In the “First-Class Mage Exam Arc” of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” various mages make their appearance. Via Abel is one of these characters introduced in this arc. Although he looks like a villain, he is popular among fans as a good guy. This article compiles information about Via Abel’s strength and abilities in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” and why he is considered a good person. It also delves into his past and his relationships with characters like Himmel and Stark.
What is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End?
Overview of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” begins with the narrative of a band of heroes defeating the Demon King. This unique setting, labeled as a ‘post-heroic tale,’ has captured the interest of many readers. The series has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since the 22nd and 23rd combined issue of 2020. In 2021, it won the 14th Manga Taisho Award and the 25th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize New Creator Prize.
“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” is a collaborative work with the original concept and story by Kanehito Yamada and illustrations by Tsukasa Abe. In 2023, the series was adapted into an anime, further boosting its popularity. The anime adaptation of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” is scheduled for two consecutive cours.
Synopsis of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
The hero Himmel, along with Haita, Eisen, and Frieren, successfully vanquishes the demon race and returns triumphantly to the royal capital. The four watch the Eera meteor shower together before Frieren, an elf with a different sense of time than humans, departs on a solitary journey. Fifty years later, Frieren reunites with her companions to watch the Eera meteor shower again. Soon after, Himmel passes away, prompting Frieren to embark on a journey to understand humans better.
Who is Via Abel in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End?
Via Abel in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” makes his first appearance in Volume 4, Chapter 37, titled “First-Class Mage.” This chapter marks the beginning of the First-Class Mage Exam, with Frieren and Fern among those taking the exam. Via Abel, as one of the examinees, challenges the First-Class Mage Exam alongside Frieren’s group. This section will cover Via Abel’s profile and his past.
Profile of Via Abel
In “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” Via Abel has served as the captain of the Northern Magic Corps, battling the demon race for many years as a second-class mage. With a fierce look and rough speech, he is often mistaken for a villain. However, his brusque behavior is more of a tactic to intimidate others, and he is actually very kind and caring at heart.
From his statement in the series that he was “in his twenties until recently,” it can be inferred that he is now in his early thirties. He pragmatically views magic as a tool for killing and does not hesitate to execute necessary killings. However, deep down, he is reluctant to take lives and seems to need time to prepare himself mentally for such actions.
Via Abel’s Reason for Continuously Battling Demons and His Past
Next, let’s explore Via Abel’s past and the reasons behind his continuous battles with demons. His backstory and motivations are revealed during the first phase of the First-Class Mage Exam. After saving Eele from incapacitation, Eele calls him ‘kind’. She then questions whether his kindness is the reason he continues to fight demons.
Via Abel responds to this by saying, “You can’t put your life on the line just for kindness.” He reveals that his reason for fighting is due to an ‘ulterior motive’. When he was around four or five years old, there was a girl he liked. As the demon activities intensified during that time, the girl and her family evacuated to the central countries for safety.
Wanting to impress the girl, young Via Abel promised, “I will kill all the demons.” Even though he no longer remembers the girl’s face, Via Abel continues to uphold this promise from his past.
Is Via Abel in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End a Good Guy with a Villainous Face?
Via Abel from “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” has a villainous appearance, which often leads to a negative first impression. Fern even once described him as someone who “looks like he’d kick a dog.” However, in reality, Via Abel is not that bad of a person, and many readers consider him a ‘good guy.’ Let’s explore why Via Abel is perceived as a good guy.
Reasons for Being Called a Good Guy
1. Never Abandons His Companions
In “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” Via Abel teamed up with Eele and Shalf for the first phase of the First-Class Mage Exam. This was a makeshift party, and these three weren’t regular teammates. However, even though they were just temporary allies, Via Abel never abandoned them.
During the first phase, Eele and Shalf were defeated by other examinees and were unable to move on their own. By this point, Via Abel could have easily given up and left them behind without any issues. Instead, he carried Eele on his back and used magic to float Shalf, taking care of them until the very end.
Even in the second phase, which involved conquering a dungeon, he carried the incapacitated Eele and Shalf to the goal. Via Abel’s refusal to abandon his companions has earned him high praise from readers as a ‘good guy.’ He even cheerfully consoled Shalf, who failed the third phase, with encouraging words like, “There’s always in three years.”
