriorate rapidly. Within days, my mana started to vanish and my body grew thin and weak.
I remember my body being carried by two elf to the tree—the World Tree.
When I was brought into the tree's trunk, cradled in the arms of one of the warriors, I felt my body slowly begin to recover. But it wasn't enough to keep me conscious.
I have fragments of memories—faces full of sorrow and desperation. A man and a woman.
Kraft and Serie.
"I know them."
I know who they truly are. They're two elves of the story "Sousou no Frieren"... And I am Frieren. "What kind of madness is this? What kind of story is this?"
I looked down and noticed my body was clothed in a spotless white robe.
Then, I moved the robe aside to look at my body.
"..." There were breasts there. Small, but unmistakably feminine.
And I couldn't feel my penis.
I ran my hand through my long silver hair and over my face.
My skin was so soft to the touch.
"What the hell is happening here?" I said as I walked toward the door that led outside the tree. But just as I thought about leaving, I remembered what had happened before I fell into that deep sleep.
All the despair and commotion among the elves.
How much they loved and revered me.
If I suddenly appeared out there, they might get overly excited. And I'm not exactly fond of "celebrations."
Damn it, isn't this weird?
I'm in Frieren's body—in the world of DanMachi.
Yes, I've watched DanMachi too. I remember the gods, I remember Orario, and the Dungeon. I recall a few characters—but only a few. The world is completely different.
There's no World Tree in DanMachi, and elves don't live for thousands of years.
There is a queen of the elves—but she's never even shown. At least I don't remember her. 'But I'm certain it's not Frieren.'
I sat on one of the steps and began biting my delicate fingernails. Those past memories kept pounding in my head, making me anxious.
I need to check on the elves. They're my people.
"No, what am I thinking? My name is Isaac. I'm human." I slapped my face a few times. "I'm not Frieren. This isn't my place. I shouldn't be this worried about these people."
I stood up and began pacing around, then suddenly shouted:
"God! Why are you doing this!?"
"Why did I end up in this world? And why is Frieren part of it—and why am I in her body!?"
Of course, there was no answer.
But I realized that shouting might attract attention from outside.
Yet, minutes passed—and no one came.
My anxiety surged, and my heart started pounding. My fingers began to bleed from all the nail-biting. 'I have to leave. I have to leave. I have to leave.'
I kept repeating it in my mind over and over.
Step by step, I walked toward the exit.
I could see rays of light—it was daytime outside.
Nervous, I slowly touched the wood in front of me. As I did, a pale light glowed, and I felt my body grow warm.
[ You have absorbed 'Primordial Element' from the World Tree ]
[ Primordial Element +1 ]
"..."
The pale-white message vanished, and the wooden door in front of me slowly opened. It didn't creak. Not a sound. I held my breath as the door gradually gave way.
When it finally opened, I was blinded for a few seconds.
A strong wind hit my face, blowing my hair back. A cold wind.
Slowly, my vision adjusted to the brightness.
And what I saw before me—threw me into a panic.
####
Chapter 3 – Serie.
Nothing but pure destruction. There were houses, but they were destroyed and abandoned. So much time had passed since everything was destroyed that the houses had been consumed by nature.
The forest had swallowed them all.
I stood frozen, my heart pounding.
That overwhelming feeling of sadness grew stronger. It felt as if a part of me had been ripped away. No… it felt like most of me was gone. Like my entire family had died.
"No… All these elves were my family."
Memories of the city's growth, the birth of the elves, and the bonds I had built with everyone flooded my mind. They were joyful memories, but at the same time, deeply painful. Memories from centuries ago.
I felt like I was going to die.
I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face as I stared at all the destruction. There was no sign of life—only the trees remained.
I pressed my forehead against the ground, and a pool of tears began to form.
My heart is shattered… But why?
"My name is Isaac… My name is Isaac… My name is Isaac…" I began to repeat those words over and over, trying to stop the tears. But the flood of memories consumed my entire former self.
The memories of my wife and children were buried beneath the weight of the countless memories this body had lived through.
"I don't want this… I don't want to live in this world. Please, take me out of here!" I screamed at whoever had brought me to this place. Probably a god playing some cruel trick on me.
This has to be a mistake.
I'm not the right person for this role.
"I don't have confidence in myself. I can't bear all this pain. Make it stop!" I screamed.
But the tears wouldn't stop.
The silence around me was terrifying.
Not even the leaves made a sound. The wind, once strong, had gone still.
I lifted my head and looked forward.
And when I did, I saw someone.
"Serie…"
"..."
Serie stood there, tears running down her face, staring at my probably devastated expression. She was frozen.
She wasn't like this.
Serie never cried—this had to be a mistake.
"My Queen…" she said, her voice trembling.
Tears still in my eyes, I stood up.
Slowly, I walked toward her.
Standing face-to-face, it felt like I was seeing a close friend again after thousands of years. Without thinking, I embraced her. And as I did, I began to cry again.
I was never like this—but I didn't care.
I cried together with Serie for a long time.
When my tears finally stopped, Serie looked into my eyes and said,
"Welcome back. I always knew you would wake up."
"I'm back, Serie." I smiled brightly.
Suddenly, I became someone entirely different. A person with a single mission.
To save the elves from complete extinction.
####
When the emotional reunion finally ended and I managed to calm down, I sat beside Serie in front of the door carved into the tree's trunk. We sat together, staring out at the forest and the devastation.
"What happened while I was asleep?" I asked. It was something I didn't know—I had no memories of it.
But Serie, who had lived through it all, surely did.
"It's hard to remember everything… it's been so long." Serie looked up at the blue sky and let out a long sigh. "Not long after you fell into your deep slumber, the problems began. First, the loss of mana."
"Loss of mana?"
