The blue sky stretched above, with a gentle breeze swaying the drifting white clouds.
One particularly fast-moving white cloud streaked across the sky, zigzagging through clusters of other clouds, leaving holes as it passed before vanishing on the horizon.
"Stop! We're here."
The white cloud came to an abrupt stop, and a satisfied Hiroshi emerged from the cloud. Next to him were Lumine, holding a map with her hand covering her mouth, and Riku, who looked exhilarated.
Taking a deep breath, Lumine rolled her eyes at the two mischievous men, pointing at the ground below. "It's somewhere around here. Riku, you go down."
A gentle breeze enveloped Riku, forming a protective wind barrier around him. He waved at Hiroshi and Lumine before flying off the cloud.
"Looks like Riku is about ready to raise the difficulty of his adventures," Hiroshi remarked, watching Riku's effortless first flight.
"Not bad, not bad for someone trained by me," Hiroshi added with a satisfied nod.
"What's with you today? You're so pumped that I feel like my stomach's been churned up!" Lumine complained, standing behind Hiroshi with her hand covering her mouth.
Lumine mischievously raised her hand, which she had been covering her mouth with, and patted Hiroshi on the shoulder, leaving a mark on his clothes. She giggled like a sneaky fox.
Looking at Lumine, who resembled a fox covering her mouth, Hiroshi pointed his index finger, and a flash of energy appeared. He sighed and said, "That's pretty dirty, you know."
"It's your fault in the first place!"
Lumine argued righteously, quickly clasping her hands together when she saw Hiroshi about to start showing off again. She called out, "I was wrong, sorry!"
Seeing Lumine's playful smile, Hiroshi scratched his head, a bit confused.
"You say I'm excited, but you seem even more excited. Did something good happen?"
"Hmm."
Lumine smiled mysteriously. "It's a secret, but this is also a part of me."
"Girls have many personalities, you know~"
"No, honestly, I expected as much," Hiroshi said flatly, gently moving Lumine's hand out of the way. "Anyone who grabs Paimon to use as a parachute isn't exactly what I'd call innocent."
"Seems like you're getting more comfortable around me and starting to reveal your true self."
Lumine blushed, embarrassed, scratching her cheek. She almost forgot about that incident when she first met Hiroshi. Well, she had done similar things plenty of times while adventuring with Paimon; forgetting it wasn't surprising.
Nodding firmly, Lumine found an excuse for herself, letting it go internally. She asked Hiroshi, "So, why are you so excited today?"
"Hehe!"
Hiroshi beamed, a happy smile on his face. "Ruri's parents have accepted me and entrusted her to me."
"Oh! Congratulations, then."
Seeing Hiroshi grinning foolishly, Lumine's eyes softened for a moment. She suppressed her emotions and smiled, saying, "When's the wedding? Let me be your bridesmaid!"
"Alright, it's a promise."
Hiroshi smiled back. "I wonder if your brother would cry watching his sister in a bridesmaid dress at my wedding."
"Probably."
With a smile on her face, Lumine looked at the drifting clouds. Thinking of her brother, her eyes reflected a hint of longing.
"That idiot would probably cry. Seeing me in a wedding dress would make him think of the day I might get married someday."
"What a big fool."
"Hmm..."
For some reason, Hiroshi felt the mood shift and quickly changed the topic. He pointed below at Riku, who had started to clear out monsters. "Looks like in a few days, Riku will be through the beginner phase. Then I'll have some time for my own stuff."
Lumine, who had been clenching her fists in a playful manner, snapped out of it and looked down at Riku. Stretching, she said, "I'll still stick around. But the upcoming tasks won't be easy. I'll probably team up with Riku, too. It's really like cheating—he got so strong so quickly."
Meanwhile, at Mondstadt's city gate, Fischl, Kuroneko, Klee, and Tokimoto Hifumi set out together. They greeted Shirou Emiya, who had just arrived, and headed towards Windrise.
Holding a commission slip nervously, Tokimoto Hifumi walked alongside Klee, sneaking glances at Fischl, who was chatting with Kuroneko.
'Wow, such a bold outfit. I feel embarrassed just looking at it. Miss Fischl is amazing, actually adventuring in that outfit.'
They had met Fischl when they were at the Adventurers' Guild choosing a task.
After they arrived in Mondstadt, Hifumi shyly suggested wanting to see a real Slime. So they all went to the Adventurers' Guild to take on some small tasks and get Hifumi, who was still at level one, some experience.
