"Wind!"
As soon as the spell left, magical energy rippled through the room. A gentle breeze swept past us, lifting the stale air and pushing it toward the open windows. The unbearable stench was carried away with it, dispersing outside like smoke.
I inhaled carefully.
…Yeah. Much better.
There was still a faint trace lingering in the air, but it was finally at a level a human could tolerate. Around me, people slowly lowered their hands from their noses, a few even letting out relieved sighs.
But then a different kind of silence settled in.
"…Huh?"
I followed the flow of everyone's gaze and turned my head.
Viola.
She stood there stiffly, shoulders slightly hunched, her hands clasped in front of her as if she'd just committed a terrible crime.
"I-I'm sorry…" she said softly. "I just… couldn't bear it anymore…"
Her voice was so small it nearly vanished into the room.