"That's right. The World Tree began to lose its power, and the elves started to weaken. You are the foundation of the World Tree, my Queen."
"…"
Yes, I was the first to be born. I am the queen of the elves. But I didn't know I was the foundation of the World Tree.
"The strength of the elves started to fade, little by little. After that, many elves died inside the dungeon or in political conflicts."
"Political conflicts?"
"Yes. The empire and other nations attacked the forest multiple times over the span of three hundred years. The number of elves dropped drastically. Elves stopped being born. As you know, we can't reproduce—we are born from the tree. And that… stopped happening."
Yes, that's true. Elves are pure beings. Some elves do it for pleasure, but they were always the minority. Most didn't care for such things.
"For many years after you fell asleep, elves continued to be born. But eventually, it stopped. Our strength began to fade away."
"And the humans took advantage of that to destroy us?"
From what I remembered, there had been many conflicts with humans, so it didn't surprise me.
"Yes. The weaker elves died in the dungeon, trying to grow stronger through the so-called 'Falna' given by the gods—or they died in war. The stronger elves… they held on longer, but…"
"In the end, only you remained."
"No, not at all. There are still some elves scattered around the world, like Ryuu."
Ryuu… I remembered that name. But her story wasn't supposed to be like this. Everything had changed.
"She's living in Orario?"
"That's right. She lost more than half her strength but regained it after joining a Familia."
"Ryuu joined a Familia?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, she did. But I haven't spoken to her in a long time. I'd rather live here, in this place, than get involved in all that chaos."
"You're right. We shouldn't trust them. The humans…"
"And the gods," Serie finished for me. "Do you have any idea who caused all of this?"
"No, I don't. I don't remember eating anything strange before falling ill. I didn't do anything unusual. The memories are still fresh—I remember everything."
"Then maybe a curse?"
"But a curse powerful enough to affect me like this? Me—the so-called foundation of the World Tree?!"
"…"
"It's okay, Serie. Everything is okay now." I smiled.
"Are you really okay? You don't look it."
"No. I'm not okay at all. How could I be calm in a situation like this? Look around."
"…"
"I want revenge, Serie. I want to rebuild this place."
"Queen, please…"
"I'm serious, Serie. I will recover everything—all that we lost while I was asleep inside that wooden coffin. I will restore the glory of the elves."
"Will you trust me?" I asked her.
Serie, surprised, said, "You've changed, my Queen. Yes, I trust you. I will always be by your side. Even if I have to give my life for you—I will."
"Don't say that, even as a joke, Serie. No other elf will die while I'm still alive."
"…"
####
Chapter 4 – Primordial element.
After my conversation with Serie, I stood up and returned to the inside of the tree. I approached the coffin and gave it a second look. There was nothing particularly special about it.
"We built this the same day you fell asleep."
I tried to remember, but couldn't.
"We did it without telling you, because we knew you wouldn't hold on much longer. We wanted a proper place to keep your body."
"Yes… It turned out perfect." I smiled, then looked at Serie. "Serie, I want you to summarize everything that's happened recently. I know you told me what happened after I 'slept,' but I want to know about something current. Something I should be worried about."
"Nothing unusual has happened recently. The world remains as unfair and dull as always."
"I see. What happened to Kraft? Did he die recently?" I asked, already feeling a wave of sadness wash over me.
"He died over a hundred years ago."
"I see..." I smiled softly, remembering his face.
He was someone I always liked. A trustworthy right hand—just like Serie.
"He died with honor, doing everything he could to restore the glory of the elves."
"Was it during one of the wars?"
"No. He was killed by humans who raided the village in search of your body."
"What? Really?"
"Yes, humans from the Empire. I subdued them with Kraft's help. Their bodies were left nearby—what was left of them, anyway." Serie wore a sorrowful expression, recalling the events of that day.
I let out a sigh and chose not to ask for more details.
'So the humans wanted my body. Probably to dissect it or something… Horrifying.'
I left the tree alongside Serie. Once outside, I placed my hand on its trunk.
As soon as I did, a message appeared before my eyes:
[World Tree]
Level: 1
Class: Source of Primordial Element
Max Primordial Element: 100
Regeneration: 1/unit per minute
Current Primordial Element Amount: 100/100
Elves Created: 0/5
Current Exp: 0/1000
Special Ability: Elven Creation (spend mana to create a new elf)
I was speechless. I looked at Serie with uncertainty and asked, "Serie, can you see this?"
"Hm? See what?"
"…"
She can't see it—so this is something only I have access to. Isn't that amazing? A system that allows me to evolve the World Tree! 'Elves Created: 0/5'—I can even create elves!
I looked up and finally realized how massive this tree truly is.
It stretched up into the clouds, but... its leaves were dry, almost lifeless. And there were so few of them.
Serie also looked up and said, "Since you died, it's only gotten worse. I thought the day would come when all the leaves would fall and vanish."
"..." I felt a tightness in my chest. "Don't worry anymore, Serie. I'll restore the World Tree. I'll return it to its former glory. I'll bring back the Mother of the Elves."
Just as I finished speaking, I thought I saw the tree shimmer faintly.
I reached out and smiled.
[You have absorbed 'Primordial Element' from the World Tree]
[Primordial Element +1]
Then, my status window finally opened.
Name: Frieren
Cultivation: 1st Magic Circle – First Layer
Magical Proficiency: 0/100
Mana: 0/100
Primordial Elements Collected: 2
Talent: Rapid Conversion (+10% conversion rate)
As soon as I saw my status, new information flooded my mind.
Details about how the entire system worked. I understood everything in a second. I smiled—excited for the first time since I arrived in this world.
"What is it, my queen?"
"Nothing. I'm just happy to be back."
####
I asked Serie to leave me alone inside the tree's trunk.
Then, I placed my hand on the trunk once more.
