--In the blazing flames, there is a vivid memory etched in my mind.


I have seen many warriors, and I have come to the conclusion that the category of "assassin" who can only kill his opponent is weaker than the category of "fighter" who cannot kill.

"What?


　What?" The words made no sense to me at first glance.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you have.


I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. That's what I'm saying.


　One, two, three, four.


　Her kick, spinning around her hand like a wheel.


The footwork that controls the air, just like the name of the technique in the "solo piece.


　I'm not saying you have to bring out everything in your opponent.

　I'm not saying you have to bring out everything in your opponent, but that's exactly what killers do, they spend the most time and effort on prepping their opponent for containment.


　They are unaware that they are also prey to be hunted.


　In the end, Shura is the strongest. That's how Aylin defines it.


　It can't fight the solo piece you've unleashed.

　This is the clear difference in rank.


I'm not sure what to say.


　A thud to Mion's abdomen.

　The last blow she delivered, after reaping all the rewards of the "Solo", blew Mion away with great force.


　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.


I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.


　At the same time. Aylin grabbed the blade that was coming from behind him with his cuirass, squeezed it and threw it away.


　There's nothing to it. Mion had fought with four blades and placed the remaining one behind Aylin as soon as he was blown away.

　Aylorn had seen through it all, including the fact that Mion had activated it just as he was about to be blown away.


　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.


It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. You could have done a little more before you started playing butler, couldn't you?



　--The memory is still there. The memory still whispered to her, like a punishment in the night.
"You're weak.







　-Klingbloom residence.


"...... Was it good, Mion?

　The question was vague and routine, but it was asked with tension and a silver flash.

　The sound of blade on blade echoed from the garden of Klingbloom's mansion, never ending.

　Prim was in particularly good form this day.

　The speed of the spears he wielded was so fast that each one was invisible to the eye.
　Mion's eyes widened as he realized that he was the number one in the number of first strikes.

　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

What do you mean by that?
I had to go with Mr. Richter today.
Oh, .......

　As I recall, Richter told me that he was going to visit Spectacula today. His intentions were clear, he was looking for a partner.

He had once declared that he would never work with Prim.
　Not all of his intentions were true, but after the last tournament, Prim wanted to see him on the field at least once.

　So, Prim is good.

　But.

I'm not worthy to stand next to Mr. Richter right now.

　The daggers controlled by Ariadne rushed towards Prim.
　However, Prim was able to read even the trajectory of the thread and skillfully used the spear to fend off all the daggers without getting entangled or touching the thread.

　It's a relief that she seems to be enjoying herself so much. He's hunting them down.
　--But I clearly remember when I first started training with Prim, I was being overrun with cool faces.

So I thought I'd re-train myself.
I think that's a very good thing. ......!

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
　It's a great way to make sure you don't end up in the middle of a bunch of Ariadne's, and it's also a great way to make sure you don't end up surrounded in every direction.
　This is a much more formidable opponent than the average battlefield, Mion thought, her cheeks relaxing a little.

　I'm about to head into a place that's full of people like this.
　A mere assassin, Mion thought to himself.

I can't believe you didn't say anything to Mr. Richter!
"Of course not. "Of course not. For me, my goal is to get enough power to protect him. So be it.

　The sound of wind whistling through the air.
　Prim waved her spear, but the "string" came at her like a wave.

　He clicks his tongue and jumps away, only to find the dagger still in his hand, leaving him on the back foot.

The fastest way to measure it is to beat Master Richter.
"I see... I like that!


"I see!

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　Even Mion laughed at this, as all of his weapons were flicked away.
　He jumped back and regained his stance.

I think it's a good thing that you're joining us, too!
Would you say so?
"Yes. Because sword fighting is fun!

　I want to share what I'm enjoying so much with my good friends.


　Mion smiles at the purity of his feelings.

"Hmmm. That's right.

　To her, Mion's determination was part of the "sword fighting".
　She received the declaration of participation with a smile, and wielded the spear happily.
　But that's why Mion was curious.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Prim?
"Me?
Yes. I'm the one you're working with.
"Oh, that.

　She said absently.
　She released the spear, closing in on Mion again.

　With a dull clang of her blade, she continued.

It's not that I didn't want anyone. It's not that I don't like anyone, but I'm glad you asked me out!
"I see. Is there anyone else you want to fight?
There are more people I want to fight!　I'd like to fight Richter, and I'd like to fight the princess. I want to fight Richter, I want to fight the princess, and I want to fight ...... Aylin.
......

　Aylin.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm sure she's thinking purely about the competition.
　Mion's eyebrows lowered slightly at the glare.

So, I was wondering who I should team up with, but I'm glad ...... you ran for the job!
"Well, ...... that's good to know.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　As the cracked magic thread and the cross spear clashed against each other in a battle of power and strength, Prim suddenly spoke out.

"Oh, but...
What?

　Mion looked up at that murmur as if she remembered.

　A little more gentle eyes. It's very unusual for her to do this in the middle of a fight, but if you tilt your head to see what it is, the answer will come right back to you.

If Mion hadn't invited me, there was one person I would have tried to reach out to.
"That's ...... sorry, right?
No. Nothing?　It's not a big deal, and it's fun to ...... fight.
Can I ask you something?
It's Mr. Futa.

　Surprising. That's what Mion was really thinking.

　He had thought that Prims were barbarians and only craved to fight the strong.
　That's why I thought that teaming up with Futa was not an option at all - but apparently not.

It's really not a big deal. ...... It's just, you know. It's not a big deal.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'm sure you've heard of it.

　Go get back what's important to you.
　The series of memories of the fight against the Shinryu Knights remain strong in Prim's mind as something nostalgic.
　It will soon be a year since then.
　It's almost a year since then, and that makes it all the more poignant.

I wanted to fight with her on this big stage, but that's about it. But that's about it. But that's about it. Of course, it's more fun to fight with Futa-kun at the moment.

　A bit of sentimentality, no. A little sentimentality, no. A memorial.
　Yes, Prim smiled lightly.

"I see, I understand.
"What?
"Master Richter, Arawn, ...... and Futa. Well, we have a lot of enemies, don't we?
Oh, I don't know. Maybe so.

　He smiles wryly and swats away Mion's dagger. The dagger finally landed on the spearhandle.

But let's just blow them all up and win!
"Yes, of course.


　The clashing blades fell in a heap.


　Today's training came to an end.


　Someday, I started this behind my master's back.
　Mion had vowed to re-train himself from the ground up, and his arms were returning to their prime. As proof of this.

　As they shook hands, both of them lost their weapons in their hands.





　Mion and Prim Lancaster have joined Stardust!


　Mion silenced any questions about whether the team of girls living in the mansion of Klingbloom were the "dust" of the stars. Prim wasn't so sure.