There is an entity called the 'Strongest Species'.
　It is a race with a power that rivals or even surpasses the S-ranked adventurers.

　Dragon tribe.
　Spirits.
　Gods.

　In this world, there are numerous 'strongest species'....
　One of the most unusual of them is the 'Cat Spirit Tribe'.

　It has a confusing name, but it's not a cat ghost.
　It's the 'Cat Spirit Tribe'.

　They look like cats with ears and tails attached to people.
　The entire race has a cheerful personality and is very friendly.
　They are so cute that it's hard to believe even if they are called the "strongest species", and it's said that at one time they were revered like idols.

　It is such a "cat spirit race", but its potential is tremendous.
　They can split the earth with their bare hands, jump up to the top of the clouds without using any tools, and move beyond the speed of sound.
　It is rumored that because they can't use magic, their physical abilities seem to have evolved to the extreme, and they can even defeat the Demon King in a mere fight.

　However, due to the wars that occurred in the past, the population of this species has decreased dramatically.
　They seem to be on the brink of extinction, and it is rare to see them.
　They are so hard to find that it's said that if you encounter one, you'll be lucky.

　Such a girl from the 'cat spirit race' was in front of me.

''Haghaghagh!　Ammo, ammo!　Clank, clank, clank, clank!

　The girl from the "Cat Spirit Tribe" was eating the emergency portable food I had with me.
　She was eating it with all her might.
　She was devouring it like crazy.

　I heard that she was starving to death.
　I'm convinced.
　A real 'cat spirit race' wouldn't be cornered by a killer tiger.

''Puhaha!

　After eating all of my portable food, the girl from the 'Cat Spirit Tribe' finally seemed to be satisfied and smiled at me.

　.......If you look closely, she's very cute.

　Her hair is beautiful and silky, like a bundle of light.
　Green eyes that shine like jewels.
　If it weren't for the cat ears and tail, it would be more convincing if she was called a princess from some country.

'Have you settled in?'
'Yeah!　Thank you, thank you.......I thought I was going to die like that.
You're exaggerating.
I'm not making a big deal out of it! I've been out of drink and food for days now, and I saw my grandparents waving across the river when they should have gone to heaven.

　It was a rather unfashionable situation, apparently.
　I'm so glad I was able to help the girl out in a swell way.

'Oh, by the way, we didn't introduce ourselves!　I'm sorry that you saved my life. I'm Kanade. As you can see, I'm a girl from the 'Cat Spirit Clan'...
My name is the Rain Shroud. I am an adventurer-to-be.
Are you planning on it?
I was in the middle of taking a test. That's when I saw you.
I wish they call me Kanade, not you.
Okay, I'll take Rain.
'Yeah!　It's nice to meet you, Rain.

　This is how Kanade and I met.
　........This was my first time with the person who would become my partner for life.



----------



Heh, so Rain was at a brave party then.

　I was about to head back to town and Kanade offered to follow me.
　I didn't have any problems, so I decided to just go with him.

　On the way....

　I was telling Kanade about something that had happened to me recently.
　Essentially, it's a lousy memory that I hate to even remember...
　Kanade's cheerful personality made it so, and the next thing I knew, I was telling him everything.

'Mmmm,'

　Kanade looks unhappy.

'What's wrong?'
I can't forgive that brave man for banishing Rain. Rain, you're such a good person.
"...you're going to be angry for me?
Of course!

　Kanade is a kind boy, isn't he?
　It's not easy for her to be mad at me for something I just met.

'Well, I can't help it. It's a fact that I've been holding you back, you know.
Meow but it doesn't feel right!
'Thanks, for being angry for me. But I feel better now. If I had stayed at the party, I wouldn't have been in trouble. When I think about it, I'm glad I left.
'Hmmm ... if Rain doesn't care, I don't care either!
That's a good boy.
Mwah.

　I couldn't help but reflexively stroke Kanade's head.
　However, Kanade didn't show any signs of disgust, but rather narrowed her eyes as if she felt comfortable.

''Oh, but, but let me correct you on one thing?　Rain isn't useless. In fact, he's very strong.
Thanks for the consolation.
It's not a consolation prize! I'm serious, okay?
'You can't say that but what's the point of my power?　Since I'm a Beast Tamer, I'm only capable of using animals...
'That's what's so great about it,' he said. Rain's Beast Tamer talent is off the charts.
How can you say that?
Lane can probably sign me up for that.
What?

　I stopped dead in my tracks when he said something I hadn't expected.
　Kanade looks up at me and smiles at me.

'What can I say?　The moment I saw Lane, I felt a jolt of electricity run through me. And I thought. I thought that Rayne would be able to use me. There are only a handful of people in the world who can use us cat spirits, right?　That's why Lane is such an amazing person.
'You can't say that...'

　It's insubstantial.

　Using the Cat Spirit Tribe?
　I hadn't thought of that...

Do you want to use me?
'What? You sure?　No, I don't know if I can...
Lane can do it... I'm interested, do you want to try it?
....

　If we were able to use the most powerful species, nothing would be more reassuring.

　But beyond that calculation.....
　I wanted to get to know Kanade better.
　I wanted to get closer to her by making a contract.

　So.....

Okay, I'll try.
Yeah.... That's what I'm talking about, Rain. I'm rooting for you!
So can you just stand there and hold still?
Can I just sit still?
Yeah. I'll do all the work, all right?

　He bit his thumb and let the blood flow.
　Using the blood, he draws a special magic circle on the palm of his hand that only Beast Tamers use.

　He holds his palm up to Kanade.

''My name is Rain Shroud. I will make a new contract and make a connection here. With an oath in my heart, with hope in my heart, with power in my hands. Answer. What is thy name?

　Here, if Kanade answers his name, the contract is sealed.
　If not.........

"...Kanade....

　Despite his anxiety, Kanade spoke his name.

　The magic circle drawn in blood shone.
　Light flooded in....
　I'm sucked into the canade.

''........nyah?　Is that it?
Yeah we have a deal. Here, look at your palm.
'Oh ... oh?　There's some weird patterns on it.
That's the deal that binds me to Kanade. Now you see I have a contract with Kanade.
That's it. This is the proof of the bond between me and Rain, isn't it?
Bond.....
Wasn't it?
'No it's right. It's a testament to the bond between me and Kanade.
Nice to meet you, Rain.
You're welcome, too.

　Thus....
　I had unintentionally decided to use the "strongest species".