I began receiving several notifications from the system, saying that I had absorbed all the 'Primordial Element.'
In a matter of seconds, I had absorbed all 100 units produced by the tree. After that, I returned to the coffin and sat inside. I crossed my legs and rested my hands on my knees.
Then, I closed my eyes and focused.
[Do you wish to convert 100 units of Primordial Element into mana?]
"Yes."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest.
In the darkness before me, something appeared.
A white circle hovered in the void as the warmth in my chest intensified.
I don't know how long it lasted—minutes, maybe hours—but I stayed motionless the entire time.
Suddenly, the circle vanished, and I opened my eyes.
My body was drenched in sweat.
[You converted 100 units of 'Primordial Element' into 'Mana']
[Magical Proficiency +100]
[You have reached the second layer]
[Max Mana +]
[Conversion improved by 10%]
After receiving all the system messages, I opened my status again:
Name: Frieren
Cultivation: 1st Magic Circle – Second Layer (Conversion bonus +10%)
Magical Proficiency: 0/200
Mana: 100/200
Primordial Elements Collected: 2
Talent: Rapid Conversion (+10% conversion rate)
Now I'm in the second layer of the First Magic Circle. That's great. "It's very simple."
Basically, I can collect 'Primordial Elements' and convert them into mana by cultivating. However, the conversion is slow. For each unit converted, I gain one point of 'Magical Proficiency.'
When Magical Proficiency reaches the maximum, I advance to the next layer.
And with each layer, I can store more mana and my magic become stronger.
'Fortunately, I have countless spells stored in my memory after living so long, so I don't need the system for that. I just need it to grow stronger.'
But this system doesn't only increase my power.
I approached the tree's trunk and placed my hand on it.
As I did, another message appeared:
[Do you wish to return mana to the World Tree?]
"Yes."
All my mana was quickly drained. For every mana point absorbed, the tree's "Current Exp" increased by two. In other words, I can use my mana to level up the tree.
As it levels up, it will generate more Primordial Elements.
In other words, it becomes a snowball effect.
I evolve the tree, and at the same time, I evolve too.
By evolving the tree, I can also create elves. I already can create five, but I won't do that just yet. For now, I need to focus on myself—and on Serie.
As the tree recovers, elves like Serie and Ryuu will also regain their former strength passively.
That's wonderful.
Those were all the details I received.
After learning all this, I left the tree's trunk and found Serie sitting outside.
"Good morning, Serie."
"You finally came out! I was so worried. I thought you had fallen asleep again! I couldn't even get close to you!" Serie was panicking.
"What do you mean?"
"You were sitting in the same position for three whole days! And I couldn't get near you. I thought something had gone wrong. I was so worried! Are you alright? Do you feel sick?"
"I feel great. Better than ever." I replied cheerfully.
"..." Serie's eyes filled with tears.
She's completely different from the Serie I remember. I'm not sure if I like that.
####
Chapter 5 – I have to keep training.
After talking with her a bit more, I felt my stomach start to growl.
When she heard it, Serie ran off and came back with some fruit for me to eat.
"This is all we have," she said.
"No meat?"
"The animals nearby have disappeared. There are mountains to the east—lots of monsters and animals can be found there."
"That's fine. I can survive with this."
I ate the fruit quickly. The hunger was unbearable. As I ate, I noticed Serie staring at me, so I asked, "Aren't you going to eat something too?"
"It's fine. I ate before you woke up."
"…"
So, I ate everything.
It wasn't enough to satisfy my hunger, but it was okay.
I even considered going to the mountains to hunt for food, but now's not the right time.
I stood up and looked around. Nightfall was approaching. "Serie, do monsters show up here at night?"
"Since we don't have the protection of the World Tree anymore, yes. Many of them come down from the mountains and head this way. They can appear during the day too, but it's more common at night."
"Alright, let's head inside and hide, then."
"It's fine. I have a place to stay. I don't want to bother you."
"I insist that you stay with me. I need to explain my current situation."
"Did something happen?"
"Come on, let's go inside."
We entered the tree, and I closed the entrance behind us. Then I turned to her and said, "I'm going to tell you what I'll be doing over the next few days."
"…"
"Hah, no need to be nervous." I smiled. "I'm not planning to do anything dangerous. For the next few days, I'll stay inside the World Tree and focus entirely on my training. While I do that, I need you to protect my body."
"But why do I need to protect your body? You've always taught everyone that repetition is the best training. Casting a single spell over and over again, for years if necessary. What changed?"
"Everything has changed. Just do as I ask."
"Alright. You don't need to ask twice. I'll protect your body with my life. If you say it's necessary, then I'll do it."
"Thank you, Serie."
I walked to the trunk of the tree and collected the 100 Primordial Elements it had produced.
After that, I climbed the stairs to the wooden coffin. I sat down on it and crossed my legs.
Serie followed me up the stairs and came closer.
"Don't touch me, Serie. Just leave me here—however long it takes."
"Understood, my Queen."
Serie bowed her head in respect and went back downstairs.
I smiled, satisfied, and closed my eyes.
Seconds later, my single magic circle appeared, floating in the darkness.
####
The magic circle floating in front of me had grown larger and denser.
Golden threads now swirled around it, like a silver ring turning into gold ring.
Slowly, the color of the circle began to change.
A wave of heat swept through my entire body.
Even though I was floating in a vast, endless darkness with only my circle, I could feel everything—every change in my body.
Now partially golden, the circle began to fade.
Then, I opened my eyes.
[ Mana +100 ]
[ Magic Proficiency +100 ]
I looked at my body—it was drenched in sweat.
I rose from the coffin and approached the trunk again to collect more Primordial Elements, but just as I got close, the door opened.
Serie came in, carrying a basket full of fruit.
