A Witch That Is Good at Hunting

Chapter 15: New Hunters (3)

Lou Gehrig had always been small and timid since childhood, bullied by other kids in the neighborhood. Every time that happened, his older brother Ginter rushed in and beat up the bullies.

The two brothers’ bond and Ginter’s fighting skill were famous in town.

‘A brat smaller than my little brother dares to say what? War?’

Confident in fights, Ginter sneered.

“War? Fine. If you keep acting up, then it is war.”

He stepped closer. It was enough distance where his fist would reach Nike.

“B-Brother… let’s stop and go.”

“Shut up for a sec.”

Ginter was already provoked. Seeing Nike, smaller in size yet not flinching, made him angrier.

“Don't act out. Unless you want to die.”

“I will kill you.”

“What?”

The boy snapped back like a scorpion, and Ginter’s teeth started to grind. He had only intended to scare him, but now he was close to losing control.

“Are you not gonna shut that mouth?”

Ginter’s heart raced, timing when to throw his punch.

“You shut yours.”

“Ha!”

Ginter cracked his neck and grinned. He stepped forward, pressing his forehead against Nike’s. But Nike did not budge. It was like pressing against a boulder.

“You bastard!”

Ginter suddenly swung his fist, aiming for Nike’s side to knock the breath out of him.

Tap!

But Nike reacted just as quickly. With his right hand, he blocked the punch, then gripped and squeezed Ginter’s fist.

“Urgh…! what strength…!”

Despite Nike’s much smaller hand, Ginter felt the power drain from his own fist. The pain was unbearable, like his fingers would snap at any moment.

“Aaagh! L-Let go, damn it!”

“Provoke. War. Death. Price.”

Nike muttered strange words quietly. Lou Gehrig panicked and tried to pull them apart.

“Please! I am sorry! Let my brother go!”

Just before Ginter’s fist was crushed, Rowen’s warning flashed in Nike’s head.

― Nike. don't cause trouble. They are your peers, so you must not fight them.

That was right.

Nike had come into the world to live a different life than before. The next years had to be unlike the fifteen lonely years in the village of Sinain.

If he kept acting on impulse, he would end up alone again.

Nike released his grip. Ginter fell back, clutching his fist and groaning.

“Ugh… Fuck…!”

“Brother! Are you alright?”

“Hmph!” Nike snorted. He had wanted to make friends, but again humans proved to be wicked. Thinking of it only angered him.

Disappointed, Nike turned back to digging.

“What is this commotion?”

A massive figure, Instructor Carlton, had approached silently. Arms crossed, he glared at them.

“U-Uh, well…”

Lou Gehrig trembled, trying to think fast.

‘If I tell the truth, only my brother and I get punished!’

It was the brothers who had picked the fight. Nike had done nothing wrong.

And Nike had already earned the instructor’s favor. If things went badly, they might be punished all night, even starved.

“Nike. Did you beat this kid?”

Carlton looked at Nike. The sight was Ginter collapsed, so it looked like Nike had attacked.

“I was the one who—”

“I did.”

Before Ginter could confess, Nike claimed it as his fault.

Both brothers widened their eyes.

“Why did you do it?”

Carlton narrowed his eyes.

“…Just because!”

“Just because?”

“I did not like him.”

“Hmm.”

Carlton glanced at the brothers. They were too flustered to speak.

‘Clearly the brothers picked the fight and got beaten…’

Carlton had trained cadets for decades. Fights between recruits were constant. He could read the truth at a glance.

‘Nike is covering for them. That’s unexpected.’

It really was surprising. Rowen had said he was a strange boy who only cared about himself, yet here he was.

“You are hiding something, but I will not pry. Boys should settle it themselves. But if you fight again and anyone gets hurt, I will kill all three of you myself. Understood!?”

“…Yes!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“Understood!”

Carlton glared at them one by one.

“You caused a disturbance, so all three of you will work until midnight. No breakfast tomorrow either.”

“…!”

“No breakfast? Unfair!”

“Shut it! Run ten laps right now!”

