Under the rain curtain, Jessica shuttled flexibly through the mountains and forests, like a light delphinium. Suddenly, Jessica's back disappeared into the ground after a sharp turn, as if she had fallen into the ground.

'Puff puff' was startled in the place where Jessica disappeared, but Jessica found a cave behind the broken wall, the huge cave was not occupied by fierce beasts because it was located in the middle of the air where the sky did not reach the ground, and only a few birds perched and sheltered from the rain.

Quickly found a clean and flat place to spread the blanket, Jessica gently put Wendy on it, and used magic to suck the rain off the two of them, while carefully treating the injury on Wendy's foot, Wendy's ankle was already bruised and swollen in a while. Wendy remained silent as well, and for a moment there was an atmosphere of silence in the cave.

"Am I useless."

It was Wendy's words that broke the deadlock, and Jessica's hand trembled. Silently waited for Wendy to finish.

"I don't have great life experience like Jessica, and I don't have great physical strength. Like Jessica's speed just now, I'm slowing it down, if I don't leave it alone, Jessica will definitely be able to get out of here soon. In that case, in that case."

"It's not like that!" Jessica snarled rarely. "Wendy, you don't have to blame yourself, you've done a great job. We are partners and are one! Don't say anything as hurtful as 'without you', I wouldn't be so strong without you! Without Wendy, I wouldn't be able to hold on alone! ”

"Suddenly leaving a familiar place and coming to a strange world, without a pillar by my side, I would collapse. I don't want to experience that feeling a second time. It's because of Wendy's presence that I'm strong. That's right, Jessica is talking about what happened when he came into this world, that feeling of emptiness and loneliness, Jessica doesn't want to experience it a second time.

"Wendy, you have to remember that the so-called partners are supporting each other, relying on each other, and carrying each other! It's not just interest groups that are divided by values and contributions. As your partner, all I can say is "Jessica gave a big smile. "Thank you for being by my side."

"Wendy, you've worked hard." Wendy's personality has always been prone to self-blame, and her overly kind personality makes Wendy blame everything on herself. This is not conducive to Wendy's growth.

“”

"Ahhhh

"Jessica is such a." Wendy wiped away her tears and showed her most energetic smile since the two met.

Outside the cave, the rain kept falling, and the water vapor was filled. The atmosphere inside the cave is very warm.

-- I-- is-- friendship-- affection -- divides -- cuts -- threads --

It was night, and the rain was still falling, and Wendy was already asleep, making even breathing sounds. Jessica quietly crept out of the cave while Wendy was asleep and was beaten by the rain next to the rocks on the top of the cave. A few days ago, the rainy day was Jessica's most annoying time, and Jessica could only stay in the cave during the rainy season, watching the outside world hazy in the rain.

And now, Jessica, who has inherited the magic of the water dragon slayer, is in the best state of rain, by the water. Feel the rain falling on your hair and the weight of your clothes, and it will soon be absorbed by your skin and hair. The magic power spread throughout his body, and finally spread out of his body, dyeing the nearby rain a layer of blue, just like Jessica's hair color.

Jessica just kept her stance like this, thinking about the next path while refining her magic, and her performance just now was really bad. Especially in the face of unexpected situations, he panicked, and blindly rushed to ignore Wendy's pace. As a result, Wendy accidentally sprained her ankle in order to catch up with Jessica, who was walking faster and faster.

Jessica, who hurt Wendy, blames herself for being hurt, but Jessica finds out from Wendy that self-blame is not the right way to face mistakes and failures. It's just an evasion of responsibility. Only by facing it squarely can we solve the problem.

To make up for her mistake, Jessica bathed in the rain and her mind was empty, planning her next steps. There are all sorts of things to consider. The choice of food and the choice of a place to rest at night must be reconfirmed and changed according to the situation. There are also new problems exposed this time, weather considerations, and so on

"Huh? This is? Jessica raised her hand and waved, and the stagnant water on the ground that had been infiltrated by Jessica's magic rose with it, turning into a water whip that swayed and flicked, whipping the void from time to time.