"My Queen, you're finally awake."
"Ah, Serie. I'm awake, but I plan to return to training."
I began collecting the Primordial Elements from the tree—another 100 gathered.
"What? Again? But you look exhausted."
She is right.
Even though I had more mana in my body, I felt drained. Very drained. I couldn't stop sweating, and my hands were slightly trembling.
"Don't overdo it, my Queen. Eat something and rest. There's no need to push yourself—no one even knows you've woken up yet. No one will come here to cause trouble."
"We can't be sure of that."
I walked toward the stairs to return to the coffin.
Even though I was tired, I was certain I wouldn't die from training.
I could handle the fatigue.
"At least eat something!" Serie raised the basket, and I looked down at it.
Seeing it full of fruit, I sighed. I walked back down the stairs.
Serie let out a sigh of relief—only for me to take the basket and head right back up again.
"You can go now. I'll eat—don't worry."
"…"
Though still concerned, she left.
I placed the basket beside the wooden coffin and sat down, cross-legged.
Before starting cultivation again, I grabbed one of the fruits and ate it quickly.
It eased both my hunger and thirst.
"All right. Let's begin."
I got into position and closed my eyes.
####
POV: Serie
Several days have passed, and the Queen remains inside the tree, doing her so-called training. It's a form of training I've never seen before—something new.
Probably a new method she created herself.
That's just who she is.
Intelligent and strong.
With a basket full of fruit I'd gathered, I approached the tree's entrance and stepped inside.
As soon as I entered, I saw the Goddess sitting in her coffin.
Her long silver hair swayed in the breeze coming through the door.
A strong wind.
Then, her eyes slowly opened.
Her green eyes—like precious gemstones—fell on me, and I felt chills run through my entire body.
She's so beautiful. Her aura is divine.
The Queen's lips curved into a smile.
Her white robe dragged along the stairs as she descended.
"I've finally reached the Fifth Circle."
"Fifth Circle?"
I didn't understand what she meant by that, but I was sure it was something good.
"Here, for you."
I stepped forward and tried to hand her the basket, but she walked past me, and her pleasant scent reached my nose.
She approached the tree and placed her hand on it.
"Perfect."
After saying that, I saw her eyes shine with a golden light.
At the same time, I felt my body fill with energy—like it was being infused with mana.
"The tree…"
My eyes widened.
I remembered the past. The powers of the tree.
"Are they… coming back?"
####
Chapter 6 – Is Time So Important?
POV: Frieren
"I finally reached the Fifth Layer," I said as I walked down the stairs. I made it to the lower floor and passed by Serie. I didn't really hear what she said, but I noticed she was carrying another basket of fruit.
I approached the trunk of the tree and placed my hand on it.
Then, I started pouring all the mana I had accumulated into the tree, converting it into EXP.
Name: Frieren
Cultivation: 1st Magic Circle – Fifth Layer (Conversion Bonus +50%)
Magic Proficiency: 0/1,600
Mana: 0/1,600
Collected Elements: 0
Talent: Rapid Conversion (Conversion +10%)
After giving all my mana to the tree, I started feeling a bit dizzy.
Then, I checked the tree's status. It had finally leveled up.
[World Tree]
Level: 2
Class: Source of Primordial Element
Maximum Primordial Element: 200
Regeneration: 1 unit per minute
Current Primordial Element: 100/200
Elves Created: 0/10
Current EXP: 600/2000
Special Ability: Elven Creation (uses mana to create a new elf)
Abilities:
Mana Generation - Generates a total of 2 mana points per minute to all elves within a 100-meter radius.
After just one level up, its maximum primordial element increased to 200, and the number of elves I could create also went up. But the most important thing was the new ability the tree had acquired.
"Mana generation... That's amazing. My mana will now regenerate automatically, and I can use it to further level up the tree. Two mana per minute isn't much, but it helps."
I wouldn't need to spend days cultivating my magic circle just to build up mana anymore.
Still, without cultivation, I can't increase my own strength, so I have to keep training.
"Queen?"
"Oh, Serie."
"What's happening? I feel like something changed. The tree…"
"Yes, the tree started generating mana again. But it's a very small amount. And it only provides mana to elves nearby."
"But isn't that amazing?!" Serie threw the basket of fruit to the ground and shouted with excitement.
"It is amazing, but like I said, it's still a small amount. It'll improve over time."
"How did you do it?"
"It's hard to explain. I'll tell you later. I need to get back to training."
"Hey, that's enough already, okay? You need to rest a little! Do you even realize how much time has passed?"
"Does it matter? Time isn't that important."
"What?"
"We're elves, Serie. We live for thousands of years. Spending a few days training makes no difference."
"Even though we live long lives, we can still die of exhaustion, Your Majesty."
"Don't worry, I feel great."
"You don't look like it. You're paler than usual, and your hands are shaking."
"…" I looked at my own hands and noticed they were trembling quite a bit. Huff~ I sighed and smiled at Serie. "Alright, I'll take a break. But I want meat."
"Got it, I'll take care of it." Serie ran out of the tree, and I placed my hand on the trunk again.
I thought about creating some elves, but reconsidered and gave up on the idea.
[You have absorbed 'Primordial Element' from the World Tree]
[Primordial Element +106]
####
After collecting the primordial elements from the tree, I opened my status to see how much mana I had recovered.
Mana: 20/1,600
"It's only been 10 minutes?"
I walked to the door and opened it. I saw the outside of the tree for the first time in a while. How long had I been inside? Days, certainly—but how many? At least my conversion is getting faster and faster.
In front of the tree's door was a staircase, and at the bottom of it, a stone path leading to a street. The village had several stone-paved streets. There were houses—many of them destroyed and reclaimed by nature. I started walking, searching for memories of when these houses were built.
