The group was complete, ready to depart.

  Souta walked in front, the spoon swinging as if it were a scepter.

  Suddenly, something stirred beneath Meliora’s hair.

  A small golden bee, with translucent wings and glowing eyes, flew out in nervous circles.

  It was **Mel**, the familiar born from the essence of Souta and Meliora.

  Souta raised an eyebrow.

  — Well, well… Mel, you’re traveling with us, aren’t you? I almost forgot about you. Why were you hiding?

  The little bee trembled, drops of sweat sliding down its tiny body.

  — F-forgive me, sir… there were too many people… I got shy…

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  Meliora stretched out her hands, letting Mel land gently on them.

  — It’s all right, Mel. You’re far too cute to be hiding.

  Mel buzzed her wings timidly, covering her face with her little paws.

  Souta then turned back.

  The young apprentice, Thirga, walked in silence, eyes shifting everywhere.

  In an instant, Souta appeared before her.

  **Zoosshh.**

  Thirga froze, staring.

  Souta leaned closer, his eyes burning with mana.

  — Remove the mask.

  Meliora gasped.

  — Lord Kihara, don’t invade someone’s privacy like that!

  Souta didn’t back down.

  — We are a group. We must trust one another. I want to see your face.

  Meliora tried to protest, but Thirga, silent, raised her hands.

  With a slow gesture, she removed the mask.

  Souta’s eyes widened in surprise.

  It wasn’t what he expected.

  Pikonota shouted, nearly falling backward:

  — WHAAAT?! SHE’S A GIRL?!

  Thirga’s firm voice cut through the air:

  — Who are you calling a girl? I am a woman. I’m twenty-two years old, if you must know.

  Souta stroked his chin, analyzing her from head to toe.

  Meliora blushed immediately.

  — Lord! It’s improper to stare at a woman like that!

  — You’re a dwarf, aren’t you? — Souta interrupted, ignoring Meliora.

  Thirga nodded.

  — Yes.

  A smile spread across Souta’s face.

  — An alchemist, a blacksmith… and a dwarf. Something tells me we’re going to have a lot of fun together.

  Thirga answered with another smile, firm, almost defiant.

  Meanwhile, Mel trembled in Meliora’s hands, as if sensing that the journey was only going to grow more dangerous from here on.