Arson Squad

One wizard after another emerged from the forest, dressed in Black Robes and wearing Wooden Masks, raising their wands at the Tents not far away.

Low incantations sounded, and clumps of fire burst from the tips of their wands, setting the Tents closest to the edge of the campsite alight.

The flames quickly shot upward, searing red light spreading toward the sky, as if the night itself were burning along with the Tents.

The sudden flames at the edge of the campsite did not just ignite the Tents; they ignited people's hearts as well.

Some wizards who had taken part in betting and lost money saw the masked men leading the way in setting the Tents on fire, and simply released the resentment pent up inside them, joining the Arson Squad.

Some wizards muddled by drink were so dazed that they thought this was another celebration party, so they found a robe at random, threw it on, and blended into the group.

Some spectators disappointed by the result of the match seized the chance to vent the grudges in their hearts, turning their dissatisfaction into destruction of the campsite and drifting with the tide into the crowd of arsonists...

The Arson Squad grew at an astonishing pace. They let out crazed laughter, their faces twisting into savage, distorted expressions.

They waved their wands again and again, releasing clump after clump of fire. More and more flames converged, setting even more Tents around them ablaze.

The flames spread faster than anyone had imagined. Many wizards were still asleep, and in their groggy confusion they only heard the commotion outside, as though someone were telling them to run.

But before they could fully wake, the heat waves whipped up by the flames invaded their Tents and ruthlessly jolted them awake.

Caught completely