The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
Suddenly cast out of the village...
Forced to act alongside someone who should be a figure of fear...
Normally, you'd only think about yourself.
What will happen from now on? Will I make it back safely?
But Finia is different.
She puts herself aside and thinks about her parents and her comrades.
That shows how kindhearted this child truly is.
"I'm... kind?"
Finia looked blankly for a moment,
then hurriedly waved her hands back and forth in denial.
"N-no, no, no! There's no way! I'm just a useless girl. I couldn't possibly be kind..."
"That's not true. I think you're kind, Finia."
I spoke my thoughts aloud.
"But... isn't it normal to think about your mother and your comrades?"
"The fact that you can do something 'normal' is very important. Precisely because it's 'normal,' it's often difficult. I think you're admirable, Finia."
"S-such a thing..."
Finia looked flustered.
Then she placed a hand over her chest, as if confirming the feelings hidden within her heart.
"This is... the first time anyone's ever said that to me."
"Really?"
"Yes, um... I've always been told to have more confidence, or to become a great successor... Just those kinds of things..."
"Well, you are Elfin's daughter. That's understandable. But surely someone has praised you before?"
"Y-yes... but it was always about my power. People have said my power is amazing... My mother has also praised me for that. But I can't fully control it, and that's why I have to wear this collar..."
"Collar? You mean that collar?"
"Y-yes... It's a power control device. Without it, I can't even use my power normally, and I sometimes lose control... Auu..."
Recalling unpleasant memories, Finia's eyes began to swirl.
I gently held her hand to help her calm down.
"There's no need to rush."
"Ah..."
"Just speak at your own pace. Tell me what you want to share, okay?"
"Rain... san."
Finia blinked repeatedly,
took a small, calming breath,
and began speaking again.
"An-anyway, I've only ever been praised for my power. On the other hand, my personality has always been criticized... That's why... being told I'm kind is a first for me..."
She smiled softly.
"I'm happy... truly."
That smile was so beautiful, it left me entranced.
"You're adorable."
Before I knew it, those words slipped out.
"E-eh!?"
With a "poof," Finia's face turned bright red.
She flailed about in a panic, completely flustered.
"I-I'm not adorable at all! Saying something so presumptuous—I'll be punished! The gods will definitely scold me, saying, 'Don't get carried away!'"
"Uh... calm down for now, okay?"
That was a careless remark on my part.
This girl doesn't seem to have much confidence in herself...
So calling her adorable must have thrown her into confusion.
But those words were my honest feelings.
I hope that someday, she'll understand.
I want her to believe in herself more—
to realize she's adorable and carry herself with confidence.
"Let's get back to the main topic..."
"Y-yes."
"I've decided to go with your plan, Finia."
"Eeeh!? Are you sure? A plan where I hold the key to success... I-I don't think I can pull it off... Auu, I feel sick... Blegh."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine... It's just nerves."
Even though I agreed to her plan, I was starting to feel worried.
That said, we didn't have any better options right now.
I couldn't think of a plan more effective than hers.
I had no choice but to place my trust in her.
"I... I'll definitely persuade my mother! Rain-san, you're... much nicer than I expected for a human."
"Thank you."
"Ah, but..."
Finia's expression suddenly clouded with worry.
"Persuading my mother aside, I... I think convincing the others might be difficult..."
"Why? If you're the chief's daughter, I'd think the others would be easier to convince."
"Um, well... I’m not properly recognized yet... Ah, it’s not like I’m being bullied or anything. It’s just that this collar... Since I can’t control my power well, I’m not seen as a fully capable person. Whether they’ll actually listen to what I say... Ugh, they won’t, will they? No one would listen to someone like me..."
She mentioned earlier that proving herself through strength in a race might work.
Could it be that, like the Fang Wolf tribe, the Phoenix tribe also places a strong emphasis on power?
If that’s the case, Finia’s inability to control her power makes things tricky.
I still remember how ferociously she attacked me when we first met.
Is that what they call a lack of strength?
Or is it her inability to control it?
If so, Finia’s latent abilities might be extraordinary.
As expected of the chief’s daughter.
However, she seems to think she has no talent.
That lack of self-confidence shows in her timid demeanor.
If she could just believe in herself more, she’d surely bloom into something amazing.
"You’ll be fine."
"Eh?"
"Finia, you’ll do just fine. You just need to have more confidence in yourself."
"B-but I’m... I’m hopeless, I can’t even control my power... Someone like me, no one will believe in me."
"I believe in you."
Finia’s expression went blank with surprise.
"We’ve only just met, and I’m a human, so maybe I don’t seem trustworthy. But I’m serious. I believe in you, Finia."
"But... w-why?"
"Call it a Beast Tamer’s intuition, maybe? I know intuition might sound like a flimsy excuse, but trust me, it’s worth more than you think. I’ve developed a pretty good eye for people over the years. That’s why I believe in you."
"...This is the first time anyone has said something like that to me."
She looked shocked, her eyes wide with surprise.
I could also see a bit of doubt in her expression, as if wondering, Why me?
But it wasn’t a bad look on her.
I thought she looked better facing forward, not timidly retreating.
If she could just move forward, I believe a lot would change for her.
She has the potential, after all. She’s serious, diligent, and reliable—her slightly negative outlook just makes it harder for others to see.
"Um, um...!"
"Yes?"
"I... I’ll try my best! I’ll definitely persuade my mother!"
"I’m counting on you."
"Y-yes!"
Finia nodded firmly, though her words were a little shaky.
At that moment, she looked like someone dependable, someone ready to take on the challenge.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but feel a small spark of hope.
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