「Lightning!」

    Io Akos dropped a lightning on the monster in front of her with smooth chanting and magic activation .

    It is a monster called Harpia, having a woman’s face and body with wings and feet of a bird .

    The harpia that flew in the air was hit by lightning and staggered for an instant .

    Io was already mustering magic powers for her next magic .

    She only needs to chant it andーー

    「It’s dangerous, get back!」

    「Io-chan, stay there」

    A pair of male and female swordsmen charged from her sides .

    The two of them cut off the harpia’s neck and chopped its body with a perfect combination .

    It was a fascinating combination as usual .

    Io looked at the two with eyes of admiration .

    ☆

    「Has Moris-san and Nay-san’s been in a pair for a very long time?」

    The three of them walked towards the next spawning point after defeating one monster .

    Their quest was to defeat five harpias . From how the battle earlier ended, it was an easy job so the three of them advanced without worries .

    And along the way, the man named Moris answered Io’s question .

    「I guess so . I think it’s already for 20 years」

    「Ehhh? H-How old are you two now?」

    「The both of us are 25」

    「You were together since you’re 5-years-old?」

    「You don’t need to believe this guy’s nonsense . If he was to mention it, when we were five, he just said “I’ll pass through that mountain and reach the town!” but only got lost instead」

    「I-It was still an adventure」

    「Okay okay, an adventure you caught me into」

    Nay said and shrugged her shoulders . Io let out a small laugh .

    She probably imagined the scene at that time .

    5-year-old children, the boy dragged the girl to go for an adventure .

    Io let out a small laugh imagining that heartwarming scene .

    And, she thought to herself that her choice was not wrong .

    Moris and Nay whose fame are currently rising .

    It was rumored that these two would absolutely reach A-Rank, so Io searched for them and asked them to let her enter their party .

    And right now, they are out for a monster subjugation quest together .

    「If we were to be reincarnated, it’s better if the day we are born is a bit separated」

    「If so, then I’m just going to chase after you so that we will be born the same day」

    「Uwa?, this guy, he’s a stalker . A stalker the instant he’s born」

    Despite saying that, Nay was with all smiles and do not feel bad about it .

    Two people who are strong as swordsmen, their combinations are impressive, and two people who help each other in defeating monsters .

    Io stared at the two of them with eyes of admiration .

    She admires the Heroes and Champions that appear in stories .

    And she does not only admire them . She dreams of fighting together with those heroes .

    “I want to fight and go on an adventure together . ”

    That was Io’s dream .

    She worked hard for that .

    Since she found out her talent in magic, she continued to train herself so that someday, she will be able to participate in a hero’s party .

    And right now, she is on an adventure with veteran swordsmen .

    「Found it, it’s there」

    The air around them changed .

    Moris and Nay’s expression suddenly changed from a leisure one to a serious one .

    「It’s a big one」

    「Let’s go」

    「Yes!」

    「Io-chan, just watch over there . This guy’s dangerous」

    「……eh?」

    Io was eager, but it was a disappointment .

    Moris and Nay charged while she was confused

    The monster was the same with the harpia earlier . However, just like Nay had said, its body is bigger than the common ones, and both its speed and power is higher .

    But the two swordsmen fought an even battle with it .

    “I need to support them . ”

    Io mustered her magic powers and stared at the monster’s movements .

    “It’s fast! But I should be able to hit it somehow . ”

    She watched its movements and somehow predicted its next .

    (If it’s this, I think I can hitーー

    But when she raised her magic staff .

    Moris was sent flying to Io’s side .

    「Moris-san!」

    「I’m alright! ーーIo-chan, don’t move there . It’s dangerous」

    After saying that, Moris charged towards the monsters again .

    Io who was about to cast her magic, but the magic powers she mustered disappeared with an instant’s hesitation .

    She was stopped twice, twice that is .

    She was stopped because it was dangerous .

    Io hesitated, but put her staff down in the end .

    She felt a torn stabbing her heart .

    With this quest as the last, Io parted with the two .

    No matter how much she continued to train, no matter how much she worked hard and continued to become stronger .

    Io was still unable to find somebody who would let her fight with them .