Methode

Tall and shapely, Methode is a young woman whose wavy dirty-blonde hair, parted at the center, falls to the middle of her back. For the mage exam she wears a frilled white top fastened by crossed straps at the neck, a black corset laced with pale cords and marked by white edging and triple stripes, black shorts, tall laced boots, and deep red leggings, the whole ensemble draped under a long white caped collar that hangs past the knee. Out on the Northern Plateau she switches to warmer gear: a snug indigo jacket fringed with heavy black fur at the cuffs and collar, a matching indigo waist cape, maroon trousers, and trim black boots.

Warm, composed, and self-assured, Methode makes for a dependable teammate and planner, and Lernen counts her among the more principled of the first-class mages. She harbors a powerful soft spot for small, adorable things, elves above all; Serie's fearsome aura does nothing to deter her, since she only sees how cute the ancient mage is and keeps angling to pat her head despite the obvious irritation it causes. Frieren earns the same treatment, usually coaxed into hugs with the promise of a grimoire, and even Fern's flashes of temper strike Methode as endearing. Beneath the affection runs a genuine love of magic itself, the kind she feels distinguishes her from those who treat it as a mere weapon.

Methode begins the exam as a second-class mage, partnered with Ton and Länge in the opening round, where their trio bags a Stille. When the second stage pits the candidates against the mirror-demon Spiegel and its copies, her broad skill set makes her central to the counterplan, and she takes on Fern's duplicate among the twelve who advance. The final round is a personal audience with Serie, and Methode passes on the spot by confessing that the only thing on her mind is how adorable the elf looks.

Newly elevated, she is sent to clear demons from the Rufen Region beside the prickly Genau, the two posted to his demon-ravaged hometown just as Frieren's group arrives on the same errand. Piecing together Stark's observations, she deduces their quarry is a four-bladed demon general traveling with others, then teams with Frieren and Fern, pausing only to bribe a hug out of Frieren with a grimoire. Ambushed by a fog-caster and a swordsman, she abandons her usual poise for a savage fighting style, unravels and clears the Nebeladora fog with her dispelling spell Erilfrachte, and leaves both enemies open for Fern to finish. After Stark and Genau bring down the general Revolte, she mends their wounds, and once the region is secured she and Genau move on to guard the Chivalric Order of Norm, her offer of help to Frieren's party politely declined. A versatile all-rounder with no single specialty, she also becomes Serie's apprentice.