Theory: Frieden's Use of "Basic" Offensive Magic is Value-Based, Not Pragmatic
I recently rewatched the fish between Frieren, Fern, and Frieden's clone.
Frieren's clone unleashes some spectacular, seemingly cosmic and reality-bending magic. I love t so much, very dramatic and gorgeous scene.
But it got me thinking--clearly Frieren, if we understand her clone to be an accurate copy, has the *capacity* for these flashy spells. Whether they are individual spells, or some kind of extemporaneous blending of existing spells, she could wreak devastation on whomever she wished.
Obviously she is very judicious about her use of offensive magic in general. I wonder if part of why she focuses on Zoltrak is not because it's always more effective than this other capacity, but that she values keeping *most* of her magic away from combat. We know she takes joy in magic; that she cherishes it even in "useless" applications. I think maybe she sees violence as a (necessary) evil, and therefore aspires to keep her magic violence as utilitarian and expedient as possible. She reserves the other stuff for life, for living. The clone wouldn't share these values, of course, which is why this is the only time we see the big spells.
Thoughts? Is this obvious already to everyone?