Eliaria and the New Friends

***Eliaria and the New Friends*** is the twenty-first episode of the By the Grace of the Gods (anime).

## Summary

Elia's first month at the magical academy is uneventful, but she meets new friends, Michelle, Miyabi, Feila, and Kanan. After forming a group with them, they go on a two-day camping trip, which their individual skills manage to help out their student peers.

## Plot

Elia, within the magic academy, sits in class and listens to her teacher lecture them on controlling the magic from your body.

After the class, Elia laments about how boring her school life has been thus far and that nobody wants to associate with her because of her title. She'd walk into a big open room without a rooftop and is met by another student named Michelle Wildan. Apparently, Elia and Michelle had the same problems with their classes being too easy. Michelle also has trouble with her peers fawning over her despite being a lady.

Unbeknownst to the two, Miyabi was eavesdropping on their conversation as Michelle then explained her field of study, Magical Circle Research. She then draws a circle on the floor while explaining her field of study's history, and after activating it, Miyabi's cover is blown. Miyabi appeared before the group and was instantly recognized by Michelle. She then relays to Elia a message from Ryoma, and Elia greatly appreciates the message from him. Elia then asks to become friends with Miyabi, who hesitates at first, but gladly accepts it after Elia convinces her. Michelle asks to join in on the friendship ring, and Miyabi allows it; Michelle then suggests they form a team for practical training.

The topic is discussed further, sitting on a bench at a different location. Elia and Miyabi ultimately agree to Michelle's proposal, but it's mentioned that they still need two-three more people to form an official group. Thankfully, Michelle has another person in mind, the knight in training Riela Clifford. They talk to her and learn that Riela refuses invitations from other groups who mistake noble honor for boastful pride, but accept their invitation.

As it turns out, Miyabi has her own, a young girl named Kanan Schuzer, who was sitting right across from them. The group agrees to extend an invitation to Kanon, who was unhappy that she was rejected to join another group again.

Miyabi approaches Kanan and asks her to join her group. Kanan then meets with the group and formally introduces herself to them as a failed magical craftsperson. She goes on to explain that her true specialty is a Magical Enhancer, and she cannot use any other magic than that. Michelle chimes in, breaking down the process of making a magical item which includes being compatible with others which Kanan confirms. Kanan also admits that she's attending the academy to find someone compatible to work with her, but she's had no luck thus far. However, Elia's group allows Kanan to join despite her incompetence in magic and swordplay, assuring her she's well-welcomed in their group.

Afterward, rumors are spread about Elia's group, and their first task is to set up a camp for a two-night camp training, which Elia and Riela have some experience in.

At an outdoor location by a river stream, most groups except Elia's had trouble setting up their tents and campfires due to their inexperience in doing those tasks.

Another group's tent collapsed the following day, and one of the students got hurt, and her group got into a heated argument with another. Therefore, Michelle and Riela fix the broken tent as Elia uses her Heal Slime to heal the injured student. Once the group with the collapsed tent formally apologizes, Elia suggests that all groups there work together to make sure their time goes smoothly as possible.

Later, Elia's group helps out the other teams, mainly by building toilets, traps, scavaging for food, and cooking.

That night, Elia's group sits by the bonfire, and although they're a little unhappy that their camping trip is over the next day, they relish their fun times. Elia would also write about her experiences within the academy thus far to Ryoma, who read the letter in his cave accompanied by his Slimes.

## Characters

* Eliaria Jamil
* Miyabi Saionji
* Michelle Wildan
* Ryoma Takebayashi
* Pioro Saionji
* Riela Clifford
* Kanan Schuzer