Frieren in Elden Ring

"You've discovered the trait of 'rot and rebirth'?"

Frieren's eyebrow raised. She hadn't expected Flamme, on her own, to grasp the key to the research. Her powers of observation and technical skill were both top-tier.

"There's no better term for it. Indeed, the gentle Scarlet Rot can exhibit signs of the cycle of life."

"Like this, for example."

The red-haired girl presented a scarlet petal her master had left her. Amplified by life-giving will, it repeatedly withered and grew, flowing in a ceaseless, cyclical pattern, full of mystery.

In that moment, the miracle it displayed outshone all else in its breathtaking beauty.

Due to the absence of the Goddess of Rot's guiding influence in this reality, the Aeonian Flower was more stable and controllable, even if it was a new subspecies.

Seeing this, Frieren compared it carefully.

That's it.

One of the flowers on her head was created by an incantation, the other by the power of the god itself. They were at different stages and had diverged. The one being cultivated here was a completely new subspecies, reliable and compatible with the secret arts of life.

"Very good. You should continue this research. I'll help as well. It should also be possible to combine it with soul magic."

"I thought of that too," Flamme said. "If a mage can regenerate on both a soul and physical level, that would be another way to defend against curses, and even achieve immortality."

"But I suspect its application will be extremely narrow."

"Even if it ultimately becomes a unique magic, it would still be one of the miracles born of this world, wouldn't it?"

The master and apprentice looked at each other and smiled.

They were already focused on this line of research, and rapid progress was undoubtedly good news. The practical use was not even that important; wasn't satisfying the thirst for knowledge the most supreme form of enjoyment?

The crystallization of wisdom housed within the laboratory would become one of the driving forces for the development of magic. It was something to look forward to.

"Haven't you two thought about the impact this will have?" Milliardeil wore the expression of a troublemaker. "People will flock to it like moths to a flame."

"No, the requirements are too strict. Not everyone has Flamme's talent."

No one knew the apprentice better than Frieren.

Setting aside the young girl's extraordinary talent, her training in soul magic from a young age, and the one-on-one tutelage from a renowned master, the most crucial step—the blessing—was unique in all the world. There was no other.

Without the blessing of a Great Rune, no one could use the core formulas of soul magic.

"What can truly change the grand scheme of things is magic that can be easily popularized."

"Ashes of War?"

Truly a genius mage, Flamme had already made the connection from Frieren's casual remark. She immediately followed up, "Master, can we have everyone in the village learn Ashes of War? Especially the few you taught me that allow the weak to overcome the strong."

Hearing this, the silver-haired girl paused for a moment. Thinking about it, she realized it was true. She hadn't considered it before because she knew so few.

But now, things were different.

As the forces of the three southern lands continuously helped their lord collect all sorts of Ashes of War, sorceries, and incantations, her inventory had become increasingly rich.

There were some that Frieren would never use in actual combat, but that didn't mean they were meaningless to the elves. Moreover, those with a talent for magic were relatively rare; the majority still chose the path of the warrior and needed this kind of power.

She nodded and agreed. It was indeed time to start strengthening the now-expanded village.

But the immediate priority was to check on her other research:

Flamme had developed a healing enhancement that was effective on souls, which she used to buff herself. Since ordinary people couldn't use it, its application was too limited.

This kind of project was a pure luxury item; she had always thought it was an assignment from her master for practice.

But it was the opposite.

Frieren wanted to test the effects of different soul magics, control the variables, and accumulate data, all to create a new body for Melina in the future. Therefore, no amount of experimentation was too much. Practice makes perfect.

Depending on the situation, Ranni might need one as well. Both were troublesome cases.

And there was also Millicent. She couldn't rely on the Unalloyed Gold Needle for a lifetime, could she? Sooner or later, the Scarlet Rot in her body had to be eradicated.

They had no promise from Frieren that they would be saved, but that didn't mean she had to stand by and watch. As players, we've always been busybodies. When we see something we don't like, we have to correct it.

