A Witch That Is Good at Hunting

Chapter 20: Final Test (3)

The training grounds bustled with people for the first time in a long while.

Trainees, instructors, and even senior witch hunters who had scouted the trainees were all gathered.

The trainees stood beside their senior hunters.

The one-eyed Hans had brought along the brothers Ginter and Lou Gehrig. The sharpshooter Maximilian had brought Hestia.

Each was a veteran witch hunter renowned in the Silver Blades Order.

Over four weeks of training, the trainees had come to realize firsthand just how hard and dangerous the life of a witch hunter was.

Because of that, they now fully understood how great those senior hunters who had survived more than ten years truly were.

Their eyes toward their seniors had changed completely from when they first came.

“M-Master!”

“You look so different now that we meet again!”

“You brats. Only now do you believe my words? Senior Carlton really drilled your spirits well I see!”

So said Ginter and Lou Gehrig.

“…I grew close with the others.”

“I heard. They are good kids. I also heard they trained well. You did well.”

“…Thank you.”

Even Hestia blushed at such small praise. She still couldn't believe she had become close with such shabby companions.

By contrast, Rowen, who looked paltry compared to them, was more nervous than anyone present.

“Where is the boss?”

“…Hm? Ah, Master had urgent business and stepped away.”

Rowen gave a bitter smile. She felt small for some reason.

If Vigo had been here, she could have stood prouder. For even these impressive hunters were nothing compared to him.

In that sense, Rowen felt strangely apologetic toward Nike even though she shouldn’t.

“Sorry, but I am your supervisor…”

“Vice boss! Senior!”

Of course, Nike didn't care in the slightest. He recognized Rowen fully as his senior.

“…Yes. Thank you.”

Rowen straightened her shoulders, buoyed by Nike’s words.

The feeling of being recognized by someone…

And from one who she still watched with suspicion no less. It was awkward, yet gratifying.

Once all had gathered, Carlton began to speak.

“Proud members of the Silver Blades Order! You endured hellish training well.”

“Senior, isn’t it about time you step down? Give me the chief instructor seat.”

“Shut it, Hans. A brat like you has at least ten more years to go.”

“Yes sir! Hahaha!”

Carlton gave his graduation speech, then soon moved to the main point.

“One final gateway remains before you become full witch hunters of the Order.”

“That is to safely pass through the Dark Forest managed by the Order.”

“demons live there naturally. We cull the most dangerous ones regularly, so if you trained properly you will not die there.”

“The final test is this. Defeat or avoid the demons of the Dark Forest and use all that you have learned to make it safely to the other side.”

“If your skills are so poor that you die there… then you would only die on your first mission anyway, so we will not mourn you.”

Carlton’s jest carried a sharp edge.

So the trainees couldn't laugh. Only the senior hunters smiled faintly.

“He is only trying to scare you, no need to cower. You will only face the kinds of demons you have already killed in training.”

“…Okay.”

Maximilian whispered to Tia. Even so, it was hard to feel at ease.

No matter how close to real their training had been, the true thing would be different.

The pressure pressed down like lead. The brothers and Tia swallowed hard.

Meanwhile Nike had been dozing off since Carlton’s speech.

‘This kid’s mental education is hopeless.’

Rowen tugged his ear and pinched his back, but Nike didn't budge.

“Now, choose your weapons. They were forged by the Order’s smiths, be grateful.”

“Yes!”

Weapon selection began.

Witch hunters used many kinds of weapons, each with different ways to wield them.

Choosing a weapon suited to one’s nature was both skill and survival strategy.

“I still like the transforming spear, but a sword feels good in the hand too…”

The brothers and Tia went to the display. Nike was shoved forward by Rowen.

The trainees examined the weapons with childlike joy. Since they had to use what they chose in the final test, they had to be careful.

“I decided…”

Lou Gehrig was the first to pick.

“Whoa, fiery choice huh?”

“…There is a strange thrill to it.”

“Haha! Doesn’t suit you. You turn into a maniac the moment you pick up a weapon.”

“Harsh words for your little brother…”

Lou Gehrig had chosen a large axe.

He could swing it as twin axes, or combine them into one huge axe.

It didn't quite suit his usually timid nature.

“Then I will take this, as I wanted.”

“I knew you would choose that.”

Ginter chose a transforming spear.

It could be wielded like nunchaku, then joined together and twisted to reveal a sharp spearhead.

Since witches thrived on trickery, their opponents also needed more than ordinary tools.

The brothers finished first, and all waited for Hestia.

Throughout training, she had shown outstanding talent in weapon skills. Whatever she held became part of her body.

At last Hestia reached out carefully. She took one weapon in each hand.

‘A hunting scythe huh… a fine choice.’

Her decision drew nods of approval. Even Carlton acknowledged her choice.

Maximilian also nodded at her.

“Nike! What about you?”

“He seemed best with daggers at least.”

“…Nike, hurry and choose. Everyone is waiting.”

Nike half-opened his eyes.

After four weeks together, they all knew. His face made it clear. He had no interest in weapons.

“Weapons. Lame.”

“Hm? As expected huh.”

