Chapter 7– THE CASE OF THE BURNT SOUP (2/2)
“Huh? But&h.e.l.lip;”
“As long as you keep in mind the time and place, you can use magic all you want.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. For now, since the soup’s cooled down, how about heating it with magic?”
Reminded by Father’s words, I noticed that the soup had gone cold during our conversation. Mother also noticed and said, rather deliberately,
“It would be so nice if someone could reheat the soup.”
I nodded firmly.
“Leave it to me! Let me see, that’s right&h.e.l.lip;”
If it’s just to reheat some soup, fire magic is probably the best choice. In that case, I only know one appropriate spell. I wielded the power of the magic language, still trying to sense any æther.
“With the flames of purgatory, burn to nothingness!”
Blazing flames rushed forth, striking the soup with a great woosh. The intense flame heated the soup. As for the result&h.e.l.lip;
“&h.e.l.lip;”
“&h.e.l.lip;”
“Gerald&h.e.l.lip;what is this supposed to be?”
Father peered inside his bowl. All he found was a pitch black substance stuck to the bottom.
“That would be the soup I reheated with magic.”
“I see, soup you say?
“Yes, soup.”
“I see&h.e.l.lip;I see&h.e.l.lip;”
Father picked up his spoon and reluctantly sc.r.a.ped at the charcoal left at the bottom of the bowl.
“So&h.e.l.lip;what you’re saying is, that this here is soup?”
“Well&h.e.l.lip;”
He looked at me, his eyes full of disappointment. I had no response. Nothing but charcoal remained. No other traces of the ruined soup could be found.
“Sorry&h.e.l.lip; It seems like in my attempt to heat up the soup, I burnt it to cinders.”
“Is that so&h.e.l.lip;”
Father gloomily returned his gaze to the remains at the bottom of his bowl. Feeling sorry for him, I offered my share of the soup.
“Ahh, err, sorry&h.e.l.lip;”
“No, it’s fine, Gerald, but&h.e.l.lip;I’d appreciate it if you could be more careful from now on.”
“Yeah, I’ll be careful&h.e.l.lip; I’ll be careful, Father.”
Father and I were disheartened. This is ridiculous&h.e.l.lip; all I wanted to do was practise magic. I never intended to incinerate Father’s food.
While I was busy being depressed, Mother sighed,
“Hmm, it seems it’ll be a while before Gerald-chan can help out with his magic,”
as she put Sierra back to sleep in her crib.
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