Celes took a potato. With a sharp knife, she peeled it gently. After that, she put it on a cutting board. Her hand movement is agile and smooth. She cut the potato into a perfect square without using force. Then, she put it in a bowl with water. It was the tenth potato.
Her experiment is trying to make fertilizer. After watering the plants and watching their progress, she almost had nothing to do. In order not to lose her skill as a chef, she usually tries to cut vegetables or fruits. After all, there's nothing she can do in a remote place.
Someone opened the door. Argus always knocks before entering. The hair on the neck rose slightly. Her nervousness came out. After yesterday's event, the atmosphere would be awkward.
Must be ready for another lecture, Celes prepared herself with a pounding heart.
"Why are you chopping when you're not planning to cook?" Still at the door, Lumina looked around. "This is what I mean when I said you're being too greedy."
Celes put the knife down and stood up from the chair.
"I am sorry, I ran away yesterday."
Celes' expression tells that she felt regret.
"After watching you for almost six months, I expected you to run." Lumina looked around. "Where is the boy?"
It is very rare to see Lumina interested in other people.
"You mean Argus? He's probably at his house right now, or maybe helping his father in the field."
"Call him. Meet me at the village entrance."
Lumina left as fast as she entered. Celes truly never understood what was on Lumina's mind. However, the Celes felt relieved she was not being lectured again. At least, not now.
***
There are two tall pillars made of tree trunks that serve as entrances to the village. However, since the forest surrounds everything, someone might enter the village from anywhere.
Several people watched Lumina from afar. No one dared to approach her. Compared to Celes, Lumina's aura has the power to push anyone not to come closer. She is simply standing, leaning against the pillar with closed eyes.
It took 10 minutes for Celes to bring Argus to the entrance.
"I am sorry. It took a while to find Argus."
Celes took a deep breath. The girl was exhausted after running.
"With how low your stamina is, I am surprised you can travel alone like this, Celes." Lumina approached Argus and Celes.
"Do you need something from me?"
It's always nice to have an excuse to run away from your responsibilities. But, if that means Argus needs to meet Lumina, he prefers to help his father all day on the farm. Since Celes is the one asking, Argus doesn't have much choice.
"Have you ever gone outside the forest?"
"No. Never." Argus shook his head.
Lumina's emerald eyes are directed at Celes. "Celes, I want you to lead me through the forest."
"I don't mind, but why?" Celes dumbfounded. That's such a strange request coming from Lumina. "With your magic, you should be—"
Before Celes finished speaking, Lumina cut in.
"You don't want to do it?"
Lumina's beautiful face didn't give any expression. Her sharp gaze is nowhere to be found. When this happens, Celes always had the option to refuse. Is this perhaps another test?
"It took me over twelve hours to pass through this forest. Is that okay?"
It's not like Celes doesn't want to do it. If the calculations are correct, then it will take over a day for her to go back. No matter what, it's such a waste of time and energy.
"Yes, that is okay."
"Alright, I will do it."
"Wait, then how about me?" Argus asked, not understanding what was going on.
"Just follow me," said Celes with a small smile.
That simple answer makes Argus even more confused. He had a bad feeling about all of this. Not like he can refuse.
"Celes, you take the lead."
"Uh… Okay."
The girl entered the forest. Lumina and Argus followed behind.
"Very sure. My mom will scold me later."
Talking about going out of the forest has always been a sensitive topic in the village. If it's just being scolded, he could endure it. What happens if there is a penalty from the chief?
The boy let out an enormous sigh. Feelings of regret rose in his heart.
"I am sorry. I will explain everything to your mother later."
At first, the forest felt fresh and chill. They can hear the sounds of insects and birds in the forest. It's such a pleasant feeling. However, the deeper they went, the darker it got. Sunlight enters through the small holes in the sky. It turns into a cold and eerie situation.
Argus couldn't believe that Celes went through this forest alone. This is another reason he doesn't want to go into the forest this deep alone. No one knows what is inside.
They have been walking for an hour. The road is rough. Tree roots are everywhere. However, the worst part is the mud. The atmosphere is very humid.
Two hours had passed. Argus usually speaks a lot, but ever since he entered the forest, it was hard just to open his mouth and start a random topic. Lumina never made a sound, either. Everything feels silent, but not awkward.
"I should say this sooner," Celes whispered to Argus, so Lumina won't hear.
Argus take the hint and whispered as well. "What is it?"
"I thought Lumina had brought you here because she wanted to kill you. I am glad I was wrong."
"Don't scare me like that!" Argus shouted in surprise. He remembered he shouldn't be noisy. "Uh…!"
Argus glanced at Lumina, who was behind. Lumina behaves as usual. She didn't hear us, did she? It will turn into a real problem if she did. Argus nodded. The boy regretted everything.
"I am not joking, though. I mean, if you die in the forest, no one will find you."
Celes, with a serious expression, makes Argus even more nervous. Assuming he can get out of the forest, there's almost no chance he could get back into the village.
"Can we stop talking about this?" Argus still whispering. "What if your teacher heard us?"
"I heard everything." Lumina's face showed no change in expression.
The hairs on their necks stood up. Argus and Celes trembled. They both nudge each other.
"Even though I am your teacher. It seems you really like bad-mouthing me, aren't you?"
"Wh-what are you talking about? Of course, I never bad-mouthing you, Lumina! You are my teacher, and as your disciple, I respect you sincerely."
Argus gave Celes a disappointed look.
Lumina doesn't react. She is called the Witch of Destruction. It is natural for everyone to fear and talk badly about her. She doesn't care at this point.