The 'pop' whip slammed into a nearby rock under Jessica's tow, exploding in a splash. Then he stabbed forward like a water gun, lost his restraint and disintegrated in mid-air, turning into a handful of water pouring into the earth that had already absorbed enough water. After a while, it writhed jerkyly, dancing like a stupid snake.

"Ahhh The control is not smooth at all, just like a membrane, less than half of the flexibility of the arm, and the mental consumption is too great. And the farther it goes, the more difficult it is to control, and the farthest is no more than two positions. It's good, half as strong as I am. It's time to catch up with the average adult. It seems that it is because it has not been long since I got it, and the fit has not come up yet, or "Jessica touched the position of her heart." "Is it because of the flaws in Avril's 'Heart of Water'? Anyway, the next few days seem to be busy. ”

Saying this, Jessica's subordinates did not stop making water whips, dancing up and down to adjust thickness, density, speed, strength, distance, and weight. There is no way to do it for the time being, only one. Whenever Jessica wanted to be distracted, the whip would immediately collapse, and after a few attempts, Jessica had to give up. Honestly staring at the water whip practice. When you are tired, you can take a sip of rain that has not been infiltrated by magic to restore your strength.

Even so, after only an hour, Jessica stopped with a splitting headache, her mental exertion was too great, and her physical strength was almost exhausted. "It seems that everything has a degree, and the recovery effect of physical strength is getting worse and worse, so let's get here today. It's time to sleep. Jessica rubbed her head as she returned to the cave, and the moment she stepped into the cave, the water stains on her clothes gathered together and popped out of the cave under the influence of magic.

"It seems that after being able to use two things for the rest of your life, you should put magic on your clothes to prevent them from getting wet. It's okay with your body, don't soak your clothes. Jessica was planted on her sleeping bag, and in a moment there was the sound of even breathing. For a time, the world returned to tranquility.

Jessica felt that she had slept comfortably and her fatigue was greatly relieved. I can't help but wake up a little later than usual, and I want to immerse myself in my sleep for a while. However, under Avril's years of good 'training', she opened her eyelids on time.

Subconsciously wiped the corners of his mouth, and found that he unconsciously secreted a large pool of saliva because he slept too deeply last night. Jessica's tender little face couldn't help but blush a little, and after looking up at Wendy, who was still asleep, she didn't notice such an embarrassing scene, Jessica quickly packed up her appearance and prepared breakfast.

It must have been because the magic was too tired that it lost control and flowed out of my mouth, not because I slept too hard. Shame on the dead. "This black history must be buried in the past and not let anyone know!"

"Jessica, what are you talking about? What can't be known? ”

"Wow wow, wow, Wow, W Jessica was startled by the voice behind her, and when she looked back, she found that Wendy was yawning and rubbing her sleepy eyes, but she was startled by Jessica.

"Huh? Why such a big reaction? Wendy, who had just woken up, was a little sluggish. The circuitry of the brain is not yet fully functional. In short, it's a cute girl.

"Oh, that's nothing, but then again, today's breakfast is 'a soup of fresh after the rain, the various fungi of the kingdom fungi phylum basidiomycetes subphylum strata of the same basidiomycetes subclass agaricaceae and the plant kingdom angiosperms phylum monocots of the order Poaceae, perennial evergreen herbaceous plants of the family Grass, bambooshoot.' ”

"What's that?"

―I--is--mushroom--mushroom-bamboo-shoot-soup-of-divide-cut-line-

The rain stopped imperceptibly last night, and although the road was still a little difficult to walk, it was still possible to get on the road. "We've already delayed a lot of processes, so we need to speed things up. Come on, Wendy. ”

Although Wendy's foot injury has improved a lot after a night of good treatment, she is still in a hurry to get on the road. Jessica can only carry Wendy on her back through the dense forest. There is only one goal, and that is the top of the mountain.

"Jessica, look!" Wendy, who had been quiet, suddenly shook Jessica's shoulder and pointed to the bottom of the hill that was obscured by trees

Jessica looked back and found that there was still an endless forest in the distance behind the shade of the trees, and the deeper it went, the more ancient trees towered to the sky, and from time to time flocks of birds flew up, completely looking like the depths of the forbidden forest.

