[21.7] A Bonfire to Remember

That night, everyone returned to the camp in a somber mood.

The Headmaster waved his hand, "Let's just go rest… Tomorrow we can return."

I looked around feeling a bit guilty at everyone's expression. Even though I refuse to take fault for today's accident, I did feel a bit bad all of their hard work was for nothing.

I tapped my chin as I thought.

Surely we can't end it like this?

Suddenly, an idea appeared.

I snapped my fingers, "We are camping, aren't we?"

The Headmaster shook his head, "No. We were looking for a relic… And it was destroyed…"

Hazel whimpered, "I-I'm sorry…"

I spoke loudly, "No! We are camping. Therefore, if tonight's our last night, we have to have a spectacular bonfire!!!"

He raised an eyebrow, "A bonfire?"

I nodded my head quickly, "Yes! And a bonfire wouldn't be complete without a barbeque!!"

Felix grinned, "That sounds great! But how?"

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, "I've never heard of a bonfire before…"

The Headmaster's face grew dark, "If it has fire in the name, it can't be good."

I rubbed my hands together, "Felix if you could just make a small tree right here…"

He bounced over and muttered out a spell, creating a tree. He looked at me with an obedient smile, "Now what?"

I grinned malevolently, "Now we watch it burn!"

I whirled my wand and sent out a huge explosion of fire. The Headmaster was so used to my behavior that he already had a barrier prepared to protect us from the flames.

I put my hands on my hips as I watched the tree blazing bright, "Isn't it beautiful?"

Felix dropped to his knees, "M-My tree…"

The students all took a step back as the heat was almost unbearable.

Cyrus spoke sarcastically, "Okay. Congratulations. You set the forest on fire. Now what?"

I turned to him with a grin, "Now we cook some food."

After being given some pieces of meat and vegetables, I used a stick to put the food on. Then I held it close to the flames.

Zephyr wagged his tail and followed my actions. Using his stick, he stuck on several things of meat.

I explained, "The secret to cooking barbeque on fire is to place it in the smoke so it absorbs the flavor. Make sure not to stick it in the flames because-"

Zephyr, who hadn't been listening, had already stuck the meat into the large fire. The stick quickly caught on fire and snapped.

He squealed as he watched his food get devoured by the flames, "My meat!"

I sighed, "-Like I was saying, don't stick it in the flames because you'll lose it."

The students talked amongst themselves and soon grabbed sticks to follow my directions. As we stood by the fire cooking together, everyone began to laugh.

The gloomy atmosphere was gone.

I smiled triumphantly.

See? Fire is fun.

The Headmaster noticed the improved mood and rubbed the top of my head in approval, "Good job."

My eyes widened in surprise.

Good… Job…?

Good job???

Good job!!!

I got a good job!!

I feel so…

Warm…

The Headmaster pulled back his hand.

Ah! It's cold!!

Come back to me hand!

I grabbed his hand and pulled it back to the top of my head instinctively.

I could feel him pause as he hadn't expected my sudden grab.

My cheeks burned in humiliation when I realized how stupid I looked, so I quickly let go.

I averted my eyes, "I… Um… It was cold so…"

He blinked, "Ah…"

Ahhh!!!

What did I do!?

Did I really just try to get him to keep petting my head!?

What am I!?

An actual child?!

I want to die from embarrassment!!!

I spun around in my tracks and walked away, "It's too hot by this fire. I'm going for a walk."

He called after me, "Don't get lost!!"

I waved my hands, "I won't!"

Once I was far enough in the woods, I leaned against a tree and took a deep breath.

I started smacking my cheeks, "You idiot!! What are you getting all happy for!? Was I really THAT happy just because he said good job!? URG! I'm such an idiot!!"

I looked at the stars and whimpered.

Really…

I'm really so stupid…

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. In the darkness, I could make out a faint glow of red.

Wait… Red?

Isn't that…

From a person?

Wait…

Now I see something blue flying towards me-

"Oh sh*t!"

I suddenly dodged something thrown at me and heard it clunk into the tree beside me.

With wide eyes, I slowly turned my head to see a shark knife made from ice, embedded in the tree.

WHAT THE ACTUAL FU-

A woman in red stepped out with a haughty smile.

Oi! That's the b*tch who beat me up and tried to kill me and Cyrus!

She waved to me with a grin, "Heya! Miss me?"

"NO!" I shrieked, "My face still hurts when I think about you!"

Her smile turned to a sneer, "Well my ankle still has bites from you! You little mutt!"

I screamed back, "I'm closer to a chihuahua than a mutt! You tomato!"

She gasped, "Tomato!? Y-You're a tomato!!!"

"No! You're a tomato!!"

"I wish I could rip out that annoying tongue of yours…" She let out a sigh, "Unfortunately, the Boss said I have to keep you alive."

I clicked my tongue, "Then why are you even here?"

She smirked, "I've gotta kill that golden haired brat you love so much."

I sneered, "You won't get the chance."

"Duh." She rolled her eyes, "It won't be me. It will be my Boss's shadow-"

I took a deep breath and bellowed out, "PAPA!"

She flinched then snickered, "What? Did you seriously just call for your daddy? HAH! You don't want to fight me this time? What a baby-"

I smiled malevolently, "I'd rather watch."

"Kids these days are so naughty-OOP!"

She suddenly dodged a sharp icicle thrown at her and looked over to see the Headmaster stomping towards her with a frightening look in his eye.

He let out an evil chuckle, "I've finally found you."

She sarcastically waved her face as if she was touched, "Hehe~ I didn't think I would ever gain such a handsome admirer."

His scowl turned sinister, "Without Gonza here, there will be no one to stop me from killing you."

She snickered, "How scary~"

The Headmaster attacked, sending a hailstorm of deadly sharp icicles toward her. She pulled out a crooked wand and muttered a spell quickly, forming an ice barrier around her for protection.

He grit his teeth and strengthened his attacks.

She laughed as she dodged, "You do realize I'm an ice attribute too, right? Your little snowballs don't scare me."

Seeing the magic around his start to grow erratic and dangerous, she spun on her heels and started running. He chased after her without a moment's notice.

I jumped up and down as I clapped. How exciting!

The Headmaster shouted at me while he fought, "Go back to the others!"

"Awww… But-"

I winced as my ear started to burn.

Goldilocks!!

"Okay! This time I will listen to you!" I spun around, "Just don't lose her this time!"