[8.1] No Funny Business!

The Headmaster pulled me away, making sure to shield my eyes from the scene. I didn't speak as he brought me away from the building. He finally uncovered my eyes, then sent a letter using his wand.

I wanted to say something but found that my mouth was numb.

Zephyr walked over to my side, oddly quiet. Even he had no words for what we had just seen.

Who would do that… To children?

I shivered and held my arms with a frown. The Headmaster seemed to notice something and glanced down at me. He placed his hand on my head and rubbed my hair. I froze as I felt him awkwardly pet my head.

Haaah?! Is this weirdo petting my head!?

I looked up with a twitching eyebrow only to see him staring at me with such an intense look. He furrowed his brow looking particularly frightening, "...There there."

What the-!?

Is this how you comfort people!?

Most children my age would have burst into tears at this lame attempt!

Before I could shoo away his hands, a group of men suddenly appeared from a magic circle. The Headmaster pulled his hand away as he stared at the men.

The Captain of the Royal Army rushed over panting, "W-What is it this time!?"

The Headmaster frowned at him as if annoyed.

The Captain gulped and changed his words, "I mean… What is it, Sir?"

I looked between the two. Wow! This snowman must have a lot of clout if he can scare that rude Captain.

The Captain usually has a permanent sneer on his face, but now he's shivering like a little baby!

The Captain noticed my haughty grin and glared at me. His expression turned ugly, "It's you! What did you do this time!?"

My mouth dropped open in aggrievement, "Oi! You wuss! What makes you think I did anything!?"

The Headmaster gave me a silent look before turning back to the Captain, "You know her?"

The Captain crossed his arms in a huff, "Of course I know her. This is the girl who had a magic backlash that nearly burned down part of the city. She's a delinquent who needs to be locked up before she causes more damage!"

Why is he still treating me like a criminal?!

I didn't do anything!!

Urg!

I want to hit him!

Zephyr noticed my anger and chuckled deviously: <<Why don't you just kill him? I think you should kill him. Kill him kill him kill him!!!>>

I crossed my arms ignoring Zephyr as he hopped around me: <<I can't. Too many witnesses.>>

Zephyr: <<Kill the witnesses?>>

I tossed him a look: <<No.>>

The Captain clicked his tongue, "Why are you glaring at me, sinner? You must really want to get locked up. You may have a familiar now, but I can easily-"

The Headmaster interrupted in a domineering tone, "This is the girl who saved all those children and the Prince."

"-defeat you." The Captain froze before shouting, "WAIT, WHAT!?"

The Headmaster stepped close to him in a threatening manner, "So if I were you, I would watch your tongue lest it gets frozen."

I blinked in surprise and looked at the Headmaster. Did he just stand up for me??

The Captain stuttered, "T-There's no way this sinner-"

"She has a name." The Headmaster reminded in an icy tone.

I nodded smugly, "That's right!"

The Captain nodded in fear, "Right... Her name… Her name is?"

The Headmaster opened his mouth, then hesitated. Everyone turned to stare at me.

"..."

I guess I never introduced myself… But how did the Captain forget my name if I'm such a notorious sinner!?

I stomped my foot in annoyance, "Reika. My name is Reika and you better not forget it."

The Captain brushed his hair back, "Right… Reika… But how could this little girl defeat an entire organization when my army couldn't even track them down?"

The Headmaster retorted, "Because she's capable and you all are idiots."

"HAH!" I laughed aloud.

I like this man!

The Captain was furious from the humiliation, but he didn't have the courage to argue with the Headmaster. He merely sighed, "If she didn't do anything wrong, why did you call us and say there was an emergency?"

The Headmaster opened his mouth before gazing down at me. I met his eyes and raised an eyebrow.

Why is he hesitating?

He cleared his throat, "Reika… could you excuse us for a moment?"

I frowned, "Oh… Okay?"

What is this? Adult time?

BAH!

I tossed my hair and walked away irritated. Zephyr followed close behind me. He spoke telepathically: <<I recognize that forbidden technique in the orphanage. You use it to forcefully extract mana in order to consume it. Whoever did that had to be a demon. I can sense it.>>

I responded: <<I know.>>

Zephyr: <<How could you possibly know? PAH! Idiot human! Did you just assume that because something bad happened, it was a demon's fault!? Idiot! Stupid! Trash!>>

I watched as the Headmaster and the Captain went inside the orphanage to investigate as Zephyr continued to insult me. I interrupted: <<No. I say that because it is the same odd haze that I saw when you used magic. It's completely surrounding the building just as yours surrounded my body.>>

Zephyr opened his mouth in confusion.

He glanced at the building.

He glanced at me.

He glanced at the building once more to check, before turning back to me.

Zephyr: <<What are you talking about!? Crazy little girl!!! There's no haze!!!>>

I flicked his forehead: <<I told you. I'm not a little girl.>>

He smiled mockingly: <<How could I forget. You are an adult from another world. PAH! CRAZY! Who would believe that!?!>>

<<It's true!!!>>

Zephyr snickered: <<Well there is one way to see if you are telling the truth.>>

I raised an eyebrow: <<Oh?>>

Zephyr grinned impishly: <<You could give me permission to enter your mind.>>

<<Aren't you already in my mind? I can hear you yapping incessantly.>>

<<IDIOT! It's different! I am speaking to you via a telepathic connection only possible with familiars. Your mind is completely different. All the person's memories are stored in what is called 'their happy place'. Not only are you incapable of lying, but your true form will be shown. Not even demons could hide there.>>

My eyes widened: <Eh? Really? I didn't know such magic existed.>>

Zephyr looked smug: <<It's an ancient demonic technique. Very few demons are even capable of learning it and there's never been a single human who knew it. I was the only one who was able to learn it from my master. No one else could.>>

He looked so proud of himself, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. However, I stopped when I caught something strange: <<Wait. Your master? I didn't teach you anything.>>

His expression turned ferocious: <<Idiot! Fool! I am not talking about you! I only have one master and it's not you!!>>

<<Eh? You already have a master? You must be really weak if someone else was also able to forcefully turn you into a familiar.>>

<<She didn't turn me into a familiar! Idiot! She was my teacher! I was her favorite disciple too. She taught me everything I know and she is FAR stronger than you ever could hope to be!! Now are you going to let me in or not?!>>

My face twitched: <<Well, whatever. Go ahead. Come in… Or whatever. But no funny business.>>

He shook his head with an innocent expression: <<No funny business. Don't worry. You can definitely trust me~>>

My eyes narrowed at his attempt at innocence. I definitely can't trust him… But I am also curious.

Oh well.

What's the worse that could happen?

I gave a shrug and sat down on a stump as Zephyr hopped on my lap. I closed my eyes as Zephyr leaned his forehead against mine. A blinding light covered my vision.