Port Town Elnea's morning begins with the sea breeze and the bustle of the market. But today was a little different. A magical beast had been sighted in the forest on the outskirts of the town‚ and a small-scale subjugation mission was assigned from the academy. Aria and the other four were preparing to depart as their first “real combat team.”
Aria checked the magic tool at her waist and tapped her fingertips to heighten her concentration.
（This time for sure‚ safely. Carefully……）
She repeated it in her heart. With the magic power restriction in place‚ she couldn’t push herself too hard. But she had to fulfill her role of protecting her comrades.
「Alright‚ check your shoelaces!」
Cross said loudly.
「If you trip during battle‚ it’s scarier than the magical beast! You’ll get laughed at!」
「……Your way of threatening is unique.」 When Aria muttered that‚ Rinne burst out laughing.
「But it’s true‚ tripping would be embarrassing.」
「If I trip‚ I can just say I was “dancing”!」 Iris declared‚ puffing out her chest.
「No‚ that’s not dancing‚ that’s just falling……」 Aria’s calm retort made everyone laugh. The tense atmosphere eased a little.
While receiving an explanation of the simple barrier‚ the four confirmed each other’s roles. Cross was on the front line‚ Rinne was shield and support‚ Iris was detection and magic support‚ and Aria was overall magic construction and command.
Their respective roles overlapped‚ and preparations for their first mission were complete.
Aria took a deep breath‚ letting the sea breeze fill her chest. The tapping of her fingertips stopped.
（Let’s go. To our first battle.）
The forest spreading out on the outskirts of Port Town Elnea was dimly lit even during the day. Remnants of a membrane drifted between the trees‚ and the air felt slightly rough. The barrier’s light rings were weak‚ with visible flickering here and there. An eerie rustling‚ as if the forest itself was breathing‚ reached their ears.
「This is the area where the magical beast appears from here on.」 Cross stepped forward and lightly readied his sword.
「I’ll take the lead. Rinne‚ search. Iris‚ support detection. Aria‚ I’m counting on you for overall magic construction.」
「Roger.」 Aria answered shortly and tapped her fingertips. The habit she used to dispel tension had now become a rhythm for concentration.
Rinne spread out the map to check‚ but——
「Umm…… This path is correct‚ right?」
「Hey Rinne‚ the map is upside down!」 Cross immediately pointed out.
「Eh!? Ah‚ it really is……! I thought I could read it even upside down……」
「That’s only for “upside-down readable emoticons.”」 Aria calmly replied.
「Emoticons aren’t maps!」 Iris added while laughing.
The light comedic exchange eased the tense atmosphere a little. However‚ a low growling sound could be heard from deep within the forest.
Aria took a deep breath and looked at her comrades’ backs.
（……This is where it gets real. Carefully‚ but surely.）
The four matched their pace and advanced deeper into the forest.
As they advanced deeper into the forest‚ the air suddenly grew heavy. The smell of remnants stung their noses‚ and low growls echoed between the trees.
The next moment‚ a magical beast pushed through the bushes and appeared. It had gray fur‚ sharp fangs‚ and cloudy red eyes. Though small-scale‚ it was a being that could take their lives if they let their guard down.
「Here it comes!」 Cross leaped forward and readied his sword.
Aria immediately began magic construction. She kept the chant minimal but drew precise formulas to secure her comrades’ movement lines.
Rinne readied her shield and positioned herself to protect Cross’s back.
Iris spread both hands and released magic power as if dancing.
The magical beast bared its fangs and leaped at Cross.
「Whoa there! My face isn’t tasty even if you eat it!」
His shout strangely sounded like singing‚ and Aria involuntarily retorted in her mind.
（……Don’t sing during battle.）
In that instant gap‚ Aria’s magic created a wall of light‚ controlling the magical beast’s movements.
Cross restrained it with his sword‚ and Rinne stopped it with her shield.
And then——Iris’s magic resounded like a melody.
Light swayed‚ sound danced‚ and the magical beast’s movements stopped for a moment.
（……This is‚ emotion magic……!）
Aria’s chest trembled. A power that couldn’t be explained by theory. But it was certainly becoming a force to protect her comrades.
The magical beast growled again. The battle had only just begun.
The magical beast’s growls echoed through the forest. Its fangs gleamed‚ and the remnant membrane shook. Amid the stretched tension‚ Aria tapped her fingertips while reading several moves ahead.
（Circle around to the right…… Cross will lure it‚ Rinne will fill the gap with her shield…… At that moment‚ I’ll layer my magic on top.）
「Cross‚ to the right!」 Aria gave a short command.
「Roger! Watch my splendid steps!」 Cross swung his sword and drew the magical beast’s attention.
「Aria‚ leave the opening to me!」 Rinne readied her shield and stopped the magical beast’s charge. Her legs shook from the impact‚ but she desperately held her ground.
In the meantime‚ Aria’s magic construction was completed. A precise array of light ran across the ground‚ entangling the magical beast’s legs.
But that alone wasn’t enough. The magical beast was strong and tried to break the array.
「Then it’s my turn!」 Iris spread both hands with a smile.
Her magic resounded like a melody‚ light danced‚ and the magical beast’s movements stopped for a moment. As if dancing to music‚ the magical beast’s body swayed.
「Now!」 Aria raised her voice.
Cross swung his sword down‚ Rinne pushed back with her shield. Aria’s array and Iris’s melody overlapped‚ completely sealing the magical beast’s movements.
Silence fell over the forest. The magical beast collapsed‚ and the remnant membrane thinned out.
The four‚ breathing heavily‚ looked at each other.
「Phew…… We did it.」 Cross laughed and rested his sword on his shoulder.
「Aria’s instructions were perfect!」 Rinne said while catching her breath.
「Ehehe‚ my magic went “powaaan” and worked‚ right?」 Iris puffed out her chest.
「……Stop using “powaaan” as an expression.」 Aria smiled wryly.
But deep in her heart‚ she felt a definite response. Her magic protected her comrades‚ and it overlapped with their magic.
And once again‚ she felt her chest tremble at Iris’s smile.
Quietness returned to the depths of the forest. The magical beast’s remnants thinned‚ and the barrier’s flickering gradually subsided. The four‚ breathing heavily‚ confirmed each other’s safety.
「Phew…… My sword was shining today!」 Cross puffed out his chest exaggeratedly.
「Wasn’t that shine just sweat?」 Rinne quietly retorted.
「Ehehe‚ but everyone was really amazing! My “powaaan” helped too‚ right?」 Iris said with a smile.
「……“Powaaan” is not a tactical term.」 Aria smiled wryly. But there was gentleness in her voice.
While cleaning up‚ they checked each other’s injuries. Fortunately‚ there were no major wounds. Rinne polished her shield‚ Cross swung his sword to enjoy the aftertaste‚ and Iris began talking about cake to lighten the mood.
Aria tapped her fingertips and quietly murmured.
（……I won’t forget today’s coordination. We were certainly one team.）
At that moment‚ Iris suddenly stopped for a brief second. Her smile remained unchanged‚ but for just an instant‚ she was breathing heavily.
A faint unease spread through Aria’s chest.
（……As expected‚ there might be something about her stamina.）
When they left the forest‚ the evening glow of the port town welcomed them. The sea breeze blew gently‚ and the four shadows stretched out side by side.
Their first subjugation mission was over. But their story had only just begun.
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