Everywhere I went, memories resurfaced.
"That house over there… That's where Serie used to live." A large, two-story house.
It wasn't far from the tree.
It was one of the only well-preserved houses. She probably still lives here.
I opened the front door. The interior was beautiful, well-decorated. All the furniture was, of course, made of wood. With a smile on my face, I started walking around the house. I remembered visiting this place long ago.
Even after so long, not much had changed.
"What's this?" On the wall, I saw a large portrait of myself. A painting. "She likes me that much?" I laughed.
That's when I started to hear noises from outside.
A loud sound—like a small explosion.
"Serie?"
I called out to her.
But there was no answer.
'What's going on?'
I had closed the door, so I carefully opened it to see what was happening. But as soon as I touched the handle, I began to hear footsteps on the other side.
Heavy footsteps.
Human—or monster.
I held my breath and stepped away from the door.
The footsteps were getting closer.
I opened my status and saw that my mana had stopped regenerating.
'Damn, I can't use magic with so little mana.'
I moved away from the front door and went to Serie's kitchen. I looked for something I could use as a weapon.
I found a large knife in one of the drawers and grabbed it.
Then I went silent and waited.
Maybe I'm being a coward—but I'm not strong enough to face a monster right now.
And whatever's outside sounds dangerous.
'Has it gone?'
Minutes passed, and the footsteps faded away.
So I approached the door and slowly opened it, still holding the knife.
The door creaked as I opened it. I held my breath, and my heart raced when I saw something black right by the entrance. A paw—some kind of beast.
I looked up—and saw fierce eyes staring at me.
'Is that a damn bear?!'
ROOOOARR~~
The beast roared, and I stabbed the knife into its eye with all my strength.
The bear slammed its paws into the door, tearing it off and flinging me backward. I crashed into a small table in the center of the room but somehow landed on my feet. The bear was big—but not as large as I had expected.
It looked like a black bear, but far more grotesque.
With the knife still stuck in its eye, the bear charged at me.
'I need to stay calm. I can kill this thing.'
####
Chapter 7 – Zoltraak.
The bear stood still, staring at me. I could feel its bloodlust. I swallowed hard and started taking slow steps backward. 'I need to get out of here as quickly as possible. I have to distract it with something.'
Unfortunately, I don't have any physical strength.
I opened my status and noticed that my mana had recovered a bit more. I was still about 100 meters from the tree.
'Here it comes.'
The bear leaped toward me. It jumped over the small table in the center of the room. I turned and ran into another room. I heard the wooden table shatter behind me. Breathing heavily, I locked myself inside the kitchen.
I looked at the window and noticed it was locked. But since it was made of glass, I could break it if I had to.
Then, the bear slammed into the kitchen door, breaking both the door and part of the wall.
'There's no time.'
I glanced to the side and saw some knives. Before the bear could reach me, I used magic to make all the knives float in the air and then sent them flying at high speed toward the bear's other eye.
The bear couldn't react in time, and two knives lodged deep into its eye.
While the bear roared in pain, I grabbed a pan and hurled it at the window. The glass shattered, but there were still some wooden planks blocking the way. I climbed onto the counter and did everything I could to break through the wood.
Fortunately, I managed it.
While I was doing that, the bear began to recover. Even without its sight, its sense of smell and hearing were incredibly sharp.
It knew exactly where I was.
So, I used every bit of my mana to create a single attack.
I felt an adrenaline rush like never before.
"Zoltraak!"
The spell formed in a single second and drained all my mana. A powerful attack shot straight at the bear's head, hitting it directly.
When the magic hit, there was a small explosion. I felt the shockwave in my body. The bear was blasted backward and slammed into the kitchen wall.
I finally broke through the window planks and jumped out of Serie's house.
The adrenaline was so intense that I had no idea where I even was.
I looked back and kept moving away.
I kept my eyes on the window as I retreated. A few meters away, I waited, expecting the bear to appear again—but it didn't. Breathing heavily, I collapsed onto the ground.
I didn't feel this exhausted even when I gave all my mana to the tree.
But thankfully, my mana was already starting to recover.
I looked back and saw the tree, glowing with a beautiful silver light.
Its leaves had started to recover.
'Did it die?' I lay on the ground, staying there for long minutes. The bear showed no signs of life.
Since I don't have some cliché RPG anime system, I didn't get any bonus for killing that bear.
After a few more minutes, I finally stood up.
I went over to the kitchen window and peeked inside. That's when I saw the bear's body. I thought it hadn't died, but surviving something like that was impossible. My spell had nearly "eaten" away the bear's entire head.
Not only that, it had blasted a hole right through Serie's house wall.
A lot of things got destroyed.
"But I used so little mana…" I gave a bitter smile.
I went around and entered through the front door. I headed to the kitchen to take a closer look at the bear's body. The wound was ugly, but I didn't feel disgusted by it. This body of mine had seen far worse.
The memories I can access… are something else.
"What do I do now? Should I wait for Serie to come back?"
That's when I heard footsteps.
Someone running.
"I heard something and came running—what's going on here?"
It was Serie, her clothes stained with blood and her face filled with pure concern.
"A little monster showed up out of nowhere," I said, trying to sound calm. But honestly, I had been terrified of dying.
Serie was speechless for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.
####
I left the problem to Serie and left her house to explore the area a bit more. The village was actually quite large. In my memories, it felt smaller than this. Unfortunately, there's no life in this place.
And this place... is it even possible to bring it back?
Even if I bring the elves back, could they still use these houses?
After walking around for a bit longer, I returned to Serie's house. She had already started dismantling the monster to collect the meat.
"Serie, do you have paper and a pen around here?"
"Huh? Why?"
"I need to do something."
"Upstairs, in my room."
I climbed the stairs and went into Serie's room. A small and simple room.
