They follow after the girls, finding Selene huffing and puffing as she sits on a rock.

“Did something happen, Selene, Camelia?” Cordelia asks as she steps beside the blond-haired woman, who is trying to calm down the other person.

And Camelia answers with a chirp in her voice...

“Ah... nothing unusual. Just Selene got into another argument.”

Camelia is the more peaceful and gentle one of Cordelia’s friends. That’s why Cordelia focuses on her, trying to understand the situation.

“It’s Razran again, huh?” but she doesn’t need more questions. She understands right away...

“Grrr!!!” when Selene interrupts them with an animalistic growl, Cordelia takes that as a yes.

“That damn arrogant ******!”

However, Selene seems unusually upset this time. Unlike Camelia, she doesn’t cheer up now that she’s around her friends...

“I really have to try and get out here soon.” Selene grunts, making her friends anxious.

“Aren’t you exaggerating a bit, Selene? It’s just the usual conflict you have with beasts and fairies... You have never got along with the leaders and our supervisors.” Camelia tries to reason, and she does bring up sound arguments.

They all know that Selene is the only one here who can't endure silently. She has always tries to stand up to others when she doesn’t like something.

For better or worse...

Cordelia... and probably everyone else... has always admired her. But she was worried too. She knew that it may not end well in the future...

And Cordelia fears that moment may be now.

That’s what she sees in Selene’s eyes, who seems to be thinking the same.

“He has been picking on me more and more recently... And I don’t think it’s just the usual quarrels.”

He has noticed that I have a talent for black magic. I’m showing better results each day... and that’s a bad result in his eyes.” Selene explains slowly... and, honestly, she’s probably right.

They all feel the weight of the situation...

Regardless, Bastion and Camelia try to think of something comforting.

“Don’t give up, Selene. We won’t let anyone hurt you! Razran only has a big mouth! He would break the rules if he did anything... even as one of our supervisors!” Camelia cheers while kneeling in front of Selene and patting her arm.

“I will try and talk with one of the fairies. Maybe they will understand that Razran doesn’t like witches... they will probably see that this could cause a serious conflict.” Bastion adds, and the girls seem a bit relieved.

“That’s great! Thank you, Bastion! They listen to what you say, so that’s reassuring!” Camelia almost jumps up in joy, making the others chuckle.

Selene is the only one who doesn’t seem truly happy... and Cordelia notices that.

“Selene?” Though she feels guilty for ruining the mood, she can’t help but call out to her friend.

“Haha... It’s nothing, Corry.” Selene laughs dryly in response.

“It’s just... I don’t think we can really solve my problem. Maybe temporarily... but we may hit a wall in the near future.” she adds after staying silent for a minute.

“My magical powers are really getting stronger... and even if they call ‘this’ a witch-saving project or something... we all know that’s not the case...”

“Razran isn’t the only one who won’t tolerate me soon. And  I will be lucky if I only get kicked out.” As she talks, Selene’s voice slowly fades away...

“........”

“..... a part of me wishes I was like you guys.”

“Talented in the safer types of magic like Camelia...”

“.... or have little magical power like Bastion and Corry.”

And her last sentences hurt...

Bastion and Camelia’s eyes turn to the ground...

... and Cordelia bites down on her lips in pain.

No one notices that she is the most frustrated among them.