Seneca and Maiol travelled between two houses, accepting requests in the region surrounding Lusitania.

  Thanks to a letter previously arranged by Turia for the Lusitania branch, no troubles arose.

  When Seneca saw Maiol muttering, "Everything requires groundwork..." she felt a slight shiver down her spine.

  Though there weren’t many monsters around Lusitania, they weren’t entirely absent. The area had nearby mountains and rivers, and if they travelled southeast, the sea would eventually come into view. There were certain types of requests here that they couldn’t accept in Baetica, and that’s why Seneca and Maiol had taken them on.

  The first request they took on was the extermination of a group of soldier crabs that dwelled by a river. This task was suited for Copper-ranked adventurers.

  The soldier crabs were closely reted to freshwater crabs, and since they could be found near water, they were often in groups, which made it troublesome if surrounded.

  However, Maiol used her skills to search for them, and together, they easily defeated them.

  Thanks to their recent level-ups, which had dramatically improved their physical abilities, they were no match for ordinary monsters.

  The next request had them escorting a schor who wanted to collect mushrooms.

  Since it required going deep into the mountains and camping, it wasn’t the most lucrative job, but they accepted it for the sake of experience.

  The schor was a quiet man who showed little interest in anything other than mushrooms. While he was somewhat difficult to deal with, he wasn’t a bad person, and they managed to complete the request.

  The soup the man made from the mushrooms he collected was so exquisite that even Maiol, who wasn’t fond of mushrooms, was moved by its taste.

  They also helped find seagull nests on the coast and exterminated monsters in mines. In most of these tasks, they had little trouble with combat. The issues arose in areas they hadn’t focused on much before, such as unclear task definitions and the complexities of retionships with clients.

  However, fortunately for them, Maiol was sociable, and both of them being beautiful young girls meant they rarely faced any disadvantages.

  Eventually, it was time for them to return to Baetica.

  ...

  Maiol’s father insisted that they travel by the Merida Trading Company’s carriage, so they set off in a luxurious vehicle, with Seneca and Maiol riding together.

  They decided to take advantage of the situation and reflect on their past while discussing what y ahead.

  "Seneca's level 3 ability is truly extraordinary, no matter how many times I check," Maiol remarked.

  After the battle with the Cyclops, Seneca had informed Kito and Maiol that she had levelled up. Both of them were astonished at first, then surrounded her as though interrogating her, asking for details.

  It was their shared conclusion that reaching level 3 was likely the fastest in history.

  First, regarding basic abilities, it was assumed that the "interference power" was reted to the manipution and strength of actions like "sewing."

  Seneca’s interference power had significantly increased, allowing her to manipute needles in the air and perform embroidery, though slower than hand-stitching, it was still a noticeable improvement. Additionally, the strength of her "Magical Needle" had also risen, enabling her to sew through stone. Recently, she had even pierced the tough shell of a Rock Turtle monster.

  Next was her “Pin” ability. This was useful not only in combat but also in other situations. For example, when processing a monster they had sin, she could pin down pieces for easier dissection. There was even potential to use this ability to hinder an enemy by pinning them directly. Currently, she could pin up to five objects at once, but with further practice, it might be possible to increase the range or even pin things that weren’t solid objects.

  Finally, there was her major skill: "Non-material Stitching." Astonishingly, there didn’t seem to be a limit to what could be sewn using this ability. However, the more complex the material, the more magic energy it required, so that would ultimately limit its use.

  Seneca had tried to sew various things, from air to the gaps between minds, and while few of those things were useful in combat, those that were were incredibly powerful.

  Even though Seneca had a lot of magical energy, the ability itself consumed a tremendous amount, making it difficult to sustain. Kito had suggested that the way Seneca focused her mind was key to improving it, and encouraged her to explore that further.

  Recently, Seneca had been experimenting by stabbing needles into the ground daily, conducting research. Maiol, although concerned, chose to ignore it. However, she began to think that perhaps she should ask Seneca about it at an appropriate time, as it might save her from future worries.

  Kito, having listened to Seneca and Maiol, seemed to be deep in thought. However, since her thoughts were still specutive, she kept them to herself.

  Nevertheless, Kito believed that Seneca’s ability was so powerful that it would take time to fully control it, advising Seneca to take it slow and let it settle in over time.

  After discussing Seneca’s abilities, the conversation shifted to Maiol’s abilities.

  Once Maiol had been promoted to copper-ranked, she began considering her future path. She decided, despite being somewhat indecisive, to train both archery and swordsmanship as a mid-range fighter.

  She had originally intended to choose just one of them, but ended up pursuing both.

  There were many reasons behind this decision, but a major one was that it seemed the best way to make use of her skills. By combining her broad range of vision, she could be effective both at close and mid-range, and she believed this would be the path she needed to take.

  Maiol felt that even if it turned out not to be the best path, it would still be worthwhile. She had no regrets and looked forward to attending the Adventurers' Academy, where she would meet all kinds of people and have the opportunity to choose her path again.