"Luckily, I didn't run around, and if I accidentally got inside, it wasn't a joke. If you can't say it, you won't be able to come back. Jessica couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on her forehead.

"Eun!" Wendy nodded knowingly.

"Now it's just a matter of going up to the top of the mountain to see what the other side of the mountain looks like, hopefully it's the edge of the forest."

Jessica leaned over Toventi and adjusted her position more comfortably. Fortunately, in order to achieve the minimum physical conditions for learning, Avril had exercised Jessica's body well, and now Jessica can walk so far with a Wendy who weighs only half her weight on her back.

Jessica kept her own pace and breathing pace, climbing the mountain step by step. Choose a path in this barren mountain with no trails or steps. Soon around noon, I saw the top of the mountain.

"Wendy, look. After climbing the broken rock, you will reach the top of the mountain, and I will not have the hands to hold you by then, so you must hold on. "This hurdle in front of her can't be avoided no matter what, and Jessica can only break through in the face of this dilemma. Now Jessica is explaining to Wendy what to expect from the meeting. Although both were tightly bound together by tough rattan. But to be honest, this is just an insurance policy in case, and you can't pin all your hopes on it.

Wendy didn't say anything, just tightened her hand tighter, and gestured that she had given everything to Jessica.

Jessica, who was burdened with Lori's trust, took a deep breath. Years of life have taught Jessica a habit of climbing of this difficulty, but that's just without the burden. Why is it that after realizing the responsibility and weight on your back, your actions are so heavy?

Jessica leaned her body against the rock wall as much as she could, making sure that every foothold was secure before stepping on it. Why, exactly? After realizing what the consequences of every step and every decision you make, why is your body so much heavier than usual?

A loose stone fell from Jessica's feet, causing a series of thuds to fall down the rock wall. But this power gushing out from the bottom of my heart was so strong, surging through the blood and veins to the limbs and bones. I have never felt so clear and sensitive.

The so-called partners are the existence of supporting each other, relying on each other, and carrying each other! The words I said last night echoed in my ears for some reason. Jessica smirked. I guess I said it to myself. Muster your last breath and climb up the cliff. A few more steps forward.

Jessica was relieved to untie the rattan and put Wendy down, crouching down on the spot. Even Jessica couldn't help but be a little tired along the way.

"Wendy, what's wrong? Why don't you speak? Wendy handed Jessica a bottle of water and volunteered to find out the way, but there was no sound for a while. Jessica, who was worried about Wendy, couldn't help but ask.

"No, Jessica, I'm fine. But Wendy's voice couldn't hide the sadness. Jessica was startled and quickly ran over.

Wendy hugged Jessica and buried her tearful face in Jessica's arms to prevent him from seeing it. Jessica didn't look like Wendy was hurt, and she relaxed and stroked the purple hair. Soon Jessica understands why Wendy is in tears, and after all the hard work, it turns out that everything is in vain, and no one can be indifferent.

There are still endless trees in front of me, and there is no trace of civilization in the distant mountains. This is a world abandoned by human civilization.

"Ah~~ It's okay Wendy, at least we can see where the way forward is, let's go to the opposite mountain range next." Jessica was disappointed, but he had to be strong at this moment, and it was a man's responsibility. In order not to make Wendy cry.

At this moment, Jessica seemed to find something out of the corner of her eye. "Wendy, look at the east there, is there someone making a fire!" Hearing Jessica say this, Wendy quickly wiped away her tears and looked to the east. "So? Why didn't I see anything? ”

"That! That! Wendy followed Jessica's finger and noticed a faint smoke rising in the forest. As soon as the wind blows, it begins to drift away, and it is almost impossible to see it in the midday sun.

"Really!" Wendy was also ecstatic, but she still said to Jessica suspiciously: "But Jessica, it's the West over there." ”

“”

Jessica looked up at the sun overhead. Ah, it's glaring.