The flames danced in five pairs of eyes. The glow from the fire basin was the most crucial thing keeping them alive here, yet everyone felt a chill run through their hearts.
"Of course I didn't light it."
Professor Evans hurriedly shook her head.
"I thought the young ladies who arrived before us had lit it."
Miss Maron was an ordinary person, so it naturally had nothing to do with her. Miss Teresa and Miss Maxim, who had arrived first, also shook their heads.
"Not us. We were drawn here by the firelight as well. If there hadn't been light here, with the waves so rough, we wouldn't have noticed this floating board."
Though the purple-haired maid, Miss Maxim, had been shivering from the cold the whole time, she still provided further information.
"When we first arrived, before I passed out, I tried to light more fires. But this place completely suppresses flames and light."
As she spoke, she opened her nearly bloodless palm.
"Fire~"
Not even a spark appeared. Miss Teresa and Professor Evans tried as well, but sure enough, nothing happened. They seemed to feel even colder. Miss Teresa was now practically pressed against Shade, and Shade felt as though he were leaning against a massive block of ice.
Though Miss Maron was not a witch, she had a box of half-damp matches on her. After obtaining the other four's consent, she tossed the matches directly into the fire basin before them. Everyone then saw that neither the matches nor the cardboard box showed the slightest sign of catching fire.
Professor Evans curled a finger, and the matchbox flew back out. The now-dried matchbox was completely intact.
"Silver Moon."
Shade spoke softly, and a grain-of-rice-sized light appeared at his fingertips once more. Aside from the flame of unknown