Qual is a minor antagonist in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, known for his devastating magical prowess and allegiance to the Demon King. Referred to as the Elder Sage of Corruption, he was responsible for a brutal attack on the Größe Forest two decades before the main story, resulting in catastrophic losses. Unable to be defeated at the time, he was ultimately sealed by Frieren, a member of the Hero Party.
Appearance[]
Qual possesses a monstrous and intimidating form, befitting his status as a demon. His face is distinguished by a wide, square jaw, slanted eyes that appear stapled shut, and a perpetually exposed row of jagged teeth. Light brown, mask-like markings frame his eyes, while darker patterns extend into his hairline. His ashen skin is covered in tattoo-like bands and staple scars that run across his arms and torso.
Two torn, yellowish horns jut from his head, and a long mane of light-blond hair flows down his back from a tuft at the horns' base. He also sports an impressively long beard that drapes past his waist. Towering over most demons, Qual is colossal—even while crouching in his sealed state, Frieren barely reaches his knee. His attire includes a fur-lined shoulder cape, matching wrist cuffs, and a dark-gray loincloth secured with a chain and a necklace of tusks. His fingers end in long, crimson claws.
Personality[]
Typical of demons in the series, Qual lacks human emotions such as empathy or remorse. However, he displays a composed and rational demeanor, greeting Frieren cordially upon being unsealed rather than with anger. His deep loyalty to the Demon King is evident: upon learning of the King's death, he immediately resolves to take revenge.
Despite his emotionless nature, Qual has immense pride in his magic. He is visibly shocked when his signature spell, Zoltraak, is repelled—something that had never happened before. He's also highly intelligent and strategic, capable of quickly understanding the intricacies of counter-spells and devising immediate responses.
Story[]
During the Demon King's reign, Qual earned infamy for the destruction he brought to the Größe Forest, decimating 40% of the region’s adventurers and 70% of its sorcerers. His strength came from a groundbreaking spell he developed: Zoltraak, the first magic capable of piercing all known human defenses and magical gear.
Unable to defeat him, the Hero Party chose to seal him until a future time when they would be stronger. Twenty-seven years after the death of Himmel, Frieren returns to the Größe Forest and unseals Qual. Upon release, he learns of the Demon King’s defeat and engages in battle with Frieren and her apprentice, Fern.
To his shock, Zoltraak is unable to penetrate Fern’s barrier—a result of years of research and adaptation by human mages who incorporated the spell into their modern magic system. Even after adapting and attempting a multi-directional assault, Qual is ultimately overwhelmed and destroyed by Frieren using his own spell against him.
Abilities[]
As one of the Demon King’s most powerful sorcerers, Qual was an unmatched force during his time. His magic led to massive casualties and necessitated his sealing rather than outright defeat. Only after decades of study and advancement were humans able to develop countermeasures against his techniques.
- Brilliant Intellect: Qual was a visionary mage who created Zoltraak, a spell revolutionary enough to lay the foundation for the modern magical framework. His tactical mind allowed him to swiftly identify the structure and weaknesses of defensive spells crafted specifically to neutralize his magic. He deduced, in mere moments, that Fern’s barrier required extreme mana expenditure and attempted to exploit that fact with an immediate counterattack.
Signature Spell
- Killing Magic – Zoltraak (人を殺す魔法ゾルトラーク Zorutorāku): A deadly offensive spell that marked the dawn of piercing magic. When introduced, it could bypass all known magical defenses and protective equipment. Even after Qual’s sealing, his invention shaped the direction of magic research, eventually becoming a cornerstone of the current magical era.