A Witch That Is Good at Hunting

Chapter 13: New Hunters (1)

Showing him the completed contract, Vigo spoke.

“Here. Look. Your fingerprint, see it?”

“Eh…”

“From today you are a witch hunter of the Silver Blades. Strictly speaking, a trainee. But once you finish training, you will stand on equal footing with me and Rowen.”

Nike only picked his ear and nodded vaguely at the headache-inducing words.

“After missions, your reward will be greater than the others. I asked the Captain to grant you special pay.”

“Oh!”

“Heh. It is favoritism, so don't tell anyone.”

At the mention of money, Nike’s ears perked up and his eyes shone. Vigo and Rowen snorted at the sight.

“Gold. Much?”

“Of course. If you keep slaying witches, you will end up rich.”

“Ohh.”

Nike folded his arms and nodded seriously. Vigo thought perhaps controlling Nike might not be so hard after all.

“Alright. I have clearly shown you the contract. If you complain later, it will trouble us both. Understood?”

“Of course!”

It was a short, simple reply, unconvincing, but Vigo did not care.

“Now!”

He gave Nike a shove on the back.

“Off you go!”

Nike tilted his head.

“Where?”

“The training ground, of course.”

“Training… ground?”

What had this brat been listening to all along?

For once losing his patience, Vigo sighed and pointed far off.

“You see the dust rising over there?”

“I see it.”

“For the next five weeks, you will train there.”

“Huh? Swindler!”

“…This brat I swear.”

Why had he agreed to the contract then?

With a headache, Vigo shoved Nike forward.

“Rowen. From now on, you handle him.”

“Wha?”

Rowen pointed to herself, puzzled.

“You cannot work under me forever. This is your third year. It’s time you became a veteran.”

“Oh...”

Rowen’s heart pounded.

That meant Vigo was finally acknowledging her.

The man who always scolded and doubted her, now entrusting her.

To be placed in charge of a trainee meant true recognition as a hunter of the Order.

She looked at Nike.

“Swindler! Die! Die! Vigo! Die!”

“…But still.”

Nike was not just anyone. He was someone Vigo valued immensely, even the Captain watched closely. He was a secret weapon of the Order.

‘And he is putting such an important person on me?’

She felt more burden than joy.

“Don't worry. I give him to you because I trust you.”

Vigo caught her hesitation and reassured her.

“And the one who handles him best, is likely you, Rowen.”

“It’s… me?”

“Whether you know it or not, he listens to you.”

It was true. Nike quarreled even with Vigo or the Captain, but never actually attacked Rowen.

Rowen had never been kind to him. If anything, she was the one who distrusted and watched him with caution the most.

Yet whenever she limped, Nike supported her.

She could only admit that he followed her.

‘Perhaps he starts by charming the easiest target… but still…’

Outwardly, it seemed like simple goodwill.

Rowen clenched her fists lightly and resolved herself after a moment of silence.

“Understood. Leave him to me.”

“Good. I trust you will do well.”

A rare praise from her master. Rowen’s cheeks grew warm.

“Swindler! Die!”

“Jeez, you’re loud. Be quiet, my ears hurt you brat! …I am off for a drink. Make sure you deliver him to the training ground.”

“Got it!”

Vigo waved and left. Nike tried to lunge after him, but Rowen caught him by the scruff.

“Let go! Let go!”

“…Nike?”

Called by Rowen, Nike scowled but looked back.

“Hah…?”

Her expression was serious. The atmosphere grew heavy. Nike blinked and became quiet.

“Listen well. From now on, I am your teacher. But realistically, I’ll be your partner, the one you will do missions with.”

“Partner?”

“Yes. Just like how master and I did in pairs. All hunters work in twos by principle.”

Sometimes numbers were increased depending on the hunt.

“So you must obey me absolutely.”

“What? No!”

Rowen scowled, then thrust the contract before him.

“Here. Article Seven. A hunter of the Order obeys the commands of the responsible teacher. If disobeyed, the teacher has the right to hand the disciple to the tribunal.”

“…”

Nike turned his head away from the paper.

“I-I never saw that…!”

“That is your fingerprint you know?”

Nike rubbed his thumb on his clothes.

“No, that is not my finger!”

“What nonsense.”

It was useless. He regretted it belatedly. He also realized not checking properly before pressing his seal was dangerous.

Another lesson of life, paid dearly.

“…Life. Bitter.”

Nike slumped. Rowen patted his back and spoke.  

“Come on. Let’s move quickly. If you are late, it’ll only get worse for you, okay?”

“Swindlers… The world is full of swindlers.”

Nike trudged along behind her as if to execution.

* * *

They passed Vilnogos’ grand buildings and reached a field outside the city.