I found some paper and a pen there. I sat on the bed and placed the paper on the floor. It felt cozy. 'Such a soft bed. Way softer than those leaves,' I thought as I started sketching on the paper.
And what was I doing? A map, based on my memories.
In the past, Frieren had traveled almost the entire world, and I had access to all those memories. But what helped the most was the fact that she had studied so many maps before.
"If the world hasn't changed much while she was asleep, it should still look like this…"
I finished the entire map in just a few minutes. Of course, it wasn't too detailed.
"Orario is here. The Empire... Altena, Agris... And the nearby mountains are called the Beol Mountains."
I remembered those mountains being mentioned when I was still "Isaac", but there was no elf village or world tree near the mountain back then.
That mountain was where the elven village once stood before it was destroyed.
I wonder what that place looks like now.
"Alright."
I folded the map and took it with me downstairs.
"Serie, I'm hungry."
"I'll start preparing the food in a bit. You can sit and read something while you wait."
"What do you have to read here?"
"Take a look. There are some good books on magic."
"Oh…"
"Yes, you wrote them. Don't you remember?"
"Now that you mention it…"
I remembered writing several books. Though I wasn't sure about the contents of all of them.
I recalled starting to write books about magic, and they eventually spread, especially in Altena. They became quite popular. I had taught many spells from Frieren's world.
'How interesting.'
I sat down and picked up one of the books. A kind of grimoire.
Keeping a neutral expression, I opened the book.
####
Chapter 8 – Something good and bad. Ryuu Lion.
When I started reading what I had written, I began to remember the time I wrote this book. All my books were written inside the World Tree. Yes, every single one of them. Before the inside of the World Tree became my "tomb," it was a place I loved to spend time in.
Yes, I remember things like that.
Spending countless hours a day inside the World Tree. But I wasn't there cultivating or training—I was just sitting there.
Either sitting and doing nothing, or writing something. All of them were written under those circumstances.
'All these things are still in my mind.'
The control of magic, the evolution of magic, the training, spells, etc... Everything that's taught here still lingers in my mind. I haven't forgotten a thing. "It's all so basic. Is this really so beloved by people?"
Serie overheard my question and answered, "Even though it's simple, it's very detailed and well explained. You've helped many people."
"Unfortunately, all this knowledge also fell into human hands..."
"..."
Back then, elves and humans used to get along "well," but now we're almost enemies. At least, that's how I see them. They killed my friends and tried to steal my body. 'How do Ryuu and the other elves even have the courage to live in Orario?'
I put the book back where I found it and went over to Serie.
I had some knowledge, so I helped her clean the bear's body. But I left all the cooking to Serie and decided to lie down. 'I'm still recovering.' Minutes passed, and my mana had already recovered a little.
I feel much better now.
After lying there for a few more minutes, I ended up falling asleep and was later woken by Serie. She had already set the table. As soon as I saw that big pot full of meat, my mouth started to water.
It probably won't taste as good as the meat I used to cook in my old world, but it should be good enough.
Going without eating meat is HORRIBLE!
I filled my plate with meat and started eating.
The first thing I noticed was… this meat is really fatty.
I've never eaten bear meat before, so this was a new experience. Many people love fatty meat, but I'm not one of them. And besides being greasy, the flavor is very strong.
'Hmmm…'
But even if it's not exactly pleasant, it's still better than eating just fruit.
So, I cleared my plate.
When I finished eating, Serie asked:
"So? What did you think?"
"Horrible," I replied.
"..." Serie's eyes widened.
"It's not your fault—the seasoning was good. The meat itself is just awful. Way too greasy, and the flavor is way too strong. I didn't like it."
"Since when did you become a meat expert?"
"Well…"
I still have Isaac's memories. Memories buried among Frieren's memories.
I know I'm Isaac, and I remember being a chef.
I also had a family. A family I left behind.
Other than that, I don't remember much.
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Although forgetting most of my past life may seem like a terrible thing, it helps me. Without these memories, I won't have to suffer remembering everything I left behind in my old world.
I'm not sure if that makes sense, but I think it does.
"Well, I guess my taste buds have gotten more sensitive," I said to Serie.
"Then we'll just have to find better meat. I'll go hunting while you do your training, don't worry."
"Thank you, Serie."
####
POV: Ryuu Lion
"Hm?"
"What is it, Ryuu?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
I was resting in the staff room at the restaurant when, all of a sudden, I felt something strange. A sensation I hadn't felt in a long time. The feeling of being watched... but not by something dangerous. More like something that would protect me.
A warm sensation in my chest, like the magic inside me was starting to boil. A powerful magic that would cover and protect my entire body if needed.
'I remember this… from years ago.'
Back when the World Tree still had its glory. In those days, no elf needed to join a Familia to become strong. 'I'm feeling the same thing I felt back then. The power of the tree.'
What's happening?
Is the tree returning to its former glory? So suddenly?
A deep joy filled me, and I smiled for the first time in a long while. The first time since the Astraea Familia was destroyed a few years ago. 'Maybe I should pay the tree a visit?'
Maybe it's trying to call out to the surviving elves for one last farewell.
"Ryuu, what are you doing? Get back to work."
"Ah, right."
I went back to work at the restaurant, and when my shift ended, I talked to Mia to ask for a few days off.
"Why?"
"I have something important to do. Very important." I looked at her seriously. I didn't explain what it was, but I made it clear it meant a lot to me.
My hands were trembling slightly from the anxiety.
"Huff~~" Mia sighed. "Alright, but be back in five days at most, okay?"
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
I thanked Mia, then went to change my clothes. I took off my waitress uniform and put on casual clothes. Before leaving, I threw on a robe that covered almost my entire body, especially my head.