"Master, I've written down all the different records here, look..."

"You've done very well."

With a quick glance, the silver-haired girl gave her heartfelt praise. Some processes that would have required a lot of thought to deduce were now skipped, doubling her efficiency.

All knowledge leads to the same destination. Inspiration gained in one area could be used in another. For soul magic, the key was constant experimentation. With a helper like Flamme, she could make progress in both the Lands Between and in reality.

"Don't play favorites, you should praise me too."

Suddenly, Milliardeil put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and smiled proudly, clearly looking for credit.

"Don't respond to me with that cold expression." She uncorked a clay pot, releasing a thick aroma of alcohol. "I've made a new wine starter. It's a brewing magic that has never existed in this world! It doesn't require much grain for fermentation, yet it's delicious and has a high alcohol content. This thing is a gold mine!"

The drunken elf then chattered on, introducing her creation. Even Frieren's eyes flickered with interest. The technology indeed had infinite potential; at the very least, it was cost-effective and saved resources.

Milliardeil valued the different types of wine, while Frieren felt it could reduce waste.

"Merchants should like it very much."

"Of course! Many elves in the village have joined my brewery. In the future, we'll earn the title of the Village of Fine Wine, even outside the elf village!"

"You've just reminded me. The Association will make regular purchases from now on."

As the Honorary President, exercising this level of authority was effortless. It was simply a matter of giving the village's brewing industry a running start.

"It can work like that?!"

Hearing Frieren's plan, she was dumbfounded. She had been worried about finding a market, and now her best friend had presented her with a great gift. This would indeed make things much easier. So this is how human society works?

After a few more words, the silver-haired girl returned to her work, carefully checking the progress of each research project.

Although the others were minor projects, they all had varying degrees of progress. For example, Thops's force field had also improved in reality; when combined with barrier arts, it could withstand many attacks.

Could it be added to the village's protective barrier?

Or simplified and popularized?

On a larger scale, could other special Ashes of War enrich their combat builds...

"It's useless to just stand here and test things. Let's go to the village training grounds. I'll see if I can use a blessing to raise everyone's foundation."

The other two were used to Frieren's jumpy thinking. They followed her to an open area on the outskirts of the village. A large patch of rock had been cleared here, much more solid than when the master and apprentice had last trained. It even had traces of magical reinforcement.

The changes were huge.

It meant the village was harder to hide, or rather, it had lost the qualification to hide. It might as well be out in the open.

Boom!

Before they even arrived, they heard the resounding boom of magic.

Milliardeil said, "Ever since the last demon invasion, everyone has been training harder. While you were asleep, many have been active in the Magic Association, learned some methods, and brought them back for everyone."

"There's another reason you've probably guessed," she continued. "The refugees from the north are unwilling to be lambs to the slaughter again."

"Although I don't know what kind of magic that 'blessing' you mentioned is, as long as it works, it's fine. For many, they would pay any price to be able to fight back against the demons and take revenge."

She told her best friend the current situation with a serious expression.

Frieren nodded, a wave of mana silently sweeping over the entire area.

They're weak.

She had to admit that many of the elves had a decent base amount of mana, but they lacked the adaptability to mobilize it for long periods, unable to use the power they had. Another portion had no magical talent at all and could only choose to be warriors. The situations were varied, so it was best to improve things from the source.

Just now, she was thinking of teaching them some Ashes of War. Using techniques from the Lands Between that didn't exist in reality would certainly give them a first-mover advantage.

But in the end, if the fundamentals weren't there, everything else was useless.

"Flamme, in your opinion, how is the talent of everyone on the training grounds?"

"I see..."

"You must reach a conclusion with a single perception. Tell me your answer based on your intuition, because in a real battle, you won't get a second chance for a large-scale scan."

The rare, stern tone made the red-haired girl pull herself together.

