No way...
Everyone around me was buzzing about the manifestation of fire. They let out exclamations of awe at witnessing the supernatural power of magic appear, but I let out a sound for a different reason.
So this is the incantation for 'Fire'.
Me, doing this.
Me, at forty, doing this.
This is certainly the magic I had wished for with all my heart.
It's exactly the kind of magic I imagined when I was in elementary or middle school.
The words of the incantation are just like what a child would imagine.
Honestly, it's embarrassing.
Could it be that all magic has incantations like this?
It's cool, I guess, but when I imagine myself chanting it, my whole body starts to burn.
"Ooooooh—So cool!"
Jinnai-kun seemed genuinely moved, but perhaps I've lost my innocence with age.
However, if I can't use magic without getting through this, then I have no choice but to do it.
At this point, I just have to concentrate on manifesting magic.
"It's like this. 'Fire' is a basic magic, so everyone should be able to use it regardless of their job. The power might differ, though. Alright, let's try it one by one. Concentrate on the target while chanting. Absolutely do not fire it at anyone. A major accident could occur! Don't lose focus during the incantation!"
Indeed, if one were to fire that at someone, it would be a catastrophe. I just need to concentrate.
The members started chanting 'Fire' in order of their attendance numbers.
"I did it!"
"Whoa~"
"This is magic..."
"Awesome, I did it!"
The students successfully cast it one after another. Everyone succeeded.
I'm getting nervous. There's no way I'll be the only one who can't activate it, right?
I mean, I have maxed magic stats. Please work.
When it was my turn, I cast aside my embarrassment and began chanting with a prayer-like feeling.
"Nn, nn, nn. Spirits dwelling in this world, obey my covenant and show your power here. Primordial flames, dance! 'Fire'"
When I finished chanting, the magic activated, and flames appeared around the target, burning it down. However, there was a significant difference compared to the other students.
"Huh..."
"What..."
"Ah..."
I could tell the surrounding students gasped all at once.
My 'Fire' was too big.
Most students' flames were about the size of a soccer ball. In contrast, the flame I manifested was well over a meter in diameter.
Moreover, the color of the flame was strange.
While the other students' flames were orange, mine burned with a blue hue.
According to my knowledge, blue flames are hotter than orange flames...
My blue flame, exceeding one meter, completely incinerated the target, the stand supporting it, and the post.
"Uh, umm. It's not my fault, right? I just chanted as instructed. Do I have to pay for damages?"
"Ah, ah. That's fine. Hanaoka-san, who are you?"
"No, when you ask who I am, I'm Hanaoka."
"We know that, but are you really just a student? That wasn't just 'Fire,' it's impossible. Even 'Flame' doesn't turn that color. It's comparable to the advanced 'Meltfire.' It's beyond a student's level. Seriously, what are you?"
"When you ask what I am, I can only say I'm a student, Hanaoka."
From the teacher's tone, it seems my flame was indeed abnormal.
But why...?
Notes:
• Jinnai - A 19-year-old student first seen at orientation; questions Hanaoka about age and life due to curiosity; caused by meeting a much older classmate; connects as classmate; married; blunt but friendly.