At the doorway of the Tabernacle, the student who bowed deeply could see the injuries he had received due to his earlier mission on his body.
　What could be called a luster was lost from her jade hair color, and combined with her unflattering expression, she looked a bit dull.

　For a student, or should I say, her deportment seemed a little different from the sweet nectar of peace at the academy. Her mannerisms reeked of military-ness, and her tight expression was equal parts fear and mission.

　For a defeated man's face, it still had a military-like air about it.
　She understood the importance of what she needed to convey, and had stepped into this Tabernacle herself.

''The troops of the First Magical Academy, I have accompanied them on this mission as a member of it. My name is Kalia Ferrard, from the Rusalka Army, Special Destruction Branch.

　It is one of the special forces in Rusalka. It's impossible for them not to know that. The unit that Jean has made the most achievements in the past is the platoon size formation, 【Buttal Branch】.
　Because it is also an independent unit, the captain is left to his own devices up to the point of giving the order to launch. It's a special unit that claims to be completely independent and unprecedented even in Alpha.

　At the same time as Kalia's greeting, Exeles went to detect the mineral deposit.

　The second-in-command, who had already met with Kalia as a debriefing, did not look very good. It was even more so since he followed the correct procedure to listen. It was natural for him to feel that he was clearly being distrusted.

　Kalia opened his mouth in horror at the uninvited atmosphere and cut in, ''I'm sorry.

''I know it's impolite of me to ask you to properly recognize the demon I saw, but please hear me out.

　Kalia spun as if to curse her own inadequacy to do anything about it, leaving Ferrinella behind in front of her.
　She had clericalized it beforehand and put it together briefly with the intention of conveying it with as little personal feeling as possible, but somehow it had become more of an emotional appeal with each word.

'What I have reported to you is true, but I believe that monster is different from the normal species in the outside world!　There's another....

　With the exception of the deputy, the two single mages seem to be listening only to their ears, not changing their complexion at all.
　While our voices here have a hollow feeling as if our appeal has not been heard, Karia still struggles to convey what she cannot articulate well.

''What's that.......an attempt at atonement?''

　The coldly petite girl interrupted Kalia's words with a snap.

'You are a terrible disappointment. I can't bear to listen to you making excuses. Do you think you can tolerate me because I'm new?　You want me to be nice to you?　What's that, it's so funny.

　Suddenly, the inflection disappeared from Fanon's words.
　Garginis is also silent in the face of the new recruit's stern rebuke.

　Being young and whining are two different things. Desperate appeals are useless. As if to say so, Fanon's irritation is evident.

''I'm sorry...''

　Ashamed of her remorse and unworthy self, Kalia turned over and wet her eyes. I know I'm miserable. Still, I can't just fret and leave here.
　Fanon let out a loud sigh that was even intimidating.

''So what are you going to do?　If it's just a waste of time, it doesn't have to be you. You've come here, so you've prepared yourself for that, right?　Do everything you can to help your friends. It's the only thing you can do without power.
"--!　Yes.

　Kalia stopped embellishing her words for Illumina, who was not here. She had to tell them what she really felt with her heart. Fanon, as a magician, wants the honest words that Kalia felt.
　It's not a plea he wants, it's information.


　Kalia looks at Fanon with a strong gaze, as if glaring back.

'Thank you,' she thanked him briefly, and went straight to the front of the map on the table.

　At this point, Fanon's and Garginis' faces also became divine, and the meeting began in earnest.

''It's around here that I discovered my target. The troops of the Fourth Academy of Magic were already engaged........no, they were in a state of defeat. It had a scorpion-shaped, insect species' unique shell. Felinella and I returned fire with our top-level magic. However, it was easily crushed by the pointed arm. The next thing I knew, both Ferinella-san and I were already close to death.
..........

　Galginis snorted and thought about it.

'Arms, huh?' he concluded, as did Fanon.
　Instantly, Kalia couldn't nod back. Maybe it was because she was being hit by an alien magic power.

　Anyway, it seems that Fanon and Garginis have come to the conclusion that there is some kind of carnage in their arms.

''There's no lineage inhibition, maybe a kind of magic power canceller or something.
No, I don't think so.
Why?
'The attack did indeed hit, and it must have manifested. It was like I was really outgunned, and the magic was obliterated in an instant.

　When Illumina and I discussed the situation with them, there was no discrepancy in perception between the two sides.

'Hmm, when it comes to interference with the structure, we are in different fields. When it comes to interfering with the configuration, we're in different fields.

　Galginis, who was watered down by Fanon with his gaze, also opened his mouth as a hypothesis.

I'm not very good at analyzing things. It's not like I saw it firsthand. If the configuration itself was destroyed, the logic goes. But if there is a gap in the composition, it's a different story.

　Of course, Kalia had confidence in the composition of magic, too. That said, I don't think it's something that can be talked about at the level of a single magician. For example, even when she had a mock battle with Ars, she was able to override the composition of the magic itself by [Phoenix]. After witnessing a trick like that, I can't say my own composition is absolute.

But it's a top-tier magic in terms of power, so it's perfect. I'm not sure if the fact that it didn't cause any damage is a secret to the outer shell, or if it's a secret to the arm, or if it's a counterpart to the magic it was given.
'Sounds interesting. We could end up crushing it with high firepower.
"--!　That's very impressive.