"If I treat them all as opponents, they form a complete mage corps, but they lack a firepower position that can act as a vanguard. Most are skilled in healing and support. There are actually more warrior elves; their movements are sharp, but their reactions in sparring show a lack of experience..."

She quickly gave a perfect answer.

Milliardeil, on the other hand, had just completed one mental scan, but unlike the master and apprentice, it was not traceless, and immediately drew everyone's attention.

The training elves all greeted them warmly.

Although young, Flamme had experienced the top-tier battlefield of the Northwind Fortress defense, and had continued to train through commissions afterward. Her eyesight was sharp, and her intuition was keen.

The problems the apprentice pointed out were the same ones Frieren was considering. It seemed she would have to spend some effort to use her new blessing:

The dual Great Rune version.

The silver-haired girl waved her hand, and everyone immediately understood and gathered around, their faces full of curiosity. Everyone knew that at times like this, the inventor of magic would surely bring out something new.

"Is it another new discovery?"

"Lady Frieren, we are ready at any time."

In the eyes of the elven residents, she was the one most worthy of respect. No, on a larger scale, she was the most reliable one in the entire elven race.

In terms of strength, her title of "Frieren the Slayer," earned against the demons, placed her among the top-tier powerhouses. In terms of prestige, she was somewhat lacking, but with the development of the Association, it was bound to rise. In terms of character, her willingness to teach without discrimination and share many spells showed her tolerance...

Most importantly, she was willing to include everyone, cared for her people, and looked after the safety of her kin.

The other elven powerhouses were completely unreliable. Everyone understood; they had passed that passionate age and were preparing to spend eternity with the world, devoid of emotional fluctuation.

Forget them.

Elven mages like Serie and Kraft basically had no contact with them and were far away. In comparison, Frieren was much easier to get along with. She was the true leader, the backbone, and the teacher in the hearts of everyone in the village.

"I've researched a new enhancement magic. I plan to test it on you first, but the specific effects are unknown."

Before she could explain further, everyone had already volunteered:

"Bring it on."

"I trust in Lady Frieren's power anyway. The results of the experiment can also drive technology forward."

"If we remain stagnant, the village will be invaded again."

The elves were very welcoming. After all, her image as an inventor was already deeply ingrained in their hearts, and these novel things always brought results. A Frieren original is a guaranteed masterpiece. It was a golden brand.

The next demon attack might not be far away. It was good to have a few more trump cards. This way, the elf village would have an extra layer of security. After experiencing war, what was there to be afraid of?

There was nothing left to fear.

Frieren looked around and nodded, her expression solemn. Then, she held up a Great Rune in each hand.

"You will help me guide it, Flamme. You were the first to receive the blessing; you are an anchor point between me and the rules of this world."

"Okay."

Hearing this, the red-haired girl proactively linked her mana to this immense power. She immediately felt the blessing flow through her entire body, amplifying her from body to soul. She felt that even her dragon transformation magic could reach a higher realm... but she did not immerse herself in it and instead resonated with it immediately.

The magic system, originating from the same source, amplified the blessing's range, circulating endlessly.

The two top-tier mages ensured that the power of the Great Runes was not wasted by leaking out; otherwise, their efforts would have been in vain.

"Leave the rest to me."

As her voice fell, Frieren spread her hands. An endless river of energy surged into the sky, forming a towering ancient tree made of golden light, standing translucent in the center of the forest, full of mythical grandeur.

Its size, exceeding a hundred meters, stood out even in the primeval jungle. It was impossible not to notice.

The elves in the village all stopped what they were doing and looked up in awe, their faces filled with shock. They weren't panicked; this gentle mana aura belonged exclusively to Frieren.

Hum!

The Golden Tree finally expanded to its limit and stopped growing.

The next moment, the silver-haired girl breathed out a ripple of energy towards it. A gentle breeze sent catkins flying, which climbed the branches and sprinkled down specks of light.

Each one contained a blessing. Upon contact with the skin, a warmth spread.