“Unfair!”

“Twenty laps!”

The punishment was strict but merciful. Carlton decided to give the brothers a chance for Nike’s sake. He wondered why he covered for them.

Carlton left. Nike, fuming, started running around the yard.

Watching him, Ginter muttered.

“He… just covered for us, right…?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“…What.”

* * *

In the end, the three of them finished late repairs, became hungry, and returned to the dorm.

“Food. Need food…”

He was starving. He was even away from Rowen and Vigo who he had gotten closer to. Nike dragged his feet back to his spot.

Beside him, the girl Hestia was already asleep with her back turned. She had never exchanged a word with him.

‘Depressed.’

It was a strange place, no dinner, and only hardships all day.

He wanted to ignore it and run, but Rowen was watching him. The contract gnawed at his conscience.

He could not shake the feeling he had been tricked. Resentment at Vigo filled him.

Nike unrolled his bedding absentmindedly. That was when the brothers approached.

“Another provocation?”

This time he would not go easy on them. He was feeling more sensitive than ever, so his beastlike instincts bristled.

“Uh, here, take this.”

Ginter handed him something. Bread that was secretly hidden from the instructor.

“…I’m sorry about earlier. And thank you.”

“M-Me too. I’m older than you but acted immaturely. I was just worn out and became sensitive.”

The brothers stammered apologies, seeking peace.

If Nike had not covered for them, their punishment would have been far worse than night labor.

They had tried to pick on him, yet he had spared them and even suffered with them.

They admitted their first impression of him had been prejudice.

Nike now felt the hardship had been worthwhile. He accepted the bread and said,

“Introduction.”

“Introduction?”

“Nike.”

The past would not repeat.

“Ah… I am Ginter. This is my brother.”

“L, Lou Gehrig. Nice to meet you…!”

“Peers!”

Nike had made his first friends.

* * *

Before dawn, the instructors barged into the dorm, waking the cadets.

Groggy, they rubbed their eyes. But Nike, used to dawn hunts, leapt up.

“Twilight!”

He dashed to the yard first.

“Man, what kind of life did you live?”

“…Haha. That’s a good question.”

“I don't know!”

“Hahaha! You are too funny.”

All morning, Nike stuck with the brothers, chatting like old companions.

‘I knew it.’

From a distance, Carlton nodded.

Contrary to worries, Nike was sociable.

He had won the brothers’ trust. Considering the long training, it was wise to do so.

‘He has good sense.’

After harsh training, lunch came.

Carlton quieted the chatter and looked over the cadets.

‘The brothers are set… and only the girl remains.’

Hestia had joined earlier, but still spoke to no one. Her aloofness, almost aristocratic, intimidated the country boys.

‘They said she was from a fallen noble family of the borderlands, if I remember correctly.’

Carlton devised a plan.

“Now that there are more of you, training will be in pairs.”

He explained witch hunts always worked in pairs. The cadets understood quickly.

“First, the brothers.”

“Yes, sir!”

“…Yes!”

“You are a team. Your bond is strong so I’m sure you’ll coordinate well together.”

Both sighed in relief. Their loyalty to each other was unquestioned.

“Next, Nike and Hestia.”

“Hah!”

“…Yes.”

“You two are a team. Take care of each other throughout.”

Nike glanced at Hestia, nodding happily. He was glad to be paired with her, as it was another chance for a friend.

However, Hestia answered flatly, with her expression unchanged. She was unreadable.

“Alright, follow me.”

The instructors led them to another site, an obstacle course of wooden contraptions like a labyrinth.

“A witch’s lair is deadly and they are full of traps. One mistake, and your head is smashed.”

At a signal, blades swung, logs fell, spikes rose from the ground.

“This trains you to survive that. The core is teamwork.”

Carlton pointed at the brothers.

“Up you go.”

“What…?”

Lou Gehrig became pale and trembled. He looked at the instructor in doubt.

“Must I repeat myself?”

“B-But…!”

Carlton stomped up to him, shoving his face close.