'I don't even remember the last time I visited that place. Maybe two years ago? Serie was still there, waiting for the queen. I wonder... is there any chance the queen has awakened? No… of course not.'
It's been so long since she fell into a deep sleep. The only thing keeping her alive is the remaining power of the tree.
If the tree really is preparing to say goodbye, the queen will likely face the same fate.
Thinking about that... breaks my heart.
####
Chapter 9 – No one can know.
After spending a little more time at Serie's house, I returned to the tree. I want to continue my training. I want to increase my strength because I can feel that something serious might happen at any moment.
I feel like the humans are going to try something. And if they do, I want to be strong enough to handle all of them with ease.
As soon as I entered the tree, I touched its trunk with my hand. I had 200 Primordial Elements to collect, and that's exactly what I did.
[ You have absorbed 'Primordial Element' from the World Tree ]
[ Primordial Element +200 ]
"I currently have 306 Primordial Elements. If I convert all of them, I'll get a huge amount of mana." Besides leveling up the World Tree, I also want to run a few tests.
What if I use the same attack I used to kill the bear, but this time with a much larger amount of mana?
With 306 Primordial Elements now showing in my status, I climbed the stairs and sat cross-legged in the same spot as before. I let out a sigh and then closed my eyes. Without worrying about how long it would take, I began the conversion.
The moment I started, my magic circle appeared.
'It's almost completely golden now. I think it'll become fully golden once I reach the 10th layer.'
Time passed, and the conversion continued.
I didn't need to do anything except wait.
Time always seems to pass faster when I'm converting. Even if an entire day goes by, it only feels like an hour at most. In other words, I never get bored.
But really, how could anyone get bored with this?
I can watch my magic circle evolving in detail. I can feel my strength increasing. I can feel my mana reservoir filling up. It's something so fun and satisfying.
Finally, it was done.
[ Conversion complete ]
[ Mana +306 ]
[ Magic Proficiency +306 ]
When I opened my eyes, I didn't feel tired like last time. My body wasn't sweaty. 'The conversion probably went much faster this time thanks to the conversion speed boost bonus.'
Even though I converted a higher number of Primordial Elements, it was quicker.
"This is good. The conversion speed will only keep getting faster."
I stood up and walked over to the tree trunk. As soon as I touched it, I noticed the tree already had 200 Primordial Elements. I could keep doing this for days if I wanted to.
I want to reach the second magic circle.
"I wonder what will change when that happens. Will it just increase the power of my spells?"
[ Primordial Elements +200 ]
I gathered the 200 Primordial Elements and was about to head upstairs when someone opened the tree's door. I thought it was Serie, so I turned around to talk to her.
But the person I saw wasn't Serie.
It was a beautiful woman with pale skin, wearing a cloak that covered almost her entire body. The cloak was green and looked worn out. Her hair wasn't long and had a beautiful shade of green.
Her sky-blue eyes left me momentarily hypnotized.
Our eyes met, and I instantly remembered her.
Ryuu Lion.
A character from Danmachi, and a friend of Frieren in this world. One of the elves who lived for centuries alongside Frieren. She was in the village when I fell into a deep sleep.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
I smiled at her and spoke.
"Ryuu..." I said her name.
"My Queen... How are you feeling?" Ryuu asked as she approached me, slowly removing her hood.
"I'm feeling great. I didn't expect to see you so soon. Why did you come back?"
"What do you mean, why? Because of you!"
"Serie contacted you and told you about me?" I asked as I walked outside. Ryuu followed me.
"No, that's not it. I felt the power of the tree and came back to see what was happening. Serie told me about you after I arrived."
"I see."
The tree's power? But the tree only has two abilities. One allows me to create new elves, and the other generates mana for elves within a 100-meter radius. How did she sense the tree's power?
She was miles away.
Well, elves are literally connected to the tree, so it makes sense she felt the slight increase in its power.
"I'm sorry, my Queen." Ryuu stopped walking, and I turned to face her.
She looked me in the eyes and continued. "I'm sorry for abandoning the elven village and going to Orario. It's just…"
"Don't worry about that," I said. "I don't see any elf who left the village as an enemy. You all did the right thing. You didn't know when I'd wake up, and many elves died trying to protect this place. You saved your lives, and that's all that matters."
"If we had tried a little harder..."
"What could you have done? The tree's power was fading. There was nothing you could do."
"..."
"Well, now that I'm back, I'll restore the tree to what it once was and bring back the glory of the elves. As long as I'm alive, no other elf will suffer or die. I'll massacre entire nations if I have to, kill gods if I must, destroy the world if it comes to that..."
"My Queen..."
"I know I'm saying something crazy, but who cares? Those people nearly wiped out the entire elven race. I'll find whoever did this to me and rip off their arms and legs. I'll make them suffer. Even if it's a god... I'll make them suffer."
I said, with a serious look in my eyes.
Ryuu smiled, then grew serious as well. "I'll support you, my Queen. No matter what you do, I'll always support you."
"Thank you, Ryuu. But I don't want to disrupt your life. You're living in Orario now, right? How is it?"
"Despite everything, it's a good place. I have a job and companions."
"That's good to hear. Have you faced any discrimination?"
"In the past, it was more common. Things are better now. There are some elves scattered among a few Familias. But it's rare for elves to contact each other."
"I see. You can go back to Orario."
"What? Why?"
"You're living a peaceful life right now. You have friends, don't you? What if someone decides to come after you?"
"..."
"I don't want anyone knowing I've returned—especially the gods. I need time to regain my strength."
"That'll be hard to hide."
"I know, but I'll try. Go back to Orario and keep living your life as usual. Come visit me whenever you want."
"..."
Ryuu seemed upset but said she would do as I asked.
I was going to go straight back to my training, but since Ryuu is such an important visitor, I decided not to train anymore today.
