Licia poured every ounce of her mana into quelling the fire, but the flames had fused with Neo's faint magic, transforming into an uncontrollable beast.
At the edge of the square, the wooden roof of the meeting hall caught fire, its vine-covered walls crumbling as charred debris scattered across the cobblestones. Children's screams pierced the air, and the midday sky choked under a veil of crimson-black smoke.
"Neo, stop it!" Licia shouted. "Your magic's making the fire go wild!"
Neo's face paled, his hands flailing as he yelled back, "I'm trying, but it won't stop! What do I do?!"
He desperately tried to suppress his mana, but the fire roared louder, swelling with each attempt.
Nearly a hundred elves unleashed torrents of water magic at the blaze, but the flames, as if alive, refused to yield. Steam blanketed the square in white, and burning fragments of the meeting hall rained down.
A searing pain suddenly tore through Neo's spine, like his body was being roasted alive. His vision blurred, and he collapsed to his knees, half-conscious.
From beyond the square, adult elves from across the village rushed to the scene, swelling the crowd to nearly three thousand. As one, they raised their hands, summoning a blinding azure light. Three thousand streams of water surged toward the fire with a deafening roar, engulfing the square in a maelstrom of water and steam.
The fire wavered, its towering height finally dwindling. But as the flames weakened, Neo's body reached its limit. Supported by Licia's arms, he slumped against her chest. The moment the fire was nearly extinguished, Neo's consciousness slipped away.
The fountain in the square stood still, its waters calm. Only the heavy breathing of the elves echoed in the midday air.
Neo's awareness returned slowly.
His eyes fluttered open to a clean room filled with the scent of wood. Vines crept along the walls, and sunlight filtered through the window, casting soft shadows through green leaves. The polished wooden floor gleamed, and the simple furniture bore delicate carvings, as if the room were an extension of the forest itself. The air carried the faint fragrance of flowers, wrapping the space in a tranquil, verdant calm.
Around the bed where Neo lay, a dozen elves sat, Licia among them. Her golden bob glinted in the light, but her expression, like those of the others, was stern, their eyes fixed on him. The memory of the fire in the square flashed through his mind, tightening his chest with dread.
A heavy silence gripped the room, and Neo nearly closed his eyes to feign sleep.
"Neo. You awake?" Licia's voice, sweet but sharp, cut through.
He opened his eyes slowly, testing his body. The searing pain from the fire was gone, leaving only a faint exhaustion. Feeling no lingering injury, he steeled himself and sat up.
Sliding off the bed, he knelt on the wooden floor in a deep bow, his forehead nearly touching the ground. "I'm so sorry! Because of me, the square… everyone…"
His voice trembled, the image of the fire-swallowed square squeezing his heart. The weight of the elves' gazes pressed down, freezing the room's air.
But Licia's gentle voice broke the silence. "Neo, lift your head. It's not your fault."
She perched on the bed's edge, brushing her golden hair back as she continued. "If anything, I was reckless. I tested your magic without knowing anything about a transferrer's power. No one could've predicted your breeze would make the fire spiral out of control."
Her blue-green eyes shone with sincerity, and the other elves nodded slightly, their stern expressions softening. Neo hesitantly raised his head, meeting her gaze.
"What happened back there?" he asked. "Did I really cause that?"
Licia's eyes lowered briefly, as if choosing her words. "A transferrer's magic is unpredictable. People like you are rare, even in our legends."
"Was anyone hurt? Or… worse?" Neo's voice wavered.
Licia's expression softened. "Don't worry. Part of the square got scorched, but thankfully, no one was injured."
Relief flooded Neo, melting the knot of fear in his chest. No one was hurt. Thank goodness. He exhaled deeply, covering his face with both hands. "That's… such a relief."
An elderly elf woman nodded calmly, her voice measured. "Indeed, Neo-dono, it is a blessing all emerged unscathed. This village is protected by water spirits, which spared us a calamity. Without their aid, your power might have razed the entire village."
Neo's eyes widened, the roar of the fire echoing in his memory. "What do you mean? I thought my magic was weak."
The elder met his gaze with steady eyes, her words deliberate. "Your mana is indeed faint, Neo-dono. Yet its cause remains unclear. Our best theory is this: your magic, when it interacts with others, amplifies their effects—a synergistic force, if you will."
Neo raised a hand, as if to pause her. "Uh, sorry, but can you drop the 'dono' stuff? I'm just a high school kid."
The elder's lips curved into a gentle smile, her tone still reverent. "That cannot be, Neo-dono. The power you displayed rivals that of a great spirit."
"A… great spirit?" Neo echoed.
"Indeed. Such power commands respect."
Neo glanced around the room. Licia's smile held a hint of pride, but the other elves' expressions varied. Some regarded him with awe, while others' eyes betrayed clear fear. The fire's memory lingered in their gazes, and a tangle of emotions stirred in Neo's chest.
"So, this power… I can't control it?" His voice carried a note of desperation.
The elder nodded gravely. "It is highly likely, Neo-dono. Thus, it would be wise to refrain from using your magic recklessly."
Neo inhaled deeply, his resolve firm. "Got it. I'll do as you say."
The explosive magic in the square had been thrilling, but the agony—the scorching heat that had consumed him—wasn't just awe-inspiring. It was terrifying, a trauma he wasn't eager to relive. He vowed silently: I'll never use this power again.
Then, lifting his head, he voiced the question that mattered most. "So, uh… this is a bit of a shift, but…"
He waited until all eyes were on him. "How do I get back to my world?"
The room's atmosphere shifted instantly. Licia's smile vanished, the elder's calm expression clouded, and the other elves averted their gazes, regret in their eyes. A heavy silence enveloped the room, and a cold premonition gripped Neo's heart.
"We don't know," Licia said slowly, her voice carrying the weight of the room's mood.
"No one who's been transferred to this world has ever returned."
The sunlight streaming through the window bathed the room's greenery in a soft glow, but a dark shadow fell across Neo's heart.
"So…" His voice was heavy, almost a whisper. "I can't go home?"