"The weight of the past fades like footprints in sand, but the steps taken leave you stronger."

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Chapter 08

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Frieren and her team arrived at the grand city of magic: Äußerst. The sheer scale of the city was awe-inspiring. Towering spires lined the skyline, many shimmering with magical wards. Streets bustled with activity as magic infused every aspect of life. Students practicing levitation charms floated above crowds, merchants sold enchanted trinkets, and lampposts glowed with soft, ethereal light, even during the day. The air buzzed with energy, both literal and figurative, creating an atmosphere brimming with possibility and wonder.

Naruto, wide-eyed and grinning, dashed around like a hyperactive child. "This place is awesome! Look at that floating thingy! And those… firebirds? Fern, are those firebirds?!"

Fern rolled her eyes. "They're phoenix familiars, Mr. Naruto. And stop pointing; you look like a tourist."

Stark, carrying their luggage, sighed. "You are a tourist."

They made their way to the central building, a colossal structure that looked more like a palace than an office. Its massive doors, adorned with glowing runes, opened to reveal a spacious hall filled with mages of varying ranks and ages. At the reception desk, they approached a mage wearing the academy's insignia.

Naruto practically bounced on his heels as Frieren explained their purpose. He had learned that those who passed the First-Class Mage Exam would be granted any spell they wished by an elder mage—a hag of an elf even older than Frieren, as he called her. His mind raced. "If I pass, I could ask for a spell to get me back home! No more hag lectures or Stark's whining!"

But his excitement quickly faded when the receptionist mentioned a requirement: candidates had to be at least Third-Class Mages to take the exam. Naruto, being a complete anomaly in this world, didn't even exist in any records.

He slumped. "Great. So much for that plan."

Adding to his dismay, Frieren revealed that she herself wasn't officially registered as a mage. "It's unnecessary paperwork," she shrugged.

Naruto gave her a look. "Or you're just lazy."

Fern, the only eligible participant, was handed the registration form and began filling it out diligently. Meanwhile, an old man with an aura of dense mana approached Frieren, Naruto, and Stark. His presence immediately commanded attention, and even Naruto, usually oblivious to subtleties, could feel his power.

"What's this about?" Stark asked warily.

The man addressed them directly, his eyes lingering on Naruto. "I heard you and the elf wish to participate."

"Yeah, but we're not registered," Frieren replied casually, holding up an old necklace she had fished out of her pocket. "I always carry this, though."

The man's eyes narrowed as he examined the necklace. His gaze shifted back to Frieren, then to Naruto, before he turned and walked off without a word.

Naruto blinked. "What just happened?"

Two minutes later, the man returned with two registration forms. He handed them to Frieren and Naruto.

"What?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

The man smiled faintly. "I have a good reputation here. I've vouched for you both. You may take the exam."

Naruto stared at the form in his hands, his grin slowly returning and stretching ear to ear. "Oh yeah! Let's go! And no boring written exams, either!"

Fern returned to find Naruto practically vibrating with excitement. "What's wrong with him?"

Frieren, now filling out her own form, responded nonchalantly. "We're in the exam too."

Fern's jaw dropped. "Mistress, Mr. Naruto isn't even—"

"Doesn't matter," Frieren interrupted. "Stark, find an inn. The three of us will prepare for the exam."

Stark raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Fine. Don't blow anything up while I'm gone."

As they left the reception hall, Naruto was already dreaming about his victory. "This is gonna be great! I'll ace this test, get that spell, and—"

"Focus on surviving first," Frieren muttered, smirking at his enthusiasm.

The city's magical glow seemed even brighter as they walked toward their next challenge, the excitement building with every step.

Õ—T—Õ

Serie sat on her grand throne, the room dimly illuminated by floating spheres of light. Books and scrolls piled chaotically around her, their spines cracked with age. Her piercing gaze was fixed beyond the towering window that overlooked the city of Äußerst, a sea of magic and life bustling below.

Something felt off.

Frieren's mana lingered—faint, elusive, hidden from most, but Serie wasn't most. Her eyes narrowed as she sifted through the arcane web of energy she could sense. Yet, what truly unsettled her was something far more perplexing.

Flamme.

That mana was unmistakable, its signature burned into Serie's memory centuries ago. The sheer impossibility of its presence gnawed at her composure. Flamme was dead—long dead.

"Unless…" she murmured, her voice low and edged with disbelief. Could it be a reincarnation spell? But no, Serie had scoured the breadth of magical knowledge and never encountered such a thing, even in forbidden texts.

Her lips pressed into a thin, grim line as she rose from her throne. "We'll see soon enough," she whispered, the weight of an enigma pulling her deeper into thought. Whatever this anomaly was, it could not be ignored.

Naruto rubbed his nose with a scowl, muttering about someone thinking or talking behind his back.

"It's just your imagination," Stark said, waving him off. He nudged Naruto toward a small shop with an array of glittering weapons displayed on racks and tables. "Now focus, pal. Look at these blades! Maybe you'll find one that fits you."

Naruto tilted his head at the collection, his jade-green eyes scanning the swords, daggers, and even a few exotic weapons. "Blades, huh? I dunno. Never been much of a sword guy."