2. Helps an Elderly Woman
After the First-Class Mage Exam, Frieren was observing a magical tome she had bought in the city. During this time, an elderly woman accidentally dropped a bunch of apples. Via Abel, who happened to be there, quickly gathered all the apples with his magic.
Frieren hesitated for a moment about whether to help, but Via Abel instantly stepped in to assist the elderly woman. This scene alone shows that despite his intimidating appearance, Via Abel is inherently kind-hearted and a genuinely good person.
Via Abel’s Strength and Role in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Via Abel in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” possesses considerable strength, as evidenced by his participation in the First-Class Mage Exam. His level of strength can be gauged from his actions in various scenes. This section will explain Via Abel’s abilities and strengths and highlight his significant roles in the story.
Via Abel’s Strength and Abilities
Via Abel, serving as the captain of the Northern Magic Corps, has extensive combat experience. He is adept at planning battles and assessing the situation. During the First-Class Mage Exam, he used a magic spell called “Sorganeel,” which binds anyone who looks at him.
Sorganeel can immobilize the target just by sight, effective against humans, demons, and magical creatures alike. However, it has a limitation – the target’s entire body must be in view, so it can’t be used on multiple targets simultaneously. Also, if Via Abel loses eye contact, the binding is released.
Via Abel’s Significant Contributions
Via Abel’s main contributions are evident during the First-Class Mage Exam. He leveraged his strengths and abilities as a magic corps captain to pass the exam successfully. Let’s delve into his specific actions in the story.
Role 1: The First-Class Mage Exam’s First Phase
In the first phase of the exam, the task was to capture a meteorite bird (Schtille). Participants were randomly divided into groups of three, and any team with a deceased member would be disqualified. Via Abel was part of the 8th group, along with Eele and Shalf. He decided to steal the bird from another group, choosing to ambush Fern’s 4th group.
However, Fern quickly detected the ambush, foiling their plan. Exposed, Via Abel and his group had to confront the 4th group head-on. Via Abel faced Yubel from the 4th group. Realizing Yubel’s ability to slash objects, Via Abel was cautious but managed to keep a distance and escape Yubel’s reach. He then revealed his binding magic for the first time, immobilizing Yubel. Despite Yubel’s attempt to attack, Via Abel resolved to eliminate him as a dangerous threat. Fern, appearing suddenly behind Via Abel, offered a deal. However, Via Abel backed down upon learning of Eele’s supposed death, only to find later that Eele was merely incapacitated due to exhaustion.
Stumbling upon the meteorite bird by chance, Via Abel efficiently captured it using his binding magic, thus ensuring their progression through the first phase.
Role 2: Lion Boar Extermination
After the first phase, only 16 mages, including Via Abel, remained. While resting in the city between exams, Via Abel didn’t waste any time and decided to embark on a quest to exterminate a Lion Boar (Flesser), a task assigned by the Continental Magic Church. He enlisted the help of Shalf and sought a frontline warrior, encountering Stark by chance. Assessing Stark’s build and strength, Via Abel asked to borrow him for the mission. With Stark’s assistance, Via Abel successfully completed the Lion Boar extermination.
Role 3: The Second Phase of the First-Class Mage Exam
The second phase of the exam involved conquering an unexplored dungeon. Denken, another participant, proposed that all mages should collaborate to conquer the dungeon. However, one participant, Toone, decided to proceed alone. Via Abel, preferring to work with known allies, teamed up with Eele and Shalf again.
Progressing well, they were close to the dungeon’s deepest part when Eele got caught in a binding spell. Via Abel immediately recognized the spell as his own “Sorganeil” and instructed Shalf to block the view with petals. Hidden behind the petal wall, they were confronted by their own doppelgangers. Via Abel strategically chose their opponents, opting to fight Eele’s doppelganger.
After defeating their doppelgangers, they encountered Metode, who had reached near the dungeon’s end with Denken’s group. However, Frieren’s doppelganger was guarding the final section. The group decided Frieren herself and Fern would confront her doppelganger. Via Abel and his team engaged in a diversion, holding off Denken’s doppelganger until Frieren defeated the magic creature creating the duplicates.