The people on the training grounds were surprised to find the energy within their bodies being rapidly awakened. A torrent of power surged forth. How is this possible? They didn't know why, but they were continuously getting stronger, even their souls were leaping with joy.

Truly a blessing.

The name Frieren had chosen was very appropriate. Everyone felt their mana, stamina, and endurance being permanently amplified.

"All you need to do is accept it. Don't worry, there are no side effects. The only difference is the effect varies due to individual differences. I will record these differences. For now, just focus on integrating it."

The elves followed her instructions and meditated on the spot, proactively accepting the power of the blessing.

Even the normally flighty Milliardeil seriously circulated her mana, her entire body emitting circles of light. Apart from Flamme, this drunkard had the best performance.

It was probably because her good friend had laid a foundation for her with soul magic.

As the caster, she was very satisfied.

The fact that it worked in principle proved that her line of thinking was correct. The power of the Great Runes was indeed effective in a different world. Now, they would have many more outstanding warriors and mages to supplement their core forces. At least it was better than the previous uneven state.

On the other hand, Frieren was able to observe the difference between this and the native blessings of the Lands Between, absorbing the experience.

"Unfortunately, the consumption is too great. Have even two Great Runes reached their limit?"

"How about planting a Golden Tree for the village in the future?"

Plant a tree?

The moment the thought arose, Frieren couldn't help but want to laugh. Wasn't that too much? How could she possibly create a colossal structure visible to the entire world?

But she had an idea: study the Golden Tree and then try her best to reproduce that blessing.

It would be useful in both the Lands Between and in reality. Everyone needed this power to strengthen themselves. On a grander scale, it could soothe the living; a great blessing was enough to bring the dead back to life and flesh out bones. It was the ultimate form of healing magic.

As she was thinking, the Great Runes dimmed slightly.

"It's about time. From now on, you'll have to adjust your power on your own. After the blessing ends, how much you digest is more important than how much you absorbed."

After giving her instructions, Frieren gradually withdrew the released energy ripples.

Whoosh!

As the caster actively dispelled it, the massive illusion of the Golden Tree standing tall in the sky gradually dissipated. The flower-like sands flew up and returned to the wind, leaving a long, lingering aftertaste, and finally, only a refreshing fragrance remained.

She looked at the disappearing Golden Tree and let out a long breath. It was a bit more tiring than she had imagined, especially with the high requirement for the Faith attribute. She wasn't skilled in that area and had to rely entirely on magical correction.

Melina's incantations were still more impressive. Among the powerhouses she had seen in the Lands Between so far, she was in a league of her own as a caster of incantations.

In the future, when her partner had a body, they could research together.

"Master, my soul magic has progressed further," Flamme said excitedly. "I can perform active soul transformation more stably. Your blessing inspired me. One development direction is to combine it with the protection of a barrier, allowing the body to contain a higher intensity transformation..."

Her apprentice's ability to extrapolate made the silver-haired girl's eyes light up. It was indeed a valid line of thought.

"You try it first."

"In the past, wouldn't Master have immediately announced the start of a new project?"

"Magic that changes the body's form is not suitable for me. You don't have to completely inherit my magical style. Feel free to research unique things."

Flamme nodded seriously.

That's my master. She was different from the stuffy, old-fashioned mages at the Association. Apart from asking for her help with research, she never interfered with her apprentice's development path. When she did help, it was to solve fundamental problems, like now.

She was sure that this body, strengthened by the blessing, had grown to a level beyond that of an ordinary person, greatly enhancing the practicality of her magic.

"Hah!"

Milliardeil, her drunkenness gone, casually shot a few fireballs into the sky, which exploded into beautiful fireworks. Her hearty laughter filled the air, and the atmosphere became very lively.

Even the usually placid elves couldn't resist, let alone the other recipients of the blessing.

With a brief attempt, everyone found that the power of their magic had increased. Both their efficiency and resistance were worlds apart from before.

Enhancement magic was common, but magic that changed one's constitution was one of a kind.

As expected of Lady Frieren.