Though Hifumi had no intentions of becoming a combatant, she gratefully accepted everyone's kindness.
While Hifumi and Klee were choosing tasks, Fischl had just returned from a mission and was excited to see Kuroneko, happily joining them.
To Fischl, Kuroneko and Megumin were her comrades from another world. When they needed help, how could Fischl, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, not step forward?
Of course, Oz explained in his deep, mature voice, "Miss was simply excited to see her friends and wanted to play together."
When she saw Oz, Hifumi, who loved small animals, tried gently petting him.
According to Oz, Hifumi was a lovely girl with a mysterious charm that he liked very much. Her petting technique was excellent and very comforting.
Hifumi smiled as she patted Oz on her shoulder. She looked at the commission slip in her hand.
Commission: A group of Wind Slimes has appeared near the Statue of the Anemo Archon in Windrise. Please drive them away, or I won't be able to clean the dust from Lord Barbatos's statue.
Requirements: Drive away or eliminate the Wind Slime group.
Time Limit: 24 hours.
Reward: 30000 Mora, 100 Experience Points.
Drawing a small character on her palm, Hifumi closed her hand and pretended to swallow it, inhaling deeply. Under Klee's curious gaze, she softly murmured, "Hifumi, you can do it, go get 'em!ヾ(°?°?)??"
"Big Sister Hifumi, what are you doing?"
Klee tugged on Hifumi's hand and asked.
Blushing slightly, Hifumi gently patted Klee's head and said, "This is my way of dealing with nervousness. When I feel anxious, I draw a little person on my palm and pretend to swallow it."
"Oh."
Not quite understanding, Klee happily pointed at the large tree crown in the distance and smiled at Hifumi. "Big Sister Hifumi, we're here!"
As they kept walking, the path opened up before them.
The gentle breeze blew past, and Hifumi stood dazed on the path with Klee's small hand in hers.
A massive oak tree towered into the sky, with blue butterflies fluttering beneath its crown. Behind the tree lay an endless expanse of grassland stretching to the horizon. The green field rippled gently under the breeze, and thin cooking smoke floated above it.
With her purple-red hair fluttering around her ears, Hifumi whispered in awe, "It's beautiful~"
"I think so too."
Kuroneko walked to Hifumi's side, her black hair swaying around her ears. She brushed her hair back and said, smiling, "I wanted you to see this view, Hifumi."
"The wicked monsters are waiting for our sacred judgment. Let us proceed!"
Fischl looked at the three who had stopped, tilting her head in confusion. She had seen this view many times before—why were they lingering so long?
She urged them forward, carrying her longbow as she walked ahead happily.
"Hifumi, look—those are your targets!"
She pointed at a group of small Wind Slimes bouncing around near the Anemo Archon statue. Fischl covered her right eye dramatically and proclaimed, "Go forth, brave warrior! The Prinzessin der Verurteilung and the Fallen Angel Holy Black Cat shall protect you. Fear not, and face the evil monsters!"
"Go get them, Big Sister Hifumi!" Klee cheered, her voice ringing beside her.
Seeing everyone encouraging her, Hifumi nodded firmly, drew a small character on her palm, and pretended to swallow it. Looking at the cute slimes bouncing in front of her, she called out softly, "Alright then, Hifumi, moving out!"
Cautiously stepping forward, Hifumi circulated the magic power within her, recalling the lessons Lisa had given her yesterday. Using the beginner magic knowledge she had, she aimed at the approaching Wind Slime and yelled, "Hey! Fireball!"
She felt something soft around her feet and opened her eyes slightly. To her surprise, a group of Wind Slimes was circling her happily.
"Huh?!"
On the other side, Fischl lowered her bow and nodded knowingly.
"Hm. Not bad for someone from another world. To tame monsters like this... Fortunately, I sensed no aggression from the slimes earlier, so I didn't attack. Otherwise, I wouldn't have seen this scene."
"Wow! Big Sister Hifumi is amazing. Klee wants to play too!"
Klee's eyes sparkled, and she ran towards Hifumi, who was surrounded by Wind Slimes.
Hifumi hugged Klee, much like she would normally comfort Sōjirō, gently soothing the excited slimes around her. Her face was a picture of confusion. She blinked at Kuroneko and Fischl as they approached.
"What's happening here?"