Lumina stopped walking. Argus and Celes did the same.
They can feel something dangerous in front of them. From the dark area, glowing red spots slowly appeared. Black wolves showed themself from the shadow. Their growl makes Celes and Argus' body tense. Its sharp fangs were filled with drool. They barked, showing an aggressive air.
"Wolf? Wh-what should we do, Lumina?!" Celes went behind Lumina for cover, feeling scared.
"Ugh, this looks kinda bad."
Argus instinctively picked up a wooden stick on the ground. He isn't sure it's going to work, though.
More wolves appeared. Five, six, seven wolves. It would be difficult to escape from a rough place like this.
"Boy, are there wolves in this forest?"
"What kind of question is that?" Argus's mind went blank for a moment. He shouted, feeling uneasy. "You can see it for yourself, right?"
"Well, we might be able to escape if one of us tries to bait the wolf," suggests Lumina, glancing at Argus.
"You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking!" Now Argus started getting panicky.
The wolf losing its patience. They move randomly and come from different directions. One of them tries to attack Argus by jumping. Argus held the wolf's jaw with the stick he was holding. With all his strength, Argus kicked him, making a distance. Even so, the wolf rose quickly.
"I apologize for being a useless child. If I survive this, I promise I will be a better child in the future." Argus said his prayer.
"Argus, please don't give up!"
Celes tried to cheer for Argus. The truth is, they are both equally scared.
It was at this moment a small gust of wind swirled. Slowly getting stronger. Leaves and twigs flew in the air. Lumina stood up straight while Celes was still hiding behind Lumina.
"The wind…"
Argus bewildered. A tornado can't appear in the middle of the forest. And yet, his body seemed to fly with the wind.
The leaves fall and fly because of the strong currents. Sunlight penetrates the holes between the trees. Argus and Celes's bodies slowly lost their balance. A strong gale swirled around Lumina. The robes waved vigorously. Still, her body didn't flinch even a bit.
At this rate, Argus and Celes would be blown away. Argus let go of the stick and clung to the tree roots that were on the ground. Celes did the same, hoping they would both be okay.
"Is this magic?" said Argus, amazed. This was the first time he had seen and experienced magic.
Finding it difficult to move, the wolves also stopped. Using its claws on the surface, the beast tried to hold on to the ground and tree.
"Lumina…!!" scream Celes as her grip got wobbled.
After that, the wind got weaker. Something different moved.
Tree roots stretched out, mowing toward the wolves. Only took a few seconds, and tree roots entangled every wolf. It even pulled some wolves to the ground and tree. With how strong the twist was, their struggle was meaningless, leaving them unable to move. Finally, the wind calms down and back to normal.
Argus patted his shirt and long pants to remove the dust. Celes's clothes are messed up. Her robe was almost off. Dust and dirt adorned her messy white dress.
"Ugh… I want to take a bath now." Celes looks glumpy and uncomfortable.
Since they were in the middle of a lush forest, the surrounding area was very dirty. Before Lumina cast her magic, their clothes were already dirty. The strong wind just now only made the situation worse.
"Well, at least we're safe now." Argus looked at the wolves. "What should we do with the wolf? We can't just leave them like this."
Lumina looked up at the sky through the gaps in the trees. Her gaze lowered.
"Celes, what do you think?"
"Wait, you're asking me? Uh, I don't know. What do you think, Argus?"
"Seriously, stop trying to shift your responsibility to someone else." Argus scratched his head. "If a wolf appeared in the village, we usually killed it."
Lumina, who always hides her hand under her cloak, is now showing it. Her white and soft-looking hands made a simple gesture. A ball of light the size of a fist shone. Tiny glowing needles were shot at the wolves, piercing through their head. One needle for one wolf.
Argus sympathized. It made him speechless how Lumina was able to kill all the wolves that exist with ease.
Lumina approached Celes. Both hands moved towards Celes' neck.
"I always told you to tie the ribbon properly. So it won't come off." Lumina gently ties the white ribbon which is used to hold the cloak.
"Ugh… I did. The wind is just so strong."
For a moment, they looked like sisters in Argus's eyes. If he opened his mouth, he probably will die.
Lumina took a few steps back to make room for Celes.
"Celes, do you realize we've been walking in circles for an hour?"
"Seriously? I wasn't aware at all." Argus confused. His gaze at Celes is full of disappointment. "Just follow me, that's what you said early."
"Sh-Shut up!" The girl just looked away. "I am sorry. I thought I could find the right path after walking a bit. It's so dark, I don't know where to go."
"This is one of your problems, Celes. You were afraid I'd be angry, so you said nothing to me. How low is your trust in your teacher?"
Celes lowered her head. The girl is just wasting everyone's time at this point. Especially Argus, which should never have been involved.
Argus restrained himself. It's between the two of them. It would be complicated if he defended Celes since it's her fault.
"That's enough walking. We are going back."
This time, Lumina is the one who takes the lead.
The atmosphere feels awkward for Argus. Time seemed to run slower than usual. Not long after, they made it out of the forest.
"Oh, we're back to the village already. That was fast!"
The boy was relieved and disappointed at the same time. He seriously thought they were going to the outside world. Still, being attacked by wolves and seeing magic in person will be an unforgettable experience for him.
"Alright, I'm going home now."
"Not yet. I want to talk to the chief. This time, you lead the way!"
Argus' shoulders dropped. How lumina gives orders to someone will never get used by Argus.
"Uh, can you at least ask for help normally?" He sighed. "Well, since it's very easy, it shouldn't be a problem."
In the end, Argus couldn't get out of the village. At least, he could feel an unusual adventure today.