Since it was too noisy out in the open, I asked Reina-san if we could borrow a room.
She told us there was an open room we could use, so we moved there.
"Um, we already know each other's names, but let's start with proper introductions. I'm Erik, an adventurer."
"I'm also an adventurer, Philia. Nice to meet you."
With our introductions out of the way, we started sharing details about our ages, specialties, and other background.
We were both ten years old, and our birthdays were only a single day apart.
Her favorite food was fruit, with apples being her absolute favorite.
When it came to clothing, she prioritized functionality over appearance, though she didn't dislike dressing up.
She came from a village even further out than Alan's.
She told me she had arrived in the royal capital shortly after we did and had gone straight to training under Roan-san.
We continued chatting about various things for about an hour.
"Come to think of it, this isn't really about you, Philia, but what's the connection between Roan-san and Alan?"
"They're biological brothers, related by blood."
"...Huh?"
"Fufu, I figured you'd be surprised. If I hadn't met them when I was little, I wouldn't believe those two were brothers either."
Alan had referred to him as his big bro, but I hadn't imagined they were actual brothers.
That was just how completely different they were.
Apparently, Roan-san had been visiting Philia's village ever since he lived back in his own.
Even after becoming a soldier, he seemed to have checked in regularly.
Through that connection, she had come to the royal capital, where he had been training her so she could make a living as an adventurer.
"So really, the plan was for both of us to pass Roan-san's training together and start taking on adventurer work... but Alan slacked off on his training, so only I passed ahead of him. He told me it was too dangerous to go outside alone, so I was stuck inside the city."
"I see. That's why you came to ask me, since we just met today and I get along with Alan."
"Right. Plus, I'd heard rumors about you, Erik-kun."
"Ah, the rumors going around the royal capital?"
When I asked, Philia nodded.
"I heard you take on tons of requests for the townspeople. I figured an adventurer like that couldn't have a bad personality, which is why I approached you."
"Well, choosing companions is really important. Especially for girls—I've heard that carelessly forming a party with the opposite sex often leads to trouble."
Party troubles among adventurers had existed for ages, and it was still an ongoing issue today.
"Still, didn't you think teaming up with me might cause problems?"
"I guess I didn't really worry about that. After all, from what I heard in the rumors, I didn't think you'd be the kind of person to cause issues, Erik-kun. On the flip side, you might find something about me that bothers you, but as long as you tell me directly, I intend to make an effort to fix it."
"Well, if things can be resolved through open communication, that's definitely for the best."
Talking with her like this, I could tell Philia took being an adventurer seriously and gave things genuine thought.
Alan was more the type to act before thinking.
Philia, however, had a mindset much closer to my own.
"By the way, what kind of activities do you envision doing if you party with me?"
"If we continue as a duo for a while, we can't afford to be reckless, so I was thinking it'd be best to gain practical experience where there are fewer monsters around the royal capital. Or, I heard beginners can manage the upper floors of the newly discovered dungeon, so maybe we could test the waters there? If that's too much, I think it'd be better to hone our coordination outside against slimes or low-tier monsters."
After explaining her thoughts, Philia looked straight at me.
"...That aligns pretty well with what I had in mind. Honestly, I don't think we'd clash much even if we formed a party."
"Really!"
"However, there's one thing about my current lifestyle that I won't compromise on. If you're fine with that, I'd like to try forming a temporary party."
"What's the non-negotiable thing?"
When Philia asked, I explained what I wasn't willing to give up.
It was spending my mornings doing requests around town.
"I've been doing it ever since I became an adventurer, and it's led to a lot of good things. If it's a request that takes several days away from the royal capital, that's one thing, but otherwise, I basically want to handle town requests in the morning."
"I'm totally fine with that. By the way, is it all right if I tag along for those requests?"
"I suppose it depends on the request. If it specifies needing multiple people, you're welcome to come, but I think our activities will mostly be solo."
"Got it. When it's not practical, I'll just take requests on my own, so that works for me."
Philia readily agreed to my condition.
"Ah, by the way, are you a vanguard, Erik-kun? Or a rearguard?"
"For now, I guess I'm a vanguard. Since I can use a sword."
"I see. That's a relief! I'm a mage, so I asked because it would be rough if we were both rearguards."
"I see, a mage... Huh? You can use magic?"
For a moment, I couldn't fully process what Philia had said.
Once my thoughts caught up, I repeated it back to confirm.
"I can. Two types: [Fire Magic] and [Water Magic]."
"...Why didn't you go to the academy?"
"...I was never good at studying while sitting at a desk."
Apparently, she had no issue with practical training or being taught hands-on.
However, sitting still at a desk listening to lectures wasn't her strong suit, so she had turned down attending the academy.
"At first, my parents were thrilled, but then they remembered my personality and agreed that studying at the academy would be tough, so they turned it down for me. And after that, they sent me off to the royal capital."
"You have wonderful parents."
"Yeah! They're super kind, so I still write to them regularly."
Hearing that from Philia, and seeing that she had accepted my conditions, I decided to form a party with her.
Leaving the room, we thanked Reina-san and brought up the party registration right away.
"I figured as much, so I've already prepared the paperwork. With the two of you, Erik-kun and Philia-chan, I know you won't do anything reckless, so I can process this without any worries."
"Huh, Reina-san, did you already know Philia?"
"Yes, I'm in charge of this girl as well. In Philia-chan's case, she mostly came in during the afternoons, so perhaps that's why you two never ran into each other."
When Reina-san said that, Philia nodded.
"Today was our first time meeting and talking. If I'd missed Erik-kun, I would've had to wait until Alan passed, so I'm really glad we ran into each other."
"Fufu, you've been saying you wanted to go outside for ages, Philia-chan."
Once she finished processing the paperwork, Philia and I were officially a party.
And since we had only just formed it, we made hunting slimes our goal for the day.
"Ah, but is it okay to head outside the city just like this? Shouldn't you report to Roan-san first?"
"It's fine. I made sure to tell him before I left! I told him that if I managed to form a party, I'd be heading outside the city."
Since Philia sounded confident, I took her word for it, and we headed toward the city gates.
Then, looking ahead, I spotted Roan-san near the gate.
"Isn't that Roan-san over there?"
"Ah, you're right. Roan-san!"
Noticing Roan-san at my mention, Philia called out to him, and he walked over to meet us.
"I wondered why you were taking so long, Philia, but it looks like you managed to form a party. Erik-kun, she didn't force you into this, did she?"
"I'm fine. I thought it through properly myself before agreeing."
"I see, then that's all right. Philia kept insisting on going outside the city, so I was worried she might have dragged you along against your will."
"How mean! It's not like I'm that inconsiderate..."
At Roan-san's teasing, Philia put on a dramatic show of fake tears.
Roan-san just gave her an exasperated look.
"Philia, be careful out there. Outside the city walls is a dangerous place."
"I know."
"I'm counting on you as well, Erik-kun. If this girl looks like she's about to do something reckless, please rein her in."
I nodded at Roan-san's request, and with that, we said our goodbyes and passed through the gate.
Just like that, we stepped outside the royal capital, where vast open plains stretched out before us.
Then, we set off toward the forest.