Many animals died that night. Even after Sengoku had knocked Hito out, the black flames that caught the woods continued to roar around the island. The sound of crisp leaves and wet wood burning echoed throughout the night.
The elders of the town, Sengoku's father, the mayor, Hito's father, and other skilled wizards had come forth to extinguish the fire. Everyone was surprised at how someone could set such a high-scale fire so quickly without anyone knowing.
Sengoku had carried Hito down the hill from behind the Hayashi Hill House, the mansion that stood on the island's peak point. The woods only behind that house were not on fire yet, and he could avoid the suspicion that way.
He found his way to the other side of the island, crossing his house, he dropped Hito in front of the doors of the island's only healers. They asked healed Hito first and asked the questions later.
The next day, when the fire had died, taking two dark wizards down with it; later the mayor, who was a dark wizard himself, explained the reason: the more dark energy of the same level as the fire was poured to stop it, the more it exploded.
The residents of the island usually went to the river for some peace of mind, a stroll, or a picnic (even when they had a beach). But when they went near the water that day, the sight was a reflection of hell.
The water had strokes of red blood and black ash. Then the dead bodies of wolves and foxes, mangled into something unrecognizable, had washed to the shore.
When the forest rangers went to the woods to check for any injured animals, they found macaques and monkeys, burned to their skins and bleeding to death. Many animals were victims of the dark fire.
The fire had managed to catch squirrels and even flying squirrels, burning those little mammals to death at the first chance it got. None of the birds were injured, but a lot of bats were found dead.
Thankfully, no pets died that day. And although that was not the first time a dark cloud had gathered over the island, the cloud had gotten darker than before, almost enough to hide the sunrays, after that incident.
Of course, Sengoku and Hito got their scoldings, which resulted in no allowance for the whole year, and no going out after six o'clock. And… no mangas for another year.
Sengoku cared about the damage he had done to the people and the animals. Although the fire was Hito's, the idea to sneak out at night and do what they are not supposed to do was Sengoku's.
Sengoku had taken the blame on himself. But since Sengoku was not a dark wizard, it was obvious who had set the fire. It was because of dark magic. It all happened because of that.
No one could change his mind about dark magic. It was the root of all evil. He started to hate dark wizards and dark magic. But he could not hate the mayor and Hito. Maybe that was what built his people-pleaser personality.
No one knew whether it was the bully or this incident that turned him into what he would be in 1981, but he had created something new that day.
Some new rules. Rules Hito and he would obey. They were not official or created by the elder wizards, these were personal rules Sengoku had created after seeing the dark magic's destruction potential and sworn to stick to them.
Some of them were: Never use dark magic. Never use magic in public. Never do what you are not supposed to do when it comes to magic. And never sneak out at night, no matter what.
Innocent animals and two adult dark wizards had died that night. And the lives of two seven-year-olds were changed.
All because of dark magic. He would never let anyone use dark magic. Never use—
—The counselor sighed. "What is wrong with everyone? Why do they get distracted by something I say?" she complained to Homeroom Sensei who was sitting on her side.
Sengoku blinked twice. "Sorry. I… I guess I got distracted—"
"—When I mentioned someone from a top-secret hometown, just like yours. Now can we get to the questions, Shiroka-Kun?"
He adjusted his blazer, then put on a smile. "Please."
"What career line have you chosen? I can see your interests are reading novels."
Homeroom Sensei scoffed, "He is going to be the next Dazai."
And the counselor continued, "Especially horror-mystery novels. What is wrong with boys your age? Can you not read coming-of-age stories?"
Sengoku ignored her comment and looked at Homeroom Sensei with a grave expression. His smile faded, but not angry either. "No," he said. "I am not the writer in our group, Ryota is."
"Ryota?" The counselor frowned. "Ah— that boy from earlier…" Sighed.
Homeroom Sensei leaned forward and snapped his fingers. "Yes! I knew it! I had guessed it right."
Both Sengoku and the counselor frowned – thinking about why he was acting like a junior high student, someone eager to prove his point.
"Well, yes. Ryota has even published twelve short stories. And his latest work, a novella, is sent to Kadokawa and is waiting for clearance."
That must have been too much information, and Ryota would not have liked it. But Sengoku could not help but stand for his friend.
"Published stories? That guy did? At that age? How come I don't know about it?" Homeroom Sensei leaned back, surprised.
The counselor was shocked too. Her eyes remained wide as her words to Ryota made her feel like an idiot – and his silent response made her look even stupider than she felt.
"He must have had his fun fooling me…" she sighed, muttering to herself. "Anyway, Shiroka-Kun, tell me about your career preference."
Sengoku pulled back his smile and straightened his back. "As I have stated in the form, I want to get enrolled in the Japanese Naval Academy."
No one said anything. The counselor looked through his grades and other activity progress. Then she nodded. "I do not see any problem with that."
Sengoku felt her eyes on his muscles, hidden by the blazer he was wearing, but still, the outline was clear. Her eyes loomed around his strong jawline and neck muscles – for enough time to judge his physic.
"You have a muscular body too."
"Yeah, he does. I asked him to get into the track team, but his interest lies in books and mangas. Especially horror media."
Sengoku just smiled, without knowing how to reply to the flattery.
"We are almost done, Shiroka-Kun, but I would like to ask where your parents are." She shifted in her chair.
Sengoku's smile dropped for a moment, then pulled back up. "My mother died right after she had held me for a minute. A few days later—"
"It is fine, Sen. You do not have to say further." Homeroom Sensei shook his hand, gesturing for him to stop.
"My father got drunk and died in an accident," Sengoku completed his sentence anyway.
The awkward silence lasted for a minute, then the counselor said, "Best of luck with your admission. Do something great for the country. Bye."