In the night, they rented an inn room and sat down for dinner.

Fern rested her chin on her hand, narrowing her eyes at Naruto, who was busy demolishing a plate of muffins with the enthusiasm of a starving wolf. Crumbs scattered across the table, some sticking stubbornly to his cheeks as he stuffed another one into his mouth without the slightest regard for decorum. She frowned, her expression caught somewhere between curiosity and exasperation.

"Mr. Naruto," she began, her tone cutting through the muffled crunching noises he was making. "You always claim to be sixteen. And yet, you act so… childish most of the time." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes scrutinizing him like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. "Is that just how you are naturally, or is there another reason?"

Naruto froze mid-bite, a half-eaten muffin hanging precariously from his mouth. He blinked at her, the gears in his mind turning as he tried to think of a suitable comeback. Finally, he pulled the muffin from his mouth with a dramatic flourish and pointed it at her like it was a wand of truth.

"I am not childish!" he declared indignantly, his voice muffled by the crumbs sticking to his cheeks. To prove his point, he took a comically large bite of the muffin, which promptly sent an avalanche of crumbs tumbling down his robes. He didn't notice—or care—as he chewed with the satisfaction of a toddler who just discovered sugar.

Fern's deadpan stare could've melted glaciers. "You're literally proving my point right now."

Naruto's cheeks puffed out as he struggled to swallow the massive bite he had taken, his pride too stubborn to let him back down. "Wha'chu mean?" he mumbled through the mouthful, his voice muffled and his face a sticky mess of muffin crumbs.

Stark sighed loudly from across the table, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples like a parent tired of their kids' antics. "Dude, you've got crumbs all over your face. You look like a toddler who got loose in a bakery."

"I do not!" Naruto shot back, furiously wiping his face with his sleeve. This only smeared the crumbs around, creating an even more chaotic mess.

Fern folded her arms, her lips twitching as if she were holding back a smile. "I rest my case."

Naruto pouted, finally grabbing a napkin to clean himself up, though he didn't seem particularly coordinated about it. "Fine, so what if I enjoy my food? That doesn't make me childish."

Frieren, who had been watching the exchange with mild amusement, finally set her tea down and leaned back in her chair. Her golden eyes lingered on Naruto, her expression calm yet thoughtful. "It's not surprising, really," she said, drawing the attention of the table. "You were summoned into this world as a twelve-year-old child, correct?"

Naruto glanced at her, confused. "Yeah, so?"

Frieren's gaze was steady as she continued. "Your body likely affected your behaviour. When someone is physically young, their mannerisms and personality can sometimes adapt to fit that age, even if their mind is older. You may retain the memories and knowledge of a sixteen-year-old, but your body's youth influences you more than you realise."

Stark blinked, surprised. "Wait, so you're saying he's not actually childish, but just… stuck in some weird body-mind mismatch thing?"

Frieren nodded, her expression serene. "Precisely. And there's also the matter of his mana."

Fern frowned. "His mana?"

"Yes," Frieren said, her gaze drifting briefly to Naruto's red hair, a shade that so strongly mirrored that of Flamme's. "His mana carries the tones of Flamme, someone known for her eccentricity. It wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that some of her energy might be influencing his personality as well. Plus, he has her hair and eyes."

Naruto looked at her, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying I act like this because of my hair?"

Frieren gave him a rare smirk, the kind that suggested she was enjoying herself a little too much. "In a way, yes. Though I wouldn't worry. It suits you."

Naruto slumped back in his chair, looking utterly baffled. "Great. So not only am I apparently stuck acting like a kid, but now my hair is part of the problem too? That's just fantastic."

Fern sighed, shaking her head. "Well, at least we know there's a reason. I suppose that's… reassuring."

Stark, meanwhile, was grinning like a fool. "Honestly, it just makes everything about you make more sense. Like how you get distracted by food or—"

"Don't finish that sentence, Stark," Naruto warned, his cheeks puffing out in indignation.

"—or how you couldn't figure out how to open the inn door yesterday," Stark finished with a laugh, ignoring the daggers Naruto was glaring at him.

Fern finally let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You're hopeless, Mr. Naruto."

"Hopeless, but not childish!" Naruto shot back, pointing a finger at her for emphasis. Then, as if to prove his point, he reached for another muffin… and promptly knocked over his cup of tea, sending the hot liquid spilling across the table.

Everyone stared.

Naruto winced, raising his hands defensively. "Okay, maybe a little childish…"

Õ—T—Õ

Sense and Genau stood at the edge of the grand hall, their discerning eyes sweeping over the assembly of examinees gathered for the First-Class Mage Exam. Each candidate presented a unique aura, a distinct blend of mana and intent that seasoned examiners like Sense and Genau could read with practiced ease.

Their attention first settled on Denken, an older mage exuding a calm and calculated demeanor. His experience was evident, and his moderate mana suggested a depth of knowledge rather than raw power.

Next, they observed Übel, whose presence was unsettling. A sly smile played on her lips, and a murderous aura seemed to emanate from her. Sense recalled Übel's notorious reputation, including an incident where she had killed an examiner a few years prior.