  From the moment she decided to fight by using her "Detection" skill, Maiol had stepped off the conventional path. She was now on a more unconventional one, relying on her instincts to guide her toward what was best.

  Strangely, though, she felt no anxiety. Perhaps it was because she believed she was at the forefront of this path, with the king of the wilds by her side.

  As their conversation deepened, Seneca and Maiol eventually fell asleep. What they dreamed of was a grand tale, but whether it was a dream or reality had become indistinguishable.

  ...

  Time passed, and the day came when Seneca’s departure for the royal capital was upon them.

  Many from the orphanage came to see her off. Most wore cheerful faces, though a few seemed filled with sadness or resolve.

  Sister Cire, to Kito’s surprise, managed to remain composed, while the headmistress slowly embraced Seneca, a gesture that appeared almost sacred in nature.

  The ones with determined expressions were Nord, Pike, and Mitz. The three stepped forward, presenting Seneca with something. Seneca was fairly pragmatic, so receiving a gift was likely the best course of action. She had witnessed such scenes several times before.

  However, there was no lightness in the faces of the three. While they might not have given up on Seneca, they seemed to carry an air of independence, as if standing without relying on her.

  For Maiol’s farewell, many adventurers gathered. She had wide social connections and a friendly disposition, so numerous people came to see her off. Among them were even the couple from the tavern.

  She had already said her proper goodbyes to her family during her visit to Lusitania, so the atmosphere was more cheerful.

  Meanwhile, Kito’s farewell saw his parents, Yulia, and a few friends.

  It was surprising to Kito that both her parents and Yulia shed tears.

  She had expected a more indifferent parting.

  Her parents had always shown little interest in what Kito did, giving only passive encouragement: "If you want to do it, then do it," "Follow the path you believe in." They neither affirmed nor denied her choices.

  Kito had always thought of them as loving, but distant. However, it seemed this might not be the case, and this realisation caused a pang in her chest.

  Perhaps they had been quietly watching over her growth with a heavy heart, she wondered, and the thought stirred something within her.

  Yulia, though a kind but strict person, had always appeared detached, focusing only on what needed to be done. However, Kito realised Yulia might have had more affection for her than she had assumed.

  She promised to visit her in the royal capital and they agreed to keep in touch regarding visits to the apothecary.

  The journey was once again made easier thanks to the Merida Trading Company, allowing Kito to travel in retive comfort. The schedule allowed for ample rest, and once in the royal capital, Kito pnned to acclimate herself.

  After leaving Baetica, Kito had studied diligently, but also spent a lot of time talking with Seneca and Maiol.

  At first, they had serious discussions about skills and level-ups. Kito had shared that, if things went as expected, she was close to reaching level 2.

  Eventually, their conversations grew lighter, and they ended up ughing until they were in tears over trivial things. Looking back, Kito realised that the ughter itself had become a cherished memory.

  In the end, silence fell, and each of them became lost in thought.

  Well, to be honest, Seneca spent most of the time napping, and Maiol seemed to be absent-mindedly using her skills. The only one truly lost in thought was Kito.

  What Kito was contempting, however, was her own dreams.

  For example, Seneca and Lucius sought strength so they could protect those dear to them and survive against any odds. They dedicated themselves to constant training.

  Maiol, like something out of a fairytale, wished to leave a legacy by defeating dragons. Surprisingly, a rather bold ambition.

  Surrounded by such friends, Kito realised she didn’t have a dream as clearly defined as theirs.

  She had sometimes thought it would be enough to support her friends’ dreams. But then, doubts crept in. Was it enough to simply py a supporting role when she was the protagonist of her own life?

  She valued herself, but she also valued her friends.

  Was she as imaginative as Seneca? As talented as Lucius? As determined as Maiol?

  It felt like none of these were qualities she possessed.

  Perhaps it would be good to seek peace instead. After all, peace was the most valuable thing.

  And yet, she found herself drawn to those who shone like Seneca and Maiol. It seemed she was instinctively attracted to them.

  Maybe it was best to support them, but then again, Kito realised her own arrogance.

  The people she wished to support were a level 3 adventurer who had reached the fastest growth in recorded history, a genius adventurer who sought to sy dragons, and a boy who had inherited divine magic and mastery over the sword.

  There was no way a normal person could help them.

  "Heh, heh, heh."

  "Heh, heh, heh... Wahahaha hahaha..."

  Kito couldn't hold back the ughter that welled up inside her. In the end, she realised that she had to surpass them all.

  It might not be easy, but there were those around her who were striving for even greater heights.

  For some reason, Kito didn’t want to lose to them.

  If that was the case, then her goal was "Excellence."

  Perhaps the way forward was to become so remarkable that her arrogance was justified.

  She chuckled to herself, surprised at the grand ambitions forming in her mind.

  Yet, these thoughts settled deep within her, beginning to burn with intensity.

  “There’s no need for restraint within my heart.”

  With those words, Kito began to carefully devise her strategy to reach level 3.