Role 4: The Third Phase of the First-Class Mage Exam
The third phase of the exam, typically stringent, was altered due to the presence of Frieren. The Grand Mage Zeriele, aware that many participants were not strong enough for a regular exam, changed the format to an interview. Zeriele personally assessed each candidate’s qualifications for becoming a First-Class Mage.
Upon meeting Zeriele, both Eele and Shalf were promptly disqualified due to their fear in response to Zeriele’s immense magical power. In contrast, when Via Abel encountered Zeriele, he instantly realized he couldn’t match Zeriele’s strength. However, this wasn’t out of fear but a straightforward recognition of the disparity in their powers.
When Zeriele inquired about his favorite magic, Via Abel responded that he viewed magic as a tool for killing and didn’t have preferences. This answer satisfied Zeriele, and he passed Via Abel in the exam.
Via Abel’s Strong Points
Via Abel, featured in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” showcases significant strength, especially during the First-Class Mage Exam. His practical experience as a captain of the Magic Corps and his strategic thinking greatly contribute to his character’s depth. In the story, Via Abel demonstrates not just his combat skills but also a pragmatic and thoughtful approach to challenges, making him a complex and intriguing character.
Via Abel’s journey through the First-Class Mage Exam highlights his abilities, his commitment to his team, and his pragmatic approach to magic and combat. His actions, from the tactical decisions in the exam’s first phase to the confrontation with Zeriele in the final phase, paint a picture of a mage who is not only powerful but also deeply aware of his own strengths and limitations.
Via Abel’s character arc, culminating in his successful completion of the First-Class Mage Exam, is a testament to his resilience, strategic mind, and the depth of his character beyond the initial impression of a ‘tough-looking guy’. His evolution through the story contributes significantly to the rich tapestry of characters in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” making him a memorable and impactful figure in the narrative.
Via Abel’s Relationship with Himmel and Stark in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”
Via Abel, a character in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” primarily appears in the Mage Exam episodes and, thus, doesn’t have much interaction with Stark. However, Via Abel does form a friendship with Stark outside of the exam context. Since Via Abel was born during Himmel’s later years, he never met Himmel directly. Yet, there are scenes in the manga where Via Abel mentions Himmel. What kind of relationship does Via Abel have with Stark and Himmel? Here, we’ll explore how Via Abel came to befriend Stark and why he mentions Himmel.
Via Abel’s Relationship with Himmel
By the time Via Abel appears in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” 29 years have passed since Himmel’s death. Even more time has elapsed since Himmel and his companions defeated the Demon King, but Himmel’s heroic tales continue to be shared among people. A young Via Abel was also a fan of Himmel’s adventures, enjoying stories about his battles with the immortal Bezé and the Royal Dragon.
Although Himmel had visited Via Abel’s village in the past, the elders never shared grand tales of Himmel’s adventures. Instead, they spoke of his assistance in monster extermination and helping with chores, which Via Abel found uninteresting. He couldn’t understand why everyone happily shared such trivial events.
Via Abel began to understand the elders’ sentiments when the remnants of the Demon race started causing trouble after Himmel’s death. Having his village attacked by demons, Via Abel realized the importance of Himmel’s small acts of kindness. Grateful for Himmel saving his village, Via Abel aspired to help others in need like Himmel. Himmel’s legacy profoundly influenced Via Abel’s life.
Via Abel’s Relationship with Stark
Via Abel and Stark first met after the first phase of the First-Class Mage Exam. Looking for a frontliner for a boar (Fresser) extermination mission, Via Abel scouted for warriors in the city. He encountered Stark by chance and assessed him as a capable fighter, convincing him to join the mission. Despite Stark’s reluctance, they successfully completed the boar extermination.
After the mission, scenes depict Via Abel and Stark amicably sharing the boar meat, indicating they bonded over the extermination. Via Abel appeared to take a liking to Stark, as he later tried to recruit him for battles against demons in the northern frontier. Facing a dire situation with a shortage of frontliners, Via Abel eagerly recruited Stark. Frieren, aware of Via Abel’s previous forceful invitation, didn’t intervene, as Stark didn’t feel coerced and was grateful for the push from Frieren and Fern. Stark declined Via Abel’s offer, choosing to stay with Frieren’s party. Via Abel, though disappointed, bid farewell to Stark with hopes of reuniting in the future.