Among the younger participants, Fern stood out. At 18, she maintained a calm and stoic facade, her mana levels indicating significant potential. Her composed demeanor suggested a maturity beyond her years.

The candidate named Land appeared competent, though he didn't particularly stand out among the more notable figures.

Then there was the elf, Frieren. Her deep, dense mana was unmistakable, and she stood with an air of boredom, as if the proceedings were beneath her. Her presence was both intriguing and promising.

Finally, their gaze fell upon the youngest examinee—a boy with red hair and jade eyes, clad in an old-fashioned white robe reminiscent of the legendary mage Flamme. His aura was exceptionally bright, almost impossibly so. Curiously, his mana was concealed to the point of being undetectable; without his registration, they might have mistaken him for a lifelike puppet. He chatted cheerfully with Denken and Laufen, displaying a sociable nature.

Sense and Genau exchanged a glance, acknowledging the diverse array of talents and backgrounds present. The stage was set, and it was time to commence the test.

It began with a unique twist: a bracelet distribution to form teams. Genau and Sense handed out magical bracelets imbued with a glowing rune that would guide examinees to their assigned teammates. The system was designed to test coordination and camaraderie in addition to magical prowess.

Frieren slipped on her bracelet, the rune pulsing faintly. Her path led her to an open courtyard where two girls were embroiled in a heated argument. One was Lawine, an aggressive and ambitious mage with long, flowing hair and a fiery temper. Her spells were as wild as her personality, often leaning towards destructive displays of power. The other was Kanne, a sharp-tongued, cunning strategist with short hair and piercing eyes. She specialised in manipulation magic, and her calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Lawine's fiery nature.

"You're doing it wrong!" Lawine yelled, pointing her staff at Kanne.

"And you're overthinking it as usual," Kanne replied coolly, crossing her arms.

Frieren watched them with an arched brow. "These are my teammates?" she muttered, clearly unimpressed.

The bickering stopped when the elf approached, her dense mana making both girls pause mid-sentence. "We have an exam to pass," Frieren said bluntly. "Save your rivalry for later."

Meanwhile, Fern's bracelet led her to a shadowed corner of the grand hall where Übel and Land waited. Übel, the notorious mage with her murderous aura, glanced at Fern with a predatory smirk. Land, by contrast, seemed approachable and mild, though his body language suggested he wasn't entirely comfortable with Übel. Fern nodded curtly, deciding that while Übel was unsettling, Land could potentially balance the team's dynamic.

As examinees found their groups, Naruto stood alone, staring at his bracelet in confusion. "Huh? Hey! Where's my team?!" he called out, waving the glowing band around.

Genau and Sense exchanged awkward glances. Genau cleared his throat. "Ah, well… Due to the odd number of participants this year, it seems you've been left without a team."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "What?! That's unfair! How am I supposed to pass without a team?!"

"Don't worry," Sense reassured him. "In cases like this, the examiners—like us—step in to assist."

But Naruto's expression shifted from disbelief to determination. "Nah, I'm good."

"Excuse me?" Genau raised a brow.

"I said I'm good," Naruto repeated, adjusting his robe. "I don't need any teammates. I'll take the test alone!"

"Are you sure about this?" Sense asked, sceptical. "This exam is dangerous, even with a full team."

Naruto crossed his arms and grinned confidently. "You can bet on me! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, after all."

Genau and Sense exchanged a glance, then conferred with the High Mage, a direct student of Serie the Great Mage, who was observing from the shadows. After a moment, the old man nodded. "Let him try. If he fails, it'll be his own folly."

With that, Naruto was officially designated as a one-man team. As he walked back to the main hall, Frieren, Lawine, and Kanne watched from the sidelines.

"Overconfident brat," Kanne scoffed, her arms crossed.

"He won't last five minutes," Lawine added with a smirk.

Frieren, however, remained silent, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Naruto's unwavering stride.

In another part of the hall, Fern's teammates whispered among themselves. Übel's eyes gleamed with malice. "That kid looks like an easy target."

Land frowned slightly. "We should focus on passing the test, not picking fights."

Fern, listening quietly, resolved to keep an eye on Naruto—not out of concern, but because something about him felt… different.

Far from their whispers, Naruto adjusted his robes and took a deep breath. Memories of the Chunin Exams bubbled to the surface. Back then, he'd been too impulsive, too reckless. Shikamaru had stolen the spotlight, becoming the only one promoted. But this time?

"Nah, I'd win," he muttered to himself, his jade eyes gleaming with determination.

The stage was set, and the exam was about to begin.

Õ—T—Õ

Author Note: Next chapter will be fun. I assure you that. One of your most common questions will be answered.

And the reason Naruto acts childish is due to his body-soul mismatch and peculiar mana. I had no plans on writing that scene but added it since some readers were confused.

Oh, and I have yet to read the manga, it's on hiatus, probably.

Note that 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' is sort of a slice of life story, as far as the anime is concerned— donno about the manga though. If manga has gotten to the point of violence and constant action, then I'll adjust accordingly.

Drop your thoughts in the review section. Your words inspire me to write faster, better and with more depth.

See ya'!