　It's a good thing that there is a difference between magic and magic, except for the specific strains. It is a well-known fact that the magic used by humans is far different from that of demons. It's a good idea to be able to have the same magic as them, but it's not possible to be an enemy in terms of fundamental strength.
　I'm sure that even if you're not Karia, you'll be screaming at the top of your lungs.
　But the person in question kicked it off with his nose.

''I'm in the single digits.''
Yes, I know, but...

　Kalia nodded, stunned and nervousness included.

'Aside from that big one over there, I'm something else. You know how strong I am?　You never know. You're so strong you can't even imagine.
Ha, ha.
'Ha~, I mean, what's that languid reply!　I'm a single wizard!　And fourth place!

　The girl thrusting a frown at her frown made Kalia forget for a moment that she was a magician. That too. Not only because of her appearance, but also because she was dressed in a way that you wouldn't see in the outside world for the first time.

　But when he was told that the person in front of him was a single wizard, he hurriedly straightened his collar.
　I was somewhat hurt, but I can't say that. Kalia, who is in a position to ask for help from now on, must be flat-footed.

''I beg your pardon!
Well, okay. ─ Well, you should know what it means to have me on the show, you should see it for yourself and advertise it widely in Rusalka. Then you can advertise it widely in Rusalka. Don't go home!
Okay, I understand.

　Of course, that was my intention from the beginning. I had heard that single wizards didn't have a difficult side or any sense of decency, but apparently not so much. Looking at Jean and Ars, I had thought that there were few like them.
　It was irreverent, but at this time, Kalia was finding this single mage easy to handle.

　Fanon's argument wasn't overconfidence, it was just a fact.
　It's a manual aimed at lower level mages, such as taking measures to defeat them safely. Basically, there's nothing to neglect, but that doesn't mean that single mages have almost no experience that is beyond their control.
　It's a good thing that the race of single wizards is hoping for such a fight to the death. They are the hope born within humanity, and they are the ones who can't have that thirst.

　Even though they understand the sense of mission for the sake of humanity, they are not able to push forward with that alone. The top single digits of the magician population are always thirsty and bored.
　They will always be thirsty for something.

　Many of them fill it with battle. It can't be helped, though, since it's the outside world that takes up the most time.

　Kalia gave a raw reply to Fanon's poor and exaggerated mannerisms, but Galginis didn't try to water it down in response. After all, he too, as a single magician, has a craving.

''Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it in the field if you've heard this far. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. All that's left to do is listen to Exeles-dono's report and then we'll head out. I'll take care of this demon.

　Fanon, who hadn't been able to tell if he was being grumpy or teasing until then, reflexively prodded him.

'Are you trying to embarrass me?'

　She directs her quiet fury at Garginis, who is trying to scrape his achievements from the side before he has made a grand bargain against Kalia.

''Don't let the seventh place squawk!
I'm in sixth place now.
'They're both the same. I'm better than you, so follow the pecking order!　I'll let you take care of the small fry, at least. That should make you feel better.
Hmm, you're not fit to lead. Since you've been working under Lord Aldoise's command, it would be more convenient for me to take over.

　It felt like there was a spark between the two sides that didn't want to take a step back.
　Kalia was in no position to speak against it........or rather, she didn't want to play that role. A new recruit could not easily open their mouths to a single magician by nature. And moreover, a single magician from another country. I don't think there are any, but it could even lead to international problems.

　But for now, I don't need the mask of a military man.

　--Forget about that, please go to the rescue immediately!

　But I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud.

　At first glance, both parties seem to have the best arguments, but even as they do so, the clock is surely ticking.

　Yes, the problem is that the person in command from the scene, the one who issued the request for help - Lord Ordowise - is absent.
　It was known from the beginning that there would be a dispute over who would have the right to command.

　Just when Kalia was about to open her mouth to say "Enough........" in her stomach, Exeles, who had finished his detection, returned.
　She held her forehead and shook her face shakily, as if she had expected it. From her appearance, it could be seen that she was hurrying back.

　Exeles had stepped on who would be in command, and the two of them would certainly be in trouble. Especially because of Fanon's character, he would never give up.
　And even more so, he would adamantly refuse to have someone lower in rank than him commanding it.

　Suddenly, something petite passed by Exeles' side, and right after he reflexively shifted to the side--.

''Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!　I've never heard of a drinking establishment in the outside world.

　A high-pitched voice, far more juvenile than Fanon's, echoed through the curtain house.
　Then the black-haired boy who followed behind it also let a cold gaze fall on him.

''Well, I kind of expected it. Why did you bother to call a man who seems to have a lot of character? If I was going to call him anyway, I could have called Jean, which would have speeded up the conversation.
It's a lot of things. I'll give you more credit for my quick thinking.
Al, but the forces are...
Yeah, that's enough. Hope you can use it.

　The atmosphere of the place was refreshed by the association's president, Ilyce, who wore an adult-sized red robe.
　From behind her, a silver-haired girl and........

''--!　Lady Ars.

　Kalia couldn't help but peel her eyes away and utter that.
　An odd face. It was true that Kalia felt that the demons she encountered would only be able to compete with a single magician. As a result, Fanon and Garginis were here, and this alone was unparalleled and unusual.

　In addition, if the president of the association went in person, and Ars Regin, the current reigning pinnacle of magicians, it's not surprising that a few screws in Kalia's reasoning have been blown out.
　And then relief filled my heart as if it had been blown away. The fact that the man who had shown the obvious difference in power between him and I had rushed to me seemed to me to be the most reliable thing.