Via Abel’s Companions and Related Characters in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”
As previously mentioned, Via Abel cooperated with Earel and Sharuf to pass the First-Class Mage Exam in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.” Earel and Sharuf are arguably the closest characters to Via Abel introduced so far. This section will delve into the characters of Earel and Sharuf, who played key roles as Via Abel’s companions during the Mage Exam, as well as Yubel, who fought against Via Abel during the exam.
Related Character ① Earel
Earel, a female second-class mage in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” graduated top of her magic school and is acknowledged by Via Abel for her strength and abilities. Earel was part of the same exam party as Via Abel and fought against Fern during the first phase of the exam. Earel used “Dragarte,” a magic spell that transforms stones into bullets, to attack Fern. Fern assessed that Earel was stronger than Via Abel.
When Fern pointed this out, Earel didn’t completely deny it, suggesting she’s aware of her superior abilities. However, Via Abel, with more practical combat experience, was still considered stronger in battle. Earel described Via Abel’s magic as “unprincipled and cowardly, meant only for winning.” This suggests she acknowledges Via Abel’s greater combat effectiveness.
Earel, comparing Fern’s old-fashioned fighting style, remarks that it’s like fighting her grandfather. This grandfather is later revealed to be the first-class mage Rernen. Despite using only general attack magic, Fern’s overwhelming assault was too much for Earel to handle.
Drained of her magical power, Earel was incapacitated. Learning of Earel’s defeat, Via Abel was both surprised and fearful of Fern’s strength, showing high regard for Earel’s capabilities. After the battle, Earel asked Via Abel why he continued to fight demons.
Their conversation revealed that Via Abel had once saved Earel’s village. Earel and Via Abel’s relationship goes beyond their first meeting during the Mage Exam, suggesting they had some interaction in the past.
Related Character ② Sharuf
Sharuf, a tall male third-class mage in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” partnered with Via Abel throughout the First-Class Mage Exam. While it’s clear Earel and Via Abel had a previous encounter, Sharuf’s prior interaction with Via Abel is unknown. During the first phase of the exam, Sharuf used “Jubelado,” a spell that turns petals into steel, against his opponent, Rant.
Sharuf’s magical prowess impressed even Rant, but Sharuf was tricked by Rant’s decoy and ambushed. Unable to detect Rant’s magical presence, Sharuf was quickly defeated. After the exam, Sharuf continued to accompany Via Abel, including joining him for a boar extermination mission. Sharuf and Via Abel appear to have grown quite close during the Mage Exam.
Related Character ③ Yubel
Yubel, a female third-class mage in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” was part of Fern’s party during the First-Class Mage Exam and clashed with Via Abel. Unlike Via Abel, who kills with resolution, Yubel shows no concern for taking lives. She enjoys the thrill of combat to its fullest.
Yubel’s signature magic, “Reilzaiden,” which can cut through almost anything, was used during her fight against Via Abel. However, she was caught in Via Abel’s restraining magic. Yubel’s conversation with Via Abel during their battle led him to perceive her as a dangerous individual, prompting him to consider killing her. However, after being ambushed by Fern and hearing of Earel’s defeat, Via Abel chose to withdraw.
Yubel possesses a unique ability to empathize with others, enabling her to use their magic. By understanding Via Abel’s life and personality, Yubel managed to learn his “Sorgnir” spell, which restrains those who see it. Fascinated by Rant, her party member during the exam, Yubel wanted to empathize with him as well. Since their encounter, Via Abel has had no further interactions with Yubel.
Summary of Via Abel in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”
This section summarizes the strength, past, and significant actions of Via Abel, a character from “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.” Via Abel made a notable appearance during the First-Class Mage Exam, showcasing significant contributions. While he hasn’t had many appearances outside the Mage Exam arc, Via Abel remains a popular character. Given the trend in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” of reintroducing past characters, there is a possibility that we might see Via Abel reappear in future storylines.
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