An outcast dropout, surviving on the frontier and rising to become an S-ranked counter-magician.

Oh, it's not Julia!　Long time no see!

'Sofia, it's odd, isn't it? And it feels like it's been a really long time.

'Hey. But we haven't seen each other for that long, though...

Sure, well...

It's a good thing you got your hair cut.

Oh yeah. I had a few thoughts.

Okay.

Yes.

After that, I left Eve and was hanging out in the city, and next I ran into Sophia by chance. I wonder if everyone wants to shop for things before the mission. I've heard that women especially like that sort of thing. And I continue to walk alongside Sophia.

'Is Julia okay?'

...about that?

Yeah. The first-grade demons have been informed.

That's okay. I'm still the same person.

'I see. No you're right. Julia has always been.

Information about the traitor has already been spread throughout the army, but information about me, Shelly, and my seniors has been restricted. It seems that even among the first class anti-magicians, only those participating in this operation have been informed of the details. I know that fact, but Sofia treats me like she always does. I'm really grateful for this kind of friend. It's not needlessly distant, nor is it familiar.

I'm glad I got to know Sophia again.

Well, I don't want you to be so overrated.

What?　Totally, you're already humble in a disgusting way. You're an extra-grade anti-magician now, rank zero in the pecking order, right?　You should have been more imposing~

''Ummm but I can't change my behavior that quickly...''

Is that possible?

Not for me.

Wow.

'Oh, by the way, Sophia became a first class anti-magician. Congratulations.

'Thank you!　Oh no, Eira-senpai trained me for it.

If you don't mind me saying so, but it sounds like you're in for a rough ride.

That was amazing. All we did was just the basics, but they didn't tell us what to do. But they didn't tell me what to do or how to do it by gut. They taught me the theory.

Like a senior citizen.

Yeah.

What did Sophia do, by the way?

Shopping. What's the plan for the upcoming mission and, well, the rest is just a hobby?

You want me to go out with you?　I'll at least carry your stuff.

'Oh!　Really!　Ah ... but hey ... to Shelly ...

What's wrong with Sherry?

'What?　No, it's nothing!　Then follow me!　Let's shop together!

I don't like the way you're talking all of a sudden.

I don't care, I don't care ... let's go.

Yes, sir.

◇

It's heavy.

Haha, sorry. I bought too much.

After that, we went shopping in town for the next two hours, and we had a lot of luggage in our hands. Sophia's purchase motivation is tremendous, and she buys this and that one thing after another. Even if Sophia and I split up the purchase, it's still pretty full.

I don't need to use my body enhancement, I can usually take this kind of weight home with me, but.......it's kind of visually heavy. Just lowering this amount of weight into my hands made me feel heavy....................it was like that.

'Yulia, let's go by there for a bit.

Where are you going?

Look, there.

Then she points to a place.

'The river?'

Yeah ... let's cool off a bit.

All right.

Me and Sophia carry our bags as we approach the nearby river. A small river runs near the military quarters. When we reach the riverside, we drop our bags off as we go. I decide to sit there, but Sophia is staring at the ground for something.

'Are you looking for something?'

Stone!

A rock?

Yeah. It's been a while since I've had a chance to drain the water.

It's been so long.

Can't we compete?

Okay, but I'm probably not very good at it.

'No, it's fine. We do these things together, so it makes sense.

I often look for a stone that seems to run out of water as I am prompted to do so. I remember doing this often when I was young, but I'm so bad at it that I don't think I did it more than 10 times.

Then I'll go.

Let's see how good you are.

Bye!

Sophia threw the stone in a beautiful underthrow, and the stone bounced over the water. It bounced once, twice, three times.............After about 15 bounces, the stone sank into the water.

'Hmmm... I thought I could make it twenty times...'

You're good, Sofia.

Well, yeah. Okay, now it's Julia's turn.

"O-kay.

I throw the thin stone I found, underthrowing it as well as Sophia, and the stone runs across the water. I used to be bad at it, but I guess I'm more adept at many things now... because the stone bounced and sank about 20 times.

''Ah, I've lost...''

Well it used to be that you couldn't do it ten times, but it works.

What, you're being sarcastic?

'I mean, no, I'm not saying that, but I guess I've kind of grown up. But it's just a drain.

'Well I used to do that with my brother.

Your brother...

I was remembering the story of Sophia's brother who was missing.

'Yeah. He's been gone for a long time now, but sometimes I'm draining him like this by myself... and I'm remembering him.

...Yeah, I see.

''Yeah I'm sure this mission, this will be a big step for humanity. I will continue to fight for my brother in the twilight as well. Besides, Yulia and the others will be with us.

It's a little awkward to say, but I'll do my best.

'It sounds kind of awesome to hear that Julia's at her best right now.

''I hope you're right, but I'm sure the demons are still going to be riddled with guys like me.

'Scary but I've decided to fight in a world like that. Huh........it's a lot of work for a lot of things....

Well, let's get on with it.

Yeah. Good!　One more round!

I wish!

And so Sophia and I played for a while at the drainage, not worthy of our age.