The fire continued to burn at the top of the mountain, its flames rising into the night sky like a warning signal. From the village below, the people could only watch. The distance was too great, and the steep mountain stood like an unbreakable wall between them and the burning house.
A crowd had gathered, their faces lit by the orange glow of the fire. Murmurs spread among them, but no one made a move to act.
Haruto stood among them, his eyes fixed on the flames. After a moment, he turned to Emi, confusion clear in his expression.
"Why is no one going there to help?" he asked. "If someone is there, they might still be alive. We should do something."
Emi looked at him quietly for a second before shaking her head.
"We can't," she said.
Haruto frowned. "Why not?"
Emi lifted her gaze toward the mountain.
"The house is at the top," she explained calmly. "There is no path leading up there. The slope is too steep to climb normally. Even if we tried, it would take days to reach it."
Haruto's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened. He looked back at the burning house, thinking.
"But someone is living there, right?" he said. "If they can reach it, there must be a way. Maybe a hidden path… or a secret route."
Emi shook her head again.
"There is no secret path," she replied. "The only way to reach that place is through magic. That woman… she uses teleportation magic. That is how she goes there."
Haruto paused for a moment, processing her words. Then he looked back at her, his expression sharpening.
"If you knew about her," he said, "then why didn't you tell us earlier when I asked about Miyuki's master?"
Emi hesitated slightly before answering.
"In this village, there are many people who teach others," she said. "I was not sure if she was the one you were looking for. I didn't want to give you the wrong information."
Around them, the villagers continued whispering among themselves, their voices low and uneasy as they watched the fire slowly consume the house.
Not far from Haruto, Miyuki stood completely still.
She had not moved since the fire began.
Her eyes were locked on the mountain, her expression distant, as if she wasn't fully present.
Haruto noticed her silence. He turned toward her.
"Miyuki," he called.
There was no response.
She didn't move.
A faint worry crossed his face. He stepped closer.
"Miyuki," he called again, slightly louder this time.
Still nothing.
Haruto reached out and grabbed her shoulders gently but firmly, turning her toward him.
"Hey, listen," he said, his voice steady. "I know you're worried about your teacher. But we're not even sure that woman is your master. It could be someone else."
Miyuki's eyes shifted slightly, as if his words had finally reached her.
Haruto continued, trying to calm her.
"Right now, we don't know anything for sure," he said. "So don't assume the worst."
There was a brief silence before Miyuki finally nodded, her voice quiet.
"…Okay."
Hours passed, and slowly, the fire began to die down. The flames weakened, and the thick smoke thinned into the night air.
One by one, the villagers began to leave, returning to their homes as the tension faded.
Eventually, Haruto and Miyuki also turned back.
As they walked, Haruto glanced at her.
"Let's go tomorrow," he said. "We'll check that place ourselves."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Until then… believe that she's fine."
Miyuki didn't respond, but she gave a small nod as they continued walking back into the quiet village.
After returning from outside, Haruto and Miyuki walked quietly toward their rooms.
Miyuki stepped ahead and entered her room without saying anything. She gently closed the door behind her, the soft sound echoing faintly in the quiet hallway.
Haruto paused for a brief moment, his eyes resting on her closed door. Then he turned and entered his own room beside hers.
The night passed in silence.
By morning, a soft light filled the house.
Haruto woke up early. After freshening up, he stepped out of his room and into the hallway. His gaze shifted toward the door next to his.
Miyuki's room.
He walked over and knocked on the door.
A moment later, it opened.
Miyuki stood there, already awake and prepared. A small pack rested in her hand, showing she had been ready for some time.
Haruto looked at her, a hint of concern still visible in his expression.
"I was worried the whole night," he said. "I thought you might go there alone while everyone was asleep."
He paused briefly before continuing,
"But… I was wrong."
Miyuki didn't say much. She simply lifted the bag slightly, showing she was ready.
Haruto nodded.
"So, you're ready to go," he said.
"Thank you," Miyuki replied softly.
Without wasting more time, the two of them walked downstairs and stepped outside the house.
The morning air was cool, and the village was still quiet.
They had only just started walking when a voice came from behind them.
"Where are you going?"
Both of them turned.
Emi was walking toward them, having just come out of the house.
Haruto answered calmly, "We're going to the top of the mountain. We want to check that house. Miyuki thinks it might belong to her teacher."
Emi looked at Miyuki for a moment, then back at Haruto.
"Then I'll come with you," she said. "I know the way."
Haruto gave a small nod.
"Alright."
"Wait here for a moment," Emi added. "I'll bring my things."
She went back inside the house.
After a few minutes, she returned, ready to leave.
The three of them then began walking toward the mountain.
As they moved farther from the village, the ground became rougher and the path less clear. The trees slowly thinned out, replaced by rocky terrain.
Soon, they reached the base of the mountain.
In front of them stood a massive wall of rock, rising high into the sky. It was steep and almost impossible to climb by normal means.
Haruto stopped and looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the height.
"How are we supposed to climb this?" he asked.
Emi stepped forward, her expression calm.
"Don't worry," she said. "I can use some magic to help us."
Haruto looked at her with curiosity.
"What kind of magic?"
Emi pointed toward their feet.
"I can cast a spell on your shoes," she explained. "It will allow them to stick to the mountain surface, so you won't slip or fall while climbing."
Haruto listened carefully.
"That sounds useful," he said. "But is there any risk?"
Emi's expression became slightly serious.
"It's not completely safe," she admitted. "It will take time to reach the top, and the climb itself is dangerous. Sometimes my magic doesn't work perfectly… and if it disappears in the middle of the climb…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear. Haruto looked up at the towering rock wall again.
The path ahead would not be easy.
Still, he had already made his decision.
They were going forward—no matter the risk.