[21.1] A Very Special Course

After class, I left to find a crowd gathering around a bulletin board. I raised an eyebrow and muttered to myself, "What's all the excitement about?"

A mouse-like voice responded next to me, "The results of the random selection are up."

I looked over to see Hazel hiding behind a statue while staring at the board anxiously.

I blinked, "...Why are you hiding?"

She looked at her feet, "T-There's quite a bit of people…"

Zephyr tilted his head, "You have a social phobia too? Wow."

I flicked his forehead to shut him up.

He let out a cry, "What was that for?!"

I glared at him, "You aren't being very nice."

Hazel played with her braids anxiously, "I-It's okay... I know I'm lame..."

Zephyr clicked his tongue, "At least you know."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Oi."

He let out a groan, "UGHH! Fine. I can be your bodyguard if you're so scared."

Hazel's expression lightened up, "R-Really?!"

What kind of bodyguard could he possibly be? He's much shorter than her!

Felix noticed us standing to the side of the group and strolled over with a carefree smile, "Ah! The results are finally up."

I glanced at Cyrus who had been following him. His expression immediately soured when his eyes met mine.

I averted my gaze away, "What are the results about?"

Felix spoke, "You don't know? Every year the school randomly selects 10 students to participate in an Excavation course led by the Headmaster."

I looked at him curiously, "An Excavation course?"

Felix nodded, "The Headmaster is really interested in finding relics. Whenever his research pinpoints a possible location, he goes on a trip to find them. If it's a safe area, he takes a few students that are randomly selected to help him look for it. I've never been, but I heard it's fun."

I made a face, "So it's just free labor?"

Felix laughed, "A bit. Unfortunately you have to sleep outside, so not many students want to go."

My eyes brightened, "So it's like a camping trip???"

He shrugged, "A bit."

Ah!! I've always wanted to sleep under the stars, but I've never had the opportunity since I always lived in the city.

I grinned, "Well let's go check and see if our names are there."

Felix looked at the crowd, "There seems to be a lot of people looking right now."

Hazel timidly peeked out from behind the sculpture, "S-Should we wait until they all leave?"

Cyrus shrugged, "We can wait our turn. It won't take too long."

I clicked my tongue, "There's no way I'm waiting that long."

As soon as I raised my wand, the temperature in the room dropped exponentially. All of the students abruptly turned to look at me and went pale at the sight of my wand raised.

They all scrambled to run to the side and out of our way.

I blinked, "Huh."

Zephyr laughed rambunctiously, "HAHA! They are all scared of you!!!"

I casually put my wand back in my sock, "Ah… Okay. Good… I think…"

Cyrus rolled his eyes, "Maybe you should stop bullying people."

I gaped at him, "Who am I bullying!? I'm not doing anything!!"

He ignored me and walked towards the board.

I ran after him and shook him back and forth, "Tell me who I'm bullying!!"

No response.

I paused, "...Are you being sassy because I messed up the order of your books!?"

He suddenly shouted, "YOU DEMOLISHED MY ROOM!"

I made a face, "That's what you're so upset about!? You can easily use magic to fix it! Don't overreact!"

He stomped his foot, "I'm not like you! I don't use magic for such petty reasons!!"

I stuck out my tongue, "I offered to clean it up."

"You were offering to destroy it more!!!"

"..."

I paused, unable to deny it. Then I shook my head, "But then I offered to clean it up once I calmed down."

Felix stepped in, "Now, now. Let's not argue about this here. Let's check our names first and then we can leave and argue."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine."

My eyes immediately darted to the board.

Felix grinned, "I was picked!!!"

Cyrus looked away in disinterest, "So was I."

Hazel whined, "I was picked too… Ah… I don't want to go…"

What a coincidence.

All three were chosen?

That's only something that would happen in a novel.

Sigh. That means I will be on the list too.

I guess I will have no choice but to go.

Oh well. There's nothing I can do~

I scanned the list and screamed, "WHERE'S MY NAME!?!"

Felix scratched his cheek with an awkward laugh, "You weren't randomly chosen…"

I heaved angirly, "AND WHY NOT!?!"

Hazel rubbed my back, "Don't be angry. You might be picked next year."

"WHO CARES ABOUT NEXT YEAR!"

Zephyr tilted his head in confusion, "Why are you so angry? You just complained about it being free labor."

I grabbed his shirt, "Because I get FOMO!"

Cyrus snickered with an arrogant expression, "That's what you get for destroying my room."

I screamed out in a rage and pulled out my wand, "THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO BURN DOWN THE SCHOOL!"

Felix and Zephyr quickly tackled me before I could throw out a spell.