It was surrounded by old walls, and dust rose constantly from within.

“There is the training ground. Both master and I started there.”

Every hunter of the Order had come through this cradle. Nike stared blankly at the yard.

Several trainees were already running laps.

“You will start there too.”

“…”

Nike still looked to be in a gloomy mood. Perhaps he truly thought it a swindle.

He had agreed to witch hunting, but likely had never thought seriously about what it meant.

To him, it had been just fighting witches, then receiving gold and meat.

He had never imagined being locked into a sweat soaked training camp.

‘What should I do…’

Rowen felt her heart waver.

Vigo always told her a hunter must be cold and unyielding. But she struggled with that.

And here she was, about to throw a young boy into such a place.

She sighed and gripped his shoulders, looking into his gray eyes. They were blank without will.

She thought he would only cause trouble if forced inside.

“Nike. It is not too late.”

“Huh?”

“If you hate it, say so now.”

She knew she should not be saying this.

“Tear up the contract. Leave the Order. Hide and live quietly.”

Even knowing he was the only weapon against witches, she said it.

“I will not force you to do what you hate.”

Perhaps her heart had been swayed by Nike’s bewitching presence.

“I too despise being… bound by rules and contracts.”

Rowen decided to hold to her belief.

“Hungry.”

“…Huh? What?”

Growl.

Nike clutched his stomach.

“Meat.”

“So… that’s what you meant.”

Her face burned crimson.

After her face became red, Rowen shouted out loud.

“Hey!”

“My ears!”

She hissed, exasperated.

‘What nonsense have I been saying?’

Rowen felt her heart pounding fast. She felt humiliated and ashamed.

Had this witch toyed with her? Was this a witch’s charm? Would she become his puppet without knowing?

Too many thoughts swirled in her mind.

Rowen, flustered, undid her braid and dragged Nike along.

‘...I truly don't understand this kid.’

Dragged by the hand, Nike asked her.

“Where!”

“To eat!”

“Meat?”

“Yes, meat! You’re so annoying~!”

“Rowen. Best!”

They ate meat until full, then returned to the training ground.

Rowen, still sulking, gave him a warning with an exhausted tone as if she gave up already.

“While you train here, never use magic no matter what. No one must know you are a witch.”

“I’m not! Witch!”

“We don’t know that yet.”

She frowned. She recalled him risking his life to kill witches, yet here she was still doubting him.

But she had to say it.

Rule was a rule, and it was true that he couldn’t be fully trusted yet.

“This is a warning for you. If you use magic, they will drag you away and kill you before you can explain. You don't want that, right?”

“Hard.”

It was not simple. Nike didn’t purposely use magic. Magic to him was like breathing.

“Hard or not, promise you won’t use magic. Only then I can protect you, and you’ll have an easy life.”

“Hmmm~”

“If people learn you use magic, many will come after you. Then you, me, and the Order will be in danger. Understand?”

She spoke sincerely. She still didn’t fully trust Nike, but she was also trying to protect him.

She was trying her best to believe.

“Promise me. No magic until I allow it.”

She threatened sternly, but Nike understood her intent.

“I promise!”

That answer left Rowan flustered because of how quick and firm it was.

* * *

“Lift your knees! Do you want to die?”

“At that pace a turtle will eat you alive, trash!”

At the training ground, dust and shouts filled the air.

There were only three trainees.

Survival was so rare in this field, so only a few volunteered. Most were rescued by hunters and scouted, but even that was scarce.

Yet the Order still maintained itself.  

It was proof witches still ran rampant. All who came here dreamed of vengeance.

“Stop!”

The drill instructor spotted Rowen and Nike, halting the trainees.

Sweating trainees stared at the newcomers.

Rowen’s black clothes marked her clearly as a hunter, so nothing strange there. It was obvious that she was a hunter just from her looks.

The issue was the boy beside her that looked way too young.  

Trainees were often orphans, but even among them Nike looked especially young.

But he also looked extremely handsome. Even in the dusty yard, his beauty stood out.

“Instructor, have you been well?”

“Rowen. So you bring recruits now huh. Time really flies.”

They greeted each other warmly. Rowen smiled awkwardly.

“This is Nike. He was admitted midway through the term. Please look after him.”

She introduced him. The instructor scowled at Nike.

It was the usual intimidation to break their spirit from the start.

Most young recruits couldn’t even meet his eyes.

However,

“Nice to meet you!”

Nike smiled brightly and spoke casually, unfazed. It was the first time seeing a recruit talk to him informally with a bright smile.

‘What is with this brat?’

Honestly, his first impression was the worst.

In plain words, Nike was already marked by the instructor.