“Really? Even so…”

“…I thought so.”

Most had half expected this.

Nike showed no interest at all in weapons. He only seemed bothered when his hands were not free.

In the end, Carlton allowed it.

‘Because it is Nike, I can understand.’

‘Well, he is…’

With any normal trainee, Carlton would have forced them.

But Nike was too unusual of a case.

Even his peers had begun to sense he was special. He stood out without magic.

For example, he had enough stamina to cross mountains without tiring.

He had reflexes and wit enough to subdue runaway horses alone.

He had the strength to pull up the iron stakes binding a giant familiar.

He had shocking stupidity yet chilling cunning.

He could memorize anything when needed.

…and sometimes showed an alien eeriness.

All could now accept why the great Vigo had chosen to keep him.

“Now, if you are finished, let us move to the test ground. I’m excited to see how many will survive.”

* * *

“Hey, once we finish, let’s go hang out in the nearby village.”

“Huh? This suddenly?”

“Suddenly? We have been talking about it. They say the food is good there. The seniors all said so.”

“Ah… true. I-I am fine with that.”

On the way to the final exam, Ginter started talking to ease tension.

As leader of the group, he always led the conversation.

“What do you think, Nike, Hestia?”

“We could even get matching rings.”

He had heard many things. After weeks together, he felt attached to his peers and wanted to share something meaningful.

“Good! Meat!”

“That goes without saying for Nike. What about you, Hestia?”

Hestia had grown close with them too. Though she still held her noble pride, compared to her first days it was a huge change.

She had also grown fond of them, cherished them as well.

She answered with indifference, but not rejection.

“…I don't mind.”

“Okay. Nice. Let’s do it after the test.”

As they chattered noisily, the surroundings grew darker. It was still midday, but the air turned damp and the thick trees gave the place a sinister feel.

At last Carlton stopped at the entrance to the Dark Forest.

He turned, speaking with weight.

“There it is, the Dark Forest you must cross. It was made by the Order to contain demons. A powerful barrier surrounds it, one that no one outside the Order can pass.”

Of course, a barrier meant magic. The only official user in the Order was Captain Morgana.

The strange relationship of using witches’ power to contain witches was part of why the Order of the Silver Blades was was strong.

Carlton pointed to the pitch-black forest.

Even a few steps in, the gloom unsettled the heart.

“Countless hunters have crossed it. The greatest in history all faced this same trial.”

It was a place steeped in history. And the stench of blood lingered.

The grown trainees were now at a point where they could smell the stench of death.  

Everyone had to pass, and anyone could, but… they knew the forest was not so forgiving.

It was certain that a decent number of lives were lost in it.  

“…It’s creepy.”

“Don’t be scared. We worked so hard for it. You should learn to stop whining, you know?”

“…Y-Yeah.”

“…”

Despite telling his younger brother, even Ginter couldn't help being tense.

The eerie air, the ominous wind, the abyssal darkness beyond.

For novices with no real battle experience, it was terrifying.

“You must overcome it. Only by defeating unknown fear can you hope to defeat witches.”

Carlton encouraged them earnestly.

Though he pretended to be stern, he cared deeply for his students. Unlike his beast-like manner in the first week, he now felt like a friendly uncle.

He was a man of hidden warmth.

“Prepare. Each group to your assigned positions. Ginter and Lou Gehrig west. Hestia and Nike east. The assistants with blue and white flags will wait for you.”

“Yes!”

“Y-Yes!”

“Yes.”

“East! North south east west!”

The brothers left, wishing them luck. Carlton too disappeared from sight.

Only the mournful voice of the ancient forest could be heard. Hestia, Nike’s partner, spoke first.

“Nike. What are you doing? Let’s go.”

“…Going.”

Nike snapped from his thoughts.

From the start he had stared into the forest’s depths with narrowed eyes.

‘Stench.’

It was a familiar unease.

What lay beyond felt even more dangerous and ominous than Carlton had described.

Piii—

The start signal came from afar. From the white flag, Nike and Hestia set out.

Nike stepped into the forest as if sinking into a bog.

“…Creepy.”

“Meat. Hungry.”

Before long, they ran into a demon.

A spider beast with poisonous mushrooms sprouting on its back. Its grotesque form defied words.

“Meat!”

Though to Nike, it looked different.

“…That looks like meat to you?”

The battle ended quickly which was surprising.

Hestia pulled her scythe from the demon’s body, and it pulled sticky slime. She spoke with a disgusted expression.  

“…Just as the instructor said, these demons are manageable.”

They struggled only when baby spiders burst from the mushrooms. Besides that, it was easy.

Hestia rejoiced that her training was not in vain. Her hardened body and sculpted abs gave her confidence.

Most of all…

“Ugh…”

There was this kid who charged the moment he saw it, smashed its head with his fist, and then tasted the poisonous mushrooms.

‘As long as we don't get lost, we’ll be fine.’

Even a forest of demons was not frightening because of it.

“…Let’s go, Nike.”

“Egh. Numb.”

“…”

With a small sigh, Hestia dragged Nike along, who was paralyzed from the poisonous mushroom.