From the very beginning, she had been thinking about how to change the condition of the entire elven race. She was not blind, not reckless, and always focused her research on the most fundamental improvements. No wonder she succeeded.

Suddenly, the silver-haired girl made another move. A blessing shot into the sky, hit a translucent barrier, and dispersed without a trace.

Barrier arts!

Flamme, who was skilled in this area, noticed:

"Master, did you strengthen the barrier and add a reflective effect?" she murmured. "But in my opinion, it's already strong enough. It's more than enough to protect the village. Strengthening it further would lead to diminishing returns, and it's not suitable for you to operate."

"I never thought of using the barrier for fighting from a home base. It's a position I'm preparing for you all."

"Indeed. After all, it's not easy to wake Master when she's asleep."

"Correct. My trigger spell is mainly for my own safety, and it's not flexible. It would be very troublesome if I encountered a large-scale, non-targeted mental attack."

"Isn't that dangerous then?"

"It's fine. Mental attacks are the easiest to bypass my surface defenses, but they are also the attacks I fear the least."

Although Flamme was very curious, the silver-haired girl wore an expression that said, You're better off not knowing. More words would be useless. Since that was the case, she had to suppress her curiosity and hope that the day to test her master's contingency plan would never come.

She then continued to witness Frieren teach them Ashes of War.

Some of them had already been taught to Flamme, such as the basics like Storm Stomp and Endure. This time, she added new techniques:

Starcaller.

The convenience of gravity magic and its control effects determined its strength. Whether for pulling enemies or for high-mobility combat, it was very useful. She would teach it to everyone first; who knows, they might come up with some new variation. It was best to brainstorm.

In addition, Frieren also taught them Ashes of War like Hound's Step and Zamor Ice Storm.

She didn't require them to learn everything. Having more options meant more adaptability.

Different standards had to be used for people with different talents. For example, Flamme had to master and specialize in her system and not bite off more than she could chew. For ordinary people, learning a bit more was fine.

"That's all. I've told you the secrets."

"I will be leaving for a while after this and won't have time to teach you. Just research the Ashes of War on your own."

"Yes, Professor Frieren."

The somewhat formal title from some of the elves made her rub her forehead. Indeed, because of the open classes for the Association's president, she had gained the title of professor. People from further away would probably hear of her academic title first.

So, some of the northern elves had first come to know her by her great name as the inventor of Sunlight Healing and deeply admired this Mythical-Era Mage who shared her secret arts.

When most people were hiding their magic like misers, she was at the forefront.

"Call me whatever you want. Just follow the tips for the Ashes of War I told you."

"Yes, President."

Frieren didn't need to keep an eye on the elves' specific training. Their fundamentals were not a big problem; the key was their willingness. After all, they were a race with a blunted sense of time, thinking that everything would pass if they just waited. Time often erased all grudges.

But the relentless pursuit of the demons had shattered this impression. Since they realized it wouldn't end easily, they had no choice but to fight.

At least they had a powerful kinsman willing to protect them.

"The village is more or less settled. Tomorrow, we'll set off for Northwind Fortress. Flamme, pack your things. I estimate this will be a long trip."

"Okay."

"It's rare for you to be so concerned about the Association's affairs," Milliardeil said in surprise. "Have you gotten a taste for the benefits of expanding an organization?"

"You're right. The existence of the Association has made a lot of work more convenient."

Frieren didn't like to handle things personally outside of exploration. It was better to have an organization to help. Besides, strengthening the overall power of the human camp was also a way to fight against the demons. She had to pour her heart and soul into it.

She had a premonition that the battlefront would return sooner or later, or that a more intense war would break out in the north.

"We can't let some kingdoms that are hostile to magic drag us down. A great war is imminent. Whoever disrupts the situation is the enemy."

"You're sounding more and more like a president."

"So, the village is in your hands, Milliardeil. Drink a little less wine."

"Understood!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, their years of friendship evident in their perfect understanding.

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