"Fluctus Impulsa!"
Julie hid her swinging hands under the table as she chanted. She looked straight ahead, where three people were being bounced away by an invisible wave. Julie heard a small commotion going on between them after the three got up from the floor.
The commotion in a Brummie accent that Julie heard made her have to perform a mute spell so that they only moved their mouths without making a sound. Julie felt satisfied that she had cast the spell on them. She smiled wryly when she saw the three of them acting stupidly and blaming each other.
The noise she heard made Julie drown out the sound of the car alarm that was affected by her push spell. With a movement of her lips and a small swing of her hand, the surrounding atmosphere became quiet in an instant. As soon as the atmosphere began to settle down, Julie returned to her seat and focused her gaze on a man slumped on the floor.
The man woke up with a look of astonishment on his face. His gaze then fell on the three people walking away from the cafeteria. The man breathed a deep sigh of relief at the disappearance of those who had been troubling him by making unreasonable requests. He felt grateful for what happened just now, even though it was a bit strange to him.
After he saw the three leave silently, the man swept up the remaining chili powder that had spilled onto the floor in front of him. He also patted his apron, which was covered in the spilled red-coloured powder. He went back behind the fast food display case and started grilling the bacon for the coating.
"Leon, please deliver the order for table number nine," someone from behind the cash register told him.
"Right away," Leon replied curtly.
Leon took the tray of salad and orange juice from the counter. He strode towards a table located in the far corner of the tent. His eyes fell on a blonde-haired girl who was sitting alone in a chair.
"Salad and orange juice for you, miss."
For a split second, they stared at each other. Julie felt her heart skip a beat. For Moon Goddess' sake, seeing Leon's visuals in front of her, Julie touched her pounding chest.
"Thank you, Leon," Julie replied as she glanced at the nameplate to the left of his chest.
Leon flashed his pleasant smile and turned to another empty table. Leon briefly glanced at the girl who was sitting alone at table number 9 earlier. At first glance, he seemed to have met the girl, but he couldn't remember.
"I saw that girl looking at you without blinking when you walked into the kitchen; I think she's pretty," said a man in the same uniform as himself.
"Yes, she's beautiful, and don't forget that Mary-Ann asked me to remind you that I have to fill in for you tomorrow, so you can go on a date."
"I understand your tendency. I'm just saying she's pretty, not that I'm going to date her. Mary-Ann is more cheerful than that gloomy girl."
"Hurry up with table order number 2," Leon cut in with an index finger, tapping the order board hanging in front of him.
"You should have fun once in a while. I'll show you."
"I'll think about it," Leon finalised, to conclude their conversation.
At her table, Julie was sipping orange juice in small sips. She was reading a book on the history of magic in Asia, so she didn't notice Leon walking up to her.
"Excuse me, miss. My friend wants to give this to you. Would you like to receive it?"
Julie raised her face. She looked at Leon, who was standing in front of her. Julie saw a piece of brownie already on her table. Putting on a friendly smile, Julie replied, "I'll take it as long as I can talk to you."
"But I still have to work."
"Are you available after your shift?"
"But my shift won't be over for another hour."
"I don't mind waiting, so what's your answer?"
"Okay."
Julie saw Leon looking at his friend behind the order counter. They were making a code that Julie already understood was a ploy to get close to her.
Until it was time for the shift change, Julie closed her book. She reached for the brownie that she hadn't touched in a while. She cut it with a small spoon and put it in her mouth.
"I thought you were one of those girls who waited patiently," Leon said when he arrived at her desk.
"Is this the only cafeteria closest to the camp?"
"Yeah, there aren't many franchises that feel comfortable opening here at the campsite. You're camping at Cedarwood Summer Camp, right?"
"Yes, I'm on holiday at the camp. Is it because of those three guys?"
"They're always causing trouble, especially with me, because I'm different."
"Yeah, you are different, but I'm not going to get in your way."
Leon chuckled. His eyes narrowed into lines, and Julie loved it. To Julie, Leon was different. That's why Julie has been coming to the cafeteria every day this week just to see him.
Their tranquility didn't last long, until they were both disturbed by the arrival of the three people who had caused trouble earlier. Leon sighed before deciding to stand up from the chair. He would try to be as calm and patient as possible to deal with them.
"We know you did it. You fucking sorceress!"
"We can talk over there. The cafeteria still has customers," Leon said as he glanced at Julie.
The three men walked first to get to the place Leon had pointed out. He also told Julie that she had to settle things with those punks.
From where she sat, Julie watched them. Her eyes were alertly watching every movement of the three men. Julie was prepared with an open hand to swing when she was about to teach them a lesson.
The man who spoke to Leon earlier landed his fist on Leon. Julie stood up from her chair and walked towards Leon. She cast a spell that turned every light around them off.
Julie spread her arms out to her sides as it became pitch black. Her wolf's sense of sight clearly saw the existence of the three punks, who were confused because they couldn't see.
"Corporis Impetu!"
Julie made the three men fall to the ground. All three of them were holding their faces, which were sore from the blunt force that they couldn't even see.
Julie took off her clothes and shifted into her wolf form. She dropped her front paws on him and growled loudly, baring each row of her sharp fangs right in front of his face.
"Please don't eat me!"
The man begged Julie for mercy until he shitted his pants. After Julie had her fill of threatening him, she lifted all four legs off his body and then took a few steps back, giving the man a chance to stand up. Julie growled forcefully once again to drive the three away.
After the three men ran away, Julie ran to where she had left her clothes and hid behind the trees beside the cafeteria. She shifted herself back into a human and immediately put on her clothes.
Julie saw the light from inside the cafeteria. The owner had lit some candles to replace the broken lights. Julie heard someone calling her, and she could be sure that it was Leon's voice.
"Are you okay?" asked Leon, still with a panicked look on his face when he was approaching Julie.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"I saw the wolf. It attacked Eddie; there's something strange here. I'll take you home. It's dangerous if you have to go back to Cedarwood by yourself."
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