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elfsufficient) wrote2024-04-02 11:41 am
"It didn't have to be magic."
At first glance, Fern is a perfectly-mannered polite young woman capable of holding her own despite her age. Reliable, self-sufficient, and keenly observant, she carries a bit of wordliness about her from training and traveling from a young age. There's something very magely about her appearance, certainly, as she dresses in long dresses and robes, though tends to appear rather unassuming, perhaps even weak.
Rarely seen without her mentor, the Legendary Mage Frieren, in actuality Fern is one of the most talented human mages of her time... And yet she is still a young woman at heart, and one who frequently exhibits a sharp tongue, stubbornness, and willfulness when things don't quite go her way.
Having been orphaned at young age and subsequently taken in by a corrupt good-for-nothing elderly priest, Fern learned quite early on to be responsible, reliable, and self-sufficient. She did as much as she could at her age to care for the elderly Heiter, but now, even as a traveler, she tends to mother her companions, making sure everyone's fed and cleaned up and whatnot.
Also as a result of her upbringing, Fern doesn't quite act like one might expect a young woman to, when it comes to having lighthearted interests. She likes having clean clothes and being responsible with money and budgeting.
Despondent after losing her family and home in the war-torn Southern Lands, Fern was taken in by Heiter, an elderly priest and formerly a bishop, and formerly formerly part of the Party of Heroes who defeated the Demon King some 70 years ago. For some time, the two of them lived quietly in a woodland cottage.
However, Heither's health would begin to deteriorate; doubtless, his years and years of recklessly drinking while adventuring were catching up to him. It was around this time that the Legendary Mage Frieren, another member of the Party of Heroes, paid Heiter a visit. Knowing that his days were numbered, Heiter convinced Frieren to remain and translate an ancient grimoire for him, while training Fern, who had shown some promise as a mage, despite Frieren's refusal to take on an apprentice.
In the years that follow, Fern learned and trained in her magic while mentored by Frieren with great effort, progressing in her magic at a rate that Frieren considered to be quick, but too quick, for how much Fern was training.
For the young mage, however, becoming a proper mage was tantamount, as it meant that Heiter would be able to pass on without worry or regrets that she wouldn't be able to take care of herself. This was her greatest wish and expression of gratitude for the person who saved her life after she lost everything.
By the time Heiter peacefully passed on, Fern had become worthy of becoming Frieren's apprentice, and they at last set out to continue Frieren's journey.
Along the way, Frieren continued Fern's training; Fern became the youngest mage to earn the highest score in the Third Class Mage Exam, and was continually put through battles on their journey without the aid of her mentor while they traveled, completed numerous quests, and learned many spells over the years. Frieren trained Fern to utilize her unique strengths as a mage, and would help her realize and accept her own love for magic.
Fern would go on to become a mage very much in the image of her master, and later on, earned the designation of First Class Mage from her very own efforts and strength.
Having trained and studied in magic from an early age, Fern is a rather adept mage, and in fact was the youngest person to pas the Third-Class Mage Exam with the highest score. She has an array of magical spells at her disposal, though most are suited to completed everyday, habitual tasks rather than powerful, flashy spells for combat.
Fern's biggest and most unique advantage as a mage is the fact that she can cast spells at an unprecedented speed, allowing her to relentlessly barrage her enemies and overwhelm them with offensive magic, even if her spells are simpler in nature. This also allows her to defend herself swiftly.