When she was a child, Nia Bella often faced hatred from the people of the city. One thing that helped her endure was a fairy tale book.

It was based on one of the church’s famous prophecies about the birth of a Hero.

[When the world is in peril, a Hero with black hair shall appear.]

Nia Bella loved that story, so when she realized that the Hero had come to save her, she made a decision. No matter what happened, she wanted to follow him.

Knowing her feelings, I made the first move by proposing my offer. As expected, her response matched what I had anticipated.

“R-Really?”

Of course, it wasn’t a joke.

“But… but…”

“But what?”

“The Hero and the others... And most of all, Louis, you're a wizard, so even without me…”

Ah, I had been prepared for this question.

“Nia Bella, do you know that there are different types of mana?”

“Ah, yes… I use lunar mana, after all.”

“Well, I can’t use elemental mana.”

“What?”

I placed my hand over my chest and raised the Master Key with my other hand.

“Due to my constitution, I can’t use elemental mana. I use stellar mana, and even then, I can only borrow it through tools.”

Ultima’s Holy Spear was technically a magical tool, though its size and power were beyond ordinary.

“So I can’t provide the large-scale firepower that the Hero’s party needs. That’s why I support them through tools and auxiliary magic.”

“Ah…”

“But even though you're a witch who uses lunar mana, you can control fire stronger than any elemental mage.”

The fire giant.

Although she couldn't control it directly or summon it again, if we look at it differently, Nia Bella’s ability to summon such a massive being showed her immense potential.

“But...”

Despite this, her anxious eyes showed hesitation about accepting my offer.

“I... I can’t even properly control my magic yet, and...”

“I’ll teach you.”

“What?”

I stepped closer and gently took both her hands in mine. Her hands were rough from the many trials she’d endured, yet they still held a certain charm.

“I’ll teach you how to become a proper witch, and how to wield powerful magic with ease.”

Just as my teacher had done for me.

‘And there’s one more thing.’

I’d also help her appeal to the Hero.

So, Nia Bella, all you have to do is bring yourself!

At that moment—

Sniffle... Sob...

Nia Bella began to shed large tears.

“Louis...”

“Hm?”

“Can I call you… sister?”

“Eh?”

Looking down at me with teary eyes, Nia Bella hesitated while holding onto my shoulders. I couldn’t bring myself to refuse her.

“Uh, s-sure.”

“Thank you, Louis… sister!”

Hmm, being called "sister" felt strange. I had always been the one calling others by such titles, since most people I had been close with were older than me. But this time, it was the other way around.

“I promise I’ll do my best! I’ll listen to everything you say… and...”

“L-let’s go talk to the rest of the party.”

“Yes! And please, call me Nia!”

“All right, Nia.”

As Nia moved to embrace me, I quickly stepped back to avoid being smothered. Then I turned to Rozen, who was watching with a somewhat disappointed look on her face.

“Rozen.”

“Ah, yes.”

“What do you want to do?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Sorry, but you can’t join the party.”

“…I figured.”

She seemed resigned to the decision, as if she had known this would be the outcome. While I did want to bring Rozen along for Nia’s sake, Rozen wasn’t a combatant. She was just a girl from the streets who lacked the time to develop any special talents.

Bringing her into the party would be much harder than bringing in Nia.

“I think… I’ll stay in this city. After all, it’s the place I’ve always lived.”

“I see.”

After some thought, I took both Nia and Rozen’s hands and led them out of the alley.

“For now, let’s discuss the details with the others.”

With Nia and Rozen in tow, I headed to where the four others were gathered and spoke directly.

“We’re adding Nia Bella to our party.”

“Huh? Why? You’re already here. Is it necessary?”

And so, I was met with opposition.

The first to oppose was Lapiria.

“I don’t really see the need. You’ve been doing fine so far, Louis, so why add someone else?”

Next was Serlyn.

“I also think it would be best to escort Rozen and Nia Bella to another city. Our journey is too difficult for them.”

Then Aria.

“I feel bad for Nia Bella, but joining the party is a different matter.”

Even the Hero opposed the idea.

I had expected at least one of them to abstain or vote in favor, but instead, they were all against it.

“Louis... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Even Nia, who had been standing behind me, froze and apologized.

“...Everyone, come inside.”

Leaving Nia and Rozen behind, I led the four into a nearby building. After some effort, I brought out four chairs and lined them up.

“Huh? Are we supposed to sit here?”

“Yes.”

“And where did those chairs come from?”

I had retrieved them from my subspace.

Standing before them, I took out a large sketchpad and pen from the same subspace.

“It’s pretty big.”

