Fern

Originally from the Southern Lands, Fern was orphaned at a very young age during a war. As a child, Fern was remarkably diligent and determined to master magic. Her motivation came from her desire to prove her worth to Heiter, showing him that he made the right choice in saving her. After losing her parents, a devastated Fern was found by the corrupt priest Heiter, a member of the original hero's party. He stopped her from committing suicide and adopted her, becoming her surrogate father. Heiter raised her and taught her the importance of cherishing her memories. To ensure she could become independent and self-sufficient, Heiter trained her in magic. He wanted to be able to pass away in peace without worrying about her future. Twenty years after the Hero Party's journey ended, Frieren visited Heiter. He intentionally tricked Frieren into training Fern further by asking her to decipher a difficult grimoire. This kept Frieren close by for several years while Fern honed her magical abilities. When Frieren finally finished deciphering the book, Heiter's health was failing. By this time, Fern had progressed significantly as a mage. Upon Heiter's death, Frieren officially took Fern under her wing to continue her training and promised to take her on their new journey. With Heiter gone, Fern's journey with Frieren is a way to honor his memory and fulfill his wish for her to become a capable mage. Her dedication to magic is an emotional anchor rooted in her time with Heiter.