Tomorrow, I'll return to my training—heading toward the second magic circle.
####
Chapter 10 – Rakia.
The next morning, I had breakfast with Ryuu and Serie before Ryuu left. When it was time for her to depart, I said to her, "If anything happens, contact me."
Even though I wasn't strong enough, I felt obligated to say it.
"Don't worry, my Queen. I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Don't say things like that. It might bring bad luck."
"Haha." Ryuu let out a small laugh. From her slightly forced smile, I could tell she wasn't used to laughing anymore. This wasn't the same Ryuu from Frieren's memories.
She used to be a lovely woman who found joy in many things.
Now, she's a completely different person.
But I didn't say anything. I didn't want to ruin the mood.
With the cheerful atmosphere still lingering, Ryuu left. The village quickly fell silent again after her departure.
"Did you have fun?" Serie asked.
"She's different from how I remember."
"Isn't she? I noticed that too. I wonder what happened."
"I don't know… But I feel like something's wrong…"
"Well, she can handle herself. Ryuu is strong. I'm just happy to see her doing well. It's been so long since I last saw her."
"…"
I didn't say anything and stood up to head back to the tree. Just as I was leaving Serie's house, she asked, "Going back to your training?"
"Yes, I'll spend a few days training. If anything happens, come find me."
"Alright. I'll bring you food. Don't forget to eat."
"Got it."
I left Serie's house and returned to the tree. Since I hadn't converted my primordial elements yesterday, I had accumulated quite a lot. Every three or four hours, I would go to the tree to collect more primordial elements.
Elements collected: 938
I approached the tree and placed my hand on its trunk. There were 200 more primordial elements ready to harvest, so I collected them. Now, I had 1,138 primordial elements available.
"Once I convert all of this, I'll be very close to reaching the sixth layer."
Satisfied with that, I sat down and began the conversion process.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. System messages appeared before my eyes, and I was just about to begin the conversion when suddenly, my eyes widened.
There's something out there.
I have excellent hearing, so I can pick up sounds clearly.
Was that… the sound of a horse? Or something similar?
It was the sound of hooves, very much like a horse's.
Could it be a monster that came down from the mountain?
I stood up and approached the door. Slowly, carefully, I opened it just enough to peek outside. As the door creaked open, my eyes met someone else's.
My heart skipped a beat. The man standing there stared at me with pure terror in his eyes, as if he were looking at a monster.
"You're awake…" he said, fear in every word.
How? When? I had never seen this man before. I didn't know him.
But he certainly didn't seem friendly.
The man wore heavy iron armor with a strange emblem on it.
"Who are you?" I asked, staring directly into his eyes.
My nervousness faded the moment I noticed his fear. An icy calm settled over me.
"Monster! Monster! They told me you were still asleep!" The man screamed and stumbled backwards.
I stepped towards him, and he tumbled down the stairs.
Reaching for his fallen sword, he grasped for it with his trembling hand.
Without saying a word, I unleashed an invisible blade of pure mana. It shot through the air at high speed, slicing clean through the man's wrist. His hand fell to the ground along with his sword, and he screamed in agony.
I looked deep into his eyes and recalled a spell stored in Frieren's mind.
"Who are you?"
The man stopped screaming, and his eyes became glassy.
"My name is Souldrad, from Rakia."
"Rakia? What are you doing here?"
"I came to check the body of the Elf Queen."
Check my body?
Just then, Serie appeared.
She saw the bleeding man on the ground and froze in shock.
"Queen? What happened?!"
"This man appeared out of nowhere. He was about to enter the tree when I caught him. Apparently, he came to 'check my body.'"
"Check your body?" Serie heard that and clenched her teeth. Without thinking, she kicked the man hard in the face, knocking him unconscious. Serie started yelling all sorts of things at the man, though he could no longer hear.
"It's alright, Serie."
"Of course it's not alright! This man had the audacity to come here and try to steal your body! He deserves death!"
"Yes… he does."
I stared at the man and raised my hand.
Then, a mana blade severed his head.
I felt nothing as I watched it happen. I did it with my own hands.
"Get rid of his body. I don't need any more information."
"I'm sorry, my Queen. I was careless. I didn't expect more of these people to show up. It's been almost three years since the last time."
"Three years?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Hmmm… Why send someone now? Rakia, huh? I'll remember this."
What the hell is Ares thinking?
Feeling extremely irritated, I sat down and resumed the conversion.
####
I'm not sure how much time passed, but I finally completed the conversion.
[ Mana +1,138 ]
[ Magic Proficiency +1,138 ]
Before getting up, I checked my status.
Name: Frieren
Cultivation: 1st Magic Circle – Fifth Layer (Conversion Bonus: +50%)
Magic Proficiency: 1,444/1,600
Mana: 1,464/1,600
"I'm almost at the sixth layer. Once that happens, the mana I can store will increase a lot."
I stood up and walked to the tree's door.
When I stepped outside, the man's body was already gone. The only thing left behind was his horse, which Serie had tied to a tree a few meters away.
"So you came from Rakia?" I approached the horse and gently petted it. "Unfortunately, your master was a bad man. How about becoming mine from now on?" The horse looked at me but, of course, didn't answer.
I smiled and turned around.
There was Serie.
"Finished your training?"
"I'll get back to it soon. First, I need to think more carefully about what just happened."
"You mean the man? It's been three days already."
"Three days?" I guess I did have a lot of primordial elements to convert… "All I know is that he came from Rakia and was after my body. He didn't expect me to be awake. He was terrified when he looked into my eyes."
"That's how weak people feel in your presence, my Queen. They can't handle your pressure."
"Am I really that scary?" I let out a faint laugh.
"You have no idea… The look on your face right now…"
"Hm?"
"You're planning something, aren't you?"
"No, of course not."