“Lou Gehrig. What is your father’s name?”

“Huh? Ah, it’s… B-B-B-B-Boris!”

“And my name?”

“…Instructor Carlton!”

Carlton grabbed his head and roared.

“Am I your father!!! How long must I coddle your whining! If you can’t get through and crack your skull, why should I care!!!!! Is witch hunting a joke to you! Is it?!!! You think this is a playground???!!!”

“N-No sirrrrrrr!”

Spit flew, hair whipped, pants dampened.

“A brat who cannot handle a toy course has no place here! Better to die there! Quit and get lost, or shut up and climb!”

Everyone shivered at the sight. Ginter pulled his brother up, slapping his cheeks to wake him. They began.

Close calls came again and again, but together they barely survived each trap.

Even Carlton had sweat build up in his hands as he watched.

“Phew…”

When they finished, he secretly sighed with relief.

Supporting Lou Gehrig, they returned. Now it was Nike and Hestia’s turn.

“Go up.”

“Leave it to me!”

Nike bounded up eagerly.

Thud, crash, screech!

Horrifying sounds passed by their ears.

The course was more threatening up close. Hestia, usually calm, showed tension. One mistake, and they’ll be dead. Her heart started to pound nervously.

‘Excitement!’

Nike’s heart pounded for another reason.

“First place is mine!”

He leapt straight into the course without consulting her.

In a blur, he dodged falling logs, vaulted spiked wheels, and even cleared a sludge pit in one bound.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Everyone gaped at the display.

‘What the… is that even human?’

Carlton unfolded his arms with shock.

He had seen prodigies in decades of being an instructor, but never such raw physical power.

Rowen, who was observing from a distance, lowered her head with a sigh. She had told him to stay unnoticed, but Nike was born to stand out so such a demand was unreasonable.

Most stunned of all was Hestia.

‘...’

This test was for teamwork, not solo stunts.

By rushing alone, he left her behind. Because of that, she stood still, dumbfounded.

Realizing that a bit late, Carlton watched her to see how she’ll react in this situation.

‘Normally, the partner should call him back. What will she do?’

After a pause, Hestia chose not to call him. She advanced alone.

‘So she too prefers solitude huh.’

Her struggle was much harder and slower than Nike’s, but she finally made it through.

“You! Amazing!”

“…”

Nike greeted her cheerfully and casually. She looked at him expressionlessly for a moment, then looked away.

‘They are both Individually excellent. Nike is a monster, Hestia a rare talent as well. But their teamwork is zero. These two… will take time.’

Nike lacked the concept of cooperation. Hestia avoided communication. They were a troublesome pairing.

It was the instructor’s job to get them to work together.

Carlton gathered the cadets.

“Ginter and Lou Gehrig. You two were slow, but you showed teamwork. Excellent. Supporting and following, that is the key.”

“Yes, sir!”

“…Yes!”

Then Nike and Hestia.

“You two are the worst.”

“…”

“Hah?”

Hestia expected it. But Nike looked shocked.

“You are both skilled, I know. You excelled by yourselves. I hope you’re proud.”

He sneered and glared at the two of them.

“However.”

His eyes hardened right after.

“At the end of the day, humans are still human. No matter how strong, alone against witches you are nothing.”

He flicked their foreheads and continued.  

“You didn’t even talk to each other. If you meet witches, will you fight in silence?”

“…”

“I will kill them!”

“The first to die is the one who only trusts brute strength.”

Smack! Nike was flicked again. Carlton’s finger flicks were rather spicy as it brought a tear to Nike’s eye.  

Hestia bowed her head in silence. Carlton finished after seeing her.

“From now on, you two eat together every evening. Even bathroom breaks together.”

“…!”

Hestia’s eyes widened which was rare to see from her.

“You got a problem?”

“…”

She shook her head, with her lips pressed tight.

“Now, move to the next training ground!”

* * *

That evening, Nike and Hestia’s shared meal was unbearably awkward.

They might not have noticed themselves, but to anyone else, they definitely seemed like it.