“Louis, what exactly are you planning…?”

Finally, I grabbed a spoon and the Master Key.

“Now, please focus.”

With that, I opened the first page of the sketchpad.

[This Hero party needs firepower.]

“Huh?”

“What’s with the old man pointing his finger?”

I ignored the murmuring crowd and began my presentation.

“From now on, I’ll explain why we need to add Nia to our party.”

“A presentation?”

“When did you even prepare this…?”

I had prepared it long before meeting Nia. But revealing that would only raise questions about how I had known about her, so I covered it up by focusing on the firepower issue.

‘I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t so important.’

But Nia was that important, and it was worth the effort.

The truth was that all problems could be solved if I just left the party, but...

“...?”

I made brief eye contact with the Hero before quickly looking away.

For now, I didn’t want to leave.

“This party is perfect, except for one thing.”

I turned the sketchpad to the next page, revealing a single word.

“Firepower.”

“Yes, firepower. As you all know, I’m not like a typical mage.”

Since I couldn’t use elemental mana, I couldn’t perform traditional combat magic like other mages.

“That’s why I joined as a support mage. My role is to enhance tools and provide auxiliary spells.”

“That’s true…”

“So, in a way, the party’s fundamental issue remains unsolved.”

And that issue was firepower. Specifically, large-scale firepower.

“After seeing Nia Bella summon the fire giant, I became certain. Her magic could easily solve the party’s firepower problem.”

“Wait, Louis. I have a counterpoint.”

“Yes?”

“Couldn’t you just use that Ultima’s Holy Spear or whatever from Alpareth?”

What?

“Lapiria, I told you that’s only for emergencies.”

“Did you?”

“I have to rest for days after using that!”

I glared at her, stepping closer.

“Do you understand?”

“Y-yes, but honestly, your glare isn’t all that scary…”

“...”

“Sorry…”

I managed to silence one of them.

Next up was Serlyn.

“But Louis, shouldn’t you be the one opposing Nia Bella joining if she wants to?”

“Why?”

“If another knight wanted to join the party, I’d... well, I’d probably be against it…”

She glanced at Aswell, the Hero, seemingly seeking his reaction.

She was likely curious about how the Hero would respond.

“You’re right. If another knight came, I’d oppose it too. Serlyn is already here.”

“Ah…”

Serlyn covered her mouth with her hands, clearly moved by his words.

“I’d feel the same way. But this situation is different.”

“Hmm…”

“I only temporarily ‘replace’ the party’s firepower by casting support magic. I can’t fully take on that role.”

“Well, if you say so, Louis... I’ll trust your judgment since I don’t know much about magic.”

“I feel the same way. But ultimately… Aswell, it’s your decision.”

Indeed, no matter what the heroines thought, the final decision rested with the Hero. I looked at him.

“Louis, let’s talk privately for a moment.”

And so, he requested a private conversation.

“...All right.”

After a short while, the others left, leaving just the two of us.

“Louis.”

“Yes.”

“Are you really... sure about this?”

“About what?”

“Bringing Nia Bella into the party. We know you’ll still have a different role, but others might not see it that way.”

The Hero’s concern was about how the party would be perceived from the outside. I finally realized what he was worried about.

“Are you concerned about the rumors regarding me?”

“...Yes.”

He was worried about rumors that they had replaced their existing mage with a new witch, rendering me useless.

People who didn’t know the situation could easily come to that conclusion. After all, mages and witches were often seen as interchangeable.

With two magic users in the party, it would likely reflect poorly on me.

But I wasn’t concerned.

If I were lacking in magical ability or felt insecure, I might have hesitated. But I was confident that I wouldn’t fall short compared to Nia Bella.

No, in fact, I believed my skills were superior.

And even if I left the party, I had plenty of places to return to.

“Even if Nia Bella joins, I won’t abandon you.”

“Ah, well, that’s... good to know.”

His comment felt odd, but I brushed it off.

“I’m not worried about that.”

After all, worrying about outside opinions would do me no good.

“Instead, I have one request, Hero.”

What mattered to me were the people in the party.

“What is it?”

I slowly approached him, looking up as I spoke.

“Even if Nia joins the party, please continue to pay attention to me.”

“...”

I didn’t need much—just feedback on my magic and requests when something was needed. I had joined this party to fill their gaps, and in return, I would receive valuable resources.

“...All right, Louis.”

With a determined expression and a bright red face, the Hero nodded.

“No matter what, I’ll prioritize you.”

...

‘That... sounded strange, but...’

Thump.

Still, I felt oddly reassured.

With the Hero’s approval, Nia Bella was successfully able to join the party.