The next morning.
At the edge of the Western Frontier Forest in the Soma Alliance, eight people from the Long-haired Woman's group stood in a clearing beside the road.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle..."
A sound suddenly came from the woods, and Richard emerged from within. He glanced at the Long-haired Woman's group and greeted them with a smile. "We meet again."
"Indeed, we meet again. Though this is not the outcome I wanted, fate has left me no choice." The Long-haired Woman replied, her mood far from high, though she maintained basic courtesy. After a pause, she added, "In any case, we can only work together. So let us introduce ourselves first."
"Fine." Richard nodded in agreement.
"Then we'll begin." The Long-haired Woman spoke without ceremony. She first pointed to a gaunt middle-aged man with only a right eye. "That is my first companion. He is very powerful, especially skilled in Fire Spells. There are not many people on the entire continent who can surpass him.
"However, in an accident, an enemy burned his eye with flames and damaged his mana source, causing his strength to decline somewhat. Even so, he is still beyond comparison with ordinary Wizards. You may call him... One-Eye."
At this point, the Long-haired Woman shifted her finger toward a pale-faced man trembling all over as if he were ill. "That is my second companion. His strength is not much inferior to One-Eye's.
"He specializes in Ice Spells and possesses exceptional talent. But during an accident, he was struck by a vicious curse. His body is constantly shrouded in cold energy, and the more spells he casts, the colder he becomes. That is why he is like this now. You may call him... Ice Block."
The Long-haired Woman pointed at a man whose skin was ash-white and