Frieren: Understand Humans, Aura!

She could count on her fingers the number of humans capable of defeating her—this method of measurement was far more accurate… As for defining it by human magic ranks—Aura had never cared about the ranks of the humans who could defeat her, and she doubted those humans cared either.

Perhaps, like her, they had never even taken a magic proficiency test.

"You've never been evaluated, huh…" Konrad narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment before pointing at Barret and asking Aura,

"Then, Miss Aura, how would you compare Barret's strength to yours? Are you evenly matched, or does he have a slight edge?"

"You've got a real sense of humor, hahaha~~" Aura glanced at the overweight Barret and couldn't help but laugh.

Before this crippled human became disabled, he might have barely reached the level of a Second-Class Mage. But he had been disabled for who knows how many years, his body bloated, his mana dissipated, and he was bound to a wheelchair. Comparing her, a proud demon at the pinnacle of power, to a worm like this human? No thanks.

"Haha—haha—my apologies—" Konrad laughed as well.

Barret also laughed along, but his expression was dark. Graf Konrad had just compared him, a dignified Second-Class Mage, to a little girl. If that wasn't an insult, what was?

Granted, Barret hadn't taken his Second-Class Mage test in Kribi but rather at a remote branch of the Magic Association, where the standards were a little looser. Still, he was a legitimate Second-Class Mage!

Barret cast a glance at Aura, noting her youthful face and naive gaze—he immediately dismissed her as unworthy of his attention.

At her age, it was uncertain if she could even advance past the bottom ranks of mages.

His resentment grew, though he didn't dare direct it at Graf Konrad. Instead, he bottled it up, giving Aura a sharp look, already planning ways to remind this so-called "director" who was really in charge here.

After probing Aura's strength and receiving an answer that satisfied him, Konrad shifted gears, now testing her background.

As another round of food and drink was served, he casually asked while Aura was eating heartily:

"Our Hohenburg may not be far from Kribi, but it's remote, with few visitors. The town is small and rundown, and the people don't have much wealth… Miss Aura, what made you decide to take up the ministerial post here?"

"It wasn't my choice—gulp—gulp—" Aura swallowed a mouthful of steak, speaking unclearly.

"So, it was an assignment from above?" Konrad asked, unsurprised.

The top mages in Kribi often sent their less talented young disciples to various locations to gain managerial experience. These postings helped them secure future positions at the Magic Association's headquarters.

"That's right." Aura nodded.

This was all Serie's doing—otherwise, she would never have come to such a remote place. There weren't even any shops selling cakes!

"What position does your master hold at the Magic Association headquarters? Just curious—I have some acquaintances in Kribi, and I might even know your teacher. If it's inconvenient to say, that's fine too."

"She's not my master. And she doesn't hold any position at the Magic Association."

Aura shook her head, denying any master-disciple relationship with Serie.

Konrad didn't seem to mind. It wasn't uncommon for powerful mages to groom protégés without formally taking them as disciples. Many high-class mages preferred to teach students without taking full responsibility for them.

Konrad pondered Aura's words.

If her so-called mentor wasn't holding an official post at the headquarters but could still decide the appointment of a branch minister, then it had to be based on sheer strength.

Could her mentor be an exceptionally powerful mage? A Second-Class… or even a First-Class Mage?!!

Konrad's eyes narrowed unconsciously.

A mage with raw power was far more troublesome than one with political influence.

So, he pressed further:

"What's her class? To have trained a talented young mage like Miss Aura, she must be recognized as a powerful mage by the Magic Association, right?"

"Class? She doesn't have one—the Magic Association has never issued her any kind of certification."

"???"

So she wasn't a high-ranking official… nor an exceptionally powerful mage?

How was that possible?

Oh—wait. There was one last possibility.

Could her mentor be a retired veteran of the Association? One of those old officials who, after retirement, sought to pave the way for their successors? Maybe they used their connections to secure a ministerial post at some remote branch, with no other choices available?

Konrad's eyes lit up.

That would make perfect sense!

A mage with wealth and power wouldn't send a disciple to an insignificant place like Hohenburg. This town had neither a thriving economy nor a prestigious magical library. Only those with no alternatives would be assigned here!

And such people… were easy to control.

Stay calm.

Konrad steadied his emotions and posed one final test:

"May I ask how old your mentor is?"

"A very old woman."

It's settled!

Konrad and Barret exchanged glances, the weight on their hearts finally lifting.

When they first heard that Kribi had directly appointed a mage as director, they feared it was someone with serious backing.

Even when they saw that the new director was just a young girl, they didn't let their guard down. That's why they hosted this welcoming banquet—to probe her background through conversation.

They had wanted to determine whether she had any powerful figures behind her.

They expected it would take some effort, but to their surprise, this girl had no tact at all. She answered every question honestly, exposing all her weaknesses with zero attempt at deception.

Was she an idiot?

Being this truthful, revealing she had no status, no power, and no patron—she had just made it clear that they had nothing to fear from her.

Then again, Konrad thought, perhaps this was a different kind of intelligence…

After all, she must have known her own situation. Even if she lied now, the truth would eventually come out. If she had tried to deceive them, she would have been exposed later and then dealt with accordingly. Instead, by laying her cards on the table and showing loyalty upfront, she had essentially handed over her fate to them.

By siding with them from the start, they had no reason to oust her.

After all, a puppet minister who followed orders was far better than constantly replacing leaders.

"Ahem—"

Konrad cleared his throat, signaling the surrounding nobles to wipe the smirks off their faces. No matter what they were thinking, at least in public, they had to maintain a dignified appearance.

Then, Konrad had a servant bring over a document and handed it to Aura.

With food and drink out of the way, it was time to get down to business.

"Miss Aura, please take a look—this is the list of exchange students being recommended to Kribi today."